Spa City 6 hour XC

Race info and flyer:

OK, not to appear too critical but this event has the lamest race flyer EVER! As a promoter wouldn't you want to stir up excitement in your event and take the time to UPDATE your race flyer. It's been the same layout for 3+ years. If the event is promoted as exciting or edgy I may be more inclined to shell out the scratch, tell all my friends about it and drive the 12+ hours to take part in a great event. Simple. Market your product and you will see results regardless of whether you are a non-profit organization or in it for the money. Sigh.


This increasingly popular event is coming to the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas on February 27th. My brother lives in Little Rock, AR and I have always wanted to try out this race for several years now. This year I will finally get the opportunity. The prospect of an early season race, especially an endurance event such as this gives additional purpose to my off-season training. In years past, most XC races usually start by mid-April. I just hope the temperatures are mild. Arkansas riding is fantastic and I recommend it to anyone out there.

Mohican 100 registration...

...is now open. Price goes up February 1st. Do it!

June 5, 2010

Website link:

Registration link:

My 2009 Mohican 100 race report:

2010 Team Kit

There have been some discussions recently about how the new Team RadioShack kit resembles our Racing Greyhound kit for 2010. I know for a fact that our kit was fianlized well before Lance debuted the Tron kit. I dig the look of our new kits! Octane Design did a fantastic job with the design. See you out there on the trail or roads.

Today's ride...

Great weather today, especially considering it's January in Michigan. I discovered that winter riding requires a significant increase in effort. Maybe double the effort. The same routes that I rode last summer with ease are kicking my ass. Maybe I can blame it on all those Holiday treats that my face was attracted to. Today's ride took me to Dexter MI.

Mt Evans, Colorado circa 1992

I came across this shot of me at the 14,250 ft. summit of Mt Evans, home of the annual Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb. The road that leads up to the top is the highest paved road in North America. I did this ride to raise $1500.00 for the United Way of Denver. Shortly afterward, the United Way scandal broke and my hard earned dollars were dust. I would love to do this ride again, especially on a lighter bike!
Damn, those vintage Oakley's are huge!

Gmaps ride route:

Click the image to enlarge.

Levi Leipheimer mountain bike video

This is a great example of how cross training can keep things fresh. Expand the image for full effect. I like how the helmet cam captures the flow and feel of the trail. Looks like a gas!

Levi Leipheimer on a Mountain bike from Roger Bartels on Vimeo.

Jens Voigt

Pro rider Jens Voigt is a gritty dude. He is not afraid to turn himself inside-out in the heat of battle. I came across this chart and realized I am a weenie when it comes to suffering in the name of training and I am currently stuck at Jens Factor 3. The Michigan weather lately has me housebound longing for some warmer weather. Soon.

Click on the chart for a larger image.

State Cross

OMG this is great! I know firsthand that promoters have to put up with their fare share of this kind of crap. My favorite comments from the clip are:
"It's cyclocross, not mountain bike racing, asshat".
"Single speed races should be free".
"I'm not paying to rock the one-cog".

First day of 2010...

Excellent start to the new year today. I dusted off the singlespeed and checked out the frozen dirt roads North of my place. The temperature was 20ish with 20mph winds out of the NW. With the winchill, the temperature was closer to 3 degrees. It didn't matter, I was dressed properly and I was ecstatic to be outside on the bike versus stuck inside toiling on the trainer. A great start to the season...