Lee's Cyclery Blog » tour de fat

Moonlighting

Steve Lacey — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:39:33 +0000

Sometimes a little extra work in the evening isn’t so bad….in fact, it can be a darn good time! One such time is going out for a little 3500 foot moonlit climb up one of Colorado’s most scenic roads. I’m talking about a late night ride up the Old Fall River Road in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. It’s only possible about 4-5 times during the riding season and perhaps the last available option is September 4th, however the 5th was close enough for me and four others to enjoy the moon’s light.

I wasn’t kidding about the work… Old Fall River Road is, well “old”, as in before pavement, and a mountain bike is the weapon of choice due to some soft spots hidden in the shadows. The fun starts at about 8,500 feet and climbs to 11,800 feet through some grades of 16%. At times, the tree cover casts some pretty good shadows on the road and riding in the dark can tend to flatten some of those grades, but the drops of sweat on the top tube tell the real story. This road is also one way so once you start…….there’s no turning back and the park ranger who asked what we were doing at the Lawn Lake Trailhead at 9:30PM made sure we knew that fact! After arriving at the Alpine Visitors Center, 11 miles away from the car, the way down involves descending Trail Ridge Road, so bring lights and red flashers. Not so fast though! The visitor’s center is at 11,800 feet and Trail Ridge tops off at 2,200 feet, so you have a bit more climbing before breaking out the warm clothes. Yes, 12,000 feet can get mighty chilly so bring a pack with some extra layers!

Now you’re ready for the fun part. If you’ve ever driven this road during the day you know how much traffic it can see. Descending it at midnight you’ll be lucky to see three vehicles on the way down but be careful when opening her up all the way… Elk are mighty big and don’t use headlights…however, they do have horns! (I know, I know, but antlers didn’t sound right!) The total mileage for this ride is 29.5 miles so that means 16 miles of it is pure adrenalin pumping downhill all the way back to the car.

Visit http://www.mapmyride.com/view_route?r=650125246420066949 for complete ride details.

Another adrenalin filled event this past weekend was the Fort Collins Tour de Fat. Each year I attend this spectacle and each year I am even more amazed at the engineering marvels and costumes that show up better than the year before. The size of the crowds both taking part in the parade and lining the streets are also hard to imagine if you haven’t experienced the event first hand. This year an estimated 10,000 characters took part in the festivities, so you better start thinking now for that original get up for next year. Check out some of the pictures from the day here – > http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchista/sets/72157622150157735/show/

If you missed the event, or just can’t stand to put the cruiser up just yet, there is still time to sign up for the LEE’s sponsored Tapas ride. Cruise to three of the areas finest destinations for fine food and drink while dressing in your “finest” cruiser garb. Space is limited and there is a fee. Visit LEE’s more more information and registration.

Ok, I admit, I don’t always wear my helmet when riding my bike, but this weekend I witnessed countless numbers of families riding with the kids wearing helmets and parents NOT! Now you may not be riding fast with your kids, but things happen, and if you think it is possible for your child to bang his/her noggin from three feet off the ground there is a good chance mom and dad could do it from six feet of the deck. Just sayin’…..

Enjoy the sunlight while it’s here and get out and ride… just remember to put a lid on it!

Steve Lacey

Cruisin’ down the motorway…..

Steve Lacey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:46 +0000

…..Got my girl by my side. Even though 38 Special didn’t have bicycling in mind when singing these lyrics, I don’t mind using them while out on a ride with my wife. In seasons past, bicycling around my house was more like uni-cycling; me, by myself, going out for training rides or meeting the group at the trail head. This most recent summer has sure changed that and I’m sure glad I don’t have to pay royalties for each time I’ve sung 38 Special’s melody. It started off innocently enough – a cruise out to the end of the Poudre Trail, a ride out around the Budweiser Event Center… then “Hey! how about we do the Elephant Rock Centuries?” “Sure, that would be a great goal for the summer”, I said. Goal? Heck! Since that weekend, I had better set aside 4-5 hours for a “little” ride on the weekend with the girl by my side or I’m in trouble!

The days of a solo training ride in the morning and a leisurly ride on the bike trail later in the day together are long gone. Used to be that if a leaf happened to finally lose its grip and fall to the ground, it was too windy for a ride; now, riding the Masonville loop into a stiff head wind doesn’t raise a whimper. Used to be that if the temperature was warm enough to require shorts and single digit SPF, that the bike stayed in the cool garage; now it’s SPF 50, an extra water bottle and a trip up Centennial Drive, waving to the boats on the lake. And it didn’t stop there, oh no! A new mountain bike and a couple rides of through Pineridge and Lory and someone thinks they’re ready for the Antenna Hill!
WHAT HAVE I DONE?! This is MY turf… MY thing…MY time…and that’s MY bike’s parking spot in the garage! What do you mean I can cut the lawn tomorrow because it’s a nice day for a ride? What do you mean there’s a nice place we can stay in Frisco and go on some nice rides? WHAT…HAVE…..I…..DONE???? I’ve worn out a song by 38 Special, that’s what! Cruisin’ down the…….Can’t wait for the next ride!
Tip of the week? No wait, I mean the tip of the CENTURY( get it? century?). Do whatever it takes to get your spouse, girl friend, boyfriend or significant other out with you on some rides. Forget training for a while. Forget about your average speed or catching the guy down the road. Find a song, wear it out and start riding again.

If you’re looking for a perfect stage for your first recital, check out the Fort Collins Bicycle Festival’s Oscar Blues Cruiser Bike Tour, Friday the 28th. Cruise the streets of Old Town and tour the local bike shops. And don’t forget to cap it off with some refreshments and good company at LEE’S North Store on Laurel St!

Oh yeah, there is also a free concert and raffles after the ride as well. The fun doesn’t stop there either; there are rides and events throughout the weekend for everyone. For more information Call Joe or Ainslie at 970-667-3800 or visit http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090821/CONNECTIONS02/908210341/Cycling+festival+Aug.+28-29++Free+concert++bike+cruise+and+Rist+Canyon+ride

Don’t forget about the Tour De Fat September 5th. Volunteers are still needed to pull this off and yes you can still ride and partake in all the fun while volunteering. Visit the following sites if you would like to volunteer.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=8FRvH3Q0VXSSd9fn_2b2fbxw_3d_3d

http://bikefortcollins.org/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=1895&pubmenuoptID=22930

http://www.overlandmtb.org/TDF2009/

Both a little anxious…ooo, good luck in the raffles.

Steve Lacey

A Silent Auction Says A Lot

Steve Lacey — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:32:37 +0000

This Saturday, August 15th, a silent auction will be held to come to the aid of a huge member of our bicycling community. Although Stuart Culp is well on his road to recovery, he still has a long journey ahead of him until he’s back on the pedals again; and a journey like this can put a tremendous strain on a family’s finances. Driving to Denver, take out dinners and family visits from out of state are just some of the expenses the Culps are enduring during his recovery and they could sure use our help. We would like to encourage you to participate in a silent auction for the Culps at the Peloton Cycles bike shop in Fort Collins from 5:30 – 10:00pm on August 15. Donations from a number of bicycling establishments have been received to be auctioned off on Stuart’s behalf. For more information or if you’d like to donate items for the auction, please contact Dustin at Peloton Cycles.

Dustin Folger
Event Coordinator
Peloton Cycles
970-449-5595

We hope to see you at Peloton on Saturday!

Another way you can help the Culps is to purchase gift cards for them for any of the following establishments and mail them to Dan Porter and he’ll pass them onto the Culps.

Food options…

Panda Express
Papa Johns
Qdoba
Red Robin
Wok & Roll
Supper Solutions
Safeway
etc …………………
Vehicle Maintenance and Gas

Conoco
Diamond Shamrock
Jiffy Lube
Grease Monkey
etc….

Send the gift cards or drop them by Dan Porter (Your Group Ride) at 5220 Boardwalk Dr. Unit C11, Fort Collins, CO 80525!

Tour De Fat

OK, looking at the calendar, it looks like there are only about 3 weeks until this year’s Tour de Fat to be held on September 5th, 9:00AM – 4:00PM at New Belgium Brewery, just off Linden St. in Old Town. Imagine Saturday Night Fever, Saturday Night Live, Monster Garage, Myth Busters, and a little Twilight Zone all coming together for the wildest parade to ever test your sense of reality, followed by a party to celebrate the “cycle” of life! WILD! The best part of it is, everyone can be a part of the show. Break out your finest polyester, your favorite two wheeled contraption and maybe your ID and follow your folly to the Tour De Fat! All proceeds from the event go to local organizations and there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for the event as well. Visit http://overlandmtb.org for more information on where your talents could be used best.

Speaking of IDs, a while back I asked everyone who rides to get some form of ID to carry on themselves in case of emergency. Well, I decided to take Bobke’s advice and order one of the Road ID bands on line and here it is. After a few rides it’s starting to get broken in and hopefully I’m the only one to ever read it. I know it’s a bit gimmicky, but after spending the $20.00, I now make sure I wear it.

Finally, whether on the road or dirt, this week’s tip may help you stay out of trouble. While approaching debris or obstructions on the trail or road, do not focus your attention on the obstacle. Instead, focus on the route past the obstacle and keep the obstacle in your peripheral vision. Chances are, if your looking at the obstacle, your bike will follow (and that may not be a good thing!).

Again, I hope to see you at Peloton on Saturday, but if not, I hope you’re enjoying the day on your bike!

Thank you Frenchista for the pix

Steve Lacey

Woohoo! Three feet!

Steve Lacey — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:28:56 +0000

On Wednesday, August 5 2009, Colorado joins 14 other states with bills which require a distance of three feet when passing a cyclist. Burt Reynolds could not be happier about gaining three feet (1 yard). The bill, 148, also gives motorists the right to safely cross the center line whilst passing cyclists…I could joke about motorists crossing the line but I won’t. Riding as far right as deemed safe is also a right of the cyclist now which means you are legally allowed to “take the lane” without impeding the flow of traffic. This is where it gets a bit grey and common sense needs to be called in.

On a four lane road with no shoulder such as Horsetooth, near College Ave, or Riverside, cyclists are allowed and encouraged, for safety sake, to ride in the right lane. I hope you’ve noticed the “share the road” signs posted in these areas. They’re there for just this purpose! On a two lane lane road with no bike lane, this also means a cyclist can ride in the lane, but it does not mean we can hold up a car from passing in a reasonable amount of time (impeding traffic)….how long is ‘ a reasonable amount of time’ you ask? As soon is it is safe for you to move over. The reason you ride in the lane is to ensure vehicles see you and make a conscious effort to pass safely. I call it a little take and give; take the lane and then give it when it’s safe. Riding in the far right or in the gutter on such roads encourages and forces drivers to violate the three foot LAW (doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?) when there is oncoming traffic or on curvy roads.

As for two a-breast riding… cyclists can ride side by side but must move to single file to allow vehicles to pass. Now I’m not saying moving to single file in the gutter – remember, the law says as far right as deemed safe by the cyclist. The moving to single file is more a means for cyclists to let vehicles know they are cognizant of them and thus expect the same in return.

What else does this bill mean for cyclists? It means that we cyclists must watch our ‘Ps and Qs’ even more so until the bill is understood and accepted by everyone. If we’re going to demand adherence to the new bill, we must also follow the rules of the road…..Three feet pertains to us as well and squeezing between cars and the gutter at intersections violates this law as well. Move in with traffic in these situations.

In related news, I came across a good idea for license plates while visiting the http://www.3feet2pass.com/ site. It’s a license plate dedicated to the three feet to pass law and a local rider’s foundation. In Tennessee they need 1000 people signed up before they will print them and donations go to http://jeffrothcyclingfoundation.org/. Might be something to check out!

Now for this week’s tip – I’d like every cyclist to learn, practice and preach the rules of the road to other cyclists. Remember – 3 feet, no gutters, right lane and single file when necessary!
That’s it for now! This weekend, forget mowing the lawn and enjoy your real back “yard”…..go ride!

Steve Lacey

tour de fat colorado state university