A no-drop ride through Glennwood Canyon

We get up and eat breakfast at the hotel in Aspen with the Liquigas cycling team (meaning, they were across the restaurant at their own tables, but we could still see them). They all looked like they were just relaxing and enjoying some peace (unlike any they probably ever find anywhere else) so none of us wanted to disturb them. Sada does run into Basso in the lobby, and I get a lovely 'Giorno!' from an unidentified, though non-the-less impressive, cyclist that I say 'Good Morning' to as we passed each other on the sidewalk. They were everywhere, and every single one of them looked exactly as you'd expect them to: lean and with the most incredible lower bodies you've ever seen. Reluctantly, we hop in the van and head out of Aspen towards Glennwood Canyon. On the way, we pass the Aspen airport, simply littered with a couple hundred shiny private jets.

At Glennwood Canyon we hop out and do a little quick maintenance on the bikes, before heading along the river on our way to Steamboat Springs. The scenery by the headwaters of the Colorado river was amazing. Along the way Sada and Humphries give me countless tips, including how to navigate downhills at 40mph an inch from someone's back wheel (and continue to hang on through the flats and uphills), and how to relax on an uphill.

Lizard Head gives our bikes a little mid-tour TLC (no, it doesn't prevent my chain tattoos - shuttup).

One of way too many gorgeous views on the canyon ride.

And another ...

And another. Lunch magically appeared just around this curve to the right.

Todd is unusually quiet on the bike all day today, and eventually confesses that every time he sat down he felt like there were 20 needles being stabbed into his sit bones - our first real injury of the trip. We make it to the lunch spot - another incredible location, next to the Colorado River within the canyon walls - and hang out for a bit before heading on to Steamboat Springs. 

Todd, not sitting on his bike.

Erik picks another spectacular lunch spot.

When we get to the hotel at Steamboat, Todd dematerializes into the hotel to see about a late-day massage for his aching buttocks. God smiled upon him and got him in for a massage in 20 minutes. Since there were openings, John, Sada and I also get massages before dinner. Sue and Monica at the Rocky Mountain Day Spa did wonders for all of us - and I got even more valuable insider scoop on Colorado and the folks that live there. Stop by the Sheraton and check them out if you're ever in Steamboat Springs.

We also get to know the concierge, who, while storing our bikes, let's the cat out of the bag that ALL 17 Pro Cycling teams will be staying in the hotel with us the following night.

We have dinner and enjoy rousing conversation about all the various methods Todd, who is still eerily quiet, could try to quickly heal his undercarriage (none of which are fit for print). We also go over tomorrow's stage: A loop around Steamboat for the RWTR, just tooling around town, or staying completely off the bike for those still experiencing unfriendliness in their gluteal region. We watch the day's coverage in the lobby, which was exciting, but not nearly as riveting without the Lizard.