ANDY SCHLECK AND COMPANY PAY A VISIT TO SWAN MOUNTAIN..

A few people in this video reportedly had been drinking
 The one thing this video does not capture, is the faces and actions of the people in every support vehicle. 90% of these vehicles had one or more people holding their cameras and video cameras up filming the action as they came through the crowds, and they were all smiling big and laughing  wildly at the mayhem. The crowds in Colorado BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER. I'm telling you, if you missed it this year, do NOT miss it next year, we will leave you a space in the crowd and bring a cowbell if you need one to ring. the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is gonna be around for a while, come and experience it, it's amazing.

USA PRO CHALLENGE VAIL TIME TRIAL AND AVON START

Levi wins the TT by .10 seconds over Van De Velde, sick.

And the start in Avon was nothing short of spectacular

JENS VOIGT TELLS THE USA THANK YOU, ONLY ON A2B

The past week was a whirlwind of fun and activity for cycling fans in Colorado. I'm still worn out from the long days chasing the USA Pro Challenge while having the opportunity to actually work on the event during the Vail and Avon stages for many months prior to it's arrival. I was very fortunate to have a Platinum VIP pass which gave me the ability to basically walk anywhere anytime without questions. My personal favorite is Jens Voigt, for many reasons, and when I had the opportunity to thank him for coming to the USA to race, well ya know....

WHAT HAPPENS ON SWAN MOUNTAIN ROAD, STAYS ON SWAN MOUNTAIN ROAD...

I'm pretty sure the State of Colorado is going to be buzzing for a very long time to come as the USA Pro Cycling Challenge has left a mark, and a few hangovers. I'm still trying to embrace what we all went through last weekend and figure it out, what that feeling actually reminded me of, but there is nothing to compare it to. Each city and town brought their own flavor to the race, and in the end, it will always be the crowd and party up on Swan Mountain road in Summit County which will be remembered as the absolute benchmark for partying at a world class cycling event. DJ Good rolled 1400 watts of power through six speakers and absolutely had the place bonkers....and the beer helped. Cheers to that.

JUST ANOTHER DAY CHASIN THE USA PRO CHALLENGE...

Don't even ask, it was so out of control on Swan Mountain Road on the way to Breck that it was almost Caligula...words and pics will never describe it properly and the people that were there will always say that they were indeed there that day on Swan Mountain Road, this race aint goin nowhere but right here in Colorado for years to come.

A rare day indeed as I ran into an entire slough of old Summit
County friends, and we partied like rock stars, and one of them even proposed to his longtime girlfriend in the mayhem, and of course she said yes, because on this day, Summit County ruled the pro cycling world, and it was perfect.

STALKER CAUGHT IN PHOTO AT USA PRO CHALLENGE AVON STAGE

In this case, it was J Pow, monster cyclocrosser racing for Jelly Belly Sport Beans.
photo courtesy of Cody Downard (www.codydownard.com)

ONLY ON A2B, TOUR WINNER PICKING A BOOGER...

The one and only thing I have in common with Cadel Evans, we both like picking boogers at the line.

Perfect timing Cadel... 

Here is a better shot of the champ, as well as some others from today's start in Avon. I'm tired from fun.

Levi finding the correct gear to roll out in today and defend yellow, and Zabriskie in the start grid loose as usual.

ONE HELL OF A GUNNISON WEEKEND.....

2011 24 IN THE SAGE, IT DOES NOT GET BETTER

Old Red and White got me through 70 miles of bone rattling singletrack riding at Hartman Rocks, this bikes finest hour on the dirt, bar none.

 

 And with that, the 2011 24 Hours in the Sage is in the books. Many good stories to tell, many experiences of a lifetime, including the infamous "Townie" lap at 3:00am in the morning with the entire class doing a gentleman's lap together. It was an honor to ride with all the former World Champions of this event, and about as much fun as it gets. More to come soon, scratch that Bucket List item off the list........

LET'S DO THIS GUNNISON....

I am going to Gunnison this afternoon, I am in the starting line-up for the World Townie Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships. I am not actually going to Gunnison to race for this title as there is no way in hell that at my age I'm going to sit on old Red and White for 24 hours and race on the dirt. I am however going to participate, and have a shit ton of fun, and ride my old 1986 custom painted Rock Hopper for as many laps as I wish and then just enjoy the vibe at the 24 in the Sage, because it is my favorite, and this is kind of a "Bucket List" item for me, to simply participate and have fun. As the summers roll by and you begin to realize that you probably will never have the chance to ride Europe for three weeks like you had planned because your careers have all but shit the bed, except my announcing career thankfully, or that you know you are mortal, and that the years do not just keep coming with good health one after the other, unless you are very fortunate, and that there are just some things which you do have the opportunity to do during this time on earth, then just do them, worry about paying for it later. And with that I'd like to say thanks to the Folks at the Sage for having me be a part of it. To be perfectly honest with all of you, I can't fucking wait to line it up at the start tomorrow with hundreds of others, on a bike I bought 25 years ago, and raced on back in the day, at the place I did my first Mountain Bike ride ever in Colorado in 1984, and it was up W Mountain when I lived in Gunnison for a summer, which we will ride in the shadows of for 24 hours starting tomorrow at noon. Damn good on ya I'd say. This is gonna be one for the books, and the smile I have when we roll out on lap one won't even begin to indicate what fun I'm having, let's do this Gunnison.

 

GOODNIGHT CANON

You may or may not have heard that my Canon blogging camera of many years died a violent death about 10 days ago when the rear hatch door of my buddies Suburban crushed it during an auto close episode. I did salvage the memory card, and these were the last two photos I took with the old steed. Consider this a memorial to the good ol Canon, sleep well in the junkyard my friend.

THUMPED AT THE HUMP...

These are the final pedal strokes of climbing the Humper captured here by Cait Boyd and the rest of the crew, I've never suffered worse than I did trying to get to this point, but damn it felt good.

And so it was, as another large enthusiastic group rolled into Eagle, Colorado on Sunday morning to test themselves on the singletrack surrounding town, roughly 38 miles and somewhere around 10,000 vert of climbing, with a Harley Davidson lead out. The weather could not have been better with the rain holding off until about thirty minutes after the ride ended. Temps were cool, in the 60's up high, 70's down low, and with a late attack on the final descent coming down the Abram's singletrack, Sweet Peter Fralick pulled away from Stephen White to gain his name forever etched into the Stanley Cup of Mountain Biking, the Holy Grail itself, the infamous Humper Antler.

For the rest of us, it was a fantastic day on the bikes, as this year most of those who showed up got the picture and rode a civil pace, stopped a lot, refueled, and drank a beer at the Yellow Chair before heading back down into town. There were plenty of crashes, two of which I enjoyed myself, and we pounded disgusting amounts of ugly food afterwards at the Dusty Boot in Eagle Ranch.

This could not have happened without the help of Courtney Gregory and Todd Moyer who marked most of the course and set up the beer/water drop at the bottom of The Plunge, Charlie Brown of the Mountain Pedaler in Eagle for supporting the amazing Moyer family put together aid station, which included Mexican Cokes on ice when we all needed one desperately. And of course thanks to the 50 or so of you who came out to ride and meet some new folks and get back to grass roots mountain biking, and congrats to Chris Kehmeier for finishing on a FUCKING RIGID SINGLESPEED, all 6' 10' of him, gawd. BTW, Cait Boyd basically kicked mine and a lot of other boyuz asses, well done Cait.

So I guess the only thing left is to line it up again next year, and try to make the climb to the Yellow Chair without stopping and making little girl noises all the way from the bottom to the top, somehow I do not think this will be possible, I aint gettin younger, but who cares anyway, after all, it's the Hardscrabble Humper.

WHERE I'D WATCH EACH STAGE OF THE USA PRO CHALLENGE....

1. The Prologue-Anywhere close to the start, it's gonna be a party!

2. Salida to Crested Butte-it goes without saying, you want to be somewhere on the climb up Monarch Pass, not necessarily the top, but somewhere along the climb, it should be spectacular and look for a possible break of top names near the top

3. Crested Butte to Aspen-Independence Pass is the queen of the race, however I believe I'd choose to be up on the climb to the summit of Cottonwood Pass on the dirt instead. The scenery up there in the middle of the Collegiates is awesome, and you'll be able to blow out right to Vail from there for the Time Trial the next day.

4. Vail Time Trial-If I did not have to work at the start area, which will be an amazing experience just the same, I'd head up to the final K of the course on my bike, EARLY, and bring beer. This is where the course kicks up and really hurts. You will really be able to get up and close with your favorites here and scream your asses off and ring more cowbell. Option two is in the Village at the start, the place will be hoppin and this is where the riders will be warming up for their assault on the 10 miles up the pass.

5. Avon to Steamboat-I gotta go with the short uphill section just across the bridge at State Bridge right on the Colorado River. The descent to this point will be the fastest of the entire week, and then the riders will have a short climb after crossing the Colorado River, great scenery and a party vibe for sure there. Look for a 60mph descent to this point from the field.

6. Steamboat to Breckenridge- The climb of Swan Mountain Road on the south side of Lake Dillon if you can FIND a spot, this will be a decisive section of the days stage, it's a short but difficult climb just about 14 KM from the finish, attacks WILL HAVE TO take place here for riders who need time.

7. Golden to Denver- Anywhere, and celebrate the return of big time pro road racing back to Colorado. I'm gonna try and get anywhere on the finishing circuit, it's sure to be a special day....

Enjoy the USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE!

HERE'S JUST A SMALL TASTE OF VIDEO, HARDSCRABBLE HUMPER 2011

There is more GOOD vij footage, but it's a process to get it all edited and up and runnin gang, bare with me, cheers. This was a great day.

2011 HARDSCRABBLE HUMPER GOES OFF UNDER PERFECT WEATHER, AND WE SUFFERED

Once again Avery Cunliffe took this years portrait of the troubled just outside the Mountain Pedaler in Eagle, Colorado. We were complete with Harley roadster roll out this year. Video and the full story to come soon, very soon.

USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE IS SET TO GO, IN AVON AND VAIL.

It's nearly here, and the task is daunting when you think that there are multiple cities that have to TOTALLY have their shit together to pull this race off. Medalist Sports basically throws each city involved to the tigers, with absolute amazing guidance via their past big stage race experience, and manages to pull off the impossible. With that said, A2B is going to attempt to give you the spectator and cycling enthusiast some viewing tips during the next 10 days to get you prepped. As you may or may not know I have been involved in the process for months now, as the sitting chairperson for the "Lifestyle Expo" during the Vail and Avon stages. 

Here is your first general viewing tip to see the race

**GET TO YOUR VIEWING SPOTS VERY EARLY, OR THE EVE BEFORE, EVERYDAY**

Road closure will be enforced on each route each day, early. You will have the opportunity to see the peloton once during each stage, so pick your spots wisely, have fun, party some, and prepare to be patient when the time to move comes. You are going to witness a moving entourage the likes of which you have not seen in Colorado for some time, if ever. 

BEST DAY TO SEE YOU HEROES

August 25th, the Vail Time Trial. First rider off at 1pm

Here is the scoop on Vail and the TT. Plan your day one of two ways.

1. Be prepared to spend the entire day in the Village at Vail, PARKING WILL BE VERY LIMITED, for more information on this go to www.vail.com, they are the BEST destination for information and logistics. 

Start your day off in the Village with the best cup of coffee in the Valley at Yeti's
Grind in the Solaris building RIGHT NEXT to the starting ramp for the TT.

Team parking will be in FORD Park, however, there will be team warm up on the UPPER DECK of the Village Parking structure, PARKING here will be CLOSED to the public. This is the spot to see your favorite athletes warm up on all 17 teams prior to their assault on Vail Pass and the decisive TT. There will also be a large Expo presence on the south section of the top deck here. The TT starting ramp will be located directly in front of the Solaris building, the course turns immediately left to the International Bridge, then another left at Check Point Charlie before rolling through the village and out to the road where it turns left up Blue Cow Shoot and onto the frontage where it's game on. The TT ends on old HWY 6 at the cul de sac 10 miles up the road total. VIPs will be in the Village on route and it's going to be going off! A great place to experience the actions

2. Park somewhere in West Vail, or even Avon, and RIDE to the TT Course early that morning (or attempt to camp the night before near the Forest Service Trail head and gate, and ride up the course near 0-2km to go. The course gets steeper at the top, and the riders will be suffering, and this is a great place to spectate. Be aware the racers will NOT be coming back down the course at the end of their ride, other arrangements have been made for their return to Vail.

The last 2KM of this climb may determine the outcome of the entire USA Pro Challenge, be there.

It's almost here, and it's gonna be special.

SO THERE HAS BEEN A BIT OF A STINK WITH AMERISTAR CASINO IN BLACKHAWK...

So I emailed the ultimately responsible douche and asked what they were thinking, you can do the same. Here is his contact information. Do not get me worng, I understand the is just a commercial and not "real life", but once again, it portrays cyclists on the laughing end of getting run off the road, which I'm sure Michael Smith of ESPN has running on a continuos loop on his home TV right now.

Here is the guy and number to contact if you have something to say...

702-567-7050.

  Paul Eagleton

Sr. VP, Marketing

Ameristar Casinos

THIS IS YOUR TIRE ON STANS......AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS.

Two weeks ago after riding the Cole Wheels C-38 for a month or so, which were an amazing ride by the way, I returned the demos to our office and slung my old Dura Ace tubeless road rims on and decided to fill one tire with Stans, and one with Caffe Latex. I subsequently managed a small puncture in a sidewall riding dirt roads north of Longmont, the Stans was in this tire and did not seal, and when I later removed the tire to repair it, the Stans was predominantly solidified, and this was after only TWO WEEKS, which kind of sucked, on top of Stans having ammonia in the product which decomposes the material in your tires. You may want to check out Caffe Latex as your sealant in the future, Dugast says this is the only acceptable sealant to use in their tubeless tires because of the ammonia issue.

THE SECOND ANNUAL HARDSCRABBLE HUMPER, THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 14TH

The second edition of the Hardscrabble Humper is this Sunday in Eagle, Colorado. Meet at the Mountain Pedaler in Eagle, Colorado and be ready to ride at 7am. THIS IS NOT A RACE, however if you want to race it have at it. This is a mountain biking gran fondo and it is a very difficult 38 miles with nearly 10,500 feet of climbing which highlights some of the most fun singletrack riding you will ever experience in Colorado. Last year we had a fantastic turnout for the first ever, it's free, bring two tubes, Caffe Latex Espresso, a pump, rain gear, a camera, and prepare to enter the amazing world of Hardscrabble Mountain west of Eagle, there "should be" some aid along the way, but be prepared for a long effort food wise. You won't regret it, it's a monster ride, but oh so worth it....see you there Sunday morning.

The course is marked with PINK clothes pins, they are easy to miss when you are deep in the pain cave, pay attention and have a blast with the rest of us....cheers.

I FREEKIN HATE "ANONYMOUS" COMMENTS.

Have some balls...

SO, THE FORT COLLINS CYCLING FESTIVAL DUMPS ME...

Which according to them is because of financial issues, but I smell one hell of a BIG skunk on this one. So upon this news, which also fucks me on announcing MY FAVORITE race of all time, the 24 Hours In The Sage in Gunnison, Colorado, I was immediately invited to PARTICIPATE in the Sage and I have accepted.

I've also decided for the first time in a very long time to use a REALLY BIG FONT on A2B, just because it has been so long since I have last done this. And here is the beaut of it, by the way thank you Traci Rock, you rock, I'm gonna go Solo, and I'm gonna ride the 1986 Rockhopper which I purchased in Riverside, California at Raincross Cyclery all those years ago, because if there were ever an event that this baby should come off the wall for, the 24 Hours in the Sage is it.  This is DEFINITELEY a bucket list item folks, see you there. I'm going to be crashing YOUR campsite in two short weeks....this is THE greatest 24 event in the world, don't miss it.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS A 50 MILE RIDE FROM MY HOME....

So I'll ride there....on my bike.

EAGLE'S BONEYARD BRAWL DONE, NEXT UP, THE HUMPER

Weather attempted to just say no to the Boneyard Brawl in Eagle, Colorado last eve, in the old hood, but cooperated at the last minute, sort of, and the race was on. Jake Wells (Dogma Athletica) was able to put an end to Jay Henry's (Tokyo Joe's) sweep of the seven race Vail town Series with a one second win at the line, swapping last years result....

Mr. Wind paid the 10 x 10 it's usual frame busting visit just prior to race time.

And then it was game on at the Boneyard Brawl for a large field of racers...
Next up in Eagle is the Hardscrabble Humper, perhaps Colorado's toughest 38 mile mountain bike ride/fondo. 10,500 feet of climbing and amazing singletrack for hours. Meet at the Mountain Pedaler at 7am, it was big last year, it will be bigger this year, don't miss this MONSTER ride. It's not a race, it's all about fun, riding great singletrack and good people. See you there.