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Archive for the ‘Mountain Bike’ Category

Post Ride: Laramie Enduro 2010

02 Aug

The 2010 Laramie Enduro is over. It was a fantastic race. Hundreds of riders gathered at the Hidden Valley camp ground and listened to Richard Vincent, the race director, tell past stories of broken bones, future warnings of hawk attacks, and reminded us that it is all about having fun… and survival.

This is my second Enduro so my race was against my time from 2009, a painful 9:02. I scorched in at 7:46 this year and am already plotting my attack next year. The first place time this year was an amazing 4:49 by Jay Henry.

I’m not sure if the second time through is easier because when the pretty volunteer at the top of the hill tells you that you are only 14 miles from beer and food, this time you know, those are 14 of the toughest miles in the course. However, the Enduro doesn’t get easier, you just get faster. On that note, thank you to all of the volunteers, the racers, the sponsors and RV.

I rode back to camp that night and after my third beer and third dinner I crawled into my hammock. As I lay there, almost paralyzed, I drifted in and out of sleep. I could still hear rubber rolling on single track and freewheels gliding as the wind rushed through the trees.


This video was embedded using the YouTuber plugin by Roy Tanck. Adobe Flash Player is required to view the video.

 
 

I want to ride my bicycle bicycle

30 Jul

Im going to have to rock some Queen tomorrow on my way to work. Im too excited not to. I got an HD mountable camera called the Hero. It is water proof and mountable just about anywhere. Here is a short video I pieced together from my pilot run last Saturday.


This video was embedded using the YouTuber plugin by Roy Tanck. Adobe Flash Player is required to view the video.

 
 

1/2 Enduro Training Day

26 Jul

The Laramie Enduro is a week away. 70~ miles of mountain biking in the Happy Jack/Vedauwoo area of Wyoming.

mtbguru.com has shared this map of last years race:

Looking at the map was about all the training I did last year. This year I have been training on road and mountain with proper nutrition. My “1/2 Enduro Training Day” took place last Saturday. Starting at Devil’s Backbone, through Blue Sky to Soderberg, following Towers Trail to Mill Creek, taking Lower Valley back to Blue Sky, and finally back to the Devil’s Backbone trail head. This is a 30.5 mile ride that I would recommend for an Enduro prep or just a good way to kill a Saturday morning :)

 
 

Coyote Ridge with Noe

02 Jul

Noe and I biked Coyote ridge late yesterday. A few pics from the ridge and a video of me cleaning some steps.

Watch coyote step cleaning

 
 

Crosier Bike Ride

23 Jun

Decided to ride Crosier mountain last Sunday, 7.5 mile round trip with an elevation range of 7,044′ – 9,204′. It was just as steep as I remembered, however the last 1/4 mile to the summit was even steeper than I remembered. I decided to carry my bike but in the end it was hardly worth it as riding down most of the last 1/4 mile would only make the trail worse. Great weather and clear view of Long’s Peak from the top. I love the variety you get on this trail, all single track but so many variations. My favorite section is the where the trail is about a foot below the rest of the surface and the tall grass leaves you with only a few feet of viability. I took a picture of a columbine right off the side of the trail. This is a great place to ride especially when it is hot as you get plenty of shade.

PS. I tossed in the last pic showing off my new OSI spare tire bike rack. This thing is great and recommended not just by me but the users at mtbreview.com. Neither the rack or the 3 bikes it carries sway when you go off road and you can lock the rack and the bikes.