Riding Black Ice

#followcamfriday from Chimney Gulch in Golden, Colorado with Mr. #lovesbackwheel, James Weingatren

After skiing for the last month, I was more than ready to start getting back out on my bike. With temperatures in the low 50's, Golden was looking mighty appealing. Tropical getaway, if you will. Sometimes I just need a break from the bike. Mentally and physically. Although I am "living the dream", a bit of time off the bicycle helps me stay fresh and motivated. Plus, skiing is rad. So, there's that. 

Winter riding in Denver is a mixed-bag situation. The sections of trail that remain in the shadows are typically snow-packed. When the snow gets enough traffic and some fluctuating temperatures, it turns to ice. Sprinkle some dirt on that ice and you basically have an accident waiting to happen. This makes what I would consider "mundane" sections of trail,  a bit more engaging. As a man who prefers to struggle, this makes me smile. 

I knew that James was the man for the job. My only Front-Range friend brave enough, skilled enough, and stupid enough to want to ride on the skating rink that is Chimney Gulch. When James is not risking life and limb in front of my lens for your viewing pleasure, he runs
Float.org 
Float runs a weekly tee shirt campaign, and donates a chunk of the proceeds to different animal charities. You like animals right? The holiday season is here, do the right thing.  

Pete the dog likes denver. After XC skiing for the last month, he is ready to basically not be freezing his ass off. Pete has short hair. Pete is cold always. He has a jacket but gets terribly self conscience when he wears it. The dogs with hair make fun of him. It's like when you show up for the XC ride and you decided that today was the day to wear full-body armor. Your spandex-clad xc friends might give you a hard time.  

Dear Pete, this is completely unacceptable and I wish I could cure you of this habit. Eventually, we are both going to get hurt because of you obsession with my tire. As  the delighted onlookers point and laugh, just remember that one of these days, this will end badly. 

But I digress. Where were we? Oh yeah, bikes. Chimney Gulch is often done as an out-and back or can easily be linked into Apex for a bit more mileage.  Apex has funny rules about what days you can ride on certain trails,in certain directions, so I typically steer clear. Chimney offers 1300ft of gain as an out and back and is a reasonable workout, especially when the climb is made even more challenging by the ice and snow. 

James rarely has to replace his front tire. For some reason, it just never wears out.... I can't figure it out. I replace mine every few weeks. I must be doing it wrong. #lovesbackwheel

Good work bru. Thanks for not dying on the ice on front of my camera. Nascar theory does not apply when I am filming. I am not secretly waiting for disaster, quite the opposite actually. Fortunately, James is a s solid as they come, and despite having a whole bunch of  moments, remained upright throughout the ride. Only a ninja can kill another ninja. I don't even know what that means, but somehow I find it fitting here... 

That look of satisfaction. Pete in his element.