|   Slime Climb (long) | Zaphod
Nov 9, 2002 3:17 PM | | Did a ride straight out of Boulder, 5600' elevation and about 55 degrees, mostly sunny. My plan was to simply head uphill. First error occurred when I blasted through a puddle with my gore-tex booties sitting warm and dry while my smartwool got sprayed with icy cold water.
Up up I went and the roads were dry. Then I turned onto a dirt road and everything changed. It was a mix of snow, ice, slush, and mud. Suffer. After rounding each switchback, I was greeted with a blast of cold air. Each blast felt colder than the last. Some of the shaded areas just were too icy to ride so I trodded on with two feet crunching.
My original plan was to make this epic loop that topped out over 9000' up high and swing back into town on whatever roads and trails looked good. I had no specific route in mind, just a general sweeping vague idea. As the temperature dropped below freezing, I donned my last bit of clothing. With a pile of layers I sensed that I was just barely keeping warm enough to be safe.
I looked at the mountains and the ominous snow storm looming. Then I had a glance at my map thinking of a plan. Contemplating I looked in the direction of the mountains again, only... it was gone. Where the mountain was a few moments ago now stood a grey looming cloud. I thought that if I were to get hit by a full on white-out condition I'd be f***ed. I was out of layers and was cold when *climbing*! So I threw up the proverbial bail flag and began a wicked velocity run on pavement. Sign reads "Road construction ahead, single lane." I come up to a guy who's shaking his head "No" as in I cannot pass the construction zone. This was my known route down. Ugh. Perhaps I should have argued. I was on a cross and he probably saw a road bike. If there was no possible route I would have argued but alas.
Turning around and spinning the cranks uphill with cold and stiff legs was brutal. I knew my route was all downhill before the construction issue came into play. I started down up another dirt road hoping that it would dump me back onto the main downhill but beyond the construction.
It didn't do that but it did connect with a way home. I happily took it and slowly felt the temperature warm back up as I descended. The sun even made an appearance just for me. The slushy ice was pretty sketch going down but I managed to not eat it. It's strange to ride something that is seemingly impossible, i.e. riding on slippery icy stuff, but ends up being quite easy. It's as though my attitude of, "No way I'm going to fall." somehow magically connected with a higher power keeping me upright while my wheels were sliding and surfing wildly.
Back in town, a double cap followed by emptying my hot water heater and all is well. I dig a good climb.
-Zaphod |
| |
