I’m still in Aspen. The Pro Challenge finishes here in a few hours. This post is late because I just met up with Trudi as she came straight here to start the hotel work. Bromont was obviously very happy to see her.

Yesterday, Sue and I rode up Independence Pass. The day before got rainy, so we put if off for a day. Yesterday, the weather was perfect. I’ve pretty much had a headache every since I got to altitude. That isn’t usual for me.

The ride up the pass was great. And exactly the right speed. I can’t train when I get to altitude. I just ride, usually pretty slowly. Riding up yesterday was pretty slow. It took just about 1:50 to do the 19 + miles. It is one of my favorite climbs in Colorado. Super scenic. I have to admit, having super easy gears made the climb seem easy. It really isn’t that hard of a climb, even though it goes up over 4000 feet.

I’m pretty sure I haven’t ridden up the climb since the Coor’s Classic in 1988. The stage was from Aspen to Copper Mt. What is significant about this race was it was the first time I had witnessed modern day team riding in a bike race.

Davis Phinney won the Coor’s Classic in 1988. (And Inga Thompson, celebrity guest commenter on the previous post, won the woman’s race.) Davis winning overall was pretty unbelievable feat since he wasn’t a climber. But, the 7-11 team came up with the tactic of staying together and climbing together. When Alexi and the climbers went up the road, Andy Hampsten, who was riding for 7-11, went with them and sat on. That demoralized the break and created havoc in Alexi’s mind. Then, Roy Knickman, Ron Kiefel, Alex Steida, Davis and Co. climbed Independence Pass at their slowest rider’s pace. They stayed together and rode a hard TTT to catch the break and keep Davis in the general classification battle. This wasn’t the era of 8 or 9 riders in a race, so they all had to work crazy hard. But, the tactic worked and the rest is history. I can’t swear that these guys came up with the this tactic of controlling the race as a team, but I’d never seen it before either in Europe or the US, so I’m giving them the credit. I hate it, but it works.

The town of Aspen is hopping. The masses are converging. I can’t believe how dog friendly this town is. It is by far the most dog friendly town I’ve ever been to. Dog are everywhere. On leashes, off leases, it is incredible. Bromont isn’t normally into other dog, not that he doesn’t like them, he is usually sort of disinterested. But, here he seems to be more game to play, which is nice.

Anyway, I have to go for a ride before the woman’s race and Pro’s finish. I’m glad I only have to stand there and watch them go by once. If it was more, it would drive me crazy I think.

Sue climbing near the top of the climb.

At the summit. There are a couple dozen porta-potties up there, so I assume the crowds are going to be unreal.

Bromont excited to see Trudi. And vise versa.

Trudi trying to figure out where all the luggage goes while Bromont is thinking,
“What the f#%& ?”

Since all the luggage looks the same, they have name tags. I like the nationality addition.

I’m staying in Silverthorn Colorado now and was hoping to ride from here to Leadville and back soon. But, it looks like it is going to be raining most of the day. That will be miserable for the guys racing from Aspen to Beaver Creek. Descending Independence Pass early in the race in the rain could make for a big selection and long day for some.

I missed the end of the race yesterday in person. I had been out for a ride and came back and was showering in Trudi’s room and watching the race on TV. When Danielson crested Independence Pass and started down I went out to go see it live. The problem with that plan was the the TV is time delayed. By something like 20-30 minutes. By the time I was standing on the course, the stragglers were coming by. That was mildly depressing since the finish was exciting with Tom Danielson barely held off a charging chase. I had and still have no idea why that is. I was pretty positive that I was watching the race as it was happening.

I really like Aspen, as it is a beautiful town, crazy dog friendly and has a nice feel. The main problem is that it is crazy expensive. Like off the charts, London England expensive. A muffin could cost you 6 bucks. Some guy told me he was charged $18 for a glass of house red at a meatball restaurant. That isn’t even addressing the real estate. The prices in Aspen make Vail seem cheap. And Vail is nuts. I guess it is one of those places that you can visit every once in a while, for a very short period, and just know it is there.

Okay, the sun just came out. I guess I should suit up and head out. It’s about 75 miles round trip from here to Leadville. The race is going through there between 2 and 2:45 pm. I don’t mind riding in the rain. I actually enjoy it. But in the mountains, sometimes when it rains it is really cold And standing around, really cold, waiting for a bike race to come by isn’t my cup of tea. I’d just assume be moving.

Trudi was looking after Bromont yesterday when I was riding. He fit right in. Maybe he could travel some with the team?

The crowds in Aspen were pretty good. I don’t think they are nearly as big as the Coor’s Classic days, but that was a different time.

There was tons of state trooper motorcyles and cars around after the race. I have an issue with the police having such ominous looking vehicles. I don’t get it. Shouldn’t the police have vehicles that don’t threaten the general public? I remember when I first came to Aspen in the ’80 and they were using Saabs as their police cars. I loved it.

Dogs everywhere. I don’t know who this guy belonged with.

The people around Aspen are super friendly. We were riding up by Snowmass a couple days ago and it was barely drizzling. This woman stopped and said to feel free to use here house that was up around the corner. She said it was the yellowish house, but to be sure to go into the main house and not the guest house. And feel free to have some coffee or whatever. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a more open invitation by a complete stranger.

BMC team bikes ready this morning in Aspen.

BMC guys getting ready to ride to the start.

Cadel heading out a little while ago.