Monday, February 13, 2012

Carter Lake Cakewalk - Hints of a Warmer Season!

In January, John Klever, Leslie Sutton, and I rode the Carter Lake Cakewalk 206k permanent on a mild and sunny day.  The Cakewalk features a foothills-skirting route punctuated by small climbs.

Leslie and John climb to Eldorado Springs on the first leg ...


... and fly back down, aided by the usual tailwind:


The idea behind the Cakewalk is that in winter, it can sometimes be warmer (though windier!) closer to the foothills vs. further out on the Plains.  That and the short but stiff climbs remind you and your legs about climbing ... without resorting to the icebox-cold canyons.

Leslie reaches the rock cut on the Rabbit Mountain climb:


... with John Klever close behind.


The switchbacks up to Carter Lake bring you to a serene, recreation-traffic-free winter experience (although less ice cover on this day than at some times).


There's no telling what you'll see on a permanent like the Cakewalk. 

Here's a controlled burn near Masonville ...


... and a bald eagle having a snack at the Boulder/Larimer county line:


Think about the Carter Lake Cakewalk for a bit of spice on your winter / spring conditioning rides!


-jle

Friday, February 10, 2012

Colorado High Country 1200 Registration Underway!

The second edition of the Colorado High Country 1200 is now open for registration.  This year we introduced a two-week pre-registration period, with a lottery at the end. 

Pre-registration ended January 31 and seemed to work well, avoiding the angst and trepidation to see who had the fastest trigger finger the moment registration was open.

The lottery was carried out by veteran CHC volunteer Patricia Heller, who duly randomized the numbered snips of paper, appropriately in an empty nutritional drink bin:


Each snip was carefully removed and recorded ...


... under the watchful gaze of selection monitor Buster the Dog:


The good news is that, if CHC and Last Chance history is any guide, everyone among the pre-registrants who is in a position to ride will be able to - as well as others who register later. 

And ... there may be possibilities for a pre-ride.

-jle