Quote

As I recover from yesterday's training ride I think back to one of my favorite quotes...

"The challenge for me is simple. I always want to do well, always want to win. I don't need anybody else to establish the challenge for me." - Jose Mourinho

73 Miler

Nothing like utilizing a vacation day from work to train for the Triple Bypass. I started at Bergen Park in Evergreen and rode up to Squaw Pass and then up to Juniper Pass. Headed down the back side of Juniper all the way down to Idaho Springs and then wound my way back to Evergreen. Grabbed a couple of peanut butter sandwiches for lunch and then rode back up to the top of Juniper Pass in order to make it a two climb day. 73 mile ride. Completely exhausted and a little depressed to think that I would have another 50 miles (including one more mountain pass climb) if this were the Triple.

TBP Map

Here is a map of the Triple Bypass Course. I am definitely concerned with the middle section marked "ouch". I have ridden up Juniper as well as Vail Pass but the climb from Idaho Springs up to Loveland Pass is by all accounts "BRUTAL."

Boulder

While the STL crew was attacking the Memphis In May triathlon today, I headed up to Boulder for a 65 mile ride with Jason Fraser. Not exactly the 93 degree temps that Team STL had in Memphis but I am not complaining. We did some good climbing and I am completely exhausted not to mention mentally fatigued since this would only be about the half way point for the Triple Bypass.

Bolder Boulder

Suzy and I are signed up for the 2010 Bolder Boulder. We had a blast doing this race last year and are looking forward to breaking Suzy's personal best of 91 minutes from last year.

Juniper Pass

This morning I rode up the first climb on the Triple Bypass course. The ride features a 3,800 elevation gain. The start is at Bergen Park in Evergreen. The ride is straight up over Squaw (9,708) and Juniper Pass (11.140). TOUGH, TOUGH, TOUGH. The fact that it is in the high 30s when you start makes for a very chilly descent. There is nothing easy about this ride.

Triple Training

Triple Bypass training kicks into high gear for me this weekend with two short but steep rides. Today's ride features Deer Creek Canyon. This is my third time up this mountain - for some reason it doesn't seem to be getting any easier!