Day 7 – Buena Vista to Breckenridge – RTR 2008 Is Over & Done

Like I closed out yesterday, today was a mixture of emotions, positive and negative.  Today’s ride went from Buena Vista to Breckenridge via Trout Creek Pass and Hoosier Pass. 

The morning, as usual, started out early, 7:00 a.m. start time.  Our gracious hosts of the San Isabel Bed & Breakfast made us a feast of fruit/yogurt along with an egg casserole and coffee.  It laid down a solid base of calories, but I was concerned on how the eggs, onions, and green peppers would settle with a big morning of climbing.  The good news is that it sat very well!  Hats off to Cam and Dick on a great breakfast.

The day started out climbing from the get-go!  We started at just over 7,800 feet at the junction of Hwy. US-285 and US-24 in Buena Vista.  It was a 1500 feet slog up to Trout Creek Pass, Elevation 9,346 Feet, over about 10 miles.

We had a slight downhill to Hartsel.  We got together with Team Flying High (minus Momma T, sorry?!) for a picture.  Team Flying High was our entry team and is comprised of Team Bizzo and Team Bad Ass (Coffee – that is!).  We had a great time riding with Sherpa (Matt), Pretty Boy (Ryan), Uncle Doug, Momma T (Johhny Utah’s mom), and Johnny Utah (Diane) over the last seven days!

(From L to R) - Hammer, Sherpa, Uncle Doug, Pretty Boy, Johnny Utah & Coach

The rest of the ride is one that I’m thoroughly familiar with in the car as it is the standard route from our cabin to Breckridge during the winter for skiing.  It is largely one long climb of 33 miles from Hartsel up to Hoosier Pass through the towns of Fairplay and Alma..  However, I’ve never done it on a bicycle.  It’s a lot steeper than it looks from a car window!  L

My boy, Hammer, had an enormous set of mechanical issues to deal with (he’ll update you with this).  It’s one of those axioms of “Stuff Happens”.  I generally faired better with the single exception of a sore backside.  One of the common themes of this year’s ride was that the three hardest days (of which, this is one – the other two were Day 2 and Day 4) involved climbing well over 2/3’s of each stage, in two of these over 75%.  While Day 6 involved a wickedly long climb, it was aided by almost 30+ miles of descent.  The same was true for Day 1 and Day 3?!

From Fairplay, road begins to get steep.  Here is  a look at the town sign for Alma, CO along with a view up the climb to Hoosier Pass.

Base of Climb to Hoosier Pass (Pass is in the "V")

Cool Mountain Town - Alma, Colorado

The climb up to Hoosier pass was only 4 miles long, but it was almost all wickedly steep at +7% grade.  It’s one of those climbs, where you find your lowest gear, keep your head down and turn the cranks.  Coach road it solo while Hammer worked on his technical issues.

From Hoosier Pass, it’s straight downhill 11 miles to the finish line!  Here’s a pic of me and Hammer @ the finish.

Tomorrow, I’ll post my final stats and parting comments.  I’m working on a video from Day 3 and Day 6, so it’ll be headed out tomorrow or Tuesday as well.

The Coach “Chuck”