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Looking to the Future

December 4th, 2009

Colorado has approximately 30,000 square miles of public land, including hundreds of county and city parks and open space. That’s enough for us to share, right? Maybe, but our use of that land isn’t spread out evenly.

Some trails are as crowded as a shopping mall corridor, and the numbers keep growing. What’s being done? What does the future hold? I asked several area trail advocates and trail managers. Read their thoughts at Stories from the Front Range.

And for the record, Colorado has:

Two national historic sites
Four national parks
Five national monuments
Seven national wildlife refuges
11 national forests
41 wilderness areas
42 state parks
150 miles of non-motorized system trails on Pikes Peak
230 state wildlife areas
8 million acres of Bureau of Land Management land

And there’s this:

50,000 people walk on Barr Trail each year
500,000 people set foot on a Colorado fourteener each year

– Deb Acord

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Tracks 101

December 1st, 2009

If ever there was a reason to get out for an early hike after a snowfall, this is it: animal tracks. Fresh snow means a fresh canvas for the tracks of coyotes and raccoons, wild turkeys and squirrels. And it reminds you how full of life the forest is.

Examining animal tracks in the snow or sand or mud can help hikers identify animals, birds and reptiles living in a certain ecosystem. American Indians used their knowledge of tracks to locate animals during hunting trips. Today, hunters still watch for animal tracks, and wildlife biologists use the tracks to identify habitats and populations.

So how do you become a wildlife tracker? Here are some tips from New Mexico State University and the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management:

Before you go out, research the kinds of tracks you might find in a particular ecosystem or area. Get a good wildlife track guide: “Scat and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains,” by James Halfpenny, “Tracks and Trailcraft,” by Ellsworth Jaeger, “Field Guide to Animal Tracks,” by Olaus J. Murie and Roger Tory Peterson, and The Falcon Guide: The Tracker’s Field Guide: A Comprehensive Handbook for Animal Tracking in the United States by James C. Lowery.
Go at the right time of day – early in the morning and late in the afternoon when shadows are more prominent – to make the tracks easier to see.
Know where to look and the basics of what to look for. Areas near water are common places to see tracks. In Colorado, the most common tracks include:
- Mule deer, like two thick commas facing each other.
- Elk, similar, but much larger.
- Coyote, like a dog, but more compact and oval-shaped.
- Fox, dog-like with a slender pad.
- Bear, like a thick human foot, but the outer toe is the “big toe.”
- Mountain lion, rounder than a dog track; two-lobed pad, without claws.
- Bobcat, similar to mountain lion but smaller.
Follow the number rules: Two toes in front and back indicate deer, elk or moose. Four toes on each of the front and hind feet point to the dog family, cat family or rabbit family. Four on the front and five in back mean it’s a rodent. Five on front and back means it’s a raccoon or member of the weasel family, bear, beaver or opossum.
Look for other clues – bent vegetation, animal scat, scratched or peeled trees.
If you see an animal track, take time to stop and look carefully. Take note of the size and shape of the track. A track can show an animal’s movement, size and path. The most common tracks are those of domestic dogs. They look similar to wild relatives such as coyotes and fox, but tend to follow their nose, wandering instead of moving in a straight line.
Learn the difference between cat and dog prints. Animals in the cat family – bobcats and mountain lions – have retractable claws just like house cats. Their tracks won’t show claws unless they are climbing and need them for traction. And cat tracks are rounder. If you see a round track with four toes and no claw marks, you’re seeing something in the cat family.

– Deb Acord

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Bike and Outdoor Gear Deals for Black Friday/Cyber Monday

November 27th, 2009

Update: 2012 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Bike and Outdoor Deals

If like me you aren’t heading out for the Black Friday sales, you can find plenty of cycling and outdoor gear deals online. Below is a list of the ones I know about. Most of them run through Monday and a few run even longer.

If you know of other ones please leave a comment.

Altrec Outdoors Outlet

Take an additional 20% off many items in Altrec’s Outlet with coupon code SANTA. Ends 12/1/09.

Backcountry.com

Secret Stash sale with best brands up to 30% off.

Cycling Videos Online

Cycling videos for riding indoors 50% off all in stock in Amazon Cycling Videos Online storefront! Deal is good only Monday, November 30th 2009 from midnight EST to midnight PST. Limited stock available, no minimums, don’t wait until the last minute!

evoGear

evo SuperBig sale! Take an extra 20% off Outlet pricing with code SuperBig in checkout through Cyber Monday!

Gear And Training

20% off orders over $150 plus Free shipping over $50. Ends 11/30/09.

Hammer Nutrition

Hammer Nutrition is running their annual customer appreciation sale with prices up to 50% off. See my post on how I use the Hammer Nutrition products. The 15% off in that post for new customers doesn’t apply during the sale. Sale ends 12/17/09.

Huck n Roll

20% off all Shimano products. This includes mountain bike shoes, wheels and wheelsets, tools, brakes and more. Starts Monday and not sure when it ends. No coupon code needed.

JensonUSA

One day Black Friday Sale starting at midnight PST.

Konasports

Take 30% Off clothing, sale clothing, wetsuits, sunglasses and watches. Use promotion code FRIDAY1 Excludes over sized and drop ship items, bikes, footwear. Online only. Expires 12/1/09.

Masseys Outfitters

Storewide Outerwear Sale with their best prices of the year on brands like North Face, Mountain Hardwear and Marmot – 10-30% Off All Styles. Click here. Ends 12/01/2009.

MooseJaw

15% off regular priced merchandise with code AVANT15 (Exclusions Apply). No current expiration.

Save 10% on any Moosejaw sale item with code AVANT10. No current expiration.

Mountains Plus

Get 20% off any single full priced item using code AVCM09. Ends 11/30/2009.

Save 7% on regular priced Keen. with coupon code SHACKS. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Ends 12/31/09.

Save 7% on any regular priced Merrell shoes with coupon GOBI. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Ends 12/31/09.

Nashbar

Save 20% on orders $100 or more Monday Nov. 30-Friday Dec 4, 2009. Use coupon code TWENTY. Some restrictions apply.

NRS

Get 10% off all orders, no code required (excludes boats, sale items, & gift cards). Ends 11/30/2009.

o2 Gear Shop

Get $10 Off Orders of $50 with coupon code HOLIDAY (Some
exclusions)

Performance Bike

$20 off and free ground shipping on orders $100 or more on Monday Nov. 30 & Tuesday Dec 1, 2009. Some restrictis apply.

Play Outdoors

Save additional 20% off your order over $60 with coupon CyberWeek. Does not apply to water sports and swimwear category; limit 1 per person. Ends 12/04/2009.

Pro Board Shop

Significantly deeper discounts than the normal on weekly deals!

Ramsey Outdoor

Thanksgiving Weekend Sales – save on items from The North Face, Columbia Sportswear, Patagonia, and more! Ends 11/30/09.

Real Cyclist

20% off all Shimano products. This includes cycling shoes, wheels and wheelsets, tools, components and more. Starts Monday and not sure when it ends. No coupon code needed.

Rock Creek

20% Off one non-sale item ’till December 10th! Use coupon code RC49x2 at checkout. EXCLUSIONS & DETAILS: Offer applies to one in-stock, non-sale item and may not be applied to previous orders or combined with other offers; discount will be applied to the most expensive item in your order; does not apply to boats or items from Oakley, UGG, Mountain Hardwear or The North Face. Expires 11:59PM EST, December 10,2009.

Rock Racing

30% off entire shop with coupon RACE30. Ends 11/30/09.

SKECHERS

Save $20 on any purchase of $100 or more when you use the coupon code: THANKS20! Offer valid through 11/30/09!

Snowboard Connection

Thanks for Snowboarding! 50% OFF select snowboards!! Ends 11/30/2009

Summit Hut

Great gifts for the Holidays at 20% off!

Tahoe Mountain Sports

Get $10 off any order over $100 with coupon givemeten. Expires 11/30/09.

The House

Significantly deeper discounts than the normal on weekly deals!

Trek Light Gear

Starts Monday. Coupon is good for 30% OFF everything in the store. From lightweight hammocks and camping accessories to compact, eco-friendly bags Trek Light Gear has the perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for the holiday season. This year TLG will be extending its famous Cyber Monday deal all the way through Thursday! Ends 12/03/2009.

Triathlete Sports

15% off everything plus fee shipping on orders over $99 after discount. Use coupon Cyber15. Expires 11/30/09.

World Cycling Productions

Use key code BLKFRI at basket to Save 10-20% storewide. 10% off $100, 15% off $150 and 20% off $200. Discount may not be applied to Assos, Park Tool, Tacx, LeMond, Blackburn, or already discounted products, gift certificates, or packages. Not to be combined with other offers.

Zero Per Gallon

Use coupon code blk30 through 11/30 and receive 20% off your entire order.

– UltraRob

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Getting in the Mood for Gifting

November 25th, 2009

I love to give people gifts of gear that I have come to love. Among my favorite winter things this year (don’t read on if you think you’re on my gift list):

Outdoor Research Verglas gaiters. They’re lightweight and waterproof/.breathable. They have a sturdy strap that goes under your boot and Velcro that stays tight on your leg; and they stay put, with no sliding or twisting.
Yaktrax (for traction on snow and ice). If you don’t have these, I feel sorry for you. These babies go on my winter boots at first snow, and allow me to walk sure-footedly on sheer ice or crust.
Turtle Fur MFS (micro fur stretch) neck gaiter. If my neck is warm, I’m warm. When I’m warm, I’m happy.
REI mittens. Fleece liners, waterproof outers, downright cozy.
Victorinox One-Hand Sentinel Clip knife. My husband loves knives, and this one is his favorite. It’s simple and practical – just a serrated locking blade, tweezers, toothpick and clip. And the one-handed opening comes in handy on the trail.
SmartWool light hiker socks. Soft and warm; so comfy I want to wear them all the time. And they fit especially well in my winter hiking boots.

When you click through and buy these or other items this Christmas Season, you’ll be helping those less fortunate.

– Deb Acord

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Start Your Fire

November 24th, 2009

If you’re a fan of “Survivor,” you know it’s coming – the fire challenge that is an inevitable part of every one of the thousand or so seasons the reality show has aired.

Knowing how to start a fire without matches is part of Survival 101, yet after all these years, very few contestants practice before they’re called up. “Survivor” fan or contestant or not, fire-starting is a valuable skill in the outdoors.

Colorado Springs survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt told me he relies on a metal match for fire starting. “My number one fire-starting tool is a standard metal match that is not embedded in magnesium,” he says.

After metal matches, Kummerfeldt recommends REI’s storm-proof matches that are wind proof and nearly impossible to extinguish. He doesn’t recommend waterproof matches, which are painted with lacquer and are hard to light. Next most effective? A cigarette lighter. “The ubiquitous Bic lighter works,” Kummerfeldt says. “But it’s difficult to use when your hands lose their dexterity. Whatever your fire-starting tool is, it should be able to be used one-handed.”

Kummerfeldt suggests practicing before you head out. “The worst time to get your survival experience is when the experience is happening,” he says. The nuances of fire-starting are illustrated in this Teva video which spoofs outdoor experts like Bear Grylls and Survivorman Les Stroud. Check it out (wait for the ending), then go pick up a metal match and start practicing.

– Deb Acord

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Giving Back This Christmas Season

November 23rd, 2009

It has been a good year here on UltraRob.com and I like giving back. I partnered with World Bicycle Relief last year and I’m doing it again this holiday season. From now until Christmas Day, I’ll be giving back through World Bicycle Relief.

World Bicycle Relief was formed in 2005, with the goal of providing bikes for transportation to people in poverty-stricken areas and those impacted in natural disasters. This summer, the Chicago-based group launched the Bicycles for Education Empowerment Program that will provide children in rural Zambia with 50,000 bicycles over the next three years.

An anonymous donor is matching dollar for dollar donations to World Bicycle Relief through the end of the year. Since these are basic but sturdy bikes used to improve people’s lives instead of fancy, light race bikes, they aren’t expensive. Including the donation matching, I was able to give enough for 11 bikes last year.

Like last holiday season, I’m donating 10% of site earnings to World Bicycle Relief. When you use UltraRob.com to find cycling and outdoor gear for those you love, you’ll be helping give someone a better life. With over 250,000 product listings from 70+ stores, the best way to find what you’re looking for is to use the search box at the top of the pages.

Need gift ideas? Read 7 Cycling and Outdoor Gift Ideas and a Dozen More Gift Ideas for Cyclists. Those posts are from last year but most of the items are still available. Also gift cards make great gifts and many stores have email gift cards that can be sent at the last minute.

– UltraRob

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Snowshoe Dreams

November 17th, 2009

It’s snowing and I’m getting excited about one of my favorite winter sports – snowshoeing. We have three pairs of snowshoes – all Redfeathers – but I’m always dreaming about a new pair.

My new favorites? Crescent Moon. This small company is based in Boulder, where they make all their shoes. They’re a green company that uses materials with no environmentally harmful PVC plastic; they use wind-powered energy in their factory and office and they recycle and reuse everything they can – frames, rivets, claws, bindings and decking (non-PVC, of course).

Once you get your snowshoes, check out these trails in the area:

Anywhere in Mueller State Park (in the picture). Best bets? Homestead and Elk Meadow trails (pick up a map at park entrance or visitor center).
The Crags. This side of Pikes Peak holds the snow, so you can find deep stashes even after it’s melted on the other side.
Rainbow Gulch off Rampart Range Road. Throw in the trail that circles the reservoir and you’ve got a hefty loop (about 15 miles).
Barr Trail. It’s usually packed down on the lower section, but we’ve used snowshoes on the stretch between the top of the Incline and Barr Camp.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. There isn’t snowshoe-worthy snow here season-long, but after a good storm, it’s perfect.

– Deb Acord

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Fewer Hikers, Fewer Conservation dollars?

November 5th, 2009

Recent studies have shown a decrease in strenuous outdoor nature recreation activities such as hiking and backpacking. To someone who prefers uncrowded trails, that might sound like a good thing, but a recent study in PloS One, a research report site, shows that decline might have a negative impact on conservation groups.

The study, conducted by Oliver Pegams, visiting research assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Patricia Zaradic, director of the Red Rock Institute in Pennsylvania and Peter Kareiva, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, showed that “the type and timing of nature experience may determine future conservation investment.”

The study showed that people who spend their time hiking or backpacking often increase their conservation contributions more than a decade later. According to the study, that translates to $200 to $300 annually per person in future contributions.

– Deb Acord

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Sand and Rock

November 2nd, 2009

Every year about this time, when the mountain scenery fades from green to brown, I’m drawn to a different kind of terrain – dusty high deserts, rocky canyons, shifting sand dunes.

Fall and winter are the best times to visit these places and you’ll often have them to yourselves. Here are three of my favorites close to Colorado Springs – Paint Mines Interpretive Park, which is nearby; the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, which can be done on a long day trip, and Hovenweep National Monument, which can be part of a longer road trip that also includes Mesa Verde National Park.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park, part of the El Paso County parks system, is unlike any other park in the region. To get there, take U.S. Highway 24 east to Calhan; drive south on Yoder Road/Calhan Highway; east on Pain Mine Road, and follow the signs. The park is named for the hoodoos and spires capped in sandstone (pictured) and “painted” with clays. It’s a small park – 750 acres with four miles of trails – but you’ll want to linger and explore the maze of rock formations.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve near Mosca has the tallest dunes in North America, set dramatically against a backdrop of the Sangre de Cristos. In the summer, the dunes are crawling with visitors. In the winter, we’ve had the park all to ourselves.
Hovenweep National Monument near Cortez and Blanding, Utah. Mysterious rock towers and petroglyphs dot the high desert here; remnants of a culture 10,000 years old.

– Deb Acord

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