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50+ Fit & Fun Folks

Fort Collins, CO, US

168 members · Public group

Organized by Eric U

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What we’re about

This group is for active individuals over the age of fifty who are looking to stay fit, have fun, and make new friends in the Northern Colorado area. Let's come together to exercise our bodies, minds, and spirits. Join us for regular meetups and special events geared towards staying active and having a good time.

Fitness is my primary focus. Fitness, by my definition, involves both an active body and mind. Joy and laughter are as important as sweat. Exercise in the company of others makes it enjoyable, not a chore.

From the outset and due to the season, I will be hosting hikes for exercise. Snowshoeing and Nordic skiing are skill's I still need to learn and want to. So I'm not the guy to lead those events. Maybe next year.

I like hikes in the 4-6 mile range and moderate difficulty. I will host those as well as hikes more appropriate for beginners. My pace on moderate hikes with elevation gain is 30 minutes/mile. When the weather turns nicer, add flatwater paddling (kayak, canoe, paddle board), and camping events. My pace on the water is 20 minutes/mile.

I will also be posting live music events. I love the Blues and Classic Rock. I love to dance, and I'm still learning how. I've only been doing it for 7 months. When I can find the appropriate venues, add game nights, movie nights, and cooking lessons to the fun side of the calendar.

Upcoming events (4+)

Thu, Mar 13, 2025, 8:00 PM MDTWorm Full Moon Hike (and lunar eclipse);
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space Parking Lot, Fort Collins, CO
This will be the last Full Moon HIKE of this year, hosted by me. Starting next month I will be hosting Full Moon PADDLES (kayak, canoe, paddle board). If someone would like to take the reigns and host the Full Moon Hikes, great, let's talk.

This event was scheduled over a month ago and it's still 3 weeks away. It was created for a Meetup group that is disbanding and will do so after this hike. No new members are allowed to the old group. Not all spots for my permit are filled. I'm posting here so more can come. If people cancel from the other group, I will add more available slots on this one.

WORM FULL MOON HIKE (and lunar eclipse)

The sun sets at 7:06PM

The moon rises at 6:46PM

The lunar eclipse begins at 11:09PM

The lunar eclipse peaks at 12:58AM, March 14

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space hours of operation are 4AM to 11PM. We need to be out of the parking lot by 11. (However, read last paragraph)

LET'S MEET AT THE TRAILHEAD NEAR THE RESTROOMS.

Dress warmly!

The hike will be an up and back/up and down walk along the Southridge Trail. (See map in photos). It is wide and level with an incline that is never too steep. Think well maintained single lane gravel road. Still if you aren't used to climbing, especially in thin air, it's best to stop and take breathers. When you've had enough, you can simply turn around and head back to the trail head. Personally, I will walk up hill for an hour then then turn around.

Larimer County Park: A parking pass is required to park in the parking lot. You can purchase one onsite with a credit card at an automated kiosk. If you hike often, I recommend you get a Larimer County Seasons Pass.

This is also a Blood Moon. A full lunar eclipse that will be visible if the clouds oblige. If you want to observe that, you are in luck. The Northern Colorado Astronomical Society has a viewing event in the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space that same night. Their event starts at 10:30. The have the permit to stay their after normal hours. You must register with them and the county if you want to stay after 11:00PM. That said, NoCoAS's event is on their website but not yet on the county's website. You'll have to wait for them to register.
5 attendees
Fri, Mar 14, 2025, 5:00 PM MDTChicken Fried Steak Dinner and Darts @ Matt's Place
Matt's Place, Fort Collins, CO
The picture for this posting is Matt's Friday Night Chicken Fried Steak Special. I've had it twice and couldn't finish my plate twice. I hosted this event last night, and most of us left with to go boxes. Two people split the special. It's good food and it's a bargain at $10. I had the special and a cup of coffee. My tab was $12 even. It was a $15 evening of good food and good conversation.

I put the start time as 5:00. I know some of you are still working. Please come when you can.

Let's meet in the dart room, in the back. It was essentially empty. You don't have to play darts. I have no doubt that some will. The nice thing is we will have a better environment for socializing. I checked before I left last night and we will get service back there.

If you aren't into Chicken Fried Steak, but would like to join the scene, there are plenty of options. All of Matt's Place's food is good and made with fresh ingredients. I go there monthly after a Tuesday morning hike for tacos. $2 for beef and chicken and $3 for fried fish tacos. You can order those if you like, just not at the Tuesday price.
17 attendees+12
Sat, Mar 15, 2025, 6:15 PM MDTContra Dancing: Lessons then dancing to live music
Fort Collins Masonic Temple, Fort Collins, CO
What is Contra Dancing?
Contra dancing is social, community dancing where everyone is welcome. It's easy to learn, everything is taught, and no dance experience is necessary. There's no need to bring a partner (we typically change partners for each dance of the evening), and all our events feature great live music. Most include a free lesson which is all you'll need for the evening. You can make new friends and have fun in a friendly welcoming crowd. Contra dancing is highly energetic and aerobic. See the links below for more explanation about the details and history of contra dancing.

Lessons Start at 6:15
Dance Starts at 7:00

Presented by: Colorado Friends of Old Time Music and Dance
Music by: Rodney Sauer & The Buffleheads w/Viki Lawrence
Tickets are $15

Attention dancers: Please do not wear black, hard-soled shoes on our wood dance floors. They leave marks on the floor that are costly to clean up. Also, please leave your fragrances at home as some of our dancers are highly sensitive. We appreciate your cooperation.

See our Advice for New Dancers.
Click here for our PDF on dancing etiquette.
Click here for the Wikipedia article on Contra Dancing.
Click here for a National Public Radio feature on Contra Dancing.
Click here for a video montage of contra dancing by Doug Plummer.
You can find lots more information and videos online... just search for "contra dancing".
8 attendees+3
Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 8:30 AM MDT1st RMNP Hike -- Gem Lake
JAX Loveland West Outdoor Gear, Farm & Ranch, Loveland, CO
The Gem Lake Trail at RMNP is a great place to test your hiking mettle.

Moderate Difficulty
3.2 miles in length
987 feet of elevation gain starting at 7,800 feet.

The trail can be rocky and steep in sections. I will be bring spikes and poles. I may wear the spikes. I will definitely use the poles, especially to help me during the descent.

The air will feel thin and I expect to take pauses for breathers through the steeper sections of the ascent. Up and back/up and down. Whenever you feel you've had too much, then we, the group or sub-group, can turn around. Nobody hikes alone.

The location posted is the Jax West Loveland Parking lot. This is to assemble and car pool. You need a RMNP pass to park in the parking lot. Also the TH parking lot is at the edge of Estes Park and accessed by residential streets. LUMPY RIDGE TRAILHEAD is where the hike begins. Put that in your navigation program if you want to drive direct.
7 attendees+2

Past events (24)

Sun, Mar 9, 2025, 10:00 AM MDTEasy Hike Prairie Ridge Natural Area
This event has passed
11 attendees+6

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