GREAT ride today!

I was allowed to do a really fun ride today- fun meaning I got to do a lot of intensity! I headed to Golden and rode Chimney Gulch/Apex/Grubstake. I really would like to get up to Nederland, but the drive is twice as long and I actually have to work during the day, despite what you may think!! I do ride a lot, but I actually do work 30 hours a week. 😮 I got to ride the Chimney Gulch climb not once, not twice, but THREE times!! They were 30 min efforts at just below XC pace. Today was one of the first times (last weekend included) that I felt like I didn’t need a GREAT granny gear on my bike. Granny yes, but I sadly felt the need for a great granny. Stupid anemia. I can definitely feel a difference and each week is better. My ace (tailbone) is STILL not all better as I sit here trying to stay on one buttcheek. At least it’s not really affecting my riding…it’ll heal someday.

It rained here today, but it was still hot in the morning. I drank about 140 oz of water… thank goodness for my Hydrapak, single bottle cage on my Scalpel (I have named him Heeman) and Ergon BD2 pack. Phew! That is 8.5 lbs of water!!!!

I accidentally left my lights on the Tough Bastard because I was so excited to go ride, and was very very lucky that a nice mountain biker guy name Gino gave me a jump. thank you thank you thank you thank you.

Enchanted Forest Trail… simply enchanting!

Oh so happy…and sweaty…and beastly. 😉 roooaaaar!!!

Chimney Gulch… trying to take different photos of the trail since this has appeared on here once or twice.

View from up high.

I’m trying to get better, I swear. I need a helmet cam sponsor or something.

Another milestone I hit this week is that i have been trying to get to 3 pull-ups in a row by August. I did yesterday, and I was able to do 3 sets. 🙂 I’m not a T-rex after all.

I’m really looking forward to the weekend. Me and my favorite studly mountain biker and I are heading up to Leadville for some cool, thin air (I intend to wear my down jacket camping at about 10,000 ft) and some excellent high altitude training. My favorite. I actually have not been to Leadville before, strange I know. I am also really looking forward to Sol Vista MSC next weekend. I feel like I may actually and finally have something in the tank after everything I have been through this year. I have never been there either. Rumor has it that it’ll be a national next year and possibly even a World Cup. Weeee!!!!