May 27, 2022-Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the "redo" of part of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail here in Co. Springs, we got to lead the procession!

 For my second assignment as a BikeCOS Ambassador I was one of the 6 or so Ambassadors on hand for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the redo of a part of the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail! It was a many months' project, and it was truly needed! The old asphalt was buckled and potted, very bumpy! Now the whole section is smooth concrete! We were stagged on the bridge (new wood boards!!) and awaiting the mayor, city and parks dept. officials, running groups, bike groups, etc. to arrive. When the ceremony was finished a ribbon was held up across the bridge and we were signaled to proceed and officially open the trail for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend!! The odd thing was that "I", got to lead the procession, with my wife Jo behind so for me that was special!! 

We rode the whole section as it was the first time Jo got to ride on the improved trail, all the city planning, and the construction crews did a great job as it's now a JOY to ride even if you don't have suspension on your bike or trike!! There was a little after event gathering at Criterium Bike Shop which is right across the bridge and yes, it even has its own "Beer Tap Patio", LOL! We headed south to Panera Bread for unsweet iced teas, then headed home as the wind was picking up and the clouds gathered but never rained! 12 miles RT. :)

May 26, 2022-"She's BAACCKK"!! :)

 

Normally a weekly Food Run wouldn't be worth adding to the blog but this one was special! Due to a really bad reaction to the 2nd. Covid-19 Booster Shot (Pizer), Jo ended up in the hospital for 8 days then, had to use oxygen till she could see her Primary Care Doctor and be given the ok to go off the oxygen. That was a total of 24 days in May she couldn't ride her trike. So we added a bit to the ride by coming home, dropping off the food and the utility trailer and taking our brown bag lunch via the Pikes Peak Greenway to the Panera Bread where we got unsweet iced tea and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day! 15 miles RT but she had the SMILE back on her face! It was great to get my "ridding buddy" back, we took it easy as she will need some miles to get back the fitness and comfort while riding she had before. Didn't want to over do it so we just headed back over the Popcycle Bridge did our spin around the Fontanero St. Trailhead Lot and back to the apartment to put away food, etc. We've got some nice days ahead after 7 days of gray, cold, wind, snow and rain so TEAM SLOW we be putting on the miles!! :)

May 25, 2022-Early Bird Hike and Bike 5-8 AM at the Garden of the Gods Park

LOL, well being retired I rarely am up before 6 AM these days but I just joined up with BikeCOS  as a "Bike Ambassador" my first assignment was to help out with the Monthly Early Bird Hike and Bike at the Garden of the Gods Park. Well it starts at 5AM but our shift isn't till 6AM. That means I have to leave the apartment at 4AM to make sure I get there on my trike as we have NO CAR! Wow I haven't ridden in the DARK for a long time, infact I've never used my main light but that changed. Got the trike down the stairs and out in the dark and turned on the all the lights and was very pleased with my 500W head light! The Pikes Peak Greenway and the Sinton Trails are VERY dark so it was still kinda spooky. We had a heavy WIND storm a couple of days ago and it blew down a LOT of trees onto the trail but lucky for me the city forestery was up to the task and had both trails cleared all the way, YEA!

Pedaling in the dark looking for critters and obstacles, it was still very peaceful riding and I finally got to the Foothills Trail heading down into the Garden of the Gods Park as the dawn slowly was coming on. I was hoping for "Rover" duty but alas I was assigned parking lot and greeter which was ok but wow I got COLD after riding! The turnout they say was a little less than normal but there seemed like lots of runners and bike riders to me. These events are special as they stop all car traffic so the runners and bike riders can use the whole road thru the park! So all I have is a few photos from the parking lot but there not bad! 14 miles RT, lot's of climbing of short but steep uphill grades, headed home after it was over and even though it took me a while to warm up, I enjoyed getting up before the SUN going to start warming up over the next few days, YEA. Got another BikeCOS Ambassador assignment on Friday at 1 PM. It's nice to do what little I can to support area bicycling! :)