PAGOSA SPRINGS — Perhaps it was the 30 mph headwind heading into Durango on Wednesday, after the three mountain-pass climbs above 11,000 feet.
Or maybe it was the last final heartbreaking hill to get to Fort Lewis College on Wednesday night — a climb that sparked apologies from Ride the Rockies officials to riders.
(That hill so infuriated one man that he nearly threw his bike in a ditch. When asked for a comment, he said he didn’t want his name in the paper.)
Whatever the reason, the talk of the tents and the aid stations Thursday was this: Ride the Rockies 2010 is the hardest and most grueling in the entire 25-year tradition.
The combination of 80- and 90-mile days, with no “rest” days — not even a 30- or 40-mile day — combined with monstrous ascents and relatively brutal cycling weather (read: wind, rain, sleet, wind) in three of the last five days have just plain tuckered people out.
Some have suggested making T-shirts that brag about survival.
“By far the hardest,” said Bob Morrison, a 42-year-old from Highlands Ranch who is on his sixth Ride. “We knew it would be hard, but I hope it doesn’t deter people from doing it again. Or from cycling, in general.”
Two people have been seriously injured. One man’s front fork broke in half Monday as he was descending into Cedaredge. He was transported to a Grand Junction hospital, where he remains with his family.
Wind gusts knocked another man from his bike Wednesday as he rode down Coal Bank Pass, near Durango. He was airlifted to Swedish Medical Center and remains in critical condition.
Ride the Rockies officials would not release names.
“We’re certainly receiving complaints that this is the hardest ride, but it’s been promoted as the hardest ride,” said Chandler Smith, tour director.
“We had complaints last year that it was too easy. There’s going to be years where it’s easier for families and years where it’s not.”
Sandee Swanson of Westminster, who was taking advantage of the sag wagon Thursday, said a woman hugged her in the tent and didn’t want to let go. Her face was swollen from Wednesday’s wind whip.
“I told her we can do it, let’s just keep going,” Swanson said. “She hugged me again. She didn’t want to let go. I think it’s just a matter of keeping going.”
Today, riders cruise (or grunt) over Wolf Creek Pass from Pagosa Springs to Alamosa.
Allison Sherry: 303-954-1377 or asherry@denverpost.com
