Molson Bike Tour (North): Pedaling Denver

Friday, July 24, 2015

Pedaling Denver

The bike tour headed up to around 5,000 feet this week. The destination; Denver and the many bike paths (and pubs) the city has to offer.
The plan for the trip was to rent a bicycle and pedal the area. Mission accomplished on both fronts as the bike shop I contacted before arriving had a great cruiser for me and off I went on the Cherry Creek Trail Monday morning. As the name indicates, the trail follows Cherry Creek throughout the town. While riding, I found another clue that my music player has a mind of it's own. I'm pedaling along, enjoying the music and scenery when this song comes on (absolute true story):

"Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight
Is softer than a lullaby
Rocky Mountain high
Rocky Mountain high"

I have 3,000+ songs on my player and it was on shuffle. Coincidence? I think not. All I could muster at that point was "no way."
Besides a few exceptions, my trips usually include a very (VERY) basic hotel that serves its purpose, a bed, somewhat quiet surroundings and a short walking distance to the city center. A pool is a bonus. I don't need the pampering, a massage or mints on my pillow every night. The hotel I stayed at in New York a few years back was recently ranked as the worst in the city. It worked for me, however. The establishment in Denver served its purpose and gave me a good laugh while heading to dinner one night. The place has H-O-T-E-L in neon lights but the T-E-L were not lit so I was staying at the H-O (see picture at the bottom of this post).
Tuesday's ride took me along the Platte River Trail which runs along the....Platte River. The trail took you a bit out of the city and at one point along a treatment plant (nice odor there) and some career campers; i.e. homeless, which was kind of a bummer. Not everyone's dreams heading west come true unfortunately.
Tuesday evening I got my sports fix and watched the Rockies play the Rangers at Coors field. Nice stadium but unfortunately the team has no real history to reflect on so you had tributes to players winning individual honors rather than team accolades. I applaud the fan base as their team is perennially average to below average but the stadium still had close to 40,000 in attendance on a Tuesday night. I did see Prince Fielder's wife and kid while at the game. His kid had three pizza boxes stacked high while walking (waddling) back to his seat. That is one big appetite but I recall Prince being just as large of a kid. If you have your father's swing, eat up junior. That was my only celebrity sighting unless you want to include the bartender who went to high school with former Tiger Rob Fick. We won't count that, however.
I didn't meet too many people that were 'Colorado-ans' since birth as most seemed to tell a story of, "I came out here for whatever and never left." I can see why.
Lastly, I know it can happen anywhere but I still can't quite put my arms around how kids want to shoot other kids in such a beautiful part of the country. You are having a bad day? Get on your bicycle and enjoy the ride!
Trail Head