FYI-postpone Advanced Rides

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that I may not be having an Advanced Ride for a while, because I will be helping out lead some Intermediate rides to fill Jacquette's shoes due to unfortunate injury. There may be a game time decision if there are other ride leaders to help out. I'll try to add some mileage on to push Inter's and give you guys a good work out or we will due routes that will allow you guys to take off on your own if you feel like it. Thank you for your patients and let's wish Jacquette a speedy recovery!
This Saturday we will head out to the Aurora Res. and I plan to add a few extra miles on to our normal route so you guys will get a good work out.

RECAP: June 11th

This ride was a little unusual as there were only 3 of us for this ride, so we decided just to have some fun and we rode with the Intermediate group again.  We had phenomenal weather with warm temps and sunny skies and little breeze.

Things started off with half of the group going in the wrong direction, but a quick phone call later we got every one regrouped and headed in the right direction.  After going down Yale and making a left on the bike path Cristen had a momentary lapse and had a small run in to the back of Brian's bike.  She made a dive for the grass and only ended up with a little road rash and some ripped bar tape.  We had a quick trip down Dartmouth and then got on the Bear Creek trail.  This trip out to Bear Creek we did things a little differently and rode up Morrison Rd. instead of coming down it.  Our pit stop was at a local Conoco where there was quite a bit of traffic.  

After refueling we continued our ride into the Bear Creek golf course and did a little more climbing and had a few more mis-communications but got regrouped once again for the ride home.  We back tracked our route out but instead of heading home on Yale Gene suggested we return via the DTC.   Every one made it back to the shop ok and we ended up logging 47 miles.  

I look forward to seeing all of you back this Saturday where we will try the Pinery route again.

Check out ride stats here:
Intermediate Ride: Bear Creek by edge705cb at Garmin Connect - Details

Check out ride pics here:

Advanced ride June 11th: Pinery

This week we will head out to the Pinery for some fast flats and a little climbing, a few rollers and descending.
Our ride will start out by riding through the CC res., down Potomac to Broncos Pkwy. Next we will take the 470 trail south down to the Pinery. Once we get to the Pinery we will be treated to a nice little climb followed by some rollers and a descent. We will then return the same way we came out.
Mileage will be around 50 miles and it should be a beautiful day.

Advanced Ride June 4th: Elephant Rock Prep.

Hey guys, this week we will take Saturday off so to speak... There are few of us who are participating in the Elephant Rock 100 on Sunday so we aren't going to have an advanced ride this weekend so we can save our legs for the ride.  Will hang just hang with the Intermediate group this week and ride to Golden with them.

RECAP: May 28th Deer Creek/High grade

Did we have a great ride on Saturday or what?  Our ride started out with some phenomenal weather, temps were in the mid 60's with a lite breeze.  We had a good size group of 9 riders for this new adventure to Deer Creek.

Things started off with a nice warm up to the CC Res. were we ran into the Intermediate group on their way into CC park.  We headed straight through the DTC to Happy Canyon and then on to Dartmouth.  From there we headed south on the Platte trail were half way to Chatfield Ken got a flat.  After a quick change we were back on the road and riding through Chatfield State park.  This is where the fun really started to begin...  we started our climb up Deer Creek and every one was finding their own pace up the mountain.  We had a quick regroup as we turned up High Grade where Eric ended up getting a flat after jinxing himself early when Ken had his flat.  After an amazing climb and gazing at some beautiful scenery we made it to the top of High Grade and had some refreshments, caught our breath and discussed how our individual climbs went.  After we had refilled our water bottles and had a bite to eat it was time to return home.

The top of High Grade.

We rode an out and back but we ended up loosing a few riders because some wanted to ride a little further such as Eric, Mike and Dave.  Jan did the descent with us but then went his separate way to meet his wife.  After a very fast trip down where Ken was just screaming we all decided we need some more fuel other than GU's and Chomps that most of us had brought with us so we stopped at our usual gas station to fill up some more.  I'm glad we did because we all needed the calories for our ride back to the shop.  We had a slight head wind riding back up the Platte trail but Ken did a great job pacing us back to Dartmouth.  Our legs were really starting to feel it so instead of going back through the DTC we cruised down Yale to save some time and miles.  By the time we arrived back at the shop we had logged 73 miles.  Every one rode really well and we enjoyed a little ride recap back at the shop with the remaining riders.

Thanks for a great ride guys!  I had a blast and we will definitely be doing that one again.

Check ride stats here:
Advanced Ride: Deer Creek by edge705cb at Garmin Connect - Details

Check ride pics here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=bicyclevillageaurora&target=ALBUM&id=5611977104020841569&authkey=Gv1sRgCJSQrImAwP2TXA&feat=email

Advanced Ride May 28th: Deer Creek

This week we will be venturing some where new and will head out to Deer Creek Canyon.  This will be another first for us which will be exciting.  I've never been out there myself so I may have to depend of some of you for some direction...  According to MapMyRide if we leave from the shop go down Happy Canyon to Dartmouth then to the S. Platte trail past Chatfield and up Deer Creek to the top of High Grade it should be around 67 miles round trip. 

The weather isn't looking too bad with a high of 64 degrees and partly cloudy skies.  Should make for a nice day.  Make sure to eat your Wheaties cause there will be some good climbing!  See you guys Saturday... :)

RECAP: May 21st Triangle of Death

This weekends ride was quite a change from last week's cold temperatures.  The weather was absolutely perfect except for the little bit of head wind we had for some of the ride.  We had a small group of 5 riders today that were willing to test them selves on the "Triangle of Death."  The route took from the shop to Inspiration, down to Chatfield then up to REI and finally back to the shop.

Our adventure started out with a ride through CC Res. then to Potomac and on to Broncos Parkway.  From there we entered Chanango and enjoyed a nice little climbing through some residential areas.  After a speedy descent down Inspiration we hopped on the 470 trail and headed west towards Chatfield.  Here we encountered a little bit of a head wind but it wasn't too bad compared to what we've had to deal with on previous occasions.  Solomon helped pull and set the pace for a little while which was appreciated so I could have a bit of a break.

Tom and Solomon cruising down Broncos Pkwy

We took a break at our usual gas station where we shared some stories and a few laughs with one another.  After a little R&R we remounted our bikes and proceeded to ride to the S. Platte trail.  Once again we ran into a head wind all the way up to REI.  The trail was quite busy with families out riding and other cyclists enjoying the beautiful weather after the week long rain spell we had.  We reached REI and took one last break and did a little people watching and shared some more stories while getting re-hydrated and having some snacks.

After this last break we had a relaxing trip down the CC trail that was pretty busy with other cyclist, runners and walkers.  After clearing downtown we bumped up the pace a little and cruised back to the shop.  All things said and done we had put in 67 miles on this beautiful day.  My legs were a little sore but it was a good feeling and we had a great ride and hopefully the weather will continue to improve from here on out.

Thanks for a great ride guys and I look forward to seeing you all next Saturday.

Check out ride stats here:

Advanced Ride Triangle of Death by edge705cb at Garmin Connect - Details

Check out ride pics here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=bicyclevillageaurora&target=ALBUM&id=5609591517419265409&authkey=Gv1sRgCL2pvazS0rKCHA&feat=email