Head for the Hills

Kind of off-kilter on our vacation scheduling this year, but headed out last Sunday for a trip to the Aspen/Snowmass area of Colorado for a little down time (at least occupational down time).  After passing through the area for a couple days last summer, we had some trail aspirations over here that needed attention.  So we packed up and headed west!

Mt Princeton, part of the Collegiate Peaks 14ers

Mt Elbert, Colorado's highest point at 14,443' - pretty high...

Looking across Twin Lakes - Hope Pass is the "v" notch on left horizon, 
part of the Leadville Trail 100 course

Stop for a quick photo at Twin Lakes

Check your shorts - Narrow section of Independence Pass!
(Yes, it is one-lane, two-way traffic???!!!)
 

We had a monster run on tap for Monday, however, in the mountains you roll with the weather, not against it.  Woke up Monday morning and soon heard thunder rolling in from the mountain tops to the west.  Plan B time.  We waited until we thought the rain had lightened a bit and headed out on the Brush Creek bike path.  They have an awesome network of bike paths between Snowmass and Aspen.  Kathleen getting soaked above on the Brush Creek path along Snowmass Club's golf course.  Yes, that is paved, and no, do not get used to seeing us on that surface :-)

Sun breaking out on the Owl Creek path

The bike path is quite scenic, so we just rolled along, not really minding the wet conditions.  The sun broke through about half way through the run out on the Owl Creek path and we were treated to some nice blue sky on the trip back up to Snowmass Village.  Everything in Snowmass is on a slant, including the bike paths, so at our turn around, we knew we had some climb ahead.

Snowmass ski slopes off in the distance

Back up into the Village and drying out!

The gardens were all loving the rain followed by the brilliant sunshine.  We had to stop in front of one of the many flower gardens along the path.  Although we got soaked at the beginning, it was a nice shake out run and got our legs tuned up for a little higher altitude than our "normal" 6800 that our bodies are accustomed to.  This adventure to be continued.....

9 miles, 1300' elevation gain

Shoes - K Asics 2150 Trail

S - Asics Trabuco

A Little Teaser

Bucket List ???

You...

Should...

Go...

Here!!!

more to come....Stay Tuned

Change of Pace

We hit the road today - on bikes, don't get your hopes up you roadie runners out there - to get in some miles while the Leadville 100 mountain bike race was taking place up in the thin air above 10,000 feet.  Congratulations to Levi Leipheimer, winning in a new course record time, and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski finishing second and also dipping under the old CR.  The course record was not soft, either, as it was previously held by Lance Armstrong.  Imagine riding 100 miles, mostly above 10,000 feet elevation, in 6:16:38 ???  Next Saturday, they'll line up in Leadville again, only this time for the 100 mile running race.

Panorama looking over our "neck of the woods"

It was another beautiful day and absolutely perfect for a ride.  We started the day with cloudless azure skies and pleasant temps in the mid 70's.  We just stayed on the quiet roads around home and were hoping to get in 20 miles or so of relatively easy spinning.

Kathleen riding, with Blodgett Peak on the right

All done and ready for some grub....

We had a great ride - 24 miles with some good climbs.  After watching the live updates for the finish at Leadville and seeing the top 5 come in, we got cleaned up and headed out for some fuel replenishment.  We dropped in to Coquette Creperie in Manitou Springs, a great restaurant that serves a wide variety of gluten-free fare.  We had our server take a photo, however, it was a little dark and was vetoed by one half of HT for hair malfunction issues.... :-)  I had the South of the Border, which is a large crepe stuffed with eggs, chorizo, pico de gallo, jack cheese, and is served with home fries.  Kathleen had the Monte Cristo, which also starts with a large crepe stuffed with Black Forest ham, eggs, swiss cheese, and strawberry preserves, topped with powdered sugar and served with fruit.  A GREAT way to refuel!   All in all, a very nice day - Happy Trails (and road biking too!!!)