Sunday, July 30

Turquoise Lake Cancellation and New Ride for 7/31

Hello Summit Bikers,

The forecast for Leadville is not promising for tomorrow and I hate to have everyone drive up to see Turquoise Lake in the rain, so we need to postpone the ride once again.  As an alternative we can meet at North Pond (in Silverthorne) and ride up the dam and around the lake.  There may be a morning shower in Silverthorne and if it is still raining at 9 am do not show up.  

There will be no grill as fire restrictions still apply (although they should be eliminated next week).  One advantage to meeting at North Pond is we can go inside if it does rain for our picnic.  Bring a sandwich and a drink for lunch.  You do not have to bring things to share since things are iffy and I realize most of you prepare things ahead of time..

North Pond is about 2 miles North of the I70 exit for Silverthorne, across from the elementary school.

Hope to see everyone tomorrow.

John Bowyer 

Tuesday, July 25

July 31 Bike Ride

Next week's ride, July 31, we will once again try Turquoise Lake near Leadville.  This is beautiful ride with great views of the lake and the mountains around it.  Please be ready to ride at 10 am.  We will meet at the Maid of Erin parking area.  To get there take route 91 at the Copper exit toward Leadville.  As you enter Leadville there will be a Safeway on your right at a stop light.  Take a right at the stop light (Mountain View Drive) and follow the signs toward the golf course.  As you near the golf course there are signs for Turquoise Lake.  Follow these until you reach road 9C, take a right here and the Maid of Erin Parking area is on the left.  (If you reach the dam you have driven past the turn.)  There is a small fee, reduced for those with Access Cards.  Fee envelopes are available as you enter the parking area.  Please bring a pen to complete the envelope.  If this area is full there is free parking near the dam (which is a short bike ride or walk back to the picnic area).  To reach the dam go out of the Maid of Erin parking area and take the first right, go past the road you drove in on and park on the right just before the dam.  To walk back to the picnic area after the ride follow the path along the lake, it takes about 5 minutes.

I am still checking on how to ride but have talked to others who have ridden during the road construction and it sounds like it will not be a problem.
 
Do not count on a grill.  If this changes I will let you know.  Plan to bring something to eat for lunch as well as something to share with your friends and a drink. 
 
Those that would like to car pool are encouraged to meet at the west end of Frisco in the parking lot at 8:45.  If the chance of rain in the morning is over 50 percent an email will be sent out Sunday night. 

Ride Safe!

John Bowyer

Tuesday, July 18

July 24 Bike Ride

Hello Summit Bikers,

 Next week we have one of the most popular rides of the season, Bob Gilson's ice cream ride!

There seems to be a problem with people remembering to bring name tags so next Monday when the line forms for ice cream priority goes to those people with name tags.  Lets see if that improves the number of people wearing tags. 

The ride July 24 is to Ute Pass. There will be two starting points; North Pond in Silverthorne starting at 8:30 am (A group riders -- faster group perhaps with pace line) or from the bottom of Ute Pass road at 9:30 am (where Ute Pass intersects Route 9). North Pond is on the North side of SIlverthorne, across the street from the elementary school.  Ute Pass is on the right about 8 miles North of Silverthorne.  I plan to leave from Silverthorne, so if I am not at the bottom of Ute Pass at that start go without me.  
 
The reward for the trip will be a picnic hosted by Bob and Jay Gilson in Hamilton Creek, Silverthorne. They will have a propane grill available for those who want to cook. As usual, bring something to eat and something to share with your friends as well as your drink.

Below are the details from Bob:

I plan to make some ice cream for the Ute Pass post-ride picnic at our house next Monday, 7/24. I expect to have plenty, but you just never know who the professional ice cream eaters are out there. The picnic will be on our deck and in the house, so please leave your bike shoes off at the porch, since we don't really have a lawn, and the view is prettier from the deck anyway. We have about 6-8 deck chairs and about the same inside, so bring a chair. The deck rail is 2x8 flat, so it makes a good rest for a glass or dish.
 
From the Silverthorne Elementary School, which is on Hamilton Creek Road, drive/ride 1.3 miles up Hamilton Creek Road, then turn right onto Crescent Moon Trail. We're the 4th house on the left and the address is: 0137 Crescent Moon Trail. For those of you who know Roger and Sue Paluska, they live in the first house on the left of the same road.

We give extra points for those who ride up to the house, but if you're driving, we have room for some 8-10 cars to park just beyond our driveway in a cul-de-sac; plus you can park along one side of the road to allow others from the few houses beyond us to get past. About 6 can park in our driveway, but you'll have to back down to get out. If you're concerned, just carpool up from the elementary school. Or... this is where the extra points for riding up the hill come into play.

Bob's home phone is: 262-6123 if any questions or problems. His cell phone is: (405) 210-6222 if you're calling while we are on the ride.  
 
Ride safe
 
John Bowyer

Friday, July 14

July 17 Ride CHANGE

Hello Summit Bikers,

Just found out that they have the road partially closed in Turquoise Lake and it is impossible for us to do the route we normally do.  Since the road is in bad need of repair lets hope we see an improvement.  Given this it is necessary to change next Monday's ride.  Instead we will meet at 10 am ready to ride at the Georgetown Visitor Center.  Please park along Argentine Road (take exit 228 off I 70).  Turn right at the traffic center and park along road.  Do not park at the visitor center since they asked us not to take up all their parking.  Since there are no grills bring a sandwich and a drink for after the ride during our social following the ride, as well as a dish to share with your friends. The picnic will start around 12:15.

Options for rides are Georgetown to Loveland Ski Area or Georgetown to Idaho Springs.  On our previous outing this year to Idaho Springs we found the road system in town under massive repairs.  For riders going to Idaho Springs, stop prior to entering town and retrace your steps to Georgetown.  The ride to Idaho Springs should be quick but remember it will be uphill on the way back.  Temperatures Monday morning should be in the 70s so very pleasant for riding.  Please bring a name tag (any name tag will do) and wear it!

Remember to use hand signals and let your other riders know where you are going.  

Ride safe!

John Bowyer

Monday, July 10

July 17 Ride

I apologize for not having a grill.  There was one there last week when I checked out the site but I suspect that because of the fire ban Dillon removed it. 

Next week's ride, July 17, takes us out of the county to Turquoise Lake near Leadville.  This is beautiful ride with great views of the lake and the mountains around it.  Please be ready to ride at 10 am.  We will meet at the Maid of Erin parking area.  To get there take route 91 at the Copper exit toward Leadville.  As you enter Leadville there will be a Safeway on your right at a stop light.  Take a right at the stop light (Mountain View Drive) and follow the signs toward the golf course.  As you near the golf course there are signs for Turquoise Lake.  Follow these until you reach road 9C, take a right here and the Maid of Erin Parking area is on the left.  (If you reach the dam you have driven past the turn.)  There is a small fee, reduced for those with Access Cards.  Fee envelopes are available as you enter the parking area.  Please bring a pen to complete the envelope.  If this area is full there is free parking near the dam (which is a short bike ride or walk back to the picnic area).  To reach the dam go out of the Maid of Erin parking area and take the first right, go past the road you drove in on and park on the right just before the dam.  To walk back to the picnic area after the ride follow the path along the lake, it takes about 5 minutes.
 
I normally ride counter clockwise, control my speed and look ahead for potential problems.  Since this is a circle those that want a shorter ride should plan to turn around.  Remember this is on a road so stay to the right and watch out for pot holes.
 
Do not count on a grill.  If this changes I will let you know.  Plan to bring something to eat for lunch as well as something to share with your friends and a drink. 
 
Those that would like to car pool are encouraged to meet at the west end of Frisco in the parking lot at 8:45.  If the chance of rain in the morning is over 50 percent an email will be sent out Sunday night. 

Since we have so many new people this year I thought I should give everyone some of the basic stuff.  If it is raining when the ride is to start there will be no ride.  I do look at the forecast and will send out an email the night before, especially if we are going out of the county.  Rides out of the county start at 10 am, all others are at 9:30.  All riders are required to use helmets (although this is not a state law it is a rule of the club).  Please wear name tags so your old trip leader can remember you.  Any name tag will work.
 
Ride safe and have fun!
 
John Bowyer

Wednesday, July 5

July 10 Ride Change

Hello Summit Bikers,

I spoke with Dillon Town Hall people about the parking at the amphitheater July 10 and was told it may or may not be available. The safe thing to do is to announce a different start point.  We will meet at town hall.  To get there turn at the traffic light on route 6 toward Lake Dillon.  Town hall is on the left.  Parking is available in the parking lot next to town hall or on Lake Dillon Drive in front of town hall.  The picnic will be held in Town Park just past the town hall parking lot. This has no other impact on the picnic or routes (other than a small change at the start).

Remember we will have a grill.  Bring your name tag, any name tag will do (preferably with your name).

Sorry for the change but stuff happens.

John Bowyer

Tuesday, July 4

Summit Bikers July 10 Ride

Hello Summit Bikers,

Next weeks ride, July 10, is to Montezuma or Loveland Pass.  Those riding to either A-Basin or Loveland Pass please use caution as all hazmat trucks use Loveland Pass as well as many visitors. 

Meet at the Dillon Amphitheater at 9:30 am ready to ride.  We will have a grill so bring something to cook as well as a dish to share with your friends.  As always bring your own drink.  Aim to be at the picnic around noon.

Remember to use hand signals and ride safe

In case of emergency my cell number is 970 393-2190.

John Bowyer
__._,_.___

Saturday, July 1

No Ride July 3

Hello Summit Bikers,

Due to the large number of tourist in town this weekend through July 4 there will be no ride this week.  Our next scheduled Monday ride will be July 10, meeting at the Dillon Amphitheater parking lot.  I will put out an email regarding this ride next week.


John Bowyer