There's something very surreal about riding red rock desert on Saturday and avalanche chutes on Sunday.
The original plan was to ride Glenwood Canyon before returning to Denver, but the Canyon was still 36 degrees when I arrived. I decided to check out the Maroon Bells road to see how far up it might be open while I waited for sunlight to warm up Glenwood Canyon.
Maroon Bells road was open and snow-free to the first gate. So I went back to the roundabout to park my car, and I rode almost all the way to Maroon Lake. Incredible ride, magnificent scenery, perfect weather, butterflies abounding and friendly hikers, pet owners and baby joggers.
This was perfect training because it involved a steady climb at altitude. My training schedule must be working because I was able to ride the entire climb without stopping except for avalance debris and snow. I was slow, but steady. When I got my first glimpse of the snow-covered Bells, I upshifted, on a hill, for my first time ever. What an incredible adrenaline rush!
About half a mile from Maroon Lake, I finally gave up on riding because I spent more time off the bike traversing snow than riding. I parked and hiked the rest of the way in. Shot plenty of pics.
I spent the whole ride being dive-bombed by butterflies. I think they must have been attracted to my orange energy water.
On the way down, I thought my hydration leak had sprung a leak because suddenly my rear quarters were soggy. I stopped, took the reservoir out and inspected it for leaks. It was totally dry on the inside. I thought maybe the tube had ruptured. I checked it. It was fine. Turned out the water was coming off my brand new, truck traction back tire, thanks to the melting snow channeling down the road!
The ride back down made up for not being able to cruise down the hill in Arches on Friday. I was doing 16 in a 15 mph zone, and I didn't brake!!! That's the first time I've ever been guilty of speeding on my bike. I now have officially adopted the creed of one of the bumper stickers I saw on the interstate on the way home: "I'm not speeding, I'm qualifying!"
