June 3 Bike Ride

Our next ride, June 3 will be between Idaho Springs and Georgetown (normally the Georgetown Visitor Center is the turn around point) and back.  Be prepared to ride at 10 am.  This ride is an out and back but there are some turns so new people should ride with someone who knows the route. Identify yourself to me the day of the ride and we will take care of you. It seems the parking area we have used the last few years seems to have been taken over by local trucks. There is a dirt covered parking area we can use, however.  To get to the parking take exit 240 to the South (right) and turn into the dirt parking area (on the right), just before you get to the stop sign.   Depending on how many we get this area may become full.  If that is the case, there is an alternate area.  To get to this area, take a left at the stop sign after the 240 exit, drive to Colorado Blvd (about 3 blocks).  At the stop light take a left and drive through town to the West.  Just after 1st Ave, turn left on Stanley Road.  DO NOT MISS STANLEY ROAD AS THIS WILL PUT YOU ON I70 WEST.   Stanley Road goes under I70, and the lot is immediately on the right.  The bike path is directly across by Clear Creek.  This is about 1/2 mile from the main lot, so wait until the group comes by.  There are no bathrooms at either location.    Parking is still tight, so riders are encouraged to carpool.

We will not have a picnic as there are no facilities.  A number of the participants plan to stop at Cabin Creek Brewery in Georgetown.  This is the brewery you will pass on the left just before you reach Georgetown, on the bike ride.  The fastest way to drive there, after our ride, is to take I 70 west to the Georgetown exit, go past the visitor center and take the second exit off the roundabout (headed toward Idaho Springs).  The brewery is on your right next to the first lake you come to.

Riders are encouraged to use hand signals, so others are aware of turns, stops and road obstacles.  Riders are encouraged to wear name tags since there are many new people.  Any name tag will do as long as it shows your name.

I checked out this ride last week and it has the normal potholes and gravel in spots to watch out for.  One place to watch out for is under I70 as you leave Dumont the road is rough and if the sun is out your eyes will not adjust fast enough to see the places, be sure to slow down.  If anyone has a problem and needs help my cell number is 970 393-2190.

The weather for Monday looks beautiful.  If there is a change, I will send out information Sunday evening.  Hope to see a large group at this fun ride.

Ride safe and have fun!

John Bowyer

May 27 Bike Ride Canceled

Hello Summit Bikers,

After discussions with a couple of you last week I have decided to cancel next week's ride, since it falls on Memorial Day Weekend.  We will do the ride from Idaho Springs to Georgetown the following week.

The county bike paths will probably have the first busy weekend of the year.  I urge caution for those that plan to ride.

Sorry for the change next Monday.

Ride safe!

John Bowyer

May 20 Bike Ride -- Green Mountain Reservoir

Hello Summit Bikers,

Last week's ride on Bear Creek was near perfect, with warm temps and sunny skies.

Next week's ride, May 20, will be the Green Mountain Reservoir.  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.  It looks to be cool at the start, so wear layers.  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. We ride around the reservoir on the West side and return the same way.  This is the only Summit County ride with rolling hills as you ride on the west side of the reservoir.  Pay attention as there are some potholes and a rough spot or two.   

No picnic this week but do one soon.

Hope to see you there.

Ride safe!

John Bowyer

Virus-free.www.avg.com

Bear Creek Ride May 13

Hello Summit Bikers,

If you have not done so already get those bikes checked out and ready to ride.  Looking out the window it is hard to believe biking season is ready to start.  Monday, May 13, looks like a beautiful day in the Denver area so we will kick of our season there, with a ride on the Bear Creek Trail.

Starting west of the 470 loop near Bear Creek Lake Park at the Morrison exit. There will be no picnic this week. Those wanting to join me for lunch can go to lunch at the Red Rocks Grill in Morrison. They are located at 415 Bear Creek Avenue. Bring a lock to secure your bikes during lunch.

Directions to 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 (West). The parking lot is on the right at the corner of S. Rooney Road and Morrison Road (across from a Philips 66 gas station). 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.  Currently the prognosis is a slight chance.  

This season`s rides are on the website SummitBiking.org.  There is a lot of other useful information on the site such as safety tips and where Summit Bikers can get discounts at local bike shops. Members without a life time membership are strongly encouraged to visit the website and join for the 2024 bike season.   This will save us administrative time before our ride.  Even I have to pay up!  This is also a great time to tell others about our rides.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Ride safe.

John Bowyer