Fifty Plus (50+) - BFN 50+ First Annual Ride - Monday, August 31

UPDATE JULY 6, 2009

Well, I need some folks to step up to the plate who have sort of - umm - disappeared. And the following is suggested.

LET'S MAKE THE CARAVAN INN OUR MEETING POINT.

(Nora and I are going to Glenwood in 2 weeks, and we will tie down more specifically locations, etc.)

1. The Ride is August 31, starting early (I would like to be "on the trail" by 7:30 am,


as it can get HOT), from Glenwood Springs to Aspen and back. However, folks can go as far as they want for as long as they want. The prettiest section is Carbondale to Basalt, and one can drive there and start from there if they don't want to go the entire ride.
Other planned events included a dinner or two. There was someone on the listserv who was arranging that, and had suggested a place, and given them call. However, I don't remember exactly. Are you there? Or do we need to start from scratch?

Anyway, let's plan on a dinner Sunday night - 08/30; 6:00 pm and

Monday night 08/31, 6:00 pm. We can easily find a place, if the person who volunteered doesn't respond.

I would suggest that folks who are interested and haven't done the trail bordering the Colorado River leave from Glenwood early Sunday morning the 30th and take the round trip. The engineering is spectacular, and so far, we have had a very wet June, so, hopefully, the Colorado River will be running high. Many rapids to see, there are folks running the river in their rafts, etc. The highway and trail are likely the best example of highway construction in the US of A. Very much imbedded into the spectacular environment of the canyon. This would be a 33 mile ride or so, and would be a great warmup for Monday's ride. I would suggest leaving again, about 7:30 am. The very first part of the trail is not so pretty, and at times I drive to the first rest stop and start from there.

2. Maps of ride

http://www.ourwebs.info/riograndetrailmap.jpg

The Glenwood Canyon Recreational Trail simply follows I-70 through the canyon.

http://www.canyonbikes.com/img/scenic_16.jpg

http://www.mesalek.com/colo/glenwood/map.gif

3. Liability - yes, and Delphinus and qcpmsame were working on it. I sent them a PM last week, but no response. Are you there? About $10.00

The ride will be in Glenwood Springs, CO from

Saturday, August 29th through Wednesday, September 2nd, with the OFFICAL ride on Monday, August 31, 2009.

( For ride and Glenwood Springs info, please see the ride thread at
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=486301 )

Folks can come anytime during this time period (or longer). This allows for anyone who could only come for the weekend to still meet with a lot of BFN 50+ folks, and would allow for bicycling the official ride on other than a weekend. We could even have a dinner on Sunday, the 30th AND something after the ride on Monday the 31st.

I think with that schedule, we meet EVERYONE'S needs, in one way or another.

Here is how it all added up (USE ^F5 to be sure you are seeing the latest update) - revised table 03/15/2009:

http://www.ourwebs.info/bf50annride1.jpg

D-Fox - Please add my wife and me. It's a probable (my youngest is starting his senior year in HS then, and we start school in mid - August, which could be a problem. By the way, my 53d birthday will be 9/1/09, so we need a 53-miler that day.

Sounds great, DF. I've marked my calendar.

Even with extra days before and after, I'll be able to make the Ididaride (Adirondack Mountains, NY) or Lancaster Covered Bridge Metric (PA) both the same day on Aug 16, and the Highlander Tour (Finger Lakes, NY) on Sept 11 & 12.

Now, I wonder what my Club Hypoxia buddies are doing before and after...

Thank you, DnvrFox, for taking the lead on getting this planned. Now that there is a date set, we can start making plans and working out the logistics of making this happen. I think this will be a lot of fun.

Now to figure out the best way to travel. Transporting bikes halfway across the country is not something I've ever given much thought.

Please change my total number to "2".

outfreakinstandin. thanks.

I have had this thread made into a sticky, as I anticipate that over almost a year, it will not receive many additional posts, and may get lost at the bottom of the pile.

I would like newbies to be able to see it and participate if they like.

I have had this thread made into a sticky, as I anticipate that over almost a year, it will not receive many additional posts, and may get lost at the bottom of the pile.

I would like newbies to be able to see it and participate if they like.

Thanks for doing this Dnvr.

Now I can mark it on the calendar and start making plans:thumb:

I can make any of the dates along with my wife as long as we know far enough in advance to try to schedule our time off. Not sure how to add my info to the chart.

DF, please change my number attending from "2 or 3" to "2". It will just be my wife and me. The kid will be too involved in school and marching band at that time to make the trip.

DF, please change my number attending from "2 or 3" to "2". It will just be my wife and me. The kid will be too involved in school and marching band at that time to make the trip.


i already changed it. Try ^f5

I can make any of the dates along with my wife as long as we know far enough in advance to try to schedule our time off. Not sure how to add my info to the chart.

Is November 21st far enough ahead of time?

I'll add you to the list tomorrow.

My wife does not ride. I'm trying to talk here into coming along, I'm sure there will be others that might not ride.

i already changed it. Try ^f5

Well, it wasn't changed when I wrote that. :innocent:

Thanks. But I think now the number is going to be zero. I was trying to bite off more than I could chew. :o

My wife and I are definite maybes.

My attendance is unlikely, but if I came, would anyone in the party be riding at a very leisurely pace. I don't like to participate in group rides because everyone wants to ride at a faster pace than I do. And, as I've written many times, I am prone to making frequent stops. Which would surely be the case at this beautiful locale.

I see the ride one-way is 44 miles. In all likelihood, I would take about 4.5 hours to cover that distance. Whereas many others even at what they consider to be a casual pace, would take 3 hours or less.

I would hate to slow everyone down. So if I did come, I would expect to see everyone at the social activities, but no so much on the ride itself. Unless there was another overly pokey person. Not that I mind riding by myself, as it has been 17 months since I rode with anyone else.

My attendance is unlikely, but if I came, would anyone in the party be riding at a very leisurely pace. I don't like to participate in group rides because everyone wants to ride at a faster pace than I do. And, as I've written many times, I am prone to making frequent stops. Which would surely be the case at this beautiful locale.

I see the ride one-way is 44 miles. In all likelihood, I would take about 4.5 hours to cover that distance. Whereas many others even at what they consider to be a casual pace, would take 3 hours or less.

I would hate to slow everyone down. So if I did come, I would expect to see everyone at the social activities, but no so much on the ride itself. Unless there was another overly pokey person. Not that I mind riding by myself, as it has been 17 months since I rode with anyone else.

I will ride with my wife on the "social ride." She does not ride fast, and takes a lot of stops. I figure we may all start together, but then go at whatever pace we want. Also, no way she will do 44 miles one-way.

You would be VERY welcomed to join us.

DF, can you add my name to the list? Put me down for 1. I'm officially 50 in May.

DF, can you add my name to the list? Put me down for 1. I'm officially 50 in May.

Sure - you'd be welcome even if you were only 49 in May:D

There's about a 50-50 chance (oh, make it a 50+ chance) I'll be on sabbatical in August 2009--if so I am so there! If not, no can do.

I'll find out in December.

There's about a 50-50 chance (oh, make it a 50+ chance) I'll be on sabbatical in August 2009--if so I am so there! If not, no can do.

I'll find out in December.


We'll be standing by.

When I was in Higher Ed, I never heard of a sabbatical for bike riding. What a great institution!

My attendance is unlikely, but if I came, would anyone in the party be riding at a very leisurely pace. I don't like to participate in group rides because everyone wants to ride at a faster pace than I do. And, as I've written many times, I am prone to making frequent stops. Which would surely be the case at this beautiful locale.

I see the ride one-way is 44 miles. In all likelihood, I would take about 4.5 hours to cover that distance. Whereas many others even at what they consider to be a casual pace, would take 3 hours or less.

I would hate to slow everyone down. So if I did come, I would expect to see everyone at the social activities, but no so much on the ride itself. Unless there was another overly pokey person. Not that I mind riding by myself, as it has been 17 months since I rode with anyone else.

I intend to take my time and see things along the trails. I'm not coming all the way to CO to ride fast:thumb:

I haven't learned to take pictures while riding, so I'll be doing a lot of stopping, too.

Or I could ride half-way, turn around at 22 miles, and then finish about the same time as those doing 88 miles.

Talking it over with Red Rider and we think this may just be a doable thing. RR used to live in Glenwood and would really like to visit the scene of many of her more youthful haunts. I will be finished with my special project at work and should be able to get enough vacation time to drive out, ride and drive back. If we come, we will bring the "Bluejay" tandem and all are welcome to suck wheel as needed. We can also slow down to enjoy the scenery as well. There are many things that may happen between then and now that may change our plans. We will continue to monitor this and keep you guys posted if something comes up to change our plans to attend. Looking forward to putting faces to all these names.

The way it's looking for me now is that I'll take the Amtrak to Grand Junction, arriving on Monday August 24.

I want to ride Colorado National Monument and Grand Mesa for a couple of days. And who knows, maybe ride down the road to Utah, just to tick it off the list.

Then I'll ride to Glenwood Springs to meet up with everyone on Friday August 28. I'll leave from GSC on Tuesday September 1.

Unless someone can talk me into something different…

Thanks tsl, I'll keep my eye on this thread & see what I'm doing. Hopefully I can make it as well.

Hey, DF!

Any chance of negotiating a group rate with that motor inn you mentioned, and perhaps getting us a block of rooms on the ground floor (for easier roll-in, roll-out, and to facilitate off-bike mingling)? I don't know if "family-owned" will make it easier or harder in negotiating.

This past summer in Loveland, they negotiated a group rate at a regular hotel, and most of us had rooms in the same hallway on the first floor, right off the lobby. Made it real nice and kept the wedding people at bay. (The place specialized in wedding receptions, and there were two that weekend.)

Hey, DF!

Any chance of negotiating a group rate with that motor inn you mentioned, and perhaps getting us a block of rooms on the ground floor (for easier roll-in, roll-out, and to facilitate off-bike mingling)? I don't know if "family-owned" will make it easier or harder in negotiating.

This past summer in Loveland, they negotiated a group rate at a regular hotel, and most of us had rooms in the same hallway on the first floor, right off the lobby. Made it real nice and kept the wedding people at bay. (The place specialized in wedding receptions, and there were two that weekend.)

It's worth a shot, as we get closer to finalizing how many and who.

Sounds like a great plan Dnvr.

Any singletrack adventures on this trip?

Any singletrack adventures on this trip?

Fruita, near Grand Junction, is one of the premier MTB places in the country.

http://www.gjmountainbiking.com/

Also, here is a link to 43 MTB trails right near Glenwood Springs.

http://www.wildernet.com/pages/rectype.cfm?areaname=Glenwood%20Springs%20Area&rectype=Mountain%20Biking

Fruita, near Grand Junction, is one of the premier MTB places in the country.

http://www.gjmountainbiking.com/

Also, here is a link to 43 MTB trails right near Glenwood Springs.

http://www.wildernet.com/pages/rectype.cfm?areaname=Glenwood%20Springs%20Area&rectype=Mountain%20Biking

I've ridden a lot of Colorado's singletrack, spent each July there from 2001-2006, that's why I was wondering if there was any singletrack adventures planned for this trip or if it was just riding on pavement...
don't mind bringing two bikes but usually leave the road bike at home when I go to Colorado.

I've ridden a lot of Colorado's singletrack, spent each July there from 2001-2006, that's why I was wondering if there was any singletrack adventures planned for this trip or if it was just riding on pavement...
don't mind bringing two bikes but usually leave the road bike at home when I go to Colorado.

Well, it is 10 months away. I think just about anything is possible if folks have an interest.

Why not talk it up a bit!

For those of us who "Ride, Log, Repeat" at BikeJournal.com (http://bikejournal.com/), I've added this to the BikeJournal Organized Rides for 2009.

Join it here (http://www.bikejournal.com/ride.asp?rideID={ECFAADF8-563D-40E0-9B59-68A226992C24**).

For those of us who "Ride, Log, Repeat" at BikeJournal.com (http://bikejournal.com/), I've added this to the BikeJournal Organized Rides for 2009.

Join it here (http://www.bikejournal.com/ride.asp?rideID={ECFAADF8-563D-40E0-9B59-68A226992C24**).

Thanks. I don't log my mileage on the website but I do use it to keep track of rides I plan to do.

My attendance is unlikely, but if I came, would anyone in the party be riding at a very leisurely pace. I don't like to participate in group rides because everyone wants to ride at a faster pace than I do. And, as I've written many times, I am prone to making frequent stops. Which would surely be the case at this beautiful locale.

I see the ride one-way is 44 miles. In all likelihood, I would take about 4.5 hours to cover that distance. Whereas many others even at what they consider to be a casual pace, would take 3 hours or less.

I would hate to slow everyone down. So if I did come, I would expect to see everyone at the social activities, but no so much on the ride itself. Unless there was another overly pokey person. Not that I mind riding by myself, as it has been 17 months since I rode with anyone else.

LOL, well I'm probably going to be at your "level", I may still be riding a POS Roadmaster Mnt. Sport SX MTB from Wally-Mart and I just started riding a bicycle again a couple of months ago! I figure my wife will be even slower than I as she doesn't get much time to ride. Infact she might just do the Glennwood Canyon Trail (32miles RT) and not the New 88 mile RT trail ride. I'm sure there would be someone who's your speed being that we are all 50+! ;)

Updated Chart

I am not sure about Colorado Dale, as he had stated he could not make the weekend??

Please advise me gently by PM if I have you in the wrong category. I am also not sure about MUD.

Use ^F5 to be sure you are seeing the latest update.

http://www.ourwebs.info/bf50annride1.jpg

I have every intention of making the trip. I am not sure about my wife coming along, I'll be coming from the St Louis area.
Mud

I have every intention of making the trip. I am not sure about my wife coming along, I'll be coming from the St Louis area.
Mud


Thanks. I will update as soon as I hear from others I may have wrong.

My wife and I are planning on being there.

My wife and I are planning on being there.

OK - I will add you.

My attendance is unlikely, but if I came, would anyone in the party be riding at a very leisurely pace. I don't like to participate in group rides because everyone wants to ride at a faster pace than I do. And, as I've written many times, I am prone to making frequent stops. Which would surely be the case at this beautiful locale.

I see the ride one-way is 44 miles. In all likelihood, I would take about 4.5 hours to cover that distance. Whereas many others even at what they consider to be a casual pace, would take 3 hours or less.

I would hate to slow everyone down. So if I did come, I would expect to see everyone at the social activities, but no so much on the ride itself. Unless there was another overly pokey person. Not that I mind riding by myself, as it has been 17 months since I rode with anyone else.

Tom, if I make the ride, I would probably be riding at that same pace. I'd be glad to hang back with you.

Road Fan

DnverFox, I have some changes.

First, Mrs. Road Fan will not be coming, due to the school year begins right around Labor Day. We can't find out this much in advance what the next school year schedule is. I also haven't gotten confirmation from my cousin. So put me down as 1 in column 1 and 1 in column 2, if you don't mind.

I still hope to come to the ride, but now I have a driving dilemma, since it might be a solo 2-day drive each way. I may have a passenger/co-driver, but it's not settled and it won't be for a while. So I'm glad you marked your first column as you did - I'm 75% positive I'm coming.

I want to add my appreciation and thanks for taking this on. I lead the setup of a Classic and Vintage ride here in Ann Arbor last summer, and it was a lot of time spent to get everyone the information and adjust the plan to accommodate needs and wants, and to ask others to do their various parts of the plan. There were a lot of last minute changes in commitment - luckily it was a local ride, so no money issues emerged.

Again thanks! I hope you will find this rewarding, I did!!!!

Road Fan

Sounds like fun but the Grouch is going to take a pass.

That's our wedding anniversary (46th) and driving that far with Mrs. Grouch for the weekend sounds like a bit much.

I'd like to be added to the list as 2 maybes, please. Thanks!

DnverFox, I have some changes.

First, Mrs. Road Fan will not be coming, due to the school year begins right around Labor Day. We can't find out this much in advance what the next school year schedule is. I also haven't gotten confirmation from my cousin. So put me down as 1 in column 1 and 1 in column 2, if you don't mind.

I still hope to come to the ride, but now I have a driving dilemma, since it might be a solo 2-day drive each way. I may have a passenger/co-driver, but it's not settled and it won't be for a while. So I'm glad you marked your first column as you did - I'm 75% positive I'm coming.

I want to add my appreciation and thanks for taking this on. I lead the setup of a Classic and Vintage ride here in Ann Arbor last summer, and it was a lot of time spent to get everyone the information and adjust the plan to accommodate needs and wants, and to ask others to do their various parts of the plan. There were a lot of last minute changes in commitment - luckily it was a local ride, so no money issues emerged.

Again thanks! I hope you will find this rewarding, I did!!!!

Road Fan


I'd like to be added to the list as 2 maybes, please. Thanks!

Thanks, Road Fan. One of my hopes is to keep this relatively simple, and not too much work for anyone. The easiest thing to do would be to simply state "The Annual Ride will be . . . " and make your own arrangements then show up or not. From there on it can get as complicated as one might like. I don't want to get much more complicated than it is right now.

Also, I believe that there are folks herein who would willingly help with other arrangements, such as the group motel arrangements (if any) and a dinner (again, if any). So, I will likely be calling on volunteers to assist down the line. In my music singing group, if no one volunteers, it just doesn't happen!! :D

Changes Done

The way it's looking for me now is that I'll take the Amtrak to Grand Junction, arriving on Monday August 24.

Does Amtrak welcome bikes? How close is Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs?

Dnvr -- you could put me down as a very tentative possible for two people. It sounds tempting and the 31st is my birthday :)

Does Amtrak welcome bikes? How close is Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs?

Dnvr -- you could put me down as a very tentative possible for two people. It sounds tempting and the 31st is my birthday :)

The Amtrak stops right in the middle of Glenwood Springs.

tsl is going further to Grand Junction because he wants to ride the exciting and challenging Colorado Monument.

According to tsl, Amtrak is very bike friendly, and only soemting like $5 more for the bike, and $15 for the bike box, as I recall.

He posted this somewhere in the "ride" thread.

According to tsl, Amtrak is very bike friendly, and only soemting like $5 more for the bike, and $15 for the bike box, as I recall.

Correct.


Take your bike to the station along with a 5mm and a pedal wrench.
Buy their bike box for $15. DO NOT use an airline box. That makes it too heavy and they'll reject it. (I know this from experience.) You could use an LBS cardboard bike box, but they're smaller and require a ton of disassembly.
Remove the pedals, clip them to your shoes.
Loosen the headset, turn sideways and re-tighten.
Roll the bike into the box and tape it shut. (They supply the tape too.)
Label the box, and give it to the friendly baggage agent. (They'll lend you a marker.)
Pay $5 for the checked-baggage fee. All checked bags are $5. Like all checked baggage, it was checked through to my final destination. I didn't have to mess with it at all when I changed trains in Chicago.
At your destination, ask if they'll save your box for you to use on the return trip. They did for me.
At your home station, ask them to keep the box and give it to someone who can't afford one.


Optional:


You can buy up to $2,500 insurance.
I left my rack and trunk bag on the bike. I put my tools and shoes inside the trunk bag and bungeed my helmet to it. I even left on my pump, lights, battery packs, and bottles (empty) in the cages.


The Amtrak baggage handlers are very good with bikes. It was loaded on the cart by hand, which was wheeled out to the train and loaded in the baggage car by hand. (I got to see inside the baggage car and they're strapped to the wall, standing up on their wheels.) At the other end, they kept the bikes (Note the plural) on the baggage cart until they got the claim-check. Then they handed it to me. No sliding down the baggage chute for bikes!

My bike was ready to ride right out of the station after I reattached my pedals and turned the bars straight. That part was a real treat.

DF is also right about my destination.

I'm coming out a few days early and riding the train 88 miles past Glenwood Springs (GSC) to Grand Junction (GJT). I'll ride there for a few days before riding the bike upriver to GSC. I'll return to ROC from GSC.

The other thing I'll do this time is take a small duffle with carry-on stuff (some clothes, personal care stuff, camera, book) and check my panniers through. I had a few hours to kill between trains and--trust me on this--carrying loaded panniers up the Sears Tower is no picnic.

Thanks tsl, that sounds pretty easy. We just may do it.