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Caption: California Gravel Gauntlet #2 San Luis Obispo
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Caption: 'ɡravəl/
noun
1. a loose aggregation of small water-worn or pounded stones.
ˈɡôn(t)lət/
noun
1. go through an intimidating or dangerous crowd, place, or experience in order to reach a goal.
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Caption: Grav•el + Gaunt•let.
Cycling event.
80miles in distance.
7,500ft of elevation.
Mostly unpaved roads.
Caption: The start was pleasant enough. A gentile rolling pace from the winery at sunrise. The weather was slowly warming and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Of course, it would be easy to say that would continue to be the case all morning....
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Caption: No one expected the fog. Those cold icy fingers wrapping around the first summit. Cutting through jerseys to freeze your very soul.
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Caption: And just as quickly as the fog had appeared it vanished. Where there was once wind and ice replaced with sun and warmth. A slight breeze to enjoy. We continued to ride up and over, on and on, mile after mile.
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Caption: The dirt roads cut like scars into hillsides. Every vista revealing a new valley to traverse.
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Caption: At the final measure it was 6 hours and 32 minutes on the bike. The finish line was a welcome sight nested in the middle of a winery. Everyone enjoying their moment of triumph together.
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Caption: Did I forget to mention there was food? Food at every turn. Grilled, baked, fried...
"Eat as much as you want. That way we have less to carry home!"
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Caption: Thanks for the awesome event SuperPro! It's something I'll be remembering for years to come.
Thank you for reading and as always, you can find more content on my blog or Instagram.
cyclesofcycling.wordpress.com
Instagram.com/mark.colton
Enjoy.
