The Alternate Line – Mountain Biking in Fort Collins and the Northern Front Range

Dirt Devils,

A week off without musings about riding mountain bikes has left me with plenty to report. But first off, I have to say, last Wednesday eve during the Overland Mountain Bike Club Social Ride was one of the best rides I’ve had all year. Picking out alternate lines, riding over big rocks, laughing, goading each other on…and more is what a Social Ride is all about for me. Rolling that big rock on Wathen, something I wouldn’t have even considered a couple of years ago, (or even maybe a week) was a blast. Joe, Joel, Lewis, Jim, Jen, Tami, and Chris…let’s do it again. Oh, and thanks to Don H. for grilling up a bunch of food and opening his house to us. There must’ve been close to 30 of us snacking and sharing stories in his backyard. Oh, and lest we forget - thanks again to Matt for leading the Beginner ride around Pineridge.

 

Remember, this month, the Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patroller who patrols most on Forest Service Trails wins the award…

 

Card Competition – Congrats to Rob Foster who won a copy of Klunkerz last month for having the most people show up at a monthly meeting. We’re adding a twist. When you had out a card, preferably with your name written on it, let people know that if they show up to a meeting with a card, they'll be eligible for a door prize. Nothing like a little free schwag now, is there?

 

Congrats to Skyler Trujillo, Fort Collins very own mountain bike wunderkid, for wininng Mountain Bike Nationals up in Sol Vista this weekend. Read all about Skyler’s mountain biking adventure at Your Group Ride.

 

Congrats to all of our club members who took part in New Belgium’s Urban Assault Race this weekend. I’m sure the competition was heated (no pun intended)! The race supports all the fine stuff that the Bike Co-op does.

 

Team Overland has been hitting the trails preparing for this year’s Laramie Enduro. (Alright, there’s no official team, but a whole bunch of members are racing including a very fit Tommy B who's been licking his wounds since last year). It’ll be a sold-out show up in Laramie that weekend for the 70 mile stomp through the woods and over the hills. Good luck with the training everyone.

 

One of Overland’s Trail Gurus, Steve Lacey, will head out on August 2nd to compete in the 500 mile Colorado Trail Race. We’ll be tracking Steve’s progress on the Colorado Trail Race website. Lately when you see him, he’s probably on his bike looking fit as ever. (Rumor has it his leisurely training rides are in the 90-100 mile range.) We wish Steve a speedy trek through the woods and over those mountain passes.

 

What do Curt Gowdy State Park, the U.S. Forest Service, the Larimer County Search and Rescue Mountain Bike Patrol, the Bike Co-op, and High School Mountain Biking have in common? They've all received grants over the past year or so through the Overland Mountain Bike Club Grant Program. Want more info? Need a grant? Click the word "Grants" at the top of the page.

 

 

Wednesday, July 21st – Social Ride at Maxwell. Ride at 6. Head to Josh’s at 8. All levels of riders welcome. Members and non-members always welcome. Helmets and a good mood are required.

 

Overland Ladies Ride - Maxwell Trailhead, 5:30 p.m.

Trail Evening at Bobcat Ridge - 6 p.m.

Overland Ladies Night at Full Cycle, 7-9 p.m. Great deals – storewide.

Night Ride with Rob Foster - 8 p.m. Contact Rob at the Lee's Cyclery - South Store for more details and ride location

 

Friday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 25th – Curt Gowdy Campout and Ride Weekend: All members and their families are welcome. Pitch your tent up at Curt Gowdy in the Camp Jack Group Camping area just west of the main entrance, bring your bike, and get ready to hit the trails. Camping is free. Admission to the park is free. Dinner on Saturday night will be provided as well as breakfast on Sunday morning.  Bring some firewood, and whatever else you need to feed and refresh yourself. (The nearest store is quite a few miles from the park. Be well prepared.) There’ll be plenty of riding and good times all weekend including some videotaping of your mad biking skills.  This was a great time last year. I’m sure this year’ll be even better.

 

Monday, July 26th – Monthly Meeting at New Belgium Brewery. 6:30 – 8 p.m. We’ll talk mountain biking, hand out some monthly awards, give at least one person some grief, and get you up-to-date on all the mountain bike happenings around town. A huge thanks to New Belgium for hosting us again!

 

August 5th - Women’s Intermediate Skill Clinic – 6-8 p.m. Sign up required.

August 7th - Trail Day on the Foothills/Shoreline Trail with Larimer County. We’ll need all sorts of volunteers for this. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Rotary Park. We’ll finish at 2. Lunch will be provided. Please sign up on the Member Resources side of the site if you plan to help and you want to eat.

August 8th – Pedal to the Point benefit ride for Turning Point. We need volunteer patrollers to help with minor first aid, light bike repair, and sweeping the course. Sign up on Member Resources side of the site. Contact Bill Heisterman, Patrol Director, for more info.

August 12th – Men’s Beginner Skills Clinic (Make-up due to weather) 6-8 p.m. All the info you need HERE. Sign up required.

August 19th – Men’s Intermediate Skills Clinic. Soderberg. Sign up required.

 

September 4th - The TOUR DE FAT - Only 7 weeks away. We need all the volunteers we can get to help us with our biggest fundraiser of the year.