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View Full Version : Buffalo Creek / Wool Weenies!



jessmarimba
05-28-2012, 07:56 AM
First of all - Estes Park Wool Market! (http://www.estesparkcvb.com/events.cfm?mode=cat_overview&listing_cat_id=1437&utm_source=9news.com&utm_medium=300x250&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=wool%2Bmarket) This looks so cool! Just a public service announcement for any other local wool weenies.

But secondly - I think it would be fun to have a casual, slower-paced mountain bike meet up at Buffalo Creek & then maybe grab some food. Anyone interested? I don't do technical and I get kind of skittish with fast downhills, but I love it out there and I think it would be more fun to ride with people! I'd be happy to ride the forest service roads or singletrack depending on interest/skill level. Let me know if anyone is interested & I'll start putting something together!

Artista
05-30-2012, 07:57 AM
I'd be interested in a group ride. Have you ridden Buffalo Creek in the last year? I just read some reviews on that single track and lots of people commented on how much sand there was.

jessmarimba
05-30-2012, 08:54 AM
It's my favorite place to ride, though I don't get a whole lot of variety in on the trail choices. I was out last weekend for the first time since last fall.

Colorado Trail from the pay parking lot is less sandy and more shaded, but where there are trees there are roots. Still nothing I would consider technical. I usually do Sandy Wash to Homestead out of the free lot in Buff Creek and it is definitely...sandy. BUT, I don't find it too over-the-top if I lower my tire pressure a little. There aren't a lot of sharp turns to send you over the trail and very few steep downhills (especially without an immediate rise on the opposite side) so I don't find it as scary as lots of sand could be. I was able to stop every time I wanted to. Climbing gets a little energy-sucking but maybe I'm just out of shape :D

Artista
05-30-2012, 09:32 AM
It's the energy-sucking part about sand that gets me. It always feels like I'm riding through a vat of pudding.

I haven't minded roots on the trails that I normally ride. I'd be surprised if the roots at Buffalo Creek are much different, but I've been surprised before.

"Steep", straight, downhills don't bother me too much but I guess "steep" is relative. Really steep uphills make me more nervous than downhills.

I've been known to cheerfully walk trail sections that make me nervous. I just don't like holding up other people that I'm riding with if/when I walk.

jessmarimba
05-31-2012, 02:12 PM
Oh, I'll gladly walk just about anything now :) Mostly downhill, but sometimes I get stuck on these short uphills. We'll have to figure out a time to get out there. Hopefully we can get a few more to join in!

Artista
06-01-2012, 05:46 AM
I have a friend who would love to join us. She's a fitness trainer and triathlete so she's a super strong rider but has a lot to learn about mtn biking. She just picked up her mtn bike last Saturday. I think she's hit the trails every day since!

I should clarify about the sand. It's the super fine stuff that's several inches deep that goes on for miles that I really don't like. I've given up riding Greenland because the horses have turned most of the trails into fine, deep, sand. There are some areas at Ridgeline that people call sandy but those areas have only a shallow layer of coarse sand or fine gravel. I don't mind riding through that.

jessmarimba
06-01-2012, 08:35 AM
Thats what this stuff is - I think of it more as kitty litter than beachy sand.

Now I just need to find free time to make this work :) I just booked a trip to Bozeman for work so my best weekend just disappeared. I'll have to think about it a little more when I'm not sick (ANOTHER cold, blech).

solobiker
06-02-2012, 11:05 AM
Went there with DH today. I like riding there because there is quite a bit of variety. We got in about 18 miles which for me is not too bad considering it is my first time out on a bike since last year ( not including my short commute to/from work). The sandy areas were not too bad. My legs are sure out of shape for some of the climbs though:).

Artista
06-02-2012, 02:03 PM
Eighteen miles with climbs for your first ride of the season is pretty impressive. Are you going to try to join us on the group ride?

solobiker
06-08-2012, 01:11 PM
Eighteen miles with climbs for your first ride of the season is pretty impressive. Are you going to try to join us on the group ride?

I was thinking about it....although I am not the fastest rider and I have a not so fun back that bothers me often so I sometimes have to slow down ( if that is even possible :) ) or walk to stretch it out. I also have to walk some of the more "technical" spots. I wouldn't want to hold any of you guys up. :)

We rode there today ( took a much needed day off from work) and we got in a little over 20 miles. There was a fair amount of climbing involved and for whatever reason the deeper sandy areas were hard for me today. Most of the trails were great and fun.

jessmarimba
06-08-2012, 01:38 PM
Yeah you don't sound like you'd be holding me up at all. My climbing isn't so great and I'm right there with ya on the technical stuff.

But between two running races and work trips for the next two weekends (not this weekend) I'm kinda stuck for right now. Anyone interested in Sunday, July 1 or 8?

Artista
06-08-2012, 02:28 PM
It sounds like the 3 of us are pretty well matched. None of us think that we ride uphill very fast and we're all good with walking technical stuff that makes us nervous. I sure wouldn't mind waiting for anyone on the off chance that I was faster at anything. I've had the good fortune to meet both of you and I'm guessing that you two would feel the same way. Let's just go have fun:)

July 1 works for me but July 8 does not.

solobiker
06-08-2012, 04:09 PM
Let me check with DH to make sure there is nothing planned that I am not aware of. Which trails and what mileage are you two thinking? We rode the CT which was pretty fun, the Morrison Creek Trail was fun...we took both up and down. I thought going up was going to be tougher then it was..I had to walk one small section.

Artista
06-08-2012, 06:08 PM
I'll defer to you and Jess on the trail selection since I've never been there. I also don't know about mileage since we usually track our mtn bike rides by time. I think that I'd be hard pressed to spend more than 3 hours in the saddle depending on the climbs, sand and heat. Three hours in the saddle would equate to a longer outing depending on our stops. I'd be good with a shorter ride, too, particularly if it's blazing hot.

solobiker
06-08-2012, 06:22 PM
I agree about the heat...I don't do too well once it starts to get hot. DH and I when we ride usually get a fairly early start to beat the heat.

Artista
06-09-2012, 11:50 AM
We rode there today ( took a much needed day off from work) and we got in a little over 20 miles. There was a fair amount of climbing involved and for whatever reason the deeper sandy areas were hard for me today. Most of the trails were great and fun.

We rode Ridgeline today for the first time after Wednesday night's storm. The rain washed lots of sand and gravel onto the trails. I've never seen it so sandy. I wonder if the same thing happened at Buffalo Creek and that's why it seemed harder to you.

solobiker
06-09-2012, 05:01 PM
We rode Ridgeline today for the first time after Wednesday night's storm. The rain washed lots of sand and gravel onto the trails. I've never seen it so sandy. I wonder if the same thing happened at Buffalo Creek and that's why it seemed harder to you.

Good idea...maybe that is what happened. I have never ridden Ridgeline, how is it? I looked it up online and it looks pretty fun. From the directions it looks like it is about 30 min south of NW Denver...does that sound about right to you? Maybe we can meet up there sometime (if I can find it :))

Artista
06-09-2012, 07:56 PM
Ridgeline is a lot of fun. It's about 10 miles of trails with some nice variety. None of the technical stuff is beyond intermediate although there are some short, steep hills that I can't ride up yet.

The trails are actually about 35-40 minutes SW of downtown Denver. The trails are only 2 miles from my house which is why we ride Ridgeline so often.

I was planning to invite you and Jess and any other TE'ers who wanted to join us on a Ridgeline ride some weekend after we do Buffalo Creek. We could come back to my house after the ride for some cool pasta salad and lots of water:)

solobiker
06-10-2012, 01:27 PM
I may not be able to make it on the 1st..DH and I may be out camping. I would love to live that close to some mtn biking trails..oh well:o Hope we can meet up and do some riding there or someplace else. Lets all keep in touch.:)

Artista
06-10-2012, 02:46 PM
So what about 7/22, or 7/29? Both are Sundays (as opposed to sundaes;))

jessmarimba
06-10-2012, 03:40 PM
I'm running a 14.5 mile "half marathon" up Vail ski slopes on the 22, but I'll be free on that Saturday if I don't totally kill my legs (but that race is going to hurt regardless). I can do Saturdays most other weekends too, but it would be afternoon and after running so I'd be even slower and it would be warmer. :D

There has to be one day that works, right?

solobiker
06-10-2012, 04:04 PM
Those both sound good to me.

solobiker
06-10-2012, 04:05 PM
So what about 7/22, or 7/29? Both are Sundays (as opposed to sundaes;))

LOL..Thanks...now I want some icecream.:)

Artista
06-10-2012, 04:32 PM
Jess, would Sunday the 29th be better for you?

Artista
06-10-2012, 04:33 PM
LOL..Thanks...now I want some icecream.:)
How about after our ride:D

solobiker
06-10-2012, 04:36 PM
Sounds good!!!

Jess..you are quite the running machine:D

Artista
06-10-2012, 05:05 PM
Jess..you are quite the running machine:D
I think you both are impressive runners! I'm not even running right now. Maybe again in the fall.

jessmarimba
06-10-2012, 05:21 PM
Sounds good!!!

Jess..you are quite the running machine:D

I signed up for the Pikes Peak ascent...I'm paying the price.

But I'd rather suffer moderately now than really suffer during that one!

Also finally enjoying a running season that (knock on wood) isn't currently hampered by broken bones :D First since 2009.

7/29 works for me! Maybe I'll have to come try Ridgeline in the meantime. I also totally fell for the Marshall Mesa/Doudy Draw area yesterday, if you guys are ever up near Boulder.

solobiker
06-10-2012, 05:25 PM
I could make that sometime Jess. We live aobut 25-30 min from there. If memory serves me right I think we kind of live close to each other..I am in NW Denver. Would any evenings work for you guys for any of the local trails?

Artista
06-10-2012, 06:09 PM
Sounds like 7/29 is a date! Any other TE'ers want to join us?

We sometimes ride Ridgeline after work since it's so close to home but I don't usually do well with driving to ride late in the day. Let me know if you set up an evening ride, though, and I'll join you if my day hasn't been too stressful.

We've done Marshall Mesa a couple of times. I like riding it clockwise which puts the very fun, rocky, downhill at the end. I'm not so crazy about riding up the rocky section although I may be better at it this year now that I'm a lot stronger.

Jess, PM if you're going to come out to Ridgeline before the 7/29. I'll ride it with you if I'm free.

solobiker
06-10-2012, 06:20 PM
let me know if you guys ride Ridgeline..I would love to join in.:)

Artista
06-10-2012, 06:40 PM
Would you two like to do Ridgeline on the 29th rather than Buffalo Creek? I'm open to either trail.

jessmarimba
06-11-2012, 05:47 AM
the very fun, rocky, downhill at the end.

hahahahaha "fun" and "downhill" are never in the same sentence where I'm concerned :) We rode up first, then crossed 93 to ride some trails over there and finished counter-clockwise.

I'll have to see if I can make it down near you guys. I sometimes leave work early but I have this feeling that I-25 would be pretty terrible to drive down during the week regardless of what time I leave. Or is it better during the week than on weekends? I hate that road.

Artista
06-11-2012, 06:10 AM
I think that I-25 would be too slow during the week to drive here after work. I was suggesting that you and Solo may want to ride Ridgeline on Sunday 7/29 rather than Buffalo Creek. I'm good with riding either trail so I'll let you two decide where you want to ride.

I must be the only rider in the world who gets more nervous about the super-steep uphills than downhills. I've come close to crashing more often on these steep uphills than downhills and even managed to break my ankle riding up one of these hills.

solobiker
06-11-2012, 02:15 PM
I think that I-25 would be too slow during the week to drive here after work. I was suggesting that you and Solo may want to ride Ridgeline on Sunday 7/29 rather than Buffalo Creek. I'm good with riding either trail so I'll let you two decide where you want to ride.

I must be the only rider in the world who gets more nervous about the super-steep uphills than downhills. I've come close to crashing more often on these steep uphills than downhills and even managed to break my ankle riding up one of these hills.

That sounds good to me...the 29 down in your neck of the woods.

As for getting nervous about the uphills....that is me. I usually fall on the uphills not the down hills and get pretty bruised up. I can't imagine how bad i would injure myself if I actually had some speed going when I fall.:eek: Hope I didn't just jinx myself.

Artista
06-11-2012, 07:06 PM
What's your preference on the 29th, Jess? Buffalo Creek or Ridgeline?

jessmarimba
06-11-2012, 08:52 PM
I'm fine with whatever! Sorry, my brain is melting right now. So glad I have a mini-vacation planned this weekend...except that it isn't really planned, and I don't have time to plan it.

solobiker
06-12-2012, 03:33 PM
LOL Jess :-) Hope you find time to plan something fun!!

Artista
06-12-2012, 06:01 PM
Cool! Ridgeline it is.

Have a good time this weekend, Jess.

Artista
07-22-2012, 07:14 PM
Are we still on for Ridgeline next Sunday?

jessmarimba
07-22-2012, 07:29 PM
I'm still game to go but will be totally out of shape :)

Artista
07-23-2012, 05:33 AM
I don't believe that you're out of shape. Maybe you aren't in the shape that you'd like to be in but not out of shape.

We finally got out of our backyard and did a portion of Indian Creek yesterday. It kicked my butt both aerobically and technically. When I got home, I discovered that Indian Creek is considered advanced.

Now I have something to compare Ridgeline too. I'd call Ridgeline mostly easy with a few moderately technical sections. I don't think that any of the extended climbs are much more than about 1/2 mile but there are some pretty steep sections on some of the climbs. It will take us about 2 hours to ride most of the trails and that includes frequent, short, breaks to rest and regroup. I'll have to take a few breaks before and/or after some of the steep sections and there is a technical switchback that I won't ride yet. I'm hoping that you and Solo don't get bored waiting for me;)

jessmarimba
07-23-2012, 06:43 AM
I guess I should've said I'm not in bike shape :) How 'bout I just run up the climbs? I am running 18 miles on Saturday but at least they'll be flat, so I should be ok on the bike.

Looking forward to it!

Artista
07-23-2012, 07:05 AM
I guess I should've said I'm not in bike shape :) How 'bout I just run up the climbs?
Nooooo! Then you'll really beat me up the hills;)