Bike BBQ 2017 Monday August 14th

I talked to David Peck this morning. He is planning to put a band together for the BBQ again this year. Please mark your calendars and help spread the word.

Pocatello Ride 2017

 

John first introduced this ride to us about ten years ago and it has been a favorite ever since. The particulars of this ride are familiar to many of the Rexburg locals. It features four climbs for a total of over 7000 ft vertical in just over 70 miles. In my estimation, Pebble Creek is the toughest climb in the area with over two miles of sustained grades of 12%. We had a smaller group this year, but it was the A Team. Thanks to everyone for the ride. The Pocatello Ride has become a tradition for us in late May or early June. It is fun, hard, and scenic. I look forward to it every year. I feel like it is valuable Crusher training as well as a good opportunity to benchmark early season fitness. This can be a hot ride or subject to bad weather conditions of any variety, but it was nearly perfect this year with mild comfortable temperatures.

Giro d'Italia: Stage 21 - Spectacular Finish for 2017 Giro

 

Transportation for the Pocatello Ride Monday

We will not have access to Kellen's van for the Pocatello Ride on Monday. However, we will be helping to coordinate transportation. If you are planning to go to Pocatello and need a ride or if you are driving and have extra capacity, please let me (Dave) know. As a reminder, departure from Sticks and Stones will be at 7 a.m. The ride starts at 8:30 from the parking area of Visit Pocatello on South 5th Avenue.

From John: Tour of Utah Announces Details of Queen Stage/Ultimate Challenge

Friends and followers of the blog will know that the Ultimate Challenge is one of my very favorite cycling events in a love-hate kind of way. The traditional routes have featured distances of around 110 miles and up to 12,000 feet of vertical. The route for 2017 from Soldier Hollow to Snowbird is 61 miles in length with 7700 feet of vertical divided in two difficult climbs, the Alpine Loop and Little Cottonwood Canyon. This will be a tough route for the pros because they will likely race flat out start to finish. The Ultimate Challenge which typically is very slow to fill will likely fill very quickly this year due to the more manageable route. I am planning to register right now.

https://www.tourofutah.com/stages/6

https://www.tourofutah.com/experience/2017-ultimate-challenge

2017 Giro d'Italia, stage 18 Van Garderen's Redemption

 Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com
http://www.velonews.com/stages/2017-giro-ditalia-stage-18

All Rides Lead to Roam

 

All rides lead to ROAM from Met-helmets on Vimeo.

Broad Details of Our Annual Pocatello Ride-Memorial Day-Monday May 29th

• the ride features four climbs (Buckskin, Pebble, Mink Creek, Scout Mountain), 70+ miles, 7000+ feet vertical
  
• departure from Sticks and Stones at 7 a.m.
• ride starts at 8:30 
• We are still sorting out transportation issues. More details to follow.

20th Annual Jay Anderson Memorial Tour of Marsh Creek Valley

Saturday May 27th

http://www.pebblecreekraceteam.com/

From Thomas: HBO's 'Tour de Pharmacy' Will Poke Fun at Pro Cycling, Mockumentary-Style | Bicycling

http://www.bicycling.com/culture/tour-de-pharmacy-hbo?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_term=905444082&utm_campaign=Bicycling

 

Loic Bruni's Midnight MTB Ride on a Trail lit by a Drone!

 

Training Pearls

Here's a link to an podcast and videos that most might find helpful:

http://fasterskier.com/fsarticle/nordic-nation-stephen-seiler-training-intensity/

The executive summary:

• Threshold training is the worst of both worlds (not hard enough for good stimulus, but it creates a very big stress, training load or EPOC.)
• 80/20: 2 in every ten sessions should be hard, in excess of 90-92% of maximal heart rate
• Volume of training is important, but it has to be easy, even walking hills if necessary. The volume of training is integral to the adaptation process, but only when done easy.
• Increasing the volume of VO2max, interval time is critical to the adaptation process

LONELY ISLAND by Etienne Van Rensburg with rider Matt Hunter

LONELY ISLAND' Produced by Etienne Van Rensburg, with filming by Etienne Van Rensburg and Bryn North, riding by Matt Hunter. Filmed in Madeira Island, for the Enduro World Series Madeira Film Festival - sponsored by Visit Madeira and Freeride Madeira.

IMBA call to action: Defend US National Monuments! - Bikerumor

image copyright IMBA
https://www.bikerumor.com/2017/05/15/imba-call-action-defend-us-national-monuments/

Bear Lake Classic Road Race, May 12th to 14th

Race Bear Lake May 12-14 - Four Races over Three Days It's long been one of the Utah Cycling Association's favorite spring races. This year it's bigger and better. If you haven't already - SIGN UP NOW! In addition to the traditional road race around Bear Lake and hill climb, we've added a individual time trial and circuit race. You can race one, two, three or all four - we'll keep track of the results omnium style and reward those who stick with it until the end. Free Bike the Bear bicycle socks for all participants and a free lunch at the finish line Saturday morning. We also have a non-competitive 50 mile or 100 mile gran fondo version of the race for those who feel a little less 'racey' Online registration closes FRIDAY, MAY 12 at NOON. Day-Of-Registration available for $50 Registration Links Register for all four races for one low price Friday, May 12 - Hill Climb Saturday, May 13 - Road Race & Gran Fondo Saturday, May 13 - Individual Time Trial Sunday, May 14 - Circuit Race Register for all four races for one low price Race Flyer And Information

David Cachon: How to Be a Good Mountain Biker

Hunter Brown: King of the Neighborhood Dirt Jumpers

Hunter built these very solidly engineered jumps and he rides them like a pro.

West Fork of Mink Creek Near Pocatello

Today was my first ride of the season in the Pocatello area. Conditions were ideal lower on the trails, but still pretty snowy higher up as evidenced by the photos. Yesterday was my first ride of the season without arm and leg warmers, so I am grateful for the snow to have a point of reference even whiter than my skin. I am looking forward a great deal to our annual Pocatello road ride (Buckskin, Pebble Creek, Mink Creek, Scout Mountain). We have not finalized a date yet, but possibly Saturday May 27th or Saturday June 3rd. 

BMC headlines list of Tour of Utah teams | Cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bmc-headlines-list-of-tour-of-utah-teams/

Giro d'Italia descending competition met with resistance from peloton | Cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-ditalia-descending-competition-met-with-resistance-from-peloton/

DON'T LOOK DOWN - Mountain Biking Portal Trail - Moab, Utah

Shooting Fjords and MTB - Chasing Trail Ep. 11 - Norway