Mike and Mark's Weblog

Fatmen Ride Virginia Day 5

April 2: The Fatmen Get Wet 

After an optimistic report of better weather and warmer temperatures, the day begins cool and foggy. We can't blow off a second day and we're all feeling pretty good, so off we go. The day's routes are a 75 mile manly ride and a 47 mile easier ride. We all start off together and climb Reed's Gap from the tough side. It is foggy and wet, so foggy and wet that my glasses are steamed up to the point I have to take them off. My eyesight is terrible so opting for no glasses tells you plenty. I reach the top first from the kiddie group! Of course our "guide" choose to ride with the last rider or he would have smoked me. But you take them where you get them when you climb like I do.

The first 28 miles are pleasant with fresh legs. But the temperature is dropping and the sky is getting more ominous. We stop for a quick break at a convenience store and upon leaving the first drops fall. Soon it is pouring and we are soaked to the skin. I am wearing a long sleeve jersey and shorts. This is ok until my shoes soak through. Then my energy starts having to choose with keeping my feet warm or pedaling the bike with gusto. The resulting compromise leaves me going slowly with cold feet. By mile 40 I am shaking which is not helping with my already shimmy-prone frame. Justin,our ride leader, insists I take his long finger gloves (my fingertips are blue) and his wind vest. It does the trick. I get feeling back in the fingers and stop shivering. Still couldn't feel my feet, but what can you do? Mario has dressed more sensibly so although he is not happy being wet, at least he isn't freezing, except for his feet. Eric is with the manly group so we have no idea how he is doing, but he was wearing more than I was and he was ok. The scary part was that there was so much water on the roads that descending was pretty scary for everyone and these were some pretty good riders.

We take a wrong turn and go down a mud and gravel road. Perfect. Just in case the road hadn't scared you enough we have to play cyclecross. We backtrack to make sure that we get the full experience and this brings our total miles to 50. I go straight into the shower to wash me and the mud off my clothes. Total Pigpen experience. My feet still have numb spots after 15 minutes in the shower. Afterwards I put on a wool jersey, a polartec pullover, my fatman winter jacket, sweat pants, wool socks and a hat. It is almost enough. Mario puts on clothes and gets under the covers after his shower; of course he falls asleep and misses lunch.

The group consensus on the day: Epic. Sheesh, they are all nuts.

Speaking of lunch, time to comment on the high fiber (beans) diet. Although little is regular when it comes to the Fatmen, these three Fatmen have gotten amazingly regular. By today, we didn't know if we were at cycling camp or on the Road to Welleville.  Everyone is jealous I have a bathroom to myself at the cabin after Mike left. Enough on that subject except to say that it is a remarkably open, coed topic of conversation here.

In the late afternoon, the whole group goes to visit the Mountain Cove winery owned by Eric's Aunt and Uncle. Uncle Al gives us a great tour and tasting. He's even made a label with our group photo; look for it at next Friday's Beer Night. We then head off to the Brew Pub for dinner again.  

And now, a brief note on Mike's e-mail comment. While discussing fellow campers at the cottage over carbohydrate recovery beverages and tunes we decided that one of our compatriots probably followed Joe Pesci's lead and has 8 heads in a duffle bag. We resolve to not volunteer to add to his collection.

Fatmen Ride Virginia Day 4

Wednesday, April 1: Let it Rain!

4:30 AM and Mike and I stagger out of bed. Good thing this is vacation and we are relaxing and sleeping in. Mike cleans up and I make coffee. Some last minute packing and we are off to the Charlottesville airport. Fortunately, Mike had gotten directions last night. Unfortunately, it was Mike who got the directions and invariably a right becomes a left. But no harm, no foul and we did have a laugh over it. We go the long way with I 64 and still get him there at a comfortable 6:10 for his 7:15 flight.

I head back the correct way with the sun coming up and trying to poke through the gloom. It is supposed to rain and Mario and I are really hoping to get a rain day rest. Yesterday Mario went shopping and bought breakfast makings so I start making bacon waiting for Mario and Eric to come over which they do just as the last of the bacon is frying. And then it starts to rain; ah a much needed rest day is justified. We enjoy our bacon and eggs and then watch the rest of the loonies go out for a “short ride”.

Somehow Mario gets into a conversation with our host Cathy about vinyl and transferring records onto computers and the next thing I know I am standing in front of a USB turntable which supposedly “needs something” to work. We bring it back to the cabin; I have the software on my laptop and the amp will play the analog output. It works! It records! Only downside is most of her records are bluegrass, one of the few genres I really do not get into. So right now the three of us are listening to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors, one of her “college” albums. Later I showed her how to use and will set it up for her before we leave.

When the group comes in from their ride they look like hell. No one is smiling. They are obviously cold and tired. The rain had let up so they went for 50 miles; as soon as they were committed to the route, it started to pour. If it ain’t fun, why are you doing it? How dumb do you have to be to make a Fatman look smart? Don't answer that.

Well it took a few days, but I finally found some high speed internet to connect to and get this posted. Pictures are sparse, but I’ll try to get some good ones tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be good. It is very pretty, but riding a bike in a group isn’t the best time to take pictures.

Fatmen Ride Virginia Day 3

Tuesday, March 31: Man or Mouse?    

As far as the Fatmen went it was 1 man and 3 mice.  Eric went with the big kids and had a nice 90 mile ride although in my book “nice” and “90 mile ride” don’t go in the same sentence. Mike, Mario and I comprise 3/4 of the “other group”. All three of us had pretty sore legs and there was no way we were going that far.  We did manage to get Mike a cassette with a 27 before the ride; they have a couple of spares here. Tom Kellogg put it on and I really wish we had a picture of the 4 Fatmen watching him change it out looking at it like he had just discovered fire. Again, big entertainment for the others.

Everyone starts out together although I quickly am at the back with Mario and one of our   guides for the day, Paul, just up ahead. When we reach the rendezvous, Mike said the group was already breaking up and they were 10 miles into their day. We then set out at a reasonable pace to the climb of the day, reminiscent of our Alpe d’Huez but longer and with a couple more switchbacks. But it never went over 12% so we were wondering what all the fuss about the big climb was about. Not that we flew up, but it certainly wasn’t Hill 27 suffering.

Our reward was a multi-mile descent that Michael and I shot down ahead of everyone else. Perhaps surprisingly, Michael led the descent and I followed on his wheel. The rest of the ride was reasonable terrain, but there is no getting around going up and down hills even when avoiding the big ones. Some are sprinters hills that you can use your downhill momentum to power over but others require getting into your climbing gears and going up slowly. Obviously it helps being able to tell the two apart, but it isn’t always obvious. The countryside is beautiful and traffic is very light as promised. But the riding does require attention so you aren’t spending much time looking at the scenery. If it isn’t negotiating a road filled with gravel, it is a speedy descent or a paceline.

Mario and I suffered up the last hill to the Inn. Michael had gone ahead to make some calls for work. Damage for the day was 45 miles and another 4100 feet of climbing. We went straight over to the Inn for lunch of an Indian chickpea dish over rice. Very satisfying as all of us were starving at that point and it was 2 PM. The whole nutrition thing seems strange here. I guess it just a Darwinian thing of provide for yourself or die.

After a leisurely lunch and cleaning up we retired to the porch with the tunes and carbohydrate recovery beverages and wait for Eric to roll in. When he does he is in surprisingly good shape although he staggers with rubber legs as he changes directions; sort of like Lee Marvin in Cat Ballou. 
Mike declares he needs steak for dinner which doesn’t get any protests from anyone.  The plan for dinner is a new local brewpub which indeed has very good steaks. And good beer. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Fatmen are given their own table. We quickly turn this to our advantage as we get our beer first, our orders first and our food first. Mike inhales nachos, salad, his steak and everything else on the plate. We’ve never seen him eat like this. Then he orders a dessert! I’ve spent alot of time with Mike and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him eat dessert. As he says, “I get my calories from a bottle”. Anyway, I think that is the best testimony that we’ve been riding hard and burning calories.

We finished first and since everyone is paying for their own dinners, we pay and leave first. Back to the cabin and time for tunes and more beverages. Just as we get settled, Eric tells us we should head up to the Inn and be social with everyone else. So we go up to the lodge and catch Justin playing his guitar; he plays and records professionally on keyboards and drums with his brother and apologizes for his guitar playing. As if anyone else there could come close.  

After that Mike concludes we need scotch. Fortuitously, we have some single malt brought for just such emergencies. We also need to toast Mike’s last night here; he has to go home early tomorrow morning to get back to his latest deal. Real estate does not wait. So we turn in at a respectable hour with much less scotch consumed than the last time the two of us drank scotch together.

Fatmen Ride Virginia Day 2

Monday March 30: Fatman Down!

Clear, crisp morning. Michael has been up working for a couple of hours before I even get out of bed. He says I didn’t snore, so points to me.

Breakfast is breads and coffee. Not necessarily the best base for big miles. We take a group photo before the ride. Quick quiz for Tour of Colorado riders: guess who was the last one to show up for the photo/start of the ride? Take a bow, Eric. Then it was off down some steep, twisting roads with lots of gravel. My bike starts to shimmy from the strong crosswinds. Perfect. As we make a sweeping left turn we hear that sound that every cyclist hates to hear-the psssst of a big flat. Unfortunately it was Mario and he was in the process of turning and the flat tire washed out so he went down. Fortunately, no blood, no torn clothes. The tire had a pretty big hole so he and some of the guides returned to the Inn to get a new tire, so he ended up with a truncated ride. (Post note: Mario wanted to make sure I mentioned he was going 60 mph; yeah right) He was lucky.  The ride turned out to be a 50+ mile hammerfest with 3800 feet of climbing. I popped at about 30 miles and had nothing left by 40. The terrain has lots of extended climbs and the rollers were being taken at 20+ mph. Mike and Eric did fine, but Mike was really regretting having a 23 for his largest cog. He did say his legs hurt later.

After cleaning up, I went in search of a Blackberry signal. Had to drive to the top of one of the mountains to get it. When I got back, Mike was on the back porch working and working over the carbohydrate recovery beverages. We moved the stereo outside and started blasting The Rolling Stones and I started to help him with the recovery beverages. Mario and Eric came over with more recovery beverages and we all sat on the porch with the amp turned just about all the way up-the woofers were moving big time. Martin came by and was delighted to share in a recovery beverage. As we were sitting there, a bunch of folks drove by to the restaurant for dinner and were impressed by all of us holding up the recovery beverages.

Dinner was at a local Italian place, Vito’s. The food wasn’t bad. And the Fatmen provided much amusement. Eric was absent as he was having dinner with his aunt and uncle. After we called Mario Mary, we had to explain Fatman names. Much bewilderment and amusement on our part. Later on, Doreen told Mario he looked like Michael Moore. Mike and I laughed and said, “only in profile” as in Fatman profile.

Michael and I turn in at 10:30-yep it was a hard day.

Fatmen Ride Virginia-Day 1

Sunday March 29

Raining. Mario calls at 6:55. He comes over at 7:15 to help put the luggage box on my car, drop off his luggage and pick up my bike. He is driving the bikes inside his Trailblazer and I am carrying the luggage in my car. This will keep the bikes dry for the trip down. After we get the box on, he goes off to get Eric. Since that will take awhile, i have time to load our stuff, get gas and cash and say goodbye to Kathi. Then I drove over to Eric’s and pick up his stuff, then we all drive over to Michael’s. No sign of Michael, but his stuff is on the porch for us to load. Miraculously as we put the last bit in, he appears and we are off; buy only to the Fanwood bagel store store so Mario and Eric can get breakfast.

Once we finally get started, Mario shoots a yellow at Bonnie Burn and Valley Rd which we run following him. Of course a Watchung cop is sitting on the other side but leaves us alone as we weren’t speeding. That would have been perfect getting a ticket before we even got onto Rt. 78. After that it was pretty uneventful although Michael and I observed that Mario’s driving was like his bike riding. We’ll leave that for the insiders to figure out. The rain was never hard, but was pretty steady and there were some pretty foggy areas. Traffic was light. We took an exit for a bathroom break for the coffee drinkers where Eric got, more coffee! Although highly tempting, we did not go over to Cabellas to check out the deer dressing department.

Back on the road for another 80 minutes, then lunch at Subway. We pretended it was reasonably healthy, especially those Italian subs and fresh cookies for dessert. Oh yeah, and chips. The rain had stopped but it was still gray. Another 90 or so minutes, we were out of Pennsylvania and could see blue skies ahead. Virginia did bring the blue skies and the temperature on the car thermometer jumped 15 degrees. We had agreed to stop for gas once we went from I 81 to I 64. Of course, we stopped at a Sheetz gas station on Tinkling Brook Rd. I think Michael is still cackling over that one. Taking a clue from the names, we used the facilities, filled up and did the last bit of the trip. Very pretty country.

We arrived at the Acorn Inn about 4:30. Mario and Eric are in the main house and Michael and I have a small house to ourselves. It has a kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom. When you first walk in and look in the bedroom you only see one double bed. We immediately laughed and thought of John Martin’s tent that only sleeps one. However there is a second single in there as well. We set up the stereo and got the tunes going with the 4 of us hanging out with beverages. Beautiful and sunny, but with the big ride on Saturday and plenty of riding to come, we didn’t see the need to get a ride in. We did note that the Inn is at the top of a hill so any return finished with an uphill. And yes, this is foreshadowing.

Dinner was very pleasant grilled salmon, steamed vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes.  Allegedly the potatoes were added for the Fatmen. The group seems pretty serious. We don’t so it looks like we are the amusement for the group.

A few words on our hosts, Martin and Cathy own the acorn inn. Martin is Dutch and a former professional cyclist. He is 63 and looks like he can still smoke anyone here (he can). Cathy is a professional photographer and her photographs help decorate the main inn which is a converted stables-the stalls have been changed to individual rooms.

Our ride leaders are Josh and Doreen. Josh is 6’9” and has the largest bike I’ve ever seen. Nice folks. Doreen will be looking after the stragglers like Mario and I. Tom Kellogg, frame builder par excellance is here along with one of his brothers and his sister. There are more Spectrums (Tom’s brand) here than you can shake a chain wrench at.

The day ends pretty mellow at 11.

2007 Tour of Colorado

Brought to you by guest blogger, Dave Billard.

Friday, June 22: Day 1

7AM: Dave and Sue pick me up to go to the airport. Kate has just returned from Project Graduation and we hug in passing.

No incident getting to the airport. John had an earlier departure, but was delayed and actually arrived in Denver just after us.

Cool airport! Problems with the rental company-no van. It took awhile, but Mike’s keen skills got us a van and a one day discount.

Now for the packing of the van. It was never in doubt. Pictures were taken to document it.

Off to Steve Sahaj’s after a few directional changes. A better welcome and better food are rare. Steve, his wife Linda and two young children are doing great and living in a great house in Boulder, Colorado.  After some good conversation and a few Belgian ales, it was time to hit the road. 

Next stop was the home of Fred and Kathleen Carrico (Mike’s brother- and sister-in-laws). They have a beautiful place with a great view of the valley below. Again, we were welcome with open arms; a great meal, beer and fine wines greeted us. Fred and Kathleen are great hosts and have a very active social life with many friends and relatives visiting.

We can already feel the altitude-dry mouth, headaches, etc. at 9,000 feet.

Saturday, June 23: Day 2

We woke up to a great breakfast, cooked by one of the other guests. I think it was Howard.  Fred and two friends then went off to play golf at his local country club.  Kathleen took us out for our maiden bike ride at altitude. We rode down the hill from their house and out onto the highway and then quickly crossed over and onto a side road. After a mile flat we eased into a hill about the difficulty of the climb from the Watchung circle to where we turn off Sterling road to relax. We were all hyperventilating and coming to a reality check. The rest of the ride was a learning experience in how to pace ourselves. The fifteen mile road was quite enough to start with.

Of course we had to reassemble the bikes for the training ride and left the bike boxes in the garage. Because John couldn’t fit his moustache handlebars assembled into his case, he had a messed up brake cable and had to ride with only the front brake on the training ride. John and Dave N. went down and picked up some new cables then we took our leave and headed over to Steamboat Springs with Christine, Mike’s niece, as our pilot. We were very fortunate to have her along and she was great fun.

We went to register and saw all kinds of people and bikes on a very hot afternoon. From there we went to check in at the Trapper’s Resort, a very nice four bedroom condo. Only two problems-six bodies and four beds. They brought a fold-out bed. Mike slept in the ball and Dave B. on the couch.

We dropped off Mike to get groceries and went to a local bike ship to get extras. Dave N. found several copies of his book and autographed them. Christine, who will be teaching fourth grade this year, promptly bought them.

We then went back to the place and after a brew or two Mike made us a great spaghetti, salad and baked chicken dinner. Dave N. repaired John’s brake. Then we were off to bed still getting used to the altitude and perhaps a little anxious.

Sunday June 24: Day 3

The ride begins.

We begin the day by getting up a bit slow and packing everything back into the van. The consensus was a coffee and bagel start, but we messed up the timing and didn’t start until 9AM, possibly being the last ones on the ride to leave.

Mike begins the gradual flat to the first climb at around 20 mph. Whoa, big fella. We regroup for a bit before breaking up on the climb with John setting his own pace and the other four forging ahead. The main climb began after 7 miles with between a 6 and 8% grade followed by a steady 7% on the upper section. Tough climb!  We started into the climb fast, actually too fast and Dave N. was quoted as saying “this isn’t so bad” around the midpoint. The total climb was around 3000 vertical feet over seven miles and we soon learned that the air gets thinner as you climb. With the increasing altitude it becomes all about pace and keeping within yourself.  Mike and I went a bit ahead and tried to keep this a 1.5 hr climb at about 5 _ -61/2 percent.

John was riding his pace and when we crested the climb Dave N. was a bit behind and Eric had stopped to address a blood sugar issue. The first aid stop was at the top of the climb and there was almost no food left when we got there and were told it was closing up. We were worried that John would be left with no support. Christine had gone on before us to the next stop and Mike called her to come back and check on him. It was smokin’ hot out! John was ok as it turned out and made all the stops. Excellent ride!

Our ride from the first peak was made more interesting by Eric being worried by the police escort being in the traffic lane. The way back for us was not too bad overall except for the heat. Start early from now on, we said. We maintained a fast paceline through the arid area.

Christine was waiting for us in Walden with the camping gear. We set up the tents. Everyone had their own except Dave B. who shared one with Eric. I don’t think the camping thing worked out for everyone. Dogs barking  and coyotes howling weren’t for everyone.

The five cowboy steaks with fixins were great and the “fried pickles” were a great success. After dinner we roamed town for dessert. The ice cream place needed our help to load 30 lb bags of ice cream mix. Mike purchased a small stuffed moose (Walden, Colorado has the greatest number of moose sightings) and promptly attached it to the handlebars of his Aegis. A helmet for the mini-moose was crafted from a beer bottlecap.

Monday, June 25: Day 4

Riding out of Walden around 7:45 was a much better start to the day. We were all packed up and ready to go and Christine was there early with the van to move our things back to winter park and we were on our way. We started out of Walden in a paceline with a pretty good cross wind and after the first ten miles, John dropped off. Soon after that we met up with two really strong girls and one other guy. The cross wind was perfect to set up a two or three across echelon and we played with that to the first rest stop.

Willow Creek pass wasn’t too bad and we pretty much stayed together until the last half. Mike and Dave B. kept going at the top thinking Dave N. and Eric would catch right up, but didn’t get back together until the second rest stop. A gradual climb and a windy descent took us to Route 40. Then one more stiff climb to the last aid station on a hot afternoon, followed by the last leg to Winter Park.  As always, the last climb to the condo is the worst. John came in a bit later in very good shape and shared in the complaining about the climb.

Once again, our hosts outdid themselves and after a great dinner and a few glasses, we retired. Four other riders stayed there that night as well-Kathleen’s friend Susan, her daughter Danielle, Ken and Paul.

Tuesday, June 26: Day 5

We didn’t quite finish yesterday’s route so after packing, we rode an additional six miles to the start ot the day’s 76 mile ride. John started out at 5:30 to get a good jump on the ride. The rest of us started out around 7:00 and headed off to Winter Park Resort and Berthoud Pass.  The climb was around 3000 feet in about 12 miles at 5 - 6% grade overall. A tough climb, but we stayed together and fueled up at the top. 

A great downhill followed as Dave N. and Eric took off at 52 mph with Mike going at a moderate pace and Dave B. stopping for pictures on this 18 mile downhill. We regrouped toward the bottom and started out toward Loveland pass on a very rough stretch of road. After going through scenic Georgetown with it’s steam railroad, we started the ascent.  We caught John just before the aid station at mile 36. We stopped in to refuel and John stayed to have a wheel trued.

We left the aid station and for a short while stayed on a main highway to the base of the final ascent. Dave N. and Eric started out a bit quick then fell back while Dave B. and Mike kept going up to the Loveland pass summit at 12,000 feet.  As soon as we got there Mike who had been telling us about imminent storms said to hurry because a thunderstorm was about to hit. We quickly took off down the mountain with the rain, wind and sleet chasing us. We managed to keep ahead of the worst of it, but took a terrible soaking.  Eric and Dave N. got caught in the worst of it. By the time John got there, they weren’t letting anyone up the pass due to the bad weather.

Mike and Dave B. rode the last 30 miles through Breckenridge and over a small pass into Copper Mountain in intermittent soaking rain.  After arrival we tried calling to see where everyone was. We got hold of Eric and Dave N. and found they were 30 miles out. They told us about the closing of the pass and John getting sagged around. In typical fashion we settled into a local Mexican restaurant for some beers and snacks. We saw Ken, Susan, Danielle and Paul there. Kathleen came in a bit later with the van and they all sat down for dinner.

At around 5 PM Eric and Dave N. came in and then we really heard about the sag and I went out looking for information on John. He was sitting on the van when I rode by and it turns out the sag brought him back around the same time as us but he couldn’t use his calling card. In the future we’ll check at the help area as soon as we pull in.

From there we drove over to Leadville to the next condo where we’ll spend three nights. Out for a nice dinner at the restaurant where the menu is limited but the filet is excellent. Five 12 oz filet mignons and only Dave B. didn’t finish his.

Wednesday, June 27: Day 6 (Day off from the Tour)

Mike got up early and picked up Kathleen in Copper. They came back to Leadville and picked me up to take them over to Twin Lakes which is about 20 miles away so that they can ride Independence pass. It is interesting country and I take some pictures on the way back. The other guys are up when I get back and we all decide to ride back to pick up Mike and Kathleen in Aspen.

We left on time and stopped in Leadville to check out a few stores before heading out. The trip to Aspen started with a quick stop at Twin Lakes for a few postcards and the like. The road up to the pass was awesome with many photo opportunities. It was our day off and we took quite a few.12,600 ft. up the side we went with no guardrails which was a little unnerving. Quite steep and very dramatic drop offs.  Eric had his camera out of the window to take a shot and I said “If it falls, it’s gone”. The top had a beautiful view and we stayed there for awhile getting some group shots.  Then down the back side over to Aspen which was also beautiful. We stopped there for a bit and had lunch in a pub before heading back over the pass and back to Leadville. Mike took Kathleen back over to Copper where Fred was waiting to pick her up. When he got back we went out to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner.

Thursday, June 28: Day 7

Mike took this as a rest day and drove us over to Copper for the start. The day began on the bike paths on an uphill climb out of Copper and then continued on the back side of a windy, fun descent.  You couldn’t lose concentration on this one with hard braking and switchbacks.

At the bottom, we cruised through Vail which is a pretty good sized ski area. We were all together at the start of Vail pass but separated on the climb. It wasn’t long but we had some pretty steep sections.  The back side descent was great with fairly high speed cornering and a very nice bridge near the bottom.

We then rode through a long flat section and stopped to see Camp Hale where the 10th Mountain Division trained during WWII. Dave N. joined us there and we began the long climb together to Tennessee pass. It was only around 7 miles back to the condo and we flew back in.

Mike had spent much of the day working, but had also picked up and prepared an excellent meal of grilled chicken salad, baked potatos and tomatos. It was a great way to finish off a ride.

Friday, June 29: Day 8

We rode right out of the condo this morning. For the first time we are taking turns driving the van. We switch about every 15 miles.

The first part of the ride was pretty flat but of course it led to a pretty steep climb up to Fremont pass and the first aid station and first van switch. The next section was mostly downhill and we flew to the next change where Eric was waiting, Starbucks coffee in hand. At this stop Dave N. kidingly asked if anyone wanted a Bloody Mary and practically handed an open bottle of vodka to a State Trooper. He smiled and declined.

The ride then returned us to Copper and back on the bike paths. The first part was the reverse of what we’d done in the rain and was much more enjoyable than the first time. We cruised through this curvy section and rode down some very enjoyable switchbacks through Breckenridge along the paths. Then it was time for the next changeover and the beginning of a long windy, wide open and hot section of road. Dave B. drove this section watching the guys flying along in a paceline. At the second aid station John pulled in only 15 minutes behind the group. The ride to aid station three was hot and windy. It starts to wear you down. John took over the van after aid station three. Dave B. started out 30 minutes behind the group and hooked up with a fast paceline of tour volunteers.

At around 4 miles from the finish red jerseys were spotted off the road and we pulled over to check it out. Mike had gotten off the road and then crashed before he could get back on. Nasty cut on his arm and some shredding of shorts and hip. They let him finish with the promise he would get attention in Kremmling. Mike showered off and went to the aid station where they finished cleaning and bandaging him up. We then had a few road sodas on the way back to Winter Park where we showered quickly.

Dinner was at a local pizza place where we learned the local custom of saving the crust and eating it separately with honey.  Fred and Christine joined us for dinner and we had another great evening.

Saturday, June 30th: Day 9 (Last Ride)

We got an early start this morning as we had to get back over to Kremmling for the start. Christine was up early and waiting for us and we got there at a decent hour of 7:20 in order to beat the heat later in the day. We formed a paceline almost from the start and Mike said there was about 20 riders with us until a few moderate climbs peeled them off. We regrouped at a turn and headed off toward the last major climb of the tour. Gore pass is only 9,527 feet, but it is a steady 5 – 61/2% for 11 miles and has a false top or two before reaching the summit.

Mike was riding well for having been beat up so thoroughly the day before and we crested first. Dave and Eric came in soon after. Mike wanted a head start on the downhill so he took off followed by Eric. Dave B. and Dave N. left at different times and regrouped down in the valley after a really nice series of downhill turns. We mostly worked as a group for the remainder of the ride with Eric often straining to hold back. He was in a go fast mood. There were some interesting rock formations on the way to the finish.

There were a few incidents on the road today. A kid threw an apple that whizzed right by us, a truck pulling a boat continuously on the horn all the way through the line of riders and one other honking idiot.

Dave N. had his best ride today and was really flying. Mike was riding in pain and doing very well for being so stiff. When we were nearing the end we were taking it easy when these annoying girls came up to pass us. On your left, on your left like we were stupid. Well you know what happened next. Mike goes to the front and blows by them keeping a 20+ mph paceline. Don’t be rude!!! We pulled into the finish area and saw Christine waiting. Excellent.

John came in about 45 minutes lateer with his fastest time on a hot, testing day. After a sub to tide us over, we were on our way back to Winter Park for the last night. Mike and John went shopping for supplies, wine, salad and steak for a nice thank you dinner for Fred and Christine. Kathleen is away on a bike seminar along with some other cancer survivors.

Sunday, July 1: Day 10

Last night while loading the van we ripped the seat. Ooops. We’ll worry about that later on after Avis sends us the tab. Successfully packed after much carpet cleaning for grease. We said goodbye and after a brief T-shirt and postcard stop we headed on our way. The only stop on the way to the airport was for a group photo on top of Berthoud pass. We made good time and got to the airport early and got a few beers and a good lunch.

Father's Day Ride-A Fatmen Tradition

What would Father's Day be without a Mike Mackay marathon ride in the summer heat? What the hell, we're only in it for the Bloodys. Here is the route sheet Mike made up several years ago and still forms the basis of the ride route:

FD XXII
June 19th, 2005

Dist.    Cum.        Dir.    Road

0.0        0.0        Start   Bed One Parking Lot
  .1          .1        L        Burnt Mills Road
2.4        2.5        R        Cowperwaile Road
  .5        3.0        L        River Road
1.4        4.4        X        Rattlesnake Bridge Road
1.1        5.5        R        Meadow Road
1.0        6.5        R        Cedar Road
1.4        7.9        L        Gelmley Road
  .5        8.4        R        Oldwick Road
  .2        8.6        L        Rockaway Road: Bear right after bridge
2.2        10.4       L        Bissell Road (I)
2.8        13.2       L        Cokesbury Road
2.1        15.3       L        Main Street
  .2        15.5       R        Cherry Street (Rte.629) (II)
1.7        17.2       L        Rte 629
5.4        22.6                 Deli   
1.6        24.2       R        Route 523
3.5        27.9       X        Route 31
  .4        28.3       R        Old Clinton Road: Watch for Crazy dogs
  .2        28.5       L        Cherryville Hollow Road (III)
2.4        30.9       R        Stanton Station Road: Dangerous Down Hill
1.2        32.1       L        Handen Road
  .8        33.3       L        Spring Hill Road (IV)
1.3        34.6       R        Sidney Road/Rte 617
2.2        36.8       L        Grandin Road
  .6        37.4       X        Route 517 - Becomes
1.8        38.2       R        Perryville Road
  .5        39.7       R        Mechlin Corner Rd/Rte 625
  .2        39.9       S        Rest Stop
1.2        41.1       R        Van Syckle’s Corner Road
4.5        44.6       L        Route 31
  .1        44.7       R        Buffalo Hollow Road (V)
2.6        47.3       L        Highbridge Califon Road/Route 513
1.4        48.7       R        Hoffman’s Crossing Road (VI)
1.1        49.8       L        Grove Road (VII)
  .8        50.6       R        Davis Cokesbury Road
1.3        51.9       L        Water Street
1.8        53.7       L        Guinea Hollow Road (VIII)
1.8        54.5       R        Suttons Road
1.3        56.8       R        Farmersville Road (IX)
1.7        58.5       X        Route 517 - becomes Hollow Brook Road-Dangerous Downhill
2.5        61.0       R        Fairmont Road
  .5        61.5       S        Pottersville Deli
4.3        65.8       R        Lamington Road
  .1        65.9       L        Rattlesnake Bridge Road
2.1        68.0       L        Burnt Mills Road
3.7        71.7       R        Bedminster One Lot

Check out the photo album for some fun memories of the post ride festivities, especially Aqualung with the peperonni.

First ride with the new jerseys

May 20th-We finally got our new jerseys. And I've been cleared to ride the bike again. The Colorado Crew is in great shape with a month to go.

Stylin' in front of The Bike Stand. From left: Mike Mackay, Henry Lubinski, Dave Neuhaus, Mark Rerek, Dave Billard, Eric Moberg

New Logo and Van sign

OK, we're playing heavy catch-up here, but at least I had a good excuse for some of the down-time. I will try to catch up chronologically. So here are two great images leading up to the Tour of Colorado:

Sprint Davey, Sprint!

Proudly displayed by fatmen everywhere!

Final Training Program Posts

Base II, Week 3:

Tuesday - 5-10 minute warm-up, then 35 minute time trial in Zone 3, 15 minute cool-down

Wednesday - 5-10 minute warm-up, then 4 grinders of 7 minutes each, 3minutes rest in between,  then 5 minutes easy followed by 5 rolling intervals (small ring and 15-17 on back, 3 minutes Zone 2 and three minutes Zone 3)  3 minutes rest in between, 5 minutes cool down.

Thursday - 5-10 minute warm-up, followed by 8 spin intervals with 3 minutes rest in between , then set trainer on highest resistence and do 4 intervals of 3 minutes each, choose a gear where you can maintain 70 rpm in Zone 4, 5minutes rest inbetween, 5 minute cool-down

Friday - stretch or 30 minutes easy

Saturday 2 1/4 hours (hilly)

Sunday 3 1/4 hours

Base III Week 1

Tuesday -  5 minutes warm-up 3 intervals of 8 minutes each in Zone 4 2 minute rests in between, then 5 grinders of 5 minutes each, 3 minutes in between, 5 minutes cool down

Wednesday -  5 minutes warm-up then 6 spin intervals with 3 minutes rerst inbetween, then 6 rolling intervals (small ring 15-17 on back, 3 minutes Zone 3 and 3 minutes Zone 4) 3 minutes rest in between, 5 minute cool down

Thursday - 5-10 minute warm-up then 3 intervals of 8 minutes each in Zone 5a, use a gear and a resistence where you can do this at 60 rpm, 3 minutes rest in between then 4 intervals of 4 minutes each in Zone 4 with 3 minutes in between, 5 minute cool down

Friday - 45 minutes easy

Saturday - 2 1/2 hours hilly

Sunday 3 hours rolling

Base III Week II

Tuesday - 5 to 10 minutes warm-up, then 4 intervals of eight minutes each in Zone 4, 2minutes rest in between, then 6 grinders of 5 minutes each with 3 minutes rest in between, 5 minutes cool down

Wednesday - 5-10 minute warm up, then 5 spin intervals with 2 minutes rest in between, then 8 rolling intervals (3 minutes Zone 3 and 3 minutes Zone 4) 3 minutes rest in between, 5 minute cool down

Thursday - 4 intervals of 8 minutes each Zone 5a, 3 minutes rest in between, 15 minute cool down

Friday - 45 minutes - 1 hour easy

Saturday - 3 1/2 hours  (canal ride from shop)

Sunday -  2 1/2 hours  (back door jockey hollow from shop)

Shift training to outdoors as much as possible from here.

Week of April 9:

Tuesday - 30 minute time trial zones 4/5a (right below AT) with appropriate warm up and cool down
Wednesday - 25 mile ride (or for the masochist or easily amused 2 hours indoors)
Thursday - 5 hill repeats with tougher gear (by one) for repeats 3, 4 and 5 (indoors six 7 minute grinders with 4 minutes rest inbetween)
Friday - rest or 45 minutes easy
Saturday - reverse chimneys with a double twist (should make for an interesting profile) approx. 50 miles  9:00 TBS
Sunday - Dave's Big Balls  approx. 60 fairly easy miles 9:00 TBS