happy new year!

Here's to more adventures on the bike in 2012! And fondly remembering 2011. I had a lot of great times on the bike this year, but it all led to my latest trip to Colorado.

I was able to add Hoosier Pass to my list of Colorado passes climbed.

 I got to ride through the Colorado National Monument again.

I enjoyed doing some climbs I had done before.

I made it up and over on a route that had foiled me before.

And mostly I enjoyed the company and camaraderie of some great folks who enjoy the challenges of riding up mountains as much as I do. I hope all of them, and all of you, have great rides in 2012!

bike tour song

(To the tune of the Christmas Song)

                                                                                                                                                        

Pedals turning in the summer sun
Wheels are rolling down the road
You’re shifting down as the road rises up
As you search for the perfect spinning mode
Everybody knows a mountain is a thing to climb
Some say just because it’s there
Who knew that riding could be so much fun
Though altitude does lead to thinner air

You know that when you make the top
You’ll have done it slowly so your ears won’t pop
A super fast descent, you’ve got to try
And if you have the nerve, you can really fly

And so, my wish for you this holiday
Whatever riding that you do
Make a plan, if you can, for a longer ride
Happy bike tour to you

Just think of how you’ll spend your day
With lots of rolling hills and rest stops on the way
And when the day is done, for sure you may be sore
But in the morning you’ll be ready for more

 And so, my wish for you this holiday
Whatever riding that you do
Make a plan, if you can, for a longer ride
Happy bike tour to you

And when the day is done, for sure you may be sore
But in the morning you’ll be ready for more

And so, my wish for you this holiday
Whatever riding that you do
Make a plan, if you can, for a longer ride
Happy bike tour to you

race across the sky - leadville trail 100

It had been a while since I had watched my DVD of Race Across The Sky, so I popped it in when I climbed on my trainer this morning. It's kind of like watching Apollo 13, I know what's going to happen, but I still get caught up in the drama. Having happened onto Leadville as the race was reaching it's crucial 12 hour cut-off one year gave me a small idea of how grueling an event this is.

 I've ridden into Leadville in a cold rain at the end of a hundred mile day with lots of climbing. It was hard. But I was on paved roads, and it wasn't a race! I'm in awe of those who ride this race, and while I don't particularly want to do it, would love to see it again.