Ride of Your Life eTour Interviews

February 26th, 2009

David Rowe
A couple weeks ago I had a great interview with long distance cyclist and author David Rowe. It was part of the eTour for his new book, The Ride of Your Life.

All of the eTour interviews are now online. They have different perspectives depending on the focus of the bloggers they were with. I’ve enjoyed all of them. The links below will take you directly to each interview.

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Iditarod Trail Invitational Fundraising for Jill

February 23rd, 2009

Jill Homer - 2008 Iditarod Trail Invitation

Every year about this time, there’s a 350 mile mountain bike race. No, it is not in the warm, sunny southern desert. It’s in a desolate part of Alaska where temperatures can be well below zero and the snow deep.

It’s a race that I’ve dreamed of doing at times in my life. I then have unpleasant memories of sleeping in a tent in sub-zero weather and decide it’s not for me. The race is the Iditarod Trail Invitational and uses the first part of the Iditarod dog sled race course. Jill Homer finished the race last year and didn’t get enough. She’ll be riding back out into the snowy wilderness this Sunday, March 1st.

The race takes about a week and the equipment and supplies aren’t cheap. Last year I donated some of this site earnings to help Jill with expenses for the Iditarod Trail Invitational. I’m helping her again this year.

When you search for cycling and outdoor gear on UltraRob.com and then buy from partner stores, I receive a small commission. Starting today through March 1st, I’ll be donating 20% of my earnings to Jill. If you’ve been considering buying some cycling or outdoor gear, now you can buy it and support an endurance athlete. You can also go to her blog and donate directly through PayPal.

Jill wrote the book Ghost Trails about her experience last year. I hope to post a review of it sometime while she’s out on the trail. Check the sidebar on her blog to see the different ways you can buy a copy of Ghost Trails.

In addition to mountain bikers like Jill, there will also be runners and skiers racing the Iditarod Trail Invitational.

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Peak Region Cyclist Show Report

February 23rd, 2009

Sibex Sports Display at Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show

I spent a couple hours at the 1st Annual Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show on Saturday. I could have easily spent the whole 5 hours they were open but my 4 and 5 year olds had plenty with the time I did spend. I think there were about 40 booths.

Local bike shops Bicycle Village, Team Telecycle, Old Town, Balanced Rock Bike and Ski, CS West Bikes, Pro Cycling, Colorado Springs Bike Shop, Criterium, Ascent Cycling and Colorado Cyclist were all there.

The highlight of the show for me was to talk to local bike and cycling accessories companies. I talked to Phil from Koobi Bike Saddles, Scott from Sibex Sports, local frame builder Jeff Tessier and Brent of Rec-Rac.

The show seemed like a success and I look forward to it being back next year. I have posted more Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show photos in the photo section.

My wife and I popped over the Trinity Brewing for a bit for the Women’s Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs and Sunna Racing fundraiser. We were barely able to elbow our way in it was so packed.

I won some massage oil and Little Bada** Roadrash Boo Balm in the raffle. Also on the spur of the moment, I threw in choice of $25 gift certificate from the gift card guide.

In addition we went and hung out and the party and King’s Chef Dinner. We also enjoyed watching American Flyers on the big screen at Kimball’s.

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Busy Weekend for Cyclists and Mountain Bikers in Colorado Springs

February 20th, 2009

There is an unbelievable amount of cycling and mountain biking events going on this weekend in Colorado Springs. I posted a few days ago about the Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show on Saturday from 10 AM – 3 PM. In addition to the show there is

  • Friday 6PM – 8PM Oscar’s (333 S. Tejon) will be setting aside their patio just for the cycling community. Cash bar with drink specials. (21+ only please).
  • Saturday after the show there will be a private party for vendors from the show from 6pm-7pm (aka as Industry Only) and then anyone who attended the show will be given a stamp/ticket to get into this private party from 7pm-10pm. It will be at King Chef Diner on the corner of Bijou/Nevada. Beer provided by Bristol (FREE-while supplies last). May even have a DJ spinning funk/80s music. King Chef’s legendary food will be available for purchase as well. (21+ Only please)
  • 10pm-“American Flyers” will be shown at Kimball’s Pike’s Peak Theater. Tickets will be available at the show and very good chance could sell out at show. (Short version: Go to show early). The theater does offer beer and wine for sale. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Pike’s Peak Area Independent Film Festival. Call theater for details on that.
  • The Return of “Cycling Sundays” @ McCabes! (220 S. Tejon) 1pm-4pm. It’s the end of the “Tour of California” this weekend and we will have it on all 3 TV’s with sound when it comes on. Sure the foosball, darts, and jukebox (one of the best in town) will keep you occupied before and after the coverage. Food and drink specials. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! (so yeah, don’t have to be 21+ for this Sunday/Family day event).

If you’re coming from out of town, there’s plenty of both mountain biking and road riding near the show.

The trails used for the Bear Creek races of the Sand Creek Series are just down the street. Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Section 16, Cheyenne Canon and Stratton Open Space are all nearby and have great trails. For road riding there’s Gold Camp Road, Garden of the Gods and the big climb near by. If you want more info on Colorado Springs riding ask your questions in the comments below.

I found out last night when I was hanging out at Kinfolks in Manitou after doing the Incline that I somehow had missed another event this weekend. The Women’s Mountain Biking Association of Colorado Springs (WMBA of COS) is a new group in town. They have 12 women on their Sunna Racing team.

They are having a Gear and Beer Fest fundraiser Saturday and Trinity Brewing Company on Garden of the Gods road. There will be drawings for 30 nice prizes from sponsors and they’ll be doing a silent auction for a 2009 World Cup Sid fork (MSRP: $952). Here’s the blurb from their Facebook page

Hello friends-

We would like to invite you to learn about a new and exciting organization within the Colorado Springs cycling community by joining us for a fundraising event at Trinity Brewing Company on February 21st.

Last fall, four women cyclists: Elizabeth Turnage, Jessica Conner, Hillary Hienton, and Mary Hoyle, teamed up to begin developing a women’s racing team and non profit organization. We have worked together to find sponsorship from local businesses in support of Our Mission:

To encourage women of all levels of skill and interest in cycling through making the sport and cycling community in Colorado Springs more accessible and visible. We aim to encourage participation in race events through a developmental team, organize group and training rides, educate women through skill and bike maintenance clinics, and organize social events to promote community.

Sunna Racing, our cycling team, is made up of twelve women with an additional thirty or so other women interested in joining our non profit organization, the Women’s Mountain Biking Association of Colorado Springs…or WMBA of COS. It is wonderful to have found such an incredible response from this community. Our sponsors include SRAM, Trinity Brewing Company, Criterium Bicycle Shop, Penrad Imaging, Action Potential Physical Therapy, and Alison Dunlap Adventure Camps. We are also proud to announce that we are World Bicycle Relief volunteers!

By joining us at Trinity Brewing Company for our inaugural event, you will help enable us to begin fulfilling our mission statement for WMBA of COS. We hope to see each and every one of you on Feb 21st!

Thanks,

Betty Turnage, Hillary Hienton, Jessica Conner, and Mary Hoyle

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Colorado Bike Safety Bill Moving Forward

February 19th, 2009


The Colorado Bike Safety bill (SB148) passed the Colorado Senate on Tuesday on a vote of 27 to 6. The important 3 foot passing distance rule was kept in the bill. I just can’t imagine people thinking they need less than 3 feet to pass.

The foot rule is opposed by Larimer County Sheriff because he says it would be impossible for his agency to enforce. He says there’s no way to measure how close a motorist passes. State Sen. Greg Brophy says law enforcement officials are already allowed to make judgment calls while enforcing the law.

The bill is now in the Colorado State House of Representatives. I haven’t seen a date for a vote. If you’re a Colorado cyclist, let your representative know that the bike safety bill is important to you. Click here to find contact info for your representative.

Key points of the bike safety bill are

  • Passing
  • Lane Position
  • More than 1 Rider
  • Anti-harassment

Go to Bicycle Colorado’s bike safety bill page to get the latest info.

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Endurance Racing Results Feb 14 & 15 Weekend

February 18th, 2009


Last weekend saw plenty of endurance racing action. Mountain bikers were turning out laps at the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo. Ultra road riders were racing a RAAM qualifier in Florida and snow bikers were racing the Susitna 100 in Alaska.

Solo 24 Hours of Old Pueblo Race Results

Solo Men
Place Name Laps
1 Evan Plews 18
2 Ian Leitch 18
3 Tinker Juarez 17
4 Steven Yore 16
5 Todd Carpenter 16
6 Chuck Wheeler 16
7 Gattis Tyler 13
8 Dominic Laroche 13
9 Zachary Stanford 13
10 Sean Mcdevitt 13
Solo Women
Place Name Laps
1 Sarah Kaufmann 15
2 Terri Wahlberg 13
3 Mary Metcalf 12
4 Michele Bliss 9
5 Melissa Newbrey 8
Solo Men Singlespeed
Place Name Laps
1 Dejay Birtch 15
2 Sean Sullivan 15
3 Tom Ament 13
4 Chad Brown 12
5 Leonard Goodell 11
Solo Women Singlespeed
Place Name Laps
1 Lynda Wallenfels 16
2 Rebecca Tomaszewski 14
3 Chelsea Mcgowan 10
4 Amy Thomas 10
5 Stacey Kielman 9

Full results

24 Hours of Sebring

No one broke 500 miles this year in the men’s non-drafting RAAM Qualifier race, but David Holt came close with 490.4. I crewed for David for the Race Across America last year. I must say over 400 miles on a handcycle is impressive.

Non-Drafting Men
Place Name Miles
1 David Holt 490.4
2 Andrea Tosolini 486.7
3 Bryce Walsh 449.1
4 Marshall Reeves 434.6
5 Dave Rudnicki 430.6
6 Gunnar Ohlanders 419.5
Non-Drafting Women
Place Name Miles
1 Carolyn van den Bulk 385.9
2 Lori Dailey 370.8
3 Sharon Stevens 362.8
4 Vickie Tyer 359.4
Recumbent Men
Place Name Miles
1 Troy Timmons 427.2
2 Gary Carter 419.5
3 John Schlitter 408.7
4 Allen Duhm 382.6
Handcycles
Place Name Miles
1 Thomas Lange 403.8
2 Keane West 351.7
3 Viko Merklin 303.3
4 Patrick Doak 292.2

Susitna 100

Jill mentioned on her blog that it rained at the Susitna 100 and the trail was churned up into mashed potatoes. That doesn’t sound like much fun to me.

Men Bike
Place Name Time
1 Bill Fleming 16:15
2 Greg Matyas 19:17
3 Joe Pollock 21:02
4 Josiah Freeman 21:02
5 Christopher Wrobel 22:45
6 Jim Jager 23:14
7 Paul Lester 26:33
8 Dave Byers 26:42
9 David Hart 27:16
10 Jacques Boutet 27:24
Women Bike
Place Name Time
1 Janice Tower 21:02
2 Jill Valerius 30:53
3 Kristin Wolf 30:53

Full Results

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1st Annual Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show

February 17th, 2009

Update 2/23/09: I’ve posted my report of the Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show

Update 2/20/09: I’ve posted a few other cycling things going on in Colorado Springs this weekend plus some ride suggestions if you’re coming from out of town for the show.

This Saturday, February 21st, from 10 AM to 3 PM is the 1st Annual Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show at the Norris-Penrose Center. It looks like it will be a quality event with at least most of the local bike shops being there plus several other good exhibitors. I plan on heading over there. Part of the $5 admission fee benefits the Pikes Peak Area Bikeways Coalition.

Peak Region Cyclist is a new local cycling magazine that published their first edition last June. Every issue has had very good articles. While many print publications are struggling, Peak Region Cyclist seems to be making it work. The print version can be found many places around town and you can also read it online.

Saturday evening they’re bringing American Flyers to Kimball’s Twin Peak Theater. I think it would be really sweet to see American Flyers on the big screen. It’s showing at 10 PM. I don’t see it listed on their site but everyone is invited.

Other weekly local cycling happenings are the pub crawl Thurday evenings and Cycling Sundays at McCabe’s. Cycling Sundays are from 1-4 PM. This week the Tour of California will be on.

Highlights of the Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Show are

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Cripple Creek Ice Festival

February 13th, 2009

Last Saturday we went up to the Cripple Creek Ice Festival. There were some amazing sculptures. There was an ice maze and sledding for the kids. Out kids really enjoyed it. It is still going on this weekend and would make a fun trip for locals. Check the website for details.

I took several photos of the ice carvings. I also did a page that shows the carving of a moose sculpture and then using fire to give it a frosted glass look.

http://www.blogger.com/img/videoplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv22.nonxt3.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dd680423202ae29c8%26itag%3D5%26begin%3D0%26len%3D86400000%26app%3Dblogger%26et%3Dplay%26el%3DEMBEDDED%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1274826000%26sparams%3Did%252Citag%252Cip%252Cipbits%252Cexpire%26signature%3D793A3A30A9B5FBFC4F02F429529EA92C59FA427C.6CC657E76250F57ADA3C3F6E1EABE1C2547DF5BF%26key%3Dck1&thumbnailUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3Dd680423202ae29c8%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw320%26sigh%3DIoO3FpjhVQ6s_8_VxTrOZE5VDv4&messagesUrl=video.google.com%2FFlashUiStrings.xlb%3Fframe%3Dflashstrings%26hl%3Den&nogvlm=1

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Urgent: Colorado Bike Safety Bill

February 11th, 2009


Some years I ride my bike thousands of miles on the road. I’ve had motorists harass me in many ways. I’ve nearly been hit by cars passing too close, been intentionally buzzed, had a pickup pull into a gravel pullout and spin to spray me with gravel, had a couple bottles and ice thrown at me, had a bottle rocket shot into my back wheel and a passenger reach out and slap me. The list goes on.

The 2009 Colorado Bicycle Safety Bill will be voted on by the State Senate possibly as soon as this Friday, Feb. 13. This bill will help protect bicyclists on roads and makes it easier for motorists to pass bicyclists safely. Opponents are trying to remove the 3 feet safe passing distance. Bicycle Colorado has more information on Senate Bill 148.

You can help by contacting your state senator. You can find out contact info by clicking here and entering your zip code. Key points are

  • I encourage you to support Senate Bill 148
  • Please keep the 3 foot safe passing distance
  • I believe this bill will improve road safety

You can also help by getting the word out or donating to Bicycle Colorado’s efforts.

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2009 Leadville 100 Entrant List

February 11th, 2009

2007 Leadville 100 Start Line
The preliminary 2009 Leadville 100 mountain bike entrant list was posted yesterday. It has 1297 racers on it. The list on the official site is a MS Excel file. If you don’t have Excel, I converted it and have a web version of the entrant list.

I think last year they let in around a thousand and it wasn’t that long ago that the limit was closer to 750. Even though they let a record number of people in, there are lots of people on the Yahoo Leadville email list and on forums saying they didn’t get in.

Someone with a connection to someone at the race told me around 10,000 entries were received! That’s a lot more than what I’ve heard in past years. I expected a jump with all the publicity from Lance doing it last year but that’s more than I would have guessed.

Related Links: Leadville 100 MTB FAQ | 2008 Lance and Wiens videos | 2007 Leadville 100 MTB pictures | 2006 Leadville 100 MTB pictures | Views from the Top of the Columbine Climb

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