Dieting and Biking

Its Thanksgiving time and there will be lots of great food on the table. My wife is a fantastic cook and I know I can gain two pounds just breathing in the fresh aroma’s. This post is about losing weight and using your mountain bike to get to your goal weight.

Dieting is not easy. I don’t care who you take to or which Guru you listen to. I have a rather logical and scientific mind. Lets first look at the basics that will frame our understanding of how to lose weight. Just so you know, you MUST combine diet and exercise (bike riding) to lose weight effectively and keep it off. New habits must be formed.

Lets look at the math first. One pound of Fat on your body is equal to roughly 3500 calories. So, if you are going to lose just one pound, you have to go below 3,500 calories in the course of a week, 7 days; about 500 calories day. How many calories do I use a day just doing nothing? Assume you are sick in bed watching Oprah all day. There is a website that will calculate you daily calorie burn doing nothing all day. This daily calories burned calculator provides a simple estimate of your basal metabolic rate (BMR)

It turns out that my basic rate is about 1,800 calories per day; give or take a few. If I want to lose one pound a week, I must not exceed 1,300 calories per day. Now let me caution you that if you go below 1,000 calories a day, your body goes into “starvation mode” and secretes nasty metabolism slow-down hormones and really inhibits your long term weight lose trend. The long and short of it is that losing weight is a marathon, not a sprint.

So where does the mountain biking part come in? Well it turns out that Mountain biking, can burn a lot of calories; and since my Warhorse is 35 pounds I get to burn a lot of calories on the bike. The estimate vary depending on how vigorous your riding style is, but generally speaking, here are some sample estimates for an hour of continuous riding:

Cycling 5-6.5 mph 288

Cycling 6.5-8 mph 324

Cycling 8-8.5 mph 374

Cycling 10 mph 540

Cycling 12 mph 639

Cycling 13 mph 702

Cycling 14 mph 806

Cycling 15 mph 873

I am on my bike for 45mins to 1:15hour 6 days a week, so I know I can add up to 500 calories to my 1,300 that I am allowed and still lose weight.

I know some of the community may say, where is the proof. Well, in my case, I started this diet on September 1st of this year and now its November 19th. I have lost 15 pounds in these 6.5 weeks; that’s about 2 pounds per week and my calorie intake has ranged from 1500 to 2500 per day; less of the later and more of the former.

Jeff, my Winter Park Mountain bike racing buddy, and I discussed dieting this week. He remarked on how funny it was that some weekend bikers obsess over 100 grams of weight in a new shifter or a seat post. He told me that the best way for me to get a lighter bike is to lose ten pounds. You will be surprised how fast you can go up a hill. There is nothing like passing on Hills!!

Mike, my old college roommate, used to tell me that you can’t diet without exercise…I disagree, mountain biking isn’t exercise, its my passion! See you on the trails!

Strider Running Bike Review

Given that many of our readers have children we thought the following would make for a nice review.  I asked a family friend to help out, Elizabeth Tate agreed to write the review and her son Gabriel was the tester. With the holidays right around the corner we thought this would be a fitting review.

What a pleasure it’s been to test ride the Strider Running Bike! Our little Gabriel loves it! Gabriel is 2 ½ but definitely feels like a “big boy” on his “big boy” bike! He has three older sisters and with his new Strider, has joined the ranks of capable bike riders in our family!

The day his bike arrived, he couldn’t wait to get it out of the box. I was so surprised that the box and bike together weighed less than 10 lbs. The bike came in his favorite color, green, which he promptly named his, “John Deere Bike.” Assembly was very simple (I barely glanced at the directions at all) and using the wrench Strider included, the bike was ready to go in less than 5 minutes. Right away, Gabriel hopped on his bike and started scooting around the house. He used his feet to push the bike forward and slowly found a rhythm to move ahead.

The Strider’s seat height is adjustable from 11” to 16” high. This is a tiny little bike made to accommodate tiny little riders. It’s designed for children ages 1 ½ – 5. The Strider doesn’t have any pedals because most children in these young years aren’t able to coordinate the peddling motion. The bike is designed to be scooted on and propelled by pushing the feet on the ground. Eventually, little riders will ideally be able to glide on their Striders, lifting their feet and resting them on rest pads, comfortably located where peddles would normally be. The idea is that young riders, although unable to peddle, will learn how to balance on this tiny two-wheeler without ever having to use training wheels. When Gabriel’s bike arrived, I assumed that he wouldn’t master gliding and balancing on the Strider for a few more years. I was wrong.

For the first few days, Gabriel wanted his bike to go everywhere he did. This new bike was definitely his new favorite toy! He even insisted that his Strider be parked in his room when he went to bed. Being such a little bicycle, it was easy to accommodate his request. Indoors and out, he wanted to travel everywhere on his Strider!

When he was outside, Gabriel continued to push himself around with his feet and soon found a swift rhythm, accelerating his bike to a speed similar to a speed achieved by peddling. He continued to keep his feet on the ground or very near the ground for balance. The Strider has thick non-pop tires, which also give added stability to this bike. Gabriel definitely took some spills but not nearly as many as I would have expected. The handlebars are thick as well, and very maneuverable. They make big turns in either direction, which again, increases stability and helps avoid falls that come from sharp turns.

Over the next week, Gabriel continued to increase his speed and his love for his new bike continued to grow. Every time he went outside he wanted to ride his Strider. Still, I was very skeptical that he would learn to glide and balance on the two wheels, no matter how stable the Strider was.

About ten days after receiving the Strider, Gabriel was riding it in the driveway. He got up some good speed and suddenly he lifted his feet! He balanced and glided for about six feet! I couldn’t believe it! My tiny two year old was balancing on a two-wheeler! Since then, he’s been all about going faster and farther on his new bike! He can now glide for about 10-12 feet, pushing and resting his little shoes on the resting pads. It’s quite a sight to see! The other day a woman walked by and asked in a shocked voice, “Is he riding on a two-wheeler?!”

The Strider is a fantastic bike and it really works! It meets children right at their level, giving them the opportunity to ride a “big kid bike” without requiring them to peddle. It’s been a very fun and rewarding experience to see Gabriel gain confidence and ability on his Strider. I would recommend a Strider to any family looking to give their toddler/preschooler a very fun and enabling cycling experience!

Below are a couple videos that are also featured on the Strider website.

Interview with Bicycle Frame Builder Ted Wojcik

Ted Wojcik has been designing and building custom bicycle frames for the past 28 years. As he informed me of this he said, “how time flies when having fun”…it was 100% genuine. Hearing that was one of the highlights of the phone call…it didn’t sound cliché.

A true American hero, not just for the frames he builds, but serving in our armed forces during the Vietnam War. Ted gained extensive engineering and mechanical experience during his years of service in which he worked on gas turbine engines and helicopter transmission systems.

Ted Wojcik Custom Bicycles got its start while Ted was working at a motorcycle repair shop when his now wife brought a moped in for repair. It was the beginning of a relationship as well as the foundation of which the business would evolve from. It was Ted’s wife who changed his focus from motorcycles to bicycles. His wife was, as he put it, “altitude challenged”, being that she is 5’2” and an avid cyclist having trouble trying to have a bike frame to fit her. Having already learned the art of motorcycle frame fabrication, Ted ordered tubing from a local bike shop to build what would become his first bicycle and a wonderful present for his beloved. Being an accomplished welder, Ted decided to try his hand at creating bicycle frames. Built in Ted’s cellar, the next frame was sold before it was completed. In 1986 Ted went full time into bicycle frame building and in 1990 he moved out of his cellar and into his shop where the business remains today. The current shop is about 1600 square feet and is well tooled with a number of dedicated machines. He has collected a large amount of jigs and fixtures over the years and uses them to insure accuracy and repeatability in his builds.

Business slowed after 9/11and a great opportunity awaiting, Ted worked for a little over 2 ½ years on a project with the perk of spending $7.5M of a companies money building training aids for automotive vocational schools for the Venezuelan government. In 2004 when Ted returned to his business he noticed that it had moved backwards considerably. He has spent the past few years rebuilding his brand, awareness, and reputation which has enabled him to produce about 50-100 frames per year.

Ted is the lone employee and that doesn’t appear to change anytime in the near future. He is fussy about his work and there is a long learning period, he says that if he brought someone on they’d either end up hating him or they’d wreck stuff.

Unfortunately Ted is unable to do much off-road mountain type riding due to nerve damage from diabetes in his feet. He didn’t say it, but I have a feeling there’s a bit of peace in knowing that his work provides others with a riding experience matched by none. Seeing the joy and excitement of others probably helps ease any frustration regarding his situation.

Ted’s logo is as unique and as interesting as his story. The font came from a Santa stand in Harvard Square in 1990, “it looked like it represented something happy, so we adopted it…mountain biking is suppose to be fun and happy.” The colors represent the colors of Poland; red, white and black. If you look closely at the logo you’ll notice the “T” and the “W” representing the initials of his name.

I spent a little less than an hour on the phone with Ted, but I could have spent hours; days listening to him. If there was a book about him I’d read it. He is very engaging. I can’t count the number of times that I have visited his website, read the same text, or looked at the same pictures over and over. Take a look yourself, I’m pretty confident his work and story will engage you too.

Below are some additional photos of his craftsmanship…look at those welds!

Learn more, watch the video of Ted below.

Darn Those Socks: Switching from Hanes to the Smartwool Ultra Light

A sock by any other name is well, still a sock.  Or so I thought, until I slipped my foot into the lightly cushioned sole of the Smartwool ultra light woman’s cycling sock. As I eased my battered foot into this sock I could see the aura of light haloing around my feet, clearly indicating that this was “the sock.”

Socks, to me, have always meant the Sam’s pack of Hanes. You loose them in the wash, they stretch out, get holey, and of course, for those of us mountain bikers…stained with mud. Finding a sock that doesn’t slip down into your riding shoe while climbing is usually a tough task, in addition to finding a riding sock that is warm, yet not too thick.  Hence the staple pack of Hanes from Sam’s club.

The Smartwool ultra light riding sock fit all my needs, from riding to yoga to weight lifting and running. Immediately after putting them on, my feet were engulfed in the sultry deliciousness of their feel. Snugly securing themselves around my foot, they harbored each toe with comfort and support. They showed off my ankles and bulging calf muscles, while at the same time never slipping below the shoe line.

I still have my first pair of Smartwools that I bought 10 years ago in Steamboat, Colorado. They have since manufactured themselves a hole from years of wear, but yet remain a staple of my winter wardrobe. Usually I dedicate my biking apparel budget to high quality chamois and shoes, but the Smartwool ultra light has proved itself to be more than just a sock and is worth buying multiple pairs.

Strong Cycling Skills Indoors? You Bet!

Can stationary bike training improve your outdoor cycling performance? Of course! Whether alone on a trainer or with an indoor group cycling class, many skills can be enhanced over the winter months. What makes an efficient cyclist? Endurance, strength, speed, stroke skills, bike handling skills and mental resolve. All of those assets (most have bike handling) can be cultivated indoors.

Physical benefits are not the only thing you can cultivate. An indoor environment without the distraction of cars, potholes, rain, and wind allows you to work on the mental side of training. An athlete could be a gifted, genetic freak of nature, but not have the positive mental skills to reach optimum athletic potential. The NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB all have their own sports psychologists to maximize their athletes’ performance. Read one of the books by Jerry Lynch and Al Huang ‘Thinking Body, Dancing Mind’ or ‘Running Within’. While reading, what talks to your strengths, and what makes you aware of you weaknesses? Make indoor training the time you work on mental toughness.

While indoor cycling is often generically called “spinning,” SPINNING TM is actually a trademarked program. It was created by ultra-endurance cyclist, Johnny Goldberg, with the goal of getting the public more healthy and fit through riding a stationary bike.

When choosing a group to ride with indoors, be sure the coach/instructor bases the sessions on the principles of training: heart rate and/or power zones, and cadence parameters. If the coach/instructor is blasting Cher and asking you to do pushups on the bike, you are in the WRONG place. The pros first build a base through long, aerobic rides to improve endurance. Aerobic, then anaerobic hill work is then layered into the mix to build strength. Based upon the riders goals, the next stage is usually speed work, in the form of short fierce bursts followed by recovery. Modify the workout and select your exact training dose based upon your body’s response to previous workouts.

All certified indoor cycling instructors are taught about how to use heart rate training in conjunction with perceived exertion (RPE). When taking a session, each instructor should be prepared to talk about:

• The class structure
• Ways to modify the class
• Benefits of the class

The big benefits, which you can’t get by taking a pill, are:

• Increased O2 capacity
• Increase in the # of oxidative enzymes
• Increase in the # and size of capillaries
• Increase in the # of mitochondria
• Increased heart stroke volume ( pump more blood per beat)
• Slow-twitch muscle development
• Increased muscle fuel storage
• Increased muscular endurance
• Elevation of lactate threshold
• Strength development
• Increase in blood buffering of lactate
• Improved lactate clearance
• Speed development
• Power development
• Hypertrophy of fast-twitch muscle fibers
• Increased anaerobic capacity
• Increased VO2
• Increased neurological recruitment

Experienced instructors will provide a positive and non-intimidating environment. With an experienced instructor, Lance Armstrong could be riding next to your Grandma, and both would get the proper exercise stress they need and feel empowered to gauge the ride based upon their own body responses. It should not be” monkey see, monkey do.” Coaches coach, players play. Look for the same qualities in a cycling coach ( or any coach ) that you would look for in a personal trainer.

Whichever of the over 150 indoor studio bikes you use, it is important to find the proper set up. Set up is critical for optimal use of muscle groups, knee health, proper breathing, and protection of the low back. Remember: this bike was assembled in a factory for the general public. It does not mimic the geometry of your tri bike, nor was it hand-made according to your unique measurements at the Serrotta plant. Strive to get the best set up possible. Most classrooms have a plumb line to determine an accurate fore/aft adjustment. Use the KOPS method:

1. Dropped from the front of the knee, the plumb line should fall over the center of the pedal spindle.
2. Stand next to the saddle and lift the knee parallel to the floor to approximate saddle height. The cyclist’s hip flexor should be about even with the saddle.
3. A general recommendation for handle bar height is to keep them even with the saddle, although it is a comfort adjustment for the rider. If back problems are an issue, or if the rider is pregnant, place the handlebars on the high side.

Riding in an aero-dynamic position for extended periods on a stationary bike is not recommended. Sine the rider is in extreme forward flexion while on a bike with no frame movement, a huge amount of torque is put on the low back. Outdoors the bike, which was probably made FOR the rider, moves! Ride to promote health, not damage it!

Some facilities are now training on indoor bikes equipped with a power measuring device called a Power Tap, which has been the secret of the pros for the last ten years. Power Training principles are similar to those for heart zone training, but they’re based upon the amount of work- POWER -the rider can produce. Heart rate training in particular zones based on threshold is a good place to start, heart rate can be influenced by many external and internal factors such as, lack of sleep, improper nutrition, illness, dehydration, heat, humidity and stress. Have you ever been in a car accident or had a close call and noticed your heart beating in your ears? Have you ever been at the starting line of a race and seen your heart rate at 180 simply due to nerves? Try wearing a heart rate monitor during a heated argument, and watch your heart rate rise: you’re not on the bike or the treadmill, and there’s no work involved – just stress. Think about it…..

Power is power; it is the work one is doing, measured in watts. Unlike heart rate, it is not affected by other factors, which makes it a great way to quantify a workout. Let’s say an athlete is at the squat rack and can see 50 lbs. stamped on the side of each plate. He/she KNOWS how much work he/she is doing. The same principle applies when training on a bike that measures power. Not only do riders see the work they are doing, but they also gauge the correlating heart rate and how they feel at that power output. It’s a whole package. Over time, all cyclists want to be able to go a little faster for a little longer. On a bike with MEASURED, not estimated power, they can see that eventually they’re pushing MORE watts at a LOWER heart rate. Now THAT is progression!

Rather than growing roots into the cracks of your couch this winter, find a local class or indoor trainer session. Get your WHOLE TEAM–cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, muscular system, and MIND– ready to race come April.

V.I.O. POV.1 – Helmet Cameras for a Better Point of View

As we blaze trails across desert sands and through pristine forests, today us Mountain Biker folk seek ways to share our riding experiences with others. New technology has made camera technology feasible and affordable for many MTBer’s who seek a way to record the experience. Now V.I.O. takes the next step forward with the POV 1. The POV 1 offers DVD-quality recording (720 x 480 at 30 fps) with a wide angle lens which gives a better picture of the trail and more realistic video. The entire system is waterproof, dustproof and shock resistant to stand up to trail and rider abuse. The camera mount isolates shocks to make for a smoother video and included is a wireless control for easy recording. Editing software (MAC and PC compatible) is also part of the package and it is designed in such a way that even the technically challenged can easily figure it out.

There are a variety of resolutions, frame rates, and modes you can record in, depending on the desired result. The recording module has a built-in LCD screen for on-the-spot editing which allows you to delete the fluff and save your SD card space for the video you want to keep. At six hundred and eighty bucks you get what you pay for. You might have to push back that next bike purchase, but the POV 1 system has all of the durability, features and capabilities that even the most avid mountain bikers could dream of.

Below are some videos of the V.I.O. in action.

Shoot Tag Edit Share – VIO POV Bike Tutorial from THE VIO VOICE on Vimeo.

Mountain Bike POV Trails and Jumps from THE VIO VOICE on Vimeo.

BIKE Magazine Point-of-View Mountain Biking – San Juan from THE VIO VOICE on Vimeo.

Race Ready and Taken Down by a Bug

Base is built, climbing skills have been honed, and you’ve got your pacing down. You’ve seen your Threshold Power rise as a result of your hard work, and then it hits-

The flu and other flu-like illnesses have swept our country this season. Have you seen your watts get stripped away as a result of picking up that nasty strain? Acute viral infections decrease muscle strength, endurance performance, and can impair pulmonary gas exchange- so expect a decrease in power, it comes with the bug.

The ‘Neck Check’ may help you adjust your training during illness. If symptoms are above the neck (nasal congestion, sore throat), an athlete may attempt to ride. Moderate exercise, such as riding active recovery in Power Zone 1, is recommended and has been proven to be beneficial. If symptoms are below the neck (fever, deep muscle aches, hacking cough, lung congestion, vomiting or diarrhea), SKIP the exercise and go to bed!

Your body can’t sweat out the germs, that is what your immune system is for. It works best when it’s not stressed (i.e. a hard workout). A gradual progression back to normal training is key to prevent a re-lapse. It is recommended to exercise for 2 days at a lower than normal intensity for each day of illness. Here is a potential ride to help get you back to speed in a safe manner:

20 min. warmup to the watts of Power Zone 1 (assess energy levels and the ability to control power at the low end).

5 min. low to mid Power Zone 2 @ 90-100 rpm

5 min. low to mid Power Zone 2 @ 65-75 rpm

REPEAT for a total of 3 sets

GOAL- to maintain continuous power while working on speed and strength, and increasing aerobic capacity.

10 min. warmdown in Power Zone 1

Being down for the count does not necessarily mean you will have to go back to square one and start your training from the ground up again. Tune into your energy levels, not only during your workouts, but throughout the day. Once you’re feeling back to normal and motivation is high, return to your pre-flu training plan.

The King Secures His Throne With Several New Innovations

Chris King has long been known for their innovative design and unparalleled commitment to quality. Now they have raised the bar with a wide variety of new innovations and changes to their well-known line up. The Chris King headset is perhaps the most widely known of any of their products, but this year they have decided to shy away from the bold graphics that they are recognized for, and opt for something a little more subtle. The new design is called Sotto Voce; in Italian this literally translates to “under voice”. What it means is a very light graphic that creates a smoother feel to the look of the headset. However if you are a lover of the classic bold Chris King logo, do not despair, black will still be offered in the original white lettering or the new Sotto Voce design. Yet with these and other changes the unmatched 10 year warranty on their headsets remains.

Another new change to the look of their headsets, hubs and bottom brackets, is the introduction of a new color…brown. That is on top of their large color line-up already, which maxes out at 10, but depends on which component you are looking at. But I just gave the next point away; the new Chris King bottom bracket. It is designed to work with Shimano-compatible external bottom brackets. Besides offering 24 ball bearings per side and a user serviceable design, it comes with a 5 year warranty and a lot of pretty colors.

The hubs are also seeing a new addition this year, thru-axles. For front hubs Chris King now offers 15mm thru axle hubs with ISO 20mm hub shells or and standard ISO hub shells. And of course they have rear thru axle hubs. They come in 135 x 10mm and 135 x 12mm ISO flavors. All of the Chris King hubs offer a 5 year warranty, a variety of color options (of course), user-serviceable bearings, 72 engagement points compared to the normal 24 (on rear hubs), and the ability to adjust hub bearing preload with the wheel still on the bike!

King has expanded their stainless steel cog line to include 21, 22 and 23 teeth versions for more options for single speeders and fixies.

Chris King has long been shaping the leading edge of the industry, and with the coming year’s new line-up, I think it is safe to say they are holding that position. In a world where fine print is everywhere and even your coffee cup has to have a warning label on it, there is a company that is building a product the right way, and backing what they do with the best warranty around. This commitment to the industry is not only evident in their product but in their involvement with organizations like Wheels for Life, their contributions to the Pretty and Strong foundation for combating breast cancer, and commuter incentive programs for their employees, that generously rewards those who make a positive impact on our environment. The King secures his throne!

Separation of Bike and State?

With all this talk about reaching across the isle to the opposing political party President George W. Bush is trying to do just that for mountain bikers who are both red and blue. The Biker-in-Chief is trying to open up more trails in national parks across the nation to mountain bikers. President Bush, who actually is an avid mountain biker himself, wants to put the trail making of trail regulations to the managers of the pubic lands instead of those that sit behind a desk in DC. The process of opening up trails to bikers is a long and tedious one; in which the public has to be formally notified a process that currently takes years.

What the President wants to do is streamline the process so he can legally take “Mountain-Bike-One” out for a spin in what was once forbidden backcountry. This new regulation is not without opposition. In an article written by the Associated Press the author cites Environmental advocate Jeff Ruch, “Mountain bikers are blamed for erosion of trails and trampling native plants. They also disturb other park users, such as hikers, birders and horseback riders.”

After doing some research for this article it turns out that many sources agree that President Bush is quite an avid mountain biker, and quite good as well. He took up biking as a lower impact form of exercise after suffering a knee injury. “Mountain-Bike-One,” as the President has nicknamed his steed, is a Trek Top Fuel 98 with a custom paint job. Bush frequently rides around both his ranch in Crawford, Texas and in and around the DC area.

I am not one to mix biking and politics, but this is one political move that most bikers should agree on regardless how much you like or dislike the “Biker-in-Chief.”

Associated Press article below:

This just in from the Associated Press:

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration plans to make it easier for mountain bikers to gain access to national parks and other public lands before the president — an avid cyclist himself — leaves office.

The National Park Service confirmed Tuesday that it is preparing a rule that will allow decisions about some mountain bike trails to be made by park managers instead of federal regulators in Washington, a process that can take years.

A park service spokesman said the rule would be proposed no later than Nov. 15 so it could be final before Bush leaves office. If adopted, the proposal would likely result in more mountain biking opportunities on public lands.

Currently, the Park Service has to adopt a special regulation to open up trails to mountain bikes, which requires the public to be formally notified. The same process is required for all-terrain vehicles and other motorized recreation on park lands.

“We are trying to give superintendents a little bit of latitude especially for non-controversial proposals for bicycling in parks,” said Jeffrey Olson, a spokesman for the service. “We are responding to public demand.”

Environmental advocate Jeff Ruch called the rule a lame-duck gift for the mountain biking lobby from the “Mountain-Biker-in-Chief,” referring to Bush.

Ruch, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said the proposal would open up backcountry trails to mountain bikers. Mountain bikers are blamed for erosion of trails and trampling native plants. They also disturb other park users, such as hikers, birders and horseback riders.

During his tenure as president, Bush has embraced mountain biking as a low-impact alternative to running, which is hard on his knees. The president — who has a blue and white Trek bicycle dubbed Mountain Bike One — often rides on his ranch in Crawford, Tex. and in the Washington, D.C. area. He also has received several mountain bikes from companies like Cannondale and Trek.

The International Mountain Biking Association, which is supported by some of the same companies that gave Bush bikes, said Tuesday it didn’t believe the timing of the rule had anything to do with the president’s penchant for pedaling.

“It is extraneous to this (rule) that the president has interest in mountain biking. I don’t think that has been an influencer in this case,” said Mark Eller, communications director for the group, which has been lobbying to change the rules since the early 1990s.

About 30 properties managed by the National Park Service include trails approved for mountain bikes now, he said.

A calendar for Lyle Laverty, the Interior Department’s Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks also shows that the mountain bike rule is one the administration’s remaining priorities.

In April 2006, after a 65-minute ride through Napa County wine country on Earth Day, the president told an AP reporter: “We’re able to enjoy the beauty without really disrupting pristine nature of the place. It’s a classic way for mankind to enjoy God’s gift.”

The Ride at Waterton Canyon, Colorado

The Waterton Canyon mountain bike ride is really quite spectacular. Its about 30 miles south of Denver. There’s a gravel service road that goes up to the Colorado Trail. Its about 6 uphill miles with an elevation gain of about 500 feet; 5,490′ – 5,925′! My friend Dan took me there several weeks ago on a sunny afternoon to ride there. Here are directions.

The trail follows the South Platte River for the entire distance. While I was riding there, I saw numerous fly fishermen casting in the water. The water is so clear, that on the trail, you can see the fish swimming and coming up to snatch a tasty insect or a fly lure. The trail passes by 3 dams, which are very picturesque in the bucolic countryside.

About the halfway mark, a dozen mule deer flitted across the road and startled us. These were magnificent creatures, full of energy and bounce. There are signs along the trail telling you about the mountain sheep and goats. The ride is really a feast for the eyes. You will see young families, hikers, and fisherman carrying their poles, all enjoying the beauty. It is hard to believe that it’s all up hill; you hardly notice it. Bring your cameras. I would even guess that kids as young as 8 could ride with mom and dad to the top.

At the top of the six miles, you see the largest Dam to the right. Its huge with several bore holes spewing water at a high rate. I assumed it was for hydroelectric power. If you stay straight, there is a trail to Lenny’s Rest. The trail is quite technical. That’s “bike-speak” for: single track, switchbacks, narrow, deep center ruts, rocky, dangerous, nasty riding. Naturally, I decided that I could take that track. Halfway up, I ran out of water; shortly after that, I ran out of desire and will power.

My excuse to the Mrs. was that I ran out of water and that I started too late in the day. We didn’t hit the trail until 2pm that afternoon; but I have to tell you the single-track technical piece just really kicked my butt. I was bathed in heavy sweat, eyes stinging, wet clothes, breathing hard at 6,000 feet, darkness approaching, and I just whimped out. I plan on hitting it again in the Spring and I will bring three times the water and start off at 8 am.

There are rules in Colorado about hiking and biking in the summer. Colorado has over 30 peaks above 14,000 feet. When you hike/bike in the summer, the thunderstorms roll in every afternoon sometime around 12 noon. Be sure to summit by 11:30 am or you have no place to hide on a deforested mountaintop where you are the tallest object for lightening to find.

The ride back down to the parking lot was really a lot of fun once I made it back to the service road. Imagine a 6 mile downhill; relaxing, scenic and with the river below you to your right. What a ride!

See you on the trails.

« Previous Page — Next Page »