Rules/Concerns

Buffalo Creek, like other environments along the Front Range, is habitat for two endangered species: The Preble's Jumping Mouse, and the butterfly Pawnee Montane
Skipper. I submitted the Buffalo Creek Triathlon proposal to the U.S. Forest Service in early September, 2003. In February, 2004, the proposal was accepted with the stipulation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife that on sections of single-track trail bicyclist do not deviate from the dirt area of the trail. That is, you cannot pass another bicyclist if that causes you to ride over any vegetation (grass or shrubs). Bicycling off the trail disturbs the habitat of these endangered species.

So here are the Rules:
1. You cannot pass another bicyclist if that causes you to leave the dirt or rock of a trail (you cannot ride across vegetation). If you come up behind another cyclist and want to pass, wait until there is adequate space on the trail for you to pass without harming vegetation and let the person in front of you know of your desire to pass.
2. If someone comes up behind you and tells you that they want to pass:
a. slow down when you get to a wide enough section of trail for that person to safely pass, OR
b. you can stop and put your foot off the trail but keep your bicycle tires on the dirt, and lean over so that the person behind you can pass
3. You may pull off the trail to rest, or to repair a mechanical

The bicycle course through Buffalo Creek is not a closed course; That is, other trail users may be encountered. Event marshals will be stationed at all entrances to the bicycle course from other trails and roads that other users may intersect. Event marshals will inform the other trail users of the event and the course, and politely encourage them that if they see a triathlete approaching, if they could please step off the trail to prevent triathletes from deviating from the track of the trail.

I don't think that these Rules will really be a significant issue for any of you on the bicycle course.
1. There are some wide areas of single-track which are wide enough to allow passing
without riding over and damaging vegetation.
2. There are plenty of opportunities to pass on the double-track sections and dirt roads
staggered in between the fewer narrow single-track sections.
3. The first 4 miles of the bicycle course is dirt road.

Other off-road triathlons have similar limitations with passing on trails due to inadequate width and/or safety.

I am hoping that the Buffalo Creek Triathlon will become an annual event. The Buffalo Creek Area and Wellington Lake are beautiful and unique opportunities for us off-road triathletes. We are running out of locations for off-road triathlons in Colorado. Let's demonstrate to the Forest Service that we are concerned over endangered species and their habitat, and appreciate their responsibility and stewardship of our natural resources. The Preble's Jumping Mouse and the Skipper butterfly (Note: The single-track "Skipper" Trail on the bicycle course is named after this butterfly) are critical species to the food chain in this environment. Their populations ultimately effect the other larger species: the foxes, owls, and coyotes; and the numerous bird species, which prey on the Jumping Mouse and Skipper butterfly, respectively.

Please feel free to contact the Event Director if you have any questions or concerns regarding these rules, at: Martinich@msn.com or 303-932-1121.
Visit the following websites for further information about these 2 endangered species:
www.ci.boulder.co.us/comm/pressrelease/2003/1010.html This press release from the city of Boulder describes their Open Space and Mountain Parks' efforts in studying the Preble's Jumping Mouse.

www.dispatchesfromthevanishingworld.com/pastdispatches/butterfly/skipper1.html
This is a very interesting article about the skipper in the Buffalo Creek Area!