Lair o’ the Bear!

Happy Friday!

Guess what I get to do this weekend? Go mountain biking!

Me and Angel, biking in Moab

(Just so you know, it made me cringe to write “me and Angel” because it isn’t grammatically correct…. but that was in order from left to right, so I needed to put it that way. Whew, had to get that off my chest!)

Let me back up for a bit. First of all, what is with this weather?! It’s Colorado. It’s March. It should not be 80 degrees outside! However, now that I’ve accepted the disappearance of my snowy ski days (which were few and far between this year), I’m quite happy for the warm days.

So now I’ll tell you what I’m doing! Granted, my entire fun section of the weekend is completely dependent on me getting my not-fun section completed first. From tonight until midnight tomorrow night, I’m not allowed to play. I can go on a run, but no play time: I need to write a chapter of my thesis. THIS. MUST. HAPPEN.Β 

But, assuming I study myself into a coma like I should, I will have time for a mountain biking play day on Sunday! It’s seriously supposed to be 79* which is awesome biking weather, especially if we stay in the foothills where the snow should be minimal if not completely gone.

Source

Fantastic pic, I know! That’s my mountain bike and while it was a great entry bike years back when I thought I wouldn’t enjoy mountain biking as much as road, I definitely need a new one. Problem? The one I want is $3000. Gulp. I could feed the Congo with that money!

Anyway, we haven’t quite decided where to go, but we’re looking at a few different trails. Cindy likes Lair o’ the Bear, a trail in nearby Morrison that has a good climb that helps get the cycling legs back. We are also considering heading to Heil RanchΒ in Boulder, but I imagine it’ll be a last minute decision. I’m just excited to get outside!

If you’ve been a reader for awhile, you will remember that mountain biking and I have a love-hate relationship. The love part is obvious: I love being outside, I love cycling in general, and I really enjoy the quad-busting pain that comes when you’re climbing up a steep and rocky single track. In fact, I think mountain biking might be one of my favorite things!

However, the hate portion comes in because I am not the most technical of mountain bikers. Sure, I’ve done some technical rides in Colorado and in Moab, but I don’t really enjoy that portion of mountain biking as much as others do. Cut me some slack: I just turned 30 and should not be riding my bike down a staircase of stones!

Another reason that I don’t love super technical trails?

Oh yeah. That was a closeup of my knee last year after a particularly good fall. In fact, go check out these other bruises from a ride we did last summer– I walked away from that day looking like I fell off the top of the mountain!

In short, I’m going to play on Sunday. I may come back happy and alive because I conquered my first ride of the season or I may come back with a broken face. Hard to tell.

Catch you on the flip side!

********************
Do you mountain bike? Or cycle at all? Any of you CO peeps done any of the Epic rides here?

Do you hurt yourself a lot doing the sport(s) you love?


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Lair o’ the Bear!

Happy Friday!

Guess what I get to do this weekend? Go mountain biking!

Me and Angel, biking in Moab

(Just so you know, it made me cringe to write “me and Angel” because it isn’t grammatically correct…. but that was in order from left to right, so I needed to put it that way. Whew, had to get that off my chest!)

Let me back up for a bit. First of all, what is with this weather?! It’s Colorado. It’s March. It should not be 80 degrees outside! However, now that I’ve accepted the disappearance of my snowy ski days (which were few and far between this year), I’m quite happy for the warm days.

So now I’ll tell you what I’m doing! Granted, my entire fun section of the weekend is completely dependent on me getting my not-fun section completed first. From tonight until midnight tomorrow night, I’m not allowed to play. I can go on a run, but no play time: I need to write a chapter of my thesis. THIS. MUST. HAPPEN.Β 

But, assuming I study myself into a coma like I should, I will have time for a mountain biking play day on Sunday! It’s seriously supposed to be 79* which is awesome biking weather, especially if we stay in the foothills where the snow should be minimal if not completely gone.

Source

Fantastic pic, I know! That’s my mountain bike and while it was a great entry bike years back when I thought I wouldn’t enjoy mountain biking as much as road, I definitely need a new one. Problem? The one I want is $3000. Gulp. I could feed the Congo with that money!

Anyway, we haven’t quite decided where to go, but we’re looking at a few different trails. Cindy likes Lair o’ the Bear, a trail in nearby Morrison that has a good climb that helps get the cycling legs back. We are also considering heading to Heil RanchΒ in Boulder, but I imagine it’ll be a last minute decision. I’m just excited to get outside!

If you’ve been a reader for awhile, you will remember that mountain biking and I have a love-hate relationship. The love part is obvious: I love being outside, I love cycling in general, and I really enjoy the quad-busting pain that comes when you’re climbing up a steep and rocky single track. In fact, I think mountain biking might be one of my favorite things!

However, the hate portion comes in because I am not the most technical of mountain bikers. Sure, I’ve done some technical rides in Colorado and in Moab, but I don’t really enjoy that portion of mountain biking as much as others do. Cut me some slack: I just turned 30 and should not be riding my bike down a staircase of stones!

Another reason that I don’t love super technical trails?

Oh yeah. That was a closeup of my knee last year after a particularly good fall. In fact, go check out these other bruises from a ride we did last summer– I walked away from that day looking like I fell off the top of the mountain!

In short, I’m going to play on Sunday. I may come back happy and alive because I conquered my first ride of the season or I may come back with a broken face. Hard to tell.

Catch you on the flip side!

********************
Do you mountain bike? Or cycle at all? Any of you CO peeps done any of the Epic rides here?

Do you hurt yourself a lot doing the sport(s) you love?


24 Comments

  • Reply OldWomanMcGee at

    OMGosh you lost me at your poor knee πŸ™‚
    for now I shall stick to my recumbent bike.

  • Reply Alyssa at

    One time a commenter on Kara’s blog was asking her all about a picture of me, thinking it was her, so the incorrect grammar was totally necessary. Considering how terrifying I found road biking at first, mountain biking scares that crap out of me and the fact that you do makes me realize you are super brave. Have so much fun! Can’t wait to see pics ( of beautiful views, hopefully no bruises).

  • Reply Janine@ThePurpleGiraffe at

    I stick to either paved or really well packed down trails, I’m not diesel like you!

  • Reply Kierston @CaNdY FiT at

    I ride a road bike. My first year I was left with loads of cuts and bruises….all over. Eeeesh! I’m haven’t fallen much since…crossing my fingers and toes πŸ˜‰

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      I started out on road bikes, thinking I didn’t love mountain as much. Then, as the years have gone by, I’ve started to flip flop. Last year I think I really started to enjoy mountain MORE than road which kind of surprised me– I think it’s largely because of the scenery and environment. I get sick of the cars on my roadie! πŸ™‚

      Or, maybe I’m an adrenaline junkie. Can’t be sure!

  • Reply Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning at

    You’re my hero- I am the wussiest mountain biker ever! I can only do the baby trails around here. Rocky downhill sections scare me.

    Are you going to Blend? I am- and my husband is coming along (not to the retreat though). He’ll probably want to go mountain biking while I’m doing stuff on that Saturday. I saw that you mentioned a trail near Boulder, but if you have any other suggestions- I know he’d love to hear! He’s pretty fearless and a really good rider. I guess he’d also need to rent a bike too.

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      You know, both Blend and the other Denver conference in June are both on weekends when I have races so I can’t go to either! πŸ™ So sad. But, I’m hoping to meet up with all y’all when you’re here at least!

      If he is looking for trail info, definitely let me know. I’d be happy to give him some suggestions!

  • Reply Heidi Nicole at

    I’m with you on technical trails – they freak me out and I am no good at them. However, Chris seems to love them so if we go mountain biking together {which we almost always do} I get to either watch my life flash before my eyes or be the big wimp walking that part!

    Our mountain bikes have been busted out a few times this spring already…but only to Bear Creek Lake Park. And oddly enough this amazingly hot Sunday is going to be spent in Avi training. Nothing says hot spring day like learning how to avoid death by snow!

    Have fun – let us know how it goes! We’ve been meaning to check out Lair o the Bear!

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      I don’t mind technical but since it’s typically Cindy, Angel, myself…. and all the boys, I usually end up in freaking boy heaven (aka technical hell). Oh well– I figure I still bounce and bruises heal, right?!

      We should all go together this summer!

  • Reply Jamie at

    I don’t mountain bike but my husband and I are just starting out cycling. So far so good! I hope you have a great weekend and get a bunch done on your thesis!

  • Reply Ed at

    Would love to see some pictures of the trails you rode…I just got a mountain bike last year for my birthday (from father-in-law, super awesome gift!) and I have only done urban riding. Thinking of getting out of some trails this summer…soon i hope!

    I get hurt all the time doing both work and sports I love. Its all in the name of fun, and I love to wear war wounds around the office!

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      I’m actually testing out an new iPhone app for Columbia that involves pic taking so assuming I don’t jack it up, your wish is my command πŸ™‚

  • Reply mountainkait.com at

    You get better the more your mountain bike. The first summer that I got back into it with quite a few years off, I was a mess. By the end of the summer I was keeping up with the local mountain bike group and racing my first mb race. It takes practice. We just went out for 3 hours at Curt Gowdy State Park and are thinking of heading down to Fort Collins/Loveland on Sunday to ride. You should check out Picture Rock in Lyons. It is really flowy smooth single track and links up to Heil Ranch. Heil Ranch can be rocky at times. Have fun!

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      Ha, see I fall MORE the longer I do it because I have more guts to try trickier stuff πŸ™‚ I don’t mind– as long as I don’t break my head, I’m okay with the bruises πŸ™‚

      I love Heil Ranch but it has been a few years since I’ve ridden there, although I’ve gone trail running a couple of times. I think we decided on Lair o’ the Bear though, so Heil will have to wait till next time!

  • Reply Ali Mc at

    Angel and Me, me and Angel – that’s fine! it’s when people say “Angel and I” – that drives me nuts…..b/c you wouldn’t say that’s “I” in the photo….you’d say me.

    They taught it backwards in school

    Anyway, I love mountain biking CAN”T WAIT!

  • Reply Jess @ Blonde Ponytail at

    I’m with you on the grammar! ha ha! Holy bruise–be careful this year!

    Btw, will you be in town June 22-24th? I’m attending the FHBC!

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      I will be! I’m not doing the conference because I work on the 22 and the 23rd is my Mom’s birthday (which entails a full day of hiking, I’ve come to find out!) but I’ll be around! I’d love to meet up with y’all!!!!

      PS Congrats on the scholarship!!!!

  • Reply Kayla Carruth @ kpLoving It at

    Have fun!!!! I have a great story about how my helmet came in handy this week!

  • Reply Neon Blonde Runner at

    I thought about you the other day… Tappan fixed up his old Stump Jumper for me and he’s going to teach me how to mountain bike with him πŸ™‚

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