Since the weather has been pretty ugly in Ouray, I decided to head to Vail again since the forecast there is calling for sun.  I woke up on Thursday in the Vail Valley to a beautiful sunny, cloudless sky.  What an amazing morning…!!!

The past two attempts at Vail’s summit have been semi-successful, but the challenge has been to make it over the pass, descend to Copper and bike back.  I haven’t been able to accomplish the goal, but the third time was a charm…!!

I headed to the trailhead of the path that winds its way up Vail pass and the morning was perfect.  There was some wind, but the sun was shining and the forecast didn’t call for any rain for the entire day.  That’s a rarity in the mountains this time of year, so I decided this would be the perfect day to complete the challenge.

As you can see from above, I’m all geared up and ready to go.  Today is definitely going to be the day I make it to Copper and back.  I’m feeling great this morning.

Don’t ask about the hair..!!  I’m not sure what’s going on with it, other than it being drenched in sun screen..!!

I couldn’t have asked for a better day.  The sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky.  The colors of Fall are starting to shine.  Seems a bit earlier than usual, but what an amazing display of yellows, reds, and oranges.   And with the sun shining down upon the meadows and aspen groves of colors, it couldn’t be a better day to be outside.

The wind is still howling, but the pedalling to get me to the Summit from the Vail side wasn’t that bad.  Once at the top, you’re rewarded with a descent along the river with beautiful views of Summit County.  Once I get to Copper, the scenery was amazing on this incredible day.  The village isn’t crowded as you can see, and the sky was almost purple…!!  So lucky to be a part of this day.

As I start to head out of Copper and back towards the Summit, I realized the head wind is more than what I expected.

I determine that this is a Hammer day.  Hammer gel, please help me up this mountain…!!!

After getting back to the Suburban, I’m feeling the effects of the wind…!!!

Well…. after the third attempt, I finally am successful at the attempt of riding from Vail to Copper and back.  It’s a total of 32 miles.  10 miles of uphill from the Vail side and then 6 miles of ascent from the Copper side.  If I knew the wind would have been so bad from the Copper side, I would have biked the Vail side twice…  but…  I did it.  It just doesn’t seem fair that you have to pedal downhill…!!!

The Copper side is definitely shorter, but I think much more challenging towards the top, but then again, with the wind being so strong, I’m not really that sure…!!!  All I know, is that I did it and I actually feel totally fine afterwards.

Since I was able to complete the task, the reward is simple:   A peanut butter and jelly sandwich…!!!!!   I can’t believe I’m eating carbs, but the PB&J tasted so gooooooooood…