President and COO of Coldwell Banker’s Residential Brokerage, Colorado, Chris knows that living green is a top priority for many Denver homebuyers. As such, he’s passionate about supporting bicycling and sustainable living in our fair city, both personally and professionally.

Chris and his family live in the Wash Park neighborhood, and they marvel at how easy it is to get around by bike. “Within ¾ of a mile we have access to tons of trails–a huge network of paths. It’s pretty incredible.” And while Chris rides the 3-mile commute to his office as weather and offsite meetings allow, the rest of the time he rolls his Chevy Volt. “I’ve had it for almost a year, it just hit 10,000 miles, and the computer says it’s used 71 gallons of fuel. I’ve only filled up five times. In a year!” Better yet, charging the car is no problem; Chris just plugs it into his solar-panel-equipped garage and, as he puts it, “Zero carbon. It’s perfect.”

In 2005, Chris and Coldwell Banker’s Director of Marketing, Todd Moir, collaborated to create Ride the Range, a yearly event for Coldwell Banker employees covering 300 miles in three days and traveling between 14 Denver area offices. Proceeds from the ride are donated to agents’ favorite local non-profits. Chris says, “It’s a lot of fun and really motivates and mobilizes agents to get involved in a way that benefits the entire community.”

Ride the Range has been such a success that in 2009, Chris and Todd decided to add a public event, and the Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride was born! This, the event’s third year, will be better than ever with a start/finish line at Stapleton’s Central Park and 25, 62, 85, and 100-mile ride options. The various routes include all of Denver’s best riding: Lookout Mountain, Castle Pines, and Cherry Creek Reservoir, just to name a few. Space is limited, so BikeDenver suggests signing up early here for this year’s Denver Century on Father’s Day, July 17^th. And don’t forget to tip your helmet to Chris when you see him out on your training rides to thank him for being a true Denver Bike Hero!

[Submitted by Erin Hilmer]

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Bike Hero of the Month Awards highlight different people each month, and help encourage other people to bike by telling the Hero’s personal story. The goal of the Bike Hero Awards Program is to showcase the diversity of citizen-cyclists and the people who support them in Denver.

BikeDenver’s Executive Director Piep van Heuven says: “We introduced the Bike Hero awards because we want to encourage a friendly environment for and public image of bicyclists in Denver. One of the ways we can do this is to showcase the different faces of and great stories about people in our community, like Chris, who ride bikes or help others get out there and ride. Through the Bike Hero awards, BikeDenver honors bicyclists of all ages and walks of life, from the first time bicyclist to the rain or shine bicyclist!  We all know people (our neighbors, co-workers, family members or community leaders) who inspire us to reach for the handlebars instead of the car keys. Take a moment to look around you and help BikeDenver recognize the people in our community who are making a difference for Denver, one ride at a time!”

To nominate a Bike Hero, please send a photo and a brief description of why you think they should be recognized (100 words or less) to info(at)bikedenver.org.

By Ryan Wood • Active.com

Inexperienced cyclists often sign up for their first century ride and become a little overwhelmed at what they’ve committed to. The first century is a learning experience, no doubt, and not just on event day. Training the right way for a century is tough to nail down on your own.

Steve Matson, a Category 3 road racer who runs Matson Cycling Coaching, has helped many cyclists train for century rides. Over the years, he’s noticed a few training mistakes that consistently pop up, yet aren’t exposed until the day of the event when it’s too late to correct.

Don’t fall in those traps yourself. Here are a few tips from Matson that will help with the basic framework of your century ride training calendar:

Give Yourself Enough Time

Matson notices that a lot of century riders, particularly first-timers, don’t start training soon enough. The actual time a rider needs to train for 100 miles varies, but 3-4 months is a general timeframe Matson recommends.

He cites an example of a century newbie who rides regularly, has good equipment and goes on 15-30 mile rides.

“I think it takes 3-4 months for them to extend their volume and extend their distance so that not only do they survive, but they feel good,” Matson said.

Mix Long and Short Days

Training 4-6 days a week is ideal, and it’s more than just riding a lot of miles. Matson suggests one or two days a week for long rides, where you increase the distance and creep toward that 100-mile goal.

The other days, he says, “perform bike-structured intervals that improve pedaling mechanics, build muscle, expand aerobic capacity, and even, at later stages, work the higher end of VO2 max abilities.”

High Intensity Training

That last part—work the higher end of your VO2 max—can be done through high-intensity interval workouts. Basically, you go hard for a short period of time, rest by pedaling lightly, go hard, rest, and so on. What exactly your intervals are depends on how far along you are in your training.

“If you’re in build one (of your periodization), you probably aren’t going to do much high-intensity, or else it will be very short—10 seconds, 12 seconds,” Matson said. “And you’re going to build up to it. When you’re four weeks out from your event, you might be doing 10 efforts that are above your lactate threshold, and they might last four minutes.”

High-intensity training is constantly being studied. But the consensus is that it has undeniable positive effects on your endurance—and will help you complete a century ride.

A 100 – Mile Training ride? Why Not?

Many coaches feel that topping out your training rides at 70 or 75 miles will have you prepared for a century. Matson doesn’t dispute that, but why stop there?

“If you can do 70 miles in training, you can do 100 miles on event day,” Matson said. “On the other hand, why not go into the event knowing you can do the 100 miles by doing it three weeks out? You don’t want to do 100 miles one week out, but do it three weeks out, then you can taper your training down.”

The reason for considering a full-length training ride is simple: confidence.

“One hundred miles done three weeks out just gives you the knowledge that ‘Hey, I can do this,’” Matson said. “It makes it that much easier on event day. You won’t be focusing on ‘Can I do it?’ You will be focusing on how you do it.”

Ready to go? Register today for the Denver Century Ride!

Register today to ride one of the FIVE ALL NEW COURSES of the 2012 Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride with single point start and finish at Stapleton Central Park.

Each course includes access to well-marked, fully supported routes with aid stations including water, sports drinks, munchies, mechanics, post-ride party and more!

$10 of every 100 Mile, 85 Mile, and 62 Mile registration will be donated to BikeDenver so they can continue their efforts to improve cycling access throughout the Metro area.

20% off Registration expires January 31 at midnight.

Our Holiday Gift to You…Save 25% on 2012 Registration before January 1^st

It’s no time to Hide…Get Out and Ride!

The Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride is set for this Father’s Day, Sunday June 17^th

Registration is Now Open

Each course includes access to well-marked, fully supported routes with aid stations including munchies and mechanics, water, sport drinks, a delicious meal after the ride, soda and beer (for 21 yrs. and up), plus plenty of free parking onsite at Stapleton.

Ride for a Reason – $10 of every registration for the long distance 100 Mile, 85 Mile and 62 Mile courses will be donated to BikeDenver so they can continue their efforts to improve cycling access throughout the Metro area.

Gather your pack and register today for one of the FIVE ALL NEW courses!
Early bird pricing expires on December 31 at midnight.

Thanks for riding in the 2nd Annual Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride. Nearly 1,500 cyclists participated and we raised more than $11,000 for our beneficiaries BikeDenver and the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center.

The 2011 Official Jersey is still for sale, click here for more details.

Don’t lose touch, follow us on facebook for more cycling tips, ideas and events! Upload your pictures from the event too.

Visit www.NobleSports.com for official photos of the 2011 event.

Thanks from the whole Denver Century Ride Team! We’ll see you next year!

We’ve partnered with Optimize Endurance and they have created a free six week training program for our cyclists and will be hosting three training rides from BikeSource locations with each ride featuring a portion of the Denver Century Ride course!

Optimize Endurance Services – Denver Century Ride Training Plans

Denver Century Ride training plans are designed specifically for the event and offer access to a USA Cycling-certified coach. Built for beginner to experienced riders with several options based upon your available time to train and which event you have signed up for, be it the 62 mile metric century or the full 100 mile route.

Plans are six weeks in duration and will help you improve your strength and skills as a rider. Six week training plans begin on May 1st. Optimize Endurance Services provides these plans via TrainingPeaks, an online interface for coach and client with download capabilities and nutrition tracking. Plans include periodized training, a core strengthening program and organized practice rides of the route with a skilled, Optimize Endurance Services coach. Learn More and download plans here!

Join Optimize Endurance on three training rides where you’ll receive coaching tips and valuable information to make your Century Ride better.

Denver Century Ride Training Rides

All rides to begin at 9am, plan to show up early to sign a waiver and be ready to listen to coaching tips for the day at 9am

Sat. May 21st meet at University Hills BikeSource Colorado & Yale
Includes Lookout Mountain climb

Sat. May 28th meet at Southwest BikeSource Wadsworth & Belleview
Includes Chatfield State park

Sat. June 4th meet at Highlands Ranch BikeSource University and C470
Includes Castle Pines

Ride dates/routes information can be viewed on the OES Training Rides calendar.

Fore more information check out the Optimize Endurance website.

Denver Parks & Recreation’s Park Rangers are looking for a few good bicyclists this summer.

Are you friendly? Do you love Denver’s parks and trails?  Planning to be on your bicycle enjoying the outdoors this summer?  Ding DONG.  No, it’s not the Avon lady.  The Denver Park Ranger Program is ringing your doorbell.

BikeDenver and Denver Parks & Recreation’s Park Rangers want YOU to apply by May 1^st for selection to a new high-profile volunteer program that will help them take good care of some your favorite places.

The Volunteer Courtesy Patrol needs 30-40 bicyclists over the age of 18 this summer.  Volunteers will assist Park Rangers in four of Denver’s most popular spaces; the Cherry Creek Trail, South Platte Trail, City Park and Washington Park.  Bike jerseys and other equipment will be provided. Volunteers will provide their own bicycle and helmet.

BikeDenver and Denver Parks & Recreation are teaming up to launch the Volunteer Courtesy Patrol to expand the reach of the Park Ranger program and help educate users about basic park & trail safety rules and courtesies.  Volunteers will assist in pairs 3-4 times a month in 3-4 hour shifts on weekends from June to August.

Volunteer Courtesy Patrol Goals:

• Increase the Denver Park Ranger’s presence and visibility in four of Denver’s most popular parks and multi-use trails
• Educate trail and park users about basic safety rules and courtesies
• Model safe riding behavior for bicyclists
• Assist residents and visitors by providing directions and information
• Report on conflict areas, and physical safety issues

Let’s get rolling!  Fill out this easy online form by May 1^st to submit your application: APPLY FOR THE VOLUNTEER COURTESY PATROL HERE.

You’ll find detailed information in the sign up form and we’ll be in touch about the process, but you might want to note these key dates:

May 1:   Applicant Deadline

May 9:   Notification

May 11:   Volunteer Training

May 17 or 18:   On-Bike Volunteer Training

June 3:   Pre-Launch Volunteer Meeting & BBQ

June 4:   Program Launch

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BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization.  We work to promote and encourage bicycling in Denver for recreation and transportation.

The Department of Parks and Recreation stewards Denver’s legacy and is dedicated to customer satisfaction and enhancing lives by providing innovative programs and safe, beautiful, sustainable places.

The Denver Park System includes more than 240 urban parks totaling more than 3,700 acres and more than 240 miles of trails and walks.

The Park Ranger Program provides daily patrol of the urban and mountain park systems and focuses on visitor contact and assistance, park rule and regulation enforcement/education, protection of natural and built resources, environmental education, emergency response and visitor safety.

“The Gear Movement is Boulder, CO’s premier online store for high end bike and ski gear. Have gear to sell, or looking to buy new gear for your next adventure? We can help. Please visit our Facebook page and “Like” us today to learn how to start moving your gear or buying new gear. www.facebook.com/GEARmovement“

Come experience the beauty of Winter Park at the 1st Annual TreadFest 2011, benefiting the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the American Red Cross.

This July 9th mountain bike fundraising event will offer a host of entertainment featuring “Tune-Up Tents” along the trails, food, live music and beer from Avery Brewing.

Trails will be available for everyone from the family of recreational riders to adventure seekers looking for a greater challenge.  For more information about the event, or to register as an individual or part of a team, please visit www.treadfest.com