Winter Commute

this morning it was snowing and the temp was 20°F with the wind chill putting the temp at 10°F. The commute was a blast! I took the bike path most of the way because this is the first time I've ridden through snow on the roads. It wasn't icy so I didn't have to deal with that. The city of Denver was plowing the bike paths! Awesome.


My bike with the wide 32 tires performed wonderfully. My commuting clothes were plenty warm as well, except that my finger tips were starting to get cold. Also I really need to get sunglasses for biking, the wind and blowing snow was distracting. Squinting into the snow is a bad idea when winter biking.

What clothes did I have?
Starting at the top, I have a Novara under helmet skull cap that was warm enough, it covers my ears too, although, 15 minutes in, the bottoms of my ears were starting to get chilled.

Next, I wore my Marmot wind and water proof coat, a wool sweater, a thermal long sleeved shirt, and a t-shirt on my abdomen. I need to get a balaclava or a neck warmer, as my neck and chin were cold in the wind! But otherwise the 4 layers were plenty warm.

On my legs, I wore my Novara headwind bike pants and long underwear. They were plenty warm down to 10°! And then on my feet, wigwam wool socks and my hiking boots/shoes. No complaints there! Warm toes!

So what do I need to add for these cold days? balaclava or neck warmer... sunglasses... and glove liners, or warmer gloves. Awesome!

I'm a little leery of commuting home tonight after dark, I'll just having to keep reminding myself to take it real slow and easy. Last night I rode through Denver with Kyle and because we took an easy pace, I spotted a red fox cross the road in front of us. Which reminds me I used to occasionally see myself biking through traffic as a trickster fox riding amongst a pack of brutish hunting dogs. Go Foxes!

Also two other people here at work commuted in on bike through the first week day snowy commute! (would've been hard to live down had I taken the bus...)

Sunday Nov 2nd: Chatfield loop

40 miles

Same as yesterday, except alot windier. The wind dried me out, I did not drink enough water and felt a bit dehydrated at the end of the ride.

I ran into Mu Son, we talked for awhile.

The weather was amazing both Saturday and Sunday: in the mid-seventies. Even the wind on Sunday was a warm southern breeze.

plenty warm on Sunday in shorts and short sleeved bike jersey. On saturday, when the sun went behind clouds I was a bit chilled.

Saturday Nov 1: Chatfield loop

40 miles

down the platte trail and up the steep hill to the top of the chatfield res. I rode down the hill, and then back up, then down again and pedalled home.

Saturday Oct 18: Waterton Canyon

62 miles, 4 hours 24 minutes






The distances:
3 miles from my house to Confluence Park
21 miles from Confluence to horse stable turn off at Chatfield
3 miles from horse stable to Waterton Canyon trail head
6 miles from Waterton trail head to Strontia Springs

Sunday Oct 12: Platte River Trail

32 miles; 40 degrees

I rode down the platte trail again today, it was a bit cold. But fun. I made the same mistake today that I made yesterday. I layered a cotton t-shirt. It got soaked with sweat and then was cold and clammy, so I stopped and took it off and then I was much better. Its tricky layering in cold weather, because you are hot and sweaty underneath and cold on the top layer. So if you wear cotton underneath it gets hot and sweaty and then cold and clammy. I just might have to make a few more wool purchases.

Saturday October 11th: Rainy Day Ride

25 miles


I rode around in the rain today. It was cold and rainy (around 42 degrees) but everyone in my house was practising music and I was starting to feel stir crazy, so I put on 4 layers on top, 2 layers on bottom and headed out on the road. I bought a pair of cold weather bike pants (Novara headwind pants) at REI's sale last week, they performed wonderfully. I just had those and a pair of long john bottoms and I didn't feel the cold or rain. On top I wore a raincoat and wool jersey (which I bought at New Belgiums' Tour de fat.

It was a fun ride, I enjoyed myself and other than a couple joggers, I had the bike trail to myself. Another tip of the hat to my new Miyata Six Ten. I've always been a bit hesitant to ride in the rain, but today was a sweet time, the 700x32 tires held the road wonderfully. And when I got home there was a warm bowl of Cream of butternut Squash soup waiting for me.

Notes from Bike Camping last month

What do I want out of this trip?
A bit of confidence; a bit of spontaneity; a bit of independence; to know I can set up camp and cook on a camp stove and carry everything I need on my bike. And that when an obstacle arises I can keep my head and fix the flat and improvise. I also wanted to see the magical in the mundane, an adventure in the middle of the suburbs.


Bike Camping 9-10-08

I left work at 3pm, I rushed home and quickly packed. I left my house at 4:15. At 5:20, on the Bear Creek Trail I got a flat tire. Luckily in the front. I arrived at the campsite at 6:05. I pitched the tent and cooked some pasta. At 7:05 I sat down to eat, pasta with Peanut Sauce. Awesome and smple camping meal.

The bike ride out to Bear Creek Lake State Park was beautiful. I enjoyed having the bike weighed down (and it was weighed down!) It made me ignore the passing bikes and ride mellow so I enjoyed the ride and scenery.

I need a stronger back wheel. I put a lot of weight back there. I also need new tires. I've been getting a lot of flat tires recently. I packed too much food. The pasta and sauce were perfect and tomorrow I'll probably brew coffee and maybe try oatmeal and cookies for breakfast.

The campground is pretty horrible: no trees larger than 12 feet, all open spaces, all spaces with electric hookups and huge gravel parking spaces in front. The RV parked across the driveway from me has a bright spot light shining on the side of their Motor Home. I came out here to escape all of the light pollution and maybe be able to see some of the stars and they brought a little of suburbia out camping with them.

But I kid you, it was an awesome bike ride. The grade of Morrison was pretty intense with all of the additional weight on my bike. I had to shift down into the granny gear! As I was barrelling down the other side of the hill I asked another cyclist where the park entrance was. He pointed it out and added, "Don't freeze camping!" Its weather is pretty mild at the campsite yet. As the sun went down, I put on jeans and a fleece long sleeved shirt, (the Lantz Guernsey Farm shirt my brother gave me!) and I am nice and toasty warm.

For bear and raccoon protection, I threw a nylon cord over a 7 foot branch to tie up the food. Granted a raccoon could reach that on its tippy toes but I figured I should make an effort. Still, what a joke. There's no tree branch really any higher in the campground to throw it over. I didn't pack that much food, I decided against making black bean soup because of the mess to clean up afterwards. The pasta was a last minute grab on the way out the door and will become a camping staple because of its simplicity to make and clean up afterwards. The Light My Fire mess kit worked perfectly, I even used the colander.

Next time, I need to organize the load better, so I can get at my tools (spare tube, pump, tire levers) without having to unstrap the tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad from the rear rack to get at them.

What did I bring:
Tent, footprint, pad, sleeping bag
stove, fuel, lighter
food (pasta, sauce, trail mix, tamari almonds, Uncle Eddie's Vegan Cookies, oatmeal, ground coffee, instant refried beans, and instant black bean soup)
water: 3 bottles and also camelpak
Extra clothes (fleece, pants, wool hat, gloves, socks, thermal underwear)
toiletries (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, dish towel)
camera
raincoat

I will assess tomorrow whether I overpacked (it seems like a huge load for one night). But readingWhat do I want out of this trip? A bit of confidence; a bit of spontaneity; a bit of independence; to know I can set up camp and cook on a camp stove and carry everything I need on my bike. And that when an obstacle arises I can keep my head and fix the flat and improvise. I also wanted to see the magical in the mundane, an adventure in the middle of the suburbs

The tent pitched easily in 10-15 minutes. It would've been a different story if it'd been raining. Rain would've changed everything.

Bear Creek park was lovely to bike through, it was everything I miss: tree lined bike path, golden sunset prairie grass, a relaxed ride, easy going vibe.

I think when people saw my loaded bike they thought: "oh an eccentric!", or, "Oh the homeless!", or "Oh I want to do an overnight bike trip!" or "Oh, he's on a holy pilgrimage! A pilgrim, a Holy Fool."

What do I want out of this trip? A bit of confidence; a bit of spontaneity; a bit of independence; to know I can set up camp and cook on a camp stove and carry everything I need on my bike. And that when an obstacle arises I can keep my head and fix the flat and improvise. I also wanted to see the magical in the mundane, an adventure in the middle of the suburbs: and I am smack dab in the midst of the suburbs, the superhighways 285 and C-470 are both less than a mile from where I am camped. I can see the constant traffic from the picnic table I'm sitting at, by I can also see the moon and the stars.

Next morning:
I woke up last night thinking: Wow, is it morning already? It was getting lighter in the east, then I looked at my cell phone and it was midnight. Oops! So I went back to sleep. The wind blew a lot, I was out in the middle with no trees to block the wind. I slept sideways in the tent because the tent wall kept blowing in an hitting the top of my head.

I woke up at 6:30am, by 7:30 I had pitched camp and was drinking coffee. At 6:30 there was a constant stream of traffic passing over C-470 already. If you close your eyes you can pretend its the sound of a river, a mechanical river. I left camp at 8am, got lost a couple times biking around the state park and got home around 10:30am. Fun ride home, a bit cold and damp, especially riding in jeans and with the camelpak on my back. But a nice ride, not too tired.

Additions I could have used:
Pillow!
chain grease.

Didn't need to pack:
camelpak
some of the instant food.

Sunday Sept 28: Biking to the Colorado Trail

61 miles total today
The Colorado Trail is a hiking (and mt biking) trail that meanders over the rocky mountains from Denver to Durango, 415 miles.

I rode down the Platte Trail today down to Chatfield Reservoir and from there hung a right to catch the South Platte Trail to Colorado Trail trailhead then rode down Waterton Canyon Trail up past the Strontia Springs Dam. It was a fun ride, made possible by the fat tires on my new Miyata Six Ten! From the right turn at Chatfield until the end of the ride were all dirt paths.

South Platte Trail

Here's the Waterton Canyon Trail Map:


Here's information on the Colorado Trail:


Here's a picture of the Pike National Forest that borders the trail:


One more pic:


On the way back I bumbled onto perhaps a more direct route from Chatfield to Waterton Canyon:
1. Bike south down the main park loop road
2. take a right at the horse stable exit, "B&B Livery - Horse Rental" (its a half mile past the main park exit/entrance on Wadsworth Blvd)
3. find the dirt trail to Waterton (I think it should be obvious.)

I'm excited about today's adventure as I've been looking for a fun, bikeable route from Denver to a National Forest where I can go bike camping without being surrounded by RVs. And I finally found it! Next weekend, hopefully I'll try camping overnight in the Pike National Forest on the Colorado Trail.

Saturday Sept 27: Bear Creek Trail to Dinosaur Ridge

58 miles
I forgot my camera so no pictures, which is too bad because this is the most beautiful ride. I left a little after 11am, cuz I can't get started before 11 for some reason. I rode down the platte trail, took the right fork to get onto the bear creek trail, rode out to Bear Creek Lake State Park, climbed to the top of the enormous Mt Carbon, was scowled at up top of said mountain by some suburban biker whom I said "Hi!" to at a water fountain. (Was the scowl the result of my vintage bike with puffy foam handlebars or the fact that I filled up my water bottle instead of using a disposable cup like him? We'll never know. I get very few nods or hello's in BCL state park, seems snobbier and alienatinger than any other trail, shit on C470 west, everyone I met was friendly and that even farther west into the burbs!)

Then I took S. Rooney Road up to Alameda Parkway which rides up and around Dinosaur Ridge. I took the time to look around Dinosaur ridge. The views up there are amazing and there are actual dinosaur foot prints on the rocks. Yes, next time I will remember the camera.

Then came back the same way. I'm still trying to learn to shift my friction shifters on the new old bike, but other than that a gorgeous ride. Also the bike seems to smooth over a lot the bumbity bumps.

Friday Sept 26: Getting Lost on Clear Creek Trail

I rode my new 22 yr old bike, its a 1986 Miyata Six-ten

45 miles
This has to be the least marked trail, with the most forking paths that I've ever taken. I met a couple who was also lost, they had biked down from Arvada and were calling their son at a cross roads, to ask him which fork to take.

I took the Platte Trail up from confluence park to the Clear Creek Trail turn off. The Platte trail during this leg is smelly and very industrial. There is a wide gamut of smells from Purina Dog Chow processing, to waste water management to Horse stable stink: bring a lavander scented handkerchief. (I did bring a bandana but it was unfortunately not scented, perhaps I will try that next time.) After you ride past the first 5 miles of the CC trail, it begins to become tree lined and pretty, next time I will take pictures, the falling yellow leaves were pretty and a bit seasonally wistful, that part of the ride made the Platte section worthwhile.

I didn't make it all the way to Golden, which was my goal, I just made it past the Wheat Ridge rec center, after which I lost the trail for the last time and decided to turn back home as the sky had been promising rain all afternoon.

Map of Denver Bike Paths

Sunday Sept 21: Chatfield-west C470-Bear Creek

View from W. C470 trail

55 miles
Yesterday I explored another good trail: the West C470 trail. I biked down the Platte River trail to Chatfield and then biked under C470 and took a wrong turn onto the abominable Columbine trail. (Ugh.) Then doubled back and found the C470 trail, which granted, yes, parallel'd C470 up a 100 feet, but the views of the hogbacks were spectacular, I had a grin on my face the entire time I was on C470 or Bear Creek. Then as the trail approached BCLP, I saw the home depot that I could see from my old camp site at BCLP a week ago. I bike passed it and was at the South end of Bear Creek Lake Park, which is a beautiful entrance.

the winding road into Bear Creek Lake State Park

Then I pedalled through BC, had a bit of a snack and then decided not to ride up over Dinosaur Ridge (55 miles would be enough today). I rode back through BCLP, saw a motorcycle with a couple kids driving through the bike trail of the park (I gave them a stern old-man-on-bike look, which no doubt made their ride worthwhile.) It rained a bit, just enough to muddy up the bike, and I had this view with Prairie flowers leaving Bear Creek.


Beautiful ride, I can't wait to ride it again!

Friday Sept 19: Bear Creek-Morrison Half Century

55 miles
I took a vacation day to go cycling. I liked this ride alot, although Mt Vernon Road is a bit narrow and cars seem to pass whether there was room or not.

Bear Creek Lake Park was beautiful and fun to bike through with all its hills and Mount Carbon. I rode through it to on the way out as well as to get back. (There is an option to take Morrison Road but I stuck with the bike path, its much prettier.) Then I biked up Mt Vernon road, up past the Red Rocks entrance. Cars speed on this road and its too narrow, so it was not such a fun segment. Then I turned off onto another road Alameda Parkway, it winds up and over the hogback: Dinosaur Ridge. That was fun to ride, there were alot of hikers, next time I decided I should bring along my hiking shoes. Then I got a bit lost and then I ended up going down the correct bike lane past the world famous speedway (whose name I cannot recall). Then back home through Bear Creek. I hiked around in Bear Creek looking for a potential stealth camping spot. There may be potential spots around there.

Sweet ride. Perhaps my new favorite.

Wednesday, Sept 17th: Cherry Creek Resevoir

34 miles
I went after work, started at 6:15. I think its too late in the year to start a ride this late. It grew dark really early in the ride. Stuff kept falling off my bike (I had a big water bottle and lock badly bungeed to my rear rack). Also on the back half of the resevoir the insects were so thick, I had to hold my hand in front of my face and could feel insects smacking into my hand one or two a second. (brutal!) They stung if they hit my face anywhere near my eyes.

Sunday Sept 14: Cherry Creek Resevoir

34 miles

Fun ride, chilly today: 60 degrees F.

I wore my new New Belgium wool sweater and my knickers and was warm enough. I left the camelbak at home, because I didn't want a sweaty back. I took two water bottles and was fine.

Thursday Sept 11: Back Home from Camping

28 miles
the ride home in the morning was beautiful and laid back, I meandered through BCLP instead of taking Morrison road,
good choice that park is beautiful to trek through
a bit Chilly and sweaty (with the camelbak and jeans) on the way home though

Wednesday Sept 10: Bike Camping

Sub-24 hour Overnight

24 miles

I loaded up the bike with camping gear, headed out the door at 4pm
got another flat on the front tire, other than that a beautiful ride, I love Bear Creek Path and Park.

I Biked to Bear Creek Lake Park via Bear Creek Path and Morrison Road. On Morrison Road with all of the extra weight I had to shift down onto my granny gear and the biggest cog.

Fully loaded the red bike is a bit slow, which added to a fun laid-back trip, bikes passed me and I let them, without a seconds thought to trying to keep pace with them.

Sunday Sept 7: Bear Creek-Morrison Cruise

45 miles

I got a flat on Morrison road, almost turned back as I had no more spares, but I pressed on, it was a lot of fun!

The hill climbing was a good time too!

Saturday Sept 6: Cherry creek resevoir

34 miles

Wednesday Sept 3, 2008: Cherry Creek Res

34 miles
I used my biking shoes and they were fine today.
I kept telling myself not to rush, not to push, just to take it easy.
computers dead, battery??
2 hour after work ride.

Sunday August 31, 2008: a Century!

101 miles!

I rode a century: 101 miles. It was painful, I foolishly ride around the CHerry Creek Res the afternoon before and I could feel it after mile 50 of the century.
--My left shoe/foot hurt alot. I'm not sure why, although its felt that way on other rides as well. I may need to get other cycling shoes.
--my shoulders and neck were also pretty sore by the end of the day.
--it took 7 hours
--I averaged 13.7/mph
--I stopped for 10 minutes about 6 times. (I didn't stop the clock when taking a break)
--mileage: 2625 miles before; 2726 after.

The route I took was first the great southern suburb bike cruise ~54 miles, and then down to chatfield, then out towards Bear Creek then up towards the Cherry Creek Res again then back home. Not recommended, it'd be nicer to have one long route, then to wander aimlessly looking at the spedometer to see how many miles were left in a century.

Saturday August 30th, 2008: Cherry Creek Resevoir

33.5 miles

stopped by REI's labor day sale, bought a pair of bike shorts, a jersey and a camelbak. (to keep myself well-hydrated, one of my big weaknesses.)

I had to try the stuff out so I went for a fast 2 hour ride around CCR. The camelbak worked great as did the shorts and shirt.