And now, closer to home

This morning I signed up for the Frostbite Tour. While still a haul — it starts in Johnston County — it's closer to home than the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. And sooner, since the Frostbite is Feb. 23. I'm shooting for 100 miles, as I did last year, but I reserve the right to bail out at 100k, as I did last year. Distance will depend on temperature. Last year the ride started in the mid 30s and crept up to about 50. Ten degrees warmer and a century should be a snap. Ten degrees colder and I'll probably bag it at 40 miles.

Summer options

Several days of brutal climbs highlight the 14th Annual Bicycle Tour of Colorado. The brochure arrived today. The "Durango/Telluride Loop" comprises 403 miles from June 22 to June 28. Colorado cycling guru Michael Seeberg rates five of the segments (including two optional ones) as difficult. The highlight, which the brochure describes as an option and Seeberg calls a bonus, is the East Portal Road in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Draw your own conclusions about the challenge that seven miles of 16 percent grade would provide.

As tempting as the BTC sounds, I think I'll stick with northeastern Colorado in August or September. Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park has been resurfaced and I'm itchy to try it again. Call me a coward, but I'm rationalizing that 23 miles of climbing topping out at nearly 12,200 feet makes up for any grade deficiencies.