What’s SUP?

Fun on Stand Up Boards

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding is an outdoor water adventure that delivers excitement, balance, ease and confidence. Not much equipment is needed, and what’s needed can easily fit in a car: an inflatable paddle board, a paddle, a helmet (for river riding), a personal floatation device and “gripe” water shoes.

SUP started taking off in 2005. By 2013, it was the outdoor sporting activity that tallied the most first-time participants of any in the United States! Take look down any local river or lake and you’ll see people using SUPs to surf, for yoga and to ride the river.

The first dedicated SUP store opened in California in 2007, and now, we have own local store in Carbondale.

Shaboomee, owned by Shaine Ebrahimi, designs and manufactures SUPs, rents SUPs, provides SUP
yoga and fitness classes, and organizes clinics and retreats. Shaine runs the company with the love of his life, Mary. Both are SUP instructors and guides who have been teaching and guiding SUP enthusiasts on our local rivers and lakes for more than seven years.

The Roaring Fork Valley is full of great whitewater spots, perfect for your SUP. One favorite place for local fun is the Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park. It’s the first man-made whitewater feature built anywhere on the Colorado River, and it provides year-round enjoyment for river enthusiasts. Depending on river flows, there is the G-wave and also a “hole”. Most popular from May through September, it offers a great terraced spectator area where you can watch seasoned kayakers, surfers, rafters and SUP’s all performing their tricks.

For a recent SUP trip, a group of six of us took off from the Satank Bridge near Carbondale, planning to end our trip at the “take-out” near Westbank Bridge. Locals call this stretch “pink to black” and based on the water flow, 4500 cubic feet per second on this day, the trip should take approximately an hour. It was beautiful and sunny, with majestic Mt. Sopris creating an amazing backdrop for our float.

For my trip, I grabbed my pair of Sperry Point Breeze Sneakers. Water shoes are a key part of SUP equipment. You need something that will allow your feet to grip the board. The better traction you have, the better balance and oneness you will feel with the board.

The Sperry Point Breeze Sneakers are super lightweight, offer a secure fit and have great arch support. Perfect and stylish! Asked about them during the adventure, I described how they gripped the board and was told that traction is exactly what you need for optimal board-riding performance. The shoes’ Adaptive Wave-Siping design disperses water and makes for improved traction on both wet and dry surfaces.

During my trip, I was lucky to be riding a new 2015 Shamboomee SplitSUP. This board, designed and patented by Ebrahimi, takes a conventional paddleboard design and splits it into two narrower surfaces attached to an inside rail. This design allows for natural body mechanics and enables each leg to move independently. The result is increased mobility, stability and balance. The SlipSUP was great for riding rapids as it truly provided suspension.

During the trip, I also checked out the all-around versatile HydroCruiser SUP board. It’s 11’ long, 35” wide and 6” thick.

Both boards were super fun and I wish I had them both!

Wish you could have joined us? Stop wishing and jump in. It’s time to live life as there is no other
time to be living. I guarantee you’ll smile.

Hut Trippin' - Markley with Big Agnes

Hut Trippin' - Markley with Big Agnes

I’ve lived in Colorado for 18 years, been quite adventurous to most standards that live here and yet hadn’t been on a hut trip until March 2015.  It’s like one of those rights of passage if you are a Coloradoan. (Another being hiking a 14er, which I haven’t done either. What?! Don’t worry – it’s on the bucket list.)  Thank goodness for the people in my life being veteran hut trippers, ski patrollers, and such. This trip was booked months in advance and a group of friends easily came together that was insured to be a blast. Being my first hut trip - Markley Hut - was one that was a good for a virgin run.

Markley Hut is located at 10,400’, outside Ashcroft at the foot of Green Mountain. It is 2 ½ miles from the parking lot with an 1000’ elevation gain. I had used the recommended packing list from the 10^th Mountain Division Hut Trip site to help me with my preparedness of the trip and some coaching from fellow hut tripper friends. I looked at what gear I had and what gear I didn’t have and figure out I would need to either borrow or get. I did borrow a good backpack and beacon. I also was in need of a sleeping bag, which I got my hands on a Big Ages Boot Jack 24.  This sleeping bag is lightweight, super easy to pack, high quality down, and constructed with Insoltect Flow patented technology. I was ready and super stoked! Loved that the sleeping back is from Steamboat Springs, CO! Not only do they have sleeping bags. They also have outdoor award winning products such as tents, sleeping pads, apparel, camp chairs, and accessories. 

Everything was great. The group got to the parking lot on time, didn’t forget anything, and the laughing had already started while we were putting on packs and clicking into equipment for the skin up around noon. With the spring sun shining down on us we started the accent. I’ve skinned many times before with daypacks that just held a couple snacks, water and an extra layer – never had I had a 40+ pounder on my back for this kind of adventure. Within 15 minutes of the slight climb I was already heating up – feeling great, took a minute breather and a drink of water. “OK – I got this – it’s not that much gain” I kept telling myself. Another 5 minutes and I was stopping again looking for shade. I needed to take off layers and the pack was now making an impact that I didn’t realize. “You got this!” was my next mantra.

The group had stopped past the half waypoint to shed some layers, repack, rehydrate and make the final trudge. (A blessing in disguise.) It ended up taking just over an hour to reach the hut, although it was a very different skinning experience than I had had ever before – because of the heat and weight of the pack. As the hut was in site the reward was all I could think of which would include sitting on the deck, looking at the gorgeous view, hanging with friends and soaking in the Colorado sun.

Sleeping at 10,400 – I was told would be difficult. I didn’t even think twice about it before we left or while I was getting ready for my first night sleep. We had been burning a fire in the wood-burning stove so we were quite content and the temperature was perfect. I had my hut slippers on (one of the "must have" for hutting.) I was ready to slip into the Big Agnes Boot Jack 24, which is a mummy style sleeping bag. I couldn't spread out but I was certainly snuggled up in the form-fitting bag and was quite cozy with the uniform heat distribution. Ahhh…sleep. Well, the sleeping didn’t go as planned regardless of how comfortable I was. (The Boot Jack gets a big thumbs up! Perfect for packing and hutting. Can't wait to use it again camping this summer!) Your body acclimatizes at an average of 1,000 feet per 24 hours. So in other words, I wasn’t acclimated coming from my normal 5,600’ elevation, which did create some sleeping challenges. Who knew?  Well – I do now. 

The stars were breathtaking, the hut amazing, the friendship priceless and having the right gear – always a huge advantage to any adventure.

Femmes on Fatties - Twenty2 Bully

Femmes on Fatties - Twenty2 Bully

It’s sunny, brisk, and a comfortable 28 degrees as 3 of my friends meet at the bottom of Babbish Gulch near Sunlight Mountain Resort. Excitement fills the air, freshies lie on the ground, and laughter, hugs, and a unique camaraderie ties us fat biking ladies together.

It’s time for a morning spin—and what will be spinning is, oddly enough, our fatties! 

We have been riding fat bikes for three years together, about one-quarter of the sport’s lifetime. Fat biking, the fastest-growing segment of the bicycle industry, was probably invented in Alaska by a fellow named Mark Gronewald, who won the human-powered counterpart of an Iditarod dogsled race on a bike fitted with tires two or three times as wide as those on a summer road bike.

Fat bikes typically range in weight from 30 to 40 pounds, and more when you add the accessories and gear carried on the rides. Their snow-worthy tires are (pardon the phrase) broad, ranging from a knob shoulder width of 88 to 119 millimeters wide.

Two summers ago, Amy Butowicz joined most of today’s group to ride the infamous Monarch Crest Trail near Salida on their fat bikes. On this ride, the three riders— Rebecca Murray, Alison Birkenfeld and Andrea Palm-Porter—are joined by Emily Murray. They are riding a custom-painted peacock Surly Pugsly, two Salsa Mukluks and a custom, powder-painted, purple Twenty2 Bully.

The Bully comes from Twenty2 Cycles, a shop that custom-builds bikes in Glenwood Springs. The shop thrives on personalization of the bike and on customer relationships. The Twenty2 Cycles Bully features an aluminum frame and carbon components that make it a featherweight in the fat bike world.

The Bully, being ridden by me, is lighter than most and weighs a total of 24 pounds. It’s a sweet ride. Smooth shifting of the gears and the bike’s lightweight make climbing easier. What’s so crazy is the air pressure for the big fat tires; it’s typically set at around four to five pounds per square inch (psi) for riding on the snow. The wide tires and low pressure create the suspension and traction needed to ride in style and get the performance needed from the bike.

One of the favorite rides of local fat bikers is to climb up Grizzly at Sunlight Mountain Resort after the lifts close or during a “dawn patrol”, before the resort opens and sometimes after they close. It’s not easy riding a bike weighing more than 30 pounds up 2,000 feet, but it is rewarding and fantastic exercise.

We always encourages newbies and nobody is ever left behind. After the climb, as endorphins from the effort kick in, everyone meets in the warming hut for some silliness and for a shared feeling of accomplishment.The energy runs high in preparation for the descent as we will gear up with helmets, headlamps and extra layers. The descent on Ute has lots of rollers and dips that only make us giggle more. The smiles are bigger than you can imagine, and whoops loud with joy, as the group stops to ensure that everyone is safe and having fun. 

If you are looking for something new to do, try fat biking. It’s biking with a little bit of attitude, and it has fun and inspiration written all over it. The local bike stores are great at connecting you with fat bike events, riders and will even let you demo a fat bike. There’s even a Facebook group called “Fat Bike Gurlz”—it’s a perfect place to follow femmes on fat bikes.

Why Ride a Fat Bike?

Emily Murray: “I don’t really ski and this is a way to get out in the winter and in shape for mountain biking season.”

Rebecca Murray: “Fat biking is another form of staying healthy in the winter. It keeps my legs strong, and the women I bike with are motivating and inspiring.”

Alison Rene: “I want to ride bikes all year long and fat biking gives me that opportunity during the snowy months.”

Andrea Palm-Porter: “It’s fun, keeps me active and gives me different options to play in the snow.”

Article also published in Roaring Fork Lifestyle: http://www.roaringforklifestyle.com/

What moves you? OPEDIX

Ski season is in full swing here in Colorado. 

We got an early dump before Thanksgiving that created a lot of excitement and early skiing. Not all

the resorts were open so it was a matter of skinning your way up to the top in order to make turns.A couple winters ago I got out on the mountain in early December and with early season conditions twisted my knee, requiring a little physical therapy with a diagnosis of a small tear on my ACL. There isn't much to do for a small ACL tear except some TLC and constant building the knees strength through exercise.

I was introduced to the OPEDIX KNEE-Tec 3/4 length tights early this winter. These tights where developed to enhance muscle and joint function, increase muscle flexibility and joint range of motion. I've worn them while helping out on the course at the World Cup in Aspen, skinning adventures up Tiehack and Sunlight Mountains in November and early December, and an 8+ mile round trip hike up Red Mountain in Glenwood Springs with 1800' of elevation gain. The tights did the job as my knee and legs felt better, and didn't fatigue as they normally would. Behind the scene the tights were doing more good then I even realized for my body. Research by Michael J Decker, Ph. D., a biomechanical consultant from the University of Denver, has put focus on kinetic health. Your body is compromised of many joints that are connected structurally and functionally in a kinetic chain. When the body doesn't move optimally, athletic performance is reduced and fatigue is increased, causing the progressive destruction of your joints. 

I have one pair of these bad girl tights and they are my "go to" for just about everything that entails adventure and exercise. When I put them on it's like giving my legs a physical therapy session and some muscle love based on the compression. They are a prized piece of gear! 

If you want to learn more about OPEDIX Technology visit their website and take the quiz "How is your Kinetic Health?" and get your score.

These Chaco’s were Made for Hiking

It’s golden as far as the eyes can see and the forest smells of autumn. Cathedral Lake Trail is calling to me and saying, “explore me.” I haven’t hiked this trail before and a good friend of mine gets us to the trailhead around 9A. It’s a 5.6-mile round-trip hike starting at 9,880’ elevation and ends at 11,866’.  I’m ready and wearing my hiking shoes – my new Layna Waterproof Chaco’s.

These shoes were extremely comfortable. They have this foot bed called LUVSEAT that truly loves your foot (they sure loved mine.) Snug, soft and lightweight, the Layna is starting to win me over. I had worn the shoes two times prior to break them in just running around town and a short hike up Grizzly Creek. I didn’t want to get any blisters or hot spots during a hike to Cathedral Lake.  I had my backpack filled with snacks, water, an extra layer of clothes……and we were off to the trailhead.

The hike starts with a pretty nice gradual climb following Pine Creek. It’s beautiful and you can hear the leaves crunching underfoot. My feet are enjoying the backcountry performance of my new shoes by teeter tottering over the rocks. The Layna has a water-resistant suede construction with a waterproof bootie to boot. Talk about feeling like you are walking on clouds.

The hike takes the average person approximately 4 hours to complete and we were maybe 45 minutes into the hike when I gave in to what my body was telling me. I was dealing with some back issues that started to slow me down. So I listened to what my body was telling me and turned around to head back to the car. I was quite disappointed that my back was giving me the business, but my feet were happy as could be.

I can’t wait to hike it again next summer.

What Fuels You?

                                                  What Fuels You?

 Honey Stinger Organic Energy Food Was the Ticket!

I’m always questioning myself as to what energy food and water to bring during one of my adventures. How long will I be gone? How much energy output would I be doing? What do I need to supplement so I don’t bonk? 

This adventure was a 42.8-mile road bike ride that took 2 ½ hours in 90+ degree weather. According to Strava my energy output was 1,054 kJ and I burned 1,175 calories.  In preparing for the ride I filled up my two water bottles knowing I could stop to refill if needed, as I wasn’t venturing too far from civilization. I put some energy blocks, energy bar, and was excited to try a new Honey Stinger Organic Waffle and Organic Energy Gel. 

The ride started from Glenwood Springs to Carbondale on the Rio Grande Trail. Then continuing onto Hwy 133 via the bike path towards McClure Pass. This route is a great spin ride with minimal elevation gain. I stopped at the Crystal River KOA to dunk my head in the river for a little cooling off and to re-energize with some food. 

At this point in the ride it was over 90 degrees outside and I was just about half way. I grabbed the gingersnap waffle, which was light, easy to chew, and had great flavor. One of the benefits of honey to eat during any kind of endurance adventure is the carbohydrate for fueling the muscles and delays fatigue.  I’m trying to get rid of refined sugar in my diet so having a natural and organic alternative was ideal. There is only 160 calories in a waffle so I knew I needed more. So I grabbed the chocolate energy gel to add another 100 calories with electrolytes to boot! Nummy! (It didn’t have a pasty textures as others I have tried. Bonus!)

Off I went feeling a well-needed boost to finish the ride, as I popped a few energy blocks to maintain my output through the remaining 20+ miles I had to go. There is just something about riding a bike that feed my sole. I enjoyed the views of the valley floor, the company of fellow bikers and the tranquility of nature.  (Ok, and the need for speed.)

Sperry Water Shoes

Finding the right gear for what we love to do.

A lady can never have enough shoes. Right? Well, I was in the market for a new pair of water shoes. With the dry Colorado climate, I get those darn heal cracks walking on my hardwood floors and wearing my sandals during the summer. So I was looking for something new that had the performance of my 6 pairs of Chaco’s so I can go from dry land to wet water without having to change shoes. In my opinion shoes are likes bikes, you are always looking for or planning for the next one you want. It’s the plus 1 rule.

I love the outdoors and active lifestyle a lot of us lead here in the mountains. In my water shoe hunt I wanted something that offered versatility. A shoe that you can hike, bike, raft, paddle board, run an errand, or even go out on the town in – something that works for what we can encounter in any given day.

I start with a Google search of “water shoes.” 170 million results. Ugh! Thick sole, drainage and ventilation, toe separation, straps, insulated, mesh, leather, canvas, toe guard…really now. So I try to narrow my search knowing I’m looking for the versatility of wet to dry land. It’s enough to make your head spin. I find one that looks cool, durable, lightweight, and comfortable. It’s the Sperry Top Sider H20 Escape Bungee is an all-around water shoe that can be used for almost every warm weather activity.

Now, I have to put them to the test. I decide to wear them on a raft trip on the Roaring Fork River between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. The shoe’s performance from dry land to the wet river was practically unnoticeable based on the shoe’s snug fit.  Its tread had excellent traction on all surfaces; while walking on the river floor, over rocks, on the wet raft floor and while dry at the put ins and take outs. My feet didn’t slip or have the sloshy feeling while wearing them in any of these situations. It’s a shoe to wear doing practically anything. The shoe is so lightweight and comfortable you tend to forget they are even on your feet. Exactly what I was looking for – I picked the right one!