General Cycling Discussion - Some pics from Colorado

I've said it before, trying to take pics while riding is a pain. Who wants to stop? The second to last day of riding we were going to go back up just to take a few pics, but my buddy's rear derailleur cable broke on the way down. Took a while to get down and then had to get a cable and install it. These are mostly scenery pics from the lift. But what a view! :)

Winter Park, and Frazier way back on the left.
http://dirtgrinder.home.mchsi.com/WPFrazier.jpg

Shawn and myself at the top of the lift in Winter Park.
http://dirtgrinder.home.mchsi.com/atthetop.jpg

The only way to climb! :)
http://dirtgrinder.home.mchsi.com/bike-lift.jpg

Pic from outside hotel in Winter Park.
http://dirtgrinder.home.mchsi.com/town.jpg

Trailhead at Walker Ranch outside Boulder.
http://dirtgrinder.home.mchsi.com/WalkerRanch.jpg

Dirtgrinder, those are awesome pictures.

WOW MAN!!!!!!!
:beer: :beer: :beer:

Been there, done that. In fact 3 times. It's one of my favorite lift places to ride. While you are riding the lift, if you look straight east there is a big bald mountain with a goat path going all the way to the top. It is way WAY above the timber line. Anyway, we saw that the first time we went there. We started at the campground down in the valley one morning. Made it to the old pass on top before I bonked. 9 hours in the saddle for that one. The next year we cheated and parked a little higher up the mountain. I made it to the pass again, my friend made it quite a bit higher but not anywhere near the top. It still hasn't been conquered, but I still will try next time I go. Being a low-lander for some reason my lungs start locking up at around 12,000 feet.

Excellent pictures, they bring back some good memories...

Excellent pics! Makes you want to get out there and ride :D
I've never been to CO, but judging from your pics and from what I've heard from others that have been, the terrain and riding is very similar to what I ride here in Alberta. Hmmmm.....I think I hear some singletrack calling my name! :beer:

NICE :)

Originally posted by MikeOK
Been there, done that. In fact 3 times. It's one of my favorite lift places to ride. While you are riding the lift, if you look straight east there is a big bald mountain with a goat path going all the way to the top. It is way WAY above the timber line. Anyway, we saw that the first time we went there. We started at the campground down in the valley one morning. Made it to the old pass on top before I bonked. 9 hours in the saddle for that one. The next year we cheated and parked a little higher up the mountain. I made it to the pass again, my friend made it quite a bit higher but not anywhere near the top. It still hasn't been conquered, but I still will try next time I go. Being a low-lander for some reason my lungs start locking up at around 12,000 feet.

Excellent pictures, they bring back some good memories...
Is this the Mt. you're talking about? I know what you mean about 12,000 ft. Most of the riding we did was at 7000 to 9500. No problems whatsoever. But at about 11,500, my legs wanted to go go go, but I just couldn't seem to get enough air. No matter how deep you breath it's just not there. Weird feeling.
http://dirtgrinder.home.mchsi.com/Baldmt.jpg

Great pics. Tell me one thing. What camera did you use? Digital?

Originally posted by Bokkie
Great pics. Tell me one thing. What camera did you use? Digital?
Yes, digital. Olympus 2020Z. It's a few years old. They don't make that model anymore. I've always had good luck with Olympus digitals.

DUDE! That is it!! I have dreams (nightmares?) about that big rock. If you remember there is a paved trail from Winter Park ski resort, and there is a campground just about a mile or so downhill (north) of the resort. We camped there, and the first time we tried that mountain our camp was the starting point. I'm not going to make it up there this year, but your pictures sure do make me want to go.

heheh now I am pumped. The first time we went there we drove my 4X4 as far up this mountain as we could, and we were actually above a thunderstorm. Strange for a flatlander like me watching the lightning strike below me. There is also a huge dropoff next to the road, and we took our our drivers and spanked a few golf balls out over the precipice. It was cool to watch them fly. Of course, being the responsible adults that we are, we promptly hiked around and picked up our golf balls just in case some endangered cross-eyed eagle hawk hoot-owl might mistake them for eggs and waste away waiting for them to hatch. (just in case the eco-nazi's are reading this)

By the way, there used to be a couple trails on the resort that I remember, one was the "goat path" and the other was something like "top of the world" or something like that. I left a few scabs on the goat path... lots of big drops and rocks.

Dirtgrinder, with all these pics, you are making my heart yearn...

:cry:

I HATE YOU!

:cry:

Originally posted by Pete Clark
Dirtgrinder, with all these pics, you are making my heart yearn...

:cry:

I HATE YOU!

:cry:
Awww Pete! You're breakin' my heart! ;)
Next time you're invited to come along. :)

Great pics, Dirtgrinder, Thanks!

Johnny Bravo,

If you do nothing else with your life other than stay right there in those mountains and take pictures, I'd say you lived your life well.

DirtGrinder, I didn't know you put a new fork on your NRS!!! How do you like the Marzocchi?

Dirt Grinder...AWESOME pictures. I live in Colo. and have never been up the hills to ride (I'm a rodie) but it is just as beautiful during the winter while skiing !!!

Originally posted by fubar5
DirtGrinder, I didn't know you put a new fork on your NRS!!! How do you like the Marzocchi?
Yep, I blew the seals apart on the Judy's awhile back. The Zokes are noticably better. They felt a little squirrely at first to me but I think it was because they were actually working. The stock springs that came on them were a little weak in my opinion, but I also ordered the air-caps and quickly installed them. Really made a difference. They are so much more active than the Judy XC's were. Really cushy on the landings too.

Originally posted by mascardr
Dirt Grinder...AWESOME pictures. I live in Colo. and have never been up the hills to ride (I'm a rodie) but it is just as beautiful during the winter while skiing !!!

I hope I didn't read your message correct. I think you mean never ridden on mtn bike trails (correct) rather than never ridden on hills???

Surely you have done the Breck-Keystone-Frisco-Copper Mtn- Vail Pass-Vail ride on your road bike. And all through Winter Park, etc. Them thar is certainly "hills."

Dnvr Fox...you did read my post correct. I ride around Ft. Collins. Horsetooth, Estes Park, Up the canyon. I have never ridden, the mountains. And I have never ridden the mtn bike trails. My goal for next year is to ride the Courage Classic. I choose that ride because my daughter is spending alot of time at Children's Hospital and this ride benefits that. I have 3 children and don't get the leisure to take off multiple days for bike rides. That is why I stay around Ft. Collins. There are alot of challenging climbs for me there. For shame...living in Colo and not taking advantage of the mountains.

Mascardr, it's good to have you posting, again!

:thumbup:

By the way, maybe you could meet my parents in Estes Park sometime!

Thanks LittleBigMan for the welcome back. I have had some personal tragedies this year and haven't been able to ride much or post much. But things are calming down and I have gotten back on the bike and forum.
Do your parents live in Estes Park? And do they ride ? Estes Park is a beautiful little town.

Originally posted by mascardr
Thanks LittleBigMan for the welcome back. I have had some personal tragedies this year and haven't been able to ride much or post much. But things are calming down and I have gotten back on the bike and forum.
Do your parents live in Estes Park? And do they ride ? Estes Park is a beautiful little town.
I was Pete Clark when you were posting. My folks live in Estes but do not ride. They are wonderful people, my dad is cute (turns 80 this november, but not old at heart.) Sorry you've had some tragedies! What? :eek: :( We're rooting for you!

:)

PETE !!!!! Hi. How come the name change ?
I had major back surgery in Feb ( rods and screws) my wonderful mother passed away in March and my middle daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia in June. Way to much in 6 months !!! But I took my longest ride so far this summer yesterday evening (30 miles) and it was wonderful. Hopefully I can put in some more rides before it gets to cold. You ever make it out to Colo to visit your parents? It is good to hear that your dad is young at heart.
Let me know if you ever come out. And thanks for the encouragement.

Wow..... things have changed.... I love it there... I love Winter Park......... I will be snowboarding there tomorrow.....HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE