160 miles

Hard for me to get in the patriotic mood this year with all the political bullshit going on right now, but our parade was sure fun. i particularly enjoyed the float with our mayor, Alan Bernholtz, and the Monkey's downhill mountain bike team. They set up a dirt jump off the cab of a truck over a gas-ignited fire pit. My sister and her 5 month old twins were in town, which gave me a welcome relief from my annual participation in the parade water war, as I was assisting in feeding, burping, and bouncing. This year the fire trucks tapped into coal creek, enabling endless 200 foot spouts of deadly water set against seemingly pathetic water balloons, squirt guns, and even the 5 gallon buckets.

Before the fourth, I was able to join my buddies Dave and Missy for the West Elk Scenic Byway loop on bikes. The 160 mile long loop was on my to-do list for the summer, but i was unsure if my ass was ready for that amount of time in the saddle. I had only been on a few road bike rides this season, but they were going and I was up for an adventure. We started at 6:30 am in the rain, going over 30 miles of dirt road - Kebler pass towards Erikson Springs. I punctured and tore my road tire around mile 26 and we were able to patch it with a Clif Block wrapper. Two Forks bakery in Paonia provided some quick fuel of cinnamon rolls and breadsticks stuffed with spinach, mushroom and gorgonzola, then we were off again. The weather cooperated as we cruised towards Crawford for more fuel and water, plus stocking up for the next 80 miles without services. The climb to the black canyon was marred by a electrical storm. We took a break to let the storm pass to the East, and were able to cruise the scenic road above the National Monument on wet roads, yet dry but cloudy skys. The final 20 miles into Gunnison proved to be the hardest of the day, with a 30 mile an hour headwind, and sideways rain and hail near Elk Creek. I was still feeling sporty as we road into Gunnison, dodging huge tree damage spewed all over highway 50. Stuffing more food down our throats at the Steaming Bean, with Dave loading up on a triple quad americano, we settled into the final 30 mile climb up valley towards home. I hit the wall about 20 miles from town, still able to ride, but feeling quite lifeless. Needless to say, time crawled by despite Dave's drafting games, yet, like all epics, it was suddenly over and I was rejoicing on my couch once again. 10 days to go for the 100 mile Crested Butte Classic - an underground single track mtb race. I'm looking forward to that one being over already!