The race is on
Attention Iron Horse–aspiring couch potatoes: there are only six months to put down that bag of chips and hit spin class. The 41st annual race of man and woman against machine takes off Sat., May 26, 2012.

And in case you happen not to be that guy who can do it off the couch on a 3-speed clunker wearing nothing but a couple extra pairs of tighty whities, not to worry. Registration is now open for the official Iron Horse Training Program. The six-month regimen is offered in conjunction with Mountain Bike Specialists, Anytime Fitness and the Durango Rec Center.

The program starts rolling Dec. 5 with spin sessions as well as info on nutrition, strength training, climbing and bonk-proofing. This is followed by eight weeks of wheels-on training outside starting April 7.

For a course outline and schedule of classes go to www.ironhorsetraining.com. Sign up at the rec center, MBS or by mail.

Moose no laughing matter
Moose might be funny in cartoons or beer commercials. But the Colorado Parks and Wildlife is taking the state’s booming moose population very seriously.
In Summit County, at least six moose have been involved in serious car accidents this year, including a recent collision that killed a New Castle resident. The 31-year-old-woman was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a cow moose on I-70 near Frisco.

“That accident was a tragic reminder that a collision with a moose can be very sudden, and very serious,” said Summit County District Wildlife Manger Shannon Schwab.

Schwab said although collisions with any large animal are dangerous, she is especially concerned about moose due to their size and because Colorad drivers are not accustomed to sharing the road with them.

A Northern British Columbia website, wildlifeaccidents.ca, refutes a common myth that moose eyes do not reflect light like other animals. According to the site, moose eyes do reflect light, but because they are so tall (about 6 feet), headlights do not usually hit them. The site also warns that moose fur is dark, making them especially difficult to see at night.

According to seniortravel.about.com, if you see a moose in the road, stop your car if it is safe, turn on your hazards and flash your headlights or honk to warn others. The site says not to swerve to avoid the moose but wait for the moose to move on.

“At every moose collision I responded to, the vehicle was totaled,” said Breckenridge District Wildlife Manager Sean Shepherd. “People should take this seriously, and not underestimate how damaging hitting a moose can be.”