tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133376202024-03-19T03:48:19.323-05:00Gateway Off-Road Cyclists (GORC)Things of interest to Gateway Off-Road Cyclists in St. Louis, MOpilznrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612451741088109189noreply@blogger.comBlogger481125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-59912597951672027132013-03-26T23:53:00.004-05:002013-03-26T23:53:54.874-05:00GORC Website Launch Party This Friday March 29th, 5pm, Civil Life Brewery, STL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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OK, I'm having a party to celebrate the launch of GORC3.0 as I like to call it.<br />
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I've invited the <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.sprydigital.com/" rel="nofollow external" title="External link">Spry Digital team</a>
down for drinks - they are the developers that did all the major
programming, functionality, process logic and theming for the new site.<br />
<br />
This is an informal gathering... do not wait for long-winded speeches as they will not come easily after a drink or three. <b>This is a celebration of a very long 6 months of my life dedicated to taking GORC to the next organizational level.</b><br />
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I truly believe our new site will surpass 90% of all mountain biking club / organization sites. I am very proud of it.<br />
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That said, let's all gather and hang out at Civil Life. They have a
loft, they have dart boards, they have tours of the the place.<br />
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Civil Life is awesome.<b> It is also a cash only establishment.</b> The people are great, the beers are amazing. It's by far my favorite brewery. The partners are cool.<br />
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Even if the website is a little late to the party I'm still having it THIS COMING FRIDAY STARTING AT 5pm at<br />
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<a href="http://www.thecivillifebrewingcompany.com/TheCivilLife/Welcome.html" target="_blank">The Civil Life Brewing Company</a><br />
3714 Holt Ave.<br />
St. Louis, Mo 63116<br />
Planet, Earth<br />
<br />
SEE YOU ALL THERE. MATT HAYESseamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-32295557957116581602013-03-10T13:36:00.000-05:002013-03-10T13:55:06.326-05:00Building A New Resource For Mountain Bikers and Volunteers: GORC's New Web SiteSince August of 2012 GORC has been quietly building its new web site behind the scenes. The large project is being managed by GORC's web administrator who has been working long nights to ensure the new site is both functional and usable.<br />
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GORC submitted two grants which were both awarded. One is an <a href="http://www.neefusa.org/grants/every_day_grants.htm" target="_blank">Every Day grant from the National Environmental Education Fund (NEEF) which is made possible by Toyota</a>. The other is an <a href="http://www.rei.com/stewardship.html" target="_blank">REI grant</a> that is focused on non-profits that are making it a goal to get more volunteers out to local 'giving back' events such as our trail building days. We are very thankful for receiving these major grants as this project would not be possible.<br />
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We have partnered with the local web development firm, <a href="http://sprydigital.com/" target="_blank">Spry Digital</a> that specializes in non-profit site building and the Drupal/CiviCRM platform. This content management system was extensively researched and is currently the best open-source membership-focused system. This platform allows for decentralized content management and a feature-rich contact resource management (CRM) system that will allow GORC to attract new members, track volunteer activities and report to land agencies. CiviCRM is the same platform IMBA has chosen to use in its Club Chapter program and overall membership tracking.<br />
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It has been our goal to showcase the development going on in the background but it hasn't been until this past week that time could be devoted to anything else but the development of the new GORC site. We have included only screenshots of the back-end management system and not the public domain web site as it is still currently being themed by Spry Digital.<br />
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The tentative launch date is March 21st but that is dependent on several factors. Think of it as a floating launch date. GORC is planning a website launch party at the Civil Life March 23rd (tentative). Stay tuned for additional details - and once we know the site will be up and running.<br />
<br />
<b>Project Summary:</b><br />
Site Platforms: Drupal 7, CiviCRM 4.2.0, IPBoard 3.4.2<br />
Other Platform Tie-Ins: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Google Business Mail, Mailchimp, Paypal<br />
Development Time: About 7 months<br />
<br />
<b>Funding Sources: </b><br />
<a href="http://www.neefusa.org/grants/every_day_grants.htm" target="_blank">NEEF Every Day Grant made possible by Toyota</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rei.com/stewardship.html" target="_blank">REI Gives Grant</a><br />
<a href="http://www.drj.com/" target="_blank">Disaster Recovery Journal (DRJ)</a><br />
Other private monetary donations. <br />
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<b>Screenshots of the Back-End Administration and Contact/Membership System:</b><br />
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Check back in the coming weeks for additional blog posts about this exciting new project that is about to launch.seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-51630990291164259532013-02-19T10:58:00.002-06:002013-02-20T08:05:24.315-06:00Greensfelder Trail Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Some of the participants</i></span></div>
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This past Sunday, we got a group of interested people out to review the new section of trail at Greensfelder which will be built on Saturday, Feb. 23rd. See <a href="http://gorctrails.com/board/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9215">here</a> for details. The Greensfelder Trail Crew- Matt, Bryan, Ron & Scott had scouted the area previously with clinometers, and taped a rough line signifying the approximate trail layout. This was then used this to pin flag a more detailed route, which would typically be used on the day the trail gets built to mark where to dig. Usually, prior to the build day the crew will then get together and review the pin flags, and make sure there aren't any areas that would cause problems. </div>
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For this review, we posted a message on the <a href="http://gorctrails.com/board/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9215">GORC Message Board</a>, and invited anyone who was interested to come out and participate.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">What existing trail looked like around noon</span></i></div>
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Back in the old days, when GORC had a lot fewer members, this was the way we used to do things. Every scouting session was posted, and anyone who was interested was welcome to come along. This functioned pretty well when we only had a few trails to deal with- Castlewood, Lost Valley, Chubb, Quail Ridge, a small bit at Greensfelder, and the original section of Matson were about it. As GORC built more trail and grew-- currently 14 trails and counting that we have a hand in either building or maintenance, it became harder to coordinate on getting together for design work, and we sort of got away from general invites. Also, the number of people who took us up on the offer to come out kept going down.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Top layer thawing </i></span></div>
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Greensfelder is always interesting; because the trails are used by hikers, runners and equestrians, some design concessions have to be made. Yes, we'd love to have some steeper grades, and more rocky elements, but sometimes we have to rule things out. One interesting sideline to note about this current trail- working name Clementine, is that it will feature some alternate lines that will emphasize some of Greensfelder's great rocky character. </div>
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While the flag line that we examined here would have passed a review based on IMBA specs, once you start getting more eyes on it, someone always manages to spot a way to make the trail a little better. We moved the trail in a few different places in ways that will make it even more fun, as well as limiting any potential maintenance problems.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Trailbuilder Bowling</span></i></div>
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With so many miles of trail to deal with, it is becoming more and more
important to train the next generation of trailbuilders, so
hopefully, there will be many more of these scouting and review days
posted. This will also give you an opportunity to help shape area trails, or at least understand why certain decisions are made. If you're interested, please contact the steward of your
favorite trail, and see what you can do to help. The contact information
for each trail is listed on the message board.</div>
pilznrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612451741088109189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-32492026190322850192013-01-20T17:42:00.002-06:002013-01-20T17:42:54.749-06:00Freeze/Thaw at SIUE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're leaving ruts like this, you should be riding on the road or gravel.<br />
We'll probably have to schedule a workday to fix this kind of stuff instead of working on the new singletrack across University Drive that was begun yesterday. <br />
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<span id="goog_2034439031"></span><span id="goog_2034439032"></span>pilznrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612451741088109189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-53433352975144351832012-12-03T21:45:00.000-06:002012-12-03T21:45:44.598-06:00Walking out is lame.I've been riding with some <a href="http://www.backcountryresearch.com/">Backcountry Research</a> gear instead of a hydration pack for a while now. My Osprey pack still gets put to use for longer trips out on the Ozark Trail or similar backcountry rides, and my big CamelBak comes out for Patrol gigs, but for shorter local rides I've enjoyed shedding the monkey on my back. I thought it might be useful to share my (non-comprehensive!) hydration pack-free set up for newer riders interested in ditching their packs but still having the appropriate complement of tools and supplies necessary to preclude a crappy, long, hot/cold/humid/mosquito-y/lame walk off of the trail in the event of a mishap.
I like this 3-piece set up...
Genuine Innovations "Mountain Pipe"
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<a href="http://www.genuineinnovations.com/image.php?object_type=product&image_id=221" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="350" width="350" src="http://www.genuineinnovations.com/image.php?object_type=product&image_id=221" /></a></div>
Plus a Backcountry Research "Awesome Strap Race II"
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<a href="http://www.backcountryresearch.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/race2/2013_race_product_1_thumbnail.jpg&maxx=0&maxy=150" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="112" width="150" src="http://www.backcountryresearch.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/race2/2013_race_product_1_thumbnail.jpg&maxx=0&maxy=150" /></a></div>
Plus a Backcountry Research "Tulbag"
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<a href="http://www.backcountryresearch.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/tulbag/img_4075_thumbnail.jpg&maxx=0&maxy=150" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="112" width="150" src="http://www.backcountryresearch.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/tulbag/img_4075_thumbnail.jpg&maxx=0&maxy=150" /></a></div>
I like the redundancy principle with the Mountain Pipe. It's a CO2 inflator, which is absolutely necessary for re-seating your tire bead if you're running tubeless, plus a (crappy) pump as a back up. The barrel is hollow so you can stash a few <i>tube</i> patches and a few <i>tire</i> patches in there.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.slime.com/shop/images/918/2010081213451839588_lrg.jpg?125,125,1340068851" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="125" width="125" src="http://www.slime.com/shop/images/918/2010081213451839588_lrg.jpg?125,125,1340068851" /></a></div>
The Awesome Strap will hold a tube, a 16g or 20g CO2 cartridge, plus a pair of tire levers securely under your seat. A few wraps of good old duct tape around that CO2 cartridge might come in handy as a tire boot or as an improvised repair for your shorts, or your shins or your bike. Craig has admonished me of the virtues of always having duct tape at your disposal on more than one occasion.
The Tulbag (or other similar small container... like an old sock or whatever) has the rest of the junk you'll need to prevent a walk-out safely tucked away in a jersey pocket. Here's what I like to bring:
-a shifter cable (you might add brake cable if you're running bb7s or similar)
-cleat bolt (you might add an entire cleat if you're cautious)
-a valve stem
-a valve core
-a schrader adapter
-a quick-link for your chain
-a tube of vulcanizer for your patches (helps if it's not dried out)
-a chain pin
-Park tire boots
-a few more tube and tire patches
-a multi-tool with an integrated chain breaker plus Torx head for rotor bolts
-spare derailleur hanger
-a zip-tie or 2
-an alcohol or antiseptic wipe packet or 2
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<a href="http://www.topeak.com/mediafiles/products/5186/thumbnail" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="160" width="160" src="http://www.topeak.com/mediafiles/products/5186/thumbnail" /></a></div>
Steve Smith once mentioned a bandana or cravat as an valuable addition and I've since included it. It comes in handy for cleaning sealant from the inside of a tire that you plan to patch or boot, suspends a busted arm/clavicle, mops sweat, makes for dire emergency TP, etc.
A shortcoming of this pack-free setup is not being able to easily carry spare spokes and nipples. You're more limited on how much water you can carry as well. Obviously this doesn't cover your first aid, lighting, or seasonal clothing needs but it's a decent base kit for most of your close-to-home rides and it's been working fairly well for me so far. I usually forgot to check the contents of my hydration pack before rides anyway which left me hoofing it with a big bag full of empty patch wrappers, a quintuple-snakebit tube covered in old sealant boogers, dried patch cement, and a rock-hard fossil of a Clif bar.
B-Unithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563797761960902191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-59903168787723069072012-11-22T20:52:00.002-06:002012-11-22T20:59:14.471-06:002012 Volunteer Appreciation Party RecapGORC hosted the Volunteer Appreciation Party at Greensfelder Park in St. Louis county. Over 40+ people showed up to celebrate each other's hard work in 2012. With many more miles cumulatively built all around the region, each year mountain bikers have better and longer singletrack options.<br />
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This year featured a stellar raflle with prizes provided by <a href="http://rei.com/">REI</a>, <a href="http://etrailer.com/">E-Trailer</a>, <a href="http://maplewoodbicycle.com/">Maplewood Bicycle</a>, <a href="http://mesacycles.com/">Mesa Cycles</a> and by a fellow who donated a $25 Quicktrip gas card to the booty pile. <a href="http://dogfish1.com/">Dogfish</a> donated a large portion of our brand new Trail Builder T-shirts which he handed out all day!<br />
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Join us on the trail to make our region the best place to get that magical singletrack fix. Here's how the day went down told through images.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">All great parties involve cake, right? GORC doesn't skimp on cake and we ended up with a custom-built full sheet from Federhofer's Bakery. </span></div>
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To kick the day off right, a 10am poker run got everyone on the trails and guessing where the next obstacle course / deck card would appear. </div>
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Matt and Lisa's poker run station involved consuming insulation biscuits that double as food stuffs. We are using the leftovers to fashion key ring floaters and selling them at Osage Beach.</div>
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Again, no proper GORC gathering can be without fire. The Glassberg shelter at Greensfelder offered a great outdoor fireplace. </div>
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Bad poker run hand? Step on up and earn your bonus card the fun, er, hard way... </div>
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The pogo stick was a hit. </div>
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JohnF brought his jump bike which was used successfully at times. Other times it sorta just made grinding noises sliding on its side. </div>
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Raffle winner taking the prize </div>
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Meats on the grill (and circular pressed vegetables) for the hard-working trail volunteers who have made a difference in 2012 by attending our numerous trail building days. </div>
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Kirby keeping the hungry crowd satisfied. </div>
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Raffle callouts lasted about a half hour with an intermission thrown in. </div>
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Ron accepting his swag </div>
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Tom won the Mesa Cycles Rockshox Recon 29er fork. Sweet! This photo highlights the inverted fork design.</div>
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GORC fed the fire well into the evening </div>
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JimB brought a bean bag game that was a crowd hit. Of course, he schooled us all! </div>
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No caption needed </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMqEE09zFRAl3ZmMFnoWm_3WIglT_434ForZ6VBRFZSE3qbhFJ8k-kntC8tA6oAknqMdXFISrIzX0lIHT3O8ALjk0cYDEYb3nBa1qVdiOdOLoDsWk3hW8T1OlcO16xPbWIH1t5Q/s1600/DSC03027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMqEE09zFRAl3ZmMFnoWm_3WIglT_434ForZ6VBRFZSE3qbhFJ8k-kntC8tA6oAknqMdXFISrIzX0lIHT3O8ALjk0cYDEYb3nBa1qVdiOdOLoDsWk3hW8T1OlcO16xPbWIH1t5Q/s320/DSC03027.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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A great event that wound down in front of the fire. GORC cannot say it enough: </div>
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO! <br />
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-9715137558009404532012-11-11T22:47:00.001-06:002012-11-11T22:47:36.610-06:00Volunteer Appreciation Party Info! Saturday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWH6CeionI4xkjOHx04cLQeKBgofljPPSzldYlBv6kSY9Z_KEnqAv_XJM_T5Rnh5CCoXwUbJfbCsk27kknHcO85P67prIGfz_Ei-IvDce8qFdvEOw8tNXM_xueYe7HGU4hpMZNQ/s1600/gorc_party_flyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWH6CeionI4xkjOHx04cLQeKBgofljPPSzldYlBv6kSY9Z_KEnqAv_XJM_T5Rnh5CCoXwUbJfbCsk27kknHcO85P67prIGfz_Ei-IvDce8qFdvEOw8tNXM_xueYe7HGU4hpMZNQ/s400/gorc_party_flyer.png" width="308" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://gorctrails.com/board/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8946">Volunteer Appreciation Party Info</a></div>
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seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-55907781012567809992012-09-13T07:56:00.001-05:002012-09-14T07:56:56.257-05:00Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day - Saturday, Oct. 6th<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: inherit;">
Saturday October 6, 2012</h3>
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10:00am til 2:00pm<br />
Broemmelsiek Park, O Fallon, Mo<br />
<br />
Gateway Off Road Cyclists ( GORC ) with St Charles County Parks invites
children (8-14) and parents to celebrate International Mountain Bike
Association ( IMBA ) sponsored “National Take a Kid Mountain Biking
Day”. Free bicycle/helmet safety inspection <span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">(required prior to riding the skills course)</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">, instructions on riding
techniques, a skills practic</span>e area, and guided trail rides tailored to
different age groups and skill levels. Participants should bring a bike
and an approved helmet. Limited Number of Demo Bikes/ Helmets from local
bike shops will be available.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJETFqYGmPA2-RbPxt6OuhmIyJwH2Wpj4m3n8BdqXXWGMkyw8jdNmqe3yao9eDcrONhz3ErLvNjV1NTMTvh3Zg9JUTw97erg_lwQyIOU0J1ONKCjq72tnzZcemMyR-0z3GORIQA/s1600/takmtb2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJETFqYGmPA2-RbPxt6OuhmIyJwH2Wpj4m3n8BdqXXWGMkyw8jdNmqe3yao9eDcrONhz3ErLvNjV1NTMTvh3Zg9JUTw97erg_lwQyIOU0J1ONKCjq72tnzZcemMyR-0z3GORIQA/s400/takmtb2012.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
When: Saturday, October 6th, 2012 ( 10am – 2pm )<br />
Where: Broemmelsiek Park in St Charles County<br />
<br />
So come out and bring a kid with you for some good, clean fun in the dirt. Bring plenty of water and an adventurous spirit.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Schedule of Events</span><br />
10am – 11am Registration<br />
10am – 11:30am Helmet Fit / Bike Safety Inspection<br />
10am – Noon Skills Building Area available<br />
11am – 1pm Trail Etiquette and Guided Trail Rides<br />
1pm – 2pm Drinks, Snacks - Prize Drawings<br />
Advanced Registration is recommended, but not required.<br />
For More Information or to register:<br />
Call St Charles County Parks at 636-949-7535<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Directions To Broemmelsiek Park</span> <br />
From US 40/61 Bear Right (North)onto Ramp Winghaven Blvd <br />
Bear Left (North-West) onto Local road <br />
Turn Left (south-West) onto Mo-DD <br />
Keep straight on Mo-DD for 3.9 miles <br />
Turn Right (West) onto Schwede Rd <br />
Go approx. ½ mile, Parking for Park is on the left side of road. <br />
<br />
From Bryan Road / Winghaven Blvd in Ofallon, Mo. (Bryan Road/Winghaven Blvd changes to Hwy Mo-DD after crossing US-61) <br />
Keep straight on Mo-DD for 3.9 miles <br />
Turn Right (West) onto Schwede Rd Go approx. ½ mile, Parking for Park is on the left side of road.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Event</span><br />
The St. Charles County Parks Department encourages children ages 8 to 14
to get outside and celebrate the 8th annual Take a Kid Mountain
Biking Day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 6th at Broemmelsiek Park,
1615 Schwede Road, south of O’Fallon. This fun, free, family event is
sponsored by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) and
Gateway Off-Road Cyclists (GORC), and offers skills clinics, guided
trail rides, safety inspections and demo bike use. More than 150 riders
are expected to participate in the event. <br />
<br />
“This is a great opportunity for us to pass our passion for peddling on to children,” said Parks Director Bettie Yahn-Kramer. <br />
<br />
For more information or to pre-register, please contact St. Charles County Parks at 636-949-7535 or visit www.stccparks.org. <span style="font-style: italic;">Early registration is recommended and the first 100 will receive a free goodie bag. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><i><span style="color: green;">NOTICE: In c<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>se of b<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>d we<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ther, ple<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>se c<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ll the St. Ch<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>rles County P<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>rks (SCCP's) Tr<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>il Hotline (636-949-7475, option #2). SCCP's will only le<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ve <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span> mess<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ge <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>bout the event if it's c<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ncelled.</span></i></span></span>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>GORC Volunteers Needed</b></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><b><i></i></b><br /><b>Wh<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>t we need:</b> LOTS of GORC people to show up <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>nd help out. There <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>re two prim<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ry <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>re<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>s where we need <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ssist<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>nce during the event, (but help setting up/te<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ring down will be <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ppreci<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ted <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>s well). The two <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>re<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>s where we require help <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>re: </span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The GORC T<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ble – Introduce people to GORC, h<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>nd out goodie b<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>gs, help with registr<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>tion, etc. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Skillz <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">A</span>re<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>: Expl<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>in the skills needed <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>t th<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>t st<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>tion, <i><span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>nd be <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>s big of <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span> cheerle<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>der <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>s possible!</i>. (Guidelines <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>nd M<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>teri<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ls needed for e<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ch skill will be provided.) </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://gorctrails.com/board/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8742"><span style="color: black;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg">Please post on the message board if you can volunteer</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span class="spnMessageText" id="msg"><br /><i><span style="color: green;">NOTICE: In c<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>se of b<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>d we<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ther, ple<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>se c<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ll the St. Ch<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>rles County P<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>rks (SCCP's) Tr<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>il Hotline (636-949-7475, option #2). SCCP's will only le<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ve <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span> mess<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ge <span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>bout the event if it's c<span class="spnSearchHighlight" id="hilite">a</span>ncelled.</span></i></span></span> </div>
seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-79814918934215146222012-08-22T01:50:00.000-05:002012-08-22T01:50:59.418-05:00GORC Vacation 2012 - Crested Butte - Last Day<b>Day 7 </b><br />
<br />
On the last day, several groups split up and did their own thing. Some hit Mount Crested Butte, others did another backcountry ride and a few did both! Matt and Lisa ended up taking the day off the bikes and checking out Judd Falls just above the tiny town of Gothic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A_FPm3IX1ZtedyCa4GS497o2VGVN4S2auTuWtEiUFM3n9zlengmHkbsp0EpkGc_b3L1VH3YaW1mm22bUopjGYJGIfzipeyzOb1EWk3RNlnR0wUbKjbDCPHNJH7HawkiXGS89DQ/s1600/DSC02326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A_FPm3IX1ZtedyCa4GS497o2VGVN4S2auTuWtEiUFM3n9zlengmHkbsp0EpkGc_b3L1VH3YaW1mm22bUopjGYJGIfzipeyzOb1EWk3RNlnR0wUbKjbDCPHNJH7HawkiXGS89DQ/s320/DSC02326.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The falls are named after the last local to live in Gothic until his death. </div>
He never gave up and moved back down to town when the mining boom ended. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCKvBfo06F48lZvjNU8MdttYOuObY59Wmy5TY5BJl7GVaiM7QlpjUtKcXquQylLzpZd79h1JqPw5EPIYO3sdhKS-YiBcb7LZpaZp31UdqBItThhpxGRffOXGsuw9OUH8-eKMwtQ/s1600/DSC02328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCKvBfo06F48lZvjNU8MdttYOuObY59Wmy5TY5BJl7GVaiM7QlpjUtKcXquQylLzpZd79h1JqPw5EPIYO3sdhKS-YiBcb7LZpaZp31UdqBItThhpxGRffOXGsuw9OUH8-eKMwtQ/s320/DSC02328.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div>
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Judd Falls are beautiful and never stop flowing. </div>
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To get to the Falls, you come within 100 feet of the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Fun looking gravel road. Um, yeah, no bikes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs6kJRvvR59m2Xsk7eBLApwWjJEk8J1jnUYTwAsQquIjNV8fSn2LsOF1zYcHTSwmuBkdnC7dt7cT6LWHaMSlUmox9tuG0rY52p8zlO_HabLSbuwQQ974sxvC3cWXt-8sSfqvwZw/s1600/DSC02357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs6kJRvvR59m2Xsk7eBLApwWjJEk8J1jnUYTwAsQquIjNV8fSn2LsOF1zYcHTSwmuBkdnC7dt7cT6LWHaMSlUmox9tuG0rY52p8zlO_HabLSbuwQQ974sxvC3cWXt-8sSfqvwZw/s320/DSC02357.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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And what's a vacation recap without any lodging photos? </div>
Here is our view from the deck. Not Missouri. Definitely not Illinois.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFazEJECalCkQXeyrQgp8tfzO8K9ckdAoFMD58PhewoqbrYGb6ks_RhyphenhyphenhF5upEpCGY7wDmxQyyDpQNmAkrew0e7LVll6YxvCuGT0AxSgHDKKnzrb51XuQ1VRoRXv26BnmvEkMtw/s1600/DSC02361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFazEJECalCkQXeyrQgp8tfzO8K9ckdAoFMD58PhewoqbrYGb6ks_RhyphenhyphenhF5upEpCGY7wDmxQyyDpQNmAkrew0e7LVll6YxvCuGT0AxSgHDKKnzrb51XuQ1VRoRXv26BnmvEkMtw/s320/DSC02361.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The post-ride recovery room. Olympics on TV, food, beer, </div>
Ipads, Iphones, hammocks, hot tubs, BBQ pits, and foam rollers. <br />
Don't forget the foam rollers... We're all gettin' a wee bit older. <br />
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Our bikes made friends with the homeowner's bikes. </div>
Except theirs were heavier. And they had 5 or something.<br />
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Tune up shed. Ride, clean, Repeat. </div>
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com13-11 Silver Ln, Gunnison National Forest, Crested Butte, CO 81225, USA38.914093708006178 -106.9602727890014638.912549208006176 -106.96274028900146 38.915638208006179 -106.95780528900147tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-29105158636104706322012-08-22T01:22:00.001-05:002012-08-22T01:41:21.962-05:00GORC Vacation 2012 - Crested Butte - Hartman Rocks<b>DAY 6</b><br />
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On the second to last day, GORC piled into our respective vehicles and arrived in Gunnison, Colorado about forty minutes later. Today was a treat... Hartman Rocks!<br />
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This stacked trail network has been on many GORCers must-ride list for years and now they were getting to finally ride it. And it didn't let anyone down! While the individual trails are short, they are all inter-connected totaling over 40 miles in length. A popular race, Rage in the Sage, is held here in the high-desert wonderland - an anomaly surrounded by alpine mountain tops.<br />
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The group getting set up. Sunscreen? Grease 'em up. </div>
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Per Colorado trail code, all great rides begin with a climb </div>
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from where the cars are parked. Ugh! Get it!</div>
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These are most likely some of the rocks that </div>
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put the Rocks in Hartman Rocks ... what? </div>
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Panel of the terrain. </div>
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Climbing up mid-way through the ride to hit more Awesome trail. </div>
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Steve and Lisa steadily climbing the loose and sandy desert grit. </div>
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Rob beefing up the climb. </div>
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Everyone playing on the Rocks. Several people attempted the clean</div>
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a particularly tricky section. The grippy rock is not like </div>
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what we have back in Missouri.</div>
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I'd have to give us a 93% success rating as Bryan Adams </div>
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and Jason Orin Boyd came closest to cleaning the feature.</div>
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More map reading and rock stunts. With so many intersections and </div>
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having only one ride to hit the best stuff, the pressure was on to string the </div>
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A-Trails into one heavenly ride. </div>
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Team Seagal on the drop in </div>
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And sealing the deal.</div>
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Kirby on the groove </div>
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Frank preparing for the next plunge </div>
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Lisa threading the features </div>
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The impending storm of doom forced us down the </div>
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Rattlesnake trail at a breakneck pace. As the local gal said while passing, </div>
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"Lightning is on its way and ya don't wanna be where you're at"</div>
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(that would be the high point of Hartman Rocks - go figure - timing!) </div>
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I don't have any photos of the last day - Downhilling at Mount Crested Butte but I'm sure they are floating on the Internet somewhere.</div>
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Frank Schuman has some photos uploaded here</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/107069171130859187227/CrestedButte" rel="nofollow" style="color: #234786; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">https://picasaweb.google.com/<wbr></wbr></a></div>
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107069171130859187227/<wbr></wbr></div>
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CrestedButte#
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seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0Hartman Rocks Dr, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA38.5095101 -106.948477538.5032976 -106.958348 38.5157226 -106.93860699999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-58180673688207960012012-08-22T01:08:00.001-05:002012-08-22T01:32:22.178-05:00GORC Vacation 2012 - Crested Butte - Rest Day? Nah, RACE DAY!<b>DAY 5</b><br />
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On what was the traditional GORC rest day - Wednesday - someone came up with the idea of attending the free Pinnacle Race Series held at Mount Crested Butte. Featuring both a cross-country and downhill event, costing no money, and get this, free beer and food at the finish, it was a no-brainer for the race kids....<br />
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Rest? Why? Let's Race.<br />
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But first, some half-rest-day photos from around Marble, Colorado.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3Ru8um5DY6TRJYQLJ3aXtdu_3ZbLWiih1oBOL5uzspdQtEVgKlUiVTqlung1ktk3I2AgBEJQrNPGAcwE0jtkHRGqK_-tI3VNma6HoYhzlSUvOdEwYT-R6R8w3FlpDs5fQeNH0A/s1600/DSC02134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3Ru8um5DY6TRJYQLJ3aXtdu_3ZbLWiih1oBOL5uzspdQtEVgKlUiVTqlung1ktk3I2AgBEJQrNPGAcwE0jtkHRGqK_-tI3VNma6HoYhzlSUvOdEwYT-R6R8w3FlpDs5fQeNH0A/s320/DSC02134.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The geological formation known as the Dyke. </div>
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This is where the Dyke Trail gets it name from. </div>
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Trillions of years ago lava flowed up and out of a volcano </div>
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here down the mountainside. </div>
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The much harder minerals in the lava flow</div>
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eroded much slower than the surrounding mountains and </div>
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therefore is the lasting feature - a thin rocky outcropping </div>
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that is immense once you get up close to it.</div>
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The town of Marble gets its name from the rock mined here. </div>
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You can see the white marble cast-offs behind an original </div>
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1880's miner's cabin - that just so happens to be for sale. </div>
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I'm sure it's only a couple million. </div>
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Resting on the Rest Day... just before the RACE. </div>
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We are all in the Sport category of the Cross-country event. </div>
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The 7.5 mile course climbed 1,100+ feet before briefly </div>
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leveling off and then descending all the way back to the ski lodge. </div>
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The massive berms were killer. The amount of little groms killing </div>
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it was refreshing. There's was a 12-14 year old holding his own </div>
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in front of me most of the way up the climb. He wasn't </div>
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even breathing. He was kind enough to not show off and text at the same time. </div>
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The spectators were treated to a concert while </div>
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the participants scraped lung juice off their bars and stems. </div>
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Damn, how you do so good, man?</div>
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Proper eyewear, sukka. Meow nah</div>
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Photo finish - John D, Jason Z, Jens, Jon A, Matt H, and Bryan A. </div>
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The informative sign letting us all know why we </div>
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couldn't breathe very deeply </div>
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-13468372007598155142012-08-22T00:50:00.000-05:002012-08-22T01:32:03.182-05:00GORC Vacation 2012 - Crested Butte - Trail 401<b>DAY 3</b><br />
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On this day, the GORC vacationers opted to ride from GORC HQ at Mount Crested Butte up Gothic Road to the 401 Trail. We rode the sweet downhill back to the house and never stopped smiling. Matt and Lisa headed out earlier than the group so I don't have any group shots in this photo set.<br />
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Lisa heading up Gothic Road to Schofield Pass. </div>
Emerald Lake is just ahead on the left. <br />
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Beautiful Emerald Lake as seen from the road. </div>
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Schofield Pass, right at the 401 trailhead </div>
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The final ascent just before the epic downhill. </div>
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The mighty Maroon Bells tower over the lands. The Maroon Bells Wilderness </div>
is just a bit up more up (literally) the mountain. After that, no bikes allowed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSEue-hL1pslO2wmXK0GqeRuo6ni0NQKbjmwc722STQX_TOq_Gbc7mtznUZmU0kF7t1IrLrNzwP3FT6IJmcYBXW1QnX0NrlrQmil7CwKbwOiid72PqLEQfguthJWbmUcGEmpeZA/s1600/DSC02007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSEue-hL1pslO2wmXK0GqeRuo6ni0NQKbjmwc722STQX_TOq_Gbc7mtznUZmU0kF7t1IrLrNzwP3FT6IJmcYBXW1QnX0NrlrQmil7CwKbwOiid72PqLEQfguthJWbmUcGEmpeZA/s320/DSC02007.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Where we've just ridden. The descent hugs a mountainside </div>
with a view of the valley everyone climbed off to the right. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYJNZp-STQFyA3euTpeXD-sChBARD_DDdd4PZV2qnbNCu8I6qoasWkpYTVYwZfVrorId8Sc3sJxhPfAqrCB8-i81ZCiphvwv2FTnn6jsTNS4I-F53g1ZZIVJaNQS-t2ZSWMWNZg/s1600/DSC02012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYJNZp-STQFyA3euTpeXD-sChBARD_DDdd4PZV2qnbNCu8I6qoasWkpYTVYwZfVrorId8Sc3sJxhPfAqrCB8-i81ZCiphvwv2FTnn6jsTNS4I-F53g1ZZIVJaNQS-t2ZSWMWNZg/s320/DSC02012.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Some of the wildflowers in bloom on the mountainsides. </div>
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Lisa heading into a patch of skunk weed. The drought </div>
conditions had prematurely burned out the wildflowers for the season. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrruwrIc8CjaOXz-dS39mKc5D25usY0WLJqzBxpeuG7s-n5G-my6JE0UOB5sx0sm9Tg-73dCsM9FU-cRNyRZiOVD7hKrJbXry-ZL8ib4JU9MMxUlMgCypzzY4pMzri37j4yuTlVg/s1600/DSC02052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrruwrIc8CjaOXz-dS39mKc5D25usY0WLJqzBxpeuG7s-n5G-my6JE0UOB5sx0sm9Tg-73dCsM9FU-cRNyRZiOVD7hKrJbXry-ZL8ib4JU9MMxUlMgCypzzY4pMzri37j4yuTlVg/s320/DSC02052.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Ridiculously beautiful view of the valley. That tiny scratch in the image? </div>
That's the road you have to climb from Mount Crested Butte to get to this vantage point. <br />
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Nothing to fear here... except the exposure and bobbling your </div>
front wheel at 20mph. Lean left... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZDjAF2RSFDAT1TkR7Zf2SppG2ycKMnRIqajXIsxuArB1MhT_kqFZKN1-jZgEtHf-2LnSb5v3y16fJph7Zhe4ai81UvQ_wnIx0oC89fLRNkmrY6QkdXDCxBa5G7L9MhBF9_IEvQ/s1600/DSC02076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZDjAF2RSFDAT1TkR7Zf2SppG2ycKMnRIqajXIsxuArB1MhT_kqFZKN1-jZgEtHf-2LnSb5v3y16fJph7Zhe4ai81UvQ_wnIx0oC89fLRNkmrY6QkdXDCxBa5G7L9MhBF9_IEvQ/s320/DSC02076.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Matt heading into the Aspen themed level of the 401 reality game. </div>
Way better than a video game! <br />
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0County Road 317, White River National Forest, Snowmass, CO 81654, USA39.031719337004773 -107.0506095886230539.019384837004772 -107.07035058862304 39.044053837004775 -107.03086858862305tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-60538034642592339382012-08-22T00:31:00.002-05:002012-08-22T01:31:36.666-05:00GORC Vacation 2012 - Crested Butte - Doctor Park<b>DAY 2</b><br />
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GORC reunited with an old friend from St. Louis, Ken Keister, and we all headed out for a long ride in the backcountry - this time the famed Doctor Park Loop. This 20+ mile ride consisted of a steady gravel road climb and turned to a steeper pitched jeep road before leveling out in the Black Forest.<br />
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Then the fun began. The next 12 or so mile consisted of every type of downhill imaginable - jacked up rocky lines, buff decomposed granite dips and berms, creek crossings, severe-consequence exposure and a final hair-raising, brake-smoking, bar-bending, fork-seal-blowing, spoke-torquer of a descent - something like 10 switchbacks dropping down what appeared to be a sheer rock face all the way down to the cars.<br />
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Thank goodness it all ended with some local suds ... and no one got killed.<br />
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The big group readies for the big ride. </div>
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Rob on the gravel road up to the sky. </div>
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The big kinda deep creek crossing had everyone walking </div>
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The crew paused at the split onto the jeep road before </div>
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it really headed uphill</div>
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Ross and Jason SSing for the hell of it </div>
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Camera photos never really capture the depth or </div>
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grade. Here, everyone is suffering.</div>
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The last push before entering the Dark Forest. It always</div>
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seems wet in the Black Forest.</div>
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Bryan and Ken examine ride options. Of course, the lengthier</div>
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option was selected!</div>
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Panorama of the guys taking a break</div>
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1x1 Crush Train riding the extra 3 miles of mountain top grasslands. </div>
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Stopping to breathe before the Descent of descents. </div>
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Brakes smoked?</div>
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Yup.</div>
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Here, drink this.</div>
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OK, but I'm also jumping in the river.</div>
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com011115-11137 County Road 742, Almont, CO 81210, USA38.745782953288973 -106.714582443237338.739590953288975 -106.72445294323731 38.751974953288972 -106.7047119432373tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-319615045148259562012-08-22T00:30:00.000-05:002012-08-22T01:30:46.183-05:00GORC Vacation 2012 - Crested Butte - Lupine to Lower Loop to Upper Upper<b>DAY 1</b><br />
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Most of us are tired so words seem hard to come by. Here's a quick photo dump of the day's events. The crew of 19 rode between 19 and 24 miles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Z-Z6s3ngSenZA9bWorZXlY_An0vG9bVWa0bxru1bjUG8WQk8A53wuc_akBJCrf_j2wwRlWncd91p0x9JUmG4ZcaRgo1MVFQmBHnglkL6qZlN1duRHwjI_Ieqbfk4zuW-_of-A/s1600/IMG_7560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Z-Z6s3ngSenZA9bWorZXlY_An0vG9bVWa0bxru1bjUG8WQk8A53wuc_akBJCrf_j2wwRlWncd91p0x9JUmG4ZcaRgo1MVFQmBHnglkL6qZlN1duRHwjI_Ieqbfk4zuW-_of-A/s320/IMG_7560.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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View of some GORC riders coming up Lupine from the house </div>
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Lupine overlooking Crested Butte </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsuvxeL1WwUZZxGsGYPf-FGb1Yu3URGI-F74-NxvTMu7QP0Qn_l6pKd4_DuvD3ezien9I2d5mwYvIgnRQPRKQYlS54YQ14ZwvsaKmVSLzEnyLG3-NkaOGjli6GUQgD3BVPCsfqA/s1600/IMG_7567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsuvxeL1WwUZZxGsGYPf-FGb1Yu3URGI-F74-NxvTMu7QP0Qn_l6pKd4_DuvD3ezien9I2d5mwYvIgnRQPRKQYlS54YQ14ZwvsaKmVSLzEnyLG3-NkaOGjli6GUQgD3BVPCsfqA/s320/IMG_7567.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Mari and Eva coming around the bend. </div>
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Donjo getting some air. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxuRkzT_ZQWhN_IA2zKH1qYnyN8hb2lpdLEt9zQOgaSfLMcLgmVvFTLeGb_03GuzliwAV3LXplLaFq3ri3BiM4nPWHcgvNmnvy6lLrzV-GrhUSTC-w9gDYhXjjX-VgkxjESaoLw/s1600/IMG_7572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxuRkzT_ZQWhN_IA2zKH1qYnyN8hb2lpdLEt9zQOgaSfLMcLgmVvFTLeGb_03GuzliwAV3LXplLaFq3ri3BiM4nPWHcgvNmnvy6lLrzV-GrhUSTC-w9gDYhXjjX-VgkxjESaoLw/s320/IMG_7572.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Lisa on the superfly </div>
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Durango Doug </div>
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Orin Boyd rollin' deep </div>
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View some of us got when we incorrectly climbed 10 switchbacks too many </div>
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and around a 1000 feet too much. The tiny gravel road is where we had come from. </div>
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A local commuting to work showing the GORC crew up. </div>
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Ape hangers, coaster brake, rusty chain and no helmet. </div>
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Mid-break stop in Crested Butte </div>
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Pizza and beer. </div>
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-13761121701440202572012-08-22T00:15:00.000-05:002012-08-22T01:30:24.220-05:00GORC Vacation 2012 - Matt and Lisa Visit Phil's World, Discovers Still Way Awesome<b>DAY 0</b><br />
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Heading out a week earlier than the GORC crew, Matt and Lisa hit Santa Fe and Taos before basing out of Durango for a few days to catch up with Durango Doug and Dianna while riding the best stacked trail system in the region - Phil's World, located just outside of Cortez, Colorado.<br />
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Matt riding a pure rocky outcropping. Good traction. </div>
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You are here. Yes, we know - freakin' heaven. </div>
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Surveying the lands </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRZLcF-5Hz8LiQnukb4pxQh5dsW6NQ5-cOzq1uqJZOTeN4s_ObmTea6Nt1CUXn4CRwRPkAoQD4hjVmK1HUG04bYCGExVbXjHxrw1JQ1DPsKwb3j-87rTvrQWQ-mawnyXiOB9wlA/s1600/DSC01681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRZLcF-5Hz8LiQnukb4pxQh5dsW6NQ5-cOzq1uqJZOTeN4s_ObmTea6Nt1CUXn4CRwRPkAoQD4hjVmK1HUG04bYCGExVbXjHxrw1JQ1DPsKwb3j-87rTvrQWQ-mawnyXiOB9wlA/s320/DSC01681.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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300+ days of sunshine per year outside Cortez, Colorado </div>
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The collared lizard knows where the Anasazi got their </div>
color inspirations....<br />
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com031001-31213 U.S. 160, Cortez, CO 81321, USA37.349554242071264 -108.4972000122070337.336931742071265 -108.51694101220703 37.362176742071263 -108.47745901220704tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-73021423305680029772012-05-02T08:26:00.000-05:002012-05-02T08:26:47.176-05:00Downtown Bicycle Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168979_197561280260597_197561216927270_827152_6885463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168979_197561280260597_197561216927270_827152_6885463_n.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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For those of you in the city who are fortunate enough to be called for jury duty, there's now a nice option for you to ride your bike in, park it safely and have a place to store your gear.<br />
The <a href="http://trailnet.org/downtown-bicycle-station">bicycle station</a> on Locust St. offers a place to lock your bike, showers and lockers, so you can shower, change clothes, and then walk the 3 blocks over to the Civil Courts Building. <br />
Show your jury summons and the normal day use fees are waived. All you need is locks for your bike and locker, and you're all set.<br />
Riding your bike in provides a nice way to clear your head after a day sitting in the jury box, and it's fun to zip past all the cars stuck in traffic.<br />
The bike station is also attached to <a href="http://bigshark.com/about/urban-shark-pg778.htm">Urban Shark</a>, so if you need repairs, or want to buy a new <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/mukluk/">Mukluk</a>, they've got you covered.pilznrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612451741088109189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-51508182268496430402012-04-27T00:16:00.000-05:002012-04-27T00:16:07.192-05:00Get Out There and Explore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CYezV4lILEn31V84OAivB8edY8n2iGvXeHSAiOm9jHeCIS2Pj7rOdaqW7LyWOJdHdLbk9PWOItXnVc3qv5rkfpCEaDi5k0XqiJVkkkuYg0WXwAb3yT41rwSvt34K0AsHS1GRUw/s1600/DSC00134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CYezV4lILEn31V84OAivB8edY8n2iGvXeHSAiOm9jHeCIS2Pj7rOdaqW7LyWOJdHdLbk9PWOItXnVc3qv5rkfpCEaDi5k0XqiJVkkkuYg0WXwAb3yT41rwSvt34K0AsHS1GRUw/s400/DSC00134.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The weather keeps improving as the weeks roll by so now's the time to get the wheels turning and exploring. It's time to plan a Missouri Straycation and see what lies beyond the next county or three. Maybe ride through three counties on a bike-packing trip. <a href="http://gorctrails.com/board/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7679&SearchTerms=branson">Branson has some sweet new trail</a> and the <a href="http://www.ozarktrail.com/">Ozark Trail offers more than just Berryman or Middlefork</a>. Don't forget about Trace Creek, the Courtois or even the Karkaghne sections. All are just three hours or less from St. Louis.<br />
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So get out and stray a little. This view can be recreated only 4.5 miles from Greensfelder proper - but that's for you to discover. Relay your adventures back on our message board for everyone else to enjoy and have fun. Take your camera. Wade in the creek. Or watch the lizards shred the dirt.<br />
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It's time to shed the jackets and explore the springtime Missouri backcountry.seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-11403070123447027832012-03-22T00:32:00.000-05:002012-03-22T00:44:59.776-05:00Gear Report: Homebrewed Components<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEBiNzsGB4CYbVlCcpKJTofHglgTha8WauLap5Rph12IX6DNNfPaAD3hGQl0BRzN5uJd_MxooX-a4IeFkJG1RjLhS_BR3q2etYPnBYXRf0lfKjh4z0rpmdQ6QvdRpUdpUftvd5A/s1600/DSC00021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEBiNzsGB4CYbVlCcpKJTofHglgTha8WauLap5Rph12IX6DNNfPaAD3hGQl0BRzN5uJd_MxooX-a4IeFkJG1RjLhS_BR3q2etYPnBYXRf0lfKjh4z0rpmdQ6QvdRpUdpUftvd5A/s400/DSC00021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> The drivetrain adds color to the otherwise paint-free bike.</span></div>
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Anyone who rides a single speed long enough will soon find themselves looking for replacement cogs and chainrings. I had since moved to a splined hub about a year ago and found swapping the rear cog to be much more friendlier. There is something about using a pipe wrench with a freewheel removal tool and a cheater bar that just left me feeling, let's say, over-torqued.<br />
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Now that I'm free of freewheels, I quickly went out and bought some rear cogs. Good, mostly round blue-collar cogs. They worked great, moved the chain forward one tooth at a time, yada yada. Not sexy, but they generally aren't supposed to be, right? My long-termer <a href="http://www.middleburn.co.uk/">Middleburn crankset</a> from the UK never complained nor loosened but it was wearing out and it was looking iffy to spec another ring this side of the Atlantic anytime soon.<br />
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Sometime last October I'd glanced at a basic, photo-driven quarter page ad in <a href="http://www.mountainflyer.com/">Mountain Flyer Magazine</a> (excellent quarterly!) from <a href="http://www.homebrewedcomponents.com/">Homebrewed Components</a>. This relatively new, circa 2009-2010) one-man machine shop offered chainrings for the Middleburn crankset so I was instantly intrigued and ultimately sold. Homebrewed's main picture was of a spiderless chainring for the <a href="http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/family/x0">Sram XO</a> crankset. Unique.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib57T6zX-mRCwvABE6sTcV8kRpy9rRLqY_4opQvdOFhW-tjXA3nqszfL_jbBv9MRniKmobjsrq4LLnJhtRhQbxMf4OEeQzJhkgF5KbDdwAmGQmxfanjnWezX_kq2fxbSXBr1V8Ow/s1600/DSC00023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib57T6zX-mRCwvABE6sTcV8kRpy9rRLqY_4opQvdOFhW-tjXA3nqszfL_jbBv9MRniKmobjsrq4LLnJhtRhQbxMf4OEeQzJhkgF5KbDdwAmGQmxfanjnWezX_kq2fxbSXBr1V8Ow/s400/DSC00023.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The spiderless chainring that matches the Middleburn interface...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Now that's serving a niche market. Thanks HBC! </span></div>
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Using his easy-to-use dynamic Chainring Finder I quickly found my chainring/cog options for the Middleburn crank. I quickly got lost window shopping on the site and perused his bash rings and even read a tutorial on how to make your own chainring (which HBC was interviewed and published in <a href="http://www.wired.com/magazine/">Wired Magazine</a>) <br />
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The only catch was the lead time...<br />
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Homebrewed Components (HBC) tries to fulfill orders in about 30 days but some orders ship out 45-60 days later according to online reports. I received my order about 45 days after the original purchase date. My credit card wasn't processed until the product shipped so it kept the financial side of things tidy.<br />
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My simple order of a replacement aluminum Middleburn ring (32t) and aluminum rear cog (18t) shaved about 21 grams from the <a href="http://lynskeyperformance.com/">Lynskey</a>. Not much, but it all counts doesn't it? The rear cog alone knocked off 12 grams despite offering wider flanges to interface the freehub and prevent notching - which had already occurred as my old rear cog silently ate into the soft American Classic freehub body. Oh well...<br />
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HBC offers an anodized rainbow of colors for you to choose from. I opted for the 'safe' shiny / red theme on the Lynskey so I ordered some Red up. But the orange sure looks awesome, too. When I opened the US Mail package the shiny rings looked like jewelry. They were both perfectly round. The craftsmanship is also top-notch. Knowing they were made buy a single guy in his personal shop might classify them as bike jewelry. 'Merican-made to say the very least!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkzrz9vOuGHFPHlMwNXvFiLiw6r66bLjZARcfyp_jI4Xpv_NAu4_kmW18w90b0hwk1wrxbrUY-X_cUL8UIhBDlC7P8D4AodYe1UVRpr3dqWTP9f-6zprDk7tGZVNGPc8f3YZSnw/s1600/DSC00024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkzrz9vOuGHFPHlMwNXvFiLiw6r66bLjZARcfyp_jI4Xpv_NAu4_kmW18w90b0hwk1wrxbrUY-X_cUL8UIhBDlC7P8D4AodYe1UVRpr3dqWTP9f-6zprDk7tGZVNGPc8f3YZSnw/s400/DSC00024.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While the aluminum rear cog will wear much faster than titanium, you can <br />buy two for the price of one... I wanted some color so that sent me <br />over to the aluminum camp. </span></div>
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Not only <strike>do they</strike> <b>does he</b> offer aluminum rings but HBC also specializes in titanium and stainless rear cogs and titanium chainrings. Yes, they are more expensive ($105.00 avg) and are not available in any colors other than, er, titanium, but the rings will wear much, much longer than the more affordable $45.00 aluminum cogs. Color vs price vs longevity - oh, the problems of personalizing your bike. Better make a matrix chart and start analyzing. <br />
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The rings and cogs offer a narrow profile as I can attest: I unknowingly attached a 10 speed chain to the drivetrain and only discovered the error when the quick-connect wouldn't quickly disconnect... at all. Whoops. The 10 speed chain tracks beautifully over the teeth so I'd say his 3/32" tooth widths work just fine. Just remember to use a 9-speed chain with a quick-connect or a tried-and-true bombproof BMX chain.<br />
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I plan on ordering some more rear cogs in different sizes. I better order soon as I hear <a href="http://homebrewedcomponents.com/">HBC</a> continues to grow in popularity but is still a one-man shop. Think it through: If you want some functional <i>bike candy</i> for summer you'd better be dialing up your Internet radio signals and selecting your gear now.<br />
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The 'virtual' line is around the block leading to the door of this machine shop.<br />
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Highly recommended.seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-78988514656819139832012-03-07T09:08:00.001-06:002012-03-07T09:09:19.401-06:00Backcountry Film Festival to Benefit GORC<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx4SUaghvdZNAzo52bSBQT2dbLDJTk9nBs7U9SuczM6OE27A_SedTS-pe2SzrY3UJgZMGa57zeLBQPVzJFDl6iE3uT6NrF1xE8mLbzvNHV4sXpWk6YsCYHmfXxUHg6r1kvMW-/s1600/BCFF-Tour-Poster-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx4SUaghvdZNAzo52bSBQT2dbLDJTk9nBs7U9SuczM6OE27A_SedTS-pe2SzrY3UJgZMGa57zeLBQPVzJFDl6iE3uT6NrF1xE8mLbzvNHV4sXpWk6YsCYHmfXxUHg6r1kvMW-/s400/BCFF-Tour-Poster-copy.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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The seventh annual world tour of the <b>Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival, </b>taking place Friday April 6th with the films starting at 7:30pm, highlights the beauty and fun of the winter backcountry experience. Submissions come from renowned filmmakers who travel every corner of the globe to submit their best backcountry work, and from grassroots filmmakers who take a video camera out on their weekend excursion a and submit their best film short The films are juried by a select panel of judges and the fop film are assembled into a 90 minute program.<br />
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<a href="http://backwoods.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3ZQ6zuDgkzkTuFHt0oA_250lg_XhQlivB8wQy9jwyvA0FfgzgRUviVwHH_6bO-Nw0ScXY-jptmoe4q7jj01SS4zWhLkhyphenhyphenhGmlGobmgfFUvEeJ_V9KGxRpEMe_Ok8RG9GkmeY/s1600/backwoods_logo.png" style="border: medium none;" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://backwoods.com/">Backwoods</a> has <b>150 tickets available at $10.00 each</b> and will be donating 100% of the proceeds to both GORC and Trailnet. Should all tickets be sold, the club has the potential to receive over $750.00 which will assist in the development of trails at Lost Valley, Greensfelder, and other general trail development. This is awesome! <br />
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<i>We will have a membership table setup for the event and members will receive a 20% discount off one item the evening of the event (with normal restrictions).</i><br />
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<b>2011/2012 Films</b><br />
Best of the Festival: "<i>Solitaire</i>", by Sweetgrass Productions<br />
Best Short Award: "<i>Chalk and Ski</i>", by Purple Orange<br />
Best of the Backcountry Award: "<i>Breaking Trail</i>", by Powderwhore<br />
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Other film selections include...<br />
<ul>
<li>40 Tribes Kyrgyzstan</li>
<li>Berber Turns</li>
<li>Ski Bums Never Die</li>
<li>Winters of My Life</li>
<li>Seasons; Winter</li>
<li>Bike, Ski, Raft Denali Traverse</li>
</ul>
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Below is a preview trailer for one of the films:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xQnkAgMWYJM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The event will take place Friday April 6th with the films starting at 7:30pm. GORC will also set up a informational and membership table the night of the event. Hope you can make it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx4SUaghvdZNAzo52bSBQT2dbLDJTk9nBs7U9SuczM6OE27A_SedTS-pe2SzrY3UJgZMGa57zeLBQPVzJFDl6iE3uT6NrF1xE8mLbzvNHV4sXpWk6YsCYHmfXxUHg6r1kvMW-/s1600/BCFF-Tour-Poster-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-67757844511858959302012-03-01T20:18:00.001-06:002012-03-01T21:40:12.102-06:00The Ogre Needed Bigger Shoes: A Review UpdateYesterday I went out to Greensfelder to see how the forest was holding up and to preempt any downed trees in case the work week picked up. I threw on the <a href="http://www.dakine.com/p/bike/packs/guys/builders-pack">Dakine Builder Pack</a> with chainsaw (not included) and rode Eagle Valley onto the Northern end of the Green Rock to cut out a known downed tree. Along the way I sawed out another smaller tree crossing at the intersection of the Northern Green Rock at the Otis Brown/Pawnee climb and Scenic Overlook climb.<br />
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Now the <a href="http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre">Surly Ogre</a> - <a href="http://www.maplewoodbicycle.com/">built up by Maplewood Bicycle here in the STL</a> - has been great with the <a href="http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=98784">Ritchey Speedmax Cross 40c</a> tires but I knew I'd be pushing my luck trying to run those on the rocky trails in the park. Seeing how March is already here I decided to try my luck and put the skinny tires away for the season and put some beef shoes on the Ogre.<br />
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The Duke proved to have very thick ankles as it took about a half an hour to change both tires. Getting the rear out of the horizontal drops, coupled with the Shadow XT derailleur configuration and <a href="http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7057_5.html">Planet Bike fenders</a> made for some mental dot connecting. After about 5 minutes of figuring out the true hangup, it was determined the horizontal slider with the Shadow derailleur was the deal breaker. Anyway, I got the wheel off and then proceeded to speed up the arthritic process by trying to unmount the skinny tires from the tubeless-compatible <a href="http://bontrager.com/model/07936">Bontrager rims</a>. Without two plastic tire levers I seriously doubt I would've succeeded before breaking a wrist. Do not head into the backcountry without tire levers with these rims!<br />
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Speeding up the story here, I managed to fit the expensive pieces back together and headed out this afternoon to take the <a href="http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre">Surly Ogre</a> for a more serious off-road test run to see how I'd feel and how it would react to 20 something miles of semi-technical singletrack, lots of hills, and generous amounts of fall-line to simulate parts of the <a href="http://www.gorctrails.com/trails/mberryman.asp">Berryman</a>. This was designed to help me figure out the highlights and weak spots of performing rolling trail maintenance on the <a href="http://www.ozarktrail.com/">Ozark Trail</a>, specifically the Eastern side of Berryman as <a href="http://www.gorctrails.com/">the Gateway Off-Road Cyclists</a> is now the official adopters of this 13+ mile section. GORC is on the hook to keep the trail in as good of shape as reasonably feasible, meaning clearing limbs, deberming tread, fixing creek crossings and keeping vegetation cut back. <b> </b><br />
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<b>For any GORC members that perform trail maintenance on the Berryman, please report it on our <a href="http://www.gorctrails.com/membership/form_subhours.asp">Volunteer Hours form</a> AND on the <a href="http://www.ozarktrail.com/adoptatraillsreports.php">Ozark Trail Adopt a Trail section of their website</a>. <i>If we as GORC club members don't report our hours to the OTA, they will have no idea that we are keeping our end of the bargain.</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTU-wa28iIXFHjpqaPXsWbuMBOEdnLsY7BobyDNhBA-pJsFHTHs5Cg0lUfcWmAbr_Ni412xfDtp1F2Yl8vdQ0Dtjz3WyW7eG1jihutm0kKOfWTJ0IT6en6UpnzSnwesVaOYVeDQ/s1600/ogre_smaller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTU-wa28iIXFHjpqaPXsWbuMBOEdnLsY7BobyDNhBA-pJsFHTHs5Cg0lUfcWmAbr_Ni412xfDtp1F2Yl8vdQ0Dtjz3WyW7eG1jihutm0kKOfWTJ0IT6en6UpnzSnwesVaOYVeDQ/s320/ogre_smaller.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Larger volume tires made the guy even happier. </span></div>
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<a href="http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre">The Ogre</a> did not disappoint. The hefty 33lb weight (with full-size rubber) actually kept the downhill speeds up and it handled beautifully with the <a href="http://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bar.html">Jones Loop bar</a> giving me endless amounts of control. Slow speed climbing was very stable with the bar's ergonomic shape and Shimano's super low 2x10 XT gearing. Only on really sustained steeper sections did I have to drop all the way down to the 26x36 (monkey heads!) and that was simply due to its weight.<br />
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The larger volume 2.1 <a href="http://www.maxxis.com/Bicycle/Mountain/Ignitor.aspx">Maxxis Ignitor tires</a> changed its demeanor. The Duke responded like an obedient hunting dog. The <a href="http://www.brooksengland.com/catalogue-and-shop/bags/other+brooks+products/Plump+Leather+Grips/">large Brooks leather grips</a> took the edge off of the rigid fork and was a non-issue. The fender legs did rub a bit if the bike shimmied side-to-side, for instance, if a line of rocks knocked it about, but they never got hung up. And the <a href="http://surlybikes.com/parts/surly_rack">Surly Nice Rack</a> is stout enough that I could probably cut firewood and <a href="http://www.gorctrails.com/trails/mberryman.asp">haul a cord back to the campsite</a>!<br />
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Greensfelder is about as <a href="http://ozarktrail.com/planner/index.php">Ozark Trail-like</a> as you can get near St. Louis so I'd have to say the Duke of Surl is ready for its first long-range mission. The Duke will be deployed hopefully this weekend for some Middlefork reconnaissance. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n2i9dQez8bdm0Ulkin3O5Wzu-bVde13KO7pKr92BgKw9Hmg3PyfWbNb9g4qK9VTrz1OnwDql1bMOpyoM0sMgnVpjpRmwtamLQhPpQvUexYA6KHwGSXKSq2mCcRGO0LasDcQNPw/s1600/pidgin_smaller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n2i9dQez8bdm0Ulkin3O5Wzu-bVde13KO7pKr92BgKw9Hmg3PyfWbNb9g4qK9VTrz1OnwDql1bMOpyoM0sMgnVpjpRmwtamLQhPpQvUexYA6KHwGSXKSq2mCcRGO0LasDcQNPw/s320/pidgin_smaller.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pidgin did the final edit and signed off on the release of this story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">She is big into search rankings so please forgive her endless product linking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I've since taken away her Bluetooth linkup in the Chicken Shack.</span></div>
<br />seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-21528148101823515212012-02-21T23:22:00.002-06:002012-02-25T19:10:01.427-06:00The Duke of Surl: First Impressions of the Surly Ogre<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Full setup - the rear tire is in some sort of prison </span></div>
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Back in October or so <a href="http://surlybikes.com/">Surly Intergalactic HQ</a> dropped some photos and a dribble of information concerning their soon-to-be-unleashed do-it-all 29er bike - the <a href="http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre">Ogre</a>. Recycling many of the attributes of last year's 26" Surly Troll touring trouble-maker, the Ogre also bought the big boots and would roll off the production line as a 29er. Hooray! The Surly blog went quiet as they were all at Interbike but I soon learned they would release the frame sometime in late December. <br />
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It was time to place an order.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Frame Hunting</b></span><br />
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The Ogre retains the identical geometry of their veteran Karate Monkey that I've owned in some form or another since 2003. Basically, it's the bike that introduced me to the world of bigger wheels. Knowing the geometry would be the same as an 18" Karate Monkey, I asked <a href="http://maplewoodbicycle.com/">Maplewood Bicycle</a> to acquire me a medium frame and fork as soon as they became available. Through a stroke of luck they got me one in mid-January, though, the demand is very high and are consistently on back-order. The shop found one on the East Coast after a new warehouse recently opened and showed the Ogre in stock. Since they were unable to 'reserve' a frame, they had to be diligent checking availability.<br />
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Due to my busy schedule I opted for Maplewood's fine mechanics to assemble my Ogre. After a bit of research and determining what existing parts I could use on the build I had Maplewood order me the remaining components. At first I had planned on using the <a href="http://gorctrails.blogspot.com/2012/02/get-grip-on-your-gravel-salsa.html">Salsa Woodchipper</a> bars on the bike but after some discussion at the shop it was determined that I wasn't going to be happy with my final build. I wanted hydraulic disc brakes and a 2x10 STI shifter setup, two features that proved to be difficult utilizing the Woodchipper.<br />
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Let's back up to the frame for a brief moment. Why does this frame exist? Isn't it just a glorified Karate Monkey?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UWrZSjQun6sBeNyO-_vBipnFVEaOw_ewteZrPuwCDMs1QUNs6tsMTcOGCuV_VqfMXP1eFtpwNdJ_UENqtC6qr6UfTLkzdxh-sW-h8eptuEpurwOZJW6OdLrBAXhPfqh94aWyYQ/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UWrZSjQun6sBeNyO-_vBipnFVEaOw_ewteZrPuwCDMs1QUNs6tsMTcOGCuV_VqfMXP1eFtpwNdJ_UENqtC6qr6UfTLkzdxh-sW-h8eptuEpurwOZJW6OdLrBAXhPfqh94aWyYQ/s320/IMG_1443.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Making lunch out of tall grass, trails need not apply. <br />The Ogre just needs terra firma to keep rolling along nicely</span></div>
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Yes it is. But that's exactly what I want (and so do many other people). <br />
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Let Surly IHQ do the talking.<br />
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"<i>Ogre is designed to be a platform for exploration, commuting, trailer-pulling, on-road and off-road touring, and just riding along.</i>"<br />
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That's it, really. The bike is an all-day-all-rounder-get-it-done utility machine with off-road handling traits. Perfect! If you rode it stock out of the gate with no accessories added it would weigh nearly the same as a stock Karate Monkey. But, with the Ogre, you get options. Tons of options. Like, you don't need to buy another bike, kind of options.<br />
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Gravel ride with fenders. Singletrack without. Haul stuff with a bob trailer. With a rack. Want 3 water bottles for summer? Anything cage. Mount whatever to the fork legs. Run a Rohloff hub. Singlespeed Berryman jaunt? Fixie skid nasty on Morganford, um, yes. Rocky Mountain hut-to-hut. Mark Twain National Forest gravel wanderlust. I can't even make up scenarios because they are all valid. This bike will do it all - except be featured on Weight Weenies. <br />
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The only glitch came straight from the factory in Asia. Surly has not invested in laser-etched graphics so they use tried-and-true sticker technology to let you know what you're riding. However, the stickers are applied on top of the paint and sometimes scrape off or simply don't make it on at the factory floor. My bike came with a fork that smartly stated "Surly" on left leg and "Surl" on the right. The FFF Fatties Fit Fine sticker on the right chainstay is all but completely obliterated but my shoe cannot even make contact with it so I don't know what happened. Other than the stickers, the frameset was flawless.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Jones Loop Bar</b></span><br />
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I always thought the Jeff Jones H-Bar looked comfortable and very controlling (this is a good thing in bike land). Unfortunately, the titanium price tag kept me away and it was too much money to 'try' a product without knowing if it was a solid performer. Running out of ideas for a comfortable bar set up that would both be ideal for long gravel touring-type rides yet make a great off-road singletrack slayer, I went back to the Jones web site to see if anything had changed.<br />
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New product offering!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Jones Loop bar sans Brooks leather grips. <br />The leather tape adds a nice touch and complements the color palette. </span></div>
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New to me was the Jeff Jones Loop Bar, a variation of the H-Bar. This newer bar is available in titanium or aluminum (!) and features similar hand placement to the H-Bar. It also now offers a secondary bar to add strength, stability, and a dedicated section to attach bar accessories like lights or other goodies while leaving the inner bar open for your hands. Weighing a little over a pound the bar came with some shims to be used in conjunction with a 31.8 stem. Learning my lesson from other past bike building experiences, I heeded his suggestion to use a Thomson x4 stem as I believe this is the stem he used when designing the Loop bar. Best to use the maker's stem of choice!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Build</b></span><br />
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The Surly Ogre is available as a complete bike for around $1,500.00 but I wanted to build the bike with all the components I wanted instead of buying into a bike that would be later upgraded. This allowed me to get everything set up just right and be delivered ready for action. I opted for the stellar performing Shimano 2x10 XT group featuring the lowest gear ratio with a 26/38 up front and a 12-36 in the rear. The new XT brakes are simply sick. That's all there is to say. Granted, the XTR group is lighter but I am hard-pressed to see why you would spend the money unless it was going on your gram-counting race bike. I am very, very impressed with the XT kit overall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_jq-wX9huen14AGZAHl8VncMOJgLsoDPxFK1sqHZdyXSSxPbwkWWaFZPynvyxAk9Zj9R6ZWfCkeCDE-RTMAgJqy1-rurqCOY7QAXmGcfLLg12n3DwJyCrDSI55PzY3PdR-Vkuw/s1600/IMG_1450.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_jq-wX9huen14AGZAHl8VncMOJgLsoDPxFK1sqHZdyXSSxPbwkWWaFZPynvyxAk9Zj9R6ZWfCkeCDE-RTMAgJqy1-rurqCOY7QAXmGcfLLg12n3DwJyCrDSI55PzY3PdR-Vkuw/s320/IMG_1450.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Checkin' in at the Chickin Ranch </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmrX3QwpDLywE_BrQNZ44dNYr6udCtLD276LIdt509c7tVVboEcQuoaZ_DWoIjN57qNNBuYdk7fBLoTNuZRWoml622dfKTUtQwfkISVG7QMNbTKNX8JPAA2UgGcobVukMS5entA/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmrX3QwpDLywE_BrQNZ44dNYr6udCtLD276LIdt509c7tVVboEcQuoaZ_DWoIjN57qNNBuYdk7fBLoTNuZRWoml622dfKTUtQwfkISVG7QMNbTKNX8JPAA2UgGcobVukMS5entA/s320/IMG_1449.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chicken Cameo... This is Rhianna and Beyonce </span></div>
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Thomson and Jones round out my cockpit and Brooks leather bar tape and grips add a touch of class to my very British-military-yes-sir-circa-1916-looking rig. I may opt for a Brooks saddle down the road if the money is there. The Salsa Dos Niner, laying dormant after the Superfly100 came home, was cannibalized to fund this project. The post and saddle, headset and wheelset was added to the Ogre to save cash money. The wheelset was actually from the Superfly100 and is handling rolling duties just fine. The white spokes add snap to the army bike and are light to boot so even though the bike is hefty, I don't have much of a problem getting the bike up to a nice diesel-like steady RPM.<br />
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Fenders are from Planet Bike and have kept me dry thus far. No skunk stripe! The fenders are wide and high on the frame to accommodate mountain tires should I need to go large on a rocky trail. The 40c Ritchey SpeedMax tires have offered good traction even in sandy conditions. BOB Nutz were installed with sections of a threaded 10x1 axle into dedicated mounting points on the frame just above the skewer. Completing the bike build, I opted to purchase a Surly Nice Rack for the backside to offer another avenue of hauling materials deep into the woods. The rack, though heavy, can hold a lot of weight and even sitting on the thing doesn't make it flinch!<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The Ride </span></b><br />
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The first shakedown ride involved a 42 mile gravel-pavement mix in St. Charles county. The Ogre weighed right at 30.5 pounds including Crank Brothers Candy pedals. Knowing the bike would win any time-trials, I was very happy with its agile handling, no doubt due to the Jones Loop bars and Bontrager XXXXXXXX Race wheels. The bike handled perfectly, just as anticipated, and yearned for more of a challenge. On this longish jaunt the group referred to my bike as the <b>Duke of Surl</b> as the colors and lines reminded them of a British army officer's transportation device, circa 1916, high in the Swiss Alps, bringing supplies of liquor and grenades to the gruff gents at the military outpost.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAsoOEOqaJyx_T_fq9vHImDYlyos6h-R6rb6gMb4P8J3KdVf4Z8l-PoirH3_fsK_SPvRnPv9-3ExVykmfnR_WD_lSIvKMGQKrgaTd-b8HJgNSkUQqr3oENFRDr0yIdWaSUvId3Q/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAsoOEOqaJyx_T_fq9vHImDYlyos6h-R6rb6gMb4P8J3KdVf4Z8l-PoirH3_fsK_SPvRnPv9-3ExVykmfnR_WD_lSIvKMGQKrgaTd-b8HJgNSkUQqr3oENFRDr0yIdWaSUvId3Q/s320/IMG_1444.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">And the Duke of Surl was born! </span></div>
<br />
<br />
Or some backstory like that.<br />
<br />
Testing its mettle more in line with its intended use, I rode from my house down to an 'area' that is quasi-maintained by some other (unknown) locals which makes for a nice private hiking and biking experience. I popped the BOB Ibex Trailer onto the dedicated mounts, tied down a McLeod and Pulaski, pulled on the Dakine Builder's pack with a pair of large clippers hanging off the back and was on my way. The bars offered enormous low-speed steering control as this wasn't a race heading down to the chicken shack. Saying hi for the day I was off once again and headed to the section of downed fence to take a shortcut to the maintenance zone. A gravel road let me get the Duke up to speed and shortly I was cruising along. The skinny less-than-mountain tires kept the ride lively and efficient, yet hooked up when needed.<br />
<br />
The 2x10 setup felt intuitive and really just perfect. The right gear was available at all times. There were no missed shifts or sudden changes in cadence. Awesome. The brakes stopped the whole bus without any fuss but the levers are the star of the bunch. If 'feel' can be quantified then the levers are pure hoppy goodness. Orders of magnitude better than the Sram levers. After the days' chores were complete - and a successful local test of rolling trailside maintenance - I headed home finishing out the 5 mile loop. Once on the pavement back to the house, it is a general undulating climb all the way. The Duke (DoS) deftly handled all climbing seated in the big/big gear ratio. Tractor power bliss.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRX3kVhZBk0bsTDZjtgvAFyApjaldMuWyqTPrIRGAKEhvE81eaxvV4viEciJilHT8ZAci13RrXzawVuT-I3jEZTy1Qw_f1XgS6Cl28GegroYYhpT6S16pgE5o-LxcVtIeyfPYIg/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRX3kVhZBk0bsTDZjtgvAFyApjaldMuWyqTPrIRGAKEhvE81eaxvV4viEciJilHT8ZAci13RrXzawVuT-I3jEZTy1Qw_f1XgS6Cl28GegroYYhpT6S16pgE5o-LxcVtIeyfPYIg/s320/IMG_1463.JPG" width="320" /></span></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The chainstay is a engineering marvel - disk brake, fenders, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">BOB trailer, all at once. Changing a flat may not be so fun.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Build Specs</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>18" medium ogre in Army Green</li>
<li>Full XT kit, 2x10, 26/38 rings - the brake levers are sweet and feel terrific.</li>
<li>Thomson Post and Stem</li>
<li>Chris King 1-1/8" headset</li>
<li>Selle Italia SLR</li>
<li>Crankbrothers Eggbeaters Candy SL</li>
<li>Bontrager XXXXXXXXX Race Wheels</li>
<li>Surly Nice Rack</li>
<li>BOB Nutz</li>
<li>Ritchey SpeedMax Cross Tires</li>
<li>Brooks Leather Bar Tape</li>
<li>Planet Bike fenders</li>
</ul>
<br />
Final weight = 30.5lb<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Final Thoughts</b></span><br />
<br />
The Surly Ogre is highly recommended if you want to (_____it will!______).<br />
<br />
For me it will be used for gravel, touring someday, rolling maintenance, bikepacking, general bike, wrecking ball. Highly recommended.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4xXcI5FItHCfCknrjAGtHmj_Y0p_6apMj6_sEWmZTZZchIKhUnpZae3NQf0V5uv92eRngmFAaVTMfuN_uSc29YRtpJP7LJdF0tZtfv75RUyzL3mOJBDU_9WmjBo9Vz6zvhCV6g/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4xXcI5FItHCfCknrjAGtHmj_Y0p_6apMj6_sEWmZTZZchIKhUnpZae3NQf0V5uv92eRngmFAaVTMfuN_uSc29YRtpJP7LJdF0tZtfv75RUyzL3mOJBDU_9WmjBo9Vz6zvhCV6g/s320/IMG_1451.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A trip up to a glade overlooking a large lake seems to be in order <br />or some maintenance on the Berryman comes to mind.</span></div>seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-71964972906605521742012-02-16T11:19:00.000-06:002012-02-16T11:24:57.184-06:00Get a Grip on Your Gravel: Salsa WoodChippers (#2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77dr-z9FrIqCR-l3Fwqh7zEJZF5o5_wHW2TjjZ_qTGGB77qf27zKDrjZxMzCmIFlWQTgywxc0zMHP7vPIPTGjKQibbuZTV0KK92yZbq0zhE89Vg3s_tAe7Iq16jj0qXkc4GVk4g/s1600/bars_woodchipper-500pxx193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77dr-z9FrIqCR-l3Fwqh7zEJZF5o5_wHW2TjjZ_qTGGB77qf27zKDrjZxMzCmIFlWQTgywxc0zMHP7vPIPTGjKQibbuZTV0KK92yZbq0zhE89Vg3s_tAe7Iq16jj0qXkc4GVk4g/s320/bars_woodchipper-500pxx193.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>A freak of sorts, the Woodchipper bar is our off-road drop bar. Aren’t drop bars for road bikes? Not necessarily. The Woodchipper delivers multiple hand positions and is designed for either road STI style brake/shift levers or bar end shifters. Constructed of super strong 7075-T6 aluminum, the Woodchipper is available in 31.8mm clamp diameter.</i><br />
<i> • Multi-position, off-road drop bars</i><br />
<i> • Bars bend along three planes to create extra wide lowers while still maintaining a shallow drop</i><br />
<i> • Ergonomic design works well with integrated road shift/brake levers</i><br />
<i> • Bar ends accept bar end shifters</i><br />
<i> • Front indentation for cable routing</i><br />
<i> • 110mm drop, 80mm reach, 38° drop angle, 26° flare angle</i><br />
<i> • 42cm and 46cm widths</i><br />
<i> • 31.8mm is AL-7075, 46cm is 332 grams</i><br />
<i> • Black bead-blast finish</i><br />
<br />
+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-+/=-<br />
<br />
They forgot the price: $50-$65 dollars throughout the universe.<br />
<br />
Ok, there's the propaganda straight from Salsa for all to see.<br />
<br />
But, are they hype-proof?<br />
<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
I've been on about 10 rides with these bars and can't see myself going back to traditional cross bars, save for actually racing in cross events (slim?).<br />
<br />
Unlike seeing them in person and trying someone's setup, reading about bar setups on a blog is about as useful as reading how to exercise - oh, you'll get book smart and maybe even entertain yourself (how?) but in the end you'll still be wondering what it feels like to ride in a size medium legging with these here Woodchippers (number 2? version 2? ... it has the number 2 after woodchipper, that must be better!)<br />
<br />
Scott and Randy participated in Cranksgiving last year and that's where I first saw them live on stage. They looked <i>weird</i> - overly wide and moose-like. But I tried Scott's bike and damn if I wasn't hooked straight-up, Whitney-style.<br />
<br />
Now I have them on the Chili Con Crosso and somehow they have led me into some major off-road, no-road adventures out in West County. How I ended up just 'in the woods' and 'just riding along' I have no idea but let me assure you that unless you are riding backwards with more skill than I, you won't have any issues with hooking them on narrow trees. Even when you're blazing your own trail playing 'deer-on-a-hike' for the day, the Woodchipper bar excels at all things control. You'll have more problems with grass getting jammed into your hub than the Woodchippers letting you down.<br />
<br />
These bars offer <i><b>way </b></i>more control on the gravel and singletrack, don't force you down into the drops so severely and offer a wide hood position.<br />
<br />
They aren't light but they are practical.<br />
<br />
And they won't win you a cross race....<br />
<br />
But they will send you on an <i>adventure</i>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY3iqGM07mdoK3s4X7Drzo-aEzJzT9OxrlDjPm60gk4qtCQt2l5Gfirq9RSuCPbJ3JXtGYKla38KsRDnPDLmwA-w4jnA9Aav4bTSFoY_7G807Qn5BTJ2rFw-Dc83Sc_DEEDQDFg/s1600/423485_383893388293212_100000176618157_1769307_1017249333_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY3iqGM07mdoK3s4X7Drzo-aEzJzT9OxrlDjPm60gk4qtCQt2l5Gfirq9RSuCPbJ3JXtGYKla38KsRDnPDLmwA-w4jnA9Aav4bTSFoY_7G807Qn5BTJ2rFw-Dc83Sc_DEEDQDFg/s400/423485_383893388293212_100000176618157_1769307_1017249333_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-13700884416402418982012-01-23T22:36:00.003-06:002012-01-23T22:38:06.000-06:002012 Midwest Bike Swap this Weekend<div class="group" id="layout-content">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkidlNC1KAGl_cSF_o9bXMR_yPQ8THNkO6_TkaPN4XPl3EYK0dJ-WYzoE9Oa3zx-GGfl5KDql1JWb390T3eW_mw30XH8aP3MyI3vj2bwb8Wc8J2RkumZzE69Q4TsWpW9YWIVo0w/s1600/DSC00023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkidlNC1KAGl_cSF_o9bXMR_yPQ8THNkO6_TkaPN4XPl3EYK0dJ-WYzoE9Oa3zx-GGfl5KDql1JWb390T3eW_mw30XH8aP3MyI3vj2bwb8Wc8J2RkumZzE69Q4TsWpW9YWIVo0w/s400/DSC00023.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Man, you remember those good old days in the K-Mart? </div>
It's about time to go CraigsList on your biking neighbors...<br />
Where else can you see cranks listed for $120 and barter until you <br />
walk away with them for $50 plus a water bottle and feel good about it?<br />
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<br /></div>
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At the Swap Meat, that's where!!</div>
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(below reposted from Trailnet)</div>
<h1>
2012 Midwest Bicycle Expo and Swap Meet</h1>
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Sunday, January 29, 2012 <img alt="Bike Swap" src="http://www.trailnet.org/Media/Default/images/2011Swap.jpg" style="border: 5px solid #8CC63F; float: right;" width="300" /><br />10:00 am to 3:00 pm</h1>
<b>Gateway Center</b> <br />One Gateway Drive<br />Collinsville, IL 62234<br />
<b>$5 entry fee</b><br />
The 2012 Midwest Bicycle Expo and Swap Meet is your chance to revel
in all things bicycle. You will have access to bike shops, nonprofits,
individuals and other bicycle related businesses, each featuring a
unique display of products and information.<br />
The Expo is your chance to catch a sneak peak of next season's
bicycle goodies, search for that hard-to-find bike part, or find a great
deal on your next bike. The Expo will also feature a silent auction and
the popular bike corral.<br />
A Classic Bike Show will also be taking place at the Gateway Center.
For a $5 admission fee (and $5 fee for each show entry) you can display
your classic bicycle and compete for trophies in several catagories.<br />
The 2012 Midwest Bicycle Expo and Swap Meet is presented by <a href="http://www.trailnet.org/" target="_self" title="Trailnet">Trailnet</a>.<a href="http://bworks.org/bikeworks/" target="_blank" title="St. Louis Bicycle Works"><br /></a><br />
Have questions? Contact John at <a href="mailto:john@trailnet.org">john@trailnet.org</a> or 314-436-1324 x106<br />
Interested in being a vendor at the 2012 Midwest Bicycle Expo and
Swap Meet? For more information or to register for a booth, please call
John at 314-436-1324 x106 or email him at <a href="mailto:john@trailnet.org">john@trailnet.org</a>.<br />
If you are interested in volunteering for the 2012 Midwest Bicycle
Expo and Swap Meet, please call John at 314-436-1324 x106 or email him
at <a href="mailto:john@trailnet.org">john@trailnet.org</a>.<br />
</article></div>
</div>
</div>seamonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904427227663879007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-11762210431565109512012-01-19T09:43:00.000-06:002012-01-19T09:43:05.559-06:00SIUE Workday- Sat. Jan. 21st, 2012<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgbFht_fiXtbUD9eWroy1fb9J6F0ZEGYJtvpOhsCgFkvGXrljYJbyaJgcecDNXw0pKp_5ezrTHkc8fZvy5GAj4nE9uFEgPWVRr13xO3HFQhfNc997pg70DxVr2xYuMuUlHrumvg/s1600/siue_MRF_composite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgbFht_fiXtbUD9eWroy1fb9J6F0ZEGYJtvpOhsCgFkvGXrljYJbyaJgcecDNXw0pKp_5ezrTHkc8fZvy5GAj4nE9uFEgPWVRr13xO3HFQhfNc997pg70DxVr2xYuMuUlHrumvg/s320/siue_MRF_composite.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
Just a reminder about the <a href="http://gorctrails.com/board/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8081" target="_blank">SIUE workday coming up this weekend</a>. I was looking for something in the blog archives, and came across <a href="http://www.gorctrails.blogspot.com/2007/01/siue-trail-site-then-and-now.html" target="_blank">this old post</a> where I was goofing around with Google Earth and some old photos of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_River_Festival" target="_blank">Mississippi River Festival site</a>
and SIUE today. There's a lot of good stuff in the archives in case you
have some time to waste. Funny to see breathless talk about the "new"
trails being worked on: the Rollercoaster, Dogwood's makeover, Bangert,
Broemmelsiek, Indian Camp Creek etc.pilznrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612451741088109189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13337620.post-64579366233050501602012-01-19T09:41:00.001-06:002012-01-19T18:49:21.544-06:00Separated at Birth?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo2CmzegcVMkxBXM5PXLiQRVCE_a2i4NSD9oLik0lU-hr6ryxXVIGxmreb2Ab73qZQhpr79GuTGwXlDJo7C1rGgzvAypv8JbRmzXkILLpFxWnNAVy6ehyphenhyphen1HUeqDSDhqkU5425Bg/s1600/cramer_davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo2CmzegcVMkxBXM5PXLiQRVCE_a2i4NSD9oLik0lU-hr6ryxXVIGxmreb2Ab73qZQhpr79GuTGwXlDJo7C1rGgzvAypv8JbRmzXkILLpFxWnNAVy6ehyphenhyphen1HUeqDSDhqkU5425Bg/s320/cramer_davis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Invest in PBR! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo from teamseagal.blogspot.com)</span></i></div>pilznrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612451741088109189noreply@blogger.com0