Scandal at Castlewood/ Perry Lake

So, I am checking out some blogs from STL, checking out the MTB seen. There is some fuss over the guy who won our Cat 2 race. Apparently he started with the Cat 1's and he is not a "true" Cat 2 racer. I am not going to point fingers or bitch any myelf. All I have to say is; Dude, you used your state jearsy as a doorstop? I would be wearing that F-ing thing to work all week long had I won it!! Owe, and by chance if this means I get 3rd, you can send my shit to joetown... Click for Blog..

Here is a video of the tricky downhill at Castlewood. This is right from the start. You see the Experts, then SS, then Cat 2 with some marathon folks scattered in between. we are the thrid group to come by (cat 2), I am 4th coming down the hill (approx 3:38 into it). JP is at about 4:18 and hitting a tree!Can't miss it! Don't think he is going to like me very much for posting it, but I can't help it..

Also there is an awesome endo at about, 1:48, by a SS guy...

Click for Video

On another note, UFD has Crocodile Rock set for Perry lake this Sunday. I know Randy and C Hoppe will be back from vacation. Hell, even BradBob said he was going to make it....

MO State Championship Race, Castlewood

So close, yet so far away! What a suffer fest this one was! JP and I headed down to St. Louis this last weekend to try our luck at the MO State Championship mtb race. How nice would it have been to bring home one of these puppies! Nice!

Was not a lot of "West" side of the state folks down there for this race. Ethos crew as down there, Travis, Garet & Steve. Saw Tim from smithville and some others, but that was about it.
It was a hot & humid race and the start was insane! They had us go up this gravel double track about 1/4 mile. That was pretty gnarly, good for me on the SS, I hit the top of the hill 3 back... Then proceeded to lose ground bit by bit until the finish!
The course was pretty fun, considering I am not a big fan of rocks, I would like to hit it up sometime when I can slow down and appreciate it a bit more.
After the initial climb at the start there were two other significant climbs in the race, other than that it was smooth single track.(I'm the second one with the chicken legs) my race went as follows: Pass guys climbing in there granny gear up the climbs, they catch up at the end of the decent and pass me on the open grass section and repeat! For all three laps! It was a little frustrating but what can you do. 2 of the 3 guys I was playing leapfrog with ended up getting the better of me. I ended up 8th overall and 4th for the Cat 2 30-39. After looking at the results, I was about 6 min shy of 3rd and 20 F-ing min out from 1st. Yes, 20 MIN!!!
JP had a good showing, he pulled a 9th place on his first ride back from trying to injure himself. Also good considering he had some mechanicals along the way.

I am pretty sure that the only guy from our area to Potium was Garet from Ethos Racing. He killed it...
All in all I am very happy I went, but let me tell ya, it was a painful one. Hard course, the field was stacked with good riders, I loved it!
Here are some other points of view from guys who did much better than I did:
Dan Miller - won SS State
Johathan Schottler - Won Cat 1 State

Out with the old, In with the new!

Well, you can't even call it old.. Got a new SS Kona Unit frame over the winter, had my mechanic (Hippy) put it together and 3 months later this happens.. 2 days after the Krug race...

Just as well, I was having a hell of a time keeping the sliding rear dropouts from moving on me. I am not sure I think any thing other than a EBB (Eccentric Bottom Bracket)is going to work very well for a single speed. More on that later...
Called up Bikeman.com where I got the frame and they were refreshingly easy to work with. Long story short I ended up with what I should have got in the first place. Surly baby!

Now, I love this bike, however it does have horizontal dropouts. Which brings a new set of headaches of its own. My fancy Stans wheelset that I just had to get wont alow me to bolt it on, I have to use quck releases. So I had to get some tugnut tensioners. Which come to find out, apparently give a little. The drive side repedadly pulls the wheel out of center. So with my mechanic (hippy) we put another bolt onto it to help out..

Even with the added bolts, I still have trouble keeping the wheel centered through a couple laps at Krug. I even threw a chain a couple of times when it gets too lose. We Put some chain guides on the rear cog to stop the chain from slipping off. Which was a life saver with all the rocks at the Down and Dirty. I would have thrown that thing every half mile!
Any one else had problems like this? Any suggestions?

Owe, also heading down with JP for the Missouri State Championship race at Castlewood. Wish us luck, probably going to need it...

Down and Dirty

Just like we like it, down and dirty!
Craig, Darrel and I got up at the crack of dawn (literally) to head down to Warsaw to race. Got there about 9ish, Darrel was doing the marathon class so we needed to get there early.
Craig and I did a pre lap and let me tell you, this course was about the exact opposite of Krug. Rocky and flat(ish). There were some climbs but none that wiped you out. The off camber rocky stuff gave me fits though. The rocks were not Landahl/Swope Park rocks but smaller like smithville, just tons of them. Corning was a little difficult since we are all used to hardpacked single track. I noticed that LOTS of people had flats they had to deal with. I have to say that switching over to tubless is the best decision I have made yet.
Lots of folks were going down also, talented riders too, I saw many with cuts on there legs from going down. Personally I was not going fast enough to lose control. Our very own, Mr. Hoppe managed to hit the same tree all three laps! You would think that earned him some points or something.
Craig kicked major ass like usual, took 3rd over all in the expert badd ass cat 1. And 1st for his age group.


I did not fare as well as the machine and took 3rd in the Cat 2. 30-39. Not happy with that, but it'll have to do..


I think Darrel had a good time, he has not raced in a long time. Brad had a good time too, he was sitting on his ass at home instead of racing that new bike of his. (yes this is the first official call out till you race!)

The more I ride other trail systems the more I realize how spoiled we are here. I love our trails!!!

The race was put on pretty well I would say, could have used some weedaters out there, but what can you do. They all can't have Trail Hippy's!

weedeating girlscout sat morn?

I'll be out there at the brownie split at 7 amm straight up maybe a couple of us can finish brownie and a couple start girl scout. The trail hippie

Krug Ride...If interested..

Tomorrow morning ride at Krug you sissy boys and girls.....

Down and Dirty, June 6th...

Okay, due to several reasons I am not going to get into, I am thinking about bailing on the dirty Kanza and going to Warsaw (2.75 hour drive) for the Down and Dirty..

Any one else planning on racing that weekend?

Also, the dirty K is at max capacity, so I might be giving up my spot.. Email me if you want it...

Robidoux Roundup Results/ Updated

Click Here For Results!

W/ Lap times

Hope everyone enjoyed the race. It was a pleasure having everyone out.. It was an awesome race!

Huge thank you to Randy and Criag who put it on! Also all our wife's for volunteering and more importantly supporting our addiction...

Thank you to everyone who came out and got the trail ready to race on.

Also thank you to our volunteers, Crook, Brad (you should have been racing, but I will save that for another day),Don, Andy, Bob, Joyce and the St. Joseph Bike Club. Our photographers, Blake and Devon.

Ed and all the trials fellas..

If I left anyone out, I apologize, Craig and Randy probably have a better idea about that.

Anyway, we will try and post some race reports along with the lap times when we get them. I have seen a handful, shoot us over the link if you have one....

Robidoux Roundup 2010 Pics

Race pics here
http://picasaweb.google.com/choppe44/RobidouxRoundupMTBRace2010#

Race is ON!

Spoke to the fellas, they are out at Krug right now. Everything is drying up nicely, they have even removed all the standing water in the trouble spots...

So pack your gear, get your game face on, your racing tomorrow!

Just to let you all know what you have to contend with saturday....

I RODE the entire course last night. I RAN the entire course today. Less than five minutes difference between the two. I think that speaks volumes about my mtb skillz, eh? What will I win for DFL?

Weedeatin comin up

The race is in less than 2 weeks out. The weeds are growing like, well, weeds. Holy crap! Corby north is almost already grown shut and krug is gaining. Is anyone up for some noxious vegetation extermination...weedeating for you simple folk...this weekend if it's not raining too hard? We have to be done in 10 days and it's supposed to rain most of those. I know being there while your greatgreat aunt 4 times removed has a hairy mole burned off her tongue SEEMS like the right thing to do, but getting the course spiffed up in an expedient timeframe may take precedence. Post or call if you can help. Thanx, the trail hippie

Krug "Optional" Bridges

Krug bridges are finally done! Randy and I completed the last two tonight. They are the optional "slower route" bypasses for the two main water crossings that I have been pestering Randy about for some time now. This means that for the most part we can now stay out of the water while riding at Krug. I know alot of you like the water crossings and they are still there to ride if you choose to but for those of us that ride up there on a regular basis it will be much better for the drivetrain and bike clean up (not to mention dry feet!)
Anyway, by my count that makes 13 bridges in a 6.7 mile loop... Bet you won't find too many trails out there that can say they average a bridge every half mile!

Bonbender pics/results

6 Hour Team
6:17:00 Chambers / Donn Duo Open 7 Laps
6:04:02 Stamper / Waller Duo Open 6 Laps
6:09:20 Douglas / Hoppe Duo Open 6 Laps
6:18:36 Mapes / Shores Duo Open 6 Laps
6:32:00 Doss / Wood Duo Open 6 Laps
6:44:55 Trout / Fettin Duo Open 6 Laps
6:46:16 Tracy / Crook Duo Open 6 Laps
6:50:38 Arnaud / Myers-Arenth Duo Open 6 Laps
6:53:33 Mayfield / Coffman Duo Open 6 Laps
6:57:11 Jones / Lacy Duo Open 6 Laps
7:16:22 Lueckert / Yeary Duo Open 6 Laps
6:02:30 Carstensen / Carstensen Duo Open 5 Laps
6:03:55 Gaulter / Reade Duo Open 5 Laps
6:05:09 Overstreet / Trammell Duo Open 5 Laps

First pic is of Larry, cuz its effen AWESOME!!!!

Podium... Hoppe and I taking 3rd.

JP coming in after lap 1.

Hippy looking sexy as always!

Lemans start. Jim there I am sure somewhere near the rear! (Jim don't like to run)

Hoppe and GMapes waiting for JP and I to come in from the first lap.

Nick won a raffle on his first damn race! Can you believe it!I am sure you can trade that in down at the shop for some break pads or something....

Thats it for now, I am sure there are more pics to come......

Bonebender/ Smithville

What a great race on Sunday.. I woke up this morning and felt like I was hit by a truck!! Just maybe if I can quit going over my handlebars, might help.. Hoppe, Randy, Crook, Jimbo, JP and I all made the venture to Smithville to race Bonebender. JP brought some more shores sports fellas with him, Jason, G-mapes. We all raced (minus jim who did three hour solo) duo six hour races.
Click on this to check out the start of the race

Even saw a couple of joetown folks down losing their racing virginity down there. Larry and Nick. (T-Garv you’re a pussy for not showing up)Anyway, I think they had a good time of it… Seem to have smiles on their faces anyway…

All in all, it was a great time, we all were pushing it so hard we were cramping like crazy. Hoppe and I battled it out with JP and GMapes for 3rd…. We got it, and they came up with 4th place.. 1st went to Cameron and Travis D, put in another lap on us for that matter, them boys are smoken fast.. Probably about 25 min from lapping us...
We missed out of 2nd by I think about 5-8 min…

All of the results, etc… Are not posted yet, so I will get back to post some more stuff later..

Bone Bender 3/6 Hour MTB Race

From the Dirt Dobbler:

The big weekend has arrived. It is time to hit those wicked fast Smithville Lake MTB trails. Time for some Bone Bender fun in Paradise.

Awards are in. Thanks to John Williams from Pot Pie for making them. I just wish I was racing so I could have a chance to win one.

The final course is 11.5 miles in length. Lap times should be between 55 min and 1:15 min. I am sure there are few guys that can get close to 50 min laps but the most will be in the above range. To view the course go to Bone Bender Course. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30100107

We had a good response to pre-registration. I think they wanted one of those nice t-shirts that Rich Bowman designed. 122 have signed up so far. Not very many locals have signed up (maybe they are waiting to register on race day), but a surprising amount of out-of-town riders have. That is very cool. Race day registration opens opens at 0700 and closes at 0930.

Hot Lap at Krug/ Bonebender

Who is going to bonebender this Sunday? Its going to be a blast.. I can't wait! The start time is 10:00 so folks are going to have to leave town pretty early... (Or if Lansen was going at least by 9:00)

On anther note, got a little text message from a little A$$hole I like to call "way to fast for an old man" with a little lap time from out at Krug....

Yep, that's fast as S**T! The bar has been set and it not even May yet.. This is going to be a good year for MTB.... And painful, now I have to try and cut more weight and get some billy goat climbing legs to get a lap time in the 30's..... Owe boy....

Anyone Up For Organizing Another MTB Race this Summer?

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2010 Tour of Missouri is trying to put together a good, firm schedule of various cycling events for 2010. As in past years, the idea is to get behind a number of activities leading into the Tour and build up momentum for the international event.

Now one might ask why this makes sense if the future of the Tour is uncertain. It's a good question but is best answered by why everyone backs the Tour in the first place. Aside from the money it generates and the tremendous advertising its gives our community and businesses, the big benefit is creating awareness in our local population that biking is fun, provides good health benefits, and offers an alternative method of transportation to replace those gas guzzlers out there for many trips. The proof is in the pudding too as I think we've all noticed more people biking in the last several years. A positive message and good promotion works.

So even if the Tour doesn't come off (we all sure hope it does though!) the LOC is wanting to coordinate with various groups that have already scheduled biking events and help promote the collective in a package. It doesn't want to take anything over, but is open to helping recruit volunteers, help with fundraising for the events, and provide the marketing/promotion assistance.

The first big effort out of the box is to help with the May 8th race already scheduled for the mountain bike race. That same day there will be a Trials event up at Krug, and the Bike Club has scheduled its picnic and ride for that same day.

I spoke to Randy after riding Corby North a week or so ago and he indicated the need for about 10 volunteers for the May 8th race. Ed hasn't come up with what he needs for the Trials competition that day, but we'll try to help with that when he does. Our volunteer guru will start trying to get volunteers together so long as somebody will be around to tell them how/where you need them to help.

Events to follow through the Summer will be rides scheduled by the Bike Club, the Kids Races Tour (several races through the Summer), and Savannah's "Andrew Co. Tour" in mid-July.

I know you guys love to race (I'm just a train whistle when I'm riding the trails) so wondered if maybe a city mountain bike race were put together sometime during the year if you think that would work? I know it wouldn't get on any of the calendars out there and might be kind of a small race for a while, but the idea of trying to build something up to promote mountain biking might be good.

So the question is many-fold: Would a race sometime this summer be workable and would there be some expert advice for us novices to help put it on? And if it's a "yes" to both, what trail should a race be on and what time of the year should we shoot for? Or is it a good idea but something we need to look at doing in 2011? Or maybe just best to get behind you guys for 2011 and help make the next version of the May race bigger and better?

Maybe it's too much too fast, but there's so much momentum out there that we hate to lose the opportunity to get things going while we have the chance. If the Tour fails this year, it will be a lot harder to get something going next year.

We're having a meeting on the 15th, 4PM, at the Convention & Visitors Bureau if you'd like to listen in on what's going on and add your two-cents.

Out of town visiter

A guy from Colorado, Josh, Is going to be in town the 15-18th. He would like to ride the trails and is thinking of doing BoneBender. I told him to post up something and we would try to play trail guide. I have his phone number. If any of you can help out let me know and we can exchange numbers.. I know the guy is cool, cause he has a Turner in his MTBR profile!
Jim Spellman

KC Trail Conditions Are Just A Tweet Away

took this from Earthriders forum: Nice to know before you head out of Joetown for a ride..

So, you’re stuck in rush hour traffic, hoping to get out on your favorite trails before dark, and you’re wondering what the trail conditions are like?

Well, wonder no more – Earth Riders MTB Club has hooked up a Twitter feed to the trail conditions information they provide on their forums (http://forums.earthriders.com) for all the metro area trails.

Now, when the trail status is updated on the forums, KcTrailsStatus will tweet the conditions, for example:

#SMP CLOSED: Not Rideable (ptooi)

To get connected, go to http://twitter.com and follow KcTrailsStatus – its direct URL is http://twitter.com/KcTrailsStatus. As with any Twitter account, you can subscribe to an RSS feed, elect to receive SMS messages, etc.