This weekend (Saturday actually) is the San Francisco stop for New Belgium Beer's Tour de Fat. Held on Saturday, July 22nd in Golden Gate Park (Speedway Meadow) starting at 11am. The Tour de Fat is New Belgium's touring cycling circus of riding, music and folly that raises money for local charities (San Franciscisco Bicycle Coalition and Bay Area Ridge Trail Council).
The Tour de Fat rolls into Truckee (near Lake Tahoe) on July 29th.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
PRODUCT REVIEW: Candy SL Update
As an update to my earlier review of the Crank Brother's Candy SL pedals, here are some follow-on comments about their usage after three months:
First, the good. They are noticably lighter than my older Shimano 540s. They engage better, release better and don't need any adjustments. They've worn well. I haven't even got a chance to see how much better they shed mud. Quite simply, they were a drop in upgrade that took weight of my ride and work better.
The bad. I broke the stainless steel spring in the left pedal about two weeks after installing them. Okay, not broke, but "bent real bad." While I am hazy about exactly how I did this, I am pretty sure that I "curb checked" a large rock at about 25 MPH on the Dyke 8 trail. This isn't really a mark against the Candies, as I have beaten my SPDs up even worse (there is probably an element of user error also).
While accidents like this certainly happen, the real test is how the company supports you. And Crank Brothers came through like champs. After feeding them a completely ridiculous story, they asked me to ship them the pedals. In one week, UPS delivered my pedals with a new spring installed. All companies should be this easy to deal with.
Overall, the Candies have been very good pedals, but this story: Crank Brothers introduces new pedals (BIKEmagic Gear News) makes me think that I might be wanting a pair of mid-platforms when they arrive here in the U.S.
First, the good. They are noticably lighter than my older Shimano 540s. They engage better, release better and don't need any adjustments. They've worn well. I haven't even got a chance to see how much better they shed mud. Quite simply, they were a drop in upgrade that took weight of my ride and work better.
The bad. I broke the stainless steel spring in the left pedal about two weeks after installing them. Okay, not broke, but "bent real bad." While I am hazy about exactly how I did this, I am pretty sure that I "curb checked" a large rock at about 25 MPH on the Dyke 8 trail. This isn't really a mark against the Candies, as I have beaten my SPDs up even worse (there is probably an element of user error also).
While accidents like this certainly happen, the real test is how the company supports you. And Crank Brothers came through like champs. After feeding them a completely ridiculous story, they asked me to ship them the pedals. In one week, UPS delivered my pedals with a new spring installed. All companies should be this easy to deal with.Overall, the Candies have been very good pedals, but this story: Crank Brothers introduces new pedals (BIKEmagic Gear News) makes me think that I might be wanting a pair of mid-platforms when they arrive here in the U.S.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Dreamcatcher Cancelled
Sad news that the Trinity River Pirates' Dreamcatcher Downhill race has been cancelled . . .
We apologize for the shortcoming on our last race, the Magic Mushroom DH and for cancelling the current 7/22/06 Dreamcatcher DH.We hope they can pull off their annual "Where The Trails Return" event.
The TRP core group has dwindled to two individuals and it has become virtually impossible to plan, prepare for and host races.
We do not know at this time for sure whether or not we will even be able to host the August Annual Race as we do not have the support of the Tribal Sovereign Days Planning Committee and don't know when we will be able to recruit the help necessary to once again host races in a professional manner.
We will make an official decision and announcement on the August race soon.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
CCCX To Host Fall DH Series ?
So I am not sure what to make of this announcement on the CCCX site, but it sounds very cool:
Downhill races in Northern California coming soon. Dates in August, Sept, Oct, Nov, and Dec.I'll have all the details when they are posted.
Time Trial races to challenge Nor Cal DH racers. The trails will be fun riding and will include single track, fire roads, and some sections to check your fitness!
I wont have everything finalised until Aug. 1st and then......
August 1st will be the date for series info to be finished and complete with permits and what not.
2006 Tour de Granite
Okay, so I am really late on this, but here is a cross country race down in Shaver Lake, CA near Fresno. It is being organized by Team Spatdog and the course is described as "8 mile circuit course, starts and ends at Markwood Meadows. Fast descents, steep single track, granite climbs, 900ft Elevation gain per lap, creek crossing, steep granite hike." It looks like one or two laps depending on your category.
Event: Tour de Granite
Dates: August 5th, 2006
Location: Shaver Lake, CA [ MAP ]
Competition: XC
Cost: $45/pro & expert, $40/sport & beginner
URL: http://www.spatdog.com/tdg.htm
Registration: online here
License: None
Monday, July 17, 2006
2006 US MTB Nationals Wrapup
Wow, that was a long weekend of sun and racing at Infineon. For those of you who didn't make it up/down to Sonoma this weekend, here are links to articles, results and stories about the 2006 US MTB Nationals (Cougar Mountain Classic):
- All Cougar Mountain / US MTB Nationals results
- US MTB Nationals Pro results
- My Pro mountain cross report
- My Men's Pro cross country report
- My Women's Pro cross country report
- Team Motionbased DH race report
- Rick's gravity picture gallery
- dhReno's downhill race report (with pictures)
- USA Cycling MTX race report
- USA Cycling XC race report
- USA Cycling Short Track and Downhill race report
- Cougar Mountain Short Track press release (Men's, Women's)
- Velonews Short Track and Downhill race report
- Velonews MTX race report
- Velonews XC race report
- Velonews Marathon race report
- All the pre-race reports
Sunday, July 16, 2006
RACE REPORT: US MTB Nationals (My XC Race)
After days of waiting, it finally was my turn to get out and race on Saturday. After doing the pre-race ride of the course on Thursday, I decided to lighten up my wheel/tire set and put on the Kenda Karmas and junk the camelbak. I was concerned about using the new tread pattern, but the weight savings on this fast course was just too much to pass up.
As they lined up my group, it was strange how few people showed up. Two of my group was from last year's Cougar Mountain Classic (I remember racing against them), but the rest had come in from around the country. We numbered about 13 riders in my age/category bracket.
After watching the other classes start ahead of us, we finally got started. One guy jumped to the lead and was gone (I later found he had won Sea Otter in the same class). As expected, I felt pretty fast and good through the first lap. A little skid in the first turn and some passing problems on the chattery singletrack, but overall a pretty fast lap time for me. I was thinking to myself I was in about 5th place at the turn. The second lap didn't go anywhere near as smooth. Right off the bat in the second technical descent, I got a terrible case of chain suck. I had to dismount to clear it and by the time I got back on the bike, I saw two people in my age group whiz by. Cursing, I pedaled after them and was making good time. However, by the time I had hit the second feedzone (and steep hill) people were really starting to pass me. Morale was pretty low here -- I think I had slipped to 7th place by now -- but I trudged onward. Making up some more time after the hill climb, I cramped up terribly on some singletrack (Another dismount, another minute lost.) However, once I got back on the pavement for the last 2 miles, I felt like I caught a second wind as others were bonking. I must have passed four riders on the last two major climbs and then was flying down the technincal descent to the race track. Just as we came back into the stadium area, a guy two bikes ahead of me lost his chain and blocked the rider behind him. Seeing this, I put the hammer down, flew by them and sprinted out of the saddle the last mile. I almost puked when I hit the finish line.
After the race, we ended up waiting forever for the results. When they were finally posted, I scored a podium visit by finishing in 4th place. And I took 3.5 minutes off my time from last year. Sweet.
Being on the podium was super cool since I had struggled most of this year (as chronicled on this site). However, I must give credit where credit is due: The Kenda Karma tires were a huge, huge help.
As they lined up my group, it was strange how few people showed up. Two of my group was from last year's Cougar Mountain Classic (I remember racing against them), but the rest had come in from around the country. We numbered about 13 riders in my age/category bracket.
After watching the other classes start ahead of us, we finally got started. One guy jumped to the lead and was gone (I later found he had won Sea Otter in the same class). As expected, I felt pretty fast and good through the first lap. A little skid in the first turn and some passing problems on the chattery singletrack, but overall a pretty fast lap time for me. I was thinking to myself I was in about 5th place at the turn. The second lap didn't go anywhere near as smooth. Right off the bat in the second technical descent, I got a terrible case of chain suck. I had to dismount to clear it and by the time I got back on the bike, I saw two people in my age group whiz by. Cursing, I pedaled after them and was making good time. However, by the time I had hit the second feedzone (and steep hill) people were really starting to pass me. Morale was pretty low here -- I think I had slipped to 7th place by now -- but I trudged onward. Making up some more time after the hill climb, I cramped up terribly on some singletrack (Another dismount, another minute lost.) However, once I got back on the pavement for the last 2 miles, I felt like I caught a second wind as others were bonking. I must have passed four riders on the last two major climbs and then was flying down the technincal descent to the race track. Just as we came back into the stadium area, a guy two bikes ahead of me lost his chain and blocked the rider behind him. Seeing this, I put the hammer down, flew by them and sprinted out of the saddle the last mile. I almost puked when I hit the finish line.After the race, we ended up waiting forever for the results. When they were finally posted, I scored a podium visit by finishing in 4th place. And I took 3.5 minutes off my time from last year. Sweet.
Being on the podium was super cool since I had struggled most of this year (as chronicled on this site). However, I must give credit where credit is due: The Kenda Karma tires were a huge, huge help.
RACE REPORT: US MTB Nationals (Day 3 Pro SuperD)
The SuperD race was run yesterday just before my race. Didn't get a chance to view them (busy preparing for my race), but it sounded like an interesting event. Partially run on the XC course, they used a mass Le Mans style start instead of time trials format.
Adam Craig won the men's event and Sue Haywood overcame a crash to outsprint the field for the women's win. I'll see if I can find some pictures and link them in here.
Adam Craig won the men's event and Sue Haywood overcame a crash to outsprint the field for the women's win. I'll see if I can find some pictures and link them in here.
RACE REPORT: US MTB Nationals (Day 3 Pro MTX)
Although I missed the Pro mountain cross (MTX) finals (due to a scheduling problem), I did get to see the men's medal awards. Here's Eric Carter getting the stars and stripe jersey over Brian Lopes. Eric won the championship by getting the hole shot and then holding off Brian.
Jill Kitner benefited from Tara Llanes fall in the third turn to defend her National MTX title. Kitner was actually third in the race before Tara tangled with Melissa Buhl.
Men
1. Eric Carter, Mongoose
2. Brian Lopes, GT
3. Rich Houseman, Yeti
4. Cody Warren, C-Dub Racing
Women
1. Jill Kintner, GT
2. Leanna Gerrard, Bear Naked-Cannondale
3. Melissa Buhl, KHS
4. Tara Llanes, Giant
Here's an action picture from MTBR and the USA Cycling press release and Velonews article.
Men
1. Eric Carter, Mongoose
2. Brian Lopes, GT
3. Rich Houseman, Yeti
4. Cody Warren, C-Dub Racing
Women
1. Jill Kintner, GT
2. Leanna Gerrard, Bear Naked-Cannondale
3. Melissa Buhl, KHS
4. Tara Llanes, Giant
Here's an action picture from MTBR and the USA Cycling press release and Velonews article.
Friday, July 14, 2006
RACE REPORT: US MTB Nationals (MTX Qualifiers)
It looks like they finished the MTX course overnight. Hard to tell the overall course, but it appears to be less steep than last year's course. The bottom certainly has far fewer rhythm sections. The men's pro mountain cross qualifying results:
- Brian Lopes
- Rich Houseman
- Eric Carter
- Cody Warren
RACE REPORT: US MTB Nationals (Pro Women XC)
And another surprise in the Women's Pro XC. Georgia Gould (Luna Women) held off Heather Irmiger (Subaru) and Mary McConnelough (Seven Cycles) to capture her first pro win.
Gould pulled away in the last lap to win by 1:29. Results are available here. Race recap is here.Local pros Jamie Whitmore and Kim Passafiume finished 11th and 30th respectively.
RACE REPORT: US MTB Nationals (Pro Men XC)
The Men's Pro cross country (XC) led off today with a suprise. After taking the lead in the second lap, Ryan Trebon (Kona) opening up a one minute plus gap on a chase group of four riders (Barry Wicks, Jeremiah Bishop, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Adam Craig). While the chase group tried to close the gap with a valiant try on the fourth lap, Ryan held them off for a convincing win.
Barry Wicks jumped out of the chase group to make it a 1 - 2 sweep for Kona.
The final standings were:
Barry Wicks jumped out of the chase group to make it a 1 - 2 sweep for Kona.
The final standings were:
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) 2:02:24
- Barry Wicks (Kona) 2:03:18
- Jeremiah Bishop (Trek) 2:03:53
- Jeremy Horgan-Kobels 2:05:14
- Adam Craig (Giant) 2:05:36
- Todd Wells (GT Bicycles) 2:07:57
Thursday, July 13, 2006
RACE REPORT: 2006 US MTB Nationals (Day 2)
Finally got off work today, loaded up the Element and hauled my ass down to the US MTB Nationals / Cougar Mountain Classic. I was greeted with an eerie déjà vu from my last trip there (2005 Cougar Mountain Classic): semi humid (at least to me), hot weather with a withering sun. Why is there never any shade in Sonoma ?
Whatever the reason, I pulled into Infineon Raceway and paid my $10 for parking (although I get free access as a competitor, I still have to pay on the first day ? WTF?). As I was getting my gear out of the car to saunter over to registration, I heard the announcers broadcast another finisher for the Marathon race. Wow, that did not sound like fun (they started at 7 AM). I still haven't seen a results posted for this race. (UPDATE: Travis Brown and Melissa Thomas won the Men's and Women's Marathon. MTBR has the official press release.).
Registration was fairly uneventful: they checked my qualification and USA Cycling membership, sent me over to onsite registration and I paid my money. That isn't to say that everyone was happy. A bunch of people were pissed about having to pay almost an entire year's license for just this one race. I guess to compete in any of the championship races, you can't buy a one day license. As I got out of registration, the last marathoner finished at about 2 pm.
With my reigstration done and racing plate in hand, I mounted up the bike and took off for a practice run on the XC course. The cross country course is as advertised and largely the same as last year. Long hill climbs, no shade whatsever (the "tree grove" is borderline pathetic), hard as hell and incredibly bumpy. There must be 3 miles of "chatter" in this course: rutted hard pack with 5 inch bumps that just rattle your back on the off-camber singletrack. I had entertained thoughts of riding my hardtail, but half a lap into my practice my lower back completely vetoed that idea. For Saturday's race, I am rolling full suspension, light XC wheels, lots of sunblock and a full camelbak.
While everyone is (and will be for a long time judging by some comments I heard on my practice lap) bitching about this course, I've seen worse. I'm going to go out, have a good time and see how it works out.
After I finished my XC practice laps, I took a quick tour of the expo/pit areas. While most of the manufacturers and pro teams had set up their pits, most of the other vendors had yet to arrive. The exception there was Kenda Tires, who had some good deals. I picked up two Kenda Kharma DTC tires for USD$24/piece and might use them come Saturday.
Shopping and hydration done, I wandered up the hill to see the gravity arenas. While the downhill was exactly as last year, it looks like they started from scratch for the mountaincross track. In fact, judging by the lack of rhythm track and the presence of backhoes, it looks like they aren't quite done yet. At least the starting gatehouse was up and ready.
The Downhill looks the same as last year. People were already pinning it in the easy places and washing out on the first turn. Overall, I think most people are pretty pleased with the downhill course considering what they had to work with.
I also dropped by the new short track course (but forgot to take a picture of it). They dropped it right by the Shimano tech booth and it should be really fun to watch. About 1/2 mile of heavily taped off turns where people will be able to stand right next to the riders.
That's all for tonight. Tomorrow, I'll have some live blogging from the racetrack during the day and some video (if I can swing it) at night.
Whatever the reason, I pulled into Infineon Raceway and paid my $10 for parking (although I get free access as a competitor, I still have to pay on the first day ? WTF?). As I was getting my gear out of the car to saunter over to registration, I heard the announcers broadcast another finisher for the Marathon race. Wow, that did not sound like fun (they started at 7 AM). I still haven't seen a results posted for this race. (UPDATE: Travis Brown and Melissa Thomas won the Men's and Women's Marathon. MTBR has the official press release.).Registration was fairly uneventful: they checked my qualification and USA Cycling membership, sent me over to onsite registration and I paid my money. That isn't to say that everyone was happy. A bunch of people were pissed about having to pay almost an entire year's license for just this one race. I guess to compete in any of the championship races, you can't buy a one day license. As I got out of registration, the last marathoner finished at about 2 pm.
With my reigstration done and racing plate in hand, I mounted up the bike and took off for a practice run on the XC course. The cross country course is as advertised and largely the same as last year. Long hill climbs, no shade whatsever (the "tree grove" is borderline pathetic), hard as hell and incredibly bumpy. There must be 3 miles of "chatter" in this course: rutted hard pack with 5 inch bumps that just rattle your back on the off-camber singletrack. I had entertained thoughts of riding my hardtail, but half a lap into my practice my lower back completely vetoed that idea. For Saturday's race, I am rolling full suspension, light XC wheels, lots of sunblock and a full camelbak.While everyone is (and will be for a long time judging by some comments I heard on my practice lap) bitching about this course, I've seen worse. I'm going to go out, have a good time and see how it works out.
After I finished my XC practice laps, I took a quick tour of the expo/pit areas. While most of the manufacturers and pro teams had set up their pits, most of the other vendors had yet to arrive. The exception there was Kenda Tires, who had some good deals. I picked up two Kenda Kharma DTC tires for USD$24/piece and might use them come Saturday.
Shopping and hydration done, I wandered up the hill to see the gravity arenas. While the downhill was exactly as last year, it looks like they started from scratch for the mountaincross track. In fact, judging by the lack of rhythm track and the presence of backhoes, it looks like they aren't quite done yet. At least the starting gatehouse was up and ready.
The Downhill looks the same as last year. People were already pinning it in the easy places and washing out on the first turn. Overall, I think most people are pretty pleased with the downhill course considering what they had to work with.
I also dropped by the new short track course (but forgot to take a picture of it). They dropped it right by the Shimano tech booth and it should be really fun to watch. About 1/2 mile of heavily taped off turns where people will be able to stand right next to the riders.That's all for tonight. Tomorrow, I'll have some live blogging from the racetrack during the day and some video (if I can swing it) at night.
US MTB NATLS: Day 2 Preview
Okay, today we are definitely racing. Long, long racing. The only official race on the schedule today is the Marathon, 9 laps of the XC course (about 63 miles). Here's the rest of the schedule for Today's US MTB Championship:
- Onsite Registration (6:30-5)
- XC Practice (1-6)
- Marathon (7 AM start)
- Downhill practice (8 - 4 depending on category)
- Super-D practice (4 -6)
2005 Cougar Mountain Classic Video
Just dug some video out from last year's Cougar Mountain Classic and posted it to YouTube. It gives a brief glimpse at last year's XC start/finish and the downhill course. I believe that these course are largely unchanged for this year's Cougar Mountain Classic / US MTB Championship.
Look for new videos live from the US MTB Championships starting tomorrow afternoon.
Look for new videos live from the US MTB Championships starting tomorrow afternoon.
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