Urban Utility...

After getting a halfway suspicious direct message from MADSEN Cycles on Twitter last week needing to confirm my eligibility for the free bike give-a-way, I quickly called the number I was given. I told the MADSEN employee that yes, I was indeed over 18 years old and I did indeed live in the USA, and confirmed that I lived in the great state of Colorado, he laughed. 'People are going to think this bike-giveaway is rigged because you're the third person to win from Colorado." 

"Well, hot dog. I'll take a bike with a bucket please!" Once the MADSEN crew has settled from Interbike, they'll be shipping off a new townie to me. I should expect to see it on my doorstep and in my garage in about three weeks.

Entering the pain cave...

Can you guess where the hike-a-bike sections were in the SSWC'09 course?

I haven't loaded up any of my pictures yet other than the Sept. 17 post so once I do, I'll have a better report up. Let's say there was a lot of pushing, some amazing views and a festive atmosphere.

On the open road...

Kenosha Pass.

Driving through the rain somewhere between Saquache and Del Norte. Off to the east, I could see the Great Sand Dunes butted up against the Sangre De Cristos.

 These two shots do no justice to the views on Wolf Creek Pass. The golden aspen stand in stark contrast to the darkness of the moss covered granite walls on the east side of the pass and the
sharp descent off the west side in the dark red cliffs stand out from the green forests. Clouds and fog floated through the valley below in true definition of how big the mountains are here in Colorado.

My next trick...

I'm busy prepping my bike and stuff to head on down to Durango for SSWC'09 and as I'm looking at it, I've got a lot of things I want to fit into that small saddle bag.

2 tubes- a 26", a 29"
Patch kit
2 tire levers
A wrench (bolt on rear wheel)
A pocket tool, complete with chain tool
CO2 blaster and 3 cartridges
2 Clif Shots- back up to a gel flask.

I put some fresh rubber on the wheels tonight- WTB Wierwolf LT 29 2.55 version for the front and a WTB Mutano Raptor 2.4 for the back. Both are really high volume which should provide some shock absorbtion on a fully rigid bike. I like the Mutano based on my experience with it on my Golden Willow so we will see how it handles on a different set up. I just need some fresh brake pads and I should be set, at least for gear- the course reports are looking brutal.

Double Header

Pikes Peak Supercross opened the cyclocross racing season in Colorado Saturday.

And Velocross at Boulder Indoor Cycling was Sunday. I'm pleased with how the season openers went overall. I'll work to get some race reports up tomorrow.

09.09.09 Working Man's Wednesday Worlds

Seeing these numbers of folks coming out for Working Man's edition of Wednesday Worlds is rad. The talent pools from state and national champions down to the local cat. 4 guys (myself included) all looking to get some good practice before this season kicks off soon.

Racing season is nearing us and the adrenaline is starting to flow. It's time.

Another cross convert?

It started yesterday at Boulder Cycle Sport as E and I spent an hour or so looking at cross bikes for her. We checked out a demo Scott CX Team for her and today we spent a few hours out at the Louisville Rec Center and the local elementary school working on skills-- really to see if she's interested.

Initial signs show she is and could get good, fast and clean out there. Watch out cat. 4 women.

Dodging storms

Wednesday Worlds #2

Bike, bottle, helmet, long sleeve, sunglasses, and port o barriers. Good to go this early am.

A few folks finishing up the first round of 5 laps.

More later...

Get your hup on...

You won't see me in this video because it's the fast guys but Brandon Dwight from Boulder Cycle Sport and Dopers Suck along with Matt Pacocha in the Velonews kit get it done in this video. I'm hoping that the Colorado State Championships this year have a bit more mud and dirt than heat and sand. It's not supposed to be 65 degrees and sunny in December (those darn chinook winds). We can only hope.

More photos here...