May 2, 2005

  • It's an ugly Sunday but it looks rideable.  little bit of snow
    coming down but by the time I take off for the HS nothing is in the
    air.  I choose to bring the MTB cause ya never know what you will
    run into.  So I arrive at the HS and to my surprise JZ is
    there.  He was just about to leave when I rolled up. He of course
    was on his road bike!  A few moments later, Ron show up on his
    Hybrid.  Ron had broken a spoke on the way over, but was content
    to ride this bike anyway.  So no camrera today, cause it wasn't
    charged.

    Off down HT and I was the only one with Knobby tires.  With slicks
    things wouldn't be so back but I could really feel the road drag. 
    On top of all of that I had just replaced the saddle on the bike and it
    was too high!  I thought about adjusting it but that seat clamp is
    a real pain and I didn't think it would come loose without a
    wrench.  So here I am seat too high, Knobbies and JZ is on a road
    bike!

    Well as we approach the 1st hogback Ron decides that it's time to turn
    in his broken bike.  I was thinking "Hoping" he would have pulled
    out the MTB, but that was not to be. So now I am riding with a couple
    of guyz on Trek carbon uints and I am on a MTB. What's wrong with this
    picture?

    So we are off to the 2nd hog back and there ain't no way I am gonna be
    able to hang with these two so I don't even try!   To make
    matters worse I find that I can't get into the little
    chainring!   Ok, not too bad cause  at least I have the
    28 but things could be easier. 

    Ron and JZ waited for me at summit and then it's off to
    Centinnial.  Once again I am off the back.  Ron is just
    walking away from JZ and myself..  On the way up I find that my
    cassettee is too worn and most of the cogs will skip if I stand!. 
    Great, I am way out of my league on a  MTB bike with knobbies,
    seat too high and the gears do't all work!   Even if I had my
    road bike I would be out of my league, but this is ridulous. 
    Ok, well I just keep my rhythm.  At least JZ is a bit tired from
    doing stair climber work outs, but Ron is just jamming up these
    hills.  I think maybe he miight just have a little surprize for
    whem  Peter, Chris, Brent and Bob show up!    Can
    you smell what the Ron has Coookin!   (Probably lost for those who are not fan's of the Rock)

    So we able on and the plan is to go and meet the CPT boyz at
    10:30.   By the time we get to Binghamhill it's getting late
    so Ron and JZ  spool up the FLT drive and  hope to catch the
    crew before they leave.  I tell them I will meet them
    there.   So I am taking it easy more/less and figure that the
    CPT boys are always late anyhow, and I will be OK.  At least I
    don't have to suffer trying to hang in the draft of  Ron and 
    JZ for a bit.

    Finally I reach MUGS and no-one is there. Guess maybe Ron and JZ caught
    the CPT boyz and gurlz and  are  having a good time. 
    Just as well ... So I decide that I should go climb Rist cause I need
    some miles as I have decided to do the MS-170 ride in a few weeks with
    my brother and ex-possse in NJ.   Well, was luck would have
    it, on my way up Overland I see Ron and JZ coming towards
    me!   Looks like know one showed up at MUGs.  Guess I
    missed them cause I took a different route....

    So I tell them I am gonna go do Rist and they are like, Really! like
    all the way up, I am like yeah!   Ron and JZ said, sounded OK
    and off we go.  Ron is doing most of the work on the front, and
    it's all I can do to just sit in!  Well not really but any harder
    and I wouldnt be able to climb Rist.

    Finally we reach Rist and we stop to get some food.  After a quick
    bite it's time to climb.  Withing seconds I am off the back as JZ
    and Ron walk away from me.  Just as well as now I can just set my
    pace.  Hmmmm, the snow is coming down now, not too back but the
    road is wet.   I just got a new speed on the MTB wihich
    counts miles to 3 decimal places, so I am just watching the thousanth's
    just tick away. 

    Mile after mile pass and  I figure I won't see Ron and JS for a
    bit.  Well to my surprise I see JZ coming back down.  He
    turms around to ride with me and we ride togehther for a mile or
    so.  When the weather get worse he decides to head for the hard
    deck. I bid him off and continue.   I keep pedaling and
    finally at the fauz flat I see Ron waiting for me.  The snow is
    really coming down now, but it's not sticking to the road and it's
    quite pretty.  Now if I were on a road bike I might have turned
    back but Ron either has no fear or is just crazy!   Well he is a MTB'r and looks to have skills so it's all good.

    So off we go and did iI mention the snow is coming down harder. 
    After a bit Ron walks away from me after the Mailboxes.  I am
    really getting tired now and this bike the way it's setup isn't
    comfortable.   I press on and stop and manuall put the chain
    on the small ring.  Only 2 gears aren't skipping so I am greatful
    to be able to use the little ring.  Finally I make the summit and
    I greet Ron.  It's cold and it;s snowing and the roads are
    wet.  A few seconds later this Rio guy show up and he was flying
    up the road! His wife was gonna meet him at the summit and give him a
    ride down.  After a minute his rather attractive wife shows up
    with warm car and we bid him adieu.  Life is good for he Rio
    guyz!... but I digress

    So now it's time for the descent.  At least I learned to bring a
    shell this time, and  I was Ok at the top.  I was happy to
    have the MTB now and I could relax a bit.  Ron was doing well but
    his hands were getting a bit cold.   We stopped on the way
    down so that ron could but on his  wind blok pants.  I didn't
    have that luxury but I am happy to have my shell and winter
    gloves.   So we are off again and the snow is freezing on my
    glasess and it's hard to see.  No matter as we are flying down the
    hill at times hitting 40+.  Turn and Burn, and  being on the
    MTB gave me confidence!  Ron has no fear as he was easily able to
    handle these conditions aparently without fear.

    As we neared the bottom, I had the lead and I looked back to see Ron
    slowing.  I  turned around but I couldn't ride cause my
    derailleurs were frozen!  I walk the bike back to find Ron with a
    flat tire.  We make quick work of the flat and the Sun was
    starting to come out.  The Stean was beginning to rise off the
    roads and it was kinda pretty!    Tire changed, root
    caused and we are off. 

     I am getting hungry and said something to Ron about Verns and a
    Cinamon Role!   The votes are in and we find ourselves
    at  Verns with 2 huge Cinamon buns!   Ron picked up the
    tab (Thanks Ron) and we made quick work of them.

    Back on the road and my legs are toast.   Ron was doing all
    the work but I was unable to sit in .  We took it easier the rest
    of the way down Overland!.   We took the bike path over to
    Horsetooth and Ron make the exit stage right for home.  I limped
    my poor body down the road and was greatful to be
    home.   

    A good time was had by most. I guess we all suffered  bit. 
    Me having to try and keep up and Ron and JZ having to ride slow cause I
    was there.    Good thing is that  we didn't have to ride no stinking trainer for 6 hours!