Durango

Saturday was cowboy day. There was a parade that presented good photo opportunities. And we met an interesting character or two. Here are a few photos.

After the parade there were cowboy stories, music and poetry at the Statler Hotel. Some of them funny others sad...a lifestyle on the wane.

That evening we went to a movie at the downtown theatre. The two of us were the only ones there. We had a private showing. How do they make any money?

Sunday morning we had breakfast for the second time at a bagel shop. Afterwards I went on a bike ride heading north out of town. No mishaps this time. Great scenery, little traffic and a bit of climbing.

Had a late lunch, chili that was good and spicy, but we "paid" for it later. Watched the Denver Broncos beat themselves playing the New England Patriots. Peyton Manning was leading a comeback, but missed catches and a late fumble did them in. Went to another movie, Loopers, at a different theater, not a private showing this time and then called it a day.

On to Aspen today.

Vacation 2012 - Week 1

I've been having trouble posting, so I am only going to cover highlights and weird stuff. If you want details friend Vicki on Facebook if you have not already done so.

We left for Taos on Sunday, Sept. 30. Vicki drove the entire eleven hours, a first for her. The most interesting part of the ride was on New Mexico Hwy. 120 that has stretch of road that is gravel and wide enough for one vehicle. It is part of the climb up the mountain and here is where we got into the Fall colors.







In Taos we stayed at the El Monte Sagrado Resort and Spa. We usually stay in a bed and breakfast, but this place was really luxurious and a very good value. We will probably be back.




During our four day stay in Taos we had massages, ate at La Cueva, Oregano's Gourmet Sandwiches, Graham's Grille (my favorite), Orlando's, and Bent Street Cafe. Did a five mile hike up El Devisadero in Carson National Forest.




Lastly, I had a memorable bike ride up to Taos Ski Village ... actually it was coming down that was memorable. I managed to hit a pothole going 25-30 mph that resulted in blowing out both tires, the force pushed my handlebars down a bit, my chain came off and I did not crash. I only carry one spare tube, so I had a dilemma. I tried calling Vicki on my cell, but did not get a call through. Fortunately another cyclist, Caleb, stopped and sold me one of his spare tubes. As the two of us were talking Vicki heard our conversation because my call had gone through, but the phone was in my pocket. She knew the route, so headed up the mountain and found me switching out the tubes. Since Vicki was there I decided to "sag" back to town figuring that I probably should not ride because of unknown damage to the bike. So, we drove directly to Gearing Up, one of the local bike shops. Both wheels were out of true. After $47 in repairs I was ready for the next ride.




On Thursday, Oct. 4, we left Taos and headed for Durango. On the way we stopped in Chama to take the Cumbre & Toltec narrow gauge railroad ride. A bus took us to Antonito where we got on the train back to Chama. The ride was spectacular! Just check out the photos.

At the halfway point the train stopped in Osier where we had lunch and a bathroom break. The weird thing about the men's bathroom was the decor. The walls were decorated with old album covers of female country western singers. Each urinal had it's own performer. I got Reba McIntire.




We arrived in Chama somewhat blackened with soot, but happy we had chosen to experience the ride and memorable scenery.

On to Durango where we checked in to the Doubletree Hotel and settled in after switching rooms three times. How come when you book these places online they put you in the worst rooms?




After breakfast Friday at Jean Pierre the French French (not a typo) Baker we got over the hotel room debacle and made some plans for our Durango stay. Did some shopping and found a really cool xylophone - yeah what a weird thing to buy, but the sounds coming from this thing are amazing...kind of zen like tones.




In the afternoon we rented a bike for Vicki and rode a trail along the Animas River that runs alongside the hotel. Dinner was at an Irish restaurant downtown that had live music - a Celtic band.

 

Today, Saturday, Oct. 6, there is cowboy parade and other cowboy related activities that we are going to check out. Tomorrow I am planning to take a bike ride.

 

 

RTR a month ago already

A month has gone by already since Ride the Rockies began. I am still benefiting from it. My cycling is stronger than ever...which is a good thing. I just wonder how long it will last.

Anyway, I ordered one of the pictures the ride photographers took. So here I am on the fifth day, climbing. It was one of the best days!

Ride the Rockies 2012

This is a single posting summarizing one of the greatest physical challenges I have undertaken.

Randy and Jim on RTR

Early this year a high school friend, Jim, from Ecuador, asked if I was interested in joining him to Ride the Rockies (RTR), a six day (June 9-15), 442 mile bicycle ride through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I accepted and trained for several months by riding, spinning and yoga.

The route started in Gunnison and finished in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I drove to Ft. Collins beginning on Wednesday, June 6 arriving on Thursday, June 7. That gave me a day, Friday, to ride around the Ft. Collins area to get a bit acclimated to the altitude and test my new bike frame.

NOTE: The weekend before RTR I managed to damage my bike frame on my final training ride. So, I had three days to find a new frame. Fortunately Patrick, my friend and spin class trainer found an Orbea frame online that I ordered, shipped overnight and took to Colonel's bike shop to put on the components. It all worked out and I was able to leave for Colorado as planned on Wednesday, June 6.

Friday, June 8 - Rode 31 miles in the Ft. Collins area. A very bike friendly city. Bike lanes everywhere. Route was mostly flat, but did include three 12% grade climbs near Horsetooth Reservoir.

In the afternoon I packed my bike in a box to prepare it for the bus trip to Gunnison from Ft. Collins.

Saturday, June 9 - Drove to the Odell Brewery in Ft. Collins to catch the bus to Gunnison. It was about a five hour ride. Met Jim, who is riding the route on a "folder" bike that he brought from Virginia, where he lives, in a suitcase. The bike is made of steel. Amazing! Completed registration for RTR and secured a spot in the gym to bed down.

RTR Aid Station

Sleeping in a gym is a "special" experience in itself. We slept in school gyms all week. We were in the early group which means lights out at 9:30 PM and lights on at 5:30 AM the next morning. A gym full of sleeping men and women who make many different sleeping sounds in addition to snoring is a real treat. It's like a low roar all night. Ear plugs did help some.

The morning routine consisted of getting in line for the bathroom (portable outdoor toilets), eating an energy bar (breakfast) while waiting in line; dressing in layers for a cold morning ride...full-finger gloves, arm and leg warmers, vest, "do-rag" for the head, ear headband, shoe toe covers and helmet; packing the bag and taking it to luggage truck; filling the Camelback with water; getting the bike out of the "corral" (where it was secure - no rustlers); lining up for access to a pump to inflate the bike tires; and finally...ready to roll...usually between 6:30 and 7:00 AM.

Jim's folder bicycle

Once we got started Jim would ride with me for awhile and take off. He is a really strong rider. It is amazing that he rode on a "folder." And, as the ride progressed his derailler malfunctioned and he couldn't use the few gears available to him since the bike has a single chain ring.

Sunday, June 10 - The first day of riding - Gunnison to Hotchkiss. First climbing test. I did 83 miles in a headwind. One long climb...about 20 miles total with some breaks. I felt pretty good. I did get an altitude headache that evening, but that is the only issue I had with the altitude all week.

I am not going into a daily description of each ride, but will hit the highlights. I did figure out a cadence and rhythm to climbing that worked well for me. I guess you could say it was my "zone." I was certainly not fast...usually 5 - 10 mph on the long climbs. My lowest gear was still higher than many other riders, so I found myself inexorably passing people on the way up. You wouldn't think that dealing with bike "traffic" on the climbs would be an issue, but it was. I found myself getting out of the saddle or pushing hard for a short distance just to get around slow moving groups of cyclists. One guy even paced me for awhile saying that I was like a "metronome." I thought it was hilarious that he was pacing me!

The third day was the toughest. Carbondale to Leadville through Independence Pass, altitude over 12,000 feet. The pass was at the 50 mile mark, but there were 35 more miles to go. 17 miles down...which is soooo cool. But, the last 18 miles were brutal! There was a constant headwind, a 9% grade climb on a dirt road, a butt and balls busting asphalt road with raised seams every 15-20 feet, a long slow climb into Leadville, and then the school was on a hill! Total miles 85; altitude feet gained during the day was more than 7,000 feet. I was actually in the saddle for more than 8 hours. I was wiped out!

The last two days were the best. Granby to Estes Park was through the Rocky Mountain National Park up to Milner Pass (elevation 12,000+ feet). Tough climb, fantastic scenery, absolutely awesome descent. I tried to keep the speed in check, but it was really easy to go over 40 mph.

The last day, Friday, June 15, Estes Park to Ft. Collins we got re-routed as a result of the forest fires. Jim and I rode together. Most of the route was downhill through a couple of scenic canyons. We ended up averaging about 20 mph for the 47 miles traveled. It was the shortest route of the event.

RTR was difficult, but I come away with a good sense of accomplishment. Will I do it again? I don't know, but Jim will ask me again.