Anybody Sick of Winter Yet

I know, I know. Just a few days ago I wrote a post about not worrying about being behind the curve and that it was only February and the season is plenty long enough. But, Winter has seemed to be dragging on just about everywhere. I even looked at the weather in Austin Texas this morning and it was in the 30’s and raining.

We did the drive back from Denver to Topeka yesterday after going for a ride. The roads along the foothills in Denver were pretty mucky. Sloppy and wet low, snowy and slick higher. Vincent and I, for some reason unknown to either of us, decided to ride up Lookout Mtn. once again.

Starting up Lookout, it was obvious that it was going to be challenging. Challenging going up, but more challenging coming back down. The road was borderline non-road bikeable on the way up. There were sections that the whole road was snow covered and we were both questioning the decision to climb the hill, but, neither of us blinked.

We had to pull off to the side a couple times for the snow plows coming by. We probably should have ridden our MTB bikes, but we didn’t. We got to the top okay. Vincent wasn’t having a great day and I was happy riding whatever pace he wanted to go. I was just content with riding outside on such a challenging day.

We got to the top alright, but were a little dreading come back down. There were a few sections of solid snowpack where you were going to have to just let it run and not touch the brakes at all. As it turned out, it was better than either of us thought. I think the road cleared some as we climbed. It wasn’t nearly as treacherous as the climbing was and we got down unscathed.

Bromont got a lot better yesterday. He likes the hum of the diesel van, buts still pretty much slept in Trudi’s lap the whole way back. He’s eaten twice and seems not to be in any pain. He has 4 big incisions, but hasn’t really tried to lick them at all. I’m not sure what that is all about. Normally, he licks stitches until he gets them out.

Today it is supposed to be 50 degrees after noon. Brian is taking the afternoon off and Bill and I are meeting up with him to do a long gravel ride. I’m a bit worried it is going to be messy. There are piles of snow by the driveways, so wherever the roads don’t get direct sun, I assume there will be ice and snow.

This might be the first time I’ve ridden with Brian this year. Weird. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 19 degrees, with rain turning to snow later tonight. Guess it is just that time of the year.

Vincent heading up Lookout yesterday. It is Vincent’s birthday today. Happy Birthday Vincent!

Lots of snow at the top.

Mucky and icy.

Bromont had the full back seat, but came up to the front and did his lap dog thing instantly. We got him a long sleeve t-shirt at a thrift store in Fort Collins to stop him from licking.

This is Bromont’s shirt. Funny it was at the thrift shop and the perfect size.

14 thoughts on “Anybody Sick of Winter Yet”

Zach February 25, 2015 at 9:50 am

Man, that Yeti shirt would probably get some big $$$ on eBay. All the vintage MTB stuff from that era is getting snatched up.

vtguy February 25, 2015 at 9:53 am

Good to hear that Bromont is doing well. He’s looks great in his Yeti shirt.

Voice of Reason February 25, 2015 at 10:06 am

I generally stay off the roads on the bike when its like that, I just don’t trust drivers with the limited sight lines – let alone the driving conditions. Its a long season

You guys are ballsy, I’ll give you that

donkybhoy February 25, 2015 at 10:09 am

Should Bromont be wearing an Eriksen t-shirt and not a competitor??????

Good to hear is doing well.

Pepsi Frank February 25, 2015 at 10:49 am

Andy would have loved having bright sunshine going over the Gavia.

usedtorace February 25, 2015 at 11:12 am

Steve, what size frame do you generally ride–58? Do you prefer a smallish frame. Trying to figure out sizing on my current ti bike (still thinking it’s maybe too small).

olmowebb February 25, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Steve. I ride up Lookout often to get some climbing when the roads aren’t in great shape. It’s usually ridable on the way up, but I take the I-70 frontage road on the way down. It’s fully in the sun and is usually dry when Lookout is messy. It makes for a nice loop getting back to Golden too.

Wildcat February 25, 2015 at 12:42 pm

Nope, my stroke is really feeling smooth on the rollers. I could use another month before I hit the group rides outside.

KTM February 25, 2015 at 2:14 pm

Hey Steve, thanks for this post – I was going to continue my 10 day stretch of complete inactivity due to the weather, but when I got on the internet this was the first thing I saw. Got on my bike right away.