Cause it burns burns burns...

You know it has been a good adventure when it has technically only been two weeks since you left, but you can't remember life prior to the trip. Has it been weeks, months or years since I left? All I can say for certain is in my absence I missed out on the Vancouver contingent of the World Naked Wide Ride.

I find moments such as these are a common occurrence anytime riding I have been riding in the desert. Although I grew up in the temperate rain forests of the Canadian West Coast, I find myself inextricably drawn to the Southwestern deserts of the United States. It's not an exotic travel destination that the urban elite. Instead, it is a dry, barren, dusty and expansive area that is sparcely populated by often odd quirky people. Yet, this barren and desolate area seems epitomize the quest for life and adventure. Such notions became lucidity to me while passing burning cars and riding epics single track in the high desert of the Eastern Colorado.

PHOTO ALBUM

Week #1

My first week was spent attending a workshop at CSU jamming too much information into my pea sized brain, followed by a good chaser or 3 of beer in the hotel bar. Although the course was great for my grad project, like all things in life there is a cost. The more information you jam into an enclosed space, the more other information is displaced. I still can't remember my full given birth name. Also in order to get any rides in during my stay at Fort Collins I had rise at the ungodly hour of 5:30 am, but it was well worth the pain (Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3). Plus the foot hills in Fort Collins provided an amazing view (Foothills Panorama) and interesting people.

Week #2

Sometimes I wonder if I go for an X-ray the doctor will come in and ask me how I got such a large horse shoe stuck up my ass.

As soon as the workshop was over I rented a car and headed off to explore and ride parts of Colorado. But before I headed out I stopped in at Lee's Cyclery and before I knew it Downhill Mike was traveling with me down to Fruita(600 mile round trip) since he just happened to have 4 days off.

But first I had a day to kill before I headed North to Poudre Canyon (Pic 1, Pic 2 ) for some camping and riding; again my luck was good. When I was riding at Dadd Gulch I met a couple riders (Mac and Chris) who not only agreed to guide me around the best rides in the area (Beaver Meadows) but they were also good friends Downhill Mike well. Now Fort Collins isn't a tiny town (115, 000 people). So what is the chance? Chris even put me up for a night and gave me food and beer.

Fruita, CO... Look Out

Fruita Singletrack

Spending time in the Southwest desert always seems to prove interests in one way or another. For example, I don't thing we were in Fruita more than an hour when we found the burning car. We are driving from Fruita to the Book Cliffs camping area. Its a quite farm road and all of a sudden 2 trucks blow our doors off, while giving us a crazy stare. Creepy enough but then we spotted the smoke in the distance. When we got up close the car was in full flames. We even phoned the cops to report it, to the shagrin of this old lady who thought we were had come to her door to kill and rob her. I don't think the cops ever showed up to investigate. I guess burning cars is the norm here.

The single track in Fruita was outstanding XC riding. Fast , swooping, air time , and endless. Combining the Grand Junction, Fruita and Rabbit Valley areas (all within about 20 miles of each other on the I-70) there is at least 50+ tails that the Fruita Fat Tyre Guide details; I am sure there are way more than that. The camping was also outstanding in the Book Cliffs area. Its 10 min north of downtown Fruita, its free, there was nobody there and a number of trail heads were within 100 feet of the camping spot. Actually, there was one other person camping there, Warren, who happened to work down at the only bikeshop in Fruita. Why pay rent when you can camp in the desert?

Also it should be noted that the area consisted of some prime single speeding terrain, as evident by the strong local contingent of single speed riders.

After riding a number of trails and running into some a crazy lizard (a collard lizard), my time was up way too early. Back in the Fort Collins area I did get to ride Horse Tooth, but I missed out on the Boulder, CO riding. Oh well, it was a short trip and I knew I wouldn't be able to do everything.

One last night in Fort Collins

In my last night in Colorado I ended up hitting downtown Fort Collins with Chris and Mike. Took in some chilli pepper brewed beer then I somehow ended up on a religious television show. I am sure they have a bad opinion of Canadians now... opps. After that I ended up swing dancing in the downtown square, although I have no frickin idea how to swing dance... I still don't. Its funny what women can make you do.

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Summary

I had a good time in Colorado and if given the opportunity I would definitely see if I can go back and do some work out at CSU, Fort Collins. The people were friendly, there were lots of epic rids and best of all there are more than a couple of hotties that work at Lee's Cyclery. April... if you are reading this I know we exchanged maybe 20 words, 16 of them mine, and although I have absolutely no evidence that you like me I just wanted to say that I think I love you. If you come to Vancouver give me a shout and I will show you some of the fine XC epics out this way, like Hornby Island. Yes, its one 'b' away.

Hey, what are you looking at, I am having a moment here...