Not being sure of what to expect we arrived about 45 minutes before our advertised 8:15 am start time. This allowed us to wander about aimlessly and found that since we were pre-registered we were totally set. We wandered up and watched the 45 mile course guys and gals leave then went up and took our place at the start line. We watched the carnival type atmosphere in the center of the Landmark and were pretty much in awe. This is cool.
Looking around, what took me by surprise the most, the diversity of the participants and volunteers were nothing but amazing. There were 5 – 6 year olds on tagalongs and little 12 inch Spiderman bikes. There were the elderly (older than me) on bikes that haven’t been built in a decade standing next to some of the coolest carbon fiber stuff you just don’t see every day. This was a bike show that was being ridden. Not knowing what to expect I was very intrigued by the amount of female riders that were participating. Observing photos of rides, wether on line or in publications you see a male dominated sport, what an injustice the female population has been receiving.
Like any thing in the realm of reality there were down sides. I’m sure these may be typical of most rides but you cannot attempt anything of this magnitude and honestly believe it will be flawless. Our advertised 8:15 start time – left promptly at 8:00. This made much more sens’e than, the 30 minutes after the 45 mile course left. But that was not the advertized time and I am sure there were riders getting there at 8:10. An uncontrollable aspect is the riders that decided to go off on their own before the start time. We overheard a couple of females behind us say “I’m tired of waiting lets go” and off they went, oh well. The scary part of this is the people with families that decided to go very early instead of last so they could have more time with the little bitty guys. This makes sense but it puts them and the little guys in harms way of much higher caliber riders.
The course was laid out in a very user friendly way. It was interesting and challenging enough for the recreation to intermediate rider but also a very good, local ride for the more elite types. The signage was very visible and well laid out. The intersections were manned by 1 of the 2 charity recipients, The Arapahoe Rescue Patrol as well as the Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills, and the Denver Police departments as well as the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Department. Mistakes on the course I can not really speak to but there did seem to be some frustrations. While going east bound on 6 lane divided roadway the blocked lanes quit and the course needed to turn north at the upcoming intersection. Riders were on their own to cross the 3 lanes of traffic to get into the left turn lane. To me that was very uncomfortable and I thought of the little guys that forced me into traffic earlier on those little 12 inch wheeled bikes. I only had 2 other complaints about the course. There were 3 spots that the course did not follow the published route and I know that did mess up a couple of the more advanced riders going against their clock. The last spot was an opportunity to ride over the top of the Cherry Creek Reservoir dam. A beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains and panoramic view of the Denver and Greenwood Village sky lines. This road has been closed to bicycle traffic, I believe, for 14 years. The signage made riders believe that the only bikes that could go over the top was the 45 milers on their first lap, everyone else had to go around the outside and bottom of the dam. Over the top should have been the only choice.
On the plus side the rest stops were very efficient with the other beneficiary of the ride, Have Paws Will Travel, a group that raises puppies to become guide dogs for the blind. The stops were stocked with bananas, oranges, what appeared to be turkey roll ups and water. With plenty of volunteers through out the course to help direct and cheer you on it was easy to stay on course even with the changes from the available maps. The weather was outstanding, the earlier forecast of clear skies with plenty of sun and in the high 80’s. You can’t forecast the weather in Colorado and those that try do a remarkable job. We had mid 60’s with a constant, very low overcast. It was beautiful. As the last few riders were coming in, the wind picked up to the point that the many vendors that had set up had to scramble to get their items secured.
Over all, Mr. Mark Crowley and the Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce with the cooperation of Greenwood Village Mayor Nancy Sharpe and her resources put on a truly South East event that should soon be the premier early summer place to be. This was really a fantastic, relaxing, low keyed walk, run, bike event for the people. The Landmark location was ideal, it is a city within a city with all the amenities and looks darn nice besides. The amount of restaurants that participated were outstanding and I personally know the crew at Ted’s busted their behinds to deliver the amount of sliders they did.
As for me and my son? He had taken off about half way through, made a wrong turn and ended up doing the 45 mile course in 2 hrs, 48 minutes and 37 seconds. Not bad for getting lost and the longest ride he had taken in 5 years. Myself, I did the 30 miles averaging 13.7 mph without my butt hurting. To top it off, when we arrived home my wife informed me that I did my first organized ride on the 8th anniversary of my 1 and only heart attack. Cool.
Next Post; Odds and Ends I’m Learning
Ride Safe Out There, and Don’t Run Me Over (please)
“G”
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