Registration for the Leadville 100 is closing soon
Because I desperately want to get into this event, I find it hard to write this post. But, I would be doing all of you a great disservice if I didn't mention that the online registration for the lottery to get into the Leadville 100 is rapidly closing. That's right, you have to enter and win a lottery to getting an entrance into this emasculating event. Registration closes on 1/30.
, August 14, 2010Must be 21 years of age, acceptance to race by lottery only, $15 application fee, $275 automatically charged if accepted from lottery (entries close 1/31/10 at 5 p.m.), applicants notified of their status by 2/8/10
High in the moutains of Colorado, this is the race credited with bringing Lance Armstrong out of retirement. Also, unlike other races where you sit back and spectate as the pros rocket by....in this one, you're on the track with them. To get a sense of what you're up against, check out this video
Got questions on how to enter, how to volunteer, or how to train for that matter, CLICK ON THE PHOTO, and head over to www.ultrarob.com. Rob has raced the Leadville 4 times and crewed it twice so he's got a real good sense as to what works and what doesn't.Oh..and he's pretty handy with a camera (his photo above)
EMS Deluge Jacket review
Growing up in New England as the son of a tireless hiker I spent a great deal of time shopping at Eastern Mountain Sports. I don't think my father ever let us pass one without entering to see the latest and greatest. Because of this, I have a life long affinity with the EMS brand. After an Autumn that was full of more rain than I can ever recall it was time for a rain shell. When christmas rolled around I returned to New England to being my search. There are two schools of thought when it comes to buying gear. Method #1) Buy something inexpensive and hope for the best. Method #2) Spend a lot more money than you'd really like too, but wind up with a product that will last. I'm a Method #2 guy. So for me, any shell that was not made with Gore-Tex was out. Gore-Tex, however, is not cheap. Not remotely. As fate would have it, EMS carried the most affordable gore-tex shell on the market. As a bonus, it only came in the Livestrong color palette.
Now aside from a zipper that requires some careful attention, I couldn't be happier with the jacket. I recently took the Deluge on a photo shoot to Dutch Harbor Alaska. As I had expected, the week was full of rain and driving winds. The jacket did not disappoint. Not only was it was great at repelling water but I was amazed at how well it blocked out the wind. In fact, once the wind was curtailed I found that I never needed a heavy jacket like most of my colleagues.
This morning I decided to give the Deluge a shot at becoming my cycling shell. I wasn't terribly optimistic because I've never had any luck with hooded jackets while cycling. But today all of that changed. The adjustments on the hood worked unbelievable well. The hood was snug and never fluttered about. It stayed on for the entire 20mile ride at speeds close to 40mph. (ok..that's a gross lie. More like 25mph). The only adjustment I had to make with the hood was to flip up the short brim as it interfered a bit with my visibility.
So...to sum things up. This jacket rocks. It packs down into the size of a ziploc bag. It repells water and wind equally as well. It looks good. And to top it off, it's cycling friendly. $180 very well spent dollars.
- SYNC-compatible: snap in a fleece for warmth without bulk
- 100% nylon ripstop fabric backed by Gore-Tex® PacLite®
- Gore-Tex® PacLite® construction for lightweight, yet complete waterproof protection and breathable comfort
- Fully seam-sealed; fused seams at hem and cuffs
- Ultralight at only 11 ounces—ideal when weight and space are critical
- Designed to be stashed at the top of your pack for quick access
- Two-way zippered underarm vents release excess heat
- Fixed hood with dual adjustment
- Articulated elbows for easy motion
- Two waterproof hand pockets
- Waterproof center-front zipper with interior storm flap
- Adjustable Velcro® cuffs
- Hem cinch cord
- Classic Fit: slight ease around body
Snotcycle
If you're feeling fit (I'm not) and your live in the Mid Atlantic region you may want to check out second annual Snotcycle Moutain bike race taking place in Leesburg, VA on January 31st. The race is sponsored by Plum Grove Cyclery.
This is a "weather be damned" rain, sleet, the nastier the better, race.- My drivetrain will get damaged
- My spandex will get dirty
- I will slip in the mud
- My toes will get cold
- The bourbon in my water bottle tastes funny with cow crap in it
You can find out more and register for the event here.
Spoke Count: An art exhibit at the Chorus Gallery
Spoke Count is a collaborative installation featuring 100+ small works about bikes by various artists. It is estimated that there currently exist over one billion bicycles in the world- this show will attempt to visualize this (growing) mass of our favorite revolutionary transport.
Unfortunately the entry window has been closed and there are no details as to when the exhibit will occur. But, if you're in the Boston area this looks promising.
RITTE VAN VLAANDEREN: Serious racers who don’t take themselves so seriously.
Chances are you'll never see this team pulling the peloton up the French Alps, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth mentioning. Their story is really entertaining and it would appear I'd be a perfect candidate for their team. Makes me wish I was still living in SoCal. But, guys....if you're looking for a DC representative, I'm available. Aside from their racing team these guys also have a killer bike they call the Bosberg for sale. If you look very closely and with great focus, I've been told there is a bike in the photo below.
Feetbelts
Now I don't think these can hold a candle to the tried and true Hold Fast's pedal straps. But, I could be wrong. What I do know however, is that because the name Feetbelts is so clever I'm giving them some love.
Riding in Anchorage
Although I didn't get a chance to ride myself while out there, I left the city of Anchorage very impressed with their biking community. Despite the extreme cold and snow and ice covered roads the riders were out. The most shocking thing to me was their attire. Unlike myself and my wimpy mid-atlantic brethren, the riders out there weren't covered as if summiting Everest. With dedication like this, it's no wonder they are ranked as one of the fittest cities in America.
One of several 'skirted' riders I saw. God bless them.
Alaskafied 1903 Felt Bicycle
I stumbled across this modified 1903 from Felt while in Anchorage.
A stock 1903 from Felt
| The 1903 features: |
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| MSRP: $499 |
1979 Victor Vincente of America “Topanga”
I found this over at Velo Cult. If you haven't checked out that blog, you should. They do a great job of there. Some of the photographs are simply breathtaking. Definitely makes me want to elevate my game a bit.
Seeing this bike reminds me of something I used to do as a kids. I'd take a 20" bmx frame and put smaller wheels on it and remove the brakes. Basically...doing our best to turn it into a rideable clown car. Then I rustle up some friends and we'd find the biggest and scariest tree filled hill and try to see who could make it down without leaving their teeth in the trees.
This is a very rare and extremely cool vintage mountain bike with a great little side story to go along with it. Some history to start things off. This was built in 1979 and it is the second Topanga bike that Victor Vincente of America built out of the 25 he made. In a way both him and Joe Breeze built the first mountain bikes as they both built them in different parts of California without knowing about what each other was doing. This bike has both 20 inch wheels which has some logic. Back in that time 26” rims were steel and low quality. BMX rims were light and strong. Also BMX tires were the best for off road. In the early days of mountain bikes builders were either influenced by 1930’s beach cruisers, BMX or even motorcycles to a lesser extent.
This and that
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