Harvest Moon Course Preview?

geauxtri - 2012-07-09 7:26 AM

powerman - 2012-07-08 10:44 AM So how did it go? What do you think of the course?

Not heading out there until the end of this month.

Doh! I read June. woops. Hope you have a good time.

I might join you for a loop and a bit; I'm doing Boulder and also probably the HM Aquabike, so this would make for a nice taper ride for the following weekend. 

Anyone swim the Aurora Res yet this season? I checked the  web page, but no details, just the hours...

Thanks for the info, Erin

I had also e-mailed Aurora yesterday as well, and got the following response:

The Aurora Reservoir currently has two open water swim areas designated for the purpose of open water swim practice:

 1.        Outside of the recreation swim area on the SW side of the reservoir we have an open water swim lap lane, which is open whenever the reservoir is (sunrise to sunset) with the hours for July being 5 AM to 930 PM.

2.       Within the scuba area on the NE side of the reservoir we have another open water swim area, which is also open whenever the reservoir is (sunrise to sunset) with the hours for July being 5 AM to 930 PM.

In general the only applicable rules would be to comply with the requirement to purchase a valid parks pass should you drive into the reservoir, enter and exit the reservoir within the hours of operation, and obey commands from the lifeguards at the swim beach, (the scuba area does not have lifeguards).  However I would encourage you to be safe and swim with a partner when using the scuba area in particular.

 Also, here is a link that will take you to a facility map showing these two areas: https://www.auroragov.org/cs/groups/public/documents/document/003902.pdf

 Lastly the walk in gates are accessible from the neighborhoods South of the reservoir with the following addresses roughly corresponding to those gates:

26081 East Orchard Drive

6220 South Oak Hill Way

26521 East Arbor Drive

6628 South Quantock Way

Sounds like you were at area #2 in the above...I thought it was nice they included details on how to avoid paying the entrance fees too

Heather, 

apologies for the swim hijack 

But on that topic, anyone interested in a dip before the ride?

geauxtri - 2012-07-11 7:25 PM

mountain_erin - 2012-07-11 5:14 PM There's a dirt parking area right off of Quincy and you can ride in for free.

Great idea, but what about bike security while swimming?

Aside from driving pass the reservoir once, I'm not familiar w/ anything east of 470.  I have no idea what the park layout really is.

YOu can bring your bike up to the swim area and it will be in your sight at all times.  There are also picnic tables you could lock it to.

HI Gang!

Okay... I'm getting everything together today to head out there tomorrow...
Still planning on swim/bike Sunday morning.

I've decided that I'm going to go on ahead and drive in.  I just feel better that way and think it's worth the convenience and peace of mind to have my bike locked on my car while I swim and be right there when I get out.

If anyone wants to meet and carpool in, I'm willing to. 

Thinking of being ready to enter the water at 7am (so if anyone wants to meet ahead 6:30?)

I'll check back here on Fri,  or you can find me on Facebook by searching Heather Verret Woichik.

Hope to see some of you

Erin, do you still have my number from Boise?

I'm going to bail.  Apparently I have two sets of out of town visitors this weekend.  Why they can't spread themselves out is beyond me, but what can you do.

FYI - there's a gas station at Watkins right after is passes over I-70 on the west side.  There really isn't anything in Bennett. 

Enjoy your ride and swim!

Still planning to be there to swim, and at least one loop on the bike. 6:30-ish to hit the water at 7 sounds like a plan.

Which swim area were you planning on (Scuba or swim beach? from what I can tell neither matches the course from last year)?  I'll probably drive in as well...

@Erin - Sorry you have to bail, have fun visiting w/ your guests

@Steve - I'll pm you my phone number just in case.  I may be confused, but I thought the bike course was only 1 loop???  (with a spur for part??)  Never-the-less, My pace may likely be a nice gentle spin out for you in prep for Boulder   
One of our former club members that just moved to Highlands Ranch last month may join in, too.  He's also doing Boulder next week (and I certainly know that my pace is more of a recovery pace for Bill vs his race pace - that I could never keep up with).

Perhaps more will join in?


LATER!

I found an old thread that says there's a 100 yard marked course at the main beach, so it looks like the upper lot of the main plaza is the place.

And you are correct on the bike course, according to the posted map...I am just used to seeing North Boulder 2x in the saddle in August, I guess...

I highly recommend swimming at the SCUBA beach over the main beach.  Its very sheltered (the main beach isn't) and there's a ~400 meter triangle course set up.

https://www.auroragov.org/cs/groups/public/documents/document/003902.pdf

HM course has a bit of inside the park business and maybe a partial out and back to get the 56 mile distance.  If you do only the outside the park bit, that will get you to 45 miles.  I'd suggest doing an additional out and back on Watkins, on instead of turning west on Quincy, do an out and back on Kiowa Bennett road for a bit if you want to get your miles in.

Heather, swimming is still pretty iffy for me.  This dang broken heel is a real problem.  I'm going on 2+ months of it being broken and probably another 3 more weeks in my special carbon-fiber and leather corset boot.  This boot sucks so much but I really don't want to spend any more time in it than I have to, so I've told myself to behave.  :/  I do not like having to behave.

Hey Heather - ran into you and your friends at the reservoir the other day - It was good to meet you.

Looking forward to fun race at HM - maybe we'll catch up. 

Erin - hope you're well and your foot's on the mend; I'll probably see you at masters.

Hilde