My legs are...

...sore, and I slept for 12 hours last night. But all is good. The official unofficial first race of Colorado Cycling Season was yesterday - the Elephant Rock. I've never ridden this race, and I heard that it was windy and technical (lots of climbs)...and well, yes. But I learned a few lessons:
1. Don't get too excited out of the starting gate. My adrenaline was pumping, and so were my legs. Pace, pace, pace.
2. If you see a group of 8 high school cyclists passing you, fall in behind them. They are young, they are skinny, they are in shape, AND they block wind.
3. Unless you're in it to win it, stop at the aid stations. Get some water, get some Gatorade (Or "OPTIMA" energy drink). And do you see those Cliff bars (or "LARA" bars)? They are FREE! Eat them.
4. If you have cool cycling jerseys, you are better off. If you can convince various medical companies to sponsor your team, then you are even better off. Again, free.
5. This is not a Wednesday Cruise, this is the equivalent of running a marathon. Except you dont fly downhill at 40mph with a crosswind that wants to pull your tires out from underneath you in a marathon. Running is boring.

Finished the race in good time. Had some barbecue at the end of the ride (ahem, free), and closed the day off with the first Jazz in the Park at City Park for this summer. Good times. I'm going to go take a nap.