Denver Cycling Club (DCC)

Beautiful, varied ride with a couple hills thrown in to spice things up a bit and add a little challenge. Moderate pace - 12-14 mph.

This ride is a reverse lollipop, leaving from the Holiday Bar (FREE parking in back) and heading down Bear Creek Trail through Bear Creek Lake Park, up and over Mt Carbon (the easy way first) then along the wooded, winding section of Bear Creek.

We'll turn around at the 10-mile point for a total of 20 miles. About 1000 feet of elevation gain.

On the way back, riders can choose to take either the same hill over, or the other, somewhat more challenging route on the south side of the dam.

We'll all meet back at the Holiday for some drinks, food and stale popcorn. : ) Hoping for a sunny, spring day so we can hang out on the patios.

This event is cross-posted on The Good Life.

Ride Description: An "out and back" hill climb ride. Meaning that it is friendly for ALL levels since we literally all ride up the hill, get to the top, and turn around. We ride at our own pace (which is critical to having fun..no one is trying to kill each other; everyone is just out for fitness and truly does not care how fast or slow everyone else goes) Faster riders can go ahead and newer riders can ride at their own pace knowing that we will all see one another again because we all have to turn around and go back to the same starting point

Distance: It is a round trip ride. From the starting point/cars, it is 8 miles UP the hill. Then 8 miles back down the hill. So 8 miles of uphill and working hard and then 8 miles of relatively easy riding back down the hill to our cars. Basically 1700 feet vertical (or less if you just turn around!)

Fun Factor: This group strives to make sure that everyone has fun. No matter what level of experience. I personally want to make sure that every new person really knows that it matters to me that they showed up (because I know how hard it can be to just take that first ride with any group...and I do not want anyone to feel intimidated! No one cares how fast or slow you are or what you are wearing or whether or not this is your very first bike and ride ever:)

Weather Considerations: Two things in this area-first, darkness....in the early spring, we will have limited ride time due to early sunset. It is a canyon so when the sun goes down, it gets dark pretty fast. In early spring, I will set a time limit. In other words, I will request that everyone turns around at a certain time so we can get back to our cars in a safe manner. If you have blinky lights and reflective stuff, bring it!

Here is the necessary DISCLAIMER. In case you are unaware, bike riding on roads and trails have their inherent risks.

Risks include potential injury from cars, trees, the ground, other riders, dehydration, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, mechanical failures, etc.

Remember DCC's primary goals are SAFETY and having fun so please be aware of your environment.

Your involvement in group activities indicates that you understand these risks and acknowledge that you are responsible for your own health and well being while participating in pre/during/post ride activities related to this group. Please do your best to be prepared for rides.

This road bike ride will be WEATHER PERMITTING for the Fall/Winter so check back to make sure the ride is still on for the week and the start time. We'll decide on any additional 'features,' e.g., Valley Road, Dinosaur Ridge, Red Rocks, ... or none, based on who's riding. The ride is generally 35-45 miles.