A bunch of shit in front of me that I got to dump for the masses to read, all equally rad in my humble opinion. We start with the festivities of the weekend. While our very own Judi will be ripping up that fine Ohio singletrack I will be riding bikes, drinking booze, and enjoying the good times at SSUSA down in Boulder. Say what you will, think what you will think, and loathe what you will loathe in regards to Boulder, CO, but for this weekend that doesnt matter. Hopefully damn near 100 of the nations radest singlespeeders will descend upon the town like a plague of locusts. Boulder cougers take note, if you wish to find yourself a SS man, this is your weekend to stalk and pounce.
Here are some of the details for the drinking and riding over the next few days:
Friday night: Cruiser ride through Boulder, stopping at bars along the way. The race location will be disclosed during this ride, and the decider competition for the right to host next year’s SSUSA will be held.
Saturday: 9 am Ride Start, awards and party to follow at 303 Vodka Distillery in Boulder
This is one of the those weekends where if I make it out smiling and alive it can be called a success.
If two nights of Singlespeed centric fun seems like too much fun to handle, there are plans to crank the fun up to 11, with a large going away party for Jake Kirkpatrick on Thursday night. Like the two guys Dirty interviewed last week, Jake will be attempting the Tour Divide later this month, on a singlespeed. That dude is more badass than most of us can ever hope to be.
The party from 4-8 pm will be held at Swiss Chalet Timepieces at 17th and Pearl Street. A silent auction to raise money for Kirkpatrick’s adventure will close at 7:30 pm. Join friends family, supporters and others to learn about Kirkpatricks race strategy and aggressive training regimen, and to see his custom singlespeed belt-drive Black Sheepbike. Kirkpatrick’s titanium bike won the “Best Off-Road” award at the 2011 North American Handmade Bike Show.
Jake’s journey as well as the journey of the other hardened souls who are attempting Tour Divide will be documented by the fine folks at Push Pedal Crank. Be sure to check out the site before during and after the Tour Divide for some great pictures, and other goodies.
Onto the next nugget of awesomeness, since Big Kitchen is busy studying for the bar exam, he spends his “study breaks” filling up other people’s inboxs will links of cool shit to distract them when they should be working. Here is what he sent out today (probably NSFW, but that depends on your work).
I can too…
(reblog hot chicks)
I found this on Tumbler. It’s ridiculous.
http://icantoo.tumblr.com/.
Ah, picutres of minimally clothed hot chicks always makes the work day go by quicker.
Next we have bike related movies, and I’m talking about the Rapha Continental The Movie (I’m having trouble getting the video to embed, just use the link). Holy shit does this show some great riding. Sure I cant even afford a Rapha shoelace, but that doesnt mean I can’t drool over the riding that the group of dudes who rock their gear got to enjoy. I dig the fact that all the information and routes about the rides that the Rapha Continental gang has done over the years is available on their site. It got me thinking about following their routes for both the Snowy Range in Wyoming, and the Black Hills route in South Dakota. Inspiration by one leads to one riding, which then leads to further inspiration of others followed by more riding by others, now that is some circular motion I can get behind.
Finally, having lived in the land known as the Big Sky, I still keep up with what they have going on up there. The first is the recent report I read about the Helena Dynamos youth cycling program out of Helena, MT. The program is run by a guy named Geoff Proctor, you might have also seen his work with the Euro Cyclocross Camp that gives American racers the chance to fully embrace the Belgian cyclocross lifestyle for a couple weeks every winter.
At several points, we shared some of the challenges to getting kids on bikes — from forms we have the kids fill out to how we instruct them when riding through town, from scheduling trail work days to outlining goals of the program. At this point we have several Dynamos qualified for Sun Vally MTB Nationals and we hope to bring a bunch to Missoula XC as well.
Any group whos goals include getting kids on bikes, and teaching them the proper skills necessary so that they will continue to ride bikes in the future is alright in my book. Big pats on the collective back to all those who helped put the trainign rides together. Check out some of the great photos snapped by Tom Robertson, one of MT finest photographer, who can also rip it up on the trail.
Finally, I came across this picture from the trail building that is taking place to prepare for the Missoula XC race this July.
Oh yeah, that looks like a nice 4 foot drop on the “A” line. There is a “B” which will take longer, is slightly less rad, and wont result you being swarmed by groupies upon completion. And that’s all I got, my weekend starts now.
I got a text from Snake. All it said was, “Spotted in the bike rack.” This image was attached:
Someone in Tucson is keeping it real. Nice product placement.
What I’ve been doing, in preparation for the biggest race of my life, is a lot of mother fucking riding. I had 4 weeks in a row of 200 miles or more on my bike, including thousands of feet of climbing. I put in 20 hours the week before last, when Gnome came to visit.
Now, it’s Taper Madness.
I got the job and am back to sucking corporate cock full time. I hate the job, booking corporate travel, but my expertise is in high demand right now. I hate the industry and the 5 day work week. The best part of the job is being able to commute on my bike. Commuting is fun as hell. It’s only 5 miles each way. It takes me about 18 minutes to get downtown, and 32 minutes to get home (big ass monster climb to my house). I have a bike rack, all to myself, that’s hidden back by the dumpster in the garage attached to the building. At night the garage is gated so I have no worries about anyone stealing it. My bosses are fully supportive of my commute and have no problems with me coming in all sweaty and changing in the bathroom. I work nights, so jeans and gymshoes are acceptable. Last week was a training week so it was a little uncomfortable changing into “business casual” type clothes after my ride.
My commuter beater bike
I raced my Voodoo this weekend, also, in preparation for Mohican. My friend Jeni, who is also doing Mohican, talked me into going down to Kentucky for the General Butler MTB race. She said it would be good for me to race on terrain similar to what I will experience next week. I also wore the outfit I plan to race in, practiced my nutrition (oatmeal, LARA bars, coconut water, protein shakes, power gels, fruit, etc), and got used to my new Hydrapack.
If only I had known what I was getting myself into.
We reg’d in the expert cat – for the miles. The loop was 5 miles but trail conditions were SHIT after 6 inches of rain this week. The fast guys were finishing loops in 45 minutes. I knew I was fucked. The expert women were doing 3 loops and the expert men were doing 4.
We lined up to start, and that’s when Marty looked at my suspension and said “When is the last time you put air in your shock?” HUH? I have to put air in my shock? What the fuck does that mean? Holy shit! I had NO suspension. Butch, starting at a later time, hauled ass back to his car for a shock pump and hooked me up with 140 in the top and 130 in the bottom. WHEW. THANKS BUTCH!
And then we were off. The trail was awful. Rocks and slippery, scary roots, lots and lots of mud and all singletrack. Downhills, uphills, switchbacks, hike-a-bike type of terrain. Grassy parts with muddy water that made me slip and slide like crazy. Off camber, rocky terrain that I had to walk my bike and where I screamed FUCK THIS SHIT, as loud as I could, on my 2nd loop. Then more grassy, muddy, watery hills, and then finally I could hear the music in the parking lot and knew the end of the loop was close.
After 3 loops, I felt like I had just finished a 3 hour ‘cross race.
I got 3rd, and Jeni got 2nd.
Prize money in those envelopes!!!
My bike fit is perfect. The only thing I am changing for Mohican are the pedals. Candies just aren’t cutting it so I am going to use the eggbeaters Gnome brought me. Maybe they’ll bring me good luck.
After the race I talked to several people who have done Mohican and they suggested I downgrade my entry to the 100K. I am about 80% sure I will go ahead and switch to the 100K. This race was a lot like the Mohican trails will be, but 100 fucking miles? I really do not want to DNF. Or miss the cut offs. I know I have the heart and endurance to do a 100m MTB race but not on this type of terrain. It bums me the fuck out, because I really, really wanted to do the 100m.
What to do?? Go big and possibly DNF? Or go small, and pussy out?
After Mohican, I will be doing two nighttime criteriums, the Madiera Crit, and the Hyde Park Blast. I finally got my team jersey last week – THANKS RACHEL! I am pretty stoked to be the only person to sport a RideClean jersey here in Cincinnati. I love the DC logo and the HTFU on the collar.
My RideClean jersey
I rode with the Slow and Steady ride last Thursday, probably for the last time, since my night hours will start up next week. This is the funnest ride ever. Kelon, who started this ride 3 years ago, is totally dedicated to getting people stoked about riding bikes. There are tall bikes, dirt bikes, BMX bikes, road bikes – fancy and old, fixed gear bikes, MTBs – if you come on this ride, you are going to have a smile on your face all night long. Yea, it may take us 2 hours to ride 10 miles, but who fucking cares. It’s a great time, and I am going to miss it. Last week we stopped on the Purple People Bridge for a picture. Isn’t the skyline gorgeous?
Picture by Michael P.
Gnome gave me a class on the Hipstamatic app and showed me how to take rad pictures. I’ll leave you with a picture of Dominic doing his thing.
P.S. Today was 90 days off the mezz. My lungs are in better shape than I ever could have imagined.
Charles Henry, 53, was hit by a car and killed on Rapids Road in Troy Township around 7:30 p.m., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
. . .
The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol. The woman driving the car that hit Henry has not been charged with a crime.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43151587.
I first met Taylor last summer when he started working at the shop. Initially dismissed as the new shop grom, I eventually found myself having more and more in-depth conversations with him about 24 hour races and long off road tours. Come to find out, in 2009, the he was the under 25 World Champion for solo 24 hour racing. Then he came back to get second in 2010 worlds in Australia. This kid has Arizona mountain biking in his blood. On any given day of the week you can see him on South Mountain where he says he does about 95% of his training. The only thing more impressive than his fitness is his constant positive attitude. The stoke runs deep with this one.
Lets take a look at his setup and see how he answered the same questions I asked Jon:
Continue reading “Divide Rider: Taylor “Tot” Lideen”
Our collective apologies for all of us at DC for being a couple days late on this one, but SDMB won the $50,000 award to help protect mountain and desert trails from development.
SDMB freaking WON the $50K grant to build, maintain, and educate about trails! Thanks go out to the DC brethren that helped us out!
- Scorekeeper Scott
Ready full press release here.
A BIG thanks to all those who voted to help SDMB win the grant, SDMB for fighting the good fight, and Todd Wells for the “celebrity spokesperson.
On June 10th, 78 riders will get on their mountain bikes and attempt to ride from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico by way of the continental divide. This 2,745 mile stroll through the mountains is referred to at the Tour Divide. I have been mildly obsessed with this route ever since I heard the epic tales of John Stamstad and his solo, self supported time trial of the entire route. His completetion the route in just over 18 days paved the way for what is possible on a mountain bike. Since it’s inception, the divide race has continued to grow. A full length documentary on the race has been making it’s way around the country this year and getting a lot more people excited about the event.
I am fortunate enough to know two guys right here in Phoenix attempting the race this year. John “JP” Pettit and Taylor “Tot” Lideen work at my local shop and were nice enough to sit down with me over a few beers and talk bike set up and strategy for their upcomming race. Over the past six months I have watched them experiment with all kinds of gear and I was curious to see how it all shook out. I also consulted our facebook community to see what questions they would want to ask somebody racing the Divide and this is what we got:
Continue reading “Divide rider: Jon Pettit”
That’s it. I’ve put in my time and been counting down the hours at work. It’s only Wednesday, but my weekend starts now. Did somebody say ‘Road Trip?’
The wife hates me and I’ll take my lumps when I get home. But now, the Goose is Loose! That’s right, we’re headed to Gooseberry Mesa, Utard. Time for a 5 day bike trip excursion/vacation/break from reality/ditch grad school/no more diapers and crying kid. We’re off to the land of weak beer, multiple wives and great riding.
Got my new frame and ready to roll big wheels across the land. It’s like taking a knife to a gun fight, but I’ll git r’ dun. A double squish would be a better tool of choice, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Stay safe out there and enjoy the holiday weekend!
Would you rather have a pool or a bmx/skate park?
This kid. Right here. He’s from Arizona. A lot of us here at DC have known him for years. And, yes, we are all up in his business. This photo is from the 2010 Tour de Romandie. Yeah, that’s a Green Jersey on my man right there! (You know you’re baller when you’ve got a wiki page.)
Chad Beyer (BMC) was one of the day’s main protagonists, working into the day’s main, four-man breakaway to successfully defend his points jersey, a distinction he earned while on the attack on Wednesday.
Beyer was keen to grab more points and helped force the day’s main move. Following out were Alan Pérez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha) and Denis Van Winden (Rabobank) and the quartet quickly built up a four-minute lead halfway through the circuit course.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/04/news/cavendish-takes-stage-at-romandie-sagan-keeps-jersey_113667.
Image source: http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/04/news/cavendish-takes-stage-at-romandie-sagan-keeps-jersey_113667/attachment/5beyer-2.
Chad is currently doing this little things called the Giro. In today’s State 16, a utterly grim looking uphill time trial, he lost 05:12 to Alberto Contador. Contador, by the way, pretty much owns the race at this point. Beyer finished 155th. Green jersey photo above from Romandie, and then not exactly lighting the world on fire in a short, uphill, time trial in this year’s Giro. About what I would expect to see. Full results from State 16 here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-his/stage-16/results.
Remember the goal:
It’s my first Grand Tour so my number one goal is to finish.
http://www.universalsports.com/news-blogs/article/newsid=532074.html#bmcs+chad+beyer+previews+giro.
I’d say he’s made it though the worst of it. Full list of the stages here. He is well on his way a finish in Milan.
How ’bout them apples?
