First off I would like to shout out to my friend Pablo (you know who you are). If you would of been there last night you would of finished and had a Double Haul with me as well.
Hello from Smokeville Montana. The Wednesday Night Race Series went off even with smoke in the air. In the beginning the pace was the usual fast “lets drop Bill” pace. The difference between yesterday and a week ago is that I was not to be dropped. I climbed right behind the road bikers and one by one they dropped back. With only 1 guy to follow and only 3/4 the way up the 1100 vert foot climb I was still hanging in there. Suddenly the guy stopped and I rode on and finished the lap with a record time. At the finish line after two laps I discovered that everyone had dropped out of the race but 2 guys (Alex and I). Very weird to start a race a half dozen strong and have everyone quite. I believe that no one wanted to be seen in the results that far behind the leader … boooyea! 2 laps in 1:15 🙂
With the cyclocross season fast approaching, my humble abode is transforming into a bicycle-themed episode of ‘The Price is Right,’ where the prizes are sleek, high-performance two-wheeled machines. Here’s the battle plan for transforming my humble two-wheeled steed into a mud-slinging, barrier-hopping, cowbell-clanging machine.
Commuting in Missoula the Leader I named Lolo
First up, we’ve got the heart of the operation: the LEADER LD 416R CROSS Frame. This isn’t just any frame; it’s the Excalibur of cyclocross frames, ready to carry me valiantly across any battlefield… or at least through a lot of mud and over some questionable terrain.
To match, I’ve enlisted the NEW LEADER C802 3K CARBON 700C CYCLO CROSS BIKE FORK. Because if you’re going to have Excalibur, you might as well have Merlin’s wand to guide you through the course, right?
Steering won’t be left to chance thanks to the Sette Avanti O/S 31.8mm Carbon Road Bar and the Planet X Team Pro Road 3D Forged Stem. Together, they’re like having the hands of a surgeon, if that surgeon were performing delicate operations on gravel at 20mph.
Grip is no joke either, with Sette Carbon Gel Bar Tape. It’s essentially like holding onto a cloud, if clouds were made of ultra-tacky gel and could withstand the rigors of cyclocross.
Then there’s the Salsa Chainring Guard and Redline Chain Keeper combo, the dynamic duo tasked with keeping my chain where it belongs. Because the only thing I want dropping mid-race is my competition, not my chain.
For tires, we’ve got 2 Kenda Small Block 8 Cross DTC Tires, ready to bite into the earth with the determination of a toddler biting into a cookie. Paired with Stan’s System (tubeless), because flats are for quitters and I’m not in the business of standing sadly by the sidelines.
Shifting will be smoother than a politician at a fundraising dinner, thanks to the Shimano XT M772 Shadow Rear Derailleur. And to keep things moving, there’s the SALSA INNER 130MM CHAINRING, because power transfer is key, and I intend to transfer all my pent-up energy from the off-season into speed.
So there you have it, my meticulously curated list for the cyclocross season. It’s less of a shopping list and more of a manifesto—a declaration of my intent to conquer the cyclocross season with as much grace, speed, and style as a mud-covered racer can muster. Let the games begin!
Buckle up, folks, for a dive into the Great Wheel Debate! It’s a topic that’s been sparking arguments hotter than a post-Giro d’Italia panini (IYKYK) amongst mountain bikers and road cyclists for years. So, let’s clear the air like a well-timed domestique before the final climb.
Here’s the deal: 29″ mountain bike wheels and 700c road bike wheels? They’re like siblings with the same parents but wildly different personalities. On paper, they seem identical – both have a 622mm bead seat diameter, which basically means the tire hugs the rim the same way. But hold your horses, because mountain bikers are a sneaky bunch. They measure their wheels with the tire on, like adding your impressive hat height to your official stature. So, while the numbers might match, there’s a subtle difference, like the way your chill coffee-loving brother and your adrenaline-fueled parkour-loving sibling approach life.
Think of it this way: the 29er, with its beefier tires, is like a burly off-roader, conquering rough terrain with confidence and comfort. The 700c, with its sleek tires, is more like a road warrior, slicing through asphalt with speed and efficiency. It’s all about the context, people!
So, next time you’re caught in the crossfire of this debate, drop this knowledge bomb: it’s not just the size, it’s what they wear (the tires, in this case) that defines them. And hey, whether you’re a mountain goat or a pavement panther, remember, it’s all about the joy of the ride. That, my friends, is a beautiful thing, no matter how many inches your wheels measure. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll all be riding on holographic hoverboards, settling the debate once and for all. Until then, happy trails (or roads)!
Terrain Distance (approx): 25.18 miles Climbing Distance: 5,409 vert feet Highest Altitude: 7,675 feet Trip Time: 4 hours 20 mins. (4:07:27 9/12/09 WLM) Difficulty: Long Hard Climbing. Map:2009-09-12-sheep.gpx
Bill mentioned he unfortunately had to work this weekend so I decided Sunday to ride over the Hill. Went to Rattlesnake trail head and met a local bike merchant amigo at 6.45am. I did not expect him to show up!
We headed up Wood’s and rode over numerous fresh berry filled bear piles. Smoke was bad, but we hit an occasional clear spot. Looking down on Missoula was a sad thing. The city was completely socked in (later learned a Stage 1 was in effect). I asked my friend why he only had one water bottle? At the 5 mile mark, he bailed and went down to 3 Pines and probably back to bed! So, I went on up solo and content anyway.
It was quiet all the way up. Trail was dry and loose. No bears or cats. I had pepper spray just in case, though I hate carrying it. The smoke at the Hele-Pad was thick. The sky was red/golden. 7600 +/- ft. There was a couple there with their two dogs hanging out who had hiked in from the Mineral Peak / Gold Creek side. I visited briefly, but their dogs did not like my helmet or something? So, I dropped off the back and into those 6 or 7 switchbacks we all love on the descent to the E. Fork. There were two trees across the trail prior to dropping into the E. fork trail. One had an axe quietly hiding next to it with a yellow handle. I could not believe my luck (only two portages so far – 2006 I counted 19+/- to the Franklin Bridge). The E. fork was completely cleared too – an absolute dream descent through the jungle! Thank you Forest Service! Stopped a couple of times on top to see the views and figure out where that couple had hiked in from – so GPS said it was 4hrs. 20mins. getting it done, just over 26 miles. My favorite Missoula ride. ~ MT Rogue
ELEVATIONS:
Sheep Mt.: 7675; N 46 56.868; W 113 48.403
Franklin Bridge: 4294
Rattlesnake Trail Head 3645
Point 6 (for grins, not this ride) 7917
photos: above, Wisherd Ridge 6/9/07 in fog/snowing (solo); above, Marshall Ski Hill 6/3/06; above Wisherd Ridge 8/19/07; Hele Pad/Heart 6/9/07; Max – Bike Mechanic Extraordinaire /Utah Ski Patroller (8/19/06 Sheep); Lake, N/E of Point 6 on 6/25/06.
My friends Charlie and Ed (from the lands of the North Country in Plattsburgh New York) participated in the NY Capital Region Road Race in Ravena, NY [results] last week. Charlie came in 13 out of 36 in the masters class and Ed came in 19 out of 83 racers in the cat 4 field. Although it is sad for me to see a road result instead of a mountain bike result I want to give a shout out to them.
My weekend went ok even thought the smoke in the air was as thick as soup. At one point while sitting in my apartment the window glowed orange while the lighting in the front room was whiter and brighter than the outdoors. It is a very sad place to be in right now. Residents near Seeley Lake were evacuated once again yesterday. In all the doom, gloom, and drugs I managed to get in two fantastic rides.
The first one was with friends and we biked the single track to the base of Lolo Peak. We rode all the way to the lakes at the top of Carleton Ridge. The decent was the finest I have experienced to date. Lots of rocks and roots. Lots of switchbacks and tons of fast deep woods trail.
Yesterday I was able to drive away from the smoke to Lolo Pass where I put in a 26 mile time-trial (Mountain Pass) in a little over an hour. I felt strong and consistent but my heart rate would not go over 167 which scares me. Today is the last day I will be on medication so we will see if life will be better now.
I certainly appreciate my buds that stop by the lodge to say hi and keep me up to date what is going on in places I used to live. I am there with them in spirit as I can feel the humidity and the road ride that my cycling friends from Plattsburgh experienced yesterday. I only wish I could meet up with my bro in Burlington on Church Street for some relaxation, coffee, and banter. And with all that spiritual experience I was able to fulfill my current existence smack dab in the middle of single track heaven.
Last night's Thursday Night Ride took place at the Snow Bowl area. We climbed up the single track to the lodge at the top. the smoke was gone and the air was cool. As always the ride down was total ZEN. We are lucky to have such sweet trails here in Missoula. Thank you mother earth! After we downed some beers and stopped off at McKenzie River Pizza and closed the place with three more pictures of beer and two large pizzas. The conversation was full of fun filled stories as well as a tragic one where Biscuit the rock climbing dog was suggested to have been eaten by a mountain lion (un confirmed). This had a big affect on one of our riding buddies and we were there to console him.
What's up this weekend everyone? Big rides? Epic Rides? I am looking forward to some rest.
Barely awake in Missoula, Montana, I’m attempting to recount last night’s mountain bike race—a venture that didn’t pan out as planned. Overlooked the importance of rest, especially after a 100-mile race and some surgery.
Kicked off the race alongside two speedy competitors, tackling an 1100-foot climb. It’s tougher than you’d think. My heart raced at 173 bpm, but soon, my lungs were on fire, leading to a coughing fit. My body hit its limit and forced me to slow down, letting riders I usually outpace easily zoom past, making me look like a newbie.
The second lap went somewhat better after expelling a good deal of phlegm, thanks to the dusty roads of the 100-miler, and I reduced my pace to 160 bpm. The climb felt smoother, and I nearly caught up. However, the treacherous downhill, more suitable for a downhill specialist, caused a few errors, and I crossed the finish line feeling defeated.
Hello from somewhere in Missoula Montana. I cant tell where I am because of the smoke from the fires. Can you believe they are about to evacuate Seeley Lake? Today at 1:30 I will be in the docs office to cut this “undercarriage” problem off and patch it up where it came from. Then we will devise a plan to take care of my infected “lower half”.
I am still basking in the glory of winning my first 100 mile race and I will hopefully update and make a page dedicated to the Butte 100. So stay tuned. For now, I am going to get cut … ouch!
UPDATE: The map to the right is only the 100k course. Our 100 mile course had WAY more climbing in the last 10 miles. I will update after my surgery.
From the race promoter (click on image for map): “For a synopsis on the Butte 100 mile course, I would estimate that 95% of the course will be on Forest Service roads, the majority of which are fairly flat (<10% grade). There are several sections of road that are steep and technical, and due to the heat, smoke, and length of the course, the organizers have tried to keep these to a minimum. The course is out and back, similar to Leadville, through some very scenic areas.
Two other options are available besides the 100 mile, including a 50k and 100k out-and-back.
For aid stations, there will be two on the course: one at the 50k turnaround and one at the 100k turnaround. The 100k turnaround will also have a first-aid station and ambulance. Also, three campgrounds located along the course can be accessed for additional bathrooms and water. One of these campgrounds is Maney lake, a nice stop for those who are in it for the ride.
Weather-wise, Butte has been having some rather pleasant days: the high yesterday was 83 and the Weatherchannel forecast for Saturday is 80 and partly cloudy.“
It sure is nice to see all of you stopping by the lodge to say hi. Here is the latest update. I have been standing if I go cycling. I haven’t sat in the saddle for a week. Last Saturday morning I had to do some drastic stuff to prevent an infection from spreading and got it under control. Here is the low-down (no pun intended).
My fun has stopped momentarily (I hope) because of a growth and the infection it has created. I have a ketchup bottle sized growth near where I sit on the bike. It became infected, and I missed the big race last weekend (Got to watch Travis Brown race the marathon, though). I am seeing the doctor tomorrow and hopefully a surgeon later in the day for surgery. I’ll keep you updated. Been too sick to blog lately.
How did the race go? Well, at the halfway point Travis was in fourth, but he made a move on his patented 29/26er bike and ended up second. I took some pictures in the feed zone to study later to see what the big gun rides. I hope you all have a pleasant weekend.
This is a race that I missed due to an infection. The up-side is that I got to take some great pictures. This is the Galena Grinder, quite possibly the best race of the summer and one that I am looking forward to thee most for 2008.
We arrived at the location on a Saturday afternoon. We had stopped in Stanley for some pictures and awesome blueberry smoothies and shakes. I tried to do a pre ride in the area but could not sit on the saddle. That night I had to do emergency work on the undercarriage to stop the infection from forcing a emergency room visit.
I was able to enjoy the weekend due to the Browns brining me along and putting up with my fever. I just hope I didn’t ruin their weekend.
The standings were just released today and even with a flat and a third place finish in the Thompson Park Mtn Bike Race I am still barely squeaking by at the top of Montana Cycling’sMORS Standings. I am hoping to come on strong in the last half of the season to defend this position and can only feel lucky enough to be defending it. It has been a great season so far. Here are the top five as of today:
“Come experience some of the greatest high altitude mountain bike racing in southern Idaho. This course is an old favorite! Galena hosted a NORBA National race in 1988, when John Tomac beat Ned Overend.
This course consists of one 22.5 mile loop with 50% singletrack. Start/Finish is at 7,000 feet, with a total elevation gain of 3,200 in one loop. An “Open” category (for any racers who choose to NOT purchase an annual license) will be held for the Marathon, which is two 22.5 mile loops (45 miles). Winning Marathon time will be approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours.”
Team Delphine, in conjunction with sponsor Owenhouse Bike and Fitness, are offering a Giant TCR-C1 bicycle ($3,000 MSRP) to raffle for the Jenny McCune Benefit Fund (JMBF).
Jenny McCune was seriously injured in a cycling accident on July 5th and is undergoing rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado.
Tickets are $10 each, 2 for $14 and 4 for $25. Drawing will be announced August 19th at the conclusion of the Valley West Criterium in Bozeman. All proceeds go to the JMBF. You need not be present to win.
color Silver / Red / Composite
size XS, S, M, ML, L, XL
frame formulaOne Composite, Compact Road Design
fork fomulaOne Full Composite, 1 1/8″ w/carbon steerer
handlebar Race Face Cadence
stem Race Face Cadence
seatpost formulaOne Composite
saddle Fi’zi:k Aliante Delta w/Ti-rails
pedals N/A
derailleur Dura Ace rear Ultegra front
brakes Shimano Ultegra
shifters Shimano Ultegra
cassette Shimano Ultegra 12- 25T, 10 speed
chain Shimano Ultegra
cranks Shimano Ultegra 39/ 53 T
bb Shimano Ultegra external
rims Mavic Ksyrium Elite
hubs Mavic Ksyrium Elte
spokes Mavic Ksyrium Elite
tires Michelin Pro2 Race, 700x23c
Contact any Team Delphine rider in order to purchase raffle tickets or contact Maxwell Yanof, 406.580.6892 (myanof {at} imt.net). Please make checks payable to Team Delphine.
It looks like I get a free smoothie from the Good Food Store compliments of the Missoula in Motion’s Way to Go Club. I have been riding my bike to work pretty religiously since moving to Montana and I have racked up 997.7 miles; 299 days so far with the club. This year I have biked 227.9 miles; 82 days to work. All this and I am unhappy about the fact that I only live a couple miles from work (I have to go the long way around just to get that). According to the web site I have conserved 807.85 pounds of carbon dioxide. But then I negate that by consuming so much oxygen while racing .. lol!
It was a spur of the moment decision. To try and bike up and over Sheep Mountain in 3 to 4 hours and impress my friends. So I posted where I was going on my Palaver section of my site (just in case … right?) and headed out. It was 103 degrees when I left my apartment.
I reached the top 2.5 hours (2 hours from trail head) and did it all on the bike. This is the first time I rode the steep sections. I am thinking around 4000 feet of climbing. I had plenty time to descend into Rattlesnake Creek but then started to get ill and as a result got lost. I took two wrong turns and had to back track.
The first one was a short jaunt towards Mineral Peak. The second took a hour to realize after descending about 700 feet and crossing a creek. When I started to climb back up towards the ridge I rode I realized I was on the wrong trail. My goal at that point was to climb back up and descend onto route 200 via Gold Creek.
I stumbled upon the correct trail as it became too dark to ride and I was feeling too ill to ride. I had to feel my way out of the woods. I posted on my site where I went but no one saw and came looking. It took forever to stumble out and onto the Rattlesnake Corridor. It was a miracle I stayed on the trail.
It then took me another hour to ride the jeep trail to the trail head. It is hard enough to cycle in pitch darkness but to do it on the Rattlesnake Corridor where I broke my seat post last year is very hard (and being sick and without water for two hours).
I rolled into town at around 1 something this morning. I have experienced the worst cramps of my life in the 4ish hours of sleep I got. That said … I am hoping tonight Thursday Night Ride is not going up Wallman Trail … I’ll definitely walk it … well, maybe.
Hello from somewhere under the haze in Missoula Montana. I returned home last night from this weekends race the Thompson Park Mountain Bike Race in Butte Montana. This race was number 5 in the Montana Off Road Series (MORS).
I left town on Saturday and spent a couple hours at the course pre riding. the weather was cooler than Missoula. I left and it was 106 here and when I got back from my ride in Butte it was 62 and overcast. It was very pleasant.
The course starts out on a old rail road bed and turns to a small single track section with a grueling steep climb that goes over the tunnel (race an not go through a tunnel for some legal reasons I guess). After a small downhill it returns to the rail road bed for another kilometer or so before turning onto double track that begins the long climb to the top of the course. The decent is also on double-track and is extremely fast with water bars that can be hit at full speed. The course gets interesting with some short climbs and very technical and steep descent over rocks and roots. IT all spills out onto the rail road bed again which takes you to another short loop of singletrack in some gentle rolling hills and finally a short hard climb to the double track before the finish.
I camped out on the divide and met up with my friends the day of the race. Everyone had a good race as usual and mine went with a little dissapointment in the form of a flat tire.
At the start I took the lead to control the pace. As we approached the small steep climb over the tracks John Curry passed and picked up the pace. I followed and after a small mishap and run up the hill I was back on his heels again as we left the rail road tracks again to start the climb.
By now the heat was approaching 100 degrees and the climb became very hard. I kept up for a bit but had to back off the pace due to excessive physical pain. I let another rider take up the chase and followed as closely as I could.
I was afraid I was falling off pace and the two riders were far enough ahead that I would not see them again but as I reached the tracks at the bottom of the decent I realized that I was catching again. I hammered through the second loop to be back on the heels on lap two.
As I approached the start finish line my front tire went flat. I found a huge chunk of glass in the tire. I attempted a quick fix but I screwed up the c02 cartridge and had to inflate the new tube with a pocket pump (by hand). I pumped until I became anaerobic and quickly re-joined the race. I had fallen back in the pack due to my lengthy stop.
I just decided to relax and do the best I could as the damage to my position and possibly to the standing had been done. At the end of the second lap I was abale to re-distance myself to the main group and catch back up to 4th place. After a lengthy conversation about mini pumps I passed a fellow racer and took over third place. I put distance on him through out but only came to within 5 minutes of second.
Overall I can not complain about re-gaining third place after flatting so i will venture to say i had a good race. As for the standings, that we will have to wait and see. I plan to post some pictures that a friend took so come on back and check for those. In the meantime I have ordered a tubbless system so that I am not at a disadvantage to the “smarter” racers (john). John has tipped me off to a system called Stans and you can see what it is all about at www.notubes.com.
Next week I am grounded at home as I recover from the financial hit of buying new parts but I hope to be back at the races in Idaho for the Gallena Grinder Marathon MTB in two weeks.
Julie H. has posted photos from the annual Snow Bowl Ride and Seed Spitting Contest (click here). The seed spitting contest is in it’s second year and becoming quite hi tech. I think I over heard someone was using CO2.
This years ride started out in some small rain showers and threats from the heavens in the form of thunder. Once on top we enjoyed some time on the porch and the rest of the ride was rain free. Back at the parking lot we had some Double Haul and spit some seeds! It was a great time. Enjoy Julie’s photos
It looks like I am still BARELY in first place. Hot on my heels is John and if he keeps his powerful pace from last weekend I may fall from the top spot this weekend in Butte MT.
Boneshakerbike 