Bookmark This Page
Chris Matthews's Journal
Transrockies, day 1 complete
posted by RoubaixRider at 11:40 PM on August 10, 2008
You know what's helpful? keeping your core body temperature low when you're riding hard. That helps. You know a great way to keep your core temperature low on brutally long granny-geared climbs? Hail.
This of course comes with a downside - that it's hailing on you - but as we approached the summit of Panorama resort (something like the third largest ski resort in north america), it was kinda surreal. Hail, which eventually just gave way to snow, which then begat rain on the descent. But never enough to really be a problem.
Today was quite the day. The stage STARTED with the monster climb, zero warm up. And overall, it was definitely everything that was promised: big mountains, big adventure, and unpredictable weather. The bike worked awesome, my legs felt good (though Mike was faster than me on the climbs), and we finished in a hair over 4 hours, which felt respectable enough.
After the finish: hot showers, a bunch of Traumeel on my legs, and my new compression tights. Chocolate recovery protein. Pretzels. Gatorade. And a banana. Then a veggie panini at a local coffee shop with the internet I'm using to post this. Dinner is at six, 20 minutes from now...
One day down. Six to go.
Post Photos
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Already a Member? Sign in Now to Add A Comment »
Comments (1)
11:54 PM on August 11, 2008 UTC id* wrote:
Wicked first day dudes. 18th place. that's bad ass. hope the 12K+ today made you feel like rock stars.