Shopping For a Razor

I feel like I should preface this post with a little disclaimer.  This is not a multi-level marketing opportunity.  I will not make a dime from it.  You may reasonably be wondering why I am writing a post on a cycling blog about razors in the first place.  For most cyclists, their biggest shaving challenge is not necessarily their face.  I have always had a casual interest in finding the perfect razor.  A few weeks ago, I read an article in The Washington Post about 800razors.com.  You can read the story here if you are interested: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/entrepreneur-phil-masiello-builds-big-dreams-on-a-razors-edge/2013/11/10/6fe6883e-464e-11e3-a196-3544a03c2351_story.html

     Here is the basic story.  The founder of the company was sick of paying $5 a piece for replacement razor cartridges.  He was convinced that he could offer quality razors directly to the consumer at much lower prices (ten cartridges for $17.99 delivered to your door).  So here's the deal.  The company offers three products; a five-blade razor, a three-blade razor, and a five-blade women's razor.  The first order comes with a free handle.  Shipping is fast and free.  I ordered the three and five-blade models and have been doing a little demo.  These are high quality, ceramic-coated, American made razor blades.  They are at least as good as any other blade I have tried, maybe better.  In my opinion, the head of the five-blade razor is a little too bulky to be ideal for the face, but it's great for your legs.  If you are interested in trying this product, I would recommend the three-blade for your face, the five-blade for your legs.  For that matter, maybe you should try the women's model for your legs.  I'm just not sure I could be comfortable using a pink razor.

http://www.800razors.com/

Cyclingnews.com Readers Vote Horner's Vuelta Win as Top Moment of 2013

You can read the story here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/2013-reader-poll-gallery-horners-vuelta-win-voted-biggest-moment-of-2013/286932

Plus here is a look back at stage 20.

 

 

Decision Time for the Crusher

Registration for the Crusher in The Tushar opens at 7 p.m. on Wednesday January 8^th.  It will fill up fast.  The Crusher is epic, which is shorthand for saying three things:  it is unreasonably difficult, surprisingly painful, and very memorable. 
     The pro video from last year's race is protected by privacy settings that do not allow me to embed it, but you can see it here:
http://tusharcrusher.com/video
 
Image Copyright CyclingUtah.com

 

Yeah. This is a Real Thing.

Before you laugh, take a look at the video.  If you have ever crushed a helmet in a crash, or worse had a bad crash without a helmet, this starts to seem like an idea with real merit.

 

Copyright Hovding/The Daily Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/19/helmet-haute-couture-the-invisible-helmet-revolutionizing-bike-safety.html

 

 

Ultimate Challenge Newsletter. Deep Discounts for Early Registration.

 

We heard you loud and clear on the rider survey, and thank you for your input.  Better communications coming your way with the December Newsletter. Register before January 1 and save $20-$65! Join our paceline     DECEMBER 2013 - ULTIMATE NEWS Are you ready for the 2014 Ultimate Challenge? The ultimate ride of the year is gearing up for an exciting fifth season and we want you and your friends to be there.  The Ultimate Challenge presented by University of Utah Health Care has a fresh look and new offerings for all levels of riders.  Be one of the first riders to register for the 2014 Ultimate Challenge before the end of the year and save big - from $20 to $65! First 50 for $50 University of Utah Health Care is offering a hot deal. Be one of the first 50 people to register for the 2014 Ultimate Challenge presented by University of Utah Health Care and pay just $50! That's more than 50% off the regular registration fee of $115. - Register Now Holiday Special Confirm your spot for the ultimate ride of the year before 2014 and save $20.  If you miss the First 50 special, don't fret. We'd still like to give you a discount.  Register before January 1 for just $95. - Check out the special Group Discount Check out the new group registration program at RideUC.com. If your group has 10 or more riders, you can save an additional $10 per team member! This discount cannot be combined with other options, so check out all the details on the new web site. - RideUC.com University of Utah Health Care University of Utah Health Care is proud to be the presenting sponsor for The Ultimate Challenge in 2014. University of Utah Health Care is the Intermountain West's only academic health care system and includes four hospitals – University of Utah Hospital, the University of Utah Orthopaedic Center, the University Neuropsychiatric Institute; and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The system has more than 1,000 physicians offering care in more than 200 medical specialties. More Merchandise DNA Cycling returns as our merchandise provider, with a full range of Ultimate Challenge custom jerseys and merchandise including: ·         Baseball cap - $20 ·         Mechanics work shirt - $25 ·         Jacket - $55 ·         Performance jersey - $75 Wool jersey - $120 Check it out and order your UC gear for the new year! Copyright © 2013 RaceDay, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have registered for the Ultimate Challenge. Our mailing address is: RaceDay 7418 S Creekview Cove Salt Lake City,Utah 84121 Spread the word  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Fat Bike Race at Grand Targhee

Grand Targhee Resort hosted its annual fat bike race on Saturday.  Bart and Cobe Miller were there, so you should be able to find a report on Bart’s blog.  Here is a very cool video from last year’s race, but if you are like me, plan on some motion sickness when you watch it.

2012 Grand Targhee Snow Bike Race from Dave Byers on Vimeo.

Idaho State CX Championships

Here are a couple of images from Boise.  Tate’s day included a hard crash in practice, tires that were ill suited to a very muddy course, and more bad luck than good luck.  I think this is something that bears repeating:  there are an almost infinite number of things that can go wrong in any bike race.  Conversely, to win that race, most of those things have to go your way.  Sometimes in spite of your best efforts, that does not happen.  Nevertheless, Tate reports it was still a good effort and a fun day.  I think it is safe to say that all of the area cyclists are proud of Tate and how well he has represented the area throughout a long and successful cross season.

 

What Cyclocross Feels LIke

DNA Cycling posted this image from the UTCX Weber Country Fairgrounds Race on their Facebook page.  Best of luck to Tate tomorrow in the Idaho State Cyclocross championships in Boise.

Image copyright DNA Cycling

Weston Reports on Twin Falls CX

Thanks Weston for this report.  It takes a tough guy to race cross in the snow at 14 degrees and to think it was a good experience.  From my perspective, this looks like a good day to run a mountain bike with underinflated knobbies.

 

I heard about the Twin Falls CX series at Idaho Fall’s Blue Goose CX from Tony’s friend Scott Scholes. This Saturday was the 4^th race of their 6 race series that started in mid-October. Each race has a kid’s race, a 30 min race and a 1 hour race with an A and B group.

      This week’s race was in Hazelton around the Valley High school track/football field. It was a pretty technical course with quite a few 180° turns and two different sets of barriers. The course was very well marked despite the snow showers and 14°F weather. Because of the weather they started the race early which only gave me time to do one practice lap to warm up (not ideal) and they raced all the groups together. I counted about 30-35 racers at the start.

      The race started on a short flat that went into the side of a hill where we turned left onto the hillside and struggled to get through a few off camber turns that most of the field could not manage. I decided to run this section mostly and I think I was better off running than trying to ride it in the snow. After a turn around a telephone pole we headed down the steep hill into the first set of barriers and then two tight 180° turns. Then a short sprint put you back on the hill side then down into a long snow drift that came up well over my wheel axle. A few technical sections and turns later the second set of barriers was placed on a slight uphill into the wind. After the second set of barriers there was straight away where you could build some speed if you were willing to fight the wind. After that there was a steep and slippery run up and then a slick steep hill with a tight right hand turn at the bottom to finish out the lap.

      The course was a blast but I don’t think I managed a single lap without falling at some point. The snow was just incredible. The rest of the field must have had the same troubles as me though because I won the B group and took 4^th overall in the A group. The group was super friendly and many of them introduced themselves to me and told me about the other races that they had going. I would definitely recommend going to the other two races that they have scheduled if you can make it. The next race is at Thompson Park in Twin falls on Dec. 21 and the final race is at Rock Creek Park in Twin Falls on Jan. 11. Sadly, I won’t probably make it to either of those races but I am happy ending my season with this race.

 

Sincerely,

Weston Dunn 

 "It never gets easier, you just go faster."

                                   ~Greg LeMond

 

 

 

You Should Subscribe to VeloNews

Over the years, I have subscribed to a number of bicycle magazines, including a very long running subscription to Cycle Sport which I finally allowed to lapse this year.  (Cycle Sport is a fine magazine, but I am feeling a little bit too much pro cycling fatigue to renew right now).  Maybe every new cyclist should subscribe to Bicycling for a while, although I think they have published the same issue every month for the past 25 years.  One of the cover stories is always a variation of "How to Get Fit and Fast".  (Answer: ride your bicycle).

     Of all the cycling related publications available, one is head and shoulders above the competition:  VeloNews.  In my experience, it is the single best source for information about professional racing, amateur racing, training, nutrition, technical info & reviews, and bike culture. Print journalism in every form (newspapers, magazines, etc.) is struggling.  There is abundant free quality content available at any time on the internet.  I have often referenced velonews.com and cyclingnews.com, arguably the two best online providers of cycling content, in this blog.  VeloNews is fighting that trend and I hope they can be successful.  In addition to the race results and daily news available on velonews.com, a large quantity of premium content is reserved exclusively for the print version of the magazine.  The current issue contains analysis of a trend (that I have commented on in this blog) of fondos replacing racing in the U.S. Among other topics, it tells about the quiet retirement of the pro cyclists of the epo generation, and contains a feature about 10 epic "Rides of Passage" including the Leadville 100.  The depth and quality of its technical coverage, including features by long-time contributor Lennard Zinn, and the science-based product reviews are unparalleled.

     If you are considering subscribing, there is no time like the present.  VeloNews is offering a buy one, get one free holiday promotion.  You can get together with a buddy and get two one year (14 issues) subscriptions for $29.95.  The offer is available here:  www.velonews.com/gift

 

 

How I Spent My Thanksgiving Vacation

One some level, I believe that Thanksgiving has lost much of its significance as an opportunity for giving thanks and serves mainly as a marker for the start of the holiday shopping season.  It feels a little obvious to say that I am thankful for my family and friends and the many small pleasures in life, because we all are.  Cycling is not the most important thing in my life, but at the same time, I try not to take it for granted.  I feel fortunate to have gotten in three good quality road rides over the long weekend and that a number of you were able come along as well.  Here are a few more of Jeff’s pictures from the Friday ride.

Winter Cycling

Thanksgiving weekend presented local cyclists with a treat this year: favorable temperatures, minimal wind and the long rays of winter sunshine.  A few hardy souls enjoyed a pre-meal ride on Thanksgiving morning.  We started in the frigid range and warmed to tolerable over the course of the ride.  The following day we enjoyed the warming effects of the afternoon sun and the views from the upper Rexburg benches.

Not a bad way to bring November to a close.