After many years of coming to race at Pikes Peak we have established a routine to help with the transition from sea level where the team is based to the high elevations that we will be working and racing at in Colorado. The two primary keys are plenty of water and a baby aspirin twice a day. But there is one other thing that really makes a difference – a rest day in the middle of our trip to the race.
So, today we slept in – until 7:00am! Then after a wonderful breakfast at The Goat in Carbondale (get the pancakes if you go there!!!) we unloaded a couple of licensed bikes from the vans leaving the Pikes Peak Race bikes tucked in nicely. Geared up, we went searching for fun roads to explore. There is no shortage of them in Colorado! We ended up on a great road that goes over Cottonwood Pass. Partly paved and part dirt, the Ducati Multistrada 1000 and Hypermotard were both quite at home on this ride.
Beautiful scenery, a fun windy road and a bit of rest – a perfect day on the way to Pikes Peak! Tomorrow we head up over Independence Pass at the top of the Rockies, and then down to Colorado Springs to arrive at the Mecca Motel! #ducatipikespeak