6 of us: Julia (juliapurr), Cris, Justin, Brett (Alpine87), Richard (verve500) and I started together up the Sqaw pass. For the first mile it was actually really nice: the rain stopped and it was cool, unlike hot weather last year. The rain started with light drizzle, but quickly turned into a downpour. It was freezing too! It was miserable going up the pass, but we had no idea how much worse it would be coming down. That first pass was hard for me in terms of climbing too. I expected it to be shorter - 10 miles or so. It turned out to be 15 miles to the top.
The 2 rabbits in the party, Richard and Justin were at the top much earlier than the rest of us, so they kept going, because waiting in those conditions meant freezing your butt off. Julia, Brett, Chris and I met at the aid station, but after quickly using the restroom, we decided to keep going, as stopping really brought down the body temprature.
That first descent was the worst! It was so cold! My running gloves were soaked with cold water, so they didn't help much and my fingers were numb! With the fog and rain the visibility was negative. Ambulances were going up and down that hill I couldn't fill my hands and so I couldn't really break! When I saw a shoulder I squeezed my hands as hard as I could, stopped and warmed my hands with my breath a little, so I could feel them again. At the Echo Lake Lodge (about 1/2 way down) I saw Julia. We stopped, we both were shaking, so we decided to go in for a minute. That place was invaded by cyclists! We had some hot coffee, and started feeling a little better. The second half of the descent got my body temprature right back down though, and my jaws were shaking as I got to Idaho Springs. At this point I was seriously thinking about who should I call to come get me. It was only 1/2 hour from Denver after all. Julia and I shared more coffee at a gas station there. She called her sister and told her to come get us and bring some dry riding clothes just in case. Meanwhile we decided to at least ride to Dumont (about 5 miles) where Chris was waiting for us, as riding was warmer than standing around. We had some coffee there again. We all spent a bunch of money in a ski shop there to get some dry clothes. I bought a fleece shirt, new socks and warm gloves. My pants were still wet, but with drier upper body I felt a little better. Our stop there was probably about 1/2 hour.
We kept on riding to Georgetown, as the rain didn't seem to ever want to stop. Until this point I haven't really eaten anything. I was just more cold than hungry. We had some food there and kept going another 12 miles to Loveland ski area. This part included a 7 mile stretch on the high way, probably the most unpleasant part of the ride (ok, after the 1st descent). The sholder was really wide, almost as a full lane, but some drivers (a$$holes) still had to get close to us and beep there horns. I wonder, if they kept doing it for the whole 7 miles that the riders were stretched along. Also one truck splashed me with so much cold water - I felt like a bucket was poured on my head.
Needless to say, by the time I got to Loveland ski area there wasn't a dry spot on me again. Of course, as soon as I stopped I got really cold again. But I had to stop, because, I needed to get some food in me. Julia and Chris decided this was enough of fun for them at that point. I didn't really see Brett at this aid station. This was another point where I considered quitting. I was thinking of either calling Victor and have hime pick me up here or leave my bike here, drive with Julia to Copper, get Victors car and go back to get my bike. Julia's sister was there with a warm SUV and a whole set of dry riding clothes. Since Julia wasn't going to ride anymore, she said I can have the dry stuff. When I heard that, I decided I was riding on. I spent about 15 min in the car, changing and just warming up. And off I went.
Riding up Loveland pass, even though steeper, was much easier and faster than the stretch to the ski area. By that time the rain slowed down a little too. It didn't stop, but at least my clothes weren't completely soaked for the descent. It was still very cold coming down, but the main thing I could feel my fingers and control my breaks.
From Lake Dillon it's a short, but annoying uphill to Frisco, I did warm up on it though. There was another aid station there with hot coffee. I stopped there to warm up, eat and chat with some people. It was pretty lonesome for me at this poing. I called Richard. He was already finished! And I was only at 80 miles - 2/3 of the way done. Rain got its strength back by the time I started again. It was a pretty flat and wet 10 miles to Copper. I knew if I made it to Copper I was going to make it, because Vail pass was fresh in my memory from a couple weeks ago, and it wasn't that hard (with fresh legs in nice weather). The rain stopped for a bit as I was going through Copper. I saw Vick's car, and there they were - Vicktor just picked up Richard and they were going to the hotel. They didn't recognize me at first because I had different clothes on, but I waved at them and they stopped, took some pictures of me and cheered me on. Bettween that and the sun that tried to show up, the ride up Vail Pass really wasn't that bad. I even got a little warm coming up. I made last stop at top of Vail (95 miles), ate a bunch of watermellon and oreos, put everything I had on for the last descent. It was a fun ride down. I was still chilly, but nothing like the 1st two passes. The last 10 miles are flat and slight downhill. They were really hard for me last year, because I was spent. I felt a little better this year and kept joining different fast groups. I was doing 20+ that whole last stretch.
Whew! It was nice to see that turn in the expo area.

Have better riding clothes. Nothing else really. I think I did great given the condiditions

I ate a vegie burger (with cheese), baked potato (with sour cream) and salad (with a bunch of ranch). I don't know why I crave fats like this after a hard workout).
Richard showed up to pick me up right when I finished my dinner. Perfect timing! We got in the car and drove to our favorite spot in Vail, where we had more food - some great fish tacos, and some beers.


Good organization. Volunteers were amazing! Hopefully next year the weather will be a little nicer :)