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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

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