UltraRob's Adventures

Incline Friends Membership Drive

January 24th, 2012

Currently making the Manitou Incline legal is progressing well and the Incline could be officially open by summer. The Incline Friends is the group that is raising funds to help implement the Manitou Incline Site Development and Management Plan. They are having a membership drive 6 PM to 9 PM. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Phantom Canyon Brewery.

Members of the Incline Friends committee will be on hand to provide updated information about the legalization process and where the project currently stands.

Community members are encouraged to join Incline Friends, the nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds, public education and volunteer coordination for the Manitou Incline. Membership cost is $35 per year. All who join will receive a new Incline Friends tech T-shirt. And Phantom Canyon has promised to buy a beer for the first 50 who join.

If you can’t make it to the membership drive at Phantom Canyon, you can join the Incline Friends online.

Tags: hiking, Manitou Incline, Manitou Springs
Posted in Hike | No Comments »

Free National Park Entry This Weekend

January 13th, 2012

All 397 national parks across the country are offering free admission this weekend, January 14 through 16, to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Camping probably isn’t on most people list of things to do at National Parks in snowy parts of the country for these free days but there’s still plenty to do in winter. Many National Parks such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone and Yosemite are good for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

More free National Park days in 2012

April 21-29 – National Park Week
June 9 – Get Outdoors Day
September 29 – National Public Lands Day
November 10-12 – Veterans Day weekend

Atlas Snowshoes Women's Elektra 1027 10 Series Snowshoes

Price: $199.95

Atlas Snowshoes Women's Elektra 1023 10 Series Snowshoes

Price: $199.95

Tubbs Snowshoes Journey Series Snowshoes Men's

Price: $179.95

Tags: hiking, National Parks, outdoors
Posted in outdoors | No Comments »

Backcountry Ski Film Solitaire Screening

January 12th, 2012

Nick Waggoner and Zac Ramras spent the better part of two years on foot, horseback, and ski-skins travelling between some of South America’s most desolate mountains. The end product of their effort, Solitaire, is perhaps the most stunning ski film ever shot. The film features 31 different skiers and snowboarders, two of whom, Arne Backstrom and Kip Garre, passed away during production. Solitaire was selected for the Banff and Mountain Film Festival, and won IF3 Festival’s Best Cineomatography Award.

Outside Magazine is showing the backcountry ski film Solitaire on their website tonight, January 12th, 2012 at 6 PM MST. Head over to this page to see it. Join a live chat at 7 PM MST with filmmaker Nick Waggoner and skiers Kim Havell and Stephan Drake.

K2 COOMBAck Telemark / Randonee Skis 2011/2012

Price: $649.95

K2 SideShow Telemark / Randonee Skis 2011/2012

Regular Price: $649.95
$519.93 on sale

K2 BrightSide Telemark / Randonee Skis Women's 2011/2012

Regular Price: $649.95
$519.93 on sale

Tags: backcountry, movie, skiing
Posted in Snowshoe | No Comments »

Leadville Winter Snow Bike Races 2012

January 12th, 2012

Leadville’s winter snow bike race series kicks off this Saturday with a night race at Copper Mountain. There are 4 races in the series. Although fatbikes like the Salsa Mukluk are ideal for riding in the snow, regular mountain bikes can be used with as wide of tire as will fit your frame and running low tire pressure.

Schedule is

Jan. 14th – Copper en Fuego
Feb. 4th – Tennessee Pass Night Jam
March 3rd – Mineral Belt Mayhem
April 7th – East Side Epic

For more details, see the Cloud City Wheelers event page.

Salsa Mukluk 3 Fatbike 2012

Price: $1599.00

e*thirteen components XC Triple Fatbike Crank

Price: $354.95

Timberland Women's Mukluk Lace Snow Boots

Regular Price: $109.95
$71.49 on sale

Tags: Colorado, Leadville, snow bike racing, snow biking
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | No Comments »

2012 Cyclocross Nationals Elite Races Live Video Today

January 8th, 2012

USA Cycling is showing live video of the Elite Cyclocross National Races today. The Women’s race is at 11 AM MST and the Men’s race is at 1:15 PM. Colorado Springs own Katie Compton will be racing for her 8th National Cyclocross title.

GT GTR CX2 Cyclocross Bike

Regular Price: $1069.99
$669.00 on sale

Nashbar CX 1 Cyclocross Bike

Regular Price: $999.99
$599.99 on sale

Scattante X 330 Cyclocross Bike

Price: $749.99

Tags: cyclocross, Katie Compton
Posted in Bike, Cyclocross | No Comments »

Extreme Bike Balance Skills

December 15th, 2011

A few years ago I posted a video of a girl doing something like figure skating on a bike. Someone recently shared a video with me but with 2 girls. I think you’ll be very impressed with their skills!

SE PK Fixed Gear Road Bike

Regular Price: $799.99
$449.00 on sale

SE Pk Fixed Gear Bike 53cm Black

Regular Price: $799.00
$679.95 on sale

Se Bikes Draft Lite Fixed Gear Bike '12

Price: $329.00

Tags: bike stunts, cycling, videos
Posted in Bike | No Comments »

Western States 100 Movie Showing Benefits Manitou Incline

December 6th, 2011

Another endurance movie showing is coming to Colorado Springs and it benefits the Incline Friends. The new documentary “Unbreakable: The Western States 100,” is showing at Stargazers Theatre on December 7th at 7 PM. Doors open at 6 p.m. and top ultra runners Anton Krupicka, Geoff Roes and Anita Ortiz will be there.

The film by Journeyfilm’s JB Benna follows the footsteps of four extraordinary athletes, including Krupicka and Roes of Boulder, as they prepare for the 2010 race and the daunting challenge of running 100 miles across the Sierra Nevada, some of the most rugged country in the western United States. On race day you’ll join the runners shoulder-to-shoulder as they push their limits above timberline, and then risk life and limb on hell-bent descents.

This is a must see for anyone who dreams of striding across the sky to greet the sunrise.

The evening will be topped with a question and answer discussion with Krupicka, Roes and Ortiz, some of the top ultra runners in the world. Roes won the Western States 100 in 2010, while Ortiz claimed the women’s title in 2009. Krupicka, who attended Colorado College, is a two-time winner of the Leadville 100.

Tickets cost $10 and will be available at Mountain Chalet, 226 N. Tejon St.; Colorado Running Company, 833 N. Tejon St., and 9275 N. Union Blvd, Ste. 120; and Carmichael Training Systems, 600 S. 21st St., No. 100. Tickets will also be available for $10 the day of the show, but it’s wise to purchase them early. Tickets are also available online for $11 at imATHLETE.com.

The event is a fundraiser for Incline Friends, the organization created to help implement the Manitou Incline Site Development and Management Plan and open the Incline to the public. Although it still isn’t legal to hike the Manitou Incline, the Incline Friends are working to educate users, build relationships with other groups and residents who use and live near the Incline, and organize volunteer work days.

Yaktrax Yaktrax Pro Black

Price: $29.99

Yaktrax Yaktrax Walker

Price: $19.95

Yaktrax XTR

Price: $60.00

Tags: Anita Ortiz, Anton Krupicka, endurance racing, Geoff Roes, hiking, Incline Friends, Manitou Incline, movie, running
Posted in Hike, running | No Comments »

Bike and Outdoor Gear Deals for Black Friday/Cyber Monday

November 25th, 2011

Alli Sports
On Black Friday they are offering 20% off all orders (including sale items) plus free ground shipping with code turkeys. Then on Cyber Monday they’ll have 30% off all regular price items plus free ground shipping with coupon code interweb.

Backcountry.com
Black Friday Sale at Backcountry.com – Up To 50% off plus Free 2-Day Shipping On Orders Over $50.

Bike Nashbar
Take 20% extra off orders over $50 including bikes and frames on Black Friday only. Use coupon code 48572. Some exclusions apply.

CampSaver
At CampSaver.com’s Black Friday Sale you can save up to 70% OFF with some great Door Buster Deals! Awesome savings on climbing gear, footwear, gloves, tents, packs, clothing and much more! Plus 15-20% OFF 20,000 items sitewide! And to top it off, these sale prices will be good through Monday.

Department of Goods
Black Friday they will have 100’s of items at least 60% off. For Cyber Monday they will have 72 items 72% off for 72 hours.

DogFunk
DogFunk’s Black Friday sale includes deep discounts of Up to 50% across 1,000’s of products. Plus they have FREE 2-DAY SHIPPING on $50 orders.

Eastern Mountain Sports
Take 20% Off (Almost) Everything at EMS.com through Monday.

GiantNerd
Get An Additional 15% Off Complete Bikes At Giantnerd.com. Use Coupon Code 15BM At Checkout. Expires 11/28/2011 At 11:59PM MST.

Half Moon Outfitters
Half Moon Outfitters is having a large sale on such brands as Patagonia, Smartwool, Marmot, Arc’Teryx, Horny Toad, Columbia Sportswear, and Mountain Hardwear. Hurry Sale ends on 11/29/11! Free shipping on items over $49! Also get 20% off on Smartwool Hats, Scarves, and Gloves when you enter the promo code wooliscool through 12/6/11.

Icebreaker
30% off all black product and 15% off everything else plus free shipping. Black Friday Only. Cyber Monday Special – Save 20% on all items in the Icebreaker Gift Guide. Plus FREE SHIPPING on all orders! Valid from 12:01 am EST 11/28 until 11:59pm PST 11/28. This offer cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts or promotions.

Jenson USA
Killer deals on bikes and accessories at Jenson USA through Monday.

KonaSports
KonaSports has 16% off bmx bikes with code XMASBMX16, 40% off apparel, sunglasses and watches that aren’t on sale with code BF40SALE and 30% off all sale items with code BF30SALE (excludes over sized).

LeftLane Sports
50% Off Ahnu Hiking Footwear And Trail Running Shoes. Ends 11/30.

MooseJaw
Take 30% Off All Vibram FiveFingers Running Shoes at Moosejaw.com through 11/27. No code needed. Get free Moosejaw e-Gift Card with any item over $99 with coupon code FREEGC. Some brands excluded. Ends 12/4.

Mountains Plus
Thanks-Gearing Sale UP TO 40% OFF at Mountains Plus. Expires 11/30!

Nantahala Outdoor Center
Monday get 30% Off All Patagonia At Nantahala Outdoor Center. Add Items To Cart To See The Discount Applied. Expires 11/28/2011 At 11:59PM EST.

Outdoor DIVAS
Receive 20% off ALL PrAna.

Performance Bike
20% off almost everything until 2 PM on Black Friday. Excludes Black Friday deals and outlet bikes.

Monday get $20 off purchases of $100 or more. No code needed.

Pro Board Shop
Take an Additional 10% Off All Skullcandy Heaphones & Earbuds at Proboardshop.com with coupon code skullcandy10 on Monday. Shop Proboardshop.com for Up to 70% Off.

River Sports Outfitters
20% off Cascade Designs-Therm-A-Rest, MSR, Seal-Line, Platypus and Tracks and 30% off Mountain Hardwear Kelvinator Jackets. Good through Monday.

Rock/Creek Outfitters
15-50% off at Rock/Creek’s Hiking & Camping Sale plus FREE Shipping over $49.

Snowboards.net
20% off skiing and snowboarding accessories through Monday. Some exclusions.

Summit Online
20% off skiing and snowboarding accessories through Monday. Some exclusions.

Tahoe Mountain Sports
Get 10-30% off all the new Patagonia Jackets, Pants and Fleece. Sale ends Monday 11/28 at midnight.

TriVillage
TriVillage is kicking off the Holiday Season with a 20% Sale from today through Monday, November 28th at midnight. Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY to save 20% on hundreds of popular gift items for swimmers, cyclists, runners and triathletes.

If you need some gift ideas, I have gift guides from last couple years and most of the items will still make great gifts. I plan on posting updated gift ideas soon.

Volcom X Wing Goretex Snowboard Gloves Green Men's

Regular Price: $64.95
$44.95 on sale

Burton Goretex Leather Snowboard Gloves True Black Men's

Price: $69.95

Volcom X Wing Goretex Snowboard Gloves Environmental Navy Reflection Men's

Regular Price: $64.95
$44.95 on sale

Tags: cycling, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing
Posted in gear | No Comments »

Fall Back Cross 2011

November 8th, 2011

Sunday was the Fall Back Cross race put on by USA Cycling. It was a beautiful day with lots of sun and blue skies.

The course twisted all around some empty land behind the USA Cycling headquarters and gave many great places to watch. Turn out was small but there was still some great racing.

A few photos are below and there are many more Fall Back Cross photos in my photos section. As with most photos on this blog, they can be purchased including as a digital download.

Top 5 Men 1/2

Daniel Summerhill
Allen Krughoff
Christopher Case
Bryan Mickiewicz
Brian Hludzinski

Top 5 Women 1/2

Rebecca Gross
Kristal Boni
Kristin Weber
Margell Abel
Melanie Long

Complete results can be found on the USA Cycling site.

[View with PicLens]

Tags: Colorado, Colorado Springs, cyclocross, Fall Back Cross, USA Cycling
Posted in Bike, Cyclocross | No Comments »

Cyclocross Time in Colorado Springs

November 2nd, 2011

The past several years one of the first cyclocross races in Colorado was the put on by Pikes Peak Velo at Bear Creek Park in Colorado Springs. This year though Colorado Springs hasn’t had a cyclocross race yet. However there will be 2 races over the next few weeks.

The first cyclocross race is the Fall Back Cross Race this Sunday November 6th at the USA Cycling office. The first race starts at 8 AM and the last race is at 3:36 PM. There will be kids races and a Strider Cup for toddlers in the afternoon. There is also a first-time women’s category for those that want to try cyclocross without the intimidation factor. Find more Fall Back Cross info here.

The 2nd race is being put on by Pikes Peak Velo on Saturday, November 19th but it’ll be at an exciting new venue this year instead of at Bear Creek Park. It will be held at the historic Rock Ledge Ranch and part of the course goes into Garden of the Gods. You can read more Rock Ledge Ranch cyclocross details here.

With the cyclocross races coming up, Pikes Peak Velo is putting on free cyclocross skills clinics at Rock Ledge Ranch the next 3 Wednesday evenings – November 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 4:30 until dark. Practice going over barriers, getting on/off bike, carrying the bike, running up hills and of course…running out of breath! Head over to Pikes Peak Velo to get the details.