Skip to main content

Colorado Epic: Day Eleven


Paonia to Crested Butte

Today started out in the best way possible.  I walked out of the hotel, and Desmond the kitty was hanging out in the grass.  I said, “Kitty kitty!” He came running!  I pet him for quite a while.  He purred and purred, then pranced happily around the group.  He helped Greg pack the trailer, posed for a few photos, then wished us a safe and pleasant journey.

Today we had short miles and a long climb.  40 miles of climbing to be exact.  Leadout Leslie set a smooth pace as we left town and started grinding up the canyon.  I have ridden that particular canyon three times now, in both directions, and every time I have had a headwind.  The road gains elevation at an infuriating, false-flat grade.  Add a headwind to the equation and it becomes annoying.  16 miles Leslie pulled us along, up the frustrating grade, into the wind.  I was elated to see the turn to Kebler Pass and the van.

The road turned to gravel shortly after the van stop, but the gravel was hard packed and surprisingly smooth.  The grade increased noticeably.  Finally, I felt like I was Climbing.  I loved every second of it!  Up, up, up we went.  The landscape was spectacular.  Past 7,000 feet, then 8,000 feet, then 9,000 feet, we kept climbing.  With every 1,000 foot gain, I did my fist pump in the air and shouted the elevation.  The chipmunks found it amusing.  

High clouds shaded us from the full strength of the sun, and Greg stopped often to refill our bottles and give us snacks.  The higher I climbed, the better I felt.  After the second van stop on the climb, I had to consciously slow myself down.  I had ten more miles of climbing, but my legs wanted to gallop.  I felt SO GOOD.  The weather was perfect, my food was on point, the gravel was smooth and lovely, and the scenery was outstanding.  There was no where on the planet I would have rather been, and I wanted it to last forever.  

Higher and higher we climbed, finally reaching the summit at 9,991 feet.  Leslie and I hung out for a while, enjoying the view and sharing stories about life.  After a bit, Kurt and Billy crested.  

Kurt said, “Heidi, Billy’s Garmin says we are at 9,991 feet.  We’re not at 10,000.  Does that bother you?”

Leslie and I looked at each other, laughed, grabbed our bikes, and pushed them up a steep dirt road for nine more feet, cresting at an even 10,000.  

Kurt and Billy shook their heads and laughed as we walked our bikes back down to the main road.  Then, it was time to descend.  A quick, smooth, ten mile drop down into Crested Butte was the perfect finish to the day.  

I can’t believe how good I’m feeling.  Climbing today felt wonderful.  My legs like to climb.  It just feels good.  

As I just mentioned, we are in Crested Butte.  Crested Butte has an amazing candy store with a candy called a peanut butter bucket.  It’s like a peanut butter cup, only bigger and more delicious.  I had two of them last year when we were in Crested Butte, and I have been dreaming about them for the past year.  Dinner is in an hour, and I don’t care.  I am going to the candy store right now and getting a peanut butter bucket.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  

Total miles: 57

Total elevation gain: 5,312

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Heavy

  I keep wondering if I'm approaching my breaking point.  What does that look like? It's too much.  But I've been saying it's too much for a while now.  So when is it actually too much? I pushed "Send" and my text whooshed off to my best friend, Denise.  Three dots immediately popped up on my screen.   You're stronger than you think.  Tell your brain to shut up.  You got this! I smiled at her reply, even if I doubted her confidence. In August, my husband of 17 years died.  One day, he was alive, healthy, vibrant, and strong.  The next day, he was dead.  Just like that.  No warning.  No preparation.  In an instant, my world crumbled into a million tiny bits that flung themselves to the far corners of the solar system.  I couldn't fathom how to get through that day, or the next, or the next.  I remember thinking, What does November even look like?  Or next summer?  How do I even get there? ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Delivery

  I met a friend at a coffee shop yesterday afternoon for our monthly catch-up.  I arrived first, and while I was placing my order, I saw a former client of mine.  We hadn't seen each other in quite a while, and greeted each other with smiles and a hug.   I know what's coming. We exchanged pleasantries and small talk.   Any minute now... She asked a few questions about how my work was going and told me about her workouts and what she had been doing.   Any second now... And then she asked it.  The question I knew was coming.   "How's your husband doing?" "My husband died."  No hesitation.  No preamble.  No introduction.   She recoiled, took a step back, hand on her chest, jaw wide open. "Oh my God," she stammered.  "I'm so sorry.  I don't...I can't...I'm so sorry." I gave her a sympathetic smile.  "I'm sorry," I offered.  "I'm still working on my delivery.  I'm not quite sure how...
Post a Comment
Read more

Signs

  It was Tuesday, March 10, last week.  It was my 47th birthday.  It was the first birthday since Scott died.  It was the first birthday since my mom moved into memory care.  Shannon was in Oregon working.  The alarm went off that morning at 4:00 am.  I had to be out the door for dog walk by 4:45 to get to my first clients by 6:30.  At 4:30, I started getting ready.  Put on my walking clothes, layering appropriately.  Put on the glowing green dog collars.  Grabbed my flashlight so I could see where I was going in the heavy darkness that is 4:45 am.   The dogs and I headed across the pasture on the same route we've done nearly every day since Scott died, the same walk he had done nearly every day since we moved into our house.  We made our way along the creek, up the switchbacks, onto the bench behind the house.  As we walked, I was throwing myself a pity party.  Here I was, once again walking in the darkness...
Post a Comment
Read more