High Country Riding

The weather was perfect for the high country Saturday. Shawn Gregory came up from Dolores and we rode Scotch Creek, CT and over to Salt Creek. A great 25+ mile loop with 3k of climbing.

Some knuckleheads camping right on the Colorado Trail. Ignorant bastards for sure.

I'm not sure who stocks this cooler but I had myself a cold PBR while on the CT. Someone stocks this cooler all summer long with cold ones. Thanks!!

A little hazy on the ride but out in the distance is Rico through the two center trees.

The leaves are changing.

Fall Time

That time of year when the temps gets cooler and the leaves start to change. Went for a run with the dogs after work on Friday. The temps were in the low 60's.

12 Hours Behind the Prison..part 2

Photos and race report poached from the race website. Thanks Phil!!

Despite torrential rains the night before the race was on with 6 solo riders. 3 experienced riders and 3 first timers. Jeff Hemperley of Rico CO rode a single speed to first place with 8 laps of our 15 mile course, Jeff also set the courses fastest lap 1hr 13min. Joel Arellano gave chase all day with constant laps around 1:30's for 7 laps. Jason Whiteside came in third. Laura Kyriakakis rode her first 12hr for 1st female solo rider. Ted Schanen rode his first 12hr on a 5 dollar bike he bought the day before.

Joel and I receiving our awards.

12 Hours Behind the Prison.....Delta, Colorado

1st place overall. 8 laps, 126 miles, 12,800 feet of climbing all in 12 hours. Enough said.
F@#* yeah!!!!

Laura's Titus Racer X. She took 1st in the female class.

The Ti 29er Airborne B29. It rode awesome. Hence the number plate. #1!!!!!

The race rig and trailer.

Dawg Fun!

Took the three dogs out for a jog this afternoon and here are Shady and Lucy looking a bit tired up high above the house.

Jeff Kerkove VT 125 Race Report

Jeff has his personal report of his short ride of the VT125.

http://www.jeffkerkove.net/

Vapor Trail

Well, went to Salida with every intention to finish this year but instead with the weather looking grim I chose to not start the race. They did shorten the race from 125 to 108. Which took out some substantial climbing/hike-a-bike. And once my mind was made the body followed and I didn't have it in me to go out into the nasty weather. 19 finished and 19 dropped from the race. The weather did finally clear around 2 or 3am and was nice for the remainder of the race. Check out results here: http://www.vaportrail125.com/
Matt Turgeon and I carpooled and he had the mental fortitude to start the race and finish in 6th place overall on the single speed. Maybe I should have raced. Next year.

For this upcoming weekend the SSWC are kicking off in Durango and also a 12 hour mountain bike race in Delta. I may be in for the 12 hour race just to have a nice long training ride rather than join the circus in D-Town. Decision time. http://www.deltabikerace.com/

Congrats to the tough guys who braved the Vapor Trail in the cold and rain!!!!

Vapor Trail

Up next is the Vapor Trail 125. This event is in Salida, CO and put on by Tom Purvis; owner of Absolute Bikes in Salida. 50 select individuals attempt to ride 125 miles starting at 10pm on Saturday night, September 12th. The terrain is some of the most challenging I have ever attempted. Hike-a-bikes that seem to last forever and a descent that is an hour and a half long. Oh, and 20k of climbing. I'm hoping to finish before dark on Sunday.

Zuni Labor Day Weekend Trip

Laura, the three dogs and I spent the weekend in the Zuni Mountains outside of Gallup mountain biking. These trails are rarely touched by many bikers due to its location. I saw a few fresh tracks on the trail Sunday after the rain Saturday night and two cars at the Quaking Aspen trail head but physically did not see a cyclist. Pretty awesome to be able to ride 40+ miles of single track and not see a soul.