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From Jay Petervary: A Long Overdue Update

A Long Overdue Update (And some exciting news!) I've always embraced the #RideForward mentality in races and ultra adventures, and now I'm using it as a mantra in life too. Working through the aftermath of a socially influenced misunderstanding and miscommunication that resulted in losing a title sponsor, I've been reading and listening to podcasts about the intersection of human nature and social media and how misinterpretation of expression that can snowball into public shaming. I will have an article and podcast coming out soon that better address the details of what happened this summer, because I want to explain as thoroughly as possible and because part of moving forward is getting closure. What I want to say today is that I'm still the same person. It's the road that has changed direction. I was pushing myself and finding my limits long before I was a sponsored athlete or a brand ambassador and I'm not going to stop anytime soon. I do me for me. Fat Pursuit  Almost all my attention right now is directed toward the Fat Pursuit. I'm so excited to announce some changes to the event. The 60K has been reunited with the longer distances so the Fat Pursuit will be one long weekend of celebrating winter endurance, the way I had originally envisioned it. Also this year I'm finally opening up the 60K to runners and skiers. I also have a few beta runners who will take on the 200K, including the extremely experienced Jill Homer and Beat Jegerlehner. I'm still looking for a couple beta skiers for the 200K. I think a lot of people don't realize that with the amount of snow and the difficulty of the terrain in the Greater Yellowstone area, a skier could easily match or beat a fat biker. We'll just have to see. Camps I'll again be hosting a five-day Fat Camp to help hone people's winter ultra fat biking skills. This is the third year and I'm extremely proud of the level of instruction and value of the education. For the first time I've added a three-day Fat Pursuit specific camp to help people prepare for the race (or any other fat bike adventures they've been considering) by testing their equipment, systems, and processes. If you've invested the time and money into a long distance race, why not show up as prepared as possible? #SetYourselfUpForSucces What's Next?  The other big news this season is that I'm not attending a single fat bike race. It's been twelve years since I started doing the Iditarod Trail Invitational, only missing one year, and I'm ready for a new challenge. Sure, I know I'll have a lot of nostalgia and maybe a little FOMO while tracking the race, but I'm excited to just do some fun snow riding instead. I also have to do a lot of prep on the road and in the gym for my next bike event, the inaugural PedalED Atlas Mountain Race in Morocco. The same race directors of the Silk Road Mountain Race are putting on a new unsupported bikepacking race from Marrakesh to Agadir in February. I'm stoked. Gear Spotlight: LEM MotivAir Helmet Some of the best pieces of equipment are the ones that you don't know are there. The MotivAir is one of those pieces of equipment. As a long distance cyclist all things add up and I can appreciate everything this helmet offers. It's lightweight, which is easy to talk about but does really make a difference and can help decrease neck fatigue. The fit system is super comfy, quick and easy to use. The venting is more than adequate and prevents heat retention. And since looks do matter, the low profile, design and shape of the MotivAir is sharp! I've been wearing this helmet for the past six months, logging thousands of miles including a win at Dirty Kanza XL and the journey across Kyrgyzstan. It has been the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn and have never received so many compliments on a helmet. (Just so you know, LEM has a 20% off Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale running from November 29 to December 2.)

Dave and Tony Ride Sterling Justice

No one knows the exact moment the mountain bike season will end in Southeastern Idaho. Based on the forecast for the coming week forecast the end can’t be too far away. Tony and I went to Pocatello yesterday for what was likely the last big ride of the season. We rode a loop starting and ending at City Creek with the Sterling Justice and Over the Top trails as its backbone. Total distance was about 22 miles with 2600 feet of climbing and a ride time of 3 ½ hours. Sterling Justice extends seven miles from Gibson Jack to Cusick Creek—rocky with spectacular views and some exposed sections. Its difficulty was enhanced by a significant amount of ice in shaded areas and north facing slopes. Over the Top connects Cusick Creek and City Creek with a series of tight switchbacks on each end. Both are outstanding trails and a play a significant part in Pocatello’s trail system which is the most extensive in Southeastern Idaho.

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/sterling-justice/

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/over-the-top-14251/

The Fastest Known Time on White Rim MTB Trail | Payson McElveen's Standing Man

Kelton Finishes Second to Colin Joyce at Bengal Cross

Finishing second to one of the best young professionals in the US is not the worst thing in the world. Bengal Cross is physically harder than most cyclocross races due to a significant amount of climbing on each lap. Saturday was a great day at Bengal Cross. The numbers were perhaps a little off but the course was outstanding and the weather mild. Peter donated proceeds of the race to Cranksgiving a cyclist supported project of the Idaho Food Bank. Jeff did the double--the A Race plus the B Race. Thanks to Dawn for the photos.

From Joe Hill--Sidewinder Sunrise

Joe and Chris Babb rode Sidewinder to Stinking Springs early this morning on a pair of the redesigned 2020 Trek Fuel EX. They had a great ride and liked the bike.

I did the same ride at midday. Stinking Springs is a tough climb. It was our go-to ride in the nineties. I do not ride it that often now, but when I do it is a significant reality check. Most of the Stinking Springs memories that I have date from a time when I was younger, stronger, and lighter.

Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Sunset Ride, Idaho - Bikerumor

https://bikerumor.com/2019/11/07/bikerumor-pic-of-the-day-sunset-ride-idaho/
I am a big fan of Bikerumor and a daily reader. I am very excited about this!

Poleline Road. Earlier Tonight.