Author: Toups, Kevin
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Saturday Gravel – 3/30/2024
Fourteen club members ventured out for a chilly 1st outdoor gravel ride of 2024 up to Palmer Lake and back. The temperatures were much colder than anticipated with a start in the high 30s. We stopped at Ice Lake for a quick nature break and then proceeded up to Palmer Lake regrouping on several occasions. …
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Rampart Range & Mt. Herman – 9/17/2023
I’ll start by stating this is a very challenging ride that I typically like to do once a year (one and done). I was joined by a great group, Chris F., Austin, Al, Anthony, Curtis, Robin, Helen, Kimberly and a guest Cindi B. We regrouped often and at one point going up Rampart, Helen decided…
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Tuesday Gravel, Rampart Range – 9/12/2023
The weather forecast was not very predictable and a few people dropped out prior to the ride start; however, those of us that showed up enjoyed perfect weather and a great ride up Rampart Range road. A big thanks to Christine, Nico, Jeremy, and Kimberly for showing. Shorter ride and I ended with 18.64 miles,…
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Saturday Road, Cathedral Pines & Black Forest – 9/9/2023
Eight of us enjoyed a beautiful morning wandering through areas of the Black Forest. After riding over to the Cathedral Pines area we enjoyed the secluded roads and nice views. We had some challenging climbs, and some fun descents as our reward, and regrouped periodically to stay together. The mostly downhill final section of the…
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Tuesday Gravel, Red Leg to Red Rocks – 9/5/2023
An awesome evening for a fun ride through Red Rocks. We had a great showing with John, Matt, Nico, Tessa, Kevin, Robin, Kimberly and I. Of all the Tuesday gravel rides, I think I prefer this one over the others due to the challenging climbs and the rewarding sweeping single track that brings us back…
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Saturday Road, AFA – 8/26/2023
After just a little mist and maybe a rain drop or two in the parking lot before we started the ride, all twelve of us decided to brave the elements and proceed to the Air Force Academy. One of the guards opened the second security gate onto the Academy for us, so we were quickly…
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Sunday Gravel Ride to Palmer Lake – 8/20/2023
There was a request for a short notice gravel ride on Sunday, so I obliged and led up a spirited ride to Palmer Lake and back on the Santa Fe trail. Great smaller group and we had a brisk pace to the lake and back. Conditions on the Santa Fe kept us on our toes…
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Tuesday Gravel – 8/8/2023
We had a great turnout for Tuesday gravel with JimmyDot, John Jamison, Tessa Muir, Nao Nozawa, Kevin Percy, Sarah Roueche, Robin Schroyer, Kim Trogdon and myself. The ride was from our great sponsor, Criterium Bike Shop heading North on the Santa Fe. I pushed the pace a little heading out and was accompanied by John…
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Tuesday Gravel – 7/25/2023
This past Tuesday a couple of us (John Jamison and I) tried out a proposed gravel route from Jimmy Dot. Jimmy modified the existing Red Rocks gravel ride to connect/include some of Bear Creek Regional Park. John and I ran into Jimmy outside of Garden of the Gods and he rode with us briefly before…
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Tuesday Gravel – 7/19/2023
Our Tuesday Gravel ride went up Rampart Range Rd. Nao Nozawa, Al Marshall, LeeAnn Perea and Kimberly Trogdon joined me on the ride and we stuck together through Garden of the Gods up to Rampart Range Rd. Everyone rode their own pace up, but typically within eyesight of each other. After about 45 minutes, we…
I didn’t start cycling until I was 40, and then discovered an amazing community. Since then, I have moved to several different cities with my career, and the first thing I do is search online for a cycling club in my new city. I have met some lifelong friends by being involved in the different clubs across the US. I love riding my bike, meeting people who also like riding their bikes, and encouraging others to ride bikes. I’m looking forward to doing all of those things with the SOCO Velo members. I am also excited to continue the long history of this integral Colorado Springs club and expand our reach even further in the Colorado Springs community.