Tuesday, May 29

June 4 Ride at Green Mountain Reservoir

Hello Summit Bikers,
 
Next weeks ride will be the Green Mountain Reservoir (Our web site has been updated).  The start of the ride is at the intersection of Route 9 and Heeney Road, approximately 20 miles north of Silverthorne.  Plan to be ready to ride at 9:30 am.  Most of the parking is on route 9 at the intersection with Heeney Road.  Be careful crossing route 9 as it is a busy road. Heeney Road is not very busy but it is a road with some traffic and people are encouraged to ride single file near the shoulder.  This is the only Summit County ride with rolling hills as you ride on the west side of the reservoir.  Currently they are resurfacing the dam so we will not be able to ride the last two miles.  My plan is to have people ride past Heeney to where the road starts to drop towards the dam and turn around at that point.  Riders are encouraged to ride back to the start and return to mile three in order to get the full length of the ride in.  Afterwords, we will have a picnic at North Pond in Silverthorne.  North Pond is across from the elementary school at the corner of Hamilton Creek Road and Route 9.  Please bring something to share with your friends, whatever you want to drink and something to grill as we will have a grill. 
 
Other rides occurring this week (and throughout the summer) that you may want to participate in are offered by Team Managers and Podium Sports.  Team Managers (across from the Holiday Inn in Frisco) has a 5 pm ride led by Brad the shop's bike tech and will go where the group wants.  Another ride takes place Sunday at Podium Sports in Frisco (corner of Main Street and Route 9) at 10 am.  Podium may do more than one ride if the numbers justify additional routes.  Both of these shops offer discounts to Summit Biking members (see our web site for details), support the Bob Guthrie Ride and said they are happy to have our members along for the rides.
 
John Bowyer

Monday, May 28

May 28 -- No Ride

Hello Summit Bikers,
 
I apologize for the mistake on the  calendar this week.  I failed to change the date for the Green Mountain Reservoir ride and it shows as today May 28.  As normal we do not ride on holidays so this was a mistake.  The Green Mountain ride will be next week and I will update the calendar and send out another email with all the details by Tuesday May 29 to reflect this.
 
John Bowyer 

Wednesday, May 16

May 21 Ride

Hello Summit Bikers,
 
This week's ride (May 21) is one of our most popular, Idaho Springs to Georgetown.  Plan to meet in Idaho Springs at Riverside Park at 10 am ready to ride.  To get to Riverside Park take exit 240 from I 70 East.  At the end of the exit ramp turn left on 13 Ave.  Turn right on Colorado Bloulevard (about 4 blocks).  The park is just after 23 rd Ave on the left hand side.  The trip including unloading the bikes and getting ready to ride should take about an hour.  There will be a picnic with a grill at the park at the end of the ride, around 11:30 to noon.  Plan to bring a dish to share with your friends, something to cook and a drink.
 
The weather looks great for Monday so hope to see you there!
 
For those looking for a late day ride meet at 4 pm at Team Managers in Frisco to ride with Brad, the bike shop tech person.  The ride varies denpending on who shows but he tells me he will work with any wanting to ride.
 
 
 
John Bowyer      

Tuesday, May 8

May 14 Bike Ride

Hello Summit Bikers,
 
This seasons first ride will be held Monday May 14 starting west of the 470 loop near Bear Creek Lake Park at the Morrison exit.  There will be no picnic this week as I must leave early  (Bonnie is on vacation).  Everyone is encouraged to bring a lunch and socialize with your friends after the ride.  To get to the start of the ride go east on 70 toward Denver and get off on 470 south.  Take 470 to the Morrison exit and turn right.  The parking lot is on the right at the corner of S. Rooney Road and Morrison Road.   If you are late, the bike path is across Morrison Road from the parking area, then ride east under 470.  The drive from exit 205 (Silverthorne) to the start is approximately 1 hour.  Plan to be ready to ride by 10 am.  If it appears likely that it will rain during the ride I will send an email out the afternoon before canceling.
 
There will be two routes to choose from; up Lookout Mountain and return or down Bear Creek Trail to the Platte River.  Both of these are about 2 hours.
 
John Bowyer
 
 

Saturday, May 5

Vail Pass Is Open

Our early riding season and opportunities continue! The rec path from Frisco to Copper and up to Vail Pass (as well as down the west side to Vail) is clear and open for riding. The work on the Vail Pass rest area appears to be complete but be forewarned that the water fountain has been removed and there is no potable water available at the rest area any longer. Please plan your ride and where you fill bottles accordingly.

Note also that the path between Breckenridge and Frisco is undergoing some work with unannounced closures between the furniture (bears) store and the bridge over the Blue River. It was closed Friday but open for riding Saturday.

Thursday, May 3

Summit Biking Membership Renewals

It's that time of year again! Time to put away the skis and pull out our bikes for another summer of great riding in Summit County. Last year was a great year for Summit Biking and 2012 is shaping up to be another stellar summer. 

Our Youth Program had a great inaugural year in 2011 and is working to expand the program in 2012. Summit Biking was heavily involved in the completion of the Swan Mountain Road climbing lane from the High School to Sapphire Point to complete the circle around the lake. The Circle the Summit ride had a record year in 2011 with over 600 registered riders and has some nice improvements planned for the 2012 ride on August 18th.

John Bowyer listed some of our current projects, involvements and activities in his recent blog post including a new wider shoulder on Hwy 91 toward Fremont Pass, the planned resurfacing of the Vail Pass path, and work to improve the Vail Pass Tunnel lighting. Summit Biking also has been included as a stakeholder in the future phases of the Highway 9 widening between the high school and the Medical Center. We also will again be involved with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge race when Stage 5 starts in Breckenridge Friday, August 24th.

Lastly, it's also time to renew your membership in Summit Biking. Dues remain the same at $10 for an individual and $15 for couples. You can renew by going to the Summit Biking website Membership Page. It's one of the best bargains around, so please click the link and do it while you are thinking about it. 

Given the sparse snow and warm weather, our group rides are starting early this year. The first is planned for May 14 from Bear Creek Park in Denver/Littleton. Go to our Group Rides page for more info on all this summer's group rides.

Rick Oshlo
President, Summit Biking