The two day after turkey day ride was a rousing success topped off by bowls of mean green chile served up to us by our hosts wonderful wife!
Mike Gillespie was a great host and the weather, although a bit windy and cool was fine for a late season ride through the beautiful Red Rocks area of Colorado. We met around 11:30 at Mike's casa looking forward to the 'rolling' hills he promised... James Brodsky and Peter Bridge carpooled down from the north. Peter brought his nicely equipped Motobecan Grand Record while James was sporting the ruby slippers he scored at the Veloswap spinning on his Davidson in a red blur:-) John Price on his trusty Rivendell and Mike G. on his Rivendell Rambouilett. I would be riding my NR equipped Trek 760 today. Mike G. showed his newly acquired Bridgestone RB-1 like a proud father and then it was time to get on the road.
We started off slowly and once in Golden it became apparent that Mike G. lied to us! We all wondered where those rolling hills were since we seemed to be climbing and Peter was on the bike path to revenge plotting a plan to get even:-) We rode a moderate pace and all of us took turns falling off the back wondering why we ate so much turkey a few days ago.
At last, no more climbing and we descended into Morrison for a bite to eat at the Morrison Inn which serves up some decent Mexican food. Unfortunately, it hit us like a ton of bricks and we had another 15 or so miles to pedal home. James tried to click his shoes together but that didn't work so we all mounted up and tackled the long grade up the C470 frontage road. This ride was meant to work off our extra poundage and I'll bet we all gained a few!
Peter turned several shades of green chile while making the climb and I felt a little glucose challenged or something myself... But, we all made it in one piece and it turned out to be a very nice ride indeed.
Back at Mike G's place he invited us in and his wife heated up some of the mean green as we all talked bikes. At one point, we all heard Mike G's wife utter the phrase, "What kinda bike do you want to get next honey"? Peter was in shock and it took the heat of her green chile to snap him out of it:-)
All in all it was a great day of riding and chat with like minded bike junkies... We probably won't get together until spring for a training ride to work off the winter poundage. Hibernate and be happy till then brothers.
Mike "Is it possible to have too much Mexican Food" Wilkinson Castle Rock, CO