Race Day
It is time to race again. And not a moment too soon. I just hope the weather is better than the last time I was in St. George.
Archive for the ‘Races’ Category
No Leadville. As Usual.
I did not get into the Leadville 100. Of course, I did not apply, so not getting into the race is no surprise. Each year, I think about sending in an application. I see the pictures of massive groups of riders, the throngs of people cheering and the celebrity bike stars. And every year I [...]
Classic Audacity
On paper the world looks smooth and flat. Manageable. On maps the contouring trails are fascinating and beautiful, like sirens whispering sweet temptations into an eager and hungry mind. In reality everything is uglier and rockier and steeper and longer, and yet, still beautiful. And so it is with the Wasatch Classic. I spent hours [...]
How To: DNF with Grace and Dignity
There is one inevitability about mountain bike racing. At some point, in some race, you will have to bail out. It might be a mechanical failure or it might be a physical problem. Or, you might just realize with pristine clarity that you hate riding a bike and that you will never, ever, under any [...]
How To: Ride Your First 100 Miler
Grizzly’s note: This is a post in an ongoing “How To” series. Have an idea for a How to post? Let me know. And if any topics come up that I am no help at all with, I will track down someone who is! Also see, ‘How To: Get Sponsored‘. Attempting an off-road 100-mile bike [...]
Back in the Day: July 2002
Brianhead 2002 I have exactly one Intermountain Cup XC victory. It came at the 2002 Brian Header, at Brian Head, Utah. The race was competitive, and spectacular. By far it was one of my favorite courses on the circuit. It had huge climbs, swooping descents, technical rock drops, and incredible scenery. It is a shame [...]
Chasing the Traverse
“Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” There is a brewing storm inside me. A rolling mass of ambition and idealism. The perfect route, the [...]
Soul Rider?
Several years ago I watched a classic movie called North Shore. It tackled the complicated issue of surfing for money, or surfing for “the love”. It is an ’80s cult film perfectly executed. In fact, you could pair it with Rad (the greatest film ever made, no?) and have the ultimate soul rider collection. As [...]
Sun. Dance.
There is a unique pain to a short race. Muscles scream, eyes blur, lungs burn. It is over as soon as it starts, and yet it feels as if will never end. And then there is the speed. Ducking and leaning through corners, standing and hammering out of the saddle. Never stopping even for a [...]
Post Race
This is Brad and me. The look of concern on Brad’s face would have been even more apparent had he known of the ridiculous grin I was wearing. After the shot, he looked at the picture and said “wow, that might be the best picture of you I have seen.” He was not being [...]
