Bike | UltraRob's Adventures

Bicycle Dreams Showing in Colorado Springs

March 25th, 2012

The Race Across America (RAAM) has been called the world’s toughest bike race. It is approximately 1.5 times the distance of the Tour de France but has a time limit of 12 days instead of the 3 weeks that the Tour de France takes. That makes for a minimum of 250 miles a day. RAAM racers are on the bikes 20+ hours a day and ride alone instead of in a pack.

I attempted the Race Across America in 2006 and dropped out at the Mississippi after 2,000 miles in 8 day. A movie about RAAM is being used as a fundraiser for the Incline Friends, the group that is working to legalize the Manitou Incline. Bicycle Dreams is a feature-length documentary about the 2005 RAAM. It has won awards at many film festivals over the last few years.

The Bicycle Dreams fundraiser is on Wednesday, March 28 at 7 PM at the Stargazers Theatre. Tickets cost $11 in advance online at imATHLETE or $15 at the door. Tickets are also available at the Colorado Running Company, 833 N. Tejon, and 9275 N. Union, Suite 120; Carmichael Training Systems, 600 S. 21st; Criterium Bicycles, 6150 Corporate Center Dr., and Team Telecycle at 615 S. Baldwin St. in Woodland Park.

There will be 2 RAAM finishers at the movie showing to tell about their personal experiences. They both raced the same year that I did. Fred Boethling set a new record in 2006 for the 60+ age category. He is now the organizer for RAAM.
You can read my Bicycle Dreams review here. If you want to more about RAAM, you can read my Race Across America FAQ here.

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Tags: Bicycle Dreams, RAAM, Race Across America, ultra cycling
Posted in Bike, Road Bike | No Comments »

Bike Events Heat up with Spring

March 21st, 2012

Spring is now officially here. For me that means bad allergies, wild weather swings and more time on the bike and less cross training.

There’s lots of bike related things happening here in Colorado Springs. Last weekend was a new St. Paddy’s Day 50k bike ride followed by some of the riders riding in the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Tonight the Joy Ride starts up for 2012 and Cafe Velo, a new bike shop, is having an Open House. Tomorrow is the annual VIP Event at Colorado Cyclist.

While I plan on continuing to post bigger local cycling events I participate in on this blog, I plan on posting more local cycling news on the Colorado Springs Cycling site.

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Tags: Colorado Springs, cycling, spring
Posted in Bike | No Comments »

Leadville 100 Training Camps Including Race Entry

February 13th, 2012

Today the Leadville Race Series opened registration to the 2012 Camp of Champions! The Camp of Champions will feature Six-time LT 100 Champion Dave Wiens, Two-time LT100 Champion Bryson Perry and the 2007 Ladies Champion Gretchen Reeves. Camp participants will ride, dine, and socialize with three of Leadville’s finest champions in addition to a host of experienced Leadville Trail 100 Buckle wearing guides.

The camp will be July 5-8, 2012 and all of the Leadville 100 course will be ridden. There are 50 spots available that include race entry and the cost is $2,000. There are an additional 25 spots available for $1,000 without race entry. You must call to register. Get all the information on the Leadville Race Series site.

I’m a bit surprised that they opened camp registration today since the race entry lottery winners won’t be notified until later this week. I have my fingers crossed that I’ll get picked in the lottery again. After DNFing that last 3 years, I’m even more motivated now to get back and get my 6th finish.

Carmichael Training Systems also opened registration for their training camps today that include race entry. The CTS camp spots though are given out through a lottery. The deadline for the CTS camp lottery is February 29, 2012 so those that entered the Leadville 100 lottery can wait until they get notified whether they’re in or not.

CTS will have 3 camps that are 2 days each and cost $1500 including race entry. It’s $1225 for those that get an entry through the lottery and those spots will be first come first serve instead of by lottery. If money isn’t a factor, you can get top notch coaching and a private camp for $12,424 (elevation at the summit of the Columbine Climb).

Get all the details on the CTS camps here.

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Tags: Colorado, Dave Wiens, endurance racing, Leadville 100, mountain biking
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | No Comments »

Original Growler Registration Opens

February 1st, 2012

Registration for popular Original Growler opens this evening at 9 PM MST. Since many people that wanted to race last year didn’t get in before it filled up, they’re making some changes this year.

Instead of having the Growler and the Half Growler on the same day, they’re having them different days. The 32 mile Half Growler will be on Saturday May 26th and the 64 mile full Growler will be on May 27th.

The first 100 entries for each race will be up for grabs tonight. The next 100 entries will open on Saturday, February 18th at 7 AM. The remainder of the entries will be available Sunday, March 4th at 9 PM.

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Tags: Colorado, mountain biking
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | No Comments »

Leadville 100 Lottery Deadline Looming

January 30th, 2012

The deadline to enter the Leadville 100 mountain bike lottery is tomorrow (January 31st). There’s a $15 fee to enter the lottery and then if you get picked, it’s $275 for the race entry. The $15 lottery fee goes to IMBA, Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation, and to other 501C3 charities locally.

If you haven’t entered yet but are planning an entering, I suggest you do it now in case you have problems with registering. Registration is online and went smoothly for me but you never know. In addition to the long time question about how many Leadville 100 mountain bike races you’ve finished, now there are questions about which bike you ride, which shoes you like, etc.

If you have the guts to sign up for the Leadman/Leadwoman, you can get into the bike race without going through the lottery and into the already full 100 mile run. You have to finish the Trail Marathon and at least one of the Silver Rush events in order to race at the 100 mile bike so you can’t just use it as a way to avoid the lottery. The Leadman/Leadwoman requires you to finish five Leadville events — Leadville Marathon, Silver Rush 50 bike or run, Leadville Trail 100 bike and run and the 10K run. The entry deadline for Leadman/Leadwoman is also tomorrow at 8 PM.

It appears that the number of entrants will go up once again this year so the additional qualifiers shouldn’t take away from the lottery. Last year I believe there were a total of 1,700 spots for the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. This year Cole Chlouber, social media person for Lifetime Fitness Athletic Events and son of the Leadville 100 founder, says the Forest Service has given them a cap of 2,000.

If 100 miles is too far for you or you don’t make it in the lottery or one of the Leadville 100 qualifiers, there are plenty of other races in the Leadville Race Series. Below are the other events.

2012 Leadville Race Series Dates

June 23-25 – Leadville Trail 100 Run Training Camp
June 30 – Leadville Trail Marathon
June 30 – Leadville Trail Heavy Half Marathon
July 5-8 – Leadville Trail 100 MTB Training Camp
July 14 -Leadville Silver Rush 50 MTB Race
July 15 – Leadville Silver Rush 50 Trail Run
July 14-15 – Silver King & Silver Queen
August 11 – Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race
August 12 – Leadville 10K Run
August 18-19 – Leadville Trail 100 Run
September 1-2 – Leadville MTB Relay
September 1-2 – Leadville Run Relay

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Tags: endurance racing, Leadville 100, mountain biking
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | No Comments »

Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Qualifiers

January 29th, 2012

Last year Lifetime Fitness added qualifiers as a way to get into the Leadville 100 mountain bike race in addition to the entry lottery. Last year there were 3 qualifiers. This year there will be 6 qualifiers although the last one is in September and will be for the 2013 Leadville 100.

Qualifying slots will be distributed at the Awards Ceremony. There will be 70-100 slots per qualifying event. Half the Leadville 100 entries will be awarded based on results and half will be awarded randomly to finishers under a time cut-off.

2012 Leadville 100 Qualifier Races

April 21 – Austin Rattler 100
June 2 – Barn Burner 104
June 17 – Wilmington Whiteface 100
July 14 – Leadville Silver Rush 50 MTB Race
July 22 – Tahoe Trail 100
September 15 – Alpine Odyssey 100

Related Links

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Price: $159.94

Hi Tec Penrith Mid Jr. WP Hiking Boots

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Adidas AX2 Mid GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $135.00

Tags: endurance racing, Leadville 100, mountain biking
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | 1 Comment »

Leadville Winter Snow Bike Races 2012

January 12th, 2012

Leadville’s winter snow bike race series kicks off this Saturday with a night race at Copper Mountain. There are 4 races in the series. Although fatbikes like the Salsa Mukluk are ideal for riding in the snow, regular mountain bikes can be used with as wide of tire as will fit your frame and running low tire pressure.

Schedule is

Jan. 14th – Copper en Fuego
Feb. 4th – Tennessee Pass Night Jam
March 3rd – Mineral Belt Mayhem
April 7th – East Side Epic

For more details, see the Cloud City Wheelers event page.

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Tags: Colorado, Leadville, snow bike racing, snow biking
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | No Comments »

2012 Cyclocross Nationals Elite Races Live Video Today

January 8th, 2012

USA Cycling is showing live video of the Elite Cyclocross National Races today. The Women’s race is at 11 AM MST and the Men’s race is at 1:15 PM. Colorado Springs own Katie Compton will be racing for her 8th National Cyclocross title.

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Tags: cyclocross, Katie Compton
Posted in Bike, Cyclocross | No Comments »

Extreme Bike Balance Skills

December 15th, 2011

A few years ago I posted a video of a girl doing something like figure skating on a bike. Someone recently shared a video with me but with 2 girls. I think you’ll be very impressed with their skills!

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Tags: bike stunts, cycling, videos
Posted in Bike | No Comments »

Bike and Outdoor Gear Deals for Black Friday/Cyber Monday

November 25th, 2011

Update: 2012 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Bike and Outdoor Deals

Alli Sports
On Black Friday they are offering 20% off all orders (including sale items) plus free ground shipping with code turkeys. Then on Cyber Monday they’ll have 30% off all regular price items plus free ground shipping with coupon code interweb.

Backcountry.com
Black Friday Sale at Backcountry.com – Up To 50% off plus Free 2-Day Shipping On Orders Over $50.

Bike Nashbar
Take 20% extra off orders over $50 including bikes and frames on Black Friday only. Use coupon code 48572. Some exclusions apply.

CampSaver
At CampSaver.com’s Black Friday Sale you can save up to 70% OFF with some great Door Buster Deals! Awesome savings on climbing gear, footwear, gloves, tents, packs, clothing and much more! Plus 15-20% OFF 20,000 items sitewide! And to top it off, these sale prices will be good through Monday.

Department of Goods
Black Friday they will have 100’s of items at least 60% off. For Cyber Monday they will have 72 items 72% off for 72 hours.

DogFunk
DogFunk’s Black Friday sale includes deep discounts of Up to 50% across 1,000’s of products. Plus they have FREE 2-DAY SHIPPING on $50 orders.

Eastern Mountain Sports
Take 20% Off (Almost) Everything at EMS.com through Monday.

GiantNerd
Get An Additional 15% Off Complete Bikes At Giantnerd.com. Use Coupon Code 15BM At Checkout. Expires 11/28/2011 At 11:59PM MST.

Half Moon Outfitters
Half Moon Outfitters is having a large sale on such brands as Patagonia, Smartwool, Marmot, Arc’Teryx, Horny Toad, Columbia Sportswear, and Mountain Hardwear. Hurry Sale ends on 11/29/11! Free shipping on items over $49! Also get 20% off on Smartwool Hats, Scarves, and Gloves when you enter the promo code wooliscool through 12/6/11.

Icebreaker
30% off all black product and 15% off everything else plus free shipping. Black Friday Only. Cyber Monday Special – Save 20% on all items in the Icebreaker Gift Guide. Plus FREE SHIPPING on all orders! Valid from 12:01 am EST 11/28 until 11:59pm PST 11/28. This offer cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts or promotions.

Jenson USA
Killer deals on bikes and accessories at Jenson USA through Monday.

KonaSports
KonaSports has 16% off bmx bikes with code XMASBMX16, 40% off apparel, sunglasses and watches that aren’t on sale with code BF40SALE and 30% off all sale items with code BF30SALE (excludes over sized).

LeftLane Sports
50% Off Ahnu Hiking Footwear And Trail Running Shoes. Ends 11/30.

MooseJaw
Take 30% Off All Vibram FiveFingers Running Shoes at Moosejaw.com through 11/27. No code needed. Get free Moosejaw e-Gift Card with any item over $99 with coupon code FREEGC. Some brands excluded. Ends 12/4.

Mountains Plus
Thanks-Gearing Sale UP TO 40% OFF at Mountains Plus. Expires 11/30!

Nantahala Outdoor Center
Monday get 30% Off All Patagonia At Nantahala Outdoor Center. Add Items To Cart To See The Discount Applied. Expires 11/28/2011 At 11:59PM EST.

Outdoor DIVAS
Receive 20% off ALL PrAna.

Performance Bike
20% off almost everything until 2 PM on Black Friday. Excludes Black Friday deals and outlet bikes.

Monday get $20 off purchases of $100 or more. No code needed.

Pro Board Shop
Take an Additional 10% Off All Skullcandy Heaphones & Earbuds at Proboardshop.com with coupon code skullcandy10 on Monday. Shop Proboardshop.com for Up to 70% Off.

River Sports Outfitters
20% off Cascade Designs-Therm-A-Rest, MSR, Seal-Line, Platypus and Tracks and 30% off Mountain Hardwear Kelvinator Jackets. Good through Monday.

Rock/Creek Outfitters
15-50% off at Rock/Creek’s Hiking & Camping Sale plus FREE Shipping over $49.

Snowboards.net
20% off skiing and snowboarding accessories through Monday. Some exclusions.

Summit Online
20% off skiing and snowboarding accessories through Monday. Some exclusions.

Tahoe Mountain Sports
Get 10-30% off all the new Patagonia Jackets, Pants and Fleece. Sale ends Monday 11/28 at midnight.

TriVillage
TriVillage is kicking off the Holiday Season with a 20% Sale from today through Monday, November 28th at midnight. Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY to save 20% on hundreds of popular gift items for swimmers, cyclists, runners and triathletes.

If you need some gift ideas, I have gift guides from last couple years and most of the items will still make great gifts. I plan on posting updated gift ideas soon.