It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It’s triathlon training in Boulder, CO. Everywhere you turn, someone is sponsored. Someone can answer your questions. Someone set a record on the Flagstaff climb. Someone just ate your workout for breakfast and now they are out for a real ride or a real run.
Yesterday, I decided to go on a bike ride with some co-workers over lunch. They had decided to ride up Sunshine Canyon and back. “It’s a beautiful ride!” one said to me, “You are going to love it!” I shrugged, and said, “okay, I’m in.” I’m not a strong or fast rider, but I can ride for a long time at my own pace. What did I have to loose? Best case scenario, I would get stronger and do something I was not going to go out and do on my own. Worst case scenario, my brakes would go out on the decent and I would go flying off one of the switchbacks.
The average grade in Sunshine Canyon is about 7.6% and the maximum ascent grade is 23.1%. If you did the whole climb (including the gravel at the top) you would ride about 9.1 miles. My co-workers were going up about 4-4.5 and turning back. Here’s an elevation chart for the climb:
If you have ever ridden with me, at my plodding (by Boulder standards) 14-16 mph average when not climbing (mountain, foothill, driveway), you know that I’m uncomfortable with decents. Actually, that’s putting it mildly, I’m terrified of decents. It has gotten better since my ride through South America – I rarely cry anymore – but I can’t help but get a little freaked out going 30 mph downhill, around switchbacks, on a bike with just a wimpy little helmet to protect my brain and hands that get very tired of breaking.
So, when I hit that pitch up at about mile 3, and realized that no one was going to drive me back down once I made it up, I turned around and headed back to Boulder. My excuse was that I would try the short decent on my bike this time, next time I would go up higher and try again. I actually had a pretty good time. I’ll get my brakes check, and soon, Sunshine, I’ll be back for you. Be afraid.
Reaching for Ironman 70.3 Boulder 