J.A.B.R.

Just Another Big Ride; as the Hollow-geneva crew back home can attest, that’s all today was

Was up early, but had to wait for the temps to rise to above freezing before I headed out, though I skipped the shoe covers and definitely paid for that at the end of the ride.

Plan was to take it easy over to Flagstaff, and give er’ for a nice 20 minutes then settle in for the remaining 10 up the climb.

It wasn’t a true test as I held back due to the length of the ride, but it is always nice to set a season best 5/20 min effort near the end of a solid 3 week block! Next week comes the field test…

The views heading up Flagstaff are incredible, though there’s usually too much suffering going on to take them in. On the way down is even more difficult as the sand in the road makes the switchbacks super crazy. I did a nice powerslide through a corner onto the shoulder, but apparently I wasn’t the only one as there were a few tracks there ahead of me!

After Flagstaff, made my way towards Lyons and was originally going to go around Carter Lake, but decided I could stuff another big climb in the legs. Some red bull and candy bars from the gas station helped me make my way up St. Vrain Canyon.

The climb is never really very steep, just a constant 12 mile grind till you hit the peak to peak highway. I felt fairly good and just held a solid tempo up it the whole way.

There are some awe inspiring views though on the way up. I was constantly gawking around at all the cool stuff, even though I’ve been through the canyon a few times.

Once on the peak to peak I headed towards Ward, grinding it out for another 6 miles of mostly uphill. Once in Ward, topped off the bottles at the spring and then froze my toes and fingers off on the 16 mile descent. Took a few stops in the sunshine for a few minutes to warm things up, the hands in the armpits ala Looney really works great, though I had a hell of time trying to put my feet there

Tomorrow looks to be more of the same, though the weather will be much nicer, so I’ll put in some more climbs! I’ll bring the vholdr tomorrow and grab some vids for ya’s.

Currently playing in iTunes: And It Rained All Night by Thom Yorke