Breck Epic 2015 - Breckenridge, CO 9600 ft. in elevation

Breck Epic 2015 - Breckenridge, CO 9600 ft. in elevation

Stage 3: The Circumnavigation of Mt. Guyot: 35.6 miles, 6,264 ft of elevation gain.

Stage 3 might have gotten the best of me.  It was my favorite stage of the week until the last climb, which Coach Miller best described as "punch yourself in the nuts and then half way up punch yourself in the nuts again even harder".  (note to all blog readers, avoid riding your bike up American Gulch road at all costs).  This seems to be the trend of the Breck Epic…ride some super sick, sweet, high alpine trails and then get humbled, crushed, and/or demoralized as you climb your way back home.  Today Mike McCormack decided to set a zone where all blue jersey leaders get to start ahead of the rest of the pack, which is pretty sweet for us because we don't have to get to the start line 30 minutes ahead of the start time. (which doesn't really matter because Dax likes to just back into the start line regardless) 

Highlights of the day include breathtaking views at the top of French Gulch trail/French pass, which also happen to be the location of the skittles aid station, hosted by our beloved Jonathan Davis (who sells the Elevated Legs that are a HUGE part of our successful recovery - thank you!!), and beer tasting (or chugging depending on your status) hosted by our incredible Carborocket rep (who has also been a huge supporter for our race fueling - thanks!) Brad Keyes.  Another highlight was riding down another section of the Colorado trail which was fast and demanding with some decent technical riding required. It's also always fun to see friends and volunteers along the trail that make this race possible and way more fun…featured below are some of our favorites, Kyle Stamp and Karen Jarchow.  There were rumors that these two were going to race the co-ed duo at Breck Epic this year and they would either be crushing us or making us work even harder than we already are every day! Thanks for being out there you two!

And look at these two.  Coach Miller and Zeke.  This is the look of a 3 day finisher, an accomplished Epicurious rider.  These boys were making us all jealous of being done.  Today they wrapped up some strong finishes in the 3- day race.  I think they both thought they did not have a great day, but they are still impressive in my eyes and I think they had some good laughs throughout the day.  

The boys - looking thrilled. 

Some more finishing shots - it's great to have another girlfriend from Steamboat out there riding and I told Kelly today that I was throughly impressed that she does this race on her own..and not only does it, she nails it.  That takes some tough mental fitness.  I don't know how I would fare without Dax, nor do I know that I would want to ride without him now that I have been so spoiled.  I had to get off my bike twice to push up the last bit of the last climb.  Dax kept telling me we could almost see the top, but I just  needed to put my head on the bars and hike my bike.  I told him I might cry and this might be the bottom of the pain cave.  I just love having someone out there as support and to suffer with. 

Yes! We all finished close enough together today/the weather cooperated(ish), so we got to enjoy one more river soak session with the crew before Coach and Zeke heckle us tomorrow and avoid the cold river on a typical 50 degree afternoon. This picture does a great job capturing those who are done (beers and feet/maybe ankles in the water) and those who are halfway done (no beer in hand and fully immersed to gain all benefits possible to sustain the next 3 days).    

And a podium shot.  We won today by an even wider gap.  Happy about that.  Hoping for continued good luck.  There is a pretty great battle going on between 2nd and 3rd at this point.  I do not have a podium shot of Kelly because she came in 4th today, but she is only 3 minutes away from 3rd overall and I have a feeling she can taste it and she will be revisiting that podium this week!

You are never quite done during a stage race, you finish, immediately begin recovery, refuel, rest for a minute, attend awards and race route announcements, wash bikes, refuel again, make your manhattans and repeat.  We are thankful for the bike wash station - nice work WD - 40 bike! We want Dax's sexy new Domahidy titanium bike to continue to look good and ride even better - well designed Steve Domahidy!

The Trailer boys…so Dax and I might not be done, but they are…so what do Coach and Zeke want to do? Come to the Ffej's trailer, play some games, drink some Ranier, and have a few good laughs…helping us not take ourselves too seriously.  This is one funny group of boys…in fact I can hear them all being stupid and laughing as I write this.  It's time though. Sleep is on the docket - another BIG day tomorrow - apparently the QUEEN stage.