Chapman + Carbon Fail

Descending Chapman on a road bike has its cons.  Carbon wheels, for example.  I had never seen carbon "fail" in person, but heat seems to be the enemy.  A very hot day, paired with heavy breaking (using caution on this sandy-gravel descent) Led to a carbon rim "explosion" for lack of better terms.  Carbon splinters, worn out tire, and a ride home on the rim.  Sent it too hard.  Bright side, the spokes, and hub are still good.  I am going to buy a proper rim and work on rebuilding this wheel.

Veg Group Ride

I had no idea what to expect.  The pace was moderate, mostly road with a small dirt section.  Many cool bikes (even a steel frame) The ride was 50ish miles where Folsom / Valmont intersect to Rabbit Mountain / back (Whittier) As the "new kid," I'm usually subtle, not asserting dominance.  I try to remain sensitive but show I'm not totally reckless or naive.  Totally heard one of the guys say, "Is this where we drop everyone?" They didn't drop anyone.  After the ride, we received wristbands for free kombucha, smoothies, and gift bags.  A really sweet surprise considering it was Jeff's birthday.         

Chapman Drive Trail Off-Road

 Chapman Drive is a dream.  A cyclocross-style venture, not incredibly steep (descending Chapman on a road bike is another story)  I question how climbing up rubble so chill, can make for an unequivocally terrifying descent.  That is why I choose to descend Flagstaff's tarmac (post-Chapman climb)  I also enjoy the enhanced smoothness tarmac offers (psychologically) post several minutes up gravel.  If you shift enough body weight over the rear wheel, it won't spin out much standing.  I very much enjoy the challenge of staying seated vs. standing up gravel.  I'd compare it to a mindfulness exercise of sorts.  The first day I found out about it, I had to do it twice...once wasn't enough.  The forest surrounding Chapman is full of beautiful dark greens and blacks (early June 2018)  I love it . . . 

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!