Breck Epic: Climbing Time Trial
“Shit dude, is that thunder?” As the minutes wind down until the start of the
certain-to-be excruciating climbing stage, I’m watching the clouds roll in,
getting anxious, wondering if I’ll be riding the stage in 38 degree rain. That
is unfortunately part of the deal of summer in Summit County. But, as I have mentioned in earlier
blogs, I have arranged perfect weather and so therefore the clouds parted and
the sun came out just in time for my start. My friend Cristina wasn’t so lucky,
starting her climb in the midst of a wave of biblical weather.
The week before the start, my partner Gavin Hayes -- the brand manager for Spot, fast rider and all around awesome friend -- diggered hard on pavement, moving me over to the solo class. Bummer, but he’ll be OK. So, in the start of the men’s solo class, it went in alphabetical order. Jeremiah Bishop, Travis Brown, Jeff Carter. Like, if this order were rock bands, it’d be Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Backstreet Boys. In some ways, it was the definition of intimidating, but it was also super cool to rub elbows with a couple of mountain biking’s heavy hitters. That’s sort of the beauty of these mountain bike stage races as some average johnny like me can toe the line right next to full-on legends.
Now when I hear “climbing time trial” I file it in the same
place of mind that houses “cleaning public restrooms” or “preparing for my tax
audit.” However, the course today
was nothing like mopping the men’s room on the Jersey Turnpike. Tacky dirt,
bermed corners, almost all singletrack, high alpine finish with a beautiful
view of the Ten Mile range and the 4th of July Bowl. At the nastiest
point of the climb, Mike McCormack, fearless race director, was rooting people
on by name. We are just getting
started here, but I suspect this is going to be a killer week of racing. After
the stage, I threw on a jacket and rode a fab singletrack descent to town. Certainly I am excited for the rest of
this week to unfold.
Now, as promised, I will comment on my new Spot Brand belt
drive singlespeed. SUPER AWESOME is the best way to describe it. Silent belt
drive, rock solid front end with the Maverick fork, the sublime ride of high
quality steel, styled out in white and blue and best of all made in my home state
of Colorado. I’d also like to send
a huge thank you to Turin Bike Shop in Denver for some last minute, super
reliable mechanic time to put my Spot in ass-kicking order. Bike riders are dorks, but this thing
gets more leering glances than Pamela Anderson in a skin suit. Ok it’s possible
I exaggerated there, but I suppose it depends on the crowd. I am super psyched to put it through
the paces this week, although the singlespeed may put me through the paces instead.
OK that’s it. First day, many logistics, still settling in. Thanks for reading.
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