Basically a rest day, but I still had to get into town! Happily, my friend Em bumped into me, and offered to host me, which was a little more convenient than camping somewhere else outside of town!

Not a bad little go at this Gravel Grinder. 40 minutes back from first, and 40 minutes faster than third – it’s a wild world out there. Props to first place, that’s quite the go at the course. Of course, I had wanted to race this race pretty well rested up, rather than having 200+ loaded miles on my legs for the week, but watchagonnado, Mr. Car-Free Lifestyle?

A little slower than last year, much more wind, for sure. But felt great, nonetheless.

Sunday, May 18, 2014, Salida – Shavano Trailhead, 14.4 miles, 2,777 feet (Strava)

Much like last year, after the race, I high-tailed it to the Shavano Trailhead to camp and hike up Shavano the next day. The Angel was in, I had a few more days to use before I needed to get back, and it’s like, right there. No contest.  This is also the first part of Salida’s Vapor Trail Race, a 125 mile CX mountain bike race, that starts at 10:00pm. Awesome race, and for me sadly, I barely made it to the finish, having what seemed be some sort of activity-educed asthma. Not cool. Still, a great, great course – almost a Colorado Trail Race, lite, but you get to start/finish at the same point.

Week total on my feet: 0
Week total on the bike: 368.9 miles, 33,526 feet

Not to state the obvious, but this was a huge week on my bike, especially since everything, except the race was done loaded down for touring. Happy it went so smoothly, as I haven’t ridden my bike as much as I historically do. Seems like running was a good enough supplement for the lack of riding. Happy to sleeping in the dirt again. Lots more of that to be done, this season.