WIND TUNNEL TESTING

I believe we have been cut free of this winter's umbilical chord, the weekend's forecast calling for some wind on Saturday, otherwise Sunday was to be what we should be having this time of year:  a mix of sun and nice.

The forecast was half right, however, yesterday's gale force winds decided to trespass into today and blow some dust on our riders.

The ride was heading up Dallas to Ridgway and back.  The family version of this was Telluride to Ouray Hot Springs, where the smaller family components could swim and play while the more mature members would ride.

It was my turn to play director sportif (mom), so I loaded the Tugboat with my two kids and their respective friends and headed to more fertile grounds.

My better half and about 9 or 10 other riders left the Coffee Cowboy around 9:15 and headed down.  Since I was not part of the ride, there is not much to say other than my personal observations and some second hand comments. I did put the kids to use in taking photos while we rode along those who chose the noble path of riding their bikes.

Robyn heading up Dallas

Fine day and grateful for the tail wind

Becca, Noah, Chris and Oz

Alyssaaaaa!!!

Top of Dallas: Chris, Ricky, Noah, Megan, Becca, Ali, Robyn, Alyssa, Oz and Tim

From here, some turned back, others went down to Ridgway, other continued to Ouray.  Regardless and applicable to all the riders, it was now time to pay back that tailwind along with some serious interest.

No newspapers so the jackets went on, at least on those who possessed them

The ones who continued on the back side battled some cross winds on the exposed pass that made one wonder if the earth was tilting further off its axis.

Becca descending

Megan also descending

Alyssaaaaa!!!

Oz and Ricky; I clocked them at 62 mph.

The mad descenders...

The valiant group rode into Ridgway then turned around and headed back to Telluride.  Oz sent me a text and I quote "Wow that wind.  It was hair raising with cross wind. I couldn't get on your bumper; maybe a good thing.  Brutal ride home head wind.  Standing up on downhill."

I do admire the brevity.  Good job guys!

Well, by the time I reached Ridgway, the 5 kiddos I had were ready to go swimming and I was standing in their way.  Conscience smitten, I drove on and upon our arrival into Ouray we found Eric there with more kiddos.  Wisely Eric brought his bike so that upon his wife, Alyssa's arrival, he would switch and head up Red Mountain Pass; a formidable feat to say the least.

Taking one for the team I stayed behind responsibly overseeing 9 kiddos of a vast array of ages.  So attentive was I, that the lifeguards visited me a few times to make sure I was up to the task. I proved to be and once the parents arrived and all the kids were accounted for, the smoothness of the day continued to unfold with no incident.  The soaking riders talked about the day while I sat there forlorn as though I missed the school dance. Oh well...

Lounging there on the steps of the hot pool, it was good to see such a good group of Telluriders soaking away the day's hard work.  I had not seen such a group here since last winter when the power went out in Telluride and after a few days folks decided they needed a bath.

We soaked then headed into the charming town of Ouray for ice cream, coffee and chocolate, eventually making our way back with wet kids, bikes and chills from the sun and wind.  We pull into town just as Ali rolled through on the bike path. 

Ali polishing up the full serving of the day's ride; and still smiling.