Bear Creek Park Revisited.

After last weeks fun ride through this Lakewood park I decided today that we should repeat it. Although hopefully this time without the wasps.
After an early start changing the front brake pads on the Dodge, Sam and I had a full day planned. After yesterdays marathon like ride in Chatfield State Park I hadn't taken the bike or Sam's buggy out of the car. I loaded Sam up and after filling water bottles and picking up a camera, we set off to to complete errands with an eye to visiting Bear Creek Park later in the afternoon.
We got to the park at around a quarter after four. As we have an annual pass for this park it meant another day without having to fork over money at the entry station.The early afternoon storms had passed over the area ans so we headed to the boat ramp under the main dam. Once there we built the trailer and put the front wheel in the bike. It was helmet's on and we were ready to go.
The first mile or so was hard. I had not been able to follow my usual post-exercise routine of scarfing down a lot of water and two bananas. That usually helps my system to regroup pretty well overnight. I had forgotten to buy bananas yesterday but I did manage to drink copious amounts of water. My legs felt passed through lactic acidosis and continued towards feeling like Jello. The lady on a mountain bike who came along the curve just ahead of us when we joined the circuit road was a mere speck in the distance. Ugh. We never did catch up with her. The pace was well off the mark.
By now we had reached the entry road for the park and my legs had warmed up some. I was still huffing and puffing though when I turned onto the bike trail to climb up to the area above the Soda Lakes. These are the lake areas that can be seen from the highway. The Western-most one is used for water sking with the others for quieter, less frantic endeavours.
We passed the main swim beach and the sailing school. Things were doing a little better. We headed down over the Turkey Creek bridge, the river that flows down along US-285 and Sam squealed with delight as we crossed the small humped-backed bridge.
Once on the south side of Turkey Creek we turned further south following a trail that began to rise through a series of switch-backs. The trail rises quickly here to cross US-265 between C-470 and Simms on a dedicated bridge. The bike traffic had increased significantly with people heading both North and South. There seemed to be a number of commuting cyclists as well as the recreational group out. Everyone was friendly and a nod or a wave was given and received as bikes passed. I was pumping away at the pedals all the way up the trail until we finally reached the top next to a home improvement store. This seems to be the continuation of the cycle trail that runs along C-470 that eventually takes you to Golden.
At the top we had a brief pause for water and then we headed back down the hill into the park. Exploring has no real point sometimes other than just to see where a road goes.Once back in the main park trail system, we turned east towards the dam and another long climb.
This time I did not get lost. We cruised up the side of the dam trail and then crossed down in front of it to get back on the north side of the lake. After a brief excursion to the top of the dam on the north side to establish were the trail ended up (it heads east into Lakewood) we again turned around and headed back towards the car at the base of the dam.
The weather was particularly humid today and I had lost a lot of water on the way. Sam was again cool and happy in his air conditioned trailer (the flaps were open) while the sweaty hippo rode along in front!
We completed the 8.85 miles in just 1:05:00 at an average pace of 7.20 I guess the initial mile didn't hold us back too badly. The Garmin felt I had burned 1686 calories and I want to claim each and every sweaty calorie. I forgot to pick up my BGL meter as I left the house but I had been 140 when checked at the beginning of the day. Another good ride. I am looking forward to a solo walk/run tomorow though. My butt could use a rest!