An old map

Frame and Wheel found in the attic an old map of the routes ridden during a four year stay in Boulder, Colorado in the late 80s early 90s. Frame and Wheel did obtain higher education during this four year time period and also managed to cover much territory. Boulder, Colorado is a place easily taken for granted. Frame and Wheel notes that in the digital era, this type of nostalgia will not be so easy. The map will provide a source of more accessible posts for beleaguered followers.

Frame and Wheel remembers vividly the Saturday morning ride to Carter Lake, because it was such a traumatic and intimidating experience the first few times: A pimply Frame and Wheel had never seen before so many thorough bred racing cyclists in one place, and so many fine machines and so many jerseys with corporate logos and even more terrifying, stars and stripes.  There was a lot of fluorescent pink frames and handlebar tape and quite a few riders didn't wear helmets. One rider in particular struck fear into Frame and Wheel because of his super fine bike, his crew cut, obscenely muscular legs and his habit of executing track stands at very stop light on the way out and into town. These things, Frame and Wheel, had never witnessed before. 

As Frame and Wheel remembers it, the last section up to Carter Lake was steep and pretty long. At this point the group would disintegrate. Frame and Wheel remembers suffering badly, but not much else; the return trip was long. One time, Frame and Wheel kept going past the turnaround, down the backside of Carter Lake into another ravine; by this time confidence levels were higher. This ride is certainly still going.

Frame and Wheel will reminisce about one more ride: this was a solo ride that went north to Lyons, west on Rt 7 to Raymond, South on 72 to Ward and east on Left Hand Canyon back to 36. This was an epic ride for Frame and Wheel at the time; the first few times were intimidating because some sections were remote; Raymond felt like an outpost. Of course there was a lot of climbing, but Frame and Wheel does not remember it as being the main feature: the section from Raymond to Ward was the most impressive; the roads were good and quiet, the wind whistled in the pine trees and there long downhills and long uphills. Perhaps the last section up to Ward was difficult, but the euphoria of the ride and the surroundings moved Frame and Wheel along. Frame and Wheel does not remember seeing too many cyclists on these rides; however, on one occasion, Frame and Wheel came a cross of a jeep full of classmates who were inspecting the ravages of a recent forest fire. They provided cheers and whistles.

Frame and Wheel did many of these rides without the benefit of helmet or a cell phone. However, after one fast descent down probably Left Hand Canyon where there was much sand, Frame and Wheel decided that a helmet would be a wise idea.