Many of us take for granted our abilities to complete many of the local climbs in town. Do you remember the first time you rode up to Horsetooth Mountain Park or climbed Rist Canyon?
I personally remember my first climb up Rist Canyon distinctly. I was with a group of Lee’s employees shortly after I moved here in 2005. I had never ridden a long climb like that before, much less a long climb that became so steep at the very top after I was already so tired.
I stopped at probably the steepest part of the climb and I couldn’t get back on my bike. It was so steep that I couldn’t get the pedals to turn over before I thought I would fall down. I remember Tyson had to push me to get me going again. In some ways it was humiliating, but really it was an experience that made me a stronger more resilient cyclist.
During the MS 150 training ride this weekend I had the opportunity to accompany Paula on her first ride up some of Northern Colorado’s toughest climbs. She did great. I knew she was hurting, but I had her get in her lowest gear and just keep pedaling. At one point I worried that I was annoying her, because I was chanting, “pedal, pedal, pedal.” But I knew if she stopped it would be hard to get started again especially on the steeper gradients.
Paula made all the climbs and here are some pictures of her enjoying the views from the top.
This is a shout out to Paula for doing a great job on Sunday. Good luck at the MS 150, girl.
