Trails and Hunters and Bears Oh My

It’s been a great summer of riding, and now it’s onto fall. This is one of my favorite times for mountain biking. The weather turns brisk, and the leaves are starting to turn, and fall on the trail. I love the smells and sounds of the forest in fall, the breeze through the trees, and the look of the leaves as they fall to the ground during the ride. However, now is the time when you will see hunters on the trail…and a lot of scared wildlife!

Above Georgia Pass looking east.

Yesterday I was out for a long ride from Kenosha Pass to the Georgia Pass. This is a great 24 mile ride with about 3000ft of total climbing. The ride starts out with a climb from 10,000ft. You begin off HWY 285 outside Jefferson Colorado and climb west toward Georgia Pass. It’s a great ride, and I highly recommend it. During the ride, however, I was surprised to see so many hunters along the trail. OK, not really surprised, as much as concerned. There is nothing scarier than being five feet away from someone holding a firearm, and not realizing they are there until you hear them breath.

That was early in my ride, and the hunter was more than kind, obviously hearing me coming, and not in the mood to carry a mountain biker off the trail. This is something to always keep in mind while riding. I have never been a hunter, but I know a lot of them, and they are really great people. They enjoy the outdoors just as we do, and this is a way of life for them, just as cycling and hiking are to many of us. However, you should always be cautious on the trail, even more so this time of year.

Looking at the mountains west of Georgia Pass.

One of the primary lessons hunters learn is to look beyond their target to ensure there is nothing on the other side that they wouldn’t want to hit. I have heard from a few cyclists that they don’t really worry about being shot by a hunter, because “hunters know what they’re shooting at.” This is true, and I doubt if a hiker or biker is ever shot by a hunter that it is on purpose. However, what happens is new, and inexperienced hunters don’t realize what is beyond their target, or they can’t see what is beyond their target. That’s why it is a good idea to wear bright colors this time of year. I’m not talking the normal colorful jersey either. Many of these jerseys just blend into the normal colorful mountain background, especially if there are a lot of flowers. Do yourself a favor and wear bright orange, and do your best not to look like food.

That last part was especially important for me yesterday. As I started down from 12,000ft, and made it back into the trees, I found I had a companion in front of me: a 200lb bear. It was about 100ft in front of me running at a lope, and I was closing fast. I realized instantly that I was following a bear. And then I thought “I’M FOLLOWING A BEAR!” This is NEVER a good plan. I stopped dead in my tracks, and let it run out of site. You should never follow a running bear. They have a tendency to attack when they are scared. After I stopped, I waited a minute or two, and started whistling to myself. I want this animal to know I was not a morning snack. Most bears try to avoid people, and I wanted to make sure he knew I was people. Once I started going again, I was very cautious for the new mile before I let it loose again.

Still, even with all the hunters and wildlife out, it was a great day on the bike. When out this time of year, keep in mind that there might be things out there more dangerous than the trail ahead of you. At any point you can run across wildlife, or someone out hunting it. Take precautions on your rides to ensure you’re going to get back safely. That is the ultimate goal. How else will you be able to tell us about what you saw?

Let the Season Begin!

It's that time of year again folks. It's time to get out and dust off that mountain bike, and hit the trails. If you're living around Colorado, you know we haven't had a lot of snow on the front range, so the moisture is way down. The upside is that you can ride just about anything all the way west to Buffalo Creek. The downside is that the ground is very dry, and prone to damage.

I was in Buffalo Creek last week, camping and taking in some good riding. I was amazed at how little snow was up there. I was even more amazed that with the high winds and dry vegetation that someone would be dumb enough to have an open fire. But there it was...in very high 30 mph winds, someone had a fire going. Evidently they didn't notice the 140,000 or so acres that burned before they go there. I was heading over to talk to them about it when the Forestry Service beat me to it. Given the tongue lashing they got, I'm sure that won't happen again...at least not by those folks.

Taking care of the forest is a good thing to keep in mind when you're out riding. I mean, making sure you don't burn the forest down is a good thing, but more often people are just not considerate of others. Make sure you clean up after yourself. It goes without saying that if you fix a flat, don't throw your tube into the woods. Also, make sure our wrappers, and other various trash makes it out of the forest with you. I have yet to ride near Denver where I don't see various pieces of trash from someone who was there before me. I'm not talking beer bottles here (although I see those as well), I'm talking about the empty tubes of GU and powerbars that make it onto the trail.

And speaking of consideration, Mountain Bikers often get a bad name for their trail ediquette. I'm not sure it is all that deserved, but sure enough we have our bad guys. So this year when you're out riding, take the extra effort to slow down for others, no matter who they are. It will make a good impression either way. Be kind...if it's not returned, so what. Just wish them a nice day and move on. At least Karma will shine on you. Well..happy riding! SirRexALot

Slacker

Boy...have I been slacking off this year. I'm sorry about that. I started a new job, moved to a new city, and found whole host of new trails to ride.

Some things are good, and some things are not so good about change. I like the new trails, although there are fewer up hear near Golden than their were at the old diggs. That's OK...the trails here are better maintained, even if they're a lot more populated. I'm also closer to many of the trails I like to hit near Breck, and Frisco (Frisco is where I plan to retire to one day).

Keep checking the site though, I've been mapping trails around Golden, Boulder, Nederland, and places west from Denver all summer. I've also found some great bike shops like Wheatridge Cyclery, and Golden Bike Shop in downtown Golden.

I have to say that working in Lodo has its benefits as well, but I really miss having trails close to the office. However, deer and elk never looked as good as a coed sunbathing along the Platte river at lunch. The confluence of the Platte, and Cherry Creek are a great hangout at lunch. Also, having REI right there makes for a great way to get the food and toys you need for your camping weekend as well.

Anyway, I hope you all are having a happy summer. Mine has been better this year than the last few. I missed Fat Tire Bike Week in Crested Butte this year, but I made it up by spending every weekend there since June. I've found some new trails, and revisited some old ones.

Happy Trails!

SirRexALot!

A Fat Tire Festival Summer

It's that time of year again boys and girls! Let the festivals begin! Since I've finally found a temporary landing in Golden, I'm ready for a summer of mountain biking and hiking. This should be nothing but a good time this year. Next weekend I will be heading to Fruita for the 15th Annual Fat Tire Festival there. With the snow this weekend in the mountains, it will be a nice change. Also, I just living riding on the western slope. I'm sure I will also end up in Moab, Utah for at least a day.

This year is also the first time since 2006 that I have been able to ride my bicycle to work. I forgot what it was like to deal with traffic. I prefer wildlife. It doesn't hurt as much when they hit you. The other morning I was riding from Golden, to LODO, and decided at some point that traffic lights were just a suggestion, and nearly became a hood ornimant to a beer truck. Obey the traffic laws...you'll live longer.

Which reminds me: If for some reason I do become a statistic of bicycle travel on the highway, please do me the favor of NOT putting up a cross where I was nailed by said beer truck. I wouldn't want my family to have to explain "Yep...that X marks the spot where Rex became road kill." Somehow it just seems undignified. Not that I'm so dignified, but I would rather not be remembered as a traffic fatality.

On a lighter note, with the official kickoff of the Colorado mountain biking season upon us, make this summer the best year ever for getting fit, learning new trails, and bringing friends to MappedTrails.com! It will only motivate me more to get new trails up and ready for your enjoyment.

Happy Riding!

SirRexALot.

Let the Games Begin!

This has been a busy week for me. I'm trying to find a place to live in Golden, since the diggs in Woodland Park make the drive to the office in downtown Denver a trek I wouldn't wish on anyone. I mean the scenery for the first hour is good, but the next 90 minutes are remeniscent of Death Race 2000. I will never understand why people are in such a hurry to get TOO work. It's definately not worth dying for.

Since I don't know the area...yet...my first stop was to Pedal Pushers. It's a nice looking little shop on the south end of town. I needed some information on trails in the area. When I asked one guy if he knew where any were, he just looked at me like I was a moron, and stood toward the mountains and held out his arms as if to say "Yea...what do you think those are for?" Well...I needed a little more detail than that. I mean...a trail head location would be nice. I pressed him further for routes and possible trail heads, but all this guy could say was "Just drive up HWY 6 until you see the hang gliders." Well...I told him I would be taking off at 5 a.m. for a run in the hills, and would I expect to see hang gliders at that time? His reply "I don't know." Needless to say, I wasn't impressed with the customer service. Especially when I asked for shock seals for my Fox Float fork, and he pointed me to another guy who was on the phone talking to a friend, and was too busy to help the three people standing at the counter.

So...I decided that maybe I was in the wrong place. It didn't seem they were too concerned about getting my money.

With my next trip I headed to downtown Golden and found Golden Bike Shop. I was in the busy shop about a minute when a young man asked me if I needed assistance. I waited about ten at the other shop. I said Yes, actually. I was wondering if he had any information on trails. He said "sure!" He took time to show me maps of different trails, and gave me information on trail conditions, where the technical rides were, what's the most popular ride in the area, etc. When I told him I was moving to Golden, he even offered advice on where to look, and what to avoid. Now THAT's customer service!

So...if you're traveling to Golden, don't miss checking out Golden Bike Shop at 722 Washington Ave. They have the best customer service, and if you're looking for places to ride, they will actually tell you what you need to know, rather than treating you like a moron.

Happy Spring!

Sir RexALot

January Riding!

It's a new year, and I've already been out twice this month on the mountain bike. I actually road in Woodland Park three times this year, and on single track! There hasn't been much snow, and what is there has been footpacked so much that it's ridable. Sure...it's a little cold, but the riding is killer! All those roots that can throw you to the ground are under the snow pack. I mean...there's ice, but you have to have some of a challenge.

This is also a good time to mention some of the other riding options you have in the winter around here. Most of the fire roads which are too traveled in the summer, can make a great place to ride in the winter. The traffic they do get packs the snow down, and since it's open to the sun, the combination makes for conditions that are almost like concrete. As long as you're careful of the ice, it makes for a good mountain bike ride. Also, you get to be outside, which is the best part of it anyway right?

So for those of you that have been sitting on your trainers this winter wishing you could get out in the dirt, just suck it up, and hit a fire road. It will make you feel better, I guarantee it.

Happy Trails!
SirRexALot.

December Riding!

This has not been the greatest year for riding. Not that the riding has been bad, but that getting out and riding has been difficult. With the economy the way it has been, I have focused more on keeping the financial fires burning, than my riding habit. I'm hoping next year will be much different.

Today, however, I found myself out and about in Palmer Park. This is a great place to riding during the winter in Colorado Springs. Most of the year the trails are nice and foot-packed, enabling for a good ride, especially if you're on the full suspension. I wouldn't recommend it on a fully rigid single-speed, which is my normal equipment for summer riding in the park.

The conditions were pretty nice this morning at 7 a.m. Even the temperature of 25 degrees wasn't all that bad, once I got moving (the key is to start with a climb). Since the park is rather quiet on a Sunday morning, in the best of times, this Sunday proved to be even better. However, I was surprised to find that I was not the only person on the trail. I passed what appeared to be a married couple working their way to a divorce. At least that's what it sounded like. If they were just dating, the language would have been much kinder. I did learn, however that Joe is a sissy, and Mary is a slave driver. Either way, they were out riding, so they may have hope.

I made it around all my favorite trail in the park. Templeton Gap was nice and foot packed. There there was ice, you could easily make your way around it. I had no slippage at all, except on the steepest of climbs. I have actually found that riding the park in winter, makes for a better ride. The loose rocks are now frozen in place, and the normal idiot traffic isn't there. There are fewer dogs to negotiate, and the pot heads seem to be inside checking out the lava lamps.

I know most people around here think the only place to ride in the winter is Pueblo Res. I like Pueblo. I don't have the prejudices that most of the Colorado locals have for the place. But for real mountain biking, I prefer climbing to flat land, and high winds. It makes for a better day.

That's it until next year.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Rex