News Wednesday June 24, 2020

Bike to Biz Week June 22 - 28
Happy Bike Month Colorado. This year, Bike To Work Day has become Bike to Biz Week! A weeklong event, where Colorado Springs cyclists support local business all over our city. To learn more check out the Facebook Event. Post photos using #BiketoBizCOS
Businesses offering VIPedaler specials:
Bingo Burger – 10% off when you ride down and see us during Bike to Biz Week!
La’au’s Taco Shop – human powered discount.
MER/Pedal Station – Ride your bike to Mountain Equipment Recyclers Inc and Pedal Station and get a popsicle! (Just mention their FB/Instagram post.)
PikeRide – No bike? No problem! FREE 30 minute rides all week.
Roman Villa – While we are still currently operating as curbside only, if you happen to find yourself with a hankerin’ for take away pizza (or pasta) this week, I’ll throw in a cannoli with your order! Just call in your order, pedal on over, tell our food runner you’re bikin to biz and we’ll make sure you get your sweet treat!
The Wild Goose Meeting House – Handing out a limited number of free sunglasses for cyclists courtesy of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.
Trails End Taproom – Show up at Trail’s End with a social media post from this week of you out on your bike tagged with @trailsendtaproom and you get 15% off.

As our busy trail season heats up please remember to SHARE THE TRAIL!
Stay safe by following these trail etiquette guidelines:
  • BE COURTEOUS to other users
  • LEASH THE DOG use a 6′ leash to protect your dog, wildlife and others
  • SLOW DOWN when approaching corners/blind spots (Keep speed under 15 mph)
  • YIELD to uphill traffic
  • ANNOUNCE YOURSELF to other users when you are going to pass
  • LISTEN for other users (Use only 1 earbud so you can hear others on the path)
  • STAY OFF trails when wet or muddy
  • KEEP RIGHT and pass on the left
  • MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE of at least 6′ and/or wear a mask
New to Mountain Biking? Check out MWTA video for safety tips.

PARK AND TRAIL UPDATES

Pineries Open Space Opens Saturday June 27th, 2020!! Pineries Open Space will be open to the public the morning of Saturday, June 27th! The Pineries is El Paso County’s newest and 2nd largest Open Space; it boasts 1070 acres with 8.5 miles of trail. Trailhead parking lot for cars and horse trailers is located at the NE intersection Vollmer and Shoup Roads in Black Forest. The property is under a conservation easement designed to preserve the land in its natural state. The area contains rare and unique plants as well as a mature Ponderosa Pine forest that is classified as old growth.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space Update
More parking is now available at Red Rock Canyon Open Space! In addition to an expansion and realignment of the main parking lot, there’s a new 63-space lot called Sand Canyon, located west of the roundabout at High Street and Ridge Road, as well as 17 additional spaces on 26th Street. Altogether, the project adds more than 100 parking spaces, providing more convenient access to this popular open space. Now, crews are starting work on the new trailhead at 26th Street.
Prospect Lake Closure
The City of Colorado Springs has confirmed the presence of toxic blue-green algae in Prospect Lake at Memorial Park. During the closure, the following activities are prohibited: swimming, bathing, paddle boarding, tubing, water skiing and non-motorized boating of any kind. No pets are allowed. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) offers additional information about blue-green algae on its website.
Rainbow Falls Historic Site
Please be aware, Rainbow Falls Historic Site is experiencing significant use resulting in parking and pedestrian problems. County Parks is exploring a potential reservation process.
Pickleball is coming to Bear Creek
The County has started constructing twelve pickleball courts at Bear Creek Regional Park. This project is partially funded by a $120,000 donation from the Pikes Peak Pickleball Association.

TOSC

VIRTUAL TRAIL MIXER
Wed. June 24, 12:00 – 12:45pm
Hey TOSC Members, you ready to get a virtual update? Hear from Executive Director, Susan Davies about TOSC projects. Get the latest dirt on trail connection projects from Parks Department Trails Development Director, Emily Duncan. And learn how to stay safe on the trails during rattlesnake season. This event is for TOSC Members only, if you are a current member you should have received an invitation to register via email. Questions? please contact beth@trailsandopenspaces.org.

 

Looking for a park or trail that has fewer people? TOSC is here to help! Visit Get Out Spread Out. We have created 100+ videos throughout the region. Explore virtually, then use our route info to plan your own outing. Please do your part to keep our community healthy by follow physical distancing guidelines while recreating outdoors.

Hello friends, we had planned to host a bike ride in Monument Valley Park on Friday, but unfortunately Covid has cause us to cancel. So instead we offer you this Relive video, so you can see all the park has to offer and plan your own outing. There are gardens, ponds, playgrounds, sports courts & fields, swimming pool, historic geological structures… this park has it all! Take a mild 5 mile loop all the way around this fantastic park. We think everyone should visit this park, that’s why it made the list for our 20|20 Parks Challenge. #tosc2020challenge

Thank you to Kangaroo Coffee for

sponsoring TOSC – Get Out Spread Out!

Spectacular Urban Trail Challenge
Something was missing this past Father’s Day Weekend. For the first time in a quarter century, the Starlight Spectacular was unable to take place. Our amazing outdoor and bike community was unable to come together in their amazing costumes or lit bikes. Over the years, we have seen incredible creativity by Starlight riders who have come to the ride dressed in incredibly detailed costumes that were worthy of viral Instagram fame. Do not worry, there will be chance this fall to get those costumes out again. Save the dates, September 25-27th. The Trails and Open Space Coalition presents the Spectacular Urban Trail Challenge.  This virtual event will feature creative costumes, selfie challenges, urban trail loop routes, and more! More details will be released soon about this social distance family friendly event. For now, dream up a costume and save the date! 
 
Save the date: September 25-27th 
The Trails and Open Space Coalition presents the Spectacular Urban Trail Challenge.  This virtual event will feature creative costumes, selfie challenges, urban trail loop routes, and more! More details will be released soon about this social distance family friendly event. For now, dream up a costume and save the date! 

Community

Motorless Morning in the Garden
In celebration of June as Bike Month in Colorado, cyclists and pedestrians can enjoy an early morning, vehicle-free experience in Garden of the Gods Park from 5-8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24. The park will open to vehicular traffic promptly at 8 a.m. All speed limits and other, normal park rules will be in effect.
Southeast Chalk it up!
Sidewalk Art Contest June 26 – July 2
Artwork may be created within circulation area (from East Platte Avenue south to Milton E. Proby Parkway, and from Union Avenue east to Powers Boulevard) and on your personal private property, on city sidewalks or at one of the officially designated Art Areas. Original works may be of any size, and may be created in color or black-and-white non-oil based washable chalk. Artwork may be signed, in chalk, by the artist. More info on Facebook
MWTA Virtual Town Hall
Wed. June 24, 7:30– 8:30 PM
You’re invited to join Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates (MWTA) Virtual Town Hall via Zoom. They will answer questions, discuss trail etiquette, talk about Strava, and share plans for new trails across the parks system.
Day Camp Adventure at Bear Creek
Thurs. July 2, 9:00 – 3:00 pm
Parents, drop off your child (ages 6-11) for a full day of games, activities, hiking and stream exploration at Bear Creek Nature Center! Prepaid registration required.

Trails and Open Space Coalition

 
“I joined 1% for the Planet to give back to our community. And I chose Trails and Open Space Coalition as my nonprofit partner because they preserve the outdoor environment in Colorado Springs, which makes for our incredible quality of life here. I don’t take that for granted, and I want to do my part to preserve it.”
     -Lauren Collier, Live Dream Colorado
 

Photo credit: Honey Bunny Photography

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