Tragedy struck Friday when Christine found out that her Triple Bypass partner wouldn't be able to ride this weekend due to a bike crash injury. It would really stink for her to have to ride the whole things alone, so we worked out a plan where I could ride the last half with her and have someone take us back to our car afterwards. Riding only half would allow me to help Christine get on the road without worrying about my own stuff, and then provide a midway refueling point with some tasty treats not available at the aid stations and dry clothes.
Most everything was packed into the car on Friday night so we could get an early start on Saturday, and we ended up getting her on the road shortly after 7. We must be in the middle of rainy season in Colorado or something, because it's been raining (or threatening to rain) all week, and today was no exception. Shortly after Christine started up Squaw pass, it started raining hard and by the time she got to the top she was soaked. Waiting in Idaho Springs, I got to see all the people coming down off the pass shivering uncontrollably as they hopped off their bikes for some coffee. I would guess that no more than 25% of the people actually continued on. Looking to the west, it just didn't look like the weather was going to break and there were reports of snow on top of Loveland Pass. Christine called me from the Echo Lake Lodge (partway down the pass) so I could pick her up and thaw her out.
It was a bummer that the ride got cut short, but it was the right way to go. Driving back over Squaw Pass the visibility was very low with fog and a lot of rain. Several people working the event said it was the worst weather they'd ever had. I guess that's the chance you take in Colorado. Even in July.
It rained for 8 days solid...at least wherever we were :(
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