When I checked the temperature at my townhouse in Boulder this morning it was 37 F; I assumed that it would be even colder in a Walker Ranch canyon fishing Boulder Creek. I was wrong as my truck report 54 degrees at the trailhead. And very much reminded how wrong I [...]]]>

South Boulder Creek Brown

When I checked the temperature at my townhouse in Boulder this morning it was 37 F; I assumed that it would be even colder in a Walker Ranch canyon fishing Boulder Creek. I was wrong as my truck report 54 degrees at the trailhead. And very much reminded how wrong I was on the long walk uphill back to the car.

Regardless of the unnecessary sweat I had a good day on the water. Starting out with nymphs I got bored after almost two hours without a hit and switched to a #22 mosquito. Not that there were any bugs coming off the water, I just needed a change of pace as, apparently, did the trout. I hooked into numerous small to tiny rainbows and landed most of them. Things slowed for a while before I hooked into this small (9-10 inch) brown, after which the action completely stopped.

On the sweat inducing expedition weight long underwear hike back to my truck I cam across a few mule deer, including this guy. Where was he during deer season?  Oh year, hanging out in the park…

Walker Ranch Buck Mule Deer

Walker Ranch Buck Mule Deer

Thanks to the strong Chinook Winds yesterday we had temperatures in the 60s in Boulder. In December that makes me think about going fly fishing. As Boulder Creek was a beautiful shady of mud, thanks to the rapidly melting snow and ice, I drove up and over Flagstaff to fish the tailwater section of South [...]]]>

Thanks to the strong Chinook Winds yesterday we had temperatures in the 60s in Boulder. In December that makes me think about going fly fishing. As Boulder Creek was a beautiful shady of mud, thanks to the rapidly melting snow and ice, I drove up and over Flagstaff to fish the tailwater section of South Boulder Creek, below Gross Reservoir. In the bottom of the canyon the winds are far less noticeable.  With 5 other vehicles already in the parking lot it was apparent that I was not the only one with this idea. The temperatures were probably in the upper 40s and the water was moving quickly enough to spend the afternoon high sticking in the pockets with a beadhead caddis followed by a red juju bug.  I landed 7 rainbows, all within an inch or so of each other in size.  It was one of the few times that I landed every fish I hooked and a fantastic winter afternoon.

South Boulder Creek Rainbow on a JuJu Bug

This afternoon I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. After realizing that it was almost 60 F outside I decided fly fishing Boulder Creek was the answer to my question. I had spent too much time reading about fly fishing in John Gierach‘s books this week [...]]]>

Little Boulder Creek Brown Trout

This afternoon I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. After realizing that it was almost 60 F outside I decided fly fishing Boulder Creek was the answer to my question. I had spent too much time reading about fly fishing in John Gierach‘s books this week for my mind to go anywhere else anyways.

So I pulled out my 3 weight and went fishing. Thankfully I brought a coat and fingerless wool gloves. Why thankfully? Because off of 19th Street Boulder Creek is on the north side of the hill below the University of Colorado and had negligable, if any, snow melt. And it was bloody cold, in the low 30s. Yes, I know that is not cold but after pulling on your waders in the sun with temperatures in the high 50s, it is a consistent shock. Perhaps more so as you see people biking/running by in shorts and t-shirts.

In any case there were a few midges coming off with a ten inch brown sporadically sipping them. I did not catch him, I spooked him. Alas.

After nymphing for another hour I had to change the plan of attach to throwing a #12 brown wooly bugger into the fast moving pools and landed this little brown. It was still better than getting skunked.

This morning Katie and I, instead of going to work, drove up the road to Eldora for some cross country skiing. Aside from some skate skiing this was the first time either of us had been on classic skis in over a decade; unsurprisingly our, umm, technique, was a little rusty. In [...]]]>

Eldora Trail Map

This morning Katie and I, instead of going to work, drove up the road to Eldora for some cross country skiing. Aside from some skate skiing this was the first time either of us had been on classic skis in over a decade; unsurprisingly our, umm, technique, was a little rusty. In any case we had a blast and it reaffirmed that my decision to pick up an Eldora pass this year was a good one. And more importantly all the cash I have dropped on new ski gear. I picked up a set of Asnes Amundsen skis with Rottefella BC Manual bindings from Neptune Mountaineering (huge thanks to the 20% off coupon in the Elevation Outdoor magazine). Can’t read the text on the Asnes website? It is in Norwegian so nor can I, however the folks at Neptune sold me on with the claims that these are equally good on not entirely insane back country and in groomed tracks (67-57-62, I hope that works). To go with I bought a set of Madshus Glittertind BC boots; I did not buy the boots at Neptune but the guy there kept raving about them (while also complaining that they did not carry them). I am hoping for the best. Additionally, after completely destroying my legs last year skate skiing and getting a pretty decent bonus at work, I pulled the trigger on a set of Peltonen Astra Skate skis (Rottefella NNN-R3 bindings) with Alpina TCS boots.

So, I spent some money.  And today made me feel really good about it.

Katie Herrell, Cross Country Skiing at Eldora

Colorado Mule Deer

It sure was a lot more pleasant watching these guys in 45 degree weather than sitting in a [...]]]> After being forced out of my normal haunts by freezing rain I spent much of the afternoon today scouting for mule deer at significantly lower elevations.  Apparently I should have done this some time ago.

Colorado Mule Deer

It sure was a lot more pleasant watching these guys in 45 degree weather than sitting in a couple inches of snow with the wind pounding you near Rollins Pass.

Bachelor Group of Colorado Mule Deer

Hall Ranch, Beginnings of the Nighthawk Trail

It is amazing how much more there is to see when you are not hammering away on the climb [...]]]> Katie and I went hiking at Hall Ranch today.  Yes, hiking.  No, not mountain biking.  Hiking.  On the Nighthawk trail, you know, the one that says “no bikes”.

Hall Ranch, Beginnings of the Nighthawk Trail

It is amazing how much more there is to see when you are not hammering away on the climb or trying not to die decsending through the rock garden.

Hall Ranch, half way up the Nighthawk Trail

Amazing I tell you.  Except for the steaming piles of horse poop.

Last Friday Katie and I packed the dogs up to the kennel, boarded a flight to Milwaukee, and finally drove up to Fish Creek, WI for our first century ride. Unfortunately we arrived quite late as our Frontier flight was delayed (again, not having much luck with departures on them [...]]]>

Door County Century Rest Stop

Last Friday Katie and I packed the dogs up to the kennel, boarded a flight to Milwaukee, and finally drove up to Fish Creek, WI for our first century ride. Unfortunately we arrived quite late as our Frontier flight was delayed (again, not having much luck with departures on them and this time I got to sit next to a Frontier employee who must have smoke 2 packs before getting on the plane) and a missed turn in Milwaukee (thanks for closing all the on ramps by the airport) and missed the dinner festivities with our parents (both sides made the drive). The next morning we ate a quick breakfast and then drove to packet pickup in Sturgeon Bay for the Door County Century. During the morning, and all day for the matter, my father was still adamant that he was only going to do the 70 mile route. Right. We let him believe that as we took our rentals, a Trek Madone 5.2 and a 5.2 WSD, out for a quick ride to make friends with the bikes.

We made friends. The Madone’s rode great – the Ultegra drivetrain was a pretty fantastic upgrade then my Lemond’s old 105 and Katie’s old Tiagra. And the frames were fast!

Bar Tape Fail!

Unlike when I stand up and hammer on my Buenos Aires, the Madone’s frame put the power directly into the wheels – and the read wheel could never pull out (damn horizontal drops). That said, when going over rough road and gravel you could really tell how plush my existing steel frame is as you felt everything on the Madone. The one thing I would have liked to have tried was climbing as I think the total elevation gain in the ride was about 400 feet, rather small compared to Colorado. My only real complaint was that the bar tape was poorly applied. The ~2 inch difference was a bit troubling to align my hands on, though it would be an easy fix.

Of course the next morning, as we were again driving to Sturgeon Bay for the start, my father started saying that at the turnoff for the 70 mile route he would decide about doing the 100. Not that Katie or I ever doubted he would do the 100. When we hit the turnoff, he kept along with us. We started out with temperatures in the mid 60′s and a well shaded course. And, what many of the rides said was an evil hill. Thankfully a less than 100′ climb was not an issue after riding in Colorado. The first 35 miles flew past without much of a thought. We kept going smoothing until about halfway through the course, when my father began to feel the distance in his legs (with IT band tightness). The pace slowed drastically but we continued on. And on. With lots of dairy cow themed cycling kits on all sides.  eally, who knew you could have more than a dozen jerseys all related to Wisconsin Holsteins? The course was very flat and almost windless, with only a long stretch of gravel road to even wake you up. Additionally the roads, at least the non-highways, were almost completely empty and those drivers who did pass were extremely courteous - score.

In due time we finished.  Not fast but we finished.  And my father did it at age 62.

Dana, Katie, and Dan on the shores of Lake Michigan during the Door County Century

Initial Bangtail Divide Climb

In July Katie and I ventured north (well, north north west) to Bozeman, Montana for a long weekend.  Seeing as my truck looks like a sporting goods store vomited inside of it, by no surprise our mountain bikes were loaded in the bed.  We went into a local bike [...]]]>  

Initial Bangtail Divide Climb

In July Katie and I ventured north (well, north north west) to Bozeman, Montana for a long weekend.  Seeing as my truck looks like a sporting goods store vomited inside of it, by no surprise our mountain bikes were loaded in the bed.  We went into a local bike shop, Bangtail Bikes, and asked for a trail recommendation.  The guy at the shop asked a few questions about what kind of bikes we ride, how often we ride, and what type of terrain we like; all good and logical questions for a trail recommendation.  Then he asked where we were from.  With Boulder being the answer he smirked and quickly recommended Bangtail Divide (Bangtail Ridge?), what he said was an 18 mile ride.  He raved about how the trail had unbelievable views and all the magazines were glowing about the it.  Sure sounded good to us!

We drove up to the Bracket Creek trailhead and headed off into the wilderness.  The first many miles were climbing, with a decent but not painful grade.  And we just kept climbing.  I think all said there was almost 4,000 feet of climbing.  Thankfully the long climb was negated by the absolutely fantastic views.

Awesome Views on Bangtail Divide

A few hours in we started wondering about the 18 miles as, while we were no longer climbing, the trail was not seeming to be descending enough to get us back to the road.  That and the rapid gunfire from some nearby gun range started to make us mildly nervous.  However there were still beautiful meadows of singletrack to ride and a fair number of posts to mark the trail so the concern was fairly minimal.  Finally we reached a seemingly endless series of switchbacks and we knew we were dropping down to the Stone Creek trailhead and the five mile ride on the road back to the truck.  Which was good, seeing as we were both running empty with our Camelbaks.

When we got back to town I quickly searched the internet and found out the trail was 26 miles, with an additional 5 miles to get back to the car.  Was it worth it?  I am sure the shop guy had a good chuckle.  And I cannot even be mad, as this turned into my all time favorite ride.  26 miles of almost exclusive singletrack with less than 20 people going the opposite way on the trail.  The views were incredible, the trail was well marked, and I had an absolute blast.  Sure there was nothing overly technical but this was a long cross-country ride.  I would strongly recommend heading out to Bozeman if for no other reason than to ride this trail.  And remember, it is only 18 miles…

Meadow on top of Bangtail Divide Trail