The Inaugural Ride

The inaugural training ride for Pi Guy and me started as a family ride to the Dog Tooth Cafè, with us taking advantage of more warm weather. (This time the gelato selections were orange, watermelon and kiwi.)

We left Lucy and Blue Jay to return the way we came, while Pi Guy and I went along Columbia, to the west. We continued until we had access to the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail from Culubra Avenue.

From that access point, just north of Uintah, we headed south, and unnecessarily crossed Fountain Creek to be closer to I-25. It was fortunate, however, for two reasons. One was to see the pedestrian/bicycle I-25 overpass access. The other reason is that there are public restrooms there, and I had been concentrating on my water consumption.

This is a view south from the bicycle trail in Monument Valley Park. The Star Gate portal is in Cheyenne Mountain, straight ahead.

We continued south on the trail crossing another excellent pedestrian bridge.

One result from our exploration was the realization that if the creek rises, a low concrete bridge taking us back to the west side of the creek will be under water. This would cause a pursuit of other routes.

From the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail we found the I-25 underpass to 8th street. And confirmed it with the Colorado Springs Trails Network Map. Another underpass, 8th Street, allowed us to get on the other side of 8th, and avoid the traffic.

The trail curled tightly to the right and climbed to the elevation of the street, and just about 100 ft. more to the south was a gravel trail that announced access to Bear Creek Park. Rode on this trail to, nearly, Bear Creek Park.

We doubled back taking a small detour at the Confluence Park. (Actually we were trying to find a way to the Penrose Library.) Unless we got onto trafficked streets there was no way to cross the rail yard. So we headed north, trail wise, passing under Bijou Street, then found the trail down the east side of the railroad tracks into downtown.

Briefly stopping at the library, we loaded books up in the backpack and headed back home.

This part of the trail passes by the Colorado College athletic fields, and through the Monument Valley Park. And you hardly notice that the deciduous trees have no leaves. The creek is well maintained and peaceful, at least now before the snow runoff.

We traveled about twelve miles.