USABA Tandem Cycling Camp 2018 - Day 5 RECAP

The USABA Tandem Cycling Camp 2018 Team

Colorado Springs was cloudy and cool this morning, delivering perfect hill climbing weather.  We were off to Gold Camp Road to work on ascending and descending drills. A bit of shuffling around today due to illness, planned rest and more.  The initial plan was that I would ride single from the OTC to the parking area on Gold Camp, pick up my stoker and tandem at the parking area, work through the drill session/hill climbs, then drop my stoker and tandem and return to the OTC on my single.  Plans changed when one of the pilots woke up not feeling well. The new plan was for me to ride with that pilot’s stoker on their tandem to the parking area, switch out to my tandem and stoker for the drills, drop my bike and stoker and switch back to the original bike and stoker to return to the OTC.

Kim & Rachel ready to ride

Our mighty mechanic helped to make all of the switches and get me prepared.  My road pedals were added to tandem #1, a seat adjustment made and we were off.  Jumping on a new tandem with a new stoker, you learn a lot of lessons very quickly - how the bike will handle, how the stoker pedals, starts, stops and makes adjustments and how the bike brakes.  The brakes on this bike were a bit challenging and required a big fistful to make the rig stop, so as the pilot, I aired on the side of caution to ensure we could stop on time and with no issues. (We only had one small bump on the way back - sorry A & A - I still owe you ice cream!)

The Team gathers for drill recon

We climbed together very well to the Gold Camp Road parking area.  My stoker is from Florida and definitely felt the altitude but did a great job controlling breathing and working through the switch backs.  I could definitely feel the power in her legs and we were able to find good efficiency with our pedal strokes.

We arrived at the parking lot, a quick shift of bikes and stokers and the drills began.  Headed out of the parking lot straight uphill caused for a quick re-adjust back to my stoker and bike.  No time to settle in. Three times up and back with a bit of learning on each run. We did great!! We paused at the end for a team photo before switching out bikes and stokers once again to head back to home base.  

Erika ready to roll

The downhill was a big down hill.   With a huge fist of brakes, we managed to descend safely albeit a bit cautiously but with no issues and plenty of confidence.  Arriving on level ground we moved into the peloton and enjoyed a fast ride home. We loaded the bikes into the truck when we got back and headed for a quick but much needed lunch. https://www.relive.cc/view/1570189810

The afternoon session required a drive to our destination.  Four of us loaded into my car and headed out behind the caravan of truck, vans and cars and trucks.  Keeping that peloton together was a bit more challenging than the tandem peloton! We arrived in Fountain - off Old Pueblo Road, the staging spot for tomorrow’s 20K time trial.  In Colorado style it was sunny, hot, dry and windy. The goal for the ride was to recon the course. Establish some landmarks, learn the feel of the road and know the course. Riding on my bike with my stoker we successfully achieved the mission.  The wind was brutal and we were unable to hang onto the group so powered through on our own. We race first tomorrow so hoping for a cool morning, minimal wind and a faster ride! https://www.relive.cc/view/1570495981

At Overlook #6 Gold Camp Rd.

We finished the afternoon ride, returned the bikes to the truck and headed back to camp.  It was nice to be in an air conditioned car and have time to relax and visit for a bit. We had a little bit of down time, time for a shower and headed off to dinner and evening meeting.  A bit of visiting post meeting and probably the earliest night to bed yet. Looking forward to a good night’s sleep!

Day 6 starts with our 20K Time Trial.  Followed by lunch and packing up camp - bike breakdown, boxing, returning parts etc.  We then have dinner and meetings and I will be headed home after meetings finish up. Our week together is winding up.  

View from above - The Broadmoor below

View from above - The OTC in the far back including the Velodrome