Ride the Rockies was so kind to us this year. I didn't have to get up at 2 a.m. to check the route. They had it posted before midnight.
Unfortunately, though, it wasn't what I thought and hoped.
I play this little game every year. I check hotels a couple of weeks before the route is announced, trying to determine where it will be. Sometimes I get a few towns right. Sometimes I totally blow it.
This was a "blew it" year.
We were SO wanting the ride to start in Cortez, scale Lizard Head Pass to Telluride, then circle back around to Durango via Silverton, and I got kind of lost after that. We were hoping for Pagosa Springs to Lake City to Gunnison, which would have given us seven mountain passes, and RtR had already announced it would be six. So Pagosa to Monte Vista to anywhere they want to go after that would have been just as good. Especially after the awesome potato bar Monte Vista provided last year, even though we weren't staying the night there, just passing through. In my mind, we owed an overnight to the land of the best stuffed baked potatoes ever!
After Leadville in this year's route, the visual appeal sort of fades away for us. Ride the Rockies will be overnighting in Edwards, then two nights in Steamboat, which is a nice location, but getting there is not exactly scenic, especially on a bike. The route also doesn't include the elevation I need to seriously work on in order to make it to the top of Pikes Peak in August, which is my biggest goal of the year. The route doesn't feature the mileage, elevation and endurance The Lizard needs to prepare for the Double Triple.
Steamboat to Grandby used to be scenic, and Rabbit Ears Pass is one I've always wanted to ride. The area beyond Rabbit Ears has changed dramatically in the last few years. Beetlekill has turned many of the trees brownish red.
Then on to Georgetown. Berthoud Pass is good training. But it also tends to be a very busy road.
No Day Seven. Just like the groceries that stay the same price but keep getting smaller and smaller. Ride the Rockies shrunk. They cut off a day. I'm sure this move was made to prevent a price jump, but the cutback feels like an arm or leg being amputated.
Good thing we had the Triple Bypass scare last month. We made a Plan B, just in case we don't get drawn for Ride the Rockies. Now we're not registering, so we won't get drawn, and we have a Plan B. We have a backup plan. And it sounds better than the actual Ride the Rockies route.
Still, it feels very odd to be not planning for Ride the Rockies this early, and it feels even stranger to say, without a lump in my throat, we're not doing RtR this year. It will feel like I've stepped into someone else's life to go through February without the anticipation of RtR drawing results in March. And looking through all these old RtR photos really hits home...
Then, in the blink of an eye, Plan C burst onto my computer screen first thing Monday morning, and taking all the queasiness away!
So, I'm in. The Lizard is in, because as a special perk, I get to register a friend early. We're not doing RtR. But we get to do the MS-150 together. He gets to do the Triple Double, and I'm going to get up Pikes Peak this year. This time, with the Lizard. Sort of. (He likely will set a record pace reaching the summit, and I expect to be among the last riders to reach the summit in the allotted time.) No excuses. Nothing will stop me this year. I will make it to the top.
We'll miss watching, or, well... photographing the final stage of the first Tour of Colorado.
But hey, the pros will be riding into Denver, and we'll be riding to the top of the world in Nature's Playground. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who's got the better route that day!
That last picture of you two is adorable! Life is full of trade-offs, but again, sounds like you picked the better deal. Take lots of pictures of the pretty route if you can! =]
ReplyDeleteYou most certainly will make it to the top- it's your turn, dammit.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for the both of you... the photo is priceless. You can't buy smiles like that with all the money in Switzerland.
Somehow, things always work out!!! I love you guys to pieces and look forward to lots of pictures!!!!
ReplyDeletekeep it fun. and I have been meaning to ask... Why does the man called Lizard?
ReplyDeleteLooks like an incredible experience - love the shot of the tents, mountains and sunrise! (sunset??) Congrats on getting through it!
ReplyDeleteGreat plan. Yes, you're right - no rocket scientist needed!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have an awesome summer of riding! And, watch out Pike's Peak, here comes Snowcatcher!
Wow, what a life you and Lizard live.
ReplyDeleteMethinks it looks life to the fullest.
The picture of the two of you with your big smiles is absolutely wonderful! Makes me smile!!! I know nothing about mountain biking, but I'm guessing from the photo with all the bikes laying down, they don't have kickstands?!?! =D
ReplyDeleteReally love the pic of the snow capped mountaines and the tops of all the colored tents ~ very cool! Thanks for stopping by ~ Keep on creating all your wonderful things!!
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