First Dirt in My New Home



R

Ride-A-Lot

Guest
[Inline: http://tinyurl.com/g4gcy]

First things first, no laughing. I only did 7.14 miles today which was
a big enough disappointment for me. Now the excuses...

1. First time on this trail and no one with me.
2. No lungs. Legs were fine but the lungs couldn't take it.
3. Damn water bars on the climbs.

Now the good stuff. Having wanted to ride on Saturday, the real estate
agent kept me busy the entire day so Sunday was going to be the ride
day. I had checked the Internet for people or groups riding in the area
(I hate riding unknown trails alone), but they were all heading to
Summit county. I thought this would be a bit too much at this point, so
I opted for what I thought was an "easy" trail. Since Golden is where I
am looking for permanent residency, I thought I would ride one of the
local trails - White Ranch. It was considerably smaller than Golden
Gate State Park and by the looks of the trail map, everything looped
around. In other words, no getting lost.

I guess my first mistake was not knowing where to park. I opted for the
top of the mountain lot, but it looks like most people to the fire road
climb up Belcher. Oh well, save it for next time.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3791.jpg

the views from the parking lot instantly reminded me of why landing a
job in Colorado was so special. This ain't New Jersey!

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3792.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3793.jpg

A quick look at the trail map and I choose Rawhide to meet up with
Longhorn. So far so good as it is mostly down hill.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3794.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3795.jpg

A Doe and her baby were running along side me for a good 300 yards.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3799.jpg

Although the first thing I figured was that an "easy" trail in this area
is an intermediate trail in New Jersey. Rolling the rocks and water
bars on the way down was not a problem.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3801.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3802.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3803.jpg

At the fork of Longhorn and Shorthorn, I chose Shorthorn. Again some
down and then a rocky up which I couldn't figure out the line. Although
now looking at the photo I can see it.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3804.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3805.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3810.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3811.jpg

I continue on Shorthorn until just before Belcher and take in the
moment. The trail was empty (saw about four riders and two hikers).

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3812.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3813.jpg

Then the climb begins and never seems to end. Starting with Belcher.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3815.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3820.jpg

Then to Mustang which was a pain in the ass! What happened to using
switch backs instead of stinking water bars? I was doing great and then
all my owies (and there were a few) were do to falling trying to climb
the stupid water bars!

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3821.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3822.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3823.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3824.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3825.jpg

Now I make a mental note to myself... This would be a blast going down!

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3827.jpg

This little guy landed right at my feet after one of my water bar incidents.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3829.jpg

Then I come to the longest boardwalk trail sanitization I have ever seen.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3830.jpg

I then tie back into Belcher and then a beautiful meadow singletrack
ride on Sawmill back to the car.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3831.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3832.jpg

My legs kept saying go, go, go, but my lungs had given up. Another week
and I should be more acclimated.

Here's the GPS stuff:

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrjpg.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrpr.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrsat.jpg

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
 
GeeDubb wrote:
>
> "Ride-A-Lot" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> [Inline: http://tinyurl.com/g4gcy]
>>

> Nice RR. Lungs will come with time.
>
>
> Did you actually go down (or up) this w/o walking?
>
>> http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3810.jpg


That was an up. I tried, but didn't get too far. Now I see I should
have stayed left, but it wasn't clear in person.

>
> It's about time you showed a ride profile with some real elevation..... :)
>
>>
>> http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrpr.jpg


LOL! I have a feeling they'll all be like that from now on. I have to
get the cog on the SS replaced. I saw one rider on the SS. I don't
think 17/34 is going to work for me in Colorado.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
 
Ride-A-Lot wrote:

> My legs kept saying go, go, go, but my lungs had given up. Another week
> and I should be more acclimated.


mmmmmmm, more like a YEAR.
 
Ride-A-Lot wrote:
> [Inline: http://tinyurl.com/g4gcy]
>
> First things first, no laughing. I only did 7.14 miles today which was
> a big enough disappointment for me. Now the excuses...
>
> 1. First time on this trail and no one with me.
> 2. No lungs. Legs were fine but the lungs couldn't take it.
> 3. Damn water bars on the climbs.


White Ranch is a Denver standard fer sure. Definitely start at the
bottom. The climb is a good (ahem) warm up. :)
Had to laugh (and wince) at the picture of your bike standing in the
rocks. I sliced my shin to the bone on one of those (bone headed
maneuver, no pun intended).
Where was the sanitized section? That's nuts!

Shawn
 
Shawn wrote:
> Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>> [Inline: http://tinyurl.com/g4gcy]
>>
>> First things first, no laughing. I only did 7.14 miles today which
>> was a big enough disappointment for me. Now the excuses...
>>
>> 1. First time on this trail and no one with me.
>> 2. No lungs. Legs were fine but the lungs couldn't take it.
>> 3. Damn water bars on the climbs.

>
> White Ranch is a Denver standard fer sure. Definitely start at the
> bottom. The climb is a good (ahem) warm up. :)


> Had to laugh (and wince) at the picture of your bike standing in the
> rocks. I sliced my shin to the bone on one of those (bone headed
> maneuver, no pun intended).


Going down or up? I banged my elbow pretty hard (same one I hit nearly
once a month) going up a water bar on Mustang, falling, and smacking it
on a pointy rock (the only one in the vicinity of the water bar). I
keep saying, I am not going to wear pads, but if this keeps up I may
have to change that.

> Where was the sanitized section? That's nuts!


It's on Mustang. There must be at least a 1/2 mile of it and they are
not finished.

>
> Shawn



--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
 
gabrielle wrote:
> On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 22:09:26 -0400, Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>
>> http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3791.jpg

>
> That is one shiny bike. Get some scratches on that thang!


You have to look at a closer pic. It's scratched up pretty good. I
clean my bikes after each ride and polish them up with Pledge (yeah, I
have a little OCD when it comes to my bikes). I figure if I pay more
for a bike then rent for a year, I's always going to look like a Mercedes.

>
>> http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3822.jpg

>
> Don't feel bad, I've had to stop & barf over teh fence too. ;)
>
> gab



--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
 
CowPunk wrote:
> Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>
>> My legs kept saying go, go, go, but my lungs had given up. Another week
>> and I should be more acclimated.

>
> mmmmmmm, more like a YEAR.
>


I don't know about a year, but certainly more than a week. I've lived in
Colorado a long time, and it always seems to take folks 3-6 months no
matter what condition they come out in.
I think physiological changes are happening in there.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado

Owner/Operator of the Pekingnese Ranch.
 
Ride-A-Lot wrote:
> Shawn wrote:
>
>> Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>>
>>> [Inline: http://tinyurl.com/g4gcy]
>>>
>>> First things first, no laughing. I only did 7.14 miles today which
>>> was a big enough disappointment for me. Now the excuses...
>>>
>>> 1. First time on this trail and no one with me.
>>> 2. No lungs. Legs were fine but the lungs couldn't take it.
>>> 3. Damn water bars on the climbs.

>>
>>
>> White Ranch is a Denver standard fer sure. Definitely start at the
>> bottom. The climb is a good (ahem) warm up. :)

>
>
>> Had to laugh (and wince) at the picture of your bike standing in the
>> rocks. I sliced my shin to the bone on one of those (bone headed
>> maneuver, no pun intended).

>
>
> Going down or up? I banged my elbow pretty hard (same one I hit nearly
> once a month) going up a water bar on Mustang, falling, and smacking it
> on a pointy rock (the only one in the vicinity of the water bar). I
> keep saying, I am not going to wear pads, but if this keeps up I may
> have to change that.


Who needs pads if ya got enough scar tissue ;-)

As I recall, I was moving toward the camera. There had been a shower so
it was a little slick. I was trying to wheely over a rock, and went to
far coming off the back of the bike. As I was trying to save the bike I
slipped on a rock and got cut. Bonehead maneuver.

Shawn
 

> I don't know about a year, but certainly more than a week. I've lived in
> Colorado a long time, and it always seems to take folks 3-6 months no
> matter what condition they come out in.
> I think physiological changes are happening in there.


Takes a while to stretch your rib cage out.
At 26yo my lungs were 25% larger than average. 6.75 liters

Being here 16 years though, I don't consider Denver to be riding at
altitude.
I don't really feel it until >8500'.

Winter Park is where you can really get up there. On the backside of
Mary Jane there are some old logging roads that go above timberline
You have to get off the trail and hike across the creek to get to them.
 
Ride-A-Lot wrote:
> Michael Dart wrote:
>> Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>>> [Inline: http://tinyurl.com/g4gcy]

>>
>> Damn Mitch looks like you've gone to mtb heaven!
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>

>
> Don't be a stranger. There's always room for one more.


I'll have to take you up on that!

Mike
 

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