UltraRob's Adventures

Pikes Peak Velo Cyclocross Nov 2009 Results and Photos

2009-11-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

This morning I got up way earlier than I felt like for a Saturday morning. It was time for the 2nd Pikes Peak Velo cyclocross race of 2009 and I was helping set up the course. It was fairly warm at my house but chilly out at Bear Creek Park.

By mid morning the clouds cleared and it started warming up. This meant icy sections started turning to mud. As the day went out some of the mud tried out but the hill up from the creek stayed nasty.

The icy section before the muddy uphill that I thought would cause crashes didn't seem to until near the Cat 4 Men's race. Dirty water covered rutted ice lurking beneath. A couple crashes within a few minutes left one racer with a possible wrist fracture.

I shot nearly 1,200 photos throughout the day. I've uploade some of the best photos from the cyclocross races today to SmugMug. I plan to upload many more but it may take a little while.

Here are the top 5 results for some of the categories

Men Open

Daniel Summerhill
Brad White
JJ Clark
Chuck Coyle
Aaron Baplai

Women Open

Kristal Boni
Jane Finsterwald
Magellan Able
Susan Prieto
Jenny Abrahan

Senior Men Cat 4

Richard Geng
Zachary Rudolph
Patric Rostep
Chris Bosch
Michael Christopher

Men 35+ Open

Jon Cariveau
JJ Clark
Chris Phenicie
Ward Baker
Jeffrey Hartman

Men 35+ Cat 4

John Mancell
Brad Hoagland
Scott Winborne
Doug Richards
Scott Mitchell
Bob Prieto

Men 45+

Gary Thacker
Tim Godby
Andy Fox
Greg Gorrell
Joe Paulan

- UltraRob

Related Links

Michelin Cyclocross Jet S Tire

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Michelin Jet Cyclocross Tire

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Michelin Cyclocross Mud 2 Tire

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1st Annual Carmichael Training Systems Indoor Computrainer Race Series

2009-11-20T06:33:00.002-07:00

The 1st Annual Carmichael Training Systems Indoor Computrainer Race Series begins tonight. I meant to mention it when I posted last week about extreme indoor training but managed to forget it. When I talked to them a couple weeks ago, it sounded like it will be split into A, B, and C categories.

Call 635-0645 or e-mail theclub@trainright.com to reserve your spot. Go to www.trainright.com/theclub for more info on the CTS Endurance Sports Club.

Free Entry
Open to all abilities
Nightly prizes
Overall series Grand Prize

Races start at 6pm on:

November 20th - Prologue
December 4th - Criterium
December 11th - Mountain Stage
December 18th - Omnium

- UltraRob

Kinetic Rock N Roll Bike Trainer Road

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Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Bike Trainer

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Kinetic Pro Trainer S09

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It's (Warren) Miller Time - Warren Miller's Dynasty Review

2009-11-19T07:33:00.003-07:00

(Johnny Lyons on Vail Pass)

If there’s a moment that stands out in “Warren Miller’s Dynasty,” it’s this: Mono Skier X. Yeah. That’s right – insane Skier X featuring disabled athletes on mono skis at the Winter X Games. This sport is crazy anyway, but these adaptive competitors take it to the next level. Their slogan says it all: “If there’s nothing you can do about it… you either get busy living, or you get busy dying.”

This year’s ski film hits the Pikes Peak Center Friday and Saturday, and it features all the powder-filled shots of years past. The film’s director and producer Max Bervy says the film’s showing “is like a family reunion, held in neck-deep pow, with mandatory air required for entry. It leaves no snowball unturned.”

That said, “Dynasty” won’t disappoint those who make a yearly pilgrimage to see the newest Warren Miller film.

It has the usual amount of jaw-dropping stunts and scenery, and sweeps from Lake Tahoe to British Columbia, Washington to Colorado and Alaska to Michigan. Chris Davenport travels to northern Norway to ski above the Arctic Circle. Chris Anthony and Austin Ross look for the birthplace of skiing in the wilds of northwestern China, and find a culture where homemade wooden skis are standard equipment. And favorites from the past – Lucas and Adam Schrab (remember the farm boys jumping over mountains of hay?) return with an aging school bus and wooden ramps.

In the recent past, Miller films have celebrated the rise of the snowboarder. This one is different, with snowboards showing up in only three segments. This film appears to be dedicated to new schoolers and backcountry stars.

- Deb Acord

Atomic Kailas Skis

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Atomic Atlas Skis

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Atomic Punx Skis

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Colorado Springs CyclocCross Race This Saturday

2009-11-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

The second Pikes Peak Velo cyclocross race is this Saturday at Bear Creek park. I will be there at o-dark-thirty helping set up the course. Throughout the day I'll be shooting photos and helping out with whatever needs to be done.

The plan is for the course to be the same as the September cyclocross race. Check the race flyer for the times for the different races.

Because of the fairly short laps, cyclocross is great for spectators. It looks like the weather will be nice so come on out with your cowbell if you aren't racing.

Related Links

- UltraRob

Van Dessel Gin Trombones Cyclocross Bike

Price: $2379.00

Van Dessel Gin Trombones Cyclocross Frameset

Price: $999.00

Blue Competition Cycles Norcross Cyclocross Bike FREE BIKE CASE

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Snowshoe Dreams

2009-11-17T08:33:00.009-07:00

It’s snowing and I’m getting excited about one of my favorite winter sports – snowshoeing. We have three pairs of snowshoes – all Redfeathers – but I’m always dreaming about a new pair.

My new favorites? Crescent Moon. This small company is based in Boulder, where they make all their shoes. They’re a green company that uses materials with no environmentally harmful PVC plastic; they use wind-powered energy in their factory and office and they recycle and reuse everything they can – frames, rivets, claws, bindings and decking (non-PVC, of course).

Once you get your snowshoes, check out these trails in the area:

Anywhere in Mueller State Park (in the picture). Best bets? Homestead and Elk Meadow trails (pick up a map at park entrance or visitor center).
The Crags. This side of Pikes Peak holds the snow, so you can find deep stashes even after it’s melted on the other side.
Rainbow Gulch off Rampart Range Road. Throw in the trail that circles the reservoir and you’ve got a hefty loop (about 15 miles).
Barr Trail. It’s usually packed down on the lower section, but we’ve used snowshoes on the stretch between the top of the Incline and Barr Camp.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. There isn’t snowshoe-worthy snow here season-long, but after a good storm, it’s perfect.

- Deb Acord

Crescent Moon Silver 13 Snowshoes

Price: $169.95

Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes

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Crescent Moon Snowshoes Silver 10 Snowshoe

Price: $178.95

Baby Steps to Your Dream Adventure

2009-11-16T06:33:00.003-07:00

I often get asked how I started doing long, exciting adventures like 10 days backpacking in the Alaska wilderness, the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, or the toughest one Race Across America (RAAM). Those that ask me don't see how they could go from the small adventures they've done to something much bigger.

The answer is taking baby steps or pedaling with training wheels along the way. I had been racing nearly 10 years before I did a race over 6 hours. Even after doing 6 solo mountain bike races, I wasn't sure I'd finish my first 500+ mile RAAM qualifier through the desert or California. I finished it and was fast enough to qualify for RAAM. I did another 3 qualifiers before taking the step up to RAAM.

If you dream of a big adventure but don't think you'll ever be capable of doing it, think again. It doesn't matter if it's climbing Everest, racing your bike across the US in RAAM or something smaller. Just find some fun, doable steps and start now. You may be surprised by what adventures you'll have.

UltraRob.com has also grown much like my adventures. It's grown from a small site with planned races, race results and a blog about training for RAAM into much more. Last month there were over 80,000 unique visits and 150,000 pageviews on UltraRob.com. Where will it go next? It'll be a journey and I'm sure it'll be baby step by baby step.

What adventure are you dreaming about doing or have already experienced by taking little steps?

- UltraRob

Sidi Winter 2 Mountain Shoe

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Sidi Diablo GTX Winter Mountain Shoe

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SIDI 09 Diablo GTX Winter Training Bike Shoes

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Going Glamping?

2009-11-12T08:33:00.019-07:00

Don’t get me wrong. I love being comfortable in the outdoors. I’ve been lusting over a Big Agnes sleeping pad for our late-fall camping trips, and I balk at backpacking without carrying a camp chair.

And I'm not even against a stay in a luxury mountain cabin now and then (I wrote about the concept of "roughing it" last year in a column for the Rocky Mountain News).

But when I'm going camping - with a tent - I think part of the fun is packing, unpacking, and setting up the gear.

Apparently, others don't feel the same way. A recent news story described a special perk at a regional park in Montgomery County, Md. Campers at Little Bennett can pay an extra $25 for the park staff to set up their campsite with chairs, tent, a lantern and propane stove.

The story also details other luxurious outdoor “adventures” – feather beds at a KOA site near Santa Cruz, Calif., butler-prepared meals at The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, and hand-woven willow beds on wooden platforms in California’s El Capitan Canyon.

The luxury details are part of a trend to get comfort-seekers out of their comfort zones and away from their technology.

The new trend is called “glamping,” named for the glamorizing of camping. Comfort, technology and service all transform a traditional camping trip. If it catches on, we might have to retire the phrase "roughing it".

- Deb Acord

SIERRA DESIGNS WU HU 4 TENT

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Sierra Designs ASP 2 Tent

Price: $259.95

Sierra Designs ASP 3 Tent

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Extreme Indoor Cycling

2009-11-11T12:33:00.037-07:00

Now that it's dark early and the days are getting colder, many cyclists find it hard to ride outside. Hardy riders keep riding all winter. Riders like Jill in Alaska actually look forward to winter and enjoy riding in the snow.

For those that aren't like Jill, there are indoor bike trainers and rollers. As with most things, some people take indoor cycling to the extreme.

The UMCA Indoor Challenge started November 1 and runs through March 31st. Rides have to be at least 2 hours long to count. No more than one 5 minute break is allowed per hour except every 6 hours an addition 15 minute break can be taken.

Points are awarded per hour of riding and hour 6 of a ride receives more points than the first hour of the ride. The 2009 final Indoor Challenge standings show several rides of 6+ hours including a 24 hour ride.

In December 2007, John Jurczynski and Mike Gallagher rode spinning bikes for 113 hours for a Guinness World Record. That is over 4 and half days with less than 2 hours a day off the bike! I think someone tried breaking the record since then but I couldn't find the information.

Many years ago I did a 5 hour ride on my trainer and swore I'd never do it again. I broke that when I rode 6 hours and 12 minutes in May for the Fat Cyclist's 100 Miles of Nowhere.

Between watching the RAAM movie, Bicycle Dreams, and having my kids hang out with me, 6 hours on the trainer wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

What's your longest indoor ride and what do you do to stay motivated and focused while riding inside?

- UltraRob

Cycleops Fluid 2 Trainer

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Cycleops Jet Fluid Pro Trainer

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CycleOps Fluid 2 Trainer CycleOps Fluid 2 Trainer

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Barr Trail Makes "Dangerous" List

2009-11-09T08:33:00.019-07:00

photo courtesy PikesPeakCam.com

In its most recent issue, Backpacker magazine lists “The Ten Most Dangerous Hikes in America.” Some of the entries aren’t surprising: the brutally hot Bright Angel in the Grand Canyon, the well-named Maze in Utah.

The list also includes Barr Trail. For those who are constantly frustrated by the bad rap Barr often gets – “it’s a sidewalk;” “it’s among the easiest 14er hikes” – the idea that Barr is really a badass might be good news.

But lightning is the dangerous reason Barr made the list, and it’s always been a component in any hike on Pikes Peak.

My scariest hike on Barr occurred a few years ago during an early September thunder/snowstorm. I was leading a group of friends, all first-timers to the trail, from the summit back down to Barr Camp where we had booked the guest cabin for the night.

Storms weren’t forecast, and skies were uniformly gray when we left the summit, but about two miles down, it started snowing and thundering. When one of my friends asked innocently, “why are the (metal) trail signs humming?” I knew we were in trouble. We spread out and kept moving downhill and made it to the cabin unscathed. (That hike is forever known by my clever friends as “the day Deb tried to kill us.”)

Turns out we did a couple of things right – we started in the morning, when there is (usually) a lower risk of storms, and we spread out when the storm started. But when you’re above tree line on Pikes Peak in a lightning storm, it’s nearly impossible to make yourself follow the other conventional lightning safety tips: take off your pack and move away from it; crouch down and balance on the balls of your feet.

Instead, the impulse is to flee, which takes a while on Barr (unless you’re Matt Carpenter).

- Deb Acord

LEKI Poles Thermolite Hiking Poles

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LEKI Poles Wanderfreund Hiking Staff

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LEKI Poles Sierra Antishock Hiking Pole

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Race Across the Sky Encore this Week

2009-11-08T22:24:00.002-07:00

The Race Across the Sky movie about the Leadville 100 mountain bike race was sold out at many theaters for it's one night showing a few weeks ago. Due to it's popularity, it's being shown again this Thursday, November 12th. I enjoyed and you can read my Race Across the Sky review to find out more.

You can enter your zip code to find a location and purchase tickets or view a complete list of theaters showing Race Across the Sky encore. If you missed the first showing, I recommend you go see this one.

- UltraRob

Related Links

Cannondale Grind Baggy MTB Shorts For Men

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Cannondale Womens Rush Baggy Shorts S08

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CANNONDALE Womens Classic Bike Shorts

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Spooky Bike Criterium

2009-11-06T07:33:00.024-07:00

Local mountain Pro Matt Simmons with his wife.
Photo courtesy of www.wmbacos.org

I had planned to go over to the Halloween Costume bike criterium put on by the Women's Mountain Bike Association of Colorado Springs last Saturday. I didn't manage to make it over to it though.

It looks like I missed a fun event. For more funny and/or scary photos, check out more Halloween costume photos from WMBA. Also head over to Matt Simmon's Halloween crit write up. He's a local Pro on the the Pro Cycling mountain bike team.

- UltraRob

Mitsuba Falcon Beach Cruiser Bike Beach Cruiser Falcon

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Girls 20 Orange Beach Cruiser Bike

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Girls 20 Purple Beach Cruiser Bike

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Fewer Hikers, Fewer Conservation dollars?

2009-11-05T07:33:00.016-07:00

Recent studies have shown a decrease in strenuous outdoor nature recreation activities such as hiking and backpacking. To someone who prefers uncrowded trails, that might sound like a good thing, but a recent study in PloS One, a research report site, shows that decline might have a negative impact on conservation groups.

The study, conducted by Oliver Pegams, visiting research assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Patricia Zaradic, director of the Red Rock Institute in Pennsylvania and Peter Kareiva, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, showed that “the type and timing of nature experience may determine future conservation investment.”

The study showed that people who spend their time hiking or backpacking often increase their conservation contributions more than a decade later. According to the study, that translates to $200 to $300 annually per person in future contributions.

- Deb Acord

LowePro Tropolis Laptop Backpack 1300

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LowePro Orion

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LowePro Dryzone 100

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Is a Roundabout Needed on a Bike Path?

2009-11-04T07:33:00.004-07:00

I don't understand the popularity of roundabouts. It seems they've been showing up all over the place the last few years.

I understand the concept and how they should help keep traffic flowing through an intersection. The problem is too many people don't understand how to use them. All it takes is one person to cause major problems.

I guess the Colorado Springs Park and Rec department decided that bicyclists need to be included in the trend. This year they put in a roundabout on the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail near downtown. It's at the intersection of the Greenway Trail and the Midland Trail across from the America the Beautiful Park.

From the Greenway Trail, it was hard to see if anyone was coming from the west on the Midland Trail. The way they cut into the bank to put in the roundabout would have fixed that problem.

The city has been threatening to cut bus service and other essentials services if voters didn't vote for tripling city property taxes. Not surprisingly voters defeated the tax increase by nearly 2-1 yesterday. We may just need the roundabout on the bike path.

- UltraRob

TIMBUK2 Commute Bag

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Timbuk2 Commute 20 Bag

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Timbuk2 Commute

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Eating Well - Even in the Winter

2009-11-03T07:33:00.007-07:00

In the 1952 “Your Own Book of Campcraft,” author Catherine T. Hammett enthused about the “new trick” in outdoor cookery – aluminum foil. Today, foil is still a great way to cook if you have a campfire. At home, create meals in foil packets and freeze them. At camp, build a small campfire and bury the packets in the hot coals until they are hot and steamy. Try these combinations: Sausage, peppers and potatoes; stew meat, potatoes and carrots; chicken breasts, Japanese vegetable mix and rice. (Works best to cook the meat at home and freeze it before you pack it up.) When you leave your campsite, don’t forget to take the foil with you.

For camping trips where you don’t have to carry your gear on your back, Jack Daniels from REI’s Denver flagship store says the classic double-burner Coleman stoves are still popular and perfect for those elaborate pancake breakfasts. For backpacking, the newest compact stoves, some practically pocket-sized, are perfect for one-pot meals.

“The iso-butane self-contained stoves and cartridges are a big trend,” Daniels says. “You just screw the fuel cartridge onto the stove, turn it on, light it, and you’re ready to go.”

Not sure what kind of stove you need? REI offers these guidelines:

Think about the kinds of trips you’re planning, and choose the lightest, most compact stove for your particular needs. How many people will you be feeding? What will the air temperature be where you are going? How elaborate will your meals be? Will you need more than one burner at a time?
Look for these features: stoves you can disconnect from the fuel source (easier to store, harder to break); stoves that fold up or collapse; and stoves that can fit inside your cookware to save space.
Choose your fuel.
- Butane, propane or isobutane blend canisters are convenient, easy to light and burn cleanly. Downside – they are more expensive than other fuel types; you have canisters to throw away and they are not readily recyclable; they aren’t as effective at low temperatures.
- Kerosene is inexpensive and easy to find, but it can burn dirty and it’s smelly. Downside: Priming is required.
- White gas, also inexpensive, is easy to find and burns cleanly. Downside: It can be volatile if it’s spilled and it requires priming.
- Denatured alcohol is a renewable resource that burns very quietly. Downside: It doesn’t put out as much heat as other fuels so it increases cooking times.
- Unleaded gas is relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Downside: A dirty fuel, it can clog your stove and it’s extremely volatile.
- Multi-fuel stoves do just what their name implies – they are engineered to burn more than one kind of fuel. Downside: they cost more than single-fuel models and can be hard to maintain.
Decide what’s important for your backpacking or camping needs – average boiling time, efficiency of the stove, and burn time at maximum flame.

How to improve the performance of your stove, from REI:

Invest in a heat exchanger (a corrugated metal wind screen that wraps around your pot).
Use alcohol to prime your stove.
Clean your stove and maintain it at home before you head out.
Pour your liquid fuel through a coffee filter.

- Deb Acord

Primus Gravity Multifuel Stove

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MSR WHISPERLITE INTERNATIONAL MULTIFUEL STOVE

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Primus Multi Tool For Varifuel MultiFuel Stove

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Sand and Rock

2009-11-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

Every year about this time, when the mountain scenery fades from green to brown, I’m drawn to a different kind of terrain – dusty high deserts, rocky canyons, shifting sand dunes.

Fall and winter are the best times to visit these places and you’ll often have them to yourselves. Here are three of my favorites close to Colorado Springs – Paint Mines Interpretive Park, which is nearby; the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, which can be done on a long day trip, and Hovenweep National Monument, which can be part of a longer road trip that also includes Mesa Verde National Park.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park, part of the El Paso County parks system, is unlike any other park in the region. To get there, take U.S. Highway 24 east to Calhan; drive south on Yoder Road/Calhan Highway; east on Pain Mine Road, and follow the signs. The park is named for the hoodoos and spires capped in sandstone (pictured) and “painted” with clays. It’s a small park – 750 acres with four miles of trails – but you’ll want to linger and explore the maze of rock formations.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve near Mosca has the tallest dunes in North America, set dramatically against a backdrop of the Sangre de Cristos. In the summer, the dunes are crawling with visitors. In the winter, we’ve had the park all to ourselves.
Hovenweep National Monument near Cortez and Blanding, Utah. Mysterious rock towers and petroglyphs dot the high desert here; remnants of a culture 10,000 years old.

- Deb Acord

Asolo Hiking Boots FSN 85 For Men

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Asolo TPS 520 GV Boots Mens

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ASOLO Mens TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots

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More Free Skiing

2009-10-30T07:33:00.000-06:00

If you’re a Winter Park fan, check this out: The resort is offering free lift tickets from its opening day, Nov. 18, to Christmas Day, and will hand over the tickets when guests book a minimum of two nights of lodging during that time.

Check out the “Ski Free at Winter Park” lodging package at www.playwinterpark.com or call 800-979-9874.

- Deb Acord

Anon Majestic Goggles

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Anon Realm Goggles

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Anon Helix Goggles

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Skiing Tip - Keep It In Your Pants

2009-10-28T07:33:00.007-06:00

You might think you know all the tips that make a better skier, but do you know where to stow your PB&J so it doesn’t get squished before lunchtime?
Skiing magazine includes this valuable bit of info in “Tips, Tricks, and Advice.”

About that sandwich? Don’t stuff into into your jacket pocket. Instead, keep it safe in your pants. “Unzip the outer thigh vent and slip your sandwich behind your knee so it drops to your calf,” the article says. Your gaiter will prevent it from falling out and from getting flattened.

Other valuable tips from Skiing mag?

Protect your shins by wedging a neoprene beer cozy between your leg and the front of your boot before you tighten the straps.
Freshen your stinky ski boots after a long day by placing dryer sheets in them.
After a fall that packs your ski goggles, suck the snow out of the front lens before it can melt. Once the vents are clear, dry them with something soft.

For more unconventional tips, check out Skiing magazine

- Deb Acord

Spyder Chugach Ski Pants For Men

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Spyder Switch Ski Pants For Men

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Mens Spyder CR Pants

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Named Best Local Outdoor Blog by Colorado Springs Independent

2009-10-27T07:33:00.050-06:00

As I do most weeks, I picked up the latest Colorado Springs Independent which is their Best Of volume two. It's been laying on my desk at work waiting for me to have a chance to take a short break to scan for something interesting. Work has been so busy that I hadn't taken the time to look past the cover.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when Deb Acord emailed me today that this blog had been named Best Local Outdoor Blog. Of course Deb has been writing great posts for the last couple months and she shares in this recognition and deserves a big thanks.

I also owe a big thanks to you the readers, whether long time readers or just new. If I didn't know people were reading and commenting, I probably would have quit blogging a long time ago. It's changed a lot from it's birth as a way to record my training for RAAM to now being a much broader cycling and outdoor blog.

If you're local, you can pick up a copy of the Indy around town and check it out in print on page 59 or you can check out the online version.

- UltraRob

Asolo Hiking Boots FSN 85 For Men

Regular Price: $145.00
$109.95 on sale

Asolo FSN 95 GTX Hiking Boots Mens

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Asolo TPS 535 Hiking Boots Mens

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Skiing with Warren

2009-10-26T07:33:00.000-06:00

Admit it – you’re getting excited about skiing. And one of the indicators of a new season is coming up – the annual Warren Miller movie. This year’s film, called “Dynasty,” is a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Warren Miller ski movies. It opened a bit over a week ago in Utah, and will hit Colorado Springs at the Pikes Peak Center Nov. 20 and 21. It features new film footage alongside gems from the past six decades of Warren Miller films. “Dynasty” is narrated by free skier Jonny Moseley; one segment features Chris Davenport and another shows monoskiers tackling last winter’s X-Games skier cross course.

To further celebrate 60 years of Warren Miller films, Ski magazine and Skiing magazine have joined with the ski industry to offer 60 days of giveaways. Every day from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1, one person will win one of 60 prizes, including skis, lift tickets and resort accommodations. The grand prize is a four-day trip for two to Snowbird, Utah. To enter, go to Skinet.com, log in and enter by answering a trivia question or performing a Facebook task.

Even if you don’t win a prize in the contest, at some Colorado locations including Colorado Springs you will “win” a free lift ticket when you buy your Warren Miller tickets. As in past years, ticketholders will get a ticket to Winter Park, Copper Mountain or Steamboat. There are various promotions at other locations across the country.

- Deb Acord

The North Face Boys McMurdo Parka

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THE NORTH FACE MCMURDO PARKA MENS

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The North Face Mens Himalayan Parka

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Leadville 100 Movie - Race Across the Sky Review

2009-10-23T23:36:00.004-06:00

Last night was the showing of the Race Across the Sky which is about the 2009 Leadville 100 mountain bike race. The movie was sold out in many locations across the country. It was planned as a one night showing but because of it's popularity, there is going to be an encore on November 12th, 2009.

There were 1400 racers entered in the Leadville 100 mountain bike race with some racers taking over 12 hours to finish. That makes for lots of interesting stories to be condensed down to about an hour and a half. Not surprisingly the focus of the movie was on Lance Armstrong, Dave Wiens and a few of the other top racers.

In typical Dave Wiens style, he thanked the volunteers at the top of the Columbine Climb as he went by. It was entertaining to watch Lance Armstrong trying to fix his flat late in the race. In the short panel discussion shown before and after the race, he admits he can't fix a flat to save his life. At the finish line, Dave Wiens said, "Last year Lance was just off the couch, this year he was just off the Tour de France."

Although the movie focused on the leaders, there were shots of average riders throughout the movie. Riders farther back were shown suffering as they pushed their bikes up the Columbine climb. There was an emotional scene as riders that were too slow missed the time cut-off at the Twin Lakes aid station and were forced to stop racing.

The emotional and inspirational story of Roxanne Hall was highlighted. Last year she was hit by a car while training for the Leadville 100. Her back was broken in several places and she had many other life threatening injuries. Not only did she fight back from her injuries but she raced this year.

Grace Ragland chatted briefly as she hike-a-biked up the Columbine Climb. She was diagnosed with MS 20 years ago if I remember correctly.

I saw about a a dozen racers that I know. One was Ricky McDonald. He's one of a handful of racers that have finished the Leadville 100 MTB all 16 years. We used to race shorter NORBA races together back in the '90s. He's still riding the same bike and riding in his Team Huffy Fred shirt.

Overall I thought the movie was great. It gives family and friends a glimpse into our experience that we have when we race it. Sure it doesn't give the full feeling of being there racing or crewing but it would be impossible to portray it all in a movie.

There were some complaints about the video and audio quality and the soundtrack on the Yahoo Leadville 100 list. I thought the video was plenty good although there were some water drops on the lens a couple times and occasional video shaking on the rough roads. I'm not a good judge of music. It would have to be really terrible for it to bother me. There were also some complaints about focusing too much on the leaders.

Maybe I'm not enough of a movie critic, but I enjoyed the Race Across the Sky for what it was. My biggest complaint would be that it doesn't show how steep and tough the climbs are. I was with a group of 16 people and I only heard talk about it being great and no complaints.

Don't Go to the Encore If ...

You're looking for a compelling story line
You don't want the movie to be about Lance Armstrong and Dave Wiens
You don't like to hear Bob Roll's wild descriptive phrases
You want it to be about your Leadville 100 experience
You expect Hollywood quality filming

If none of the above apply and you missed the movie last night, you should go see it on November 12th. Locations aren't listed yet but check the Race Across the Sky encore info page soon for details.

- UltraRob

Related Links

Pearl Izumi Pearl Original Jersey Cap Sleeve Womens

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$30.08 on sale

Pearl Izumi Womens Pearl Original Cap Sleeve Jersey

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Pearl Izumi Womens Pearl Original Sock

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What's next? Robot Olympics?

2009-10-23T12:36:00.004-06:00

At a recent International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, scientists presented hundreds of papers on how robotics can come into play in such diverse tasks as making energy technologies more affordable, assisting with hearing aid implantation and teaching Braille, and controlling unmanned helicopters.

That’s all important stuff, but here’s what’s really cool: A skiing robot, presented by Bojan Menec from the Jozef Stefan Institute.

The robot uses the carving ski technique, according to Menec’s abstract, and “is capable of autonomous navigating between the race gates, avoiding obstacles and maintaining a stable position during skiing on a previously unknown ski slope.”

According to CNET News, Nemec says the robot could test ski equipment or be a model for virtual-reality skiing. The robots probably won’t be clogging ski areas any time soon, although they probably could replace ski instructors.

- Deb Acord

Skiing: Key Word is "Free"

2009-10-22T08:24:00.001-06:00

One of the best things about being a fifth-grader in Colorado is the Fifth Grade Ski Passport. It has always been the best deal in Colorado, offering three free days at every one of Colorado’s ski resorts. The passport is offered by Colorado Ski Country USA, the trade umbrella for Colorado’s resorts. But last season, Vail Resorts pulled out of the Ski Country association, and the passports no longer offered free days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin.

Many parents were sad that their kids couldn’t experience the thrills of Breck's Peak 9 or the vast backcountry of Vail.

They can rejoice – Vail Resorts has created a program called School of Shred. Colorado fifth and sixth graders can get four free days of skiing or snowboarding at each of the company’s four resorts. For more information, go to Vail's pass web site.

Ski Country still offers its passports that give fifth graders three free days at their 21 member resorts. For $99, sixth graders get four free days at each of the resorts. For more information about the passport, go to Colorado Ski Country’s site.

- Deb Acord

Leadville 100 Movie This Week

2009-10-19T12:30:00.002-06:00

Race Across the Sky, the documentary about this year's Leadville 100 mountain bike race, is this Thursday at 6 PM. The movie is sold out at most theaters in Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins according to posts on the Yahoo Leadville 100 list. Here in Colorado Springs, the 3 theaters (Hollywood Theaters 14, Tinseltown and Cinemark Carefree Circle) that are showing it still show tickets available online.

For the movie trailer and more about it, see my post from a few weeks ago. If you're in the Colorado Springs area, I'm getting a group together at Hollywood Theaters 14 and you're welcome to join us. You can RSVP on Facebook. We'll try getting seats together.

- UltraRob

Related Links

Planet Bike MicroPro Pump Planet Bike MicroPro Pump

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Planet Bike Peace Pump

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Planet Bike Micromite Pump Planet Bike Micromite Pump

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Sand Creek Fall Classic 2009

2009-10-18T17:29:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was the Sand Creek Fall Classic which as far as I know was the last mountain bike race of the season in Colorado. Even though it was cold and icy last weekend, this weekend was absolutely perfect fall weather. There was bright blue sky with temperatures around 70 degrees.

I went out and shoot some photos of the end of the 11:15 start and the Pros and Category 1 (Experts) that started at 1:00 PM. The course was about a 3 mile loop and included some great singletrack. It made me wish I was racing.

The field sizes were small but that wasn't surprising with the race so late in the year. Below are a few of the photos I took. You can see more of my Sand Creek Fall Classic photos in the photo section. I plan to add another album with many more photos.

About The Shot was also out shooting photos and should have them online in a couple days. They also have a few 2010 Sand Creek Series calendars available.

Pro Men Results

Kalan Beisel
JJ Clark
Rob Sousa
Matt Simmons

- UltraRob

Sidi Dominator 5 MTB Shoe

Price: $229.99

Sidi Dominator 5 Mountain Shoe

Price: $269.95

Sidi Dominator 6 Carbon SRS Shoe

Regular Price: $449.99
$419.99 on sale

Good Gear Coupons and Deals

2009-10-15T12:26:00.004-06:00

There are a couple good coupons available for cycling and outdoor gear. The first one is from REI. You get 20% off a single item that isn't on sale with coupon code FALLDEAL and it expires 10/18/09.

You do have to be a REI member to use the coupon. Memberships are $20 and last a lifetime so you don't have to pay the fee in future years. I've been a member for many years. Being a member makes you eligible for a dividend that is normally 10% on non-sale items.

Backcountry also has a 20% off coupon. Unlike the REI coupon, there is no limit on the number of items and it can also be used for sale items. Sale items will be 20% off regular price or the sale price if it is better. Use coupon 4L0-2-2LQLP at checkout. I don't have an expiration date on it. Update: Backcountry coupon ends 10/27/09.

Backcountry coupon exclusions: Discount does not apply to gift certificates, lift tickets, Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Burton, The North Face, Western Mountaineering, Skis, Ski Boots, Ski Bindings, Snowboards, Snowboard Boots, Snowboard Bindings, Avalanche Gear, or Aire Inflatables. If an item is already on sale you'll receive the better of the two discounts.

Of course you also never know what kinds of deals you can scare up over at Sierra Trading Post. Now you can get 15% off $100 and 20% off $150 with code ALOCTOBER9. Valid through November 4th, 2009.

Rock Creek also currently has a sale on The North Face items including new Fall styles. Many of the items are at least 20% off. Sale ends October 22nd.

- UltraRob

ATLAS 930 Snowshoes

Price: $159.95

ATLAS 1225 Snowshoes

Price: $279.95

ATLAS 1125 Snowshoes

Price: $229.95