Monday, June 23, 2008
Still Making Turns?
Last winter is one for the books, some people are still rock'n the turns in the high country. Since my ski buddy isn't in town right now I have been focusing my attention elsewhere with the Road Bike, Mountain Bike, and running as of late. I particularly like this little reminder, when thinking about next skis season which in reality is only a little ways off there is a lot to be excited for ...... here! I may just pack up the boards and find some turns this weekend. Rumor has it the snow pack is holding surprisingly well for this time of year. Some say the snow pack right now is like late May in typical years. Hmmmmmm.......
I Got Screw'd
There has to be something said for the car companies adding the tire pressure gauges to the warning lights in cars. I picked this little guy up Sunday morning before I headed out to DIA to bring Cyn back to the airport. After dropping her off the tire pressure warning light came on before I left the airport complex and was able to fill my tire with air before heading home. I may have found myself changing the tire on the side of E-470 if the dash light didn't exist. Thanks VW (for once)
OUCH!
Life is Good!
What can I say, I have an amazing partner in crime. I received a surprise package at DIA Thursday night in the form of a pint size wife with a big o'l smile on her face. Cyn decided to surprise me with an unscheduled trip home over the weekend. This is an awesome thing, being that I was missing her like you read about. We had a great weekend of walks, lounging by the poolside, dog parks, dinners and just strait up quality time together in person! I cant help but feel like the luckiest guy in the solar system right now. Man, i love my wife!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sweet No. 17!
After a 22 year vacation, the C's are back, and the icing on the cake is that they BEAT LA!The home town fans were treated to a 131-92 ars woop'n of Kobe and Co. in game 6 to take the series! Ya that's right, I got my green on today!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
New Wings!
I ran across this cute little bugger the other day. First day trying out the new wings. He/she could only fly about 5-10 feet when I ran across him/her.
The li'll guy made it up on the window sill out of foot traffic.
Mom/Dad weren't to far away. (Sitting on the top branch of the tree below the window)
Big Miles.....
I left from my place Saturday morning and headed for the hills. I had no plan, or idea where I was going, however I had plenty of time to kill. Ended up on top of Conifer Mtn. some 45 miles later.
Good thing they had a sign, or I'da been screwed.....
Great views of the divide from here, unfortunately I forgot to take one, but I did get one of the road I was on.... 45 miles back, I was home and toast. Mission accomplished I killed the day and made it one day closer to seeing DG!
Sunday, as if I didnt have enough the day before I headed out to meet up with Triple Threat GGG, Gregg for some more super riding in the foothills.
I ran across one of those City Fox on the way out to Chatfield Res.
Ran into Gregg, and we stayed in the shade all day, headed up Deer Creek and Parm Gulch,....
The ride town to Kitteredge was super fun
Split off from Gregg at Morrison and it was bike paths back home, at this point my legs were ready for FLAT!!! All in all a good weekend, thanks for the ride bro!Weekend Total: 9 hours ride time, and 165 Miles
Monday, June 09, 2008
DIRT!
My wife is out of town for the next three months, and I have to figure out how to fill my time. So yesterday I decided to pull out the MTB and head into the hills. I figured if I got lost, maybe it would take me three months to find my way back, and she would be home waiting for me. So I headed up Waterton Canyon to the Colorado Trail....
Found a Dam (those beavers are really good)
No chance of getting lost with trail markers, and tree blaze all the way out.
Found Some Great Views(this one is just about to South Platte)
Some Sweet Single Track
Some More Great Views (I could definitely get lost out there)
And More...
Damn, found my way back...... I have to figure something else out to take up my time, that ride only took up 3hours. Maybe next weekend I'll head out to Buffalo Creek from Waterton.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Keep'n the Fingers and Toes Crossed
Send Good Vibes Cynthia's Way!! I'll let her tell you why......
But Trust Me Its For A Good Reason!!
But Trust Me Its For A Good Reason!!
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait......
Well, yesterday I received a phone call from the Denver Broncos, and they are looking for a guy to run and get the tee off the field after kickoffs....... Well not really, but they do have a some season tickets available, and my name is on the top of the wait list. I completely forgot that back in 2003 I put my name on the Denver Broncos Season Ticket Wait List. At the time I figured I would be dead before I made it to the top of the list, so what the heck. So I checked out the wait list this morning and according to the Bronc's website it is now 12-14 years. After some discussion with my amazing wife, we decided that this was just to good of an opportunity to pass up. I told you, I'm the luckiest dude in the Universe!!!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Speechless Cont'd..........
By Sheriff Jim Alderden
Don’t you just love this time of year, when the birds, boats and cyclists come out? Well, two out of three ain’t bad.
Tis the time of year for countless walking, running and cycling events that positively or negatively affect each of us. Then there’s the inevitable conflict between the motorists and cyclists using roads that are in disrepair and aren’t fit for either. The Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are tasked with keeping the peace and enforcing the laws. The end result is that nobody is happy with us.
First, let me address the numerous events that impact traffic flow and raise the ire of the affected neighborhoods. All of these events require a permit. There are several stages of review. Many of these cross jurisdictional lines and require approval from the municipalities that they traverse, the county and the state. In the case of the county permits, they are NOT issued by the Sheriff’s Office but from the Commissioners. In addition to the Sheriff’s Office reviewing the plans for the events, the Health Department, Road and Bridge, Parks Department, Engineering and the appropriate ambulance, hospital and fire departments all review the plans and either approve or impose conditions. In the case of the Sheriff’s Office, we REQUIRE notification of affected residents, a traffic plan, certified traffic control personnel at key intersections, and volunteers at other locations. If the event is a race, we require either full or rolling road closures. Again, we are charged with making the event as safe as possible, but can’t deny a permit just because it inconveniences people. That’s a balancing act for the County Commissioners.
The Sheriff’s Office no longer assigns personnel to these events except in the most extreme circumstances due to staffing shortages, other high priority events that dictate deputies be assigned to work overtime, and the liability associated with these events. When we do, the event must pay the costs associated with the services provided. I don’t remember the last time we assisted with one of these due to the volume of other off-duty work where the services of a sworn deputy are needed. (As an aside, to the person who groused on the Reporter Herald RH line about the Sheriff’s Office escorting a group of cyclists on Glade Road on Saturday, May 10, the Sheriff’s Office was NOT involved in this event and we definitely did NOT have a car escorting the cyclists either on duty or on overtime. This event was a collegiate event hosted by Colorado State University, so I suspect that the lead car may have been a CSUPD car.)
Second, let me address the issue of cyclists in general and our enforcement practice. I’ve recently received a deluge of e-mails from the cycling community of Boulder after a group of them encountered a deputy who gave then the “don’t let the sun set on your behind in my county” speech or something akin to that. What the rider claimed was that the deputy offered the option of either returning to Boulder County or receiving a ticket for the alleged violation (more on that in a moment). That may be what they heard, but the deputy is adamant that isn’t exactly what was said. Apparently there was some dialogue (argument) about the interpretation of the applicable statute and the cyclists were advised that we were going to enforce the law regarding impeding the traffic flow in our county. The deputy continued by stating that perhaps they should return to Boulder County where they indicated they could ride two abreast, or be cited if they continued to do so here. It really wasn’t a “get out of Dodge” ultimatum but “if you stay in Dodge, be prepared to follow the rules or suffer the consequences.” Perhaps he could have been more tactful, but anytime you get to even suggest something to deal with Dodge City, its okay in my book.
Actually, we have a bonus point system when ticketing individuals from Boulder. So far, the deputy in question has won a toaster oven and is close to earning a rod and reel combination. (Just kidding!)
Now to the real issue and the reason for the contact in the first place. We have been receiving complaints about cyclists hogging the road in the southern part of the county so we have stepped up our presence. Not surprisingly, many of these cyclists cop an attitude when stopped. Also not surprising, many of the cyclists with attitudes are part of the Boulder cycling community. Now, I’ve had some fun making fun of Boulder in the past (all warranted by the way) and some will say this is just another attempt to bash Boulder, but this is what has been reported to me. Many have taken to not carrying identification, so when asked to identify themselves for purposes of determining if there are any outstanding warrants (which we always check), it isn’t unreasonable to determine their county of residence. (Another warning – When issuing a citation for a violation, if we can’t verify the identification of the cyclist, they WILL be taken to jail pending identification and their bicycles impounded. This isn’t a threat. Its the way we operate.)
The dispute is over interpretation of C.R.S. 42-4-1412(5): “Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right-hand side as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operating bicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder….” Also at issue section (6)(a) “Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file: except that riding no more than two abreast is permitted in the following circumstances: (I) When riding two abreast will not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic…” Many feel that they can ride two abreast as long as vehicle approaching from the rear can get around them, even if the motorist has to go into the oncoming lane of traffic. Our reading of the statute doesn’t require that traffic actually be impeded, only that it the cyclists riding two abreast would impede the normal flow of traffic if vehicles had to swerve into the oncoming lane, especially when there is a double yellow line as is the case in many of the winding roads favored by the cyclists. Further, section 6 doesn’t negate the requirement of section 5 to ride on the paved shoulder or as far to the right as feasible when being overtaken. While riding two abreast, one of the pair isn’t as far to the right as possible. When being overtaken, in order to get as far to the right as possible, they must ride single file if there is only one lane in that direction. If there is a paved shoulder, they should be riding on the shoulder, not in the traffic lane, regardless of whether or not they are impeding traffic.
The arguments offered by the cyclists are similar to those made by many motorists when blowing stop signs. “There were no other cars coming, so why should I have to stop?” - “They could still get around us, so what difference does it make?”
I believe in minimal enforcement to achieve the desired result. Our deputies have been giving verbal warnings, as was done to the Boulder cyclists. The warnings haven’t been heeded. I don’t expect my deputies to have to debate the point any further. We will begin issuing tickets for these violations, whether the offender lives in Larimer County, Boulder, or Dodge City.
To the motoring public, this does not mean its open season on cyclists. We also have received some complaints about motorists throwing objects at cyclists or harassing them. We will be equally aggressive in defending the rights of the cyclists to share the road as long as done legally and responsibly.
May 20, 2008 "
Check out a Legal Interpretation of the good sheriff's views and opinions here.
Don’t you just love this time of year, when the birds, boats and cyclists come out? Well, two out of three ain’t bad.
Tis the time of year for countless walking, running and cycling events that positively or negatively affect each of us. Then there’s the inevitable conflict between the motorists and cyclists using roads that are in disrepair and aren’t fit for either. The Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are tasked with keeping the peace and enforcing the laws. The end result is that nobody is happy with us.
First, let me address the numerous events that impact traffic flow and raise the ire of the affected neighborhoods. All of these events require a permit. There are several stages of review. Many of these cross jurisdictional lines and require approval from the municipalities that they traverse, the county and the state. In the case of the county permits, they are NOT issued by the Sheriff’s Office but from the Commissioners. In addition to the Sheriff’s Office reviewing the plans for the events, the Health Department, Road and Bridge, Parks Department, Engineering and the appropriate ambulance, hospital and fire departments all review the plans and either approve or impose conditions. In the case of the Sheriff’s Office, we REQUIRE notification of affected residents, a traffic plan, certified traffic control personnel at key intersections, and volunteers at other locations. If the event is a race, we require either full or rolling road closures. Again, we are charged with making the event as safe as possible, but can’t deny a permit just because it inconveniences people. That’s a balancing act for the County Commissioners.
The Sheriff’s Office no longer assigns personnel to these events except in the most extreme circumstances due to staffing shortages, other high priority events that dictate deputies be assigned to work overtime, and the liability associated with these events. When we do, the event must pay the costs associated with the services provided. I don’t remember the last time we assisted with one of these due to the volume of other off-duty work where the services of a sworn deputy are needed. (As an aside, to the person who groused on the Reporter Herald RH line about the Sheriff’s Office escorting a group of cyclists on Glade Road on Saturday, May 10, the Sheriff’s Office was NOT involved in this event and we definitely did NOT have a car escorting the cyclists either on duty or on overtime. This event was a collegiate event hosted by Colorado State University, so I suspect that the lead car may have been a CSUPD car.)
Second, let me address the issue of cyclists in general and our enforcement practice. I’ve recently received a deluge of e-mails from the cycling community of Boulder after a group of them encountered a deputy who gave then the “don’t let the sun set on your behind in my county” speech or something akin to that. What the rider claimed was that the deputy offered the option of either returning to Boulder County or receiving a ticket for the alleged violation (more on that in a moment). That may be what they heard, but the deputy is adamant that isn’t exactly what was said. Apparently there was some dialogue (argument) about the interpretation of the applicable statute and the cyclists were advised that we were going to enforce the law regarding impeding the traffic flow in our county. The deputy continued by stating that perhaps they should return to Boulder County where they indicated they could ride two abreast, or be cited if they continued to do so here. It really wasn’t a “get out of Dodge” ultimatum but “if you stay in Dodge, be prepared to follow the rules or suffer the consequences.” Perhaps he could have been more tactful, but anytime you get to even suggest something to deal with Dodge City, its okay in my book.
Actually, we have a bonus point system when ticketing individuals from Boulder. So far, the deputy in question has won a toaster oven and is close to earning a rod and reel combination. (Just kidding!)
Now to the real issue and the reason for the contact in the first place. We have been receiving complaints about cyclists hogging the road in the southern part of the county so we have stepped up our presence. Not surprisingly, many of these cyclists cop an attitude when stopped. Also not surprising, many of the cyclists with attitudes are part of the Boulder cycling community. Now, I’ve had some fun making fun of Boulder in the past (all warranted by the way) and some will say this is just another attempt to bash Boulder, but this is what has been reported to me. Many have taken to not carrying identification, so when asked to identify themselves for purposes of determining if there are any outstanding warrants (which we always check), it isn’t unreasonable to determine their county of residence. (Another warning – When issuing a citation for a violation, if we can’t verify the identification of the cyclist, they WILL be taken to jail pending identification and their bicycles impounded. This isn’t a threat. Its the way we operate.)
The dispute is over interpretation of C.R.S. 42-4-1412(5): “Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right-hand side as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operating bicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder….” Also at issue section (6)(a) “Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file: except that riding no more than two abreast is permitted in the following circumstances: (I) When riding two abreast will not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic…” Many feel that they can ride two abreast as long as vehicle approaching from the rear can get around them, even if the motorist has to go into the oncoming lane of traffic. Our reading of the statute doesn’t require that traffic actually be impeded, only that it the cyclists riding two abreast would impede the normal flow of traffic if vehicles had to swerve into the oncoming lane, especially when there is a double yellow line as is the case in many of the winding roads favored by the cyclists. Further, section 6 doesn’t negate the requirement of section 5 to ride on the paved shoulder or as far to the right as feasible when being overtaken. While riding two abreast, one of the pair isn’t as far to the right as possible. When being overtaken, in order to get as far to the right as possible, they must ride single file if there is only one lane in that direction. If there is a paved shoulder, they should be riding on the shoulder, not in the traffic lane, regardless of whether or not they are impeding traffic.
The arguments offered by the cyclists are similar to those made by many motorists when blowing stop signs. “There were no other cars coming, so why should I have to stop?” - “They could still get around us, so what difference does it make?”
I believe in minimal enforcement to achieve the desired result. Our deputies have been giving verbal warnings, as was done to the Boulder cyclists. The warnings haven’t been heeded. I don’t expect my deputies to have to debate the point any further. We will begin issuing tickets for these violations, whether the offender lives in Larimer County, Boulder, or Dodge City.
To the motoring public, this does not mean its open season on cyclists. We also have received some complaints about motorists throwing objects at cyclists or harassing them. We will be equally aggressive in defending the rights of the cyclists to share the road as long as done legally and responsibly.
May 20, 2008 "
Check out a Legal Interpretation of the good sheriff's views and opinions here.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Awareness
This weekends plans included a hard ride in the mountains on Saturday, and Racing the City Park Crit on Sunday. Saturday went off without a hitch. However, heading back into the city from Genessee Mountain I felt a subtle pop in my left knee. Nothing big, with my reconstructed/scoped, rickety knees that stuff happens quite often. Cynthia and I headed off to a BBQ on the cruisers Saturday evening, and there was no hint of pain in the knee. Funny by Saturday evening, my heart and head wasn't 100% into racing on Sunday. Woke up Sunday, some soreness in the knee, but nothing to bad, so Cynthia and I headed down to confluence park on the cruisers with the dog in tow. I figured some easy riding on the funcycles wouldn't do any harm. Oops, well we spend the day taking in some Vitamin D and the pain, and swelling set in. Funny, the girl the dog and the boy in the pain locker on the ride home. We limped back to the house, and threw the knee up for some needed rest. Unfortunately we ended up missing our dinner date with some friends, I was to tired and sore at this point. So what is the point of this story? I turns out all things happen for a reason, what they are we don't know often until later. Hence the saying, "more will be revealed".
Monday morning, I hit up the cycling blogs of my friends, and it turns out this weekend was a weekend of carnage. A number of friends went down, and some came out ok, and some with serious injuries. Now, I am not saying any of crashes in what would have been my races, did or didn't have my name on them that will remain forever unknown. My head just isn't in road racing as of late, and this doesn't help the matter. I honestly don't know where I am headed from here as far as the bike goes.
To all those peeps laid up from this past weekend, heal up, my thoughts are with you!
Monday morning, I hit up the cycling blogs of my friends, and it turns out this weekend was a weekend of carnage. A number of friends went down, and some came out ok, and some with serious injuries. Now, I am not saying any of crashes in what would have been my races, did or didn't have my name on them that will remain forever unknown. My head just isn't in road racing as of late, and this doesn't help the matter. I honestly don't know where I am headed from here as far as the bike goes.
To all those peeps laid up from this past weekend, heal up, my thoughts are with you!
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