To be honest, I think the Eagle Fairgrounds appears way more fun and crossy than this "course". I mean am I missing something? This is the only techy section of the course, no barriers and the course is more than 33% pavement. I don't get something here. It's a Trebon course for certain.
Photo: Charles Pelkey
On the eve of the day that the Americans, in particular Katie Compton will be charging for a World Championship, I decided to get on the program for the upcoming season. Which sadly means this, no more M&Ms by the pound full, no more huge bowls of double vanilla ice cream and no more GINSERS, (well maybe after hard training efforts I can sneak a ginser), it's been a great six weeks of eating massive piles of shit, but the party must end. 
Jimi Mortenson of Eagle posted a bunch of really sweet pictures on Facebook today that I scrolled through, alot of sweet pics from one of his many RAAM team victorys, including some great shots of Mike J. This however was the one I poached as Jimi (I think it's Jimi) gets just a scosh of air in the East Vail chutes area. Rumor has it that Jimi is coming back to pro racing this year after his bullshit two year suspension for missing a pee party. I hope he comes back with a vengeance as the guy is just plain and simply one of the most talented riders in the country. 
Jimi Tagging MJ during a winning RAAM effort
If you are a hardcore American cyclocross fan, early this morning is your time. At 3:30 AM, Colorado time, Katie Compton will be gunning for a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in Hoogerheide. There is live video stream of the event from Universal Sports or, you can get the live feed blow by blow description from the guys at CX Magazine which is what I did this morning for the Junior and U23 races, the coverage was awesome and you are able to participate in the chatter while the race is actually going on, granted, several of my chat posts showed up 10 minutes after I tried to post them, but it was really good coverage on the other end, don't miss it. 
JOE SALES PIC
Sales Picture
In case you just can't live without following what is up with the Junior and U23 World Championships tomorrow, CycloCross Magazine will have live updates online starting a 5:15 AM, sounds like the perfect way to start off Super Bowl weekend to me! I suggest you wake up at 5 AM without telling the rest of the family, then when the live coverage begins start ringing the living hell out of your cowbells in support of the USA riders who will be competing, you can worry about signing the divorce papers on Monday.
OK, so it's not exactly Xilinx
Something tells me that if this woman turns around within the next 5-10 seconds she is not going to have any problem shitting herself much less worrying about wiping, that would be tough on the run with your safari pants down around your anklets. Seems she is about to get her money's worth. No Dewet did not take this picture on one of his South African mountain bike rides, but he did send the pic.
It's good to see that at least one person is excited about the upcoming CultCross 2009 Series. I got this gem from our Colorado State SS CX Champion yesterday, apparently I'm not the only person who needs a job out there. 
Jonothan Page has been added to the USA Roster for Cyclocross Worlds after appealing his suspension for missing a urine sample test due to injuries received in a crash while racing....THIS IS HUGE NEWS as Page was second at Worlds just a couple of years ago....And you can follow the "red dot" around the course in the upper right hand corner while the tour moves forward
The riders who will race for the good ol USA in Hoogerheide, HollandWatch for contendors in every class for the Gold, in particular Katie Compton in the women's elite field and possibly more podge from Georgia Gould and Rachel Lloyd, all three have been crushing it this year.
The under 23 field may be interesting as the USA has some very strong riders getting ready to throw this weekend. Look for Weighall, Keough and Summerhill (1,2,3 at Nats) to work together and maybe grab a podge spot.
The Men's Field should be more of the usual, look for the usual suspects to fill out the podium. Lars Boom is racing at his home rink and will be VERY motivated to win, however, Sven Nys has been rolling very well as of late and looks to regain the Rainbow jersey...I'm picking Nys.
Boom Boom out go the lights?
Yesterday's biker ski day turned out to be a pow day, and we even managed to stay relatively sober, until later.
And then today was more of the same with CB at Vail, Headwall.
Raspy's
No big deal, Simon Dumont throws the winning BIG AIR, double front flip with the super man layout on the second flip...sick.
more later, it's biker ski day, gotta run.
Is this a bike race or the next arms delivery on it's way to Gaza?
It's funny how locked in we can get to our local area. I guess it's just part of being in our own comfort one-upper zone. Well, there are alot of other one-upper zones out there. This one is called Africa and it is the birthplace of SQUIRT LUBE, South Africa to be more precise. The Tour d' Afrique is obviously an EPIC, and one of the events SQUIRT sponsors. Sound like something all of us should investigate participating in before we leave this planet...click the above pic of the pyramids to start your adventure...
graham watson photos 
Something looks awfully good about this beach shot, think I need a trip to Florida.
There is an entirely different world going on at the same time in South Africa as they are just entering the prime of their Mountain Biking season. Dewet Marais from Squirt (my boss when I listen to him) is racing in a monumental event, the Barberton Mountain Bike Challenge this weekend which includes a 3,300 ft. climb in 8 miles of riding in scorching hot temperatures. Look for the X-Factor (Roan Exelby) to be there as well and contend for a top 5 spot in the men's elite field.
photos AP
MEET AT THE TURNTABLE IN MINTURN FOR BREAKFAST, EARLY. CALL CB AT THE MOUNTAIN PEDALER IN EAGLE FOR MORE DETAILS. 
On January 19, 2009, we announced a voluntary recall of 14 U.S and 4 Canadian products including CLIF Bar, CLIF Builder’s, CLIF MOJO, CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR and LUNA Bar, in the U.S. and Canada because the peanut butter in those products was sourced, for a limited period of time, from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is a manufacturer and supplier of peanut butter for many food companies and manufacturers.
PCA is under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, Clif Bar & Company has enacted a voluntary recall. We take the health and safety of our consumers very seriously.
My advice, if you have any product in your home that has peanut butter in it in any form, other than out of a name brand jar, chuck it or feed it to the neighbors dog that won't stop barking...the dog will then be to busy crapping himself for a week to bark anymore.
My affiliation with SQUIRT lube has led to some interesting opportunities, the latest being some samples of Acid Zapper that came to my mail box from Murray Wilmerding of Team Zap USA. I first suggest you click on the links here to read more about the product. It's basically an Alkalizing agent that helps with managing lactic acid and recovery. It is taken in doses of one tablet per 50lbs. of body weight. I started taking the stuff a couple of days ago anticipating a long ride in Boulder yesterday. Riding conditions were perfect and I rode for three hours at moderate and slow speeds, with just a couple of harder efforts climbing. My first impressions of Acid Zapper are very good, and it's not because Murray hooked me with a sample pack. I never got sore or heavy legs during my first longer effort of the year, tired yeah, but that is to be expected. And today, the next day my legs feel fresh, not sore at all. If you want to give the stuff a try contact Murray at acidzapper@gmail.com
Boulder Indoor Cycling's Paul Wells welcomed SQUIRT Lube on board as the track lube sponsor today. No Petroleum or Solvent in Squirt, just wax and water which means a CLEAN track surface for Paul's killer indoor track set-up. It's really impressive, and Paul does an awesome job with his students...this looks too much fun not to try! With nearly 500 members in the first month, Boulder Indoor Cycling is already rockin it, the place was busy all day...
Check out the closed circuit TV, you can watch all the action.
Boulder Indoor Cycling has a tremendous selection of Fuji and Blue track bikes to choose from...all lubed up with SQUIRT.
Elgee, humbled by a perfect day, with a new prez and the first big ride of the new year...
I've been a bit overwhelmed with the entire presidential inauguration thing going on for the past few weeks, to the point where I just could not watch it on the boob tube anymore. As you know, if you follow this CYCLING blog, I've been a supporter of Barack Obama since early on. I'm no left wing liberal by any means, I do enjoy killing stuff that flies with a shotgun and eating it, I also believe in an "eye for an eye". My support was based on one simple fact, the fact that this guy Obama "seemed" like the person that the rest of the world would accept and welcome more than the rest. This coming at a time when one individual's decisions over the past eight years, which were supposedly made I my behalf, have the rest of the world hating America. My support has been mainly due to the fact that a guy named Obama may be able to change some of that, and that I'll be able to travel and go watch the Tour de France or some other classic in the future and not have the local residents of that country whisper under their breathe that myself and my country suck for what they believe in.+of+IMG_7144_2.JPG)
PHOTO JOE SALES /CX MAGAND THESE GUYS WANT SOME SQUIRT, I THINK BREAKFAST AT THE WAFFLE HOUSE MAKES TEAM E-MORTGAGE STRATEGY WORTHY
I THINK SO, and I say it without reservation because at yesterday's UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Roubaix, France, there were two winners. Sven Nys happened to be third behind Erwin Vervecken who won ahead of Czech rider Zdenek Stybar, the other incredibly was Katie Compton (Spike Shooter). Two weeks out from the World Championships, Compton put the lumber to reigning world champ Hanka Kupfernagel by nine seconds and former champ Daphny Van den Brand by 42 seconds. Nine seconds is a large gap for a CX victory, and Katie seems to be right on target. Incredibly, Rachel Lloyd was seventh in this race. WHAT IS UP GURLYS? Do you think this may ignite a huge ball of fire under the currently behemoth growth of women's CX in this country? (just check the Portland race numbers). I mean this is hugely exciting for all CX fans in the USA. 
pic from cx mag
