The Pole

While Durango endures the endless mud season, trails are drying out down south. Wait, what trails down south? Allow Neil Hannum, local cyclist and founder of Aztec Adventures, to introduce you.

According to Hannum, the sandy washes, oil roads and winding ridges of old New Mexico are prime mtb and gravel-riding terrain. So much so that Hannum started Aztec Adventures a few years back to share his love of the San Juan County, N.M., riding scene. 

So, in case you can’t tell by this week’s cover photo, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile (one word) is in town. And while we honestly can’t remember the last time we had a wiener (it’s been a long time), there are plenty of options for residents to get a taste of wiener life this weekend.

Move over wolves and lynx – you may soon have a new neighbor. On March 4, state legislators, including our own Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, took the first step toward reintroducing the North American wolverine to Colorado. Senate Bill 24-171 is set to kickstart the animal’s reintroduction following its listing as a threatened species in late 2023.

Since 10 wolves were reintroduced to northern Colorado this winter, there have been more than 50 reported sightings via an online form on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. Seeing as how it’s been a hot minute, or never, since most Coloradoans have seen a wolf, some reports have proven more helpful than others.

Tired of saddle sores and chamois chafe? Well, settle in, because we’re about to have a really uncomfortable conversation. About bike seats.

Clocking in at 1.45 miles and 30 minutes of ducking and weaving through wall-to-wall people, shlepping from one end of DIA’s B Concourse to the other is no cake walk. But now, DIA travelers have someone to commiserate with. Apparently, Salt Lake City International Airport also has a B concourse with a death march from hell.

For an upcoming girls ski weekend at Sunlight Mountain Resort, you can leave your boots on – but not much else. On March 29-30, the small, privately owned resort near Glenwood Springs will host the all-female “Boot Tan Fest,” complete with an end-of-day naked ski lap.

It’s a sad day for frequent road-trippers to Denver. The endearingly risqué gas station/convenience store chain Kum & Go is changing its name.

If you need to take a moment to cry into your Kum & Go koozie or sweatshirt, it’s OK.