Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I successfully climbed Loveland Pass (11,990 ft) this morning, gaining 2474 ft of elevation over eight miles. The ascent took just over two hours. I stopped 14 times to rest during the climb, or about twice each mile, to get my heart rate back to a manageable level. My average speed going up the mountain pass was only 4.6 mph. I was passed by only three cyclists on the climb, but there were only four cyclists, including me. The descent back down from Loveland Pass only took 20 minutes.

Route 6, the road leading up to Loveland Pass is lightly traveled. Most vehicles use the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 to avoid the steep pass. The only vehicles on Route 6 are hazardous material trucks (such as gas trucks and propane trucks) which are not allowed to use the Eisenhower Tunnel for safely reasons, and tourists who are driving the road for the spectacular views.

The views along the way and at the summit were awesome. Photos can never quite capture the grandeur and the enormous depth of space of the mountains. I will add a second post with some more photos from the ride. I try not to include more than three photos at the time so the web pages don’t take too long to load.

I am sure some of you are wondering, why? Why endure such a difficult and strenuous activity? That is a good question, I don’t know if I really have a good answer. One dear friend told me she thought I enjoyed suffering. I used to be a cross-country runner. I think perhaps the answer is quite simple. Seeing beautiful mountain vistas while using your own power, either pedaling a bicycle or walking is extremely satisfying. Moving at a very slow pace allows you to fully take in your surroundings. Being outside you can smell the wonderful aroma of the forests. You are able to experience the elements of the weather, feel the warmth of the sunshine, savor the crisp cool mountain air, and hear and feel the strong mountain winds.