Going Green Part III: Taking Our Talents to the South Shore: Lake Pueblo State Park

Going Green Part III: Taking Our Talents to South Shore

By
Scotty Mac
“I’m not over, I’m not over you just yet.” -Carolina Liar
There’s nothing really difficult about the South Shore trail, in Lake Pueblo State Park.
I mean, apart from the two climbs.
The climbs themselves aren’t particularly tricky.  You don’t negotiate any weird run-ups, no rock gardens or other features to ruin momentum.  They’re just damned steep.  On a geared bike, you can hit it at something like a spin, downshift as needed, and cruise up and over the top to the fun little downhill on the backside of each one.  No muss, no fuss.  While Craig had used that style to great effect in the past, that option was not available to me.  I won’t bleat on about the trials and tribulations a single speeder goes through when faced with a hill, because as you have correctly assumed by now, I did it 100% to myself by buying said
singlespeed.  Here’s the thing; both climbs, the very steep first one and the less-steep-but-looser-surfaced second, had proven to be my better in both of my previous rides at the reservoir this year.  I was hoping the month and a half of indoor training (read “Spun” on this blog for an idea of what I’m talking about) would be the difference-maker.
It was time to find out.  Climb Numero Uno in sight, I told Craig to give me a little room just in case I stalled out, having learned that lesson on The Duke.  I kicked my legs into gear and went for it, sprinting into the rise at top whack.  My form disintegrated as the grade wrestled the gear ratio on my single speed for dominance.  Close to standing still, I rose out of the
saddle, fighting for each pedal stroke.  I cranked my handlebar from side to side, bike seeming to flop over with each movement.  Digging deep, I topped the climb and let out a breathless whoop as I realized I had done it.  Craig right behind me, we ate up the fast
descent, reveling in our victory.
The second climb had an audience.  Two riders were at the top, having seen us coming and did the decent thing by yielding the right-of-way.  My tactics were similar to the first climb, and even though the trail surface got a bit soft towards the top, I made it over, finishing 2-for-3 on tough climbs that day.
The last ribbon of track on the loop was an easy downhill back to the parking lot.  As we hit the sidewalk, I looked down at the time: 2 hours, 35 minutes, 48 seconds.  Craig and I had both set a personal best for the lap with that mark, and our excitement carried over to the post-ride Chipotle scarf-fest as we rehashed the ride over tacos and burrito bowls.
Lake Pueblo State Park is a good time for just about every level of rider, rank beginners and seasoned veterans alike will find something to giggle about out there.  I highly recommend bringing at least one spare tube and pump, something with which to patch tire sidewall
slices, tire levers, multi tool, and a first aid kit.  Obviously, this stuff is pretty standard for
just about any ride, but the nature of the trails at the reservoir makes any mistake very costly.  Food is important, too.  Craig and I were out on our lap for over two and a half hours, and we could feel our hunger ebb and flow.  We had pre-planned time/distance pit stops in mind, and we reminded each other to take on water whenever the trail gave us a
moment.  I also recommend trying to ride there as early as possible, as you have an excellent chance of having much of the park to yourself, and you may be able to beat the wind.  Like any part of the Front Range, reservoir wind conditions can run the gamut from breezy to blustery, so some type of windbreaker layer is also a good call.  An even better call is to ride
with a buddy or group, as sharing a ride first-hand is always superior to days after the fact.
Don’t like cross country, marathon-style rides?  I don’t blame you!  There are plenty
of short, technical, downhill zones to play in, with easy climbing loops back to the top of the drop-in.  Keyhole, Skull, and Lower Dog trails come readily to mind. If Waterfall sounds or looks too tame for you, I recommend Log Drop as an alternate, adrenaline-inducing route.
Check out
www.lakepueblotrails.org for a description of the trails and a basic map layout relative to the parking lots.  Lastly, we at Ascent Cycling urge you to pay the $7 park entrance fee instead of parking out at Red Gate as there has recently been a rash of car break-ins at that location.
Bottom line?  Get down to Lake Pueblo State Park this spring.  You all are in for a
treat.  Ride on!
Mac out.