Category: Community
The Future of Cycling Tours? This Might Be One Way–We Ride 4’s Tour of Colorado
Submitted by Bill Plock on August 10th, 2020The We Ride 4 Cycling Club just completed a four day mountain tour starting and stopping in Crested Butte with overnights in Buena Vista, Salida and Gunnison. Twenty two riders rode the loop culminating with a favorable tailwind on the wide shouldered highway between Gunnison and Crested Butte on Sunday.
Many of the members have ridden Ride the Rockies for years. With that ride cancelled this year, they decided to form their own version of a mountain tour and do a Covid friendly smaller group ride. Founder and director, Sharon Madison decided to organize this ride not only for fun but to raise money for the clubs charity of choice, The Cottonwood Institute. The club raised $15,000 which also included a live auction via zoom on the third night at the hotel in Gunnison. The team gathered for dinner and bid, and won several items. Read more
550 Mile Bikepacking on Colorado Trail–Go Sasha Underwood! Learn Her Why and What She’s Most Excited About
Submitted by Bill Plock on August 6th, 2020August 6th, Littleton: Sasha Underwood started her solo bike journey today and is planning to ride the Colorado Trail in ten days. That’s over 50 miles of single track, hike-a-bike, not easy riding every day. All of that while carrying everything she needs; clothes, food, tent, sleeping bag, tools, stove, hydration supplies, and a lot of mental toughness and grit! She did mail ahead some food to a couple of towns along the way but otherwise is self supported.
What I’m most excited about: I’m ready to reset; my spiritual place and where I am centered and truly connected is on trails deep in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. No matter what time of year. To experience this for 10-14 days is going to be amazing. I’m also so excited for star-gazing! I was hoping for a full moon but that happened Aug 3rd. I’m also really excited to see if my hodgepodge bike set-up will actually work for 500+ miles haha Read more
Stages is Hiring; Production Technician
Submitted by Bill Plock on August 6th, 2020Stages offers you the opportunity to work within the bike industry in an environment of like-minded people. Our company is growing!! We are looking for great people to join our team who are committed to living out our core values – Agile, Listening, Passionate, Creative, Intelligent – all in an innovative environment. Read more
Mt. Evans Best 14er Climb? We Think So and Here’s Why
Submitted by Bill Plock on August 3rd, 2020Ok. Mt Evans wins as the best climb (not the hardest) in Colorado but not only for the one big reason you might think. Yes, thanks to Covid and not allowing cars vastly improves the experience, but there are some other factors why I believe Mt. Evans tops Pikes Peak for the top 14er climb. But it’s like choosing chocolate–there is no bad choice. Read more
Peace of Mind Cycling, Running, Triathlon, Kayaking, Climbing a 14er, You Name it, You are Covered?
Submitted by Bill Plock on July 31st, 2020Endurance athlete Jay Paul and some friends wanted better insurance protection when they were doing some epic endurance events like the Cloud City Wheelers race where Jay was pictured here. or something like the Triple Bypass. Says Jay, “Even though races and events generally are covered with some sort of insurance, there are still gaps and with most people nowadays having high deductible health coverage, an accident competing or training can take a lot of money out of your pocket, especially training when only your health care coverage protects you. So we wanted to come up with an on demand insurance product that pays you cash if you are injured.” Read more
Steve Clagg, Lived Life to the Fullest…and Then Some, You Are Missed
Submitted by Bill Plock on July 27th, 2020Does death reflect life or define a life or just mark the end of one? Steve Clagg lived life to the fullest and to the end; he died as he lived. He passed away on June 17th in a bike crash as he lost control descending Kerr Gulch and died instantly upon impact. He was with a group, but they had spread out and there were no witnesses and it’s not known how he crashed. His tires were not flat and no cars were known to be in the area and there were no other obvious possible causes. But no doubt he was doing something he loved until the end. His life revolved around cycling in many more ways than just riding. Read more
The Bike Race That Made Me Show Up For Myself
Submitted by Bill Plock on July 27th, 2020At the lip of the hill, I imagined plummeting to my paralysis, slamming my face against toothed rocks, breaking my neck, and wrapping my body around a tree trunk.
At the lip of the hill, I imagined plummeting to my paralysis, slamming my face against toothed rocks, breaking my neck, and wrapping my body around a tree trunk. Read more
Barry Bonds, Gates Corp., FirstBank, VF Corp., Zwift join Colorado Classic to Financially Support Women Cyclists,
Submitted by Bill Plock on July 24th, 2020“I’m looking forward to supporting the Colorado Classic by riding in the #WeRide For Women fundraising ride on Zwift. I have been a team sponsor and fan of Women’s Cycling for years and applaud the management and sponsors of Colorado Classic for their continued efforts to showcase and financially support our athletes,” said Barry Bonds. Read more
Loveland Pass Hit and Run Survivor–How He is Doing Now in His Words
Submitted by Bill Plock on July 21st, 2020Too often we see headlines or hear reports of a cyclist being hit by someone driving a car. Unfortunately all too often we (media) seem to move on to the next story and those in the cycling community don’t really get updates on the victim’s condition or what’s happening with the investigation. Sometimes its not possible to know, or sometimes the cyclist would rather not share for privacy or legal reasons.
The days following the accident have been a rollercoaster of emotions. I expect that will continue for the next few weeks. I feel I am slowly coming to grips with my new reality. Read more
Triple Bypass Weekend a Time to Remember Our Why
Submitted by Bill Plock on July 11th, 2020Riding for Jeff this weekend would’ve marked the 32nd annual Triple Bypass ride. Thousands of riders would have bravely ridden over 3 gorgeous mountain passes –Juniper, Loveland and Vail for a total of 120 miles and over 10,000’ of climbing. This epic ride started with a group of avid cyclists and friends. One July day in 1988, this group decided it would be fun and challenging to ride from Evergreen to Vail, Colorado. 32 years and thousands of more friends later, the Triple Bypass is an iconic ride for cyclists in Colorado, the US and beyond. For some, it’s a “one and done”. For others, it’s an annual tradition. For one group of friends, 2020 was going to a very special reunion. A pilgrimage in memory of a dear friend (Jeff Gockley) that introduced them to the Triple years ago. In light of COVID, this pilgrimage for Jeff will have to wait. Though the Triple is cancelled this year, you can’t cancel the community and people behind it. Read more