With all the craziness, uncertainty, and disruption in all our lives right now, it’s nice to see the Tour de France finally get underway, albeit two months late. Somehow, the world seems a little more normal watching 176 colorfully clad bicyclists racing around the French countryside for three weeks.

Watching the Tour is an annual ritual in our family. We’d wake up at the crack of dawn, make a big pot of coffee, and watch the daily drama unfold. Everyone was in on the excitement. We all had our favorite riders. We winced when they crashed and then were amazed when they rode their hearts out the next day.

Our daughter, Tess, was classically creative in coming up with nicknames for the riders. I don’t think I’ll ever forget her dubbing Aussie sprinter, Robbie McEwen, as Harry Potter “because he just appears out of nowhere like Harry with his invisibility cloak.”

We’d watch grueling climbs and daring descents with awe. We cheered. We yelled. We gasped. We marveled at the complex strategy of each race. We basked in the French chateaus and giggled at the crowds. Who doesn’t have a good memory of Dieter “Didi” Senft — known as El Diablo, or the Devil of the Tour de France — running alongside the riders with his horns, staff, and red cape urging them on to victory?

Eventually, some of our idols were pushed off their pedestals after they were revealed to be doped athletes, not the superheroes we thought they were.  Drug-induced, performance-enhancing scandals proliferated in the mid-2000s and many of the sport’s biggest names – including cycling’s biggest star, Lance Armstrong – were dethroned and banished. It broke our hearts but not our love of the sport. 

This year features new riders, new teams and new stars. We miss Paul Sherwen but we are thrilled to welcome Phil Liggett, Bob Role, Christian Vande Velde, Chris Horner and Paul Bermeister into our living room for the next three weeks. It will be a different race this year. But it will be just as entertaining as it has always been.

Let’s Ride!

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GEEZER RENEWAL !!

By Bob Neel

Aug. 25, 2019

Background: I live on the highest point in all of Seattle, a city of hills. Riding a bike, once a favorite pastime, became a challenge. Going out — EASY. Coming back home — old knees and lots of wheeze weren’t fun anymore. Over a decade ago I gave up on biking.

Then son Mark talked up the virtues of electric bikes. On a visit last May I gave one a try and was HOOKED! As of my 74th birthday (Thanks Mark, KC & Tess!) I’m back into biking.

THESE THINGS ARE AMAZING! AND ADDICTING!! They deliver *all* the fun with *none* of the grunt. Big-ass hill? Just shift down a gear and invoke the motor. Steeper? Up the assist from “Eco” to “Tour”. Still more? Go for “Sport.” And then “Turbo” will propel you up any gut-buster in a gear 5X what you’d normally expect, at a speed that puts athletes in the dust, with virtually NO effort. NOT exaggerating!

As a true test, I went shopping DOWN at the local center. Picked up a 28-lb. box of copy paper at Staples, plus about 16 lbs. of groceries stuffed into a pannier. The rack & pannier worked great, and I got back up my considerable climb as though nothing was there!

Full Disclosure: True to all us selfish Boomers, I fully expect my kids to care for me in my dementia-riddled dotage. As such, this is an unvarnished promotion for all my Old Fart friends to get your saggy buns over to Castle Rock Bike & Ski and grab one of these rejuvenating miracles!!

Start Your Snowshoe Adventure Here…

We proudly offer Crescent Moon snowshoes for sale and for rent. Crescent Moon is based right here in Colorado and the company’s shoes are made in Boulder. Owners Jake and Tamara Thamm have spent the last two decades making and perfecting snowshoes that fit everyone’s needs. Their philosophy: Build snowshoes to last a lifetime using materials that do harm the environment. Eight-five percent of the aluminum and steel used to manufacture Crescent Moon shoes is recycled and the company’s manufacturing facility is 100% powered by wind.

10 Tips for a Successful Snowshoe Adventure

• Be prepared. Check local weather conditions before you go anywhere and be aware that conditions can change very quickly. Regularly check local weather forecasts and advisories. What’s happening in your backyard may wildly differ from where you’re going.

• Layer Up. Wear comfortable, layered clothing that includes a base layer, mid-layer, wind-proof jacket, hat and gloves. Wear wool or other moisture-wicking material socks and bring an extra pair in case they get wet. Steer clear of anything made of cotton. There’s a reason the Boy Scouts say, “Cotton kills.”

• Fuel Up. Bring plenty of water and snacks. The last thing you want to do is bonk in the middle of the woods. Many backpacks have hydration compartments. Fill it with warm water and it will not only keep you warmer, it will be less likely to freeze.

• Speaking of backpacks. Make sure you bring one. Even if you don’t want to use a hydration-based pack with a reservoir, you’re still going to want something to stash your discarded layers, extra socks, water bottles and snacks.

• Be prepared II: Bring basic equipment including a map, compass, sunglasses, sunscreen and a first aid kit. If you are in the mountains, familiarize yourself with avalanche danger areas and safety precautions. Check out fs.usda.gov for maps and www.fsavalanche.org for information on avalanche safety, education, and current snow pack.

• Stretch. Snowshoeing can be strenuous so make sure you stretch before you begin your trek.

• Choose the right shoe. Determining the right snowshoe for you isn’t difficult but it can make a difference in your outdoor adventure. Use a smaller shoe for groomed areas and a larger shoe for backcountry excursions. Using poles can be very advantageous, especially in backcountry areas. Figuring out what size shoe to use will also depend on how much you weigh. And remember that when figuring out that number, add in the weight of all the gear and stuff you’ll be carrying in your backpack.

• Be prepared III: Don’t snowshoe alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you’re coming back.

• Be responsible. Pack out your trash. Your adventure should leave an impression on you, not the landscape.

• Have fun! Snowshoeing is one of the best and easiest ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Pretty much anyone who can walk can snowshoe. It’s a great way to stay active and healthy and see the world in a way and in places you might not otherwise.

Here in Colorado, playing outside is just what we do. We hike, bike, ski, snowboard, snowshoe and generally enjoy the Great Outdoors with zeal and abandon. It’s a rite of passage for us.

With innovations and advancements in technology in recent years, folks are increasingly flocking to the backcountry with the promise of untracked snow and the absence of lift lines. Moreover, the crushing weight and restrictions of the pandemic have made getting “away from it all” even more alluring. Indeed, backcountry-related equipment sales between August and October of last year skyrocketed 76% over the same 2019 period, according to market research company The NPD Group.

All-terrain ski equipment – skis, boots and bindings – were up 51%. Backcountry accessory sales including avalanche shovels, beacons, probes and climbing skins were up 74 % during that period. And splitboard sales experienced a whopping 151% spike in sales over 2019. By all measures, this backcountry category is the fastest growing in the industry and is gaining momentum at breakneck speeds.

But getting into the backcountry requires more than just the gear. It is imperative to know what you’re getting into because what you don’t know can kill you. Check out these resources so you can be prepared: https://castlerockbikeandski.com/backcountry/

KBYG.org can provide you with many of the basics you will need to have a successful backcountry adventure. In a nutshell, there are five main things you need to know before you go (KBYG – you see what they did there):

1.    Have the correct gear

2.    Take an avalanche course

3.    Before you leave, familiarize yourself with the weather and avalanche forecasts

4.    Take the time to look at the terrain you plan to recreate in before diving in

5.    Be mindful of where you are on the mountain and stay away from avalanche-prone areas

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has the latest updates on Avalanche conditions around the state and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education offers classes and tutorials for both for both recreational participants as well professional instructors.

This has been a particularly dangerous year for avalanches. The snow is extremely unstable and while the idea of a big powder day away from the crowds at the resorts sounds nice, we have already seen eight people die in avalanches and we’re only halfway through the season. To compare, six people died during the entire 2019-2020 season.

There is little doubt that strapping on a pair of skins on AT skis or splitboard and skinning up the hill is exhilarating and a heck of a workout. It’s fun, challenging and invigorating. But it can also be dangerous. If you are interested in the fun, challenging and invigorating parts but aren’t too keen on the dangerous part, consider skinning up inbounds at any number of resorts around the state.

Not every resort or mountain allows uphill access but many do. Check with your favorite resort or mountain to see what their rules and regulations are before you go. Some allow uphill access only certain times of the day.

 

Many have implemented uphill access passes and most have specific routes for skiers and riders wanting to skin up the mountain. But it is a safe and easy way to get into the sport and this year it’s a great way to avoid the avalanche danger in the backcountry.

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