The Alternate Line: Northern Front Range Mountain Biking = Heaven on Earth

July 26, 2010 by bikekor

 Ahhh, Monday mornings...the work week begins and so do plans for the next ride. When will yours be? We do really have mountain biking heaven right outside our back doors.

I learned an important lesson this week. Don't assume swapping pedals is something anyone can do without a little explanation. That whole left/right specific thing might just be something worth mentioning. Aluminum threads are soft. Cranks are expensive. An extra five minutes can save time and money. Road biking just isn't as much fun.

The Overland Crew hit the trails at Curt Gowdy this past weekend. Anyone have pictures? If so, lets get them into the gallery. I can't wait to hear some tales at the meeting tonight. 

By the way, if you haven't hit the Overland Mountain Bike Club Facebook page in a while, you don't know what you're missing. Fresh pics from Curt Gowdy are up. New postings from members each day. Find a ride partner, share a story, or just look around. Help us build our Fan Base!

Meet us at New Belgium Tonight!

The best bicycling meeting of the month kicks off tonight at New Belgium. Doors open at 6:30. We'll do a little socializing, maybe hand out a few awards, and talk about the state of mountain biking along the northern Front Range. Tasty morsels and beverages will be served. As always, a huge thanks to our friends at New Belgium.

Last Week's Trail Eve at Bobcat (from Doug C)

Team One dominated the Ginny trail day competition with 4 members showing up for the event (Pete, RonC, Steve and Doug).  Team Three was represented solely by John Tipton and Team Two was noticably absent.  In the end, we didn't race, but managed to get all 3 of the timbers up to the work-site.  It wasn't pretty as Steve and Doug took turns carrying a 12 footer solo.  Anyway, the heavy lifting is pretty much done for the next log-ride feature except for hauling some bolts and screws and hauling up some more log siding to finish the feature off.  We are trying to schedule a construction date to build it now.  More details to come once the date is finalized.   Check out on some of the features we have been working on so far at Ginny HERE.

Problems with the Trails?

It's getting to be that dry time of year when our trails start feeling a bit used and abused. We'd love to get some feedback to our land agency partners and let them know where there are areas of concern. When you're out, please make note of sections of trail that need some attention. Write a note or take a picture with your phone or camera. Send the pictures to the Trail Committee and they'll know what to do with them.

Patroller's Corner

Pedal to the Point is just around the corner. Turning Points uses this road ride as their annual fundraiser. For the past few years, Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrollers have supplied ride support. Please volunteer if you can. Also, Bill H, our tireless Patrol Director, asks this of you:   Important Notice!  When logging patrols at trailheads that have two trails (For example: Pineridge/Maxwell,  Johnny/Pierson park, and Reservoir Ridge/Shoreline) if you ride both trails please enter it as ONE patrol and put all the information in one report. It makes it easier for the land agencies to review the data. 

Local Races Need Our Help

The Laramie Enduro, which kicks off on Saturday needs volunteers. 7 a.m. to ??? Come out and support all the Overland racers. If you can help, please contact Kathy. Also, the Lory State Park Mountain Bike Series kicks off on August 3rd. This race supports our local high school mountain bikers. A meeting for volunteers is Tuesday, July 27th at 4:30 at New Belgium. If you need more info or want to volunteer but can't make the meeting, please contact Ryan Scalva.

Speaking of High School Mountain Biking

Overland Mountain Bike Club has donated $500 to the Lory State Park Mountain Bike Series to help offset some of the costs associated with running the races. If you want to race, know that your race fee goes to a good cause. Let's support our high school mountain bikers this fall!

And What's Around the Bend?

Monday, July 26th, 6:30 p.m. - Monthly Meeting at New Belgium

Wednesday, July 28th 6:00 p.m. - Weekly Social Ride at Maxwell. Social hour at Josh's. (Challenge #2 - Get a little creative. Bring something other than chips/salsa. And bring something to drink also.)

Saturday, Aug. 31st - Laramie Enduro. Who will be the top Team Overland dog? Also, Volunteers needed. 

Thursday, Aug. 3rd - Lory MTB Race Series begins

Saturday, August 7th - Trail Day at Shoreline Trail. Come help one of the busiest trails around. Overland has adopted this trail and it could use some TLC.

Sunday, August 8th - Pedal to the Point volunteers needed.

Some VERY IMPORTANT DATES 

The Tour de Fat is just around the corner on September 4th. We need volunteers. Please ask your family and friends to come out and help. Volunteer sign-up will be open soon. 

Friends of Lory Trail Day is September 18th. Plan on getting out and getting dirty with us.

That's all I got this week. See you tonight.