The Mongolia Chronicles: Top 2 Commutes of the last 25 years

Photo Albums

Panama 2006

In the spirit of adventure and having new experiences together, the Missus and I rolled the dice on some informal recomendations and an ad from the back of Surfer Magazine for a 'Private Surf Island' off the coast of Panama. Suffice to say - we had a great, diverse crew on the island, scored some of the best - and longest waves - I have ever ridden and already have the island booked for next year. This is the DL from Morro Negrito - 2006.

'Round The Hood

So, we live at 8,040 feet. We commute via bike some 17 - odd miles and 3,200 feet of vertical down to Boulder, most days. On the other days, we are running, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, drinking beer in the meadows and ridges around the house. The natural environment is something we are immersed in every day. This album is an attempt at reflecting on and capturing some of the beauty that we are immersed in every day. After a decade and a half of this - I am just getting warmed up and feel like a tourist seeing it for the first time every day. All these photos are in the hood - in the yard. It's a hellofa yard.

Snow

Being that we live at 8,040 feet, weather, and snow are both a huge part of life. We shovel it, ride through it, ride on it, pray for it, curse it. We love it. Whether it's burying the ramp, blowing into hug lip launches at Edlora or carrying us over a cornice in some distant part of the state - it is a huge part of our constitution.

January 12, 2015

Top 2 Commutes of the last 25 years

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There are many different ways to assess a commute. A simple ride to the office as it were. I have ridden in almost every condition conceivable over the last 25 years. Rain, snow, sleet. I've been hit, run off the road; one-legged it in with a gaping wound that reqired three layers of stitches. I have high-sided and blown up a camelback on impact, been chased by bears and tree'd by a moose. So, as I pedaled up our sunny road this am in icy fog with about an inch of new snow over ice, I ecpected the ride would be a bit - 'sporty'.

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The views above the inversion we amazing. Temp somewhere around 20. Super high humidity, but I was dressed for it and stoked on the first half of the ride. The decent on Magnolia was fine, until I hit the fog. The temp felt like it dropped about 10 degrees and there was a coating of ice on everything. The combo of ice, water from where they salted and fog and temp...crazy. When I finally was able to get off Boulder canyon and onto the creek path I slid straight across, slammed sideways and just kept sliding. There was a solid 1/4 inch of sheet ice on the path. Here's to Phat Bikes and getting lucky and not getting hurt this am!!!