A while ago I went over to the local bookseller and picked up a new mag to the rack. Backpacking Light by and large is a subscription based Web site with lots of product reviews for products to drop weight for lightweight hiking and backcountry travel. They have moved into the printed format and I am loving it.

Content: Solid articles in Issue 9. Some could have used a little bit more editing (as could I) but by and large the content is very unique. Have you ever thought the only difference between some of the hero’s we read about in the magazines and other people we know who have also conquered great challenges is the power of promotion? This magazine celebrates a number of people who have conquered some great things while still working a nine-to-five. My favorite article in this issue is “Singletrack on the Ultralight” by Doug Johnson. It is all about three day mountain bike ride with the riders carrying their overnight gear. Though my back hurts considering the idea – the article is awesome and highlights some options to make the whole task a lot easier.

Graphic Design: Moments of brilliance with a few pages of that could use a little more ink. Lots of good images illustrated the articles. A family of fonts are used rather than a fiasco of design where every story gets a different look. The next time you see it. Give it a check.

While traveling in Albuquerque this week I picked up a magazine that is right up our alley. Breathe Magazine is published in Canada and here is a quick review.

Content: The issue I picked up was volume 4, issue 2. My favorite article was titled “Two Regular Guys” by Ted McLeod and was about two friends that took up the TransRockies Challenge. This story alone is worth picking up the mag and putting down the $4.99. I enjoyed the stage by stage review of the event. Now I want to put together an OAD team event. Lot’s of good writing and interesting takes on things outside. One article gave a review of the Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 that is an internally geared hub with 14 speeds. Mind blowing concept.

Graphic Design: The ads in the magazine should not outshine the design within. There were a few good pages that created a good look but by and large the mag needs a redesign. I didn’t take the time to count how many font changes the mag made from cover to cover – but at least 20. That’s OK the content is good. Check it out.

World Cup Style Course + World Cup Rider = The Flying B, the Final Race of the So Cal Cross Fever and ’08-09 CX Season

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

LAST CHANCE (to) CROSS , hosted by Rock N Road Cyclery – January 25, 2009 —
By David Sheek

‘Last Chance Cross’ took place Sunday Jan 25th, as the last race in So Cal AND the finale of the Cross Fever Series. The event took place at Cornerstone RV Park and Picnic area affectionately known as the Flying B Ranch in Black Star Canyon, CA. The ranch presented amazing terrain with world cup potential. Race director and long-time Pro MTBer, Michael Lee brought his experience along with support from World Champion mountain biker Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis) to create a course with plenty of excitement for those who challenged it. The course was a mix of fast pavement, numerous off camber S-turns around trees, through gravel and steep hillsides as well as the tricky u-turn barriers and sand pit made riders dismount and remount numerous times per lap. Overall, it was another one of the great courses of this season and a recipe of road, bumpy dirt, sand, gravel, wood chips, banked turns, and steep jolting climbs to make it one of the most technically challenging course yet…

Click the grean to read the whole report!

Cross Fever #4 Race Report

-DSheek
By CX see you in September

Rock N’ Road Cyclery

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rocknroadcyclery.blogspot.com

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(949) 360-8045

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5701 Santa Ana Canyon Rd.
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Or is it my dream girl…
pole-dancing

-DSheek
She is such a giver!

It’s Your Last Chance (to)Cross AND Cure your ‘Cross Fever… celebrate the end of the cyclocrossseason this Sunday, 1/25 at the Flying B Ranch!

Don’t miss the Series Finale this Sunday, January 25th AND yourLAST CHANCE (to) ‘CROSS!!! (at the Flying “B” Ranch / Cornerstone (alsoknown as the Black Star RV Park & Picnic Area) Hosted by Rock N Road Cyclery and Team CICLE, this will be the first ever CX race at the Flying B Ranch and the last race of the 2008-09 cyclocross season. $1,500 PRIZE LIST in 14 race categories! Cash Prizes to: Men 1/2/3,Women 1/2/3, Masters 35+ Men & Women and Single Speed!!! Free KidsRacing. Demo ‘cross bikes available for first timers and Juniors! Free beginner’s clinic. BBQ and Beer! Be a part of the celebration!

The course is 20% paved, 20% grass and 60% dirt. The start/finish is paved with a slight uphill to it. At the top of the climb a 180 right turn brings you to the first grass section. A left turn onto dirt takes you to what might be a slight run up for most of the riders. Across the top of the run up another right turn takes you down a 3 level cork-screw descent. A left turn takes you into the second grass section. A right turn onto dirt and another right turn on to the pavement brings youback to the start/finish. The course is approximately 2.5 km=20in lengthand are timed circuits.

PRE-REGISTER by Friday – 9:00pm (Pacific) for your chance to win! Each time you pre-Register at SportsbaseOnline.com you will be automatically entered in the drawing to win an Alpha Q Carbon Fork! (Race day registration is available – and opens at 8:00AM) Go to: www.CrossFever.org to pre-register!

Bring a new rider to ‘Cross on Sunday, go to the SoCalCross Booth and get one FREE ticket into our grand prize drawing which also includes our daily race drawing for a 2-night stay at Warner Springs Ranch!

Look for details on the season ending celebration and large screen viewing of the 2009 CX World Championships, Sunday 2/1. We will award the Baily O’Brien carbon/aluminum CX frame!
Then its eight months until the next CX season!!!

More Series information can be found at: www.SoCalCross.org

This week’s featured sponsor: Team DUKE is an athletic fundraising program unlike any other. You pick the sport. You pick the event. We’ll help you get geared up, enlist sponsors and meet your goals. And all ofyour hard work benefits the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, anorganization that brings courage, strength and grit to the fightagainst cancer. Info at: www.TeamDuke.org

Landis can’t wait to race again
By Associated Press
Posted Jan. 22, 2009

Floyd Landis is coming back to cycling, and says his sport will be better for it. Landis’ feel-good story came to halt when he was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France victory following a doping scandal and protracted fight in courts around the world. He said Thursday he feels “like a kid again” knowing that his two-year ban from cycling will end next week. “In my mind, it’s already behind me,” Landis said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’m not dwelling on that at all.” Landis was barred for using synthetic testosterone in the latter stages of cycling’s showcase race three years ago. He contends the testing system is flawed, but he has no means left to fight other than to resume racing. He will ride for the OUCH cycling team and debut at the Tour of California next month, starting what he plans to be at least two years with OUCH, which opens its training camp Friday.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Another Floyd interview at:
http://thisjustin.bicycling.com/2009/01/exclusive-floyd.html

More info:
www.teamouch.com
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com

In case you didn’t know, the The Tour Down Under in Adelaide is going strong.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

This video was turned on to me by EC who found it on Drunk Cyclist another great blog about cycling, where dopers are hated and women are paraded is probably the best way to describe the site.

This man was described as the Lance Armstrong of sling shot… It is impressive the way he bust his nut!

-DSheek
I am going MTB tonight to find my new sling shot.

This is the greatest news ever. Felipe and his team of coaches at Breakaway Training are some of the best in the business. They personally helped me to accomplish so much. I’m thankful for the work they do.

Jan. 06, 2009 – Breakaway Training, today announced that it has received the “Best Triathlon Club” Award from Competitor Magazine, California’s Fitness Magazine covering triathlon, running, biking, swimming and endurance sports in general. Survey respondents wrote in their vote for “Best Triathlon Club” and Breakaway Training was selected first among other organizations.

More info at:
www.breakaway-training.com
www.competitorca.com

Congrats on the award guys, you deserve it,

Andy B
outsideallday.com

It’s been a while since I last posted personal stuff about my life and training. Here’s the quick update.

1. My family and I are now officially transitioned to Fort Collins, CO from California.

2. After 8 weeks of living in 3 different places, we are now living in the home we purchased. You can follow the story and see pictures on Julie’s family blog.

3. My new job is my dream job but the days are long, I’m working 7:30 am – 6:0 pm everyday. Fitting in workouts up to this point has been difficult.

4. I’ve met a few good dudes that are super into running and riding. Looking forward to developing deeper relationships with them.

5. Our gym is unreal and it offers 7 day a week spin classes.

6. As of today, January 20, 2008, I started a food journal with the hopes of getting my diet back in line. The season of eating everything in front of me is over. My boss is on a diet and I can’t have him in better shape than me.

7. Felipe, from Breakaway Training is sending me my new 10 hour a week training plan. I need this plan if I’m going to successfully get back in shape.

8. My foot is still killing me. Ran tonight with soreness.

9. Still have great relationships with all of the site sponsors and plan on ramping the blog back up. Thanks to Motor Tabs, Fluid, SDG Saddles, Rock N Road, Bonk Breaker and Breakaway Training for their patience with me. Thank you to our readers for all hanging tight in the transition.

10. Thinking about joining a local Fort Collins cycling club called, Velo-One Cycling. They do 10 am Saturday group rides. I need the accountability.

Off to Chicago tomorrow for the day and I’m committed to keeping my diet in line.

Here’s to shedding lb’s in 2009.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

BIG SUR MARATHON EVENTS SELLING OUT

Info at: www.bsim.org/site3.aspx
April 26, 2009

The Big Sur International Marathon and its ancillary events are on track to sell out within a month. The affected April 26 events include the full marathon, marathon relay, and the 21 and 10.6 milers. The additional 9-Miler, PA/USATF 5K course, and Saturday’s JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K will remain open for registration through race weekend.

The popular 10.6-Miler has already sold out and the 21-Miler is 95% full. Relay teams for the full marathon are ahead of last year’s registration and the full marathon is nearly 70% full.

“Despite tough economic times, individuals are looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle and challenge themselves,” said Wally Kastner, race director for the Big Sur International Marathon. “We expect to sell out the marathon sometime in February, similar to last year.”

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, notes that there doesn’t appear to be a downturn in running interest or race participation. Road races in 2008 experienced a 6% increase in finishers from 2007, and several early 2009 races including the PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Phoenix, AZ and the Chevron Houston Marathon are either up or sold out.

The Big Sur International Marathon and its related events draw approximately 12,000 participants from throughout the United States and internationally. Last year all 50 states and 21 additional countries were represented.

The Big Sur Marathon website, www.bsim.org , lists the percentage full for each event with bi-weekly updates. Immediate online registration is encouraged for those considering taking part in the marathon, marathon relay, 21 and 9 Milers or 5K.

Contact: Julie Armstrong, Marketing Communications Director
831-625-6226 / Julie@bsim.org

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Our peeps at Fluid Recovery Products are looking to have some fun through a photo contest.

Contest details:

1. Send in the best piece of media you have of you and Fluid to info@livefluid.com. That can be anything from a video to a testimonial.

2. All submissions must be accompanied with contact information, this includes email address, mailing address and phone number.

3. After the submission is approved, you get a special code for 10% off any Fluid gear or merchandise just for entering!

4. Email all submissions to info@livefluid.com.

They are giving out a ton of prizes and it’s easy to enter. Click here to find out more info on the contest. I’m thinking I may enter, I rock my Fluid gear all the time.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

New Sho Air-Specialized Pro/Am MTB Team for 2009
By Fred Dreier
Posted Jan. 12, 2009

Specialized Bicycles already owns a prolific World Cup-level professional mountain bike racing team, which is home to 2008 world champion Christoph Sauser and downhill great Sam Hill. But for 2009 the California bicycle manufacturer is adding a North American component to its global umbrella of mountain bike racing. Specialized has teamed with Sho Air International, a Huntington Beach, California-based shipping company to sponsor the California-based Sho Air-Specialized mountain bike team.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Team specific info:
http://www.team-shoair.com
http://www.manuelmannyprado.com
http://www.teamvelosport.com
http://www.rocknroadcyclery.net
http://www.specializedbikes.com

2009 USA Cycling Pro Cross Country Mountain Bike Tour presented by Sho-Air International:

March 29: U.S. Cup – Fontana, Calif.
April 19: Sea Otter Classic – Monterey, Calif.
May 31: Bump N’ Grind – Birmingham, Ala.
June 13: Carmichael Training Systems Sand Creek International Classic – Colorado Springs, Colo.
August 8: U.S. Cup – Mount Snow, West Dover, Vt.
August 15: Yankee Clipper at Windham Mountain, Windham, N.Y.
September 26: USA Cycling Pro Cross Country Mountain Bike Tour Finals, Las Vegas, Nev.

I love that my local team is getting crazy love!

Andy B
outsideallday.com