Happy New Year! It seems like 2009 went by in a blur. Here’s hoping you have a 2010 filled with fun adventures!
– UltraRob
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Happy New Year 2010
December 31st, 2009
Top 10 Most Used Gear in 2009
December 30th, 2009UpaDowna and Mud, Sweat and Beers have posted their most used gear of 2009. I really liked their posts so here are my top 10.
2000 Specialized M2 StumpJumper Mountain Bike
This bike has seen more abuse than any bike should have to endure and it keeps on taking it. I’ve finished in the top 20 overall at the Leadville 100 and won an Expert 30-34 Mountain States Cup race on it. I’ve also done plenty of suffering and trying to just keep moving on it. I’ll be honest though that I hope to upgrade my ride in 2010.
Garmin Edge 705
My bike may be old but I got a cool new Garmin Edge 705 this year. I didn’t do any rides where I had no idea where I was going but on some rides in Moab and other places I used the maps to double check that I wasn’t off route. I still haven’t used nearly all of it’s capabilities.
Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp
My Black Diamond Cosmo headlamp is a few years old. It isn’t nearly as bright as my Petzel halogen headlamp. It’s bright enough for nearly everything and doesn’t blind me hiking on snow at night. The batteries also last over 30 hours instead of 3. Not only do I use my headlamp for night hiking and around camp, I use it a lot around the house and yard.
Sidi Dominator Mountain Bike Shoes
The Sidi Dominator mountain bike shoes have been my shoe choice both on and off-road for the last several years. Because I have short, wide feet I use the Mega version. They’re stiff enough to be efficient and spread the force over the feet and still are comfortable.
CamelBak Rogue Hydration Pack
My 70 ounce Camelbak Rogue hydration pack gets a lot of use. 70 ounces plus water bottles is enough water for most rides or at least gets me to where I can refill. It also has enough carrying space so I don’t have to over stuff my jersey pockets. For rides I need more water or carrying capacity, I use the Camelbak Blowfish.
Pearl Izumi Therma Fleece Arm Warmers
Living in Colorado means that there’s a chance of needing something to keep warm. Even a hot day can turn cold at altitude when a thunderstorm moves in. That’s when I reach for my arm warmers.
Pearl Izumi Fleece Knee Warmers
Knee warmers are the perfect companion to arm warmers. Some people prefer leg warmers but with my short legs, knee warmers don’t leave much exposed skin.
Specialized S-Works Helmet
When I was a teenager, my Mom gave me the choice of getting a helmet or to stop riding my bike. I got a helmet but wasn’t happy wearing it. A couple years later, I broke it into 3 pieces. I haven’t felt safe riding without a helmet since then.
YakTrax
My YakTrax have been key to hiking the Manitou Incline during the winter. With fresh snow it isn’t too slippery but once we get some warm days it and Barr Trail can get very icy. Although the YakTrax work very well for traction, our sharp granite gravel cuts into them. I’m thinking I’ll replace them with the Kahtoola MICROspikes.
Olympus Stylus 1030SW Camera
I like to take photos of the great places I ride, hike and ski. I don’t want to have a bulky camera or one I’m worried about breaking. I have a nice digital SLR but I get lots of great shots with my Olympus Stylus 1030SW since I can take it anywhere. When I’m riding, I just slip it in my jersey pocket and don’t have to worry about it even if I crash. The newer Olympus cameras that are bombproof are their Stylus Tough series.
– UltraRob
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CrossFit
December 29th, 2009
Lately I’ve been hearing more and more about CrossFit. It is becoming a popular way to get and stay fit. According to Wikipedia, the number of CrossFit-affiliated gyms has grown from 18 in 2005 to over 1,500 in 2009.
Instead of using machines, Crossfit uses jump ropes, calisthenics, kettlebells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, boxes, etc. The main workout for the day is an intense, timed circuit of several exercises. It also works on flexibility though stretching and other exercises. The idea is to gain functional fitness.
I’ve been curious about CrossFit. When I went over to the City Rocks climbing gym last week, I found out that there will also be a CrossFit gym there (SoCo CrossFit has moved to a different location).
The CrossFit Soco group workouts are free through the end of the year. If you’re in Colorado Springs, you only have a couple more takes to take advantage of the free workouts. The workout schedule is on their website.
I was there when a class was about to start and got talked into trying it. There was a warm up with some stretching and pull ups. Then we did the main workout which was jumping rope and lifting weights in between sets. It was timed and the goal is to finish as quickly as possible.
Even if I was cycling fit (which I’m not even close right now), I think it would have kicked my butt. It’s just a different kind of fitness than what I get from endurance cycling.
The following day I was sore. Then I added in a hike of the Manitou Incline. The day after that, it was very painful to go up and down stairs.
Yesterday I gave it another try. Although each individual exercise seemed really easy, I was dripping in sweat and tired even with a modified workout since I’m new. Today I’m sore especially in my shoulders and abs. I imagine I’ll get more sore as the day goes on.
Kevin, the trainer and owner, is great and does a good job of explaining the exercises. He said as the classes get bigger, he many need to have new members take a class to learn the exercises. It can be a bit overwhelming when everyone else knows what to do and you have no idea. The routines change every day and there are a large number of different exercises.
In January the membership is going to be $65 a month. I believe after that the price is going to $105 a month but if you get in at $65 you’ll keep that rate as long as you stay active. There’ll also be drop in and punch card rates for those that don’t go often. Since I’m not used to paying a trainer, the monthly rates seem quite a bit but I know people that’ll pay $40 a session for a personal trainer.
I believe cross training, core strength and flexibility are important for endurance athletes. I know I don’t work on them enough. It’s hard to fit everything in. Have you incorporated CrossFit into your training?
– UltraRob
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Bamboo for Bicycles
December 28th, 2009
If you know bikes, you know bike materials – aluminum, steel, titanium, carbon fiber. But you might not have considered bamboo a worthy alternative.
The Bamboo Bike Project did just that. Sponsored by scientists and engineers at The Earth Institute at Columbia University it was formed to examine the feasibility of cargo bikes made of bamboo to be used as a sustainable form of transportation in Africa and to stimulate a bike building industry in Africa.
Bamboo is a strong material that is regularly used for scaffolding in building projects and bridge projects throughout Asia. It grows throughout Africa, and in this project, it is used for the main tubing elements in the bikes.
The group has determined steps to take in the project: design and build a bamboo bike suitable for the local terrain, find cost-effective and technological feasible ways to produce the bikes in rural Africa, engage local people to determine the potential for adoption of the bike, and develop a plan to make production and distribution of bamboo bikes a sustainable micro-business.
Check out the project’s web site for information and details on how to help.
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Merry Christmas 2009 from UltraRob.com
December 24th, 2009I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! Hopefully you have good times with family and friends and get some time to play with cool, new toys found under the Christmas tree. Also don’t forget the true reason we have Christmas.
– UltraRob
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City Rock Climbing Gym Opening in Downtown Colorado Springs
December 24th, 2009
Update 3/12/10: Free climbing at City Rock this weekend (March 13th and 14th) for their Grand Opening.
I got into rock climbing when I was in college. I was one of the first couple dozen climbers to sign up before the Sport Climbing Center was officially opened. I quit climbing because it was taking away time from training on the bike. I also bulk up easily and the extra weight was hurting my mountain bike racing.
I may not be climbing any more but I’ve been following the progress of a new rock climbing gym in downtown Colorado Springs, City Rock. I got a sneak peak of it a couple weeks ago.
It will be opening this Saturday, December 26th, and will be open from 10 AM to 8 PM. The bouldering wall isn’t built and not all of the main wall is completed. Their goal is to have everything completed by the beginning of February.
They are having membership specials just on Saturday. See their website for the specials. The membership also includes their Monument location.
The City Rock membership costs more than the Sport Climbing Center. City Rock does have a much higher wall that is 45 feet high and they’ll also have a crack climb. I don’t know if Sport Climbing Center has added one.
In addition to the climbing, there is also a CrossFit center (SoCo CrossFit has moved to a different location) with coaching and group workouts. It is a separate membership but they’ll have a discount for those that want to do both. Group workouts are free through the end of the year. See their website for schedule. LifeQuest Transitions is also in the building.
Yesterday I chatted with the owners, Lara and Joe. They were very friendly and showed me around. Lara said they want to have a cafe area something like Kinfolks at the front where people can hang out and meet for outdoor adventures.
You can see more City Rock Climbing Gym photos on SmugMug.
– UltraRob
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Let’s Talk Snow Days
December 23rd, 2009
We all know our porn names, right? (Take the name of your first pet and the street where you grew up.) Call me Buffy Main.
And our pirate names? Mine is Hester the Black (not sure why).
But I digress. Let’s talk skiing. Copper Mountain is helping us waste more computer minutes with their Ski Patrol name generator. The resort has launched a goofy site, http://www.yoursnowday.com/, to celebrate its theme of “Everybody Deserves a Snow Day.”
You can generate your Ski Patrol name (I’m Deb Fancy Feet Acord, Official Ski Patrol Member), print out “authentic” doctor’s excuses to use at work, watch video instructions for making paper snowballs, snowflakes and paper skis, and enter a contest for best white lie (winner gets a Copper vacation). You even get a snow day excuse soundboard with authentic sounding coughs, hacks, sneezes and groans.
Click on the “Unemployed” button, and you can enter a contest to win a free snow day.
Click on the “I’m the Boss” button, and check out the downloadable employee memos, award certificates and “World’s Greatest Boss” mug wraps.
My favorite part of the site? “You cannot spell Colorado without the word ‘rad.’” (Spoken wisely by Capt. Fred on the intro video.)
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Beacon Debate Renewed
December 22nd, 2009
The recent deaths of three climbers on Oregon’s Mount Hood have revived the debate over electronic locator devices. Called mountain locator units (MLUs) or personal locator beacons (PLBs), the devices attach to clothing and send out a signal that shows their location through satellite transmission.
The three climbers were on the mountain earlier this month. The body of one of them was found, but the other two were never located and rescue efforts were called off because of severe weather conditions.
Oregon lawmakers attempted to pass a law two year ago that required all Mount Hood climbers to carry the beacons, but it was defeated.
Climbers are divided over whether mandatory beacons will help save climbers. Some believe they give climbers a false sense of security and can even endanger rescuers responding to signals of lost climbers. Others carry the devices, but acknowledge they don’t save lives, but do help locate bodies.
But legislators are fired up about this again after the recent deaths. “When are you going to stop the carnage on Mount Hood?” said Jim Bernard, a Clackamas County commissioner.
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2010 Leadville 100 Registration Open
December 21st, 2009
The Leadville Trail 100 races are now accepting entries for 2010. New for this year there will only be online registration including the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. The 100 mile mountain bike race will cost you more in 2010 whether or not you get picked in the lottery.
That’s right, you’ll pay $15 just to enter the 100 mile mountain bike lottery. Also the entry fee is going up $25 to $275. I doubt that’ll keep them from getting record entries after so many people saw the Race Across the Sky movie. Hopefully I’ll make the lottery so I can line up and attempt to get my 6th finish.
As in the past, the 100 mile mountain bike entry deadline is January 31st but the deadline is 5 PM. The strategy of entering with a group that I mention in my post on the entry lottery won’t work this year since there are no longer group entries. The other events have deadlines close to race date if the race isn’t full.
New for this year will be a 12/24 hour race Labor Day weekend. There was talk of having it last year but it got postponed. It’s been a while since I’ve raced 24 hours solo so maybe if I’m fit I’ll give it a try.
Leadville Trail 100 2010 Schedule
- Leadville Trail 100 Run Training Camp – June 26-28
- Leadville Trail Marathon – July 3
- Leadville Trail Heavy Half Marathon – July 3
- Leadville Silver Rush 50-Mile Mountain Bike Race – July 17
- Leadville Silver Rush 50-Mile Trail Run Race – July 18
- Silver King & Silver Queen – July 17-18
- Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race – August 14
- LT100 10K Run – August 15
- Leadville Trail 100-Mile Run – August 21-22
- Leadman & Leadwoman – July 3, July 17 or 18, August 14, August 15, August 21-22
- 24 Hours of Leadville Mountain Bike Race – September 4-5
– UltraRob
Related Links
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Mountain Biking Pueblo Reservoir
December 21st, 2009
Pueblo Reservoir is a great place to mountain bike in the winter. It is normally dry and is 5-10 degrees warmer than here in Colorado Springs during the days. It often gets colder at night, so mornings can be brisk.
Although I had raced at Pueblo Reservoir on the old course at the nature center and ridden the trails around there, I’ve never gone down to ride the new trails on the south shore in Pueblo Lake State Park. Most of them aren’t that new anymore.
Yeti from UpaDowna was going down last Saturday and it worked with my schedule. Another friend Dave also went down.
From the red gate where most people park there are several short canyon drops to the lake. There are also 2 bigger loop trails farther out. They are Outer Limits Trail/Pedro’s Point and Voodoo Loop.
We started with Outer Limits Trail/Pedro’s Point. It has some tight single track along the top of the cliffs above the lake with great views. You can get an interval workout because it keeps going up and down around drainages.
We didn’t ride the Voodoo Loop but it looks like it would be fairly similar to the Outer Limits Trail but on the other side of a finger of the reservoir. The Voodoo Loop is about 10 miles.
We went back to the red gate by way of the Stonehenge Trail. Then we dropped down Skull Canyon which had some fun technical sections. From there we climbed up Water Tower and out to the Arkansas Point.
Based on the other riding I’ve done down there and what I’ve heard about the south shore trails, I was expecting some great riding. I wasn’t disappointed and we all had a great time.
I’ve created a Google Map of our Pueblo Reservoir mountain bike ride. Click on the photo icons to view photos. You can also see the photos on SmugMug. The map from the trail builders makes a good trail map since the trails are well marked.
– UltraRob
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