Mountain biking

So I've gone mountain biking more times this summer than I have in the ten years that I have owned my mountain bike. Guess what! I love it. What changed you might say. I'm stronger, which allows me to make it up hill. You may have read in my first post that I tried a lot of sports when I first moved to Colorado. My first attempt at mountain biking resulted in my throwing the bike down and exclaiming never again. Coming from Fl where there is no uphill, I just didn't have the muscles, so I gave up. I really wish that I had stuck it out. Now, ten years later, I'm regretting the time that I gave up. I'm only doing beginner courses, but riding through the trees and over streams is so much fun. It is technical enough to make you focus on what you are doing, so thoughts of work get pushed to the back of my brain. And the downhill is fun, fun, fun. Sure I'm still gripping heavily on my brake, but I've already noticed that behavior subsiding as well. Now I'm determined to make it over sections that I never thought possible just a few weeks ago. My message is this. Don't give up. Get some strength by starting on small hills and working your way up. By small, I mean barely an incline. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you make it up that hill. Pretty soon, you actually start to crave a little uphill. I can't believe i just said that. :).

The Bike Conundrum

Novara Transfer "CoCo"

Yes, I know that I just got my new commuter bike, CoCo, in March.  However, the bike bug is still strong.  CoCo is such a joy to ride.  She is smooth, responsive, comfortable and beautiful.  I have had zero complaints with her.   Well, now I have one.  She is heavy - 36 pounds to be exact.  The weight never gets to me unless I want to go more than 15 miles.  Quite honestly, if you had asked me if I would be riding her more than 15 miles at a time in March, I would have fallen on the floor laughing.  However, I already want to go further.  I'm plotting 20 and 30 mile courses and know that I will need a new bike unless I want to be riding all day.  For that reason, my eye has already started shifting to some other steel beauties: Surly Cross Check, Jamis Satellite Femme, Bianchi Imola and Raleigh Clubman.   I've already tried the Cross Check and loved it except for where the shifters are.  That might be a deal breaker for me.  Sure I can customize her a bit, but not sure if I want to spend money on customizations while there are other great bikes out there.   I plan to test ride the Imola on Thursday.  She has everything that I want including a carbon fork.  However, this bike screams steal me, which might make me a bit uncomfortable leaving her outside.   I'm sure that I will fall in and out of love with a few more bikes along the way.  I'll keep you posted. 

Jamis Satellite Femme

Surly CrossCheck

Bianchi Imola

Raleigh Clubman

6/1 Mini hike and bike - Coyote Song Trail at South Valley Park

At the beginning and end of each season, my husband and I will drive down to the southwest corner of Denver to the Ken Caryl neighborhood.  This is the same valley where the famous Red Rocks music venue is.  The area is extremely beautiful and like taking a mini vacation to Utah without the several hour drive.   The red rock formations are particularly nice right now against the lush (for Colorado : ))  grass.

We like the Coyote Song trail in the South Valley Park.   It's a great little park with beautiful views and a trail that meanders through beautiful red rock formations.  Since it is a multi-use trail, I will take the dogs hiking while my husband takes the mountain bike for a spin.   We can always find each other because the trail is wide open.  The openness of the trail also helps him feel comfortable bombing a hill because he can see if there will be anyone in his path.  OR you can see if anyone will be there to see you catch air on some of the bumps.   We like to start at the south entrance, ride up the 300 ft elevation gain and then enjoy the downhill back.

 I highly recommend this trail for an after work adventure and an easy beginner biking trail.  On the weekend, it can get very packed and hard to navigate with dogs or a bike.