Colorado Cyclist Classic 2004

I had mixed emotions as I flew into Denver for my last race of the season.  I was part of a composite team sponsored by Rio Grande, a Mexican restaurant chain in Colorado, which naturally offered us free burrito’s and margarita’s for every stage win – I couldn’t wait to start racing!  The 5 riders on Rio Grande included two of my Rona team mates, Katheryn Curi and Katrina Grove, Kori Seehafer from Genesis and Lynn Gaggioli from Tmobile.  Our director and mechanic was Kevin Grove, Katrina’s husband.

Fort Collins is 5,300ft above sea level and the thin air gave me breathing difficulties as we did a 1 hour spin.  I saw dozens of prairie dogs, these cute little creatures that live in burrows but make a noise similar to a bird.  During the afternoon I developed a dull headache and certainly didn’t feel 100%.

Stage 1 – Glutch Road Individual Time Trial – 2.5 miles – 4km

Today the altitude continued to give me a persistant headache and earache whilst my legs felt like lead weights.  We drove along side the Big Thompson river and wound through rocky canyons to Estes Parks, located at 8,000ft.  We stopped to watch two wild big horn sheep cross the road and climb the cliffs on the other side.

We had a roaring tailwind for our individual time trial.  I did the first 3km too hard and couldn’t quite hold my speed in the final section.  I had trouble controlling my breathing but the legs felt okay.  I finished in 7mins 36sec, whilst the winner posted a 6mins 56sec.  The days ahead would lead to much bigger time gaps than merely seconds.  Katrina Grove finished xxth,  recording a 7mins 6sec.