May 2012
19 posts
Explaining Gel
Why is it that whenever I find myself forced to pick up gels at a local big box retailer, I also find myself forced to have conversations like this… Meijer Lady: Mocha… Clif Shot… Gel?… What is this stuff? Me: It’s sort of like easy to digest cake frosting. You use it during activities like bike racing or running when you need some quick nutrition, but real food...
May 31st
Detours
Yesterday’s ride had more than a few detours due to some strong storms the day before, there’s nothing anyone can do about that. The only question I have, is why do trees always have to fall ON the trail?  I mean it’s a big forest, there are LOTS of other places to fall. Jerks.
May 31st
The Commute
My commute to my XXC Magazine office is about 14 steps down from my bedroom, with a view of the bathroom as I pass… big deal. Some of XXC’s freelance contributors (that would be Ben) feel the need to rub the views of their workday commute in my face. Lucky bastard. Knobbies on Colorado dirt sure would make a good start to the day.
May 30th
Media Attention
Last weekend I wanted to race the Hanson Hills 100. Instead, I spent most of my day sitting alone with my camera in the woods waiting for racers to come by. I was, as far as I could tell, the sole media coverage of the event. Very much UN-like this shot from the UCI XCO #3 in Novém Městě Czech Republic… Truly amazing to see an XC race getting that sort of attention. While it is amazing...
May 30th
Signs of Summer
Riding without arm & knee warmers. The appearance of the nerdy tan lines (that we all secretly love). Crusty salt stained jerseys. The smell of roadkill baking in the sun. Bone dry water bottles at a ride’s end. All of the above are sure signs that summer has arrived in the life of a cyclist. One of my personal favorites is ending a hot & humid ride coated in a layer of dust...
May 29th
A Bad Race
The quotes above were taken from Mike Simonson’s post Syllamo’s Revenge race recap. I highly recommend reading the post. It’s sometimes easy to forget that we ALL have bad races now and then… even pros. Mike’s post was awesome and yet another reason why he is one of my favorite elite endurance racers and why I wanted to interview him for XXC #15. Best of luck at...
May 29th
4 tags
Karma
Last November I flatted less than 10 miles into my first Iceman Cometh. I had an inflator, Co2s, and a tube, but no pump as a back up (dumb!). As bad luck would have it, the Co2s failed and I found myself walking along the course as racer after racer passed me. I was not happy. Then a racer slowed down, as he passed asked me if I needed anything. I said “a pump would be great!” He...
May 28th
3 notes
Fat?
Other than supermodels, does anyone worry obsess about their weight more than competitive cyclists? Ben believes that “numbers never lie…unfortunately. It’s a daily kick in the pants.” Editors note: I remember 175 lbs. I would drink a bottle of Perpetuem that baked in the sun for two weeks if I thought it could get me to 175  lbs. again…. or 185… or…...
May 27th
Cranked
Syllamo’s revenge on my crank arm.
May 26th
obsession
You know all you think about is riding when you have a four day old son in the house, are putting together a new stroller, and think to yourself, “I wonder if this comes in a thru-axle version.?”
May 26th
beer: sierra nevada hoptimum
I got an email from a friend last month about Sierra Nevada’s Hoptimum and have been on the lookout for it ever since. I am a HUGE fan of double+ I.P.A.s (DFH 90 Min, Bell’s Hop Slam, Victory Hop Wallop, etc., etc.,). So the introduction of the limited edition Hoptimum Double I.P.A.  and its 10.4% A.B.V. was welcomed with an open liver for sure. I mean is there anything better at...
May 26th
Memorial Day
Along with a bunch of racing this Memorial Day weekend, there will also be some enjoyable foods munched and beer drank as we kickoff Summer 2012. I must admit I started early last night with some IPA and brats on the grill. I mean what’s more American than bratwurst on the grill and I.P.A.? Happy Memorial Day, and for you folks not in the U.S… Happy… ah.. um… weekend?...
May 25th
Wind
Before I moved to Michigan, wind was something that I dealt with at times, but not nearly as often as I do now. Western PA was known more for it’s grey days and rain. Here, it’s not whether the wind is blowing, it’s how hard the wind is blowing. The thing is.. you can’t see it. I mean, you can see stuff blowing and what not, but you can’t see the wind alone. Well,...
May 24th
4 tags
Race: 2012 Arcadian Grit & Gravel
Race: 2012 Arcadian Grit & Gravel Format: Gravel, XC Length: 26ish Miles Date: May 19, 2012 Location: Arcadia, Michigan Web: endomanpromotions.com Results: raceservices.com Copious amounts of wheel sucking sand (seen above), gravel roads, nice steady climbs, pavement and amazing singletrack helped make up the 26ish miles of the Arcadian grit and gravel. Men’s Pro/Elite 1. Jorden...
May 24th
3 tags
Gravel: Never Seen
I’ve spent my fair share of time riding mountain forest roads and gravel farm roads and I’ve seen a lot of panties (for some reason) laying along the road. And from time to time I’ve seen people walking along those roads. BUT, I have NEVER had the good fortune to see any woman like this or any panties with the woman still in them whilst riding any of those roads. Oh well, a...
May 23rd
3 tags
Welsh Ride Thing T shirt
Stuart of Bear Bones Bikepacking’s Welsh Ride Thing asked XXC to be part of the WRT with a little prize shwag. In turn the XXC logo got on their T-shirt. I love the “No one can hear you scream” bit. Glad to be part of this cool event in some way.
May 23rd
2 tags
Beer: Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale
One thing that goes without saying, is that around XXC HQ nothing caps off a good day of work and riding like a fine beer. Lucky for me just down the block from XXC HQ is a small restaurant & pub called the Brass Cafe that always has at least a few fine beers on tap. Last week I was lucky enough to be able to get some Founders Old Curmudgeon Old Ale on tap while I hung out with some...
May 23rd
Photo: Well Ventilated
Well Ventillated Race: UCI World Cup #4, 5.20.12, La Bresse, France Photo: MTB.cz
May 23rd
xxc.cult:ure
Sometimes a topic is too vague to be on xxcmag.com or in the pages of XXC Magazine but too good to deposit in the wasteland of a social media timeline. Thus the birth of XXC Magazine’s Tumblr blog- xxc.cult:ure. This blog will focus more on the cult, um… CULTURE of cycling and will include XC, XXC, Cross & even a little bit of Road. It will also include some general time wasting...
May 22nd