My favourite gear shop is opening bike repair shops. And plans to start selling MEC branded bikes in 2009.
Today I picked up some inexpensive parts and had a tune-up while I waited.
This is the best news cyclists have had in Canada in a long time. The vaunted MEC value and quality control will put pressure on the boutique bike shops to compete.
My policy is to avoid huge festive feast meals. Instead, I took a long leisurely ride today via …
larger original – IcE MaN Photography – flickr
larger original – Single Moment – flickr
Over the past 2 weeks I’ve been watching the Olympics — AWESOME — and training for our Adventure Race with the FARTs in September.
I did about 2/3 the volume of Chief FART Evangelist Dave Adlard, the most aerobic exercise I’ve ever done in my life.
Feels great!
One of the best mountain biking races in the world went down over the weekend in the form of the Leadville 100 which has always garnered solid coverage in the mountain biking community, but went beyond that this year thanks to Lance Armstrong’s inclusion in the race.
For Lance, this was his first competitive (cycling) event since retiring from cycling three years ago after his seventh consecutive win in the Tour de France. Armstrong’s place in cycling history is assured, and he is amongst the top riders ever, but the Leadville is not like the Tour, and mountain biking is a different beast altogether.
On Saturday, more than 1000 riders squared off in the legendary race, and thousands more lined the course to watch Lance match skills with David Wiens, the five time defending Leadville champ. The two battled neck and neck for most of the course, but in the end, it was Wiens who dropped Lance, and rode across the finish line victorious in 6 hours, 45 minutes, 45 seconds, almost two full minutes ahead of Armstrong and more than 33 minutes ahead of the third place finisher. …
Click through to see a video interview with the 2 top riders.
George Novak has a dream. To eat the World’s Largest HOAGIE.
… um, actually that’s Homer Simpson.
George’s goal is to mountain bike from Athol to Lakview, Idaho. That’s 42 miles and 4hr 49min of hard riding, with well over 5600 feet of climbing, over infamous logging roads.
Will he ever make it?
I dunno.
Just in case he doesn’t, I photoshopped George into our photo from our adventure today. That’s him swimming.
more photos – flickr
My teammates on the Funtastics Adventure Racing Team are:
Dave Adlard (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)
Lisa Rennebaum-Adlard (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)
Dr. Jeni McNeal (Spokane)
Andy Tucker (Microsoftland)
Kelley Durbin (Missoula, Montana)
Morgen Hartford (Missoula, Montana)
Rick McCharles
… and, rumour is, Sheena Steacy (Calgary)
We are all somehow connected to that anaerobic sport, Artistic Gymnastics. All are friends of founder and Chief FART Evangelist Dave Adlard.
Here are a few photos from Lake Tahoe where we will be racing in September:
Morgen
Dr. Jeni
Dave
more photos from this set on flickr: cycling Lake Tahoe
I was relegated (by illness) to photographer / support team for the Funtastics Adventure Racing Team in Half Moon Bay.
The FARTs completed their longest race to date — Ocean Blue — in 8hrs, 40min. The rest of us FARTs were “proud and inspired”.
Morgen, Dave, Andy, Jeni
Many more experienced teams did not finish the harsh ocean kayaking, mountain biking and trail running course.
The night after the race we drove to Napa Valley, hosted for a gourmet dinner by friends of Dave and Lisa.
Napa valley grapes
We finished in gorgeous Lake Taho, there to cycle with the Big Blue race organizer.
Last morning: run on the Rubicon Trail.
See all the photos from this road trip on flickr.
The next race for the FARTs is longer and tougher, Big Blue, Lake Tahoe, September 20, 2008.
Funtastics Adventure Racing Team – official website
Here’s a video and slideshow highlight reel of the race and road trip. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Ocean Blue, San Francisco, California – July 26th, 2008
Where is the start line? And what’s the course record?
AGH.
UPDATE: I’m sick with the dread Cambodian Flu (I assume). Might not be able to race.
Today made the final commitment to compete in an Adventure Raceon July 26th called Ocean Blue AR, in California near Half Moon Bay and El Granada in the Pillar Point Harbor area.
That’s in preparation for the BIG race: Big Blue Adventure, Lake Tahoe, California – September 20th, 2008.
The final commitment was securing a bike for both races.
I just paid $540 including tax for the 2008 model bike, upgraded pedals, mounted light, lock, 2 cages with water bottles and a one year service package.
Read reviews on Rate It All and MTBR. It’s considered a great value for the low price.
Dave and Lisa Adlard will transport my new wheels to both races, along with their own, by vehicle.
I’m still city commuting with my excellent Kona “Blast”. I’ll keep both bikes for now, the DB dedicated to Adventure Racing.
Rick McCharles 