Addicted to Bicycles

ALBERT AND VOS DESTROY THE WORLD...

2012-01-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

Niels Albert and the rest of his Belgian counterparts absolutely destroyed the rest of the world today at the Cyclocross World Championships in Koksijde, Belgium, making a near mockery of the race early on and simply defending their home turf. The race basically looked like a training ride for the Belgie Nationals as they toyed with the rest of the world and watched Albert clean house and regain his world title. On the women's side, it was once again Vos in a sleeper taking her 473rd world title. The Neds rode well today in Belgium on the women's side and took two of the podge spots. Katie Compton fought to the chase group several times for the USA, but numerous bobbles became too much to overcome for her to match her last two podium efforts at Worlds.

photos from CX Mag

I WORK WITH THIS KNUCKLE HEAD....AND HE'S GOT MEGGA STYLE.

2012-01-26T13:31:00.000-08:00

Lucas Evans will be featured in the Sneak Peak Vail next week, here's his style.

The Playground Chronicles "Preseason Edit"-December 2010 from Kjell Ellefson on Vimeo.

AND SO WE ROLL THROUGH WINTER...

2012-01-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

First of all, you are probably wondering what the fuck is up with the new AD banner on A2B, well, it's a way to generate some cash flow while I'm sleeping and people from all over the world click on the latest way to meet other Arabs in the "Arab Lounge". I almost shit myself with laughter when that one popped up. It's a trial period, and if it works out in my favor so be it, I'd prefer to see cycling and outdoor gear related stuff only, but who knows, one of you may click on the Fitness singles link or the "Arab Lounge" link and meet your very next ex-wife, so good luck. On mean cmon dawg, you could meet your next Arab Princess!

With all that bullshit said

This winter has been a bit on the stupid side for me, stupid good, and this even with a pitiful start to the ski season as far a snowfall has been concerned. But it's been getting better, much better, with several feet of snow falling the last couple of weeks and more on the way. Reinvention is once again in full swing and I spend most of my day fitting ski boots to feet that have problems in ski boots, I love bunyons.

Of course with that said I also get to ski, everyday if it's proper, and I've skied on virtually every in the above demo rack where I work at Christy Sports Beaver Creek, because that is my job, and there are some real stars hanging in that rack....

The Dynastar Legend Series is one of the tops for sure, and the Legend 94 is one of the best all mountain skis out there.

The Armada JJ and TST are stupid good in the fluff, and right next door, the Salomon Rocker 2 absolutely kills it in all conditions on Grouse Mountain, KILLS it.

I think my favorite ski thus far of the season is the Rossi S7, which is a beast everywhere. This ski will drive you right through every condition and type of terrain on the hill, it skis amazingly different than it "looks" and simply just dominates the ski hill.

The Repair Shop during sleepy hours

We also have some of these things but I'm not sure what they arepor what they are used for.

And after hours in the new Rental Lounge in the Christy's Beaver Creek. Chill and watch some big screen while getting fitted...then go git sum.

FEBRUARY 10-12, THE WINTER TEVA MOUNTAIN GAMES HIT VAIL

2012-01-25T11:25:00.000-08:00

And I'll see you all there, on the mic of course, calling the cycling events which include a snow crit and a big air comp. Be there.

IT'S GONNA BE 50 IN FRUITA THIS WEEK....

2012-01-24T12:39:00.000-08:00

And despite great skiing on the home front, it may be too difficult to pass up.

With that said, I'm not sure how many times people need to be reminded about snow safety, but with the worst January snow pack I've seen in 30 years of living in Colorado, stay the fuck out of the back country until nature settles everything herself, which is going to take a while. And with Cyclocross Worlds just around the corner, I'm picking Gary Thacker to win the Rainbow jersey and take home the whole enchilada. You heard it first right here on A2B.

VOS DOMINATES THE WORLD.......AGAIN, COMPTON MISSES PODIUM.

2012-01-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

Vos once again destroys the women's field at the World Cup, while van den Brand and Nash filled out he podium. America's best shot for a world title, Katie Compton, finished what is surely a disappointing 4th for her, but an amazing finish all the same, let's go ski some powder.

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE A GREAT SKIER, YOU ARE NOT, BUT THIS KID IS...DAWG.

2012-01-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

Kelly Sildaru / Wanted from Sildaru on Vimeo.

FOR SALE, SWEET NINER ONE SS, XL, SCANDNIUM, WITH MAVERICK SINGLE CROWN FORK...

2012-01-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

$1299
JUST 5 RIDES ON THIS BEAUT.

CALL OR E-MAIL ME, OR LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THIS POST.

APPARENTLY, IT'S BEEN SNOWING IN CANADA

2012-01-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

This is big, really BIG.

I AM OUT OF SHIT TO BLOG TODAY, SO HOW ABOUT SOME FSU HISTORY...

2012-01-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

Having gone to school at Florida State, this is to be noted. I am no big basketball fan by any stretch of the imagination, however, FSU basketball kicked the living crap out of Roy Williams and his North Carolina Tar Heels a couple of nights ago, Williams worst loss as a coach. The interesting thing about the end of this game is that Coach Williams pulled his team off the floor with just under 20 seconds remaining in the game and walked to the locker room earning him the A2B Douche Bag of the Week award. Williams, you are a puss, all the ass woopins you have put on other teams over the years while your opponents took it for the team, then had to go shake hands with the members of your team after losing by 40 points or so and saying "nice game guys". You're a classless act, but boy, this must have been a fun one to be at. FSU once again proving that they are a huge thorn in the side of North Carolina basketball, who was #3 in the nation. BTW, it snowed 10 inches last night, here we go.

I'M NOT SURE, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE ALL THESE GUYS SHOULD BE DEAD...

2012-01-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

THE BALLAD OF TIM TEBOW

2012-01-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

I wrote this Tim Tebow ballad after the game last night

"I am Tim Tebow and I really suck the big one"

I hope you liked my ballad.

I'm pretty sure if I was an offensive lineman on this guy's team I'd lay down every play and watch the pummeling take place behind me. Apparently, Jesus takes Saturday's off.

MASTER'S CX CYCLOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, REALLY?

2012-01-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

Look, I'm not trying to downplay the fact that the USA actually was presented with the opportunity to host the Master's Cyclocross World Championships this weekend in Kentucky of all places, but have you looked at the field distributions? It appears that roughly 99% of the riders are from the USA and Canada, um, I find this a rather poor turn out from the Euro Bubble. Imagine that, they should have made it a Cross Cup race then everyone and their brother would have shown up. I'm not trying to step on muddy toes and piss everyone off, which for some is inevitable, but to see NO ONE representing the WORLD is pretty sad. With that said, I'd love to be there, but like the rest of my masters friends, there is no way in hell I can afford the trip. Cheers USA, it looks like a lock for you in most of the categories.

With any luck at all, your gear was transported to Kentucky for the Master's World Cyclocross Championships this weekend.

A couple of photos from Steve Tilford's Blog below, the course is virtually un ride-able in 10-12 sections. Which of course is perfect. I'd prefer not to hear CX racers complain about course conditions, if you know what I'm saying.

MORE FROM FRUITA 2012 OPENER

2012-01-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

And it snowed...

J POW AND COMPTON PREVAIL AS CX NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

2012-01-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

Katie Compton won her EIGHTH CX National Title in a row yesterday, which should be the beginning of a streak that will probably end some time around mid century. Look for maybe twenty in a row? Congrats to Compton on her dominating win and we hope this is the year she can break Rabobank teammate Vos' World title streak.

On the men's side of the fence, Jeremy Powers FINALLY breaks through and takes his first National Title with a perfectly timed late attack on a hot lead group. Tim Tebow and Mike Ditka rounded out the podium.

photos poached from CX Mag online.

And major props to the Boulder Cyclesport crew for tearing it up in Madison, Brandon Dwight taking yet another National Championship and Webber, Hludzinski, Krugoff and Keller all representing the Colorado contingent with fantastic rides.....

Watch more video of USA Cyclocross National Championships 2012 on cyclingdirt.org

FRUITA IN JANUARY, LOMA CANT BE BETTER.

2012-01-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

COLORADO JUNIORS TOP THE PODIUM AT CYCLOCROSS NATIONALS

2012-01-07T06:45:00.000-08:00

Gauge Hecht and Mina Anderberg added to their already impressive pile of National Cyclocross Championships with wins yesterday in Madison, Wisconsin. Roll on Colorado Juniors, well done.
photos poached from Cx Magazine online

JANUARY 5TH IN LOMA WITH COURTMANSK....

2012-01-06T10:41:00.000-08:00

And so it is in 2012, with virtually zero snow in the mountains of the west as we head into the second week of January, and a nuclear mushroom cloud hanging over the town of Gypsum, which everyone says poses no health issues, it was time to start 2012 off the way 2011 ended, to the west, and on the dirt. Courtney Wuwuwuwuwuwuzup Gregory and myself threw our MTB shit in the car and hit Loma, just west of Fruita, sorry you missed it, it did not suck.

Here is the warm welcome you receive in Fruita these days from a dinosaur in the round about eating the Grinch, in front of children from all over the world. Like.

And the Loma parking lot at about 11:30am on January 5th, with temps starting to press near 50 degrees. We were so lonely.

And well, you know.

And not to change the subject, but every Republican and Democrat politician out there is a douche bag, the rest are all just tea baggers.

Oh, and here is some cheap entertainment as in free...

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL AT CYCLOCROSS NATIONALS...

2012-01-04T06:47:00.000-08:00

Who will unseat T. Wells this year in Madison? It's lookin like a Trebon-Powers showdown. Meanwhile, all the best to the Colorado racers who I had the privilege to call the action for this season, the are arriving in big numbers and ready to roll ofter some great weekends of true CX racing on the home turf. Get after it!

2012, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.......

2012-01-02T06:46:00.000-08:00

I'm assuming that if you stare at this pic long enough you will figure out what it is. I took it yesterday, welcoming the new year on the slopes of Beaver Creek. I'm also assuming it may snow again some day, so we can break out the fat powder skis....paleeeease.

AND.....THE 2011 A2B DOUCHE BAG OF THE YEAR IS.....

2012-01-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

For actually thinking I belonged somewhere other than the high country of
Colorado and moving in with one of the angriest people I've ever met in my life. I mean it's ok to hate a couple of things, but to HATE EVERYTHING and EVERYONE, REALLY?

What a gem.

Anyway, this is 2012 and 2011 is now water under the bridge, so lets get this thing rolling. This is going to be a great year, especially on the announcing and riding front, and it's good to be back to the ground I belong on, and it's an honor to be the A2B Douche Bag of the Year. Thank You.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK...

2011-12-31T13:22:00.000-08:00

If you have never been to Arches National Park in Moab, and you ride a road bike, I highly recommend you take a full day and ride the entire road system in the park one day, it's a bucket list item for road riders and a spectacular way to see the park and wonders it has to offer. I'll leave it at that and let these images tell the rest of the Park's story. It's the best $5 you can spend on a road bike.

VIJ FROM SOVEREIGN TRAIL IN MOBE

2011-12-31T10:44:00.001-08:00

AND THE A2B CYCLING VIDEO OF THE YEAR IS...

2011-12-30T06:10:00.000-08:00

I mean really A2B Fans, did you expect anything less?

2011 COMING TO A PERFECT CLOSE IN MOAB...

2011-12-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

I had never ridden Sovereign Trail in Moab until today. Rolling solo on a soul mission to wind down 2011 let's just say the choice did not suck. I'll be riding this again and there is some good vij floating around I'll get to sometime soon...Cheers, more from the road bike tomorrow.

Simply put, Epic, tomorrow is going to be Epicker.

MOAB AND THE A2B DOUCHE BAG OF THE YEAR

2011-12-27T10:46:00.000-08:00

The weather has been a bit odd this winter here in the Vail Valley. The snow is God awful and the funny thing is that I've skied way more days this season up until this point of the season than I have for many, many years. It's Christmas, New Years week, and there is a freekin 18 inch base at the ski area, maybe. The forecast for the next ten days shows no snow and big round sunshine forever. It's gonna be 53 and sunny in Moab on Thursday and Friday of this week, my days off, so I'm heading west to Moab, and not just to ride dirt. I've ALWAYS wanted to ride the road through Arches National Park, and I'm gonna do that. I'm gonna wrap up this stress filled year with no stress and pedaling my bikes just to send off 2011 with a big ol FUCK YOU, I WIN.

With that said, the annual A2B Douche Bag of the Year will be announced once again on New Year's Day, it's still up for grabs and your last minute nominees will all be considered. I've got plenty of ideas myself, and it may end up being a big surprise, and someone that you all know very well. Douche Bag.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BEAVER CREEK AND A2B

2011-12-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

Where this footage was taken yesterday and I'll be making people's feet happy on Christmas morning in their ski boots. Stop by and Merry Christmas to you all from A2B!!

And here is your A2B feel good moment for the day..

THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD ALL SPEND YOUR CHRISTMAS EVE.....REALLY.

2011-12-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

They just don't write em like they used too....Merry Christmas from A2B

WHAT A BUNCH OF PUSSIES....

2011-12-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

A real man would have passed all his buddies on this shit. And what is with all the dabs?

And then there is this, my commute to work, which is way more dangerous....

BRIAN PATRICK ONCE AGAIN PUTS THE MAGIC TOGETHER FROM STATES

2011-12-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

Brian Patrick from OnsightMedia has once again captured in short the essence of the Men's Open Colorado State CX Championships. On a classic day with classic conditions, Yannick Eckmann put on a clinic and destroyed the field.

AFTER INHALING A DASHWHICH THIS WEEKEND

2011-12-20T13:44:00.000-08:00

At the Colorado 2011 State Cyclocross Championships, I decided to purchse this bike as my "go to" wheels. Nuff said.

WHILE I HAVE ONE SECOND

2011-12-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

Huge congrats to all racers at the CX State Championships this weekend. Nicole Duke repeats and Yannick Eckmann destroyed the elite men's field. Most dramatic finish went to two juniors out there. Two National Champions, Mina Anderberg and Ashley Zoerner battled to the line literally, both champions, with Zoerner edging out Anderberg for the victory in 2011.

COLORADO STATE CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS....

2011-12-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

There will be some amazing photos and video floating around the internet soon from the Colorado State CX Championships. The "T Wrecks" flyover created some carnage for sure, on both sides, and will be talked about for many years to come. More action from Castle Rock today! Congrats to all racers yesterday who showed, it was a pretty Crossy day for sure.

THE DICKS AT YOUTUBE REMOVED THE SOUND FROM THIS VIDEO...

2011-12-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

So watch it anyway, this is the carnage from last week in Lyons at Boulder Racing CX.

THANK YOU AGAIN

2011-12-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

As this weekend approaches, which is my third year in a row calling the Colorado State Cyclocross Championships, I must thank all of you for your support and the great feedback I've gotten from so many of you. 2011 is the year that my dream of becoming a professional cycling and event announcer took a really big step, and I am so excited for what the future holds. This is what I love to do. This is what I hope to do for many years to come. I'll still jump on the bike on occasion and compete, but my true passion is calling the day on the mic, and watching every warrior line it up and punish themselves while having that incredibly personalized experience of competition under the most brutal of circumstance. It's just plain and simply the purest form of pain there is, and you all come back to participate every weekend. Cheers to you all and let's make it one hell of a throw down this weekend in Castle Rock, I'd like to race, but I'm tired, and owe all of you the right to a proper call. I'll see you there when we put a wrap on the 2011 season, and do not forget, Monday starts preparation for the 2012 State Championships!

PHOTO CREDIT, TERRY SMITH, I THINK.

JUST ONE OF MANY CRASHES IN LYONS

2011-12-13T16:23:00.000-08:00

Compliments of Brian Mulroney of Blue Sky Velo...

HERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHING TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED FOR A FEW MINUTES....

2011-12-13T13:41:00.001-08:00

HERE WE GO, 2012 USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE WILL BE, WELL YOU KNOW, JUST SAYIN

2011-12-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

LYONS CROSS A CHALLENGE

2011-12-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

Another one bites the dust, this was just one of probably 50 crashes at this spot.

I need to thank Dejan Smaic today for a brief moment yesterday during the Boulder Racing Lyons race. My race was a shit show, from getting caught up in two crashes before we even hit the first run-up, to having the wrong shoes to even contemplate making it up the frozen tundra of Lyons, to ill advisedly bumping my tire pressure up just enough to beat myself into submission for 45 minutes of slobber knocking Cyclocross racing just prior to racing, there was a moment. I can’t say I’ve ever felt sorry for myself while racing cross (all though I was close in KC at Nationals four years ago), but I was on the verge today. The Cyclocross God (does he have a name?) was in the midst of battering me into submission in Lyons, and I felt like Gerry Quarry after fifteen rounds of left jabs from Muhammad Ali, when on the last run-up of the race, on the final lap, I caught three of the Cat 4 women whom were racing at the same time as my group, this also happened at the same spot the lap before with a couple of other women racing, and per order of our ACA race officials I just floundered up the hill behind them until I had a good place to get by. It did not matter anyway, I probably looked like a street bum scrambling for a wind blown dollar bill trying to get up those frozen fucking hills so I could remount my bike and prepare for the next crash. Well there at the top of that last run-up, with his camera in hand, was Dejan, and I looked at him and he was humored and laughing at my circumstance, because it was funny, really funny. I mean I had fucked up so many times previously in the race that I could have been relegated to the Stupid Ward. And when I saw Dejan laughing, all I could do was say “fuck this” and keep on rolling, I was done, but had to finish, and I was miserable, but I did manage to smile at how funny the entire debacle was. When I got back home to Eagle, as I limped to my front door, muddy, scabbed up and bruised, (understand that this was not one big crash, as I did not have one of those, but a 45 minute fist fight with my bike and the course which left me running, dragging my bike in all kinds of strange positions, busting my ass on nearly every run-up and simply having one hell of a grand time) I literally laughed out loudly at the absurdity of this great day. There have got to be some fantastically funny photos or video floating around of all of us from that race, and the Benny Hill theme song would not even do it justice. It’s good to be humbled by the CX Gods as it is inevitable if you race it long enough. Yep, 1000 jabs from Muhammad Ali, and we get to do it again next week at the State Championships. Gimme a day and I’ll be ready. There is no crying in Cyclocross, all though there almost was, kind of.

IT STARTED WITH A TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE...

2011-12-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

And ended with a great course and perfect CX conditions in Loveland.

Al Marvin won the 55+ race and then drank beer, nothin new there.

The perfect perch to watch the action, from the big dirt mound.

THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

2011-12-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

And after trying EVERYTHING on and studying every single detail necessary to keep my feet happy and sweet for the next couple of winters, it was a close and tough decision, but the Atomic Hawx 120 was the winner, and after skiing in these bad boyz today it was a fine choice. With DFP custom insoles and Hotronic boot heaters installed, these boots ski BAD ASS. Now just give me some more snow and it's gonna be time to go KILL IT.

EVEN IN CYCLOCROSS SEASON THERE COMES A TIME

2011-12-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

A front range junior during a "warm-up" lap at Adrenalin Cross 2011

Inevitably, it happens every year. I personally lose interest as a racer to climb on my bike and punish myself. It usually occurs once ski season starts and I've been distracted by swooshing down the snow covered mountains of Colorado and it's high country, because that shit is fun, really fun. This past weekend on the front range may have been the dagger for me as a racer with just two weeks left until the State Cyclocross Championships which I am once again looking forward to and honored to announce, it's gonna be fun. Remember that word "fun"? Well, I think there is a fine line here, and I personally feel that when we have conditions like we saw on the front range this weekend that there needs to be an age limit requirement, because I saw a lot of kids out there that were not having fun, and that is a shame. I did what I could on the mic to keep them motivated and focused, but when kids finish the "race" crying, that is not a good thing. For the really young juniors, give them the morning off and let them stay home and drink hot chocolate with whip cream and watch cartoons and play Chutes and Ladders, otherwise you may end up on Dr. Phil one day, and that would suck. That's just my two cents from a neutral view. Conditions were hard out there yesterday, really hard, and there is an age and time when it's appropriate to let the 8-9 and 10-12 year olds roll. Just my opinion and I do not expect everyone to agree, but that is what you sometimes get here on A2B.

BTW, I've got some vij from yesterday which should be entertaining when I get a minute to put it together, working 24/7 and burning it all all three ends right now so bare with me....

SO WHAT'S WITH THE SLOW BLOGGING?

2011-11-30T19:27:00.000-08:00

Let's get caught up, it's been one hell of a roll here at A2B and here's what is up. It dawned on me when a woman I do not know walked up to me tonight at HP Provisions in Eagle Ranch, which is where I poach my night time internet access and Americano's from Burnsy (just two blocks walk from the bank owned condo I live in, hell, they always owned it, now they really own it.) and asked me, "so what happened?", She was with her two young daughters and explained she reads my blog all the time and was wondering how I ended back up in Eagle. I replied that "I had made some mistakes and bad decisions". Some really big mistakes and bad decisions, and that I was happier than a pig in a ten foot bucket of shit to be back, and that is true.

So why the few and far between blog posts lately? Well fuck, I had to move ALL my shit back to Eagle, deal with a cluster fuck of a situation to leave my lease and get square with my landlord in Longmont, due to some incredibly irresponsible behaviors out of my control, and then get settled back in all the while working three jobs, which I'm incredibly thankful for at this time. I know many of you wonder just what the hell I do for a living, or have done for a living. It goes something like this right now. I work five days a week at Christy Sports in Beaver Creek Lodge as their custom ski boot fitter and maker of insoles. This is Monday through Friday. I then drive down to the front range for the weekend to announce and race in bike races. On top of this I also write as a freelance writer for the Sneak Peak Vail weekly newspaper doing all kinds of product review and articles about cool and fun stuff to do in the Vail Valley and surrounding area. The schedule at Christy's Sports includes a three hour split from 11-2 everyday which allows for plenty of ski time, as well as access to every demo ski available to mankind, which does not suck. But I do get kind of tired once in a while. But I do ski once in a while. Let's just say it's damn good to be back. Oh fuck yes.

Above is the start of the Birds of Prey Downhill at Beaver Creek where practice runs were underway today.

AND THEN THERE WAS CYCLOCROSS...

2011-11-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

There is always Cross.....

In the middle of the chaos which has finally begun to subside, big time, there was Cyclocross this weekend, and a lot of it, and it was a damn goodin, catching up with friends who are true friends, announcing and racing, and it was damn F'n good. And it all started with a raging hangover after the Friday night debauchery at the Bonfire Brewery. Oh hell yes.

PLEASE COME JOIN ME TONIGHT IN EAGLE....

2011-11-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

At the Bonfire Brewery as I welcome myself back to the high country and temporarily come out of musical retirement from 8-11pm and get the season rolling in correct fashion. See you there. Let's get a good ol hangover in store for CX racing on the front range tomorrow...I vote hell yes.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY FROM A2B...

2011-11-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

Chaos, that's what my life has been for the last two months. And now I'm settling back into a great place, working three really fun jobs, have very little time to screw off, kind of, and it's a great Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to all A2B fans all over the world and I hope things have turned around for you as they are for me. Life is better than good, take nothing for granted and eat till you puke.

Cheers.

SSCXWC, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN JUST A LITTLE FUN....JUST A LITTLE

2011-11-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

Watch more video of Chris Jones on cyclingdirt.org

LET'S PLAY ANOTHER GAME...FIND THE XYXLOXROSS RACERS

2011-11-20T01:07:00.000-08:00

Below is a picture, there are 9 cyclocross racers in this photo, find them all and you win. Rock Ledge Ranch is a very cool venue for a Cyclocross race, I would not call this a classic course, but the guys at Pikes Peak Velo did a pretty good job of putting a race course together. There was a punishing run-up, and another which I dubbed the "red rooster run-up". And many loose corners to negotiate, which were not all negotiated by all the racers. But it was a great November day to announce and race....

2011 CYCLOCROSS NATIONALS COURSE HELEMT CAM..

2011-11-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure I paid $10 to get lost in this corn maze for an hour a couple of years ago. I had to dail 911 to have someone come and get me out of it.

Here it is folks, the 2011 Nats course in Wisconsin, I wonder where the Leinenkugel run up will be? They are gonna need something. Snore. As one observer said, "at least you will be hauling ass when you crash and smash your face on the ice in January".

CONTOUR ROAM AND HD ARE GONNA STEP UP THE SKI VIJ AT A2B...

2011-11-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

This is an entire new level of one upmanship from A2B, the frontal rearal vij system which will get busted out as soon as we have a legit powder day and I'm not working, which may be an issue this winter. Life changes dramatically on Monday with my new full time gig at Christy Sports at Beaver Creek doing all of their custom ski boot fitting and custom insole work this winter, as well as writing for the Sneak Peak Vail, AND continuing to announce on weekend on the front range for another month. bring it, and let's start climbing out of this deep chasm I've created for myself....game on.

PACE LINE ON TT BIKES........NOT.

2011-11-17T07:42:00.000-08:00

Duh........I'll leave it at that.

LET'S PLAY A GAME...

2011-11-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

Search these two images very carefully
Whomever finds the image of Jesus first, wins.

HERE IS SOME VIJ OF YOU GUYS FROM CYCLO-X,

2011-11-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

What a FUN course put together by new mountain bike Hall of Famer, Pete Webber.

OH, AND BY THE WAY, THE MOUNTAIN ALWAYS WINS, REMEMBER THAT.

2011-11-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

Dead in an early season avalanche in Utah...what a waste.

PAYING THE PRICE FOR BEING A POOR BASTARD, AND WEATHER.

2011-11-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

Wind, what a weekend of wind in both CX venues this weekend. Both venues provided some great racing and really fun courses. Pete Webber designed a classic on Sunday, but I once again paid the price for being a poor bastard with no pit bike and no tubies to race on, just the poor man's clincher set up which cost me dearly both days, in particular on Sunday. I mean, I'm so poor these days that Warren Buffet would see me as a huge risk investment. The days are getting very short, as some of these photos reveal, but in only five weeks the days start getting longer. Touche.

Darron Cheek Drops the ditch, then goes on to take Jeff Hall down in the 45+ race.

SS and Cat 3 riders race at days end...

Al Marvin drops the Ditch which ate his lunch earlier...thanks for the tube Al, all though I flatted that one as well....

Gates Carbon Belt Drive Sandwich with The Freak in the middle

I HATE THESE FUCKING THINGS...

2011-11-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

And I just wanted to say one time

"Fuck You Goat Fucking Heads"

A2B THANKS EVERY SINGLE VETERAN AND THEIR FAMILIES...

2011-11-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

Thank you for fighting for our right to live in this great country, and speak our minds as free citizens of the world.

Thank you....

LET'S DO SOME MORE OF THIS

2011-11-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, there are still five weeks left in Cyclocross season in Colorado. The beauty of this is that as soon as we roll through State Championship weekend, the days then begin to get longer, and then before you know it......

ANNOUNCING

2011-11-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

Is so much

easier

than

actually racing

I guess that is why I enjoy racing so much...thank you again Annette at Mountain Moon Photography for the great pics...

IT'S ALL FALLING BACK INTO A GOOD PLACE...

2011-11-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Click those heels baby,

In the words of the great Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, "there's no place like home".

Truth or Dare, and the rest of the Eagle Fairgrounds...should Cult Cross be resurrected?

DEAN CUMMINGS WILL BE AT THE BONFIRE BREWERY IN EAGLE TONIGHT

2011-11-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

Ask him if this day was any good....

And get ready for this....it's a comin.

MUD, SWEAT AND GEARS........SCHOOLYARD CROSS 2011

2011-11-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

On a chilly and damp morning in Brighton, Colorado, Schoolyard Cross was the flavor of the day with very challenging conditions, in particular for the juniors who had to race first and early. Pictures below are from their pre-ride lap which was hosted by one of their mentors and coaches, Greg Keller, of the well known Cyclocross Blog Mud and Cowbells. With this said, I would like to ad my three cents worth after observing all of the junior racing on the front range this season.

It's probably pretty easy as a coach or mentor of these kids to get caught up in making them better riders, faster riders, kids that will turn into champs on the podium....but I gotta tell you from the "outside", where I get to observe these kids every week for the most part, there have been some huge changes in these kids, when you are around it all the time you may not see it as clear as it actually is. For one thing, these kids are indeed getting really good. But there is a much bigger picture, these kids are learning very valuable life lessons during the coaching and competition portion of their programs. From BJC/Curve, Alpha, Black Sheep and the new Dawson youth clubs, it's been very fulfilling to call their efforts out on course each week. These kids show an amazing amount of character and sportsmanship out there every week. What they go through is incredibly difficult, we all know that as adults, but they take the challenges on squared up and head on, and they compete, and then play like kids when it's over, and have fun, and there are no losers. The coaches and mentors and adults who support these efforts are to be commended, you have created a generation of future adults that are sure to pass on the good word and ethic, because you do not line it up in a CX race, no matter if you are 8 or 88, without staring straight down a huge mound of adversity, and to conquer it at the finish line is a great life lesson, and all while suffering and in the name of fun. It's really good shit to see. Well done.

I would have run away from home at this age if something like this, this early in the day, was even suggested....

Keller making sure the future of Cross is solid....

The unforgiving mud of Schoolyard CX, which the kids had to race on first.

A2B KICKS OF THE 2011/12 SKI SEASON, AT THE BASIN OF COURSE....

2011-11-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

On a cloudless, windless day on November 3rd, 2011, my 29th ski season in Colorado kicked off at Arapahoe Basin. With a lift ticket coupon I had received at this time of year from good friend Lief Borgeson, who suddenly passed last ski season, I got some soul on in his honor. Thank you Lief for helping me kick off the ski season properly at the area you will always be a part of, The Legend, Arapahoe Basin. I smiled all day, and the skiing was simple and grand.

FALL BACK CYCLOCROSS RACE THIS WEEKEND, A NATIONALS POINTS QUALIFIER...

2011-11-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend, November 6th, is the Fall Back Cyclocross race sanctioned by USA Cycling in Colorado Springs. This means that if you are planning on participating in Cyclocross Nationals in Wisconsin in January (uh, not me thanks), then this is an opportunity to acquire some very valuable call up points for your start there, so do not miss the opportunity, it's your last chance locally. I'll be there, but on the mic only, and I hope to be calling the action when YOU line it up. Two great reasons to be there, the kids have a Strider race to rock, and all racers get a free pint from the Bristol Brewery if you are 21 or older of course....

THIS WAS HALLOWEEN, AT DR. PETE WATSON'S HOUSE

2011-11-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what you did on Halloween 2011, but I've got this buddy, who is a doctor, who along with his wife makes ALL OF THIS from scratch, and then sets it up, only to have to tear it down because of the snow storm a couple days prior, and then set the production up again for the big night, to scare the living shit out of the neighborhood kids. Too bad he is not a child psychologist, he could make a living counseling the children who walked by his yard on Halloween for a lifetime.....
At least he races Cyclocross.

THERE IS JUST NO DIRT, LIKE EAGLE DIRT

2011-11-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

Amen brothas and sistas

BOULDER'S BIGGEST WEEKEND OF CROSS WAS JUST THAT....HIGHLIGHTS FROM CYCLING DIRT.COM

2011-11-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

There is really no proper place to start rambling about this weekend in Boulder, it was all so spectacular. Starting with the call from Aaron Bouplon just two days before the Colorado Cross Classic to come and help with the race call with DAVE TOWLE, who again, was the reason my interest in announcing Cyclocross and bike racing in general was peaked a few years ago. I've truly looked forward to the day if it came that I would get to sit beside the master of the mic at a CX race and it happened this weekend, at an elite race stuffed full of all the elite names, and I sat silent a lot by choice, and I took it all in, and I listened, and I learned so much, and I know what I have to do to get better, and the support from the fans and the racers has been awesome, and for that I thank all of you, the promoters included, you are all making this dream slowly come true for me, and I will continue to improve, and make events more exciting and fun, that is my goal.

Of course Sunday was the Boulder Cup, and the crowd was tremendous and insanity rang loud and clear, and it was an honor to be there in the prime position to call the action, thank you DBC Events for considering me to be a part. The excitement I now get to hear in my own voice in these videos from

Colt Mcelwaine at Cyclingdirt.com

is true and from the heart, for I am lucky enough to just have this all pour out over the PA as I hopefully feel what you are also thinking and cheering as you ring the cowbell, enjoy, what an amazing two days of Cyclocross in Boulder.

I must thank all of you for your positive feedback and support that you have given me during my brief announcing career, and I plan on being behind the mic for many races and years to come. I care about the racers, promoters, fans and want to make these events special. And with racers laying it all out there like they did this past weekend, you all make my job easy.
It has always been a dream of mine to be able to call the names of the very elite here in the USA at a Cyclocross race right here in our backyard of Colorado, I like dreaming, thank you for making this one come true.

Watch more video of Colorado Classic/ Boulder Cup 2011 on cyclingdirt.org

THAT WAS A WEEKEND

2011-10-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Colorado Cross Cup and Boulder Cup back to back this weekend, on top of life being so chaotic, makes for some damn good livin. And one of my favorite moments of the weekend captured below when over 100 junior riders tackled a brutal Boulder Cup course, the response to the questions are you having fun" was simply, "I love cyclocross". Priceless, and a great photo from Linard Cimermanis.

LOOKS LIKE IT WAS "IN YOUR FACE" AT LOVELAND SKI AREA YESTERDAY, YOWWWSA!

2011-10-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

ARGH

2011-10-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

Great while it lasted.....

INTERLOCKEN....COMIN, AND GOIN.....THROUGH THE COURSE TAPE.

2011-10-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Photos from Annette Hayden, Mountain Moon Photography

Need I say more, no.

INTERLOCKEN CX, FORGIVE THE MUSIC, I HAD TO DO IT...

2011-10-23T18:02:00.001-07:00

And my own day was not without incident, as usual on lap one, but I'll spare you the details..

INTERLOCKEN CX, ALL ABOUT THE BACON HAND UPS...

2011-10-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at Interlocken, the third installment of the Boulder Racing CX series, it was all about the Bacon hand ups...which many took, as we ran out of bacon.

LIBERATED AND THANKFUL IN THE HILLS...

2011-10-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

Below are some photos, they are just photos of some hills, but they represent so much more. These are the hills surrounding the Eagle River Valley, close to Vail and Beaver Creek. I do not regret leaving these hills just over six months ago, I had an agenda at that time which required some big changes for me personally with some big commitments. Not there long after moving everything which I called my life to begin a new life to the front range of Colorado, I once again realized that it's virtually impossible to replicate or improve on what is buried deep within your soul which keeps your life simple and in a good place. The front range is a great place, and it's a far different lifestyle than in the hills, and it's full of good folks and great stuff to do, and it's a fantastic place to settle if you can meld into the system there and you can find a calm spot for your soul there. I had difficulty cracking the code down there on the full time work front, and was deceived a couple of times by promises of sunny days, which of course happens everywhere, but for me, the move turned into a catalyst for something bigger down the road, and I'm excited for it. The opportunities which have recently presented themselves to me through other opportunities, as well as having met some great new friends, on the front range as well as other places in this universe, have me looking up at this huge clear sky from the bottom of a deep gully, and the steps out are wide and stable, and it's really exciting. The past 6-7 years have been filled with disastrous financial decisions of which there is no one to blame but myself, and in the midst of a foreclosure and so many other challenges, the bricks of poison are falling one at a time, and all though the cup appears to just have a couple simple drops of fine wine it right now, that same cup is actually spilling over with optimism. For me it all starts with what these photos represent, and the simplicity of staying healthy and good friends, and thanks to Tim Faia for taking five minutes of my time this past weekend to help me see the future even more clear than I thought I already had, you are a good and funny damn friend. So it's time to purge and move on. For those of you who think I'm an ass for leaving and talking smack and then coming back, you are right, I'm an ass.

In the meantime it is so good to almost be back, with challenges of course, but amongst really good people, some of whom I hope can forgive, as well as in a great place. The grass is greener right here for me, and I promise to bitch about it being cold just like I have previously, but the sun and spring will return, and until then I'll just wear more clothes.

Liberate yourself should need be, it's incredibly liberating.

THIS IS A BITCHIN VIDEO

2011-10-20T04:20:00.000-07:00

Taken with some type of sweet cam/model heli combo. Well done on opening day at Arapahoe Basin last week....

And this is the greatest one day skiing race in the world at the greatest ski area on earth, this will be the 23rd year for the Enduro, you've never seen anything like it, 72 runs in ten hours is the record for the event, and you must finish with your teammate, good luck. In the early years, it was a 12 hour event.

Both vids from Michael Hagadorm

HERE'S TWO OF ME NOT CRASHING....

2011-10-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you Annette from Mountain Moon Photography, you can find your race photos there as well....

MONARCH HIGH CROSS, SOME HIGHLIGHTS..

2011-10-18T22:48:00.001-07:00

And bears are hungry now so you may want to read this warning...

USA CYCLING TO HOST CX NATIONAL QUALIFYING POINTS RACE ON NOVEMBER 6TH IN COLORADO SPRINGS

2011-10-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

If you plan on attending Cyclo-Cross Nationals this year in Wisconsin, you may want to pay attention to the November 6th USA Cycling sanctioned CX race in Colorado Springs. See the details below from Pete Webber...

"Here is some info for those going to Nats: this only applies to masters i believe. your best 3 USAC races are averaged to calculate your points. if you raced both days at Fort Collins, you just need one more USAC result. If you need more races, you could race your age group and also the open race in C springs to get 2 results. If you were top 8 at Nats, you may get called up based upon that, but they haven't yet announced the exact call-up rules."

I'm flattered to be on the mic for such an important battle on that day and I hope to see you ALL there!

XIXLINX AND MONARCH DRAW THE POINT CHASERS OUT OF THE CLOSET...

2011-10-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

With Colorado Cross Cup points on the line this weekend they came out of the dirty spots under your finger nails to race this weekend on the front range. Xilinx presented another face stuffer of a course in searing heat during the afternoon hours.....this time the moving human barrier had been removed and stuck in the announcer's booth. This was the start of the Running of the Bulls, the Men's 35+4 race.

And DBC Events put on a great event at the site of last years state championships, Monarch High School.

Gates Carbon Belt drive had four guys on the front of the single speed race for half the race, which worked out fairly well, with Jesse Swift taking the Carlos Casali assisted win....

MOAB PRE-RIDE WITH BOHICA

2011-10-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

Team BOHICA was in the house on Friday afternoon at the 24 Hours of Moab. Some of them had never ridden the course before. So we went and rode it. And then had one hell of a weekend. Nice ridin fellers.

SKI SEASON OPENS TOMORROW, ARAPAHOE BASIN WINS

2011-10-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

And there appears to be an epidemic going around as witnessed on AHTBM

I believe we may be in for a "Planet of the Big Game" nightmare.

So before that can happen, eat a hot dog.

NOBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE THIS FUCKING GOOD, CMON

2011-10-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

THERE ARE A LOT OF ARCHES IN ARCHES NATIONAL MONUMENT.....A2B TAKES A ROAD TRIP

2011-10-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

This was another incredible weekend of work and play. I spent Sunday night at the "Moab House" with the Granny Gear crew, who are a unique and incredible team of individuals, and then kind of planned on riding somewhere in Moab on Monday, but I was pretty waxed tired, and sore as well from eating rock. So, I decided to chill on a perfect day and do the Arches National Park tour for the day, and it was spectacular, and I named many new Arches that previously had been undiscovered.

This is actually called Pine Tree Arch

This was another cool arch

This one had no name so I named it Penis Arch

This one had no name so I named it Butt Hole arch

There is a reoccurring theme here, and I named this one Dead Stick Arch

No Surprise that I named this one Culvert Arch, I also considered calling it "Skunk Hole Arch" or "Cigarette Butt Hiding Arch", but "Culvert" just fit better...

This was perhaps my favorite arch, it followed me around all day amazingly enough, and I named it Shadow Arch. I almost dropped my shorts to give it a different profile but I did not feel like spending the day in Moab Jail and having to register as a sex offender.

And below is seriously one amazing form from nature, the Landscape Arch. If you have never been to Arches National Park, go, it's a pretty amazing venue for viewing nature and all it's glory.

I took this photo of a welder fixing a crack in the Arch while I was standing there being a tourist.

Here is a normal photo...

THERE WAS A BIT OF DRINKING INVOLVED...

2011-10-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

So there I was, at the 24 Hours of Moab knocking out one of my "bucket list" items as I was asked to announce this event which has meant so much to me in previous years. Laird Knight, the promoter of this race, during his racer meeting, explained that the race is all but dead for the future and that this was going to be the last edition. With that said, I planned on making this a pretty fun weekend to celebrate all the years of participating on some level here. Well, I was done announcing at 10pm for the evening, and the Dale's Pale Ale motor home was present, which meant there was good beer, really good beer. So I drank a couple, and Dale himself as well as a few others suited up to go do a night lap during the race for fun, which sounded pretty damn fun to me. So I put on my cycling shoes, a helmet and some work gloves, also hooked up my old school Nite Rider light for some nostalgia on my handle bars and rode with just one light. I also did not put any cycling clothes on but rode in long Carhart pants and a puffy jacket as it was chilly. We rode an entire lap, and it was really fun, and we saw many of our friends racing, and we were slightly drunk, slightly, and then the Gubna and Dale's came out, so we had a few, and the ride was nothing short of a party on two wheels, and we rode everything clean, and then the last move at the Notch was in front of me, and I had been drinking, but only one, one more than a few cans of beer. So I rolled through the Notch, and there it was, a big loose rock right in the middle of the middle of my front wheel, and I had been drinking, and being a steeper part of the course, I cased the rock hard, which sent me way the hell over the bars somewhere into the rocks, and it was a good damn thing I had been drinking. Dale's Pale Ale and Gubna saved my life, because I hit like a pile of Silly Puddy, and it saved me, because I had been drinking. And then I went to bed at 3am and finished announcing the race the next morning. It was a celebration of the final 24 Hours of Moab, and it was fun and a unique experience. And I regret none of it....

And with that said, I guess it could have been worse, yeah, here's the viral African antelope video..

WRAP IT FROM MOAB.....

2011-10-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

This was an incredible weekend in Moab. Talk about bucket list items. It was surreal being the person on the mic for the 24, a place of hallowed grounds to so many including myself. The weather was actually perfect, with rain right up until the start and then drying conditions the remainder of the weekend, it was fast and furious racing. Oskar Blues Brewery showed their grand face Friday eve and it was on. So many great stories from the weekend despite this being threatened as the last 24 of Moab ever. A night ride for the ages during the race, with beer, and crashes, and broken shit and blood. It's grand to be alive and back in Moab.

Laird Knight of Granny Gear as he addresses the crowd and tells them this may be the last 24 of Moab. Andy Jaques Maines and Jill Huekman took the solo titles

Tear down begins with snow on the Lasalles

The classic shot leaving the venue post race...

Good bye 24 Hours of Moab, you have been a highlight for so many for so many years...

It appears this is the last 24 in Moab, and many leave bummed. I believe the race will return, but the people and racers must make it happen, they have to rally for 2012 and make it happen.

2011 was a grand weekend of racing and fun, 2012 should be as well.

WHAT I DID ON MY MOAB VACATION

2011-10-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

First I went to Mesa, Colorado and got snowed out from fishing so I drank a bunch of beer at the Wagon Wheel Inn with one of my old best fishing and hunting bros.

Then I drove up to Powderhorn the next morning to see it for the first time, it was cool looking down on Mesa County from the Grand Mesa.

I drove to Powderhorn ski resort

Then to Moab where the Lasalles were covered with fresh snow

Then I rode a lap on the 24 Hours of Moab course with Bobby Diesel and his racing teammates

Then we came back to camp and started a fire with some architects drawings

Then we drank beer.

The end

THE 24 HOURS OF MOAB....

2011-10-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

I guess it's safe to say the drinking may have gotten the best of me this eve. Tomorrow, I am on my way to the 24 Hours of Moab. Not as a racer, not as support, not to party (I think), but as a bicycle race announcer. Not one of you understands what this means to me nor do I expect you to understand it. After a killer day today fishing the Roaring fork river with one of my best old fishing and skiing buddies from my old Summit County days who now has a very large figure salary position with Johnson and Johnson, who just happened to have biz in Grand Junction and is from Michigan (so we watched the Tigers knock the Yankees out of the playoffs at the Wagon Wheel Inn in Mesa after a several beers with the locals instead of the planned fishing on Grand Mesa due to a snow storm here and everywhere else up high in Colorado), I head to the fabled grounds of the 24 Hours of Moab, a race and place I used to base my entire cycling season around trying to race and win. A place where the taste of a team victory was on the brink of my lips, leading going into the final lap of racing after 24 stinkin hours, only to have another team snatch victory so cruelly away from us at the stroke of midnight, fuckers. A race and place where I supported solo Roan Exelbly, an unknown from South Africa who road with Josh Tostado and Tinker Juarez for eight hours until the night took the wax out of both of us and he eventually finished third. Support is so much harder than actually racing.

So now I get to head back to the roots of 24 Hour Mountain Bike racing in Moab, and call the action, and i can't wait, and it's going to be something special, and I hope I can make it something special for the riders and racers that come to the desert this year, because it's a special race in a special place. I hope I get to ride the course tomorrow with friends, because all though it is not the greatest mountain bike ride in the world, it's a great race, and the course is a classic, and knowing it intimately makes a difference.

See you Behind the Rocks. Hell yes.

ONCE AGAIN I MUST DECREE

2011-10-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

THERE IS NO CRYING IN CYCLOCROSS

I pay the same fee to race as the fast guys, I clearly do not, nor will I ever have the God given fitness or engine to stay with the most fit racers out there. I work hard to be able to race at the highest level my engine will allow. I expect to be able to finish what I pay for, regardless if Gary Thacker is going to lap me, again. If I am to be lapped, I'm gonna submissively let that rider pass me and continue towards my goal of finishing what I came to do. If I decide to not give way to a faster rider who is overtaking me, whether or not it is a pass for position or being lapped, I expect a shoulder or a lean which could result in myself crashing and possibly being injured, I EXPECT THAT, that is why I give way. I'm racing for fun and the camaraderie of my fellow racers, I don't give a shit about a pint glass or points that may give me a better start position, I'm not as good or as fast as you, that does not give YOU the right to make rules that screw me over. There is no Crying in CX, have fun, and F the rest of it.

2011 CROSS VEGAS NEWS STORY....AND IS THE 24 HOURS OF MOAB DEAD?

2011-10-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

It's kind of funny to see how people react to what we consider main stream...in the meantime, the USGP course is going up in Colorado Springs and I'm sorry I'm gonna miss it, but the 24 Hours of Moab calls, along with Outerbike.

Please see this communique from Laird Knight at Granny Gear Productions.
DING DONG IS MOAB DEAD?

After 16 Years, This Year May Be The Last 24 Hours of Moab
In recent years there's been a trend towards teams signing up later and later. Distressing as this has been, taxing our ability to anticipate and plan for the size of the event, we've been gratified to see late registrations consistently pour in, and "save the day."

This year, going into the last two weeks before the race, our pre-registrations were only slightly down from previous years. That was a little un-nerving but not alarming, given the trend we've observed. In previous years we've seen 40-60 teams sign up two weeks before the event and fully 75-85 teams sign-up in the final week leading up to the race.

This last week we have seen only 10 additional teams sign up. Now that's alarming. It does not bode well. While in recent years we have seen fields of well over 350 teams, at the rate things are going, even 300 teams would appear to be an optimistic expectation.

The 24 Hours of Moab is an expensive event to produce. It always has been. Hosting thousands of people in the middle of the desert is no small effort and, far from being a profit-center, the camping/gate fees that we charge only serve to offset our expenses. Naturally, over the course of sixteen years, our costs for all aspects of the event have risen. In the interest of keeping the race as affordable as possible we have not raised our entry fee significantly since 2004, relying instead on the sheer size of the field to make ends meet.

Clearly, those ends are not going to meet this year. How closely they come to meeting will determine the future of the 24 Hours of Moab.

What can you do about it?
a) If at all possible, sign up and field a team in this year's race.
b) If you can't race this year, put a shoulder into making 2012 happen (read below)
c) If you'd like to make a contribution on behalf of your team, register a "phantom" team. The Men's or Women's Solo Singlespeed class is the lowest entry fee ($162 total). An inordinately large "turn-out" for the solo singlespeed class would certainly send a clear message about the support for the continuation of the event. (Even if you don't show up, we'll mail you this year's T-shirt!)

There are four more days of on-line registration and then there's walk-in registration on Friday. Every team counts!

Go to 2011 24 Hours of Moab Online Registration>>>

2012 and Beyond...In the headline of this communique, I chose the phrase "may be the last 24 Hours of Moab" intentionally. I am by no means throwing in the towel but I won't know until some weeks after the race, when all the financial dust has settled, exactly where the race will stand. If at all possible, I intend to move forward with the 18th Annual 24 Hours of Moab but a field size much under 350 teams is not financially sustainable without a significant increase in entry fees. I know it would be better for everyone to get our numbers to a 350-400+ field instead of raising entry fees. That said, I can't do it all myself. I need you and the vast community of people who have enjoyed this race over the past sixteen years to recommit to keeping this event as one of the "crown jewels" of the sport. I need you to recommit to attending and to bringing new teams to introduce them to the fun and excitement of 24 Hours of Moab.

A long, bright future for 24 Hours of Moab is a very real possibility. There is so much to build on: a 14,000+ base of previous attendees, long-term permits allowing for fields of 500+ teams, a super-experienced and committed race crew, a spectacular course and venue, and world-famous reputation as one the greatest races in the history of the sport.

Blame LairdIn the surfing world the phrase 'BLAME LAIRD' is used to credit Laird Hamilton's invigoration of the stand-up-paddling (SUP) movement. BLAME LAIRD bumper stickers can be found on many a surfer's car. But I'm using the heading here to take some personal responsibility.

Just as I leveraged the success of the original 24 Hours of Canaan in West Virginia to finance the start-up of 24 Hours of Moab, I used the success of 24 Hours of Moab to help finance Granny Gear's efforts to create the six-race 24-Hour National Point Series (2006-2009). Despite our best efforts, the 24-hour Point Series didn't take. I'd have done well to have pulled the plug sooner but my tenacity got the better of me. Clearly had I not made this push, the financial pressure of lower numbers at Moab would not be felt so acutely but the combination of debt from my failed efforts and falling numbers at Moab has limited my ability to reinvest in the marketing and advertising of the race. For my part, I have taken no pay for the last two years (Yes, I have an incredibly understanding and supportive (and patient) wife).

The good news is that at least my equipment loans have now been paid-off and that will make Granny Gear's 2012 cash-flow much better. In other words, I'll have more money to invest in rebuilding 24 Hours of Moab. Plus this year's BBC TV show will give the race more exposure than I could ever afford to buy. I know from experience how effective media coverage like this can be. I won't be surprised if a dozen or more European teams make the trek next year, and then with other airings in the U.S. and around the world...who knows?!

Start Where You Are is the title of Pema Chödrön's masterful treatise on compassionate living. The Buddhist notion of starting where you are is as empowering as it is compassionate. It let's us shake-off the shame of the past and fear of future, renew our energy and enthusiasm and move forward in our lives. It is also consummately pragmatic because starting where we are is all we really can ever do.

So, let us start where we are rebuild this great race so that it may go on and on. It has been a distinct privilege to be the creator and race director of the 24 Hours of Moab and it would be incredibly exciting to see the event brought back from the brink of non-existence and see it return to the glorious event that has delivered so much excitement, so much fun, and so many memories for so many folks. The kind of fun, so well represented by the creativity and goofball-ity of the 24 Hours of Moab Team Photo Gallery and teams like Bada Boom!

Making The Most Of ItIn great measure, the motivation behind this communique came from a phone conversation I had with my awesome wife, Barbara, as I was coming to grips with the reality of the situation. She said, in essence, "If you think this could be the last one, you've got to tell everyone. They need to know. Imagine not knowing until after the race." She was right. I knew it right away. For those of you who are in attendance at this year's race, it is my greatest hope that you make the most of the race and truly savor the rich history and special race that is at hand. I know that I will.

I also hope that you will be an active participant in the conversation around bringing the race back in 2012 and beyond. That is certainly a conversation that I welcome.

Best of luck to you, your teammates, and support crew.

The Show Must Go On !40 teams or 400, when Granny Gear hosts a 24 we pull out all the stops. Preparations are well under way and we still have lots to tell you about this year's event. We'll save that for the next couple of e-mails.

Happy Trails,

-Laird Knight, Race Director

& all the fine folks at:

24 HOUR USA CYCLING NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2011-10-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

It's kind of funny how few photos I actually take when I announce endurance events and I had to loan my camera to a spectator to take these while I was announcing the start....updates after I sleep. Cheers to Josh Tostado and Pua Mata, 24 Hour USA Cycling National Mountain Bike Champions.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

2011-09-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it yet another year, and actually celebrated all week back up in the Eagle Valley riding mega miles on the dirt and the road, yesterday with Nate from Yeti's Grind and John E. who got married last week. I've got vij from the ride but it's gonna have to wait as I'm off on the road in about two minutes to Longmont pick up sound equipment, then off to Colorado Springs to call my first National Championship race ever at the 24 Hour Mountain Bike Nationals. My life has gotten crazier the older I have gotten, and it's good, and I like it, and it was a blessing to be amongst friends and foliage this week in one heel of a beautiful place.

VAIL

THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS CAPTURED BY MOUNTAIN MOON PHOTOGRAPHY....XILINX DEBACLE

2011-09-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Along with Brian Patrick of Onsight Media and 303 Cycling, Annette of Mountain Moon Photography captured perfectly a moment I'm not soon to forget during this lifetime anyway. Here's the review of my "Joey's OK" moment from my own personal perspective, I'm sure you all have your own similar occurrences during your cycling careers, but the video and the pictures help tremendously remind what was going on in my head at each of these moments....

Let's start at the call up of the 55+ category at Xilinx, it's a great bunch of guys, and plenty are still extremely fit and fast, and it's an honor to line up against the likes of riders and friends (some new) like State and National Champion Gary Thacker and the rest of these elite athletes. Most of these guys do not know much about me as a rider, I know Gary a bit, and I remember rolling up to the inside of row one at call up next to him and Gary jokingly saying to be careful that he did not run me into the curb at the start. I wanted the hole shot to the dirt, but was not sure I could gain it against a pretty stacked field with names like Wade, Herwig and McGlaughlin in there. The charge up the start straight was clean, and I got away enough to keep it buried until the bunny hop to the dirt. I found myself at the front, with no idea who was behind. THE problem at this point was I came into the dirt hot and almost overcooked into the course tape. I was redlined on the straight into the right hander from the effort, pretty much cross eyed at that point, but psyched to be in control of the pace as we hit the log and the tree section on lap one. In my mind I knew a rider or two would go off the front on the pavement that followed, and my plan was to grab those wheels and hopefully be in the break early.

I had ridden the log a half dozen times prior to the race with no clearance issues, but when I came in a slightly different angle, and tight on the bike from being worked from the sprint at the start, I cased my chain ring and slightly pitched forward at a very poor time on the log which started the now well recorded sequence. I remember going over the front end and immediately thinking "you just blew it".......dickhead.

At this point I'm thankful for a fairly soft dirt landing, and the split second I had to get my hands out in front of me to help break the fall..

I'm already thinking about trying to get out of the way and back in the race, unaware of any injury issues...get the bike and get back in the game.

And then Bret Wade had the misfortune of being second wheel, and unable to avoid my carnage goes down as well....

Believe it or not I'm apologizing to Bret right here for fucking up his and my race, fortunately we were both able to remount and ride and complete the task at hand....Gary Thacker had the good fortune of space and leads out the rest of the field from here...

Shaken and very embarrassed I was able to remount quickly with a right shoulder stinger (re-aggravating an old shoulder injury) and a couple of slightly bruised ribs and continue the race. After assessing injuries up on the road and losing a few more places after the shock of the crash I was able to regroup during lap one, then get back to racing on lap two, thankfully.

And of course the remainder of the race there were no issues at the SOB of a log. So the moral of the story is this, it's Cyclocross, there is no crying in Cyclocross, eating dirt is part of this game, shaking it off is as well....and I love it.

CALMING THE VOCAL CHORDS....

2011-09-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

With back to back 24 hour mountain bike events to announce the next two weekends, which include the 24 Hour National Championships in Colorado Springs and the 24 Hours of Moab (with Outerbike thrown in for good measure), it's time for some quiet for a few days, back in the old hood.

Last eve started with a busted spoke and a wobbler, no problem, here is the quick Elgee solution, and I was thankful for disc brakes, no truing necessary until I got back home...

The view from the climb up Abrams

Scrub Oaks turning orange, I think I take these same photos every year as ya just can't get tired of nature in all her glory...

Berry bushes and scrubbies, just below Aspen elevation, photo taken off of "Scratch"

Catwalk

It's on in the High Country, Vail should peak in the next three days, and it is spectacular right now.

The view from Blue Grouse, my fav.

More from Blue Grouse....this is big time bear country, make noise, especially if solo..

And then there was this at the top of Abrams on the descent, I got sucked into watching the sunset, with the Coyotes howling, and ended up riding down in the dark with no headlight, which was as good as it gets....

Repeat today until all the leaves drop...then it's time for a lot of noise on the mic....

XILINX, A GREAT DAY OF RACING AND EATING DIRT....

2011-09-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

45+ Start at the log....

Burnsy gettin some love on the log, finished 13th out of 111 finishers, not to shabby.

And more piles

And the result of the piles...

These are always some of the most awkward barriers of the season to tackle, no momentum in, hard right hand turn up hill, and no room to get running through them.

Another victim from Pro Cycling, welcome to my club.

This guy is shitting his pants right now....

Above, the problem child for some, myself and some of the men's open field included. you would think someone who has been riding and racing mountain bikes would have no problem with this six incher, but it bit me in the ass somehow on lap one when I cased my Chainring giuard on it. There is no crying in Cyclocross. Ya just get up and continue if you can.

ANATOMY OF A FUCK UP.....ELGEE EATS A SHIT SANDWHICH

2011-09-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the vij from 303 Cycling. Basically, I sucked and crashed, but recovered for a pretty good day. Such a bonehead move....hole shot hero, to log jump zero....funner than a pig in a shit shower however.

CONTOUR ROAM TEST VIDEO....

2011-09-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Test run of the new Contour Roam camera, even easier to use than the original Contour. This from their new handlebar mount...

A CELEBRATION OF LIFESTYLE, MOUNTAIN PEDALER AND DUSTY BOOT STYLE

2011-09-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Every fall there is a celebration in Eagle. The Mountain Pedaler/Dusty Boot/Luigis mountain bike team throws it down whether or not they are the series champions, which of course this year they once again were, signified by the piece of shit gold painted wheel which hangs from the wall with the rest of the junk in the local bike shop. This is a large gathering hosted by John Shipp and Charlie Brown who both support cycling in the valley like it may disappear tomorrow, it's actually quite good to be a part of, and thanks for having me despite not being an official member of the team this year, I was too busy talking about the suffering all season to race.

A lot of food and drink was consumed.....

And then the ceremonial post party ride late night up the Boneyard, where riders are required to change bikes about every 1/4 mile until they have ridden every bike in the group, regardless of pedal type and size, this means small people on big bikes and big people on little bikes for the entire ride, with the wrong cleats for pedals, and all while pounding beer from the support vehicle which was driven this year by Peter Davis, still recovering from "the incident".

Drink it all up, then we can go back down the hill, and close the doors at the Mountain Pedaler in Eagle in the wee hours....damn good on ya mates. Mark Nelson won crash of the night awards, and it was the real deal.

And of course there was more fall fly fishing during the day....on the Eagle.

And there were big cheeseburger flies for the trout to eat, many.

MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS FROM NOW.....

2011-09-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

When the good lord or whomever makes the decisions around this joint decides to take me from this earth, or bring me back, or whatever the hell happens to us, I will not be leaving a big pile of money to anyone or anything when it's over. I will however leave here a wealthy man. That's fishin.

And I did not catch one fucking fish, and it was perfect.

BIRTTTTHHHHHHDAY RIDE....

2011-09-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Tara Picklo's birthday, so we got a mini posse together and rode the Gran Traverse and descended the new Big Mamba trail at Vail, which is for lack of a better word, silly fun and really long.

Tara, Nate and Court at the summit, waited for me to granny gear my ass up there after burying myself all weekend on the cross bike. It was a painful assault on the Gran Traverse....

Tara in a blur on the SS, killed us.

part of the super flowy Big Mamba trail...a thousand burmed corners...

The day ended with food and drink and bowling, and a mild hangover.

I LIKE RACING CROSS....

2011-09-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

I got to thinking this morning while taking my 10am shit, why are mothers so freaking paranoid about washing their kids hands, demanding they use that hand sanitizer fifteen times a day, and then not even giving a care about the same said kids, as well as themselves, sitting on the same fucking toilet seat that ten billion people have sat on while taking dumps. Is there something incredibly sanitary about a white toilet seat that makes it sparkly clean to sit on and kills the gnarliest amoeba in the world? Just wondering.

So with that said, I love to race my CX bike, and I do not get to do it all that often anymore because I actually enjoy talking about the suffering as much as participating, which keeps me behind the mic and off the pedals a lot now. But this weekend was free of calling the body blows on course, and I got to race three times. Sunday at Valmont was your basic gas, and despite being in the "easier" 55+ category now, National & State champ Gary Thacker lined it up with us, and was pissed about flatting in the earlier 45+ race, so he lined it up in his proper age category and flogged the shit out of all of us. Then there were Bill Herwig, Lauren McGlaughlin, and Bret Wade at the line as well. Think it's easy in the 55+, think again, but the cool thing was that we saw roughly 20 starters, which was awesome. The course was way fun, watch out Boulder Cup!

Sunday was Cross on the River in Buena Vista, and the numbers were pitifully small, which sucks, because it is a great place to suffer in circles for 45 minutes, and it was a perf day for a road trip to the hills, and the folks that came were cool, and we had fun, and all takers in my category showed up on mountain bikes, which gave me a bit of an advantage, and I won a river rock, which was cool, because I've never won a CX race before, and I'll take it, because now I've done that and will be happy getting flogged by the faster guys when they do show up again, which I'm sure will be this weekend at Xilinx, where I'll race again, and I am really excited to ride around in big circles again, and I can't wait to sit on as porta pottie that has had a billion other asses on it previous to mine, just to experience it. Awesome.

And this one has been floating around the Internet on Youtube for a couple of days now. Race CX, this could be you.....touche.