Jul 22, 2023

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

THE GENTLEMAN PUT ON HIS 9TH ANNUAL Creek To Peak mountain bike ride. For some, it's Leadville prep, for others it's an epic adventure...

... either way it's memorable.

Because it always stings.

He pinged me the night before.

Let's ride over?

Isn't it far enough as it is?

Yeah, let's get some bonus miles.

And, be even more sleep deprived.

Yeah.

Okay.

I tossed and turned all night,
wanting to maximize the limited sleep stressed me out.

At 430am I was in a fog,
and the fog had rolled in.

Which meant it would be a very humid day,
not cool.

Wahoo says max temp was 111.

That was at the top the 5600' peak,
7000' of climbing done,
50 miles ridden.

I don't think it was actually that hot,
but it was hot.

We had another 26 miles
and 2600' of climbing
to finish the ride.

We mostly stuck together,
until the 13 mile climb
with 4500' of gain.

Then it blew to pieces.
Almost all of us suffering alone at our own pace.

To begin, there is a brief, fast downhill about a mile in and it proved to be catastrophic the Nicest Guy.

One minute he was upright.

15 minutes later,
he's in a helicopter on his way to ER.

If you're into prayer, send one up for Mark.
If you're not, send him some good vibes.

I missed all that, being just a minute or so ahead.

Maybe that's why we were all so alone and strewn across the mountain?

Yes,
and no.

The heat was oppressive causing a few riders to bail out,
and more to turn around before the top.

But, the view!

We huddled in the shade of the signal towers and the turbulence of their air conditioners...

... until all that were gonna make it,
made it.

There was a time I would do this climb and the ensuing downhill 2-3 times a month.

It's that good.

Unfortunately, in 2018 (I think) a lunatic got mad at his neighbors and burned the forest down. It was supposed to be closed for 3 years for rejuvenation.

Then, Covid.

Now, it's back open.

Mostly all in tack and epic as ever.

The thing we ALWAYS look forward to is the delicious Mexican popsicles at the 100 year old general store.

I couldn't wait.
So hot.

We regrouped there.
From 20+, down to about 10.

The Iversons were amazing. Not only did they meet us with water and supplies at the bottom of the big climb, they also met us at the store with...

... ice for our bottles, lube for our chains.

All that faced us was 2 hours of trails,
and the terrible and hideous climb
up Shea.

Half a mile or so,
20% pitches.

Did I say the Gentleman planned this awful ending to the ride?
Can't believe I keep calling him that.