Cycling Sunshine Canyon Solo

While it can be done on a 28, the ascent definitely calls for a 32/40T cassette (seated) Found the rear wheel spinning sand (out the saddle)  Blazing sun, convenient rest stops, gorgeous views.  With a maximum grade of 21-24% Sunshine Canyon definitely requires pacing.  Underestimated the climb for sure.  It's convenient to blame altitude acclimation, wonky sleep, slacking nutrition/glucose exhaustion, 28T cassette, or emotional stress.  In reality, the climb is just a bit soul-crushing.  I recommend going up in peak condition...otherwise, relax.  The descent offers short and steep switchbacks, many blind turns, very few potholes. Epic ride.   

Lion's Lair

 First time hiking Lion's Lair was a blast.  The trail led to the top of Mt. Sanitas (a personal favorite mountain run, from Red Rocks)  Hikers tend to park off a Sunshine Canyon switch-back. As you begin the hike, meadow vibes transition to plentiful pines.  Beautiful views omnipresent, between luscious greenery and sprawling needles.  A diverse trail with increasingly epic scenery.  This hike is vegan cake.


Halfway through the trail, you notice solitude.  The path is smooth, nothing to climb or dodge,  Great for introspection, nothing but crickets.
Approaching the summit, we met a chef from Virginia.  This dude loved Gwar.  Colorado locals were getting a taste of "Beefcake the Mighty" and conceptualizing Juggalo gatherings "on mushrooms"  The conversation was also spiced with thoughts on the east coast heroin epidemic, masala, and Thai jasmine rice (his favorite flavors)


We hiked up and ran down.  Not away from circus rap and southern rock, but for fun.  The run was effortless.  I'd almost trust it barefoot.  Cushey, assorted forest debris, imitates floating on carpets of moss.  I'd looked forward to seeing a frog sculpture at the top of Mt. Sanitas, drilled to the peak-post sometime in 2017.  The frog was gone, but the trail is rewarding regardless.  If Mt. Sanitas is rough, but you enjoy the view, try Lion's Lair.  The same destination for very little effort (though two recorded deaths by lion in 2016 are great fitness motivators)

Arapahoe > Flagstaff > Baseline

I've been wanting to explore Arapahoe AND Baseline. So what better way than take Arapahoe to Flagstaff, hit the Strava segment on Flagstaff, and ride Baseline back.  The road conditions and vehicular traffic taking Arapahoe into Boulder (center) were intense. I'd highly suggest Baseline in either direction. Baseline has a wider shoulder, smoother tarmac, and is full of "sport and commuter" cyclists of all types.
Flagstaff was fun.  Snow-capped mountains, ominous and cloudy Flatirons.  Met a friendly deer and helped her cross the road.  Young kids in sporty cars, flooring it on the straight-away, could've hit her for sure.  The deer aren't shy here.  Brought one metal bottle, refilled it once. First water had electrolyte / hydration powder.  Had a few dark chocolate peanut butter cups.  Even though I don't enjoy chocolate on rides, put myself in a situation where I had no option. I'd rather meditate on chocolate.
Coming back on Baseline was fun.  Got the high / leg chills.  Drafted behind a bus and later behind a confident commuter with a large messenger bag.  Strong rider, nice pace.  Epic road conditions and beautiful rolling hills.  The scenery is amazing here. Everywhere I look is like a landscape painting, stunning and surreal.  Always grateful, it will never get old.

Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain was my first ride in Colorado (after a year of being away) With Jeff Osar (Big Vegan Jeff) setting the pace, it was obvious I hadn't trained in two weeks (before a three-day drive) Temperature on Lookout was around 80 (give or take) with subtle snowy patches lining the way.  Forgot my bottles (at home) so Jeff let me borrow two of his.  The combination of not training, lacking sleep, and putting on weight (in the form of water and fat) had me feeling fatigued, but stoked to be riding regardless.  Jeff arrived decked out in avocados, so naturally, I knew it would be another fun ride with epic levels of positivity and gratitude for the natural world. Avocados and seafoam green...DUH!

    

Tropical Instinct (Instrumentals)

Artist: Jon Burrier
Album: Tropical Instinct
Tropical Instinct (Instrumentals)
Written and Recorded by Jonathan Burrier 
Baltimore, Maryland 2009-2013
Album Artwork by Ola @tinyghostx
Released by Subhuman Traffic Jams Records

https://soundcloud.com/jonburrier