[Summit Biking] ROUTE CHANGE for June 22 - NOW Dillon to Montezuma

***The SBG calendar will not reflect this route change.***

Hey Everyone, 

Dodging road work is dicey business this summer. A blessing (for much needed repair) and a curse (for dedicated road cyclists), there are  plenty of improvements happening on the Maryland Creek route. Therefore, we're doing a switch-a-roo tomorrow and riding from Dillon Amphitheatre to Montezuma and back instead.

Meeting Place: No change here, we're still meeting at Dillon Amphitheatre parking lot.

Time: Gather at about 9:20 AM; wheels to the ground at 9:30 AM.

Route: We'll follow a route that is familiar to most of the group. Let us know if you don't know the route so we can get you there and back. We'll stop in Keystone, purple bus stop, to use the facilities and to decide who is going to Montezuma versus who is turning around. More details tomorrow.

Safety: The road from Keystone to Montezuma is in its usual state of disrepair, so be mindful of divots, gravel, and other obstacles going both ways. BIG, bad note: About 0.4 miles from the city limit of Montezuma (see 5mph warning sign and a speed bump that is also our turn-around point), a very uneven, torn up patch of road spans both lanes. Cycle slowly and carefully through this small area.

Lunch: We're still planning on it! Bring a drink, sandwich, and something to share. We'll dine at the pavilion.

Many thanks to Charlie S. for giving me a heads up about Maryland Creek Route. Your flexibility around tomorrow's route change (and near future ones...as there will be more, I promise....) is much appreciated!

Betsy

303-638-2549

 

[Summit Biking] June 22 Buffalo Mtn / Maryland Creek Ride

Greetings Team,

I did an early morning pre-ride of this route today. Like most mornings on a bike, I was greeted by a cool breeze and a panorama of mountains blanketed with various shades of green and topped with just a hint of snow. The view alone just makes you want to keep pedaling! If you enjoy hills (or roller coaster rides), you'll enjoy this week's route--as just when you're tiring of an uphill stretch, you'll get a rush of downhill as a reward. 

Date: Monday, June 22

Start Time: 9:30 am

Meeting Place: Dillon Amphitheatre 

Route to Maryland Creek Park: 

• From Dillon Amphitheatre, descend the corkscrew toward the left side of Lowe's. Cycle up Wildernest Rd./Ryan Gulch Rd. to the top. Safety note: "uphill" cyclists are permitted to ride on the left-side pedestrian path all the way up to Lily Pad Lake parking lot.  
• Descend about one mile on the road before turning L onto Twenty Grand Dr. and R onto Royal Buffalo Dr. Safety note: cycle conservatively due to speed bumps and rough patches of road. 
• At the bottom of the hill (at Lowe's traffic light), turn L. Use Adams Ave. and Brian St. to go south past the Target and Smith Ranch. 
• Cycle through Eagle's Nest to Summit Sky Ranch and down to Maryland Creek Park. 

Return Route - Options:

• Similar route back: Return the way you came but omit the Buffalo Mtn climb (Total: ~20 miles, 2,200 ft elevation).
• More elevation: Return the way you came and include a second trip up Buffalo Mountain (Totals: ~24 miles, ~2,639 ft elevation) GPX file: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52849124
• Less elevation: If you are officially done with hills for the day, the cue sheet will offer an option for a flatter return. 

Cue Sheets: Given that I've omitted a number of steps, cue sheets will be provided. 

Safety: This ride comprises a good amount of road sharing with light neighborhood traffic, which will warrant single file riding, bright clothing, and flashing rear bike lights. 

Lunch: Bring a sandwich, drink, and something to share. We'll eat lunch at the pavilion.

***As always, check the SBG blog for any changes that may occur between now and the ride start.***

See you on Monday!

Betsy

303-638-2549

[Summit Biking] June 15 Copper or Vail Pass from Dillon Amphitheater

Hey Team:

Even when safety is practiced...stuff can still happen

Cycling with a group like SBG is safer than cycling alone. It keeps us alert and more visible to pedestrians, cars, and other cyclists. Even when we are riding together and exercising safe practices, significant hazards exist and stuff still happens. An unfortunate example was teammate Bonni's fall last Monday. She was wearing her helmet, paying attention to activity on the path but hit a slick spot on the bridge coming into Frisco and went down hard. Bonni suffered a trochanteric hip fracture and now faces a long recovery. The team rallied on her behalf as Frisco Station #2 first responders came to the rescue--many thanks to all of you and to them. A Meal Train site has been created for Bonni if you would like to provide a meal in the next couple of weeks. Reply to me if you'd like to participate.

Monday's Ride

This will be an up-and-back ride from the Dillon Amphitheater to Copper Mountain with an option to ride to Vail Pass.  This route will comprise mostly bike paths except for a shortcut up Granite Street in Frisco. The weather forecast indicates mostly sunny and a high of 71 but always check the SBG blog  for last minute information.

• Start time: 9:30 a.m.
• Meeting place: Dillon Amphitheatre parking lot in front of the pavilion
• Lunch: After the ride, bring a drink and sandwich for lunch at the pavilion; also bring a small appetizer or dessert to share.
• Ride details:  
• Dillon to Copper Conoco Station - From the amphitheater parking lot, we'll cycle across the Dillon dam via the Dillon Reservoir Recpath. ***Be mindful of distracted pedestrians and other cyclists and please ride single file.*** Once across the dam, continue on the Dillon Reservoir Recpath to the Frisco Marina. We will cross Summit Blvd. at the light.  Immediately upon crossing turn left one block to Granite Street, right on Granite Street and continue straight to get on the TenMile RecPath (looks like it dead ends at a cul de sac but continue and look for the bike path sign to RecPath.  Right on Ten Mile RecPath and we will follow the path through Officer's Gulch to the Conoco station just before Copper Mountain. After a rest stop, we'll return the way we came.  RT mileage = ~28 miles 

• Dillon to Vail Option - At the Conoco, cross over Hwy 91 and ride through Copper Mountain along the gold course to the Vail Pass Rec Path. Follow that to the top. Backtrack the same way to return to Dillon Amphitheatre. RT mileage = ~40 miles. Map from Dillon to Vail Pass: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51205267

Safety Homework

• Review the "Safety" Page on the SBG website (https://www.summitbiking.org/safety).
• The downhill bike shuttles from Vail Pass are starting up.  Beware of rapidly descending/weaving riders who are enjoying the scenery instead of paying attention to you.   
• Use hand signals so others are aware of turns, stops and road obstacles.  Ride single-file. When you pass someone let them know with the phrase "Good morning, on your Left". If you are in front of a group and a rider is approaching from the opposite direction, use the phrase "Rider Up". 

Thanks and see you Monday!

Betsy (303-638-2549)

[Summit Biking] June 8 Lake Dillon "Arc" Ride

Happy June, Team! This year doesn't seem to contain much "normal" in terms of weather or road/path availability. With that being the case, we'll just make the best of things on Monday's ride! Since Swan Mountain Road is closed for construction, we've aptly changed the "Lake Dillon Loop" title to the "Lake Dillon Arc"! Total mileage is about the same as the "Loop" ride, roughly ~24 total miles.

Start Time: Gather at 9:20 a.m. in the parking lot near the outdoor restroom; wheels on the ground at 9:30 a.m. Wear a nametag if possible.

Meeting Point: We'll ride point-to-point and back from the Frisco Marina parking lot, over the dam, and up to the bright orange "Danger Recpath Closed" sign (where Swan Mountain Road intercepts the bike path).

Lunch: Highside Brewing, 720 E. Main St., Frisco, CO. Click here for the menu.

Extra Credit Mileage: Start in Breckenridge or gain an additional 2.6 miles each way by starting from Summit County High School.  Be sure to arrive at the Frisco Marina parking lot by 9:20 to join the group.

***As always, check the SBG blog for any changes that may occur between now and the ride start.***

Enjoy the weekend and see you on Monday,

Betsy

303-638-2549