Copper Triangle

I rode in the Copper Triangle last Saturday. The ride went over 3 mountain passes, 5,900 feet of climbing over 78 miles.

I even managed to do something I have never done before on my bike during the ride.

The event was a benefit for the Davis Phinney foundation. I love how almost every ride or road race has a tie to greater purpose.

I started a few minutes after 7:00. There is no mass start to events like this. This is not a timed event, although I did encounter a few people on the ride yesterday that acted like it was a race.

The course started from the base of the Copper Mountain Ski resort and headed out on Highway 91 where we started the climb to Fremont Pass(11,318) feet. The climb to Fremont Pass covered about 10.5 miles with approximiately 1,800 feet of climbing.

I did this climb staying in the large chain ring on my bike, which as I look back on it now, wasn't a very good decision.

For some reason, I have turned more into a masher(Large resistance, lower cadence) instead of a spinner(Less resistance, higher cadence). Spinning takes more work, but keeps the legs must fresher.

The year I rode in the Triple Bypass, I was much more of a spinner and I think I was a much better climber. For some reason this year, I just don't seem to be able to spin. Mashing has more power, but comes with a price.

After stopping at the first aid station, began the first major descent of the day. It was still pretty chilly(40-45 degrees) which is great for running, but rather cold on the bike when travling 30-35 mph.

The next aid station was 20 miles away and it was for the most part a very fast 20 miles. There was a brief climb to get to the aid station at the top of Tennesee Pass.

Leaving the second aid station, was met with another rapid descent, a nice stretch of flat road with a few short rolling hills.

We met a short, but pretty good uphill climb where we were treated to some great views for those that took the time to enjoy the fruits of the climb.

On a downer, there was an arrogant young man that taunted the other riders for not racing to the top of the hill and he spewed a obscenity laced tirade when another rider reminded him that was not a race. I hoped he would get a flat tire as he seemed to have plenty of hot air about him.

The bad part for me of finishing a climb comes the corresponding descent. I never feel comfortable in descending and I try and hang way to the back and give the other riders around me plenty of room. I don't think I ever pass anyone on the left during a descent. I have quit beating myself up for my lack of confidence during descents. It is what it is.

We passed Minturn and rode for a good stretch next to a river which is always a treat for me to listen to the sound the water makes. So peaceful.

We got to the first aid station at on the West side of Vail around the 56 mile mark. According to the map we would then begin the most difficult climb of the day ascending 2,500 feet over the next 15 miles or so.

I knew at some point the road would turn uphill and there would be some suffering on this ascent. The sun was now out in full force. It always seems to be sunny during the climb and then cloudy during the descent. The cyclings Gods seem to have a strange sense of humor.

So as I have done so many times, I thought of the people I am riding for and asked for them to stay with me during the climb. I know that while what I am doing is physcially challenging, it pales in comparision to the battles that my heroes and angels have endured.

I reminded myself that I was riding for Brittany and Trista, and Mason and Brandan(who is on his make a wish trip this weekend), Alyson(my newest little warrior hero) and of course my angels.

As I always do, I thought of Kelly. Much of the course I rode today, I had rode in the reverse direction in 2004 when I rode the Triple Bypass so I held those memories of her close in my heart as I headed towards the Vail Pass climb. I looked up towards the sky, touched my heart and whispered her name, and pedaled on wrapped in the safety of the love and light of my virtual peleton.

We crisscrossed between the road and bike path, crossed under I-70 where a volunteer noticed I was wearing my Team In Training jersey and she yelled out, "Go Team" and then she yelled again, "Oh my gosh, It's Ross. Go Ross!". One of the staff people from the Rocky Mountain Chapter had come up to volunteer at the event. That was such a boost to get a shout of encouragement. Thanks Tamara!

I kept thinking, this isn't as hard as I feared it would be. The miles were clicking by. We hit a steeper section and then I was lulled into thinking the climb was over. We started a brief descent and then had to make a sharp left hand turn and then the hill got steep very quickly.

I wasn't thinking very clearly. I didn't react in time to the steepness of the ascent. I had to decide if I wanted to attack the hill and get out of the saddle and power over the hill or downshift to the smaller ring and stay seated. The earlier mashing on the first climb of the day affected the decision I made. I opted for staying seated and tried to downshift to my smaller ring. The hill was too steep and the chain wouldn't go from the larger ring to the little ring.

It was too late. I hoped somehow it would release and I could make it up the hill and then the chain slipped off and the pedals locked and it was over. It was like watching a movie in slow motion. My pedals locked and gravity took over and I fell hard on my right side landing on my right elbow and right hip.

I have never fallen off my bike while it was moving. I got back up right away. Several people asked if I was okay. I told everbody I thought I was okay, but I was shaken up by the fall. It took me a couple of minutes to fix my chain. My legs felt really shaky and I was still on a really steep part of the path so I walked for about 1/4 of a mile where I could get back on my bike again and start pedaling.

We kept climbing and climbing. I didn't think we would ever reach the summit of the pass. The map had lied. The aid summit wasn't at mile 71, more like mile 74. Grrrr....

I texted Sue and Laura and told them I was leaving Vail Pass and they could expect me shortly.

The ride to Copper is all downhill and I don't think I hardly pedaled at all the last 5 miles or so.

I was relieved to make it to the finish line and get off my bike.

My Garmin said 79.25 miles, not 78. No wonder it took so long!

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TNT Group ride-Elephant Rock Metric Century course

TNT training ride on Saturday followed the Elephant Rock Metric Century ride course.

We did some pace line training. It is really cool if you can grab the wheel of the rider in front of you. Saves so much energy as you can draft is you stay close enough. Requires constant communication and trust with the people you are riding with. It is very powerful and also a bit unnerving. To do this correctly the front wheel of the bike you are riding should be right next to the rear wheel of the bike in front of you. This was our first pace line ride of the year so the gaps are a bit too far apart to get the benefit.


Rode up and down some rolling hills towards Palmer Lake.


Made sure that everyone was properly hydrated including Brian(Our sag wagging support :)


Andres got up after taking a nasty fall in the gravel. Andres is a board member for the Rocky Mountain chapter. Andres cut his leg, will have a good case of road rash, hurt his elbow and wrist on the fall. It is always unsettling to see a rider go down. Hope he is okay today.

We had our largest group ride of the season. 27 cyclists!

We have three cancer survivors riding on the team. One of the survivors is the Colorado Springs coach! Very cool to have them out providing additional inspiration to us.

The ride this week was not nearly as hard as last weeks ride. My legs did not feel very good again today. I had not been on my bike since Monday so I took it fairly easy today. My heart rate skyrocketed during the first climb of the day. I backed off the intensity and spent a lot more time trying to relax on the bike and spin at a higher cadence to try and keep my legs fresher.

I actually felt pretty good during the last climb of the day. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to the top of Tomah Road and started to descend. I even managed to enjoy the descent. I remembered a tip my cycling coach from the 2003 season gave me and it really helped me feel like I had better control. Thanks, Gary!

2 weeks from Saturday is the Copper Triangle. 3 mountain passes, 78 miles and 5,900 feet of climbing.

9 weeks to the Moab Century and the encounter with the Big Nasty. 30 miles of climbing right out of the start....

I hope I will be ready. I am very nervous about the first part of the race. I have plenty of inspiration and reasons to ride. My heroes and my angels will pull me to the top.

For all of us involved in this fight to find a cure, the truth is that it will not happen soon enough.

I found out when I got home on Saturday that another angel had earned his wings. Please keep the Lindgren family in your thoughts and prayers.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight".- Kahlil Gibran

My heart breaks again for some I don't know. The battle rages on.

For now I will continue to pedal. I wish I could do more...

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Thoughts on 7-11 Day

I drove down to Colorado Springs on Saturday to ride with the group of people that trains out of that area for the Moab Century ride on September 19, 2009.

It was an amazing day, great scenery, with some very challenging climbs. Coach Dale told me that some of the climbs we did today were harder than what the Big Nasty climb in Moab will be.

We started off doing a few miles on a bike trail before heading towards the west side of town.

I stopped and took this picture during the first really descent of the day. A lot of times when I ride I don't take the time to notice my surroundings.

A few climbs later and we headed towards Garden of the Gods. Pikes Peak is in the background which was the inspiration for America the Beautiful...

We started the climb up the Garden of the Gods road and were treated to some amazing scenery. The rock on the left of the photo seems to be suspended in mid air. Gorgeous.We continued down the road, enjoying some awesome scenery. I wish I could have taken more pictures. It was just amazing.

We headed off towards Seven Falls and Dale told us this next part of the ride would be a nice steady climb. He told me to go on ahead as he was going to do the ascent with Bonnie and Jetta. Just keep going up to you get to a dirt road and then you just turn around. Sounded easy enough.

NOT!

Parts of this climb were so steep that I almost fell off my bike into a ditch. I could barely stay upright.

I saw a parking lot in the distance and hoped that this was where I would find the dirt road and be able to turn around. I was sorely disappointed as I passed the parking lot the road turned up into some steep switchbacks.

The sun was absolutely beating down mercilessly at this point. I looked at my Garmin watch and thought I could run faster than I am riding. I was mashing the pedals, not spinning. Oh my gosh this is hard. How much longer to the top? The hairpin turns continued and finally I saw what appeared to be another parking lot. Straight up for another quarter of a mile and I see a dirt path. I was at the top. HOORAY!!!

I got off my bike to wait for the others to join me and my legs were shaking. I felt like I was about to fall over my legs felt so rubbery.

I saw Coach Dale. Jetta and Bonnie had stopped at the parking lot by the waterfall at Seven Falls and he had rode up to join me.

We stopped and took a couple of pictures and started back down. Naturally the sun went behind a cloud. It was now cool, overcast. I would have given anything for that during the last three miles. Dale told us later that we had climbed 2,000 feet over the last 3 miles which is even steeper than the climb of the Big Nasty in Moab.

We were back down where Bonnie and Jetta has stopped in the blink of an eye. It was kind of a scary descent for me. The switchbacks are so sharp you have to be really careful not to overshoot and end up flying off the edge of the road or veering to far to the left into the path of a car coming up the other side.

Dale cajoled Bonnie and Jetta to finish the climb. Somewhat reluctantly, but being good sports they accepted the challenge. I decided to ride back up with them and off we went.

It was Deja Vu all over again as I struggled up the steepest switchback. I made it to the top in time to be able to snap a picture of Jetta and Bonnie as they launched up the road to the finish.
Back down we went towards the waterfall and being in tourist mode and wanting to capture the day, I stopped and took a picture. Gorgeous. I love waterfalls and the sound of water!


During the last part of the descent, it began to rain to add to the challenge as now the roads were wet making braking even more difficult.

We continued on our tour and headed off towards the Broadmoor Hotel where at a very busy intersection we watched a deer wait patiently at a 4 way stop sign where she safely crossed the road and scampered into the trees.

We continued past the historic Broadmoor East course, build by Donald Ross where Jack Nicklaus won the 1958 U.S. Amateur and arrived at the roundabout entrance to the famous Broadmoor Hotel where we were eyed suspiciously by the security guards.

We turned and headed back to the bike shop where we had started the ride from.

Total distance today was only 46.4 miles which included over 3,000 feet of climbing.

I began the day thinking about Megan Dickey and Patti Kaufman who both passed away on 7-11 day one year apart. Meagan in 2007 at the age of 13, Patti last year.

I remember during one stretch of a hard section of climbing, thinking of all the people I was riding for, why I am riding. How many times did I lean on Kelly to get me through a bad patch of running or get me to the top of a climb? I miss her so much and I cry for just a moment.

I am grateful that I can ride for her and keep her memory and my love for her alive. I am grateful for the love I feel for Laiken and the people that she has brought into my life, Shanya, Stacey, Donna, people I have not met, but people I care about. I am grateful that I can ride for Brittany, Trista, Mason, Brandan and my latest little hero, Alyson in the hopes that a cure for all cancers will be found someday soon.

Till that day, I will keep pedaling, keep running, for my heroes and for my angels.

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Trista

Here is a picture I wore of Trista during the Blue River Century ride on the back of my Livestrong cycling jersey.



Her picture was a big hit during the ride.

"If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell." -Lance Armstrong


Trista is fighting!!!

Livestrong!!!

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Riding for Trista

I love the roaring sound of water.

Summit of Ute Pass(9,500 feet)

Blue River

Blue River Century-Getting ready to roll!

I felt very emotional as we rolled off at the start. There were approximately 275 riders that had signed up for the ride, raising money for the Lance Armstrong foundation, riding in honor or in memory of their loved ones.

I was riding in honor of my cousin's daughter, Trista Otto, age 11 who was recently diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. My Aunt had sent me a picture of Trista which I pinned to the back of my jersey. I received many compliments and well wishes for Trista during the ride.

I knew I wasn't really physically ready for this ride. My longest ride had only been 42-43 miles and I had done very little climbing. In some ways that was by choice as I almost felt like it wasn't fair that I could choose to train. Trista didn't get a choice about her cancer.

Off we rolled and I thought of the fight that lays ahead for Trista. I thought about Kelly's fight, the courage she had as she battled for almost 12 years.

I thought about one of the lines I really like in the Lance Armstrong Manifesto as we rode off together.

We're about the fight.

And I thought of the LLS chapter staff

And the Moms I know that fight relentlessly for their kids

And my team heroes

And my TNT teammates

And my angels

We're about the fight, about being relentless for a cure, providing support and hope in anyway we can.

So we pedaled.

There was a 5.1 mile climb to the top of Ute Pass.

After the descent there was a 20 mile per hour headwind which battered the riders. There were times I could have sworn I was riding downhill and I still had to pedal hard.

The wind was relentless, swirling. It was really discouraging. We were getting pummelled. There was nothing to do, but to pedal. So we did.

The last aid station was phenomenal. Cheese and crackers, cookies. Wonderful volunteers. Helpful, supportive, caring. One asked me about Trista. I told him I was riding in her honor. I didn't know what else to do. I just feel helpless, powerless...Riding, doing something is empowering.

They told me it was 6 miles up Montezuma road and 6 miles back to the finish. It was a long 6 miles and I got my wish. I suffered those last 6 miles of climbing. There were times I was tempted to just turnaround. No one will know.

I had to keep going. It was important for me to keep fighting for Trista. I want her to get to her finish line with a cure. If I quit, I wouldn't be honoring her. I wouldn't be honoring Kelly's memory if I gave up. So I pedaled and pedaled and I struggled to turn the pedals over. Finally I saw the sign for the turnaround. I was done climbing.

I am not done fighting.

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Riding for Trista

I have to do something.

I just happened to see an ad in Facebook for the Blue River Century and Metric Century ride which is a benefit for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

While it may not be the smartest decision I have ever made, I feel like it is something I am supposed to be doing.

I signed up to for the metric century distance(62.1 miles, 3,500 feet of climbing). So on June 20th, I will set out to ride in Trista's honor.

I am woefully unprepared to do this, but who is ready to hear those three words. You have cancer.

I still have almost 3 weeks to train and prepare myself as best as I can to get through the day.

While I am training and able to take rest days if I need to or if I am just not feeling motivated, Trista has chemo treatments. She doesn't have the luxury of choosing.

So many times we have more than one choice as we go about our lives.

Kelly, Laiken, Brittany and now Trista and so many others, too many others.

Cancer, choose.

Choose your cancer.

It's not fair. It's just life.

Choose your life.

Livestrong!

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