Greg Skomp, aka Goathead Greg, has been on a one-man mission to rid Denver bike trails of goatheads, the bane of cyclists citywide.
Goatheads are those devilish thorny seeds from a quick-to-spread, yellow-flowered plant commonly called puncture vine. Cyclists who've suffered deflated tires know about them too well.
The Latin name, tribulus terrestris, translated to caltrops of the earth. That refers to the spiked weapons armies used to cut into the feet of armies and horses. The seeds are Mother Nature's way of torturing Front Range bikers, barefoot kids and dogs. Seasoned Denver cyclists are familiar with the plant, but for newer residents, a punctured tire thanks to a goathead can be an unpleasant welcoming to the city.
And that's why the plants need to go, according to Skomp.
There will be a chance to partake in Skomp's efforts this Saturday, July 1. The High Line Canal Conservancy, a nonprofit preserving Denver Water's largely unused waterway permanently for recreation and habitat, will host a goathead cleanup project from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
The Conservancy will provide volunteers with everything they need to safely and quickly uproot the vine. That includes garbage bags, gloves and even a short training.
"Some of these plants can spread a diameter of six, seven feet," Skomp told Denverite last year. "So I get the root of it, the head, the crown, and I've got this huge thing. I can hold it up in the air and it just touches the ground. And I find it very satisfying that I can pull it all the way out."
Community, inspired by Skomp's daunting labor, is helping with Goathead Greg's efforts.
Toward the end of the year, a Goathead Patrol formed around him and the High Line Canal Conservancy started working with him too.
Last year, Skomp uprooted more than 250 pounds of puncture vine from the High Line Canal Trail alone, and this year he will be leading the volunteer effort.
"It's gonna take more than one year," he said. "The seeds can last for three years. I just haven't been able to get in there to get them cleaned up before they could drop their seeds again. You know, unfortunately, some of the areas where we have already been, we've seen a lot of sprouts coming up. But you know, I'm doing the best I can for now."
And so will Denverites from across the city -- hoping that annual efforts can eventually get these weeds under control.
To join the fun Saturday, meet at the Dayton Trailhead, at the intersection of South Dayton Street and East Kentucky Drive.
To sign up, RSVP at the High Line Canal Conservancy website.
