Fall bike ride

It was a cold October day in 2008. I was sitting around the kitchen counter with Dave Stapleton, Ryan Smalls, and my girlfriend Suzanne Leydecker. Dave, Suzanne, and I had been riding all summer and we were feeling pretty fit. I looked up the weather on the internet and saw that the following day would be blue bird; a little cold perhaps, but still a beautiful day for a hard ride up Castle Creek. I asked who was in for the ride. Dave said, "I'm in". Dave had been pacing me all summer and he was just as eager as I was to set a blistering pace up the Col du Castle Creek. Suzanne thought we were crazy to be riding in such cold weather. She opted out of the ride but volunteered to record it on video and still photography. Ryan was another story altogether. Ryan has what he calls "gerbil lungs," or asthma, and wasn't ready for an all out assault on the mountain. So he said, "I'm in too, I'll pace you guys on the scooter."

So the next day Ryan shows up at the house in a big rainbow colored wig, goggles, and a down jacket. After having a good laugh we were on our way. Ryan was out in front zipping along on the little scooter. Dave pulled me up about ¾ of the way and then I dropped him. He then hitched a ride with Suzanne and we pressed on. We came across the line in 49 min. and 45 sec., a pretty fast time for someone over 200lbs.

Fast Forward to November 8, 2009.

It's getting late in the year. I've almost given up on the idea of a repeat assault on Castle Creek. But due to the warming November weather we have another chance. The players are the same, minus our fearless pace clown. Another strong summer of strength and conditioning, I feel I'm ready for a personal record. Dave hasn't ridden for a few weeks so he's not ready to lead things off. I take the lead and set off at a blistering pace. I feel as good as I've ever felt. I drop Dave at the half way mark and I'm sure that today I will break 49 minutes. Three-quarters of the way up my legs start to feel a little heavy and I still have two big climbs ahead of me. I press on. Suzanne and her friend Nancy show up in the car because I asked her to record the event again. I feel like I'm leading the pack in the Tour de France and she's my support. One more hill climb; I attempt to change gears and my chain comes off the sprocket. I hit the brakes, jump off, and put the chain back on, losing precious second.

When I get back on to tackle the last climb I feel like I've lost some momentum. On the last stretch I have the finish in sight but I've run into a head wind. The time keeps going by faster and faster. I don't know if I'm going to make it. I cross the line in 49 minutes and 58 seconds. Bummer. I didn't break the 49 minute mark. Looking back on it, I feel pretty good. This time I did it by myself; no pace scooter, no help from Dave, and I had a stiff head wind to contend with. All in all I consider it a victory.

With one more preparation period in the books, I wait for the snow to fall. The excitement for the competitive season continues to build.