Boulder is a place that many pro cyclists call home. This likely isn’t news to you, as it wasn’t to me, but perhaps I’m learning why so many riders come to this place. I’m here simply because I’ve got a welcoming place to stay. But out on the bike I’m finding many challenges that keep calling me back for more. All I have to do is turn my front wheel in the westward direction and I’m certain to find something steep, something challenging, something scenic, or something gnarly. Anytime I choose a combination of these appeals can easily be found. Many environments that I’ve raced and trained in have been quite tame compared to what can be found here in Boulder’s niche of the Front Range. Just like any good book, there has to be a conflict of sorts and here you are guaranteed a bike versus nature tale of epic proportions – if that’s what you’re looking for…
The weather has been largely hit or miss and this only adds to the challenge. Today I got out early for an intense STXC practice before doing a super-walker this afternoon. It was raining and 45 degrees outside, but yet the ride was nothing short of amazing. Since Boulderites are so into the eco-friendly lifestyle they call it ’super’ if you ride to the trailhead instead of driving the car. So ‘Super Walker’ simply means I rode up to the Walker ranch, did a loop, and then came back down. Last week I did a similar ride, but with two loops of Walker Ranch, one in each direction. Would this be a ‘Double Super Walker’ or a ‘Super Double Walker’? Anyone care to enlighten me?
The goal is to head into Deer Valley acclimated and ready for the sustained climbing. I’ve been here for two weeks now so the acclimatization is half taken care of and I’m starting to find my climbing rhythm too. Hopefully I can put it together for a strong performance. In the meantime I’ll be doing the Chile Challenge at Angel Fire and the Teva Games in Vail. These events ought to be good practice for this sea level being.
With some more racing just around the corner chances are good that I’ll have something blog-worthy. Check back for more on that. Thanks for joining in and enjoy the battles you find on the bike, where ever it is that you aim your front tire.
-TJ
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