richardmasoner

A couple of weeks ago a ranger told me Trail Ridge will be open Memorial Day weekend. With all the moisture we've been getting it should be interesting. I'd like to watch them dig out the Alpine Visitor Center. Here's a photo from a drought year!


RFM

LordOpie

that photo is soooo awesome!

Correct me if I'm wrong... in order to get the equipment up to the VC, they need to have the road clear, right? The whole process could take more than a week? That might mean the road is clear, but not open yet for several days before opening?

I'd rather bundle up from cold than deal with the traffic, tho we all may have to take up a ride up in August.

DnvrFox

The Canal does go through the park. You have to detour around Santa Fe and the Canal, then it continues right through the park.

There is a HC guide available at local book stores.

And, those are AMAZING pics for a phone!

Pretty soon we will have cameras on which you can talk.

richardmasoner

I'm on the phone with somebody at RMNP right now. He says they've already plowed up to the Alpine Visitor's Center from the west and the east and have equipment up there. There are significant drifts across the road still and large sections of thick ice on the road. If you're coming from Grand Lake, the road is open to Milner Pass. It's still closed at Many Parks coming from Estes Park.

He doesn't know when the visitor center will be dug out but anticipated that it wouldn't be right up until Memorial Day. I think I'll take a day off the last week of May and see how high I can ride. Perhaps Tuesday would work out well. If somebody wants to join me contact me privately. My email address is richard AT masoner DOT net.

The question now is: Do I take my mountain bike with studded tires or use the road bike? The thought of climbing to beyond 11,000 feet on my MTB makes me swoon. I wish I had a CX bike so I could mount studded tires on that.

Does this sound crazy or what?

RFM

LordOpie

sounds crazy? Are you crazy? Of course not!

I'd certainly think studded tires. Can you mount 'em on your roadie? How about a custom set of 'studded' on a roadie... get some cheap 28s, with, say, 32 short screws, 16 on each side about 30-45° with a slime liner or something.

DnvrFox

Did 27 miles - Carson Nature Center to Fox Hollow Golf Course and return. Only crossed one street.

Here are some pics of Bear Creek, Fox Hollow Golf Course area and me - yes I have put on just a few pounds!

I was "cruisin" at 19-21 mph on PRT - really felt proud, until the return trip when I got the headwind!

With my heart at 70%, I feel glad to get anywhere!

And, the Lemond IS faster than the Leeds, and much faster than the Hardrock.







That is a 1999 "Ride the Rockies" jersey.

Stubacca

Way to go, Denver! You're an absolute inspiration, mate

snowy

Great ride yesterday Stubacca, you pushed Lordopie and I. Looking forward to the ride on Saturday. FYI, to anyone interesed there is a group of us doing at least 75 miles on Saturday, anyone who is interested is more then welcome to meet up with us. Just PM Lordopie and he give you the details.

Snowy.

Rowan

And what are the shorts, DF? They look *far* *too* *tight* to be anything other than BIKE SHORTS!

DnvrFox

WRONG - Feather Face!

They are BIBS!

And, I have always worn bike shorts/bibs. I have 6 pair. Why did you think otherwise?

Stubacca

Good fun riding with you guys.

Looking forward to Saturday. My trip to Florida for the next two weeks has just been confirmed - client finally got the contracts signed - so my tentative plans to make it down for Santa Fe are gone again... ah well. Buena Vista is looking good, though.

Uphill Battle

'sup Denver buddies.
Got in a little ride yesterday myself.
28 miles from downtown to Golden and back.
Nice to get back on the bike.
This is my first stop by the Denver thread. I'll try to stay up on this.

snowy

Welcome Uphill Battle, this board is pretty active with the Denver people, just chime in if you ever want ride with others.

Uphill Battle

Thanks, Snowy.
I'm headed out for a quick one this evening. Just a little tempo ride. I think I'll head toward Golden again. I like the slight uphill.
This Saturday has to be a long one for me. I'm thinking about the bike trail to Chatfield, up High Grade and then back. Nice endurance miles with a good climb. Hopefully it will get me ready for Santa Fe.

LordOpie

We're riding Saturday if you want to join us... Cherry Creek reservoir to Golden, over Lookout Mt, to Morrison and back for ~75miles.

Are you joining the group for dinner in SF? DnvrFox is organizing that

Uphill Battle

Thanks for the invite.

I'm not in charge of the group in Santa Fe, so I can't commit. But I appreciate the invitation.

I will have done the ride out to Lookout twice this week (from downtown) so I'll probably head south. But, again, thanks.

A quick question though. Coming off the top of Lookout how do you get to Morrison? I usually take 40 down to Heritage Sq, and then back into Golden. (assuming I don't get trapped in that Jefferson County/Water Park area that doesn't have an outlet.)

It's nice to chat with people who know the same routes. I've bookmarked the thread.

DnvrFox

Led another senior ride today. Small group due to rescheduling from Monday (snow) to Thursday (70's and sunny). Lunch at the Deli at Piney Creek (Orchard and Parker). Great Sandwiches. Two road bikes (the men), two hybrids (the ladies). Had a great time.

Ages - 65, 67, 67, 67

snowy

Looks great Dnvrfox. Took a day off yesterday for rest and feel great today. I think its wonderful that you are doing these club rides. Your Awesome. Have a great weekend.

Stubacca

Had a day off yesterday too. I spent the evening looking for my tools and eventually installing a compact crank on my roadie.

Riding this arvo after work, I hope, likely from my place to Meridian then out to a friend's house in Parker. Hopefully this wind dies down a bit... hills may be my friend (at least that's what I keep telling myself), but the wind is just a pain in the arse!

snowy

Oh yea, Stubacca, I'll take a hill over the wind anyday.

Uphill Battle

Bad day for me too yesterday. After work, I went into our conference room to change into cycling clothes only to find that I had brought my wife's Pearl Izumi's.

Yeah I can fake it in my work socks, I'd ride in my button down shirt. But my wife's shorts...that just won't work.

So I went home and played with the kids.

DnvrFox

Were you wearing jockeys?

Anyway, your kids need to see you every now and then!

snowy

Thats great Uphill battle!!! Too funny.

Shifty

Ha Ha, I bet Ms. U Battle appreciated your decision as well! Hope the rotten weather lets up soon!! ( i.e. wind, snow, cold etc.)

cyccommute 

So do I. I have my semiannual ride on the Picketwire on Saturday the 14th and I don't want to contend with rain. The river is probably going to be kind of hard to cross anyway.