SBFL; failure never hurt so good
Last year I arrived in the Colorado Rockies just six days before the annual Salida Big Friggin’ Loop mountain-bike race, part of the Colorado Endurance Series. Since I had just come from sea-level, the idea of smashing myself against 104 miles of high mountain trail-riding was not all that appealing. While I wanted to join my friends that day, I just knew I didn’t have it in me. This year, however, I intentionally got myself to Salida three weeks before race day, hoping that would give me enough time to acclimate and find my mountain legs. Well, it would seem I found them last Monday, just in time for yesterday’s riding of the SBFL.
At 6:15am I was at Cafe Dawn along with forty or so other hearty souls ready for a long day of riding. Though I didn’t recognize too many of my fellow racers, I was proud to be among this group of bad-asses. Reilly, having to work that day, made a point of coming out to wish us well and see us off. Thanks pal.
The SBFL, organised by super-stud Tom Purvis, is one of those low-key, casual events that makes mountain-biking such a pleasure to be a part of; no registration fees, no course markings, no support, no sweeps, no prizes for finishing first. Just a GPS file, whiskey, and well wishes. After Tom gave his little speech, we were off and riding. A long day was about to unfold….
The event rides out of town along asphalt then dirt roads, up and up to Blanks Cabin and the start of the first sections of Colorado Trail. This section of the CT is fast/flowing single-track punctuated by several short hike-a-bike sections. There are many creek crossings, technical little climbs and grand views as you carve among the Aspens. Having ridden this sections several times last year and as recently as two weeks ago, I did not bother to turn on my GPS device(thanks Earl!). Bad idea!
Eventually I found myself riding a trail that was rather grown over with hardly any bike tracks on it; I knew something was wrong. Spat out at the end of a dirt road I turned on the GPS device to find that yes indeed, I had taken a wrong turn, earning me an extra mile or two and certainly a bonus climb. Ugh. Getting myself sorted out, I rejoined the correct trail and likely found myself way at the back of the racers.
The second section of the CT starts after climbing a few miles on pavement and a few miles on dirt. Again, beautiful single-track with tremendous views of the valley below and Aspen Ridge on the other side of the valley. In my mind, this section simply climbs and climbs. In actuality, it is up and down, but those climbs seem to take their toll on me. Oh well, all that effort is rewarded with a great descent. From the end of that section, it’s a downhill dirt and pavement ride into the town of Buena Vista. Lunch time!
Pulling into BV after just 6hrs 13mins on the bike (45mins quicker than when I rode it two weeks ago) I stopped at Boneshaker bike shop where I knew they would have water waiting. Turns out, water wasn’t the only liquid refreshment on hand for racers. I walked in and was promptly directed to drink a shot of locally made Deerhammer whiskey. Who am I to argue? I then crossed the street for one of the best veggie burgers in the West, at John Fulton’s Roadrunner Grill food truck. Chatting with Alan, who had to call it quits due to a knee injury, I devoured that burger and prepared myself for the next sixty miles of riding….along trails and roads unfamiliar to me. Good thing I have a GPS device….or so I thought.
Heading out of town on the Midland Trail, I bumped into Pete and Bill whom I’d met on the second section of the CT. We would leap-frog each other a few times but by about 1:30pm I would not see another rider until my day ended back in Salida. The early part of this trail is technical, going up and down steeply. It then levels out as it follows an old rail-road grade. I was feeling strong and making good time as I pedalled smoothly, always gaining elevation towards Aspen Ridge.
The GPS device was on, showing me the route to take. But then, all of a sudden, I looked down and it showed me as being way off course. No way, how could that have happened?! I was confident that I had not missed a turn. It must be the device. As I continued riding up and up along empty dirt roads, I restarted the device, sure that it had erred. Nope, still says I’m off course. After several more miles, it seems I rejoined the race course route. Hmmmm, not quite sure what happened there.
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Dropping down off Aspen Ridge I was back on familiar terrain; way up on route #185 then #175. It’s a fast dirt road descent that gave my tired legs a welcome break. Arriving back in Salida just after 7pm, I was congratulated by Tom, Taf, Reilly and the rest of the Absolute Bikes boys. It was over. I was alert and feeling okay, not totally shattered as I thought I would be.
So, the long route–which I had intended to do–is 105 miles long; there is also a shorter route option. Adding the bonus miles I enjoyed on the first part of the CT, I should have recorded about 107 or so miles. Instead, my computer says I only rode 100 miles/162kms. Looking at my route versus the official course route, I certainly did make a wrong turn up on Aspen Ridge. I’m a little disappointed by this. Not only did I not do the whole course, I also missed seeing Futurity, which I’m told is a pretty cool little spot. Oh well, the day is done, my legs are tired and I’m not about to cry over a few missed miles.
However, I guess I’ll just have to redeem myself at next year’s Salida Big Friggin’ Loop!
