Brittany Walker Konsella

July 2, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Contrasting Cartagena

Of course, there were more water taxis coming, right?

“Oh no,” Eddy said. “There is only one more water taxi. The teacher’s taxi. It leaves in a few hours. It takes the teachers back home to Cartagena. If it is not full, you can take it. But, if it’s full, then….”

Then we’re stuck. We’re spending the night on the beach most likely. Where we would eat, who knows. To make things worse, this island worked on cash, and we hardly had any cash left. Eddy had most of it.

Travel

June 25, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Colorful Cartagena

A beautiful city right on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia, this city feels like you’re on the set of a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. But, none of this series of films was actually filmed here. What inspired us to come was Romancing the Stone, in which some of the plot took place in Cartagena. Again, however, none of this movie was filmed her either. That didn’t stop us from coming to soak in the charming and colorful Cartagena this past April, though – after continuing on from our trip to Panama. Founded in 1533, this colonial city is as rich in history as it is in color and diversity.

700 miles of singletrack in the summer of 2017

Biking Crested Butte

June 21, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

700 Miles of Singletrack in the Summer of 2017

The rules are pretty simple: Only singletrack counts. So, roads – even dirt roads – don’t count toward the 700 miles. Chairlifts cannot be used to access trails which count toward this mileage. And similarly, shuttles will be minimized, keeping shuttlable miles to 15% or less of my total singletrack tally. Last, all of the miles must acquired during calendar summer which is June 21st through September 22nd.

Biking Mountain Biking 101

June 19, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Mountain Biking 101: Highline Lake State Park – Loma, CO

I have camped many times at Highline Lake State Park, but I have never actually biked there. I actually didn’t even know that there was a fair bit of singletrack there – enough trial to even hold an 18-hour race there. Research revealed that this course was around 11 miles, and it was easy. So, Natalie and I decided to check it out.

Miscellaneous

June 15, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

TBT: Rafting Little Gore Canyon of the Upper Colorado River (Aug 2016)

It was a fun float rafting Little Gore Canyon of the Upper Colorado River and interesting to check out another section of this mighty river. I’ve often thought about getting rafting gear and taking up that sport more seriously, but then I realize it would take too much time away from skiing and biking in the spring/summer. Still, rafting is fun, and I’m looking forward to exploring more places through the water again someday!

Biking San Juans

June 14, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Mountain Biking Phil’s World (26 May 2017)

After the Ledges trail, you would normally go to the Stinking Springs trail if you were doing the big loop, but the trail goes through private property so it is closed right now. So we skipped that and found ourselves on the crown jewel of Phil’s World- Rib Cage.

Mountain biking 101- Buzzard Gulch Trails near Montrose, CO

Biking Mountain Biking 101

June 11, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Mountain Biking 101: Buzzard Gulch Trails – Montrose, CO

There are many trails that make up the Buzzard Gulch Trails system. They range in length from 0.1 miles to 1.3 miles. There are so many trails that sometimes making choices can be difficult. But, the main Buzzard Gulch is the easiest trail and is for true beginners. A couple of trails like Vulture Rim and Mail box are more difficult. The rest are largely at an “advanced beginner” level.

Mountain biking 101 - Rustlers and Wranglers Trails out of Loma, CO.

Biking Mountain Biking 101

June 6, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Mountain Biking 101: Rustlers and Wranglers Loops – Loma, CO

Our first featured Mountain Biking 101 ride belongs to the Rustlers and Wranglers trails out of Loma, Colorado, just west of Fruita. Many people refer to these as part of the Kokopelli Loops which are known for their beautiful views into the canyon of the Colorado River. Rustlers and Wranglers Loops share these amazing views, but are much less technical for riding.

Backcountry Lifeline - Wilderness First Aid for Mountain Bikers.

Biking Interviews Miscellaneous Mountain Lessons

June 5, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella

Backcountry Lifeline – Wilderness First Aid for Mountain Bikers

For some reason, many people feel that mountain biking is a relatively safe activity, especially compared to backcountry skiing. And perhaps it is. But, accidents on mountain bikes happen. A lot. And the injuries can be a lot more serious than people realize sometimes. When you are miles deep in the backcountry in a place where cell phones won’t work, will you know what to do to help a fallen friend and riders? That’s where Backcountry Lifeline comes in – first aid for mountain bikers, by mountain bikers.