I'm Not Very Helpful and I Tend To Stifle Progress

No other way to put it, this ride is fucking fun!
Other possible headlines from today range from "I love birds, but hate RV's" to "bikes and roads were here long before cars or you". Anyhow, we made it to Buena Vista where we were treated to a number of delicious beers, at Eddy Line Brew Pub, including my favorite, CPA!
I had one of the more terrifying moments of my life going nearly 54 mph down the back side of Hoosier Pass today--speed wobbles as though my front wheel was coming off! I just kept praying that I'd slow down a bit more before I crashed. The road was freshly paved and we had it all to ourselves, and I don't know that I've ever gone that fast! Turns out I made it to the edge of the highway without wiping out my friends or myself. It also turns out that my headset was a bit loose! I've never thought of myself as all that religious, but I must say that I've been praying my ass off on this trip (maybe that's why it hurts so bad???). So, I opted for bed while the troops opted for Salida and more beer at Amica's, and unfortunately my camera is in the van! But never fear, great photos can be found at Chad Melis' Oskar Blues Brews and Bikes blog! Chad's so much faster, he's got the time to pull off, take photos, eat some food, go catch a movie, and still easily catch us on the next switchback. Cheers!

"Today was a record I hope to never break" --Matt "Truck" Thrall

130 miles today! Talk about a pain in the ass. Literally. Yesterday we made it over Cottonwood Pass after a grueling 20 mile climb and a somewhat unappreciated payoff in the way of a 15 mile dirt downhill, and eventually (after 76 total miles)wound our way into Crested Butte. Today, however, 130 miles. Did I mention the taint pain? I guess so. The picture is Matt, "Truck" Thrall after we found our way to Hutch's Ourayle House Brewery. The contrast between 100 degrees in angry-big-truck-Montrose, and the beautiful box canyon town of Ouray was that of apples and oranges. Make that worm-ridden apples, and fresh-picked oranges. I'm too tired to blog, but will add more about Crested Butte's Brick Oven Pizzeria, the beer selection, and their kick-ass bike team on the next post. Cheers!

Enlightenment?

Road biking is new to me, and honestly, descriptors such as "sane," "beer-swilling," and in particular, "fun" have always seemed far more than 6 degrees separated from the sport. Mountain biking has always fit that mold, and for that matter my lifestyle, far better. But I had never gone down Loveland pass at 45+ miles per hour on a road bike--what a Fu!#ing blast!
Climbing up Loveland Pass from the ski area was less than easy. In fact it was the vision in my mind when I woke up every night at 3:00am for the last month that kept me from falling back to sleep. A steady rhythm and hearty Ipod mix of Neko Case, Slade, Minor Threat, and Madness made it come and go, and the only thing that could top the downhill payoff was our arrival at the Breckenridge Brewpub. Good friends and Breck Marketing Masters Tebo and Sara (see above photo) arrived just as we did, and pitchers of Ska Modus Hoperandi, Avery White Rascal, and Breckenridge Summerbright were waiting with a feast that couldn't have been better. In fact, John the Brit (also pictured) said the fish and chips were the best he had ever had in the U.S! The speed, the beer, and the good friends must be what's really going on behind the full factory kit (road-biker outfit) scene!

We're Not Crazy--You're the One That's Crazy

Riding from Boulder to Idaho Springs on Sunday was beautiful, and fortunately, uneventful! We rode over Lookout Mountain, past Coors, AKA 'Brewery #2'and after paying our respects at Buffalo Bill's Grave we ran into these two lunatics. They took off, straight down, on their skateboards--as they hit the first corner it appeared as though the nitrous kicked in. Good luck boys.