Bear Lake Monster Cross

    

Today was the inaugural running of the Bear Lake Monster Cross, hopefully with many more to follow.  It was originally scheduled for June, but had to be postponed after its organizer Jared Eborn was critically injured in an automobile accident.  Jared is a great guy and thankfully has made a good recovery.  The distance of the original Monster Cross route was 100 miles, but was reduced to 80 miles today due to the small field and cold weather conditions.  In my opinion, it was the perfect route and ideal distance. 

     Monster Cross is a long gravel grinder or dirt fondo.  As has become the norm for many cycling events, it is not a race, but exists as a near race.  For a lot of people, as soon as they pin on a number and get on a bike, they are racing.  For another group, racing ruins the fun of the ride.  The race-if-you-want-to format seems to be a pretty good compromise for both groups.  The Monster Cross route is remarkable for several reasons.  The scenery is spectacular and the course almost entirely on gravel.  As a result of the recent rains it was absolutely dust-free today.

     As many of you know, I have written quite a bit about my love/hate relationship with the Crusher, Ultimate Challenge, and Lotoja.  Monster Cross is by no means easy, but I can recommend it without reservation.  It is a full value dirt fondo with plenty of moderate climbs and technical descents on very primitive roads.   However, it lacks the soul crushing climbs of the Crusher or the Ultimate Challenge.  What I am feeling for Monster Cross right now is only love.

     The first rider in today was Jeff Sumsion from Park City, who as luck would have it, was riding one of Brian’s RAD bikes.  Due to the numerous complications and rescheduling, the field today consisted of only about 20 riders.  This is going to sound like gloating, but we got the most insane pile of schwag I have ever seen at a race.  I know I going to forget something, but here goes:  jersey, t-shirt, backpack, trucker hat, shot glasses, finisher’s medal, stickers, food, and paid admission to next year’s event.  I will absolutely be there.

     The cycling season ends with a flurry of events.  Last weekend, Bruce rode the Heber Century and Tony competed in the Xterra National Championships.  Today was the ADA Ride and there are more cross races going on than I can keep track of including our own Cube one week from today.

     Lana is working on a blog post including video from the Xterra.  I would like to remind everyone else that I am always looking for content for the blog.  Nothing would make me happier than to have someone write up something to post on some on these other events.

 

Check Out Lana Grover's Gorgeous New Website for The Cube

 

http://sarahsis88.wix.com/cube#!

 

AMA Challenge is Tomorrow

     Sorry I dropped the ball on this.  I just got a text from Brian reminding me that the AMA Challenge is tomorrow in Ashton. Everyone who has done the AMA in the past has liked it a lot.  There are a range of distance options up to a full century with reasonable entry fees.  All proceeds from the event go directly to the American Diabetes Association. You can get additional information or register here:

http://www.amachallenge.org/

Kross Kickoff

     Today was the start of the cyclocross season in Southeastern Idaho.  The numbers at the Victor Velo Kross Kickoff were small, but the fun was huge.  The surface of the course was very rough today and the course more difficult than usual due to quite a bit of time on the grass and a big new hill added for the 2013 season.  It was a pretty good day for the local guys.  Tate, Brian, and I all found our way onto one of the various podiums.  Tate was a pretty good bet to win the men’s 1-2-3 race when he rolled a tubular and had to make a bike change finishing in second place.

     The Kickoff marked a milestone for Kelton in his first adult race and Weston in his first ever cross race.  Both rode very solidly.  

Brian and Kelton

Tate showing some great form.

Brian taking second in the Men's Master's race

Dave's first place in the Mens 4/5

Tate second in the 1/2.

Massage

     I think just about everyone can benefit from an occasional massage to work out a few aches and pains.  That goes double for people spending a lot of hours on a bicycle.  If you are looking for professional massage therapy in Rexburg, consider Kate Little at Advantage Therapeutic Massage.  Kate is a marathon runner and very in tune with the issues afflicting runners and cyclists.  Her practice is located in the Madison Ridge Chiropractic Building.  She is currently working in Rexburg every other week. I have been going to Kate for ten years or so and can give her a wholehearted recommendation.

     You can call (208)656-3205 to make an appointment or visit here website. www.rexburgmassage.com

 

Tate Finishes Strong at Crossvegas

Held annually in conjunction with Interbike, Crossvegas draws 10,000 spectators and advertizes itself as the largest cyclocross event in the United States.  Participation in Crossvegas is by invitation only.  I think Brian had something to do with getting Tate into the USA Cycling race at Crossvegas and he did not disappoint.  Tate started in the second to last row in 101^st position.  In the first lap, another cyclist hit a barrier.  Tate got smacked by the bike which lacerated his leg, but he did not go down.  Tate rode the entire race at red line finishing 17^th overall, a fine result in a very prestigious event.

Registration Link for The Cube

http://rexburgrecreation.sportsites.com/player/homeplayer.aspx

Register Now. Get This Shirt.

          We are committed to keeping the registration to the Cube as inexpensive as possible ($10 for kids, $20 for adults) but still putting on a top quality race.  Here is one thing to sweeten the deal.  Tate’s wife Allison designed this very cool shirt.  We will attempt to provide a shirt to everyone who participates, but we can only guarantee them to the people who preregister by Saturday, September 21^st.

 

Tonight's Ride Cancelled

Due to weather conditions

 

 

Bear Lake Monster Cross News and Update

We are less than two weeks away from the inaugural Bear Lake Monster Cross event and we know many of you have several questions - because we've received those questions in emails and Facebook messages.

So here's the scoop.

As you should know, Bear Lake Monster Cross was postponed from its original June 29 date because of a serious car accident that sent me, your event director, to the ICU for a few days. We know the date change was not ideal and has caused many of our pre-registered riders to rethink their participation in the ride. We totally understand that.

Some of you have asked for refunds and we will be processing those shortly after our September 28 event has concluded. Our registration company will process those refunds, but has told us they can not do that until after the event has occurred. Everyone who has preregistered will receive a complimentary entry to our 2014 Bear Lake Monster Cross as a sorry-thank you gift. Those who have requested refunds for the 2013 ride will get that, too.

For those of you who are coming, we're going to make it well worth your entry fee.

Our numbers will not be huge - the date change is primarily responsible for that. But we had already ordered a ton of gear and SWAG. What this means is everyone who does show up to ride is going home with a boatload of stuff. We've got jerseys, hats, t-shirts, stickers, pint glasses, shot glasses, etc.

Long story short: Those who request a refund will get one. Those who show up for the ride will go home with a lot of stuff to help promote the race for next year. EVERYONE gets a 2014 entry.

Also, we've been asked what kind of bike is best for Bear Lake Monster Cross. We recommend a cyclocross bike because the vast majority of the ride will be on gravel/dirt roads. We'll have about 15 miles of paved road and about 5 miles of semi-rough double-track jeep trail. A mountain bike will handle everything perfectly well, but a CX bike will get you through the course faster and with very little difficulty. Just load up the Stans and bring an extra tube or two with you.

The 2013 Bear Lake Monster Cross event will be fairly low key. We'll still provide full-supported aid stations and SAG, but some of the other bells and whistles at the start/finish line will be kept to a minimum. One thing is for sure, the route is beautiful and those who do ride with us will experience a century ride like none other.

Hope this answers your questions.

bearlakemonsterride.com

 

Time Change Pending for the TNR

Tomorrow night will be the final 6 p.m. departure of the season.  The following week, (September 24^th) we will be moving the start time up to 5:30 p.m.  If you have lights, it would probably be good to start bringing them since the days will only continue to get shorter.

Chris Horner Seals the Deal on the Angliru

In the end, Vincenzo Nibali did not give up without a fight.  He attacked and gapped Horner four times on the Angliru, the final climb of the 2013 Vuelta.  The fifth attack came from Horner and it was the one that stuck. 

copyright Bettini/Cyclingnews.com

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-20/photos/279586

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/09/news/chris-horners-patience-pays-off-on-the-ascent-of-the-angliru_302858

 

The Start of the Cyclocross Season is Only a Week Away.

     The first race in the Victor cyclocross series, The Kross Kickoff, is scheduled for next Saturday September 21^st.  The Victor guys have never put on a bad race.  If you can go, you will have a great time.  If not, please help spread the word by forwarding this message to everyone you know.  For scheduling details and registration, please use this link:

http://victorvelo.blogspot.com/

     As most of you know, in Rexburg, we are working on the return of The Cube.  We have placed the responsibility for designing the course in the very capable hands of Tate Litchfield.  At six p.m. on Monday night, we will be meeting at the Nature Park to do a ride through of some of the course options.  Anyone who is interested is welcome to come and brainstorm with us.

     The undisputed king of local races is Moose Cross which is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday October 12^th and 13th.  I am happy to give you your first look at their 2013 poster.  There is also a sweet pink version of this poster which I will be posting later.

http://www.moosecross.com/

 

 

Ride the Sidewinder Trail

     After many years mostly on the road, I guess I am pretty out-of-touch with the local mountain bike scene.  A few days ago, I posted a comment mostly bemoaning the state of the Stinking Springs Trail.  Tony called tonight to tell me about the Sidewinder Trail.  It is closed to motorized vehicles and more or less parallels Stinking Springs which is a multi-use trail.  The two trails meet about three quarters of the way to the top. Tony says Sidewinder is a sweet trail.  Access to the Sidewinder Trail is through the swinging gate directly north of the Stinking Springs parking area (just left of the SS trail).

     You can find more information on Sidewinder and other local trails at the web site of the Snake River Mountain Bike Club.   

http://www.snakerivermountainbikeclub.com/

 

Chris Horner On Regaining Vuelta Lead for the Third Time

"I didn't lose any sleep last night about being three seconds behind, so I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight about being three seconds ahead, At my age, I'm used to winning and used to losing. To be in the lead of the Vuelta with two days to go, it's not the first surprise of my life, but it's a very good one."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-back-on-top-and-eying-overall-vuelta-a-espana-victory