RECAP Sat May 26th Den Triangle - Inspiration - Lookout

RECREATIONAL (Tom and Travis)

The recreational group did a nice 32 mile ride along a modified Denver Triangle thanks to our newest ride leader Travis.

The group took a left along Quincy and then North on Catalina by Craig Hospital before following the traditional route down Dartmouth, it was a pleasant change and kept the sprinters in check as it was new route.  A group of 17 riders had a great day but being Colorado the twin sisters Windy and Gale showed up and made for a longer ride back to the shop.

The group had a nice rest at REI before heading back to BV and with almost everyone knowing the route the group splintered a little from different paces but Travis made sure everyone got back to the shop.The few people who did not know the route were paired up by Tom with experienced riders.
Thank you for joining us and hope to see the same or even more smiling faces next weekend.

Thanks for the great photos Tom! https://picasaweb.google.com/home

INTERMEDIATE (Trish and Gene)

Gene: Due to prevailing winds we didn't have much time to take photos. Inspiration was a brutal ride bucking a head wind on the way out and having to deal with cross winds on the return trip. When we got to Inspiration road we split the group, the riders I went with we did an about face and retraced our steps finishing with about 37 miles. Trish led the rest with a longer return route at about 42 miles. We had no mechanical issues and no flats. With the wind it felt like we rode at least 50 miles.

Trish: The group started as close to 9:30 as possible in hopes of avoiding the wind.  However, our large group of 30 quickly downsized to about 22 as we rode through the Cherry Creek Reservoir into some strong head wind.  Trish led the group along Jordan road to Broncos Parkway fighting Mother Nature.  Although crosswinds weren't much easier, we found some reprieve as we rode east.  The group separated a bit riding the hills of the Chenango neighborhood but regrouped at the top of the hill at Inspiration.  A few decided to follow Solomon further east, around the Aurora Res and back to the store.  Gene led a few on a double-back and Trish took the rest of the crew down towards Jordan Road and 470.  After a quick refuel at a nearby gas station, the group meandered through the Dove Valley area, eventually returning to Jordan Road and back through the Cherry Creek Res - battling some intense wind the whole time.  

...NOT SO FAST KIMOSABE

Here's what really happened:  Shortly after leaving the refuel point, the group was split due to some careless riding where young Trevor was cut off by another rider and went down.  Trevor's father was behind the main group because of bike bag issues and came upon his son dealing with a chain off his bike and severe hip pain from his fall.  THE RIDER PASSED ON HIS RIGHT!!!  No one informed the ride leader despite a wait at a stop light while crossing Jordan road.  Once the ride leader noticed the missing riders, she doubled back thinking they'd be on their way.  She did not find them and rode on, only to realize the rest of the group had left her.  One rider had told her that there was a rider with bike issues but never mentioned the crash.

ADVANCED (Jason)

Two ambitious riders joined up with Jason to ride up Lookout Mountain.  Both Dave and Adam are perfect advanced riders, so I was thrilled. Hopefully we can build on that momentum and continue to get that advanced ride going.

We just missed the winds thankfully. At 12.30 as we were coming back through downtown, they picked up. But they were chill for us (not literally... It was hot on lookout!) We didn't see the cops either. Not sure where they were. Lots of glass climbing lookout though. Saw a few flats, but we stayed clear, thankfully.

Hope to see more hearty souls on future advanced rides...we know you are out there...

Recap May 5th Meridian - Surrey Ridge

Talk about energy in the air (!)...it was the first Saturday of May, it was celebration of Cinco de Mayo, BV's annual Expo tent sale was happening and aside from our normal energetic riders, a group from the "Wacky W"  joined in.  All together 50 riders headed out to enjoy a beautiful ride.

RECREATIONAL: Gene & Jacquette - Meridian

"1st Saturday" - Riders voted and we headed southbound to Meridian Business Park.  Within our group of 16 we had a few new to riding with BV and a couple riding  anew road bike.  Everyone did fantastic and knock-on-carbon, no mishaps or flats!  as you can see from this Garmin link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/175315225 we had a slight incline on the way out, making our return on this 32 miler a bit easier.  (Add 2.2miles for every additional lap).

At the park we weren't at all shy about taking advantage of the shade.

Even our bikes enjoyed the break....;) 

 For the second week in a row Jacquette saw a bull snake sunning itself...wonder if this is now her good luck charm?  A snake...really?! Really?

Kuddos and thank you to everyone for helping make this such a great start to the day/weekend.  Hope you found some great deals in BV's sale...maybe we'll be seeing some new helmets on the next ride...? 

Pictures posted here: https://picasaweb.google.com/home I think I figured out the problem and hope the albums are now viewable. Thanks for your patience and we all look forward to riding with you again soon.



Gene on a break...

INTERMEDIATE: Justin & Jeffrey - Surrey Ridge 

We had an above average group ride on Saturday, which was fitting because it was on a holiday- Cinco de Mayo!  34 intermediate riders set out to join TV personality and endurance sports extraordinaire Susie Wargin.  Not only is she an excellent sports caster for 9 News, but she is also a cycling enthusiast. She was joining us to promote the Wacky W Bike Ride, emphasizing physical fitness and benefiting Douglas County Schools. September 9, 2012. http://wackyw.com/

  

Already warm and sunny, riders took off on the rider's pick route (first Sat of every month) to Surrey Ridge, led by Justin and Jeffrey.  There were about 10 first time BV riders in the group, many of which ride with Susie.  New to the sport was first-time group rider Mohammed, who just got a bike and had only ridden about 5 times before!  But he hung in strong and was eager to learn everything about the sport.

A few turned around at Meridian to head back to the shop for the sale, but the majority made it all the way out to Castle Pines and back for 43 miles total and a 17 mph avg moving speed.  Another great Saturday of riding!