Weekend update and then some

Thursday we got off work a little early and headed out to Vail while it was still light out. What a concept! It was nice to be able to get in about half the ride time before needing the lights. However, with the recent storms the temps were pretty low, even at 3:30.





The snow on the surrounding peaks was gorgeous... Much more amazing in person than it turned out in photos, but the snowcapped mountains were stunning.





For the first time I was able to ride down a new connector singletrack in the (waning) day light. I haven't ridden much of it before just cause I couldn't see anything and had no idea what was around/in front of me. A mini-bike had torn up some of the corners, but otherwise it was ok. Tried this rock roller, even.






Sun started to set, so it was almost lights on time.





Went down (and back UP) Dam Climb for the first time in just over a month... I kinda missed the big fella.





Friday was a regen ride in preparation for a decent weekend. I actually wound up about 30 minutes shy on time over 2 days, but it didn't seem worth it to break out a third pair of cycling shorts and putting up the trainer just for 30 minutes. I'll do some active recovery tonight. I was thinking about an hour long yoga session, but more likely I'll just hop on the trainer for 30 while watching MNF.


Saturday we got up and got ready for a CHILLY road ride. The ride over to the bike shop for the 9 am start was positively frigid. I couldn't feel my face or hands. We pull into the parking lot and after about 10 minutes it seemed actually really nice out. I took off my skull cap and was sweating standing in the sun.



Once we took off, though, I was quickly reminded that it was only about 40F out. I didn't really warm up until the first decent climb a few miles in. After that it was alternating cold/warm enough. I took my Cyclone gloves off for the end of the ride. Just too warm climbing. Ride was good overall. There was the bike shop club team ride/clinic. Almost everyone went to the clinic. But, I needed ride time not intensity.


Front of the peloton





Everyone else





The road riders





Self portrait





We spent the rest of Saturday hydrating and recovering. Stopped by the bike shop to pick up my new Specy shoes, then headed over to visit almost 0 days old baby Chase. He is really good when his parents have visitors!


Sunday it was up a bit later and mozying around before heading out the door and up the hill to one of the two most popular post-rain so Cal dirt rides around. I've never seen the lot so full in 3.5 years of riding the trail. Seriously. No parking. And when did organized/paid shuttles on government land become ok? Hrm.


I was running over to the facilities when I heard a familiar voice! If it wasn't Mr. SingleMinded on a carbon GEARED bike! Was really happy to get to ride with him again, and we had fun on the loop. Great day. The weather wound up being pretty warm all day. I peeled off the arm warmers and wool base layer before we took off, and would've been ok without the knee warmers. It felt like it was about 75 midway up the climb on the exposed singletrack. Yikes.


Ton of traffic, but 99.5% of the descenders were super respectful, and I made sure my appreciation was known by offering profuse thanks and kind words to everyone that yielded. I didn't hesitate to return the favor to the climbers when I was on my way down the hill.


Santiago Peak is covered...







Main Divide TT "littered" with white stuff





The boys!





Snow patch near the top





Finally, some pictures of meeeee!











Sooo, after tomorrow I'm off for over a week. I don't mind my lowered "load" this week mostly because I haven't been sleeping well at all and also because it's raining. But, next week? If the weather is good I might have to consider "going rogue" for a few days to enjoy time OUTSIDE.


I spend 5 days a week couped up indoors under artificial lighting... Since our place doesn't get any sunlight if the weather is decent next week I hope to spend a lot of the time outside!! Justin's hoping the bad weather clears up so we can go on a hike somewhere. Not sure where since all the local mountains have been inundated snow...


Credit goes to PJD for this shot, but here's Trabuco yesterday morning:







With this latest storm blowing through, it may be awhile before all that melts! Unless it happens to be about 55 up there right now while it's sprinkling...


Guess that's all for now... I somehow managed to mess up my font setting. No idea how that is going to turn out.


Happy Monday?