The Lee Family: Pike's Peak

On Saturday we had to wake up early (730am) to get to downtown Colorado Springs and meet for our adventure riding mountain bikes from the top of Pike's Peak. So, this was entirely my idea after seeing a Facebook friend post pictures of her and husband doing it just a few weeks prior to our visit. CK was game to go, although wasn't thrilled about missing out on a morning of sleeping in. When I called to make our reservation, they suggested we bring layers but that they would have extra clothes and things in case we were cold at the top. I brought 3/4 length work out pants, a long sleeve shirt and a jacket and a thin set of cotton gloves as well as an ear covering. CK brought a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt and shorts.

We met at the bike shop and were offered bagels, coffee and juice, but we'd had breakfast at the Broadmoor so we waited and tried to avoid the annoying man and his sister who seemed to be totally focused on chatting with CK. We loaded up into three vans and headed to Manitou Springs where the cog train would take us to the top. Manitou Springs is an adorable little town and looked like a fun place to explore. We loaded onto the cog train and headed slowly up the mountain. The views as we went up the hill were really incredible. There was a stream running along the railroad that was gorgeous. We passed along an old mining area and I couldn't imagine what it took to create the structures or live up in that area. I also couldn't imagine how hard it was to build the cog train. We made our way slowly up and watched as the views turned from forest to permafrost. Along the way, we saw bighorn sheep off in the distance and yellow-bellied marmots that looked a lot like cute squirrels. We also learned that we owe the inspiration for the lyrics of the beloved song "America the Beautiful" to the stunning vistas from the summit of Pikes Peak. Very near the top, we came across a building and were told that it was a telegraph station built in 1873 by the U.S. Signal Service (an early Weather Bureau). I couldn't imagine living up this high so long ago and how difficult it would be to get supplies, food and water to to the station.

Just a few minutes later we reached the top and got off the cog train. We stepped out into a very windy and cold day at the top! We were freezing within seconds and got inside to the visitor center where we had donuts and coffee, which is apparently what the top is known for. We weren't entirely sure where and when we were supposed to meet our group of bike riders but I ran into one of the ladies in the bathroom and she told me that we should go outside in 10-15 mintues and would see the vans with bikes.

Finally we headed out and saw what we thought was our group to the left. It was so cold outside and we were so unprepared that the leader had us sit inside the van to stay warm. He showed us the duffle bag filled with the "extra clothes" which was obviously just a bunch of clothes people had left behind in previous visits and there was just about nothing that would fit CK whose legs were going to freeze off! He finally was able to find some pants that fit, although could have been longer. Before long, it was time to go and we loaded onto our bikes. I'd noticed just after we arrived at the top that I really didn't feel great. I felt a mixture of dizzy, headachy and sluggish. I figured it was the altitude, as they described to us on our cog train ride up and thought it would get better in a few minutes.

We started down the hill in a group of 15 or so riders with one of the guides at the front and a van following up at the back to warn car drivers who might be driving behind us. We stopped every mile or so to be sure that everyone felt ok and the bikes were working alright. CK's hands were freezing and the guide gave him his gloves, which was incredibly nice. It remained very windy and freezing cold and I kept telling myself I'd feel better as we went down. After the third time we stopped I actually felt like I was going to either pass out or throw up, so I told the guide I was going to get in the van until we made it down further were it would be warmer. CK decided to join me and keep me company and gave the guide's gloves back, which I know he really enjoyed having. There were actually one or two bike riders who were heading up to the top of Pike's Peak! They must be absolutely crazy!

We stayed in the van with about half of the other riders joining us as we continued. We stopped at the halfway mark to go to the bathroom and rest for a few minutes. CK and I decided to get on our bikes there and it was noticeably warmer and not windy where we were, so seemed perfect. We rode down and it was beautiful and so fun! Our next stop was at a lake where we got off again for another rest and to stretch our legs. At this point, the road had leveled out and after we started riding again we had a hill which wasn't very long but very steep. I actually ended up walking up halfway up because it felt like I couldn't get my breath! I couldn't believe it!

We continued on and rode through he gates that cars drive through to start their journey up to the top. Soon we'd made it to the bottom and stopped right across from a little wine shop/restaurant. We gave our bikes over to our guide who loaded back on top of the van. Meanwhile, another guide came around asking what we wanted to lunch: a Greek Salad, a salmon sandwich or a grilled vegetable sandwich. It all sounded delicious! However, I told the guide that we'd already told the woman at the bike shop that we were going to have a burger and a grilled chicken sandwich and wasn't sure why we weren't told to decide over these options. Finally, CK whispered to me that the annoying man and his sister weren't among the riders and no one else really looked familiar....just as the guide realized that we were with the wrong tour group! We walked outside at the top of Pike's Peak and just walked to the first group of bikes assuming it was our tour group, never even thinking that there would be more than one bike tour group on Pike's Peak! The guides were so understanding and nice about our mix-up and walked us the block to the restaurant where our group was just arriving to eat lunch. Apparently, they had all waited at the top for us for 30 minutes and had paged us and finally left after we never responded....and they were not pleased with our mix-up. It was a rather awkward lunch and drive back to the bike shop.

CK and I laughed and joked about it after we made it inside our car and headed back to the Broadmoor. We were completely spent from the experience and a shower had never felt so good! It was interesting although I think the cog train up and back down would have done it for me.

The views on the way up