Better Days Ahead

Today is one of those days, that sitting in your favorite local coffee shop, couldn't be a better idea for the day. The weather here in Eagle has been not the greatest riding weather over the past few days and this morning we sit at a chilly 36 degrees with a steady fall of mini snowballs. You know, those kind that are not quite in the form of hail but a bit heavy for flakes.

Yeti's Grind is not your average coffee shop. Run by owners Nate and Tara Picklo of Eagle, the bustling vibe as you walk through the door begins the experience. Inspired by a local coffee shop at Nate and Tara's alma mater, Baylor University, they wanted to create a hip and trendy place to get a good cup of Joe in Eagle which the town was lacking at the time. So Nate left his job in construction and Tara left her job in teaching to make this dream a reality. The term "Yeti" came from a nickname that Nate had adopted on a trip to Alaska due to his lack of shaving over the course of the trip. Throughout the shop you will find all sorts of Yeti themed trinkets. Their menu is well-balanced and they have several offerings if a dose of caffeine is not your thing, as well as a wide selection of gluten-free options. Past the liquid menu, they offer bagels with a smorgasbord of toppings and spreads, burritos, breggos, scones, and dessert breads.

Yeti's Grind opened its doors just over 3 years ago and has quickly become a staple in the small quirky town of Eagle. On any given morning you will find everyone from soccer moms to contractors, cyclists to small business owners grabbing their favorite brew before the days adventures. See, what I like about this specific establishment and what sets them apart from places like "MoreBucks", is that it feels welcoming to anyone. I don't need to be a hipster to fit in, or own an iPad to use the free WI-FI access. It's a place to unwind, forget about the days tribulations, and enjoy some great coffee with friends.

To add to the success, Yeti's Grind opened its second location in the Solaris building right in the heart of Vail Village. Longtime locals may not consider this area the "heart" of the village but it is quickly becoming the center of action with its marketplace offerings, bowling alley, movie theater, etc. So whether you are in Vail or Eagle, stop in and say hi. Enjoy a cup of the finest coffee the Vail Valley has to offer, roasted locally by Travis Colbert, owner of City on a Hill Coffee based out of Leadville, CO.

So what does a local coffee shop have to do with cycling you ask? From a local cycling team to the jerseys hanging in the shop, Yeti's supports cycling and has instrumental in re-enlivening my interest in our sport. It is just another example of the progress we can make in a community when we combine our interests toward a common goal.

Alright, back to the weather. Thursday morning, Danielle and I are hittin' the road to the first race of the season in Prescott, Arizona. The Whiskey Off-Road with options of 50, 25, and 15 mile lengths is a 3 day-long mountain bike festival in the center of famous "Whiskey Row" in downtown Prescott. The forecast right now is mostly sunny and mid-70's for the whole weekend which will be a very nice change to this cold, snowy Spring in the high-country. I'll be sure to bring the nice weather back to the Vail Valley since we have a variety of events starting up in May.

Tomorrow starts the Vail Recreation District Short Track MTB Series kicking off the season at the Eagle County Fairgrounds. Original short track founder and announcer Larry Grossman will make his way "up the hill" to help design what we all know will be a suffer-fest course for all racers. Registration is only $10 per race with free beer afterward. See you all there!


Also coming up in May will start the Vail Rec MTB Bike Series with the first race in Eagle Ranch on Wednesday, May 25th. If you around Eagle for Memorial Day weekend I highly suggest bringing your bike and take part in Hammer Mash. Sure to be a fun filled event with clinics, group rides, vendors, etc.  Keep and eye out for Eagle's Party for the Planet (usually in conjunction with a whole lot of bike demos from our local valley bike shops, rides, beer, etc.). It should be around May 14th. 


Thank you to everyone near and far who is getting these events together. This is the direction we need to go in and gain the support of everyone to make Eagle the next mountain bike destination. As the title says, I definitely see better days ahead. See you all when I get back from Arizona!


TMP