Stage 5 -- Wheeler Pass

Going into this stage, I was 4th on GC and needed to take back 35mins from the current 3rd place rider. I felt I had the best legs of the week so far. I caught and attacked the 3rd place rider on some single track leading to a long dirt climb. I got a gap and kept pushing on. He reeled me in on the hike-a-bike up to the summit of 12k Wheeler Pass. He literally walked by me and I couldn't keep pace w/him! I was so gassed, that I was reduced to counting 40 steps, then stopping to breath, and repeating the process for 45 mins or so. The view at the top was spectacular -- on the ridge of the Breck Universe. Awesome descending. I finished and heard the announcer say, "And John Bliss riding in the 50+ solo division for Chipotle Titus has moved into 3rd." What? What happened to the dude? He came in 20 mins later, looking very frustrated and tired. He told me he took a wrong turn somewhere and headed down a long road. So, now, that puts me still 15mins in the hole to get the 3rd place GC position. I'm heading for a massage now to work out the screaming QL muscles frm the long hike a bike effort... All for now.