RECAP Sat March 24th

And what a fabulous day it was!  The great weather brought out a multitude of folks hungry to tear up the roads.

CAN U BELIEVE IT'S MARCH?!?!?!

RECREATIONAL: Cherry Creek Reservoir - Jacquette

Jacquette was thrilled to be back in the saddle and amongst her riding buddies at BV.  18 miles proved to be just what the doctor ordered to regain her riding confidence.  Joined by 8 enthusiastic riders including her 86 (!) year young dad Al...the group ventured out to CC reservoir, wound around to the "tower" and conquered THREE strong hill workouts before turning back to the store.

Alex was very excited today as he has been saving funds and was ready to purchase a new Scott bike today!  Lookout folks, he's one determined rider.  Also along was Alex's dad Randy and friend Jeff who is training for Ride the Rockies.  Somehow we got separated from Winnie who was out to get some strong mileage in for the day and must have taken off on her own.  Determined and regular rider Travis quickly dusted off the winter "slows" and busted up the hills.  Al had ridden to the shop and broke away from the pack in the reservoir and was happy to get in over 20 miles for the day.  Another rider, sorry I forgot your name, was quick on the hills and we separated when I stopped to take photos.  Tim was shining bright on his new 6.9 Trek Madone, and after successfully losing a whopping 80 lbs he was feeling powerful and knows nothing will stop him from achieving his goals.  Good for you Tim!  Many appreciated the "push" of the hill workouts and are looking forward to more great rides this season.

INTERMEDIATE - Meridian - Jeffrey

Thank GOODNESS C.B. was able to figure out a quick replacement for Jeffrey's broken seat mast and get him in the saddle just in time to lead today's Intermediate/Advanced group of almost 30 (!) .

For many this was the first ride of the year and some ended up getting spread apart from the pack.  After weaving through Cherry Creek Reservoir and out to Meridian, the group did two to three laps, then made our way across the bike path to Jordan Rd and back.  It was early season and many were still trying to find their "legs" but no flats or other issues and eveyrone had a good time. 

Coming back through the park Jeffrey doubled back about half a mile to pick up 3 or so stragglers, all of whom then decided to ride home without going back to the shop so I came in  behind the pack. 

A huge thank you to Anthony for being our photographer today.  Share your ride photos at BicycleVillageAurora@gmail.com

Jonathan Porzondek posted on Bicycle Village Aurora's Wall"Thank you for the wonderful intermediate group ride on 3/24. What a beautiful day it was! About 45 miles sure did wake up ye' old lungs. For the gentleman that shot the picture of all of us, can't wait to see how it turned out! See y'all out there! "
 

"GEAR-HEAD" News

NEWS FLASH: For those familiar with 5-Star rated Pleasant Park rest stop above Highgrade Road.    

It's been learned that a nearby landowner plans to set up a commercial chipping site that sounds like it could be quite a disturbance for both the locals and those of us that ride that area. 

WE, committed cyclists, need to do our part and get the word out.  Help lend a voice against what could be a huge negative impact on some very popular destination roads.  Ban against added big trucking traffic, increased dust/debris, noise and an increased threat of beetle infestation, please speak up with a call or email to the below folks.

Please connect to attached link and if possible attend to protest the plans of a nearby landowner to set up a commercial chipping site that sounds like it could be quite a disturbance for both the locals and those of us that ride that area.  http://ppnaconifer.org/index.html

Reference case number 11-113350SU

Case Mgr Aaron McLean 303.271.8525

Commissioners - commish@jeffco.us

RECAP Sat March 17th

What a gorgeous day for a ride!

Gene and group left BV at about 10:00 with big smiles at the welcomed weather.  A tad breezy but nothing like last week.  The route was the Denver triangle, one of Gene's favorites and just a little over 33 miles.  Happy to report we had 16 riders with no flats or mishaps.  A great time spent outdoors with good riding friends.

Hope to see you again next week... 

RECAP Sat March 10th

IT was our first decent weather in a long, long time, and it showed today as over 20 folks dusted off their bikes and came to ride despite some wind.  Along with several of our year-round riders, many were "first-season" riders.

RECREATIONAL: Jeffrey


Jeffrey took a group of ten out for a slightly shorter and slower jaunt then the posted Broncos PArkway route.  This group included Jason on the fat tired touring bike that he road up from Austin last year!  We fought the winds out of the south on the way out, and by the time we were through Cherry Creek Reservoir five people had decided they had put in half the miles they were going to do and headed back.  The rest of us averaged 13 to 15 miles an hour out to the soccer fields, then turned around and ran an effortless 20 mph most of the way back.

INTERMEDIATE: TOM

Tom led 14 intermediates for a moderate 28mile ride.  The intermediates went on a windy ride out through CC State Park and past the Broncos headquarters.  They continued out to the E470 trail and then headed east to Jordan and a stop at the Loaf 'n Jug at the halfway point.  The group was an nice mix of regulars and some new faces.  Some riders were shaking off the dust and quite a few just have not stopped riding over the winter and were almost in mid season form.  We announced regrouping points throughout the ride where the speed demons waited for the majority of the group to meet up with them.  After the halfway point the reins were totally loosened on the fast group and they took advantage of the 15-20 MPH tailwind and flew back to Bicycle Village to pack up and get drinks and nourishment from the shop.  Tom and the remaining riders arrived shortly afterwards.

We welcomed Courtney who joins us after a recent move from the Springs, if you ever need a tax lawyer she can punch your ticket.  She is a strong rider and was enjoying her new present to herself a Garmin Edge 800.  Chris is a transplant from Houston and we can expect to have him and his wife joining us regularly once their house down there is sold.  He hung in there great and while he does not miss the humidity or the Houston Crud (an actual medical term?) he is still getting used to the lack of air pressure.  Gene another BV ride leader, was also out.  It was great to see him building up his leg muscles after he separated his quadriceps late last season riding single track.  Although Gene missed the ski season he is looking strong and will be enjoying a great cycling season this year.

Temps were mild in the low 50's and the SSW 15-20 MPH wind sure was a good training aid.
It was great to see so many smiling faces out for a great group ride

SAT March (windy) 3rd

Across the street from BV's annual "Deals On Wheels" event, 'ole Glory at full attention was a definite turnoff for a ride!  Yet through the chaos of a parking lot full of tent merchandise and shoppers emerged a lone die hard rider.  (insert tune from The Good, Bad and Ugly)...regular rider Tony and ride leader Justin gear up and prepare to face the sustained winds of 25 mph and gusts up to 40.

Wait they did, yet no one else dared, and eventually they departed for a lap + around Cherry Creek State Park.  Tony, with a set goal to ride 3,650 miles this year, (avg 10 miles/day), had no choice but to ride!  He rode over 3,000 last year and views his goal for this year as challenging but attainable. 

During the ride there were points where it required effort pedaling to go downhill, and the cross wind gusts forced Justin and Tony to work on bike handing and balance, but overall it was great to get out and enjoy the sunshine.  Tony would like to give an official shout out to the group to step it up and get out there even when the weather isn't ideal- it's character-building!  Who will we see next weekend...

We're here...where the heck is everyone else?

 Kuddos to you Tony and to Justin...!!! (Lance would be proud)