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Colorado Epic: Day Six

 

Gunnison to Creede

Statistically, today was a monster.  It was our biggest day yet, both in mileage and in elevation.  I woke up this morning both excited and a bit curious as to how the day would unfold.  The group was subdued at breakfast.  We all rolled out together, Greg at the front setting a brisk pace down the canyon.  We reached the reservoir in no time, made the turn, and soon started climbing.  At the base of the first climb, Greg pushed the pace.  The brothers drifted off the back.  Tom, Jim, and I clung to Greg’s wheel.  

“Greg,” I called out from the back of the pace line.  “I have a new nickname for you.  Fresh Legs Greg.”

“I ran ten miles yesterday and climbed 1,300 feet!” Greg shouted back.

Tom: “We don’t care.”

Jim: “I like it a lot better when Leslie does the lead out.” 

Me: “Lead out Leslie!”

Jim: “Greg, this nickname is gonna follow you all over Colorado.  Fresh Legs.”

Greg: “Could be worse.”

Tom: “We’ll try to make it worse.”

The mood was light and jovial as we continued to climb, then descend, then climb again.  As we pedaled into the town of Lake City for our lunch stop, dark clouds hung heavy on the high mountain peaks.  We were halfway through the ride, but still had 75% of the work ahead of us.  Lunch was light, quick, and quiet.  We were consumed with thoughts of climbing the pass, cresting over 11,000 feet, and probably having to do it in the rain.  

We geared up and shoved off.  Two miles up the climb, I heard the rain before I felt it.  I quickly stopped and pulled on my rain jacket.  As I was zipping up, I saw the rain on the road ahead.  It was a steady rain, and as I resumed my slow ascent, the pitter patter on my hood became the soundtrack of my climb.  The air was still and heavily scented with spruce.  Sun hit the high peaks across the valley as the rain continued to whisper on my hood.  I was in my happiest of happy places.  I reached the summit, 11,530 feet, and it was cold.


Tom was already there, and Jim arrived soon after me.  We added more layers as we shivered in the high altitude rain.  And then, just as we got all geared up, the heavy clouds lifted and the sun came out!  We ripped down the short descent before starting yet another climb.  The sun shone strong, and just as we reached the second summit of the day, a herd of about 500 sheep began crossing the road in front of us.

  


Slowly we pedaled through the herd, then made our way down, down, down.  About eight miles from our hotel, the sky darkened once again.  Rain fell lightly, but the road was saturated.  I was in a paceline with Tom and Jim, and the spray off their tires felt like a water hose on full blast pointed directly at my face.  I quickly drifted back as to not drown on the side of the road.  Jim soon followed suit, and we soft pedaled the remaining few miles to our hotel.

I arrived soaked, shivering, and absolutely blissful.  Today was by far the biggest day we’ve had, and today was by far my favorite day yet.  My legs continue to surprise me with how good they are feeling.  My neck, shoulders, and hands felt much better today. The undercarriage is less painful. It was an absolutely perfect day from start to finish.

Total miles: 100.5

Total elevation gain: 7,418

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