Dammit!

https://www.timescall.com/news/longmo...all-grassfires

This is my favorite weekend ride.

I hear you. I don't know what's worse, not being able to get very far before a road closure, breathing smoke while I'm getting as far as I can or being a whiny jerk about my inconvenience while people are losing their homes or living in some school gym. trying not to be but when it's 105 degrees it would be nice to get into the high country. now they've cancelled the Fort Collins Gran Fondo . . .I'll be sucking my thumb if you need me.

What's worst? Being a whiney jerk.

duh

Riding home yesterday was really strange. The smoke just kept coming, and at one point, my tires were coated in what appeared to be reddish-brown ash. It's going to be a very long summer here in Colorado. My heart goes out to those who are being evacuated (and worse). The fire fighters have my utmost respect and gratitude.

I posted some pics here.

I have put together a donation program to help out CO firefighters and fire victims... you can find the deets here.

Flagstaff early this morning: https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...90548331_n.jpg

I'm holding off on registering for the Mike Horgan hill climb due to this fire. The race is still on but I am perplexed how anyone will be able to breathe. It is the canyon just north of flagstaff.

I reg'ed for Horgan today... ends today btw.

FWIW: https://www.dailycamera.com/news/boul...-hopes-contain

They have day of registration for $5 more.
I have exercise induced asthma and it clobbered me on the Guanella Pass Hill Climb. I left my meds at home.
I'm also in Thornton and ride for RMRC down in Denver as a Cat 4 wannabe. AKA first year off the back newb.

Ugh. Yesterday I did an early morning 30-miler which included a lap around the Morgul. I could smell smoke, but it didn't seem bad, however it was enough to annoy my lungs and I was doing some coughing by the time I got home.

I'm thinking of setting up a concession stand near the start of Sugarloaf and selling these:
https://www.qmuniforms.com/Brands/Sur...m_campaign=GPS

Slap a Rapha logo on 'em and you'll make a fortune.

lol
Alternatively if you could make one with a CF pattern and a SRAM logo...

Yeah, save me a CF one. Bleh.

I did Flagstaff this morning. I didn't see/smell anything out of the ordinary. At the top of the ridge there was a cop parked across from the mailboxes. He told me they were hitting the remaining hot spots, and considering burning some unburned spots within the area to ensure they did not ignite later. At his suggestion, I walked a few yards up Bison to get a look and...WOW! It was like looking down into a war zone. Everything was blackened, with a few hot spots putting out columns of smoke. There was a chopper carrying a bucket hitting them.

I think this was the kind of chopper they were using: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:N267KA.JPG
It has an unusually slow rotor-beat sound.
Note the intermeshing rotors.

I heard things had improved.
It is a bit hazy towards Boulder but I think Mike Horgan is a go. I'd like the check it out but I doubt I will be able to climb up flagstaff after the race.

I lived in Boulder for a year back in the middle 70s. My wife and I used to go up on Flagstaff mountain to a really nice resturant called Flagstaff House. Is it still there? I would hate to see it burn down.

Still there. Prices are not for the faint of heart.
https://www.flagstaffhouse.com/

I dunno, the $128 four once steak looks good.