There are few things I enjoy more than super sweet bikes. Rock N’ Road Cyclery is where I’m purchased my super sweet bikes for the last 5 years. Right now get the best deals of the year on 2008 closeout bikes along with free holiday lay-a-way ($100 down at a time baby!). Their inventory levels are the best of the year and they have all the latest 2009 bikes from Specialized in stock including the new Epic and new dura-ace Tarmacs. Crap, I love bikes!
Bing Surfboards has joined with Chris Del Moro to produce the BING LOVEBIRD COLAB PROJECT, a promotional film featuring the Bing Lovebird Model and the art and surfing of team rider, Chris Del Moro. This 15-minute short film was created by John Smart and is available to view on YouTube:
I came across this video today about biking in DC. It was made and submitted in response to the Project Report competition, which is a partnership between Youtube and Pulitzer that goes about telling different stories. This video was submitted for Round 2 of the competition, that being it was for telling the story of a local issue that also reaches into a more global realm.
“A Virtuous Cycle: Bicycling in DC” examines how Washington, DC is incorporating bicycling into its transportation infrastructure. Much like cities across the world, DC is feeling the effects of years of dependence on cars: pollution, congestion, obesity. This documentary takes a look at why DC sees bicycles as part of the solution to some of these issues and what challenges it is facing with the increased popularity of biking.
A Virtuous Cycle: Bicycling in DC
Smartbike has been rolled out in the District, and I have seen quite a few people on these bikes. I just hope that the local biking associations are doing all they can to protect riders by lobbying for new bike paths, etc, because I for one have had plenty of close calls.
Mike Lawson
District of Columbia
outsideallday.com contributor
This video is hilarious, yet still interesting. The man is a machine and has had the winner mentality for a long time.
-DSheek
Favorite Line: “Yeah, Obviously, I have some talent… 3.01 on video”
I have been thinking this for years but I am waiting for my body to adapt to my mental ability.
Go vote, go vote! Hit the link below and vote for Fluid as the recovery drink of the year through Competitor Magazine. With your vote, they could be featured NATIONWIDE as the Best Recovery Sports Drink of 2008. This feature will go to print January 2009, but the polls close soon. Now is the time to show your support! Type in “FLUID Recovery Drink” in the Sports/Recovery Drink category. THAT’S IT!
My friends at Breakaway Training want to help you prepare for your 2009 triathlon season. If you’ve ever considered working with a coach this event will be a fun kick of point. Coach Felipe is the man!
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Are you ready to put in some hard training? Are you sure…??? Then join us for a few days at an epic Triathlon Training Camp in the mountains of Southern California.
Come see what can happen when a 3-time National Triathlon Champion, an Olympic Athlete and a US Navy SEAL team up to host a training camp! Join Breakaway Training for a 4-day all-inclusive, fully supported training camp. Be ready to jump start your aerobic base, multisport knowledge and boost motivation for the coming year. This camp is designed for those athletes who want to start this triathlon season with a BANG!
Included:
· 3 nights/4 days lodging at the historic Warner Springs Ranch, meals included
· Transportation to and from Warner Springs Ranch from San Diego
· Professional coaching staff
· Lectures on triathlon subjects including nutrition, race strategy and more…
· Guest Speakers
· On-site bike mechanic
· On-site nutritionist
· On-site massage therapist
· Well organized and fully supported runs and bike rides
· Breakaway Training race jersey, ball cap
….and much more!
I found an old file folder last week that held results from my first 5K race - back in 1986.
My most recent race was last weekend up in Monterey for the Big Sur Half Marathon. Of all the run races, in all the years, this one stands at the top.
The pre-race expo had vendors that actually had a reason to be there and not just to get our attention and hand us some worthless trinket to remember their brand by. The staff was dressed in sport coats with the venerable Big Sur logo. The race - with a little rain before and a little rain after - was amazing. I have gone for workouts near the ocean in dozens of places here and abroad and I was mesmerized by the coastline on Sunday.
I would highly recommend you put this race on you calendar for next year. If you have a good training regimen in place consider the full which runs from Big Sur into Monterey. Sunday went so smooth I left the Central Coast with a profound respect for the organizers. I saw a lot of staffers that loved what they were doing. The start had all the pomp and circumstance one might expect of an older race. In the early miles the race heads into a long highway tunnel and at the end stood a bag pipe player that filled the tunnel with fantastic music. Brilliant. Energy drinks and water were placed in wise positions and staffed well. The turnaround area had so much energy from the water bottle filling gang that I gained momentum out of it. And after all of these high notes there was the finish. Unlike the LA Marathon family and friends can actually watch runners finish the race. And after you wave to friends, pickup your small children and carry them across the finish line you are met by race staffers there to help - not just push you through the funnel. I know I am excited but I was speechless when my wife and I walked thorough the food line. There was so much fresh fare I could barely stand it, muffins, apples, strawberries, cookies and even pineapple juice. Many thanks are owed by all of us to the race organizers for serving up a great race.
I think the advertisers in this race owe a lot to the organizers as well. Saab didn’t rename the race or graffiti the event shirt with their logo - but they did have cars on display, did have the pace car and did get a lot of positive attention. Kudos to all parties for having class.
And now for a recap of the LA South Bay crew in Monterey:
C. Daniels 1:36:43
M. Smart 1:51:39
B. Smart 1:53:20
D. Michaelis 1:53:15
K. Hart 1:53:50
J. Miller 1:55:55
N. Smith 2:10:16
A. Pregizer 2:20:11
Julie and I are already planning a little Patagonia shopping spree once we are permanently touch down in Colorado. It feels very justified considering we own ZERO cold weather clothing.
Now through November 19, 2008 receive free shipping on orders $100 or more at Patagonia.com. Click the banner below for details.
I’d like to introduce you to Greg Sellers. Greg is the founder and CEO of Motor Tabs, the best fluid replacement system on the market. If you read the blog with any regularity you’ll know that I like to give Greg a hard time. Here is your chance to take a “shot” along with me.
Below is a picture in need of a caption. It’s a picture of Greg from a PCH ride this weekend. Somehow this picture made it to my inbox, not really sure how I got my hands on it.
The person that leaves the best comment/caption as voted on by myself and Dave will win an entire box of Motor Tabs (flavor of your choice). The best part about it is that Greg gave me the box of Motor Tabs to give out as promo. I can’t think of a better way to use them…
Winner will be selected on Monday, November 17. Let the games begin!
The SoCalCross Prestige Series rolls into Los Angeles;
Eco-Sportfest ‘08 & UCI National Elite cyclocross racing!
UCI DAM CROSS WEEKEND 11/8-9… Hansen Dam Park - Los Angeles,CA
Sat, Nov 8th - Eco-Sportfest 5k’Cross Run and cyclocross racing!
Sun, Nov 9th - UCI Dam Cross… The only UCI CX race in California!
Pre-reg on Sportsbase Online by 9pm tonight and save $$$ win a Fuji CX Pro!!!
Don’t miss Dam Cross Weekend beginning Saturday, Nov 8th at CICLE’cross as the SoCalCross Prestige Series presents… ECO-SPORTFEST ‘08 making its second stop at Hansen Dam Park in Los Angeles starting out with the 5k ‘Cross Country Run at 8:00AM. The ‘cross 5k course is a mix of pavement, dirt, and grass with a couple of race obstacles in between. Runners will do two laps of the 2.5k course. With our focus on youth fitness the 5k is FREE to all Juniors 18 and under! The day continues with a full schedule of cyclocross racing from Juniors to Masters and Beginners to Elite. Demo bikes are available in all sizes. Junior sizes bikes from Redline provided by the SCNCA! Each day the Clif Kids GoGreenRacer run and bicycle race will treat young ones to a part of the racing action. Kids treats, helmets and jerseys will be given away thanks to Montrose and H&S Bike Shops, Clif Bar and the LAPD with its focus on bicycle safety will provide goodie bags.
Bring a friend to race any of our Eco-Sportfest ‘08 events: 5k cross run and CX racing. Each time you bring someone new to ‘cross, you get a $5 discount coupon off the next Prestige Series race! Do the 5k run AND the cyclocross race for only $5 additional. Special prizes for best overall “IRON CROSSERS” best male/female finishers overall for 5 race eco-sport series! LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $$$ ON SERIES PASSES! Go to: www.SoCalCross.org and sign up at Sportsbase Online by 9PM tonight!
Don’t miss Sunday’s UCI Dam Cross presented by Calrad Electronics.
The day will feature a full day of cyclocross racing complete with national-elite cyclocross. The best ‘crossers from the Western US will make their way to Southern California as they chase UCI points in their quest for national and international glory!
So Cal’s elite men favorites include:
Celo Pacific/Alan’s, Brent Prenzlow
PAA/Vitamix/Sixtufit’s, Frtiz Bottger
Action Sports, Michael Easter
Bailey Bikes and 2-time National CX Champ, Mark Noble
Team CICLE’s Jason Siegle, Jr. elite Morgan Ryan
Team Bearclaw’s, Jason Lowetz and John McKeen
Cal Giant’s Team:
Featuring two-time US World Team racer, and local U23 Elite Male, Chance Noble,
Elite Woman, Rachel Lloyed, currently on fire finishing 2nd at the Boulder Cup.
Junior elite male, Cody Kaiser,
Elite Male, Justin Robinson
Elite Male, Jeremy Ferguson
So Cal’s elite women favs include:
Team CICLE’s, Carolyn Popovic, Elite Jr. Kendall Ryan, Dorothy Wong, Heidi Kanayan, Lisa Crowe
Coach Garth’s, Joy Duerkson
Redline Factory Team:
Featuring two-time Junior National CX Champ and home town favorite, Coryn Rivera,
’07 Bonze medalist in the Master women—Kristi Berg—of Arlington, WA
Elite Master, Chad Berg-of Arlington, WA
Elite Male Lapierre USA rider, Ryan Iddings of Bellevue, WA
Elite Male Team Redline rider, Russell Stevenson, of Seattle, WA
Velo Bella’s Team:
Bringing their powerful women,
Elite Female, Barbarella Howe
Elite Female, Kari Studley
Elite Female and 2007 US National Masters Champ, Shannon Gibson
… look for more VIPs of cyclocross to challenge the SoCal’s best in a West Coast Showdown! Rumored to make an appearance is Chris Jones - top elite CXer (Team Type 1) and Sid Taberlay (Rock N Road) Australian World Cup and Olympic MTBer.
SRAM Neutral Support will be in the bike pit for the entire weekend and will provide Zipp wheels and Orbea CX bike and tech support for all racers!
Look for the Dash for Cash CX Sprint Time Trial over the weekend where racers will race the clock to see who is the fastest ‘crosser male, female and juniors. Proceeds will benefit the new Children’s Museum of Los Angeles located at Hansen Dam Recreation Area.
Awards and Prizes from CyclocrossWorld.com, Stone Brewery, Williamette Valley Vinyards and more!
The Prestige Series will strive to educate racers and spectators by promoting reduction of car use and transportation bicycling. Each event in the Series will be solar powered by Energy Efficiency Solar.
EcoSportFest ‘08 will feature sponsor booths from SoCalCross ‘Green’ sponsors, as well as each respective city’s Green Programs. Look for the Green Lunch Truck to roll in with lots of organic goodies! Proceeds from Eco-Sportfest ‘08 will benefit CICLE www.CICLE.org promoting transportation bicycling.
The “Fitness” portion of the expo FREE GoGreenRacer kids fun run and bicycle race, as well as beginner cyclocross clinics and sponsor booths from Arbonne, Kool N Fit Sport, Fluid, Jamis Bicycles, Specialized, Townsend Cycles, Bailey Bikes, Williams Wheels, Acid Zapper and more promoting healthy lifestyles.
Eco-Sportfest is five events of the SoCalCross Prestige Series beginning 11/02 at Convert Cross, 11/8-9 UCI Dam Cross Weekend, 11/22-23 Collegiate & Disctrict Championship weekend, 12/7 - High Desert Cross, 12/21 - Santa Cross… take a break in between with the Prestige Series classic, Turkey Trot Cross hosted by PAA in Glendale 11/30. More info can be found at: www.SoCalCross.org ; Questions? Contact: Dot@SoCalCross.org
Remember to Be Green…
- Don’t forget to enter your Go Green Racer Points before Thursday at 9pm!
- CARPOOL OR RIDE TO THE RACE. VALET BOX WILL BE PROVIDING VIP PARKING TO CARPOOLERS AND OUR WEEKLY GOGREENRACER WINNERS!
- Eat Organic from The Green Truck that will be at Dam Cross on 11/8! 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Museum! http://www.greentruckonthego.com/
- Remember to look for and use the recycle bins at the race! (Please make sure your containers are empty before you dispose of them!)
Come by the Go Green Racer Booth…
- You can buy $2 Clif Bar Cool Tags to help offset your carbon footprint! (good for Go Green Racer points)
- Bring your old & new bike stuff to swap, sell or donate to the Bike Swap! We need your old parts for our series best team trophies
…or else you might end up like this woman, with no one to pry a rabid fox from your arm! Gnarly story! Wish they had pictures! (But I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t be better than the images I have generated in my head)
PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) - With a fox locked onto her arm, an Arizona jogger ran a mile to her car, where she was able to dislodge the animal, throw it into the trunk and drive to a Prescott hospital. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said the fox, which later attacked an animal control officer, tested positive for rabies.The unidentified Chino Valley resident told deputies she was on a trail Monday at the base of Granite Mountain when the fox attacked, biting her foot. The woman said she grabbed it by the neck when it went for her leg and it latched onto her arm…
Now that summer is over and we are heading into the winter months, how many of you are already changing some of your exercise related habits? In particular, what is your thought process regarding proper hydration and energy needs? Even though winter (colder environmental conditions) is upon us, proper hydration and nutrition should not be ignored. In fact, you might be surprised to know that there are more environmental issues that must be addressed for athletes to maintain their performance levels in the cold than in the heat.
A few weeks back while riding my mountain bike at Whiting Ranch, the original MTB saddle and post on my bike cracked in half. I’d like to think it wasn’t from the excessive weight of my stout manly frame but I know the truth. It came out of nowhere and just snapped leaving me to ride the next five miles standing up. Then, later in the week I crashed on my road bike at 30 MPH and tore my road saddle and hip to shreds, it was great week. After some research I picked up 2 saddles from SDG.
Since that time I’ve fallen in love with the company and their products. Everything they do is:
1. Easy to install and size. I did everything myself and I’m a tool weenie.
2. Looks great! Both my road and mountain set-ups are pretty much the best ever. They kill anything Old Man Sellers could ever muster up from his vintage collection of 1993 vintage mountain bikes.
3. Is super comfy but with high performance. I race*
The boys at SDG Saddles recently posted their 2009 bike saddles and seat posts catalog. It’s worth the click, these guys know how to build bike product.
If you’re in the market for a new post or saddle SDG is who you should be supporting. They love cyclists and the local biking community needs to back that.
In case you haven’t read yet through other major news sources, November is Dudes That Shave Their Legs month. On November 1, 2007 I began this sacred ritual and for the last 365 days have kept my commitment to the cause.
If you’re thinking to yourself, this dudes is crazy, I would ask you to reconsider that statement and open up your mind. In the month of November, don’t discriminate against dude leg shavers, instead try to understand them and maybe give it a try for yourself. Once you go smooth, you never go back.
For those long time dude legs shavers out there, I salute you…
Sun., 8/3 - Dawn brought a beautiful sunrise on Cirque Peak at 6:00 a.m. (We had missed this spectacular treat Saturday by sleeping too late). Water again was heated for cooking and beverages. The muesli was delicious once again, but also very filling so we ate little else. As we ate and began to pack up our gear, a mother duck escorted five really large ducklings along the edge of the meadow right in front of our camp until they all were out of sight, unconcerned by our presence. Packing continued. It seemed like we had more stuff to take home than we brought with us. Marvin did pack out a branch, the head of which looked a lot like a duck. We departed precisely at 8:37.
Our trail climbed briefly out of the lake basin, then we began the relatively slow, approximately five-mile descent to the cars. Occasionally, we recognized some features from Friday’s hike, but the meadows seemed greener and the wildflowers more vivid today. Two fat marmots (“fat” is sort of redundant) were stretched out in the sun on a huge boulder, with another marmot on the next boulder. We met a lot of hikers on their way up, and some passing us as we headed for home. For example, there were 14 Sierra Club members in one group and about 20 Scouts, formerly called Explorers, on a work party. Some in these two groups were without backpacks. We met their two pack trains later. They certainly were going to eat well. At another rest stop and stream crossing, a big family with two young goats and an adult billygoat in training to be pack animals came by us. They had trouble coaxing the young goats across the log bridge. They weren’t helped by a blond lab that was loving the water and three young boys who were totally at home in the wilderness. (We had trouble getting Marvin to try the log, too. He selected the rock-to-rock alternative.) Just before we got to the car, and after a long walk through an area with very few features we remembered from Friday, a young man passed us wearing zoris and carrying an empty ice cream freezer. He was from Thatcher School’s (Ojai) Golden Trout Wilderness Camp. We had seen a lot of their tents and some of their Outward Bound campers earlier. We got to the cars at exactly 2:00 p.m. and tanked up on cold water from a unique pump faucet. The gear was packed away and we began the drive down the switchbacks to Hwy 395.
Once down the mountain, we headed south about 10 miles to Olancha’s Ranch House Cafe. There seemed to be a lot of locals there, and we were disappointed to see that the Mason jars which always had been used for drinking water had been replaced by plastic tumblers. Progress. Three of us had big salads. Mark ordered Indian fry bread with butter and honey. He got an Indian fry bread burrito. He enjoyed it nonetheless. We said our goodbyes to Matt and all headed for home. Marvin drove from Olancha to Lost Hills where we again filled the tank, stopping on the north side of Hwy 46 this time. Odometer: 443.0.
Interestingly enough, we got 29.9 mpg for the trip. I drove the last segment from Paso Robles to Cambria, arriving in Cambria at 9:30 (539) to complete an outstanding trip. (My new hip had made getting into the mountains possible once again).
Sat., 8/2 - We really slept in, rising only about 8:00. Water was heated for coffee, cocoa, tea, and especially a delicious muesli which Marvin had made from a Sunset cookbook recipe. Dried milk added to the cereal made it very creamy. My stove died after about 30 years’ use, but Matt’s worked perfectly. The campsite we had selected turned out to be the only one large enough for four hikers. It also gave us a marvelous view of Cirque Peak which I had climbed in 1971 (12,900 feet). We took all day to explore the area, hike to Cirque Lake, wade and swim (Matt), and take the sun, enjoying our surroundings. A few parties passed by on the trail in each direction, mostly day trippers. We watched a number of small clouds form high above in the eastern sky and be blown gently to the north. The blue sky was incredibly blue. Lunch was pretty much a repeat of yesterday’s menu. A light wind developed during the afternoon and was quite persistent, but not bothersome.
In the afternoon, Mark suggested that we carry all of our dinner items, cooking gear, utensils, etc., to the other side of the lake to get out of the wind and enjoy a different view. A Clark’s nutcracker announced his presence just after the quarter-mile hike. We prepared the cook water for Thai beef with peanuts, couscous, and the second half of the navy bean soup which was better tonight, less crunchy. We also drank the rest of the cabernet and probably finished off with dark chocolate. We trudged back to our campsite after the sun had set and enjoyed a memorable, classic camping experience during which we visited, told war stories and eventually got into our sacks. While Mark and Matt were cleaning up the area, Mark observed a huge meteorite come down from a high angle and explode into hundreds of glowing fragments. Matt was facing away from it, but saw the flash of light. The afternoon wind continued for much of the night with occasional gusts that rustled the tent fabrics. Still, it was another mild night and again, the stars were magnificent.
The next morning after breakfast, we packed our day packs with lunch and fishing gear for the hike to Mott Lake. We proceeded north on the JMT up thru Pocket Mdws. with many campers to the signed trail that climbs to Mott Lake. We left the JMT [8,900'] and started the 2.3 miles to Mott Lk. [10,048,] The trail follows to the south side of the stream coming down from the cirque holding Mott Lk. We climbed up past many meadows filled with wildflowers and evidence of glacial activity, in many places the trail was overgrown by thickets of willows. After passing a sign attached to a tree announcing that fires were not allowed above this point. We were at 10,000′ and soon we were looking down into the cirque containing the beautiful Mott Lake. We dropped our packets and rigged up to fish. Bryan, the fisherman of the group, soon landed a beautiful rainbow. Howie and Hal both landed some beautiful fish, both rainbow and a rainbow/golden hybrid. We kept three for dinner and released the others. Later in the afternoon several other hikers arrived that we had seen on the trail yesterday. After lunch we packed up and retraced our tracks back to camp. We picked some wild onions which were to be used in the preparation of the trout tonight.
Back at camp we washed off some of the trail dust and Howie provided Meyers rum and Tang cocktails to take the edge off the aches and pains of todays labors. Bryan only had straight Tang for his drink! Hal prepared dinner w/ Diane’s sweet and sour hamburger over rice recipe. We cooked the fish wrapped in foil garnished with pepper, lime juice and the sierra onion we had picked. The fish wraps were buried in the coals and were delicious. Star gazing was great again before bedtime and another mild night.
Up this am and Howie proposed that he pack up and charge down the trail in order to meet the 9:30 boat at Edison Lake to request that the boat return later to pick up the three of us. The next boat, if he missed the 9:30, one the next one would be at 4:30 pm. Unless some arrangement was made. Howie and Bryan packed and left first and Hal followed. Hal caught up with Bryan at the bottom of the first switchbacks and we pushed on. Bryan stated that Howie was long gone trying to meet the boat. Hal and Bryan pushed on as fast as they could and amazingly they made it to the Edison Lake boat dock at exactly 9:30 as the ferry boats were arriving. Hamburgers and fries were enjoyed at the Resort. Howie and Bryan left for their long drive to San Diego and Hal back to Coarsegold. Great trip and hope we can do it again next year. Berg Heil!!!
(8/21/08 to 8/23/08)
We left Hal’s house in Coarsegold at 5:45 am for the 90+ miles drive to Edison Lake to start the backpack. On the way, Hal stopped by the Forest Service Office in Prather to pick up the Wilderness permit in the night box. Our destination was to head to the Vermillon Valley Resort on the western shore of Edison Lake.[7,550'} At the resort, we each paid $18 fare rt. to ride the ferry across the lake to the trail head on the eastern shore of the lake. The dock is normally about 2 miles from the junction with the John Muir Trail [JMT]. Usually you would walk a short distance to the boat landing but since this was a drought year the lake was very low and we had to drive about a mile to reach the lake and the boat. Previously Hal had used this ferry service which we learned, due to the low water level, we would be ferried in two aluminum fishing boats. We were joined by three others for the trip and two boats would be used. We were told that the usual pontoon boat was out of service and the lake was too shallow to use it anyway. The drop off point at the eastern end of the lake was about a mile short of the usual drop off spot which made the distance about 3 miles to the junction with the JMT. We had to walk about a half a mile on the sandy beach to reach the trail. Once on the Edison Lake Trail, we passed up to the north side of Mono Creek in the shade of aspen and pine trees. This was a very lush area and many small streams were crossed. We arrived at the junction of the JMT at the bridge that crosses Mono Creek to the south. We now headed north on the JMT and soon forded the North Fork of Mono Creek, which can be a problem early in the year. The crossing was easy on the well placed stepping stones. The JMT now climbs up a series of switchbacks to meet the junction with the Mono Ck. Trail. Heavy packs and warm weather started to take its toll and we took a rest break at this point. Since joining the JMT we were now seeing the usual crowd of hikers some carrying only day packs. A pack train passed going south on the JMT that was support for the day pack group. It was here that we decided to camp at Pocket Meadow rather than Mott Lake. We were concerned that with the number of packers on the trail and that we might find suitable camp spots hard to find. We decided that Hal should go ahead a see if he could find a spot while Howie helped Bryan get his pack up the trail. Hal took off and played leapfrog with several parties that were also heading for Pocket Mdws. Hal pushed up the trail as much as he could and found a great site at the southern edge of Pocket Mdw. Hal dropped his pack and went back down the trail to where he found Bryan and his pack. Howie had gone down the trail to retrieve his pack. Hal and Bryan finally reached camp and Howie arrived shortly. Our camp had level tent sites, a fire pit, some wood and a flowing stream nearby. Howie prepared a dinner of macaroni and hot dogs. We had a nice and welcome campfire and went out to a wonderful granite slab for star gazing before hitting the sleeping bags. The night was very mild and calm. (8/21/08 to 8/23/08)
