Finished

Wow... What a ride. The BTC was definitely a challenge -- climbing, daily miles, total miles, riding day after day, and battling the elements of wind, heat, and rain (and hail for some). Those who have ridden the BTC before felt this was the most challenging they have ridden.

The final day treated us to 100 miles of headwinds up Independence Pass and down into Glenwood Springs. Thankfully, there was little threat of rain. The climb up Independence Pass was beatifully scenic and seemingly tougher than prior climbs of the week with a 16 mile climb and 3000 ft of elevation gain. While I made it over the top, my legs felt pretty cooked... But it was great to know that was the last big climb of the tour. The descent was not as easy as I had hoped as I faced a strong headwind the whole way... I thought downhills were suppose to be easy! For about 15 miles between Aspen and Glenwood I was droppin the hammer all alone. Fortunately I eventually came upon a group averaging decent speeds and we worked together to get into Glenwood... Finished the ride in about 5.5 hours and was extremely excited to see the finish shoot and finish line. Even more, I enjoyed beeing met by Jen and our two dogs and our friend Tricia. Got my bags, found some shade, boug
ht a nice cold Diet Coke and just sat and relaxed for about two hours watching the finishers. Ahhhhh!

All I can say is what an experience riding 500+ miles in 6 days... And these were tough miles. Saw some real pretty country, met some cool people, and accomplished both physical and emotional goals in completing the Tour and riding on behalf of the HANGOUT and TBI survivors. Thanks for the opportunity and thanks to all those who have supported this mission. I hope to do something like this again next year.

Matt A.

Final Days of The BTC

Yesterday was both good and bad. Bad in that Sawyer, Landers and Martin scratched the race as Sawyers grandma was hospitalized and Martin was experiencing worisome achiles pain. Yesterdays ride was awesome... 74 miles through cottonwood canyon (spectacular scenery), 14 mile climb to the summit of Cottonwood Pass, and a rapid 25 mile descent into Buena Vista. Made it into town at noon and just got my tent up when the downpoor or rain began. Riders still at the summit experienced intense hail... Made it in just in time.

Today I ride from Buena Vista to Glenwood 107 miles to complete the tour. Looking forward to summitting Independence Pass and rolling 60 miles down to Glenwood.

Matt A.

Back On The Bike

After a relaxing, partially rainy rest day in beautiful Crested Buttea, we are back on the bike and headed 75 miles to Buena Vista. Today we will climb 6,580 ft and summit at 12,600 ft! It is a partially cloudy morning and we expect rain on the route. At the top of our highest and toughest climb we will be riding packed dirt roads... On roud bikes? Come on... This could be a rough day!

Hopefully we can miss most of the rain and enjoy another scenic ride.

Matt A.

Rest Day Here We Come

Reat day... Need I say more? We are all lookong forward to this well deserved & earned rest day. I think all of our croches are thanking us.

Yesterday's ride was long and beautiful. The scenery here in Crested Butte is amazing. I am waiting at Paradise Cafe for a serious omlette/protein load. Unfortunately, this is seemingly the only real breakfast place I can find on the strip. Regardless, sitting and relaxing while I wait for a table is ok with me!

Not sure what the day has in store, but I am looking forward to hangin' with the boys and relaxing in town.

Matt A.

Day 4 - Montrose to Created Butte

Greetings from Created Butte! We're resting up this evening after a
pretty tough day.

We started today in montrose and quickly met a fierce headwind. The
first 25 miles were a pretty gradual climb and was one way to warm up
the legs. We had another 1500 ft climb to the top of the Black Mesa
followed by a really quick descent.

The day turned very scenic as we headed through Gunnison Canyon. The
weather finally cooled off a bit and we enjoyed (as much as possible
when we are hurting as bad as some of us are) a really nice afternoon
ride. The cross wind and threatening rain made the last 28 miles
interesting, but we made it.

We just re-fueled in Crested Butte and are now lounging around our
camp before a highly anticipated night of sleep. 93 miles in the
books, and we're pretty spent. Good night everyone.

-Eric

--
Sent from my mobile device

240 Miles Down... More Like Up

Can't say I have ever rode 240 miles in a week let alone 3 days... It's hard to believe, especially since we have over 260 miles to go, including a tough 93 miles tomorrow.

Today was warm and windy... So it was not easy miles as we had hoped. I don't think any of these miles are going to be easy considering the terrain, conditions, daily miles, and consecutive miles. However, we made it to Montrose from Grand Junction in a little over four hours... Definitely nice to roll into camp around 12:30 pm and not 5:30 pm. After setting up camp, making a safeway run, showering and trying to avoid the hot sun while napping, we enjoyed a great Mexican dinner.

I know we are all looking forward to a good nights sleep and some rest for our saddle sore rear ends before tomorrow's 93 miles into Crested Butte.

Matt A.

Montrose Here We Come!

Is it morning and time to get ridin' alredy? We definitely slept well last night!

Woke up to another beautiful morning. Word has it we will be riding in 85 degree temperature today. Hopefully another rain free day!

Looking farward to today's ride and new scenery. Today we will ride 63 miles from Grand Junction to Montrose and climb just a little over 2000 feet. Should serve as a nice break after two days of climbing in the saddle... Will let you know how the ride goes.

Matt A.

Hard Days Ride

Wow... Tough day. The morning started out beautiful without a cloud in the sky. The early miles were enjoyable with a few short climbs to get the legs warmed up at ready for some serious climbing. At mile 13 the climb started at 5000 feet. The climb summited 27 miles later at mile 40 and at 11000 feet. While the grade was not too challenging, the LONG steady climb was tough. We descended at speeds in excess of 50 mph and rode into some serious heat... 95 degrees. It was HOT. The last 30 miles was a hot grind with some tough headwinds. We were VERY excited to make it to our camp in Grand Junction were we welcomed cold showers and a great brew pub dinner. It was a very long day on the bike and likely one of the toughest, if not the toughest, ride any of us has ever experienced. Despite the challenges we are having fun, making friends in camp and along the route, telling folks about the HANGOUT, looking forward to a good night sleep, and looking forward to a "rel
atively" easy 63 miles tomorrow... Is there such a thing as an "easy 63 miles"? We hope!

Matt A.

Embarking on Day 2

Well, we are now all here... Anderson, Landers, Martin, Sawyer. Today is gonna be fun... Hotchkiss to Grand Junction with 98 miles & climbing 7,400 ft (highest summit 11,000ft). Looking forward to riding and summiting the Grand Mesa. Wish us strength and stay tuned...

Matt A..

We Conquered Day 1

We started the morning with cloudy skies and fear of rain... Fortunatley, no rain! The clouds helped keep us cool. The ride was beautiful. Overall, the ride was not too difficult. Most of the terrain was rolling (either overall climbing or descending). The major climb today was over McLure Pass elev. 9,000 ft. The climb was steep but short and we all survived.

After summitting and on our ride into Hotchkiss, the clouds blew off and the temperature increased... Kinda wish it was cloudy as we are camping in a school field... In direct sun and it is HOT! Looking forward to sundown and a relaxing, cool, rain free evenning and night. We have a big day tomorow with a long challenging climb. Missing Jen, and at the same time, I am with good friends on a meaningful experience. In fact, we received several positive comments and questions regarding our awesome HANGOUT jerseys. Looking farward to Eric joining us this evenning and for the remainder of the ride.

Matt A.

It Begins

Today is the say we have been training for, anticipating, and looking forward to. We start in Glenwood Springs and end in Hotchkiss after riding 77 miles and climbing 6,580 ft. We look forward to rockin our HANGOUT jerseys and representing the HANGOUT and TBI survivors!

Great Ride

Today Brandon and I (and my friend Trevor who is not doing the BTC) completed a very challenging training ride. We started in Evergreen and climbed 18 miles to Echo Lake at the "base" of Mt. Evans. The weather was great and the ride was beautiful. From Echo, we descended 13 miles to Idaho Springs... Just to turn around and climb those 13 miles back to Echo Lake and eventually down to Evergreen. Unfortunatly on our return from Idaho Springs, the weather quickly changed... We experienced light rain, a significant drop in temp, peas size hail (ouch that stings at 40 mph), and more rain. Within miles from the end, we could begin to hear the crackle of lightning in the distance. Within minutes of getting back to the car the rain, thunder, and lighting came crashing down... We made it off the maountain just in time! After climbing 31 miles and riding 62 miles I was very glad that my legs felt great. It was also good to see Brandon rocking his new bike. Now comes the "t
aper" in training this week in prep for the BTC starting in 7 days. Still plan to do at least 2-3 easy rides this week with some minor climbing to keep the legs feeling strong.

Matt A.

Mobile Blogging

I just set up Blogger Mobile on my phone. My goal will be to post a daily update during the BTC starting 6/21. Loading pictures may be difficult, but text entries will keep the fans informed of the ride. I am REALLY looking forward to this event and representing the HANGOUT!

Matt A.

BTC Fast Approaching

Sorry to our fans for the serious delay in updates. The last group training ride seems like eons ago. I think we have all been busy with life and stuff. I know Landers and Sawyer completed Elephant Rock (100 mi.) just last Sunday -- meow. Hopefully they have some photos to share. In terms of training for me... I hope all my swim/bike/run training for the ironman 70.3 Honu which I completed on 5/30 will count for something -- meow. Other than that, weekly miles normally exceed 150 mi. and include rides from Sedalia to Palmer lake (48 rolling mi. with a few good little climbs), dear creek to high grade (26 mi. with the first 13 mi at 6% grade), and rides to and through Cherry Creek Park (usually 40 mi. total with multiple time trial efforts through Cherry Creek... not as easy as it sounds when going all out through the rollers and usually against some good winds) -- MEOW. This Sunday I plan to ride from Evergreen to Echo Lake via Squaw Pass (18 mi. with 6% grade) down to Idaho Springs (15 mi. descent) and then back up to Echo Lake (15 mi. at at least 6% grade) and then down to Evergreen. Hopefully someone will join me! This ride will yeild a combined climb of 33 hard mi. for a total of 66 mi. and will be a good simulation of the efforts to come during the BTC were the average daily miles equal 85 and the average daily feet of climbing will be 7,400 ft spread over multiple passes and rollers-- MEOW & MEOW. Our aerobic motors will be purring like a kitten... meow.

Well, here are some photos from a training ride with all the guys through the foothills of Boulder (50 miles):

Brandon proud of his self portrait...


Matt A. leading out the boys...


Matt A. ridin solo... meow?


Brandon doing his thing... meow...


Here are some photos of Matt A. and Brandon doing Deer Creek & Highgrade:

Brandon climbing Deer Creek... meow!


Shot of the climb on Highgrade... good times ahead!


And, here are some photos from the ironman... yes, I am counting the 150 miles i did in Kona across the week as training for the BTC!

Couple of Shots from a training ride... trying to get used to the heat and humidity...




Race Day... MEOW!




Mike... Pay Up Sucka... Eric this blog entry is for you brother! Another $50 for the bucket... we are less than a $100 away from breaking $3000 -- MEOW (that's 11 if you lost count). Mike thanks for the support!