Tuesday ride/adventure

Call me crazy and tired of this winter weather. In complete denial of reality, let us plan to head to the peak to peak area and cross our fingers for packed snow. Somewhere. Bunce? Sourdough? I don't know what all well find, but adventure will be guaranteed.

Tuesday and we're still riding

Yep, we're still riding. Probably a Lyons Ghetto route. How about we call out a predetermined course that we're all familiar with and have a race. Time trials? Something different?

Monday monday

What's a guy do when it's 25 degrees, the ground is covered in 4-6" of snow and the sun is shining. Go for a bike ride, of course. I only had an hour or a little more, so I figured I'd see how far I could get to the south. I donned all of my cold and snowy weather riding gear and ventured out. It turned out to be not that cold, really. The sun was fantastic and the sky was brilliantly blue. I pedaled thru Bohn Park and out towards Heil Ranch. Ugh. That snow was softer and deeper than it looked, even in the park. I rode south thru the park before the Town crew could plow the trail (I passed the plow). The going was soft and slow. It was worth it, though. Once I got to Picture Rock, I was carving fresh tracks and things were good.

Winter conditions meant good stuff today.

Before long, I had forgotten my burdens of the day as I basked in the beauty of the snow and my surroundings. I think I've mentioned before how much I love this trail?


As the sun shone on, I couldn't get over one of the coolest natural phenomena that I'd seen in a long, long time. The perfect combination of the temp, the snow, and the sun meant that every single flake of snow and crystal of water and ice reflected the suns rays in a shimmery, gold sparkly surface that was freaking magic to ride thru. Talk about trippy, it was great. I even turned the flash on with this picture to try to capture it, but it's something that can't be captured on film. Steals it's soul or something like that.

The recent renovations on the Snyper proved to be pretty good so far as well. Stylo OCT crank, new chain, and new XT brakes made it feel almost like a brand new ride.




It was cold, snowy, and not exactly optimal but it was still a great day to get out. Guess I put the "year round" in year round riding today. Spring is coming soon. Really.

A little AM Hall Ranch

Even if it doesn't snow today, it's going to be a bit until the rock garden dries out.  Frozen on the way up and a little on the wet side coming down.  I got my fix, though.  Anyone else going a little stir crazy?

Fat Tuesday night ride

Where are we riding tonight?

The search for dry CO singletrack...Peach Valley OHV

Tuff winter for all types of riding. Are you desperate enough to drive to Olathe, CO a tad south of Grand Junction? I was. Cutting edge research on mtbr revealed Peach Valley may be one of the only dry spots available in the state. The forecast showed a 20% chance of snow showers for Saturday afternoon. It was a gamble but my eyes were fixed upon the singletrack dots on the Gunnison Gorge National Conversation Area BLM map. http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/co/field_offices/gunnison_gorge_national/brochures.Par.20998.File.dat/Peach%20Valley%20OHV%20Final.pdf
Definitely a moto area
These motos are in the open area...they can ride where ever they please. I imagine the majority of motos spend their time playing in these areas looks like fun.

Meaning less traffic on the singletrack that ran from the canyons up to the ridges thru junipers
This canyon wall had some greens and purples that I couldn't capture on camera

The 2.4 ardent continues to impress me, real happy with this tire...farewell stouts

The upper portion of spike trail still had some wet spots and patches of snow. The scandal has ample clearance

Took a break at the top of black ridge to take in the views peering into the gunnison gorge.

Very center of this picture you might be able to make out the gunnison river

Buff singletrack- not too motoed out

Mystery ditch

Great thing about the western slope is you get more daylight in the evening. Didn't get dark until 6:20 and that afternoon snow shower never came. Great day rode for 4 hours in shorts.

Cooked dinner and crashed... car campin style on BLM land doesn't get easier. Had big riding plans until I woke up to this.

Got down to 15 degrees and laid 1/2-1" of dry powder. Funny didn't snow in Grand Junction and didn't snow towards Montrose- the snow just hit where I was at. The gods must be laughing. No more big ride. Dog didn't mind.

Took the long way home...stopped at some places I've never been before like Paonia and this other town that has a familiar name.

Peach Valley OHV definitely seems like a viable alternative to Grand Junction and Fruita especially if you want to escape the masses.

fun stuff

Ever wonder how you'd get a Fox air can off of a rear shock if it was dented on the wrong side of the piston? 5 minutes with a Dremel tool and we are good to go!


And I got some new tunes - fell prey to the $5 bin at the store. Sounds great played loud on the shop stereo :)

wheel goodies

Got some Stan's ZTR Crest rims in for Doug. Pretty nice, too. 24.4mm wide and a lower profile sidewall. Can't wait to see these babies built up.


And speaking of built up, I just finished a build on one of my favorite combos - Chris King, DT Swiss 4.2 and DT Supercomp spokes. Add blue nipples for just the right touch.

Summer riding at Eldora?

I just got this info from the BMA newsletter. Check it out!

Eldora Ski Area Master Planning Meeting

TONIGHT

Wednesday Feb 10th 4pm - 8pm
Boulder Library - Canyon Theater
1001 Arapahoe Ave

or

Tues Feb 16th 1pm - 6pm
Eldora Mountain Resort Main Lodge
2861 Eldora Road

Yesterday in the Daily Camera Eldora Mountain Resort ran a ad inviting the public to attend one of three open houses as they seek input on suggestions for facilities and upgrades at the resort. They are also updating their "Master Plan".

Summer programming at Eldora.... if that is something you would like to see develop at this ski area, NOW is the time to communicate that desire.

Unfortunately, summer programming does not seem to be on Eldora's radar at this time. Comments can be submitted online by clicking here, and there is opportunity to ask the ski resort for a summer program that includes cycling. If this is something you would like to see develop at this local ski area, NOW is the time to do it. Expressing that desire in person is likely more effective than submitting comments, but in either case, we suggest that you ask that you be kept up to date with this process and challenge Eldora to consider implementing summer program.

They will never know what we want until we tell them....

the cold is on

Well, there's lots of snow on the ground, it's cold, and all the trails at Boulder Valley Ranch are closed. Anyone up for ripping around Lyons tonight?

winter blues

Snow days aren't all that bad. Good for a lap or 3 around the pump track.

Good for a ride in winter conditions.

Great things really do happen.

A blue bike for a blue day. Perfect.

overhaulin

Sometimes, the best thing to do it take it all apart and start from scratch.

Ask and ye shall receive

Remember the cone zone at the bottom of Hall Ranch and how the trail had widened to an unacceptable and disgusting width? Boulder County OS staff has reworked the trail. They have fixed most of the damage and have given more visual cues of the trails character. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that recent changes at Hall Ranch are a direct result feedback from the mountainbike community.

I was out today. Here are a couple few before and after pics:

Boulder County Open Space doesn't exactly move at light speed on most projects, but I found this to be refreshing. From what I've seen, they ARE listening, it just takes a while usually to get things happening.