We went to the Bandimere Speedway for the "Mile High Nationals" yesterday for a change from nature, one extreme to the other! We got there about an hour before the first 1/4 mile run and took a look around the pits. Big money trucks with workshops in the trailers, where does all the money come from? Easily filled in the hour looking around, it was like a Vegas for speed freaks. Once the starting ceremony rubbish was done, which I did with my hand over my heart to avoid offending some tattooed patriots standing nearby, the show started. Now it probably sounds a bit boring to watch a couple of cars drag down a stright bit of road and it would be if the cars were normal but the "top fuel" cars are more than you might expect. I was too scared to take my fingers out of my ears for the 4 seconds they were on full throttle, it was near permanent ear damage with my ears blocked, a bit like when you're drunk and dancing in front of the speaker with the sound going right through you but times about 5. The first run actually bought a tear to my eyes, I'm pretty sure it was just the methanol fumes but bloody impressive nevertheless. Put this on your list of things to see before you die, even your not into motorsport it's pretty cool. For the record these 8000 horsepower cars were doing 310 miles per hour (over 500 km/hr) in just under 4 seconds, it shouldn't be possible but it is... I think Emma enjoy being scared every time they went down the strip, except maybe the first run which was a shock for her I think.
Today was back to normal, a
fter camping the night at 10,700 ft we got up early for a change and got on the bikes before 8am and headed up Mount Evans Road, a road ride for some variety, which headed up to the top of the hill at 14,200 ft. (highest paved road in North America). Quite an easy gradient if it wasn't for the lack of oxygen, I think we have half acclimatised to the altitude but it would take a while to get used to it properly, the lungs burned a little bit. Got a bit of chest pain towards the top when I stepped the pace up a bit and foolishly did the maths on how old Dad was when he had his heart attack, why do I do that, dumb idea so focussed on spotting some of the abundant wildlife for a bit (marmots and mountain goats) while the lungs settled down, no problem! It's probably the highest we will ever ride our bikes so it was a good achievement for us both.Went to the airport in Denver this afternoon to sign the paperwork for our extended rental period on the car, a pain but done now so we're heading for Yellowstone soon. Might climb one of the 14,000 ft peaks on the way there. Just in Rocky National Park at the moment. Rumour is the late snow is nearly gone and it is possible to do it without any special climbing gear so will find out more about that tomorrow. All for now, Brent and Emma
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