mountain flyer number 14

7 25274 24761 5

9 3

number 14 $6.95www.mountainflyer.com

October 1 through December 1

DEFINING THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN CYCLIST

Wiens vs. LanceThe sTraighT Dope from

LeaDviLLe’s six-Time Winner

The Tour DiviDeThe greaTesT, LongesT

anD LoneLiesT race

Be prepareDcan You survive WiThWhaT's in Your pack?

reTurning homefinDing fresh DirT

in ruiDoso, n.m.

— 2009 TOUR DE FAT —TWIN CITIES • CHICAGO • SEATTLE • PORTLAND • BOISE • FORT COLLINS

DENVER • SAN FRANCISCO • SAN DIEGO • TEMPE • AUSTIN

Fat Tire Amber AleFat Tire Amber AleFat Tire Amber Ale inspired our philanthropic folly, inspired our philanthropic folly, inspired our philanthropic folly, The Tour de FatThe Tour de FatThe Tour de Fat,, which travels the western which travels the western which travels the western land celebrating The Bicycle, a two-wheeled wonder that inspired Fat Tire Amber Ale.

FORT COLLINS

Fat Tire Amber Ale.

FORT COLLINS

09124NBBBBT09NationalMag.indd 1 3/10/09 4:10:05 PM

3

MAGURAad2_MFlyer:Layout 1 5/27/09 10:46 AM Page 1

4

BEHOLD: SUPERFLY 100, THE LIKES OF WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE. IT’S THE FASTEST, LIGHTEST FULL-SUSPENSION RACE BIKE GARY HAS EVER MADE. PERIOD. AND, THANKS TO AN OCLV CARBON FRAME, IT’S THE JEWEL IN OUR 29ER CROWN. OFTEN HAVE WE LOOKED TO THE HEAVENS AND WONDERED HOW SWEET IT WOULD BE TO RIDE A FULL-SUSPENSION 29ER THAT HAD THE NIMBLENESS OF A 26" RIG. SUFFICE IT TO SAY WE’LL WONDER NO MORE. AND NEITHER WILL YOU. SUPERFLY 100 — IT WON’T STAY UNIDENTIFIED FOR LONG. CATCH A GLIMPSE AT FISHERBIKES.COM.

UNIDENTIFIED SUPERFLYING OBJECT

© 2009 TREK BICYCLE CORPORATION

FR_2009_Superfly100_BIKE.indd 1-2 6/16/09 2:41:13 PM

5

BEHOLD: SUPERFLY 100, THE LIKES OF WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE. IT’S THE FASTEST, LIGHTEST FULL-SUSPENSION RACE BIKE GARY HAS EVER MADE. PERIOD. AND, THANKS TO AN OCLV CARBON FRAME, IT’S THE JEWEL IN OUR 29ER CROWN. OFTEN HAVE WE LOOKED TO THE HEAVENS AND WONDERED HOW SWEET IT WOULD BE TO RIDE A FULL-SUSPENSION 29ER THAT HAD THE NIMBLENESS OF A 26" RIG. SUFFICE IT TO SAY WE’LL WONDER NO MORE. AND NEITHER WILL YOU. SUPERFLY 100 — IT WON’T STAY UNIDENTIFIED FOR LONG. CATCH A GLIMPSE AT FISHERBIKES.COM.

UNIDENTIFIED SUPERFLYING OBJECT

© 2009 TREK BICYCLE CORPORATION

FR_2009_Superfly100_BIKE.indd 1-2 6/16/09 2:41:13 PM

6

Photographer: Devon BaletRider: Linden Carlson Location: San Juan Mountains, Colo., Red Mountain #3, 12,890 feet

8

Photographer: Devon BaletRider: Dylan BrownLocation: Dotsero, Colo.

10

Photographer: Mike TittelRider: Kyle Coxon Location: Wasatch Foothills, I-Street, Salt Lake City

12

writersJordan CarrEddie ClarkKen DaveyErin English Chris HannaYuri Hauswald

Nathan HebenstreitKevin KaneErinn MorganClay Moseley

Trina OrtegaJames E. RickmanLizzy ScullyDavid WiensJim Williams

editor/publisher brian riepepublisher steve mabrymanaging editor caroline spaethart director chris hannacreative editor james e. rickmanroving artist gloria sharpcopy editor trina ortega

Mountain Flyer magazine is printed on environmentally responsible paper

supported by

printed by crested butte printing and publishingpublisher secret agent publishing, llc

mountain flyer p.o. box 272 gunnison, co [email protected]@mountainflyer.comwww.mountainflyer.com

send your letters to:[email protected]

cover photo:2009 © James E. RickmanRider: Alec ToneyLocation: Red Bull Burner Downhill, Angel Fire, N.M.

subscribe online at www.mountainflyer.com or mail subscription card to: mountain flyer magazine, p.o. box 272 gunnison, co 81230Mountain Flyer magazine is published quarterly and is available nationwide through select Barnes & Noble, Borders and REI locations, as well as fine bike shops and coffee stores throughout the Rocky Mountain region. When you’re finished reading, pass it on!

Nothing in this publication can be copied or reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. All material and images are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but published without responsibility for errors or omissions. Secret Agent Publishing assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or images. But we’ll sure consider them.

Devon BaletMathew BarlowEddie ClarkMitchell ClintonAlex Fenlon

Nathan HebenstreitKevin KaneBrian LongRob O’Dea

James E. RickmanCaroline SpaethMike TittelMark WoolcottJim Williams

photographers

13

The Power of 4The four most innovative brands in cycling have come together behind one singular goal: to craft the most advanced 2x10 cross country group ever: XX™

A complete group that weighs in at less than 2300 grams.* The fastest, cleanest shifting in mountain biking. More options and adjustability than ever before. New patented technologies. Praised by the best riders in the world. Faster. Lighter. The game has changed.

* 2300g group weight does not include suspension.

sram.com/xx

© 2009 SRAM, LLC

TREK BADGE MARK: CMYK Color Variations (Red)Ken [email protected](920) 478-2191 ext. 12426

DRCV™ Dual Rate Control Valve. Ride everything.

ABP RACE™ The most active suspension under braking.

E2™ Tapered frame and fork. Point-and-shoot control.

SUSPEND CONVENTIONAL THOUGHT. When you build a bike like Fuel EX, you don’t just say, “there’s no other bike like it” — even if it’s true. What you do instead is patent the things that make it better. ABP and DRCV — patent pending. Test ride the Fuel EX today at your dealer or check it out at trekbikes.com

ThE nEw 2010FuEl EX

Trail performance, Patented.

22178_Trek_FuelEX_MY10ad_Bike.indd 1 8/19/09 4:00:03 PM

16

Mountain Flyer Magazine (ISSN 1944-6101) October 2009 is published quarterly by Secret Agent Publishing, LLC, 309 South Main Street, Gunnison, Colo. Periodicals postage paid in Gunnison CO and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Mountain Flyer, PO Box 272, Gunnison, CO 81230

twenty-twoGreen Guru

twenty-sevenRiders Journal

eighty-seven Paraphernalia

one hundred elevenCommunity Pages

numbeR fouRteen[what’sinside]

2 LOCATIONSOPEN YEAR ROUND!

MINTURN161 Main StreetMinturn, CO 81645(970) 827-5522

EAGLE101 East 2nd StreetEagle, CO 81631(970) EAT-DIRT (328-3478) Shimano - Sram - RaceFace - Campagnolo - Bell - Gyro - Sidi - Easton - Ritchey - Magura - Pearl Izumi -

Terry - Fox Shocks - Answer - Continental - Mavic - Chris King - Answer Manitou - Hayes - Avid - And Many More!

[email protected]

IBIS Demo Center . . . Mojos in Stock!

WE BUILD CUSTOM BIKES:

NAMED ONE OF NORTH

AMERICAS TOP 100

BICYCLE SHOPS!

DT Swiss Maverick

Ibis - Spot

Felt Racing - Turner

Independent

Fabrications

Kona - Marin - BMC

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR:

WE SHIP!

Lifetime Tune-Ups On All New Bike Purchases!

6 Photo Gallery

18 Editor’s Note

22 Colorado’s Green Guru by Lizzy Scully

28 Breck Epic

34 Tour of Utah

40 The Tour Divide by Eddie Clark

46 Mountain Bike National Championships

50 Colorado State Championships

54 Leadville Trail 100

60 Frazer Mountain Madness

64 Laramie Enduro

68 Crankworx Colorado

72 Tour de Los Alamos

74 CT Jamboree

78 The Swiss Diaries, Part 2 by Kevin Kane

84 Are You Prepared? by Lizzy Scully

87 Paraphernalia

106 Returning Home to Ruidoso by Clay Moseley

111 Community Pages

130 Tailwind by Yuri Hauswald

18

[editor’snote]

Praise the Novice Occasionally I like to venture onto the lesser-known trails in the rolling brown hills east of Gunnison, Colo. The routes are predominantly narrow, aimlessly meandering cow paths; not what you would call purpose-built trails but great riding in expansive country dappled with sage and aspen groves that fade into the distant Fossil Ridge Wilderness. Some would call it the middle of BFE*. On one of these recent ventures, while delicately descending an overgrown drainage—trying to minimize the damage to my shins caused by the grabbing sage limbs—I rounded a corner and there it was, perched indiscriminately in the middle of the trail: a small red reflector. It was the kind of reflector fixed to the spokes of new bikes, usually removed by the buyer and discarded with revulsion at the litigious bloodsuckers who placed it there. The reflector flashed in the sun with a lustrous sparkle as I rode over it. I considered ignoring it, but my conscience compels me to stop and pick up trash on the trail, so I hit the brakes and walked back to get it. When I reached to pick it up, it occurred to me that this little reflector wasn’t trash at all. It was an artifact, evidence of a misunderstood class of mountain biker we call the novice. Who else would leave a reflector attached to his spokes? But what was it doing way out here in BFE? Clearly, the novice who lost it had ventured out far beyond the barren safety of the bike path—proof that the person had a more advanced, unquenchable thirst for pedal-powered adventure than one

would expect. I poked at the reflector with my foot, as if that would reveal more about its origin. I’m no archaeologist, but I couldn’t help hypothesize that if this novice had any friends who were experienced bikers, they would have guided him toward more accessible trails for his first ventures and suggested that he remove the reflectors so as not to look like a nerd. This novice was acting independently, and whoever it was exhibits the very drive and desire that spawns champions and heroes. As I studied the reflector, it occurred to me that many of the riders who are winning, or even competing in, events like the 2,745-mile Tour Divide, Breck Epic, Leadville Trail 100 or Crankworx Colorado possess endurance or skill, but more importantly—like the mysterious novice—inner strength and a yearning for adventure not found in the average human being. The champions and bold competitors of these events at one point—maybe not very long ago—were in all probability just like whoever it was who lost this reflector: a dreamy-eyed novice who got hold of a bike and just started riding. Nobody told that person there were limits. I hesitated and then pulled my hand back, deciding to leave the sparkly little plastic artifact in the trail for future archaeologists to find and ponder the society that created it.

*BFE: an acronym for Butt or Bum-F*&@ Egypt, defined by the Online Slang Dictionary as any location inconveniently far away; the middle of nowhere.

19

Cont

inen

tal b

icyc

le ti

re p

rodu

ctio

n pl

ant,

Korb

ach,

Ger

man

y. Co

ntin

enta

l em

ploy

ee: U

lf Gü

nzel

. Tea

m E

rgon

mem

bers

f.l.t

.r.: D

avid

Kei

th W

iens

(USA

: 1st

, 200

6 W

orld

Cha

mpi

onsh

ip A

dven

ture

Rac

ing,

1st

, 200

8 Le

advil

le T

rail

100)

; Iri

na K

alen

tieva

(Rus

sia:

1st

, 200

7 W

orld

Cha

mpi

onsh

ip C

ross

Cou

ntry

); Sa

lly B

igha

m (U

K: 1

st, 2

008

Briti

sh M

arat

hon

Cham

pion

ship

); W

olfra

m K

ursc

hat (

Germ

any:

1st

, 200

7 Ge

rman

Cro

ss C

ount

ry C

ham

pion

ship

)

The Royal Court.The Race King

Made in Germany

20

SubScRibe onLine now and we’LL donate five buckS to imba

extended Race coveRage and imageS fRom RaceS coveRed in thiS iSSue PLuS:• Fall Mountain States Cup Races• Slope Sistair – Women’s Freeride• Single Speed World Championships

Durango, Lock up your daughters• 24 Hours of Moab – What’s it gonna be

this year, locusts?• Crested Butte Classic – 100 miles of

agony in paradise, or is it purgatory?

PuRchaSe StyLiSh mountain fLyeR waReS at the Swag StoRe:• Quality jerseys by Craft• Really nice socks by Swiftwick• Select hats by Jett

Read about geaR befoRe buying it:• Gore freeride shorts• Deuter EXP pack• Vaude Cluster Air 12 backpack• Answer’s fall cross-country gloves• Smith Redline Max glasses• Tifosi Dolomite sunglasses*Plus, get a first glimpse of what Gary Fisher has for 2010

Like handmade bikeS? MountainFlyer.com has an extensive listing of what’s out there.

what’s on

we aPoLogize to SPoRtS oPticaL.The RX sunglass review published in Issue 13 should have been attributed to Sports Optical. The correct website is www.SportsOptical.com.

Swa

gg

eaR

As a pre-teen, a lanky, towheaded Davidson Lewis rode his bike around his Virginia Beach neighborhood, gathering old bikes, lawnmowers and stereo system cabinets. He dragged them home to his family’s one-car garage and proceeded to create working lawnmowers, “walls of sound” and new bikes, which he sold or gave away. “I was a pack rat,” says Lewis with a laugh. “My parents rolled their eyes when I’d bring something else back.” But as artists, his parents also understood. Lewis was actively exploring his creative side and learning about basic resourcing—using an easily available supply of materials to create things people needed. Now a 31-year-old business owner, an energetic Lewis has expanded his efforts exponentially. He and his five full-time and 20 contract workers repurpose bicycle inner tubes, climbing ropes and billboards into highly functional outdoor gear, such as wallets, messenger and tote bags, and various sizes of zip pouches, at his company Ecologic Designs, Inc.

Early DumpstEr Diving Days“It’s coffee and chocolate this morning,” Lewis says, chuckling. He multitasks constantly, chatting with a fellow designer, checking his constantly ringing phone and answering questions faster than a speeding mountain biker. As he has since his early teen years, he’s got a lot going on.

Lewis started out tinkering with old bikes and lawn mowers and soon transitioned to other repurposing efforts. He became the summer “tube boy” for a bike shop at Virginia Beach, where he fixed beach cruiser flat tires. But instead of throwing the tubes away, he grabbed as many as he could. “Those were my early days of dumpster diving,” he says. “I’d use inner tubes to help tie down tarps and bags and wrap surfboards onto roofs.” Plus, he gleaned repurposing ideas from the shop where he worked, which had Rubbermaid bins full of old bike parts that could be reassembled into working bikes. His interest in remaking old items coincided with his high-speed need to tear over urban landscapes on his mountain and BMX bikes. “I actually grew up riding a BMX bike on top of an old landfill,” Lewis says. A sort of “Mount Trashmore,” it was the size of a football field and a half, covered with tarps, layers of earth and a few miles worth of singletrack. Bordered by the Elizabeth River on one side, the old landfill was lined with riprap—old concrete roads broken up and used to decrease the swells caused by giant tankers coming in and out of the Chesapeake Bay onto the river. “It had really short trails,” Lewis says, “but it was the world to us.” His love of hurtling down the short, steep trails soon led to his stint as a mountain bike racer. He raced all over Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and other East Coast venues. By his senior year he was ranked No. 1 in the Junior class for the Mid-Atlantic region. Still, despite spending weekends exploring his racing passion, Lewis continued to develop new ideas for old materials. He cut up old tires to make new soles for the dozens of pairs of running shoes he had worn as a long-distance racer in school. “I didn’t want to throw anything away,” he says. By the time he graduated from high school, he knew which direction he wanted to go in life. Attending Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, he started mountain biking in the nearby hills and

by lizzy scully

22

23

green guru’s founder Davidson lewis stands in his shop in Boulder, Colo., (above) where he produces messenger bags (left) and many other accessories made from recycled inner tubes, climbing ropes and whatever else he can scrounge.

exploring product design in the Architecture Department’s industrial design program. “That program is where I started getting into really thinking about development of products and how to make them better,” he says. “I had an interest in and was excited about innovation. I started getting more interested in materials, such as inner tubes.” He cites his senior thesis as a milestone in his life. “I had to design a project that was environmentally friendly either through design or materials,” he says. “At that point I started looking at how to make products out of reclaimed materials. Right off the bat I knew there were so many inner tubes out there that that was the perfect thing to start with.” Using a girlfriend’s sewing machine and skills he learned from his mother at age 12, Lewis started making bags out of inner tubes.

grEEning thE inDustryIn 2000, Lewis moved to Boulder, Colo., for the outdoor and cycling opportunities and because he wanted to design products for outdoor companies, many of which were located on the Front Range. He ended up doing design consulting contract work for Case Logic, creating pool toys and other products. But those products were made out of PVC. “They were fun to play with in the pool, but not cool for the earth,” he says. And after growing up with an eco-conscious, earth-loving family that “instilled a sense of responsibility for the environment,” he knew he had to do something else.

Eddie Clark

to learn how to send green guru your old tubes or set up a reclamation center at your shop, call 303.258.1611 or email [email protected]

Eddie Clark

24

So in 2005, he established Ecologic Designs, Inc., a company he had thought about creating since 1999 and had planned for since 2003. Still, he needed more experience and so worked part time as a design contract worker and part time fixing outdoor equipment and helping design and pattern new backpacks for Ripstop Repairs. “I didn’t apply for a job just fixing backpacks,” Lewis says of his stint at Ripstop. “I was trying to get design experience.” The job gave him the opportunity to “plug into some really good places” in the industry, and he found a mentor in owner Jim Clements, who still offers input on Lewis’ new designs. Finally, after a year and a half at Ripstop, Lewis dove fully into Ecologic Designs, Inc.—which makes Green Guru and Green Goddess products—with the goal of “greening the industry.” “The outdoor lifestyle is very contradictory,” Lewis explains. “People want to go out and enjoy the environment, but we are buying all this gear and then getting rid of it because of newer technology. I don’t want to change that lifestyle. It’s important that we are out there riding, climbing and surfing.” But he does want to increase the level of consciousness and human impacts on the environment. The solution is not going to be just recycling inner tubes or climbing ropes, he says, but that type of recycling is a first and very easy step consumers can take toward reducing landfill waste and halting the depletion of the world’s natural resources. In addition to creating bags of all sizes out of highway billboards and inner tubes, Ecologic Designs, Inc., now works more closely with outdoor industry businesses. Among other things, his company repurposes sleeping pads for Big Agnes and works with Patagonia’s Common Threads program. “People are excited because they play a part in the life cycle of the products,” Lewis says. “They can see their impact firsthand when they buy things made out of reused or recycled materials, and their footprint is much smaller.” It’s really a win-win situation, he adds. “You are supporting your lifestyle and making your environment better at the same time.”

25

FOX RACING SHOX

PTMTB-TF-09A

Perfect World “Taqueria” Magazine Page (A Size) F-Series

THE PROJECTS

4C Magazine Page

Live: 7 1/8 in x 9 3/4 in

Trim: 7 7/8 in x 10 1/2 in

Bleed: 8 5/8 in x 11 1/8 in

CD:

AD:

CW:

Photo:

AM:

AP:

PP:

PM:

COLORS Cyan

Magenta

Yellow

Black

Prod. Notes• All Line art and logos are repro

• All other images are FPO

Scale: 1 in = 1 in

ApprovalsProof____AD____CW_____CD____AE____Prod____Client____

Last touched: 6-17-2009 8:40 PM

©2009 FOX Factory Inc. All rights reserved.

In a perfect world.

rC2

floatrp

23

In a perfect world, you’d have Downhill suspension technology on your lightweight trail bike. Now with our World Cup proven FIT™ damping system, you can. FIT is now available on all our new lighter weight 32mm forks, giving riders incredibly consistent, fade-free damping and steering confi dence. And with TALAS, our 3 position travel adjust system, you’re instantly ready for any terrain. Purpose built. Race proven. FOX Racing Shox. We’re never done.

Visit our all new website: foxracingshox.com

MTB

TRA

IL

The new FLOAT® RP23 seamlessly combines cross country effi ciency with downhill bump absorption and big hit bottomless feel. The FLOAT RP23 delivers this vision via our World Champion proven and patented Boost Valve® technology.

FFFFITITITITITIT™™™™

gghthththththh ererererrrrrereeeeeee eeee

ioioioioioioioioionnnn nnnn

eeeee.eee.e.e.e.e

talas150

rlc 32

PTMTB-TF-09A_r1.indd 1 8/27/09 11:25:15 AM

26

TEL: 800.936.3872 ENDURASPORT.COM

Untitled-1 1 8/3/2009 2:56:00 PM

27

Eddie Clark

28

[the breck epic]

With 7,300 feet of climbing in just 40 miles of racing, the Wheeler Loop stage of the 2009 Breck Epic just about killed all of the participants. But isn’t the sky sure a nice blue up at 12,000 feet? Jeff Kerkove (Topeak/Ergon) takes in the view along with as much oxygen as he can get.

29

[the breck epic]

Eddie Clark

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—The architects of the first Breck Epic—a six-day, off-road stage race held July 5–10—seemed as if they were trying to discourage people from entering. “This race is for hard asses or aspiring hard asses only,” states the event’s website. “If you’re a weekend warrior, this race isn’t for you.” How hard was it? “It was way harder than the BC Bike Race,” said a wide-eyed Scott Penzarella, who traveled from Mill Valley, Calif., to participate in the Epic. “I did BC last year. It was tough but had a ton of dirt road miles, and it was at low elevation. The climbs we did here were insane.” The nature of Breckenridge’s trail network—a system of flumes (old mining aqueducts), rugged mining roads and singletrack—are ideal for running such an event. Over the six days of racing, the Breck Epic covered 200 miles and had more than 40,000 feet of climbing, all of it at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Of all the stages, Day 5 on the Wheeler Loop seemed to stand out as the most epic for the riders. The 40-mile stage climbed 7,300 feet and culminated with what could only be described as a goat trail. “That trail was hard,” said stage winner Jeremiah Bishop. “It was a never-ending stair step that was filled with rocks and roots. Bishop also won the overall Pro Men’s title due in part to his efforts on the Wheeler Loop. “Every time I would walk a steep section, Jeremiah would ride it, and I would lose a few more seconds,” said second place overall finisher Travis Brown. Bishop won five of the six stages and clinched the overall title with a nine-minute gap over Brown. Boulder’s Brandon Dwight rode to an impressive third place overall and Jen Gersbach commandingly won the Pro Women’s title over singlespeeder Christina Begy and Jen Hanks. The 2010 Breck Epic is scheduled to kick off Aug. 22. If your ass is hard enough, register at www.breckepic.com. –B. Riepe

If Your Assis Hard Enough

30

[the breck epic]

Devon Balet

This part of the Breck Epic is even steeper than it looks. Jorge Espinoza (Horizon Organic Cycling) inches up onto the nose of his saddle to eek out as much power as he can on the fourth day of racing during the six-day moun-tain bike stage race. Espinoza placed seventh overall at the epic and won the final stage after powering away from the lead group while climbing Boreas Pass, just one hour into that day’s stage.

31

[the breck epic]

Devon Balet

The Breck Epic’s sixth and final stage was no parade lap. Travis Brown (left), Jeremiah Bishop (center) and Colby Pierce—just dangling off the back—hammer out the final meters of the final climb after challenging one another for more than 200 miles and 40,000 feet of climbing in six days of racing.

32

[the breck epic]

Eddie Clark

David Wilson fights off the fatigue and pain associated with climbing the

Pennsylvania Creek stage and its 6,100 feet of vertical. Wilson fought a hard

battle against Dan Durland for first but finally closed the deal with a six-minute

gap on the Wheeler Loop— the fifth and toughest stage—to win the overall

singlespeed title at the 2009 Breck Epic.

34

Mitchell Clinton

[tour of utah]With attacker Aaron Olsen up the road after taking the points, the main chase pack reaches the top of the first king of the mountain (KOM) climb during stage 1 of the Tour of Utah. Francisco Mancebo Perez (Rock Racing) won the stage and moved into the overall leader’s jersey, which he held for the remainder of the event.

35

Mitchell Clinton

Christopher Baldwin (OUCH/Maxxis) leans into a corner during the Tour of Utah’s stage 3 twilight time trial.

Always a contender, Baldwin flew to a seventh-place finish on the stage,

enough to set him into fourth place in the overall standing after the stage. But

nothing is safe in bike racing; Baldwin narrowly survived a stage 4 crash but

lost significant time, falling back to 27th overall when the game was over.

[tour of utah]

36

Mitchell Clinton

[tour of utah]

The Wiener Schnitzel sneak: Alex Howes (above right) rides comfortably in a seven-man break-away in the final miles of the fourth stage in the Tour of Utah. Howes stayed with the break until the beginning of the final climb toward the stage’s mountaintop finish, where he broke away with a sneak attack (left).

“I put in a teaser attack; this guy was handing out hot dogs, I took a bite of one and jumped and kept going,” said Howes. “I think they thought I was joking around. Once I got a gap, I kept going.”

Burke Swindlehurst—who was a favorite for the day—and the rest of the group were caught off guard by the attack.

“When he did that and then he attacked, I thought, ‘All right, well, that’s pretty funny.’ And I started laughing, and I thought, ‘Well, that means he’s going to be done with his race and going to sit up.’ And then he kept going and I realized, ‘Wow, the kid’s going.’”

Howes won the stage with a 37-second advantage over Swindlehurst.

Mitchell Clinton

37

50

O F F E R I N G S TAT E - O F - T H E - A R T O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y

970/641-6788Alpine Orthopaedics, Sports Performance & Regional Hand Center

970/641-4522Alpine Surgery Center

[email protected]

Locations to serve you better6

A Commitment to Excellence in Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care & Sports Medicine with Knee, Shoulder and Hand Specialists

SALIDAArkansas Valley Physical Therapy

735 Blake StreetTELLURIDE

Telluride Medical Center500 West Pacific

MT. CRESTED BUTTE CLINICBase of Ski Area

CRESTED BUTTE Elk Avenue Medical Center 405 Elk Avenue

Sports Performance & Regional Hand Center& Alpine Surgery Center

GUNNISON - Main Office112 W. Spencer Avenue

MONTROSE330 South 8th Street

+ U.S Physician at 2004 Games in Athens, Greece+ Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery & sports medicine+ Team Physician of the U.S. Track Cycling Team+ Team Physician of Western State College of Colorado Athletics+ Author of The Female Athlete’s Body Book+ Fellowship trained in sports medicine, arthroscopy, shoulder and knee surgery

Gloria M. Beim, M.D.

Rhett J. Griggs, M.D.+ Board Eligible Orthopaedic Surgeon+ Orthopaedic Residency and upper extremity fellowship at University of Florida, GATORS+ Team Physician of Western State College of Colorado+ Specialty training in shoulder, elbow, hand, sports medicine, joint replacement & trauma+ Proprietor of Teton Professional Training where he trained cyclists, runners and triathletes+ Formerly an Occupational Therapist with specialty in hands+ Accomplished ski racer and professional cyclist

+ Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon since 1970+ Medical School graduate at National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico+ Fluent in Spanish / Se Habla Espanol+ Orthopaedic Residency and fellowship in surgery of the hand at Tulane University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana+ 30-year private practice in general orthopaedics and hand surgery in San Antonio, Texas and relocated to Gunnison June 2008

Alonso Escalante, M.D.

THE ULTIMATE ENDURANCE NUTRITION

Nothing Else Even Comes CloseAt First Endurance, we solicit constant feedback from our athletes and use this feedback to stay at the forefront of endurance nutrition. The result: breakthrough endurance nutrition that’s second to none. See for yourself how the award-winning, critically acclaimed First Endurance system can

help take your training and racing to a new level.

firstendurance.com • 866.347.7811

offi cial supplement sponsor

mountainflyer_halfpg_sprng09boarder.indd 1 2/9/09 11:25 AM

38

Santa Cruz Bicycles: 104 bronson st. #22 santa cruz, ca 95062 santacruzbicycles.com [email protected]

Chris Sheppard loving winter aboard the Santa Cruz Stigmata. Easton EA6X tubing, made in the USA, 1300 grams of sweet masochism, for a mere $850.

There is no easy way to describe the attraction of ‘cross to the uninitiated. To the outsider’s eye, it is a cold, messy, brutal, masochistic sport, played out at the thug-ugly dark end of the calendar year, rewarding dumb luck and animal toughness. Kind of like rugby on wheels.

But from the inside, ‘cross is the most beautiful racing in the world - a dance of power and savvy, grace and fast twitch snap, timing and anaerobic clarity. It demands sharp focus and huge doses of gag reflex tolerance, and rewards the faithful with the sort of joy that can only be felt plowing through wet grass in a narrowing red haze of tunnel vision filled with the clamoring chaos of bell-lap madness.

It may be summer now, with all those barbecues and warm evenings and sundresses and swimming holes. But it’ll be winter soon enough. We can hardly wait.

09_Mnt_Flyer#13.indd 1 6/19/09 12:31:36 PM

39

Santa Cruz Bicycles: 104 bronson st. #22 santa cruz, ca 95062 santacruzbicycles.com [email protected]

Chris Sheppard loving winter aboard the Santa Cruz Stigmata. Easton EA6X tubing, made in the USA, 1300 grams of sweet masochism, for a mere $850.

There is no easy way to describe the attraction of ‘cross to the uninitiated. To the outsider’s eye, it is a cold, messy, brutal, masochistic sport, played out at the thug-ugly dark end of the calendar year, rewarding dumb luck and animal toughness. Kind of like rugby on wheels.

But from the inside, ‘cross is the most beautiful racing in the world - a dance of power and savvy, grace and fast twitch snap, timing and anaerobic clarity. It demands sharp focus and huge doses of gag reflex tolerance, and rewards the faithful with the sort of joy that can only be felt plowing through wet grass in a narrowing red haze of tunnel vision filled with the clamoring chaos of bell-lap madness.

It may be summer now, with all those barbecues and warm evenings and sundresses and swimming holes. But it’ll be winter soon enough. We can hardly wait.

09_Mnt_Flyer#13.indd 1 6/19/09 12:31:36 PM

40

Words and images by Eddie Clark

41

Head down and arms across the bars was one way for Steve Wilkinson to pass time across the vast stretch of

the Great Divide Basin. This 140-mile section offered no resupply options on the Tour Divide Race, which rigorously

tested racers’ logistical planning.

To call it the greatest race is one thing, but to finish the Tour Divide Race is an achievement few can boast. Racers challenge themselves and the elements for 2,745 miles of blood, sweat, tears and worn-out gears. As U.K. racer Steve Wilkinson noted on a desolate section in the Great Divide Basin of Wyoming: “I love it. I rode the race two years ago. A lot of people hate it, but I love it.” Love it or hate it, the Tour Divide Race is the longest mountain bike race in the world.

Adventurers and trekkers alike have followed the Continental

Divide for centuries, but it wasn’t until 1998 that the Adventure Cycling Association first mapped out the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. In 1999, multi-time Iditabike and Iditasport Extreme winner and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame member John Stamstad rode the first individual time trial along the Continental Divide from Mexico to Canada in 18 days, 5 hours. This accomplishment lit the imagination of many a racer, and in 2004 the first mass start of the Great Divide Bike Race from Canada to Mexico was held. By adding a newly mapped section of 252 miles from Banff, Canada, to the U.S. border, the newly dubbed Tour Divide Race was first held in 2008 and is the new benchmark for long-distance mountain bike racing. Unlike most races that have exorbitant entry fees, the Tour Divide Race is free. There is no prize money either, only the glory and satisfaction of knowing you’ve accomplished something truly great. There’s also no sag wagon, the route is lonesome, and on-route support is prohibited. Instead, a strong constitution, resourcefulness and a survivor’s spirit are key requirements to finish. The Tour Divide treats a weary racer to almost 200,000 feet of climbing from start to finish; that’s about seven Mount Everests. Completing the course in its entirety under your own power, resupplying along the way and being self-reliant comprise the code of ethics, which must be followed at the risk of disqualification. For roughly half of this year’s 42 racers, this code and the climbing proved to be too much. At 10 a.m. on June 12, riders blasted off from Banff into the wild and beautiful Canadian Rockies. This year, to follow the racers, all riders started with a Spot GPS tracking device that relayed their current positions and could serve as a rescue beacon should an emergency occur. Racers also called in to the MTBCast hotline to leave voicemail updates, which were then uploaded to the race website (www.tourdivide.org). With the combination of GPS tracking and voicemail updates, the general public followed the racers’ day-to-day tribulations and left supportive comments on the Tour Divide website. At the end of the first day, eventual race winner Matthew Lee of Chapel Hill, N.C., opted to keep riding into the night and immediately gained a 25-mile advantage over his competitors. All would agree the Canadian stretch had some very difficult climbing through vast wilderness. Canadian racer Blaine Nester estimated they climbed about 20,000 feet in the first two days before crossing the U.S. border. Once into Montana, the race really started to take shape. Many racers reported incidents with bears and even some whacked-out hippies on the trail. Montana was downright hard on everyone, with chilling, cold nights, pouring rain, pulverizing hail and snow. Outdoorsmen Cyclery in Butte was a welcome first bike overhaul stop for many racers. While pushing through a mile of snow over Richmond Peak, Eric Lobeck of Steamboat Springs, Colo., strained a calf muscle and showed his grit by pushing on, recovering on the bike. For some, the weather was worse. After spending a few wet nights freezing in his tent, Jeff Kerby of Belen, N.M., pulled out

42

Kurt Refsnider pushes on through buckets of rain and hail on the ascent up Cochetopa Pass. The lightning was so bad it forced the photographer to hide in his truck, but Kurt rode on.

43

after eight days with pneumonia. Keeping bike and body going forward and pushing through new aches and pains that accompany riding a bike for 100 to 180 miles a day is a significant part of finishing. Race winner Lee said it best: “There’s a point at which the return is just not there, so you stop, rest and ride harder the next day.” Route finding is another key to finishing the race, as well as abiding by the rules. With many racers pedaling onward after sunset, a few wrong turns were made. The 2007 Great Divide Bike Race record holder Jay Petervary and his wife Tracey, a.k.a. T-Race, aboard their Vicious tandem dubbed “The Love Shack,” missed a turn onto Whitefish Divide and ended up 30 miles off course. Their only option was to backtrack until they were on course again, adding an extra 60 miles to their race. However, the always-positive couple from Jackson Hole, Wyo., was still stoked about the awesome lake views they had as a result of their wrong turn. In a more drastic mistake of navigation, rigid fixed-gear racer Deanna Adams and fellow racer Brad Mattingly, both from Arizona, got off course mid-race, but they failed to backtrack their mistake and resume the race. In Wyoming, Brooks Lake Road was so muddy that racers had to carry their bikes when the wheels jammed up with mud. Second-place finisher Kurt Refsnider of Boulder, Colo., had his lower jockey pulley seize up on the road, leaving him 25 miles away from replacement parts in Pinedale. Refsnider did what he could and turned his bike into a 2-speed to coax it into Pinedale where he was lucky enough to find a replacement jockey pulley.

“I had a couple of quite dreary days in northern Wyoming,” said international racer John Fettis of the U.K., echoing the sentiment of many Tour Divide racers. “Conditions were really rough with some really heavy rain and mud.” Wyoming also tormented racers with mutant mosquitoes that attacked by the hordes until Atlantic City. The next leg from Atlantic City to Rawlins crossed the Great Divide Basin and took racers across the longest barren stretch with no resupply options for 140 miles. Wild sage, yellow flowers, antelope, wild horses and a sky with a million different colors at sunset were the simple rewards for those who maintained their sanity and love of nature in the Great Basin. A strong tailwind helped across this stretch. Rolling out of Rawlins meant one last push uphill into the Medicine Bow Mountains and then into Colorado along Slate Creek Road. To sweeten it up, racers looked forward to a rest and refuel at Brush Mountain Lodge just outside of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Racers had much praise and thanks for Kirsten and the Brush Mountain Lodge. “Kirsten really looked after us. There were five of us there, so it was a good night. I had my hot tub and sat in there with Blaine and a beer,” said U.K. racer Alan Goldsmith. “Then she got up real early and made us breakfast. Set us off at six.” Trail magic doesn’t get much better than that. After the merciless mud of Idaho and northern Wyoming, bikes were in shambles by Steamboat Springs, with nonexistent brake pads, fried headsets, gritty bottom brackets and worn-out drive trains.

Steve Wilkinson makes a brief roadside stop in the Great Divide Basin for a

dinner of gas station junk food.

44

Luckily, rules allow for racers to mail supply packages ahead to shops and post offices. Orange Peel Bicycle Service in Steamboat became a bike shop oasis with packages of parts waiting for racers. The Petervarys coaxed their Love Shack into the bike shop on a wing and a prayer. “We just got a full rebuild on The Love Shack…ah, really excited for that. It’s running great, new brakes, new drive train, full of grease,” said Jay Petervary from the trail. “Brock really took care of us over here.” In a rare flap, race leader Lee beat his mailed care package to Absolute Bikes in Salida, Colo., which meant his pit stop would just be a clean and tune. Later, after running out of chain lube on course, due to what Lee called “weather like none other,” he resorted to buying canola oil from restaurants along the way to use as chain lube. Sleeping, or lack thereof, is another part of life racers must adapt to. Typically, racers ride 12 to 18 hours a day depending on conditions and sleep on the ground with a pad and bivy bag for four to six hours. If the rain or mosquitoes are bad, sleep time is usually cut in half. The Petervarys preferred sleeping close to 24-hour gas stations since they would have a nearby bathroom, coffee and food to load up on before hitting the road, whereas Lee enjoyed his solitude and dryness under random fir trees right on the side of the course. For his daily schedule, Lee woke to his alarm at 4:40 a.m. and got pedaling by 5 a.m., rain or shine, every day. For coffee, Lee chewed on whole coffee beans, preferably organic Costa Rican, as he rode. Tour Divide on-route accommodations can also be less

glamorous. Racers this year holed up in places like rooms over noisy bars, over-booked campgrounds, dog-poop-laden hills in Montana, roadside bathroom floors and even under a bridge with a homeless drunk guy. Everyone has their limits, and many are found in a muddy ditch or deluge of hail straight from hell. This race throws everything at you and then some. Refsnider was even charged by a riled-up porcupine that came flying out of a bush at him early in the morning in northern New Mexico. “It was strange. Porcupines are out to get me, I think,” he said. In addition to plentiful wildlife experienced on route, racers also became very familiar with the dirt. “That dirt just gets in you, it becomes you, and you’re eating it all day long,” said Eric Bruntjen of Yakima, Wash. “You’re just absorbing this amazing geological and sociological feature of our country.” Five racers found their limits this year when they descended Boreas Pass into Como, Colo., about the same time. Severe lightning, a heinous thunderstorm, muddy roads and a wide-open, high mountain prairie welcomed them. At that point Cannon Shockley of Leadville, Colo., Nester, Wilkinson, Lobeck and Goldsmith called a truce in the name of safety and had an early night at the Como Bed and Breakfast. They, henceforth, dubbed themselves as the peloton and made the best of some spare time in Como cleaning clothes, eating, drinking beer and sleeping. For the duration of the race, this peloton grew in size. Lobeck succumbed to giardia two days before finishing and withdrew from the race.

After the day’s riding is done, Matthew Lee wastes no time in getting bedded down, having a last snack and sleeping for four to six hours. Lee rose promptly every day at 4:40 a.m., a schedule that helped him win the event.

45

From Salida to the finish in Antelope Wells, N.M., racers had to contend with more high mountain passes, muddy roads, long days with no resupply options, headwinds and general bad weather. Some racers crashed out, got sick or developed race-ending physical ailments along the way. In the Carson National Forest of New Mexico, racers found themselves riding through the middle of the annual Rainbow Family Gathering. Hippies by the thousands were camped along the route. Lee rode on to win the race in 17 days, 23 hours and 45 minutes, short of the 15:01:26 record set in 2008 by John Nobile of Fairfield, Conn. But plenty of records were made this year. The Petervarys pedaled their Love Shack to the Antelope Wells border crossing for a first-ever tandem finish in 18 days, 13 hours and 50 minutes for third overall. Chris Plesko of Westminster, Colo., set a Tour Divide singlespeed record riding his fully rigid Vassago 29er (using a 32x17 gear) and finishing in 19 days and 21 minutes. The last record broken was by solo female finisher Jill Homer of Juneau, Alaska, in 24 days, 7 hours and 24 minutes, beating Jenn Hopkins’ 2008 record of 28:16:40. Out of 42 starters, only 16 received an official Tour Divide Race finish time. Five either disqualified themselves or were relegated for course deviations or support, and 21 never made it to Antelope Wells. The Tour Divide Race treats every racer equally with a severity that pushes riders to their breaking points and beyond. Its reward is the simplicity and focus of in-your-face living along the Continental Divide, and undeniably Mother Nature in her very finest glory. One thing is certain: anyone who attempts the Tour Divide will forever remember it.

Tour Divide riders (l-to-r) Cannon Shockley, Blaine Nester and Alan Goldsmith have a pre-ride chat after getting their bikes worked over and their bellies filled at Absolute Bikes and Bongo Billy’s in Salida, Colo.

46

[sol vista - nationals]

Eddie Clark

Lisa Myklak leaves the trail smoking as she lights up the Sol Vista downhill for

a third-place finish at the 2009 National Championships. Notably, the pro women

and many pro men wouldn’t hit the course’s three massive 40-plus-foot

gap jumps until Myklak stepped up and consecutively cleared them all. For more about the National Championships, read

a race report and check out even more cool photos at mountainflyer.com.

4747

Devon Balet

Jill Kinter floats through a berm during her winning four-cross run at the

2009 National Championships in Sol Vista, Colo.


48


Devon Balet

After a disastrous start to the 2009 Elite Women’s National Championship cross-county race, Georgia Gould (Luna) drops back to the valley floor. Gould finished fourth in the race after having mechanical problems on the first climb, forced to spend time in the tech pit at the start of lap two.

“Something was wrong with my chain, and I couldn’t shift the whole way up the climb on the first lap,” Gould said. “The guys were calm and replaced my chain super fast, so I could get back to racing and make up as many places as possible. I’m disappointed that I couldn’t be up there and see how I’d do. I felt good.”

Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) won the event, collecting her second national title in just two weeks. Her first title came in the National Marathon Championship title she took in Breckenridge on the Fourth of July.

49

tomac_mtflyer:Layout 1 8/8/09 10:47 AM Page 1

50

[blast the mass]

Eddie Clark

A racer glides through an aspen grove in Snowmass, Colo., during the 2009 Colorado State Championships. These are special places buried deep in a mountain biker’s cerebrum, like a dream; sometimes the subject is insignificant within its surroundings. If we were Vikings, Rocky Mountain aspen stands would be our Valhalla and its singletrack our bounty. For more about the Colorado State Championships, read an extensive race report and find bonus photos at mountainflyer.com.

5151

[blast the mass]

Eddie Clark

Shawn Neer steps fully on the gas at the Colorado State Championships in

Snowmass, Colo. Neer had no time for brakes and instead just boosted over anything in his way for a very

respectable fourth place in the Pro Men’s Downhill race.

52

Yeti Fox Factory rider Sam Blenkinsop goes a little wide through a corner during the Pro Men’s Downhill at the Colorado State Championships in Snowmass, Colo. The mistake may have cost him the win; he finished only five seconds out of first place behind teammate Aaron Gwin.

DevonBalet

[blast the mass]

53

Hand BuiltCustom Fitted

Personalized Service

970/468-2747 970/GOT-2RIP

D I L LO N CO LO R A D O

TIG WeldedTrue Temper Tubing™

www.ripnbicycleworks.com

Sizing · Bicycle service & Wheel building by appointment

STeel BIcycle fRameS

tailored to your

physique & riding

style

RIP‘N BICYCLE WORKSD I L L O N C O L O R A D

O

the

SHOCKSPITAL is your one stop

suspension-and-hydraulic

brake stop

707 W. 34th St

Minneapolis, MN 55408

952.240.9158

www.shockspital.com

Is your bike ready?

54

[leadville trail 100]

Eddie Clark

Fort Lewis College Cycling Coach Matt Shriver sets the pace—much as he did for the first 40 miles of the race—up Sugarloaf Pass in the early hours of the 2009 Leadville Trail 100. Shriver broke a pedal cleat near the 50-mile mark but hung on for an impressive third-place finish, just 10 minutes behind second-place finisher Dave Wiens.

55

Eddie Clark


LEADVILLE, Colo.— Ever since placing second to Dave Wiens in 2008, Lance Armstrong has made it clear he would come back to challenge Wiens in the Leadville Trail 100. Lance Armstrong not only won the 100-mile mountain bike race, beating six-time champion Wiens by 29 minutes, but he also broke the course record set by Wiens in 2008 by more than 15 minutes. Armstrong stopped the clock in six hours, 28 minutes and 50 second, ahead of Wiens’ 2008 record of 6:45:45. Rebecca Rusch, 24 Hour Solo World Champion, was the fastest female at Leadville, finishing in 8 hours, 14 minutes. For Armstrong, 29 minutes is a big margin, but it didn’t come easily. Armstrong broke away from the lead group at the 40-mile mark and had to decide then if he should wait for other riders as he started Columbine—the biggest climb of the day. “I looked back, and there was no one there but [Matt] Shriver,” Armstrong said. “I kind of had to decide if I wanted to continue alone or wait for the other guys. I knew it was risky to go alone.” Armstrong committed decisively and went on his own for what turned into a 60-mile individual time trial, riding the rest of the race like a fox at a dog track. When he finished, he had clearly put in a huge effort.

“I was worked,” said Armstrong. “I sat down and asked my buddy to get me as many Cokes and Snickers bars as he could find.” Armstrong wasn’t the only rider to go it alone. After Armstrong attacked, the remainder of the lead group became disorganized, and the top 10 riders reached the 50-mile turn-around point with gaps between them ranging from five to 10 minutes. On the climb up Columbine, Wiens moved into second and held the position for the remainder of the race. Shriver, who is credited with pace setting for the first 40 miles of the race, held on to third place even after suffering a mechanical problem on the Columbine climb. “Matt broke a cleat or something on Columbine,” said fifth-place finisher Len Zanni. “Armstrong may have won, but Shriver definitely had the ride of the day.” Unfortunately, Armstrong’s win came with a trace of controversy. Some cycling fans and media personalities questioned the rumored tactics Armstrong used—padding the lead group with late entry quasi-domestiques, presumably brought in to help Armstrong break the course record—but most racers agree the rumors are overblown. For more, read the view from Wiens’ saddle starting on page 57. –B. Riepe

Leadville 2009Records and Innuendos

Racers dealt with rapidly changing weather conditions throughout the

Leadville Trail 100 race and also a little sunshine here on the Twin Lakes dam.

56


Rob O’Dea

A thin track in the mud is the only evidence Lance Armstrong left behind for his chasers to follow as he broke away up the Columbine climb, nearing the 50-mile turnaround at the 2009 Leadville Trail 100. Armstrong built a 12-minute advantage on the nine-mile climb and never looked back.

57

The 2009 Leadville 100 was a special experience for me in many ways. Certainly, a big part of this year’s race was the Lance Factor, as it was last year, but this Lance was much different. The ’09 Lance was the well-prepared comeback Lance; the fresh off of a third place at the Tour de France Lance; the Leadville can be ridden in less than six hours Lance. And rather than throwing his hat into the ring 10 days out like last year, he’d been talking about his return to Leadville periodically throughout the year as he raced his way back into tour form in Australia, California and Italy. Much has been made of various aspects of the race, beginning with both of us lining up again in 2009. Right after the 2008 race, Lance said he would be back. Of course, that was before he announced his plans to return to professional road racing and the Tour de France. But even after making this comeback public, there didn’t seem to be any question that he would be lining up in Leadville on the third Saturday of August. I have to admit, however, I wasn’t so sure in fall 2008 about my seventh Leadville quest. Had Lance not been keen to race in Leadville again, I might have been content to call it a career there, at least as far as trying to win the race. And that’s a very cool aspect of the event: riders can participate regardless of goals or preparation. You couldn’t just ride the Tour de France for fun one year, even though you may have been a tour veteran or a past champion. Indeed, Lance mentioned the possibility of riding the Leadville at age 50, shooting for a big belt buckle. But once it was clear to me that Lance would be back, I knew that I needed to be there, too, and to prepare for it with just as much effort and zeal as I had the past two years. Did I think I could straight-up beat him again? I recall an email exchange with race director Ken Chlouber in which I mentioned feeling “like I had a date with the executioner!” But truly, the thought of not being there at all was way more unsavory to me than the thought of getting schooled in the race, and not just by him but by who knows who else who might be lining up for a shot at either of us. Being able to “go out on top” only meant one thing to me: that it would increase the chances of me being the crazy old man in the nursing home, wearing a faded and threadbare team kit around, repeatedly asking residents and nurses alike, “Have I told you about the time I beat Lance Armstrong? Have you seen my belt buckle?” Scary! Much to-do has also been made of Lance bringing a team of riders to the race and how that affected the outcome. It’s no secret that this happened and while the credit goes to Trek for stacking the front row of the race with late entry strong guys, it was in response to Lance’s desire to ride a fast time by having these guys drive the pace from the start. I actually can think of only two riders who were there for this purpose, Matt Shriver and Travis Brown. Len Zanni was a late entry, too, but he was

racing for himself and made it clear to all, including Lance, that he would not be part of the early pace setting. As it turned out, only Shriver was a factor as Brown wasn’t ever part of the lead group once we hit the dirt. Some people made it sound like Trek had dropped five or six hammers into the race. If they did, I don’t know who the others were, never saw them, and they were not factors in the race. Part of the plan was for Lance to just sit in initially and not work, saving himself for an all-out effort later in the race. No one expected anything different from me, and there wasn’t an effort to attack and drop me. Anyone who was strong enough was welcome to get on the Trek train, a ride that lasted for 40 miles and was engineered solely by Shriver. I didn’t mind this in the least, and while it was way different for me to be hammering up the very first climb and clawing my way up to the front of the race, it was what it was. At the front, it’s not the same Leadville as it was a few years ago. Had I asked Ken for similar starts for riders to help me, I know that he would have said absolutely. However, there was nothing they could have done to

Omelet Chefs and Executioners– The Legend of Leadville


by Dave Wiens

Eddie Clark

Minutes after finishing the 2009 Leadville Trail 100, Dave Wiens spent a little time joking with a television crew.

58


change the outcome of this race. Had the pace been slower at the beginning, more like last year, the winner would have been no different. Lance was far and away the strongest guy in the race and was going to win, regardless of how it went down. My only thought was that not a single person with the knowledge of the sport of cycling was surprised about the outcome of the race. Once we hit the Twin Lakes aid station at mile 40, it was every man for himself: time for the 60-mile time trial. Lance was able to carry on at an amazing pace and, even being slowed by tire issues, he was able to crush the record he helped me set last year. I’m pretty sure the rest of us out there were crippled

by the fast start; I know I was. But that’s not saying my finish time would have been much different with a more pedestrian beginning to the race. Five or 10 minutes, perhaps, but maybe not. The same can be said for Shriver, Alex Grant and Zanni, the riders who ultimately filled out the top five. In fact, without spending himself in the beginning, I’m pretty certain that Shriver was the second strongest guy out there. He rode at the front for nearly half the race, had some technical issues that slowed him down and was just 10 minutes behind me at the finish. A very good ride, indeed! Next year? I guess you never want to say never, but with lots of athletes oscillating on being done or not and getting plenty of heat for it, you’ve at least got to be a little careful with what you say. Higher priority goals for me now will be working to promote healthy, trail-based exercise and fitness through the nonprofit I founded in 2006, Gunnison Trails. One of our most ambitious goals is to build an epic singletrack connecting Crested Butte and Gunnison. We have tons of citizen support but gaining approval for a trail like this makes winning the Leadville 100 look like a kiddy car ride. With that in mind, I’ll say that my days of trying to win the Leadville 100 are behind me. Conjuring up the kind of fitness it takes to be competitive, especially at 45 years of age, is really difficult, and this says nothing of the time it takes away from my family and other pursuits. Right now, and this could certainly change, I see myself picking up my No. 2 plate next August and taking my position on the front row. I’ll race the 2010 Leadville 100 with whatever fitness I happen to have, but I won’t be “training” for it. I’ll be camping with the family, hopefully bagging some fourteeners, not planning or tracking what I’m doing on the bike, not worrying about even riding my bike if it doesn’t fit into our plans. With all that being said, I still love riding my bike and while I wouldn’t be going out and doing intervals, structured training or the TransAlp Stage Race like I did this year, I will hopefully still be

logging plenty of saddle time, doing epic rides, morning rides, evening rides, family rides. Some things just won’t change. If I’m in good shape and feeling confident, this might mean a fairly serious race, perhaps gunning for a top 10. A fairly serious race means going as hard as my fitness will allow the whole way; racing with whoever happens to be close, likely a few notches below what I have been doing. If I’m not in great shape, I’ll be looking to just finish the race. That’ll mean taking my time, looking around and riding within myself. And I’ll finally be able to answer this nagging question that I’ve had all these years: is there really an omelet chef at the Twin Lakes aid station?

Brian Riepe

Moments after reaching the 50-mile turnaround at Columbine, Dave Wiens focuses on the return trip to Leadville.

59

Specializing in 29” wheel bikes

with

6 suspension models to

choose from

www.lenzsport.comBuilding suspension MTB frames for over 12 years

LENZ SPORT · 3302 WCR 27 · Ft. Lupton CO 80621 · 303.857.9151

m a d e i n C o l o r a d o

What if every bike rack looked like this?At Planet Bike, we dream about the day when all cities and towns are safer and more convenient places for cyclists. Because we believe in the potential of the bicycle to improve the health of individuals, communities and the planet, we donate 25% of our profits to organizations that promote bicycle use. Since our founding in 1996, we’ve donated more than $660,000 to the grassroots bicycle advocacy movement.

better bicycle products for a better world.™

60

[frazer mountain madness]

Albuquerque, N.M., racing powerhouse Damian Calvert (Sports Systems Mountain Top Cycling) is the first cyclist to crest the summit of Frazer Mountain on the home stretch to the finish line during the 2009 Frazer Mountain Madness hill climb at Taos Ski Valley, N.M. Calvert’s journey from the starting line at the Taos Ski Valley parking lot, visible at lower left, took him five and a half miles with a 2,800-foot elevation gain to the summit of Frazer Mountain, situated 12,163 feet above sea level.

61

James E. Rickman


62


lupinenorthamerica.com :: 1.877.285.4422

Defining The World Standardof hands-free Personal Lighting Systemsfor biking and all extreme applications. Maximum lumens, minimum weight,unsurpassed build quality, damn good-looking.System compatibility assured.The leader since 1992The leader since 1992

[A] Enchanted Plaza1027 Salazar

Taos · New Mexico 87571575.758.5551

E L L S W O R T H E P I P H A N Y

Full Service

Bike Shop

RoadMountain

BMXCruisers

Comfort & Children

www.taoscyclery.com

TAOS, N.M.—Standing at the base of Taos Ski Valley and staring up to where the mountains meet the sky can be a humbling experience. The summit rises so steeply out of the valley floor and so high that it pains the neck to take it all in. But at this year’s Frazer Mountain Madness hill climb, one woman humbled the mountain. Nina Baum (Cannondale Factory Racing) turned in a new women’s world record, smashing the record she set a year earlier by 2 minutes and 41 seconds. Baum finished in style in 1:06:03, riding across the checkered flags of the finish line looking at ease. From the ski area parking lot, where the race starts at 9,300 feet above sea level, it might seem simple enough, exhilarating even, to hop on a bike and slog five and a half miles to the 12,163-foot summit of Frazer Mountain, which isn’t even visible from the starting line unless you really know where to look. But that’s crazy talk. The climb to the top of Frazer Mountain is a hellacious ride on rarely used doubletrack through some of the thickest forest in northern New Mexico. The tortuous labyrinth maintains an average 9 percent grade—with a disheartening stretch of 23 percent grade thrown in for good measure—over wheel-jarring stretches of baby head and jagged rocks that will toss people off their bikes if they don’t keep their momentum high enough. Even in late July the temperatures at this elevation are cool, and the unmolested wildflowers grow bright and strong out of the rocky terrain. The route to the summit of Frazer Mountain truly is the proverbial Road Less Traveled. About 12 minutes before Baum’s finish, Albuquerque’s Damian Calvert (Sports Systems Mountain Top Cycling) stopped the clock in 48:44 as the first rider of 60. Calvert finished 49 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Cameron Brenneman (Santa Fe Bike and Sport) but a minute and a half behind the previous men’s record. –J. Rickman

Frazer Mountain Madness is a Road Less Traveled

63

[frazer mountain madness]On pace to smash the women’s course

record by more than two and a half minutes, Nina Baum (Cannondale

Factory Racing) of Albuquerque, N.M., approaches the finish line of the 2009

Frazer Mountain Madness hill climb with a certain aplomb that was missing

from many of the other riders who suffered through the grotesque climb.

While many took to walking their bikes the last 500 yards over the line, Baum

gracefully navigated the rocks and the incline in the saddle to snag first place

for the second year in a row.

James E. Rickman

64

[laramie enduro]

Beatle kill and blue sky: A rider at the 2009 Laramie Enduro in Wyoming looks for the finish line. The finish line at this race comes after 111 kilometers and a total elevation gain of more than 8,600 vertical feet, all at elevations over 7,500 feet in the Laramie Range of southeastern Wyoming.

Mark Woolcott

65

[laramie enduro]

Scott Gearte of Castle Rock, Colo., sails through the trees and open space of

southeastern Wyoming. Gearte finished the 111 kilometers of the 2009 Laramie

Enduro in 8 hours and 54 minutes.Mark Woolcott

66

Mark Woolcott

[laramie enduro]

Laramie local and official 50-year-old-fast-dude Jeff Hostetler rips to a first-place finish in his class. Hostetler notably earned an impressive third overall, riding the epic Laramie Enduro course in 6 hours and 16 minutes.

67

Bueno Bikes.Bueno Times.

www.bitterbrushcycles.com Phone: 303.823.8100

324 Main StAcross fromOskar Blues

Get

On

Your

Bikes

And

Ride!

pacelineproducts.com

Butt’r your Crack’r!TM

CB_Crackr_MountFlyer:Layout 1 4/8/09 11:33 AM Page 1

68

[crankworx colorado]

69

Eddie Clark

Commencal team rider Brendan Howey navigates his way down the corkscrew

and sets up for a mandatory 25-foot drop-in at the third annual Crankworx

Colorado freeride mountain bike festival this year.

[crankworx colorado]

70

Devon Balet

[crankworks][crankworx colorado]

Kurt Sorge gets fully crossed up for the sky cam over the Winter Park ski area during the 2009 Crankworx competition.

71

1 6 0 m m A l l m o u n t A i n t r A v e l

Super Stiff 36mm StanchionS • HLR

ExtErnal adjustmEnts for HigH & low

Speed compreSSion • RC ExtErnal

adjustmEnts for low spEEd ComprEssion

• external rebound • aluminum Steerer

and StanchionS • machined KnobS with

w i d e r a n g e o f a d j u S t m e n t • S e a l e d

CartridgE for rEduCEd wEigHt

& maintenance • air Sprung 4.9 lbS

www.xfusionsHox.Com

VENGEANCE HLR & RC

72

[tour de los alamos]Everything seems bright blue, fast and happy in the bottom of Ancho Canyon for Men’s Category 1/2/3 riders in the 37th Annual Tour de Los Alamos, but in a few seconds the racers will face the first big climbing test of the day to help sort out the men from the boys and create, for some, a blacker, slower and more miserable time. Italian rider Fortu-nato Ferrara, second from right, stayed on the bright side to become the overall winner of the tour, which is one of the oldest bicycle races in the Southwest.

James E. Rickman

73

Los ALAmos, N.m.—As one of the oldest bicycle races in the southwest, the Tour de Los Alamos still has the ability to ignite a competitive spirit. And in the tour’s 37th year, smoke was clearly visible to race participants, as a small forest fire smoldered in view of the racecourse on land belonging to nearby Bandelier National monument. Tour participants ride up to three circuits on a challenging 28-mile loop that connects the sister communities of Los Alamos and White Rock, N.m. Because the loop combines beautiful scenery with a schizophrenic mix of steep climbs and exhilarating descents, it’s a favorite training ride among locals. But overall winner Fortunato Ferrara didn’t come from a local peloton. His pedigree is from Italy. He recently moved to Los Alamos to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a postdoctoral researcher. He bested many of the locals on the 84-mile course with a time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, 26 seconds—beating back previous year winner michael mcCalla of nearby santa Fe, N.m., at the finish line in a closely fought race. mcCalla and teammate Cameron Brenneman finished less than a second behind the scrappy Italian in the men’s Category 1/2/3 race. As the race progressed on this hot July 12 morning, heat began shimmering off the asphalt even as a gauzy curtain of forest fire smoke was drawn across the morning sky, which a few hours earlier was a spectacular canopy of cloudless cobalt

blue. By the second and third laps around the course, racers could begin to taste the campfire flavor of thickening air. But none faltered. The race’s youngest competitor, 15-year-old Gabriel Intrator of Los Alamos, added a little of his own smoke to the race, finishing first in the Citizens’ Race in just 1 hour, 18 minutes and 41 seconds for a single 28-mile loop. Alisabeth Thurston-Hicks from Canon City, Colo., drove down to the Atomic City to win the Women’s Cat 1/2/3 race. she finished two laps in 2 hours, 46 minutes and 18 seconds, racing in honor of her brother, David Thurston, a popular Los Alamos schoolteacher who is fighting a rare type of cancer. more than 200 riders registered for the race, making participation among the highest in the history of the race. Nearly half of the entrants battled it out in the Citizens’ Race, trying to earn local bragging rights among the after-work, club-ride crowd. some of the locals who rarely ride—save for six weeks a year of training before race day—showed up with vintage chromoly steeds with loose headsets and well-worn leather saddles, badly aged toe straps and polystyrene helmets dating back to the days of skylab. For these cyclists, completing the single Citizens’ lap and grimacing up the final agonizing hill and across the finish line is a bragging right in itself. –J. Rickman

Tour de Los Alamos Lights a Fire

[tour de los alamos]

74

[ct jamboree]

Early morning sun over the San Juan Mountains greets a rider at the 2009 CT Jamboree, a two-day supported fundraiser ride. The CT Classic is an accompanying race along the same 74 miles of the Colorado Trail.

Nathan Hebenstreit

75

Two riders soak in the experience at the 2009 CT Jamboree. The event is

organized to raise awareness and funding for the fight against multiple

sclerosis and brought in more than $40,000 this year.

[ct jamboree]

Nathan Hebenstreit

76

[ct jamboree]

DURANGo, Colo.—on July 25, more than 50 riders met at the top of molas Pass to begin a two-day journey of suffering and bliss along the last 74 miles of the Colorado Trail. The following morning, 11 racers set out on the same path, for the same cause, only to complete their suffering in a single day. They were all riding and racing to raise awareness and funding for the fight against multiple sclerosis. The fourth annual CT Jamboree and second annual CT Classic, hosted by Durango resident Ian Altman and close friend Chris Fickel, had another successful year. The weather was good, despite a few short-lived mountain storms that delivered rain and hail on unsuspecting riders. Thanks to consistent early summer rains, the trail conditions were excellent and the wildflowers in full bloom. on sunday evening, after the ride and race, at the new ska Brewing world headquarters in Durango, participants celebrated over pints and steaming plates of mexican food provided by Zia Taqueria. After riding in the Classic, event organizer Altman arrived at ska just in time to raise a glass and acknowledge participants for stepping it up in the realm of alpine riding and fundraising. Altman was diagnosed with ms in 1997. The CT Jamboree is a two-day supported fundraiser ride

along the last four sections of the Colorado Trail, and the CT Classic is a one-day, self-supported endurance race along the same sections. michael Andres took first place in the CT Classic race, finishing in 9 hours and 21 minutes. Nick Gould and Ross Delaplane were both a mere eight minutes behind and finished together for a second-place tie. miles Venzara took a solo third place in 9:47. Altman came in 10th place at 13:19. Despite the grim economy, the event managed to raise more than $40,000. Top fundraisers and racers had many great prizes to choose from, thanks to the overwhelming support and sponsorship from many Colorado companies. Durango Cyclery, Nature’s oasis, Mountain Flyer magazine and osprey were among the companies that donated products and services for the cause. since the events’ inception in 2006, they have raised nearly $130,000. Riders are asked to raise at least $500 in pledges for the Vail-based Jimmie Heuga Center, which helps individuals diagnosed with ms and their families learn how to manage the disease through exercise and lifestyle changes. Additional funds are donated to the Colorado Trail Foundation and Trails 2000. For more information, race results and next year’s event info, go to www.ctjamboree.com. –N. Hebenstreit

Ride for a Cause

Big mountains, big views and big fund-raising are what the CT Jamboree is all about. The two-day CT Jamboree ride is in its fourth year, and the one-day CT Classic race is in its second year. Riders and racers each cover 74 miles of spectacular trail during the events.

Nathan Hebenstreit

78

about their first World Cup race start, and

they will probably tell you a similar story:

the nervous tension, the unparalleled field,

the brutal course, the massive audience. The

experience of the start is so overwhelming, so

terrifying, so humbling, that it is, for most, one

of the defining moments of a professional career.

However, starting a World Cup is only

the beginning…the beginning of what will

hopefully be a successful career, the beginning

of a long healthy season and the beginning of

the hardest race you have ever competed in.

The start, for me, was two months ago. The

start, it seemed, of everything that mattered and

everything that would matter. In February, I

graduated early from high school and departed

from my home in Summit County, Colo.,

to spend my spring living and training in

Switzerland with the Swiss National Team.

My hosts, the Family Stirnemann, have

worldwide renown in the sport of mountain

biking. Beat Stirnemann is one of the most

successful cycling coaches in Switzerland and in

the world. His daughter, Kathrin, 19, is the 2007

European Champion, and his son, Matthias, 17,

broke the top 10 at the World Championships

in 2008. For the last two months I have been

training and racing with the Stirnemanns,

preparing myself for this moment: my first

World Cup.

[Editor’s Note: This article is the second of a two-part series about one Colorado teenager’s chance of a lifetime to train with the Swiss Junior National Team last spring. You can find Part 1 in Issue No. 13 of Mountain Flyer.]

Words and Images

by Kevin Kane

78

79

myself with over the previous two days. All I see is the stream of riders before me surging up and down, left and right, over the rich German soil. All of these images are further clouded by the sheer mental concentration of body and mind. My lungs dilate and contract, seemingly taking in more dust than oxygen, and my heart pounds against my ribs with a force beyond explanation, but somehow my legs maintain a composed pedal stroke as I accelerate with the rest of the field into the cover of the Black Forest. With so many riders on course, it is not long into the singletrack that those of us at the back of the pack are forced to fight for position by foot. I maintain my position on the bike for as long as possible until, finally, reaching the first technical section about 2 kilometers into the race, a sudden standstill persuades me from the comfort of my own saddle. The race has quickly turned to all-out war. Desperate racers use their bikes and their bodies to push their way through any gap that appears in the torrents of riders ahead of them. I catch glimpses of blatant elbows and fists flying, a new perspective for me on the idea of “fighting for position.” Some riders use their bikes, seemingly more effective than bare flesh, to prove their enthusiasm. It is overwhelming and exciting to me, but I keep my elbows in and my hands on the bike. It would be most

25 AprIl 2009World Cup offenburg, germAny The claustrophobic interior of the start-box does nothing to calm my nerves. A suppressing wave of applause rains down from the bleachers on either side of the start/finish chute as each rider is called to the line. After 20 minutes of perfecting my tan lines on this cloudless German afternoon, I finally get my only recognition of the day. “From the United States of America, number two-hundred-and-seventeen, Kevin Kane.” As I roll into my start position, I can barely see the flaming red start banner. The view is blocked by the 216 competitors starting ahead of me. Muddled German words from the announcer’s booth reverberate over the 20,000 fans packed into the expo area, but what he says does not hold any importance. The only sound I pay any attention to is the arresting clap of the starting gun. The first lap in Offenburg is comparable to unclogging a sink. The sound of the gun serves as a flow of Drano rushing from the rear of the field, accelerating the chaotic mess of carbon fiber frames, tubular wheels and Spandex-clad cyclists through the narrowing plumbing of this infamous cross-country course. For the first several kilometers of the race, I can barely recognize the flowing trail that I spent so long familiarizing

[the swiss diaries:2]

more than 20,000 spectators fill the start/finish area at the World Cup in offenburg, germany.

80

unwise for this 150-pound American to start any sort of confrontation here. The race continues like this for the better part of the first 6-kilometer loop. After that, the flood of riders finally organizes into a steady stream, a single-file, passing nightmare for us at the back. After what seems like only minutes of being on the bike, I find myself back through the start/finish area and out onto my second lap. Now that the field has effectively spread out, I am able to concentrate on what, to me, is one of the most beautiful cross-country courses in the world. Offenburg is a small village settled into the Black Forest of southern Germany. Like many of the small towns here, it is widely unremarkable. However, Offenburg has in recent years become the famous (or infamous) venue of Europe’s most progressive cross-country track. This 6-kilometer, man-made loop boasts a huge number of advantages for both riders and fans. The course is designed as a spectator-friendly World Cup race, complete with five unique technical areas all within a five-minute walk of the start/finish area. Continuing on my second lap, I approach the first of these sections with great trepidation. Appropriately named Dual Speed, this section of trail splits into two separate

lines, each consisting of several drops. The right line is easier, but slower than the left, so I opt for the left line on every lap. A kilometer later, I reach the North Shore, a section of steep, tight switchbacks leading into the ever-popular “Euro-chute,” characterized by an awkward left-hander at the bottom. Immediately after the North Shore comes the World Class Drop, a rooty, rocky chute—in my opinion the hardest section on course—that tests the ability of both rider and bicycle. Following this section, I enter the tech zone, where the team wrench, Joey, stands cheering us on and, more importantly, waiting expectedly for one of the team riders to run in with a mechanical or puncture. After another winding singletrack climb, we approach the Wolfs Drop, another steep chute descent that requires me to brake almost to a complete standstill to avoid launching over it onto the flat below. Finally, after another protracted climb, comes the Snake Pit, a section of roots and stumps about 100 meters in length. Because it is not a downhill section, maintaining speed through the Snake Pit is exceptionally hard without a flawless line. As mentioned, the 20,000 or so spectators in Offenburg can access all of these technical areas without difficulty. Not only is this good for the fans, but it also serves as a simple, localized track for the racers while pre-riding and racing, so if there is any difficulty out on course, the start/finish expo is never too far away. Through these technical sections, I am slowly able to work my way through the field and finally find my rhythm toward the end of the second lap. Flashes of red occasionally splash into my peripheral vision, friends from the Swiss National Team cheering. I motor into my third lap, taking a new bottle from USA Cycling’s Mountain Bike Manager Marc Gullickson in the feed zone. He shouts words of encouragement after me as I jump on the singletrack for the last time.

27 AprIl 2009 gränIChen, SWItzerlAnd Every start must have an end. For me in Offenburg, that end came much earlier than I had ever imagined. Initially, the Pro Men had been designated to a seven-lap race. However, I was only able to compete for a short three laps. When I heard the lead motorcycle approaching toward the end of my third lap, I could not believe it. Sure, I had known going into the race that the initial struggle at the back of the field would make it quite easy for the leaders to lap me before the end of the race, but I had never expected it to happen only three laps, 18 kilometers, into the race. The officials pulled me from the race, and I got to watch the rest of the race from the sidelines, along with the 20,000 bratwurst-laden spectators. The image of the overweight UCI official saturates my

[the swiss diaries:2]

A Swiss national team rider conquers the technical Wolfs drop section of the offenburg World Cup race in front of thousands of fans.

81

[the swiss diaries:2]thoughts for several days after the race: his lack of emotion, no empathy for my suffering, impassive black eyes hidden beneath the brim of his maroon UCI cap. From there, my mind moves to darker places, the fleeting look of disappointment on Marc’s face as I confronted him in the feed zone after I had been pulled. The unsaid conversation that my mind assures me is real; maybe I was not cut out for this racing thing. Visions of failure, prominent features of a defeated, exhausted mind. Any weathered racer knows that mountain bike racing is more mental than physical. Now I am back in Switzerland, in the small village of Gränichen, where I have been living for the past two months. It is Tuesday, which means for the Family Stirnemann and me another hard training day to prepare for yet another World Cup weekend. Here in Switzerland, spring is upon us, and after living at 9,300 feet in Colorado for as long as I can remember, spring here is a wonderfully joyous and unexpected event in my temporary home. As the rainy days slowly drift away, I am greeted on my rides by splendid displays of Mother Nature’s true colors, quite literally, green. Even the abandoned brick walls lining the edges of my favorite road ride to Luzern flaunt a fresh layer of bright green lianas. With the green also comes the realization that the mountain bike season is fully under way. I imagine that, back in Colorado, I would just now be ending my base training season, when here in Europe, I am preparing for my second World Cup in two weeks. This time around, my initial excitement has left, and I am fully confronted by the anxiety of yet another race of a lifetime.

3 mAy 2009World Cup houffAlIze, belgIum I have to hold my brakes to keep my bike from rolling backwards. Above the array of multi-colored helmets lies the starting climb that haunted the slumbers of 250 racers last night and continues, even now, to startle me with its sheer magnitude. At more than 20 percent in grade, this kilometer-long nightmare of a start seems to hold nothing against World Cup and Olympic Champion Julien

the lead end of the pro men’s field ascends the most infamous climb in the

third round of the World Cup series in houffalize, belgium.

82

[the swiss diaries:2]Absalon. With the blast of the starting gun, Absalon seems to defy gravity in his quest for a 19th World Cup victory. I catch a short glimpse of him several hundred meters ahead of me, the blue, white and red of his French National Champion jersey flashing up the ascent, just seconds before I lunge my bike into the starting chaos. The bobbing mass of riders stretches out before me in a blurred haze of frantic concentration as I attempt to make up as many positions as possible before we are thrown unceremoniously onto the singletrack that makes this small Ardennes village notorious. The combat from the first lap at Offenburg immediately resumes as the course narrows into a trail built for one rider. Foreign obscenities are thrown about nonchalantly, and as riders become more and more distressed, they start to cut the tape. We are all off our bikes by now. Only the top 30 or so riders at the front are able to find a clear course through the first descent. With no discretion for the course boundaries, riders duck under Shimano tape in an attempt to better their advantage on the field. I catch a glimpse of my teammate Ethan Gilmour of the U23 National Team attempt to grab a rider’s bike and pull it back onto the course to make a statement, but to no avail. At several tight points, the riders at the back are forced to wait for several minutes while the way thins enough for everyone to get through. It is an infuriatingly slow and unorganized mess of a start until, finally, I am able to jump back on my bike toward the end of the descent. However, I only make it as far as my first pedal stroke before I am forced to jump off again. My chain is in knots. My derailleur is lodged in my cassette. I do not waste any time thinking as I sprint my bike into the first tech zone, conveniently placed at the end of the first descent. Joey, the national team mechanic, works feverishly to diagnose my problem, and within 90 seconds, I am back out on course with Joey yelling incomprehensibly after me. Anger and frustration surge through me as I exit the tech zone. I am committed to chasing down the tail end of the group and getting some laps in before I get pulled, but my bike seems to have other ideas. Despite Joey’s best efforts, my derailleur hanger and chain are both bent beyond shifting capabilities, and as I quickly learn, any amount of power transferred into my cranks yields a sickening crunch of a flawed drive train. I fervently fumble with the cable adjustments on my rear shifter, but nothing seems to counteract the effects of the initial damage. With my bike in its current condition, there will be no martyrdom waiting for me at the finish line. I will never make it to that point. The dust is still settling as I reach the most famous climb in Houffalize. The grinding of my gears is easily drowned in the tumultuous noise coming from the spectators lining the course five deep. A newfound energy enters my legs as the crowds lift me up the climb with their unwavering enthusiasm. Toward the top of the first switchback, a group of Swiss riders catches my eye, and one yells at my passing, “Hopp, Kevin!” (German for “Go, Kevin!”) To my amazement, the thousands of fans seem to ripple with energy as they all start to shout my name. The deafening chorus temporarily robs me of

all frustration, and I cannot help but break into a huge smile of relief. And then my World Cup at Houffalize is over. When I reach the second tech zone and pull out, I am still overcome with happiness. My race here, short as it may be, helps me to understand one thing that I probably would not have understood had I not been so unfortunate. This sport, mountain biking, is so beautiful in its simplicity. The 35,000 fans at Houffalize, the 250 male and 150 female competitors here, the coaches, the mechanics, the officials, the rotund Belgian guys with their pommes frites and bratwurst…they are all here because of one reason: They love to ride mountain bikes. What is it that entices us to show off our favorite clashing Lycra kits? What madness drives us to drive through the rain, sleet and snow just to finish our favorite epic? What reason do we have for riding on trails barely wide enough for 1.9 inch tires, down descents more stupid than reality TV, up climbs steeper than rising gas prices? Just thinking about it makes me want to jump up from my desk and get out on the trails. The possibilities are endless, my friends…Ride On.

Kevin Kane sports the u.S. national team stars and stripes during his World Cup debut.

michelle hediger

83

#09000 GBW FUSION_mountainflayer 8,375x10,875.indd 1 31.07.09 18:54

84

Have you ever considered what would happen if you got hurt, stranded or lost in the backcountry with what you

normally take on a mountain bike ride? Anvil Bikeworks, Inc., owner and longtime cyclist Don Ferris had that question in the back of his mind for years. Then one day, while exploring miles of old logging trails and fire roads in Douglas County’s forested Indian Creek area, not far from his house, he and friend Josh Baden got lost. “Fourteen hours later we were still out there trying to figure out how to get back to where we started from,” he says. “We had a choice. We could either stop and spend the night with what we had, or we could go back exactly the way we came.” They opted to backtrack. “That’s when we started thinking about what it would take to spend the night in the backcountry,” he adds. “What’s the bare minimum of weight that’s reasonable to carry in our CamelBaks that we wouldn’t notice?” To find out, Ferris and Baden purposefully spent a night in the backcountry using only the bare essentials that they would normally take on a ride. They learned a lot. “The biggest thing about being out overnight, if the weather is inclement, is staying warm,” Ferris explains. “Hypothermia is a real issue, but there are some basic things you can do to remediate that.” He suggests bringing a lighter to build a fire, food, water and a heavyweight garbage bag or bivy sack and to stay far away from emergency blankets. “Never trust anything larger than a hamster to be kept warm by a Mylar blanket,” says Baden, who now carries a 9 oz. bivy sack.

Few are PrePared Unfortunately, says Wilderness MedVentures owner and avid mountain biker Dr. Drew Watters, few cyclists are as prepared as Ferris and Baden. “I think almost all mountain bikers ignore the possibility of overnighting,” he explains. “Much more so than hikers and climbers, they have the capacity to get extremely far from help extremely quickly.” In fact, trails are often impassable for rescue vehicles, cell phone coverage is typically spotty and even easy rides can lead far into the backcountry. Often, he adds, the more experienced riders are the bigger risk group. “After months and years of riding without problem, a laxity of preparation sets in,” Watters explains. “It is the stronger, faster riders who find themselves on the hardest, most remote trails in dire straits.” Mountain bikers, however, rarely get lost like hikers, says Don Davis of Larimer County Search and Rescue, located west of Fort Collins, Colo. Rather, they generally get hurt. “The crashes these guys have are horrendous,” he says. “I’m amazed some of them survive.” But those injuries really aren’t preventable most of the time. “The big thing is they have no survival equipment with them,” he says. “What if they get stuck overnight, and they don’t have rain or wind gear. And I’ve seen people in shorts and T-shirts. They think they are in a city park somewhere. And then it starts to snow on them in July, and they wonder why they are cold.” According to Spencer Powlison, coordinator for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) National

by Lizzy Scully

devon Balet

85

Mountain Bike Patrol, about half of all mountain bikers are not fully prepared when they go out riding. “I often see people on the trail who I can tell are ill prepared,” he says. On the other hand, says professional mountain biker Dave Nice, sometimes even the most well-prepared trips can still end badly. “CPR practice on a dummy is nothing like the real thing,” he says. Despite being prepared with CPR training, cell phones, water, food and all the extra gear he needed, Nice lost a friend on a desert mountain biking trip. His friend got separated from the group and fell victim to the elements; the cause was likely dehydration.

Get Geared UP So what can mountain bikers do to prepare for an accidental night out in the backcountry or prevent an injury or death? First and foremost, says Nice, if something dire does happen, stay calm. “If you’re in a bad spot, ether hurt or lost, it’s best to stop and assess the situation, eat a Clif bar, pause and think it though before blindly pushing on.” Nice also suggests taking CPR, wilderness first responder or wilderness first aid classes, where you can learn emergency preparedness and basic medical care. But, he stresses, “the biggest thing to do is keep a buddy system going, especially if you are new to mountain biking.” Davis and Watters agree. “Often riders go off alone without telling anyone where they are going to be,” says Davis. “That is a typical search for us. But, if you don’t tell somebody where you are going and when you will be back, we can’t search for or rescue you.” “Whenever possible, do not go alone,” Watters stresses. “Whether it is mechanical failure, injury, illness or an attack by a rabid squirrel, every disaster is easier with help.” Watters suggests getting involved in the local riding community, joining riding groups and, in general, following the rules of backcountry preparation that hikers, climbers and mountaineers follow: leave a detailed plan with friends, including a return time. Additionally, Powlison says, all riders should do their homework. “You need to understand what to expect from the route and the topography of the area.” Biking trails are often deliberately built to be circuitous and meandering. Knowing the topography can make finding a more direct exit easier, and it will make finding drinking water easier. Mountain bikers should also consider all the materials and supplies necessary for the length and topography of the trip. Nice carries 15 to 20 pounds of food, water and gear, depending on the weather, while Dave Chase, owner of Redstone Cyclery in Lyons, takes 20 pounds. “I bring a lot on my rides,” Chase says. “I’ve had to walk out from the middle of nowhere a few times.” He doesn’t mind carrying extra items if it means staying warm or saving him from long hikes. “Be prepared, Boy Scout style. It’s a cliché but totally true. You’ve got to be prepared for anything.” Chase suggests bringing a map of the area, something waterproof to wear, fire, food and water for personal

Are You PrePAred?

rec

omm

end

ed St

uff

for

You

r P

Ack We compiled this list of backcountry necessities

from mountain bikers interviewed for this article. Not all of these items are absolutely necessary for every trip. But when planning a long trip or ride, cyclists should always bring sufficient clothing, food, water, tools, repair equipment and some sort of shelter.

• 100 ounces of water, minimum• Food appropriate for length of journey• Blinky light• Headlamp• Ear warmers• Light windbreaker• Light rain jacket• Arm warmers• Knee warmers• Bivy sack or large, heavyweight garbage bag• Bike-specific multi-tool with chain tool• Extra chain links• Lots of zip ties (you can fix anything with zip ties)• Spare derailleur hanger• Three or four spare tubes• Shock pump• Tire pump• CO2 cartridges and inflator• Swiss army knife• Lighter• GPS, if going somewhere new or unfamiliar• Medical kit (bandages, wipes, tape, drugs, etc.)• Iodine tablets• Patch kit• Tire boot• Random suspension pivot hardware• Random bolts and nuts• Bailing wire• Cell phone

preparedness, as well as tools, spare bits and other mechanical necessities for bike maintenance and repair. (See a complete list of suggested items in sidebar.) But really, Ferris recommends, the most important thing bikers can do to avoid problems is to plan any and all rides into the backcountry. “I think a lot of mountain bikers forget just how fast and far we can get out on a bike, where even a simple mechanical problem can mean a long day’s or night’s hike to get out,” he says. “I’ve talked to a lot of cyclists who say, I would never spend the night out. But you might not have a choice. “It’s like swimming lessons,” he adds. “The skills you learn keep you from drowning. It’s the same thing with preparing for backcountry mountain biking. If faced with a difficult situation, you’re not going to panic. You’ll be able to do the right thing and keep your wits about you. And, most important, you won’t put others at risk.”

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

CamZink_Bike.pdf 3/2/2009 4:34:23 PM

87

[paraphernalia]

88

Thisreviewmaybeviewedashavingthepotentialforbias.Tofullydiscloseanylatentprejudice,I’lladmitthat—priortoridingtheTranny—thelastIbisbikeIownedcamewithahandjob.Suchimpudencecouldinfluencetheopinionofanyfinebicycleenthusiast. However,thestatuteoflimitationsforbiasshouldhaveexpiredbynow.Thatwaswaybackin1997—thelastyearIracedforIbis—wheneveryhandmadesteelIbisMojoframecamewithScotNicol’strademarkIbisdetail:aclenched,fist-shapedrearbrakecablehanger,dubbedtheHandjob. Nicol’screativeideasmadeIbisstandoutaboveothercustomframebuildersoftheday,andI’mstillsmittenwiththememoriesofmyracingdaysonTeamIbis.ButIbisisdifferent

TransformingtheHardtailnow.Despitealongsuccessfulrun,thebrandwassoldandthensadlydisappearedafterthenewmillennium. Inthelastfewyears,however,thebrandhasbeenboldlyresurrected.AndwithNicol,Ibis’originalfounder,backinthecockpitandtheintroductionofthenewMojo—acarbonfull-suspensionframe—Ibishasbeenwinningdesignawardseversince. IbisfirstshowedtheTrannyatInterbike2007.Ithastakensometimetoperfecttheproduction,buttheTrannyisnowavailable,andframesarebeingshipped. Ataglance,theTrannyissimplyanicecarbon-fiberhardtail,buttakeacloserlook.FollowinginthefootstepsoftheMojo,theTranny’ssmooth,flowingshaperivalsthedaring

Test-racing the Ibis Tranny at the “Thursday night world championships” in Crested Butte, Colo., the Tranny handled corners like a slot car and climbed with nitrous-powered efficiency. Couldn’t blame the bike for the third-place finish.

Fenlonphoto.com

Price (Frame only): $1,399Weight (Medium - frame only) : 3 lbs.

Kits available from $2,859 to $5,399

ibis tranny

www.IbisCycles.com

89

linesofa1957ChevyBelAir;well,maybethe1952modelyearwouldmakeabettercomparison.Theearly’50sweresubtler. Fromthesturdy,integratedheadtube,thesubstantialcollarreinforcementsflowboldlyintothesharplyangledtubesofthefronttriangle.Thetopanddowntubestapernicelytotheseattube,andtheformcontinuesdowntheboldlyflaredandtwistingseatstaysandchainstays,finishingwithsculpted,fin-likedropouts.It’sabeautifulframe,andtheavailablefinishes—GrannySmithapplemetallic,coppermetallicorthemoresubduedmatteclear(rawcarbon)—aresupersharp. Ifthat’salltherewastoit,theTrannywouldstillbeastandouthardtailframe,butIbisstrayedfarfromconventionbyaddingtwodistinctlyimaginativeandfunctionalfeatures.Takealookbehindthebottombracket.Thatoverbuilt-lookingjointhasastealthy,slip-jointedfeatureIbiscallstheSlotMachine.Theframealsohasasleeklittlejointinthewishboneseatstays.ThesetwosimplejointsmaketheTrannyauniquelyversatileframe.

SIMple Travel BIKeFirst,bydisengagingboththewishboneandtheSlotMachinejoint,thereartriangleoftheframecanberemoved,makingthebikefitnicelyintoasmalltravelcase.Thesedays,thatcansaveyouhundredsofdollarsperflightifyouliketotakeyourownsweetridewithyouonyourairtravels.It’smuchsimpler,lighterandmoreaffordablethancouplersandrequiresnocustommodifications.

Clean SIngleSpeed ConverSIonTheSlotMachinejointhasasecondpurpose.Theconnectionisbuiltwithaslotted,internalcarbonslip-jointthatallowsthereartriangletoslidebackandforthafewcentimeters,allowingtheownertoswiftlyconvertthebiketoasinglespeed. Toadjustchaintension,simplyreleasethesinglemainboltontheSlotMachine,putalittleweightontheseattogainthedesiredchaintensionandcranktheboltbackdown(carefulwiththetorque).Thisisthecoolestchain-tensioningdeviceyet.It’slighterandcleanerthananeccentricbottombracketandbeatsthehelloutofhorizontalorslidingdropouts.It’sjustacoolideaanditworks. Tokeepthesinglespeedframelookingniceandneat,theTranny’saluminumcablestopsareattachedwith3mmAllenbolts,sounnecessaryderailleurcablestopscanberemoved,leavingonlyfoursimpleguidesfortherearbrakeline.Forthefinishingtouch—respectingthesinglespeedmantra:lessgears,morebeers—thederailleurhangerisreplacedwithamachinedbottleopener. Transformingittoasinglespeedtooklessthananhour,includingmytriptothebikeshoptopickupaspacerkitfortherearcog.Ifthecables,shiftersandderailleursareleftintact,amediocremechaniclikemyselfcouldconceivablygetitbacktoaworkinggearedbikeinlessthanhalfanhour.

TorqueIbis’SlotMachineisanunconventionaldesign,andI’msurea

The Tranny’s bold, flowing lines and metallic finish are super sharp.

Brian riepe

90

lotofpeoplewilllookatitwithsomeskepticismregardingitsintegrityatsuchahigh-stressareaoftheframe.Lookingattheburly,reinforced,internalcross-sectionoftheSlotMachinewillgiveyouconfidence,andwhatreallymakesitworkisaverytightbolt.That’sascaryprospectwhendealingwithcarbonfiberbutit’sbuiltforit.Ibisrecommendsatorquesettingof12ft-lbsforagearedsetupand15ft-lbsforasinglespeed. WhenIfirstadjustedtheSlotMachine,Iusedanoldertorquewrench,notthebestoneoutthere.Crankingdown15ft-lbsfeelsunnatural,likeyou’regoingtocrushtheframeintoasplinteredmess.Nottrustingmytorquewrench,IerredonthecautioussideandduringmyfirstridesIgotsomecreakynoisesfromthejoint. Itriedtotightenitonthetrailwithmymulti-toolandcouldn’tgetenoughleveragetomakeitanytighter.Later,Iborrowedagoodtorquewrenchfromalocalshopandgotanadditionalhalfturnbeforereachingthetruetorquesetting.

Afterthat,theframewassilent—evenafterbeingsubjectedtoahelpingofwetandgrittymud—andtheSlotMachineneverslipped. Keepinginmindthatadjustingthechaintensiononthetrailisdifficultwithoutalong-handledhextool,thereisashortbreak-inperiodandyoumayneedtocheckthetorqueontheboltafterthefirstfewrides.Tobesafe,you’llneedagood,recentlycalibratedtorquewrenchandsomemechanicalaptitudetokeepupwithcleaningandmaintenanceoftheSlotMachine. IbisalsorecommendsusingFSAorTacxcarbonassemblycompoundontheSlotMachine’sverticalsurfaces.Thishandystufflookslikelubebutactuallycontainsmicroscopicplasticspheresthatgiveitagrittyfeelandcreatefriction,keepingcarbonfibercomponentsfromslippingwithoutdegradingthesurface.

The rIdeIbisbuilttheTrannyforspeed,andit’severythingyou’dexpectfromacarbonhardtail:quick,responsiveandbalanced.I’mnotevensurewhyanyonemakes80mmforksanymoresoIwashappytoseetheydesignedtheframegeometryarounda100mmfork.OurtestbikecamewithanewFoxF-Series15QRthru-axlefork.Withtheframe’sinherentlateralstiffnessandthe15QRfork,theTrannyhandledcornerslikeaslotcarandclimbedwithnitrous-poweredefficiency. EvenwiththeextrahardwarefortheSlotMachine,theframeweighsonly3lbs.Ourtestbikeweighedjustlessthan23lbswithaDeoreXTdrivetrain,heavytiresandtubesandheavy-dutyEastonHavocrims.SwitchingtotubelessStan’sOlympicrimsandlighttiresdroppeditto21.5lbsandconvertingtoasinglespeedtookitto18.8lbs. Eventhoughit’sastiffcarbonframe,therearenddoeshavesometuningandconsequentialcomplianceonthetrail,givingtheTrannyasurprisinglysmoothride.Irodeitwithtubelesswheels;running28psireallyhelpsonthatfrontaswell. ConsideringmypastaffairswithIbis,Iadmitfeelingnostalgicaboutthebrand,butIcanhonestlysaytheTrannyisoneofthemostinnovativehardtaildesignsavailable.TheingenuityoftheSlotMachinemakesitaone-of-kind,ultra-cleansinglespeed,andit’sarippin’lightrace-worthybikethatcanpackintoasuitcase.Cool.–B. Riepe

This overbuilt-looking joint behind the bottom bracket has a hidden slip-jointed feature Ibis calls the Slot Machine. add in a sleek little joint in the wishbone seatstay, and these two simple joints make the Tranny a uniquely versatile frame.

a view inside the Slot Machine shows its burly I-beam, reinforced cross-section.

91

®

www.bigagnes.com • 877.554.8975 www.bigagnes.com • 877.554.8975 The Mother of Comfort !

Aar

on T

easd

ale

bigagnesmtnfly 3/5/09 2:46 PM Page 1

92

Asayoungstudentofphilosophynearlythreedecadesago,IlearnedthatthephilosophicalgodfatherSocratesadvisedeachpersonto“knowthyself,”whileStoicphilosopherMarcusAurelius,lastoftheFiveGoodEmperorsofRome,urgedeachto“actaccordingtoournatures.”InthosedaysIfoundsuchsagewisdomusefulforjustifyingaproclivityforwhoringandhedonism.ButasIagedandgrewwiser,Ibegantorealize,truetomyownnature,thatanunexaminedlifeis,indeed,nasty,brutishandshort. Thesamemightattimesbesaidfortrendsinmountain

bikes.Oneyearacompanywillcreate“aplushall-mountainrigwithcharacteristicsofaracebike”onlytorejiggerthefollowingyearwith“aracebikewithcharacteristicsofaplushall-mountainrig.”Theresultoftenisabikethatdoesneitherwell. The2009LynskeyHouseblendPRO29isatitaniummasterpiecethatdoesnotsuffertheambiguitiesofanunexaminednature.ThefolksatLynskeybuiltthePRO29withasinglepurposeinmind:tobeatruehigh-performance,race-orientedhardtail29erspecificallybuilttogofast.Throughoutanextendedfour-monthtestperiod,IfoundthatthePRO29

EachAccordingtoitsNature

Price (natural brushed frame only): $2,545Complete Bike Price (as built): $4,250

Weight (large - with pedals) : 23.9 lbs.

lynskey 2009 houseBlend Pro29

www.lynskeyperformance.com

Thanks to the end of a noncompete agreement with litespeed, the lynskey family resumed building high-performance titanium bicycles in 2007. This year’s houseblend pro29 mountain bike puts the idea of owning a high-quality handbuilt racing bike within reach of many enthusiasts by merging affordability with a range of standard frame sizes.

Caroline Spaeth

93

trulydidactaccordingtoitsnature. ThedesignofthePRO29wasbornoutofearlyprototypesthatstrivedtoadoptaclassicNORBA26inchracebikegeometry:a71degreeheadtubeangleanda73degreeseattubedesignreputedforquicksteeringintight,twistyconditionsandstabilityandspeedinthestraight-aways.ThePRO29nearlyexactlymimicsthisbasicgeometry,thoughtheheadtubeanglesteepensbyahalfadegreeasthebikeincreasesinsize. WherethePRO29departsfromthegeometryofsimilar29erframesonthemarketisinchainstaylength.Lynskeywentwitharelativelyshorterchainstay,whichIworriedwouldconflictwiththeaestheticbignessofmyheels.Notso.Thankstoagentlebendinthestays,pedalingwasconflict-free,eventhoughItendtoturnmyheelsinwardondifficultclimbs. Whattheshorterstaysdiddowascreateashorterwheelbasethat—whencoupledwiththeheadtubeangleandthe46mmoffsetoftheRockShoxRebaforksetto100mmoftravel—providedsomeofthemostcomfortable,intuitiveandquicksteeringI’veeverexperiencedona29er.Thebikesteeredlikea26inchbike,andthat’snothyperbole.ThisisexactlywhatLynskeywastryingtoachievewithitsdesign,accordingtocompanypersonnel. EachPRO29isbuiltbyhandattheLynskeyfactoryinChattanooga,Tenn.,usingaerospace-gradetitanium.Themetalcanbecoldformedintoavarietyofshapes,includingLynskey’sdistinctive,proprietary“helix”downtube.Thepeculiar-lookinghelixstructuregivesthedowntubepropertiesofbothasquare

beamandaroundtube.Inotherwords,thehelixdesignaddsincrediblelateralandtorsionalstiffnesstotheframeusingwhatseemslikeaneggshell-thinwalloftitanium.Thestiffnesscreatesstabilityandconfidencewhilebombingdownhillathighspeed,whilethethinnessofthetubekeepstheweightdown. BecauseofLynskey’sweightconsciousnessinbuildingthebike,someridersofthe2008modelhadreportedundesirableflexinthereartriangleofthebike.Lynskeyaddressedthesecommentsin2009byusingbeefier-diametertubesinthecurvedseatstaysandchainstays.Ididnotexperienceunacceptableflexinanyridingconditionsoratanyspeeds,despiteweighing10timesmorethanthebike—real-worldproofthattheremedywassuccessful. Itprobablygoeswithoutsaying,butatitaniumframeincombinationwithbiggerwheelsgavethebikeaverycomfortableride,evenafterlongdaysinthesaddle.Iwasleeryofgoingbacktoahardtailafterabandoningtheminthewakeofone-too-manybeatingsonanaluminumframewhilefacingtheimpendingcreakinessofmiddle-agedmaturity.Myreservationsquicklysubsided. Truthbetold,thePRO29wasmyhands-downfavoritechoiceforeveryridethroughoutthetestperiodduetoitsforgivingtitanium-and-big-wheelsride,itslightweight,itshandlingabilityanditsspeed.Particularlyitsspeed.Sometimesit’sdamnedsatisfyingnottobeatthebackofthepackongrouprides. Lynskey’sHouseblendoptionprovidesan“off-the-rack”

at first glance, lynskey’s proprietary helix down tube design may give riders

the mistaken impression that something went wrong in the manufacturing

process, but the helix provides superb lateral and torsional rigidity in

an extremely thin tube. The gently curved top tube offers excellent

standover height.

James e. rickman

94

bikesuitableformostriders,butthePRO29,likeotherLynskeymodels,canbefullycustomized,fromsizeandgeometrytofinishingandpaintcolors.WhatisfunabouttheHouseblendoptionistheabilitytohavethePRO29outfittedinprobablyanycomponentbuildyoucanimagine. Formytestbike,Iselectedasimpleton’swithin-reason,weight-weenieracebuild.ItincludedRaceFaceNextcarboncranksandbottombracket;SRAMX-9andX-0frontandrearderailleurswithX-0twistshifters;AvidElixirdiscbrakes;IndustryNinehubsandspokesbuiltontoStan’sZTRArch29errims;aChrisKingheadset;theRebafork;Ritcheycarbonhandlebars;aThompsonstem;andaWTBRocketVtitanium(whatelse?)saddle.Eachcomponentdiditsjobflawlesslyandaddedtotheworry-free,speedyrideroutinethatIbecameaccustomedtoduringthetestperiod. Ofnote:IfIgettiredofridingthebikegeared,thePRO29easilycanbeconvertedtoasinglespeed,thankstohorizontalsliderderailleurhangersanddropouts(whichcanalsobemanipulatedifriderswishtoincreasetheeffectivechainstaylength—somethingIdidn’ttry).

AfterridingtheLynskeyHouseblendPRO29invariedconditionsonsmoothandtechnicaltrailsforanappreciableportionofmyrideseason,Ihaveanewfoundappreciationforabikethatiscreatedforasingle,boldpurpose—andactuallylivesuptothatpurpose. TheLynskeyHouseblendPRO29maycorruptthewayyouthinkaboutbikes,butdon’tcondemnittoahemlockmilkshake;justrideitlikehellandremaintruetoyournature.–J. Rickman

horizontal sliders mean the drive-side derailleur hanger can be swapped for a

dropout to convert the pro29 from geared to singlespeed with relative ease.

The pro29 comes with lynskey’s titanium seat post, while gently curved seatstays and chainstays allow for good heel clearance in the compact rear triangle.

James e. rickman

James e. rickman

95

nice parts since 1989 www.paulcomp.com530.345.4371

MTBCROSS

CITYCOMMUTE

made in USA

TH

E L

ON

GE

ST

2

4 H

R R

AC

E E

VE

R!!

25 & 6

Oct 31-Nov 1 - 10am-10am

over the Time Change

6 hour race 11am-5pm

Two separate courses, new single track trails

costumes contests and more...

Register at www.gropromotions.com

hurricane utah

Convention & Tourism Office

Photo Credit: Bryce Pratt- Crawling Spider Gallery

96

Ifyouwatched“TheGreatOutdoors”onthebigscreen,you’llneverdeletethescenefromyourmemorywhereChet(JohnCandy)takesarestaurantmenuchallengeandrapaciouslydevours“theol’96er”—a96-ouncesteak—gristle,fatandall.Cleaninghisplatemeanttherestofhisfamilydinedforfree. Allegedlytheol’96eriswhereMootsgotthebike’snamesake,presumablyinloosereferencetothebike’s96erwheelformat;morecommonlycalleda69er,orabikewitha29

inchfrontwheelanda26inchrearwheel. Theconceptofthe69erisnolongernewbutitspopularitystilldanglesinsomesortofnetherworld,stuckbetweenthehardheadedopinionsofevangelicalninerthumpersandthededicated26ertraditionalists. Twenty-ninersarebelievedtoofferanimprovedabilitytorolloverbumps,increasedstabilitywhendescendingandalso—sincemoreofthetire’ssurfaceareaisincontactwiththedirt—increasedtractionwhencornering.Advocatesof69ersbelievethebenefitsgainedfroma29inchwheelareprimarilyfeltinthefrontwheel.ThismakesgoodsensetomebutI’m

The Moots gristle has a 29 inch front wheel and a 26 inch rear wheel, giving it uniquely agile but stable handling characteristics.

Brian riepe

Price (Frame only): $3,350Weight (Frame only) : 6 lbs.

moots gristle

www.Moots.com

Wetting your appetite for a 69er

97

admittedlyarecovering29erskeptic. Usingthesmaller26inchwheelintherearcansavesomecriticalweight,providingfasteracceleration(lessrotationalmass)andsolvessomepotentialframegeometryproblems—especiallywithfull-suspensiondesigns—byallowingforshorterchainstaysthana29er.Intheory,a69ershouldhandlebetterintightcornersandclimbbetterwhenyou’restandingcomparedwithafull29erbutstillretainthe29er’spositivehandlingtraits. MyridingtimeontheGristlewaspureenjoyment,anditmademewanttojustkeepriding.Itexcelledonourlocal,highalpinesingletrackandontherockierandtechnicaltrailsatHartmanRocksjustsouthofGunnison,Colo. TheGristle’s29erfrontendhasanuncannystabilityIcan’tquitedescribe.Whentearingdownsteepandrockyterrainwithsmall-tomedium-sizedrop-offs,thebikegavemeacoolsenseofconfidence.Thefrontendjustdoesn’tdiveatall. Theagilityofthe69erwassimilartowhatI’dexpectfroma26erbutatfirstIfoundmyselfovershootingswitchbacksortight,sweepingturns.OnceIrecalibratedtoadjustforthelargerwheelIfounditscorneringprowesstobesurprising.SimilartothestabilityIfeltwhendescending,thefrontendseemedtosticktothegroundthroughthecornersbecauseIcouldconfidentlyputmoreweightonthefrontendwithoutfeelinglikemyweightwastoofarforward.

I’veriddenhardtail69ersandwasmorethanimpressedsoIhadhighexpectationsfortheGristle,whichusesMoots’Marc(matched-arc)aluminumreartriangle—sameasits26inchZirkelmodelandthefull29inchMootoXZ(butwith1.4inchshorterchainstays)—toprovide4inchesofplushreartravel.Whencoupledwithatitaniumfronttriangleandthe29inchfrontwheel,itpromisesonesilkysmoothride. TheMarcrearendisaniceandsimplelow-maintenancedesignwithnorearpivotandsturdy,sealedbearingpivotsatthebottombracketandseattube.OurtestbikecamewithastandardFoxRP23,andthepairingisjustright.ThePro-PedalplatformoftheRP23hasbeenperfectedandeliminatesanybobwhenengaged,makingtheGristleanefficientpedalerwhenclimbingorpoweringacrosstheflats. WiththePro-Pedaloff,theMarcrearendisfullyactiveandfeelslikeithas5inchesoftravel.Itssimplicitydoeshaveadrawbackcomparedwithmoreadvancedpivotdesignslikethefour-barHorstLink,DWLinkorVPP.Essentially,thetravelbecomesinactivewhenbrakinghardthroughbumpsbecauselockingupthebrakeskeepstherearwheelfromrotatingasthereartrianglemovesthroughthetravel.It’sabitofacompromiseforsimplicity’ssake,butithasgoodlateralstability,anditstillprovidesforafunride. Moots’titaniumproductionqualityiswelldocumentedsothereisnoquestionthere.Youcancountonperfectwelds,high

The gristle excels on classic rocky Mountain terrain from rough, twisting

singletrack to all-day adventures.

Brian riepe

98

qualitymaterialandworkmanship,andMootswillbackitup.ButIdidhaveonegripewiththeframe. WhenrunningtheFoxF29RLCfork,theframedoesnothaveampleclearancebetweenthedowntubeandthelockoutcontrolknobonthefork’srightleg.Ifyouturnthebarstoofar(likewhenyoucrashandthebarsspinaround),theknobwillhittheframe,possiblyscoringthemetal,whichcouldleadtofailure. It’simportanttonotethisisn’treallyMoots’fault,andit’snotamistake.It’saproblemwiththeforkdesignandthecontrolknobshavebeengettingtallerovertheyears.Mootschosenottowrecktheframegeometrytoworkaroundthefork,whichisgood.It’snotanissuewitheverybrandoffork,butall29ershavethisproblem.Withcarbonoraluminum,shapingorputtingabendinthedowntubetoallowmoreclearancecansolvethisproblem.That’snotpossiblewithtitanium. Tosolvetheproblem,MootsshippedourtestbikewithaChrisKingTallBaseplate,a5mmspacerreplacingthestandardforkrace.Raisingthefrontend5mmonlychangestheheadtubeanglebyaboutaquarterofadegree,sothat’snotamajorconcern.Thelowerbearingoftheheadsettakesthebruntofstressonthefrontendandcompromisingthestrengthofthat

areaisundesirable.ButI’mnotconvincedthetallbaseplatecausedanyadditionalflexinthefrontend.Mostly,Ijustthoughtitlookedhokey,whichisobjectionableforsuchahigh-endframe. ItalkedtoanothercustomframebuilderabouttheissueandhissolutionwastoorderextracontrolknobsfromFoxandthenmillthemdowntoallowformoreclearance.That’saboveandbeyondbutyoucoulddothisonyourownifyoudesireamoreperfectfix. Whetheryouchoosea69eroverafull29erprimarilydependsonpersonalpreferenceandridingstyle.BothhavemeritbutIappreciatethequicknessofthe69eranddon’tseeanyadvantagesofa29inchrearwheel.FortheridingIdointheGunnisonarea,I’dchoosethe69er.Withoutadoubt,theGristleridesbeautifully.Itsoverallhandlingisshockinglystable,andthebikeisincrediblycomfortabletorideonanythingfromatwistingtechnicaldescenttoanoff-roadcentury. AsidefromthevoraciousappetiteyoucouldworkupridingtheMootsGristle,there’snocorrelationtoJohnCandyor“TheGreatOutdoors,”butat$3,350forjusttheframe,youmaybefindingyourselflookingforfreefamilymealsjustlikeChet.–O. Mattox

Moots’ Marc (matched-arc) suspension design is low maintenance and functions well with the Fox rp23 shock. But performance when braking is compromised compared with more advanced pivot designs.

When running the Fox F29 rlC fork, the frame does not have ample clearance between the gristle’s down tube and the lockout control knob on the fork’s right leg. Moots solved the problem with this Chris King Tall Baseplate spacer.

Brian riepe

Brian riepe

100

schwalbe:racing ralph$87.45 | www.Schwalbe.com

RacingRalphs’namelargelyclarifiestheirintendedpurpose:thetiresarelightforcarryingefficientspeedandaggressiveenoughtoripanydescentyou’llfindonacross-countrycourse. Acontinuousrowofserrated“shark’stooth”sideknobsgivesbetter-than-expectedgriponcornersandinlooseconditions,andthearrangementofthecenterknobskeeptherollingresistancelowandmudbuild-uptoaminimum.ThisdesignmakesRalphagreatchoiceforthetire-eating,cross-countryormarathonracecourseswegetintheRockies. Schwalbe’sRacingRalphhasbeenproventimeandagainontheracecircuit,butwhatreallymadeourtesttiresstandoutwastheoptionalDoubleDefensetechnology. TheDoubleDefenserating—whichreferstotheadditionofaheavy-dutyceramicguardunderthetreadandreinforcedsidewalls—dramaticallyimprovesthetire’sdurabilityforroughconditionsinwhichsidewalltearsorpuncturesareaconcern. TheDoubleDefenseoptionincreasestheweightfrom460gramsto575grams,butinmanycasesit’swellworthit.Thefeaturealsohastheunintendedsideeffectofmakingthesetiresanexcellentchoiceforthoseofuswholiketocontrivetubelesstiresystemsusingsealant.Theextrasidewalladdsstabilityandwon’tbleedsealantlikepaper-thinracetirescan.YettheRacingRalphDoubleDefenseisstill75gramslighterthantheUSTtubelessmodel. Ralphisavailableinsizes26x2.1,2.25or2.4and29x2.25or2.4.DoubleDefenseisnotavailableonthe2.4sizefor26ersorall29ersizes.–B. Riepe

101

jett:raptor short$120 | www.JettMtb.com

I’vebeenridingbikesandbuyingbikegearlongenoughtoknowthatIlikethegoodstuff.I’mnotafraidtopayalittlemoreforqualitybecauseIwantquality.Iwantmybikestoperform,andIwantmyridingclothestolast.ThenewestadditiontomyclosetistheJettRaptorshort,quitepossiblythebestridingshortsIhaveworn. ThequalityoftheRaptorisevidentoutofthegate;it’sclearthefolksatJetthaveputsomethoughtintothisdesign.ThefirstthingInoticedwasthesizing.TheRaptorissizedbywaistinsteadofthestandardsmall,medium,largeandextralarge.I’malwaysrightinbetweensizesandregularlysettleforsomethingclose.Needlesstosay,thefitoftheRaptoristhebestIhaveeverhad.TheshortsstayputandsparethepeoplebehindmetheimagesofmyperfectlytannedbacksidewhileIperpetuallychangefromstandingtosittingonmysinglespeed.JettalsohasprovidedadjustableVelcrotabsonthesidesandbeltloopsto

fine-tuneyourfit. TheRaptorexcelsinotherareasbesidessizing.Mostimportantly,theyarecrazycomfortable.Theshortsaredesignedwithseamlessquadpanelstoeliminateuncomfortablerubbingandfeaturezipperedintakeandexhaustvents,whichallowtheridertocontrolairflow,kindoflikeapilot.Iappreciatetheclip-outchamois,whichmakesiteasyinthewash.ButhereliestheonlyissueIhave.TheinnerSpandexshortisnotquitetightenough.ItmakesthechamoisfeelslightlylargeandbulkycomparedwithothershortsIhaveworn.NotadealbreakerbutsomethingJettshouldconsider. TheRaptorshortissweet.Ithasbecomemygo-toshortfortheone-houreveningracesaswellasthelongdaysoutwithfriends.Theyfitgreat.Andmostimportantly,thequalityistop-notch.Ifyou’reinthemarketforsomethingnew,youhavetogivethesebaggiesatry.–C. Hanna

102

ergon:gx2 leichtbau carbon$110 | www.Ergon-Bike.com

Certaindescentsoutthere—CrestedButte’sTeocalliRidgecomestomind—haveforcedmetostophalfwaydowntoshakeoutmynumbhandsbeforeIcouldcontinueriding.Duringarace,stoppingisn’tagoodoption.Ergon

aimstosolvethisproblemwithitslineofergonomicgripsdesignedto

giveyourpalmsalittlemoresupport. TheGX2LeichtbauCarbonisErgon’slightestandsleekestgrip/barendcombo.(There’snodirecttranslationforLeichtbau,butit’sbasicallyGermanforfull-on-weight-freak-racer-jockey.)Thebarendandgripareonepiece,butthebarendcanbeadjustedindependentlytogetyourpreferredangle. RidingontheErgongripstakesabitofgettingusedto.Theyfeltawkwardatfirst,butaftertwoorthreeridesIstartedtoforgetthegripswerethereandjust

appreciatedtheabsenceofnumbnessinmyfingers.Nonumbnessmeansmorecontrol. TheGX2’sbarendisminimalist.Youbasicallygettwogoodfingersonthebarendandtheothertwowrapunderthegrip.Thedesignprovidesplentyofspacetomoveyourhandaroundandgetagoodgrip.It’sbeenawhilesinceI’veriddenwithbarends—primarilyafashionthing—andIhavetoadmitImaynowbewillingtotradebikevanityfortheextraclimbingpower.Thegainwassurprisinglynoticeabletome.Ifyou’renotintobarends,ErgonofferstheGX1,thesamegripastheGX2sansbarends. Foranyseriousriderwholikestocoversomegroundinroughterrain,Ergon’sGX2willreducefatigueandgiveyoumorecontrolonlongdescents.–B. Riepe

syntace:vector 31.8 carbon$152 | www.Syntace.com

Flashback:1992NationalChampionships,Durango,Colo.Iwasanexpertracerrunningapracticelapbeforetheevent.Thefinaldescentwasfastandroughashell.Halfwaydown,myhandlebarsnappedcleanatthestem.Idon’trememberanythingafterthatotherthanregainingconsciousnessinacloudofdust.Iwassorealloverbutluckilynothingwasbroken. Eversincethen,whenIlookathandlebars,strengthandqualityarewhatIconsiderfirst.Weightisadistantthird. Withthatinmind,I’dchoosetheSyntaceVectorCarbonbarsoveranyother.Theyarenotthelightestbarsavailable,butbasedontheirproductionand,evenmoreimportant,Syntace’stestingstandards,they’reoneofthestrongest. At189grams,theVectorCarbonhandlebarsareplentylightforyourcross-countrybike;theyarebuilttopassSyntace’sVR-3DH2002.4,thetoughestdownhilltestingstandardsintheindustry.

It’sarigoroustestprotocolthatmostaccuratelyreflectsrealridingstressesusingSyntace’sVirtualRealityTripleLooptestmachine. Thebar’sextrastrengthcomesfromacomplexarrangementofindividualfiberlayers,withreinforcementincriticalload-bearingareasandacentraltitaniumlatticeatthestemclampthatprotectsitfromcrushingloadsandkeepsitfromwearingorslipping. TheVectorbarisavailablewith9degreeor12degreesweepandatoken10mmofrise,makingitagreatchoicefor29ers(nomorenegativerisestem)orbikeswithampletoptubelength.Mostcross-countrybarshave6degreesofsweeporlesssothisbarwillchangeyourridingpositionabit. Ifindtheextrasweepprovidesamorecomfortable,ergonomichandpositionbutnothingcomparestothecomfortingfeelingofhighstrengthstandards.–B. Riepe

103

uvex:crow pro glasses$80 | www.UvexSports.com

It’safactthatcavemenneverrodetheirmountainbikeswearingsunglasses.HowcouldtheywiththatcrazyCro-Magnonheadshape?Theireyesaresetbackdeepintheirheads,andtheyhavethoseprotrudingmonkey-likebrows.Unluckilyforme,Ihavethesameheadshapeasourprehistoricbrothersfromothermothersandhavefounditreallydifficulttoridewithglassesbecauseofsweatonmylensesandinmyeyes. TheproblemIhaveisthatwhenIrideIsweatlikea300-poundtrafficcoponahotJulydayinMississippi.Thesweatpoolsonmyeyebrowsthendripsdownmyglassesandinmyeyes,whichburnslikehell,bytheway.Iknowthishappenstoeveryonetosomedegree,butwithmeit’ssofrequentandIspendsomuchtimedealingwithitthatIprefertogosansglasses. EntertheUvexCrowProglasses.IdidagreetotrythesewiththesameskepticismastheprecedingmodelsI’vetried.Fortunately,withtheCrowProglassesmypre-existinggeneticconditionisdownplayedbyUvex’sstreamlineddesign,whichkeepstheframeandthelensesawayfrommyface,limitingcontactwithmysweatybrow.ThisdesignalsofeaturesUvex’sClimazoneventing,whichhelpskeepmylensesdryandfog-freewhenIhavetostopandwaitformyMountain Flyerbuddies. ThebestfeatureoftheCrowProsaretheinterchangeablelenses,whicharecrispanddistortion-free.Theycomewiththreeoptions:ASupravisiongraylens,greatforbrightsunnydaysbutabitdarkfortheshady,heavilyforestedrides;avision-enhancingyellowlensforloworflatlight;andaclearlenswithaslighttintforbasicprotection. Bottomline:I’mimpressedwiththeseglasses.Theyworkforme.Theyareverylightandcomfortable,butmostimportantlytheydon’tgetintheway.Comingfromaguywhoneverrideswearingglasses,IwouldgivetheCrowPros3.5outof4cavemanspears.–C. Hanna

lupine:tesla$420 and up (complete kits) | www.GretnaBikes.com

Formanyyears,Lupinehasbeenmakingadventure-orientedheadlampsthatcontinuetogainrecognitionintheUnitedStates.TheGermancompany’scyclinglightsareknownassomeofthebestonthemarketfortheirbright,durableandinterchangeabledesigns. InMountainFlyerIssue12,wereviewedLupine’s17-wattWilma,whichwefoundtobeafantastichandlebar-mountedlight.TheTeslaisaperfecthelmet-mountcomplement. Weighinginatonly100grams(lampheadonly)andproducingupto700lumens,thislightsitsnicelyatopahelmetandisbarelynoticeableafternumeroushoursinthesaddle. TheTeslahasthreepowersettings:12watts,4wattsand1.5watts.UsingLupine’s4.5-ampere-hour,lithiumionbattery,theTeslaoffersfulltraililluminationfor2.5hoursat12wattsand8.5hoursonits4-wattsetting.Itslowest1.5-wattsettingisgreatforlightingupjeeproadsorpavementandholdsachargeforupto24hoursoflight.A“reservetank”andlowbatteryindicatorensuresyouwon’tsuddenlybecaughtinthedark. Atthe200924HoursintheSage,IranwiththeWilmaonmybarsandtheTeslaonmyhelmet.TheWilmaissuperbrightandilluminatesthetrailwell,butinthecurvysingletrackitwaskeytohaveahelmet-mountlightforspottingaheadinthecorners.Evenonthemediumpowersetting,theTeslaprovidedamplelight,andIneverhadtorechargeitduringtheevent. AllLupinelightsarefullyinterchangeable,andLupineoffersbatteriesrangingfrom0.7to14.5ampere-hourssoyoucancustomizeyourrun-time-to-weightratio.Withlongburntimesandalightweightdesign,theTeslaisagreatpickforany24-hourorultradistanceracerorforcyclistslookingtostretchthedailyrideintothedarkness.–J. Carr

104

2010 sram:x.9 | www.Sram.comtrigger shifters $117 | rear der. $102

Earlierthisyear,SRAMraisedthebarinbicycledrivetraindesign—andsurelyraisedtheeyebrowsoftheirmaincompetitor—byintroducingtheXXgroup.Theover-the-top-endgroupimmediatelyfoundaplaceoneveryeliteracer’swishlist.Butformany,itwillbewaytooexpensiveandrace-specifictomakesense. Forthosereality-basedbuyers,SRAM’sworkhorseX.9grouphasundergonemajorchangesfor2010,applyingsometechnologyfromthehigher-endX.0andXXgroups.It’sworthtakingacloserlookatifyou’rereplacingcomponentsorlookingatanupper-middleclassraceortrailbike. Thebiggestchangesforthe2010X.9areintherearderailleur,whichunderwentacompletechassisredesign;it’sslimmerandcleanerthanbefore.Andnowat204grams(mediumcage),it’sthelightestinitsclass.Therearderailleurisavailablewithanoptionalcompositecageintwolengths. SRAM’sX.9drivetrainhasmanysimilardesignfeaturestoSRAM’sX.0andXXcomponentsincludingthe1:1shiftingratioandZeroLossTraveltriggershifters. The1:1shiftratiosimplymeanswhenyoupushtheshiftlever,thecabletravelsexactlythesamedistanceasthelever.Shimanousesa2:1shiftratio.SRAMclaims1:1isbetter,andI’dhavetoagree.Theinitialsetupandadjustmentsareeasier,andtheshiftingaccuracyismoreresilienttomudandabuse.Tome,the1:1shiftingfeelsmoreintuitive. TheZeroLossTraveltriggersalsoimproveadjustabilityandshiftingaccuracy.Zeroreferstothedegreeoflosttravel,orplay,intheshiftingbeforethecableengagesthepawlsinthetrigger.Zeromeansinstantengagementandaccurateshifting.It’simmediatelynoticeablewhenyoupushthelever. Inaword,thenewX.9isagreatvalue.Theshiftingisprecise,it’swellmadeandthepriceisright.–B. Riepe

105

2010 truvativ:stylo 3.3 cranks$225 | www.Sram.com/en/Truvativ

Truvativ’sStylocranksareusuallyfoundasoriginalequipmentonmanymid-price-rangebikes.Thesecranksaretypicallyviewedasniceenough,althoughnothingtoospecial.Inachangefor2010,however,thecranksborrowtechnologyfrommuchmoreexpensivecranksandbumptheratingfromniceenoughtoreallydamnnice,especiallyforthemoney. Mostnotably,thenewStylo3.3cranksnowuseTruvativ’sOpenCoreTechnology.Thecrankarmsareforgedwithahollowcenter,droppingtheweighttoawillowy820gramswhileincreasingstiffnessandstrength.Hollowforgingtechnologydramaticallyimprovestheperformanceofacrank.That’safact.It’snotexclusivetoTruvativbuttypicallycomesattwicetheprice. Likethepurpleandgreen?The’80sflashbackcolorschemeisonlyavailableasamediasamplebutifyouscreamloudenoughontheonlineforums,Truvativmaystartproducingselectcoloroptions.Ornot.–B. Riepe

106

Returning Hometo the Land of

Legends

An old local returns to his hometown of Ruidoso, N.M., and finds some good changes

107

The White Mountains of New Mexico are so named because they tower like a white giant in winter out of the deserts of south-central New Mexico, only about 150 miles north of El Paso, Texas, and the border with Mexico. It’s arguably the most legendary region of New Mexico, and mountain biking has the potential to match that legendary status but has not been on the radar of the mountain bike community outside of the local area. Earlier this summer, I was headed there to attend my 20-year high school reunion, and since I hadn’t been back in a while, I wanted to check out the biking scene. I heard rumors that some new folks in town were organized and working hard to mitigate problems with old trails, develop new trails and hook up all of the old bandit trails into a real mountain bike network. There was even a new bike shop in town that actually sold some really cool bikes—something Ruidoso hadn’t really ever seen. I grew up in Ruidoso and had explored every nook and cranny I could on bikes, both road and mountain. In the early days, it was on a BMX bike with my friends, then a road bike after I got a little older, having seen the Tour de France on TV and idolizing Greg LeMond. It wasn’t until one of my buddies got an actual mountain bike, at that time something of a novelty, that we ever explored the wild and vast mountainous area by bike. We had no idea what we were doing, but it was incredible. Back then, living in such a remote area of the world, we didn’t know much about mountain biking as a sport, so my interest remained focused on the road, but I never lost my love of exploring those mountain trails by bike. I would return home from time to time and go out on those trails for epic rides. I wouldn’t see another soul for days; the trails were rugged, and the wild nature of the area was intoxicating. Hardly anyone in the area knew anything about biking, especially mountain biking. My family’s trip to Ruidoso was primarily intended for my high school reunion. That meant loading up the car with gear for my wife, our baby and me for a whirlwind weekend that would include the reunion activities and, hopefully, a couple of good rides. I wasn’t quite sure which trails I would get to ride, but I kept an open mind and a more family-oriented and domestic sense of adventure, which is required nowadays. We got off to a late start and pulled into Ruidoso Friday evening. I was expected at the reunion “meet and greet,” where my old buddies would ridicule me for not showing up to the pre-reunion golf game and I would probably down too many mixed cocktails. I gave that a second thought and decided it would put a damper on my ride the next day, plus I had been wrangled into giving the opening speech, so I had some memorizing and practicing to do. What was really on my mind was the big ride I was planning the next day. The south-central mountains of New Mexico include the two communities of Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, and much of the area has hardly been explored. The area sits in the Sacramento and White mountains, with the Lincoln National Forest blanketing a large portion, and includes the large White Mountain Wilderness and the highest terrain of the range. In the heart of the mountains is the Mescalero Apache

Reservation. The Mescaleros are tough people, their name derived from the Mescal plant, which the women would harvest and prepare the hearts for meals. The Mexicans (recall that New Mexico had been under the Spanish, then later the Mexican flag) observed this and gave them that name. After the massive and violent effort of the United States to subjugate the Apache tribes, they were consolidated into groups onto reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. The tallest peak in the area is Sierra Blanca, a lofty 12,003 feet towering over the local ski area, Ski Apache, owned by the Mescaleros. On a clear day, a person standing on the summit can easily make out land features more than 200 miles away. The area is home to Billy the Kid; Smokey Bear; the world’s highest-paying quarter horse race, All American Futurity; and the Mescaleros, some of whom are the direct descendants of the great Apache war chiefs Geronimo, Victorio and Mangus Coloradas. The entire area is steeped in colorful Old West history too involved for more than a passing mention here. It also contains all of the elements of a great mountain bike riding destination: land access, few people, tons of free camping, reasonably priced lodging, a variety of great food and libations, a couple of good coffee shops, interesting après-bike ride activities, and the list goes on. For those in my position, with a family, you’ll find it’s a perfect place to expand into the great outdoors with little to no overhead. My plan on this trip was to work in two rides closer to town between scheduled reunion activities on Saturday and then do a modified bike/hike with the family on Sunday on the trails around Ski Apache. On Saturday, I settled on a ride in the locally famous Cedar Creek area. A long time ago, I connected the Cedar Creek area trails with another popular trail that ends up at the Upper Canyon end of town in Perk Canyon. I was probably the first person ever to accomplish that on a bike—without suspension or anything. Now it’s being put together as one of the primary development areas for mountain biking near town, which will eventually see the existing trail network expand from 17 to more than 30 miles. The nonprofit White Mountain Outdoor Club (WMOC) is taking on trail development. Spearheaded by Cody Thurston and Gerardo Garcia, both transplants from El Paso, Texas, and co-owners of the White Mountain Outdoor Store in Ruidoso, the WMOC is working with IMBA and the U.S. Forest Service to use the 20,000 acres of local Forest Service land for mountain bike trails. IMBA has entered the picture to help develop the trails, and the two groups now have a memorandum of understanding with the Forest Service for a trails development master plan. The master plan’s phases cover three main areas around Ruidoso: the Cedar Creek to Perk Canyon area, the Grindstone Canyon and Lake area, and the vast Forest Service lands around Bonito Lake, north of town. Before my ride, though, I had my somewhat nervously delivered opening speech and kick-off activities at our old high school gym. My family and I went to the park for more reunion activities, where I caught up with my high school buddies and talked about old times. I realized a lot has changed and we don’t have all that much in common anymore. I think that comes with the territory as a cyclist. Unless you grow up in Durango

108

or someplace agro-active like that, it’s likely you’ll be a lot different than your old classmates if you’re a cyclist. It made me think of what it would be like to be Ned Overend at his 40-year class reunion, but I digress…. Luckily for me, our daughter gets sleepy quickly, and my wife was ready to get her to our rental cabin and down for a nap. That meant I was on my bike less than 30 minutes later. I specifically rented our little cabin right near Cedar Creek Canyon and the Smokey Bear Ranger Station because that’s where my ride would begin. I followed my plan to ride the trails on the south side of the Cedar Creek road and explore all of the new singletrack development there. I hit the trail and right away my impression was that this is a very special place. There’s an intangible quality to the White Mountains that’s hard to describe but includes the special nature of the flora and fauna, the geology, the clean high mountain air and the sense of remoteness. Also, it’s hard to imagine a mountain environment this far south. I was having a blast on the trails while enjoying the qualities of this special place. The trails themselves are unique in many ways. The set of trails on the south side of Cedar Creek Canyon is somewhat new and you get the impression they don’t see a lot of traffic, a feeling about all trails around Ruidoso. They’re not bobsled smooth and they twist this way and that, down and up abrupt drainages, all the while threading through a series of curiously changing micro-ecosystems dependent on exposure to sunlight, humidity or moisture. One minute I would see a small patch of sun-exposed mountain cactus and alligator juniper trees, the next I would see shaded wet moss, mountain wildflowers and spruce and fir trees. I eventually made my way up onto the Fuelwood Trail, which is presently more like a logging road because of ongoing fuel wood mitigation efforts. I rode up this mostly doubletrack trail and was treated to numerous vistas of the highest mountains of the White Mountain Range, including Sierra Blanca. On Buck Mountain, I could visibly make out the serpentine shape of NM Highway 532, a steep 12-mile road to the base of Ski Apache. It is an Alpe d’Huez-like route that is the crown jewel of road climbs in the area and boasts switchbacks that have names like Texas Turn, Axle-Bend and Cathouse Corner. In the other direction, I caught views of the Capitan Mountains to the north. These are notable for being one of only about five North American mountain ranges that run east-west. Eventually, the Fuelwood Trail doubletrack petered out into a wide singletrack for a short distance before intersecting trail No. 92. I took a left and started the arduous part of the climb onto the ridge. I soon hit loose scree on a steep slope and could no longer stay on my bike. I pushed it to the top and called my wife to let her know I was okay and on schedule. I took a couple of sips of water before heading down the other side. The steep and rocky descent tested my downhill abilities to their limit. I had forgotten that the ridge top is two-headed and soon found myself grinding up another uphill section, but this time I was in the forest and in a different drainage system. At this second ridge top, a meadow of green grass smelled sweet in the dry June air.

I must have been paying too much attention to the natural setting because I carelessly missed the right turn that would take me around the ridge and put me on the descent into Perk Canyon on the highly popular Perk Canyon Trail. I pedaled onto a high arm of the ridge and soon found myself descending some very fun but clearly off-course singletrack that had recently seen a lot of fuel mitigation work. I was often riding solely on gnarled pieces of fresh piñon and juniper trees. It was a blast, but I was bummed that I missed the turn and didn’t have time to go back to find where I’d gone wrong. I continued down the steep slope until I hit a dirt road with a red fire hydrant at its terminus. I didn’t recognize this old rocky, washed-out road, but continued down until I realized I was at the end of the developed roads in this part of town and also at the bottom of the Perk Canyon Trail. I had a few minutes before I needed to head back to town, so I decided to take a “quick” side trip up Perk Canyon to explore. It wasn’t long before I had gone past my time schedule, but I was interested to see the damage that the previous summer’s flood had inflicted. It was pretty bad in places, but the local folks had put in some cool log crossings and other features that actually added to the trail’s already fun riding. After running out of time, I turned around and hurried down into town and met up with my family to visit the White Mountain Outdoor Store. There I met Thurston, and he gave me the full scoop on the local bike scene and the trails. He seemed to know everything that a mountain biker would need to know about the area, including details on all the best rides (he is a local guide, after all), good food, good coffee and places to camp. At the reunion dinner party that night, my wife and I danced the night away and she ended up catching a bit of a cold, so our plans to do a hike and bike at the ski area were scrapped. With achy legs and back, I took off on another short ride in the Cedar Creek Canyon area. It was a perfect setting for an early morning ride. The mountain air was brisk and light dew had settled. This time I decided to descend some of the interesting trails I had only climbed the day before, and I’m glad I did. This time, I went straight for climbing the Fuelwood Trail from the ranger station, intersected the singletrack and descended all of it back to the road. I crossed over and also hit some of the older Spaghetti Bowl trails on the north side of Cedar Creek and found all sorts of new and improved developments. I even found a nicely constructed jump line. I’m too much of a chicken to really go for it on that stuff, so I rode around them like an old guy and found it to be a lot of fun. Afterward, my wife and I hit the newly opened Global Grill for breakfast and great coffee. Owners Rick and Elizabeth Moreno have developed an unexpectedly mixed international menu with fresh ingredients and new twists on old favorites. Being from the conservative Ruidoso of the ’70s and ’80s, I have to say I like new developments like this. After this trip, I was so excited about the riding around Ruidoso again. Things in town may be different from when I lived there, but the mountain biking has definitely improved, and it won’t be long before it’s one of the hot spots in the region.

109

Rides:• Try riding up the service road at Ski Apache and take FS trail #78 over to Sierra Blanca, then ride trail #25 down to the

parking lot or continue on trail #25 out to the gate at the Buck Mountain radio towers. Classic high-altitude mountain biking.

• Make the short trip to Bonito Lake and ride the Kraut/Littleton Canyons Loop, and venture up Philadelphia Canyon, too.

• Fort Stanton, 25 miles away, has 60 miles of trails (www.fortstanton.com).• Cloudcroft (Sacramento Ranger District) has a tremendous amount of forest trails, including the famous Rim Trail

along the Sacramento Mountain Rim.• Don’t forget: the Ruidoso area has many world-class road riding options too.• For more info, go to www.ruidoso.net/visitors/outdoors/biking.html and www.goruidoso.com/page38.htm, or contact

the White Mountain Outdoor Store, www.whitemountainoutdoorstore.com.• Ride up Cedar Creek Canyon Road to Spring Canyon, then take FS trail #13 up and over the ridge to N.M. 532 (Ski

Run Road); go down to Forest Road 117 (Monjeau Lookout Road) and climb up to Skyline Campground; find the Sawmill Canyon trail and descend back down to N.M. 532; retrace your path back over trail #13 to Cedar Creek.

Getting there:• Major airline service to Albuquerque, N.M. (180 miles) and El Paso, Texas (145 miles)

Things to see and do:• Smokey the Bear Museum in Capitan, N.M. (villageofcapitan.org/index.html)• Historic Lincoln District, Lincoln, N.M.: Billy the Kid, Lincoln County War, etc.

(www.nmmonuments.org/inst.php?inst=7)• Museum of the Horse, Ruidoso Downs, N.M. (www.hubbardmuseum.org)• Gondola rides at Ski Apache, Alto, N.M. (www.skiapache.com)• White Sands National Monument (www.nps.gov/whsa/)• Take in a Broadway show at the Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M. (www.spencertheater.com)• Flying J Ranch Chuckwagon supper and Old West Show (www.flyingjranch.com)

Food and drink:• Global Grill: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, uptown Ruidoso• Casa Blanca: New Mexican/Mexican lunch and dinner, bar, patio• Farley’s: Fun food and drinks• Chef Lupe’s: Real Mexican food, awesome breakfast burritos!• Circle J BBQ• Cafe Rio• Alto Café: A popular locals restaurant in Alto, N.M.• Lincoln County Grill (www.lcgrill.com)• Cornerstone Bakery Cafe (www.cornerstonebakerycafe.com)• Cattle Baron: Texas-style steaks and HUGE salad bar

Coffee and tea:• Sacred Grounds Coffee and Tea• Zocca Coffee and Tea• Atticus Books and Tea House• Books and Beans• Cafe Rio• Dreamcatcher Cafe• Starbucks

The Lowdown on Ruidoso

110

GunnisonCrestedButte.com877.369.7635

BEST DESTINATION, BEST CLIMB,BEST TIGHT N’ TWISTY TRAILby Bike Magazine. You mighthave to stay longer.

MT FLYER 8.10.09FP:Active 8/11/09 9:28 AM Page 1

111[communitypages]

Eddie Clark

112 [communitypages]

colo

rado

carbondale

FiveRoaringForkValleymountainbikershavebeenvolunteeringtheirsparetimeporingoverpagesoflengthygovernmentdocuments,learningaboutthefederalnonprofitsystem,meetingwithlandmanagersandmappingthousandsofmilesofpublicland. Forthesededicatedridingenthusiasts,thepayoffforthistediousworkcomesdowntoonething:access. Intheirjourneytosafeguardqualitysingletrack,comradesMikePritchard,CharlieEckart,AlBeyer,LenZanniandKirkHinderbergerformedRoaringForkMountainBikeAssociation(RFMBA)inFebruary2008withamissiontocreateandsustainthebestpossiblemountainbiketrailsystemandexperienceinthewesternColoradovalley. Asracers,theyhavebeeninvolvedwiththeAspenCyclingClub,whichholdsaseasonalpointseriesinandaroundtheresorttown30mileseast

ofCarbondale.Buttheyfeltitwasimperativetotaketheirpassionforcyclingbeyondtheracingarena. Hikershavegoodtrails,andForestServiceroadshaveservedmountainbikers,“buteveryonewantsqualitysingletrack;there’snodebateaboutthat,”Pritchardsaid. Withsomanybicyclingenthusiastsinthearea,it’sanassociationthatshouldhavebeenformedyearsago.Butitwasn’tuntilaccessissuesintheRoaringForkRiverValleycametoaheadthatthesefivestartedworryingabouttrailclosures. In2007,theCarbondale-basedWildernessWorkshoplaunchedtheaggressiveHiddenGemscampaigntoaddseveralhundredthousandacresofnewwilderness,permanentlybanningrecreationalbicyclinginidentifiedareaswithincentralandwesternColorado. Simultaneously,federallandmanagerswereupdatingthetravel

by Trina Ortega

managementplanforthe2.3-million-acreWhiteRiverNationalForest,whichstretchesacrossmuchofColorado’sRockyMountains.Aspartofthatplan,theForestServiceidentified270milesoftrailtodecommission.RFMBAmembersdidn’twanttositbackwhileexistingandfutureopportunitieswereclosedtomountainbiking. “Wefiguredweneededtogetorganizedifweweregoingtohaveanysayinthis,”saidPritchard,whoservesasRFMBA’schairperson.“It’simperativethatwedothisworknowortheseopportunitieswillstartslippingaway.” RFMBAkickedintohighgearandhaspetitionedtosave36potentiallydecommissionedtrails,totalingapproximately70miles,inthesurroundingWhiteRiverNationalForest.TheForestServiceisexpectedtoreleaseitsnewWhiteRivertravelmanagementplanthissummer.

Brian Long

Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association founding member Charlie Eckart rides the Mansfield Ditch Trail

in New Castle, Colo., a trail that would become wilderness under the proposed

Hidden Gems wilderness campaign.

113[communitypages]

“Ifwehadn’tmadethosecomments,thereisnonewplanfor15years,”Pritchardexplained. Forsome,it’sastorylinetheydon’twanttoseereplayed.RFMBA’sEckarthasahistoryofracingbothmountainandroad.PriortomakinghishomeinAspen,helivedintheSanFranciscoBayarea.Inthe1980s,hepedaledthehillsofMarinCounty,Calif.,wherecontroversialtrail-useissueswereongoing. GroupsliketheAudubonSocietyandhikersstarted“claimingthetrails,”hesaid,andoverthecourseofjustacoupleofyears,once-opentrailsweregettingclosedtomountainbikers.“Imoved[toColorado]in1993,andlittlebylittleIstartedtoseethesamepotentialuserconflicts.” Athoughtfulapproachhasbeenpartoftheseguys’mentalityforalongtime.Theyparticipateintrailmaintenanceandplantohosttrailworkdaysasthegroupincreasesitsmembership.HinderbergerandEckartbothvolunteerascrewleaderswithRoaringForkOutdoorVolunteers,alocalnonprofitthatbuildsandmaintainstrailsonpubliclands. “Themoreyougetinvolvedwithitthemorevestedyoubecome,”Eckartexplained.“Themoreyouworkonatrailthemoreyoufeel—notthatit’syours—butyouoverseeit,there’sasenseofownershipandyoubecomeresponsibleforthatpath,morethanthenextperson.Youwanttoseeitworkaswellasitpossiblycan,notonlynetworkingbetweenotherpathsbutalsoitsactualquality.” RFMBA’sproactiveplanningis

fresh fair trade

organic coffee

def iantbean roasters

def iantbean.com

glenwood springs colorado

headingoffpotentialconflict,and,asaresult,thegroupisgainingrespectfrompartneringagencies.Withmorethan300peopleonitsmailinglistandplansforamemberdriveontheway,RFMBAonlystandstogainmoreground. ThegroupalreadyhaschalkedupsuccessworkingwiththeWildernessWorkshoptosaveroutes,suchastheclassiccross-countryArbaney-KittleandpopularlinesonSmugglerMountain.Armedwithextensiveresearch,RFMBAalsohassubmittedapleatoRep.JaredPolis(D-Colo.)andcountyofficialstoconsideralternativesforlandprotection,suchasNationalConservationAreasorNationalRecreationAreasthatallowmountainbiking. BurningthemidnightoiltostudyfederaldocumentsisalsohelpingRFMBAformatrailsmanagementplan,whichithopeswillbeadoptedbyallstakeholders.WithgrantfundingfromtheAspenSkiingCompany’sEnvironmentFoundation,they’vebeenchargingahead,takinginventoryofthousandsofmilesoftrailsthatcrossjurisdictions;it’saprojectthatnootherentityhasbeenwillingtotackle. TheRoaringForkValleyencompassessomuchpublicacreage—threecounties,atleastfivetownsandcities,twofederalgovernmentagenciesandahostofprivateandnonprofitorganizations—thatpubliclandmanagersalsoarebenefittingbyhearingfromacohesivemountainbikingvoice.PitkinCountyOpenSpaceandTrailsDirectorDaleWillsaidRFMBAhasmade

ahugeimpactinverylittletime. “HavingRFMBAisveryuseful.Infact,I’dsaythey’vegonebeyondanyhikingassociationbycreatingadatabaseofalltheroutesintheRoaringForkwatershedwhetherthey’reformountainbiking,hikingorwhatever,”saidWill,whosedepartmentoversees15,500acresand40milesofrecreationaltrails.“Ireallyadmiretheirambitiontogetallthatinformationononemap.” Willsaystheholisticviewishelpingagenciesandusergroupsweighinonwhat’sworthpreservingevenifitbringstolightsomeofthetensionthatexistsbetweendifferentusergroups. “It’sadouble-edgesword.Knowledgeispower.Hopefullythatextraknowledgecanbeusedtonegotiateahappymediumbetweendifferentgroups,”Willsaid. “Typically,mountainbikershavehadamoreanarchistattitude.Butyoucan’tplanunlesspeoplecometoanagreement,”hecontinued.“Weallwanttothinkwe’reintheFrontieranditdoesn’tmatter,butitdoesmatter.” FormoreinformationabouttheRoaringForkMountainBikeAssociation,visitwww.rfmba.org.

Bikes and Stuff

The Gear Exchange

212 6th StreetGlenwood Springs, Colo.

970.945.8500thegearexchange.blogspot.com

Find a new friend at the GearX132 midland avenue

basalt co 81621

tel 970 927 3460fax 970 927 3417

[email protected]


Disagreementsoverlandownership,youcouldsay,areasoldasthehills.InCrestedButte,Colo.,onemountainbikinghillinparticularhasbecomethefocalpointofadebateoverpropertylines,andthedisputehasthrustrancherMicheleVeltri—anunassumingfellowwhoselivelihoodliesinquietlytendingtolandthathasbeeninhisfamily’spossessionformorethanacentury—intothelocalspotlight. Along-standingdisputewiththeU.S.ForestServiceoverpropertyboundarieshasresultedinVeltri’sclosureofFarrisCreekRoad,whichisthemainaccesspointtoStrandHill,afavoritebikeloopjusteastoftown.Theclosurewasinstatednearlyayearagoandremainedineffectthroughthesummer,causingonemajorracecancellation—theCrestedButteBankXTERRATriathlon—andcountlessrecreationalriderstoturnarounduponfindingalockedgateandanapologetichandmadesignfromVeltriattheroadentrance. StrandHillisaclassicCrestedButteridefeaturingachallengingclimbandstunning360-degreemountainviews,withagreatpayoffonthewaydown:longandfastsingletrackthroughabroadstandofbrilliantgreenaspentrees.Theloopispopularwithnoviceandexperiencedbikersalike,andmanylocalsdeemittheirafter-workrideofchoice. FarrisCreekRoadisaminingroadbuiltbyVeltri’slatebrotherinthe1950s.ThedisputecomesdowntoacontradictionbetweenwhatVeltrihasalwaysunderstoodtobehisfamily’spropertyandwhattheForestServiceisnowsayingisrightfullypublicland.Thestorydatesbacktothe19thcentury,

colo

rado

crestedbutte

by Erin English

Cold Springs Ranch makes a beautiful backdrop as a rider cranks up Strand

Hill Road. The road, which accesses the Strand Hill Trail, a Crested Butte, Colo., classic, is temporarily closed due to a

dispute between the ranch’s owner and the U.S. Forest Service.

Brian Riepe

Popular Strand Hill Trail Closed in Crested Butte

115[communitypages]

222 North Main Street Gunnison, Coloradowww.tuneupskiandbike.com

970.641.0285 [email protected]

TUNE IN

NE UPRN ON

whennativeUtesweredrivenoutoftheCrestedButteareaandlandwasopenedupbythegovernmentforhomesteading.Atthattime,thegovernmentperformedsurveysthatestablishedboundarylinesforVeltri’sproperty,calledColdSpringsRanch. “Forover100years,thatwastheboundary.Between1986and1988,theForestServiceandtheBLMperformedanewlandsurvey,”Veltriexplained.“Attheendofthatsurvey,whoa,guesswhat?There’satriangularpieceoflandonyourwesternboundarythatreallydoesn’tbelongtoyouafterall.” ThelandtheForestServicewouldlikeVeltritogiveupisasmallmeadowpasturenexttotheEastRiverwherehiscalvingprocesstakesplaceeveryspring.Italsocontainstheroadheusestoaccesshishaymeadowonthewestsideoftheriver.VeltrisaysheiswillingtotradetheForestServiceaccessupFarrisCreekRoadthroughhispropertyinexchangeforadjustingtheboundariesonthewestsideofhisproperty. VeltrisaysthatheandtheForestServicemaintainedan“uneasystatusquo”foryearsoverthedisputedproperty

read iton the potty


colo

rado

crestedbuttelines,untilspecialusefeesforcattlethatgrazeontheStrandHillparcelskyrocketed.AtthattimeVeltrisaidhebeganvocalizinghisbeliefthathewasbeingpushedoutsothatdeveloperscouldbuildtrophyhomesonhisproperty’sprimelocation.Veltri’stotalacreageisveryvaluablefordevelopmentpurposesandovertheyearshesayshehasbeenapproachedbyrealtorsanddeveloperstoselloffhisproperty. TheForestServicesaysitistakingstepstoworkwithColdSpringsRanchonaresolutiontowhathasbecomeamorethan20-yeardispute. “Fenceswerebuiltyearsagofromcommonunderstanding,”saidRoyMask,actingdistrictrangerfortheGunnisonNationalForest.“Thesurveyorwentinandsaidhereisthetrueboundary.Idon’tthinktherewasanyerrorinthesurvey.Buttheboundariesdon’tlineupwiththefencesandthat’sbasicallythebottomline.WeareincontactwithVeltri’slegalrepresentative,andwearetryingtonegotiatewithhim.” AsawayofgainingattentionandsupportandputtingpressureontheForestService,VeltrihasindefinitelyblockedpublicaccesstoStrandHillfromFarrisCreekRoad.Hisenforcementwaslaxatthebeginningbutnowisfirm. “Isaidtoalotofpeople,IwanttheonusontheForestService.Yes,IamclosingtheroadandIamdoingitwithgreatreluctance,”Veltrisaid.“IthinkImayhaveletmygenerousimpulsesgetintheway.InthepastIhavesaid,‘Idon’tseewellandIdon’thearwell;ifyouwanttoliftyourbikeupoverthefence,goahead.’ButI’mnotsayingthatnow.” ThismovehashaditsintendedeffectongettingnoticedbytheForestService. “WhereweareatistryingtosecureaccesstoStrandHillTrail,”saidMask.“AndunderthecurrentsituationMr.Veltrihasblockeditonhisproperty,whichhehaseveryrighttodo.Asaprivatelandownerhedoesn’tneedtograntaccesstothepublic,butwewouldliketosecureitinthefuturebecauseofitspopularity.” Inmid-summer,Veltrirequestedthatafreshsetofeyestakealookatthedispute,atwhichtimeGunnisonCountyAttorneyDavidBaumgartensteppedintoconductafact-findingmission.Whenthisissuewenttopress,nonewinformationhadbeenbroughtforward

asaresultofBaumgarten’sinvestigation,andFarrisCreekRoadremainedclosed. Inthemeantime,Veltrihasralliedagreatdealofsupportfromthecommunity,includingthemountainbikingcommunity,inhisfighttopreservehisland.Hehasbeenlaudedbymanyalocalfornotsellingout. “Ilovetheguy,personally,”saidlocalmountainbikeracerDavidOchs.“HeembodiesalotofwhatpeopleinCrestedButtefeelintermsofpreservingopenspaceandbelievesthatthelandisallofourstoshare.I’veheardhisstruggles,andIthinktheguyisjustfantastic.” JimStarr,oneoftheGunnisonCountycommissionerswhoapprovedBaumgarten’sinvestigationintomattersrelatedtoStrandHill,weighedinonVeltri’sstruggles.“I’veriddenthattrailmyself,andit’sabeautifultrail,soIwouldliketoseeitmaintainedasatrailfortherecreationalcommunity.I’malsoveryconcernedabouttheabilityoftheVeltristocontinueranchinginthatareaandwanttoseethemsucceed.” Eventhosewhohavebeendirectlyaffectedbytheclosure,suchasTinaKempin,co-directoroftheCrestedButteBankXTERRATriathlon,arekeepingthingsinperspective. “IgreatlyappreciatehimallowingthepublictoaccessStrandthroughhispropertyaslongashedid,”saidKempin.“WheneverIpersonallyusedtorideStrand[beforetheclosure]Iwouldrideuptheroadthetraditionalway.It’skindoffuntobedoingittheotherwaynow,upStrandBonus.I’veheardrumblingsofpeoplesayingtheyarebummed,butatleastthereisstillawaytogettoit.” Intheend,Veltrihasonesimplewish—thathiseffortstosaveColdSpringsRanchpayoff,forhisfamily’sbenefitandthebenefitofothers. “Inmylifetime,wearehearingaboutthedisappearancearoundtheworldofamphibians,thedeclineinhoneybees.MymotherandIhavenoticedtheplummetingnumbersofbutterflies,”Veltrisaid.“Somanythingsareindecline.Youcanprettywellguesstheintensepressurewehavebeenunderfromrealtorstosell.Yetwehaveproventobeimpervioustotheblandishmentsofmoney.AndIthinkthatprovesourcommitmentnotonlytoourlittlebitofthevalleybuttoeverythingalongwithit.”

117[communitypages]

SMITH OPTICS | BCA ·| PEARL IZUMI |·NORTH FACE | MARMOT

what do

Real Bikers do

in the winter?

www.rockandrollsportsonline.com 608 W Tomichi Gunnison CO 81230 970/641.9150

Gunnison's Backcountry Ski Specialist

·NOR

TH F

ACE

| M

ARM

OT |

VOI

KI

|·K2

·| M

ARK

ER |

KA

RHLI

·MON

TBELL |··DYNA

FIT |·BLACK

DIAM

OND ·| K

ARH

LI | BCA

Bagels � Wraps � SmoothiesIce Cream � and more

Scones � Cookies � BrowniesBars � Pastries

Custom Cakes & Pies

Proudly Serving OrganicFair Trade Coffee

6am - 9pm Everyday710 N. Main St. • Gunnison, Colorado

641-2006

Custom Homes & Renovations • Property Management

Johnny Biggers ~ General [email protected]

405 3rd Street, Suite E / Crested Butte, CO 81224970-349-5990

Bob

Bra

zell

Bob

Bra

zell


It’saTuesdaymorningandMaryMonroeandIaresawingoffafallentreeinDurango’sHorseGulchwiththehelpofherhusband,TravisBrown.Weweresupposedtorideelsewhereonthiscrispmountainmorning,butat8a.m.,Igotagarbledmessage:somethingabouta“fallentree…gottago…meetatSaleBarnTrail.”WhoamItoturndowntrailworkwhensweatequityispreciselywhatkeepsthissouthwesternColoradotown’sgrowingcacheoftrailsinsuchprimeridingshape? MonroeistheexecutivedirectorofTrails2000,theDurango-basedadvocacygroupthatbuildsnewtrailsandhabituallytidiesuptheoldones.Shegrabbedthereinsofthisnonprofitin2006,inheritinga20-year-oldtraillegacythatwasfoundedin1989withtheconceptofbuilding200milesoftrailsbytheyear2000.Thatgoalhasfarbeenexceeded,yetthemonikerremains. Trails2000hasbuiltthelion’sshare

oflocaltrailsinD-Townandhaswonaccoladesacrossthecountryforitsefforts.MonroeestimatesthatTrails2000volunteerscontributemorethan3,000hoursoftrailworkeveryyeartovariouslandagenciestobuildandmaintainthelocaltrails. “Allthesetrailsarehandbuiltbythecommunity,”shesays. Beyondthefreepizzaandcamaraderie,whydotheydoit? “PeoplewholiveinDurangojustlovethetrails,”Monroeexplains.“Arecentcitysurveyfoundthat,timeaftertime,peoplelistedthemostvaluedthinginthecommunityasourtrails.” Organizingandleadingthisbehemothcadreoftrailworkersisnoeasyfeat,butMonroehasthecyclingcredtohandlethejob.OriginallyfromWisconsin,shespent10yearsasthepublicrelationsandsportsmarketingdirectorforTrekbeforeworkingaschiefmarketingofficerforU.S.Cycling

Swea

t &

Sou

l

Members of Trails 2000—Durango’s proactive trail advocacy group—work on an alpine trail near Durango, Colo.

Courtesy Trails 2000

colo

rado

durango

www.homeslicedelivers.com

by Erinn Morgan

119[communitypages]

Unlock yourpotential as acycling athletewith a

Video Capture Fitfrom Mountain Bike Specialists.

Call for an appointment today.

ride further ride fasterand in

comfort.

949 Main Avenue Durango, Colorado 970-247-4066

970/247.4511 600 E. 2nd Avenue | Durango, CO 81301

Come see our ALL NEW 3000 ft expansion!

2ndavesports.com

YETI DEMO May 24 & 25

Ironhorse Weekend{ }

FINE MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

Open for Lunch & DinnerSeasonal Patio Dining

NATUR AL MEATS · LOCAL PRODUCESUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

QUALITY CATERING

www.cypruscafe.com

725 E. 2nd Avenue · Durango, CO970/385-6884

andsubsequentlyservingontheboardoftheInternationalMountainBikingAssociation. Overtheyears,Trails2000hastakenonmyriadtrail-relatedjobs,includingnegotiatingeasementsandraisingmoneytopurchasetrail-lacedlandthatwasthreatenedwithdevelopment. Today,however,Monroesaysthe“newvision”relatestoconnectivity,bothonandoffthedirt.Thegrouphasbeenworkingonnumerousoff-roadtrailconnectionsaswellaspavedcommunitybikepathoptionsandextensions. “Weaimtogainalevelofconnectivitytoencouragepeopletoimprovetheirhealthandgetoutoftheircars,”Monroesays. Thiscycling-centricidealisexactlywhyDurangowasrecentlyawardedtheLeagueofAmericanCyclists’BicycleFriendlyCommunitySilverLevel. “Theycomeanddoanauditoftownandyouarejudgedonthetrailsnetwork,enforcement,education,etc.,”Monroesays.“Thetownhasarealdesiretogoforthegoldin2012.” AnotherfeatherintheTrails2000


225 Girard Street · Durango CO SKABREWING.COM

SKACANSKACAN

SKA BREWINGCOMPANY

colo

rado

durango

capistherecentopeningofalong-awaitedoff-roadtrailextensionthatultimatelyconnectssomeofDurango’sprimotrailsforalengthy,technicalsingletrack-heavyloop.Toweringjustabovethetown’sFortLewisCollege,RaiderRidgehasbeenhometooneofDurango’smoretechnicaltrailsbutremainedasanout-and-backridebecauseoftrailclosureonprivateland. “Aftertwoyearsofmeetingsandhelpfromthecityandamyriadofattorneys,wehavenegotiatedtheuseofatrailsectiononprivatelandthat’sabouttwomileslong,”Monroesays.ThenewRaiderRidgeTrailnowlinksintoHorseGulch,Durango’sextensivein-towntrailnetwork,foralengthyloopwithsome

incrediblytechnicalriding. “Youmightwanttothinkaboutbringingasandwichoutthere,”saysMonroe,smiling. Still,thereisnorestforthePulaski-laden,andTrails2000hasmoreambitiousplansforthefuture,includingajumpparkandskillsareaandmaybeevensomefreeridetrails. “Youhavetolookattheterrainyouhaveandwhatisbesttocreateasustainabletrailsystem,”Monroesays.“Butwemighthavetheabilitytoaddoneortwothingstoourtrailnetwork.Wearethinkingaboutthethingskidsareaskingfor,andwewanttomakesurewe’regettingthemoutsideanddoingthethingstheyliketodo.”

A group of proud trail workers pose after a hard day’s work near Durango, Colo.

Stephanie and Rob Trudeaux take a break from Pulaski duty.



121[communitypages]

new

mex

ico

losalamos

Askiarea,likeamind,isaterriblethingtowaste.SoTomLong,thesoft-spokengeneralmanagerofPajaritoMountainSkiArea,hasbeenthinkingalotinthepastfiveyearsabouthowtoincreaseusageofthemountainbeyondthewinterseason. Capitalizingonanincreasinglysuccessfulnationaltrend,the62-year-oldaddedmountainbikingtoPajaritoMountain’srecreationalactivitiesshortlyafterhebeganmanagingthemountainin2004. “WhenIgothere,mountainbikingwasbelowthesurface,”hesaid.“Peopleweredoingitbutnotofficially.There

weresome‘trails’thathadbeenscratchedintothemountaininacoupleofplaces,butmountainbikingwasnotaregularpartofthemountain.” Sensinganopportunitytopromotenotonlytheskiarea,butalsothenearbycommunityofLosAlamos,N.M.,LongbegantheprocessofmakingPajaritoamountainbikemeccainthesummer. “Bikingisagreatuseoftheasset,”Longsaid.“It’scompatiblewiththeskiareaandithitstherightdemographic,bothintermsofageandathleticability,anditfitswithourmission. “WhenIfirstgothere,therewasn’tasensethatthisskiareawaspartand

parcelofLosAlamosCounty,”hesaidwithahintofasmilecreepingoverhisslightlyruddyface.“I’vereallymadeanefforttobuildthatsense.PajaritoMountainissuchaterrificvenue,soclosetodowntownLosAlamos.WhenIgothereandsawthatthecommunitywashavingtheMainStreetConcertSerieseachFridaynight,Isaid,‘Weneedtohaveonehere!’” ConcertorganizerRussGordonwassoexcitedafterthefirstconcertonthemountain,hewantedtoholdthemallatPajarito.ButLongfeltthetownalsoneededtheconcerts,andsohenowhostsaboutoneeachyear.

by James E. RickmanJames E. Rickman

Elliott Leonard of Aurora, Colo., hammers a section of cross-

country trail during the 2009 Pajarito Punishment cross-country mountain

bike race. Pajarito Mountain Ski Area became host and manager of the

popular racing event three years ago as part of the ski area’s emphasis to offer summer recreational opportunities on

the mountain.


new

mex

ico

losalamos

DuringLong’srelativelyshorttenureatPajarito,thecommunityhasembracedtheconceptofayear-roundPajaritoMountainSkiArea,andmountainpersonnelregularlyworkwiththelocalChamberofCommerceandcommunityleadersonasmorgasbordofprojectsthataremutuallybeneficialtothecommunityandtheskiarea. Duringthesummeroneveryotherweekend,theskiareahostslift-servedbiking—wherefreerideenthusiastscangorgethemselvesalldayonallthegravitytheycaretoeatforjust20bucks.Cross-countryenthusiastswithaslightlymasochisticsidecanalsoridethesteeptrailsup1,200verticalfeetfromthebaseofthemountaintothetopiftheychoosenottousethelifts,providingapotential“no-cost”optiontotheuserwhomaynotwanttobuyaliftticket. SinceLong’sarrival,themountainhascompletedmorethanadozenfreeride/downhilltrailsandnearlyahalfdozencross-countytrails.Anenthusiastic

coterieofvolunteershascutmostofthetrailsintothedark,denserockydirt.Thewideselectionoftrailsattractsaregularandgrowinglistofriders,andPajaritoMountainisbecomingknowninsomecirclesasthefreeridecenterofNewMexico. “WehavealotofregularscominguponliftdaysfromAlbuquerque,”Longsaid.“ButwealsogetawholecontingentfromDurango,Colo.It’sthemountainbikingcapitoloftheworldandthey’rehere.Theysaywehavethebestfreeridingthat’saccessibletothem.” OneoftheuniquecharacteristicsofPajaritoMountainisthatthetrailsrequireriderstopacktheirskillsandtheirA-Gameinadditiontoahelmetandgloves.Themajorityofthetrailsareblackordouble-blackdiamondskilllevelwithafewbluesquareintermediatetrailsthrownintopayhomagetothelessexperienced. “It’sliketheskiinguphere,”Longsayswithasubtletwinkleinhiseyes.“It’s

James E. Rickman

Pajarito Mountain Ski AreaGeneral Manager Tom Long

123[communitypages]

Try our online shopping service for the famousAtomic City T-shirts.

Racoon ate your energy gels? Bear stole your shorts? We’re the rescue place. With all kinds of water bottles, Camelbaks®,

Osprey® Stratus 18 packs, energy gels, pepper sprays, shorts, gloves, shirts and jackets.

World Class Chocolates, too.

1735 Central Ave.Los Alamos, NM505.662.2864

CB FOXLOS ALAMOS

James E. Rickman

Downhill racing returned to the Pajarito Punishment this year, providing

downhill racing another much-needed venue in New Mexico, giving guys like

Zak Cocker, a beginner junior racer, the opportunity to race on the same course

as professionals.


new

mex

ico

losalamos

High Altitude Recreation in Los Alamos2010SAVE THE DATES

Enjoy the only NHL regulation outdoor ice skating rink in New Mexico. Los Alamos

County Ice Rink open November through March

Los Alamos County Ice Rink open November through March

2009–2010

Specialfor mentioning

Mountain Flyer

Buy one admission

Get one freeor

Buy one skate

sharpening

Get one free

Los Alamos County Recreation Divisionwww.losalamosnm.us/[email protected] 505.662.8173

17th Annual Kids TriathlonAugust 22

Jemez Mountain Trail Runs

Half Marathon, 50K, 50 Mile

May*

Run the Caldera MarathonJune*

Atomic Man DuathlonApril 25

36th Annual Los Alamos Triathlon

August 21

Challenge yourself in our Aquatic Center’s olympic-sized pool!

*check our web site for further info.

CCentral Avenue GrillOur back room bar is a blast from the past!

1789 Central Avenue Los Alamos, NM505.662.2005

And the new sushi bar will surprise you with an explosion of taste delights! LA

NL

Arc

hiv

e p

ho

tos

amanlysport.” Hequicklyrecovershiscomposureandinallseriousnessacknowledgestheneedtoaddresstheissue.“Myhopeoverthenextcoupleofyearsistolayoutandbuildthatgreenboulevardcomponentthatwe’remissingrightnow,”hesaid. Forthemoment,Longsaid,themountainiscontenttogrowitsexpandedrecreationfocusslowly.InadditiontorecentlytakingchargeofthepopularPajaritoPunishmentmountainbikerace—partoftheNewMexicoOff-RoadSeries—mountainpersonnelareworkingonanambitiousplantocreateasnowmakingcapabilitytohedgebetsforearlieropeningdaysduringaneraofwarmerandlaterwinterweather. Butit’sapparentLongisthinkingaheadtoexpandingthemountainbikingsuccessthathasbeenbuiltatthemountain. “Sometimesoonwereallywouldliketodoafestival,”hesaid.“I’dliketoseemountainbikingandthePajaritoPunishmentbecomingatwo-orthree-dayevent.Thinkwhatthatwoulddoforthiscommunity,theskiareaandthebikingcommunity!”

125[communitypages]

V isit our historic town in the foothills

of the Jemez Mountains and enjoy clear blue skies, extraordinary views in all directions, and an exciting variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Visitor information:visit.losalamos.com

Small town, mountain living:locate.losalamos.com

Ph

oto

by

Pete

r D

icks

on


uta

hmoab

AlocalgroupinMoabisblazingnewtrailintheMountainBikeCapitaloftheWorld,workingtoreasserttheSouthwesterntown’sleadershipinthemountainbikedomain.Agroupoflocalresidents,withtheactivesupportofMoabandGrandCountygovernmentleaders,hascreatedtheTrailMixCommitteethathasbuiltsevennewsingletracktrailsinthelastfouryears,withmoreontheway. Duringthe1980sand1990s,thefamousSlickrockTrailbroughtmountainbikersfromaroundtheworldtoMoab.Oncethere,mountainbikersdiscoveredthearea’sarrayofformerminingroadssnakingacrossthedesertandthroughsceniccliffsandcanyons. MountainbikingandaresurgenceininterestinnearbynationalparksledtoaboomintourismthathelpedoffsetMoab’seconomicdeclineafterauraniummillandregionaluraniumminesclosed.Newmotelsandrestaurantsopened,andtourcompaniesandbikeshopsflourished.Sincethattime,othercommunitiesnotedtheMoabexperienceandhavebeen

successfulinbuildingandpromotingtheirownsingletracktrails.Asaresult,Moabmountainbikeaficionados,bikeshopoperatorsandlocalbusinessownerssawtheneedforthecitytoreassertitsleadershipinthefield. TheTrailMixCommitteewasfirstsuggestedbyBureauofLandManagementrecreationstaffandwasstartedbyMoabCommunityDevelopmentDirectorDavidOlsenwiththehelpofCountyCouncilorKimSchappert.SchappertbecamethefirstTrailMixCommitteechairwomanin2000andOlsenhasbeenthecommitteevicechairman(exceptoneyearservingaschairman)eversince.MoabresidentandvolunteerSandyFreetheyisthecurrentchairwoman. “TrailMix’svisionistodevelopafullyintegratednetworkofenvironmentallysustainabletrailsfornon-motorizeduse,linkingtheMoabValleytootherareasofGrandCounty,”Olsensaid.“Itsmissionistopreserveanddeveloptheindividualtrailsandgrowthemintoaviablesystemforenjoyablerecreationandtransportationuse.”

ThecommitteedevelopedaGrandCountyNon-MotorizedTrailsMasterPlan.GrandCountyandMoabhaveadoptedtheplanasablueprintfortraildevelopment. TrailMixmeetseverymonthandactivelysolicitscommentsandrepresentationfromhikers,bikers,equestriansandcross-countryskiers.Landmanagementagencies,includingtheBLM,NationalParkService,UtahStateParksandtheUtahSchoolandInstitutionalTrustLandsAdministration,havejoinedtheeffort,leadingtocollaborationthatcouldonlyhappenwiththismulti-jurisdictionalpartnership.“WithoutTrailMix,wenevercouldhavepartneredassuccessfullywithgovernmentagenciesorrecruitedthevolunteerstoimproveanddeveloptrails,”Olsensaid.“It’samazinghowsuccessfulTrailMixhasbecomeatgettingthingsdone.” CompletedtrailsincludeBabyStepsatKlondikeBluffs,MoabBrandsTrails(BarM,CircleO,Rockin’A,BarBandKillerBtrails),IntrepidTrailatDeadhorsePoint,HazzardCountyTrail

by Ken Davey, City of MoabMathew Barlow

Two riders enjoy some new singletrack near Moab, Utah. Moab’s Trail Mix

advocacy group has been busy adding new trails to Moab’s network.

127[communitypages]

The Moab AdventuresolfunTM

Rocks. and Rolling.

The only sad part is eventually you have to go back home …

• Custom-planned tours • All skill levels and interests • Private or small groups • Multi-sport options • Great vacation value • Call now to plan your trip

www.solfun.com 800-940-8292 [email protected]

A mind-blowing, spine-tingling, freewheeling adventure – that’s your Moab mountain biking tour. The red rocks of southern Utah await – along with your friendly and attentive Solfun tour guides. Get your legs pumping and

heart thumping with:

Mathew Barlow

Riders stop to enjoy a view of the remarkable canyon country near Moab, Utah.


uta

hmoab

intheLaSalMountains,TheWholeEnchilada(UPSandLPSofPorcupineRimTrail),RockStackerTrailandPotHoleArchbranchingfromtheAmasaBackandJackson’strails.TrailMixalsotooktheleadinextendingtrailsleadingtothein-townMillCreekParkwayandimprovementstotheFisherTowershikingtrail20milesnorthoftown. Currentprojectsincludeworkingontwonewtrails:theScenicSnakeSingletrack(linkingMoabtotheSlickrockTraileastoftown),ifapprovedbytheBLM,andPipeDreamTrail(fromMoabtotheHiddenValleyhikingtrailheadsouthwestoftown). TrailMixhopestogetpermissiontobuildmoresingletrackintheMoabBrandsandKlondikeBluffsareaandishelpingcreateatriangletrailsystemthatconnectsDeadHorsePointStateParkandCanyonlandsNationalPark’sIslandintheSkyDistrict.Workingwithafewtrailspecialistsandvolunteers,TrailMixhassetgoalsforthefuture,includingatrailsystemthatwillconnectmostofthemajortrailsnorthofMoabandencircleSpanishValleytothesouth. Inadditiontoplanningmoresingletrack,TrailMixisalsoworkingwithlocalgovernmentagenciestoincreasethenumberofbiketrailsthroughtowntocreateanon-motorizedtransportationsystem.TheMoabCityCouncilandtheGrandCountyCouncilhavebothendorsedbikecommutingasahealthy,energy-efficientandsustainablepracticeandhavepledgedtoexpandbicycleaccessthroughpopulatedareas. FutureplansincludeatransithubandStateRoute128(RiverRoad)underpassatLionsPark,abikelane,apathandtrailsystemalongMillCreekDriveandabikeandpedestriantrailsystemalong500West,amainthoroughfarealongMoab’swestside.Inaddition,TrailMixandtheMoabTrailsAlliance(anonprofitgroupthatraisesmoneytoconstructtrails)arecollaboratingwithGrandCountytopaveatrailfromLionsParkattheentrancetoMoab,northalongtheColoradoRiverfor2milestotheGooseIslandcampground,andanotherpavedtrailfromLionsPark,northalongHighway191for8milestotheHighway313turnofftoCanyonlandsNationalParkandDeadHorsePointStatePark.

129[communitypages]

coloradosalida

by Jim Williams Somefolksgoonlyoneway.Theygrasptraditionfirmly,oftenwiththeclosedfistofthepuritanmissionary.Theirgripisslipping.Thetapeisunraveling.Theirfocusblurred.Itcanbequitedisturbingforthoseconfused,righteoussouls. Recently,’roundourhighvalleytownofSalida,Colo.,I’venoticedachangeintheculturewheregoingtwoorthreeor,dareIsayit,fourwaysisacceptable,evenencouraged.Thepuritansaren’tsopureanymore.It’sallgottenabitkinky,yaknow? Timewaswhenridersknewwhattheyrode,whytheyrodeandoftenshowedlittletonounderstandingorempathyforthosewhorodea“different”mode.Lately,itseems,atleasthereinChaffeeCounty,beingbiortriiscool. SittingonthepatioatCaféDawn,watchingthetownwakeandhopingtoclearmyhead,Icasuallygazedatthebikeracksfullofhuman-poweredmachines. Itwasavirtualcornucopiaoftransportation,recreationandfitness-focusedwheels.Towniesmingledcomfortablywithhardtails,softtailsand“howcanyouridethatthingonthetrails”singlespeedswith29inchknobbytires. Roadbikes,amazinglycleananddramaticallyangularwithhard,thintiresseemedathomenexttoarecumbentandthecoupleoftiny,amazinglyhigh-techkids’bikes. Itwascute,Ithoughtcynically.EvenmyownoldMyatacrossbikewaswelcome,ripped-upseatandall. Inside,thebuzzwascaffeinated,fullofsmilesandavarietyofapparelappropriatehere. Weareafunctionalbunch.BlackbikeshortssnuggledthebigandthebuttlessnexttoCarharttshortsandhairylegs.Colorsranfromthegaudyattention-gettingjerseystonaturally

mutedtones.Trailtalk,roadtalkanddailychoresfloatedinadelightfuldin.Fortunately,mymindwasclearingtakinginthediversity.Igrinned. Salida’scyclecultureevolutionhasprogressed,notwiththeexclusivenatureofasinglefocusbutwithanacceptanceofallmodescyclic. FromthedayswhenDonandMike(blesshisrowdy,red-faced,still-

missingsoul)builtOrdinarybikesandroadbikeswerechoppedintowhatwenowcallmountainbikestoourcurrentacceptanceofallwheelshuman-powered,mostfolkswilladmittobeingbiortri.Thisisn’tgoodforthepuritans.They’velosttheirmissionary-likegrip. Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIlikealittlevarietyinmypassions.Tryanewposition.Trustme,itwon’thurt.

Are You Bi, or Even Tri, Maybe Quad?

A multitude of bikes fills a rack in Salida, Colo., where many cyclists are bi, or even tri.


tailwind by Yuri Hauswald

mywaybackintotherace.Duringtheensuinglaps,Ireeledinmanyriders,workingmywayupfromdeadlastintheProSolofieldtoseventh.Thefirstlapmishap,however,hadtakenitstollandwasbeginningtomanifestitselfintwitchinglegcrampsanda

bodilydisassociationcloselyresemblingdrunkenness,minusanyfeelingsofjoy. Notfeelingrightandwithlessthananhour’sworthofracingleft,IstumbledintomypitforwhatIthoughtwastheendofmyrace;mymechanichadotherideas.BeforeIcoulddropmy“I’mdehydratedandIdon’tthinkIcanmakethetimecut”excuseonhim,herolledoutacleanbike,toldmethatIwasthreeminutesdownonsixth—laterfoundtobefalse—andgavemeafirmpushbackoutontocourse. IknewIwasintroublewhenIstarteddaydreaming.Theflickeringlightsinthewoodsbecamefirefliesaheadofme,dancinginthetrees.Itwasaroundthattimethatmyvomitingforcedmetogetoffmybikeandwalk,myentirebodyrebellinguntilIcrossedthefinishlineandfoundmyselfinthesavinggraceofTheRev. Ican’ttellyouwhereTheRev’snicknamecamefrom,butitsureseemedfittingconsideringmycurrentsituationforcedmetohavecompleteandutterfaithinthisDallasparamedic.Iwasatchurchconfessional,butinsteadoftalkingthroughascreeninacrampedcubicleaboutmysinsandroadtoredemption,IwasmainliningsalinesalvationandcontemplatingwhyIwouldpushmyselfsofar.AsIwasslumpedovertryingtorehydratemyhollowbody,IrealizedthatthesenseofaccomplishmentIfeltwascertainlynotduetomyresults,butrathertothefactthatIhadn’tquitwhenalloddswereagainstme.TheRev’ssermon—thefluidshehadsavedmewith—coursedthroughmybodyandbroughtmenewlife.NoteveryoneneedstoseeaReverendtohaveanepiphany,butonthisdayIcertainlydid.

AshotgunblastsignaledthebeginningoftheDirt,SweatandGears12-hourraceinFayetteville,Tenn.,sendinghundredsofeagerracersdashingacrossanopenfieldlikeastampedeofkidsonanEasteregghunt.Iskitteredacrossthegrassygap,franticallygrabbedmybike,navigatedthroughafewstragglerstryingtofindtheirsandfuriouslypedaledtobesureIwasinthetop15beforeenteringthewoods. Ihadonlyriddenthecourseonce,thedaybefore,andithadbeeninperfectcondition,butthatwasbeforetheskieshadopenedupanddumpedbiblicalamountsofwateronthelandscape,turningperfectlytackytraildirtintopeanutbutteryslopthatstucktoeverythingandbroughtwheelstoastandstill. Ienteredthefirstsingletracksectioninaboutsixthplace,thinkingtomyselfthattodaywasgoingtobemyday,butmyrearderailleurhadotherideas.Inaprimalfightorflightmoment,Ishoulderedmybrokenbikeandbeganrunning,notrealizingthatsinceIwasonlytwomilesinona10-milelap,thesmartthingwouldhavebeentoreturntothepitsandgetmyotherbike. Butlikethehard-headedcavemanwhostuckhishandinthefireonetoomanytimesbeforeherealizedhe’dgetburned,Ibeganclompingmywaythroughthewoods,pushingandcoastingmybike,stoppingperiodicallytoclearbothbrakebossessomywheelswouldroll.Iwasdeterminedtosalvagemylapbyfinishingtheremainingeightmilesandgettingmysparebike. Demoralized,sweatingprofuselyfromthehumidityandcompletelycoveredinmud,Ihobbledacrossthefinishline,hamperedbythequarter-sizesoresthathadwornintobothofmyheelsfromalltherunningandhoundedbythedauntingthoughtofheadingbackoutfor10morehoursofracing. Ihesitantlytookmysparebike,grabbedaCamelBakandsputteredbackoutontocoursetoseeifIcouldsomehowclaw

Yuri Hauswald

road mountain cross tandem commuter road mountain cross tandem commuter road mountain cross tandem commuter road mountain cross tandem commuter road mountain cross tandem commuter road mountain

steamboat springs, colorado

970.879.8484 / kenteriksen.com

all Kent eriksen frames are custom-designed, fabricated and finished 100 percent in-house. We use u.s.-made 3/2.5 titanium and stock a huge inventory of tubes, hand-selecting each one exclusively for each customer’s specifications. Frames, complete bikes and our stylish and simple seatpost are all available direct from our shop or from your local dealer. Visit us in steamboat springs, colorado or shop online at kenteriksen.com.

cus

tom

eri

ksen

in

red

- 6

50B

mod

el b

uilt w

ith

the Ven

tana

sus

pens

ion

des

ign

German Innovation

www.ergon-bike.com

GX1

GX2 Carbon

148˚ Our exclusive wing designincreases the surface area of the grip to effectively reduce the concentration of pressure on the ulnar nerve – eliminatinghot spots on your palm and supporting your wrist at the optimal angle.

Race ProvenErgon was the first company to address the achilles’ heel of round grips

and the first to scientifically change the way riders interface with their bikes.

Lighter, sleeker and faster, the GX series grips reduce pressure on the palm

and allow a wider range of hand positions for more comfort. It’s the perfect grip for a

racer like Dave Wiens when he’s winning a brutal race like the Leadville 100 – not just

once, but a record six times. Visit www.ergon-bike.com and see for yourself how our

innovative grips will change the way you ride.

Dave Wiens

Team Topeak/Ergon USA

MTB Hall of Fame member

6-time Leadville 100 winner

mountain flyer number 14

Documents

inspired fat tire amber

philanthropic folly

suspension race bike

er crown

trek bicycle corporationfr

devon baletrider

red mountain

oclv carbon frame