US Pro Cycling Challenge in Denver

We arrived early to watch the US Pro Cycling Challenge sixth and final stage in Denver this morning. We found a wonderful shady spot right on a turn at the top of a hill near the finish.  The riders did six, five mile laps once they reached central Denver so we got several opportunities to cheer them on.  It was amazing to be so close that you could feel them go by!

The calm of the finish line before the racers arrived downtown.

Here they come!

The lead rider as they moved through downtown Denver past the capital ready for the first loop.

The first peleton.

BMC Racing Team, including Cadel Evans, support car.

You could feel the wind coming off the peleton as they flew by.

The parade of support speeding along behind the racers.

B1 caught a water bottle tossed by a Team Garmin Cervelo racer as he flew by.  Major luck! 

Final lap....

Waiting for the winners at the podium.

Thousands of fans catching the victory laps.

The beautiful Colorado State Capital post race!

Can't Comment

Literally, I can't comment and I'm not finding a solution on blogger's help pages.  If anyone has experienced the vortex of blogger comment blacklisting, please let me know.
Not only can I not comment on other's blogs but I can't respond to comments on my own!

Viva Streets, Denver's First Cyclovia was an Amazing Success!

Seeing Oneida Park so alive was a great feeling!   This little neighborhood shopping center is experiencing a slow but steady revival.  The energy of the day signaled more good things to come I'm sure!

We were fortunate to have Denver's first Cyclovia right in our own neighborhood (although I would have headed cross town to get in on the action.)   I had high expectations for this event and all were surpassed!  A constant stream of people from 10am to 2pm.  I think if it would have run longer, the crowds would have kept coming!

The Bike Depot hosted an on-going bike rodeo for kids and adults alike.  Much fun was had!

The scene was much like this for the full two miles from Colorado Blvd to Syracuse.  Bikes, pedestrians, roller skaters and bladers, skate boarders and more!

Bamboo wrapped ride!

Watch out, she's gaining on you!

Denver Water keeping folks hydrated.

HUGE thanks to DPD for monitoring the action and running the lights!

The ever-popular Park Hill hangout, Turtle Park.

23rd & Dexter fun!

Spinelli's Market (where the Baker sells his pies) and the Cherry Tomato were popular stopping points.

How slow can you ride a B-cycle?

Don't have a bike?  Don't worry!  Mobile BCycle Station

I Strongly Recommend the Building of a Backyard Stage

People will come.  Some will play music, some will listen and sing along, some will dance and all will  have a glorious time!

Lighting test the night before Oneidapalooza 2011

The Too Late Bluegrass Band

Evergreen Hum

Dancing!

A Stick Ponies Reunion with The Baker on rhythm guitar

Friends Jamming

The Holmes Twins do Cake (with a little lyrical help from the interwebz)

And when the stage isn't being used as a stage, it will be our outdoor dining room ---- after a little exterior decorating, including the contruction of a unique and artful permanent cover complete with drapey shit, and some landscaping madness. 

Hmm, Mountain Biking

Even though I've lived in Colorado for almost 20 years I've never been mountain biking. It's simply never appealed to me.  But I think that might be changing.  My 10 year old went on a mountain biking trip for his best friends birthday party yesterday.  It was the first time for all the boys and evidently much fun was had.  They even rode the black diamond paths and made it without too many wipe outs.

So I have a feeling this might be a thing.  Here comes another bike!

Viva Streets - Denver's First Cyclovia! August 14

Viva Streets is a one-day celebration that’s made possible when a major Denver street is returned to the people. On August 14, LiveWell Colorado and BikeDenver will transform 23rd Avenue between City Park and Stapleton into a car-free parkway for all Denverites to enjoy. The streets will be closed to cars and will come alive with walkers, bikers, runners, strollers, hoola-hoopers, dancers, paraders, musicians, healthy food purveyors and anyone wanting to play in the streets for the day. It’s a tribute to the power of our city’s streets--to get people moving, to bring neighbors together, and to strengthen Colorado’s healthy, active culture.

There will be lots of fun, healthy activities along the route, see below:

• Dexter St.: Yoga, Zumba, B-Cycles, Facepainter, Restrooms
• Hudson St.: Denver Water station, Garden Demos, Restrooms
• Kearney St: Parade 10am, Kids Bike Rodeo, Weigh & Win, Classic Bike Display, Restrooms, Volunteer HQ
• Onieda St: Nuggest Fun Zone, LiveWell Get Movin’ Mobile, Cooking Demos, Facepainter, Jump rope Demos, Restrooms
• Fred Thomas Park: Health screenings, cooking and exercise demos, FBI interactive truck
• Along the route: Food trucks, bike mechanics, helpful volunteers
  

What is a “Ciclovia”?
This type of event is traditionally called a “ciclovia,” a Spanish term meaning “bike parkway,” but which has been adopted recently by cities across the world to describe one-day street closure events to foster physical activity and civic pride. Portland, San Francisco, Madison, New York, Los Angeles and others all hold several ciclovias each summer, attracting upwards of 25,000 people to each event. The original ciclovia was conceived in Bogata in the 1980’s as a response to traffic congestion‚ Bogota still holds a 70-mile route ciclovia each Sunday.

How I spent my summer vacation.

The only thing, I mean the ONLY thing I dislike about Colorado is the lack of proper lakes.  So we took leave to the Midwest for some good old small town July 4th'in at a proper lake.

I spent many long hours doing this....

And eating these.....

And walking here...

And biking to here....

And around here...

And let's not forget here...

Paid homage to my daddy....

And woke each morning to this....