Special Rules you must follow to protect the
Endangered Species in Buffalo Creek Area
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!