July 1 Bike Ride - Montezuma - more details

Time: 9:30 am

Meeting Place: Dillon Amphitheater parking lot

Lunch: Tiki Bar at Dillon Marina (opens at 11:30am) - give yourself a much-needed break from making your own sandwich; view the menu.

July 1 Bike Ride - Montezuma

On Monday, we will ring in July with a ride to the charming town of Montezuma. We'll follow the bike path from the Dillon Amphitheater (DA) parking lot to River Run Village in Keystone. Stop at the Purple Route shuttle bus stop in front of River Run Village (on Ida Belle Drive) for bathrooms and decisions. There are two options from here: 

• Option 1 River Run Village to Montezuma:- While the 5 miles of gradual uphill road conditions are tame enough, the downhill stretch will require the usual mindfulness and respect for the cracks, buckles, and potholes that have prevailed over the years. Navigate the first downhill mile by riding down the middle of the road. The next two miles will require focus before the road evens out to smoother conditions. A word of unsolicited advice: control your downhill speed by tapping your brakes, not squeezing constantly (which heats up the tires and risks explosions).
• Option 2 -  River Run Village to Loveland Pass - This is a challenging uphill climb with very narrow shoulders. You'll reach the top of the pass in ~8-1/2 miles / ~2,600 ft. elevation. If you choose this option, some words of unsolicited advice include: 1) wear bright or neon colors for visibility; 2) use a rear flashing light; 3) go with one or more other riders, riding single-file and remembering that you are the one who stands to lose if a distracted driver fails to see you.

Looking forward to riding with you and meeting at the Tiki Bar for lunch (umbrellas for non-H20 drinks are not included)!

Betsy

303-638-2549

June 24 - Tour de Soda - route change due to construction

Hi Everyone, we will abbreviate this 33-mile ride to 28 miles due to road construction on Soda Ridge Rd coming out of the Mountain House area in Keystone  

Plan on cutting through Elk Run subdivision to and from Keystone Ranch. As mentioned, staying together during this ride is advised (especially for those less familiar with the route) due to all the twists and turns.

Thanks and see you tomorrow,

Betsy

June 24 Bike Ride - Tour de Soda

If "Tour De Soda" was in the dictionary, its first definition would be "a convoluted but delightful route" and its second would be "a Cyclo-Parade of Homes through the Keystone and Dillon area". This is our route on Monday, June 24. Unless you are v-e-r-y familiar with it, I recommend that we stay together as much as possible. Cue sheets will be available for anyone who wants them.  

 

Time: 9:30 am

Meeting Place: North Pond Park (108 Hamilton Creek Blvd, Silverthorne, CO)

Lunch: North Pond Park pavilion – there are bathrooms and covered picnic tables; bring a drink and sandwich for yourself; bring something to share (nice but not required)

 

Segment I: North Pond to River Run Village in Keystone

 

1.    Take Blue River Trail bike path from North Pond Park to the top of Dillon Dam.

2.    At ~4 miles, turn LEFT onto Summit County Recpath (becomes Dillon Reservoir Trail and then Snake River Trail as you approach Keystone). 

3.    At ~12 miles, stop at the "Purple Route" bus sign in River Run Village for restroom stop. 

 

Segment II: River Run Village to Keystone Ranch

 

1.    Backtrack from River Run to the Mountain House area. Follow West Keystone Rd. until the road forks. Veer LEFT onto Soda Ridge Rd. toward the golf course. ((IF there is construction on Soda Ridge, we'll alter the course)). 

2.    At ~14.5 miles, turn LEFT onto Keystone Ranch Rd (at the "Ranch Golf Course and Restaurant" sign). Ride past the golf course shortcut.

3.    Follow Keystone Ranch Rd. for 3.2 miles over some rolling hills and turns. You'll pass under a big Keystone Ranch sign and guardhouse.

4.    Ride 0.3 miles past the guardhouse before turning LEFT to pick up Keystone Ranch Rd. again.

5.    At ~18 miles, road ends (see a "White River Nat'l Forest" sign).

 

Segment III: Return to North Pond Park

 

1.    Backtrack on Keystone Ranch Rd for about 3 miles (note: if you reach Soda Ridge Rd, you've gone too far).

2.    Turn LEFT and weave through the fence into River Run Golf Course area—merges into Elk Spur Lane.

3.    Continue straight on Elk Spur Lane. It will become Elk Circle.

a)    Turn LEFT on River Course Drive (stay to far right on what appears to be a sidewalk (It is the community path).

b)    The community path cuts LEFT at the Nordic Center (see "The River Course Clubhouse" sign). It looks like a golf cart path but is not. Ride downhill and veer RIGHT when the path forks. Warning: the path is steep in places and contains some gravel. Continue on the path as it intersects Carter Ct. and Stag Trail.

c)    After crossing Buck Ridge Rd., veer right onto the red paved bike path.

d)    At end of red pavement, turn LEFT on Cove Blvd.

e)    LEFT onto Summit Drive à LEFT onto Vail Circle à LEFT onto Summit Drive / Cove Blvd.

f)      LEFT on Whispering Pines Ranch Road (go 0.3) à LEFT on Forest Glen Road (go 0.2) à RIGHT on Royal Coachman Blvd (go 0.2).

g)    Turn LEFT onto the bike path at Swan Mountain and ride toward Dillon Dam.

h)    Go down the "corkscrew" path that takes you down to the Silverthorne Outlet Mall and baseball field.

i)      At the stop light under the I-70 overpass, turn LEFT on Wildernest Road à RIGHT on Adams (next stop light) à LEFT onto Brian Ave (past the Summit Ford dealership).

j)      RIGHT on Annie Rd.(behind the Target store) à LEFT on Adams à RIGHT on Ruby Ranch Road à Cross Route 9 / Blue River Parkway à LEFT on Blue River Circle and return to North Pond.

k)    Time for lunch!

 

Don't let these instructions scare you. This is a challenging, but interesting 30+ mile ride with varying terrain, epic scenery, and lots of homes. If you have questions or would like ideas on a more abbreviated ride, text me at 303-638-2549. Check out the Summit Biking blog for updates before the ride.

 

Thanks,

Betsy

June 17 Bike Ride - Dillon to Copper Mountain

Hi Everyone, our ride on Monday, June 17, is an up-and-back from the Dillon Amphitheater to Copper Mountain. This route will comprise mostly bike paths except for a shortcut up 7th Street in Frisco.

Details include:

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; a snack to share with others is nice but not required

Directions:

From the amphitheater parking lot, turn left onto Lodgepole Street, then keep left onto the Dillon Reservoir Recpath. Be mindful of distracted pedestrians and other cyclists and please ride single file.

Once across the dam, follow the bike path until the red pavement ends (roughly mile 2). Then turn left to continue on the Dillon Reservoir Recpath. At about mile 4.5, turn left over the bridge and left again onto the Frisco Recpath. Follow this path to the Frisco Marina. We will cross Summit Blvd. at the light and turn left onto 7th Street. Ride until 7th dead-ends, turning right onto Temple Trail.

At the Frisco west end parking lot turn off, veer left continuing on Temple Trail / Tenmile Recpath. We will follow the path through Officer's Gulch to the Conoco station. After a rest stop (indoor bathrooms, coffee, snacks), we'll backtrack to the amphitheater. 

Want less miles? More miles? 

• You can turn around at the west end parking lot or any point before the Conoco Station if you don't want to ride that far. Please tell someone in the group that you are doing this so we aren't waiting for you. 
• However, if you feel the need for more mileage, return to the bike path and continue 3.6 miles up the Tenmile Extension to Highway 91. Turn around when you reach the bridge that spans across Highway 91. Again, please let someone in the group know about this decision as well.

We are always happy to welcome new Summit County riders. Point them to the Summit Biking website so they can learn more and join the team! If needed, my contact # is 303-638-2549.

Thanks and see you soon!

Betsy

June 10 Bike Ride -- Lake Dillon Loop & Picnic

Hi Everyone, our next ride is Monday, June 10, around Lake Dillon. You are encouraged to invite new Summit Country riders to join us and point them to the Summit Biking website so they can learn more and sign up!

Details include:

Start time: 9:30 a.m.

Meeting place: Dillon Amphitheatre parking lot in front of the picnic pavilion; plenty of free parking should be available in the Amphitheatre parking lot if you are driving there

Lunch: After the ride, meet at the pavilion adjacent to the Amphitheatre for lunch - bring a drink and sandwich for yourself and a food item to share with others

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/186813398

Arrive 10-15 minutes early so we can start promptly at 9:30 a.m. We will ride clockwise around the lake, covering a total of 18.5 miles. Glenn and I rode the course today, and it is in good shape--about 95% grit-free but with the usual stretch of Texas washboard-style pavement from the top of Swan Mountain (mile 7) to the bottom of the hill (mile 9). If this isn't enough mileage for you, feel free to add some extra miles with out-and-backs to Keystone or Breckenridge. You can also consider heading up toward Copper / Officer's Gulch as an added leg to the ride but plan to return to the Amphitheatre/pavilion for the picnic by no later than 11:45 a.m. For questions or issues, call me at 303-638-2549.

Ride safe and have fun!

Betsy