Stardate 2016.203

A Change Of Pace
Several days ago, I managed to get in a short-sleeved (green plaid for Mrs. Micawber) hike-a-bike with the Black Pearl at Deer Creek Canyon Park. This park is a couple of miles north of Waterton Canyon. However, often during this time of year, ice and snow still may cover the trail, making passage interesting. How slick was it? Well, my average speed for the "ride" was 3-miles per hour. That tells me I walked more than I rode. When dry, the route is rocky, steep and technical in places. However, any time loss to upward travel can be regained on the return downhill. Following are a few pics of a beautiful spring-like day.




My destination is a tight little drainage where prairie meets mountain – Plymouth Creek.




The initial ice encountered had enough embedded detritus to allow riding. I wasn't so lucky on most of the ice.






How about some nice, dry, singletrack?




The mile-high city is about 28 miles away. That's not dust or water vapor in the sky. Yuck!




I love afternoon sunlight wafting through Lodgepole pine boles.




My parting shot for the Deer Creek Canyon area.



Thanks for reading!

Adios

Stardate 2014.962

Autumn Bliss Continues

It's December 11th, and I'm still riding in shorts. Temperatures are supposed to reach the mid-sixties today. In honor of the sun's warmth, I'm going to take the Black Pearl out for a jaunt at Deer Creek Canyon Park.




After some zigging and zagging through sun-lit oak brush, the canyon is entered, where much of its lower reaches catch zero sun. The canyon walls of Plymouth Creek are too steep for the sun to share any rays down low. In the shade, the temps are a bit icy. At the moment, I'm doing more ice portaging than pedaling. I think I'm inventing a new sport known as – push-a-bike. Oh wait, cyclo-cross already exists. Just kidding fans of mud riding; I like cyclo-cross.




I have not ridden these trails for a while. I have forgotten how technical some segments of Plymouth Creek are. I'm always whining about how I've lost some of my technical skills. I blame it on too much time on the road bike and age. I think if I incorporate this area into my ride schedule, a lot of my tech skills will re-emerge. In other words, I won't have an excuse to whine when an itty bitty rock jumps out in front of me.




After the short, steep and rough climb, I turn south on the Plymouth Mountain Trail for several miles of delightful single-track riding. Soon, I was rewarded with the above view. Sheeesh, I hate cities. Look at that crap; you could cut it with a butter knife. It's things like this that make me appreciate growing up on the west side of Colorado.




But then, the enchanting single-track makes things all better.




In time, the trail ends on an old logging road. After descending Plymouth Creek Trail a short distance, I immediately ascend toward the Red Mesa Loop. Red Mesa Loop has quaint little meadows scattered about, some still holding snow.




The snow is just a harbinger of things to come.




Shadows overtake me, and I feel the onset of evening on my legs. Oh, did I mention that I'm in shorts again?




Back down in sunless Plymouth Creek, I begin working my way down the technical segments, the ice adding to the technical level, even when walking.




Some of the Plymouth Creek Trail looks similar to the above. However, once on top, the single-track is pretty nice to ride.

Adios