DnvrFox

HOW ABOUT A THREAD JUST FOR SHARING INTERESTING RIDES AND PICTURES?

I love seeing other's rides, and I am going to start by sharing a ride my wife and I did today.

We went up a beautiful canyon west of Denver called Waterton Canyon. It is only 6.5 miles up, but it is also the start of the Colorado Trail which goes for about 471 miles or so clear across the state to Durango.

There is also good quality single track at the top.

The trail goes through several climatic zones, starting with plains and brush, passing through pines and ending up with big cone spruce.

The trail follows the South Platte "River," which continues flowing through Denver out to the east, where it is joined by the North Platte River and a number of other tributaries, going to the Missouri River, the Mississippi River and ending up in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a main source of irrigation and drinking water to many towns along the way.

We have seen three groups of folks attempting the 471 mile hike to Durango. This is a very tough trail, with many days between civilization. One party was a male and female and a burro, one was two couples with backpacks, and the third was two guys from Holland, who flew into Denver International Airport, loaded their bikes into a limousine, drove to the trailhead, got the bikes out, and proceeded on their way (you can't bike the entire trail)!

There are Big Horn Sheep, deer, trout, lots of birds including raptors, rattlesnakes and humans and a tremendous variety of wild flowers. There are 300 foot cliffs with rocks which occasionally come tumbling down onto the service road which doubles as the trail.

Here are three pics of me, Nora and two Bighorn Sheep.

DnvrFox

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jppe

I like your idea. I enjoy reading about various rides and who knows, it might just provide a spark to some folks to take some of those same routes in over time. I traveled 6 hours this spring to do a Century just from what I'd read posted via the web. Turned out to be a terrific experience by the way.

I've had a practice of reviewing various organized rides I participate in and provide that info to our local club's newsletter editor for publishing. Kind of like the "traveling gourmet" on wheels. Will attempt to paste a copy of that in this thread. I really need to get me a cheap/light digital camera. Really adds to the overall effects!

Thanks for getting us started.

will dehne

We just enjoyed a vacation in south east Minnesota Root River area. The state of Minnesota invested heavily in these 60++ miles of paved and well maintained trails.
My objective was to train centuries every day without worrying about cars.
The Root River area is very beautiful. The swift running rivers reduce bugs. The towns of Lanesboro, Harmony and Houston all offer restaurants and there are B&B, camping and hotels.
Most important, no crowded conditions.
https://www.lanesboro.com/lanesboro-rootrivertrail.html

DnvrFox

So much for my ride to Franktown this morning!

A new subdivision is being built, destroying more of my "isolation" rides.

Grr!!

(still got 30 miles in)

will dehne

My wife and I are Tandem bikers. We can go 100 miles/day.
Our idea of fun is to use Rail to Trails and go as far and as fast as we can.
The rewards are good wine, good food and good companionship not to forget great scenery and the rewards of fresh air and the trills of elements. (storms)

One of our all time favored trails is a 100 mile trail from Reedsburg, WI to Trempealeau, WI.
It offers tunnels, small towns with restaurants, hotels, camping. Wisconsin does a terrific job with safety and trail maintenance. Imagine no cars for a few days.
Well, there are some crossings.

https://www.great-trails.com/elroy.shtml

stapfam

Great Idea but No new pics so might have to wait for a response from me, and probably some others.

DnvrFox

Hey, that might be a great idea for a vacation! Hadn't thought of it before. How are the mosquitoes?

will dehne

Mosquitoes are no problem because they are lazy fliers. Horse flies are the issue.
We go on a Tandem at speeds of 16 MPH. At that speed the horse flies will not keep up. If you go much slower, they will get you. Spray will protect your rear end.

Let me know if you get serious. We know all the good restaurants with the best wine and food. We also can give advise on hotels if you need that.

jppe

I rode in the 100 mile Hillsborough, NC Bikefest event sponsored by the Carolina Tarwheels today. They had a total of 1000 riders in their 3 rides which were 100 miles, 62 miles and 38 miles. I'm not real sure how many folks did each of the 3 rides but would guess most did the metric Century. I was able to jump out with the lead group and stay with them as the group dwindled down to just 12 of us at the end of 62 miles. It was a really nice group to ride with as noone really tried to push the pace too hard and we all took turns at pulls. The 100 mile route circled back through Hillsborough to the start line. After a brief water stop at 62 miles, 7 of us went back out for the last 40 miles. We took it a little easier and were able to finish in about 4 hrs 45 mins. I'm pretty sure that's the quickest time for me for a 102 mile ride. It was a really "flat" track with only about 3100 feet of climbing-at least that's what I measured so that certainly helped the times.

When we had finished the 100 mile ride I was back at the feed table enjoying a few post ride snacks when a fellow I work with that was riding came up. We were talking about the rides and I told him it was probably the fastest 100 mile ride I'd done. He looked at me kinda of funny and said he was just in from doing 62 miles.....He was going back out to finish his first century.

Next week.......Brutal 100 out of West Jefferson, NC (in the mountains) which will have a LOT more climbing.

berts

this saturday's club ride took us through typical negev desert landscape. we started out at 06:00 from beer sheva, and rode south in the direction of eilat along rolling hill topography. the hills look like sand dunes (although the soil is more of a white powder than sand) with spots of salt brush uniformly spaced, no trees except for an ocassional acacia and isolated groups of eucalyptus planted in man made sinks called lemans. there are lots of bedouin villages with their camels, sheep, goats and dogs. it was about 75 F when we started out and it reached about 90 when we returned at around 09:20. after travellin south for about 1 hr we turned east to the city of yeruham, over a small range of hills about 650 m above sea level (beer sheva is about 50 m asl). We started as a group of 6 riders and, in spite of a puncture, caught up with a few more along the climb. This ride i tested my camelbak and while it seemed to slightly heat up my back, hydration was much more convenient and i believe i drank more than i usually do using bottles. on the northbound road to dimona we passed a prickly pear plantation planted over some 6 acres (this area with its low rainfall and soil type supports very few crops). The way back to beer sheva from dimona a 20 mi stretch with a few mounds to top, turned into some sort of time trial against the westerly winds. One of the riders pulled out ahead and i grabbed his wheel, we shared the pace until about 5 mi from beer sheva wherei left him on one of the uprises. we regrouped and said our farewells till next saturday. when i came home i made a frozen banana protein shake which was exceptionally good after that desert ride. in all it was a very pleasant ride about 60 mi covered in some 3 1/2 hours with rest stops. I am looking forward to next sat.

DnvrFox

How many riders in your group?

Do you feel threatened in any way due to political turmoil?

berts

our group "netroads" was recently established and is now about 15 members strong. some are competitive but in general the group's objectives are keeping in good shape and enjoying the sport.

The people of Israel have been under a state of threat since its inception 57 years ago. Current political turmoil is more focused on the problematics of vacating uncooperating settlers from their homes and very little about the palestinian people. In fact a perceived threat now is that some irrate settler might cause avoc. The person in the street (me included, I was released from reserve duty 12 years ago at the age of 42), is not really affected by these recent events, barring some road closures and demonstrations by settlement supporters. I believe that the majority of people here are in favor of Sharon's decision to "detach" from the palestinians and we all hope that this represents a starting point in the road to peace, a road which I am sure that many people here on both sides after more than 57 years of blood shed would be glad to take.

Rickochet

Robyn (my wife of 26 years) and I had a great time on a trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan. We took our Trek's via the Arnold Line Ferry to the Island and biked all around the Isle. There's no motorized vehicles allowed!!! With the exception of aircraft at the airport, you hear nothing but foot traffic, horses and bikes. Lot's of laughter and a we just had a wonderful time. The weather was terrific---about 75 with moderate humidity. Great places to eat and rest, with shore line that is accessible any where on the paved path. One of the main attractions on the island is The Grand Hotel which was filmed as part of Christopher Reeve's movie "Somwhere In Time"-- (a chick flick.) This trip is certainly worth checking out if you like to bike and be a part of history and fellowship!

berts

the attached image is typical scenery in the southern routes. i will make an effort to get out the ol' camera and share some more shots

Kingofbeers

Living at the end of a valley, my road ride choices are limited, but I've picked one of these three for my noon ride almost every day for the past 20 years. I still look forward to every ride. I ride from my office near the airport, and during winter I put studded Nokians on my Homegrown and head out unless it's below 10 degrees or so.

I'm still loving these beautiful summer days, but the best rides come in the late fall and early winter - crisp, clear and cold, with hardly anyone else on the road. I'm approaching 60, but plan to be making these rides 'til I fall off the bike. Anyway - here are my three rides, with some photos -

Maroon Bells - 20 miles round trip with about 1700' of elevation gain for the 8 miles up the valley. I look forward to the marmot crossing, since the grade eases up for a bit and I can get my legs back. Enjoy my water bottle at the lake, then blast home.

Ashcroft - 30 miles round trip, with slightly easier grades. The best thing is that this is rideable all winter - stopping by the river to eat an apple on a quiet snowy December day makes a perfect lunch.

Independence Pass - 10 miles to the gate, then as much climbing as I've got the time and legs for. The best rides are after the gate closes in the fall and before it opens in May - quiet and car free.

Anyone planning a trip to this area please get in touch - I'm always up for a ride.

DnvrFox

Great Pics - but who can afford to live in Aspen LOL

DnvrFox

Led a group of fellow 50+rs on a short 15 mile bicycle ride. This is about the 7th ride I have led this summer. Here is a picture of our group. Th lady on the left is 70 years old and competes regularly in triathlons and the like.

stapfam

Just a few photos of outr local area, but the pics do not show how steep the hills are. The one of the sea shows how abrupt the hills are around my local trails, and I believe the Aircraft, if you can see them, were magister aerobatic thingy's at the Air show last sunday. Many more pics that will just mean something to me, like how rocky our favourite downhill is, and I will be telling the pilot on the Tandem to slow down on this bit in the future. I normally only see it at 40mpk in a blur, but seeing it on film is a rude awakening to how nutty my pilot is. The one Thing I can spot from our trails is how desolate they are and how bleak and dangerous in bad weather, But we don't have that any longer thanks to "Global Warming"

Kingofbeers

Lots of people, judging by the number of private jets triple parked at the airport (just kidding). For sure, there's an enormous difference in lifestyle between those who live in the big houses on the hill and the "worker bees" like myself, but there's room for everyone.

Since being transferred here from Steamboat Springs in '81, my wife and I have come to truly enjoy this town and the surrounding beauty. I run a small business and she's a banker, so no jet-setting for us, but we've managed to build a nice little home a ways from town, and are looking forward to retiring here or somewhere close.

Wow, 70 years old and a triathalete - that's inspiration!

jppe

I attended a week long meeting in October in Aspen 5-6 years ago and must admit to falling in love with the town and area. That was before I started riding but I was playing a lot of golf at the time. I did manage to get in a few rounds of golf and enjoyed the advantage of the increased distance that came along with the higher altitude.

I was also able to get out and do some sightseeing and distinctly remember Maroon Bells, Independence Pass, etc. I'd love to try and do Independence Pass one day. From memory it would seem to be similar in appearance to some of the climbs on the tour with the rocky slopes and winding curves.

I'm going to put on my "to do" list to go back to Aspen and do some riding. You're very lucky to be able to enjoy those rides!! Thanks for sharing the pics!

DnvrFox

Never knew there was so much open land in good old England.

Great shots!

I'll just have to believe you about the steep hills.

berts

today i rode alone - gives me time to introspect. started early morn, leaving the community via a 2 km downhill avenue lined with date palms, rose bushes and assorted plants. turned north into the hebron hills and made a sharp left before the border checkpoint toward a place called sansana atop a hill (700 m) nestled in a forested area. then it was a fast 2 km downhill toward kibbutz lahav. continuing up a 2.5 km 5-10% grade along pretty barren landscape to a place called eshkolot (800 m) and the same road down (just for hill training), can't continue with that road since it goes over the border on the other side. kept going in the north direction through some nice countryside (reminiscent of so. calif), and to an army base where the road stops, Rode back the same way (round trip about 30 miles).
i'll try to get pics next time.

DnvrFox

1 + 1 = 1

Man, there are some days when you and the bike become ONE!

Today was one of those days. Moving and pulsing together - a symphony - no hill I can't conquer, no curve I can't lay the bike on its side and swift around - like it must feel to ride a great horse.

That is when clipless really shines, IMHO. It welds you into ONE unit.

What a great ride this am. Sometimes I get that feeling and sometimes I don't.

Today was spectacular!

And we had the pleasure of watching a doe try to teach her fawn to jump about a 5 foot fence.

Ths doe jumped the fence so beautifully and gracefully, the fawn would not follow, examining the fence for a lower spot. The doe jumped back, and then jumped again, this time running off into the field, as if the fawn must follow her, but the fawn hesitated and would not jump, repeated a 3rd time with the fawn saying "no" and finally another biker scaring himself and the fawn nearly to death as they almost collided and the fawn running back into the foliage. Soon the doe jumped the fence one more time and followed, looking for her fawn! A true serendipity!

jppe

I rode in the Blue Ridge Brutal 100 in West Jefferson, NC today with about 500 others. There was 7000 ft of climbing over 104+ miles. The route included 25 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 20 miles of flats along the river which was terrific for pacelines and the signature 1.5 mile climb up 3 Top Mountain where the average grade was 11 per cent. It was a pretty good climbing century for me as I was able to complete it in 6 hrs 16 mins with an average speed of 16.6 mph. I thought I had a shot of finishing under 6 hrs but the last 10 miles got the best of me.

Pretty nice day with steady breezes but at least that kept it from being too warm. The toughest thing about the ride was the rest stop beside Shatley Springs Restaurant. Shatley Springs serves good country cooking that is served family style. They do a breakfast that has eggs, biscuits, gravy, county ham, etc. It was really hard having ridden 50 miles and stand there smelling freshly fried county ham while eating orange slices and bananas.........Excuse me while I run to the kitchen!!