Yesterday was a great day to be on a bike. I rode from Silverthorne over to Vail. I came back around Lake Dillion to make it a little over 4 hours. I was surprised, pleasantly, that I felt alright at altitude. I had a 19 mph average, which seems really quick considering I had to go over Vail Pass each direction.

The town of Vail has exploded since the Coor’s Classic days. I can’t believe they can build so many more buildings on top of where there were already buildings. They did a really nice job of keeping the mountain atmosphere though. It is a very nice place.

Tomorrow is the time trial up to Vail Pass in the Pro Challenge. If the wind is anything like it was yesterday, the times are going to be super fast. The TT is 10 miles, but only 1/2 of it is climbing. And not that steep. I was cruising on the frontage road at 25mph and the climb seemed pretty easy too with so much wind at my back.

Dennis Kruse, from Cable, just drove over this morning. He’s been staying in Steamboat with Kent Eriksen. I think we’re going to drive over to Leadville and ride up Independence Pass to watch the race today, but it’s up to Dennis. I don’t mind watching bike races, but I figure I have 4 days of bike race spectating ahead, so I’m not that big on extending that streak to 5, especially if I have to drive to ride. I’m not big at all, driving to ride my bike.

Heading towards Vail at the top of Vail Pass.

Looking down at Vail from the TT course.

Vail has exploded with high end hotels and condos.

Hawkeye must of been a little short of water after the drive.

Dennis has a pretty nice setup in his van. Bikes and bed.

Today is the TT for the Pro Challenge. All the teams stayed in Aspen last night and are driving to Vail this morning. That seemed like pretty bad planning. I would have drove here after the race last night so the riders could wake up normal and then ride the course on their own time late this morning, but that is just me. Obviously the race today is going to make a big dent in the overall GC.

It was nice from Trudi that George won the stage yesterday. She got a bunch of TV time. She said that the riders were freezing at the finish, which the support didn’t really expect. I guess descending Independence Pass wet does that to you.

Yesterday Dennis and I decided to just ride. We went around Lake Dillion and up Swain Mountain Road and then to Breckenridge. We got some coffee in Breck and then skirted storms all day to get back to Silverthorne just a little wet.

Today is going to get away from me I can already tell. There is a Coor’s Classic Reunion going on here starting early this evening. If I watch the whole race, there isn’t going to be hardly anytime left to do anything else. I guess that is the definition of a full day.

Here’s so photos from yesterday.

Dennis climbing up Swan Mountain path.

Looking back towards Lake Dillon from the climb.

Dennis climbing up Swan Mountain path.

Here's a sign in Breckenridge saying to stay off the grass. Notice the bike rack on the grass behind.

I saw this at the Pearlizumi store yesterday. What is it?

Bromont ran around in the mountains for hours yesterday. This GPS is a mental relief.