Monday, May 26th, 2008
In the Year of Big Ideas, my childhood friend Brad laid it out – he was going to climb El Cap in 2008. Never mind that he had minimal climbing experience or had never even been to Yosemite. We schemed and scheduled “vacation.” We planned and tried to convince others to join us, but in the end, Brad and I were on our own to wrestle with one very big – arguably bad – idea. We had four days to pull it off. We would have to climb faster than we could manufacture excuses.
Click here for more info on this episode of the Dirtbag Diaries by Fitz Cahall.
All of Fitz’s shows are great. The guy tells stories better than anyone. Download this episode if you’re looking for a solid story.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Monday, May 26th, 2008
If you’ve been reading this blog for any period of time you know that I’m obsessed with the Patagonia brand. One year ago I purchased:
Patagonia Houdini Full-Zip Jacket – Men’s
This is a perfect running/riding jacket. It’s light weight and great for rainy weather. A week back the zipper began splitting in 2 doing a reverse zip thing. When you spend that much on a jacket you expect it to last for a while. Then I remembered the reason why I purchase Patagonia clothing in the first place. The Patagonia Ironclad Guarantee.
We guarantee everything we make. If you are not satisfied with one of our products at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction, return it to the store you bought it from or to Patagonia for a repair, replacement or refund. Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge.
I took my jacket back to the local Patagonia retailer and they swapped it out for me on the spot. No questions asked.
I love that warm fuzzy feeling,
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Monday, May 26th, 2008
Use promo code “springfling20” during checkout. This offer expires on May 30, 2008. Don’t forget about our exclusive OutsideAllDay.com special offer in May. For all purchases made on Altrec.com you are eligible to win an Osprey backpack. This expires on May 30, 2008.
Our friends at Moosejaw are going big with an additional 10% off coupon.
Happy shopping and long weekend!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Sunday, May 25th, 2008
Lately I have been inspired to run. Maybe it is because I watched the movie “Without Limits” the story of Steve “Pre” Prefontaine, famous Oregon Duck and American long distance runner (must see). Late last year I found this awesome run about 5 miles from work. Crystal Cove State Park consist of 3.5 miles of coastline and beautiful trails. The run that I have been doing consist of that 3.5 miles of coastline and hill repeats. All I can say it kicks my butt! (I have thrown up after the hill repeats twice). I have done it for 3 weeks now and I feel I am in the best running shape ever! This is the best beach run in Southern California, get out and run it!!
For more info on Crystal Cove State Park:
http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com
For more info on “Without Limits”:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119934/
Alex Omel
outsideallday.com Contributor
Friday, May 23rd, 2008
The Carbon Bike
I think I have found my new bike for cross season… But, price will tell. I have rolled around on the BH G4 Road bike, which this frame was obviously designed around, and it rides awesome. It was responsive and a comfortable fit, something I hardly say. If the carbon version is too much they also have their aluminum version.
BH released this about the new bike:
Next month, BH will present its new frame: the Cross Carbon, designed specifically for cyclo-cross.
This cutting-edge monocoque carbon frame weighs as little as 1.250 kg, and together with its Full Carbon fork, will revolutionize the field of cyclo-cross.
Following the positive results obtained last season with the BH Titan frame, and after almost a full year of testing different prototypes, improvements have been made to the frame’s geometry, strength and weight. Proof of this is professional cyclist and Ag2r team member John Gadret’s 8th place position in the last World Championship in Livigno.
Laboratory tests have also shown that these improvements are a big step forward, by optimizing performance without sacrificing reliability, which is essential for competition.
The frame will be available in four sizes (51, 54, 57, and 59) and in the Ag2r colors, as well as in aluminum.
The frame will be used by some of the best cyclo-cross racers such as Unai Yus, Isaac Suárez, John Gadret, Jerome Chevalier and the women cyclists Rocío Gamonal and Ruth Moll, among others.
The Aluminum frame with Carbon Fork
For more information go to:
www.bhbikes-us.com
-DSheek
Mountain Bikes are beating me up… I need cross season!
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
I received a phone call Tuesday night from my cycling coach/Pro Mountain Biker Cameron Brenneman of the Sho-Air Team as he was explaining his recent trip to Italy for a 24 Hour mountain bike courtesy of Niner Bikes.
The conversation went something like this:
“24 Hours later and I am back in New Mexico. I am tired. The trip was good but for being in Italy almost a week I think I learned two things to say, I’m on your left and I’m on your right. Obviously, I was saying it wrong though because I took out a team on a tandem bike early because they didn’t understand.”
But Cameron sent over a little email too with information and pictures from the race:
The race went well in Italy. We won the 4 man team classification & took 3rd overall. We raced on single-speed Niner bikes and only one other team used single-speeds. We completed 59 laps of the 4 mi course. It was a lot of fun and there were some amazing views of the sea from the course. One of my teammates girlfriend decided last minute to compete in the solo category on a single-speed (crazy!!!). She finished 2nd with 33 laps. For more info go to www.24hfinale.com.
Hope everyone is doing well,
Cameron
Thanks for sharing!
-dsheek
I would have been so amazed by the views I would have forgotten about racing…
Monday, May 19th, 2008
In my call on Friday with coach Felipe of Breakaway-Training he asked about upcoming goals. The largest identified goal is weight loss and weight management. Weight is an eternal struggle for me and since the half Ironman/foot injury it’s been up and down more than I would like. Right now I’m at 184 pounds.
From May 19 – May 25 I’m keeping a food journal of everything I eat. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts, excess coffee consumption, everything. At the end of this week I’ll return the journal to Felipe for analysis. I’m hoping he can identify my bad habits and eating quirks quickly and then can hold me accountable along with my training plan. By doing this it should be fairly simple to see for myself. This might be a trick I continue to use longterm.
I’m optimistic!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Monday, May 19th, 2008
Happy Monday! Laugh a little…
HT MoreThanDodgeBall.com
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
This was a busy shopping weekend. I needed to purchase 2 things for my jacked up foot and some new Patagonia swim trunks for vacation. I shopped like a chick!
For my feet:
Strassburg Sock
For my buns:
Patagonia Wavefarer II Board Shorts (Spring 2008)
I went with Wizard:Jute for my pattern/color.
No more buying stuff for a while.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
