I drove out from Colorodo Springs to experience this one stage because 1) I knew it’s where the race would be decided, 2) I love the bike porn of time trial bikes and 3) I’ve heard the riding is good around the Solvang area (it is). Was it worth the 2 day drive? You bet. When Lance Armstrong announced his retirement and his plans to do the race, most of the elite UCI teams signed up and this was probably the greatest field ever assembled on US soil. Additionally, Amy was still in her first trimester and my projects at work were really quiet enabling me to take most of the week off. The start had truly aligned. I’ll never forget it.

Here are some of my favorites of the big name riders (click the thumbnail for the full size image):

Race winner Levi Leipheimer:

2009 ATOC Winner Levi Leipheimer

Here’s Lance Armstrong:

Lance Armstrong

Tyler Hamilton:

Tyler Hamilton

Christian Vande Velde:

Christian Vande Velde

Floyd Landis:

Floyd Landis

Michael Rogers:

Michael Rogers

Tom Danielson:

Tom Danielson

Tom Boonen:

Tom Boonen

Mark Cavendish:

Mark Cavendish

2008 Tour De France winner Carlos Sastre:

Carlos Sastre

GPS Data from our Route on Google Earth

In the Colorado Springs Cycling Club, there are three nutballs that are always the most competitive and always finish first. Steve, Josh and myself. We’re all about the same age, the same stage of life and share the same passion for going fast on a bike. With the exception of Josh (who crushes EVERYONE on the climbs), we have the same physical abilities.

A few weeks ago, while ignoring ride instructions at a club ride, we hatched the idea of going to the summit as hard as we could from Barr Camp. Today was the day.

We covered the 12.68 miles in a total time of 4 hours, 54 minutes, 3 seconds and a moving time of 4:04:09. The weather was perfect but we were a little alarmed when we got to Barr Camp and a woman said the temp on top was 15 degrees with a 25 mph wind from the west. Screw it we said and trudged on in our shorts and long sleeve t-shirts.

Interestingly, all three of us had difficulties keeping up at various times on the course. I struggled and was dropped on the 2 miles after Barr Camp but felt the best the higher we got. Not surprising since I’ve always done extremely well at altitude and generally get better as a race goes on. In an incredible display of timing, Amy appeared in my truck to pick us up at the top and take us back home.

I’ll spare you the rest of the banal details but would say this was the most fun I’ve had since moving to Colorado back in March of 2007. It was a lot of suffering but in fine company and great scenery.

I don’t have any group pictures, just memories to hold, that grow sweeter each season, as we slowly grow old (big points for knowing the song and artist!).

Due to the pace, we didn’t talk much and took almost no pictures except our camera phones. Here are the pictures off mine:

This was our first glance at the Peak

The Shelter at Barr Camp

Me at the Barr Camp Shelter

Me, Amy, Donna and Hugh at Cave of The Winds

About two weeks ago, Amy’s parents Hugh and Donna drove down from Seattle to spend some more time with us now that Hugh has finally retired.  They helped us move in almost 18 months ago but didn’t get to spend that much time here and the time they were here, it was all unpacking.  We also spent a couple of weeks with them back in Seattle in June but it was pretty hectic. 

Hugh did a tremendous amount of yard work on his own, stuff that would have taken me weeks to do by myself.  He fixed our warped deck, made repairs to the kitchen cabinets and innumerable other improvements without us even asking.

And though I always kid her otherwise, Donna made some great food (save for the stuff with green peppers in it!) almost every night.  And even though they brought their Bassett Hound Lilly, Sally and Kirby enjoyed laying on granny’s lap at every opportunity.

While here, we (finally) visited Cave of the Winds, Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners National Monument.  Amy started back teaching full time during their second week and we spent some time getting her classroom ready for the new school year.  We had a great time.

I hate goodbyes and wish we lived closer to them but it’s weird how moving away can sometimes bring families closer together.

Though we’ll see them again in Seattle around Christmas, I’m still sad to see them go.  Thanks guys!

Some good memories (click for a larger version):

Donna Sternly Quizzes the NPS Park Ranger (My Fave!)

Hugh and Donna at Mesa Verde National Park

Hugh, Amy and Donna

Spanish explorers seeking a route from Santa Fe to California in the 1760s and 1770s were the first Europeans to reach the Mesa Verde region, which they named after its high, tree-covered plateaus. However, they never got close enough to see the ancient stone villages, which would remain a secret for another century. Occasional trappers and prospectors visited, with one prospector, John Moss, making his observations known in 1873. The following year he led eminent photographer William Henry Jackson through Mancos Canyon, at the base of Mesa Verde. There Jackson both photographed and publicized a typical stone cliff dwelling. In 1875 geologist William H. Holmes retraced Jackson’s route. Reports by both Jackson and Holmes were included in the 1876 report of the Hayden Survey, one of the four federally financed efforts to explore the American West. These and other publications led to proposals to systematically study Southwestern archaeological sites. They did not lead to action for some years.

As concern grew over the archaeological well being of Mesa Verde’s ruins, and those in other nearby sites, the area was established as a national park on June 29, 1906. As with all historical area run by the National Park Service, the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. It was designated a World Heritage Site on September 6, 1978. The park was named with the Spanish for green table because of its forests of juniper and piñon trees.

The park is huge, covering 81.4 square miles over 4,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings that date from 510 AD to 1350 AD.  The weather was cool with dark clouds hanging over us but we decided to just do the famous Cliff Palace tour which is believed to be the largest cliff dwelling in North America.  Though the steep steps and vertical ladder climbs were tough on Donna’s knees, it was an extremely enjoyable trip and I highly recommend it if you’re in the Durango, CO area. 

On the way down from the mesa, we hit an epic rainstorm and it made the drive a little tricky with visibility about 20 feet.  The GPS came in pretty handy as it helped us know when the turns were coming.  You can see more pictures in my Flickr photoset.

In the span of 30 seconds, I stood in four states: New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona.  Amy, Hugh and Donna took a labor day trip down to Southwestern Colorado to check out the Four Corners National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park and the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument.  Though I’ve traveled extensively in the Western US, I’d never been to these three notable attractions and oddly, I was looking most forward to the point at which the four aforementioned states intersect.  This was Amy’s first time being in New Mexico and Arizona.

We got there around 7 pm, with perfect lighting conditions and a comfortable temperature.  I was a little miffed that they charged $3 per person to see the monument but it was still pretty cool.

We’re staying tonight and tomorrow night in Cortez, Colorado.  We’ll be hitting the Mesa Verde tomorrow and Canyon of the Ancients on Monday before we head back to Colorado Springs.  If you’re interested, follow me on Twitter.

Craigslist:  "SFBH (Single Female Bassett Hound) wooksing for coot and submissive pwayfriend dat wont steals my fuds. 

Petfinder.com:  Nice but not smrts male Basset Hound wif widdle bwain.  Barks at air wandomly but iz sometimes nice when he is sweeping in hiz cage.  If act now, will frow in special brack kitteh who has gud attitude when sweeping up on kitchen cabinet.  Pwease repwy in confidence to salsters99@bassetmailz.com."

Amy and I were disturbed to say the least and Sally has lost her internet privileges for 30 days until she understands the impact of her posts.

Note:  These pictures were not staged (seriously).

Everyday around noon, a Western Fence Lizard comes out to get some sun on the roof near the window in our upstairs master bathroom.  We call him "Wiz" and Ellie likes to watch and sometimes talk to him.

 
(click on the thumbnails for larger images)

While daddy is slaving away at work, mommy and the kids are having a rough day of lounging. It’s clear who they love the most. Due to contractual disagreements and a feud with Gracie, Ellie was not able to participate in this group photo.

Though I hadn’t ridden outside sine June 26th, I decided to make a run at the North Cheyenne Canyon climb.  I’ve previously written about this HERE, HERE  and HERE.

Though I’ve lost about 100 pounds since I first tried it last year, I’m still surprised that I’ve been able to knock almost 5 minutes off my PR.  Oddly, tonight’s climb felt the slowest of all my efforts though I did notice that I stayed above 7 mph on the super steep section (usually drop below 5 there).  Initial attempt:  24:44.  New PR:  19:39!

The conditions were ideal, about 60 degrees with no wind and I literally climbed into a cloud which cooled me off even more.  When I had set out for a ride, I hadn’t even though of doing NCC but then I realized that I’m unlikely to see weather like this until November. 

To make a long story short, we waited him out and he quickly ran under a bookcase where I was able to trap him. The rest can be seen in this video. Yes, I’m a big baby and could not bear the thought of killing him or putting out one of those inhumane traps. Luckily he was saved. The whole escapade lasted about two hours.

After this video was shot, we took him out front and released him. He scurried away and will hopefully be safe.