The sun sets over Lake Dillon in Summit County, Colorado.

A poignant simile can make a new snowfall sparkle more brightly in the sunshine. If you live in Colorado and spend too long grasping for those words in fall, you’ll miss out on the brilliant show of color right outside your door.

Several times in the last few weeks, I’ve been on my bike both at the moment the sun rises from behind the Continental Divide and when it sinks into the Vail Valley. No, I’m not fortunate enough to have time for bike expeditions in the middle of the workweek.

Shorter days are a symptom of summer becoming winter and it means I’m dazzled by the fall color show each time I commute. Yes, dazzled. Just my ride home involves pedaling under a canopy of yellow aspens and cottonwoods. It’s stunning at sunset. Check it out for yourself on one of these rides. And don’t forget the camera.

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From the Flumes trails, I connect to Tom's Baby for the mountain bike commute home from Breckenridge, Colorado.

Route: Loop on Lower Flume, Middle Flume and Upper Flume
Start/End: Flumes trailhead on County Road 450, near the Breckenridge Recycling Center
Flumes Trail Season: Summer and fall (running, mountain biking), provided there’s not an excess of moisture*; some areas popular with cross country skiers in winter

*Please be sensitive to muddy and/or wet trails. In the words of the Summit Fat Tire Society, know when to ride, walk or turn around. Check out one of many fab articles on trail responsibility: http://www.summitfattire.org/?p=413

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I know, I know. Bragging is arrogant, it’s rude and simply annoying. But record snow and rain in Summit County, Colorado has resulted in brilliant wildflowers and my work commute gives me a front-row seat to all the color. What’s that mean? My commute is probably cooler than yours.

Several days each week I make the Dillon to Breckenridge commute by a mix of bike and bus; of those days, my favorites are those on trails. The mountain bike route home involves about 90 to 95 percent dirt, a mix of four-wheel drive roads and sweet singletrack that meanders through the valley just north of Keystone.

When I recently volunteered for the Breckenridge 100, I met a few guys who’d driven thousands of miles, from the heart of Mexico, to compete on Summit County’s network of trails. We’re fortunate enough to ride these trails all summer long and I love it.

In this series detailing the trails of my commute home, I’ll cover some popular routes that make great little after-work loops on their own; connected, they expose a vast network of trails that extends far beyond Summit County.

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Summit County, Colorado's frequently-used trails require more than respect. Give back with a volunteer day.

Like many residents of Summit County, Colorado, I spend much of my summer exploring the expansive trail network our home has to offer. With the local trails seeing so much use, it’s important to go beyond respect and give back with a little (or a lot of) manual labor.

Several trails organizations in Summit County have released their 2011 projects and below is a rundown, not including ongoing stewardship programs. Contact the individual organizations for project details.

Friends of the Dillon Ranger District: 2011 trail projects near Dillon, Colorado
Sign up online to participate

• May 14th: Tree Planting with the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (Family Oriented)
• May 21st: Town/Forest Clean-Up
• May 22nd: Tree Re-planting with Keller Williams Realty
• June 4th: National Trails Day, Sponsored by Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, the Summit Fat Tire Society and Friends of the Dillon Ranger District
• July 9th: Pulling For Colorado, Summit County Weed Pull
• July 23rd: Summit Trail Running Series – FDRD Horseshoe Gulch Trail Project
• July 23rd: Quandary Peak Project with the Colorado Fourteeneers Initiative
• August 20th: Fire Mitigation Project
• September 10th: Beetlefest in Frisco
• September 17th-18th: Trail Project with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado at the Keystone Homestead
• September 24th: National Public Lands Day – Volunteer Celebration
• October 8th: Make A Difference Day with Summit Prevention Alliance

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Spring riding up Ute Pass in Summit County, Colorado can make for a dirty bike.

Route:Highway 9 north from Silverthorne and up Ute Pass Road
Start/End: Out-and-back from Dillon, Colorado
Season: Highway 9 / Ute Pass is typically rideable year round, but it’s best in winter and spring when everything else is snowy or wet

Each summer here in Summit County, Colorado, I see people on the bike path using their Nordic-style roller skates and think, “C’mon people, really? Can’t you just enjoy the summer?”

And now I understand. I am one of those people, just in the opposite season. A couple weeks ago I couldn’t wait any longer to get on my bike, so I made the changeover to hybrid tires and rode the dusty shoulder through Silverthorne, Colorado toward Ute Pass. And for the record, I have enjoyed winter, and spring. But I’m ready for bike rides. [Read more →]

Convenient for Dillon Valley residents, Summit County's Straight Creek Trail is accessible in all four seasons.

Route: Straight Creek trail from Dillon Valley toward the Eisenhower and Johnson tunnels
Start/End: Out and back via trailhead accessed from Forest Rd. 51 and multiple neighborhood trails around Dillon Valley
Season: Year-round

My personal athletic accomplishments have always been a result of stubbornness rather than physical prowess. Though close family may argue otherwise, I claim this trait as an asset, one that has allowed me to push my body beyond what I thought possible for me. And so I became one of those people who felt that my heart rate needed to be up for a minimum of 60 minutes, saddle time at least two hours. And swims? Anything under 45 minutes was just a waste of my time.

I have changed. I’ve certainly not picked up speed; rather, these days I’m much more interested in exploring my Summit County backyard and staying fit so I can continue doing the things I enjoy. I’m happy to get 15 minutes from the house to let the dog walk in the creek. Jumping on my bike for coffee and window shopping in Frisco is a great way to spend a summer evening. Last week, I played hooky to go for a 20-minute run on a quiet, snowy morning. And finally, here’s where we get to the part you were probably seeking to begin with: the trail overview. [Read more →]

So I can’t take credit for a really sweet 24 Hours in the Sage course preview video. But I had to post, because it’s pretty great.

And here’s another of a townie cruising down the Notch.

The Notch, a technical section along the 24 Hours in the Sage Course, claims another bike and its rider.

In honor of our friends that competed October 9/10 (the weekend before last) at 24 Hours of Moab and 24 Hours of Adrenalin (the 24 hour solo world championships), I’m finally posting my race report on 24 Hours in the Sage. A very grassroots event, 24 Hours in the Sage takes over the Gunnison KOA for a full weekend of racing on the amazing trails of Hartman Rocks.

The whole thing is pretty darn plush for a bike race. Hot showers, electricity, washing machines and all the amenities (thanks KOA Dave!) make 24 Hours in the Sage pretty much the best 24 hour race around.

Not the first person to walk the Notch, a rider makes way along the course.

I’ll admit. I’m biased. After all, Eric and I both work the event. My favorite part? Timing through the wee hours.

That’s not to say I’m not a fan of the non-stop BBQ and beer offerings, on-course Popsicle handouts, great people and sweet riding. But timing through the night, even when the sounds of music and announcing are long gone, is definitely fun. And, when I see pictures of myself after no rest all night, it makes me feel better about enjoying sleep. Because I look like death (or a crackhead!) after staying awake with the abandon of an 18-year-old.

Anyhow, to catch the details of the race report, read on!

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Riders on course at the eighth annual 24 Hours in the Sage were treated, sometime around 10:30 a.m., to grilled hamburgers handed out by mountain bike superstar Dave Wiens. Equipped with a backpack stocked full of classic American grub, the Gunnison, Colo. local set out to treat athletes and log a lap for the KOA corporate team.

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Eric , far right, tackled the modified Le Mans start and rode our team's first lap at 24 Hours of eRock.

I suppose I could find a few people to blame. First, my husband Eric for introducing me to the 24-hour bike race format when we began dating. (He and a friend put on the 24-hour mountain bike race 24 Hours in the Sage.) Second, a family I met at 24 Hours in the Sage. Sometimes everyone races, sometimes parents support the daughter for a solo effort and sometimes they go for a father/daughter duo. After meeting the bunch I thought, “My dad and I like to ride bikes; maybe we should do a 24 hour race … “

With 24 Hours of eRock's 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. schedule, there's still plenty of riding to do after the night laps.

Whoever’s fault it is for giving me the idea that I could be part of a 24 hour mountain bike race … I thank them.  Because it was a blast.

Let’ face it. I’ve heard from many that 24 Hours of eRock isn’t really mountain biking, that it’s boring, it’s all dirt roads and so on. Sure, that could be true for seasoned mountain bikers.

But for me, a beginner, 24 Hours of eRock was an excellent introduction to riding at night and a good realization that if I ever do want to tackle a solo effort in a more technical environment (which I do), I really need more technical skills and more confidence in the skills I already possess. [Read more →]