2008 Beaver Creek (8 Man) RAAM Team Try-outs, Saturday, May 31, 2008

I WAS READY TO QUIT RIDING BIKES FOREVER TODAY UNTIL THIS CAME IN FROM JONO..SORRY NO PICS TODAY, THEY ALL WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND WOULD HAVE BEEN OF THE PACE LINE DROPPING ME LIKE A BAD HABIT...I HAD A GREAT 70 MILE TIMETRIAL OVER FOUR MOUNTAIN PASSES AND SUFFERED LIKE I NEVER HAVE CHASING. BUT THIS IS SOME GOOD SHIT FROM JONO HEMA-TOE-BRA ( you one funny broski).

I DID NOT NEED A CRYSTAL FUCKING BALL TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF THIS RIDE.

I LATER COME TO FIND OUT THAT WHILE I WAS CHASING OFF THE BOTTOM OF TENNESSEE PASS AT 27-30MPH, JOSIAH AND JIMI WERE PULLING AT THE FRONT OF THE GROUP AT 40+ MPH, IS THAT A PROBLEM?

HERE'S THE RECAP COURTESY OF JONOBRAH
2008 Beaver Creek (8 man) RAAM Team
Try-outs Saturday May 31, 2008
Leadville loop

Results

1 )Josiah Midaugh (Team Cannondale X-Terra National Champ) Solid/no weakness

2)Jake Wells (Mafia Racing) Solid /

Extra points for Plauger Regroup Help/must get Yogi's approval to participate in event

3)Jimi Mortinson(Team Beaver Creek/Catlin) Solid/ 4 Time Raam 4 man
Champ/The Manz/must I say more!/Cassi/Ema co-crew chef's

4)Steve White (Team Beaver Creek/X-Terra Guru)Solid Little Bobble of
Battle Mtn to Relieve Himself/nice recovery

5)Serial Jay Cocks (Mafia Racing) Most Solid of all Amateurs /Great
Job!!! /must report to doping control A.S.A.P

6)ZZ-Top Bingham (Team Beaver Creek /Catlin) slight bobble on Battle
Mtn/nice recovery/Raam Veteran/Also must report to doping control

7)Kevin Perry(Team Spot Brand) Early Bobble/Nice Recovery/

Funding complete Team/RV is a must

8)Damian Fraser (Mafia Racing) Slight Bobble coming into
Leadville,Nice recovery/Head not tilted to either side all ride

9)Courtney Gregory (Mafia Racing) Out of the Blocks hard/Solid/Faded
at Copper Mountain(1st Alternate/RV Chef)Had Team Made,WTF

10)Hema-toe-Bra/Jono( Yeti's Grind/)Early Fade/Late Charge /Raam
Veteran RV Captain/2nd Alternate pending hip replacement surgery

11)Alex Colemanz(Team Spot Brand) Early Flat pulls nice/Wedding
overload/3rd Alternate/RV-Co captain

11)Larry GrossmanZ (Yeti's Grind) Winner of 50 Plus division/nice
ride/Jaws of life #2 veteran/Raam Crew Chef/Press credentials

All Results are subject to protest period of 24 hrs from 3pm May 31st
2008

once time expires team will report to Training Camp Tuesday,
June 3,2008

Eagle Mtn Bike Trails/ 5:30 sharp park at civic pavillion. If unable
to attend then alternates will fill the vacant slots.

VAIL REC SERIES KICKS OFF WITH HUGE TURNOUT.

nobody told me my IBIS had six feet of travel....

photo from the vail daily

The first Vail Rec Series race is in the books and it was a ripper out at the Eagle Classic. What a great eve. Huge numbers of racers turned out and filled all classes and the post race party at Pazzos was killa. Victorious riders included Jay Henry in the Men's Open class with Jake Wells in second, Women's open was dominated by Sari Anderson followed by Gretchen Reeves. The 45+ crew continues to be a bunch of old mutant fast guys, I lined up and took my lumps as Peter Davis took the victory by nearly two minutes over Chris Cook. Singlespeeders had the delight of lining up against Mike Skellion...forgettabout it.
The kids race was pretty crazy as Jay Henry led out the group ( how cool is that for the kids?) with a total of 34 Junior/under 12 kids racing...the future is bright for the MTB scene in Eagle county. There were also a surprising number of racers who came from Summit County and a few from the front range as well...crazy.

350 RACERS PARTY AT THE EAGLE CLASSIC

HOLY CRAP...350 RACERS, JUST A SICK TURN OUT FOR THE FIRST TOWN SERIES RACE LAST NIGHT. IT WAS A BLAST, MY PERSONAL RACE VIJ DID'NT HAPPEN BUT I'VE GOT SOME GREAT FOOTAGE OF THE KIDS AND OTHER MISC STUFF THAT I'LL HAVE UP LATER. GREAT JOB BY ALL THE RACERS. MORE TO COME LATER...

THE START OF THE 45+, SS AND WOMEN'S EXPERT RACE...FROM MY POINT OF VIEW.

FROM THE HELMET CAM'S POINT OF VIEW, THIS DAY WAS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS, WHO ALL RACED HARD AND LIKE CHAMPIONS, AND THEY ALL WERE CHAMPIONS
CHECK THIS OUT!

FOR ALL THE PARENTS WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO FOLLOW YOUR KIDS AROUND THE COURSE, YOU SHOULD BE SUPER PROUD. BUY YOUR KIDS A GIANT ICE CREAM CONE TO CELEBRATE THEIR EFFORTS.

THE KIDS CREST THE CLIMB AND JUST RIP THE SINGLE TRACK.

AND THEN THE BATTLE TO THE FINISH LINE!

HUGE BREAKING NEWS!

SONIC BURGER IS COMING TO GYPSUM, THAT OUTTA HELP WHIP THOSE GYPSUM KIDS INTO SHAPE!

RED COATS BEGIN TITLE DEFENSE TOMORROW

JAY HENRY STARTS HIS DEFENSE TOMORROW

LOOK FOR PFD AT THE FRONT OF ALL THE 45+ RACES

IT'S GAME ON IN EAGLE TOMORROW AS THE VAIL REC DISTRICT BEGINS THE LOCAL RACE SERIES WITH THE "EAGLE CLASSIC"

THIS SERIES IN MY OPINION HAS A COMPETITION LEVEL MATCHED BY NO OTHER LOCAL SERIES IN THE UNIVERSE. LOOK FOR JAY HENRY TO DEFEND HIS MEN'S OPEN CROWN AND LET'S FIND OUT IF THE RED COATS (AKA TEAM CANDY CORN) HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO OLD TO DEFEND THE TEAM TITLE...I THINK EVERY PERSON ON THAT TEAM IS NOW IN THE 45+ DIVISION.

LOOK FOR THE NEW YETI'S GRIND COLORS OUT THERE AS WELL, SOME VERY FAST MO FO'S WEARIN THIS KIT..

WILL RACE FOR BEER ON A STRING

5TH GRADE THROW DOWN TIME AT BRUSH CREEK ELEMENTARY

ONE OF THE REALLY COOL THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN THE HEALTH CONSCIOUS HOOD OF EAGLE RANCH IS THAT FITNESS IS PROMOTED THROUGH MANY VENUES. PERHAPS THE COOLEST IS THE ANNUAL 5TH GRADE BIATHLON. EVERY 5TH GRADER PARTICIPATES AND FINISHES, EVERYONE GETS TUMULTUOUS CHEERS FROM THE CROWD NO MATTER WHERE THEY FINISH, AND EVERY KID FINISHES FEELING LIKE A CHAMPION. IF YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS EVENT, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK IT OUT ONE YEAR AND YOU WILL SUDDENLY REALIZE THAT FOR SMALL MOMENTS IN TIME, EVERYTHING CAN BE PERFECT IN THE WORLD, JUST ASK THESE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON RACE DAY.
5TH GRADERS RUNNING A MILE AND RIDING 4 MILES. IT'S AWESOME

ALBERTO CONTADOR EXTENDS GIRO LEAD..

ALBERTO CONTADOR (ASTANA) WHO WAS SITTING ON THE BEACH IN HIS NUT HUGGER BATHING SUITE JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, SURGED TO THE FRONT OF THE GIRO AND GAINED THE LEADER'S PINK JERSEY THIS WEEKEND DURING THE TWO GRUELING MOUNTAIN STAGES. NOT TO SHABBY FOR NOT BEING ON FORM JUST YET...

SUPER TRIPLE TOP SECRET SINGLE TRACK GETTING CLOSER

I'M PRETTY SURE I WAS'NT ALONE OUT THERE TODAY

CHECK OUT THESE BIG BOY TRACKS...

THE TRAIL TOOK THE UNOFFICIAL NAME "BLUE GROUSE" DUE TO THIS CRITTER HANGING OUT WHILE I WAS SAWING AWAY FOR HOURS...

BEFORE

AND AFTER

EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID, PERHAPS MY FAVORITE THING TO DO HAS BEEN TO GO PLAY IN THE WOODS. I MADE A HABIT OF CAPTURING FROGS AND SNAKES AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT LIVED IN THE WONDERS OF NATURE IN MY YOUTH AND TURNED MY CATCH OVER TO THE "NATURE CENTER" AT MY SUMMER CAMP FOR EVERYONE TO VIEW, THEN AT THE END OF THE SUMMER WE WOULD LET EVERYTHING GO, IT WAS PRETTY COOL.

WELL, NOW I'M 50 YEARS OLD AND I STILL LOVE TO DO THAT SHIT. SO TODAY, I DECIDED TO TAKE JUST ME AND THE SALSA FOR A SWEET MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE WITH MY TRAIL IMPROVEMENT IMPLEMENTS AND GO WORK ON THE TRAIL I STARTED CLEARING LAST FALL. I HAD PROMISED MYSELF THAT AS SOON AS THE SNOW MELTED UP THERE THIS SPRING IT WAS A PRIORITY. TODAY WAS THE DAY.

JUST AN AWESOME DAY IN THE WOODS BY MYSLEF DOING SHIT I LOVE TO DO. EVEN RAN INTO SOME FRESHY BEAR TRACKS, A BIG OL BLUE GROUSE, AND SAWED SCRUB OAK, BERRY BUSH BRANCHES AND WILLOWS UNTIL MY ARMS WOULD NOT WORK ANYMORE...THE RIDE HOME HAD ME BUMPING INTO PETER DAVIS WHERE WE PROCEEDED TO FREEKIN RIP THE WORLDS GREATEST DOWNHILL..

WHY DO I STILL FEEL LIKE I'M 12? I'LL CALL YA WHEN I FIGURE THAT ONE OUT.

TEAM HIGH MAINTENANCE UVEILS NEW RACING KIT AND MODELS....THE HERMINATOR THROWS DOWN A MEMORABLE BASH...

LAST NIGHT, DIRECTOR SPORTIFA OF THE TEAM HIGH MAINTENANCE, AMIO HERMALLINI, THREW A TEAM PARTY AT HER PLACE TO NOT ONLY KICK OFF THE LOCAL MTB SCENE, BUT ALSO TO DISTRIBUTE THE NEW TEAM RACE KITS TO THE ABSOLUTE HOTTEST GROUP OF SUPER FAST MOUTAIN BIKE CHICAS IN THE VALLEY, IF NOT THE WORLD. WHEN I GOT THE CALL TO PARTICIPATE, I MEAN REALLY GUYS, WHO THE HELL WOULD TURN THAT DOWN RIGHT? HENCE THE FINE BLOGGING MATERIAL.

above, the future rippers in the new threads

THE NEW KITS WERE A HUGE HIT. THE DESIGN AND THEME WERE WELCOMED WITH GIDDY SMILES AND OPEN ARMS BY THE GURLY GURLS AND ALL THOUGH IT WAS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE TO FIND SOMEONE TO MODEL THE ENTIRE NEW KIT, MY ADMISSION OF BEING A LESBIAN IN A MAN'S BODY MY ENTIRE LIFE LED ME TO DON THE NEW COLORS MYSELF FOR A PHOTO SHOOT. I SUGGEST YOU "SAVE AS" THIS PICTURE SO IF I EVER DECIDE TO RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY YOU HAVE AMMO TO KEEP ME OUT OF OFFICE. AMAZING WHAT SEVEN OF JULIE MORROW'S MARGARITAS AND A COUPLE OF SHOTS OF TEQUILLA WILL DO TO A MAN WHO IS A GUEST AT A PARTY WITH TWENTY OR SO HOT CHIKAS WHO CRUSH ON MOUNTAIN BIKES..

my only complaint, the fit was a bit tight in the "package" area,
homana homana...
ANYWAY, I KNOW EVERYONE WAS SUPER APPRECIATIVE OF THE THROW DOWN AMIO HOSTED, THE FOOD AND COCKTAILS WERE OUTSTANDING AND IF THIS EVE WAS ANY TYPE OF REFLECTION ON THE UPCOMING MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON...WATCH OUT.

HERMALLINI WITH HER CUSTOM WINE GLASS, WOULD YOU EXPECT ANYTHING LESS? WHEN YOU ARE THE STATE SINGLESPEED CHAMP YOU CAN DRINK OUT OF WHATEVER YOU PLEASE.

AND OF COURSE THE RANDOM MARGARITA INDUCED PARTY SHOTS

I AM WAY TO HUNGOVER TO BLOG RIGHT NOW....

BUT HERE IS A PREVIEW, IT GETS BETTER. I NEED A COUPLE OF BACON AND EGG SANDWHICHS, A MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE, THEN IT'S TIME TO GET YA CAUGHT UP ON THE PAAAAARTY. IT DIDNT SUCK.

STAY TUNED FOR SOME POSSIBLY INTERESTING BLOGGING TOMORROW ABOUT THIS EVENING...

CAN YOU SAY

"HIGH MAINTENANCE"?

TODAY'S RANT, WHEN THE FUCK ARE WE GOING TO STAND UP AND DO SOMETHING?

I HAVE ONE SIMPLE QUESTION FOR YOU ALL TODAY...

WHEN IN THE FUCK IS SOMEONE GOING TO STAND UP AN START DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THESE GOD FORESAKEN GAS PRICES? IS THE UNITES STATES GOING TO CONTINUE TO SHED IT'A OWN BLOOD AND GUTS FOR NOTHING IN THE MIDDLE EAST? WE SHOULD BE GETTING OIL FOR ABSOLUTELY FREE FROM THESE ASSHOLES FOR WHAT WE ARE SACRIFICING OVER THERE. THE LOSS OF OUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, HALF A BILLION DOLLARS A DAY, YOU AND ME PAYING $4/GALLON FOR GAS.

THAT CHAPS MY ASS RED...BIG TIME!

I MEAN HONESTLY FOLKS, IT AINT EVEN A FREEKIN WAR OVER THERE, WHAT THE HELL ARE WE FIGHTING IF IT'S A WAR?

WHY ON EARTH IS THE MOST POWERFUL NATION IN THE WORLD GETTING BENT OVER THE WHOOPING POST AND TAKING IT LIKE A MAN RIGHT NOW..

IS IT UP TO "ADDICTED TO BICYCLES" TO GET THIS MOVEMENT GOING OR WHAT? DOES ANYONE OUT THEIR GIVE A RATS ASS OR AM I THE ONLY PERSON ON EARTH WHO IS PISSED OFF ABOUT THIS SITUATION?

CAN ONE PERSON EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE COST OF A BARREL OF GAS GOES UP RANDOMLY EVERYDAY WHEN THERE IS ALWAYS MORE GAS TO PUMP? FUCK!

IT'S TIME TO START RIDING OUR BIKES EVERYWHERE....

AN ENTIRE NEW MEANING TO SPEED WOBBLES

REPEAT AFTER ME...."I, STATE YOUR NAME, AM A DUMBASS AND CLEARLY BELONG AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOD CHAIN"

YOU ARE NOW A MEMBER OF THE MORONS ON TWO WHEELS WITH MOTORS CLUB.

MORE PLUNGMA DOGMA...

PRIMETIME ON "THE PLUNGE"

THIS SHEEEET IS STEEEEEP
if you have never shit your pants before, well, first of all you are a liar, second of all, this is a great place to do it.

THE JOURNEY TO THE LOST DEATH STAR BEGINS...

and on the way...even elgee got some vij time

and then it was time to enter the world of the dark side and
STAR WARS

ONLY THE FINAL BATTLE LOOMED. DEFEAT "MIND ERASER" AND THE DARK SIDE WOULD BE BURIED FOR ETERNITY..

UH, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

HIPPY DIPPIN AND STAR WARS

Nothin like a good old hippy dip in the middle of a long loop on the way to Star Wars...rumors are flyin of revamping the infamous "podunk springs" which lies at the trailhead of Easyrider...be a sweet cool down spot on the soon to be 90 degree days.

And on the way...a little air time from the boys after traversing Catwalk for the first time this season. Catwalk still has some snow issues and needs some cleanup which I'll get on later next week..

I'LL POST THIS STORY LATER, THANKFULLY EVERYONE TURNED OUT OK.

JAKE WELL'S RIG AFTER THE BIG DIG

I was'nt there, so I'll just copy you on Jake's e-mail that had this picture attached..

"Last week I was back home in Arkansas racing the Joe Martin Stage Race. This was my first road race as a Cat 2. At the end of the 3rd stage,
after the finish line no less, some guy decided it was a good idea to lay
down in the finish straight. I proceeded to T-Bone him and his bike while still doing around 44 mph. These are some pics of the shrapnel that was
left after the smoke had cleared. Luckily, my bike was the only thing
that was broken. Somehow I flipped directly over my bars and landed flat on my back, without skidding along too much. I landed on a plastic GU flask that I had in my left pocket. After about 10 min on the ground I
was able to walk away with only a bruised kidney, sore back and a little
road rash. Talk about Lucky! I am waiting to see what Ellsworth says
about the frame, and I will obviously need to get a new rear rim (any
ideas Tom?). All and all the entire trip was great. I was able to spend
some great time with my family and the race was sick. I wish I could have finished. Next year I guess. Anyway, I hope all is well."
Jake

IT IS GAME ON IN EAGLE COLORADO!

MARK YOUR CALENDERS FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

IT'S TIME FOR

SON OF CULT CROSS

ON THE GRAN FINAL COURSE WITH NEW SURPRISES

AND I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY JEFF FROST FROM SEA OTTER ABOUT POSSIBLY DOING CROSS AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC IN 09.

THIRSTY?

just another link from someone who has way too much free time..
but I like it.

NOTHIN LIKE GETTIN THE CALL TO GO RIDE AFTER YOU'VE BEEN POUNDING MARGARITAS AND TACOS WITH THE REAL ESTATE CROWD....

And then on the way home, getting the call to go ride Redneck Ridge AGAIN in frigid but ideal conditions...from none other than the Courtman.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SHOP RIDE INVADED BY SINGLESPEEDERS

With light rain and more snow in the forecast in Eagle last night, the Wednesday night shop crew headed out for a quicky up the infamous "Redneck Ridge" before the trail mudded out. The posse was quickly taken over by a raging band of singlespeeders...I mean. where the fuck are all these mutants coming from? Especially this crew, which included Jono, Alex, Peter Davis, special guest Tom, and the guy who may be the fastest singlespeed rider this side of the bikeuverse. Mike Skellion. Mike will occassionally show up to a MTB race and jump in the open/pro class on his SS and brutalize the field.

Anyway, word got out quickly to the rednecks that the teenage mutant singlespeeders were heading up redneck ridge when we were confronted by this asshole, luckily he was so drunk he missed all the SS guys and his stray bullet took out a road rage pick up truck driver below on highway 6 that had just buzzed a roadie with his sideview mirror going 70 mph.
The autopsy on the truck driver showed he had no brain.

LEADVILLE LOOP SATURDAY....

I'M TRYIN TO GET A POSSY TOGETHER TO RIDE THE LEADVILLE LOOP ON SATURDAY. WEATHER IS SUPPOSED TO BE STELLAR, SO HOPEFULLY NO REPEAT OF THE "JAWS OF LIFE" RIDE.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PROBABLY HIT THE PAVE BY 9AM FROM SOMEWHERE.

TIME TO START REDLINING CLIMBING BOYS AND GIRLS

RIDING THIS IN REVERSE OF THIS MAP

TEVA GAMES HELP NEEDED....

ANYONE INTERESTED IN WORKING THE START RAMP AND START LINEUP FOR THE HILLCLIMB TIME TRIAL AT THE TEVA GAMES....CALL ME, IT'LL GET YA A SHWAG BAG, UP CLOSE TO THE ACTION, AND I'M BUYIN DINNER.

SPEAKING OF DOUCHE BAGS....

THIS GUY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST...
Can you say "anger management"?
This guy and Bob Streb can take classes together

SO I WAS THINKIN I MIGHT AD THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS AND RIDING IN EUROPE TO MY RESUME...

BUT DUE TO THE WEAK DOLLAR OVERSEAS (THE AMERICAN PESO AS SOME CALL IT NOW), AND PRIMARILY THIS PICTURE I THOUGHT BETTER OF IT AND DECIDED TO JUST GO DRINK COFFEE AT YETI'S GRIND AND TRY AND SELL SQUIRT LUBE AND HOUSES INSTEAD. AFTER ALL, IF YOU RUN WITH THE BULLS THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE OUTCOMES, ONE IS BORING AS HELL, THE OTHER IS STUPID AS HELL.

SOME DOUCHE BAGS GET WHAT THEY DESERVE, I MAY BE THAT DOUCHE BAG, HENCE I'M LEAVING THE FUCKING BULLS ALONE TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST ON SOMEONE ELSE.

HIGH ROAD AND SLIPSTREAM ARE FOR REAL...

Mark Cavendish of Team High Road won a sprint finish today at the fourth stage of the Giro, sounds like there was still more carnage during this stage as riders continue to pile it on a daily basis. Did someone recruit Johnny Danger out of Portland or what?
Franco Pellozotti (Liquigas) retained the overall lead and the PINK leader's jersey.

WUWUWUWUZUP AND ANOTHER BURNS LOOP..

COURTMAN AND ELGEE THROW IT IN THE WIND ON THE FIRST ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY BURNS LOOP

yeah, we called our mother's first.

With another foot of snow forecast for today and tonight here in Eagle County (and that's on top of the 18 inches of snow Vail Pass got Saturday), Courtney Wuwuwuwuwuzup Gregory and myself, Elgee, hit the pave yesterday for the last road ride of the season before winter kicks back in, which is now just hours away. The wind howeled for the middle 40 miles and the battle was on. Great ride on an awesome day with the crazy tailwind the last part of the ride, thankfully.

coolest part of the ride was racing a freekin railroad train along the dirt on the River Road that was about ten feet from us, the Denver Zephyr, with some old drunk guy yelling out the window of the bar car egging us on. We made it about a third of a mile before we blew...
With any luck at all, we figure this is much in the tradition of the Father's Day Leadville Loop.

Here's the thinking, what better way for all you married guys with kids to give the moms a great day by eliminating the biggest pain in the ass in their lives (that would be you) and getting out for a killer road ride with the future contestants of "The Bachelor" for the second annual Mother's Day Burns loop? No? Well do it anyway and we will call it the Mothereffers Burns Loop instead....yeah, that's it.

THE UNTOLD STORY OF A CHAMPION AT 18 HOURS OF FRUITA..

So much goes into the effort that produces a team victory in any sport, the sacrifice that four individuals make when they commit to the insanity of an endurance event is not just four dudes showing up on singlespeeds and going faster than any other team of four dudes from wherever riding whatever, it's way more than that. It's the countless hours of training and committing your life to an ultimate goal, then showing up race day and executing a plan that works, and with all the crap that can go wrong in an endurance event, somehow pulling the shit off and then standing on top of the podium...suffering does not even come close to describing what it takes to get there.

AND THEN THERE ARE THE INTANGIBLES.

Immediately following the 18 hours of Fruita, Jono Ridler who battled a sour belly through the entire race crawled off the campsite and cacked it for a couple of minutes to release his demons. You have to hear the story from Jono as only he can tell it, but apparently this entire episode started shortly after leaving Edwards when while traveling in the back seat of Alex Coleman's truck with Courtney and Alex's black lab, the two humans where suddenly abused by and sprayed by a big ol nasty oily stinkin ass dog shit which smelled of only the most hellish odor that a dog can produce...that was the start of it for Jono and I'll let him finish the story for you sometime and if you get through it without laughing so hard you cry...well cheers to you. That episode stayed with the poor chap until his final lap.....and then this, and then a trip to the top of the podge with the rest of the team.

Franco Pellizotti in PINK at Giro, Zabriskie crashes out and fractures back.

Slipstream/Chipolte star David Zabriskie got caught up in a nasty crash in the Giro to day fracturing a bone in his Lumbar spine (L1) in the process, the injury does not sound as if it is career threatening but is sure to sideline DZ for a while. In the meantime, Franco Pellizotti donned the PINK jersey and took the overall lead in the Giro.

All Giro Pics from Graham Watson

THE US DOLLAR SUCKS RIGHT NOW....

But the American based cycling team Slipstream/Chipolte dont.

Slipstream took the opening stage of the Giro today, the coveted TTT, and pissed of the euro boys by pulling on the first PINK jersey of the race...nothin better than your group of homies throwin down on everyone elses group of homies who thought they were gonna kick your arse.....Christain Vandevelde reaps the double up........ animal style. Yum.

THE WONDERS OF SQUIRT LUBE..

Despite the snow in Eagle last night and the cold day here, I decided to go ride the fat tires for a couple of hours and see what had dried up. Well, nearly everything had dried up and the riding was stellar, just one area that was muddy above the yellow chair over to the top of the Abrams single track to head back down...the mud is where the SQUIRT lube kicked in. The bike was plenty muddy, but check out the pic of my drive train, this was as soon as I got off the bike back home, squeaky clean and ready to ride again tomorrow!..How good is this stuff?

the bike

the drive train

I'D RATHER BE WATCHING HUMMINGBIRDS ON MY PORCH THAN RACING ANYDAY...

NEEDLESS TO SAY, ONCE AGAIN WHEN I WOKE THIS MORNING AFTER BLOWING OFF RACING ON THE SALSA IN PALISADE AND AWAKING TO MORE GALL DAMN SNOW IN EAGLE,
I WAS SUPER EXCITED

WTF

THE LOST 18 HOURS OF FRUITA VIJEO....

BELOW IS THE ALMOST LOST VIJEO OF 18 HOURS OF FRUITA. THE WEEKEND STARTED WITH A LITTLE NATIONAL PAST TIME AT THE DOWNTOWN FRUITA CAMPGROUND WITH THE REYNOLDS AND SILAGY FAMILY AND FRIENDS....GREAT HOME BREW ON TAP, SOME LOUSY PIZZA IN TOWN, FRED'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND A BIG OL STINKY ROMEO AND JULIETTA CIGAR. LIFE IS GOOD.

RIC FIELDS HURT IN ROAD BIKE INCIDENT.

RIC AT 18 HOURS OF FRUITA THIS PAST SATURDAY

A QUICK HEADS UP TO OUR CYCLING COMMUNITY. I HEARD NEWS LAST NIGHT FROM BILL MCFARLANE THAT RIC FIELDS HAD A ROAD BIKE ACCIDENT OUT BY THE AIRPORT ON MONDAY AND JUST GOT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL YESTERDAY. I'M NOT SURE OF ALL THE DETAILS BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE HE WAS TRAVELING REALLY SLOW AND HIT SOME GRAVEL AND WENT DOWN FRACTURING HIS FEMUR REQUIRING EXTENSIVE SURGERY...YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK IN WITH WENDY (RIC'S WIFE) TO SEE IF THEY COULD USE A HAND WITH ANYTHING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. HEAL QUICKLY BIG GUY.

ADDICTED TO BICYCLES WELCOMES SNAPBOMB ON BOARD

http://www.snapbomb.com/

WHAT'S UP WITH THE SNAPBOMB THING? HERE IS THE SNAPBOMB DESCRIPTION FROM THE COMPANY ITSELF..

"Advertisers sponsor targeted campaigns to spread the word about product releases, press coverage, events, news, or anything else that an advertiser wants to get in front of millions of readers across the Internet through blogs."

SO....WITH THE QUICK AND UNCONTROLLABLE GROWTH OF "ADDICTED TO BICYCLES" AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CYCLING BLOGS, THIS SNAPBOMB WILL PROVIDE CYCLING INDUSTRY RELATED COMPANIES AND MANUFACTURERS TO SEEK OUT MY SERVICES TO RATE AND REVIEW THEIR PRODUCTS. DON'T GET ME WRONG, ADDICTED TO BICYCLES IS GOING TO KEEP IT'S GRASS ROOTS SICK SENSE OF HUMOR, BUT WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE LATEST SCOOP ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST CYCLING RELATED PRODUCT OUT THERE IN OUR WORLD...STAY TUNED FOR AN OCCASSIONAL PRODUCT POST..I'M ELGEE WITH ADDICTED TO BICYCLES AND I'M OUT!

I'M THINKIN "SCOUT" HAD THE MOST FUN AND THE LEAST WORRIES AT 18 HOURS OF FRUITA...WHAT A CHICK MAGNET.

IT'S A DOGS WORLD BRO, DAWG COMPLIMENTS OF JON RIDLER
DON'T ASK ABOUT THE OTHER DOG STORY....

SCOUT, DIGGIN HIS WAY TO CHINA...

TOUGH LIVIN...

TODAY'S POLITICAL RANT...HILLARY STOP MAKING THIS SO DAMN EASY!

LETS SEE NOW, WITH THE MATHMATICS SAYING THAT BILLARY CLINTON CAN NOT WIN THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION EVEN IF SHE IS AWARDED THE DELEGATES OF FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN WITHOUT 80% OF THE REMAINING VOTES, I DO BELIEVE IT IS TIME TO HANG UP HAGGARD ONE. I MEAN DON'T WE ALREADY HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT DOES NOT LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY AND CONTINUES TO BARREL HARD HEADED INTO INFAMY AS THE MOST UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT OF ALL TIME? WHO THE HELL NEEDS MORE OF THAT CRAP? THROW IT IN BILLARY, YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE AN ASS OF YOURSELF. YEAH LOSING SUCKS, BUT LOSE WITH SOME DIGNITY WOULD YA?

I'D SAY THIS IS A FAIRLY ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE TODAY....

THE UNVEILING OF AMIO HERMALLINI, THE LEGEND CONTINUES AT 18 HOURS OF FRUITA

LOCAL CYCLIST STARTS HER NEW CAREER AS AMIO HERMALLINI AT THE 18 HOURS OF FRUITA. WITH THE RECENT PURCHASE OF HER EUROTRASH SUPER HOT WHITE MTB SHOES, THE HERMALLINATOR GOT FRUITA OFF TO A SOLID START BY DONNING THE NOW INFAMOUS "MOAB POACHER SKI MASK" AND RUNNING HOT LAPS ON THE RED AND WHITE TOWNIE THROUGH THE HIGHLINE STATE PARK CAMPGOUND. THIS BEHAVIOR WAS DEEMED "NORMAL" AS THE WEEKEND AND RACE UNFOLDED IN FRUITA THIS PAST WEEKEND. IT'S SAFE TO SAY EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME AND NOBODY GOT PHYSICALLY HURT, HUNGOVER YES, HURT NO.

THE WORLD'S GREATEST DOWNHILL.....

THIS RIDE NEEDS NO DESCRIPTION
PART 1

part 2

EAGLE DIRT UPDATE

TICK ALLEY IS DRY AND 100% RIDABLE

RIDABLE TERRAIN INCLUDES, TICK ALLEY, ABRAMS CLIMB, ELK DROP, EASY RIDER, STAR WARS, ALL OF BONEYARD/REDNECK, WORLDS GREATEST DOWNHILL.

JUST A COUPLE OF MUDDY/SNOWY SPOTS ON SCRATCH AND ITCH

MADNESS AT THE START OF 18 HOURS OF FRUITA, MAN IS IT FUN NOT RACING THESE EVENTS....

IN THE WORDS OF THE GREAT MERLE HAGGARD, "THINK I'LL JUST SIT HERE AND DRINK".

AND A MIDNIGHT START...CRAZINESS AT HIGHLINE STATE PARK.

CHEERS TO ALL WHO COMPETED AT FRUITA, YOU ALL EMBRACED THE SPIRIT OF THIS SICK SPORT OF ENDURANCE MTB RACING LIKE WARRIORS. IT IS INCREDIBLY MOTIVATIONAL TO WATCH EVERYONE SUFFER AT THEIR OWN LEVELS FOR THEIR OWN REASONS..YOU ARE ALL CHAMPIONS. ADDICTED TO BICYCLES COULD NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE PEDALING WARRIORS OF THE NIGHT, THE DAY AND THE IN BETWEENS...

then there is Frenchie..this guy shows up everywhere. And despite me calling the guy a pain in the ass, that should actually be construed as a term of endearment, as I really love this guy, he is one of the true characters of the Colorado cycling scene and still racing in his 70's.

JONO KILLIN THE CLIMB ON THE SINGLE, HIS THIRD LAP IN A ROW GIVIN IT UP FOR THE TEAM AS THEY ROLL TO VICTORY.

AND DERRICK FISH ROLLIN THE CLIMB ON HIS WAY TO A SOLO VICTORY ON THE SINGLESPEED...34 LAPS IN 18 HOURS, CRAZY.

Frenchie at the crazy corner, the New Belgium crew were the killer cheering section all day Saturday..more cowbell!

COURTNEY CAM FROM 18 HOURS OF FRUITA....PART 1, PARTS 2 &3 COMING LATER.

Apologies to Amy H for misspelling your last name in the vij, I must have either been hungover or in a gas fog......ahem.

COURT CAM PART 2

COURTCAM PART 3....


ADDICTED TO BICYCLES MORNING INTERVIEW DURING THE RACE WITH SOLO VICTOR DERRICK FISH AS HE COMES INTO TO SUPPORT FOR A QUICK LUBE AND FOOD STOP..THE BRO DID 34 FREEKIN LAPS SOLO TO WIN, ON HIS SINGLESPEED....SICKNESS.

EIGHTEEN HOURS OF FRUITA CHAMPIONS KILLED IT....

MARGIN OF VICTORY FOR THE GUYS WAS 16 MINUTES AT THE END, BUT LET THERE BE NO MISTAKE, THEY OPTED TO NOT DO ANOTHER LAP AT THE END OF THE RACE AS THEY ALREADY HAD IT WRAPPED UP BUY 45 MINUTES...AND ON SINGLESPEEDS TO BOOT.

AND THE CHICAS, WELL, I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY OF YOU CAN APPRECIATE WHAT A SET OF ATHLETES THESE GURLY GURLS ARE, THEY COMPLETED NEARLY AS MANY LAPS AS THE DUDES AND WON BY AN ASTONDING 6+ LAPS...HOT LAPS ABOUNDED FROM JULIE MORROW, CHERYL COOK, HEATHER SAPPENFIELD AND AMY HERMES...THE LEGEND OF HERMES CONTINUES AS SHE WAS UP TRAINING ON JACK DANIELS AND GORDON BEER UNTIL 12:30 AM, THEN WENT OUT FOR HER FIRST LAP AT CLOSE TO 3 AM....AND PASSED LOTS OF BOYS. THE BOYS WERE NOT HAPPY.

OFF TO FRUITA TO DRINK BEER

BEING A BUT PEAKED OUT ALREADY, I'M OFF TO FRUITA TO GO DRINK BEER AND RING COWBELLS FOR MANY FRIENDS RACING, SHOULD BE FUN, WHICH IS WHAT ADDICTED TO BICYCLES IS ALL ABOUT. RACE REPORTS COMING SOON.
I HAVE LOTS OF OSKAR BLUES BREWERY BEER.

IM OUT.