Fifteen Miles

We made one more ride, getting started. We were going to go twelve miles, over to the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail then up to the Rockrimmon Trail and back.

It was another beautiful day but breezy, in the high 60's. There were joggers out as well as other cyclists all up and down the trail.

The trail north of the Sinton Trail turn off was new to me. Actually there are two trails, and we ended up on the Front Range Trail. The Pikes Peak Greenway traverses, I think, on Sinton Road. So we stayed on the path, and were able to avoid automobile traffic.

On the North side of Garden of the Gods Road we notice the work of some beavers. We had never seen any nor had we considered that there might be urban beavers in Colorado Springs. But the downed and gnawed trees were undeniable. And some were fresh.

The trail bridges Fountain Creek several times. At the first crossing after passing under I-25 I had heard some cyclists behind us so instead of turning up the trail I went straight. There were four cyclists traveling in a group, their colors gave them away. They were appreciative that they could get by so easily.

We ended up going up past Woodman Road. Rough figuring, we would travel about fifteen miles. This would be about a week ahead on our schedule for weekly increases in distance.

At a trail map near a trailhead Pi Guy was ready to head back. It was quite warm so Pi Guy doffed his sweatshirt I took off my jacket. But when we got back to the place we had pulled of for the group of cyclists earlier. We pulled off again to put warmer clothing because of the wind.

It was then that I noticed that there was a retail bicycle shop right there. Criterium Bicycles, who knew? It's on Corporate Drive, if you're driving.

Somewhere along the ride there was a sign announcing that there was an intention to complete a bicycle trail extending from Wyoming to New Mexico. A ride for another time.

Good ride. I had been concerned that Pi Guy wasn't going to be able to keep up, he is always in a following position. Several times during this ride he pulled up to mention observations of interest, an abandoned soccer field, and a larger animal scurrying away in the brush. He's doing well.

Warmer, we headed home. This happened last weekend.