GCN Ten Riders to Watch at the Vuelta

 

GCN Vuelta Preview

 

From Scott H: Cascade Gravel Grinder Challenge, Sept 6th

http://www.4summitchallenge.com/gravelgrinder/index.aspx

 

Rebecca's Private Idaho Registration is Open

 

The date for the second annual RPI is Sunday August 31^st. I missed the first one, but I am looking forward to going this year. Everyone who participated last year said that it was an outstanding event. http://www.rebeccasprivateidaho.com/  The picture of Brian and Ryan from last year’s event appeared in a story that ran in the Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stefani-jackenthal/idaho-wine-tasting_b_4283398.html

 

 

The Cyclingnews.com Report on the Pierre's Hole/Grand Targhee MTB Race

photo copyright cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/national-ultra-endurance-nue-series-pierres-hole-100-2014/results

 

John Gets VIP Treatment from Life Flight

 

 

 

As some of you know already, John is recovering from surgery in a Boise hospital following a motorcycle crash on Saturday. The accident occurred near Glens Ferry as John was participating in a multi-day mostly back country motorcycle traverse of the state and resulted in a tib-fib fracture of his lower leg. John is very experienced with motorcycles and almost indestructible, but it is essentially the same story as a bad bicycle crash. Sometimes in spite of every precaution you take, it just happens.  We all wish him a quick and complete recovery.

     The story has an interesting twist. About a month ago, John, Jeff, and I rode a loop out through Osgood and back through Idaho Falls. That day, John was talking about the membership program offered by Idaho Life Flight Air Ambulance. You pay a membership fee and Life Flight will pick you up and transport you to a hospital for zero out-of-pocket expense. I told John that I had never been transported by Life Flight and was skeptical about buying a membership. John felt like it would be a good idea to sign up. He had no way of knowing that his first helicopter ride was just weeks away. His membership was probably the best return on investment any of us will ever make in our lifetimes. Read more about Life Flight membership here: http://www.lifeflight.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=67

 

From Weston: Meeting Tate at California Criterium

 

For those who don't know, I haven't been at the TNR lately because I've been in California for the past few weeks trying to make some money during the 6 week break from BYU-I. There is some killer terrain here to train on and I feel like I am on track in my preparation for LOTOJA, but I still wish I was riding with all the guys in Idaho. I miss the friendship and camaraderie that exists in our cycling community. 

     I was, however, lucky to be able to catch up with Tate this weekend at a crit that was just 7 minutes from my place here. Tate has been back from China for just a few weeks and is already ripping people's legs off. He drove down from Vegas with the Allegiant Air team and sported their kit for the race. It looks to me like they will be offering him a permanent spot on their talented and well funded team. Tate said, "It's crazy working with these guys man. They just told me where to be this morning and they picked me up. I get here and they ask what I want in my bottles and what pressure I want my tires at. I'm used to being the underdog at these races and hiding my keys under the bumper of my car!" Allegiant Air is sponsored by Diamondback and all of their guys ride team painted Diamondback Podium 7's that are almost as beautiful as Tate's baby blue Kelson. 

     Tate raced the Pro/1/2/3 race and there were some serious teams out competing in the 97 degree heat. The most notable teams were, the KHS-Maxxis pro team, Jelly belly cycling, and Allegiant Air. The announcer said the field had 70 guys racing in this 7 corner crit. Tate's Allegiant Air team had 7-8 of those guys. The race started our quick and after only a couple laps you could see that the heat was killing some of the racers. Tate moved up to the front third of the pack and tried to conserve energy as much as possible. There was a nasty wind that Tate later told me felt like a "blow dryer in your face." 35 minutes into the 70 minute race many guys had fallen off the back and quit due to the heat and I could see that Tate was struggling (It might have been the Del Taco burrito he said he ate on the way to the race haha). A group of 4 guys broke off the front and the main field was pushing hard to reel them in. The pace picked up and attacks were coming one after another. With about 20 minutes to go Tate dropped out of the race after losing the front bolt from his cleat. He put in a solid effort and the Allegiant Air team director was impressed with his performance. With this being his first and last crit of the season, I think he did fantastic.  

     It was good seeing Tate and he told me to tell everyone in Rexburg hi for him and let us know that he misses all the guys in Rexburg.

USA Pro Challenge App

Starts tomorrow. Here is a link to info on the Tour Tracker app which is available free from the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.

http://thetourtracker.com/apps/

 

From Zac: Pierre's Hole MTB Race

We had a great day at Grand Targhee! Nate and I raced in the 50km group. Race was really well done, they had about 300 riders. The course was amazing!

The Ghost Ride Century - 15% OFF

 

The Ghost Ride Century August 30, 2014 - Tooele Valley, Utah   WHO ARE YOU RIDING FOR? Join us on August 30 in the Tooele Valley forThe Ghost Ride Century tour. Ride 100, 62 or 45 miles to honor, remember and celebrate the cyclists no longer with us. Fully supported ride with aid stations and a lunch at the finish line. Use the discount code "RideGhost14" to take 15% off your registration fee: http://theghostride.com/

From Steve W: Tour de Suisse Stage 5 Finale

It can get pretty rough in the pro peloton. I felt a little motion sick just watching.

 

Victor Velo Posts 2014 Cross Calendar

The cyclocross season is one of my favorite times of the year. Dave Bergart posted the official schedule of the Victor races today. You will notice that the schedule also includes the Cube as well as the new Great Pumpkin and Blue Goose in Idaho Falls. It should be an outstanding cross season with an abundance of local races.

2014 Cross! Victor Velo is back at it.  So many races happening

Kross Kick off Sunday Sept 28th
MooseCross October 11+12
Spooky Cross November 1st

BIG NEWS!  MooseCross has formed a cyclocross series with Sandpoint, Missoula, and Coeur De Alaine called the WildWest Cyclocross Series

CrosstoberFest in Sandpoint, Idaho,  October 4th and 5th
MooseCross in Victor, Idaho,  October 11th and 12th
Rolling Thunder in Missoula, Montana,  November 1st and 2nd
Wild West Series Final in Couer d'Alene, Idaho, November 15th

Here are some more dates to add to your calendar These races will be a blast
Great Pumpkin - Idaho Falls, ID October 18th 
The Cube - Rexburg, ID October 25th
Blue Goose - Idaho Falls, ID November 8th

http://victorvelo.blogspot.com/

Bike BBQ Monday August 25th

 

Bike BBQ

 

Monday August 25^th 6 p.m.

Dave and Dawn Anderson home

Please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert.

Bring your family. Bring your friends.

 

The West's Toughest Gravel Grinders from Cyclingwest.com

Brian and Ryan.  photo copyright Rebecca's Private Idaho/cyclingwest.com

I have not been a regular reader of Cycling West, but I plan to start. It looks like a pretty nice publication. Its list of the toughest gravel grinders includes the Crusher and Rebecca's Private Idaho as well as a new event I am curious to read about, The Montana Hell Ride.

http://www.cyclingwest.com/two-new-gravel-grinders/

Danny MacAskill's Imaginate

I know. This is a year old and 23 million people have seen it already. I did not watch it until today.