The Goose Chase and Other Good Bicycle News

Like I mentioned in my post on Monday, though I have only gone over 300 miles so far this year, I have seen some promising things.

Before I get into the odds and ends I also mentioned the Greenwood Village (Colorado) Goose Chase. I don’t work for the chase and no longer work for Greenwood Village so this is an unbiased recommendation. On June 19, 2010 the City of GV along with some great co-sponsors will kick off the 15th Annual Goose Chase. If you are unfamiliar with this, it is a party atmosphere with a 15, 30 or 45 mile bike ride that is compatible with all skill levels. For you runners, there are 5K and 10K certified runs. After working it, (or working at getting out of working it) for 13 years, I used it for my first organize ride last year. My son and I used it for our first experience in a large group. It was fun, non-intimidating and no more effort than what we normally ride. As a matter of fact, it was a typical ride that 100’s of people take every weekend. The majority of the ride was around the Cherry Creek Lake (Reservoir to the Colorado locals) and the area around it. The difference was that 100’s of riders were doing it together and all at once, it was cool. If you are going to be riding that Sunday or want to stick your toes into the world of bicycle tours this is the place to be. It’s fun, it’s as easy as you want to make it but most of all it is just plain fun with a small country fair feeling. Check it out www.goosechase.org.

As for the odds and ends go I believe they are pretty cool. What I am the most happy about is the actual show of bicycling camaraderie. I guess this comes from all my years on a motorcycle. Whether you knew a rider or not, you gave a greeting while moving or a small conversation on a break. My logic for expecting to see it with bicyclists, you are on two wheels you have stepped outside of that normal box. I have seen more noticeable greetings whether it is just an animated nod or wave of the fingers, more than one. Or and all out verbal greeting. I have even been passed with a short verbal greeting and a few words of conversation. I’m hearing more people pass, I am passed a lot, and hear the “on your left” phrase. I have annoyed at least one “super star” by swerving to avoid a very bad piece of tarmac and unbeknownst to me, he was practicing his winning form of passing in a pack on me.

Color, there is a lot more color this year. Last year I felt weird with purple shorts and an orange sleeveless jersey. OK maybe that is still weird, but there are a lot of you out there with yellow, red, different blues, green and yes, I saw purple shorts on a much better looking posterior than mine. This isn’t a blah sport, it is enjoyable, it is fun, we love it, be bright show you are happy.

Another thing I have noticed which is also really great, more newbies. Yes, there are new people out there full of doubts as to what they are doing, full of questions and on a journey of long range fulfillment of life. Kudos if you have found these scribblings of semi-insanity.

The last thing that I have noticed and yes, like the other items I really like it, the snakes are not overwhelming yet. Due to the cooler weather they are just beginning to wake up keep your eyes open.

Ride Hard, Ride Safe, But Ride

Be Safe Out There

G