C r a i g M o r r i s

Portlandia bike clip

2012-01-27T08:29:00.004-05:00

I know this is a dated video but I still smile when I watch it. I used to live in Portland back in 1987. I recall how refreshing it was, even back then, to see so many folks riding bicycles. Everywhere. Bike messengers were out in force during a time when the whole urban fixie thang was just emerging. Now the trend has spread throughout every major city in America. I missed out on jumping on this particular bandwagon and as a result, I may just be a little less hip today.

*TWEET TWEET* this means I'm stopped!!

2012 Barry-Roubaix is coming...

2012-01-26T20:46:00.007-05:00

The 2012 Michigan racing season kicks off with the 4th installment of the Barry-Roubaix. The Killer Gravel Road Race! This event has replaced the Yankee Springs Time Trial as the the season opener and is quickly becoming the springtime version of Iceman. This year the race is capped at 1500 and there are currently 500 spots left. I have no doubt these will sell out fairly rapidly within the next month. Sign up peoples!

Barry-Roubaix Website:

BikeReg Registration:

Another change for this year was to extend the 60 mile race into one continuous lap versus two 30 mile laps. For me, last years race was difficult as I made the turn for the second 30 mile lap while the majority of riders were finishing out their race. The Barry-Roubaix has also been included into a national series called the American Ultracross Championship Series. This event continues to grow.

My Pic-O-the-Day

2012-01-25T19:44:00.005-05:00

My friends tell me I take a lot of photos. They are correct but the majority of my images are hardly worthy of a coffee table book or underground publication. I exclusively depend on a small portable camera that can be tucked in to my back pocket. If I see something that catches my eye I usually stop (which totally messes up my rhythm) and grab a quick shot. I was skimming through some images and saw this photo from the 2010 Triple Trail Challenge . I had just made it back to my car after a long, wet ride on the singlespeed. About 10 miles into the ride the sky's opened up and it poured for the next two hours. I was totally caked with a thin, gritty mud but the beer, food & showers at the finish washed it all away.
I turned the camera upside-down for this shot. I submitted it to Bikerumor and they posted it today. Yea!

Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Mud Treatment

Sh*t Cylists Say...

2012-01-23T04:57:00.005-05:00

Yes, this video has been making the rounds in the blogosphere & every cycling site known. I think the reason I find it so entertaining is we have all heard several (if not all) of these lines somewhere in our cycling lifespan. We are an obsessive bunch. This is so true...

365 days in the life of a bike in NYC

2012-01-22T11:15:00.003-05:00

Love this video and it's description as a "unique urban experiment." For some strange reason I am captivated by these 365 day clips.
I also enjoy the viewer comments such as this:

Starts at 0:17

Days when things disappear (earliest I can tell)

0:28 day 157 water bottle

0:31 day 214 basket

0:32 day 225 bike lock

0:33 day 231 seat, day 241 parcel rack

0:34 day 248 front wheel, day 252 handlebar grips

0:35 day 270 rest of the bike

3 months before the water bottle was stolen, and over 7 months before a functional part was taken. It looks like parts started disappearing right after the tires went flat and bike looked abandoned.

I'm impressed by NYC honesty, actually.

Check it out.

Winter riding can be a good thing.

2012-01-20T18:47:00.022-05:00

After today's ride I found a renewed sense of passion for my fitness routine. It seems like a shame to squander that season ending fitness throughout the winter months whilst watching endless TV, drinking beer and getting fat? Ideally a little break is fine but as soon as January 1 rolls around the thoughts quickly turn to spring and a new season of riding and racing. The spring training ensues with hours of mind-numbing spinning on the stationary trainer. UGH! Kill me now!
Over the years this has been the usual routine for me. I have fought it over and over and I have discovered that I would much rather endure the harshness of training in the great outdoors versus the prospect of the indoor training experience. As a result, I will be able to maintain my fitness, sanity and pleasant attitude. The key will be to avoid over-training so that I will not be burned out when spring arrives. Sure, I guess I could always embrace a new form of winter cross training such as Zumba, running or cross country skiing but I prefer to "enhance" my passion for cycling on a year round basis.
To make this possible it has taken several necessary additions to the cycling wardrobe. The advent of new insulating products has made a huge difference in cold weather comfort. I have poor circulation (old man alert) and my insulating emphasis is mainly on the hands and feet. I start off with a warm, dry pair of wool blend socks. Lately, I've been digging the DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks. In addition to the socks, a pair of thin sock liners next to the skin will trap warm air. It is important to have plenty of room in the gloves and shoes for warm air to trap between the layers and sweat to wick away from the skin. Tight shoes and gloves will only make you colder.

I finally decided to go with a winter cycling boot. It seems like there is this period of denial where most riders think they can get by without investing in a dedicated winter cycling boot. "Heck, my MTB shoes and neoprene booties got me this far." Eventually, most cold weather riders succumb to the idea of warmer feet and never look back at why the decision didn't happen sooner. There are many makes and models on the market today. I went with the Louis Garneau 0 Ergo Grip shoes and I have found them to be well made, functional and warm.

Louis Garneau 0 Ergo Grip Shoes:

Today's temperatures were exceptionally cold (single digits) so I topped off my winter boots with the Endura MT500 shoe cover. Yes, my feet looked gigantic with the multiple layers of insulation but they were toasty through two hours of winter riding. Success!

My hands are another extremity that require adequate insulation. If I can keep my extremities warm then my whole body will remain comfortable. For extremely cold days or anything under 20 degrees I tend to go with the handlebar gauntlets. Mine are a cheap knock-off designed for snowmobile and ATV use.

For the absolute best I would recommend the authentic Moose Mitts designed and manufactured right here in Michigan.

Next, I start out with a thin silk blend glove liner. I love the feel of the Thermasilk liner and the added layer of insulation is ideal. As a result, I can wear a less bulky glove with good results. The bonus with the glove liner is if you need to remove the outer glove to reach in a pocket or repair a flat the liner is perfect for preventing the hands from exposure to the cold air.

After freezing my digits off with inferior mid-weight gloves I have recently opted for the Louis Garneau ETS Ski Glove. LG has many varieties available for winter use and these are getting the job done. These gloves are less bulky and offer plenty of dexterity for shifting as well as being well made and durable. Sweet!

Louis Garneau Winter Gloves:

Simply stated, warm feet and hands can put the enjoyment back into winter riding where it belongs. Winter riding is hard enough as it is without the hassle of numb limbs. Suit up and get out! Good luck!

Worst Day of the Year Ride - January 22, 2012

2012-01-14T08:45:00.010-05:00

The snow and cold temperatures have returned to Michigan just in time for this annual event. Wheels in Motion have been hosting this ride for awhile and I have yet to attend. I admit it, I am a marshmallow and I have plenty of excuses to avoid the harsh conditions usually found out on the road, in Michigan in January. Our team has decided that this would be a wonderful opportunity to gather for a group ride. Peer pressure may be the deciding factor for me and my absence from this event. Regardless, the event is free and I REALLY am looking forward to it.

Details:

The weather outside is frightful, but a bike ride is so delightful. Bundle up and join us on a festive, winter ride around the streets of Ann Arbor.

The seventh annual Worst Day of the Year Ride will take place on Sunday, January 22nd. This free event always promises to be a fun filled, snowy day of riding. We will offer a variety of routes for you to choose from including:

Polar Bear Ride- 40 miles 12:00pm
Polar Cub Ride- 20 miles 1:00pm
Abominable Snow Man Ride- Mountain Bike loop 1:00pm (dependent on trail conditions)
Reindeer Ride- 12 miles 2:00pm
Snowshoe Hare Ride- 6 miles 2:30pm

All rides will be lead by ride captains and will be at a casual pace. The Polar Bear ride will have a fast group leading the charge with moderate paced ride captains following the faster riders. You will be provided with route maps on the day of the event. All rides leave from the Kerry Town Farmer's market and end at the Arbor Brewing Company where there will be free hot soup, attended bike parking and cash bar. A full menu will also be available for those that want to purchase additional food.

Register for the event
Learn more about the routes & start times
Winter Cycling Information
Sponsorship Opportunities

Prizes & Giveaways

In years past there have been giveaways and prizes, and that will continue for 2012. We've been in contact with local businesses & bicycle vendors to gather up as many prizes and giveaways for the event as possible. Prizes will be distributed at the after party by a lottery drawing of those who pre-register for the event. We'll post up prize information as we have it.

WEBSITE:

STRAVA link to MTB
route:

1st Annual Arcadian Grit & Gravel Mountain Bike Race

2012-01-13T08:44:00.006-05:00

On May 19, 2012 the gravel road phenomenon continues here in Michigan with the advent of another event to add to the race calendar. Endoman productions hosts the Peak2Peak XC in October and it looks like they may be jumping on the gravel road band-wagon with an early season event featuring some great Michigan terrain. As this gravel road trend emerges here in Michigan we may see these events form into a state wide series. The Barry-Roubaix is already part of a national series called the American Ultracross Championship Series. It's only a matter of time as the popularity of these events increases.

WEBSITE & Details:

MAP:

View Larger Map

The Whole Enchilada

2012-01-12T16:18:00.002-05:00

With a cold Tecate of course!

Fabulous!

From the video:

Arguably one of the top mountain bike trails on the planet. Linking up several Moab favorites, this trail spans almost 30 miles and has a cumulative descent of over 8,000 feet.

The beauty of this ride is not just the sheer scale of it - but its diversity. Starting in high alpine forest at Burro Pass, the ride transitions to aspens, high desert and finishes off plummeting down to the Colorado River on exposed singletrack.

The type of riding if vastly diverse as well: from slow, steep and technical rocky singletrack to wide open high speed sections and everything in between.

My first time doing this ride could only be described as 'complete sensory overload'

Riders: Chad G, Steve Cooke, Tom Bishop, Adam Simpson and myself.

Music: The Dandy Warhols - The Creep Out

The Whole Enchilada: Top to Bottom - Moab, Utah from Phil Shep on Vimeo.

2012 MMBA Championship Points Series schedule

2012-01-06T22:20:00.006-05:00

from the MMBA.ORG website

Championship Points Series (CPS)

The Championship Point Series (CPS) is Michigan's premier grassroots racing series. The CPS raises funds to support local chapters in their ongoing advocacy work and trail improvements. The Series supports state-level advocacy.
The race series attracts all levels of racers from the first-timer to national and world champions. The races are exciting and competitive, as well as beginner friendly for those wishing to try their first mountain bike race. See the CPS Rules link for more information.

All Racers are welcome to compete in the Championship Point Series. No license is required but you must register for the series on BikeReg to have your points tabulated.

When I started racing in Michigan in 2004 this series was my introduction to the local race scene. The series forced me to drive to new locations throughout the state and I met a lot of great folks along the way. That first year I dove in and raced 13 of the 14 race series. Since then I have moved in other directions, raced in other series and the series became a tad stale for me. The new schedule has been pared down to 10 races and features several new venues. I may have to add a few into this years schedule.

Yankee Springs Time Trail Sunday, April 22

Fort Custer Stampede Sunday, May 6

Hanson Hills Challenge Sunday, June 3

State Games of Michigan Saturday June 23

Boyne Marathon Saturday, July 14

Sweat Shaker Saturday July 28

Ruby Campground Sunday August 5

Maybury Time Trial (MMBA Chapter Benefit) Saturday, August 18

Addison Oaks Fall Classic Sunday, September 9

Pando Challenge Sunday, September 23

Your trails. Your backyard. Supported by you and the MMBA.

My arms look like toothpicks....

2012-01-04T23:34:00.009-05:00

As the racing season wound down I recently came to the realization that my upper body and core were getting progressively weaker with age. Jars were getting harder to open. My t-shirts were hanging off me like a strung out junkie. Last, but not least, my arms were beginning to look like one of the Schleck brothers.

My un-shaved arm:

Now that the winter season is upon us here in Michigan I decided it was a good time to pump it up. I set up my weight set and trainer and I'm determined to beat this diminishing girth by the time March rolls around.

There is plenty of great articles on cycling based weight training.
This is a good point:

Most coaches recommend a program of strength building (higher weights, fewer reps) in the winter and then a shift to lower weights (perhaps 50% max) and more reps (3 sets, 50% max.weight, 25 reps OR 2 sets, 25% max.weight, 50 reps) as the cycling season approaches to mimic the ways you use your muscles on the bike and to decrease the possibility of injuries.

Article HERE

Roger Marquis outlines a great weight plan:

Weight Training for Cyclists

These are some of the most helpful tips for weight training I've found over 25 years of riding and lifting. Also recommended are the Weider series of bodybuilding books for sound training guidelines (as long as you ignore Weider's nutritional advice).

Warm up for 10 to 20 minutes with an aerobic exercise. The Concept II rowing machine and Turnturi exer-cycles are good if you're stuck indoors, jogging and cycling are preferable otherwise. You'll still want to start lifting with relatively light weights.

Start with a light enough weight to warmup and add weight with each subsequent set. Take weights off for the last 2 to 3 sets as necessary. This is known as pyramiding.

Maintain strict form. Isolate specific muscles as much as possible. This means not swinging the weights up when curling, not using too heavy a weight, and lowering the weight slowly after each rep. Advanced bodybuilders can 'cheat' to advantage, runners, cyclists and other endurance athletes generally cannot.

Work your weakest muscle groups at the beginning of the workout.

Train opposing muscle groups on separate days i.e., biceps and hamstrings Monday, triceps and quads Tuesday...

Train abdominals, forearms and calves daily. Other muscle groups should be worked at most every other day.

Partials are good for break up a routine. Use higher weights over a portion of the normal range of motion: the top 1/4, middle half, or bottom third of a curl for example.

As with riding the payoffs from weight training parallel the time spent doing it. Try to (gradually) work up to 4 hours per week plus cycling or 8 hours per week otherwise.

Training partner(s) will really help you stay psyched.

Don't avoid certain exercises because you need to use a light weight. In fact the exercises requiring light weight (deep squats, deltoid flys, etc.) are also the most likely to show rapid improvement. Remember, endurance athletes have different objectives and requirements from bodybuilders.

Roger Marquis

Full article HERE

Good luck!

2012 UCI Masters Cyclocross World Championships

2012-01-04T00:07:00.007-05:00

Wow! This looks pretty cool. I'm gonna make it a point to go next year and check it out. I'm too slow to race it but maybe after watching in person I would have a better idea as to how much I really suck at CX. Best of luck to the Michigan riders who will be there. Take no prisoners!

UCI CYCLOCROSS MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
January 12-15th 2012
Louisville, Kentucky

Website & INFO

BikeReg registration info:

Chicago Cross - New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-03T00:13:00.001-05:00

New Year's Resolutions - CX Bike Race from Kyle Bainter on Vimeo.

Video by Kyle Bainter. Montage from the NYR Race on 12/31/11. Shot all overcranked at 120 and 300 fps on Canon glass.

Gravel Grinder News

2012-01-02T09:17:00.007-05:00

It looks like the 2012 gravel events calendar is starting to take shape. It would be cool to try out a few new races this year. Have a look.

Gravel Grinder site

Move

2012-01-01T10:09:00.003-05:00

Sound advice from a guy who obviously get's out.

For 2012 I plan to find some new digs to MOVE in to. In the meantime, I will make it a point to put down the Christmas cookie, get off the couch and move.

2012 MBRA Michigan Road calendar

2011-12-31T22:05:00.007-05:00

HERE WE GO!

Spring is only 3 months away and road riding is alive and well here in Michigan.
Start your plans today.

MBRA website:

From the Michigan Bicycle Racing Association FB page:
There are a few errors, which will be fixed shortly. The Grand Rapids Bicycle Co TT, is technically not in the MI points series as of right now. The Celebration Criterium is in the MI points series. The West Michigan Stage race will take place on May 19-20.

Year:
Date Title Race Type Status
Mar.31.2012 FRCC Spring Fling #1 Criterium
Apr.01.2012 AAVC Spring Training Series #1 Criterium
Apr.07.2012 FRCC Spring Fling #2 Criterium
Apr.14.2012 FRCC Spring Fling #3 Criterium
Apr.15.2012 Fisk Knob Time Trial Time Trial
Apr.15.2012 AAVC Spring Training Series #2 Criterium
Apr.22.2012 AAVC Spring Training Series #3 Criterium
Apr.28.2012 Willow Time Trial Time Trial
Apr.29.2012 AAVC Spring Training Series #4 Criterium
May.06.2012 Cone-Azalia Classic RR Road Race
May.12.2012 Tour of Washtenaw Road Race
May.26.2012 Das Tour of Frankenmuth Road Race
May.27.2012 Gran Fondo di Thumb Tour
May.28.2012 Grand Rapids Bicycle Co. TT Time Trial
Jun.02.2012 West Branch Classic Road Race Road Race
Jun.03.2012 West Branch Criterium Criterium
Jun.08.2012 Le Tour de Mont Pleasant - Prologue TT Time Trial
Jun.09.2012 Le Tour de Mont Pleasant - Criterium Criterium
Jun.10.2012 Le Tour de Mont Pleasant - Road Race Road Race
Jun.16.2012 Duck Lake Beach TT-State Championship Time Trial
Jun.17.2012 Celebration Cinemas Criterium Criterium
Jun.19.2012-
Jun.20.2012 West Michigan Stage Race Stage
Jun.23.2012 Rockford Criterium Criterium (Tentative)
Jun.30.2012 Criterium Detroit City Criterium
Jul.08.2012 Terry Reisch Memorial Charity Race Road Race
Jul.14.2012 BTR Bike Race Criterium
Jul.15.2012 Priority Health Race for Wishes Road Race
Jul.22.2012 Le Champion Pave Criterium
Jul.28.2012 USPRO National Criterium Championship Criterium
Jul.29.2012 Milford Criterium - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Criterium
Aug.05.2012 Hines Park Time Trial Time Trial
Aug.10.2012 Cherry-Roubaix Downtown Sprints Other
Aug.11.2012 Cherry-Roubaix - Old Town Crit Criterium
Aug.12.2012 Cherry-Roubaix Road Race - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Road Race
Aug.19.2012 Tour De Gaslight Criterium
Aug.25.2012 Sylvania Cycling Classic (Ohio SC) Criterium
Aug.26.2012 Birmingham Bicycle Festival Criterium
Sep.03.2012 Debaets-Devos Pro-Am Memorial Bicycle Race Criterium
Oct.20.2012 Mad Anthony CX CycloCross

2012 NUE Series schedule

2011-12-30T23:20:00.007-05:00

Tentative schedule for 2012. Who's in?

More info @ usmtb100.com

NUE 2012 State Date Reg. opens

Cohutta 100 Tennessee April 28

Mohican MTB100 Ohio June 2 January 1

Lumberjack 100 Michigan June 16 March 3

Breckenridge 100 Colorado July 14 January 1

High Cascades 100 Oregon July 21 December 31

Wilderness 101 Pennsylvania July 28 January 1

Pierre’s Hole 100 Wyoming August 4 February 3

Hampshire 100 New Hampshire August 19 (Sun) January 15

Park City P2P Utah September 1 February 15

Shenandoah 100 Virginia September 2 (Sun) January 1

Fool’s Gold 100 Georgia September 8 Register Now

Criterium Detroit City

2011-07-11T23:37:00.006-04:00

Great video from Saturday's Criterium. Well done Matt and all of those who helped pull this event off. Bike racing is alive & well in the D.

Cat 1/2 crash video:

Facebook page:

RESULTS

Lumberjack 100 version 2011

2011-06-24T09:25:00.013-04:00

No race for me this year. My leg is still jacked (long, boring story) up so I decided to join the fun and help out where I could. I drove up Friday and rode a lap before dinner. It was the first time I have ever rode the trail while NOT racing. I was also digging the trail on my Niner 29'er. It climbed like a goat and rolled super fast on the trail. It was an enjoyable ride and this trail never disappoints. If I were racing I would not have ridden the entire length the afternoon before the event. I went over to Ricos to meet the team and while all my teammates were drinking water I was able to quaff down a few Oberon's without regret. I was kinda enjoying the NOT racing thing. 5am came early on Saturday and we all headed down to the start. No pre-race jitters for me as the team gathered for the 7am start.

The roll out was pretty cool. The buzz of hundreds of knobby tires rolling fast on the pavement was great. The gust of wind created by the pack pushed it's way through the corridor of trees as the riders filed into the singletrack. Check out the video:

A Greyhound train:

Brian Bratney FTW!

Pit debris:

Alex finishing lap 2:

Promoter Rick Plite confirmed that he had plenty of volunteers to help him with the event. Several re-routs had eliminated the need for additional course marshals and I was now essentially free to do what I wanted for 10 hours. With lap times of 3-4 hours it was gonna be a long afternoon. It slowly dawned on me that NOT racing kinda sucked. I met up in the pits with teammates MIKEWOODS!! and Ritzy who had started off the day with a couple of beers. Mike was scheduled to assist at the aid station at 1630 so we gathered to ride a lap and "sweep" the course. The trail had improved significantly with the throng of riders clearing out the debris that littered the trail when I rode it on Friday. Unfortunately, the debris still claimed it's fair share of riders with the first mechanical reported (sheared derailleur)withing 30 minutes of the start. This lap was much more relaxed as we pulled off many times to clear debris and allow racers to pass. At times it felt like I was an Imperial storm trooper riding a speeder through the forests of Endor. Tall trees and a carpet of thick ferns. Truly an amazing trail!

We finished our lap and headed over to the aid station to help out. It was amazing to see the condition of the riders as they were midway on their third lap. All the riders demonstrated a wide range of cognitive facilities. With ~15 miles from the finish there were a few folks who were hurting. As a racer you may feel like shit but as a spectator you truly get to see it. The volunteers did a fantastic job in handling the riders who were limping in at the late stages of the race and encouraging them to finish it out.

Sunday morning crepe-fest. Thank you Jeffro!

MIKEWOODS!! and Camcakes:

RESULTS:

Bike Fail video

2011-06-23T23:48:00.002-04:00

It's amazing the shit people do on their bikes! I couldn't pass this video up. Like a train wreck, it's a bit painful to watch but I'm sure you'll kept looking.

Olympic XC course preview in London.

2011-05-29T22:43:00.005-04:00

Another homogenized Olympic XC course with the usual man-made features. The video does illustrate some well made rock features to prevent erosion. I noticed a lack of trees (it is England) and this may lead to potential widening of the trail if riders cut the course. Regardless, I would enjoy riding it. Uber-over-the-top soundtrack has me ready to save the world. Check it out.

Obey The Rules...

2011-05-08T23:45:00.005-04:00

From the Velominati. Great stuff!
Here are the Top 10 of 85 of the greatest rules to ride by.

The Rules:

Rule 1:
Obey The Rules.

Rule 2:
It is forbidden for someone familiar with The Rules to knowingly assist another person to breach them.1

Rule 3:
No matter how good you think your reason is to knowingly breach The Rules, it is never good enough.

Rule 4:
It is, absolutely, without question, unequivocally, about the bike. Anyone who says otherwise is obviously a twatwaffle.

Rule 5:
Harden The Fuck Up.2,14

Rule 6:
Free your mind and your legs will follow.

Rule 7:
Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp. Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.

Rule 8:
Saddles, Bars, and Tires3:
Match the saddle to the bars and the tires to black; or
Match the bars to the color of the frame at the top of the head tube and the saddle to the color of the frame at the top of the seat tube and the tires to the color where they come closest to the frame; or
Match the saddle and the bars to the frame decals; or
Black, black, black

Rule 9:
If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.

Rule 10:
It never gets easier, you just go faster. To put it another way, per Greg Henderson: “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”4

Life Cycles Official Teaser Video

2011-05-05T23:42:00.003-04:00

Check it out...

Life Cycles OFFICIAL Trailer from Life Cycles on Vimeo.

Life Cycles Film.com

Everybody's working for the weekend...

2011-04-27T10:49:00.011-04:00

Oh yeah...

After a week long deluge of moisture from above it's kinda difficult to imagine myself enjoying a dry ride let alone a dry race this weekend. Dry being the operative word. Who knows, last weekend turned out fine and I don't want to rain on anybody's parade.
Here is the local line up for this weekend:

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Willow Time Trial - New Boston - Willow Metropark, Michigan USA
WEBSITE:
MBRA website:

...or if you prefer something less paved.

Mark your calendars. On Saturday, April 30th 2011, the North Oakland Single Speeders will be hosting the second annual “Gravel Grinder” in Oxford, MI.
This is a group ride and you are invited to come and enjoy some of the best dirt roads in Northern Oakland County. Choose your weapon.
For 2011 we are going with a 100k (62 miles) route, plus an option to bail out early and finish with a respectable 35 miles.
FREE.

Sunday, May 1, 2011
Cone-Azalia Classic RR - Milan, Michigan USA
Cone-Azalia BLOG:
MBRA website:
This is a cool race that is affectionately named the “The Gent-Wevelgem of the Midwest”. With it's sprinkling of dirt roads and moist conditions this could be very interesting.

Fort Custer Stampede XC - Augusta, MI
SWMMBA race info:
Registration:
A classic Michigan mountain bike race.

Four events in two days. Get out people!

FROM STEEL: The making of a Soulcraft

2011-04-25T20:01:00.003-04:00

Great video from Soulcraft bikes. Handmade is so cool...

FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft from michael evans on Vimeo.

Paris-Roubaix with the Mavic Neutral Assistance team

2011-04-24T23:11:00.003-04:00

POV action from this year's Paris-Roubaix. So much effort goes into supporting the riders on such a demanding course. Cool perspective.

Pontiac Lake Time Trial - April 23, 2011

2011-04-20T09:56:00.014-04:00

Tailwind Racing website:

Each Spring I go through the emotional torture most commonly referred to as "pre-registration". Like clockwork the Yankee Springs Time Trial usually goes off without a hitch unaffected by early season trail conditions. The sandy trail on the West side of the state is ideal for early spring and summer riding. The Pontiac Lake Time Trial is held the following weekend in SE Michigan on a trail with much different soil (mud) conditions. Early season conditions can be hard on the trail, drivetrain and overall mental state. After a week of snow, rain & cold temperatures the question remains. To race or not to race...?
More later.

UPDATE:
Like a sign from above the weather cleared for a stellar day of racing. I arrived in time to help set up the team compound and BS with old & new friends. Unfortunately, while this was going on I should have been standing in the registration line as the new operators were struggling to process the increasing throng of racers. The line continued to grow but after a long wait it was business as usual. At least the sun was shining! In a nutshell, I tend to suck at the short, intense effort known as a Time Trial.

I guess a better warm up may have helped but it's usually the same result for me. A fast start followed by a blow up a few miles in and I spend the rest of the race recovering. Pontiac Lake is a demanding trail with sharp climbs, rocks and plenty of roots. The trail was in great shape although I went down on the greasy climb after the switch-back section. My legs felt OK although my bike handling skills were kind of sketchy. I kept falling off my line and lost rhythm in the process. Anyways, I was passed by several guys in my age group on lap one and quietly rode a smoother second lap to finish out 5th in the 50+ Expert class.

The RACING GREYHOUNDS were well represented in many of the classes and a huge shout out for the awesome team support and relaxed vibe. FABOO!
Team compound (aka The Tootsie Roll)

Jeffro carefully tending to the ribs:

Cameron took third in the Elite class. I guess Christian (1st place) had other places to be:

Roper won his age group riding a singlespeed!

Pusher and Janice:

RESULTS:

What's going on?

2011-04-18T15:18:00.017-04:00

It has been a while since the last update. The weather in Michigan has SLOWLY been more Spring-like and the rides have been getting better.

A week ago I took a digger. I wish I could say it occurred during some epic battle out on the trail or road. Nope, it happened while riding a flat, dirt road here in Washtenaw County. I was cruising at 20 + mph with a strong tailwind and I must have also been daydreaming because I never saw the pothole that waited for me. It went something like this: pothole, handlebar twist, right hand slipping off the hood, front wheel sideways, sliding on road along the left hip, thunking head/helmet on road hard. Denial. WTH!
Regardless, my bike and I survived. I did come across this product while tending to my wounds. Pro riders have been using these tube bandages for years years and I'm happy to find these now on the store shelves. I recall using mini-pads and nylons back in the day! The Telfa non-stick pads also work very well.
Curad Hold Tite:

Sadly, the Ragin' Raisin race that was schedule for April 16 was canceled. I hope to see it on the calendar next year.
Ragin' website:

The Michigan MTB season kicked off Sunday, April 17th with the Yankee Springs Time Trial. Hats off to the WMMBA chapter for pulling off another well organized event. This event always reminds me of how it felt at the first day of school. Everybody checking out everybody. Congratulations to my teammates who had a strong showing in several categories. Even the tandem class!
Yankee Springs TT website:
2011 RESULTS:

Michigan was also well represented at the 18th running of the Paris-Ancaster race in Ontario, Canada. Clint Verran (Paint Creek Bicycles)and Mike Simonson (RBS/TREK/NOTUBES)placed in the top 20. Rich Stark (Two Wheel Tango) won the Singlespeed class. Great work all!
Mike's race report:
RESULTS:

While all this heated action was taking place I had a date with my bride which included a trip down to Slows Bar-B-Q located in the heart of Detroit by the old Tiger stadium. Absolutely fantastic food and beer selection. It's all about choices...
SLOWS Bar-B-Q:

Today it is snowing. It was a good day to work on some things and I decided to mess around with the helmet cam on the singlespeed. Be advised, this video is 3+ minutes of boredom although it gave me a hub-high perspective that should be pretty cool on the singletrack. Hopefully the trails will dry out soon from this latest round of moisture. In the meantime the roads are in great shape for riding.
Fork cam video:

Gravel Grinder 100K Saturday, April 30, 2011

2011-04-14T11:13:00.004-04:00

Mark your calendars. On Saturday, April 30th 2011, the North Oakland Single Speeders will be hosting the second annual “Gravel Grinder” in Oxford.

This is a group ride and you are invited to come and enjoy some of the best dirt roads in Northern Oakland County.

For 2011 we are going with a 100k (62 miles) route, plus an option to bail out early and finish with a respectable 35 miles.

FREE.

Pure crazanity!!

2011-04-06T23:52:00.008-04:00

If I was any good at Photoshop I would have added a turd pile over that dude's shoulder on the State of Michigan. I'll just say it. The weather lately is making me crazanky. Seriously? I hate it when other people talk about the weather although I have come to discover it is constantly on my flipping mind. Precipitation, temperature, wind speed and direction, 7 day forecast, sunrise, sunset, etc., etc.....

Regardless, the paved roads are where it's at right now. Off road conditions are too soft to mess with. Here are a couple of items that have really shined for me on these gloomy days.
The first is Finish Line Wet Lube. For me, this product has performed well over the winter months as well as during the wet season commonly referred to as Spring. Give it a try.

The next useful item is a set of bombproof road tires to get those long training miles in. I would recommend the Continental GatorSkin tires. I ride in the morning before work and I cannot risk screwing around fixing flats far from home with the possibility of running late for work. These tires have been amazing. They are durable and hold up to wear very well. I went with the 25cm width for a bit more surface area and I ride gravel as well as the beat up roads around here. Try them, you will be glad you did.

Right on! Tomorrow's forecast calls for better weather and some base miles.

Thursday: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 8 mph.

Some assemby required...

2011-04-05T09:37:00.014-04:00

The Spring weather lately has been marginal at best. What better way to spend a cold, rainy day then to build up a new bike. I've discovered that next to actually riding bicycles, building them is pretty damn satisfying. This is not one of those pimped out builds that ends up at the NAHBS or displayed on the roof rack of some rich dudes Lexus. I was looking to build up a race worthy rig at a modest price. Middle of the road, that's how I wagonwheel.

I enjoy the hell out of my 29'er rigid singlespeed and I was looking for a similar ride, except with gears. I opted for a 2x10 drivetrain and a White Brothers carbon fork which I felt was a good fit for the trails here in Michigan.

I started off with a sweet looking 7005 aluminum Niner EMD frame. No scandium or carbon fiber here.

Daniel built up some sweet wheels for me. The silver & black spoke combination with the red and black nipples looks great.

Here are the specs for the tech/weight weenies out there:
Sram x9 6 bolt 135mm QR disc hub rear hub, Sram x9 6 Bolt 9mm QR disc front hub-32h w/No Tubes ZTR Crest rims 29" w/ half black Wheelsmith DB14 spokes, half silver Wheelsmith DB14 spokes , and Wheelsmith black alloy nipples and red alloy nipples-Model Year-2011-Manufactures listed weight=N/A-Actual Weight=Front-767 grams, Rear-982 grams, total weight 1749 grams-Date weighed-04/04/11

*Weight does not include rim strips and valves

After about 5 hours of assembly I now have my dream bike. The drive train components are primarily SRAM X7 and the cockpit is Truvativ Stylo. This will be my first non-Shimano component bicycle of recent times. I have finally made the jump to tubeless tires and hydraulic brakes which will require some new maintenance skills for me. Fan-freaking-tastic!
Now the wait begins until the singletrack dries up.

NinerEMDolicious photos:

Barry-Roubaix, The Killer Gravel Road Race. March 26th, 2011

2011-03-27T12:14:00.021-04:00

Barry-Roubaix website:

Here's a great clip on how the race played out at the head of the pack:

Watch more video of Barry-Roubaix: The Killer Gravel Road Race on cyclingdirt.org

Now from a mortal's perspective:

WOW, what a stellar kick off to the race season here in Michigan. Promoter Rick Plite and his crew executed another exceptional race with attendance hitting close to 1000 riders for this years gala event. The premise for the race is simple. There are three distances to choose from (23, 35, 65 mile) and any bike is welcome. It was obvious that the 18 degree conditions outside had little impact on people showing up and this was realized when I rounded the corner to enter the park and was caught up in the following mess:

By the time I got parked and picked up my number plate I was already 40 minutes behind schedule. This left me about 20 minutes to get ready. It dawned on me that cold weather riding usually requires an additional 30 minutes of prep time to get layered and warmed up properly. I spun on the trainer for a meager 10 minutes and headed over to the start line just as they said, GO! I settled in with the roll out and prepared myself for the Sager road section that sucked for me so badly last year. I was tickled to discover the benefit to riding the first wave was that the riders were able to clear the "technical" sections cleanly without the mayhem that surely happened behind our wave. The sandy roads of the course were frozen hard and smooth. Barry County has some truly amazing roads! In usual fashion I was promptly popped off the back within the first few miles and played leap frog with as many groups as I could.
At mile five I avoided disaster as I flatted the front tire on a fast sketchy downhill. I changed the flat as I watched what seemed like hundreds of riders fly past. Back on the road I soon realized I forgot to attach the front brake cable and had to stop to re-attach it. Doh! It was somewhere around mile 20 that I realized in my haste to get to the start line that I had failed to toss a few gels into my back pocket and had absolutely no nutrition for the 65 mile haul.
At the base of a lengthy climb some homeowners were blaring "The Eye of the Tiger" which seemed appropriate as I dragged my ass up the climb. The next 10 miles I rode with a good group of riders as we exchanged pulls and reeled in swarms of riders. As I approached a final climb towards the end of lap one I shifted down and dropped my chain off the inner chain ring. Another stop. Damn.
I eventually finished lap one feeling pretty good although my tank was running low. As I made the turn for the second lap I had a feeling in my gut that I was in for a struggle. I was desperate for energy food as I scoured the road for an unused gel packet or Clif bar. Due to the cold conditions, there was a great deal of gel packets and chemical hand warmers littering the road dropped from the back pockets of fumbling riders. I eventually found a unused GU packet and tore off the top and as I squeezed the heavenly goodness from within I realized it had been run over and the bottom corners had been blown out. My left hand was now covered with semi-frozen sticky goodness which bonded my fingers together like crazy glue. I then stopped at the aid station and gobbled down a frozen banana. Unfortunately, they were all pre-peeled, frozen and uber-slippery. I just couldn't bring myself to cram one in my back pocket for later.
The frozen roads were now thawed, soft and very slow. I was very slow and each hill was getting progressively harder to climb. I was cooked. I was thankful that I had a good supply of glycogen stored from a week of rest and that I was fully hydrated.
I finished at 4:20:xx and was 80 out of 145 in the 65 mile class. I'll take it. Some races are flawlessly executed and there is often very little to reflect on. This particular event made up for those flawlessly executed races and I think karma should be in balance now for me. My bike was set up perfectly for this course. I had no clothing malfunctions and my layering was spot on. The lessons learned I can only hope to remember prior to this race next year.

In a nutshell, this race is a true test of a riders early season fitness. What a blast!

RESULTS & PHOTOS

Warning: Objects in mirror are WIDER than they appear

2011-03-14T18:02:00.014-04:00

After hauling my "Winter weight" around the block today I'm thinking a pilot car and WIDE LOAD sign might have been more appropriate. Gawd, I feel so slothesque.

The dirt roads are still drying out here in Michigan so I rode the pavement on one of my favorite loops. Sunny, 40 degrees and windy. With a lack of early season endurance the tank was empty towards the end.

Route:

6935.604173811243 calories later and the obligatory cyclometer shot.

Tour of Washtenaw - May 14, 2011

2011-03-13T09:28:00.006-04:00

Coming soon to nearby Saline, Michigan. 65 & 100 mile options. Check it out.

Facebook page:

Article & info:

Registration link:

MBRA link:

Life is good...

2011-03-13T09:02:00.007-04:00

Whew, I squeezed in a quick ride before work. Although I felt slow and sluggish, the effort was fine for a couple of hours while I struggled against a swirling 20 mph wind. Riding outdoors is the way to go and it sure makes the time spent indoors at work easier to handle.

A friend at work scored me this t-shirt with a message that says it all. Life is Good.
Thank you Lynn.

Random images...

2011-03-08T23:38:00.016-05:00

I'm just not ready to start taking ride photos until there is something worthwhile to capture. In the interim I'll toss out a few random shots snagged from cyberspace.

Yes, my cyclometer say's it all. My power IS very average.

Sven Nys prayer candle

2011-03-07T00:45:00.004-05:00

A divine upgrade.

Chris Akrigg - A Hill in Spain

2011-03-04T09:55:00.002-05:00

Nice scenery and this rider makes it look so easy. Wish I were there...

Urban Downhill POV

2011-03-02T09:55:00.001-05:00

Gawd, I wish I had the balls to descend like these dudes. I guess I need to MTFU.

VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo.

Cabin fever sets in...

2011-02-27T23:59:00.001-05:00

fender bender freakout on pinkbike.com

2011 Iceman Cometh Challenge Registration

2011-02-24T10:01:00.008-05:00

Registration LINK:

Here we go....
I recently received my annual email from promoter Steve "Iceman" Brown announcing registration details for the Iceman Cometh spectacle held Traverse City, Michigan in November. Each year, as the race evolves this email is usually followed by a maelstrom of debate regarding the event. This year the two major changes are the price increase to $75.00 and the event is now USA Cycling sanctioned. Big deal. Simply stated, it's a 2 hour race in the middle of a 2 day party. I dig it and I'm willing to support it. Blah, blah, blah...

Discussion thread:

Cyclists versus cars continued...

2011-02-22T09:56:00.003-05:00

Rage Against Your Machine
What is it about cyclists that can turn sane, law-abiding drivers into shrieking maniacs? The author ponders the eternal conflict with help from bike supercommuter Joe Simonetti, who each week survives the hostile, traffic-clogged rat race between the New York exurbs and Midtown Manhattan.
By Tom Vanderbilt

Full article HERE:

One hella sprinter, one hella splinter

2011-02-21T11:50:00.005-05:00

From cyclingnews.com:

February 19, Day 2: Men: Keirin, omnium - Women: Sprint, scratch race, omnium
Meares and Hoy lay down markers in Manchester

By: Richard Moore
Published: February 19, 11:12,
Updated: February 20, 09:27

Hoy's win in the men's keirin was spectacular both for the manner of his victory, with the 34-year-old quadruple Olympic gold medallist sitting back and then launching a surge that destroyed his five opponents, and for the chaos that ensued behind.

As Hoy blasted up the home straight, Aziz Awang, the diminutive Malaysian, tried to squeeze through a tiny gap on the final bend, in the process colliding with and bringing down two riders.

In true domino fashion these three riders brought down the remaining two, meaning that Hoy was the only man left on his bike, even if he only realised that as he surveyed the wreckage on his victory lap.

As Hoy celebrated, the stricken riders sprinted in ungainly style for the line, pushing their bikes, to claim the minor placings. Jason Niblett (Jayco-AIS) was first to do so, with Awang somehow managing to remount and ride across the line to claim third, and confirm his overall World Cup win, before being carried out of the arena on a stretcher. The replays showed an enormous splinter entering his calf and coming out the other end.

"I was completely unaware of the crash," said Hoy. "It was only on my victory lap, when I was showboating, and the officials were shouting at me to stay up the track, that I could see the bodies. The noise of the crowd meant that I didn't hear it, but it was a nasty one."

Full story HERE:

The Cobra blows it again!

2011-02-09T23:54:00.003-05:00

Gawd. Make it stop.

Story from the Huffington Post

ROME — Italian prosecutors and the Italian Olympic Committee are investigating reports cyclist Riccardo Ricco was hospitalized after an alleged self-inflicted blood transfusion.

The Gazzetto dello Sport reported Wednesday that doctors at Pavullo Hospital in Modena quoted Ricco as saying he administered a transfusion on himself using blood stored in the refrigerator for 25 days.

The paper said he was admitted to the hospital on Sunday in a state of shock. Ricco was expected to be released on Wednesday.

The paper reported prosecutors have opened an investigation.

Ricco signed with Vacansoleil this season after a 20-month ban for doping at the 2008 Tour de France. His team withdrew him from the five-day Tour of the Mediterranean that started Wednesday.

Where The Trail Ends...

2011-02-09T09:29:00.003-05:00

Freeriders in the Gobi Dessert. Pucker up! Great video teaser.

Freeride Entertainment

Insert comment here...

2011-02-08T00:05:00.004-05:00

Lucas Brunelle videos

2011-02-07T09:35:00.009-05:00

I guess you can call this rider an early helmet cam pioneer.

I stumbled upon his site and found some very interesting videos. A few years back I commuted daily via ferry & bicycle through Seattle traffic and I am mildly familiar with the navigational nuances associated with the urban bike messenger. Dizzamm! The alleycat and sprint races featured in these videos makes my time spent riding in the city look extremely tame! I will spare you the obligatory sermon about helmet use, cycling stewardship, advocacy or even the part about obeying basic traffic laws. That would be akin to extolling the virtues of a solid stock portfolio to a wound up tweaker. It just doesn't apply here. Regardless, it's a pretty wild ride from the fixie cockpit. Give it a view.

Lucas Brunelle site:

The YouTube comments clearly point out that it's a two way street. Like or Dislike.

TAYA colored chains. Really?

2011-02-05T09:49:00.004-05:00

Taya Chain has been making chains for 40 years. WHODATHUNK? Yes, they even offer colored chains which are featured in the video above. I am aware that colored chains have been around for while but I have never put much stock into their importance. For me, it's always been either Shimano, KMC or SRAM when it comes to chains so I have little insight as to the actual quality of this product. Personally, I can do without the candy colored chains although the TI Gold Deca chain looks pretty sweet!

Obey The Rules

2011-02-05T00:02:00.007-05:00

These rules are spot on! If you have any questions please refer to rule number 5.
The Rules - Velominati - Keepers of the Cog

Presenting: Obey The Rules (Welly White Boy Edit) by GangstaPhant featuring BrettOK and Newz.
Obey The Rules

Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Oh, Girl, No You Di’int!

2011-02-03T08:46:00.001-05:00

Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Oh, Girl, No You Di’int!

Thank you Bikerumor.com!

Welcome to THUNDER SNOW!

2011-02-03T08:35:00.006-05:00

Well, I hope everyone out there survived the "snow event" of 2011. Today the sun is shining and it's -3 degrees outside. The recent snow now has that CRUNCHY/SQUEAKY quality to it.

I just placed my order for a Niner EMD frame which gives me added incentive to work these long hours when I should be outside chillin'.

2011 Lumberjack 100 registration

2011-02-01T10:25:00.004-05:00

Lumberjack 100 site:

BikeReg link:

Sweet Sassy Molassy! Say good-bye to January!

2011-01-31T15:21:00.011-05:00

Booyah!

The month of January 2011 has come and gone. Thankfully. By comparison, December was über tame with mild temperatures and very little snow. Like a light switch turned on from January 1-31 it has been full-on winter (as it should be here in Michigan) and I am happy to report that February will suck equally, if not more. I rode more this month than ever before, primarily on the singlespeed plying the snow/ice/dirt roads North of town. It is my attempt to shun the trainer and so far it's been working. Bring on February!

2011 ride data:
11 rides
325.82 miles
14.57 avg.

2010 ride data:
6 rides
210.35 miles
15.89 avg. (CX miles)

Happy trails...

Manchester, Michigan dirt road ride

2011-01-30T17:43:00.009-05:00

I went out to Manchester, MI. today to check out the route for the Ragin' Raisin Dirt Classic race taking place here in April. Since I was not familiar with the area I decided to drive the route first to check it out and avoid having to pull out the map during the ride. Smart move. The area was very rural with crunchy, snow/ice covered roads. I parked at the High school and rode the 20 mile loop in the pleasant 20 degree sunshine. It is always enjoyable to ride somewhere different and today's adventure was no exception. There were some nice rolling hills with a few sharp climbs and very little vehicle traffic. I will definitely come back to reverse the loop and double it up.

ROUTE:
Click the small elevation at the bottom of the key for a elevation profile.

Sprawling Oak adorned with tennis shoes:

Knolly Bikes 2010 Team short pre-season video

2011-01-29T23:33:00.001-05:00

Cool video shot in Oregon. Enjoy.

Ragin' Raisin Dirt Classic - April 16, 2011

2011-01-29T09:40:00.008-05:00

TA DA!

Another dirt road race right here in Michigan! This event will create a third choice of dirt road races in addition to the Barry Roubaix and the Grampian Challenge. This race takes place on the dirt roads around Manchester, MI. The course description sounds interesting:

THE CLASSIC. 36.63 miles. Includes two laps of a 15.5-mile loop with nearly 4000 total feet of climbing. Two trips down (or should we say “up) the infamous Bemis Corridor with the devilishly steep “Three Sisters”. Two grinds up the insidious Maple Grade. And just two miles of pavement in the entire course. The rest? Hard-packed gravel - except where it isn’t so hard-packed. Tough enough if the weather cooperates – but who knows what we’ll get in mid-April. Sun, rain, snow, slush – take your pick. Oh, and did we mention the wind?

I was a bit confused when I first saw the title of this event and realized it is taken from the River Raisin which flows through the area. Unfortunately, there is no connection to dried grapes.

I also discovered the Ragin' Raisins are a wrestling team out of Pennsylvania.
Whodathunk?

Enough about raisins.

Although I could not find any results from last year it looks like this will be the second running of the event. With established road and mountain bike events in the area this could be the beginning of a new trend to round out the racing calendar. I hope so. DO IT!

Complete information can be found at Wild Side Events.

Red Bull Mini Drome

2011-01-27T23:39:00.002-05:00

From Bikerumor:
York Hall in the East End of London was home to England’s first race on the world’s smallest velodrome. Perhaps motivated by Portland Design Works newest office installation, the Red Bull Mini Drome was a contest of not necessarily fitness, but more so the skill and the ability to stay on the track, especially after fatigue set in (you’re going to want to watch the whole video to catch all the carnage).

Cyclists from almost all walks of life entered the competition, but it was won by none other, than Mongoose trials rider Chris Akrigg.

superprestige Zonhoven 7 feb 2010

2011-01-27T00:18:00.001-05:00

superprestige Zonhoven 7 feb 2010 from jef cleemput on Vimeo.

I think "Zonhoven" means "Burying your clavicle into the sand like a lawn jart" ~ Jeffro

Grampian Challenge 10-1-11

2011-01-26T00:06:00.006-05:00

Yes, October is a long way off but there is a new gravel road race on the horizon that promises to become a staple of the Michigan race scene.

Here is a description of the event from the promoters website:

The Grampian Challenge will be a culmination off all the things you like about racing your bike in beautiful scenery of Michigan in the Fall. The "Grampian" is a 40 or 20 mile ramble over dirt roads, two tracks, single track, and rail trail. The intent is the ultimate fall bike race combining varied riding surfaces, technical challenges, scenic roads, and some decent southeast Michigan hills.

With so many incredible dirt back roads throughout the state it is no wonder these gravel events are gaining such popularity. They are anything but tame and sandwiched between road, XC and CX events they offer another alternative to keeping things fresh. Do it!

Grampian Challenge Website:

2011 Grampian Challenge from brian hudson on Vimeo.

How much is that old bike worth?

2011-01-24T15:31:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know my old beater is worth thousands more than this table indicates. It's just a baseline. This should be mandatory for Craig's List contributors.

Used Bicycle Value Calculator

TDU Stage 5 highlights...

2011-01-22T23:59:00.003-05:00

One stage remaining...

TDU Stage 2 photo finish...

2011-01-20T00:02:00.001-05:00

The photo finish for second place won by TEAM RADIOSHACK rider Robbie McEwen.

2011 MMBA Expo

2011-01-19T09:41:00.003-05:00

SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!

Michigan Mountain Bike Association - MMBA.org

Michigan Mountain Bike Association - Facebook

2011 Tour Down Under coverage

2011-01-18T10:24:00.006-05:00

While I hunker down here in my little world waiting out the winter months there is the first professional stage race of the year taking place in Adelaide, Australia. The Santos Tour Down Under. In reality, it's only been a few weeks in the lapse of cycling coverage between the end of the Cyclocross season and the start of the Road racing season.

Stage 1 starts at 11:00am local Tuesday
(7:30pm U.S. Eastern Monday)
(1:30am CET Tuesday)

Check it out...

cyclingfans.com
2011 Tour Down Under Live Streaming Video - TDU Live - The Guide to Pro Cycling Live Race Coverage - Watch Cycling TV - Photos, results, wallpaper, news, commentary.

steephill.tv.com

Versus is also covering the race.
Versus.com

Today's ride...

2011-01-17T21:21:00.008-05:00

was not easy.

Yah, I'm a big baby. After a week of fighting off a cold I needed to get out for a ride. Today's temperatures and wind chill were single digit cold. I looked forward to trying out my new Endura MT500 show covers. Unfortunately, it was soooo cold I also wore my old neoprene shoe covers over the new covers creating a toasty combination of layers for my toes. My knock-off pogies (a.k.a. moose mitts) worked great today. Overall, my layering choices were ideal for a 3 + hour ride. It was slow going. The snow/ice covered roads were just plain slow. Also, the 34x16 gearing on the singlespeed is getting harder to maintain a 15 mph average so I swapped out a gear to a 2:1 ratio. Hopefully, that should make things a little easier. Although it's difficult to find the motivation to get outside in the morning I will happily forgo the trainer for the outdoor experience. So far, so good.

Trash day on Gale road:

Barn on Vreeland road:

Cairn on the side of the road:

Worst Day of the Year Ride - January 23, 2011

2011-01-16T21:52:00.006-05:00

Wheels in Motion of Ann Arbor, MI are hosting this free event. I'm unsure why this particular day would be considered the "worst day of the year" since they all pretty much suck from January 1 through February 28. Although I ride this route often, I get tired of riding alone so I thought this would be a fun group ride.

Here is some info on the ride. Anybody up for it?

The weather outside is frightful, but a bike ride is so delightful. Bundle up and join us on a festive, winter ride around the streets of Ann Arbor.

The fifth annual Worst Day of the Year Ride will take place on Sunday, January 23rd. This free event always promises to be a fun filled, snowy day of riding. We will offer a variety of routes for you to choose from including:

* Polar Bear Ride- 40 miles 12:00pm
* Polar Cub Ride- 20 miles 1:00pm
* Abominable Snow Man Ride- Mountain Bike loop 1:00pm (dependant on trail conditions)
* Reindeer Ride- 12 miles 2:00pm
* Snowshoe Hare Ride- 6 miles 2:30pm

All rides will be lead by ride captains and will be at a casual pace. The Polar Bear ride will have a fast group leading the charge with moderate paced ride captains following the faster riders. You will be provided with route maps on the day of the event. All rides leave from the Kerry Town Farmer's market and end at the Arbor Brewing Company where there will be free hot soup, attended bike parking and cash bar. A full menu will also be available for those that want to purchase additional food.

Register for the event
Learn more about the routes & start times
Winter cycling information
Sponsorship Opportunities

Prizes & Giveaways

In years past there have been giveaways and prizes, and that will continue for 2011. We've been in contact with local businesses & bicycle vendors to gather up as many prizes and giveaways for the event as possible. Prizes will be distributed at the after part by a lottery drawing of those who pre-register for the event. We'll post up prize information as we have it.

Ride INFO:

~40 mile route:

Polar Bear 40 mile Ride

Winter shoe covers upgrade...

2011-01-15T10:43:00.010-05:00

Here's my story. A few years ago I had the realization that as the season wound down and the rides became cooler I needed something more than thick socks to keep my feet warm. I needed shoe covers. Being the thrifty fella that I am I bought Sidetrak shoe covers . As much as I wanted to I just couldn't afford to purchase winter riding boots. I used the hell out of these shoe covers to the point where the Velcro was frayed and was unable to hold the neoprene closed. Like a rubber band snapping, it was maddening to look down midway into a ride to see the shoe cover flapping wildly as it was completely unsecured. I couldn't bring myself to use duct tape to cure the problem.

OK, nuff said. Once again, I was in no position to purchase new winter riding boots so I ordered the Endura MT500 shoe covers. There are a ton of glowing reviews all over the web. Check out this review.

Product description -
Endura MT500 Shoe Covers

* Tough Nylon faced Neoprene® upper
* Rear zip with snap-down puller and Velcro® heel tab to ensure snug fit
* Moulded rubber toe cap with ridged/grooved underside to help when climbing steep and/or muddy slopes
* Neoprene meets behind the zip to improve water tightness
* Welded centre seam for smooth finish and improved water protection
* Hard wearing Kevlar® faced base and Kevlar® stitching
* Reflective logo and zip panels at rear

I'm looking forward to testing these out soon.

2011 RACING GREYHOUNDS kit unveil

2011-01-14T10:49:00.005-05:00

Dazzam! It's kinda' hard to follow up after the "SHACK" presentation. But hell, we're just a small time cycling club from Michigan. After much celebrated fanfare, press releases and media blitzes it is time to unveil our 2011 Team kit. We (Octane Design) went with a retro look with the Greyhound plaid and cream white color tossed in. Looks pretty good so far...

TADA!

Crank Brothers Take-Two

2011-01-13T09:30:00.008-05:00

I totally DIG my Crank Brother Egg Beater pedals! I have 2 pairs of the Egg Beater C and a pair of the Candy's. I don't plan to change over to anything new at this time. In the past I broke a wing on one pedal and it was repaired by Crank Brothers without any hassle. Below is my post about that experience. Good job Crank Brothers!
BLOG post:

Damn, I broke another wing the other day so I repeated the drill and sent the pedals back for repair. These (and all my pedals) have seen a lot of mileage and I'm aware that they are well beyond their 2 year warranty so I wasn't expecting much. Crank Brothers contacted me to advise me they received the pedals and offered me the following options:

Hello,

I have your pedals here and we can def. get these going for you by replacing
the body and rebuilding them. The body is $10.00 and the SPA/rebuild is
$20.00/pair and includes machine cleaning and rebuild kit.

Or we can offer you an upgrade to the new model Egg Beaters and some prices are
below:

Egg Beater 2 $55.00

Egg Beater 3 $70.00

S/H is $9.00 for either the service or upgrade BUT No Charge if we get a c/c #
before this Thursday as a Holiday Special.

let us know if you have any questions and give us a call and the receptionist
can take your c/c info.

Cheers,

Warranty and Service Dept.
rich@crankbrothers.com
Crank Brothers
310 Broadway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.464.9916
*Any product left at Crank Brothers for over 30 days becomes property of Crank
Brothers and could result in loss of item.

Although Crank Brothers offer for new pedals was pretty good I chose the Spa treatment for my pedals. My refurbished pedals arrived after a week at the Spa and they appear to be relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for some more miles.

Moose Mitts

2011-01-12T09:28:00.008-05:00

I have grown tired of having cold hands. I have been using Columbia ski gloves combined with a thin glove with reasonable success. I found that the bulky gloves was akin to wearing boxing gloves and it was a pain in the ass when I needed to have a minuscule amount of dexterity. I also noticed my hands became very cold when riding singletrack and contact with the aluminum brake levers conducted the cold directly to the hand. Rather than look into another glove I decided to look into the moose mitts or pogies. I saw several homemade examples on the interweb. Yes, those are coffee cans. Brilliant!

I also discovered that Mike Flack over at Trails Edge (right here in Michigan) has developed a cottage industry around this simple concept. He now offers a drop bar version.

Standard Version $59.99 pr.
AMF Threadworks Bike Mits

I checked around and found similar models of pogies for ATV, motorcycle & snowmobile use:

$18.95 pr. + S/H
Ebay LINK:

Moose Utility Division:

I'm all for supporting the local LBS but in this case I had to go with the less expensive option. I rode with them yesterday using a lighter glove and experienced great results. The Trails Edge Moose Mitts go further up the arm but I am happy with the overall size of these. There is plenty of room although they don't seem to be too bulky. So far, so good and my hands are much happier now.

Protecting Your Hands article:

"I gotz plenty of room...."

2011-01-12T00:27:00.006-05:00

1990 Miata (click the image to enlarge)

Cyclocross Belgian National Championship Elite 2010 - Final 2 laps

2011-01-10T21:00:00.001-05:00

Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

Yehuda Moon...

2011-01-10T19:15:00.002-05:00

...Customer? What Customer?

Yehuda Moon & the Kickstand Cyclery

Today's ride...

2011-01-10T15:48:00.004-05:00

...was the cats pajamas!

Railroad trestle over the Huron River:

Delhi Road over the Huron River:

The sign eating tree. Seriously, the tree is growing around the sign!

A special package waiting for me...

Fetish Cycles...

2011-01-10T00:22:00.009-05:00

...has some mighty fine looking rigs. BUT, after poking around I found their website layout/photos are kinda lame. On one hand I can dig the smaller, less polished appeal of Fetish. On the other hand, I found a mixed bag of frame build photos that appear like customers had sent in to Fetish. IMO, it does little to promote the product. Also, why do companies continue to schlep their products with pretty models posing on their products. Criminy, show us a shot of someone actually riding a bike. Save the models for low riders, motorcycles and hot rods.

Nice.

Nice.

They even have a Centerfold!

Check it out at Fetish Cycles

2011 Tailwind USAC MTB schedule

2011-01-09T11:43:00.006-05:00

OK, the time has come to start hatching a plan for 2011. Every year at this time I drive myself crazy with this arduous process. I toss around the idea of trying "something new" and create an ambitious schedule that has me racing every possible event in the country and in the end I'm usually satisfied with whatever I was able to pull off. I cite this mid-winter affliction as a common case of pre-season over ambitious-nous. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there going through the same thing. AMIRITE?

Word on the street is that Robert Linden (of Tailwinds Enterprise) has passed the torch to a unnamed successor. Tailwind is a primary promoter for mountain bike and cyclocross racing here in Michigan. Regardless, it appears as if the schedule is similar to previous years and now includes a relay race. Should be interesting...

Tailwind Enterprises LINKY:

Today's ride...

2011-01-08T23:44:00.005-05:00

...was much better than yesterday's trainer ride. Apples and oranges.

Bored:

Not so bored:

More Jens Voigt factoids...

2011-01-07T10:07:00.002-05:00

Gawd, I never tire of Jens Voigt and his unassuming tenacity. This site will give you a new Jens FACT each time you refresh the page.

http://www.jensvoigtfacts.com/

My first video...

2011-01-03T23:31:00.004-05:00

...is really boring. No fancy kick-ass soundtrack or editing. I'm just happy it works. I have a long way to go.

This video used the bar mount under the handlebar. The angle was kinda flat.

Mr. Midpack

2011-01-03T09:32:00.006-05:00

2005 Chequamegon 40

I stumbled upon this result while perusing the Chequamegon 40 website. It was my 2nd year of racing and I recall breaking a rear derailleur cable at the 30 mile mark and finishing out the race with my chain on the smallest cog. What a great event! I had forgotten how detailed the results were and I also realized my status in the pack hasn't changed a whole lot over the years. Still somewhere in the middle...

Folgers coffee can.....

2011-01-01T00:01:00.004-05:00

...wind shields!

Seriously, the winter wind can be cold therefore I found myself speechless when I stumbled across this image. Brilliant! Given some time the simple ingenuity of this design will soon find it's way into the market and future models will include carbon fiber lock on's in a rainbow of colors. My suggestion would be to pack the cans with chemical hand warmers.

2010 no mas...

2010-12-31T21:39:00.009-05:00

2010 is a done deal. My last ride of 2010 was rather odd. The weather was in the mid forties so I took the CX bike off the trainer and headed out to Dexter, MI. The ride out was great but at the 27 mile mark I felt the first raindrop and realized I was screwed. I turned around and it was a long cold ride back home through the downpour and standing water. I made it back safely with enough time to clean up and head in to work. I killed my mileage goal this year and it is now time to reset the odometer. Overall, it was a great year. I will spare you from all of the details and simply wish you all a fantastic New Year in 2011.

2010 is coming to a close...

2010-12-29T23:48:00.004-05:00

...and there is still plenty of riding to do.

Cold Weather Riding article

2010-12-29T09:28:00.003-05:00

This is the latest installment from the Dirt Rag Magazine crew. Great article with some very sound advise regarding preparation and the mental aspect of getting out. Read, ride, repeat.

Dirt Rag Home:

Cold Weather Riding: It's All In Your Head
Submitted by Andy on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 05:50

When the temperature drops and daylight wanes, many riders confine themselves to an indoor trainer or hang up their bikes altogether for the winter months. True, winter riding presents unique challenges, but it also reaps great rewards. Aside from the physical benefits of riding all year long, winter riding opens up a world of opportunities for adventure, fun, and natural beauty. Over the next several weeks, the Dirt Rag staff will share some valuable tips, tricks and experiences to keep you riding this winter.

In this first installment in our series on winter riding, we begin with a single step outside. The mental decision to brave the elements is often times harder than choosing the appropriate gear for your ride. When you're warm and cozy inside your bed/house/car, the prospect of getting all geared up and facing physical discomfort in the form of cold, ice, snow, and/or rain doesn't seem like it would be all that much fun. Indeed, often times the first 15 minutes of a winter ride are uncomfortable, but after a good warm-up the fun begins.

I know this fact well, but on some foul weather mornings I still find myself rationalizing about why I'd rather drive to work or skip the trail ride and stay at home and drink coffee. The reason? Inertia or resistance to change your state of comfort. On one hand, you're warm and dry. On the other, you choose to exchange those luxuries to be cold and wet. When I think about it, I know I will be happier if I ride no matter what the weather. But the mental and physical preparation for the ride often times seems insurmountable. Obviously they're not, and what it comes down to is that you just have to push on through and get on your bike. Below are a few tips that make it a little easier for me to get moving during the winter months.

1. If you know you're riding in the morning, get up a little earlier than usual so that you can fully wake up and get your body physically and mentally prepared.

2. Before a ride, I try and warm up a little inside before leaving the house. Not so much that I break a sweat. Something as simple as climbing up and down the steps a few times or doing a few push-ups or sit-ups to increase my heart rate is all that it takes.

3. Get enough sleep the night before a ride. This is sound advice all year long, but it's especially important in the low-motivation months of winter.

4. The more you ride during the winter, the easier it is to get motivated to ride. Again, this is true all year long, but more pronounced in winter.

5. Get your bike and gear ready to go the night before you ride. Riding in the winter takes a little more preparation, so it's best not to leave it until the last minute. That only gives you an excuse not to ride.

Once you get outside, your comfort level on the bike is critical so that you actually stay on your bike and enjoy the ride. The right gear can make that happen. Tune in next week to learn a little about foul-weather footwear. It's always good to keep the piggies happy.

* Andy's blog

Oh Willow

2010-12-28T10:52:00.000-05:00

Look what I found....

2010-12-26T22:22:00.004-05:00

....under the Christmas tree.

It's a hands free video camera. I have never considered owning a video camera although I have always wanted to share the thrill of the ride to my non-cycling friends and family. I am totally stoked to try this out on some of my favorite trails, events and rides. Hell, I'm ready to bust it out on my Senior walk around the Mall. Cutting edge never got any sweeter.

Contour HD website:

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Criterium Detroit City - July 9, 2011

2010-12-24T10:25:00.003-05:00

This looks like it could be a pretty sweet venue for a crit. There is no website for additional information at this time.

Check out the Facebook page here: CriteriumDetroitCity

2010 Mileage...

2010-12-23T23:50:00.008-05:00

Today's ride took my annual mileage over the 65K mark. WOOT! My mileage goal this year was 5500 and I am pleased with the results. This is an accomplishment for me and it leads me toward a great deal of introspection regarding the year and what I was trying to accomplish.
For me it was all about spending time riding versus NOT riding at all. I work evenings and feel it necessary to get outside in the AM and ride instead of the dreadful alternative of plopping down on the couch to watch Oprah. I fell into a routine that took me back to my days as a ski bum. Work nights and play in the day. During the week I would ride from my front door for 2-3 hours before work on a vast network of paved and dirt roads north of Ann Arbor, MI. I would choose the cross bike, mountain bike or road bike based on the current road conditions. I would also try to watch the extended forecast and map out rest days around the crappy weather. I looked forward to a few rainy mornings where it was possible to get "other" necessities of life accomplished. During the weekend I would either race or ride as much singletrack as possible.
This is the program that worked for me. It may not work for others but it is the routine that I enjoyed. Riding is riding.
Rant on. Some folks (thank you MMBA Forum) think that if these miles are not specifically "trail miles" then they should be weighted less. As if trail miles rule supreme and anything less is unworthy. This logic is shot down by folks like Robert Herriman and SIMONSTER who rack up countless miles over the season and still kick ass in the Elite level races. These "trails only" haters are the same folks who drive to Island Lake every day to do countless laps on one of the easiest trails in Michigan. I equate that logic to an Expert skier skiing green runs all day. It may be fun every now and then but...
I won't get into the endless road versus mountain debates here. Hell, I'm not even going to get started on the recumbent miles debate!
Rant off.
Some may feel that quality miles are more important than quantity miles. True, it all boils down to what makes you a better rider and keeps you coming back for more. For me, it was about getting out, exploring and staying fit. I'm happy to report that it was a stellar year for me.

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-22T09:22:00.001-05:00

Dirt road dynamics

2010-12-21T23:58:00.011-05:00

Today I went down hard for the first time all year. I was at the end of a long ride and I was riding a frozen, iced over dirt road. I lost contact with the crown of the road and slid out toward the ditch. Typically, the roads around here are in good shape and seldom present a hazard. I've had plenty of time in the saddle to analyze my crash and the current state of the road conditions in my neck of the woods.

Dirt roads are build to drain surface water and usually include a raised crown running down the center. See diagram below.

Dirt road cross section (click image to enlarge):

Ford Road (note the crown):

My nemesis, the road grader:

Aarghh!!

So what does all this mean? In the summer the crown is usually the hardest and fastest surface to be found on a dirt road. If you drop down towards the edge you run the risk of plowing through loose gravel and random potholes lurking to eat up your wheel.
In the winter, riding the crown is fine (as long as it is wide) but when it is contoured or elevated with frozen snow or ice, it can be a challenge. If the crown is too narrow, you can run the risk of sliding off and down toward the edge of the road. The icy conditions tend to accentuate the slope. I tend to keep looking ahead and assessing the best line to take. High or low? I watch for brown sections of exposed road that may provide better traction. I also consider that yesterday's thaw may result in today's slick conditions. Check the air pressure in your tires and go low to maximize the best possible grip. Also, when riding on smooth ice make subtle movements by shifting your weight on the saddle to steer and apply smooth even pressure on the pedals whenever possible. Stay centered and be ready to put a foot down if necessary. Yeah, yeah, I know that studs would work fine but I don't have any and I like to think that this balancing act is helping my core and bike handling skills.

That is all. Now get out and ride!

Today's ride...

2010-12-20T17:31:00.004-05:00

...was flippin' fabulous! What a difference a day makes and an additional 10 degrees of warmth. I took out the SS and rode the rolling ice covered dirt roads North of the Huron River. Conditions were generally firm with good traction. It was still pretty slow going. I am thinking that 20 degrees is my new temperate threshold for outdoor rides.

Cyclocross racer using cell phone during race

2010-12-19T23:56:00.004-05:00

BikePortland.org posted this story and photo. I dig these finish line shots! Check out the comments at the bottom of the article.

Taken by official finish line camera during cycloross race.
(Photo: OBRA)

The photo above was snapped by an official Oregon Bicycle Racing Association finish line camera during a cyclocross race over the weekend. Yes, the guy looks to be texting or checking emails during his race! (Or, as a commenter below pointed out, it also might be a GPS device).

OBRA official Candi Murray shared the photo on the OBRA email list last night and added, "Tell me he was not making a call."

Today's ride...

2010-12-19T15:01:00.003-05:00

...was difficult. Call me a whiner or a wimp but I had to bag today's outdoor ride at the ten mile mark. Easily, my shortest ride of the year. I'm having difficulty keeping warm. I am currently on anticoagulants (Coumadin) and I have discovered I am running a cooler body temperature than ever before. Regardless, unless it "warms" up a tad I may have to hang it up for a while.

I came across this article from the INR testing website:

Does Coumadin® make you chilly?

Wednesday, November 1, 2006
PTINR.com Staff
Some patients complain they feel colder when taking warfarin – is there a connection or is this an urban legend?

There’s a chill in the air. Some blame taking Coumadin® is the cause. Officially, the package insert for Coumadin lists under its adverse reactions: cold intolerance and feelings of cold or chills.

It is important to note other adverse reactions included: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, headache, and changes in patient’s taste are also listed in the potential side effects. Like feelings of being cold – there is very little if any evidence to suggest that Coumadin would be responsible for any of the above side effects.

Coumadin or its generic equivalent warfarin interferes with the body’s ability to form clots. There is nothing in the activity of warfarin (Coumadin ®) to suggest feelings of being cold however, because patients experienced these feelings in clinical studies – they are included as “side effects”.

No one discounts patient accounts, however, associating a medication with those feelings lack a scientific basis. The list of reactions experienced by patients “infrequently”, including feelings of being cold are similar sensations in the normal aging process. The ability to cool and heat the body becomes more difficult as we age. Holding warfarin responsible for feelings of being cold may not be warfarin’s fault but related to another condition. Patients should share their side effects with their healthcare professional regardless of how benign it seems.

I guess I need to find something some cross-training alternatives. Sigh...

Riding in Basque Country.

2010-12-18T00:04:00.001-05:00

Uh...Spain looks really, really, really nice right now.

BasqueMTB - The Coastal Video from BasqueMTB on Vimeo.

IKEA gives out bikes to 12, 400 employees

2010-12-17T10:44:00.005-05:00

While Walmart was busy chipping away at employees' perks, the swingin' Swedes at Ikea were busy handing out early Christmas presents to staffers in the form of free bikes.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

“This is our way of saying ‘thanks Ikea co-workers for being strongly committed to working together,’” Mike Ward, Ikea U.S. president, said in a release announcing the giveaway. “We hope this bike will be taken in the spirit of the season while supporting a healthy lifestyle and everyday sustainable transport.”

It was no surprise Ikea, spokeswoman Mona Liss said the bikes arrived last week in a flat box and needed to be assembled. Some assembly required.

The silver bikes have a yellow, white and blue stripe, and are all-terrain and unisex.

They don't have the Ikea logo, however, because "we don't want people to think we manufacture bicycles."

I support this idea. I cannot see any real reason to knock it. Hopefully these bicycles will actually be used or given to those who NEED a bike for transportation. It would be interesting to follow up and see where these bikes end up in a year. Hopefully, not in a junk heap.

Oh to be a Pro cyclist...

2010-12-13T17:07:00.008-05:00

...and get paid to enjoy recess on a pump track. How awesome!

The Team RadioShack training camps have wrapped up before the Holiday's and the Tour Down Under January 16 - 23, 2011. The shots taken in the Arizona dessert are wonderful. Blue skies and sunshine. I would love to hang out there for the entire winter season. So sad...
For more photos and articles visit the team website @
Team Radioshack:

Here in Michigan, the latest weather has me longing for warmer weather already. The month of November was fantastic and it was possible to ride without the threat of winter conditions. On December 1st it was like a switch had been turned on and winter arrived overnight. Woe is me, I could still ride as long as the ground was clear. Right?
Here is a sampling of gear needed for a typical 2 hour ride from my front door:

My drink mix turning into a lemon-lime Squishee (brain freeze):

The road will clear and there will be plenty of training rides to get under the belt. I'm just whining.

2011 (NUE) National Ultra Endurance Series schedule

2010-12-13T10:11:00.003-05:00

The new schedule is out. With a few new venues added it looks like a better balance of Western venues and a general overall shuffling of the schedule. The series used to feature more Eastern venues which made it difficult for riders to meet the 4 race minimum. Looks great so far!

NUE website:

cyclingnews.com article:

2011 (NUE) National Ultra Endurance Series tentative schedule
April 30: Cohutta 100 Ducktown, Tennessee (REGISTRATION)
May 14: Syllamo's Revenge 100, Mountain View, Arkansas
June 4: Mohican 100, Loudonville, Ohio
June 18: Lumberjack 100, Wellston, Michigan
July 16: Breckenridge 100, Breckenridge, Colorado
July 23: High Cascades 100, Bend, Oregon
July 30: Wilderness 101, State College, Pennsylvania
August 6: Pierre’s hole 100, Alta, Wyoming
August 20: Fool’s Gold 100, Dahlonega, Georgia
September 3: Park City Point to Point 80, Park City, Utah
September 4: Shenandoah Mountain100, Harrisonburg, Virginia

20100 Cyclocross National Championships

2010-12-13T09:37:00.003-05:00

Bend, Oregon. Awesome coverage this year! Congratulations to ALL the riders who lined up and gave it their all.

Cycling Dirt coverage:

Cyclocross Magazine coverage:

VeloNews:

Invitational Cyclocross- December 4, 2010-Detroit, MI

2010-12-06T08:41:00.019-05:00

My teammate Jeffro (in the Cossack hat above) created and hosted a CX race this past Saturday. This excerpt was taken from his Blog, CX Czar:

I've decided to host my own Cyclocross.

For the last several years I've competed in or witnessed some of the most unique cyclocross events in North America and would like to incorporate the best of these events into our own quazi-competitive event in the motor city.
My race team, The RACING GREYHOUNDS!, has an internal racing series that is made up of numerous public and private events designed to encourage cross discipline competition and team comradere (as well as internal trash talk and squabbling). These events include Time trials, Criteriums, mountain bike races, Triathlons, duathlons, as well as night mountain bike races, Iceman and of course cyclocross races like the Mad Anthony. As CX Team Captain, it is my responsibility to create a unique season ending cyclocross event that will follow those guidelines as well as punish all of those not familiar with the delicate art of Cyclocross (I'm looking at you tri-team) While planning this event, it was obvious that the best part of racing cyclocross is the fan/ racer interaction. It was obvious that we needed to have two races: The first for Greyhounds Team Points race and the Second to celebrate all of our friends and competitors that made this past year great.

OK, since I chose to help out I found myself at Dorais Park at 0730 to help lay out the course. It is a small, forgotten park near some run down neighborhoods. The best feature is the soap box derby hill at the top of the park and the concrete velodrome at the base. Perfect.

The "progressive ascending barriers" complete with an intersection:

The Tequilla Shot Shortcut cut out a portion of the course. The winner of both races did a shot on EVERY lap. That amounts to 13 shots!

The Invitational race brought out several teams:

It took 3 hours to set up the course. It took about 30 minutes to break it down. Afterwards we all headed over to Kuhnhenn's Brewing Company for eats & drink. What a great time! A huge thank you to all those who came out to play. Not too shabby for a FREE event. This could be the start of something big.

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic - May 28-30 2011

2010-12-03T23:01:00.006-05:00

I'm geeked! I just signed up for the 40th running of the IHBC! I signed up for the KOM events which includes the 47 mile Road Race from Durango to Silverton followed by the Mountain Bike XC on Sunday. I was registered for this event a couple of years ago (when the road race was canceled due to snow) and basically bagged the trip to Durango. The last time the Iron Horse included a XC race was in 2006. I raced this as a Sport rider and I sucked thoroughly. It started off bad when I missed the start and had to hammer up Chapman Ski Hill from a cold start. For me the best part was rubbing elbows at the finish venue while checking out the results (and picking up their winnings) with luminaries such as Travis Brown, Ned Overend and Shonny Vanlandingham. Just another day at the office for these locals. Chaulk it up to a new experience. Hopefully, I will suck less. On the events tab of the website it indicates the Criterium and MTB race will be going on simultaneously with laps taking place through downtown Durango. Should be interesting. It's a tad pricey but I have wanted to do this for several years. Check out the details. Registration is still open.

Website & Registration: