It's about the time all the leaves have come out on the trees when the "I'm going to be the next Lance Armstrongs" come out on the trails (heaven forbid they ride on the road). Their guns are blazing as they fly down the trail on their way to work. Then around the water cooler they brag about their 7 mile commuter, how they cut 30 seconds off of their ride from the day before and complain about the runners on the trail. Commuting by bike is not a race! Let's all say it together, commuting by bike is not a race. Amen.

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Today at 4pm there will be a ceremonial event to open the desperately need 3.1 miles of the new at the Betasso Preserve. Later this summer a connector tail from Four Mile Canyon will be created allowing riders who don't mind a little asphalt to make a wonderful loop ride out of Boulder. 303Cycling will attempt to ride the trail today to provide more feedback of the trail. If you ride this trail this week then please comment here on this story your opinion of how it was.

Schedule of events today

Grand opening schedule
2:30 p.m. – Nature hike from Betasso Trailhead to ceremony site.

3:15 p.m. – Time hikers should leave trailhead to reach the site in time.

3:30 p.m. – Shuttle van departs trailhead.

o The van is for people who are not able to hike or ride.
o Reservations are required. Contact Sukey Williams at swilliams@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6222.
o Van riders must still be able to make the 15-minute hike at the top.

3:40 p.m. – Time bikers should leave trailhead to reach the site in time.

4 p.m. – Ribbon-cutting ceremony and official trail opening!

July 1st, Mike Horgan HC Race heads up the Sugarloaf route

Sugarloaf may not be hardest climb in Boulder County but it isn't far behind. To the "summit" it gains 2735 feet of elevation in 9.6 miles so clearly isn't for the meek at heart. For many the "summit" is the highest point on paved road, however for those daring to ride some hard pack gravel, the road descends for a little over a mile then turns into gravel at a much lessor pitch than what the rider has just completed.

For those on a mountain bike or cross bike this ride opens up many other options besides the typical out-and-back. The most common alternative route takes the rider on the Switzerland Trail and who's entrance to that road is just to the right at the summit of the climb.

The ride up Sugarload starts on Boulder Canyon which has a Ok shoulder most of the way, the worst part about the entire ride is the 100ft of tunnel to ride through. Best advice is to have a tail light on your bike and use it while riding through. After the tunnel it's about a mile to the right hand turn up Sugarloaf. Just a 100 yards before Sugarloaf on the left is Magnolia which is THE hardest climb in Boulder County!.

At first the ride is mellow-ish but you will find that is gradually gets steeper as you become more exhausted and by the end it is fairly bare landscape and exposed due to a fire in the 80's. Once at the top a look back over the Boulder Valley is enough to tell you this climb was worth it... we hope.

From Bike Routes Boulder/Denver