The Thrill of The Climb
When I started cycling, I would often avoid climbs. Compared to the easy speed of riding on the flats, lugging myself slowly uphill just wasn’t fun. And it was hard!
Now, though, I look forward to climbing in the Colorado mountains. It’s still hard, but I embrace the workout, and years of repetition have welded the associations of fresh air, the ever-changing natural scenery, mood-elevating endorphins and a sense of accomplishment with the simple act of pedaling uphill.
My wife and daughter don’t ride bikes these days, and my son will only occasionally pedal to work. So I am well aware that they — like many people driving past — view those of us in stretchy pants as odd ducks, laboring and sweating and panting our way slowly up mountains. “That doesn’t look like fun,” is a common remark.
And, granted, sometimes in the moment, ‘fun’ is not the first word that springs to mind when struggling up a particularly steep pitch.
But we’re not alone. This month, a few thousand of us will be laboring our way up the high mountains at Copper Triangle, climbing three passes over 10,000 feet. And then next month of course is the Tour of the Moon, where the road is closed to cars on the climb up into the Colorado National Monument.
Climbing Colorado mountain roads is always gratifying, and much more fun with friends alongside — or ahead, and behind. But being able to climb paved road without any cars — especially in the beautiful sculpted desert landscape of the Monument — is a luxury.
And of course that which goes up must come down. Cruising down Vail Pass on the bike path alongside the stream or carving back down the snaking Monument road to Fruita — even people in cars will have to admit: that looks like fun.
See you out there.
