Friday, November 20, 2009

1st Annual Carmichael Training Systems Indoor Computrainer Race Series



The 1st Annual Carmichael Training Systems Indoor Computrainer Race Series begins tonight. I meant to mention it when I posted last week about extreme indoor training but managed to forget it. When I talked to them a couple weeks ago, it sounded like it will be split into A, B, and C categories.

Call 635-0645 or e-mail theclub@trainright.com to reserve your spot. Go to www.trainright.com/theclub for more info on the CTS Endurance Sports Club.
  • Free Entry
  • Open to all abilities
  • Nightly prizes
  • Overall series Grand Prize
Races start at 6pm on:
  • November 20th - Prologue
  • December 4th - Criterium
  • December 11th - Mountain Stage
  • December 18th - Omnium
- UltraRob

Kinetic Rock N Roll Bike Trainer Road
Kinetic Rock N Roll Bike Trainer Road
Price: $499.00
 
Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Bike Trainer
Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Bike Trainer
Price: $339.00
 
Kinetic Pro Trainer S09
Kinetic Pro Trainer S09
Regular Price: $499.99
$399.99 on sale
 

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posted by UltraRob @ 6:33:00 AM   0 comments links to this post

Thursday, November 19, 2009

It's (Warren) Miller Time - Warren Miller's Dynasty Review


(Johnny Lyons on Vail Pass)

If there’s a moment that stands out in “Warren Miller’s Dynasty,” it’s this: Mono Skier X. Yeah. That’s right – insane Skier X featuring disabled athletes on mono skis at the Winter X Games. This sport is crazy anyway, but these adaptive competitors take it to the next level. Their slogan says it all: “If there’s nothing you can do about it… you either get busy living, or you get busy dying.”

This year’s ski film hits the Pikes Peak Center Friday and Saturday, and it features all the powder-filled shots of years past. The film’s director and producer Max Bervy says the film’s showing “is like a family reunion, held in neck-deep pow, with mandatory air required for entry. It leaves no snowball unturned.”

That said, “Dynasty” won’t disappoint those who make a yearly pilgrimage to see the newest Warren Miller film.

It has the usual amount of jaw-dropping stunts and scenery, and sweeps from Lake Tahoe to British Columbia, Washington to Colorado and Alaska to Michigan. Chris Davenport travels to northern Norway to ski above the Arctic Circle. Chris Anthony and Austin Ross look for the birthplace of skiing in the wilds of northwestern China, and find a culture where homemade wooden skis are standard equipment. And favorites from the past – Lucas and Adam Schrab (remember the farm boys jumping over mountains of hay?) return with an aging school bus and wooden ramps.

In the recent past, Miller films have celebrated the rise of the snowboarder. This one is different, with snowboards showing up in only three segments. This film appears to be dedicated to new schoolers and backcountry stars.

- Deb Acord

Atomic Kailas Skis
Atomic Kailas Skis
Regular Price: $399.95
$238.95 on sale
 
Atomic Atlas Skis
Atomic Atlas Skis
Price: $799.00
 
Atomic Punx Skis
Atomic Punx Skis
Regular Price: $629.00
$374.95 on sale
 

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posted by Deb Acord @ 7:33:00 AM   0 comments links to this post

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Colorado Springs CyclocCross Race This Saturday



The second Pikes Peak Velo cyclocross race is this Saturday at Bear Creek park. I will be there at o-dark-thirty helping set up the course. Throughout the day I'll be shooting photos and helping out with whatever needs to be done.

The plan is for the course to be the same as the September cyclocross race. Check the race flyer for the times for the different races.

Because of the fairly short laps, cyclocross is great for spectators. It looks like the weather will be nice so come on out with your cowbell if you aren't racing.

Related Links
- UltraRob
Van Dessel Gin Trombones Cyclocross Bike
Van Dessel Gin Trombones Cyclocross Bike
Price: $2379.00
 
Van Dessel Gin Trombones Cyclocross Frameset
Van Dessel Gin Trombones Cyclocross Frameset
Price: $999.00
 
Blue Competition Cycles Norcross Cyclocross Bike FREE BIKE CASE
Blue Competition Cycles Norcross Cyclocross Bike FREE BIKE CASE
Price: $3686.00
 

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posted by UltraRob @ 12:39:00 PM   0 comments links to this post

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Snowshoe Dreams

Mueller State Park

It’s snowing and I’m getting excited about one of my favorite winter sports – snowshoeing. We have three pairs of snowshoes – all Redfeathers – but I’m always dreaming about a new pair.

My new favorites? Crescent Moon. This small company is based in Boulder, where they make all their shoes. They’re a green company that uses materials with no environmentally harmful PVC plastic; they use wind-powered energy in their factory and office and they recycle and reuse everything they can – frames, rivets, claws, bindings and decking (non-PVC, of course).

Once you get your snowshoes, check out these trails in the area:
  • Anywhere in Mueller State Park (in the picture). Best bets? Homestead and Elk Meadow trails (pick up a map at park entrance or visitor center).
  • The Crags. This side of Pikes Peak holds the snow, so you can find deep stashes even after it’s melted on the other side.
  • Rainbow Gulch off Rampart Range Road. Throw in the trail that circles the reservoir and you’ve got a hefty loop (about 15 miles).
  • Barr Trail. It’s usually packed down on the lower section, but we’ve used snowshoes on the stretch between the top of the Incline and Barr Camp.
  • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. There isn’t snowshoe-worthy snow here season-long, but after a good storm, it’s perfect.
- Deb Acord

Crescent Moon Silver 13 Snowshoes
Crescent Moon Silver 13 Snowshoes
Price: $169.95
 
Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes
Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes
Price: $79.95
 
Crescent Moon Snowshoes Silver 10 Snowshoe
Crescent Moon Snowshoes Silver 10 Snowshoe
Price: $178.95
 

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posted by Deb Acord @ 8:33:00 AM   0 comments links to this post

Monday, November 16, 2009

Baby Steps to Your Dream Adventure



I often get asked how I started doing long, exciting adventures like 10 days backpacking in the Alaska wilderness, the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, or the toughest one Race Across America (RAAM). Those that ask me don't see how they could go from the small adventures they've done to something much bigger.

The answer is taking baby steps or pedaling with training wheels along the way. I had been racing nearly 10 years before I did a race over 6 hours. Even after doing 6 solo mountain bike races, I wasn't sure I'd finish my first 500+ mile RAAM qualifier through the desert or California. I finished it and was fast enough to qualify for RAAM. I did another 3 qualifiers before taking the step up to RAAM.

If you dream of a big adventure but don't think you'll ever be capable of doing it, think again. It doesn't matter if it's climbing Everest, racing your bike across the US in RAAM or something smaller. Just find some fun, doable steps and start now. You may be surprised by what adventures you'll have.

UltraRob.com has also grown much like my adventures. It's grown from a small site with planned races, race results and a blog about training for RAAM into much more. Last month there were over 80,000 unique visits and 150,000 pageviews on UltraRob.com. Where will it go next? It'll be a journey and I'm sure it'll be baby step by baby step.

What adventure are you dreaming about doing or have already experienced by taking little steps?

- UltraRob

Sidi Winter 2 Mountain Shoe
Sidi Winter 2 Mountain Shoe
Regular Price: $229.99
$99.99 on sale
 
Sidi Diablo GTX Winter Mountain Shoe
Sidi Diablo GTX Winter Mountain Shoe
Price: $319.95
 
SIDI 09 Diablo GTX Winter Training Bike Shoes
SIDI 09 Diablo GTX Winter Training Bike Shoes
Price: $399.99
 

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posted by UltraRob @ 6:33:00 AM   0 comments links to this post

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Going Glamping?



Don’t get me wrong. I love being comfortable in the outdoors. I’ve been lusting over a Big Agnes sleeping pad for our late-fall camping trips, and I balk at backpacking without carrying a camp chair.

And I'm not even against a stay in a luxury mountain cabin now and then (I wrote about the concept of "roughing it" last year in a column for the Rocky Mountain News).

But when I'm going camping - with a tent - I think part of the fun is packing, unpacking, and setting up the gear.

Apparently, others don't feel the same way. A recent news story described a special perk at a regional park in Montgomery County, Md. Campers at Little Bennett can pay an extra $25 for the park staff to set up their campsite with chairs, tent, a lantern and propane stove.

The story also details other luxurious outdoor “adventures” – feather beds at a KOA site near Santa Cruz, Calif., butler-prepared meals at The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, and hand-woven willow beds on wooden platforms in California’s El Capitan Canyon.

The luxury details are part of a trend to get comfort-seekers out of their comfort zones and away from their technology.

The new trend is called “glamping,” named for the glamorizing of camping. Comfort, technology and service all transform a traditional camping trip.  If it catches on, we might have to retire the phrase "roughing it".

- Deb Acord

SIERRA DESIGNS WU HU 4 TENT
SIERRA DESIGNS WU HU 4 TENT
Price: $328.95
 
Sierra Designs ASP 2 Tent
Sierra Designs ASP 2 Tent
Price: $259.95
 
Sierra Designs ASP 3 Tent
Sierra Designs ASP 3 Tent
Price: $299.95
 

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posted by Deb Acord @ 8:33:00 AM   1 comments links to this post


Email: web@ultrarob.com