DC for the 4th

I was lucky enough to head out to DC to spend the 4th of July with my wife for a nice long weekend. All in all it was a great trip. The weather stayed overcast for the majority of the time keeping the temp's slightly below Africa Hot!

We headed to the Marine Corp Memorial which overlooks the Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument, to watch the fireworks. Extremely large crowds were expected on the Mall for the Firework celebration so we steered clear.

The view's were great and the pictures just don't give it justice.

Monday I headed into DC while Cyn went to work. I hit up the metro and tooled around for a while.

Great Trip, and another item crossed off the list of things to do before the show is over.

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!

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!

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

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.

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!!

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!!!

The Original Account if You're Curious

Speechless.....

Speechless Cont'd..........

"Cyclists and Dodge City

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.

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!

Seasons Change, We Keep on Trudging

So over the last couple of years I have veered away from one of my true passions, skiing. Skiing was one of the main reasons for my relocation from Massachusetts to Colorado. But as time passed, my life direction shifted, swerved, skipped, hopped, skidded swayed and bounced all over the place. And about five years ago, things started back on the right track, and through all of the transitions and such skiing had been put on a shelf somewhere not to be touched. I began cycling to get my being back into some form of shape and that brought me down the street to competitive cycling. I had really begun to focus all of my energy and time to this venture and progressed quite a bit from where I had been a few years prior. Then last summer another shift took place. An amazing woman walked into my life and the universal forces began to shift again. My now wife, Cynthia, re introduced me to skiing this winter and the balancing act has begun. The energy I once focused on one thing, a singleness of purpose, has been spread out amongst many things, my wife, my work, skiing, and cycling, (fitness). I can finally say with sincerity, and confidence that I am truly happy and grateful for all that has gone on in my life, and everything that I have ahead of me. So where am I going with this? Well during a conversation last night, I bounced the idea of starting a new project. And to my astonishment Cynthia gave me full support regardless of the risk that would be involved with it. Now I don't know exactly how I am going to go about doing it, or if I can even complete it, but the seed has been planted, and watered. Now its time to see if this is the path I am to take.........

Happieness, What A Journey!

Dinner, the night before the big day!


Here come the "I Do's"

And No One Got Frostbite


Snow, Sun, Some Wind, and a Wedding on a Mountain Pass.......Heaven!


Yup, Married on the Divide, Told You..... My Dream Girl!


I feel like the luckiest guy in the world!


I wonder if Cynthia has any idea what she got herself into? ;)

I think everyone had a nice weekend, we are absolutely exhausted, and look forward to doing it all over again next year for everyone back in commonwealth........

Gett'n Hitched!

Oh, man we gotta plan, so here is the 411, and explination. I couldnt have put that any better, what can I say, my fiance has a way with words. Me not so much.........

Corn, Fresh Silky Smooth Corn!

Cyn and I did the double dip on Sunday, headed out early for a hike and some turns, found snow conditions absolutely amazing. We timed everything perfectly, almost...

We gained the ridge, and almost made it to the peak we were shooting for. However about 200 feet below the break in the cornice we were going to drop in from I post holed up to my hip. Never a good sign so we decided to back track slightly and drop in a little further below the cornice.

So close, but the sun had already warmed the snow to the point that it was to risky to drop in on the steeper aspect. That and there were old slides on the face we were planning to ski....

Another look from the south to the north, lots of options when the conditions are right....

A look back at the ridge we were on. We dropped in to the lookers left of the cornice, you can make out the old slide in the middle of the face below the high point, and the lookers right of the high point on the ridge.

A look back at the ridge we took to our destination, Great Views All Day!!!

W/Greys and Torries in the back ground...

Oh, so back to the double dip, after our turns, we headed back down into D-Town and spun the cruisers into the city for some Gelato! Now that's my idea of an awesome day!

Speechless

I just received this alleged account of a run in with Larimer County(Colorado) Sherrifs Deputy via email:

"I wanted to send a warning to those that ride in Larimer County. I was riding with a friend yesterday morning when we were pulled over by a Larimer County Deputy (Larry Ficker ). We had been riding double but we were not impeding traffic. The deputy was hostile and first asked us if we knew the laws for cycling. Then he asked if we were from Boulder County. He asked us why we are riding in Larimer County when there are plenty of roads in Boulder County. He ran our ID's and then told us we had the choice to turn around and go back to Boulder or get a citation if we continued to ride in Larimer County. He stated several times that he does not appreciate people from Boulder choosing to ride in Larimer. If you are going to ride in Larimer with others make sure to ride single file or be prepared to get pulled over even if you are following the rules of the road. It appears that Larimer County does not want us there. I hope there will not be problems for the charity ride next weekend."

If this is in fact true, it is very sad to see such ignorance from a person in a position which holds so much power. There is so much more to life, I hope one day this soul wakes up.

Mid May Pow Day!

Yep that's right, ski season is still in full swing! Its kinda hard to justify transitioning to the bike when you have 6"-8" if fresh to plow through. Supposed to get another dump on Tuesday, if this keeps up I might miss road season all together. Then I might have to get a cross bike........

Confused Dalmation?

Cynthia swears Zeus, our dalmation, is gay. She went as far as to try to buy a pink harness (for jogs along side the cruisers)for him from Pet Smart. I stuck up for the poor dude, and we settled on a red harness. I did give into the pink poo bags though. Now I have been know to be off the mark from time to time(more often than not).

So I thought I should leave it up to the experts:



I see a lot of dudes wearing pink polo shirts.......

With their collars popped.......

Kinda like his pink poo bag, its a dogs popped collar polo shirt....

The Scene of the Crime

After a long cold winter, our nations pastime is getting back into the swing of things. Saturday evening three kids from bean town decided to venture into once hostile territory to see how the local team was doing. The answer: The Rockies are playing like the Rockies......... The game was definitely not a pitchers duel, as the home team gave up 4 runs in the first inning, and 3 more in the second. (thats not gonna win ya another NL pennant) In their defence, they did make quite an effort to put some runs on the board. All in all it was a fairly dull game though. I think the highlight was the Wave, that made it all the way around the stadium, 5+ times.

Tracey is tough, she sported her Sox gear in potentially hostile territory. You'd never get away with wearing Yankees gear into Fenway with out running the risk sever verbal abuse, or worse a good ol fashion beer shower.

We noticed the tear stains on the concrete beneath the seats were still there from Game 4 of the World Series. You would have thought the stadium keepers would have had them washed or painted over.

Im so confused!

Yesterday the thermometer on my car read 85, now I'm sure it was a little off, but it had to have been at least in the high 70's to low 80's.

Today this:

Ha! Ha! Ha!

WTF, May 1 and winter isn't over yet...... I bet we go straight from winter to summer, completely skipping spring. Im sure all the little critters starting to crawl out of their holes from a long winter nap are pissed! Not me, this just extends the great spring skiing season we are having, wo-hoo!

Speed Machines! (It's all about perspective)

These are the new additions to the collection!

My fiance surprised me with the silver one, what can I say the girl rocks!

I'm looking forward to cruising to the coffee shop, and park with DG.

I am one lucky dude!

I think that was a double dimple smile I saw!

Happiness is a journey, not a destination, these sweet rides will make the trip interesting I'm sure ;)

Spring Time in the Rockies

A little snow yesterday snarled traffic, guess people have short term memory.....

Probably another transplant from California.

Snow in the morning, gone in the afternoon, beautiful sunsets,

I completely understand why they would want to live here.....

Snow yesterday, not a cloud in the sky today......

Supposed to be back in the 70's today

Wait 30 minutes and the weather will change again...........

83 in a 65, Oops!

Got caught lead-foot'n it up to the mountains on Saturday morning!

We weren't the only people up at 6am....

When the officer asked if I knew how fast I was going I was honest, I said, "I think around 78-80, my spedometer is off because I have non stock tires on the car". I was close, it turned out I was going 83 in a 65, good guess. I only ended up with a 1 point ticket for being honest....

I didnt get the High Score for the weekend though ;)

420 at Ft. Lewis College, Your Parents Tuition Dollars at Work!

Not that I condone, or have ever taken part in such events, but it is kinda funny to watch!

Kids!?!

I came across this at lunch today.

Looks like some one was paying homage to the barbie gods, or just pissed off their brother.