MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Fall is for Football

Colorado State University’s Ram football kicked off the 2011 fall season last weekend with an away game against the University of New Mexico’s Lobos. The 14 to 10 victory marked the first road game win for the Rams since 2009, giving some the impression this season maybe different. The Rams seem to be focused on overcoming last years 3 to 9 losing season, and find themselves gearing up for their first home game this Saturday, September 10th, 12:00 p.m. at Hughes Stadium. Before their first home game debut, let’s check out the team.

Head Coach Steve Fairchild has been with Colorado State University for quite some time as a student, athlete and coach. Fairchild attended the university and played as CSU’s quarterback back in the late seventies to early eighties. Fairchild graduated with a degree in economics in 1981, leaving Colorado to complete a masters in education from Azusa Pacific. He later returned in 1993 to Colorado and CSU, serving as assistant coach for the Rams until 2000 when he became the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. In 2007, Fairchild was hired by Colorado State as the Head Coach and ever since, we’ve called him “Coach.”

The Ram football team is made up of players from all around the country. From Florida to California, players come to play at Hughes Stadium under the green and gold. They don’t only come to play, however, they are here to work. Student athletes are given a difficult task: balancing the college experience and education with a fulltime sport. CSU has made many efforts to accommodate student athletes including an athlete computer lab in Moby. Grades are top priority yet many find success in sports. Sixteen of CSU’s players are NFL draft eligible and will hopefully be moving on in their professional sports career.

The diversity and dedication of the Rams and its coaching team will hopefully lend a hand to them on the field. I can’t wait for the first home game of the season! The roar of the crowd, the flashes of green and gold, “For-Ever-Green” playing from the band. Get ready, everyone, its Ram season!

Schedule and Tickets
Home games for the Rams are held at Hughes Stadium, located west of campus off of Overland, and right under the proud “A” painted on the mountain.

For a schedule, check out:

http://www.csurams.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/csu-m-footbl-sched.html

The next home game for the Rams will be Saturday, September 10th at 12:00 p.m. against the University of Northern Colorado. Weather is looking to be pretty decent, a high of 75, so get some friends together and have a BBQ or tailgating party.

For Tickets:

http://www.csurams.com/tickets/csu-tickets-m-footbl.html

Mountaineer Mike

Homes & Food Blog by Margaret Blythe www.margaretblythe.wordpress.com

Tour de Fat Recap

Saturday morning, Fort Collins raised the bar by hosting the largest ever Tour de Fat celebration. In the hometown of New Belgium Brewery, 15,000 costume clad cycling and beer enthusiasts took to the streets to raise awareness for sustainability and the simple joys of bike riding. Starting at Civic Center Park, parade participants peddled West towards City Park amongst the cheers and laughter coming from the innumerable crowds lining the streets. Returning back to Civic Center Park, visitors were welcomed by tents, games, circuses acts and live stages filled the park and surrounding streets.

New Belgium, the main sponsor and host of the event, provided over 220 kegs of their craft beer for those who donated to charity. With $70,000 raised last year, the event was expected to draw in a large donation. I don’t know if anyone expected over $80,000!!!

The event was a great success and I know I had a fantastic time! My friends and I sported some 80’s style neon vests and pantaloons. Though we would have stood out in any other situation, we looked near normal next to the troop of lawn gnomes, the disco dancing couple, the robust Vikings and the other great costume concoctions people came up with. Well done everyone and thank you for your support of the local bike organizations.

Sunday for the Poudre
There are some days that are just too beautiful to pass up and Sunday was one of them. Cool breeze, bright sun, I just had to get outside. A short bike ride north to the Poudre River with a book and I was set. I was excited to find the river has gone down some so many of the original bike trails are open along with some newer trails on the north bank. There is a multipurpose path for road cyclists and dirt path for trail riders. I easily found my own secluded spot near the river and enjoyed a peaceful afternoon.

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, there is a rope swing near the bridge north of Cherry St. Regularly deep, calm water makes it a little more reassured, but make sure you’re cautious and smart. Water levels fluctuate in Colorado and you can’t be too careful. The Poudre also offers you the great chance to tube lazily down the river. With multiple parking lots, setting up rendezvous points is a snap and a large group of friends can easily make their way down together.

-Mountaineer Mike

Homes & Food Blog by Margaret Blythe www.margaretblythe.wordpress.com

Tour de Fat is Back in the Fort

It’s that glorious time of year again, where cyclists and the brew masters of New Belgium Brewery come together for one of the most highly anticipated events in Northern Colorado. Break out the ole costume box, tune up that bike: It is time for Tour de Fat.

Beer Goggles

To understand why Tour De Fat is such an anticipated event, you have to look at how Fort Collins sees beer and how beer enthusiasts see Fort Collins. To put it humbly, Fort Collins is both a connoisseur’s and microbrewer’s paradise. With 5 fully fledged craft breweries and multiple microbrewery and homebrew hot spots, it’s no wonder the city is often referred to as “The Napa Valley of Craft Beers.” Fort Collins is the largest member of Northern Colorado’s growing market of upwards of 13 accredited craft breweries. Drawing crowds from all over the world, a diverse array of

But good craft beer does more than just provide us something to sip on. The breweries here help fuel the city’s economy and encourage development and growth. Fort Collins is home to more brewers and microbreweries per capita than anywhere else in the state. New Belgium alone is the third largest craft brewery in the country, competing with names like Boston Brewing (makers of Samuels) and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (makers of Torpedo IPA).

So Tour de Fat? What is that?

No doubt you’ve seen the iconic red, fat tired cruiser bicycle that has become synonymous with New Belgium Brewery. Fat Tire Amber Ale is the signature beer of New Belgium and the name is resonate of the European adventure that inspired co-founder Jeff Lebesch to start the ecofriendly company we see today. With his mountain bike in hand, Jeff explored brewing techniques and traditions of some of Europe’s most iconic brewers. Returning to the states, he brought his newfound knowledge and together with co-founder Kim Jordan, developed now only new beer, but a whole new culture; and one vibrant characteristic of that culture is Tour de Fat.

Tour de Fat is a traveling bike festival hosted by New Belgium Brewery that, in the end, will have been celebrated in 13 states this year. With a message of environmental sustainability and active bike riding, Tour de Fat draws crowds of some of the most passionate and exuberant people I’ve ever had the chance to meet. From North Carolina to California, stunt performances and costumed bike parades have taken the streets, all leading up to the bike trade. Local participants are given the opportunity to handover their cars for a new commuter bike and trailer, courtesy of New Belgium. By encouraging bike commuting, New Belgium hopes to raise awareness and help reduce air pollutants.

New Belgium is also supporting local bike organizations through the Tour de Fat. Among those are Overland Mountain Bike Club, Bike Fort Collins and the Fort Collins Bike Co-op. In my spare time, I’m actually a volunteer at the Bike Co-op and this event is HUGE for us. Please come and show your support!

The Event Low Down

If you’re looking to get involved in Tour de Fat, but don’t know where the closest festival might be, the schedule looks a little like this:

Ft. Collins, CO – 9/3
Denver, CO – 9/10
San Francisco, CA – 9/24
San Diego, CA – 10/1
Los Angeles, CA – 10/8
Tempe, AZ – 10/15
Austin, TX – 10/22

I’m going to the Fort Collins celebration, the original birthplace of New Belgium and the Tour de Fat. The Ride will start at 10 am at Civic Center Park and will be followed by music and a multitude of spectacles. For more information about the Fort Collins celebration, including a map, visit: www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/cities/fort-collins-co.aspx
For other city information, visit:
www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat.aspx

Well I am off to get my costume ready! Hope to see you with the good times!

-Mountaineer Mike

Homes & Food Blog by Margaret Blythe www.margaretblythe.wordpress.com

Palisade Peach Pie Recipe

Palisade peaches have arrived in northern Colorado! I was so excited to pick-up my box of Palisade peaches in Windsor. The peaches were just beautiful and ripe enough to eat in a couple of days.

I decided to stay up late and make cobblers to freeze and a traditional peach pie. You may check out my peach cobbler recipe I posted on this blog by clicking on this link http://www.margaretblythe.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/palisade-peach-cobbler-recipe/

Palisade Peach Pie Recipe

Pillsbury double pie crust
3 pounds of peaches
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup of light brown sugar
2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Preheat oven 450 degrees.

Place one Pillsbury crust in pie pan.

Blanch peaches in boiling water for a few minutes. Let peaches cool a little and then peel by hand. Cut peaches into 1/4 inch slices and place in large bowl. Gently fold peaches with lemon juice, vanilla extract, sugars, tapioca, cinnamon and salt. Pour into pie shell. Cut 4 tablespoons of butter into pieces and put on top of filling. Place other pie crust over pie and fold under lower crust to seal. Cut slits in top crust.

Bake at 450 for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake for 45 minutes. You may cover edges of pie with foil if they get too browned.

Let pie cool for about 20 minutes.  Serve with Blue Bell ice cream or whip cream.  Enjoy!  Margaret

Homes & Food Blog by Margaret Blythe www.margaretblythe.wordpress.com

Fort Collins: Living Bike Culture

No one can ignore the masses of cyclists roaming Fort Collins. Whether it be the colorful jerseys and sleek bikes or the freely moseying pairs on their way to Old Town, they all tell you something definite about our city: “We love our bikes!”

And why wouldn’t we? With over 310 miles of bike trail and road leading you along the Spring Creek and Poudre River, through Horsetooth and other natural areas, and along nearly every street of the city, locals and visitors can find something new along every path.

(Bike) Trail Dust

Being a mountain biker myself, I ride the trails, but more often those of the Pineridge Natural Area, just about 2 miles from my house. The countless dirt and rock trails it provides are ideal for mountain bilker and trail riders of any level. The rush of going down the hill, with the fresh Colorado wind is hard to beat. If you’d like to develop or perfect your mountain biking and trail riding skills, try out the Skills Park at the Spring Canyon Community Park, just East of Pineridge. Jumps, rocks, fallen trees and riveting moguls get your blood pumping and prepare you for the real thing. To put your skills to the test, head up to Lory State Park, just north off Overland. There the trails take you to beautiful valleys, lakes, and forests, all waiting to be explored. Both are within biking distance for moderate to experienced riders. Parking is available as well (be aware of Park fees).

The city of Fort Collins has grown to embrace its Bike culture, making room for over 280 miles of along road bike lanes. The relatively flat terrain of the city, along with the close proximity of the Rocky Mountains proves to be a great training area for aspiring cyclists of any level. Road cyclists can take roads and solid path nearly anywhere. You’ll often see dedicated cyclists huffing to Horsetooth Reservoir. The intense grade and hill frequency are an ideal training ground for one or more of the many racing events in the area. I myself have only dabbled with road bikes, taking short 10 mile rides along the Spring Creek Trail out East and down Overland South. The paths and along road bike lines were smooth to ride, traffic being easy and conscious of cyclists. Along the trail, the Spring Creek leads you to ponds and fields, under the canopy of greenery. The road south took me to picturesque farming country lining the foothills and mountains. Many of the trail areas have multiple parking lots along the way, but you can access a majority of the trails not far from town.

Biking Businesses

The growth of Fort Collins’ Bike culture has lead to street corner upon street corner housing a local bike shop. If you’re looking to get involved in cycling, or are already riding the streets, here are a few local bike shops I’ve found helpful:

The Fort Collins Bike Co-op
331 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO

Lee’s Cyclery Bike Shop
202 West Laurel
Fort Collins, CO

Recycled Cycles
4031 South Mason St. #A
Fort Collins, CO

Peloton Cycles
3027 East Harmony Rd.
Fort Collins, CO

Upcoming Bike Events

If you’re looking to take part in the Bike community of Northern Colorado, check out http://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/events.php. This calendar will provide you with the basic information pertaining to Bike events in Fort Collins, Windsor, Greeley and Loveland.

That’s all for today’s post. I hope you got some useful information to biking here in Fort Collins. I look forward to seeing you on the trails!

-Mountaineer Mike

Homes & Food Blog by Margaret Blythe www.margaretblythe.wordpress.com

743 Woodland Way, Fort Collins Colorado: $196,000

743 Woodland Way, Fort Collins, Colorado

Kitchen

Living Room

Family Room

Backyard

Backyard

743 Wooodland Way, Fort Collins  MLS number 662606

$196,000, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1328 square feet

Too see amazing improvements and price reduction go to my new post http://margaretblythe.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/743-woodland-way-fort-collins-amazing-improvements/  Thanks!  Margaret

Located in southwest Fort Collins, this darling home is situated on a large lot with mature trees and shrubs, garden, patio and matching storage shed. You will love the privacy in the bright lower level room (24′ x 10′) that may be used as a third bedroom/family room/office or master bedroom retreat with a bathroom and laundry room. Enjoy the open and spacious kitchen and living room. This well maintained home has a new storm door, serviced furnace and air conditioner and Gutter Helmet so that you will never have to clean gutters. Walk to Troutman Park, Front Range Community College and Harmony Library. Buyer to verify measurements.  MLS number 662606

Call Margaret Blythe at 970-412-7591 for more information about this must see home.

Homes & Food Blog by Margaret Blythe www.margaretblythe.wordpress.com