Pennsylvania Gulch | Sublime Punishment

Trailhead coordinates: N40°02.138’ W105°28.144’

Back In Time

Driving down Wall Street in the Boulder foothills is like driving through a scene in Butcher Holler.  A light rain showered the area all day filling a thousand little puddles along the Dirt road, giant jagged rock walls blooming with blue spruce and aspen trees, the occasional Detroit relic on one side, a flowing stream on the other sharing the scene with propane tanks and woodsheds nestled within towering pine.  Looking for a challenge I settled on Pennsylvania Gulch with a starting point at the town site of Sunset.

Private road; oops

This is perhaps the most difficult route for this ride, one reserved for the advanced and slightly insane.  I parked at the top of the south Switzerland Trail and made my way down to the town site of Sunset.  This was my first attempt at Penn Gulch so my first hurdle was to locate the trailhead.  Making my way around the town site of Sunset I stumbled upon what I can only describe as the Paris, CO hideout.  A trail running along a stream, you finally come to a rather spacious cave opening, all that was missing in this scene were a couple of dueling banjos.  Figuring I had missed the trail earlier I backtracked and found myself in a ridge hiking along an eroded waterway in deep woods and scat I couldn’t identify; hardly a trail, I concluded I was way off track and turned around.

Rideable but loose

Finally back at the Switzerland Trail a fellow biker steered me in the right direction and I was on the trail in no time.  The trail climbs immediately on very loose Dirt and gravel.  The gravel slowly turns to rock and the rocks seem to get bigger the higher you go.  If this isn’t enough to give you pause, add in the steep grade and what you have is an afternoon of sublime punishment.  It would take a well conditioned athlete with superior skill to make this climb without dismounting and I’m not too proud to say I possess neither, apparently!

It gets worse!

Determined to map this beast, pushing on through the rain, albeit light, and wind I finally reached the plateau in a time just shy of an hour and an elevation gain of approximately 1,300 feet, which is quite a ratio of rise and run.  I can’t recall a time when I walked a climb more than I rode, which should give you an indication of just how difficult this route can be.  Coming down is just as challenging and very precarious given the abundance of rock and the steep grade.  “Step Off” if you possess limited skills or inferior equipment, no peanut butter and jelly sandwich will save you here.

This was the hardest climb since Vail Mountain and Walker Ranch and easily the most dangerous.  I understand that one can perform a loop extending all the way to Nederland and perhaps one day I’ll give it a shot but definitely in the opposite direction.  You can find the trail profile at Pennsylvania Gulch and remember that Pennsylvania Gulch begins around the 6.20 mile mark.

Thanks for clicking in and hope to see you on the trail.

Finally at the top

Dirt Life    

Teller Farm | Wheatstraw

My grandparents were farmers and my mom often delights us with tales from the farm.  I recall as a kid climbing over farm equipment and walking over scattered hay bales in the summer heat as the southern breeze tossed up the fleeting soil, carrying with it the scent only a farm could produce.  Teller Farm is just minutes from my house and I had been looking forward to mapping this nostalgic trail for quite some time.  I rarely ride with headphones because I love the sound of silence but the whole farming atmosphere needed a soundtrack and visions of Peetie Wheatstraw sitting on a porch behind his trusty dobro called for my best mix of St. Louis blues.

I started off the south trailhead which is tucked away off Arapahoe Avenue amidst some of the grandest trees you’ll find in the area.  One of my favorite attractions of this trail is the free roaming livestock.  It’s so hard to pass the cows without stopping; their large brown eyes focus in on you as you ride by, at times meeting you head on.

The trail itself is very well groomed double-track and mostly hard packed Dirt.  Along the way you’ll breeze by a row of lilac trees and this time of year they are in full bloom, painting the air with broad strokes of purple.  Small irrigation canals follow along before turning north towards a coral of horses and cattle.  Here you’ll get the full aroma of a farm and for some of us it’s not so displeasing.  I’m such a Dirt clod when it comes to terrain and one of my favorite ground cover is hay on loose brown Dirt and you’ll find plenty of it here, even if only for a few yards.  At this point you will have passed 3 cattle gates, which should always be secured behind you, and now you’re at the north Teller Farm trailhead off Valmont Road (you can start from here too if you wish to bypass the farm.)

The trail continues from the northwest corner down a short distance to a road crossing for the next section of your ride.  Here you’ll be bombarded with a taste of honeysuckle and more lilac trees.  The trail become a bit loose and there is a small stream crossing that has been repaired after the last flood with rocks of varying size.  Moving along you’ll cross a well constructed pedestrian bridge set over a slow flowing stream and a great place for a photo.

The first of the climbs comes shortly after the bridge.  It is short and mild for most but those new to mountain biking may find this climb a bit taxing.  You’ll traverse a really cool single-track section after reaching the top before ascending and descending along two barbed wire fences.  The fastest sections to this trail come last just before reaching the East Boulder Trail Gunbarrel trailhead.  This is a popular trail for runners and dog walkers so be on your best behavior and yield when appropriate.

It was overcast with storms threatening but even a short sprinkle could not dampen my mood this afternoon.  Making my way back I stopped on a couple of occasions to visit with the horses and cattle hoping they would allow me to grab a photo up close.  click here for the trail profile and a link to my Garmin page.

It was a great afternoon, for a little while you’ll feel like you’re out riding fences on some old country farm road and what a feeling after dealing with 5 o’clock traffic.  Give this one a shot if you’d like to escape the city life for a while without the long drive.  It’s a very easy trail and the climbs come late in case you choose to skip these sections.  Thanks for clicking in and hope to see you on the trail. 

Dirt Life

Betasso Canyon Loop | Just In Time

I work downtown and from the 41st floor there are mountains as far as the eye can see.  This time of year snowcaps cover our tallest peaks but the foothills tease us with their splendor.  One of my favorite trails in Boulder County is just off Boulder Canyon Drive and from here I can see how someone would put off an afterhours ride to the weekend.  Yesterday I decided to start the timer from work to trail for some perspective.

I ride the bus to work so it’s easy to figure out the time.  I caught the 4:20 from Market Street Station and arrived at my stop at 5:08.  It took me 10 minutes to walk to my house, I wear suits to work (and from work) so once I got home I had to gear up and I was ready to go in about 20 minutes – it’s now 5:38.  I mount my bike rack and hitch up the bike and after a quick stop for a Red Bull I’m at the trailhead at Betasso Preserve by 6:15.  Our sun doesn’t set till about 8:30 so I have plenty of time for a fix of Dirt, dust and mud oh my.

The whole commute from office to trailhead came to approximately 40 miles one way and took about 1hr and 55 minutes.  I should also mention that I took my time so I could get a feel for the commute after work without rushing to make it happen.  Here are some quick tips for avoiding the time robbers:

• Pack your riding gear ahead of time.  I use a medium sized bin for all my riding gear and it’s always in my car – a huge time saver!
• Always store your cycling clothing in the same place.  Sounds easy but it’s funny how things get moved around when you’re not thinking about it.
• Keep a small tool box in the car with extra tubes.  Nothing can ruin your day like arriving to your favorite trail for a last minute ride only to discover you have a flat.
• Keep your hydration pack in your car.  If you forget to fill it at home you can still fill it on the way or at the trailhead.
• Always have the air pressure in your tires ready to go so you don’t have to stop.
• Last but not least, carry a small flashlight or have a night light ready to go.  Time flies when you’re having fun and the sun drops faster than you think up here in the mountains.

As for the ride, the recent rain left Betasso’s Canyon Loop in prime riding condition – hard packed with damp tread for unbelievable traction.  I decided to gear for leg strength so I went with 2 up front and 5 in the rear to start.  This was my first mountain trail of the season so I didn’t want to overdo it.  The air was cool and fresh and mixed with the scent of pine and moist Dirt.  Add to that a mountain scene with not a sound of civilization and what you have is the perfect end to the perfect day.

There is clearly no reason to put off a ride to the weekend so don’t hesitate the next time the mood should strike you.  You can find the Canyon Loop trail profile at Betasso Canyon Loop to help you plan your ride.  Thanks for clicking in and hope to see you on the trail.

Dirt Life

Erie Singletrack | The One Thing

“…and that’s all I need.”  Navin R. Johnson, affectionately known as “The Jerk” found happiness in just one..uhmm..7 things not including his dog, but my first date with the newly constructed Erie singletrack reminds me that there is only one thing I need to have fun on a mountain bike; DIRT…and that’s all I need.

The track is spread out over a sloping plain just north of the Vista Ridge subdivision off County Road 5 and although the scenery surrounding the trail leaves you wanting, the view of the mountains on a clear day can be amazing.  I’m used to our spectacular mountain trails and the entire atmosphere that surrounds them and I can’t help but wonder if the track builders, knowing that there are amazing rides just a few short miles away, had something else in mind for this project.  I should mention that there is no designated parking so just find a spot off any of the side roads.

The trail itself is hard pack singletrack with fantastic rolling sections and plenty of opportunities to catch some air.  I chose to map the course in a counterclockwise direction and at certain speeds this route can be quite exhilarating.

After completing a couple of laps I realized that this track would be perfect for training or racing.  It’s a short course but in the right gear this ride can be a grueling workout.  Having ridden in both directions, clockwise allows for higher speeds early while counterclockwise takes you on a thrilling roller coaster ride through the first section of my start before settling down.

With a Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde complex, the trail can be split into two sections.  The south section, in a clockwise direction, is built for speed with some great opps for airing it out but you’ll need to skillfully mash on the pedals to get the most out of it.  Take the north section, in a counterclockwise direction, with some speed and you’ll quickly discover the Mr. Hyde in the trail.  The jumps, twists and turns will get your adrenaline flowing and the skillful rider will definitely want to try this more than once.  I tried the whole trail locked and in half travel and I can’t decide what I prefer so experiment to find the right setting.

Not your typical Boulder County trail, Erie has done a fine job creating a course for many uses.  We need to thank the Erie Singletrack Advocates and their small army of volunteers for all their hard work and the businesses and organizations that made all this possible.  You can find them on the web at Erie Singletrack for more information.  It also sounds like the Velodrome off East County Line Road is nearly operational and this new singletrack is a great compliment for a burgeoning cycling community.  You can also find the trail profile at Erie Singletrack Map and check back often for more trails and maps.

Thanks for clicking in and I hope to see you on the trail - Dirt Life

Outrageous! Egregious! Preposterous!

Jackie Chiles, Kramer's eccentric attorney, is one of my favorite characters on Seinfeld and when I think about how much we have to lay down for the latest mountain bike designs one can't help but utter those famous 3 words.

It's amazing to me that some folks will actually defend this aggressive pricing.  In the last issue of Mountain Bike Action I can recall 2 letters to the editor from readers defending these inflated prices.  I guess there are some who prefer to pay more than less for their favorite hobby - what an incredible shift in economic theory.  For the rest of us it's getting tougher and tougher to keep up with this frightening trend but what are we to do? To help me understand this market I thought I'd conduct a little market research on the subject so let's take a peek at some key statistics.

It would seem logical to assume that the price of materials would be a contributing factor so I thought I'd take a look at the price of aluminum, since aluminum is still the primary metal used in bike manufacturing.  I follow the commodities markets pretty closely and aluminum prices have been declining since 2012 [www.infomine.com] and aluminum has never really been a volatile commodity so this can't possibly be the primary cause for the steady increase in prices.

So what about the costs of labor?  According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), unit labor costs in the US have declined significantly since 2007 [www.oecd.org] and although labor is a significant cost in any industry it doesn't seem to be the major contributing factor.  I should point out that every industry has it's own unique labor costs and the OECD is measuring the aggregate costs of labor but you can clearly identify the trend.

Inflation is the gift that keeps on giving, or taking would be more appropriate so how much has inflation factored into the equation?  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation peaked in that last decade at 4.1% in 2007 and for the 12 months ending March 2014 inflation came in at a paltry 1.1% [www.usinflationcalculator.com].  Inflation has actually been declining since 2011 so we can also rule out inflation as the main culprit.

Ok, so we looked at the price of aluminum, labor costs and inflation but one more variable can have a role in what plagues the mountain bike industry; exchange rates.  We're all too familiar with the world of outsourcing and although it can result in lower prices it all depends on the country.  This is not an economics lesson so I'll keep the concept of exchange rates simple.  Suppose you're importing bikes from France for €3500 a piece.  You would need to come up with $4823 for each bike you'll be bringing into the U.S.  That is a 37.8% premium for any part you import from Europe and that can have a significant impact on the price you pay here in the states.

I couldn't help but wonder how much prices have changed over time so I decided to visit the website of Bicycle Blue Book [www.bicyclebluebook.com] for a little assistance.  I ran a search for a Trek Fuel EX9 and this is what I discovered.  From 2007 to now I found that the price for this bike increased 68%.  That is an average increase of 11.33% per year which is well above the normal rate of inflation.  There can be a number of reasons for this but it will all eventually come down to the same factors discussed here.

I understand that every business has to make a profit so you'll never hear me complain about the profit motive but isn't there something manufacturers and retailers can do to help make this hobby of ours more affordable?  There seems to be a great deal of chatter about the advancement in designs and materials but I feel like we the consumer are funding the costs of all this experimentation, which would't be so bad if we could actually get to use it.  Prices for the latest technology is far beyond the reach of most mountain bikers and that's what's most frustrating.

Margins baby!  Fox going public could have a positive impact on the industry because going forward there will be pressure to improve margins and that could mean a more efficient company.  

This trend cannot continue forever and the companies that recognize the importance of the middle market will earn their loyalty for years to come.

Dirt Life