This sick hardtail will make it's debut at Eurobike in just a day or two. The first thing I notice is the "similarity" to the Specialized geometry. And of all the Carbon hardtail out there, I've heard the least about Specialized breaking this year while I know many of the others have had issues with snappage.
Photo credit ©Jon Devich
Racers charge the hill
The fields were substantial
The chasers try to minimize damage...
Scotty Borkmansk was in the bad place all day....
The Kopp takes a victim
Somewhat organized chaos...
One of the Lead groups keeps the pressure on...
Mafia's Spencer Paulus charging up the loose climb
Another Kopp victim...
A quick "suggestion" about breakfast in Moab
Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab, Utah....sweet eve for a party with friends
Fortunately, I was asked by the Johnsons, Dave and Becky, to provide musical entertainment at their rehearsal dinner at the Red Cliffs Lodge just upriver from Moab last night. I had driven by this place many times over the years and always wanted to check it out. Last eve was the opportunity and it did not disappoint. What an awesome evening with awesome friends in an awesome setting for a rehearsal dinner
Sick views, bluebird skies in Moab
Just one of millions of spires and towers in the Moab area
And of course with temps above 100 degrees during the day, I needed a quick morning ride before heading out of town, so I opted for my pre-ride of the 24 hour course at 7am to beat the heat. Alot of surprises out there. The early season rain has scoured the course, it's fast and firm most of the way now, and there are big signs of erosion in spots you did not have them previously. Almost the entire descent back into the start area on the road is down to the hard pack due to all the sand having washed away, it's bizarre, and it's fast. Keep your fingers crossed for low winds between now and race day, not likely.....
Slip your rear tire climbing this and you will pay
Things look alot different out there being scoured by rain, The Nose Dive
If you've raced the course, you probably have never looked up to see this archway in the bluff rock, there is another on the back side as well.
Prepping the room for hot laps...
A New Olympic Record, it was just a matter of time...
Dick Dime, of East Vail, was training for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships when he was hit by car Saturday in the Denver area and seriously injured
My Summer Shit from chris clappe on Vimeo.
The Eagle County 9000, a first of its kind bike race, will allow cyclists to compete in a 9,000 foot, straight-line speed dash along the newly finished runway, before it’s grooved and put into service. The race will be capped at 32 riders per category and includes two flights in each category, one female and one male flight. There will be a youth category for those ages 10 to 14, an open category, a vet category for ages 35 and older and an open cruiser bike category. The race will include a semi-final flight in each category followed by a final flight where the top four from each semi-final flight will race against each other. The youth bike race will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed the open, vet and cruiser bike categories at 6 p.m.
Squirt is very excited to announce the CU Buffs as the latest addition to our stellar list of sponsored teams, athletes and events...Go Buffs Cycling Club!
In the meantime, I woke up with a MF'n wicked cold this morning, have not had one like this in quite sometime, you know the cold where your throat is so freekin sore it hurts to breath. Just a step shy of Strep sore. This year has turned into a series of stumbling efforts to try and get out of my own fucking way. Crash, recover, get sick, get better, crash again get hurt more, get sick, get better, crash. Fuck, I'm over it. I did watch a fine series of courtroom shows today however, Judge Judy, Alex, Johnson, Shmails, Wapner, followed by the Jerry Springer show. Outstanding television! Makes this blog appear as a Pulitzer prize winner. 
I did learn a few new words today watching these fine TV programs, Many people had to Ax the judge a question, and the new term for an Acura is Akra
Awesome views from the singletrack
The latest edition to our singletrack network was completed this week, a trail I call "Rose Garden" after the person who took the initiative to get er done, Kent Rose. Many people busted knuckles to get this one done and it's a great addition to the network. Killer views over Brush Creek from the Bluff top are the highlight with more classic Eagle windy twisty trail through sage fields. The track is VERY loose right now until we get some rain, watch the speed in the corners until then as washing out is easy to do in the soft corners...Thanks to all that helped, INCLUDING the jail prisoners (for real) that came out and did an awesome job. Community Service served well!
Burmed corners with drainage
Cattle guards and fencing all complete
Rock and dirt work done...go rip it
Look, most of you know I've been wearing those sweeeet Rudy Project Yellow Ekynox glasses racing my bikes now for over ten years, that's right OVER ten years, and they STILL are not broken and the lenses have minimal scratches. God only knows my body is battered from dozens of horrific bike wrecks over those years, but the glasses, oh those Rudys keep tickin. Those vintage glasses also have "clip in" technology which allows me to SEE while riding as at 52 (next month), I can't see for shit anymore. Well, it's a bummer, but old yeller is about to be retired and replaced by Rudy's SICK new RX technology when these babies (Exowind) arrive. If you need a script in your glasses, Rudy Project now has an option which allows you to have you prescription etched right into the lense, NO MORE CLIP INS, AND the freekin lenses adjust to light differences, and the lense choices are endless. I'm not going to know what to do with myself, can it be this convenient? Well, when I get em I'll give you the entire scoop, in the meantime, here is their description...Rudy Project's new architectural piece brings visual performance, snug comfort and style on a sleek and dymamic chassis. Using QuickChange™ technology, lenses can be easily changed to manage any light condition. Mounted with our new Photochromic Clear ImpactX™ lenses, the Rudy Project Exowind™ will ensure unparalleled wraparound protection and enhanced visual clarity for any performance, at any climatic condition. Incorporated innovative co-injected Ergonose™ 4 insures stunning stability and exceptional ergonomics. The Exowind™ is prescription-ready, either with our easy-in-easy-out patented RX insert, or direct, with our revolutionary ImpactRX™ program powered by Shamir® digital freeform technology.
Technically SICK eyewear
3/4 of Team Mafia, Courtmansk on course
T Wells gets ready to burn a hot lap like dad
Sunset in Gunny was a monster
Dark hours arrive
Dubber talks about the next lap
Jeff Thompson heads out just seconds in front of Jdubs on lap five as the battle continues
When I woke up in a rain soaked tent at the beginning of the Columbine climb at the Leadville 100 the morning of the race, there was an incredible storm brewing just to the west. The race had just started at 6:30 am and it was butt ass cold. There was a dusting of snow on the peaks surrounding Leadville that morning, and 40 miles into the race the real storm was wreaking havoc on the entire field, a storm by the name of Lance Armstrong. I was fortunate enough to have ridden up to the spot on the Columbine climb where Lance began his move. I rode up in my WINTER parka in a miserably cold rain deluge. When Lance appeared suddenly in solo attack mode, it was clear that this race was already over. When Dave Wiens followed in second place, he was already waving the white flag as he sarcastically chuckled when I mentioned he was chasing down Lance Armstrong which made it clear that at this point he was racing for second place, and this just 45 miles in. Lance had put three and half minutes into Wiens in just five miles of climbing, and by the time they came back down from the plateau just fifteen miles later, the lead on my watch was 16 minutes, the king of the 100 had been crushed by a Tour legend. Wiens rode strong to second place, but Armstrong's performance from mile marker 40 to 60 was devastating. I'll complete this post later this eve....more vij and pics to come from Leadville and the Rage in the Sage 24 Hour race. Crazy weekend!Travis Brown (Squirt Lube and Trek athlete) comes by in sixth place and gives Squirt the call out, "my drivetrain's like butter" 45 miles into the rain soaked mudfest at the Leadville 100.
Lance descending off of Columbine, now with at least 15 minutes on Wiens. This descent is on one of the most bizarre course layouts I've ever seen in a race, with 1300 riders coming UP the hill while Lance is flying DOWN the hill, fast. The road was muddy and riders climbing were three abreast in places. VERY dangerous descending.
This was not the only storm brewing at 7am on Saturday morning in Leadville, Lance Armstrong was the other.
The climb up Columbine was contested in very difficult conditions 
The morning of, with monster storm rollin in.
1300 Racers tackled the Columbine climb in very variable weather conditions...
Pardon the shit camera work when I saw this bear cub climb a tree while driving to Leadville...
Special guest appearance by Mario C. Senior
And of course a Lance souvenir from his first Leadville 100 victory, this got tossed right after the vijeo I shot of Lance as he went by, notice the "X" on top of the bottle, must be some triple top secret stuff in there.
