Cross Training in Colorado

Spent long weekend in Colorado from April 7 - April 11.  It was my eldest son's high school spring break, so we spent it in Colorado looking at schools (Colorado University, University of Denver, and Colorado State).  Why Colorado? Well, in terms of schools, all have beautiful campuses, great access to the ourdoors, and unfortantely, expensive (for out of state).

As for exercise, I did manage to get in some cross training at altitude.  We spent Friday hiking the Flat Irons,.  It was a challenge and very scenic hike just a few miles from downtown Bolder in Chautauqua Park.  The trail covers 1,400 feet of elevation change over 2.5 miles.  It was in high 60's, so we started in shorts and t-shirts.  About half way up, we were walking through snow and over rock scrambles, were it got a little chilly and windy.  But the view was worth it as we looked down on the college town of Boulder below.

On Saturday, we rented mountain bikes and went out to Bolder Valley Ranch Trailhead.  My rental car did not have bike rack, so we rode about 4 miles to the trail head.  Riding the streets in Boulder is much more pleasant than riding in DC.  We actually had one car, which had the right of way, stop for us to ride past.  Once we go to the spot, we had great ride, climbing up 1000 feet to total elevation of from 5,000 to 6,000 feet.  Definitely a lung burner.  But the good news was what goes up, must come down, usually a lot faster !  I was grinning ear to ear by the time we got back to the bottom.  but the ride down was worth it.