I sit in a little one person cottage writing this on my laptop.....I'm in the beautiful Colorado town of Estes Park, next to the Fall River.
Some of my org buds know that I've been bicycle training for almost two years now, basically culminating in a 500 mile, 7 day test starting tomorrow. A giant loop over 11 mountain passes with hundreds of very conditioned bicycle riders. Yesterday I drove 1/2 way up then got on my bicycle and pedaled up to the 12,180 ft. summit (to see how I would do in real altitude).
At 11,750 ft. a bicyclist was 1/8th mile in front of me....a 50 kt wind gust hit him and blew him off his bike, face plant onto asphault then off the road onto rocks. I arrived 30 seconds later and rendered first aid, got the Ranger, etc. He had a broken hip, road rash and maybe broken nose.
When paramedics arrived, I left and rode into this amazing wind. I must say, it was more powerful than any wind I had been in before BUT I stayed on the bike and made it because of my motorcycle abilities. I just think dirt bike riding, track riding and all riding is an amazing asset when demands are made on a bicycle.
Anyways, it snowed up there today! This is not 500 miles across Kansas or Nebraska, it's the Rockies! I can't believe the long steep grades and weather I'll be dealing with in the next 8 days! Wish me luck, I'm bringing a camera....I look over at my skinny little bicycle in my room and think, "this ain't no Busa!"
64 years old and 215 pounds, I look at the other entrants, 30 year olds, 175 pound studs, I must be freeking crazy. Doyle