Mountain Biking | UltraRob's Adventures

Silver Rush 50 2012 Start Photos

July 19th, 2012

Although the Silver Rush 50 is a great race for preparing for Leadville 100, I skipped it this year. I was up in Leadville to pre-ride the Leadville 100 course so I stopped and watched the start of the Silver Rush 50. Here are a few of the photos I took and I have more Silver Rush 50 start photos here.

The photo above is of the first racer up the ski hill getting a gold coin from Ken Clouber. The gold coin that qualify for the Leadville 100. This guy gave it his all coming up the hill so he must really want to race the Leadville 100.

[View with PicLens]

Tags: Colorado, endurance racing, Ken Clouber, Leadville, mountain biking, photos, Silver Rush 50
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | No Comments »

Training in Leadville July 14 & 15

July 13th, 2012

I’m going to be training on the Leadville 100 course this weekend. Here’s my training plans for this weekend.

On Saturday I’ll watch the Silver Rush 50 start and then drive down to the Twin Lakes aid station. If the Silver Rush starts on time, that should have me leaving from Twin Lakes soon after 9:30. I’ll ride up to the top of Columbine and back. Back at the vehicle at Twin Lakes, I’ll refill bottles and then ride to Fish Hatchery and back to Twin Lakes.

Sunday I’ll ride from Lifetime Fitness at 9:00 as that’s when Art normally leads a ride. He may be helping out with the Silver Rush run. If there isn’t a group doing something else, I’ll ride the first part of the course to Fish Hatchery. If I’m feeling good, I’ll ride back to the finish on the course but if not I’ll just short cut back into town on the pavement.

I’m still 45 lbs heavy so I don’t go up hill fast but still can go down fast. I have decent fitness so think I should be about 11 hours on race day. In any case, I’m still a long ways from my 8:18 in 2003.

If you’re up in Leadville this weekend or want to catch dinner Saturday evening, contact me.

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

Tags: Colorado, Leadville 100, mountain biking, training
Posted in Bike, Mountain Bike | No Comments »

Gravel Grinding Across the Prairie

April 6th, 2012

Back in January it seemed like a good idea. Having a bike race goal would help me focus on training. April 7th was a long ways off and I’ve have time. Now April 7th is almost here and my fitness is lacking.

Sure I’m in week 6 of the Progressive Power class at Carmichael Training Systems. I can tell doing hard interval workouts has made me stronger. I did a 84 mile ride last week. I was slow but I could have ridden longer. I’m in the best shape I’ve been this time of year in a while but still not where I need to be.

In spite of not feeling ready, I plan to roll out on the AntiEpic Gravel Grinder. Fortunately it’s across rolling prairies instead of long, steep mountain climbs. The part that will be tough is it’s 150 miles of gravel. That used to be no big deal for me but I haven’t ridden that far since my RAAM attempt in 2006.

In any case it’ll be a day of bike riding on what’s forecast to be a decent spring day. I’m sure I’ll enjoy some of the day and other times I’ll be suffering.

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

Tags: AntiEpic Gravel Grinder, endurance racing, gravel grinder, mountain biking
Posted in Mountain Bike | 1 Comment »

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.

Related Links

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

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.

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

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

Related Links

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

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

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

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

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.

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

Tags: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, cycling, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing
Posted in Bike, Camp, Climb, gear, Hike, outdoors, Ski, Snowshoe | No Comments »

3rd Annual WMBA Costume Bike Crit

October 27th, 2011

Halloween is almost here and that means it’s time for the 3rd Annual WMBA Costume Criterium. It will be held this Saturday, October 29 at the SRM Powermeter Service Center. Registration begins at 3:30 and the race starts at 4:00pm. Every year WMBA throws a great Halloween criterium that’s more party than race with food, drinks, and fun.

There will be an adult Costume Criterium full of stunts and silly obstacles. The kiddie race will take place immediately after the adult race. Costumes are mandatory and helmets must be worn by all racers. Spectators are welcome!

Bring your friends and family. This event is open to the public and a definite not-to-be-missed event!

$10 suggested donation will get you into the ride, a prize ticket, and a drink cup. There will be lots of great prizes and prize drawings.

There will be many amazing giveaways with items from:

RockShox
SRAM
Truvativ
Corepower Yoga
Criterium Bike Shop
Bicycle Village
Old Town Bike Shop
Carmichael Training
City Rock
Sound Mind – Sound Body Salon and Day Spa
Local’s Barbershop
…and more!!

You might be one of the lucky ghosts or goblins who will walk away with a RockShox Sid XXWC fork, a SRAM X-9 2×10 drivetrain, a month of unlimited yoga, or one of the many other sweet giveaways!!

Related Link

2010 WMBA Costume Crit

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

Tags: Colorado Springs, cycling, holidays, mountain biking, WMBA
Posted in Bike | No Comments »

Mountain Biker Taken Out by Wild Animal

October 11th, 2011

This is a wild video of mountain biker, Evan van der Spuy of Team Jeep South Africa getting taken out by a Red Hartebees at a mountain bike race at Albert Falls Dam. This footage which was taken by team mate Travis Walker on his GoPro helmet cam.

I don’t know if the buck got spooked and just ran into him but it sure appears that it attack Evan.

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots

Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots

Regular Price: $280.00
$209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots

Price: $268.44

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