It was the big day--the part I was most looking forward to in Ride the Rockies this year. I had done Trail Ridge several years ago from the other side and was able to summit. It was unbelievable to be up that high and to actually think I had gotten myself there by arm cranking--crank by crank.
This time they had a more stringent time cut-offs. I knew we couldn't ride from Granby and make the gate by the time of 8 AM, so we drove up to the first rest stop just before the gate of Rocky Mtn. National Park. There was still 42 miles of climbing to get to the summit. I had originally thought I'd start at the second rest stop which was 10 miles into the park--but my pride in wanting to do ALL of Trail Ridge wouldn't let me, after all, I had done it before.
Once we entered the park, it was magical. The cool, crisp air, the green trees and smell of pine filled me. This was why I was here. This is why I love Ride the Rockies. The road wasn't too climby at the beginning. It allowed me to get into my big ring several times and crank hard. (It was about 8,500 ft to start with) I rode hard, no time to dawdle as I had time constraints to worry about. I reached the aid station at about 11:09--which was 9 minutes after the time cut off. I asked if it was okay to go on and was told yes, but don't stay there too long. I didn't really stop, I took a few sips of water and went on. I had to be at the top by 12:30--an hour and a half to climb 5 miles of steep road that went from 10,500 ft to 12,000 ft. I knew that steep of climb, I would be going between 3 and 2 mphs up the hill--and wouldn't make the cut-off.
I kept on cranking, as I rode above tree line, I knew it was getting closer. I was pretty sure I was the last rider, when there would come a stray lone ride gutting their way up slowly past me. I rounded a corner and saw lots of cars and people and got excited that this was it--but it wasn't. It was the visitor's center and it had lots of cars going in and out. It wasn't a rest stop--or the summit. It was scary negotiating around the cars trying to get in as I had to ride on their right and wasn't sure they could see me as I sit so low. I did get past them and kept climbing. I saw one of the sag vehicles with a friend "Worm" in it. He was sagging a few people who had given up. I asked him how far from the top and he said 1.3 miles.
I thought, wow...I'm close I can do it. But it was 12:35 right then. He didn't attempt to make me sag for which I was grateful. He knew how much I wanted to make it. I keep on slowly making my way up. The traffic had been metered by the police so it wasn't too bad yet. By this time the wind had really picked up and I had to ride in a head wind too.
I rounded another corner (there was always another corner to climb around) in hopes of seeing the top. I finally saw the porta-potties--that meant I was there!! I wanted to go fast....but I couldn't. I slowly limped up to where everyone was. They were taking everything down. There was no celebration, music or food. Only people being put in the sag vehicles. I was very windy and cold up there. Those of us who had just gotten there were well past the cut-off time. There was another summit--and we couldn't ride it. Worm said that the wind was very gusty going up to the second summit--and the traffic was not controlled any longer. He wanted to get me into a vehicle. I said I was looking for my crew. Then down the hill came my sag crew.
Susan, who had ridden with me that day had summited the second summit and they were on the way to find me. I got into my sag vehicle a little disappointed. I had summited, but felt I didn't make it because I couldn't do the second one or the downhill. Janis offered to let me off at the second summit--but there were lots of vehicles at this time and it isn't fun when you have to ride behind a car sucking in their exhaust fumes. The other hancyclists had started at the second rest stop and that had given them the time they had needed to make the cut-offs. I should have done that as I knew my climbing speed and ability. I just didn't know if they'd make me adhere to them.
Even though I didn't make it to the second summit--I did make it to the top. It felt good and I loved every minute of that climb. The park rangers were so gracious and helpful to all of us cyclists. I had hoped to see some wildlife as I was traveling very slowly. I heard from Robert who had started earlier, and up further that they had seen lots of wildlife in the park when they climbed--they were the only ones up there. A lesson well learned--to find out what's most important--do all of it, or the best part of it? That still was the highlight of the ride for me.
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