Where My Bike Takes Me

Above 12,000 feet Mean Sea Level in the majestic Colorado San Juan Mountains

 

Riders Come and Go, Kooks Accumulate

eCycle + Old Manchild = Trail Mayhem

 I'm not going to ask if I can get a witness because I was the witness to the acts of the witless in this case. This particular 50/60something Colorado manchild ran amok on a trail, leaving a trail of destruction in his skidiotic wake. Not only was he skidding into almost every turn, but blowing corners and crosscutting turns were also included in his repertoire of lame. A small sampling is pictured below because a full documentation would have taken hours. 

The manchild in this case seems to have recently acquired a motorized device that now allows him to access terrain he obviously doesn't know how to handle properly. Before his recent acquisition, the damage created by his lack of skills and non-existent etiquette was very confined. Now he has the ability to get in way over his head and the immediate results are obvious. There are three likely scenarios to develop in this case; serious injury or death caused by ineptutude and/or lack of fitness, public shaming, or scaring themselves into taking up another hobby. I'm hoping for the latter of the three, don't go away angry, just go away.

Riders Come and Go, Kooks Accumulate

Common Sense in The Idiocracy

Colorado SB 18-144 AKA The Idaho Stop or Safety Stop Law was largely ignored by most municipalities in Colorado since 2018.  The municipalities who chose to not participate must now opt-out if they still feel that this is going to create madness on our streets because Governor Polis signed SB 22-1028 into law on April 13, 2022.  Interesting that the lack of enforcement during the pandemic has exaberated the dangerous driver problem here in Colorado and that appears to be of less concern to some local politicians who either ignored or were flat-out against this law due to their ignorance of its positive ramifications where the law is already in place.

https://www.bicyclecolorado.org/bike-news/colorado-safety-stop-becomes-law/

When asked about this law by those who are not fully aware of its intent, the language in the bill says and backs up what I have been saying for years:

"Intersections are by far the most dangerous locations for bicyclists, in Colorado and elsewhere. The most recent data we have from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), which is comprehensive for the state from 2017-2019, indicates that in that time frame 72.2% of reported crashes between bicyclists and drivers took place at intersections or were "intersection related." When bicyclists are able to get out of the intersection and away from that conflict zone before a potential crash can even occur their safety improves."

The Truth Is Out There

My Top Five MTB Trails in Colorado

With the permeation of "Top" or "Best Of" lists on the internet, Colorado Mountain Biking Trails are a topic that gets a lot of attention.  From what I have seen, lists that reference this seemingly boundless resource often parrot each other in that they largely list only marquee trails.  This is something I find predictable, especially since many marquee trails are mostly a-technical in nature or lie within "destination" locations such as the Lunch Loops area in Grand Junction.

Without further ado and in no particular order...

The Wasatch Trail in Telluride

This trail is what I like to call the longest 16 miles in Colorado.  Though it starts and ends in downtown Telluride and features a "road" climb, it still manages to get out there.  The "road" starts out as a jeep road, however above Bridal Veil Falls it deteriorates down to barely a doubletrack that tops out over 13,000 feet.  The singletrack descent from the apex features a high concentration of switchbacks, especially above treeline.  There is also exposure throughout the descent, until it reaches the Bear Creek Trail that is an oft-trafficked road-sized trail that drops the last two and a half miles back to town.

Crosier Mountain Garden Gate in Glen Haven

There are three routes off of Crosier and the Garden Gate descent is by far the most difficult of the three.  The variety of terrain is probably the most unparalleled in this list, with some of the best technical sections I've ever had the pleasure to be challenged by.  Bring your big boy/girl pants for this one and hang on.

The Flight of Icarus in Fruita

Ridden as a shuttle or loop with a largely pavement road climb, there is nothing like this descent though it's largely a-technical in nature.  With its two distinct "wings" (right and left) the drops are both close to 1000' in a mile.  Beware of closures and hunting season though.  The BLM deemed it illegal at one point, claiming it crossed patented (private) lands, yet it does not and never did.  They also claimed it was created illegally by mountain bikers when historically it existed as a cattle drive trail from Calf Point down to Hay Canyon, according to the first riders to descend it.  Be sure to check status before going.  An interesting footnote on the Left Wing (the lower descent), it was created by a bulldozer in the late 70's as a fire break by BLM fire crews who were fighting a fire in the area.  Added bonus, what other trails have an Iron Maiden theme song?

CDT Jones Pass From Herman Gulch in Bakerville

While most who ride this section of the Continental Divide Trail shuttle their bikes to Jones Pass and ride down to The Herman Gulch Trailhead off of I-70, I find it more agreeable as an out and back.  The changing trail conditions and technical nature above treeline allow for a much safer and rapid ride from the top after getting a preview of the descent while climbing.  The lower portion of the trail can be crowded with various trail users between Herman Lake and the trailhead due to its popularity, but once one gets above Herman Lake the crowd thins out to very few users.

Canyon Creek Loop in Sargents

Nestled in-between Monarch Pass and the bustling metropolis of Gunnison lies the Canyon Creek Loop.  The combination of the nature of the trail and its location between the marquee trails of Gunnison/Crested Butte and the Monarch Crest Trail go a long way in keeping the masses at bay.  Yes, some of the climb is unrideable as pictured above and that alone keeps a large portion of bucket listers away.  The views at the apex and largely a-technical descent down into the Canyon Creek drainage make it all worth it to me.  Adding in the lack of schmendricks overrunning the trail is an undeniable bonus.

Rules To Ride By:

Ride On Open Trails Only. Respect trail and road closures — ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as may be required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness. 

Leave No Trace. Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you.  Skidding ruins trails in creating ruts and/or washboards. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in. 

Control Your Bicycle. Inattention for even a moment could put yourself and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits.

Yield to Others. Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you're coming -- a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to all other trail users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. Strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one. 

Never Scare Animals. Animals are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses, use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offenses. 

Plan Ahead. Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding -- and prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.

Now go ride your bike!

Three States, One Speed

I've been eyeballing an area with intent to ride some gravel roads in three states on one ride and the opportunity presented itself yesterday.  A couple of friends were camped at Pawnee Buttes and invited me up to hang out.

I arrived early in the day and lounged around in the shade for a few hours and then headed out, figuring roughly that it would be about 45 miles.  Once again, the Weld County road department had put a blade to some of my intended route and I did my best to avoid those roads, especially on the way back from the apex of the ride.

Nebraska

Wyoming

Back in Colorado

https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7484914

Buffaloed

Others may be buffaloed and headed towards the jump on the path that is being created, but I am not.