Community Bike Education Program

Bike Fort Collins is working on implementing a Bicycle Education Program to the Community this spring. Their press release to be announced this week for this worthwhile cause is below:

"Fort Collins – Bike Fort Collins volunteers will be hitting the streets this year to begin their effort to provide educational presentations that will ensure that more people have the necessary skills and knowledge to enable them to go by bicycle.

Requests are being sought for the new Community Cycling School program being offered by Bike Fort Collins through a generous grant from REI.

The goal of the Community Cycling School is to provide our community with the skills and knowledge needed to integrate cycling into our every day practices. "

Bicycling is a way of life in Fort Collins. We have more bike lanes than most cities in the country, and we have loads more cyclists. We ride our bicycles for transportation and for recreation, so it is important to remember safety laws when we are riding our bicycles by obeying stop signs, traffic lights, and even wearing a helmet.

While we have had a few instances with the Larimer County Sheriff's office last year and again this year, we should be conscious of our interactions in traffic and the laws that are put in place to protect us. The more that we can work with the Sheriff's office and the Fort Collins Police Department, the easier it will be for us in the future in advocating cycling laws for the state, the county, and the city.

The Community Cycling School will help to provide information on the laws of the state, county, and city to cyclists in our community. Anyone can attend these classes that will be held monthly on the third Thursday of each month. The community is also welcome to attend the kick-off for the Community Cycling School on March 19th at Everyday Joe's. There will be snacks provided and loads of information about offering the Community Cycling School to your own organization, business, social, or non-profit.

These programs will be offered to the community through health and wellness programs, cycling and social clubs, bike shops, and more. Bike Fort Collins wants to spread this knowledge to as many people within the community as possible, so if you know of someone that might be interested in learning more about safe cycling skills, have them contact Bike Fort Collins directly for more information.

For more information on Bike Fort Collins, you can visit their website at: www.BikeFortCollins.org - Northern Colorado Outdoors has helped Bike Fort Collins with many projects over the past year. For more information on other projects Northern Colorado Outdoors supports, see our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

A Taste of Harmony

I consider myself still relatively new to town, so I'm still discovering new places and things to do around town. I rode my bicycle into Old Town this morning, somewhat reluctantly. I couldn't find a really good reason to drive, so I bundled up and saddled up. It was a bit chilly riding, and I peeled off of Mountain Ave. and took the alley to Oak St. That's where I locked up my bicycle and walked over to Everyday Joe's.

I hadn't been to Everyday Joe's before, so I was excited to try something new. It was very open and somewhat rustic. It was a great place to have a meeting because it wasn't too loud. I set my stuff down and went up to the counter to order something. I decided on a Green Chai Tea, which was hot and rich, just what I needed after my ride. The girl behind the counter was cheery and friendly. We discussed some food-related topics and even some things about health and wellness before I took my seat and prepared for my meeting.

The meeting is mostly irrelevant to my blog today. What is relevant is the girl behind the counter. As we discussed the food-related topics she mentioned a new restaurant that had opened just north of Everyday Joe's on Mason. It was a raw food restaurant, and she mentioned that it was not only delicious, but they also served good quality fresh food. That certainly piqued my interested, and my stomach was already grumbling.

I continued to sip my tea and dream about a raw food lunch that would fit nicely into my schedule before I headed back to my office to complete my day. I finished my meeting and rode my bicycle to take care of a couple of errands. The errands are also unimportant as the most important topic here is this new restaurant that I was ready to visit. I had images of them having a refrigerator of items that I could choose from and take home as well as a full menu of warm items that I could eat there. I thought about all of the raw food restaurants that I had visited in Austin and in Houston and imagined them all to be like this one.

I once again ended up on Mountain Ave. and turned down the alley way to get over to Mason. I came in from the back and parked my bike against a railing. From the outside it looked quaint and romantic. I stepped inside and it was quite the same. It wasn't exactly as I had imagined it would look like. It was much more warm and inviting, and it was decorated beautifully. It was called Tasty Harmony, and I was hoping to taste some harmony today. I picked up one of the menus and walked over to the bar where I discussed menu options with the woman there. It turned out she was one of the owners of the restaurant and I quickly introduced myself and thanked her for having put this wonderful restaurant together.

I made my choices and had them to go. I would ride my bicycle back to my office to enjoy my lunch. I couldn't imagine having to get on my bicycle and ride afterward. It came out pretty quickly, and I, just as quickly, put my lunch in my pannier and rode off as fast as I could for my office. My stomach was really grumbling now, and my mind was racing at the thought of indulging in some of the healthiest and tastiest food I had consumed in a short while.

I put my bicycle away and sat down in my office with my fork in hand. I opened up my lunch, and it didn't look like anything had moved from when they handed it to me. It was still warm and the veggies were still beautiful. I spread the dressing over the entire meal and dove in. Ahhh. Heaven. It was just as wonderful as I had imagined. The texture of my seaweed salad with the dressing was beautiful as well as the dressing on my quinoa and millet. The veggies were steamed to perfection. It was tasty and beautiful, and I wanted to give the girl behind the counter a big hug for recommending this to me. It really was a Taste of Harmony! It was certainly the highlight of my day. Cheers to new discoveries and to girls behind the counter! Oh! and to working up an appetite riding your bicycle around town! See you outdoors!

While this blog wasn't necessarily about Northern Colorado Outdoors, we do all kinds of fun stuff like going out to new places for dinner or for a hike or bike ride. You can find out more about Northern Colorado's most active outdoor adventure and social club by visiting our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Gotta Run!

I often talk to people who think that it is difficult to fit exercise into their daily lives. I try to remind them that any little bit helps throughout the day. You don't have to go to the gym to get your workout in. A workout in a day might be to just walk a few blocks to lunch, which may be a good start for anyone who is not very active on a regular basis. Working up from there, you can take the stairs, walk a little further to lunch, ride a bicycle to work, or walk the dog around the block.

By working exercise into your daily life, it becomes a lifestyle change and an enjoyable activity and not something that you dread doing because you feel like you have to three times per week. It's important to make it something that you enjoy as well. If you don't like to run, then ride a bike. If you feel uncomfortable on a bicycle, then take a walk or a hike. If you don't like to walk or hike, then go to the swimming pool. There are so many activities to do, there is bound to be something that will work for you.

I run to my book club on Mondays, ride my bike to yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays, run my dog on Wednesdays and Fridays, and do yoga, climb, snowshoe, and kayak on the days that I don't get outdoors. I try to run at least two to three times per week. I started to run a 3 mile run not far from my house, but I just wasn't feeling that route. It bothered me for some reason and prevented me from going out on my runs. I changed the route up a bit so that I was going through City Park and around the lake, and now my runs are much more enjoyable. I love to run and get outdoors, so I don't usually use my gym membership for much other than a yoga class or for climbing activities. Being outdoors is a highlight in my busy day and I make it a priority in my life, and I, personally, feel that everyone can benefit from spending time outdoors each day.

If something isn't working for you in your life, try making a small change before doing anything drastic. You wouldn't go out and run a marathon if you hadn't run in ten years. You would start out by walking around the block and adding in some running from there. As with anything, do some research before you go out and try something new. Checking in with your doctor is a good idea as well. It doesn't cost anything to do some searching on the Internet. It can save you loads of money, too. You don't want to go out and spend $5000 on a bicycle if you really don't like to ride a bike.

Another good place to start is with Northern Colorado Outdoors. You can get active, learn a new activity, and meet new people to do these things with - all for less than $.50 per day! Outdoor adventure and social clubs offer the opportunity for people to meet like-minded people to do things that they enjoy and to also discover what they enjoy. I joined the club in Houston when I lived there, Bayou City Outdoors, and I discovered road cycling, kayaking, climbing, and even had the opportunity to help other people to begin a running and activity regimin.

So, instead of using your list of excuses next time, try getting outdoors for a run or joining our club for an activity! You'll begin to feel better and have more energy every time you do it! That's all for now! Gotta Run!

Supporting our Trails

Supporting our trails is so much more than just getting out and working on trail days. When we decide to support trails in our communities, we also vow to use the trails properly by not littering, widening the trails, or using them when they are muddy. Using designated trails in our Parks is important to maintaining the landscape and wilderness of our parks. When "rogue" trails are created, issues arise in our parks with water drainage, plant and tree health, and in maintaining the landscape that has been there for centuries before us. Our disrespect for our parks creates disrespect in the community and results in the limited use of the trails. It is our responsibility to ensure respectful and responsible use of our trail systems in our parks and wilderness areas.

My own opinions expressed in this blog are the result of years of working with Trail advocates on building and maintaining trails in park systems throughout Texas, Utah, and Colorado. The damage that is created by irresponsible use of our parks is often irreversible. That being said, the resilience of Mother Nature is also quite amazing. By working to build and maintain proper trail systems in parks can provide a way for the Earth and Humans to live together harmoniously. Staying within our boundaries of nature and admiring her from a distance while still enjoying the peace and beauty that surrounds us within this setting should be our main objective when getting outdoors.

There are local groups that help to provide education on trail building and maintenance. Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol, www.dpmbp.org is the local mountain bike and trail advocacy group for Northern Colorado. The International group for mountain bike patrol is the International Mountain Bike Association, www.imba.com. There are other groups that are not mountain bike related groups that are interested in maintaining quality trails for outdoor recreation. For more information on these groups, you can search the Internet or check out NCO's website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Northern Colorado Outdoors is teaming up with Full Cycle this summer to adopt a trail in Horsetooth Mountain Park. We have decided on the Spring Creek Trail because of its multi-use function for bicycles, horses, and hikers. An avid mountain biker, hiker, and climber, I have always felt that it is part of my duty to give back to the parks that provide us so much enjoyment. I also try to advocate for our parks to provide as many trails for outdoor activities as possible.

With only two days out of the year to give back to our trails and numerous days using them, it seems the least that we could do as an outdoor organization for our community. After all, trail work days in Colorado really aren't work at all, especially when you're standing up on a mountain overlooking the Eastern plains of Colorado or the Western Slopes of the mountains. There are opportunities to see wildlife, spend time with other like-minded individuals that also care about their communities, and even get in a ride after the work is all done.

These eco-adventure activities have become a priority for Northern Colorado Outdoors. We are hoping to get involved in the volunteer opportunities through the 10th Mountain Hut System and spend some time in the high country working this summer. We are also looking at helping at some local community farms. All of these activities could be considered adventures as well as solid community effort.

If you would like to get outdoors and help your community this Spring, Summer and Fall, join Northern Colorado Outdoors for some eco-adventures that will give back in support of our trails and in keeping our wilderness wild.

Snowshoeing with Good Friends

You know, there's nothing like getting out to the high country for a good workout on some snowshoes, but what makes it even better is having a good friend by your side to talk to. I did just that this past weekend. My dear friend, Jenn, and I took off for the day and went to climb the ridge of a mountain in our snowshoes up in Grand County. We got all strapped in and took the groomed trails up and up and up all the while we were getting caught up from our extended absence.

I had met Jenn through the Outdoor Adventure Club Network and we had become fast friends. We went kayaking, hiking, cycling, and camping together. We even went on a few trips together as well. She has always been there for me when I needed her, and I have tried to do the same. We have had some similar experiences in terms of relationships and people in our lives, so we are able to relate to each other very well. She is adventurous, which I also like. She doesn't whine or cry when we go out for a long hike or come across an unexpected event which causes plans to change. She just goes with the flow and enjoys life. She also has strong opinions and speaks her mind, which is something that has earned my respect as well. I prefer when people don't beat around the bush about things. So, we enjoy getting outdoors together, and what a better way to get outdoors than with good friends?

The hike didn't seem very strenuous because we always had something to talk about because we have so much in common. We talked about our adventures coming up. I'll be going to Mexico with her and my other dear friend, Kelly, in October for some whitewater kayaking. She's been working hard at getting her PhD in microbiology, so that keeps her busy and out of touch with me and most of her other friends. I'm so proud of her, too, she will be twenty-seven this year and only a year away from getting her PhD. She's worked hard and it is finally starting to pay off.

One foot in front of the other, we talked about adventures and travel and love and relationships. We covered the whole spectrum of conversation together all while we were traversing the trails up the mountain and through the snow. We would see tracks in the snow and stop and try to figure out what animal created them. We found rabbit tracks, deer tracks, and people tracks and dog tracks. We were somewhat lost on the trail in the middle of nowhere, but we also knew that we could turn around and go back the way we came. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and the wind had died down to a whistle through the trees.

So, for two hours we climbed up this mountain to some unknown destination through the snow and the trees. Just to the next bend, and the bend would pass by as we kept talking and trekking. Finally, it was time now to turn around. It was going to be much less time down the mountain than up, and I was a little sad that our adventure was almost over. We began to head back and continued with our conversations. What took us two hours to climb, took us only forty-five minutes to get down. We got back to the lodge where we started and met up with the rest of the group that had gone out on other excursions themselves. We had lunch and relaxed after our long hike and exchanged adventures. We told all about the huge rabbit tracks we found and getting lost in the woods. It was a bit of a stretch, but our elaboration sounded so much more fun that just a walk in the woods.

Ahhh! It felt good to get outdoors with a good friend and end the day with hot chocolate and a yummy lunch. The hot chocolate seemed to taste better than ever, and I just thought about how good life is when you have good friends around.

If you would like to find out more about meeting other people to go outdoors with, just visit our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com See you outdoors!

Grand Lakes Winter Festival

I took a couple of days off from work and headed out in my Jeep up to the High Country for some Winter Fun! I had to drive around Rocky Mountain National Park to get to Grand Lake even through it is only a couple of hours from Fort Collins. Trail Ridge Road is closed in the winter due to the snow and ice on the road most of the year. The drive was mostly okay. I did run into some traffic on I-70 with all of the other winter sports enthusiasts that were heading to the high country for their own winter sports fix.

I headed over Berthoud pass and had such a wonderful time just looking out the window as I drove. I had Jeannie, my littlest dog, with me for moral support. She doesn't really like the cold or the snow, but she does like to go out for adventures, so she came along to keep me company. We were loaded down with coats, snowshoes, even costumes and food. I was prepared for just about anything - even the random masked ball that might pop up on our trip.

We passed through Granby and by Granby Lake where you could see ice fisherman spread out across the lake. I hadn't really seen this before, so as I passed by, I had to take a second glance to see what it was. From the distance that I was at, all you really saw were black dots on the ice. They looked like snowmobiles parked next to port-a-potties out on the ice.

We arrived to a beautiful day in Grand Lake. The sun was shining and it was warm. The kids were out playing in the snow as were the adults! There was a game of flag football going on in the city park. Teapot curling was happening on the basketball courts, and the kids were having a snowman contest near the pavilion. It was certainly a winter festival! People were out milling around with their kids. There was one couple pulling their baby behind them on a sled. He was leaning back with his winter suit on and a hat and the funniest little sunglasses. He seemed to be quite at home there.

I found my group in the Teapot Curling Contest, where they were doing quite well. They ended up getting third out of eight in the contest. Not bad for a bunch of Texans! I petted all of the dogs that walked by as I waited for them to finish their games. Everyone had brought out their dogs and their kids. It was certainly a family affair.

When the group finished with the Teapot Curling Contest, we all moved over to the main street for the parade and the Bed Sled competition. We stopped into the local ice cream shop for a big scoop of yummy ice cream. They had everyone's favorite flavors. They even had a doggy bone for Jeannie. She waited patiently outside while we got our ice cream and ate some of it. I jumped out of my seat when a Malamute crossed her path and she tried to snap at it. Not such a good idea for a small dog to snap at a dog ten times her size. She was getting brave in her "older" age.

We strolled down main street to look at the ice sculptures that some of the town folk had created in front of their businesses. Some of them were really good. We took a few pictures and then stopped to let the four-minute parade go down the street. The only fire truck in town was there along with some fun costumes and a couple of other vehicles that were decorated. Our adventure down main street ended at the place where the bed sled race was happening. We wanted to participate, but we weren't prepared for the race like we should have been. We should have had some "Yaktrax" for our shoes and some signs to paint for our sled. Oh, well. We'll look forward to it next year.

The bed sled races were fun and pretty competitive. The firefighters against the park rangers, and some of the businesses in town competing against each other. They lined up at the starting line and two by two would run down the street to the finish line as fast as they could pushing these wooden contraptions with a mattress on top. Some of them were creative and used PVC pipe to make it lighter. Some of their sleds would zig-zag all the way down the street to the end. Some of them were dressed up in costume with signs and props. There were even a couple of pirate ships in the race.. But in the end, the firefighters won the competition by a long shot.

The Winter Festival had even more to do after the Bed Sled competition. There was human bowling, which required someone to be on a plastic disc that was then slid down the street to knock over some plastic bottles. They had bingo later in the afternoon as well as a Moonlight Cross-Country Ski in the Golf Course with a marshmallow roast, bonfire, and hot chocolate at the end. There was a costume party and dance that ended the festival. Our group decided to rest a bit before going out to dinner and then attending the dance in the evening. After dinner, we went back to our hotel rooms and dressed up for the dance. Some of us were pirates and others of us just dressed up for fun. We joined the festivities once again this time indoors at Pancho Lefty's where a band was playing and the party-goers were dancing away. What a great way to get out of town and enjoy the high country! The people were friendly and Grand Lake was very accommodating to guests. We can't wait for next year when we really kick some b*tt at teapot curling and bed sledding!

If you want more information on getting outdoors, join us at www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com We'll see you outdoors!