Trails Newsletter 2013

Spring 2013 Newsletter
ECO Trails: the communities of Gypsum, Eagle, Avon, Vail, Minturn, Red
Cliff and Eagle County working together to create a regional trail system
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: WEDNESDAY JUNE 26 IS COLORADO BIKE TO WORK DAY
7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Ride or Walk to Work
Food and Prizes at Rest Stops in Gypsum, Eagle, Edwards, Avon, Dowd Junction and Vail
TRAIL AND ROAD UPDATE – 2013 AND BEYOND…….
Eagle Valley Trail
The trail between Gypsum to Dotsero will be extended
an additional 2.2 miles this summer. Work started last
year with Eagle County Road and Bridge constructing
the trail through the Duck Pond Open Space parcel.
The Highway 6 bridge replacement at Dotsero also includes a trail
section. This
year’s projects
are funded
by the ECO
trails sales
tax fund and
the Colorado
State Lottery
funds.
The Avon to
Eagle Vail Trail segment of the Eagle Valley Trail will
be extended another .5 miles, between Stonebridge
Road and Post Boulevard. The trail will provide a route
for pedestrians and cyclists who would prefer to be off
the road, and will primarily serve pedestrians currently walking on the highway shoulder. Work will also
commence on the trail bridge in Avon next to Bob the
Bridge to create a connection between the current trail
end across from Avon Starbucks and the new trail along
Highway 6. The project is jointly funded by Avon, the
ECO Trails fund and grants from Great Outdoors Colorado and CDOT.
We are half way to completion of the 63 mile fully connected trail system. Trail planning work is underway
on future segments between Edwards and Eagle and
Eagle Vail and Minturn. Meetings with the Union Pacific
Railroad in 2012 confirmed their position that the rail
corridor will remain as a rail corridor for future needs,
but we will continue work this year on a request to lease
select portions of the corridor.
Highway 6 and Local Roads
I-70 Eagle Interchange work will start in July and include
three roundabouts and a new pedestrian bridge over I-70
to connect Eagle walkers and cyclists to the commercial
area and neighborhoods north of I-70.
Planning work is underway for a 2014 CDOT project to
widen and overlay new asphalt on Highway 6 from Avon
Road to Squaw Creek Road. A subsequent phase to
improve the highway from Avon Road to Minturn is also
in planning but not yet funded.
Town of Vail is adding 3,300 feet of shoulder to the South
Frontage Road between Donovan Park and the West Vail
roundabout, starting in May. Gore Valley Trail repairs
are also on tap for this summer in West Vail near Donovan Park.
Eagle County will be starting work in Fall 2013 to replace
the Burns Bridge on the Colorado River Road and complete the project in 1.5 years. The road will remain open
during construction and should not affect cycling.
Dan Piliero, 2012 Winner, and family
2013 COMMUTER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS
Nominations are due on June 14 visit www.eaglecounty.
us /trails.
The ECO Trails Commuter of the Year Award contest
honors a local who goes above and beyond to get themselves
to work via bike or foot. Do you know someone who
deserves to be recognized? Go to eaglecounty.us/trails
or call 328-3526 for a nomination form. Let us know
about your favorite commuter! This year, the ECO Trails
Committee will honor a special grown-up, as well as a kid
or group of kids!
COLORADO CYCLING-RELATED LAWS
•Motorists must keep 3 feet
away from a cyclist
•Motorists may cross the
double line to pass cyclist
•Motorists may not harass
cyclists
•Cyclists must obey all traffic
signals and signs
•Cyclists may use the travel lane if shoulder is
dangerous
•Cyclists may ride two abreast, if safe and does
not impact traffic flow
Please use your voice or bell when passing other trail users. Thank You!
2 Eco Trails 2013 Newsletter
Thank you very
much!
Adopt a Trail
3 Trail Sections Available
Does your family, child’s class, service club or church
group want to contribute to your community? Do you
have limited time but want to make a difference? How
about adopting one of these sections for annual trash
pickup:
• 3 miles of the Eagle to Gypsum Trail, from Cooley
Mesa Road traffic signal to Sylvan Lake Roundabout
in Eagle
• .5 miles in Edwards between the Berry Creek Field
House and Miller Ranch Road
• .5 miles in Edwards between Hillcrest Road and the
Eagle River Mobile Home Park
CDOT, for their work to respond to bicyclist comments
about shared-highway safety by adding signs, sweeping
shoulders, repairing pavement and widening the highways
to provide more room for all users. And for the exceptional improvement project on the Vail Pass Trail last summer!
An adoption requires commitment to twice annual
trash pick-ups. Adopters are provided with supplies
and adoption signs installed on each end of the section.
Help keep the trail corridors clean for the benefit of the
community and environment. Interested? Please contact
Tracy Stowell at tracy.stowell@eaglecounty.us.
SONNENALP FOUNDATION OF VAIL for their $5,000
donation from the 2013 Casual Classic proceeds! Their
contribution will go towards funding Eagle Valley Trail construction. The Sonnenalp also generously sponsors the Vail
Bike to Work Day rest stop!
THANKS to our wonderful ADOPT-A-TRAIL Groups
These wonderful citizens, service clubs and businesses
help keep the Eagle Valley Trail system clean with their
commitment to the Adopt a Trail program.
ARROWHEAD METRO DISTRICT for contributing to
costs to repair and upgrade the Eagle Valley Trail through
Arrowhead.
EDWARDS METRO DISTRICT for their annual financial
contribution to cover the costs of maintaining the Eagle
Valley Trail through Edwards.
TOWN OF VAIL for their annual sponsorship of the Vail
Pass Trail Cleanup.
VAIL RESORTS for their generous contribution of excellent prizes to Vail Pass Cleanup, Bike to Work, Commuter
of the Year and Sonnenalp Casual Classic. Our events are
more fun because of our great prizes from Vail Resorts!
OTHER GENEROUS DONORS TO ECO TRAIL
EVENTS including Beaver Creek Resort Company, Pedal
Power, Vail Recreation District, Westside Café, City Market, Starbucks Avon, Starbucks Edwards, Bonjour Bakery,
Moontime Cyclery, Edwards Village Market, Northside
Café, Red Canyon Café, Town of Gypsum, Columbine Market and Heidi’s Deli. Thank you!
• Bossow Excavation
• Western Eagle Valley
Rotary Club
• R.A. Nelson
• Edwards Rotary Club
• Riverwalk Master
Association
• Inn and Suites at
Riverwalk
• Eagle County Charter
Academy
• Westin Riverfront
Resort & Spa
• Ski and Snowboard
Club Vail
• SOS Outreach
THANKS TO THE 2013 ECO
TRAILS COMMITTEE:
Thanks to all these generous citizens who give up their free
time to help solve the challenges of building a trail system
through our valley and promote cycling and walking, and
make sure to have fun doing it!
Dick Cleveland, Vail, Chairman
Bill Fisher, Gypsum, Vice-Chair
Jamie Gunion, Vail
Louise Randall, Vail
Greta Blamire, Avon
Mike Heaphy, Minturn
Paul Gotthelf, Edwards
Good luck to Former
Jeannie Hauff, Edwards
Commtitee Chair, Rachel
Dimond on her relocation
John Bailey, Eagle
to California.
Pete Lombardi, Eagle
Scott Schlosser, Eagle
Kent Rose, Eagle
Mike Toughill, Eagle
Brandi Resa, Eagle
FRIEND US ON FACEBOOK!
Peggy Jensen, Gypsum
https://www.facebook.com/
Jennifer Ludwig, Gypsum
ecotrails.us
BE VISIBLE, BE SAFE - According to
Bicyclist Magazine, when cyclists wear
bright fluorescent clothing, a drivers
distance perception increases from 400
feet to 2200 feet during the day and
from 150 feet to 560 feet at night.
This is the VERY LAST PAPER
NEWSLETTER we will send out!
We are moving to an e-format in
2014. Please let us keep you in the
local trails news loop! Please send
your email address to tracy.stowell@
eaglecounty.us or go to
www.eaglecounty.us/communications
for more details.
3 Eco Trails 2013 Newsletter
EAGLE VALLEY TRAILS COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED
BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS UPDATE 2013
Seeking 2 enthusiastic citizens who are interested in the
continued expansion of the Eagle Valley Trail and all aspects
of working toward the goal to connect our communities from
Dotsero to Vail to Red Cliff.
BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL OPENING DATES
On several local U.S. Forest Service and Town of Eagle
trails that access BLM lands, wildlife closures are put in
place seasonally to protect wildlife that are migrating,
calving or resting after the challenging winter and low
forage conditions. Please respect these closures for
wildlife. Town of Eagle trails opened on April 15. USFS
trails will be re-opened as follows:
•
•
1 vacancy is for a “Voting” member from District 1
(from Edwards to Vail and Minturn)
1 vacancy for an “Alternate” member from District 3
(Gypsum area)
About the ECO Eagle Valley Trails Committee:
• 18 members total, all volunteer, representing the entire
valley community.
• Meets approximately 6 times a year, splitting meetings
•
•
•
between Gypsum, Edwards and Avon
Oversees a budget derived from a 10% share of the .5%
mass transportation sales tax, plus grants and donations
Works with and augments the ECO Trails staff to plan
multi-use trail routes, make budget decisions, sponsor
and assist with events that promote walking and biking.
Subcommittees for backcountry trails and road biking.
The Committee advises and reports to the Eagle County
Regional Transportation Authority and County Commissioners.
Interested? Go to www.eaglecounty.us/trails for the application materials or contact ECO Trails at 328-3523.
2013 BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL WORK DAYS
Local trail volunteer groups have already broken out the
McClouds and Pulaski’s to buff out some favorite early
season trails. Mark your calendars for fun, exercise and
rewarding work!
VVMBA and TAG: Vail Valley Mountain Biking
Association, an IMBA Chapter, will continue work on
the Avon to Singletree trail system this summer with
connection from Moto Flats to Wildridge, and is cooking
up several other projects. Trail Action Group, has
teamed up with VVMBA to manage the Trail Steward
Program, organizing trail adoptions and work days by
local groups or businesses. Dawes Wilson of TAG will
be heading up that effort.
Check out VVMBA on Facebook or www.imba.com/
teaming/vail-valley-mountain-bike-association for time
and meeting place info on these work days below, and
more information on the Trail Steward Program.
Mid-Week Work Days, 5-8 p.m., all on Thursdays
Avon: Edwards: May 9
June 3 & 27, May 23, July 11 & 25, August 1 & 15, Sept 5 & 19, Oct 3 & 17
4 Eco Trails 2013 Newsletter
Saturday Work Day, June 15, Avon time TBD, see
VVMBA links. Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado in
town to work on this Avon to Singletree project June
14-16
HARDSCRABBLE TRAILS COALITION: Plenty of
downvalley backcountry trails action is on tap for this
summer at HTC, with several work days planned in
the Brush Creek Valley. Visit www.hardscrabbletrails.
org or like HTC on Facebook. Also visit www.
mountainbikeeagle.com for more info.
June 15:
June 30: July 1: July 1:
Eastern Hillside and the Back Bowl near Two Elk Trail, adjacent to Town of Vail and Minturn
For more information, contact the U.S.F.S. Holy Cross
Ranger District at 827-5715.
North Trail and Son of Middle Creek adjacent to Town of Vail
Paulie’s Plunge and Paulie’s Sister between Eagle Vail and Beaver Creek.
Whiskey Creek in Eagle Vail
2012 A GREAT YEAR FOR TRAILS AND SHARED ROADS!
U.S. Highway 6:
CDOT and Eagle County completed a 6 mile project to
widen and overlay Highway 6 between Eagle and Edwards
to improve road safety for both motorists and cyclists. A
great example of state and local government teamwork!
CDOT also worked on several smaller asphalt repair
projects that benefit cyclist safety along busy Highway 6.
Vail Pass:
Last fall, CDOT made major improvements to one of the
state’s most popular
paved trails. The
nearly 40 year old
trail was upgraded
with new drainage
pipe, pavement,
shoulder, striping
and signage. The
trail is subjected
to harsh winter
conditions and was showing significant wear and tear.
The old Highway 6 platform that functions as the lower
elevation portion of the trail was also improved. The trail
from Vail to Summit County is a valuable asset to the state
and local economies and was first built as part of Interstate
70 project.
Eagle-Vail:
The first phase of a four phase project to connect the
Eagle Valley Trail from Avon to Eagle-Vail was completed
and opened for use in November. The 1 mile paved trail
provides an option to the highway shoulder for walking or
biking between the Eagle Vail residential and commercial
areas. Great Outdoors Colorado contributed to the project,
which also features scenic views of the Eagle River.
Vail:
Town of Vail completed the final mile of East Frontage Road
shouldering widening, resulting in six foot shoulders for
motorist and cycling safety.
Eagle:
Town of Eagle completed a 2,000 foot section of the Eagle
Valley Trail alongside Highway 6 between Brooks Lane and
Violet Lane. The project includes a new on-demand signal
crossing for pedestrians and cyclists trying to cross busy
Highway 6. The project was funded by the Town of Eagle
and ECO Trails.
Tuesdays Ride, Clip and Clean 5-8 p.m.
May 14, June 4, July 9 & August 6
Sunday Work Days 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
May 19, June 23 & July 14
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Up coming Events
May
2012 TRAILS SUPPORTERS
At the end of 2012, Andy Garcia of the Colorado
Department of Transportation, Steve Barber of the Eagle
Vail Metropolitan District and the Town of Vail were all
honored as Trail Supporter of the Year Award winners by
the citizen ECO Trails Committee. The awards are made
annually for exceptional contributions to the regional
trail system and local transportation system for the
benefit of bicyclists and pedestrians.
15
Mtn. Bike Short Track Series, 5 p.m., Beaver Creek
www.vailrec.com
18
Boneyard Boogie Trail Run, 9 a.m., Eagle www.vailrec.com
27
Vail Valor Half-Marathon www.vailgov.com
29
Eagle Ranch Classic Mtn. Bike Race, 4:45 p.m., Eagle Ranch www.vailrec.com
June is Colorado Bike Month
1
Gypsum Recreation Center Sprint Triathlon www.wecmrd.org
6
Gypsum Recreation Center Cycling Time Trial www.wecmrd.org
6-9
GoPro Mountain Games www.mountaingames.com
7
Gypsum Recreation Center 8K & 5K Trail Run www.wecmrd.org
8
ECO Trails Vail Pass Clean Up, 8 a.m. meet in Lionshead www.eaglecounty.us/trails
12
Berry Creek Bash Mtn. Bike Race, 4:45 p.m., Edwards www.vailrec.com
14
ECO Trails Commuter of the Year nominations due www.eaglecounty.us/trails
22
La Sportiva Summer Solstice Trail Run, 9:30 a.m., Beaver Creek www.vailrec.com
26
Bike to Work Day, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., aid stations throughout the valley www.eaglecounty.us/trails
26
Vail Grind Mtn. Bike Race, 4:45 p.m., Vail Mountain www.vailrec.com
July
Scott Schlosser of ECO Trails
with Steve Barber, Ben Welsh,
Jeff Layman
Andy Garcia with Scott Schlosser
and Greta Blamire of ECO Trails
• Garcia was honored for his assistance during the
Eagle-Vail trail construction, repair of pavement
problem areas along Highway 6 that were cycling
safety issues, and participation in planning of new
trail sections in the Highway 6 corridor.
• Barber was honored for his participation in the Eagle
Vail Trail on behalf of the Eagle-Vail community
and went the extra mile to be of assistance to the
Vail Mayor Andy Daly with Dick
Cleveland and Jamie Gunion of
ECO Trails
project for the benefit of the community overall. Ben
Welsh and Jeff Layman of Eagle Vail Metro were also
honored for their support and assistance.
• Town of Vail was honored for their leadership and
lobbying role in the Vail Pass Trail improvements, as
well as their consistent efforts to improve pedestrian
and cycling infrastructure in the Town of Vail.
COMING SOON: NEW SINGLETRACK IN EAGLE
Town of Eagle Council has been working with the Haymeadow development to create a new
6 mile singletrack trail on the northern edge of the property. Once easements are finalized,
work by Momentum Trail Concepts and Hardscrabble Trail Coalition will begin. One
goal of the project was to entice the Colorado High School Cycling League to host a youth
mountain bike race in Eagle in mid-October. With moderate grades, distance and looping,
the trail layout will appeal to beginner and intermediate riders, walkers and runners.
6 Eco Trails 2013 Newsletter
6
13
13
13
14
17
20
21
27
31
37th Annual La Sportiva Vail Hill Climb, 8 a.m., Vail Village Gypsum Dirty Dozen 2013 Obstacle Race 4th Annual LG Sprint Triathlon, Eagle Triple Bypass Ride, Evergreen CO to Avon CO Triple Bypass Ride, Avon CO to Evergreen CO Davos Dash Mtn. Bike Race, 4:45 p.m., West Vail Xterra Triathlon Series, Beaver Creek La Sportiva Vail Half Marathon, 8 a.m., Vail Village SOS Outreach Colorado River Ride Boneyard Brawl Mtn. Bike Race, 4:45 p.m., Eagle www.vailrec.com
www.wecmrd.org
www.lgtri.com
www.teamevergreen.org
www.teamevergreen.org
www.vailrec.com
www.xterrabeavercreek.com
www.vailrec.com
www.sosoutreach.org
www.vailrec.com
August
3
4
8-11
10
14
22
23
25
28
BecTri Sprint Triathlon, Avon La Sportiva Berry Picker Trail Run, 8 a.m., Lionshead Vail Recreation District KEEN Vail Kids Adventure Race, Vail Conservation 5K Fun Run at Freedom Park Camp Hale Hup Mtn. Bike Race, 4:45 p.m., Near Red Cliff USA Pro-Cycling Challenge, Stage 4 finish in Beaver Creek USA Pro-Cycling Challenge, Stage 5 time trial in Vail La Sportiva 10K @ 10,000 Feet and 5K, 9 a.m., Lionshead Beaver Creek Blast Mtn. Bike Race, 4:45 p.m. Beaver Creek Mountain September
6-7
7
15
Ragnar Relay, Breckenridge to Aspen/Snowmass via Eagle County
Sonnenalp Casual Classic Benefit Ride for ECO Trails La Sportiva EverGold Trail 10K and 5K, 10 a.m., Vail Golf Club www.avon.org
www.vailrec.com
www.vailrec.com
www.evlt.org
www.vailrec.com
www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com
www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com
www.vailrec.com
www.vailrec.com
www.ragnarrelay.com
www.sonnenalpfoundation.com
www.vailrec.com
October is National Pedestrian Month
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PO Box 1070
Gypsum, CO 81637
SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE ECO TRAILS EVENTS!
ECO TRAILS VAIL PASS TRAIL
CLEAN UP
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2013
Meet at 8:00 AM at Lionshead parking
structure top deck. Bring gloves, water bottle
and raincoat. Bus transportation and lunch
provided. Prizes will be awarded!
Contact tracy.stowell@eaglecounty.us for more
info or to sign up.
28TH ANNUAL SONNENALP OF VAIL
FOUNDATION’S CASUAL CLASSIC
BIKE RIDE
Saturday, September 7, 2013
8 Eco Trails 2013 Newsletter
38 mile FUN RIDE from Breckenridge to Vail.
Shuttle to the start, prizes, goodie bags, rest
stations, and barbeque lunch at Bully Ranch
all provided. Proceeds benefit the Sonnenalp
of Vail Foundation and ECO Trails. See www.
sonnenalpfoundation.com.