This was our first time to participate in the Buena Vista Bike Fest. The event has been held for several years and the planning and organization that comes with experience really showed. Even though they had to change the century route 2 days before the ride the route sheets and road marking were clearly understandable. The organizers had fun with the 2nd aide station, sort of a tropical theme with snowy mountain back drop.
The day was a marvelous blend of social, physical and aesthetic. We spent the night and rode with our friends Erich and Mike. John D, cancelled and we missed his company and inspirational ease with which he climbs. Rondi, whom we met on the C2C trip, joined us. Rather, I almost managed to keep up with her for most of the day. Several of the Thursday night group were also participating. We rode with Kelly and Scott for part of the ride. We couldn't have asked for better weather: clear, 40's to 50's with little wind until the end of the ride. Views were travel poster perfect.
The organizers warned us that the road to Turquoise Lake was dangerous, no high speed descents. Of course there's always the few who think they are in the Tour de France. one cyclist came around a turn at high speed and swerved into the uphill traffic. he cleaned the bike right out from under our Thursday night friend, Alex. She managed to survive with minor cuts and bruises and a wheel knocked out of true. He got a ride to the hospital for stitches.
We were surprised by the route on the paved bike paths around Leadville. Not only were they free of little tykes on training wheels and roller blade-rs with dogs on leashes they had numerous historic markers and points of interest.
The ride ended at the park. We were treated to great barbeque, local beers and live music. I conversed with two women we met at one of the historical markers. One put into words one of my favorite reasons for biking. She said, bikers are so friendly and open. You couldn't just start a conversation with a stranger in the grocery store like you can with other bicyclists. We must have talked for 30 minutes. What a great ending to a terrific day of biking.