The Denver Post Sunday Paper

Greetings Readers

I blogged perhaps a year or two ago about the Sunday Morning paper and me.

I had a ritual for every Sunday Morning.

However, that ritual was broken when the Denver Post Sunday Paper got smaller, the Sunday paper costs going up and the eventual disappearing of the Sunday comic I loved to read on Sunday.

Also, the news was not that exciting anymore. I admit the other reason why I bought the Sunday paper was for the ads. The ads. Sales and sales to be looked and analyzed over and over.

But, Damn if I was going pay 50 cents more to read a smaller paper when I can get the info from the TV and Internet.

Yet, February 6, 2011 I decided to buy another Sunday Paper. After all, it has been just a year since I bought my last Sunday Denver Post Paper. And I only bought the Sunday Paper back at that time for the same exact reason. Granted, I could have found the information that I was looking for on the Internet, but thought what the fuck I can splurge the $ 1.50 for one paper.

Note: Readers, I have bought many, many Sundays in the past two years, but those are the Albuquerque Journal and only when I am vacationing down in New Mexico.

What? Why did I buy the Sunday Denver Post Paper.

The only reason why I bought the Denver Post, that is, the Sunday Denver Post was for the announcement of the bike tour I did a couple of years ago. No drum roll. It is the announcement of the Ride the Rockies 2011.

I have to admit that I am now looking to see what the route would be the new year. I am not impressed by the route itself. And the starting line is not even a place I thought would be a Ride the Rockies start. Granted, I never new where the starting point of any Ride the Rockies prior to my participating in 2009. And there is an explanation why I did not care/know.

Last year, the Ride the Rockies 2010 started in Grand Junction and if I remember correctly ended in Salida, CO. I actually thought it was nice route and even thought about applying, but decided not to.

Anyway, here we are. I will give it a thought, perhaps two, but I do not think that I will be applying for this year's Ride the Rockies. I will have to look at the Mountain Passes as well as the towns that the stops will be at for me to even consider applying for a spot. I am not impressed and after all I can already state that I have done the Ride the Rockies.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

I paid my entry fee; therefore I participated

Greetings Readers

Here is a quote from another blog about their participation in the 24 Hours of Boulder this year that has caused me to comment on his view and participation of the same event.

"If a runner is walking and limping that much how much damage is being done trying to compensate for what ever injury or lack of conditioning caused them to start walking that way? Perhaps that is a good indicator that they should quit?" - Chris Pruchnic (runner # 133)

I do not disagree. However, I paid my entry fee and I have every right to be there competing in the 24 hours of Boulder. It is not called You must Run the 24 Hours of Boulder. But the 24 Hours of Boulder. Complete as many laps (7.14 in length) as you can run in a 24 hours period, if I remember that was stated on the web site (website link is below).

http://geminiadventures.com/new/?page_id=105

I understand that this runner had a headlight lamp. Good for him. As well as I did and then some. A green glow stick and a green light/flashlight Combo. Yet, Readers, the course was pretty open except for a single trail path near the halfway point of the course. I estimate about a mile in length that you could possibly run into someone by accident. But as far as I know every runner that past me or ran past me in the opposite direction were mindful and careful. I do not remember ever seeing a frown face or some comment like "move over" or "watch out."

But wait. I know I was on the same course as this runner and I know for a fact that is was not as dark as he stated. Also, the course was most of the time wider than a school bus. And in some places the course was two car widths wide. The only time the course got dark was if you were looking at the stadium glow and then back to the course, thereby causing your pupils to readjust (dilate). Same thing goes for the highway that runs on the East side of the reservoir. If you look over and then back to the course you pupils have to re-adjust once more.

And running at night is not just about lights. You have to listen to what is around. You can hear the other runners - running/walking. Or if they had a pacer more often than not I can hear them talking. This year, I did use my Ipod. Except I only put one earphone in one ear and left the other ear open so I could listen to my surroundings

This runner is a good runner and I did read at some of the things he has done, but the lack of respect by complaining about us same fellow runners walking on the same course under a 2/3 of a moon's light. I think, I remember the moon being more than half moon showing.

I just checked the moon almanac and the moon was 67 percent full that night on October 16, 2010. The Almanac also indicates the moon sets at 1:08 AM. I think I remember seeing the moon set and disappear about 1:20 or 1:40 AM so I that is about right.

I will admit the course got dark (like it did for me 2 years ago), but almost all runners had some sort of light(s). Though, I will agree there was about 5 % that did not have a light. I saw one runner running with a green glow stick only.

Yet, the statement the blogger wrote rubbed me the wrong way. I will admit and was one of those who did not have a light on the back of their back. Thinking more about it I bet about 90 percent of the runners/walkers had no lights on their back. Just the headlamp and perhaps their pacer having a flashlight. So, this particular runner needs to take some responsibility on their part and make sure that they do not run into a runner ahead of them. It seems to me that particular runner had tunnel vision and thought he owned the course since he is a better runner than most. Yet, that may not be true since this was the 100 mile / 24 Hours Championship that is held in October in Boulder, CO. There are two other 24 hour races and those are held in Moab, UT and Laramie, WY and I do not know for a fact, but I am betting some of those runners who did those events would may want to come to Boulder for the Championship event. Note Readers - he did mention he finished in the top ten.

The blogger stating "...that they should quit?" Perhaps. But my goal was not to run the 100 mile championship race. I was a solo male entered in the 24 hours solo race. And the only fucking goal was to beat my lap record/personal best of 7 Laps from two years ago. I had to do 8 laps at whatever cost. Quitting was not an option. Who are you to tell me otherwise?! I did not train. I did have a lack of conditioning - big time. But, that did not stop me from paying my entry fee the day of the event and competing. I had every right to compete on the same course as you, as anyone. I did walk / shuffle like a Hollywood Zombie and that was my undoing. I am still recovering for putting myself through that last lap to get a new personal record and the official mileage count over 50 miles.

I have had no bad experiences on both times I have competed in the 24hoursofBoulder. Sure, running the course over and over again is something I do not look forward to, but I am thankful that this race is even happening. Be thankful for that, though reading this runner's post - I think he has not run the 24 hours of Boulder before. I would rather run in a loop as opposed to the 24 hours of Boulder not being able to hold the event at all due to no course being available for whatever reason.

My big complaint is the serving of "Shasta" or "Big K" 2 litter soft drink being offered at the two aid stations. I did pay 110.00 dollars so I would have liked to see Coca Cola, Dr Pepper, or Pepsi to drink the first time I ran this in 2008. This year I made sure to bring a 6 pack of Coca Cola to the event in case they did it again. Which they did, but I soon saw some Coca-Cola late at night/early morning for us runners. I needed the taste I know to help me.

All in all, there is nothing to post anything bad or be disrespectful of the event. I love seeing the teams, the pacers, the elite, as well as myself, a runner pushing their limits for a specific reason. I had no problems running, except for my body breaking down throughout the event.

If there was a complaint, issue or whatever from me then I would not compete in the event. You faithful Readers know me - if I find something "that I do not like" I voice my opinion and to go as far as not to do/go there again.

If you have followed me (read) this far Readers - here is the link to that specific post and you can read and interpret what was blogged by Chris.

http://halikuadventures.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/boulder-100-report/

I have nothing personal against Chris, my faithful Readers. He just needs to remember how he got to where he is at now. And yes, in case of me being one of the limping (Hollywood zombie) walkers in the middle of the night I did stay to the right of the road whenever possible and Chris can go fuck himself for hinting in my condition that I probably should not be competing in the event any further. I had a goal and that is none of your fucking concern / business. You were running 100 miles. My goal was completing more than 7 laps on October 16 - 17, 2010. I was on a mission and the only option that was going to stop me was - quitting.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Blue Mountains

Greetings Readers

The Cold indicator

When you actually think about this it is such a worthless “extra” on a fucking cheap ass beer. Well, perhaps not to this beer drinker.

Really, why is there a cold indicator on a beer bottle to tell you if you beer is cold enough to drink?

I personally know that a beer is still good to drink cold when just bought from a liquor store and brought home. Once I get home to my humble abode and very little time has elapse I am not not going to drink a bottle of beer. After all, is it not common to pop open a cold one to celebrate the end of another workday? I have personally partake in this ritual more than once in my life.

Yet, every now and then I see that commercial with cold filter beer with the so-called promise that the “Blue Mountains” will appear when the beer is at optimum drinking temperature.

The Blue Mountains will appear when the beer is ready to drink at the temperature it should be at.

That is fucked up if any consumer believes that. We human are stupid, well some of us are, and for us to be told how to drink our beer is fucked up.

What I thought about was one of the reasons for the “Blue Mountains” indicator is – it is for an alcoholic. Though for this reason you have to assume that the alcoholic only drinks alcohol at a cold temperature. So, this alcoholic perhaps buy his/her 6-pack at lunch or after work and stores their purchase in the truck of their vehicle.

As you know Readers the trunk is a good place since there is no sunlight actually penetrating the trunk. Whereas if you left the 6 pack on the front seat (or back seat) the sun’s ray will shine upon the 6-pack to warm up the beer. Also, the vehicle becomes a temporary greenhouse with all the glass and will eventually warm that 6-pack of beer.

Let us pretend that alcoholic will not drink a warm beer. Fine. The Alcoholic puts the beer in the fridge to get the beer cold. Now, there is a waiting game - perhaps the alcoholic begins checking the 6-pack every 15 minutes. No visible cold mountains yet.

And you know why? Well, according to the “Blue Mountains” in the refrigerator getting cold the beer inside the bottle has to get cold for the beer bottle label to get cold. The cold, I think, from the refrigerator is not enough to activate the “Blue Mountains” on the label since the beer is most likely still warm to counteract the cold on the outside of the label.

That being said – here is the flaw. More often I put some bottles of beer in the fridge to get my beer cold, cold for my preference.

I decided to take a 7-11 slurpee cup I bought years ago that works on the same principle. When the cup gets cold the cup “changes” and shows that the cup is cold for optimum slurpee experience.

12 minutes later the cup was showing the “optimum” drinking temperature, yet the water in the cup was not “optimum” drinking temperature. The freezer did its job, which is to freeze. However, the freezer does what it knows – it freezes from the outside to the core – in that order.

So, the “optimum”-drinking drinking indicator was activated correctly, but too early for “optimum” drinking temperature.

With that being said, should any beer drinker put these bottles in the freezer or a container full of ice the “Blue Mountains” indicator will be prematurely activated to the icy cold temperatures of the freezer or to the ice cube bath container. And should any John Doe / Jane Doe actually believe in the “Blue Mountains” indicator they are in for a surprise when they open that bottle of beer an expecting a cold bottle of piss. Oops, Sorry Readers – I often think of that beer with the “Blue Mountain” indicator as piss beer. The beer will be cold, but not “optimum” drinking temperature.

In closing, do not be tempted to buy that “Cold Mountain” activated label beer for that reason of being reliant on the “Could Mountain” label indicator to indicate to you, perhaps falsely to indicate to you, when to drink their beer.

You Readers have enough common sense to make a cold beer enough for you to drink or know how long to refrigerator or freeze a beer to the temperature you want to indulge your beer at.

Readers – after thinking and writing about this I think I am going to have to perform a test of that “Blue Mountain” indicator beer. I just cannot believe that I am going to have to buy that “Blue Mountain” activated label beer. That is fucked up just thinking about me buying that beer. And what is worst that after the test I perform I am going to have to drink that beer – After all I do not think I am going to be able to resist not drinking that cheap ass beer since I did buy it.

By the way Readers - The first picture of my 7-11 cup you can see Bruce Banner without the "cold" being applied to the cup and then when the cold indicator "kicks in" Bruce Banner disappears and then all you see is the face of the hulk - in white (on his chest).

Fucked up.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3-D

Greetings Readers

I am not a fan of Tim Allen. I did not watch his show when it was on TV – what was it called… the Home Improvement Show, I think.

Anyway, I had no desire to see Toy Story when it first came out. And I didn’t.

Then, Toy Story 2 came out, by then I think those movies with that type of animation was getting respect as much more than a kid’s movie. Before seeing Toy Story 2 in the movie theatre I did see Toy Story on DVD. And I have to admit to you Readers, I was so wrong not to see the movie just because of Tim Allen being one of the main voices in the movie.

Thinking back I actually think that Toy Story 2 was the first Pixar movie I saw in the movie theatre. Matter of fact Readers, I was impressed by the visuals as well as the story of the movie. However, what caught me off guard was the adult content that was “hidden” in the movie. Even though the movie is geared for kids is it also very entertaining for the adults.

I found myself laughing along with the other adults when the kids were not laughing at the movie. We shared something in common and that made the movie so much more pleasurable.

Here we are Readers – 2009 and now Pixar has re-released Toy Story and Toy Story 2 for a limited engagement of 2 weeks. There was no question – I was going to see the movie period. What was different for this re-release was that you get to see both movies for the price of one ticket. However, that one ticket was going to cost money extra since the movie was in 3-D.

Yes, I have the DVDs in my collection, but I wanted to see the movie in the movie theatre. Although, not because of the 3-D.

Before actually seeing this movie I have never been to a 3-D movie since the late eighties. Back then you wore those paper 3-D glasses that have one red lens and then one blue lens in the cardboard frame glasses. That was the 3-D I knew of. Matter of fact that was still my thinking until I actually got my first pair of 3-D glasses with my movie ticket.

The 3-D glasses were actual glasses. A plastic frame that sort of look like the Ray-bans of the eighties. However, the lens looked like just any ordinary lens. Clear. No red and blue colors – just a clear lens.

I bought a big tub of popcorn since I was going to be in the theatre for over 3 hours.

I went into the 7 PM showing on a Monday night. There was Monday night wrestling, there was Monday night football and then there was the decisive post game series of the Rockies playing the Philly’s and needing a win to stay in the series otherwise their season is over. So, I was hoping almost all of Denver were at home watching one of those three events.

With all that going on I was the only person in the movie theatre watching the Toy Story movies. I thought that was pretty cool. I had the big screen all to myself as the way it should be.

Soon, the previews started and I put on the glasses. I did not have a clue when I was suppose to put them on. I watched the preview and tried to see if the trailers were in 3-D. It looked 3-D, but I could not tell if the glasses were working or not.

Then, the big screen showed that now was the time to put on the 3-D glasses.

The first movie trailer in 3-D started paying. Holy fucking shit – that was fucking amazing! The movie trailer was “A Christmas Scrooge” or something like that and was an animation movie coming out at Christmas in 3-D starring the voice of Jim Carrey.

One snowflake that was in 3-D was floating in and out of the movie screen and was literally floating in 3-D right in front of me. That whole trailer was amazing to see in 3-D. It is amazing how technology has changed since the last 3-D movie, which technically had nothing like the impact I was witnessing in that movie theatre.

Objects, people had true 3-D depth. There was even the sense of riding an icicle in 3-D at high speed. My mind actually believed the rush of speed.

Soon, the first movie started.

Then, a ten-minute intermission after the first movie was over.

And then the second movie started and was over about 90 minutes later.

I was fucking awed by the 3-D experience. I laughed, smiled and really enjoyed myself watching both of those movies once more. I have seen the Toy Stories over and over, but I pretended I was seeing this for the first time. I did enjoy hearing the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenburger, Don Rickles, Kelsey Grammer, Estelle Harris and Wayne Knight.

I also liked the voice of Randy and Sarah singing again.

I absolutely enjoyed the 3-D. There was depth. There was such detail in the 3-D that I was looking all over the movie screen to see all the effects of 3-D in the movie. What was even more impressive was that even though the movie gave 3-D to objects and characters – they were even able to make the light from a flashlight in the movie 3-D. They made smoke in 3-D. Even the sun’s rays they could occasionally be made in 3-D.

You probably have these two movies in your collection and thought to yourself why should I go and see these two Toy Story movies in the movie theatre. True. But Readers, I think you will be pleasantly surprised and will soon find that the 3-hour plus in the movie theatre will go by quickly. I was worried about fidgeting in my seat since I know both movies by heart, but I think I did not because I was caught up in the 3-D experience.

The movies (double feature) was worth the $ 12.00 dollars I paid and I am glad that I was one of the few to actually catch the limited engagement of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in the movie theatres.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Back into the Groove Once More

Greetings Readers

I have come down with a cold and/or allergies since getting back into Denver. Go figure.

Anyway, I did publish the first day of my journal for the Ride the Rockies 2009 Event so please check it out if you are curious. You can click here or click on the history bar I have on the side of my blog site.

BTW - nothing is finer that taking that nice long hot shower, eating your own cooked meal and sleeping in your own bed after being away for an extended amount of time.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ride the Rockies - Day 5

Greetings Readers

Ride the Rockies - Day Five - Coming Soon

Update 06/18/09 @ 1:56 P.M. - Independence Pass - I really banged her all morning long. Damn, that is something few can say that they have done on a bike. Us Ride the Rockies riders started out from Leadville, Colorado and then we headed South and then West over Independence Pass and then our finish spot was Aspen, Colorado.

I will have to tell you that the biking gods were watching out for me today. I do not pray to the biking gods, but I do respect and giving acknowledgement in the biking gods from time to time.

This morning in Leadville the weather could not have been perfect. Fucking to perfect. No wind and the air was warm. How can this fucking be?! I was expecting the town to be cold. I was expecting the tent that I was in to be covered in icicles. I was expecting the wind to chill my ass to the bone. Not to mention that I was expecting my knee not to be any better from yesterday. Go fucking figure. Just that little showing of respect and hope to the biking gods made everything right in the world.

Taking a shit in the port a potty was a treat. Again, I was not cold. I actually went back into my tent at about 5:30 A.M. and then put some Tiesto - Nyana Disc 2 on and decided that when that disc ends that was when I was going to start biking (start my day).

I have to say that the air got a bit nippy since the wind started to blow in the from the South. Again Readers, I was worried about my knee and that I have fucking 18 miles of pure climbing up Independence Pass this morning. Also, I did not have the Colorado weather behind me so if you are a Coloradoan you know that the afternoon storms come in from the East and you never know what you can get - weather wise. You can get rain. You can get Hail. You can get Snow. Hell, you can get blizzard conditions that could close down a Mountain Pass. I did not want to get caught in any of those conditions so that is why that I got my ass in gear and got biking as soon as I can.

I am going to skip parts of the story since I do have a limited time access once more on this Internet.

Can you FUCKING say that I fucking rock!? Well, I know that, but perhaps you Readers really do not know that. I would have to say that the climb up from the East side of Independence Pass was pretty steep, but not as nearly as Monarch Pass. Yet, Monarch was only 9 miles to the top of the Pass whereas Independence Pass was about 18 miles with just a percent grade or two less than what we... er I did this morning. I found my grind and I basically keep that pedaling stroke going. Since Independence Pass was a major Mountain Pass for me (my Opinion Only) to ride up on a bike I only had one fucking goal. And that was not to fucking stop on the climb up to the summit. No fucking way. If I did stop on this particular Mountain climb I would not forgive myself. Never.

Fuck yeah! I did not stop once. I did take alot of picture on my climb up and amazingly enough those pictures that I see on the camera came out perfect. I can not wait to upload this pictures my faithful Readers next week or perhaps over the weekend. I thought that taking pictures would be very dangerous for me to do on the bike, especially Independence Pass, but needless to say I actually did that. I did scare myself a few times when the crosswinds caught my deep dish HED. rims, but other than that I did pretty darn well.

When I got to the top of Independence Pass I took a lot of pictures and then I had someone take a few pictures of me at the Independence Pass Mountain Pass Sign and then that was that. Again, the biking gods were looking out for me, or perhaps listening to my silent request last night. Partly Sunny... hell Mostly Sunny, a bit of a breeze, but no Snow! No Rain! No Hail! The song that I heard coming up those final 400 feet or so was John Denver - Rocky Mountain High. yes Readers, I know that was corny, but I will forever associate that song when I did summit Independence Pass on Andrea and her HED. rims.

I guess my time is up Readers, so with that I have to bit you farewell

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ride the Rockies - Day 4 - Update 5:52 P.M.

Greetings Readers

Update - 6/17/09 @ 5:52 P.M. - Trouble me. Fuck Me. Today was suppose to be my rest day, but somehow I started to bike like a cyclist that was perhaps could be high on something. I have no idea where I got the idea that I should ride and bike like a madman for about 20 miles, which in those 20 miles I was biking up about 1500 ft of elevation gain. Today's route was simple, well for me - fucking simple. Climb over 3000 ft in 59 miles. What that means is that I can have an extra in Salida last night, which I did. For other riders 3000 feet in 59 miles is alot since that is what the route was - 59 miles up, with little descents here and there, but just pure climbing.

I did alright, but just a fucking mistake on my part not conserving my strength for Independence Pass Tomorrow. I also aggravated my knee, which has been become a problem over the past few years. I did take some Tylenol right after finishing my ride just after noon. Yet, I think I will need to go to a drug store in Leadville and buy some sort of sport something to relieve the pain. Something perhaps like Mineral Ice, or Icy/Hot.

Basically, I have 18 wicked miles of climbing to the top of Independence Pass Tomorrow. Something that I am not looking forward to. I know the morning is going to be cold and I am going to have to wear my winter gear. It is not going to be warm at the top. My only hope is that the sky is clear and the wind is not blowing too bad.

Sorry, I never got to finish the story of Colin the guy I met at the bar last night. Apparently, Colin is riding the Continental Divide on a full Suspension Mountain bike with a trailer. He started from the south end of New Mexico (super secret, yeah right) and he is heading North to Montana. Colin had some interesting stories to tell me and also he was about 40 miles west of our Ranch near the Continental Divide. So Readers, I am going to ask my parents to see if they saw the guy I met in the bar in Salida. He saw the missionary's church and even the local places in the middle of nowhere.

When I get back to Denver I will upload the picture of the place (bar) that I met Colin at. He did have some very interesting stories and not to mention meeting some very nice people and further yet he encountered the kindness of strangers. I hope I was one. I did offer to buy him a round, but he was there before I showed up and I did not know how much he had to drink before I came along. And from experience having too much to drink before a day's hard riding is tough to handle. Even more so for Colin since he is riding the Continental Divide. Colin said no thanks, but thank you for the company and meeting me. Likewise I said. I think the website that he is "journaling" on is Crazyguyonabike.com, but I am not sure.

FOUND IT:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/vonpetrol

Damn Readers, I have to go my time is up and I typed like I biking earlier today - with a vengeance. Amazing what I can do with the time I am allowed.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ride the Rockies - Day 3

Greetings Readers

Ride the Rockies Update - Day Three - Coming Soon

Update: 06/16/09 @ 8:32 P.M. - Once again I have limited internet access to report that I am still kicking ass and taking names!

Booyah!

Well. Monarch Pass - I fucked the bitch (and banged her all morning long - just kidding) and I can add another pin to my map of Colorado Rocky Mountain Passes that I have climbed on a bike. I would have to say that the 9 miles of climbing today was pretty darn rough. I have to find my grind and keep going with that to the top. Since I have never been over Monarch Pass I had no clue how the road was to the top and on the descent.

I have to say that the beginning that climb was tough and it never let up. The same continious grade and I was just finding my own personal hell and just fucking deal with it.

Wait til I get to tell you Readers about the day before. For 22 miles I was a god. The biking gods may have granted me my strength that day, but in reality it was the big gear training that I have been doing for the past five years. I knew that the last portion of the course - about 30 miles was flat and I knew, just fucking knew that was my time to shine like a mother fucker. I have mentioned in the past about me envisioning myself on the Queen K, but this time I have a 25 mile portion of the ride that I was number one. Not one fucking rider could catch, keep up or even try drafting me. I was that good and fast. I really have to admit I think it was the HED. rims. Just that little difference made all the difference in the world. I was passing rider after rider and keep everyone in my wake. Well, I better stop with that so you can read about it later when I do get back to Denver and be able to transcribe all my shorthand to my blogsite.

By the way, I met Colin in Salida and ... time's up.. sorry Readers...

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ride the Rockies 2009 - Day 1

Greetings Readers

Day One - Ride the Rockies -

I woke up at the same time I usually do everyday – about 5 AM. I was cold, but not that cold - really. It was cold, because I have not slept outside for a while.

Today was the first day of bike riding in the 2009 Ride the Rockies.

I decided not to leave early for my first day of riding. I wanted to see the opening announcements (ceremonies) and then I would start after the precession goes that morning. Also, I was cold and wanted the Sun to be out and shining in all her glory.

I spent some time in the school cafeteria since the morning festivities did not start until 7:30 A.M. or so. During that time I was able to just sit and enjoy the morning. Enjoy the time sitting in a chair and not on a bike seat for the next 6 days. Oh yes Readers, I have been on a bike seat for six days, but never required to be in the bike seat for a bike tour for six days. Three days, but not six days.

Late last night I looked at the elevation profile and I saw that we riders were going to climb our first Mountain Pass on the first day of the Ride the Rockies. At 37 miles we riders will peak McClure Pass and then basically it is all-downhill from the summit Pass. Today’s route will be Glenwood Springs to Hotchkiss, Colorado. Hotchkiss?! Where in the fuck is Hotchkiss, Colorado?

80 miles away, but technically only 43 miles away. Meaning, that I only had 37 miles of riding up to McClure Pass. The rest of the bike route would be cake, in a manner of speaking. My worry yet to be seen was coming off McClure Pass.

I had no idea which direction Hotchkiss was from Glenwood Springs, except South. Again Readers, I did not download the tour manual nor did I do any research on the day’s route of the Ride the Rockies at all. I was blind on the bike route and I was not worried. Not at all was I worried.

I sported the Southpark Bike Jersey with the word’s of Cartman of “Oh Man You Guys Suck” on the back of my bike jersey.

To me this first day of 80 miles was my training ride. Shit, I can do 60 miles in my sleep. An extra 20 miles is nothing on my regular training of years past.

I biked steadily and just enjoyed the first day of being on the Ride the Rockies. I was in no mood to bike fast. But, I was in the mood to take some pictures of the bike route. After all, this may be the last time I bike this particular route in the Colorado Rockies.

For the first 12 miles or so I tried to find my biking, but I could not. I tried following some bikers, but they were to slow or too inexperience. I had quite of few riders pass me, but I was no mood to try and keep up with them, nor was I that much of a hurry to bike to the finish.

I saw a mountain in the distance, but knew that we were not going to be climbing that beast. Although, I knew that was the direction that we riders had to bike in.

I reached the first official aid station and decided to stop. I leaned my bike up against a bush and then headed towards the table that held the Gatorade. On the way to the Gatorade table I saw my first vendor selling food. Peanut butter & Jelly sandwiches for $ x.xx amount of dollars. I filled up my water bottles with Limeade Gatorade and headed back to my bike. I did grab a “free” banana before going back to my bike.

On the way to my bike I decided to take a few pictures of my bike and that one Mountain I saw earlier in the morning from a distance.

“Excuse me?”

I was not listening to what was just said since I knew it was not I.

“Excuse me?” I felt a finger on my back

I turned around.

“Could I please take a picture of your bike jersey? My son loves Southpark and I know that he would love to see this”

“Sure.” And smiled internally, but on the outside I agreed politely acting as if this nothing to me.

I turned South meanwhile she took a couple pictures of the back of my bike jersey. And that was that. I decided to take the first official picture of Andrea in the Colorado Rockies. She looked fucking good.

About a half an hour later I saw that we riders were entering a channel of mountains. Not necessarily mountain mountains, but mountains. Now, the question was where was I going to climb a fucking Colorado Rocky Mountain today? Which direction was I going to be biking in?

Readers, I knew the elevation climb, but I did not know the bike route of the course.

I soon rode upon the second aid station of the Ride the Rockies.

That second aid station was no different from any other aid station from any bike tour in the United States. The aid station was crowded with riders and bikes. Not to mention causing some traffic issues either way. Riders not moving out of the road nor the personal support vehicles giving way to the right of way traffic on the road.

I am not going to say it was sad to see, but it did fuel my feelings of being pissed off at other Ride the Rockies riders not giving way to the right of way traffic on a Colorado Highway. I do understand this is an aid station, but this aid station is located on a Colorado Highway and all laws pertain to motorized vehicles having the right of way. Period.

Once more I saw a few vendors selling Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches and other assorted food items.

After 29 miles I finally at ease and started to get into biking the Colorado Rockies. Yet, I think the main reason I was finally at ease was that I had the first mountain pass to climb this morning. Well, within 8 miles and I needed to be in the mood to climb a fucking mountain.

As I rode further south I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a road going up the side of the mountain. Damn. There she is. The road appeared to go downhill a bit, but then she rose up and that was the beginning of the first Mountain climb on the Ride the Rockies.

At the beginning of the climb there was an unofficial aid station selling cookies and smoothies, I think.

As much as I wanted to stay in my big ring gear on my crank, I downshifted to the third gear ring. Dang, I have not been in the third gear ring for years. Years baby! Wow, I could not believe I was in the third gear ring.

I found my first bike climb was going okay. I was going my own pace and ignoring the few people passing and I was ignoring the many riders I was passing on my climb. I heard a lot of gasping, heavy breathing and saw quite of few riders on the side of the road sitting or standing.

Me, I did not want to stop on my first hill climb. So, I just kept a nice pedaling pace and just enjoyed the climb to the top of this Mountain. When I made my first turn in the first hairpin turn of the Ride the Rockies I could not help to think of Forrest Gump. Crazy, I know. But I somehow got to thinking of when Forrest started running for three years in the movie. Gump was running up a mountain and made a turn in a hairpin turn on the mountain. Somehow I saw that almost same exact scene in my mind. This has nothing to with nothing, except that I just thought of that moment from the movie.

I made the mistake of looking further ahead in the distance to see if I could a road further ahead. Meaning, if I could see where I had to bike to up this mountain. Silly to some, stupid to others, or bring it on to the elite few. Readers, guess which one I was thinking. I saw some pretty colors on the trees – yellow, green and light green. Not to mention pine green.

Soon, we riders came to the first photo shot station. I was ready, but not ready. I did not have on a jacket so I was more than 50% ready, but looking like I wanted in the picture I was not.

A few minutes later I reached the aid station, which was just station off the summit of the road. I decided to stop and see the world from the top of McClure Pass. I parked my bike against a guardrail across the highway and walked towards the aid station. I saw a lot more riders and people at this aid station. There was even a DJ, playing music and having trivia or games to win a limited edition Ride the Rockies T-shirt.

I walked around a bit and then saw that the shortest line at a vendor was a vendor called Tracy’s Tasties. I saw Cheeseburgers, pop, brats and chips for a price. The Peanut butter and & Jelly line was long as well as other vendors offering food for us Ride the Rockies riders. I stood in the short line and a few minutes later I had a nice hamburger and Coca-Cola for lunch. Hell why not, I climbed the mountain and technically the bike route was all-downhill from here. The food will be okay and no issue of any more mountain climbing with a full stomach of food.

Oh the Hamburger was delicious. As I was eating it was so ironic that of all songs to be playing was a song from the movie Forrest Gump when he was running up a mountain. I started to listen to the music and of all songs to be playing on McClure Mountain pass was Jackson Brown singing – “Running on Empty.”

Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields…

Readers, I started to get a bit teary eyed behind my Oakley lens and a bit choked up (lump in my throat) listening to Jackson Brown singing. Granted, it was only for a moment, but that moment has forever been burned in my mind. I managed to get the rest of my hamburger down and then enjoy my icy Coca-Cola.

I took a few more pictures at the top and then headed off to get off this mountain. I then saw the summit sign and knew I had to get a picture of me at the sign. There were not a lot of riders, but I had to get someone to take my picture. A few minutes later I got my picture taken and then I took a group of rider’s picture together. With that done it was time for the descent.

Readers, this was something that I was not looking forward to on my HED. rims. Not at all. At 8,700 feet going down the steeper side of McClure pass with my 90 rims I had to be very, I mean very careful, going down the mountain with no guardrails and with the winds blow every direction perhaps. I held on tightly to my handlebars and kept two fingers on each brake lever. I was not scared of speed, but scared of the wind, particularly the crosswinds.

I descended about 21 to 28 mph while others blew right passed me. Sure, I wanted to go fast, but I could not risk the wind blowing me and perhaps not reacting to a sudden wind gust and me riding off the road. I could not. There was a headwind, but the wind was also blowing across the road every now and then. So, I was right in a manner of speaking by just keeping my speed under 30 mph most of the time. I managed a speed of 32 mph for probably a few seconds, but braked to get my speed back down to the mid 20’s

Pretty soon I was at the next aid station 20 miles from McClure Pass. I did have a hard time coming off the summit mountain pass road, but once the steep part was over I was able to ride fast again.

According to the elevation map I looked at last night the bike route was all-downhill to our next stop. Well, it may be all-downhill, but as you know Readers there are always hills regardless of a map. And that was true. Overall, the route was a gradual downhill, with the occasional hill thrown in for good measure.

80 Miles was the destination, but topographically I had no fucking clue which direction our destination was in this part of the state of Colorado. As we Ride the Rockies riders biked through this part of the state I could not help to see two coalmines, which actually loaded up those freight trains with coal that I see every now and then. Kind of neat seeing an actually coal train being loaded up.

With my odometer finally getting into the seventy miles range we riders were directed to a side road. This side road was terrible and soon got worse. As we headed into a 180 curve there was a sign indicating wine tasting. I did not know what to make of it, but continued on.

As I continued on two other riders rode along me. We talked to each other and soon we were a trio heading onto our final destination. With the three of us together we kept a pretty good speed. No pace line, but a trio almost riding side by side. I had no desire to draft nor did they draft me. We passed rider after rider and soon I sped up.

I heard a train horn, but had no clue where that train was coming from. I rode over a set of railroad tracks and then thought to myself at least I made it across the train tracks without a train coming. Always a nice feeling. I do not know if the other two riders made it or not. I never looked back and did not know how far behind they were.

About three minutes later those two riders were on the side of me. We came across another set of train tracks and we noticed that there were about five to ten bike riders fixing their bike tires. What the fuck?! I immediately slowed down and analyzed the terrain of the train tracks and the ground. I picked a path across the middle of the road and braced myself. It was a hard crossing; I felt the tires hit the tracks hard. I think that these riders with the flat tires had improper tire inflation so when they rode / hit the train tracks the tubes got squeezed in between the tire and rim and causing the flat tires to happen to all those riders. Not enough air in the tube let the tube get a flat.

The trio rode slow and in the middle of the road across the train tracks and had no problem at all. We looked at each other and then behind us and back at each other and smiled. I smiled because I did not get a flat; who knows why the other two riders smiled.

I saw 79 miles on my odometer, but still could not see a point of stopping. I think we had a few more miles to ride, but to where. We soon exited onto a highway and headed what I thought was South once more.

81 miles and I saw the town of Hotchkiss. Finally, the stopping point. We followed the volunteer’s flags and then there was stopping point. The local high school. I saw the tents, the 18-wheeler’s and bikes.

I rode until I saw the bike corral, which was an enclosed tennis court by chain link fence. Perfect. I walked my bike in and locked up my HED. rims. I know my bike is safe, but not safe from any rider removing my HED. rims and replacing them with their cheap ass rims.

I was done. An easy 81-mile bike ride. A sprinkle of rain, but overall a warm afternoon. Warmer than Glenwood Springs. The Sherpa packer was there, but they were setting up the tents still. I found my bag and then waiting until my tent was set up.

About 40 minutes later my tent was up and time for me get settled. Once settled I got my fresh set of clothes and shower gear and headed for the shower truck. There was a line at the shower truck.

Readers, I never heard so much fucking complaining by men. We men say that women complain a lot, but what I heard waiting for the shower puts the complaining by women to shame. Yes, I too could have complained, but it is a line for the shower and any complaining is basically a waste of breath. Of course this is my humble opinion, but really Readers any vocal complaining made by me would not have any effect of making the line move faster. I waited for about 30 minutes or so. I was not mad, nor impatient. When my turn came around then so be it. I was here in Hotchkiss and I had no immediate plans or dates to abide by. After the shower, who in the fuck knew what I was going to do next.

I soon met up with Nick, the guy who gave me a ride up to Glenwood Springs about an hour later. We headed over to the Beer Garden, which was being held at the local fairgrounds. We both ordered a hamburger from a vendor at the beer garden and found a place near the music stage. I told Nick that this hamburger was nothing compared to the hamburger I had on McClure Pass. He said he didn’t know about that. I told him that hamburger I had was so delicious and worth it.

We ate then we headed to the beer tent and I bought us two beers apiece. My treat since Nick did not take my gas money. We were once more in from of the stage and the local band was trying to tune up. Tried? Well, it took over 30 minutes – Prima donnas. My monitor is not working. My microphone is too loud. Not enough bass. Blah blah blah.

The band then started to play and they were just okay. No covers, but songs with a beat.

An hour later I was ready to leave and told Nick I was leaving.

I headed back to my tent and then got my biking gear ready for tomorrow. At about 9 PM I heard the freight train horn and thought to myself I hope that does not sound off at 1 AM in the morning. I fucking hope not. I looked at my Ride the Rockies map for Day 2 and saw that was another 80-mile day ahead of us riders. The elevation gain looked a bit tougher and the route a bit tougher even after we hit the highest point of bike route. Between Mile 25 and Mile 35 there appeared to be a steep climb for us riders. Yet, I noticed at the end of the bike route there was about 25 miles of flat terrain. Hmmm, that may a point where I will be able to ride like I do when at Cherry Creek Reservoir going all out. Although that will depend on how much energy I will deplete on the climb. According to the elevation map at Mile 35 was when the day’s mountain climbing was going to be over. There are a few steep angles on the route map, but nothing to worry about, in my humble opinion.

I was not tired, so I pulled out my PSP and played some more Lemmings to pass the time.

It was close to 10 PM and I knew I better call it a night. I put in my earphones from the CD player with Tiesto and pushed play. It was light’s out for me until the morning. I was not awaken by either a freight train horn or a rider snoring too loudly.

Quick Update: 06/14/09 at 7:30 PM - I have internet access and I have a limited time. Today was a pretty good day. 81.?? miles today. Starting from Glenwood Springs and riding to Hotchkiss. There was some headwinds after 10 AM and then crosswinds. Overall, I did good. I did not go out to race and try to be the best hill climber. Although McClure Pass - Fucking Climb on my bike and now able to stick a pin on my map at my humble abode on another mountain pass fucking conquered on my bike.

People loved the Southpark jersey and the HED. rims. I even got a few people wanting a picture of the back of my bike jersey. I did take a lot of pictures and even had some thoughts of particular moments on this Day One

By the way Readers - Who in the Fuck won the Stanley Cup?!?! I still do not know nor have looked or asked to see which team one. I hope Pittsburgh.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Ride the Rockies 2009 - Check In Day

Greetings Readers

Registration Day - No riding, just check in at the Ride the Rockies. I will be busy all day and on the road so I doubt I will be able to post something at all. I did a scheduled posting just in case

Update 6/22/09 @ 12.20 P.M. Here is the full re-cap (below) of the first day of the Ride the Rockies Event (Registration Day - No ride day) -

Greetings Readers

Dream crusher

I am a Dream crusher. I crushed a lot of Ride the Rockies lottery applications that perhaps wanted to ride the 24th Ride the Rockies this year since the route was going over Independence Pass. Selfish of me. I never made it a secret to you Readers why I put in my application to Ride the Rockies.

What was that reason? Really Readers? You cannot remember what that reason was?

To show off my HED. rims. That’s all. I got my rims late last year; well late last biking season so I had no events to enter to show off my rims. Then it was either my friend or myself brought up the Ride the Rockies earlier this year and the rest is history.

How many riders’ dreams did I crush by getting picked for the sakes of showing off my rims? It only happens every once in a great while that the Ride the Rockies will take the route over Independence Pass. Now, I am not saying that is every biker’s dream to bike up and over Independence Pass, but riding over Independence Pass on a bike was one yearning of mine. Yet, that was secondary to just showing off my rims.

Flashback 6 hours or so – This was Andrea at the RTD bus stops on my way to the Light rail Station and then meet up with Nick, the person who was giving me a ride up to Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Present - I was sitting on the luscious green grass of Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs having a Sunshine bee from Fat Tire, listening the to the live music of a band on the park’s only stage and coping with the wind that was blowing pretty hard in the evening when it hit me I probably crushed someone’s dream to bike over Independence Pass. What if that dream was a dream that one rider was waiting for the opportunity to present itself. Now, that rider will have to wait years before another time the Ride the Rockies route will cross over Independence Pass.

I got a bit sad thinking about that. I know I am selfish, but not all the time. Unfortunately, this time I really was. It is not a reason to list, but to me showing off those HED. rims was something I desired to do since obtaining the HED. rims last year.

I glanced at my left wrist / arm and within three hours of arriving in Glenwood Springs I had three different wrist bands – The Ride the Rockies band, The Sherpa Packer Band and the Beer drinking band.

Up until this week I had not done any research on the route of the Ride the Rockies. I did not know the towns that the route was standing on. I did not know the mileage of each day or the total mileage of the Ride the Rockies. I did not train for Ride the Rockies. I did not make travel arrangements. I did not make lodging arrangements. I had not even downloaded the Ride the Rockies Bike Tour manual. Hell, up until this week I was not even excited to go.

Only until this past Tuesday was when I had to get my ass in gear and start to make travel arrangements. I called a vendor, Sherpa Packer, mentioned in the Ride the Rockies to see if they had tents available to rent. I also posted on the Ride the Rockies website that I needed to catch a ride to Glenwood Springs and then back to Denver after the Ride the Rockies was over. I did not pack nor even think about what to bring to the Ride the Rockies until this past week.

Does that sound like someone looking forward to the Ride the Rockies? Does it sound like I was even excited for the Ride the Rockies? I did not even train for the Ride the Rockies – not that I needed to.

By the time Friday came around I was able to secure a ride to and back from Glenwood Springs. I was also able to talk to the Sherpa packer about securing a tent for the ride. And then I was able to pack my biking / camping gear on Thursday night. Everything I needed to do was done within days before the Ride the Rockies 2009.

Talking to my friends they seemed more excited for me about to ride in the Ride the Rockies than I was. Hell, I know they were, but just more excited than I thought they should be. I was not excited – meaning bragging, cheering, joking, talking smack, etc. as if I was I was going to better than my friends after this event. I just was not feeling that sort of emotion.

I was not having the same attitude I have had for the Ride the Rockies for the past 23 years or so. I was actually being non-bias and was going to give the Ride the Rockies event a chance. It is a week of being on the bike and I know from personal experience if I go into the event with a bad attitude I was going to have that bad attitude throughout the event and I also knew that I was going to affect other riders about how I feel – whether directly or indirectly.

After having my Sunshine I then headed back to the High School where the Sherpa packer tent site was located. Before that I made a slight detour. I saw and headed towards a strip mall Italian shop – Spagrolo’s. I could smell pizza and at that moment that is what I wanted to eat. I wanted a piece of pizza regardless of eating something more that would benefit me – meaning carbo-loading.

50 minutes later after ordering my two slices of pizza I was stilling waiting. I was inpatient, but I knew that I was not the only person in the store that was eating. The store was packed and I knew that accounted for my order probably being delayed.

I then saw the lady that took my order and asked where my piece of pizza was. She asked me – “You still have not gotten yet? I will be right back.”

About five minutes later she came back with my meal and then cookies and a piece of pie for my inconvenience. Sort of a sorry we forgot you gift. I was not mad, but I did keep any emotion(s) in check. I woofed down my pizza and cookie and then left.

By that time it was getting dark and I needed to get ready for sleeping out under the stars in the Rocky Mountains and try to get some sleep before the first day of riding. And you know what Readers I still did not know what the name of the town where our stopping point was for tomorrow.

I knew that there was going to be our first Mountain Pass and that there was going to be an 80-mile day, but other than that I did not know what to expect.

Inside my tent that I was going to call home for next seven days I started to lie out my biking gear for tomorrow’s ride. I was going to wear the first South park bike jersey and I was also going to where my Nautica pull over underneath my bike jersey. I knew that the morning was going to be cold in the shade, until the sun made an appearance. I did take my purple windbreaker and got that out to put in my bike bag I was going to attach to my handlebars.

After I arranged my gear I pulled out the PSP since I was not tired and needed to something for a bit to ease my uneasiness I was feeling. On Friday evening I bought a used PSP game Lemmings since it is strategic thinking game. These types of games put me at ease and relaxes me. As oppose to other people who get frustrated or worked up with these types of games. Granted, I too get fed up, but it takes a much high threshold for a game to start making me say cuss words and getting pissed off.

The Sherpa Packer – Theo was the person I called up from the Ride the Rockies Tour manual that I downloaded and actually read for the first time on Tuesday. The Sherpa Packer is a tent service run by him and I think is daughter or sister in law – I cannot recall. Here is Theo's website - http://www.sherpapacker.com/

Theo provides full tent service –meaning a 7x7 or 9x9 tent with an air mattress, sleeping bag, a fleece liner and a chair to relax in after a day of riding. He also provides early morning coffee, hot water, oatmeal, breakfast burritos and towels.

Ashley provides a bare minimum service – basically the tent. I do not know if the air mattress and sleeping bag are provided.

I chose the full service tent and Theo did give the full tent service at a price that was a bit lower than advertised.

What I wanted to avoid by choosing this tent service was being inside a gymnasium were there would be other people in the same place. Not to mention that the gym could echo with sound. There could be a light or two on even when the lights are turned off for the night. What if I was sleeping under that one light that was one? What if there is more than one person who snores – will that snore echo loudly? What if other riders are taking a short cut through the gymnasium and not being quiet? How much soundless sleep will I actually get?

With all those questions that formulated in my head, I decided to go with the Sherpa Packer.

P.S. I saw Susie Wargin (Channel 9) at the same place Italian place I dined at and I have to say what a "bitchy attitude" I witnessed while she was on the cell phone outside the establishment while the guy she was with was in line waiting their turn to order. She is no fucking Ed Sardella (retired from Channel 9) I can tell you Readers that.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

About 24 hours to Ride The Rockies

Greetings Readers

Not much to say - Only hours left for my very first Ride The Rockies bike Tour. Surprisingly, my first time ever applying and being accepted to ride in the event. So, to be positive. Here is an article from the Post Independent in Glenwood Springs, which I hope to further education you non-bike Readers.

Ride the Rockies pedalers expected to crank up business in Glenwood Springs

By Cailey Arensman
Post Independent Intern
Glenwood Springs, CO

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — On June 13, swarms of cyclists will descend on Glenwood Springs. That may sound like a bad thing, but actually it may be a big positive for the town's economy.

The Ride the Rockies bicycle tour is an annual event put on by the Denver Post, in which 2,000 cyclists spend six days biking through the Rocky Mountains. This year, Glenwood will act as both its start and finish point. That means a lot of revenue for local businesses.

“Ride the Rockies is a big deal to Glenwood Springs,” said Krista DeHerrera of Valley Events Inc., the company contracted by the city of Glenwood Springs to plan this tour.

According to DeHerrera, the tour should be a major boost for the local economy. “Cyclists on the 2008 tour spent an average of $90 per cyclist per town they visited,” said DeHerrera.

Though some of the food and places to camp are provided, many cyclists choose to eat at restaurants and stay in hotels, creating a big uptick in business.

Both industries saw a surge in revenues the last time the tour came to town in 2007. Hotels were especially popular, because the last few towns the tour had stopped at prior to Glenwood had fewer hotels.

Though the tour takes off Sunday morning, June 14, most riders will arrive Saturday to register. Riders will return Friday, June 19. Because that is the start of Strawberry Days weekend, it is anticipated that many cyclists will stay longer.

Add to that the approximately 2,000 staff, volunteers and spectators of the event, and Glenwood starts to seem pretty packed. “In a five-day period of time,” said DeHerrera, “we're looking at a good 4,000 people in town who do spend money.”

According to the Denver Post, cyclists in 2008 spent an average of $270,000 dollars in a 24-hour period per town. However, the tour brings more than just dollars and cents. It also provides towns with valuable publicity and future tourists. For a destination like Glenwood Springs, that amounts to a very promising investment.

“That's the hope, that when we do this we are showcasing the town to the riders and their families in the hopes that they'll come back,” said DeHerrera. With Glenwood's base in tourism, the opportunity to reach more people is always welcome. Additionally, the type of people participating are the type of people that tend to be attracted to Glenwood, for both its outdoor attractions and close proximity to nature, she added.

Another big benefit for Glenwood will come the same weekend of Strawberry Days when the Bicycle Tour of Colorado departs Glenwood. It returns to Glenwood on June 27. Again, more than 2,000 cyclists will take part.

Although the tour will bring a huge amount of people to the town, in all likelihood, it will not be an overwhelming amount. Many volunteers are stepping in for things like crowd control and parking direction.

When the cyclists leave Glenwood Springs High School on Sunday morning, they will proceed to Grand Avenue, then to South Grand, and then to the Rio Grande Trail, until they reach Westbank Road that goes alongside the Ironbridge neighborhood. The first day's route then takes riders into Carbondale, up Highway 133, over McClure Pass and finally to Hotchkiss, where they will spend the night.

An opening ceremony starts at 7:30 a.m. but should be done within half an hour, putting the cyclists on the road at 8 a.m.

Drivers should be aware of this influx of cyclists. “However, it's for such a short period of time that we're only closing one lane of traffic,” said DeHerrera. “They should be off Grand within 15 minutes, maximum.”

Discounting these minor inconveniences for drivers and potential crowds at restaurants or other attractions, Ride the Rockies should be a major benefit to the town. In times of economic difficulty, every dollar counts. $270,000 dollars per day? That counts a lot.

I think this will be the last entry for a while. Not sure how to plan/access the Internet and will I even have time to write? (perhaps having too much fun? Or being miserable and cold with all these afternoon rain showers?) Who knows what the future holds for me in the Rocky Mountains

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Reflectors and Reflections

Greetings Readers

I think I have noticed this before, but never really paid attention to until this past week.

This is not true shit. This is not fact. But this information is in the majority.

Us hard-core bikers do not have any reflectors on our spoke tires. Whereas every day bike commuters have reflectors on their spokes – whether their bike is a road or a mountain bike – or even a fixed gear bike.

I did not take them off to be against them being on the spokes; I just took off all the reflectors (except the Mountain Bike I bought this year) that were on all my road bikes. Going further I do not think I have any front or back reflectors on my bikes either.

Just a second Readers.

I just looked in my box of bike stuff and found the zip lock bags of miscellaneous lights and reflectors. And yes, I do have a lot. Before this post I did not realize how many of those items I have in my box that have never been used beyond the day I bought any of the bikes.

Reflectors are nice, but in my opinion battery operated lights are better than just reflectors. Just as Sam – he showed off his battery-operated lights that were in his spokes. I only saw a picture last year of his lights in his spokes, but going from what I read and saw a picture does not give it justice.

Although, my battery powered lights do get used when required. Yet, I have to be honest there are times when I do not have my battery operated light or my batteries are dead and I do have to ride in total darkness. And Readers – I know that I am breaking the law by riding without lights on my bike at night.

Dangerous, but somewhat exciting barreling down a hill in complete darkness. Only the sound of your tires beneath you and the wind making noise in and around your ears. Sometimes, I am riding in areas that are without lampposts, and then there are areas where there might be lampposts every 50 yards. Even though I do mention that I am barreling down a hill I will tell you Readers that I know the area I am riding in to the best of my knowledge.

That does not make it alright Readers. How am I not to know if the County Workers came out and decided to work on (or destroy) that part of the road or sidewalk earlier that day? I just do not know. I do not encourage this type of riding – matter of fact Readers - do not do it. You could crash into something, you could fall, you could break your rim, break your bike or worse yet hurt or even kill yourself riding at night in the dark without lights.

Yet, my proudest moment (and my proudest moment may be my most fucked up moment – depending on your point of view) was my brother and I riding down from Echo Lake to Idaho Springs at 9 PM on August day years ago. That day in August we got caught out riding to the top of Mount Evans on our bikes and took longer than we thought. Even though we misjudged our time we still rode to the top and then back down. I would have to say that was pretty scary and reckless of us to ride in the darkness of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, but it had to be done. It was so dark, but being the area without any lights anywhere we could partially see from the stars up in the night sky. No moon that night, but the stars helped us get down to Idaho Springs. However, when a car came from the opposite direction we had to slow down and pull over just in case the vehicle thinks that they were the only one on that road at that moment. And to adjust to our pupils being dilated to the darkness and then the suddenness of high beam headlights shining in our fasces, we really had to slow down and ride to the far right of the road to b safe from the oncoming vehicle.

Flashback – my brother and I were so cold coming down from the top of Mt. Evans we had to stop at the lodge at Echo Lake. Luckily, the place was open. My brother and I ordered some hot chocolate to warm up. While we were doing that I saw on the wall of the place a movie poster of the movie – American Flyers. One of my favorite bike movies – yes even better than Breaking Away. So there I sat on the stool looking at the American Flyers movie poster with some autographs of the actors and actresses of the movie. To me that was the neatest thing to see – After all, I have the DVD American Flyers and then to see that movie poster was a “moment” for me. Meaning me, big brother, looking over younger brother just like in the movie American Flyers. That entire day I looked over my younger brother – I drove us up to Idaho Springs, paid for his admission to the State Park and then for the cup of Hot Chocolate. I told him how to ride down in the dark and of course be careful.

That day meant a lot to me and that to this day I still have my Mt. Evans park pass – 08/22. Also, every time I see American Flyers I cannot help to think of that one-day in August and the similarities of me and my brother and the character brothers in the movie. Yes Readers, I know that it is fiction, but still believable enough to be true.

In closing Readers, I do not support, suggest or encourage any rider(s) taking off their reflectors or riding in the dark without any lights. I am more experienced than the average bike rider, but that does not mean I am immune to any type of repercussions of riding in the dark without reflectors or lights.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete