Our Journey: Colorado Trip

The Steamboat Stinger. I had signed up for this race (it sells out... QUICKLY) in March when they opened registration. At that time we were still living in Gypsum and had not even hardly discussed moving... When we then decided to move back to IL to be closer to our families, I thought I was going to have to skip this race. Then Natalie suggested I take a week and go back to Colorado. While there I could do the 2nd last race in the Vail town series at Camp Hale and do the Stinger that weekend. Timing wasn't the best, as it was Natalie's last week off before returning to work, at a new school... So I was for sure hesitant, but she insisted I go. So I contacted my cycling buddies Andy and Trevor to see if they would like to join me on this trip. They said of course (who passes up a cheap trip to Colorado???) So we loaded up the car with 4 bikes, our gear, me, Andy, Trevor, and Mary. Mary was catching a ride with us back to Gypsum where she lives. I was super thankful as well for her company because she drives a manual transmission and could give me a break in the middle of Kansas!

We stayed at a friends house in Eagle for the first few days. It was so nice! They had a full basement with beds for us to sleep in. We arrived Monday afternoon and had wanted to ride Hoosier Pass from Breck, but it was raining, so we just continued on to Eagle. Of course it was not raining in Eagle! But at that point I was super tired after having driven all night. So I passed out for a few hours. But then after resting we kitted up and rode Cottonwood pass past Gypsum for a solid 30 miles. The altitude and lack of sleep hurt me bad! Alana had made Enchiladas for us that night. They were so delicious!

Tuesday was our big ride. It was difficult to balance, since I wanted to ride as much as possible while there, yet I still had a couple of races to try to be fresh for. Tuesday we did 90 miles on the Leadville loop. Parked at Beaver Creek and headed up Vail Pass, then over Fremont Pass, then Tennessee Pass from the South, and finally Battle Mountain Pass down in Minturn and back to the car. We had planned on riding Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch to trace the Pro Challenge course, but it was too difficult to pass the car after already burning 4,000 calories and climbing 7k feet... After the ride I sat in the Eagle River for a while to help the legs try to recover more quickly. We hit up the Dusty Boot for lunch/dinner after the ride. It hit the spot! Then headed to the brewery with local friends that evening. Yellow Chair Peach was back on tap! Delicious!

Heading toward Vail Pass

Raptor Night at the Dusty Boot

Wednesday I rode early to spin the legs a bit, then spent some time back in the river... Feels so nice, and I really think it works. Wednesday night was Camp Hale. I had never done this race before, but had heard it didn't have a bunch of climbing, and it was like a road race... Well, the first part was false, there was a bunch of climbing, just not super steep, and the 2nd part was true, there was a lot of drafting and rock roads. It was a great race for me, other than the majorly difficult singletrack downhill section that cost me loads of time each lap! I finished 6th. My best result of the year in the town series. Every other race I had finished 8th... I was super pleased with this result especially considering I had just done a big day the day before! After the race we got some food at Larkburger! My first time having a Larkburger, and it was delicious!!! Then we headed to Steamboat... Well, I thought we were heading to Steamboat, but after a few miles on 131 I realized we were out of gas, and since there are no gas stations on the way we had to turn around... That cost us an extra half hour... (seemed to be the theme of the trip, since about 30 miles from Effingham Natalie called to say here wallet was in the car, so we had to return home to give that to her. That cost us about an hour, but must have happened for a reason as about midway through Kansas the interstate was closed for a head to head semi/car collision. That happened about an hour before we got there...)

Lark Burger!!!

Sunset on our way to Steamboat Springs

Thursday we spent the day hanging out in Steamboat. It's a wonderful place! Definitely a must visit if you ever get out to Colorado and haven't been there. One of my favorite towns in the summer! That night we went out for Sushi at Spostas (As in Sposta be good...) It was delish! First time I've ever had or even heard of chicken and steak in a Sushi roll...

Sposta be good...

Amazing tree on the deck at Sweet Pea

Friday I pre rode part of the race course and spent more time in the river (lots of time in the river with Michael and his gf Ann) having drinks and throwing rocks... Sometimes you just have to get a little creative... Lunch on Friday was at Sweet Pea. Fantastic! Right on the river, and great food!