The Triple Bypass is Over

Originally uploaded by olsenis.

How was it? Something I've heard a lot since the race. The short answer--like an all day bike ride through the Rocky Mountains. While most people were enjoying a leisurely Saturday, a few thousand crazy bikers were kicking the pedals 120 miles. Being in the thick of it all was a rewarding experience. Much like the training rides every weekend, the Bypass was a lot of work but always surrounded by beautiful mountain views and good people.

Mile 32: Idaho Springs. Been passed lots but the ones that hurt are the tandem (downhill) and the guy with metal fenders (up). 8:32 AM Jul 11th from Twitterrific

The ride went as planned until the summit of Vail Pass. The good news: all three mountain passes done. The bad news: it looked like rain. At 10,560 feet I had a good view of the storm moving in. By the time I my rain jacket on, my worst fear was coming true. The rain initially fell a few drops at a time but increased to a full on downpour. The idea of descending a few thousand feet down a very steep narrow paved trail on half inch wide tires had been freaking me out for months. It was a white knuckle ride all the way down, squeezing the brakes and hoping for a enough friction to keep it under twenty miles per hour . Pelting rain made it hard to see and paranoia about the little rivers forming on the trail made it impossible not to clench up. Reaching the bottom was a great relief. Only twenty flat miles separated me from the finish line.

Mile 87: sweet 3:48 PM Jul 11th from TweetDeck

Honestly, 120 miles is too much to think of at one time. Think about the next pass, the next downhill, the next aid station but don't think about the entirety of it all. That is the only way to get through any endurance event. Break it down into bite sized chunks. The last chunk was my favorite, a flat twenty miles into Avon. Pure adrenaline and the excitement of really doing it had me flying into the finish line despite twelve plus hours on the bike. The finish line fan club was also soaked from the rain but waited for me nonetheless.

Mile 120: soaked and a little less for the wear but got me a jersey. Awesome #triple2009 6:28 PM Jul 11th from TweetDeck

The return drive was considerably quicker and more relaxing and I buzzed the whole time with the warm feeling of accomplishment.


Start and end of photos.