Cycling in Breckenridge

OOPS... Pictures of the race was actually posted in one of the previous blog entries....

Breckenridge was getting ready for the big race when we got downtown.  It was very exciting!  We found 2 big screens where they would be showing the whole race.  It was a gorgeous day, perfect temps.  Much cooler than Steamboat Springs.  We had been to Breckenridge at least 2 times before, but had never even thought of the high elevation here.  It is 9,600 ft. and it's just amazing how age affects how you deal with altitude!  It made us appreciate even more how physically fit these cyclists have to be!

We sat down on a bench to watch the race and this young man asked if he could sit with us.  We started talking and found out he was from north of Seattle and had brought his 5 year old son out to Colorado to follow the whole race.  He has raced, but on a small scale.  But he was just filled with information about cycling and this race.  It was so much fun just sitting and listening to him.  We would ask questions and he had the answers.  It was great!  We found out that they are in pain all of the time.  That their muscles are screaming at them throughout the race.  There is even a Dr. riding in a car in case a racer would need stitches or bandaging.  He will be hanging out of the car, stitching them up as they're riding.  SERIOUSLY???  These guys are TOUGH!!!  Somebody saw one of the racers with his leg all stitched up in this race.  Anyhow, we talked with this nice young man for about an hour and then he was off to find his son something to eat.  They would be leaving Breckenridge after the race to head to Denver to watch the end of the race and then back home to Seattle on Monday.  His son was wearing a hat that had been signed by many of the racers.  I think a future racer in the making right there!  :-)

We found a place to stand and watch the racers coming down to the finish line.  Long story short, they go by you sooooo fast that unless you have a prime spot, you've missed a picture of the leaders.  But I did get a picture of some of the top 10.  :-)  They travel up to speeds of 60 mph.  Boggles the mind!  So, as you can see, we had a great time watching and finding out some things about the cycling world.  We even watched the last race on TV on Sunday!   I'm sure they appreciated the wonderful weather they had in Breckenridge, because it was hot when they finished in Denver!  Amazing how much hotter it is in Denver than here in Breckenridge.  You really know you're in the mountains here in Breck (as the locals call it).  For those of you who haven't been here before, it is just beautiful here.  There is a beautiful stream that runs right through the town behind Main Street.  There are so many wonderful restaurants.  Lots of cute shops.  A bike trail that will take you from here to Frisco and beyond.  You could ride all the way to Vail.  I have never seen so many cyclists as I have in Colorado.  They have amazing bike paths all over the state.  Too bad all states don't do that.  You could walk or bike all over.  If you've got the strength and energy, you can go anywhere here in Colorado.  Very impressed with what we've seen!

We are loving Breckenridge and it has gone right to the top of our list!  What's not to love when you sleep with your windows open in August, wake up to the mountain chill in the air and beautiful blue skies and mountains all around you.  Aaaaaaahhh!!!