Middle of March

This is why I love Colorado...what amazing weather we had this weekend. Mid 70's both Saturday and Sunday made for some fun times outside.

Sunday ride from the old Farm garage to Teller Farm and up to the watertower and back home.

Teller Farm is the epitome of open space in Boulder County...so many different types of users out yesterday (walkers with kids & dogs, runners, bikers, and horseback riders). Really cool. I waved to just about everyone but only a few people waved back...I found that to be interesting in itself. Again the nicest people were the horseback riders. If you don't get along with these people you seriously need to check yourself.

Well mark that up as another 20 mile ride for me. I kept thinking to myself in a few months I'm going to be doing a 22 mile mountain bike ride and then go run 5 miles. Legs aren't quite ready for the bike to run transition yet. In fact the first mile of the run will probably the most interesting part for me (well other than I'll be riding down Baldy and not up). I can't wait to see how my legs react.

In other news...the Lafayette dog park is open. Great big park and close to home!!!!1

Sky Blue Sky - Wilco

How amazing has 2007 been so far? First Kings of Leon and now an equally great Wilco album!!! Things always come in 3's so the Guns 'n' Roses - Chinese Democracy is gonna be great, eh.

Songs that have a hold on me so far:

Impossible Germany:

This was still new to me

I wouldn't understand

Impossible Germany

Unlikely Japan

This is what love is for

To be out of place

Gorgeous and alone

Face to face

Either Way, Please Be Patient With Me, Side with the Seeds, Hate it Here...

On and On and On

...have you ever had that preminition that someone is writing music about exactly how you are feeling? **looks around for Jeff Tweedy** What's up Jeff?

This album is way better than the inaugural 2007 ride. **Marshall Mesa** So I'm not gonna write about it and decided to write about Wilco instead. Who's up for a ride tomorrow and Sunday? Yeah buddy!!!1

Kings of Leon - Because of the Times

The cd only leaked last week but its got me hooked already. Kings of Leon have a unique sound that is unmistakeable. KOL is a cross between the sounds of Led Zeppelin and they look like actors in the movie "Slapshot" but with a twist of southern charm. Because of the Times just rocks!!!1 Favorite songs so far are Knocked Up, Ragoo, Fans, On Call, Trunk and Arizona. Go get this album, lock yourself in a room, turn it way up and enjoy.

February 16th - BreckenFridge with the Fritz

I got together with the Fritz on Friday at Breckenridge. We woke up to a foot of fresh pow-pow. But once we got to the lift it was blowing like crazy and it was cold. We skiied for a few hours and made some fresh tracks. Great time!!!1

I-70 was closed so we headed south over Hoosier Pass and finally to Kenosha Pass. Lots of white outs. 1 accident and a few crazy drivers who passed cars during the white outs.

Fritz and I were talking and we think its been 20 years since we skiied together. Damn that took to long.

Peace.

December 2006 through ICE AGE 2007

Its fucking cold and snowing here in Colorado these days. So until global warming defrosts the Colorado Ice Age no bike pictures. Instead I'm going to be reviewing some music & bands to pass the time.

In better news, The Decemberists are going to be back in town on April 22. I gots tix!!!1

Bode

Bode having a blast at the Davidson Mesa dog park. Happy Festivus!!!1

A Cowboys Prayer

An email from Jaime,

"When I was in Austin, all alone in the Driskill hotel, dreaming about Fruita and the Black Bike, missing family and friends, I recieved this prayer on the pillow of my turned down bed.


Oh, Lord, I reckon I'm not much by myself;
I fail to do alot of things I ought to do,
but Lord, when trails are steep and the pass is high,
help me ride it straight the whole way through,
and in the falling dusk I get the final call,
I do not care how many flowers they send,
above all else the happiest trail will before you to say to me,
"Let's Ride, My Friend"

Roy Rogers, 1911-1998

I thought that was pretty cool- enough to share it with you guys. So the next time we all ride together you'll understand the stupid grin on my face. J F R""

The Decemberists at The Paramount - 11-14-06

The Decemberists are just one of those quirky bands you really, really like but you just don't know why. This was my 2nd time seeing them and again amazed me with their performance. Colin's voice was gone from the start and the show ended after an hour cause Colin just couldn't sing anymore. Nonetheless these guys sounded great. The Crane Wife isn't my favorite album by The Decemberists but the songs they did play from it came off really well. I guess maybe the album is growing on me or maybe its just the fact that their live show just captivated me.

The Decemberists are highly recommended so go check them out.

11-18-07 - Marshall Mesa

Jaime, Pete, and I got out for a short but fun ride over at Marshall Mesa late Saturday afternoon. It was the first time I've had to wear the winter pants. This was the first time I've ridden MM since the work was done. Its a little wider than I was expecting but its a hiking trail too so share the trails. The trail out to 66th Street was fun. I hope this gets connected someday.

After the ride, we headed over to the Old Louisville Inn for a few beers. Nothing like a half & half and a burger after a ride. Good stuff!!

Goals...and the journey towards them.

I've decided that I'm going to do the XTERRA triathlon at Buffalo Creek on June 16th, 2007. Any chance to ride beautiful Buff Creek is enough reason alone. But to me its alot more. I did a sprint tri in September and that was fun but feel I can do much more. XTERRA should be a good test. A 1 mile swim, 20 mile mtn bike ride, and a 5 mile run should test my limits. I'm excited to start this training journey. The journey there is what its really all about and the race is just icing on the cake. I mean a 1 mile swim...fuck yeah!!1 That should be in itself a great test of my limits, then add in 20 miles at Buff Creek. I'm gonna have a blast, folks.

11-4/5/6-06 Fruita: kokopelli trails

Pete, Jaime, and I loaded up Pete's Millenium Falcon and headed west to Fruita. We made a quick stop in Downieville for a view of this year's last ski fashion. Folks, brown is this year's black (just in case you wanted to know). Then we rolled into Fruita a few hours later. If you are headed into town, check out the Boneyard Brewery aka Fruita Brewing Company or whatever they are gonna call the place. Good local brews and good burgers. We were fortunate enough to catch some live bluegrass.

Saturday morning we headed over to "Over the Edge" bikeshop for a looksee. Peter ran into his best buddy, Tater Tot. In case you've never met Tater Tot he's known around town as the mayor. "Buddy"! After Pete got a few hugs and a few "you're funny!!" from tater we were off to the Loma exit.

Since this was my first time to Fruita I didn't know what to expect. Here's a few pics of what the scenery and trail system was like.

Horsethief Bench was by far my favorite trail. Fast trails!!! We did Mary's and Steve's loop and the handcuffs(???). I ran into some what would seem not so technical bike trouble but it almost ruined my day, literally. I was having trouble getting in and out of my pedals. And I had a slow leaking front tire. Then it happened. I was unable to get out of my pedals trying to get over a rock and I fell towards the exposure. Feet went up and over my head. Luckily a big rock enbedded into my back and stopped me from rolling. I was more scared of going over the edge than anything else. What's a few bumps and bruises compared to a 300 foot bellyflop into the Colorado River, right? Nothing a few Boneyard Brews couldn't cure.

Sunday we headed over to the Bookcliffs. Rode up Prime Cut and then down some trail more suited for BMX bikes than mountain bikes but it was some fun shit nonetheless. After the ride we headed back into town. Out of nowhere Tater appeared and gave Pete some more hugs and kisses. I'm laughing as I write this.

So what's the deal with all the females in Fruita? Why is it that there are as many female riders as males? Why can't this happen closer to home, folks? Ladies what's up?

Meyers Homestead 10-15-06

With Walker Ranch closed for repairs no better time than to check out Meyers Homestead. Meyers is a 2.5 mile one way up and back trail. Mostly hikers use this trail but with the closing of Walker definetly more mtn bikers out there. I got an early start so I didn't see anyone until I go to the top overview point.

On my way down I ran into a coyote. He moved off the trail about 20 feet. That was the first time I've gotten that close to a coyote.

Enjoy the pics!!

Hall Ranch - 10-7-06

Jaime and I got out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon up to Hall Ranch. After some much needed repairs to the bike, she is riding sweeeettttt!!!!1 Enjoy the views!

Coulson's Gulch

Yup I forgot the camera again. Lots of amazing scenery again. Coulson's Gulch is a crazy mutha fuckin' ride. Sorry we saw Snakes on a Plane last night. I can't get that line outta my head.

Anyway, Coulson's Gulch is about 15 miles northwest of Lyons. From the trailhead we went down the trail about 900 vertical feet or so to the creek. Its a fun steep downhill but cause of all the raiin yesterday it sure was loose. We proceeded to cross the first bridge when 2 bikers came from the other direction. They told us that they came down through the next valley over. We thought Coulson's Gulch was an out and back but we changed our plans quickly after learning we could make it a loop. The bikers advised us not to do it because part of the ride was unrideable uphill. But we decided to make our way anyway...

...we continued along the creek and then we headed back into the valley. It was a super skinny singletrack but the ground was somewhat loose. Jamie and I rode as much of the uphill as we could. Once we got to the super steep section we hiked the bikes. It probably took us a good 30 minutes to hike up the steep section. From the maps it looks like from the creek it was about 1,500 vertical feet uphill back to the 4x4 road.

Then we were able to ride most of the remaining section to get out of the valley. At the top the trail goes to a double wideroad down to a 4x4 road. We rode the 4x4 road back to the trail head. But the 4x4 road was fun too. Lots of fun bumps and ruts made by all the 4-wheelers, motorcycles, and off road trucks.

Next time well try the loop in the other direction & bring the camera. All in all it took us about 3 hours. But next time more of the trail will be downhill.

July 23, 2006 - Walker Ranch (no not super walker)

Jamie and I headed up to Walker Ranch yesterday morning. We got a late start cause Jamie wanted to sleep in after drinking the night before. Hahahaha...anyway, it was quite warm yesterday but nonetheless a beautiful day for a ride.

We rode Walker in the counter-clockwise direction. To me that is the better way to ride this loop. You get the benefit of riding the long single track downhill and then hike down the hike-a-bike and a fun but hard steep uphill (if you like that kinda thing). The incline slope on this uphill just never seems to quit.

The ride was only about 2 hours long. We rode the first half of the ride faster than we had previously, but the second part still kick us hard.

Buffalo Creek again, but no time for pics...

...or maybe I just forgot the camera this time. Yeah that's what really happened. Other possible titles for this thread are:

"75 and still kicking it up Baldy Trail"

"Do you know what Kobe beef is?"

"Fuck you Baldy!!1"

Well Jamie and I made it down to Buffalo Creek again for another amazing 20+ mile ride. While it was 100 degrees plus on the front range the heat wasn't so bad at 8500 feet. In fact the first half of our ride (543 to Tramway to the CO trail to Green Mountain) was mostly under tree cover. Speaking of Green Mountain, that trail was a real "hoot". Lots of fun ups with short steep climbs and a fantastic downhill with ever changing scenery. There was even a short section through some aspens. Lots of fun, folks.

Then we made our way back over to the Gashouse Trailhead and ate a PB and J. There was 2 older gentlemen riding in front of us. And when I mean older I mean like early 70's. I was really impressed and hope to be riding when I'm that age.

Then down Gashouse which was really, really loose cause of the rain from the weekend before. But don't get me wrong Gashouse is a blast. Fun downhill!!1. Then up to my old nemesis, BALDY!!1 Well, I did quite well up Baldy yesterday. There is nothing technical about Baldy but after riding 12-15 miles it can kick your ass. After a short "Fuck you Baldy" and a middle finger jesture back to the trail we were off to Miller's Gulch.

Jamie got the directions wrong again, even with his 7 maps, but luckily I was there to lead us in the right direction again. Bah!!!1 A short stretch on Miller's leads right to Charlie's Cutoff. Charlie's was another great downhill run. Buffalo Creek is just that great. It rewards you with some really fun downhill after an up. Charlie's took us right to Sandy Wash and down, down, down we went back to the 543.

Between Charlie's and Sandy Wash we rolled downhill for a good 30 minutes.

Fantastic.

So do you know what Kobe beef is? Well let me tell you its massaged beef. And when you add cheese, peppered bacon, and grilled onions its really what its all about. Kola's restaurant is open and a great place for a beer and burger after a long ride.

Mesa Trail 7-4-06

I took Bode on a little trip to the Mesa Trail. Bode had a blast hiking.

Bode out of gas on the ride back home.

Buffalo Creek 7-3-06

Jaime and I took a road trip down to Buffalo Creek. We rode 20 miles and it felt like we rolled about 16 of those miles downhill. Buffalo Creek is in between 3 burn areas and has amazing trails and amazing views. Unfortunately, pictures can't do this place justice.


Jaime on the Colorado Trail.

Views from the Gashouse Trail.

More Nederland...can't get enough of this place!!1

Here's a pic of Eldora ski area and the continental divide from the Trail of Neverending Horse Poop. Jaime and I went on a trail we never rode before. We found lots of sand and lots of horse poop. Did I mention we rode over a lot of horse poop?

Here I am riding down one of the Hobbit trails. Its too bad Jaime missed my Pete Rose head first over the handlebars fall a few yards before this picture.

Jaime riding down a nice technical section of the "trail before pizza and beer" as I like to call it.

And like after the last time we rode in Ned...we ended up at Backcountry Pizza for a few slices and a beer after the ride before heading down the canyon. This time they had Kona Longboard Lager on tap (from Maui). mmmmmm....

Let the Beer Runs FLOW...

Last night we had a doubleheader and easily won the first game. The second game was against the best team in the league and we were shorthanded and played with only 3 in the outfield. Needless to say, the other team scored 15 runs in the top half of the first inning. No critical errors on Beer Runs part, the other team just dinked and donked singles every at bat. Even the girls on their team were hitting great.

Then we came up to bat...Kirk started it off with a home run. Then the Beer Runs flowed. After the first inning the score was 15-4. Then after the 2nd it was 15-11. During the 3rd inning we went ahead something like 16-18. The other team went ahead in the top of the 4th, 19-18. But we came back to win 21-19 in the bottom of the inning. Time expired and we won. An amazing game!!!

We never gave up and just keep pounding away at the hits and runs. Great defense too (well after the 1st inning we really got cooking). Shit we might just win this league.