After a week of rest and getting back to normal, I finally got back on my bike Saturday for little spin. It made one thing very clear: reality sucks. I miss getting on my bike every morning with no agenda other than ride, stop to take pictures, ride some more, visit the beer garden. Repeat. Alas, all good things must … Read More

After seven days of riding across the Rockies, I can say I completed every goal I set forth for this week. Granted it wasn’t a long list. Ride every day, every mile: Done Meet new people and make new friends: Done Survive the week without injury: Close enough I’m looking back on my experiences of the week and I’m still … Read More

I am loathe to admit it, but I needed the recovery ride on Day 4. As much as I thought I’d trained enough, the rides on Days 2 and 3 consecutively kicked my butt. Having a nice relaxing spin on Day 4 to rest the legs a bit and let everything have a chance to recover was very welcome. With … Read More

So I was right. I regret saying “Bring on Grand Mesa.” While I enjoyed the ride very much, that climb on Monday was the hardest ride I’ve ever done! Though to keep things in balance the 25 mile decent down to Cedaredge was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike. So it all works out. Which brings … Read More

Wow! I made it through the first day. But before I get to the details, I want to give a huge thank you to the RTR staff and volunteers! After dropping off a car in Westcliffe and taking one of the charter busses to Grand Junction, and seeing the organization and logistics just to bring all of us to the … Read More

With only a few days left before we head out to Grand Junction, I’m starting to get a little nervous. Some last minute jitters if you will. I’m about to pack up my gear and my bike and I have so many questions running thru my head. Have I trained enough? Could I have done more? Do I have the … Read More

If you’d asked me in March what I was looking forward to the most at Ride The Rockies, my answer would have been “Everything.” Technically, that is still the case. As we get down to the last two weeks, I suppose it is time to start thinking a little more specifically. First and foremost is the ride itself. I am … Read More

In my last post I talked about training for this great adventure. I quoted training plans and alternate methods of training. Well, life must’ve thought I was getting a little too comfortable in my routine, because it went to the bullpen and brought in a curveball specialist to try and throw me off track. These overly-exciting curveballs have reminded me … Read More

When it comes to training, I’m no expert. I don’t know what my VOX max or my lactate threshold is. I’m not usually much more sophisticated in my methods than just ‘Get on your bike and ride’. For most one-day rides, or even weekend events, this is a pretty good place to start. But for seven days and 473 miles? … Read More

Now that I’ve won the lottery, I’ve got more questions. How do I prepare? What gear will I need that I don’t already have, and how much of that gear I need to bring to get to Westcliffe comfortably? The gear question is not as straight forward as you might think – ask 10 different riders what to pack for … Read More