ICUP Red Rock Desert Rampage

ICUP Red Rock Desert Rampage

St. George, Utah

March 7, 2015

Steve Warner

This was my first race of the year. We have had a very mild winter in Utah, so although still not at the fitness level I would like, I have been able to put in a dozen or so rides leading up to this race. The race was in St. George, which is about 4 hours south of my home in Sandy, Utah. I went down with my wife and four kids to make a fun family weekend out of the race. We drove down on Thursday evening and stayed at a condo within riding distance of the race start site.

I pre-rode the course on Friday, a 6.4 mile loop with 900 feet of climbing split between two different climbs. However, as I headed out on the loop, I noticed a horrible noise coming from my drive train. My friend Brian was able to help me identify the issue coming from a pivot bolt in my rear suspension that had worked its way out enough that it was rubbing on the chain ring of my cranks. It was in a tough spot to tighten. We first thought we couldn’t do it without removing the entire crank for which we did not have the tool with us. We were able to remove the bolts on the small chain ring and move it out of the way just enough to fit an allen wrench in there to tighten things up. After a significant delay Brian and I were off for the pre-ride.

The race was Saturday morning and I was again in the Sport Men 35+ category, which did two laps of the race loop. The weather was perfect and the course was great. I placed 23 out of 28 riders in the category in a time of 1 hour 17 minutes. I have aspirations to continue to improve, but there are a lot of fast riders out there.

I appreciate all of the sponsors we have at K-Blue Racing that allow me to try new gear and perform at the best of my ability. Special thanks to Stan’s NoTubes for my set of ZTR Crest 29er wheels and sealant. Awesome set of wheels. Crank Brothers for my Eggbeater 3 pedals, which have never failed me. Lizard Skins for my lock-on handlebar grips and full-finger gloves that are just the right comfort for springtime riding.  ProGold chain lube and other products keep my drive train clean and quiet and my bike looking good. Thanks also to GU Energy, Polar Bottle, Geigerrig, Yakima, POC, Native Eyewear, Serfas, and everyone else behind the K-Blue team.

Mid-Week MTB Race #9

Midweek MTB Race Series – Race #9

Solitude Ski Resort (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

August 12, 2014

Steve Warner

We have had a very wet summer here in Utah, which resulted in the cancellation of the Midweek Races on July 29 and August 5. It’s not that bikers in Utah are wimps and can’t ride in the rain, but tires on a muddy trail are tough on the trail systems and the summer rainstorms are also commonly accompanied by lightning.

The forecast was showing rain again for the evening of Tuesday, August 12^th; however, the race organizers held off from calling the race. I headed up to Solitude Ski Resort and with clouds looming they decided to go forward with the race. The course consisted of 7.2 mile loop that started next to the lodge at the bottom of the resort and climbed 1400 feet to the top ski run. The climb was long and steep, but not nearly as bad as the one I did three weeks earlier at Deer Valley. We started at 8,000 feet and climbed to well over 9000 feet. I felt good on the climb and was able to find a group of riders to grind it out with. The ride down was an adrenaline-causing, hair-raising descent that made it all worth it. Toward the top of the climb the rain started, persisted on the descent, and then just down pored moments after putting my bike on the rack of my truck.

It was a great race. Two more races in the Midweek series, one at Snowbird and then back to Solitude. Special thanks to Serfas (tires, eyewear and shorts), GU (Roctane Gel and Drink), Stan’s (sealant), and ProGold (chain lube).

Midweek MTB Race Series - Race #8

Midweek MTB Race Series – Race #8

Deer Valley – Silver Lake Village (Park City, UT)

July 22, 2014

Steve Warner

Like most people, July has been a very busy month for me and not a lot of time spent on the bike. Between family vacations and travel for work, I had not ridden since my 105 miler on July 3^rd. However, I was finally able to participate in another Midweek race, although I was worried that my training and preparation was not up to par for this race. The race series in Utah generally start on lower elevation courses in the Spring and then move higher and higher in the mountains as the snow melts and Summer rolls on.

This race was at Deer Valley with a start at the Silver Lake Lodge, which is at an elevation of 8100 feet. I was racing the Sport category again and anticipating a 7-mile loop with about 1200 feet of elevation gain. The race started with the most grueling climb I have ever done. It was 1200 feet of climbing in 2 miles peaking at an elevation well over 9000 feet. I call these ski resort races in Utah “gut checks” because they absolutely test your fitness level and mental toughness. Well, in all honesty, I struggled with this climb more than I ever have and just could not keep enough oxygen in my body to keep me on the bike. I had to walk portions of it, but I persisted and conquered the climb, although unfortunately with most of the racing competition well out in front of me.

The highlight of the race for me was the most amazing view of the Wasatch Mountains at the top of the climb. I was above the tree line and could see for miles. The descent back down to Silver Lake Lodge was quite a ride too.

Overall, it was a great experience, although I would be happy to never have to do that climb again. Special thanks to Serfas (tires, eyewear and shorts), GU (Roctane Gel and Drink), Stan’s (sealant), and ProGold (chain lube).

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Race Report

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Race

Durango, CO

May 24, 2014

Meagan Johnson

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic use to be rated a top 100 bicycle race in America and still may be ranked! It is a full weekend of races from road, mountain, crit, cruiser, and children's that fill Memorial Day weekend here in Durango, CO where i live!

 

I raced in the traditional Iron Horse Classic that races from Durango to Silverton, CO over Coal Bank Pass 10,640 ft and Molas Pass 10,899 and then down to Silverton in 50 miles  all while trying to beat our train!

 

On Friday evening due to snow and sleet on the passes they shortened the race to end at Purgatory Mountain at 25 miles.

 

It is an all uphill climb from town to Purgatory with a field of over 2500 riders.  Great atmosphere but a bit anti-climatic only going to the mountain and not the entire way. But there is not much you can do about weather!

 

Big thanks to sponsors Serfas, NoTubes, Poc, Crank Brothers, GU Energy, Yankz!, Geigerrig, Polar Bottle and Bruce ProGold Bikes.

Dawn to Dusk Race Report

Dawn to Dusk

Gallup-NM

May 17, 2014

Meagan Johnson

What an amazing weekend!!  I raced on a team of 4 women in teh 12 hours Dawn til Dusk mountain bike race in Gallup, NM on May 17th!  And we took home 1st place in the 4 person women's category with 9 laps!

 

If you haven't been there yet it should be a must on your race bucket list.  A very small and simple race, but on an amazing 13 mile loop course that has the technical aspect right out of the gates and the fast and flowy for about 11 miles of the course!

 

Our group of women were first from the get go and stayed that way throughout the entire race with a gap of only 10 seconds at one point to a lead of 20 minutes with the second place team. 

 

On my second lap I took a huge fall over the handlebars on to my shoulder and head with a mile to go.  I was able to get up and recover enough to make it to the finish line still in first place.  Still taking it pretty easy up until this point so far!

 

Congrats to my ladies who made up the team and took 1st place!

 

Big thanks to sponsors Serfas, NoTubes, Poc, Crank Brothers, GU Energy, Yankz!, Geigerrig, Polar Bottle and Bruce ProGold Bikes.

Midweek Race Series #3 - Race Report

Midweek MTB Race Series – Race #3

Riverview Trail (Heber, UT)

May 20, 2014

Steve Warner

This race was in Heber, Utah what typically would be a 45 minute drive from my office. I left work at 5:00pm with the plan to arrive at the race at 5:45pm ready for the 6:30 start. I hit I-15 heading south through Utah County and planned to go up Provo Canyon to reach Heber. However, after a few miles on I-15, traffic completely stopped due to a freeway closure. I sat in traffic and inched forward for about 45 minutes, finally exiting the freeway and making my way up Provo Canyon. Traffic was moving now, but I had about 30 minutes to get to Heber. I pulled into the race parking lot at about 6:22, threw on my race plate, put on my shoes, grabbed a water bottle, and raced off to the starting line. I got there as they were starting the Pro Men just in time for my Sport 35+ Category to start a few minutes later.

I had not pre-ridden the course or knew much about this trail system, but I asked my friend Brian to describe the course, so I would know how to allocate my energy with respect to climbs. The race started with 800 feet of climbing over 2 miles. It was a little shock to the legs to start this way without warming up, but I got into a groove and was able to grind the climb out without much problem. The next 2 miles were a traverse across the side of the mountain followed by a 1 mile descent with 14 hairpin turns. The 8 mile course finished with a 2 mile section that was relatively flat followed by 1 mile descent to the finish line.

I placed 35^th out of 51 riders in the Sport 35+ category with a time of 49:09.

Special thanks to Serfas (tires and shorts), GU (Roctane Gel and Drink), Stan’s (sealant), and ProGold (chain lube).

Sedona MS Ride

Sedona MS Ride

Cottonwood, Cornville and Sedona, AZ

May 17 and 18^th

Sterling Margetts

This was my 6^th year riding the MS ride and third year at the Verde Valley location.  This year was a little different than previous years (rain, sleet, hail, and snow two years ago, and broken spoke and wind last year) with it being hot and the route being reversed. 

I woke up at 3:00am on Saturday May 17^th loaded up my truck and headed up to the Cottonwood Fair Grounds to meet up with Scott around 6am to get ready for the 7am start of the race. After some friendly greetings friends and other riders, we lined up at the start line to lead the group out on the ride with the Discount Tire team.  And so began our journey up State Route 89A from Cottonwood to Sedona.  Along the way we took several scenic detours through the Red Rock Valleys, including a section of dirt road that surprised me last year, but it was in better shape this year.  We traversed about part of Sedona before we headed back down toward Oak Creek Village and Cottonwood.  

On our way through the gusting wind and temperatures near 100 degrees back to Cottonwood we encountered a tragic accident of a vehicle/bicycle rider associated with the race.  The police was on the scene and several people were attending to the injured rider on the ground.  With things out of our control and being taken care of the by the authorities we hurried to the finish line appreciating the safety we were lucky to have and hoping the best for our fellow cyclist.  Although some parts of the ride may have seemed tough climbs with hot gusty winds it was noting in comparison to the challenges that those with MS face each day of their lives.

As we wrapped up the first day and went back to the hotel, my mind kept thinking about the injured rider and hoped that everything was okay.  It was not till the morning when we arrived back at the fair grounds that we were told that the rider did not survive the accident and that day 2 ride would be limited to the 30 mile loop out of respect for what had happened the previous day.  So with heavy hearts we had a moment of silence and then began our ride for those with MS and the cyclist who we had lost yesterday.  The Second day took us through Page Springs, which I image to be like riding through the French countryside with rivers and wineries lining the winding rolling road.  It’s a fantastic ride and helped raise up our spirits to remember the purpose of our ride to help others. We finished the 30 mile loop weaving through Cottonwood and Clarkdale.  I enjoy my time helping with this cause and wish the best for the family of those that were unfortunately impacted by the tragic event on Saturday.

Thank you to all the sponsors for helping me be a part of this great cause.

Sedona MS Ride
Conttonwood, Cornville & Sedona, AZ
May 17 & 18, 2014
Scott Thomas

  So this was my (Scott) first year riding this ride.  Late last year a close family member of mine was dianogesed with MS, so when Sterling asked me if I wanted to ride it with him and the Discount Tire team I jumped at it.  This would be my longest distance on a road bike.

  So pretty typical for an out-of-town race for me that I packed up and headed out on Friday.  Along the drive I had the typical me time to figure out a plan and just life in general.  I've live in AZ since 1998 and for the most part I always refer to Kentucky and Virginia as home for me.  As I pasted the Prescott exit on the way to Sedona I saw the horizon and something finally clicked with me and Arizona is where I can call home now.  I will always have ties to Kentucky and Virginia, but this is home.

                                     
  Well I made it to Sedona and got checked in and all set up in my hotel.  Laid out all the gear for Saturday morning.  My hotel was about a 30 minute drive from the start of the ride on Saturday morning, so I wanted to make sure I was ready.  Filled all my bottle and put them in the frig and headed to bed.

  Saturday morning comes, grab my stuff and head to Cottonwood.  Sterling had driven up that morning from Phoenix.  We got there in time for the Discount Tire team picture and then lined up for the start.  There were about 600+ riders at the start for Saturday's ride.  The options for the ride were 50 miles, 70 miles and the 90 miles.  Sterling and I were in for at least the 70, but the 90 option we would decide at that turn.

  The ride starts off in Cottonwood and a small loop thru town to immediately start heading out to Sedona.  By the time we hit mile 10 the pack had really spread out.  There's some climbing along the 89A into Sedona, but nothing to horrible to complain about.  As you hit the second aid station or mile 20-ish for the 70 & 90 mile courses you do a small loop that takes you down a 1 mile packed dirt road.  I was a little concerned being on my road bike, but the dirt actually wasn't bad and better than parts of the asphalt I had already seen.

  As we headed into Sedona again there is a turn for the 70 & 90 mile courses that is about a 10 mile out and back (totaling 20 miles).  The heading out on this part seemed much further than the coming back in part.  As soon as we get back we weave thru Sedona and hit the aid station where they have lunch set up.  

  After a quick bite we head out to finish this.  At this point we are right about 50 miles.  I knew that we had about 3 more miles out of town and then about 6 miles till we hit the turn for the 90 mile course for turn and head back for the 70 mile course.  

  As we hit the road that would be the 6 miles it seemed like someone had turned on the wind.  Sterling mentioned after the fact that that section was suppose to be the fun part as there is a slight downhill to it.  It wasn't.  It was a pedal the entire 6 miles.  At the end of this section there was an aid station just before the turn to either the 70+ or the 90 mile course.  Sterling and I both filled our bottles and at this point decided that we would just head in for the 70 mile course.

  We made the turn, which was about 100 yards from the aid station and started to head to Cornville.  As soon as we made the turn I saw two sheriffs trucks stopped in the road and about 5-6 cars stopped behind them.  Thinking the worse as Sterling and I got closer, not sure if we would be able to get thru, saw a rider had been hit.  

  As we passed I turned and saw the rider that the sheriff was working on and I had a sick feeling over me.  Had we been 2 minutes faster that could have been Sterling or I or both.  The next 14 miles to the end of the ride would be the longest I've had in a while and the most somber ones for sure.  As we hit the last aid station the air-vac helicopter flew over.  

  Getting back to the start/finish area couldn't hit soon enough.  

  Sunday morning comes and I packed up my hotel room and grab everything and headed to Cottonwood for round two.  Getting to the start area I find out that the 50 mile option would not be offered due to the fact that the rider that got hit on Saturday didn't make it.  

  A brief statement was made by the local MS Chapter president regarding the accident and then we were off and running again.  Today's ride would be fun.  Again thru the town of Cottonwood and then out the 89A towards Sedona, but making a turn well before toward a community called Page Springs.

  Living in AZ for 18+ years I've never heard of Page Springs, but I will be going back.  We dropped down into this small community and there were 4-5 vineyards and wineries.  What a hidden little gem in the middle of no where it seemed.  It was very pretty and pleasant down there.  

  We headed out of there and a brief hit of Cornville before back into Cottonwood and out to a town called Clarkdale.  It was a nice steady climb up to Clarkdale, but the reward of the downhill coming back into Cottonwood was worth it.  

  All in all it was a nice weekend of riding.  I wish drivers had more respect for us cyclists and understood the laws.  Will I be back next year?  Hard to say yet, but what a great cause to ride for.

  Thanks GU Energy, Serfas, Poc, Crank Brothers, Polar Bottle, Yankz!, Geigerrig, NoTubes & ProGold.