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RED BULL 5000 DOWN – Sep 11/12
Sep 8th
article from www.redbull.ca
For a second year, Red Bull 5000 Down hits Whistler Blackcomb with a mass start downhill mountain bike race. On September 11th and 12th, mountain bikers will gather at the peak of Whistler Mountain, at Whistler Blackcomb Resort in British Columbia and will descend more than 2,182 metres and a vertical of 1,530 metres in order to cross the finish line in the Whistler Village.
Categories are open to both men and women 17-years-old and over. Each racer will have to qualify on Saturday, September 11th for a spot in the race on Sunday, September 12. Out of the 400 qualified athletes, the fastest 250 will move on to the race on Sunday.
Whistler’s own Katrina Strand took the women’s title last year with a staggering time of 25:04.67. If you’re not racing, head to Whistler to support the girls ripping up the trails in the 5000 Down!
For more event information, visit http://www.redbull.ca/cs/Satellite/en_CA/Event/Red-Bull-5000-Down-021242873481690
2010 TARA LLANES CLASSIC
Aug 24th
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| Brooke Duqesnel and I getting ready to ride. |
Competitors in Cat. 1, Cat. 2, and Cat. 3 categories who win their respective classes will each get a pair of Fox Launch Pro Kneepads. All second place riders in those categories will win a product from Dakine, and all third place riders will receive a pair of Smith Fuel V.2 goggles.
The Mega DH course that provided the challenge and excitement for 115 riders in 2009 will be back for 2010. This is the same course that WTB top pro Mark Weir calls, “the best course I’ve raced on all year!”
Other events planned for the race weekend insure a great time for everyone in the family. A Shimano Kids Race will take place on Saturday, as will a downhill clinic by Giant Factory Off-Road team DH pro Duncan Riffle. And Saturday night will feature a premiere screening of the new MTB film, “LifeCycles.” On Sunday during competition, hundreds of great prizes will be raffled off for spectators and racers alike.
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| Pro Men Podium – Adam Craig 1st, Evan Turpen 2nd, and Mark Weir 3rd |
The Tara Llanes Classic benefits the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at the University of California-Irvine to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries, and also the Tara Llanes Road to Recovery fund which is designed to provide charitable medical assistance to professional mountain bike athletes who participate in Downhill, 4X, Dual Slalom, and Cross-Country events.
A list of sponsors is at http://www.tarallanesclassic.org/sponsors.htm as well as information on how to join the growing number of sponsors and vendors. Bookmark the following websites for information on how to register and take part in the Tara Llanes Classic.
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| Podium – Top 3 finishers in each category will get a TL Classic custom medal and either a Fox Clothing, Dakine, or Smith product. |
http://www.tarallanesclassic.org/
http://www.northstarattahoe.com/
http://www.reeve.uci.edu/Home/
For more information please contact:
Brian Bolin – Race Information 8831-295-1056 brian@racefortara.com
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| Stuffing Swag Bags |
Darth Days – Silverstar
Jul 27th
Few things invoke the organizer in me like a summer road trip to bike trails. I make lists, plan trails, clothes that will show up best in photos and food to fuel the whole experience. This trip to Silverstar was no different.
We arrived Sunday night with visions of dry dirt trails dancing in our heads. We went to bed giddy with anticipation of the hot days to follow.
8am was a bit of a shock. A noise like brakes squealing started my curious eyes open in search of these riders who cared so little for the health of their bikes. To my amazement there was a lone bagpiper, hazily drawing notes through the drizzle in the heart of the village.
The lone piper calling out the drizzle
I’m not much for omens, I don’t necessarily pay attention to them. However on Friday afternoon before our trip I was dazed and chugged a diet soda to keep me awake through the last few hours of work. On my pedal home, feeling like the only person on earth in the sunshine of the little country road I let loose a belch so satisfying and long it felt as if it came from my feet.
It’s reasonable then to see why I didn’t hear the pink limousine pull up beside me and turn right in front of me. The windows were open and I could hear the kids laughing and being scolded by their parents.
Upon seeing the piper I though of this and accepted that this may be one of “those” vacations.
Piper aside we finally got on the lift. The drizzle now replaced by puffy white bunny clouds meandering across the sky. The thing with bunnies though, thy multiply and soon the puffiness became drizzle again, which became snow at the top of the lift.
Snow!
We laughed, we rode, we froze around 1pm and headed to the hot tub. We renamed it the warm tub because it wasn’t as hot as we had hoped. We defrosted in the shower and hoped the next day would be better.
The next day was worse. It was colder and just plain raining which was good because we went winery hunting. I taw, I taw as tasting woom! I did, I did taw a tasting woom!
Gosh, is that a tasting room? Let’s pull over and have a taste then
I can’t really call what I do collecting wine, I have nothing to show for it but a few vague memories of yummy cupfuls. Another six pack for the “collection” and we were off.
8am bagpipes. Again.
Wednesday we woke up to what we dream about all year. Sunshine bathing everything as far as my puny human eyes can see. It’s cool in the trails and all the dustiness has been washed in wetness, brought back to its virgin state. We started on LTG to get a feel for being on the bike.
LTG: Low To the Ground. A great trail to get on some wood.
The last section where it gets flowy on the way to the lift we realized something.
Oh, yeah, we can go fast!
The next round was a lap on Superstar. If your self esteem has been squashed by the likes of CBC and Cypress, a lap or two on Superstar will have you feeling a like Wonder Women. Its fast fat berms allow you to get a bit of speed and hit the jumps perfectly to clear them.
World Cup was next, wall rides and drops beckon from this trail. If anywhere this is the place to get comfortable on them.
First lap, low on the wall, giggling with fear and eyes as wide as saucers to capture what could potential be my last moments on earth. I survived and came in hot on the next one. Bzzzzzzzoooom! Hoots of laughter tumbled out of my mouth like a flock of pigeons up roosted.
The rest of the day was equally great
Occasional steeps on Flow
Wednesday night’s Extended Play was in effect and we had to stop around 6:30. We could not physically go that fast much longer. We had exhausted our legs and the six pack of wine was calling me.
All we could do was eat and stare at the TV for a bit before bed. I stared at my mashed potatoes and wondered if they felt like I did. Another glass of wine and I became one with couch.
At 8am I heard that noise again. This time though there were 8 of them and before I could take up my sniping position in the warm tub I needed coffee. Dropping in and muscling through berms had worn me out for sniping pipers so I let them live.
Last day. Sigh. We decided to hit up each trail at least once. By 4pm we were so exhausted we could barely remember which trail we had just ridden let alone, which were next.
Dropping in through a barn. How much more fun can you have?
Silverstar is a biker’s closest friend. The people who keep the resort open is summer, understand your need to keep you bike beside you while you sleep. They see the trail love in your eyes as they serve up lunch and they never scold you for having you filthy gear in their mom and pop establishments. The staff of the resort listen to you in earnest, willingly goes out of their way to help you out and smile the whole time.
I’m already planning my next trip back, see you there!
Darth Days – Merritt
Jul 21st
Friday afternoon before a weekend road trip. The heat of the summer has melted time into a slow supple lump. It drags its way across the clock, the weight of it the only thing keeping the seconds hand moving. It s malleable form no longer able to move on its own it relies on its flaccid weight to pull the seconds hand across the face of itself. I am stuck in the tar pit of Friday afternoon, unable to think of anything but the sweet smell of sun baked pine needles and the soft sounds under my tires of the duffy trails of Iron Mountain.
4:02 and I am in warp speed, time is catching me up! Bike home, throw the bikes, cooler and gear into the truck and we are happily bumping down the Coquihalla. We gather another team mate in Hope, at a rest stop and chat up the weekend over pie. Sod the calories, I’ll put them in reserve for tomorrow.
The hotel is the best of all things a hotel should be: cheap. The furniture could have been gran-mammies , but the showers were hot Tommy guns of cleaning power . The free breakfast and waterslide topped off the deal .
Saturday morning at 9am we met the crew and scuttled to the top.
The mosquitoes were glad to see us and soon we were lost in a black cloud. Only one cure for that and that is movement!
The trails were cool and dry, the conditions perfect. Loam, rocky technical and tight corners between tree tried to keep us off our bikes. The almost succeded too!
The truly beautiful thing about Merrit is the changes you will see in the trails as you meander through them. At the top its dry, sweet smelling dirt trail with small sub alpine trees, knurled and dried taught barley a handle bars width apart.
The ancient crevasses, the waterways are moist soft areas, fertile and blooming, with air you could cleanse your soul with. Grass grows waist deep here, only a tire wide trail of tamped greenery to show you the way. By this time you have stopped for a rest and realize that you have been on the trail for an hour. The good news is you aren’t even halfway down and it keeps getting better from here!
The Godey Creek trail is a field trip through every ecology available in BC. If you can stop having so much fun on your bike and take a look around you’ll see things like this:
Mosquito photo bombers. Only available in Merritt.
A few minutes into the first run I crashed. I don’t know what stopped me so fast but it sent me sailing over the bars onto my chest. Thankfully I had a great crew to come pick me up and dust me off. One of them even found my glasses for me.
Glasses. Now borked. I thanked the trails gods for armour and we all got back on our bikes. Later on one of the guys saw blood.
It must have bled for all of 5 seconds. I was hoping the mosquitoes would see it as a donation but they continued taking their dues the old fashioned way.
The next day we did another quickie of 98 and Goodey Creek. There would be no more pie but we chewed up a big slice of good times and headed back home.
The Windy City Adds First Ever Dedicated Bike Park
Jul 14th
Sitting atop land that had been undeveloped for many years, a wooded area once thought of as a hotbed of gang activity and other illegal activities, The Garden is a community project built by Chicagoland BMX/Mountain Bikers, and the Chicago Park District. Grand opening 7-31, details inside.
As one of the few wooded areas close to downtown without specific zoning, local riders had attempted to use the land for recreational use with little to no success for nearly a decade. In the fall of 2008, the Chicago Park District had announced plans to plow the land which prompted action by a group of individuals interested in putting the land to good use.
Led by Tim Hovey, Daniel Peter, and Jeremy Kawka, a group of local riders began to attend Park District meetings and crafted a proposal for the land. Delighted with their proposal, the Park District allowed initial construction of the bike park under careful watch during the summer of 2009. With shovels, wheelbarrows, piles of dirt (graciously donated by Lake Street Landscaping Supply), a chainsaw or two, and hard work, the riders not only built their bike trails, they also built fence-lined pedestrian walkways for nearby residents. On top of that, they worked alongside the Park District to clean the area of broken glass and assorted trash.
As the area began to take shape, the seriousness of these riders, backed by CAMBr West, convinced the Park District to accept The Garden proposal and in the Spring of 2010, this land has been sanctioned as Chicago’s first-ever bike park!
The Garden Crew and CAMBr West are throwing an event named “Settin’ Down Roots: The Garden Dirt Jam” – a celebration of everybody’s, from-the-ground-up, hard work and the park’s recent legal status.
The event, starting at noon on July 31st, will include a race, a huge raffle, local vendors, music, the best riders in Chicago (possible appearance of a pro or two), and other events for the entire family. All proceeds will go to CAMBr’s continued efforts to bring safe, fun riding opportunities to the Chicagoland community. Go to gardendirtjam.cambr.org to sign up and get more info.
Check it out here: thegardenjumps.com
Takin’ On The TEST OF METAL!
Jul 2nd
“Losing My Test of Metal Virginity”
by Crystal Lambert
Crystal and Charlotte racing the Test of Metal
2010 began with the decision that this was the year I was going to complete the Test of Metal! Next on my list was to convince a close friend that it would be a great thing for us to accomplish the 67km bike race together. And with a little nudging she was on board! Getting a spot in the race itself was all there was left to do. We in no way trusted ourselves with the New Year’s Day sign up so we opted to join a training clinic that ensured we get a spot. After a bit of research we found that there were a few options for this and we chose the Endless Biking Enduro XC Training Program and signed up!
We hit the gym with the TOM as our goal right away. To some this may seem early to start training, and maybe it was, but neither of us was super fit nor very experienced riders so we were pretty nervous.
Fast forward to February… my friend and TOM team-mate had a crash and ended up with a bad concussion. Sadly she could no longer complete the TOM an onward alone I went.
Mass Start
In April the EB Enduro XC Training Program began. It was a 10 week long training clinic with rides twice a week, coached by women and men who have competed in and won numerous races. Many of you already know that EB has fantastic programs and coaches but I have to plug them yet again. The Enduro XC Program was amazing! I honestly miss the grueling rides and hard-ass coaching.
Crystal's Support Team
Every week and every ride I would gain more confidence, stamina and knowledge. Two weeks before the TOM one of our training rides was to compete in, and presumably finish the North Shore Marathon XC Race. My first race was looming and I was nauseous nervous but felt prepared as long as mentally I could hold it together. Before I knew it I was running around a baseball field, riding through a pump track and generally being yelled at. I had officially started my very first bike race! During the race I tried to keep calm and only worry about myself. It worked and I had a really fun ride on some challenging terrain.
The North Shore XC Race was 27km and I completed it in approximately 3:45. My level of concern for the time it would take me to complete the 67km TOM was growing. It was just 2 short weeks, 1 parental visit and 3 training rides away.
Finally race day had arrived! The TOM begins with an 800 person mass start which is fantastic to witness. With the sun shining the riders were pumped! I lined up in my 5 hr finish time spot and waited. The National Anthem played and it was time. Being at the back of the pack it was awesome to see the hundreds of riders leave Brennan Park and begin the ride down Hwy 99.
What's the Duct tape for?
The first thing you notice when riding in the TOM is the energy of the volunteers and spectators. Residents are out in their drive-ways with music and horns and water sprinklers and they all cheered just as loudly for me (probably somewhere around rider 778 out of 800) as they did for the first rider. It was amazing and you couldn’t help but get caught up in it. And it didn’t end there. All through the 67kms were friendly, energetic faces and yells of support. I was lucky enough to have my own mini support team on hand to follow me around with cheesy signs my concussed team-mate made to help me along.
Five hours and nine minutes later I pulled through the finish line. When I hooked up with my family the first thing they mentioned was every time they saw me I was grinning from ear to ear. Granted there were times when I was tired and sore but I enjoyed every minute of it and can’t wait to do it again!
