30th April ICE SKATING/VAIL TO BOULDER(forgot to post this one ay my last wi fi connection)
Still snowing a bit when I woke today but the road had apparently been opened up again albeit still iced up.
Oh well,I hadn't skated before so might as well give it a bash.
The 190km trip entailed another 2 ascents beyond the "death zone" so to speak,but I really had little choice.
So I set out with trepidation at 8:30 am and immediately realized what I'd let myself in for.
The first ascent took me beyond 3000m to close to 3500m and as I ascended the ice became worse.
Any touch on either brake or accelerator resulted in a little "whoopsy" and one doesn't want to fall with a huge truck following close behind.
40 kph stuff and at one point,where trucks were commanded by some sign to fit their chains,we came to a dead stop due to the single lane allowing the rest of the traffic to pass.
I placed my feet on the ground and realized that it was pure ice man!I couldn't actually leave them there as they simply slid around on the slush.
I now realized how precarious the going was.
After a second similar elevation the descent finally began but by this time 2 of my hazard lights were going ten to the dozen.
I had no choice but to continue ,flashing lights and all.
When I finally managed to stop at last I realized that my entire front wheel and undercarriage had frozen and had affected my ABS braking and alternator I think.
Once the bike managed to thaw a bit I fired her up and she was back to her perfect self.
A GREAT BIKE!
The rest of the route took me along fast flowing rivers and mountains and I was soon back in the delightful city of Boulder.
Oh well,I hadn't skated before so might as well give it a bash.
The 190km trip entailed another 2 ascents beyond the "death zone" so to speak,but I really had little choice.
So I set out with trepidation at 8:30 am and immediately realized what I'd let myself in for.
The first ascent took me beyond 3000m to close to 3500m and as I ascended the ice became worse.
Any touch on either brake or accelerator resulted in a little "whoopsy" and one doesn't want to fall with a huge truck following close behind.
40 kph stuff and at one point,where trucks were commanded by some sign to fit their chains,we came to a dead stop due to the single lane allowing the rest of the traffic to pass.
I placed my feet on the ground and realized that it was pure ice man!I couldn't actually leave them there as they simply slid around on the slush.
I now realized how precarious the going was.
After a second similar elevation the descent finally began but by this time 2 of my hazard lights were going ten to the dozen.
I had no choice but to continue ,flashing lights and all.
When I finally managed to stop at last I realized that my entire front wheel and undercarriage had frozen and had affected my ABS braking and alternator I think.
Once the bike managed to thaw a bit I fired her up and she was back to her perfect self.
A GREAT BIKE!
The rest of the route took me along fast flowing rivers and mountains and I was soon back in the delightful city of Boulder.
posted by TONY HEATH at
2:37 AM
5 Comments:
Hi Snow or Iceman,
you will be preserved in an iceblock soon !!
Good you are save after that icy ride.
Please send me an email, because lost your email address on my computer !!
ol.gaertner@gmx.de
Thanks
Olaf
Hi there. Just got back from Greyton. Stunning place. Went for nice walks. Well rested. Read the blog. Hectic hectic hectic. Pleased you are safe. Okay so the Stormers beat the Sharks. I can take the loss, and will admit that your Stormers were the better team on the day. Happy now???? Will see Cheryl this week to catch up! Keep safe. Sheila
Hi Olaf,nice to hear from u.
my email is tonyheath123@gmail.com
Would be great to hear directly from you .
Regards
To Anonymous May 3 03h13. You probably cannot get into blog as it is being edited or deleted as the power that be deems fit. Pity as it has been a very interesting adventure to follow. Ex SA now living in California!!
Hi, Ex SA now living in California, I don't were you get your info from but nothing has been edit or deleted off the blog, only a few words more than two months ago were taking out by me, please keep reading.
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