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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Pikes Peak Cycing Hill Climb 2013

July 22nd, 2013

Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb 2013

Update: Complete set of Pikes Peak Hill Cycling Climb photos are here.

Yesterday was the Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb. It climbed the top 12.5 miles of Pikes Peak and had over 4,700 feet of climbing. The fun ride started at 6 AM and the race started at 7 AM. LeRoy Popowski defended his title of king of the mountain. Results are here.

Back when the Pikes Peak Highway was still gravel, we used to race the top 8 miles on mountain bikes. Even that was a tough race but I liked it because of the uniqueness of being above timberline. Now that I’m not in great shape and the highway is open to bikes, I’m happy just to ride my bike up there without racing.

Although I didn’t race this time, I went up and helped with handing out timing chips and then went up above timberline and shot photos. I shot over a thousand photos so it’ll take me some time to get through them all. A few of them are down below.

Once I go through them, I’ll post them on the photo page. As with most of the photos I take, they’ll be available for purchase both as prints and digital downloads.

Update: Complete set of Pikes Peak Hill Cycling Climb photos are here.

Related Links:

Input on Biking Pikes Peak

November 7th, 2012

Pikes Peak Summit by Bike

Cyclists got a chance to bike the Pikes Peak Highway during September. I took advantage of it and rode from my house to the top of Pikes Peak and then down Barr Trail. I know lots of people who also rode. The’s no reason for it to not be open all the time the Pikes Peak Highway is.

The Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is taking input on allowing bikes on the Pikes Peak road in the future at their meeting tomorrow, November 8th. The meeting starts at 7:30 AM. Bikes on Pikes Peak is fairly far down on the agenda so if you can’t arrive until a little after 8 you should be there in time and give input. The meeting is at parks headquarters, 1401 Recreation Way.

Hope to see you there! You can check out my Pikes Peak photos and ride report here.

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Colorado Fire Sale of Pro Cycling Goodies

August 15th, 2012

Waldo Canyon Fire

In June we had Colorado’s most destructive wildfire in terms of houses lost. In a matter of a few hours 346 houses were destroyed. The fire firefighters stopped the fire 3/4 of a mile from my house. As I evacuated, I really didn’t know if we’d have a home. Many of our great trails are still closed.

Many pro cyclists and cycling gear companies have donated some great things to benefit the Pikes Peak Red Cross to help with the destruction from the fire. Thanks to Mike Creed for organizing the fund raiser. I’ve been busy training for the Leadville 100 and the auction for some of these items end as soon as 7 PM MDT tonight. Some of the auctions don’t end for a day or more though.

There are cool things like a Lance Armstrong signed TDF 2009 Route Map and Race Number, 2001 Mountain Bike World Champion Jersey signed By Alison Dunlap and Le Coq Sportif BMC Pro Team White Jersey signed by Tejay Van Garderen and muc more.

Check out the cool cycling items on eBay that benefit the fire relief efforts.

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Cyclocross Time in Colorado Springs

November 2nd, 2011

Cyclocross at Bear Creek

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.

Related Links:

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Gotta Have It (?)

October 22nd, 2010

Worksman Cycles Trike

Because it’s just silly, we have to point out the new “gear” featured in this year’s Nieman Marcus Christmas Book – a bicycle built for…three.  This “family chariot” is hand-made by Worksman Cycles (the company that also makes “bone-shakers” – high-wheeled cycles) with styling by fashion designer Tory Burch.

It features a clean-energy electric drive system for those big hills, and an industrial-quality frame and wide-track tires.  Passengers will be comfortable on plush bucket seats, seatbelts and a retractable canopy. And the best part: It’s only $4,500 – a bargain, when you figure you could sell the family Subaru.

Deb Acord

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Kids on Bikes Fundraiser Rides and Fun This Weekend

September 21st, 2010

Kids on Bikes

Kids on Bikes is a great local organization that helps kids earn a bike. Paige Carmichael, Chris Carmichael’s wife, started Kids on Bikes to help provide solutions to rising childhood obesity rates and highlight the benefits of physical activity for children. Paige believes every child deserves to experience the joy, freedom, and confidence of owning a bike. My kids enjoyed the kids race that had at the 24 Hours of Colorado Springs last weekend.

Kids on Bikes is hosting their first annual fundraising ride this Saturday at the Air Force Academy. There will be three ride options (4 mile family, 16 mile, and 24 mile routes) on the Santa Fe Trail. After the rides, there will be a picnic and Kids Zone. The Kids Zone will have: bike decorating station, bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, carnival games, the Chick-Fil-A Cow, bubbles, snow cone machine, and more!

All proceeds from the ride will help Kids on Bikes to bring joy one bike at a time to children in the Pikes Peak Region. Pledges collected will help sponsor fifth grade students in low-income school districts to earn bikes by reaching academic, behavior, and character development goals in their ABC’s Program.

The 2 longer ride options cost $25 dollars per person plus require $25 minimum in pledges. The 4 mile family ride is $50 for the entire family. No pledges are required for the family ride but pledges can be collected to be eligible for prizes. Online registration ends Thursday evening but there will also be registration at the Air Force Academy on Saturday morning.

Pledge Prizes:

$25 KOB cycling socks ~ $50 KOB baseball hat ~ $75 KOB t-shirt ~ $100 KOB signature cycling jersey ~ over $100 enters you into drawings for fabulous prizes including a new bike and Lance Armstrong signed jersey

Check the Kids on Bikes site for more information.

Luncheon with Linda Armstrong Kelly

In addition to this weekend’s rides, Kids on Bikes is having a luncheon with Linda Armstrong Kelly, Lance Armstrongs mom, next Tuesday, September 28th. Linda will serve as the keynote speaker for the luncheon and local cycling legend Chris Carmichael will also be in attendance as a special guest to introduce Linda. Linda will be discussing the tools she gave Lance, to succeed and the opportunity his bike provided.

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Pikes Peak Velo Cyclocross Sept 2010

September 20th, 2010

Jumping Cyclocross Barrier

The first Pikes Peak Velo cyclocross race of the season was Saturday. It wasn’t even close to cyclocross weather with the high well into the 80s and the course was dry and dusty. You can find results here.

A few photos are below and you can find more of my photos here.

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UltraRob.com Bike Jerseys (You Could Win One)

June 30th, 2010

I’ve been planning to get UltraRob.com Bike Jersey made for a while and now they’re getting closer to reality. Below is an initial draft for the jerseys. It still needs some work but I wanted to show it to get your thoughts on it.

I’m getting them made in two versions. One version will have a 3/4 zipper and be unisex club fit (looser). I’m also getting a few made with full zip and in more of a race fit.

They’re telling me that if I get my order finalized by early next week, I’ll have the jerseys by the 2nd week of August.

Win One

To encourage feedback on they jerseys, leave a comment below by 8 AM this Friday morning, July 2nd and you’ll be entered to win one of the club fit jerseys.

Buy One

I’m also going to have the jersey available to buy. The 3/4 zipper club fit jerseys will be $50 and the full zip race fit will be $80. If you pre-order by this Monday July 5th, I’ll throw in free shipping. Unless I get several pre-orders for the race fit jerseys, I’m not getting any extras made so if you want one of them, you’ll need to pre-order. I’ll order a few extras of the club fit but pre-order if you want to make sure to get your size plus you’ll get free shipping.

I’ll get a PayPal button added in the next day or two along with instructions on pre-ordering.

Although the club fit jerseys cost quite a bit less, they still have a nice feel to them. I’ve heard people say that the Pactimo jerseys fit small. From the fit kits I have, I don’t think that much different than most of the jerseys I’ve collected in over 20 years of racing. The race fit ones though fit tighter than the club fit ones. If you’re local and want to try on one of the sample kits, let me know and we can figure out and time for you to try them.

Draft UltraRob.com Jersey

Front

Draft UltraRob.com Jersey Back


Email: web@ultrarob.com

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