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Every year I am required to refresh my patrol training as a volunteer for the Jefferson County Open Space. I enjoy these events, because I get to meet the other patrollers. There are 65 of us and you’d think we would see each other on a regular basis. However, there is so much open space in our county, that it’s very rare we run into one another. We all have our favorite parks and different times that we typically go out. This is the one time of the year, we get to share our stories, positives, and negatives.

Our training this year was at the top of Lookout Mountain, in the Nature Center. It’s been a mucky mess recently, but I figured I would give it a shot. I have this divining rod type of procedure I do. So far, I have not been wrong. I walk out of my office to the garden in back of the building. I press my fingers into the ground and smell the ground. Call me crazy, but I can always predict what will be dry and this was one of those occasions.

The climb up Chimney Gulch is rude, especially when it’s the first ride up of the season. You can see my dismal statistics here.

I’ll admit I had a few too many beers the night before, but I know when I’m TEH SUCK.

Regardless, the morning was actually perfect weather.

Yes, those are dry trails.  Told you I can predict it.  Even the top northern facing trails only presented a couple of snow drifts gently melting onto the trail.

I love this trail.  It’s all about my home town, Golden.  While I would drink the stuff if you paid me, it sure is an impressive view.

I huffed and puffed up the hill.  Maybe I just convinced myself it was a struggle.  I climb plenty of hills on the same bike.  Heck, I climb worse on a singlespeed, but I was just in a bad place.  None-the-less, onward I went.

Now let’s be far about my time going up.  I was patrolling, so I stopped and talked to every person I met.  I had some great conversations with some Dutch vacationers at the Windy Saddle parking area.  “Why are their so many bikers”, she said about the number of Roadies on the Lookout Mountain Road.  I explained the significance of it as a training ride, the loop they do, and that it would get worse as the temps go up.  The tourists were impressed and I pointed them to Coors for a tour and free beer.  Off they went and I snapped a pic of the dry conditions.

At the top, it was three hours of training, followed by a quick descent to BBQ and beer at home.

Descent info here.