Biking 2011

There will be several OTHG biking groups going out each week this summer (2010). Whatever kind of pedal powered biking you like to do, OTHG has a group that will probably suit your style. We will have the following types of group rides:

          - Road Biking – skinny tires on paved roads
          - Mountain Biking – (The Dirt Bags) hard core mountain biking on challenging terrain – ride with them if you can
          - Mellow-Plus Biking (road bikes or hybrids recommended)

OTHG road bike rides start on June 22nd and continue every Wednesday until September 14th. The first ride (the Prologue) is a short 25 mile ride around town. The rides then get progressively longer as we go through the summer season. There are a few rules that members need to be aware of:

- Helmets must be worn on all OTHG road bike rides.
- No earbuds or headphones (music or phone).
- No use of cell phones while riding.  Please pull off and stop to take or make a call.

A day or two before each ride I will send out an e-mail that describes the upcoming ride.  Initially I will be using the e-mail list for the 2010 season, so if you don't think you are on the list, or want to be added, please drop me a note at TeryeR@aol.com.

The OTHG Mountain Bikers (aka "Dirt Bags") ride the single track trails all over Routt County.  We ride every Tuesday and Thursday, starting when the trails are dry, and ending just before the trails are covered with snow. 

These rides are NOT for beginning mountain bikers.  If you are not sure your bike skills can handle the terrain, drop me a note at TeryeR@aol.com or call me (972) 965-6919 and we can discuss it.

We send out an e-mail the day before each ride, describing the trail and the meeting place.  Gordon Jones keeps the e-mail list, so drop Gordon a note at loghaus@comcast.net if you want to be added to the email list.        

This year's Mellow-Plus road bike rides will begin Tuesday, June 22 and continue into late summer.  Weather permitting; they will start from River Creek Park at 9 AM every Tuesday.  Generally the rides will be 20 - 30 miles long and in some cases, involve driving/SAGing out to a start/stop point.  These rides will be on pavement so road bikes or hybrids would be most appropriate but mountain bikes are welcome. These rides will NOT be supported and are leaderless.  To join the Mellow Plus group, just show up at River Creek Park by 9 AM on any given Tuesday that looks to be nice riding weather.  Participants will decide where to ride on the morning of each ride.  Suggestions for rides will be appreciated.  If you have any questions, call Franny Mervis at 879-5999.

The Mellow-Plus Biking group is establishing an e-mail list to notify people about upcoming rides.  If you want to be on the e-mail list you MUST send an e-mail to Jack Ferguson this year.  Last year's list is being purged as of about June 30, 2010.

As we start another fun season of biking, and in response to several requests, Jack Ferguson and the Downings have put together the following tentative schedule of this year’s Mellow Plus Road Bike Rides. More detailed information concerning each of the rides will be sent you before scheduled date of each of the rides.

These rides will be unsupported; you will be responsible for:

- getting to the ride and home again;
- for your own equipment including a bike helmet which we strongly suggest you wear whenever you are cycling;
- for riding within your ability and doing so safely;
- for not putting yourself or other riders at risk;
- as well as for all your other actions including obeying all safety and bike related rules and regulations.

In short, we want our outings together to be fun adventures but if you choose to ride with us it is safety first; it is your responsibility and no one else’s.

All of the rides will be on Tuesday.  All the rides will leave River Creek Park at 9 AM.  If the comment section of a ride calls for us to SAG/drive to a parking area, we will caravan from River Creek Park at 9 AM to the parking area where we will leave our vehicles, off load our bikes and start our bike ride from.  In regard to SAG/drive days you may want to car pool.  If so, it is up to you to make your own arrangements.

All rides are weather dependent.  If the weather appears or is projected to be doubtful the day a ride you will be sent an E-mail canceling that day’s ride by 8 AM on the morning of the ride.

In prior years many of us lunched together following a ride and on most occasions were joined by some of our non-riding spouses and friends. We will plan on similar lunches this year.  Lunch plans will be made by those present on the day of the ride.