Color Country Cycling Club Newsletter

Want to do something new?
Want to add a little variation to your mountain biking?
Go Ride a Historic Trail!

Steve and I we took on the challenge and rode the Duncan Springs Historic Trail located north of the town of New Harmony. According to Marian Jacklin of the Forest Service this trail was made prior to 1905. This makes it a Historic Trail. Marian says “It is a Hellasiously Steep Bugger,” and its main purpose was to get to a spring. In the old days, “Duncan Springs” was the only water source for miles.
We made this ride a 30 mile loop by starting in the town of New Harmony and riding up the canyon to the summit, then down past the Historic Grants Ranch. From there, we went over to the Page House Ranch which is another Utah Historical Landmark. Then up the Pinto Road about four miles to the North Trail head. This is across the road from the trail head of some must see Indian pictographs. From there we went up and over the mountain and back down the other side to the South Trailhead. We had the good fortune of doing this on a beautiful fall day and the leaves and views from the top were spectacular. It is a “Hellasiously” steep trail in sections and so we did about a mile of hike a biking. The rest is very ride-able and the downhill on the south side was super fun!!! This is a technical ride – so be prepared!!! Also be prepared for some bushwacking.
Kendall Benson a former resident of New Harmony said this trail was also used to connect the old Ranches – Pages Ranch, Woolsey Ranch, and Grants Ranch. It is mainly used now days for hiking and hunting. The Pine Valley District has been doing clean up on the trail and posted new signs at the trail heads. It is very easy to find and was a fun adventure, not to mention a historical experience. And now that we have made you want to go ride it – too bad! You’ll have to wait until spring. But go check out other historic trails in your area and around the nation and add some variation to your mountain biking.
Your new V.P. – Holly Hadley

Click here more photos of this trail.

We met at Freestyle Pizza. Thanks once again to Steve M. Chad, Craig, John, Holly, Steve, Quinn, and Jeff attended the meeting.
Our new President Chad Horman took over and did a great job.
Jeff went over the club financials.
We talked about doing some things different starting in 2012 to help with a declining membership. We hope to have some more diverse riding options to bring more club members out on rides, both road and mountain biking.
We talked about starting a Facebook page.
We also talked about a possible Christmas party on Dec. 10th.

Check out this race through a village in Chile. Buckle up. Enlarge to full screen for the best view.

VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo.

We met at Freestyle Pizza. Those present were Steve, John, Chad, Marnie, Brent, Ron, Lasse, Craig, Jeff Heyboom and the proprietor, Steve. Lonnie was excused.

Storage Unit: The club recently switched storage units. After a report of an alleged break in at the previous storage unit, club members who typically attend the meetings were given a chance, via email, to vote to determine what our best course of action should be. It was decided that we would relocate to a more secure storage unit. The new unit has a keyed access gate, similar individual locking capability and is better lit and will cost the club substantially less than the old unit. The new unit was procured and after a course and general inventory to determine whether any major items were missing, the move of club belongings was made. It is the club’s desire that those who need access to the storage unit have it and a club policy is being developed to best address how to do that.

Club insurance: Lasse is to check on the status of the club’s insurance. It is believed to be through the League of American Wheelmen.

Financial and other policies: Jeff was tasked with writing up the club’s financial policy. Both the storage unit and financial policies will be posted to the club’s websites along with any other future policies that are deemed necessary.

Reimbursements: Craig was reimbursed for the club’s new post office box. Ron was reimbursed for storage unit rental. Both reimbursements had been approved in advance.

Legacy rides: We talked about legacy rides we want to continue in 2011. These include St. George to Mesquite and Back (March 26), the Color Country Century (tentatively May 14), The Killer Loop (to be advertised in Cycling Utah and on the mountain side, the Rainbow Rim (tentatively August 12 & 13).

We will be changing the philosophy for advertising mountain bike rides to see how it works (the current system isn’t working well). It is thought that two Saturdays each month will be set aside for a mountain ride, but due to changing weather and trail conditions, no particular ride would be advertised. Instead, a name and contact number would be provided for those interested in riding mountain bikes on Saturday with the club.

Other rides of note: Don’t forget Bruce’s tour of Las Vegas (options of 100 miles and less). That’s coming up SOON (February 26), so see the club calendar for details and call Bruce if you have questions. March 5 is the Red Rock Rampage for anyone interested in getting out and supporting one of the last remaining local mountain bike races.
The meeting adjourned about 8 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for March 9.

We met at Freestyle Pizza for the last club meeting of the year. Those present were Steve, John, Chad, Brent, Ron, Lasse, Craig and the proprietor, Steve. View the rest of the minutes.

By Tim Prindle

First, I’d ask that we all say a prayer for the Jeppson Family, (Brian & Chanda our prayers are with you). We all look forward to meeting a healthy Little Dax soon.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the Tuesday ride is “ingrained” in most members. There were a couple of ad hoc requests to go out toward New Castle in final preparation for the Summer Games, rather than do our normal ride, as it turned out there was only ONE taker. I apologize if I was seemingly gruff when taking the quick poll with the group. I wasn’t feeling the greatest and was a bit short on patience due to…”other factors”. NO ONE should take anything personal from this.

As for Tuesday, I’ve come to look forward to the structure of this ride and the volume of riders that continue to show.

I think there were about a half a dozen of last night’s NINE, that are entering the games so the pace was fast but not quite as “dramatic” down Lund or up 3 Peaks. However, there were still some “frisky” moments that were too tempting to pass up.

It was commented during the ride that this was the “tightest” formation we’ve had to date. All in all, I think our average was about a ½ MPH faster, 18.4 vs 18.9.

Go Little Timmy, (Bonzo), finally showed up with his sprint legs and let the young bull Merrick know who’s boss. I heard them debating the finish line, but I’m pretty sure TB prevailed. Merrick, if I’m wrong…I apologize…I’ll have to review the tape again. Regardless, I full well expect you to come all dressed up to play next time. Things will REALLY heat up when Nicky gets home, as she too LOVES to sprint.

To those in the summer games, GOOD LUCK…most importantly, have fun. The fact that you’re competing IS victory.

Club member Nichole Wangsgard is featured in this week’s edition of the Cedar City Neighborhoods supplement to the Spectrum. You can read about her accomplishments as a professional cyclist. And you can join her weekly ride on Wednesday evenings and learn from a real pro in a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere. Check out Nichole’s story and take advantage of her experience. Click the Ride Calendar link to the right for all the details about Nichole’s weekly ride — and all the rides coming up.

Hoping to ride the sweet alpine singletrack around Navajo Lake soon? Club member Russ Holdridge has a suggestion: “Don’t hold your breath. It looks like it’s going to be a while.” He sends these pictures as proof. Thanks, Russ.

By Lasse:

Our Road Ride this Saturday is scheduled as show and go. However, the S. Utah Tri Club has an Ironman (112 mile) ride scheduled. The start is from the Sand Hollow Reservoir at 10:00 and then takes you through 2 Veyo loops(you may also go only one loop!). Finish is in St. George (T2 location) and the Tri Club offers shuttle back to S.H., but you can also just bike back to Sand Hollow or cut through any where you’d like. I suggest we jump on board and do this ride. The weather may be a challenge, but it’s better being wet together than all alone!