A few days ago, I posted a link to the Bicycling Magazine article detailing ways to watch the TdF which I probably half-read. I did not see a way to watch the Tour seamlessly on TV without buying satellite or streaming from another device. Finally, Jeff referred me to NBC Sports Gold. Here’s how it works: You pay a $29.99 for a full year of cycling coverage. After you pay for the coverage, you go to the add-a-channel menu on your Roku or similar device, add and activate the NBC Sports Gold channel, and you are good to go.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Ready to Watch the Tour with NBC Gold Via Roku
Monday, June 27, 2016
Gravel Cyclist: Dirty Kanza Recap
I do not have any first-hand knowledge of Dirty Kanza, but I have never doubted its fearsome reputation for both distance and difficulty. The mud, rugged roads, and difficult conditions shown in this video provide very graphic evidence to support that reputation.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
First Fish Creek Ride of the Season
Joe and I enjoyed absolutely perfect conditions for a mixed road and gravel Fish Creek ride this morning (Snow Creek Butte Road, Baker Draw, Warm River).
Friday, June 24, 2016
Fish Creek Ride Tomorrow Morning
This is kind of a last minute thing...Joe would like to put together a Fish Creek ride for tomorrow morning departing Sticks and Stones at 7 a.m. The general plan is to ride Baker Draw and exit on gravel. Depending on interest, I think there is a good chance we will have a paved only option as well. If you would like to go, please contact me or Joe so we can coordinate transportation. Please help us by spreading the word.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
From Dawn: Spinderella 2016
Sat. June 18, Kathy Holyoak and I rode the 70-mile option of Spinderella in Pocatello. The course is fairly scenic, winding through spruce-covered hills, sun-dappled meadows, and sleepy farmlands as it parallels the interstate heading south.
At the Marsh Valley High School supported feed zone, we encountered the student council dressed in tutus and princess crowns. A large man wearing a pink tutu over long johns identified himself as a special ed teacher at the school and said to me, "This is a great idea. I think I'll put on one of these to raise money for my classroom supplies! How hard can it be?"
Obviously a volunteer who'd just shown up that day. I wanted to tell him that an event like this took a lot more work than people realized, but instead I smiled and said, "Yep! It sure would be a great way to raise money!"
This women-only ride is fun and well-organized,so someone--presumably not the special ed teacher--had really gone to great effort to make it work smoothly. There was an army of volunteers and turns and traffic stops were marked and staffed.
This women-only ride is fun and well-organized,so someone--presumably not the special ed teacher--had really gone to great effort to make it work smoothly. There was an army of volunteers and turns and traffic stops were marked and staffed.
At last year's event, however, I blew out a sidewall and was aided by a rather inept group of men from a local bike shop. They were eager to help, but failed to bring along any wheels for a woman's specific bike. They had plenty of larger wheels. They did allow me to take a loaner they were carrying, but it was a giant Giant and I felt like I was riding one of those old-fashioned bikes with the cartoonishly-large front wheel you see in print ads (penny farthing-ed) . Then, 1.5 miles from the finish, I had to sit on my bike and wait 10 minutes for a slow train to roll by. Not the best first-time experience.
This year went much smoother. The only hitch was a SE headwind on the way out which was channeled by the hills into a NW headwind on the way back. Awaiting us at the finish was a generous pork and chicken burrito lunch and some bored looking princesses there for the photo-op.
One of our male friends said, "What's this thing with women-only rides? If men tried to have a men-only ride, we'd never hear the end of it."
He has a point.
But if he could see the glitter tattoos, the helmet streamers, and the sweaty Disney Princess volunteers, face-down in the shade, he would realize that there is a kingdom's difference between a themed-ride like this and a more serious cycling event.
But most of the women are there just to have a sunny, well-supported ride in the company of other women. No need to be jealous of the tutu, guys.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Epic Route for Ultimate Challenge 2016 Saturday August 6th
From Shae: Targhee and Teton Pass Hill Climbs
Targhee
Hill Climb • Saturday, July 30 2016
Teton
Pass Hill Climb • Sunday, July 31 2016
http://www.jhcycling.org/teton-pass-hill-climb/
Monday, June 20, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Kellen and Shae Set New Sawtell KOM/QOM
Congratulations to Kellen and Shae for establishing new Strava records at Sawtell Peak today. We had a great ride this morning. The last couple of miles are very evocative of The Crusher. Regardless of conditions in the valley, it is always cold and windy on top of Sawtell and today was no exception. On weekends, you share the road a substantial amount of traffic in the form of vehicles of every variety, especially ATV’s. There was a young men’s or Scout group there today riding idiot laps (shuttle to the top with pickups and trailers) followed by a high speed downhill. I am highly skeptical of the judgment of the (supposedly) responsible adult leaders who decided this was a good idea for young, inexperienced cyclists.
I was pretty excited to debut some new parts prior to the Crusher: wheels (American Classic Argent), cassette 11-36 (replacing a 32 tooth inner), and Clement’s brand new Tubeless X’Plor MSO in a 36 mm size. Everything performed admirably. I was especially grateful for the extra gears at the top of the climb.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Cycling on Roads Can Make You Lose Faith in Humanity.
Cycling on roads can make you lose faith in humanity | Joelle Renstrom | Opinion | The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/11/cycling-on-roads-dangerous-drivers-kalamazoo-michigan
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Locals Ride Well at Pocatello City Creek Pedalfest
Dan and Kellen report having huge fun at the Pocatello City Creek Pedalfest today. Shae won the women’s race. Tim and Joe finished on age group podiums. Kellen, Kelton, and Dan all struggled with mechanical issues including multiple flats and a couple of broken chains.
Windy Day at Lemhi
Wind is often a factor at the Lemhi Valley Century Ride, but today is the first time that we have ever battled a unrelenting headwind start to finish. Jeff dragged me through most of it. Congratulations to Josh Parkinson on the completion of his first century. The rest will seem easy compared to this one.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Monday, June 6, 2016
Logistics for the Lehmi Valley Century, Pocatello Pedal Fest MTB Race
The Lemhi Valley Century has been a very popular event for Upper Valley Cyclists. The Lemhi ride is scenic and fun. It is put on by a nice bunch of folks from Salmon and you can expect to be well supported and find a solid meal at the finish. Most of you know the two worst times about the Lemhi ride. It starts in the middle of nowhere (Birch Creek Valley) and finishes one hundred miles further away (Salmon). That makes the logistics of transportation difficult but we have that covered for you.
The terms are similar to last week. You can ride in Kellen’s van for $20, but you need to RSVP to Kellen or me by Friday morning. If you opt for the van, you will need to load your bike at Kellen’s on Friday night or behind Sticks and Stones by 5:15 a.m. Saturday morning. Departure will be promptly at 5:30, no exceptions.
That brings us to the other bad thing about the Lemhi ride; the start time. You know how I feel about early mornings, so this is a sacrifice I am only willing to make a couple of times a year. It is often fairly cold at the 7 a.m. start so plan accordingly. In fact, one year, it did not warm up all day and we all spent the day wishing for warmer clothes.
Also as a reminder, the Pocatello Pedal Fest MTB race will also be taking place Friday and Saturday. Dave
http://lemhivalleycenturyride.weebly.com/
http://www.pocatellopedalfest.com/
Saturday, June 4, 2016
The Pocatello Ride 2016
Dawn went with us to Pocatello today for a ride that has become a fairly established annual tradition. She rode to the top of Scout Mountain while we were off on our little circuit of the four local climbs (Buckskin/Rapid Creek, Pebble Creek Ski Area, Mink Creek, Scout Mountain). I have heard the ride referred to by various names, including the Four Summits. Locally, we have tended to call it the Pocatello Ride. Dawn thinks we should give it a better name. I am open to suggestions.
This is one of my absolutely favorite rides and I always look forward to it with some combination of anticipation and dread. We had a great day today, in spite of relatively warm conditions, with one of our biggest groups ever for the Pocatello ride.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Teejay VanGarderen Pulls the Plug on Rio Olympics Due To Fear of Zika Virus
Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com/velonews.com
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