The Mountains Have Snow!

I know it's early early in the season but it's a good start! There is snow on the continental divide. I can see it from here.

By Mike McPhee
Denver Post Staff Writer

Breckenridge reported September's first measurable snowfall on Sept. 17, 2007. (Breckenridge Ski Resort)

The weather this week gets off to a chilly and wet start, followed by a gradual drying and warming until the weekend when the state will have perfect fall weather for viewing the foliage.

A light rain started falling early this morning in the metro area. Thunderstorms and heavier rains are predicted for later this afternoon. Lightning and strong winds may appear late in the afternoon east and south of the metro area. Temperatures will climb into the high 60s and low 70s.

The moisture should clear out during the night bringing partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-70s on Tuesday.

The rest of the week will be sunny, clear and warm, with temperatures in the mid-80s — perfect for viewing the fall leaves.

Rider's Log 9.17.07 Farmer's Highline 1st time

Left the house a little after 7 this morning with the intention of riding for 4 hours on the mountain bike via the city trails. Headed west on the Farmer's High Line Canal path for the first time. Took this all the way through Northglenn to Thornton where it heads out towards 136 near Horizon HS. There are some really cool neighborhoods that back up to the canal. Turned around at 13.5 miles. Started to rain on the way back - i was totally soaked and a little cold. Air temp was around 55. Stopped to grab a power bar for fuel. It didn't rain too long and my pearl izumi wear did it's job of drying quickly.

I got back to the Highline and Dry Creek junction and decided to take Dry Creek as far as i could. Ended up somewhere around Huron and 136th. Rain came again on the way back. I was still loving it.

I was really speeding along today - keeping it around 15-17 mph on the flats, even doing some pulls at 20+mph. My legs were beat and my energy was running low by the time i was near 120th Ave. so i headed home rather than cruising out to Standley Lake for The Hill.

Total mileage: 41. Average speed 13. 3+ hours of ride time.

Rider's Log 9.7.07 Wondervu 1st time!

Made it! Didn't even feel like i would. Legs were strong at the start, felt faster until after rest at 93 and 86th. approach to longview was more difficult than it's been. muscle burn/pain. kept going. was sure i was going to turn around. just kept going-pushed through it. pain left somewhere after rest at cattle drive rd. rested again at fire station. rested at power place. road past german restaurant. rested. hardest part of climb was fire station to post german. upright climbing didn't work so i spent most of the time with hands on the brake hoods mashing out the hills.
really nice stretch up toward the top - forested, cool. incline not steep.
wondervu was very quiet. took pictures at the top. was cold on the descent. a strong wind for the east slowed the descent (probably helped the climb a bit.)
rested at five parks. took an extra loop up westminster blvd to 112th to sheridan.
gatorade in water. 2.5 triple threat powerbars.
started at 8:15. wondervu at 11:00. home at 12:30. distance 55+

Rider's Log 8.31.07 Wondervu

Coal Creek Canyon is in the distance. Picture taken on the south east side of Standley Lake.



The Flatirons are the backdrop to Boulder.



The beginning of the canyon







70 acres and home for $489K. Not bad.



Westfalen Hof. Wondervu is just over the ridge


3.5 hours. 50 miles. Start @ 8:00. Finish: 11:30

Felt great on the way out and up. Cruising along. First rest at Hwy93 and 86th worked better than Longview Rd rest stop.
My form was good. I learned/noticed when i was doing intervals earlier in the week that climbing really is easier for me the more upright i sit. I remembered to do this even when i wanted to hunker down and try to grind it out today. this made a huge difference.
2nd rest at Cattle Trail Drive. As usual, I was sweating buckets so I took off my helmet and stashed it on the backpack and this was so much cooler on the climb. I didn't sweat much with the helmet off. Now I really understand why the pros complain about helmets and why the rules allow them to ditch them on long climbs.
Road right on past the Coal Creek fire station and rested at the power station place - Gross Damn Rd. At this point it was tough going. I was totally winded and gassed. Nevertheless, I slogged on to the German restaurant Hof place and rested there...probably 10 minutes up the road from the last rest - maybe less. I took pictures at that point, put my helmet on for the descent, fully intending to bag it and turn around. Some sort of desire kicked in as i got back on the bike so I did ride further up the road just a bit - maybe 150 yards - just so i could feel good about going farther than before. Turned around at 323000 hwy 72. at approximately 10:30 - only one mile from my goal of the Wondervu Cafe. Ugh. I knew I was close but I just do not have the leg strength to use my lowest gear to climb at that grade - probably 8 or 9%. (Two options for the future - get a granny, bail-out gear for my lowest; or, hit the weights and get the strength to haul my 220 lbs to the top. i'm choosing the second option.
Flew down. Pedaling when possible; but, most of the time i was going too fast even to spin in the highest gear. I was tense on some of the sweeping turns but i realized that there's nothing i could do at that speed - 30+mph - to save myself if something happened so i decided to relax and have fun. i love carving those corners at that speed. Outside leg down, inside leg up with my knee to the frame - so fun.
Home at 11:30.
Didn't reach the top of the mountain but did significantly improve my time and form. Great ride.