And.....they're OFF!

Wow...the years first Grand Tour is already underway! I've totally MISSED the entire season (thus far). Phinney taking the prologue (or more accurately, stage 1 I guess), and Cav takes stage 2! Looks like the question of whether he will continue his reign of domination on a new team has been answered. And how cool for Taylor!  The pink jersey, and he's HOW old? That young man has BIG BIG things in his future!

And on a sad personal note, I'll miss this years Tour of California in it's entirety due to my current work-trip to Colorado Springs. However being as they are totally bypassing my part of the state, it's not such a huge blow. I'm still sad tho...will be the first ToC that I've not been able to go to at least one stage.

On a plus note, my trip here won't be totally wasted...I've ridden the Mt bike the last 4 days IN A ROW! My total is a measly 62.7 miles total, but that would be minimizing the SUFFER factor. I'm a sea-level guy, and all the rides here START at 6500' or more. To say I've been gasping for air as I climb would be an understatement! Also of note is that those meager 62.7 miles took me OVER 11 hours of actual ride time (not to be confused with elapsed time, which is much longer due to MANY MANY breaks). And I've climbed a total of almost 11,000' of climbing. Sure sure...that's not REALLY that much climbing...but again I remind you that I'm DYING on the climbs.

I've only been in town 7 days now...and I'm HOPING that my body has been reacting by becoming a little portable red blood cell factory. By next weekend I SHOULD start to slowly feel the effects of my acclimatization to altitude as the new crop of RBC's take about a week to mature (learned this from the many EPO doping scandals in cycling). However, I have to admit that what I'm hoping for (in terms of quantity) is probably a LONG way off from what I will get. But hey... beggars can't be choosey...I'll take any increase in my hemacrit and I'll like it!

And so...I leave you with a few pics from the last few days rides. As much as I miss Jeannie and the babies (and just being HOME), Colo Springs is a fun place for me to visit if the weather is good AND I have my bike!

 On the trail, that is Cheyenne Mt directly ahead in the distance (I mean the FAR distance).

 A view of Mt Baldy. You can see the road slanting across down in the tree-line. This will assuredly be a target before I leave (the top is just under 12,000').

Love this shot...it's a view of the Bear Creek trail (looking back up where I just came from). There are many 'scree-slopes' like this throughout the area..and it's quite exhilarating to come bombing down 'surfing' the scree...it's like riding with 2 flat tires as the bike is all over the place, and you just keep shifting your body weight around, keep your weight WAY back, and try not to shoot off the edge.

 Doesn't look like much, but this is St Mary's falls. I killed myself getting this far up what turns out to be a HORRIFIC trail for a bike. To say that this was a whole lot of HIKE A BIKE is an understatement. But I made it, and beyond.

 I had to cross this snow-field on the way down "Jones Downhill" trail. I had already climbed to over 10,000' up the evil St Mary's Falls trail to get to this AWESOME downhill run. Was it worth it? YES!

As I descended Jones, I came across this beaver pond at about 8800'. It's a quite scenic spot for sure!

The first tunnel on Gold Camp Rd (which is a 16.5 mile climb at around 4% grade). It was actually QUITE dark in the middle, but the road is butter smooth so you just keep riding 'towards the light'.

 Now THAT'S what I call a ROCK!

A view looking down the "Pipeline" trail. That is a very old clay pipe (it's exposed in many places, with more than a few parts totally missing). No idea what it's purpose was way up here in the mtns.

This is a view looking down trail 667 (part of Jones Downhill). It's a loopy swoopy bobsled like run in many places, bringing a HUGE smile to a tired face.

And with that, I bid you a good week!