Courage Classic - Day One

Originally uploaded by olsenis.

Leadville, CO
Saturday 7:30am
59 miles

Walking our bikes to the starting line there was a palpable anticipation in the air. For the next three days over 2000 riders would cover 157 miles to raise money for Children's Hospital. The weather was slightly overcast and in the low 50s but had the potential to heat up to the 70s by midday. My mind filled with questions: "did I forget anything", "was my training enough", "can I handle the altitude". Today's course starts in the former silver mining town of Leadville and travels north towards Minturn before heading east to Vail and finally Copper Mountain. Starting at 10,152 feet above sea level we would have the advantage of the first twenty two miles basically descending Tennessee Pass.

After a few photos and well wishes, we hopped on our bikes and crossed the starting line. The mountain air was cold enough to make me glad I had bought arm warmers (ie separate jersey sleeves). Sarah and I chatted while we made our way down a very small two-lane country road. At mile eight, I dropped off the pack for a quick road side bathroom break (it is good to be a guy). With a sense of relief, I was back on the road to try and catch Sarah and Craig. The first time I felt the rear tire bottom out I thought it was a big rock. The second time in happened there was only one explanation--flat tire. Sure enough, less then ten miles from the starting line a setback. I had two spare tubes but was counting on Craig's tools to remove the tire. With in a few minutes, a couple of extremely helpful guys stopped and helped me out. Craig and Sarah were waiting for me at the next aid station, the historical Camp Hale Valley, home of the U.S. Army’s Tenth Mountain Division.

The next 26 miles took us up Battle Mountain and down an extremely steep decent to Minturn. At one point I hit a top speed of 42 miles per hour. It brought to mind images of Lance Armstrong speeding down hill in the Tour de France. The lunch aid station (7800 ft) had the usual Gatorade, banana, and pretzel fair but also included sandwiches, pasta, and soup. It would be the last stop before the climb to the top of Vail pass (10,662 ft). Sarah, Craig, and I regrouped and started heading east.

The next twenty miles were an all out battle against mind and body. Shifting the bike into the smallest gear, it was all I could do to keep the wheel pointed uphill and turn the pedals over. By this time, the sun was high in the blue Colorado sky turning up the heat. The only comfort was that I was not along. Surrounded by sweaty bikers struggling to keep the pedals spinning, we marched ahead in slow motion. Mile after mile my legs delivered just enough to keep the bike moving until finally reaching the summit. It was one of the hardest yet most rewarding physical challenges I have ever tackled and the closest I will ever come to riding a stage of the Tour de France.

The last five miles required almost no pedaling downhill to Copper Mountain village completing day one. Day two and three lurked around the corner but for now we celebrated an amazing ride and accomplishment.


Bonus: course guide pdf