Stardate 2017.277

Lay It On The Line
Hi, people! Lay it on the line doesn't really have anything to do with the ride. I just had the old Triumph song from 1979 on my mind. You can listen to it here. On to business at hand. Ever so slowly we are getting our cycling legs in tune. This past weekend we did a half road and half mountain bike ride for about 40 miles. That's not far, but not too short either. The mountain bike was used for both legs of the trip. Moreover, I have spring fever something terrible. We've been able to get out quite a bit, and I pulled some older helmet cam videos for fun.


Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park (road bike)



Kokopelli Trail, Western Colorado (mountain bike)

Our ride was good, although my toosh was sore from the previous day's ride. We saw a lot of bighorn sheep (as usual) while in Waterton Canyon, with some good-size rams. On a side note, we're also playing with food. I can hardly get down and stomach an energy bar these days. Instead of high-dollar energy foods, we're drying our own fruit, thanks to Snowcatcher. The day's snack was apple and peach slices covered in cinnamon. The cinnamon dries into the fruit. MMMmmmmm...



I turned around at upper Lenny's Bench. It was down to the flats now. I don't write much here as I'm always writing about Waterton Canyon and surrounds. I'll talk about several things along the trail. The Chatfield area had a surprise or two.




This little character had some nice markings.




The last of the snow was going, going, soon to be gone!




This is a bull snake; rattlesnakes are on their menu. This particular specimen would stretch out to 4 or 5 feet.




That's it for now. Thanks for reading and viewing!

Adios

Stardate 2016.962

a portion of the official Disney-licensed Christmas gift Snowcatcher picked for our grandbaby


Mountain Bike Magic
Anytime you can ride your mountain bike this far into December is magical. I was in shorts yesterday (15 December 2016). Tomorrow we're forecast for snow and a high of around 8 degrees Fahrenheit. Go figure! Nonetheless, the following pics may be the last for 2016. Happy New Year's early from the surrounds of Chatfield State Park. Let's start with one one of my favorite haunts – Waterton Canyon.




There's still remnant ice from last week's single digit deep-freeze, followed by a magical 50-degree warm-up.




The South Platte River sports magical shoreline ice in shady areas.




I had the trail, and magic, to myself.




You must watch-out for magical organic speed bumps.




The silence, can you hear it? It's magical!




Thanks for another year of magic!

Adios

Stardate 2015.192

The Countdown Begins

On March 6th, Snowcatcher and I were informed we had survived the Ride the Rockies entrance lottery. How about that? Kuule Beanz, eh! This will be Snowcatcher's 6th and my 5th time to ride this event. It also is the event's 30th anniversary. It's a good route and should be a hoot. Besides, it gives me blog fodder down the road.



Thus, our first official training ride was Saturday, March 7th. We had planned to climb Deer Creek Canyon. However, traffic was a mess, and a bit rude. I had a "hinky" not to continue up the canyon. When I mentioned this to Snowcatcher, she had the same feeling. Instead, we climbed a stiff access road to a nearby subdivision and Deer Creek Canyon Mountain Park. We ended up with a nice little 26-mile ride.



This segment of road is not long; but, the road is twisty and very steep. Snowcatcher may be seen grinding up the incline.



Yeah, that's her stylin'! She made it look easy.



We took a breather at Deer Creek Canyon Mountain Park.



There are nice rock formations scattered about. We're actually in the vicinity of a huge hogback that runs parallel to a large part of the state's Front Range. The geologic strata tips up steep and proud; it's quite picturesque in places.



A nice little descent complimented our neighborhood sneak.



Being a Lizard, hailing from the land of sandstone (literally), I appreciate as much sandstone as I can find. Seriously. There are some fairly colorful seams exposed here and there.

That's it for today. Lots more to come; stay tuned.

Adios

Stardate 2015.077

What Happened To Winter?

The last several weeks have been very, very, mild. Sub-zero temps in November have slowly given way to upper 50s and 60s. I don't particularly like this because I'm convinced we'll pay for it this spring. Nonetheless, Snowcatcher and I have been trying to take advantage of the situation the best we can. Following are some photos from the fourth week of January. I spent several rides playing in Deer Creek Canyon, and in SHORTS mind you.


Above is the portal to Deer Creek Canyon. Easy riding ends here. Beyond lies several climb options. Day one will be a 2,925-foot climb to the Pleasant Valley Grange.



The canyon bottom was still in winter mode.



The climb went fairly well. I didn't have any cramps, an empirical indicator of my current conditioning. The grange sits at an elevation of 8,450 feet. Pleasant Park Grange (old school house) is the usual rest stop following the climb up out of Deer Creek Canyon.



There are lots of nice homes buried away up here.



The above shot is the approximate middle of High Grade Road. Lots of loose sand to watch for. At this point, slope is about 6 or 7 percent. Right behind me it ramps up to 12 to 15 percent for a way. You're not going fast to begin with, yet it's still like hitting a wall.



Deer Creek Canyon opens up to the Great Plains.



The second day, Wednesday, was National Wind Day. Can you say horrific wind? I can - horrific wind! Aeolus was working overtime trying to knock me off the bike. Between the sand and ice, the odds were in favor of Aeolus.



Time to make a decision. Take a left and you have about 3 miles of sustained 10 percent grade climbing. Head behind me and you have about 7.5 miles of variable climbing, including short segments of 12 and 15 percent grade. At this intersection, you've already been climbing for 6 miles. By the way, the lower sign used to say High Grade Road. They're always trying to confuse me.



Back into the ice box. In one day, the road had actually dried a lot from the previous day.



My favorite curves enjoying the sun. A whole handful of sharp curves precede these. Yet, at 35 mph, they just have the right feel to them.



Despite gobs and gobs of loose sand and wet asphalt, the descent eventually entered perpetual sun. Another ride come and gone.

Adios

Stardate 2014.997

Getting Chatty With Chatfield

Another warmish December day and time to take the fast bikes out for a spin around Chatfield State Park.



Minimal traffic and scenic riding abound.



Guess who?



Groves of cottonwood, ever so patiently, awaiting warmer temperatures.



Numerous pedestrian/bike bridges allow easy access across the South Platte River.



Canada geese are fattening up for the cold temps yet to come.



The mouth to one of my favorite areas, Waterton Canyon, beckons a mountain bike ride.

Adios

Stardate 2014.986

Afternoon Roadie Trip

How do you get rid of the BAW HUMBUG associated with the sensationalized commercialism of this time of year? Go for a RIDE with your favorite person!



Especially if they're in training, because they want to hurt a little; taking it out on the overindulgence of the season.



Yes indeed, it's the shorter, steeper walls that often get your attention.



Snowcatcher's perseverance tells the tale.



The above pic is our new secret hide-a-way. In addition to goat heads, a small herd of elk reside here. While I fixed a flat, they played hide and seek with Snowcatcher. However, she never got a photo op.

Adios