Finally, a Mountain Bike Ride!

Its been awhile since I posted a ride, which is what this blog is supposed to be about, so I present:
Cheyenne Mountain State Park, I think perhaps the most under rated trail systems on the Front Range. Its only been open for about 2 years so I think a lot of people don't even know it exists.Although, A race, sponsored by my good friends at Ascent Cycling, is being held there tomorrow so I think the secret is getting out.

The Riding here is easy to moderate, with only a few technical sections (that kicked my ass today, since its been so long since I rode the Niner). My map and profile are incomplete as the batteries in the GPS crapped out. Cheap ass "industrial" batteries.



On the way into the park you pass this....


....which goes up here where...
...this is, which is where........the end of the world comes from....
....at least NORAD moves it all here. (saving money you know!)
All of this is right across the street from the Park, so when the bomb drops Cheyenne Mountain State Park will be a super bad place to be. But anywho...

The lower portions are all really wide, fairly easy climbs. Packed well and so far holding up to the weather. Medicine Wheel did a fantastic job building all these trails from scratch.

Feel the flow.
At least till you get up higher and you get to places like here. I watched some guy try blaze by me here all pimped out on his carbon hard tail and spandex. I assume he was pre riding for tomorrows race. He did have to do this section twice to clean it. Made me not feel so bad for finally giving up and walking.
While I was waiting I just happened to notice this. Wonder if you can eat it?Just up the trail is this fun little feature. Wish I'd been here to see if lycra-boy cleaned it.
this is my 3rd and finall pathetic attempt. I have a 3 try obstacle rule. If you haven't made it in three your not going to, I just wind up mad, hurt, or both if I keep trying.


But then the descent begins.This will be THE place to be at for the race. The berm is super high, and the chicane below it only encourages speed.
plus the outside of this corner just below (where my bike is laying) is very open, great place to sit.
I'll bet these guys will be scarce tomorrow. I only saw three today, every other time I've been there I've seen at minimum 5.
There is also a bunch of turkey's running around. I tried to get a picture but I didn't get the camera out fast enough and the pics came out like crap.

Views of Ft. Carson and Fountian (the water tower way out yonder).

Then there is this fun little climb. There are a couple like this, including an up hill off camber one at the exit of a 90 degree corner. Didn't make it to that one today.


More views on the way up Talon, the highest point in the park.

This is the Very tip-top. The terrain is kind of sketchy up here, hence the carin on the left to assure you, yes, you are on an actual trail.

Coming down is a full tilt roller coaster. How fast you say? I had gnats pasted all over me. Ferrari fast.
I usually do at least two laps here. I usually wuss out and do all my consecutive south side climbs up this road to save as much energy for the technical climbs as I can.
I always end my trips here on Bobcat Way, which has lots of big water bars for jumps and is butter smooth. And pretty today with fall on the way.
Cheers!