Drafting...Or Not

I distinctly remember being six years old and biking the Schuykill River Trail with my dad. The first time I rode the trail I was determined to complete all thirty miles of the out and back course on my pink, sparkly bike with a single gear and shiny streamers. I wanted to take the lead and feel the rush of the wind in my face. That’s the best part right? Little did I know that my dad was drafting (or receiving some sort of wind blockage from a tiny six year old). 

It’s now sixteen years later and little has changed. I have no clue how to lube a chain. I couldn’t tell you where the derailer (is this even on a bike?) is located. And I have a helmet that could fit a doll. Most of all, I still love to hammer on the bike – into the wind, up mountains, and in the lead – always at top speed and maximum effort.

Now though, I have a partner in crime in my biking adventures. David and I are two equally stubborn, equally adventurous personalities. The result? We share the lead and cover incredible Colorado courses in record mountain bike time. Plus, he occasionally reminds me to drink and informs me of obvious biking techniques. Large chain ring for going down big hills? Duh, Megan.

We have covered epic bike routes (especially when considering our mountain bikes, and dear god, my 29er). The list is forever growing and will hopefully continue well into the summer even through Philadelphia and Durham.

1. Boulder Sunrise Century: 100 Miles, 7,000 feet of climbing. All starting at 6 AM. (OK, this is the only route where we rented road bikes). I learned how to eat a Clif bar in four seconds and learned that if you put Cytomax in a Camelback, you should really clean it out immediately. I also learned that David is not a camel. We were chasing the lead riders and bypassed every water station after mile 57. Considering I was the second rider in and David the fourth, it paid off, but David had some dark, dehydrated last few miles.

2. Magnolia Road: 36 miles round trip from Boulder, but 2,170 ft of climbing in 4.5 very painful miles. The key on 25% switchbacks is to listen for cars (actually Mom, I checked my shoulder three times) and then to take the middle of the road. Otherwise, it’s possible to run out of gears and fall in the bushes on the side of the road. I learned this last year.

3. From Idaho Springs up Mt. Evans – 6,000 feet of climbing in 28 miles. 100 degrees at the base and 50 degrees at the top. 55 mph sustained winds. Check out those numbers. It was crazy. I was lucky to have a 29er because I may have been blown sideways off the mountain.

The Last Switchback - Best Moment Ever

4. Left Hand Canyon to Brainard Lake – 5,000 feet of climbing in 32 miles. We did this as a second workout on a two-a-day. What were we thinking? I am pretty sure I swore on every switchback.

Drafting Fail... Battling for the Lead

5. Aspen to the top of Independence Pass – 4,500 feet of climbing in 20 miles. My heart rate was too high to contemplate drinking. David, however, had to pee. My response - “too bad, pee your pants.” We were going for a record mountain bike time.

Random Trail We Found at the Top of the Pass

6. Rio Grande Trail – 1,500 feet of climbing in 27 miles. After all of our climbing, I thought this was flat; however, google informed me otherwise. The first four miles around Aspen are hectic. Fortunately David was well versed in “ON YOUR LEFT” because we may have destroyed a small child at top speed. Or an Aspen lady biking a $6,000 bike with sandals, no helmet, and curled hair. What’s worse would be endangering her much older, questionably degenerating husband.

For now, those are the highlights. I have inherited some espresso gel shots from my dad, so the biking adventures should become more entertaining in the next few weeks.

Thanks for reading! You guys are awesome (Mom, Dad, David, maybe four friends?)