Messages

1

Colorado / Riding up Mt. Elbert and Lincoln

« on: February 21, 2012, 10:57:30 am »

At 43 years and with a busy lifestyle, I am still stay fit enough to do the more extreme rides, and this is the year of offroading 14ers Elbert and Lincoln.  I don't know too many other riders with such a mad lean, so thought it was worth sounding off here to see if there'd be anyone interested in joining a average to above average flat-pedal mt biker.  Never caught onto the clipless for some reason and don't really care if I do, even with the advantages. 

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Colorado / Re: Introduce Yourself

« on: February 21, 2012, 10:52:32 am »

Its been a year since I've checked the Adventure Cycling forum, so I don't know if I've dropped a spot on this page.  For the record, I'm Jeff and I live in Littleton, CO.  I have a major obsession with mountain biking 100 mile stretches of the highest possible paths and roads through the state.   I do a lot of solo runs, but have met others now and then to ride with.  My work schedule is unconventional, so the times I go are usually week days, unless I take a weekend off.

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Gear Talk / Re: compact sleeping bag for mt. riding.

« on: April 05, 2009, 06:16:24 pm »

Add to that, this is on mt bike, on trails not fit for panniers or trailers.  So I try to keep my load to the minimum necessary for survival.  To date, have lodged only.  This will be a new experience, camping.

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Gear Talk / compact sleeping bag for mt. riding.

« on: April 05, 2009, 01:53:59 pm »

I've been searching for a downs sleeping bag for an overnite tour in the mountains.  Looking at temperature ratings of 10-25 degrees. However, I am not impressed with the bulkiness of the choices before me currently.  I suppose if you want more warmth, your going to have to deal with the lack of compression.  Anyone have a recommendation of how to select a lite-weight and compact sleeping bag for cooler summer temperatures?

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General Discussion / Re: ‘Camping’: Is it really necessary?

« on: March 11, 2009, 12:40:18 pm »

For all you biker/campers out there, what low weight set up do you use, or would you recommend for a short multi-day tour?

This is where I'm at for now, when packing light.  One downs bag good to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and weights 2lb.  An emergency tent (>1lb), which could be used  only as a canapy/floor while it is low weight, but may be questionable under torrential rain. Thought of purchasing a bivy to better protect myelf from a rain storm. Note, there's no trailer or pannier, just a back pack carrying emergency kit, food, h20 etc. Riding technical back country trails vs. roads.   Any thoughts are welcome. thanx.

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General Discussion / Re: finding a riding partner

« on: March 10, 2009, 11:31:39 am »

I appreciate your point about flexibility, while usually I am the faster rider and its easy to be patient for me when your in that situation.  However, last summer riding with a chap 15 years my younger I lagged on a multi-day by an hour up to 3, depending, and I felt terrible.  I liked your way, but I refuse to recruit anyone on one of my mtb runs who will have to wait for me to that degree again,  increasing my training time double this year, hopefully.

I've toured solo and with a partner. There are pluses and minuses to both ways, but I'd give the edge to riding with a partner.

I live in a small town in a county where you can count serious cyclist on one hand. I wasn't even looking for a partner and lucked up on two over 3 years. Found one on Warmshowers about 70 miles from where I live and the other thru CG about 200 miles away. Point being, you may have to depend on luck here. Being involved in the touring forums/sites is one way to find a partner.

It takes a great deal of flexibility for two or more people to have a good tour together, especially a long one. I tend to be the more flexible. I am satisfied with letting my partner plan the tour and set the pace which is about 50 miles/day, plus or minus 20. We don't ride together necessarily. We do end the day at the same place and stay in touch via cp. We don't even expect to camp together. If one wants a motel and the other doesn't, fine. If one wants to lag behind at lunch and the other wants to forge ahead, fine. Flexibility is the key.

Be aware of your partner's moods and try to accomodate. Offer help when needed. Compliments go a long way.

Well, sorry. You didn't ask for philosophy but got it anyway. Good luck.

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Colorado / Re: Informal ACA Rides Here in Colorado

« on: March 09, 2009, 04:04:43 pm »

Hey Frank
 
I was just thinking it would be nice to know how other organize and manage the logisitics of multi-day rides, in case I can learn something new.  I've done solo mtb rides, or w/ one other in the CO Rockies of 50-360 miles for a few years now, and my methods are to backpack, lodge and camp when meeting a support person/friend.  I map my rides, and research the trails and hope for the best.  I've gotten turned around a few times in the backcountry on the s-track trails and have missed meeting my support, due to weather or inaccurate trail data, but overall my tours have been successful.  If you would share the methods in detail that you or others use on the road/trail, maybe there's something I could learn.

Hi, all --

I'm starting up this discussion thread because I've had a number of previous requests from Colorado members for a way to connect with others to arrange rides in this area.

You're invited to tell this online community about your riding interests: day rides, weekend overnight trips, week-long or other multi-day trips -- either self-contained or by using your credit card to cover the logistics. I have also found that it's useful to be pretty specific in describing your own riding preferences for such things as daily distance, riding pace/speed, what area you prefer to ride in, etc. when you are seeking riding companions.

If you are unfamiliar with the logistics of organizing and planning a multi-day and/or self-contained trip, I and many other folks in this forum will be happy to share our experience with you. It's not really rocket science, and different arrangements will work for different people, but we'll all try to ensure that everyone's on-the-road experience gets better. It's especially my hope that anyone who is anticipating their first overnight bike trip will use this space to make that experience a great one.

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Colorado / Re: Introduce Yourself

« on: February 25, 2009, 09:23:14 am »

Hi, I'm Jeff.  I've lived in CO for 7+ years, transplanted from MN.  I've done alot of long distance mt biking, and since moving here in 01', I've completed different sections of ridable trails of highest possible altitude.   As a family man, I haven't been as active or in as great a shape as in my bachelor years, but am still obsessed with riding, especially in the high country.  Always looking for someone of similar riding interest and background to join me in a summer venture. 

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General Discussion / Re: ‘Camping’: Is it really necessary?

« on: February 20, 2009, 02:39:04 pm »

How much lighter is your compact tent?  Unless you go with a plastic sheet as a tarp and an aluminum foil emergency blanket as sleeping bag, its hard to get much lighter than the newest tents and sleeping bags.  Why suffer with something else for no gain?  Yes I know the newest tents and sleeping bags of super light weight cost money.  But a transcontinental bike ride is 3 months.  Seems to me you would get your moneys worth.
[/quote]

Looking at a 1stx investment in a tent, and bivy/down sbag, but I'm not commited to anything yet.  The key is to find something that is efficient, decent quality and affordable.  Haven't chosen to carry so much extra stuff yet, given my routes of steep pitches and technical terrain on s-t and 4wd backcountry trails. For this guy 40-60 miles is a good day in high altitude off-road riding.  Thanx for the feedback. I'll keep all responses to my question in mind.

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General Discussion / Re: ‘Camping’: Is it really necessary?

« on: February 20, 2009, 10:42:44 am »

To answer a question with a question:  What experience does anyone happen to have with riding light (personally this is all via mt bike) and just carrying a waterproof bivy and maybe a compact tent in ones pack so as to avoid expensive planned stays?  Is this not what has to be done for riders of say the near 600 mile Colorado Trail? I haven't done this type of stay-over yet myself, but have been entertaining the possibility.  Given the trails and 4wd roads that I ride on my multiday tours, most of which are not amenable to trailers/panniers, staying at a hotel or meeting a friend in a support vehicle has to date been the only option at the end of a long strenuous mtb trek. 

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General Discussion / Re: finding a riding partner

« on: February 18, 2009, 08:33:16 am »

Maybe you will have to make some concessions and be willing to slow down to ride with someone "less adept". Most couples who ride together end up doing that I believe. At least my wifer and I do-when she has slow days, I wait, and when I'm slow, she waits. Not a big issue if you want company on the ride. Plus, you might find some less skilled riders improve fairly quickly to your level.
[/quote]

Well, I think what I also meant is that in many cases, I am the weaker link. Due to family etc. I don't ride near as much, and mostly solo.  don't know how I would keep up with today's "biking crowd".  But the only way to find out is to see where other fanatical riders are at in their pursuit of the trail.  I spend a good deal of time with my 4-year-old boy on the wider mtb tracks, and its great to see how enthused he is about riding.

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General Discussion / Re: finding a riding partner

« on: February 17, 2009, 01:21:10 pm »

I can relate to everything but I am more of the motivated, skilled, etc. who is not in as much shape as you.  However, now that the kids are mid-teens, once I get my youngest off to college, I will be embarking on the southern tier route from Key West to complete my perimeter tour then do several others.  Look me up in a few years!

John

I envy your situation on one hand, that your kids are older, but I appreciate that I can train my boy up to be a mtb fanatic like myself.  Happy trails!

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General Discussion / finding a riding partner

« on: February 10, 2009, 12:34:27 pm »

I am a 40-year-old guy, who has been riding seriously mostly on Mt bike for long-distance multi-terrain tours since college, excluding a eight year vacation from riding due to life's challenges (ie: family, finances and frequent moves).   I have been in Colorado for eight years now and while balancing the needs and responsibilities of wife/kids I've returned to a semi-serious mtb/road riding, going on multi-day tours 1x per year and getting in two 10-17 mile bike commutes to work / week and at a minimum of two 40-50 mile rides in a month mostly in the higher elevations.  As a result of my current life style, though, it has been hard finding a rider of equal enthusiasm and yet similar limitations for training and what not.  Either my partner/friend is less adapt on two wheels for extended periods of time, or the individual is a bachelor or just too young to comprehend the slower pace that has apparently accompanied my age and lifestyle.  I'm not a novice by any stretch, but no expert rider either, undertaking a 300 some mile self-created mtb bike tour in southern CO, and am back to the drawing board of finding a rider of equal limitations and strengths. Is there anyone out there who has any idea where I'm coming from and/or knows of someone who would be interested in such an undertaking? 
 

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General Discussion / Colorado riders

« on: November 19, 2008, 05:57:00 pm »

I'm a Coloradoan 7 years and counting.  Live in Littleton and work in Golden.  I've come to love true mt biking at elevations 9-13,000 feet.  I love long distance trail riding, but am admittedly not the greatest technical rider.  Limited by work and family for the time that I put into it, but shoot for 2-3 rides a week, counting work commutes.  I ride solo 90% of the time.  Hoping to find someone of similar interest and caliber to join me in some 50 or 300 mile rides next year.  For more info see my post in the companions wanted.

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General Discussion / Riding companion for August

« on: March 28, 2008, 11:18:27 am »

Anyone interested in joining a self-made tour of the Colorado San Juans through 4wd trails and dirt road with some paved roads mixed in?  Looking at doing three Days in early Aug.