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Colorado Epic: Day Nine

 


Ouray to Camp V

Today, by tour standards, was to be an easy 85 mile recovery ride.  We only had 3,500 feet of climbing.  We only had one pass to climb with a summit hovering at 9,000 feet.  The day was mostly trending downward in elevation.  It should have been an easy day.  

It started out great.  Leadout Leslie took us down the canyon, flowing along easily under heavy clouds.  The climb came quickly, and as we started up, I spun easily.  I wanted to get as much recovery today as I could, because tomorrow is another big day.  Up the climb I went, feeling really good and convincing my legs to slow down and pedal softly.  The views of the peaks were stunning.  I reached the summit feeling great.  


We dropped off the top, down into a gorgeous red canyon, following the river as it twisted and turned alongside the road.  There was a bit of a tailwind, and we cruised easily down the road.  I was having so much fun and feeling really strong.  My legs were spinning easily with the tailwind and loss of elevation.  Recovery felt great.  

And that’s when I made a crucial mistake.  Because we had mostly been descending and I had been spinning so easily, I didn’t eat enough at the van stop in the canyon.  I had a few bits and pieces, downed a gel, and off we went.  We had a two mile climb to get out of the canyon, then another few miles to lunch.  The climb felt great.  I felt strong.  As soon as I reached the summit, I tanked.  Suddenly, I hated everything.  EVERYTHING.  The minimal traffic made my blood boil.  The tiny bit of headwind was insufferable.  Tom’s freewheel spinning behind me sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard.  I knew I was on the verge of an epic bonk, and willed the van to appear around the next corner.  And finally, there it was.  Tom and I rolled to a stop.  

In a monotone voice, I asked, “Tom, do you want to get a few more miles or do you feel like chilling for a bit?”

I about cried tears of joy when he said, “No, I’m really hungry.  I want some lunch.”

Thank the sweet gods of cycling.  No extra miles right now.  Just food and water.  I heaped my plate with a serving of delicious pasta with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, then had a second helping, then ate a veggie salad, then five squares of chocolate, then three cookies.  I still wasn’t full, but I could feel my anger dissipating.  The group hung out for a bit, chatting and enjoying being off the bike.  Then it was time to roll.

As soon as I took my first pedal strokes, I felt better.  The pasta coursed through my veins as I plowed into the head and crosswinds.  Down we went, continuing to lose elevation.  The road plunged and curved, the wind shifted head to side to tail to head.  I felt great.  The last 25 miles passed easily, and we reached our lodging quickly.

Tomorrow is another big day.  Time to go eat more.

Total miles: 85

Total elevation: 3,524

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