GO OUTSIDE FEATURED CONTESTS BLOGS MAGAZINE ISSUES SHOP CONTACT SICK OF TRAFFIC? HIT THE DIRT…ON YOUR ROAD BIKE Rob Coppolillo May 3, 2010 Ah, recall the good old days–tranquil road rides; few cars; indifferent, if friendly motorists. Those were the salad days, friends. Road cycling in Boulder has taken quite the nose-dive in recent years, with traffic and general gasoline-fueled mania driving us further to the right and in some cases, off the road altogether. But wait, there’s an alternative… Ride some dirt. You’ll be happy to know the same roads on which Chris Grealish holds his Boulder-Roubaix races make for great training and casual riding, too. How? If you’re serious, purchase a Colorado Gazeteer and you’ll find thousands of miles of dirt roads on which to ride. Few cars, lots of birds, same great Colorado weather and vibe. Otherwise, head north out of Boulder on Hwy. 36, make a right on Neva Road, and a left on any of the dirt heading north. Pedal, smile, repeat. Fear not, your bike and bod can handle it. Find yourself some wider tires, like my Rivendell “Jack Brown” model (http://tinyurl.com/26yz5fh), which at 33mm wide, soak up the bumps and wear like iron. Some frames won’t accept a fat chunk of rubber, so drop by your fave shop–Vecchio’s or UBikes will help you–and tell ’em you’re looking to get dirty and you need the right tires. They’ll know. Above you’ll see my one-and-only road bike, a Hampsten “Strada Bianca”, or “white road” (hampsten.com). Why “white road”? Simple: in Italia the unpaved roads are covered with crushed, white gravel and are consequently white. Strada: road. Bianca: white. White roads. When I quit racing and went to “fun riding” and guiding bike tours, I opted for a more comfortable ride, with a longer wheelbase, lower bottom bracket, and more relaxed angles. Stable handling, but a relaxed feel…unlike twitchy, quick road-racing frames. I had the Hampsten crew build my bike out of ti, so it would never break, rust, or bitch at me. A heavier rear triangle will let me tour with panniers, should I ever pack up and head out. Compact gearing (Campy, always) gets me up everything from Magnolia Road to the Stelvio. I also opted for S and S Couplers, which let me break the bike down and fit it into a suitcase–no charges on airlines and easy travel. Yes! The traffic on the Front Range sucks; I hear you. But you can escape it–on dirt. Safer, quieter, and with the right ride…just as much fun. Hit it! Previous article FOURTEEN 14ERS – SPONSORS Next article THE GREEN ZONE Related Stories THE TRUE MEANING OF ADVENTURE CO2UT- A DESERT GRAVEL RACE: COLORADO TO UTAH AND BACK AGAIN IN 125 MILES CONFLUENCE & CONNECTIONS PODCAST: BIVO IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... RMOC’s Adventure Pass Is the Ticket to Your Best Year Outdoors November 29, 2021 RMOC’s impressive Rocky Mountain Adventure Pass gives you access to 10 fun-filled, skill-building outdoor adventures of your choice, from backcountry skiing to stand-up paddle... Read more Find Your Perfect Winter in Sheridan, Wyoming October 22, 2021 The perfect Cowboy State town offers a one-of-a-kind experience for adventurous spirits. From guided snowmobiling excursions to solo backcountry touring, the Bighorn Mountains are... Read more Find Out What You’ve Been Missing at Loveland Ski Area October 22, 2021 Deep powder is in sight from the I-70 corridor. Whether you drive yourself or snag a ride on the Snowstang, this is the year... Read more Blues from the Top Music Festival Celebrates 18 Years of Blues on August 14, 2021 June 24, 2021 On Saturday, August 14, 2021, Grand County’s Winter Park will host the 18th Annual Blues from the Top (BFTT) ‘Day of Blues’ from 11AM-7PM... Read more Elevation Outdoors connects readers to local Rocky Mountain outdoor sports, active lifestyles and adventure travel—skiing, biking, paddling, hiking, climbing, camping and more—plus top outdoor gear, trails, festivals, races, local tips and news. Quick Access BIKING CAMPING CLIMBING HIKING PADDLING RUNNING SNOWSPORTS BLOGS CONTESTS MAGAZINE Archives DECEMBER 2021 NOVEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021 SEPTEMBER 2021 AUGUST 2021 JULY 2021 JUNE 2021 MAY 2021