Highlanders

Anyone who hasn’t spent an autumn in the Rocky Mountain foothills is missing out. Sure, snow will be here soon and it’ll get cold. Sure, we’ll get tired of the cold and long for the beaches of Puerto Rico. But chilly nights and cool days among the Aspen trees beat anything I’ve experienced yet.

I snuck out for a couple of hours today to clear my head on two wheels. Evergreen has truly outstanding cycling terrain and the traffic is generally considerate and friendly. The only real downside is that there is not a flat spot around; you’re either climbing a steep grade or you’re descending one. But if I had to choose, I’d much rather have too much climbing than too much flat. (I had flat for nearly 40 years!)

Today’s ride was brief – only 20 miles – but it was NASTY! Over the course of those 20 miles I climbed more than 2,400 vertical feet, much of it at gradients ranging from 10-15%. If you don’t ride a bike let me tell you now – that’s STEEP. Especially when you’re trying to crank your 170 lb body up that hill! Here is today’s ride data link…

I plan to get back out again during the weekend, though I fear the season is starting to close on road biking. At best the weather will get spotty. I don’t mind riding in the cold, but I’ll not likely ride in the ice and snow. (That’s what MOUNTAIN bikes are for!)