StemCAPtain » mountain biking

Molas Pass to Cascade (near Durango, CO)

stemcaptain — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:59:21 +0000

Ahh, the bittersweet melancholy of another summer gone by… Labor Day Weekend always makes me a little bit sad, and reflective. But what a great summer it has been!!! And looking back, I can say I definitely had some truly great times. Some of the best moments were on a mountain biking trip we took to the Durango, CO area.

The Colorado Trail off of Molas Pass (between Silverton and Durango) is, thankfully, open to bikes, and some of the sweetest alpine single track you could ever imagine. The mountain and wild flower views are stunning. And, thanks to the Colorado Trail Foundation, the trail is meticulously maintained and buff.

The trail starts just off the Silverton side of the the pass. The initial climb takes you up immediately into towering peaks and amazing views for the Needles Mtn. Range and other peaks. The pictures below say it way better than I can, so I am not going to try to do it justice.

Our ride turned out to be a 35 mile (or so), 8 hr. epic, that included getting lost once. With perfect weather, we didn’t mind all that much. We took the Colorado Trail to Cascade Creek, via the Graysill Cutoff. The “getting lost” part entailed pedaling past the unmarked said cutoff by about 3 miles. After encountering another lost rider and some knowledgeable hikers, we were able to figure it out. Apparently the trail is “rocked off” to keep people from accidentally straying off the Colorado Trail. If you don’t know this (and are expecting a sign, which there is not) you can easily miss it.

We actually found out later that the Engineer Mountain trail is the preferred decent for most local folks, and probably a much better option. I wouldn’t trade our outing for anything, but next time we will probably go that way, as the riding along Cascade Creek was little bit anti climatic compared to the rest of the ride. Get out there and do it!

Downhill Mountain Bike Technique

stemcaptain — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:35:57 +0000

Compass in Beta, Ready this Fall

stemcaptain — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:09:46 +0000

This compass is going to be a sweet addition for the back country rider, as well as someone navigating the tight streets of a city. The Captain will always be there to help you find the way.

New Parts, New Stores

stemcaptain — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Been awhile since we’ve posted – that’s because we’ve been hard at work getting a new (and slightly improved) batch of StemCaptains made, just in time for prime riding season. The new clocks and thermometers feature a solid construction with a tempered glass lens, glow-in-the-dark sweep hands, and a new mounting ring style that installs even easier that the last build. These clocks are accurate and can take a beating.

The thermometers are very sweet too. One note on the thermometers that has come up a few times… Just like the any thermometer, if it’s in direct sunlight, it is going to give a slightly higher reading that actual. Our thermometers are accurate to +/-2 deg. F, and they look great!

New pics to follow on the site; the new stuff has a slightly different look that I think you will like.

Also, starting next weekend our product will be featured at two new stores in the front range: Full Cycle Bikes in Ft. Collins, and on the Hill in Boulder (as well as currently available at the Pearl St. store). Later in June we plan to have them at Pedal Power in Eagle, CO.

Stay tuned!

See you on the trail,

StemCaptain
www.stemcaptain.com

Upslope Brewing Company

stemcaptain — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:25:00 +0000

Always one of the best components of an epic ride: parking lot beers. Nothing like packing a few on ice to have waiting for you back at the car after you just pedaled for the better part of a day (OK, for a couple hours at least). Well, there’s a new one to try out, brewed right here in StemCaptain’s hometown of Boulder, CO. Upslope Brewing Company is offering some tasty handcrafted brews – in a can! You can pick some up at several liquor stores in Boulder, or stop by their tasting room at 1501 Lee Hill Road in N. Boulder. The guys running it are friendly and aiming to appeal to the bike culture in Boulder. They will be happy to pour you a sample of their Pale Ale or IPA. Look for more varieties in the coming months, and for cans showing up at the parking lots and BBQ’s this summer.