Chilling in Club Lead

The sign does not lie. Life really is great at 10,200′.

Now, my viewpoint may be colored by weeks of hot and hard riding in Tucson, with temps regularly in the 100’s. Then further biased by an all day drive across Arizona sans A/C in the Corsica (on a 105 day in Tucson). But whatever the case, it feels amazing to be in Colorado.

Lee had singletrack on the mind as soon as I arrived, and I couldn’t say no. He had a few tricks up his sleeve that lead to some hidden trails above Leadville.

The air was crisp, aspens starting to change, and though the air may be thin, I was enjoying the usage of my nose in an environment free of pollen. If anything, I feel like I can breathe better up here.

photo by Lee Blackwell

Later we headed over to ride the trail we helped build when I was here in July. This was a supreme treat, because it’s such a sweet trail. That little wall ride (above) flows right into the trail.

photo by Lee Blackwell

That move is a side line, and it’s a good one. There’s always a small sense of satisfaction knowing your hard work went into the trail you’re now enjoying, and that sense is only intensified when the end result is so good.

I somehow managed to not take any teeth off my big ring, though I did have a strange near crash where a mis-timed manual led to me being bucked out of my pedals. I’m still feeling it a bit.

With the Vapor Trail 125 coming up this weekend, I’ve been trying to keep myself in check, but it is proving difficult. I know there will be plenty of suffering, adventure and high altitude revelry come this weekend. But it surrounds me, it calls to me. There are multiple 14ers visible from Lee’s windows, and their siren song is irresistible.

Fortunately today was cloudy, foggy and rainy. Obscured by clouds, the call of the 14ers was a little weaker.

I decided to take advantage of the rain and wind, since I’m more concerned with adapting to the cold than I am the altitude. It was a good choice. The trails (even the bike path around town) were empty, and the foggy forest spoke silence and wonder to me.

It was cold enough that I could keep a Snickers in my jersey pocket! My hands and feet were cold, as expected, but the body responded to hard pedaling by pushing warmth towards them.

I’ll never tire of coasting through golden aspens. Although it may be impossible to test that statement, given that they are yellow and still attached leaf-to-tree for such a short time.

On the other hand, I know that being cold does get old. But it still holds a strong appeal for me. I’m in heaven here in Leadville, where it’s impossible to be too hot.

I’m lucky to have such good friends, good health and the freedom to pursue what I want. I can’t wait for the Vapor Trail.

New this year, the race will be tracked by SPOT satellite messengers, using the software I wrote. It is really cool to see the enthusiasm about the tracking (and the event in general). Tracking link:

http://trackleaders.com/vapor125