I didn’t make it all the way to Alma, as was my original plan today because as soon as I began my ride, my goal changed to “make it to the top”. I did get to the top of Hoosier pass and from Breckenridge, gained 2,000 feet in elevation, mostly in the last 4 miles of switchbacks. I tried to enjoy the views along the way and a couple of times highway 9 was even peacefully silent, void of SUVs and big trucks. I also reminisced about the few other times I’d been on the same road.
1. A mutual friend hooked me up with a young, almost pro triathlete to do a “training ride”. He’d been at altitude for 3 weeks already and it was my second morning in Breck. I made it to the top and I attributed it then to sheer good luck and the beer & burger I’d eaten the night before.
2. A week after the first attempt, I rode it again myself. It felt just as difficult as the first time and the ride back down was slower because I didn’t have anyone to draft off of.
3. Another friend took me along Hwy 9 on mountain bikes, which was way harder, just to get to the start of our trail. We rode up a fire road off the highway one day and did a single track trail, which was part of the Colorado trail another day. I had almost no experience mountain biking and the fire road day was one of only two times I’ve cried out of frustration on a bike. Nonetheless, I have memories of loving the challenge.
The Workout:
22 miles, 2,000 feet elevation gain. The entire way there was uphill, which left me with a quick, fun descent. On the way up, I focused on lifting my knees to “pull” and use hamstrings instead of attempting only to muscle my way up the mountain. The highway was crowded with cars so on the descent I made a point of taking up the whole lane on the switchbacks so nobody would try to pass me.
Nikken Wellness:
my nutritional cocktail of greenzymes, immunity and omegas
Laura's Training On the GO 