Originally Posted by ParamountScapin
I didn't see you there in 2002 when I rode. What color was your bike?
Just kidding, of course.
The BTC was great fun. Well supported and a bunch of friendly, crazy fellow bikers of all sorts. From the hammers to a couple of kids on BMX bikes. However, I could have done with a bit better food on some of the lunch stops. Breakfast and dinner was generally pretty decent, but the lunches should have been better. All else was well done.
I second the above as an inexpensive ride in wonderful county. And as much of a grind as going up the passes (Skumguillion, Wolf Creek, Coal Bank Hill and Red Mtn) was (for me), flying down the other side for 20 miles at speeds up to 50 mph simply cannot be beat. Especially if you have a wonderfully stable ride like my Paramount (when it had the Record group). Great fun!!
I've tried to forget Slumgullion...that one really put the hurt on me. Partly my fault, though. I live at 700 feet, and rarely train over 3,000. Besides being the longest day of the '02 tour, and the first day, I was also trying to keep up with some friends of mine who live in Crested Butte...between the quad cramps, and lack of O2 near the top, I thought I was gonna die. But, at least I didn't sag, and Creede was sure a fun town.
Did you get stuck in the mud slide coming off of Red Mtn. Pass? I was about 15 minutes ahead of it, and did that descent in driving rain and intermittent hail, with only arm warmers and a semi-waterproof windbreaker (no tights, long fingered gloves, etc.). Thank god for the hot springs in Ouray.
The downhills really are sweet. I hit 55.4 mph on this year's tour on the first day, and passed a semi on a left-hand switchback coming off of Loveland Pass a couple of days later...too much fun!