Some of it was spent like this:
Even at 9:30 AM, the top of North Table Mountain was a solar oven, and it was hotter in the middle of the afternoon. Temp was almost 100 by 3 PM. Thankfully there was a breeze, even though it was hot too.
Africa, or Golden, CO?
This is what I did and learned, school oral report-style. On this ride, I...
- Got in some good singletrack practice, and rode some moderate rocky downhills better than ever.
- Learned more about local streets, trails, and shops.
- Stopped by the farmer's market in Golden.
- Found out that Big Ring Cycles has a sink you can fill your water bottle at. I lost a bolt on one of my SPD cleats, and after risking sub-bar release capability on a few mild but rocky downhills, I decided to ride into town and find another bolt. Got an extra water bottle, too.
- Realized that Chimney Gulch trail goes under the highway through a tunnel. Ran that trail from the lot off 6 many times, yet I never knew that.
- Found out that an extension of the Clear Creek trail goes under Highway 6 and follows the creek for about 3/4 mile:
Trip #2 to the top of South Table Mountain:
I inhaled this enchilada plate at Teqila's as a late lunch, before my last hour of (easy) riding. Should have taken this photo after I totally cleaned the plate:
All in all, it was a bunch of street and path riding, two trips up South Table Mountain, one partway up Chimney Gulch (way too hot, so I turned back, but I got to ride the downhill back down to the tunnel), and one ride on singletrack on the flatter, lower parts of Green Mountain (Lakewood).
Distance was 44.28 miles, time 7:38 (moving 5:41), elevation gain/loss 2,987 feet, avg. speed 5.8 mph, and max speed 23.8 mph.
Maybe I need to get those guys to change my oil faster ;)
