Dirty Du Bike Photos 2014

November 3rd, 2014

Dirty Du Mountain Bike 2014

The 2014 Dirty Du was in Ute Valley Park on Saturday. It started with a 5k run, followed by 9 miles of mountain bike and ending with another run on the 5k course. There were options to do it was an individual or on a team as a relay. Race results are here.

I went over and shot photos of the race. Here are some photos of the mountain bike portion. The full Dirty Du mountain bike photo set is here. You can purchase digital downloads or prints.

I’ll have run photos posted in the next few days.

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Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb Photos

August 28th, 2014

Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb 2014

I now have my 2014 Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb photos online. Prints or digital downloads can be purchased. For more about the race and ride, see my post from a couple days ago.

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Bone Chilling Pikes Peak Hill Climb

August 25th, 2014

Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb 2014

Yesterday was the Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb. The Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb includes both a USAC race and a timed citizens ride. The cycling hill climb starts the same place as the auto hill climb. The course climbs over 4,700 feet in 12 miles to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115.

I helped hand out timing chips at the start line and then shot photos up on the mountain once the USAC race started. The weather at the start was similar to the past years but ominous clouds were building over the summit.

Once I headed up the mountain, I encountered strong winds and it got worse the higher I drove. Clouds were blowing throw so I was having trouble finding a well lit spot for shooting photos. Riders were getting blown around on the road by the wind gusts.

When I was shooting photos, I was shivering and kept jumping up and down in an attempt to stay a little warmer. At the last spot I stopped to shoot photos just before the summit, there was fog and the rocks were covered in ice.

Although the riders were working hard going up, I could only imagine how cold they were as some of them were in shorts and short sleeves. Although many riders sent warm clothes to the top for the ride down, they didn’t have warm enough clothes and were concerned about get blown around on the way down. The race organizers and whomever could shuttled people back down to the start where the weather was a pretty typical August day.

In spite of the weather, I shot a large number of photos. Prints and digital downloads are available on my Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb photo page. You can also check out my 2013 Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb photos.

Top 5 Men Pro/1/2

  1. LeRoy Popowski 1:14:21
  2. Emerson Oronte 1:16:14
  3. Christopher Carr 1:17:32
  4. Ian London 1:19:54
  5. Kalan Beisel 1:21:36

Women Pro/1/2

  1. Annie Toth 1:32:28
  2. Lindsey Knast 1:37:21
  3. Sue Stokes 1:42:56
  4. Andrea Koenig 2:09:28

Complete results on BRAC website

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USA Pro Challenge in Garden of the Gods

August 22nd, 2014

USA Pro Challenge in Garden of the Gods

I had fun watching and shooting photos of some of the USA Pro Challenge in Garden of the Gods yesterday. I missed seeing one of the laps because of a phone call for work. It’s always amazing to see how fast the pros are when they’re going all out.

Top 5 for Stage 4

  1. Elia Viviani
  2. Martin Kohler
  3. Serghei Tvetcov
  4. Tyler Magner
  5. Kiel Reijnen

Full Stage 4 Results

Top 5 Overall After Stage 4

  1. Tejay van Garderen
  2. Rafal Majka
  3. Ben Hermans
  4. Tom Danielson
  5. Serghei Tvetcov

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USA Pro Challenge Race Numbers 2014

August 21st, 2014

2012 USA Pro Challenge Passes Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods

The USA Pro Challenge is doing a circuit race in Colorado Springs today. It starts at the Broadmoor and then is doing 4 laps through Garden of the Gods and downtown. It should make for some good spectating.

The top standings overall going into today’s USA Pro Challenge stage 4 are as follows

  1. Tejay van Garderen
  2. Rafal Majka
  3. Ben Hermans
  4. Tom Danielson
  5. Serghei Tvetcov

It took me a bit to track down the race numbers so that I’d have a list to check while watching the race. I’ve posted the list below. A couple things to note, each team has a block of number and the team leader’s race bib ends with a 1.

Bib Name Team Country
1 Tejay van Garderen BMC USA
2 Brent Bookwalter BMC USA
3 Yannick Eijssen BMC Bel
4 Martin Kohler BMC Sui
5 Ben Hermans BMC Bel
6 Michael Schär BMC Sui
7 Peter Stetina BMC USA
8 Rick Zabel BMC Ger
11 Rafal Majka Tinkoff-Saxo Pol
12 Michael Rogers Tinkoff-Saxo Aus
13 Edward Beltran Suarez Tinkoff-Saxo Col
14 Rasmus Guldhammer Tinkoff-Saxo Den
15 Jesper Hansen Tinkoff-Saxo Den
16 Michael Mørkøv Tinkoff-Saxo Den
17 Bruno Pires Tinkoff-Saxo Por
18 Pawel Poljanski Tinkoff-Saxo Pol
21 Jens Voigt Trek Factory Racing Ger
22 Frank Schleck Trek Factory Racing Lux
23 Matthew Busche Trek Factory Racing USA
24 Markel Irizar Aranburu Trek Factory Racing Esp
25 Laurent Didier Trek Factory Racing Lux
26 Hayden Roulston Trek Factory Racing NZI
27 Calvin Watson Trek Factory Racing Aus
28 Riccardo Zoidl Trek Factory Racing Aut
31 Thomas Danielson Team Garmin-Sharp USA
32 Janier Alexis Acevedo Colle Team Garmin-Sharp Col
33 Thomas Dekker Team Garmin-Sharp Ned
34 Caleb Fairly Team Garmin-Sharp USA
35 Phillip Gaimon Team Garmin-Sharp USA
36 Alex Howes Team Garmin-Sharp USA
37 Ben King Team Garmin-Sharp USA
38 Gavin Mannion Team Garmin-Sharp USA
41 Ivan Basso Cannondale Ita
42 Cameron Wurf Cannondale Aus
43 Edward King Cannondale USA
44 Michel Koch Cannondale Ger
45 Alan Marangoni Cannondale Ita
46 Matej Mohoric Cannondale Slo
47 Cristiano Salerno Cannondale Ita
48 Elia Viviani Cannondale Slo
51 Leopold König Team NetApp-Endura Cze
52 David de la Cruz Melgarejo Team NetApp-Endura Esp
53 Bartosz Huzarski Team NetApp-Endura Pol
54 Patrick Konrad Team NetApp-Endura Aut
55 Tiago Machado Team NetApp-Endura Por
56 Jose Joao Pimenta Costa Mendes Team NetApp-Endura Por
57 Gregor Muhlberger Team NetApp-Endura Aut
58 Michael Schwarzmann Team NetApp-Endura Ger
61 Jai Crawford Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
62 Jonathan Cantwell Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
63 Jordan Kerby Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
64 Darren Lapthorne Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
65 Lachlan Norris Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
66 Adam Phelan Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
67 Bernard Sulzberger Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
68 Wesley Sulzberger Drapac Professional Cycling Aus
71 Lucas Euser UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling USA
72 Isaac Bolivar Hernandez UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Col
73 Jonathan Clarke UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Aus
74 Benjamin Day UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Aus
75 Christopher Jones UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling USA
76 Jeffry Louder UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling USA
77 Kiel Reijnen UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling USA
78 Daniel Summerhill UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling USA
81 Javier Megias Leal Team Novo Nordisk Esp
82 Kevin De Mesmaeker Team Novo Nordisk Bel
83 Joonas Henttala Team Novo Nordisk Fin
84 David Lozano Riba Team Novo Nordisk Esp
85 Scott Ambrose Team Novo Nordisk NZI
86 Aaron Perry Team Novo Nordisk NZI
87 Charles Planet Team Novo Nordisk Fra
88 Martijn Verschoor Team Novo Nordisk Ned
91 Jure Kocjan Team SmartStop Slo
92 Zachary Bell Team SmartStop Can
93 Rob Britton Team SmartStop Can
94 Joshua Berry Team SmartStop USA
95 Julian Kyer Team SmartStop USA
96 Eric Marcotte Team SmartStop USA
97 Travis McCabe Team SmartStop USA
98 Michael Torckler Team SmartStop NZI
101 Joseph Rosskopf Hincapie Sportswear Development USA
102 Chris Butler Hincapie Sportswear Development USA
103 Robin Carpenter Hincapie Sportswear Development USA
104 Oscar Clark Hincapie Sportswear Development USA
105 Joseph Lewis Hincapie Sportswear Development Aus
106 Tyler Magner Hincapie Sportswear Development USA
107 Toms Skujins Hincapie Sportswear Development Lat
108 Dion Smith Hincapie Sportswear Development NZI
111 Hugh Carthy Rapha Condor JLT GBr
112 Graham Briggs Rapha Condor JLT GBr
113 Michael Cuming Rapha Condor JLT GBr
114 Richard Handley Rapha Condor JLT GBr
115 Kristian House Rapha Condor JLT GBr
116 Tom Moses Rapha Condor JLT GBr
117 Elliott Porter Rapha Condor JLT GBr
118 Daniel Whitehouse Rapha Condor JLT NZI
121 Carter Jones Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies USA
122 Ryan Anderson Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies Can
123 Jesse Anthony Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies USA
124 Alexander Candelario Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies USA
125 Mike Friedman Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies USA
126 Bjorn Selander Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies USA
127 Tom Zirbel Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies USA
128 Scott Zwizanski Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies USA
131 Daniel Alexander Jaramillo Diez Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home Col
132 Stephen Leece Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home USA
133 Matt Cooke Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home USA
134 Ian Crane Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home USA
135 Ben Jacques-Maynes Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home USA
136 Carson Miller Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home USA
137 Luis Romero Amaran Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home Cub
138 Robbie Squire Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home USA
141 Serghei Tvetcov Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis Rou
142 Ian Burnett Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
143 Kirk Carlsen Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
144 Luis Enrique Davila Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis Mex
145 Steve Fisher Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
146 Johnathan Freter Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
147 Jacob Rathe Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
148 Fred Rodriguez Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis USA
151 Tanner Putt Bissell Development Team USA
152 Clement Chevrier Bissell Development Team Fra
153 Gregory Daniel Bissell Development Team USA
154 Daniel Eaton Bissell Development Team USA
155 James Oram Bissell Development Team NZI
156 Keegan Swirbul Bissell Development Team USA
157 Nathan Van Hooydonck Bissell Development Team Bel
158 Ruben Zepuntke Bissell Development Team Ger

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US Cup Pro at Pulpit Rock

June 27th, 2014

Pulpit Rock

One of the biggest pro mountain bike races is coming to Colorado Springs this weekend (June 28-29). Saturday’s race is the final race in a 4 races series with $50,000 in prize money. In addition it’s has UCI ranking points which important for Olympic spots.

The course is partially on UCCS land and partially in Pulpit Rock Open Space. The start is across from the University Village Shopping Mall in UCCS’s Parking Lot 15. It is just north of the Four Diamond Sports Complex.

I’ve ridden the cross country course a couple times in the last few weeks. It is 3.2 miles with 385 feet of climbing per lap with 1 steep section. The course isn’t very technical but has some tight corners and a few rocky sections.

This course will be great for spectating as the laps will be quick. There’s also a couple points with 2 way traffic so it’ll be possible to see the racers many times. The views are also good from the course. If you can’t spectate out on the course, USA Cycling will be live streaming the race.

The Pro Women race at noon on Saturday and the Pro Men at 2:30 PM Saturday. Sunday the short track Women’s race is at 4:00 and the Men’s at 4:45. In addition to the Pro races, amateurs will be competing in the Colorado State Championships over Saturday and Sunday. See the Colorado State Mountain Bike Championship race schedule here.

Current US Cup Pro Series Standings

Below is the top 5 men and women overall in the series. Complete series standings are here.

Men

  • 1. Geoff Kabush – Scott-3Rox Racing – 94 points
  • 2. Todd Wells – Specialized Racing – 79 points
  • 3. Max Plaxton – Cannondale Factory Team – 69 points
  • 4. Sergio Mantecón Gutiérrez – Trek Factory Racing – 57 points
  • 5. Marco Aurelio Fontana – Cannondale Factory Team – 53 points
  • 5. Manuel Fumic – Cannondale Factory Team – 53 points

Women

  • 1. Katerina Nash – Luna Pro Team – 107 points
  • 2. Catherine Pendrel – Luna Pro Team – 94 points
  • 3. Emily Batty – Trek Factory Racing – 82 points
  • 4. Georgia Gould – Luna Pro Team – 70 points
  • 5. Evelyn Dong – Backcountry.com – 61 points

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Colorado Springs Parks Master Plan Public Meeting

April 29th, 2014

Ute Valley Dirty Du 2013

Every 10 years the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department updates the city-wide Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan which provides long-term vision, goals, and policies to guide their actions throughout the park system.

The last master plan was adopting in 2000 so it’s time to update the plan. Help make this the best plan for the future of our city and our parks by participating in a 90-minute meeting this Wednesday evening.

At this meeting you can learn about the assessment of our current system and trends. You’ll also be able to provide feedback about the draft plan, goals, and strategies. If you’re a mountain biker, this is an important meeting to let the parks department know that you want access to trails in local parks.

When: Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St.

Child care provided for ages 3+. Free on-street parking. Parks and Recreation prizes/snacks

Visit www.springsgov.com/parksmasterplan to learn more about the Master Plan update!

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Rising From Ashes Movie

April 24th, 2014

“Rising from Ashes” is a feature length documentary about two worlds colliding when cycling legend Jock Boyer moves to Rwanda, Africa to help a group of struggling genocide survivors pursue their dream of a national team. As they set out against impossible odds both Jock and the team find new purpose as they rise from the ashes of their past.

Rising From Ashes will be shown tonight, Thursday, April 24 in Colorado Springs at 7 p.m. at the Stargazers Theatre & Event Center at 10 S. Parkside Dr. in Colorado Springs. The event is sponsored by the newly formed CSprings Bike Initiative. Advance tickets are $11 and can be purchased online at imAthlete. Not sure when the deadline is to purchase online. Tickets at the door will be $15.

I’ve heard really good things about the movie and a couple local coaches have gone and worked with Team Rwanda. If you can’t make it to tonight’s viewing, Rising from Ashes is on Netflix and it’s currently listed on eBay.

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Bear Creek Trail Closure Proposals

March 25th, 2014

Jones Park

A few weeks ago the Forest Service had an open house about proposed trail closures due to the greenback cutthroat trout in Bear Creek. I’m not convinced they’ve studied the impacts of the trail well enough to say they’re a problem but because of settling a lawsuit with environmental groups it probably doesn’t matter what the impact is. The US Fish and Wildlife Service must approve any trail work in the Bear Creek drainage including current trail maintenance.

At the open house, 3 alternatives were shown. Alternative A is the current trail system and we know that there’s very little chance the trails will remain the same in the future. Alternatives B and C have various trail closures and re-routes.

Both new alternatives would still allow the “Missing Link” trail to be created to link Barr Trail to the Jones Park area but would make it longer because of going around Jones Park and I believe add an uphill section. Also with both proposals, High Drive would be closed to vehicle traffic but would be open to non-motorized use.

Alternative B has all of Jones Park off limits and the upper part of Bear Creek Trail (666) closed. A trail re-route from Pipeline would keep Captain Jacks away from Bear Creek and connect where Captain Jacks currently drops down from the ridge to the creek and intersects with 666. A connector would be created from Buckhorn over to 666 near Josephine Falls.

I believe Alternative C is the same as Alternative B except that all of Bear Creek Trail (666) would be closed. I don’t think you’ll find it surprising that I don’t like this plan.

One part of “Alternative B” that I’m not sure is necessary is the complete closure of Jones Park at least to non-motorized use as that area is flatter and doesn’t have nearly the erosion issues of lower on Cap’n Jacks. Most of Jones Park is Colorado Springs Utilities land and I don’t think they want to make sure they have no risk with the greenback cutthroat trout.

One effect of closing Jones Park is access to Mt. Arthur and Mt. Garfield will be more difficult. It would be nice if a trail could be built from the Section 16 area to allow more access into that area. Also there are ruins of historic buildings in the Jones Park area that would be off limits.

It’s not clear how long it will be before the whatever plan is approved will be implemented. The US Fish and Wildlife Service have until late summer to approve the plan the Forest Service submits to them.

I talked to Forest Ranger Allan Hahn at the meeting last month about how soon trail re-routes could be done after a plan was approved. Although the Forest Service doesn’t have money for the changes, he believes the plan could be implemented in a matter of weeks since so many people are willing to volunteer to get access to the area. I’m not optimistic that with all the government red tape that volunteers would be turned loose to get the re-routes done that quickly.

Now it’s time to move forward and get the best possible trails under the circumstances. Input on the proposals can be sent to the Forest Service by emailing bcc@fs.fed.us, faxing (719) 477-4233 or mailing. Comments must be received by March 27th, 2014. One thing a found from talking to the Forest Service is they don’t understand very well how people use the trails and that it would be helpful to them to know more.

The Gazette did an article that includes some of history of the Bear Creek area. Someone who is fighting against any closures also has history on the area with historic photos. At this point, I don’t believe fighting the changes is productive but the page has some interesting information.

Below is the letter the the Peak Mtb Collective has been asking people to sign at the informational meetings they’ve held. Use it as is or as a starting point for your feedback to the Forest Service. Also go to the Peak Mtb Collective page and sign up for email updates on the Bear Creek drainage trails and other Colorado Springs area trail issues.

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Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project
Pikes Peak Ranger District
601 S. Weber Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-477-4233
bcc@fs.fed.us

In reviewing the proposed changes to travel management and recreational activities and the improvement actions for the stream habitat in the Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project (BCWRP) area, I understand that the project’s purpose is to protect the greenback cutthroat trout as well as to maintain a balance among the many trail user groups. The area in question has a well-established, recognized trail system that is important to the outdoor lifestyle for which the Pikes Peak region is known.

As an avid user of the Bear Creek area and Pikes Peak region trail systems, I am aware of the important balance we share with our eco-system. I have read full through the proposed BCWRP proposals and I support “Alternative B” as the action plan for implementation by the Pikes Peak Ranger District. I believe “Alternative B” supports the objective of protecting the greenback cutthroat trout as well as offering a balance between access and use of this vast trail system.

Acknowledging that change is needed in the area, “Alternative A” offers little compromise regarding the ecological concerns of the project. “Alternative C” offers limited compromise by significantly limiting trail access including the complete closure of trail 666. I believe either of these plans hinders involved groups’ respective goals and could have negative long term effects.

I want to thank everyone involved in the project and look forward to seeing “Alternative B” move forward. I also extend myself as a resource in the implementation of “Alternative B” in the Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project.

Bear Creek Watershed Meeting and Feedback

February 25th, 2014

Pipeline Trail

The trails in the Bear Creek drainage are some of the most popular trails in the Pikes Peak region. Recent testing has revealed that the fish in Bear Creek (approximately 750 adults) are the sole remaining genetically pure population of greenback cutthroat trout. The population is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It seems strange that such a heavily used area is the only place that the fish have survived.

I’ve been hiking and riding these trails for over 25 years. Here’s a Jones Park ride report from a couple years ago. The Ring the Peak mountain bike race also uses these trails.

The US Forest Service was sued by environmental groups for not sufficiently protected these fish. In the fall of 2012, Bear Creek Trail (666) and Captain Jacks Trail (667) were closed to dirt bikes and camping was prohibited in the area.

Last fall the Forest Service got public input on trail closures to all users and alternative re-routes. Now they’re getting public input on proposed changes.

There’s an open house tonight (2/25/14) at the Colorado Springs Utilities’ Leon Young Service Center, 1521 Hancock Expressway from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. If you can’t make tonight’s meeting, you use the comment link on their web page through March 27th..

There’s information about the proposed trail and access changes on the Bear Creek Watershed Assessment & NEPA page on the Forest Service website. The good news is they’re proposing rerouting trails and not completely closing the area although it appears Jones Park itself would be off-limits. It appears to me from the maps that Alternative B keeps most of trail 666 except for the cool section right near the current Captain Jack intersection. Alternative C shows 666 as being closed which would be a real bummer.

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