Saturday, November 22, 2008

I Heart Fall

Fall in Arizona is not quite what you northwesterners are used to, but we still have the same things: fall leaves, crisp rides, and cyclocross. The only difference is that we do it in dry, dusty conditions instead of rain ;)











Cyclocross racing is sweet when there's no mud...










Even an off-road triathlon is fun when you go to Phoenix and race in warm sun in October
(even though I can barely swim I got 2nd place overall!)












Finally I got my Pro DH upgrade...Sean will you build me a downhill bike?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Cross Crusade #8


Cross Crusade #8 (the championship) proved fairly muddy. And when I say fairly muddy, I mean really ridiculously muddy.Like three-foot high mud puddles (or for all I know, they could have just been gigantic cow patties). And all I had to show for it was a bit of splattered mud. I suppose its the experience of actually getting muddy that counts.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Cross Crusade Cyclocross Racing


Well, I tried out Cyclocross for the first time. I went to the third Cross Crusade race at Mt. Rainier High School in Washington.The result was...A BLAST. Cyclocross is crazy fun (not as fun as sitting on your saddle for a 40-mile Sea Otter race, though.) It was dry and fast, which did no represent Northwest Cyclocross racing very well (the dry part at least), but little did I know, I would soon experience the mud. I then went to the Cyclocross Championships at the Washington County Fairgrounds, which was essentially an old rodeo arena complete with barns and cattle guards. I rode through one side of a barn, out the other, and next thing I know I am in three feet of mud. Well, let's just say my body was pretty muddy and cranky by the end of the day (complete with riding thirty minutes back to school from where my ride dropped me off). My Voodoo Wazoo was even less happy. Aside from being smeared and plastered with mud, the drive train sounded like it wanted to start spitting bolts and chain pins out at me. I think its time to hop on a Soulcraft Cyclocross frame (with some new parts, of course)... I am planning to do the next few local Cyclocross races through OBRA, even though the Cross Crusade series is over. I can't wait until next year! I hope I can start getting some pictures of my own, but for now the ones other people people are taking will get the job done (Just joking, they take pretty sweet pictures).

Cyclocross at Rainier High School

So

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Monday, November 3, 2008

CXSR #2 - Youth Community Park: November 1st, 2008


In true Belgian spirit and weather conditions, the RedNeck and I represented Soulcraft at Bike Monkey's second cyclo-cross race out of the CXSR series that had us smiling the whole time as we suffered like kids out in swampy marshes. Just getting out there was showing commitment enough, but it turned out to be great fun riding through mud at pegged heart rates. It certainly did not start out that way as the only motivator for getting my ass out there to join RedNeck's unquestionable commitment was my wife's accusations of being a total whimp.


I'll let the RedNeck write about how our race unfolded whereas for me, simply trying to stay upright the whole time while all others raced past by me was competition enough.

Encouragement from the spectators including our very own Yuri was well received as we had witnesses to attest to our madness through the mud-slicken and poison-oak riddled trails.

Always humbling to get lapped but this race was all about survival of the machine and the rider. Below is what happens when getting egged on by spectators to, "Get in there, face first"!

Check out Veronika's pics.


The thought of our beloved Director Sportivator siccing the legal team on (us?)me puckers me up&hunkers me down for another lesson in tecnology .The act of finding my way back to the team blog is a minor triumph.Plucking a photo from the ether& planting it here ,routine for many,is...exasperating.Enough of that,sswc08,the tribal thing,different from all other racing,was a blast.Thanks to Curtis,Dr.Sporty,and a host of others,this event went off with a minimum of downers,none of which were part of my experience there.The weather,course,spectrum of racers&spectators(referees!)and a cooling mist of beer everywhere made for an unforgettable day.I didn't even make the activities the night before.There were thousands of photos shot that day,and if you follow this of thing,you've seen them on flickr,mtbr,etc..Dr.Sporty took some team photos that should convey the mood of the day.For now,it's luddite at the key board. 29th overall,1st race on the fresh holy roller,see you in Durango ! I must have gone back to work after that 'cause I don't remember racing again 'till the14th annual DFLCX final in sept..Camron&Kathleen,coronated King-n-Queen,took home the coolest trophys I've ever seen.Next was the Lion of Fairfax,one of the hottest,bonyest CX's I've ever done.Road from home,won the masters class,Holy Rollerd home.Won a nice over sized sweater with the wrong logo.Back to a pattern of contemplating CX,then going back to sleep.Riding for free in the after noon.Biketober Fest,another great ride into town,not enough time to connect with everyone,to drunk /dark to ride home.More good times!Lastly but not least,it was up to Gianni country for the all day every thing.Drew blood that day!Check out the whole thing on RogerBartels1@comcast.Pictures,map,profile,the works.Or wait 'till I figure out how to deliver a photo here.G

Saturday, November 1, 2008

OKOK,Keep the legal team muzzled,I have a
OKOK,Keep the legal team muzzled,I have a story here somewhere.Let's go back to SSWC08 for just a moment.A fat tire tribal moment.I missed most of the "activites"and I still had a blast.If this is the kinda thing you like,you 've seen the pictures already.There are thousands of pics on flickr& elswhere.Sadly,I haven't aone to post here.Our Director Sportificator shot afew,perhaps one of those team style photos could be spliced in here.That might give the viewer a feel for the atmosphere.Anyway,it was a long-n-hard,hot-n-dusty event with costumes and other absurdity like you never see at"normal"races.(Mr. Dekker won in a Borat suit)!There were many details,race moments that were out of the ordinary,trailside prizes and spectators(Referees!)that made this one for the ages.Plus,1st race on my Soulcraft Holy Roller to 29th place.Count Me in for Durango! After that,there's sort of a blank space,till September's DFL CX.I only made one,but that one was fun.Camron &Kathleen were crowned king& queen of the 14th annual DFLCX.The Lion of Fairfax CX was next.This one was good because I rode there&back from home and took 1st Master.Good day!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

mw in fruita


Here's Matt Wills on Joe's Ridge last weekend in Fruita, CO on his SS drop bar Holy Roller. More photos can be seen by clicking this here link.

Monday, October 6, 2008

ABC Fall Tour de Trash Rides are set for Oct 18

Hey Soulcrafties,

It's time once again to intentionally get into the roadside ditches, unlike what SteveP usually pulls off during races, but this time to collect trash.

Our "trash-hole" (as Yuri proclaims them to be) is set for October 18. Check out the latest info at the usual ABC Rides blog.

New member of the Soulcraft Family?


It's not every day that former Tour de France champion (?) Floyd Landis comes to town for a charity ride and shows up in your bike shop to borrow your autistic mechanic's Soulcraft while there's a dog fight going on in front of him, and after the ride proclaims the Soulcraft to be "one sweet ride." But, it happened today.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

ponca 2008





for the last 4 years a group of lincolnites have ridden from lincoln,ne to ponca,ne. all gravel roads, pretty much striaght north. leave early morn, get there before sunset. stay in a group all day. camp that night and drive back with some friends that drive up the day before with our gear. it's between 155 and 165 miles depending on where you're leaving from in town.

this year it took 16hrs to go north. and this year a few of us agreed to ride home. and that took 14hrs. we cheated a bit with some highway shoulder but 310miles in two days nonetheless.

thanks for cornbread for the pics. i broke my saddle on the way up and had to shim it with a wad of duct tape between the saddle shell and the top of the seatpost. of course, it failed at mile 30. so the rest of the way on a ride-able but painful saddle. i switched it out to a friend's saddle that his wife drove up since she was camping too. the tire lever fix was my first attempt. it didn't work well.

i've got the route on a series of maps i printed from garmin software. it shows all the gravel and paved roads. pretty much a big grid untill you get up north or around the platte river. in 4 years i have the route pretty much in my head, but i like to check it alot so we don't get off track and waste a bunch of daylight.

we'll try to keep this as an yearly event. it sure is a good time.

Monday, August 11, 2008

SSWC Primer Reschedule

Curtis Inglis called me yesterday to tell me there has been a slight change in plans for the pre-worlds festivities. Here's the new lowdown:
  • Wed night Dirt Crits at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa at 6pm. Races and BBQ.
  • Thursday meet at the Lawndale parking lot at Annadel in Santa Rosa for a 10am ride through the park and over to the Sycip shop on 5th st. We should be arriving at Sycip around 1pm for beer and food.
  • Friday meet at the Java Hut in Fairfax at 10am and ride the Pine Mountain loop. Then meet at American Cyclery in San Francisco at 4pm for a ride through SF and across the Golden Gate Bridge for a BBQ the Marin headlands. This will be a mellow cruise.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Dr. Kickass


This here is Rich Szecsy. He's a got a PhD in kicking ass. He finished 8th at the 24 Hr Solo World Championships (single speed division) last weekend. I get my ass kicked regularly so I'm not in need of Rich's services but if you happen to be racing against him I suspect it won't matter when your last visit was, he will tune you up for free.

Monday, August 4, 2008

I made it down without a flat and all I got was this stupid seat.

Jason Holmes bought a bike from us last year and he stopped by recently with his daughter Ava to get some schwag. I noticed his new custom saddle which was a prize for winning the Sport class at Downieville. Pretty cool. Only a select few got these things, and winning your class at that race on a hardtail definitely says something about your fitness and bike handling skills. By the way, all his friends who said he couldn't get away racing a hardtail there do not have this saddle.

SSWC Pre-Race festivities

On Saturday I met Curtis and crew for a little re-con at Skyline before the SSWC. I've ridden and raced up there before but I guess my memory ain't so good because the ride was a bit of an eye-opener. Hot, dusty, steep, lotsa rocks, but really fun. Just like a mountain bike race should be.

Ever the gracious host, Jeff Hantman provided us with some sort of Chinese pastry/cake deal that conveniently did not have a nutrition label attached. All we know is one of the ingredients was "green".


Speaking of being good hosts, the locals (not us or Curtis or anyone you know) out here want the out-of-towners to have a good time in the days leading up to the race so here's the itinerary:
Of course this all might be a bit much for those of you who will be in the "resting" phase of their training. Better that you people stay away from this stuff.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

More Monkey please


From local Supastar, Carlos.

Bike Monkey has published its second independent issue of Bike Monkey Magazine, Sonoma County's outlet for all things cycling related. This second issue features a cover story on ten years of grass-roots riding with Sonoma County's own Grasshopper Adventure Series, and a contributing article about SMART. It also displays some stunning imagery by local photographers and shares heartfelt stories including a moving fictional piece by writer Kevin Scott.
The publication hopes to become known as "the West-Coast rag for East-Coast folk," meaning that its goal is to share all that Sonoma County has to offer with the rest of the country and beyond. Locally produced, designed, managed and printed, Bike Monkey's dedication to remaining a grass-roots operation will surely keep it that way.
Subscribe today at http://www.BikeMonkey.net/magazine, and get your free copies of issues 1 and 2 sent directly from Bike Monkey's humble downtown office space before your first issue even arrives!

Friday, July 25, 2008

What the?


My old pal Food Boy up in Klamath Falls OR decided to make everyone jealous by mounting a bike rack on his Kawasaki trail bike. Is it legal to have one vehicle with so much potential for fun? I can just see it now; him rolling up highway 97 toward Bend, passing minivans full of families on vacation, and invoking extreme vacation envy in the dads driving said minivans.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

guitar ted's death ride invitational 2008


guitar ted is the head promoter of the transiowa race. that race is held in early spring and consists of 300+ miles of gravel roads navagated by a series of 'cue sheets'. he is assisted by a serious right hand man and a series of volunteers when the event draws near. he loves gravel and so do i. the TI will be in it's 5th year if it goes off again this spring. mother nature willing. i've attempted but not finished V2 and V4. i completed V3 in 2007, 340 miles in 33 hrs, pink sean crafted single speed flat bar nanoraptors camelback tights and long sleeve LED light.

g-ted puts on a ride as well about this time of year. just a ride. he puts together a route and we all stick together. gravel roads. small towns. rolling hills. peace and quiet. 100 miles or so. two years ago it was 152. depends on the route and the fitness of g-ted. it was fun. photo by guitar ted.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Downieville



Stinkbomb
Monday, July 21, 2008

Escaping on a Thursday, chauffeuring my dentist and a doctor, we made our way to Downieville to suck some smoke. Despite the air quality, Friday's pre - race run was flattening. Wrong tire choice.Used tires of mysterious origin.Too thin skinned.Beer resulted in salvation. Next concern was morning deposits. As our campsite was a complete poach we had to scout blue rooms and wait for neighbors to mosey on to other adventures. Thank you fox forks. The Frenchman arrived with buckets of food and promises of buying my old bike. Early Saturday morning, the usual dawn scury/furry/ hurry for breakfast, deposits, bike preping, loading, etc.Off to Sierra City for the start. A mob of faces old and new in a sold out show. Larry Hibberd parted the waters, helping my start go smoothly in an otherwise cluster*uc*. 3000 feet up no conversations. Cresting the hill never felt so good. Rarely have I ever had the opportunity to watch such down hill talent, inspiring me to ride beyond my tires capacity.They lasted two-thirds of the way down the hill before the rear gave it up.In the mean time I caught Mr. Hibberd on the down hill, staying with him over the crest to third divide where he allowed the pass. 5 minutes later I flatted.Many went by (including Mr. Hibberd).Rolling again, regaining the groove, not long before spotting Larry with similar tire issues I went by and flatted again one minute later. To close to the finnish to bother with any repairs period. No supplies left anyway. I rode the flat tire out of the woods to the pavement where it finally became unridable. Fan on sideline with sharp knife sliced off tire and tube and sent me onto Master's Glory. Too bad about the rim. Drank many pain killers.Received fat crome bag of swag.Edibles,Wearables and Inspirationals via SOULCRAFT are huge and appreciated. Thanks for keeping it real. - George
Posted by stinkbomb at 8:01

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Escaping on a Thursday, chauffeuring my dentist and a doctor, we made our way to Downieville to suck some smoke. Despite the air quality, Friday's pre - race run was flattening. Wrong tire choice.Used tires of mysterious origin.Too thin skinned.Beer resulted in salvation. Next concern was morning deposits. As our campsite was a complete poach we had to scout blue rooms and wait for neighbors to mosey on to other adventures. Thank you fox forks. The Frenchman arrived with buckets of food and promises of buying my old bike. Early Saturday morning, the usual dawn scury/furry/ hurry for breakfast, deposits, bike preping, loading, etc.Off to Sierra City for the start. A mob of faces old and new in a sold out show. Larry Hibberd parted the waters, helping my start go smoothly in an otherwise cluster*uc*. 3000 feet up no conversations. Cresting the hill never felt so good. Rarely have I ever had the opportunity to watch such down hill talent, inspiring me to ride beyond my tires capacity.They lasted two-thirds of the way down the hill before the rear gave it up.In the mean time I caught Mr. Hibberd on the down hill, staying with him over the crest to third divide where he allowed the pass. 5 minutes later I flatted.Many went by (including Mr. Hibberd).Rolling again, regaining the groove, not long before spotting Larry with similar tire issues I went by and flatted again one minute later. To close to the finnish to bother with any repairs period. No supplies left anyway. I rode the flat tire out of the woods to the pavement where it finally became unridable. Fan on sideline with sharp knife sliced off tire and tube and sent me onto Master's Glory. Too bad about the rim. Drank many pain killers.Received fat crome bag of swag.Edibles,Wearables and Inspirationals via SOULCRAFT are huge and appreciated. Thanks for keeping it real. - George
Labels:
Many years ago before motorcycles


Downieville 2008 trio




Saturday, July 19, 2008

Flagstaff Kids Camp

Last weekend I had the opportunity to run a kids MTB camp sponsored by Nova Youth Cycling. I had 7 kids, mostly from Phoenix, who were the top finishers in their age groups in the state series. It was so cool to see kids who are super-competent riders, have good trail manners, and are so eager to learn new skills.

We're lucky to live in places where kids have opportunities to ride bikes at such young ages...can you imagine how fast we all could be if we started at age 8?

The highlight of the whole clinic for me was getting these tiny little 10-year-old twin girls to do a monster log ride. We spotted them the whole time, and they rode the whole thing! That was pretty awesome.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Doesn't he know I have a tie on?

The old crew from San Luis made it up for a ride a few weeks ago. Hams, Food Boy, and the BOM. Chris and Adam from Formula joined us. Usually it's a ride, eat, ride, eat, program but we only had time for eat, ride, eat, eat, this time. A 20 mi loop on Tam on the singles in 100' heat was enough for two rides anyhow.
You can see from the photo Dave hadn't got the memo that this wasn't a formal affair. In the middle of a particularly nasty stretch of singletrack, he was heard yelling, "Doesn't Sean know I have a tie on?", implying that his attire had everything to do with him pitching it into the weeds.

Being the hard chargers we are, as soon as we hit the couch it was lights out for the old men.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I'm Baaack!

It's been ten years since I was laid up in a hospital bed…
I’m lucky to be alive, let alone walking, and now riding (“racing” – ha!) bicycles again. Once the doctor rebuilt my busted spine with some custom ti bits I was rolling on the road to recovery and what I hoped would be a return to normal life.

“Normal life” being able to get out of/into bed, walk, go to the bathroom, and eventually, ride a bike without help from anyone else.
It’s been a tough journey, but thanks to my wife, family and friends, I have blown away any limited recovery apprehension my doctor and myself might have had.
Having completed the Skyline single speed ‘ride’ in July proved to me anything is possible as that was the first real (paid entry) event I have done since I was nearly broken in half. I admit I was a little hesitant at the start, but I put all negativity out of my head and went for it. Having my trusty Holy Roller under me helped boost my confidence - just ride as best I could and go.
I now have no doubt that I can do anything thanks to all the support from my family and inspirational friends like you!


Friday, July 11, 2008

2008 Summit Center Classic



Last week was the annual Summit Center Classic stage race here in Flag. Since it was just out my doorstep (I rode to the start line from home), I figured what the hell, I'll go try and race some Cat 4 roadies. Now, this is my first road race...I had no fricken clue what to do. The first stage was a hill climb of 8 miles and 2500 feet, ending around 10,000 feet. That went pretty well since I could just ride it like an mtb race-pin it from the line. I took home the win on that one, and got to wear the sweet purple leaders jersey for the road

race at Lake Mary the next day.



View from the racecourse



Yep, thats a bullseye on my back.




We took off from the start goin about 10 miles an hour, and I guess I didn't realize that was a race tactic...I just thought they were slow. I went away over the first sprint prime hill, and worked with a masters lady for awhile. Then, since I had 'cross gearing on my bike, she blew me away on a downhill and I never got back with her. So I suffered in the wind for about 35 miles, then apparently that bullseye on my jersey worked for some other girls, since I got chased down with 5 to go. We rode together (man, it's easier than being by yourself!) til the final turn onto the 1.5 mile climb to the finish. I attacked around that corner and got a good gap, but with about 30 yards to go I blew up. It was ugly. A girl snaked me right at the line, but fortunately I had enough points to win the omnium! Woohoo!



I'll never again say roadies are soft, it was so bloody hard...

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Skyline SSWC warm-up

It’s been a few years since I did an organized & legit mountain bike race of any significance. Looking back on the Skyline event yesterday had me really thinking about the mindset of racing versus riding. The Skyline course was brutal, especially for an obese 40 year old on a one speed. There were sections of ridiculous climbs that no one could climb and those that only the truly strong could handle all over the track. The funny thing is that had I ridden that casually with a bunch of friends, I’d have been grousing and miserable about all the walking. As a race, its part of the game, buck up and deal with it, right? Why does my mind suddenly switch to this weird pain ignorant position once I put a number plate on the bike and pay money to hurt??? Anyway, I guess I need to do more races because that race brain mode feels good and seeing all my friends is even better. Look out, the big man’s thinking about a comeback. Race promoters beware, your support staff will be out on course a little longer than normal!

Oh, and Ario...thanks for the shove. Thankfully the cliff wasn't too big.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

long over due update


I haven't been doing as much racing in the last few months as I would like, but have been consistent with the boulder short track series. I have been placing consistent top ten finishes with a 7th place last week. Super fast racers have been showing up every week, even an appearance from JHK two weeks ago. This summer I have been living the life with no school or a traditional job. Training on the bike and rock climbing are my main activities every day. In my off time I also have been doing bicycle frame graphics check it out http://devotiondesign.blogspot.com/. My goals are to make it to the rest of the msc races and gear up for single speed worlds, then collegiate mountain season and cross. Hope all is well in sonoma county be back in august for the race.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

He's my Dad....

He's 65, he wears whitey tighties under his chamois, and he adores his handlebar rear-view mirror, but the guy can ride farther than you: he's my dad. It was exactly this guy who invited me to join him in riding the Tour of Colorado this summer,which boasts over 30,000 feet of overall elevation gain in some of the most spectacular country in America. So, I bought the largest rear cluster I could find and slapped it on my pink Soulcraft road bike, lubed the chain and hoped for the best. The Tour of Colorado turned out to provide some of the most epic high altitude road riding I have ever done, and of course, the time with my dad one of the highlights of my life. In the sea of generic, mass-produced, overly gadgetized titanium and carbon fiber bikes, my steel bike was quite the anomaly. In fact, maybe it was the moment when I crested the top of my third 10,000 foot summit of the day and was greeted by a random cyclist with, "I love you woman of steel" that I realized how lucky I am to ride such a unique and beautifully crafted bike in a world where most bikes are stamped out in a factory overseas.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

What's up Milner!

On my way to work I thought saw John Milner from American Graffiti cruising in his '32 Ford Deuce Coupe. Turns out it was David DiFalco, former Bruce Gordon Cycles shop rat-turned hot rod guru. With a Chevy smallblock pushing 750 hp, it cost dave $1.32 in gas to stop and let me take this picture.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Skyline Park Mountain Bike Race


Some guy named Curtis Inglis is putting on a race in Napa. This would be a good opportunity for those of you doing SSWC08 to do a little Re-Con. Here's what he sent me:

Get this on your calendar now...
...here's your opportunity to preview parts of the SSWC08 course, sample the terrain and take part in a great local race—all at the same time!

Come race the Eagle Cycling Mtn Bike Race, at Skyline
Park in beee-u-teeful Napa Valley. Gears or SS are in this one, as
well as more categories than you can shake a stick at.

Not only a really fun, technical course, there's actually an opportunity make a little $$!
$300 Pro/Elite/Expert purse. Awarded by fastest times to the top five male and female finishers. Medals to third place in all classes.

Oh yeah and one more thing (or 6 more things)—
If you didn’t get into SSWC08, here’s your chance …

6 Golden Tickets available

3 go to top finishers in SS category

More details here.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

I'm on a stunt bike!

Our local superdad, Scott Bowen, organized a mountain bike clinic for kids this past week up at Howarth Park. He wrangled a bunch of us local riders and racers to be "instructors", which all of us were more than happy to do. Monday was basic training with various obstacle courses they had to navigate. You could see the fear in some of their eyes as they approached the "super-see-saw" but they all did it. One of the girls in my group of 5-7 year olds, Madison, said it was, "Scary and Fun!". That's always a great combo. Wednesday was graduation day with a 2 mile trail ride and a race. For half the trail ride all I heard was, "Let's go faster!". I tried to teach the kids to pace themselves and the reply I got from Sam was, "I can't pace myself, I'm on a stunt bike!" Fair enough. After the trail ride they all received "diplomas". I was not allowed to give a commencement speech. These kids are way more skilled than I was at their age. They are going to rule when they get older, assuming they stick with riding. The way things are going, by the time they turn 16 bikes might be their only choice. There will be another class on July 7 and 9th (see earlier post for details). For more pics go here.

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