Worst Day of the Year Ride - January 22, 2012

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

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

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

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....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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...

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

Check it out...

Life Cycles OFFICIAL Trailer from Life Cycles on Vimeo.

Life Cycles Film.com

Everybody's working for the weekend...

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

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

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