Don’t forget. This Saturday the final in a series of three trail runs with the OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series will be going off at O’Neill Regional Park. With a scenic run through O’Neill Regional Park, great high quality t-shirts, and a Post Event Chili Cook Off with Campfire the crew at OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series will keep you warm, fit and well fed this winter! The series benefits local non-profit Trails4All.

The lovely crew at Book that Event will be hosting a rocking 4.5 mile run. Bring your trail shoes, a friend and some energy.

Date: Saturday, April 04, 2009
Time: 08:30 AM
Venue: O’Neill Regional Park
Address: 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Prices: April 4, 2009 Trail Run (Saturday) – $30.00
Website: http://bookthatevent.com

USA Cycling’s PRO XCT Tour Presented by SHO-AIR International

Mountain Bike (MTB) Racing is back! I have been out to the first two stops of the KENDA Cup West and US Pro XCT #1 and the racing is out of control… USA Cycling has made changes to the categories in MTB racing and the groups are faster and more competitive. I, of course, have raced like a small child on a tricycle at the first two events pedaling around slowly with mechanical issues or just feeling like crud because the Cat 1 (category) is like semipro and my body is in shock, but the racing is too much fun and the events are huge. This weekends US Pro Cross Country Tour (XCT) was the closest thing to the Sea Otter or MTB racing in the 1990′s. Again, I was impressed with the racer/fan turnout, quality of racing, difficult course selections, and most of all cooperation of the cycling industry whom are getting involved and showing representation at events.

In a short summary this was the hardest 5 mile course I have seen. The climbs were steep and technical and the descents did not leave room to pass. In the end there was great racing in all the fields. Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/RockyMountain) showed up again this season to dominate the Fontana XC as did Georgia Gould of the Luna Team. I can’t wait to see the next stop US Pro XCT #2 in Monterrey, California at the legendary Sea Otter Classic.

I was going to post results and the schedule but the turnouts are so big and there are so many racers you just have to go to the US Cup Website for the full list/Schedule of events and race results check the series site: www.mtb-uscup.com

For a professional more in depth report check: Cycling News
By Dave McElwaine in Fontana, California

Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) won again at Fontana despite trailing a talented ShoAir team until the final lap. Newly acquired ShoAir racer Max Plaxton had to settle for second place, although he had led most of the race. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Gary Fisher/Subaru) out-sprinted his teammate Sam Schultz for third. Adam Craig (Giant) finished fifth.

The newly designed cross country course proved to be much more challenging than in years past. It featured a steep, technical climb, followed by technical, downhill singletrack. Even the leaders were forced off their bikes at time due to deep sand an rocky obstacles. For the first time in race history, a major section of course was open to pros only…

For the best amateur journalism and video and interviews check my new favorite site (Thanks Colt): http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view/234765-us-pro-xct-1-fontana-city-national

With all this said, for real enjoyment on Cycling Dirt check the videos on the left side, if I did not upload this correctly, of the men’s cat1 30-34 video and watch our group get destroyed as Sho-Air’s Gary Douville rides away on the first climb while the rest of us suffered or walked the first major climb… Hint Outsideallday jersey (black and white), EC is the fast one and I am the slow one

Gary is racing well and went on to capture the fastest amateur time of the day… Nice one!

Enjoy!!!

-DSheek
Until next weeks racing destruction and humiliation

Study: Triathlons can pose deadly heart risks
By Associated Press

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Warning to weekend warriors: Swim-bike-run triathlons pose at least twice the risk of sudden death as marathons do, the first study of these competitions has found. The risk is mostly from heart problems during the swimming part. And while that risk is low — about 15 out of a million participants — it’s not inconsequential, the study’s author says.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

This is scary…I hate swimming.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

The Denver Post Ride The Rockies
June 14 – 19, 2009
380 miles

The Denver Post Ride The Rockies is an annual bicycle tour that takes 2,000 cyclists on a 6-7 day ride on paved roads through Colorado’s Rocky Mountains each June, assisted by more than 100 volunteers. In its 24th year RTR patrons will be treated to a six day, 380-mile loop, ascending three of Colorado’s most scenic mountain passes; one of which is McClure Pass, a brand new addition to our bicycle tour. Cyclists will also traverse the North Rim of the Black Canyon offering panoramic views of spectacular vistas and sheer cliffs.

Click here to see a promo video.

For the last few months people have been asking me if I would ever do the Ride The Rockies event. I’ve always said, well, if training time is allowed, if my family is healthy, if work isn’t too busy, etc. Well today I played on the site to actually find out what the heck this thing was and my answer is yes, yes I will ride you! Yes I will enter your lottery to try to be one of the lucky 2,000 to be admitted! Yes I will pay your $350 entry fee! This ride tours all over the most beautiful places in Colorado. YES, YES, YES!

Click here to see photo’s/description of the route.

I’m still trying to figure out how to be entered into the lottery for 2010. Let me in!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2009

Contact: Doug Grant
949-462-3600
dgrant@wagraphics.com
www.50mileride.com

Click here for event photos.

March 2009, Trabuco Canyon, CA. The economy may be down, but the spirit of mountain biking in Orange County is alive and well. A total of 431 enthusiastic cyclists participated in the 3rd annual 50 Mile Ride for Project Rwanda, held on Saturday March 21, 2009.

Already one of the largest mountain biking events in Southern California, this year’s event drew almost 100 more riders than the previous year. “We were worried the economy might impact rider participation this year”, said event organizer Doug Grant. “But rider support for our event has been amazing. We all love to ride, and riding for a good cause is just icing on the cake.” This year’s 50 Mile Ride event raised over $24,000 for Project Rwanda.

Project Rwanda was founded by Tom Ritchey, a bike designer and a pioneer in the mountain biking industry. Ritchey has designed durable load-bearing bicycles that are being distributed to Rwandan coffee growers through a unique micro-enterprise venture. These specialty bikes increase a farmer’s earning potential by 30 – 40 percent annually, giving them the opportunity to rise above poverty for the first time in their generation. Project Rwanda has also been working to “re-brand” Rwanda, helping to raise national pride by sponsoring and developing the Rwandan National Cycling Team.

The 50 Mile Ride started three years ago as a 50th birthday ride for event founder Doug Grant. Each year, participants elect to ride either a 25 mile route or the full 50 mile route. The full course travels from Cooks Corner, through O’Neill Park, working its way to Dove Canyon, then out to Caspers Park and back, then on to Tijeras Creek, Arroyo Trabuco, back through O’Neill and finishing up again at Cooks Corner. Fifty miles is a long way on a mountain bike – and with over 5300 feet of climbing, most riders really appreciate all the food and aid stations along the route. “It was a great event with the best mountain biking I’ve done yet!”, said participant Jamie Lau. “The river crossings and single track through the woods, the mud, and “jungle” got me nostalgic of the east coast where I just moved from.”

In addition to the 25 and 50 mile routes, a new 5 mile “Fun Ride” was added to attract more young riders and families. Traveling along the Aliso Creek Bike Trail, this fun route included games and activities for all participants along the way.

A post-ride party was held at Cooks Corner. Riders and their families enjoyed a barbecue (proceeds going toward Project Rwanda), a DJ, and sponsor booths – including a massage table for those aching legs. The highlight of the post-ride party was the prize raffle. Over $10,000 in prizes were donated by the event’s generous sponsors, many of whom were local bike shops and merchants. The Grand Prize, a KHS cross country mountain bike, was won by Pat Moxley. In an unselfish act that epitomized the spirit of the 50 Mile Ride event itself, Pat elected to auction his new mountain bike to the highest bidder – with all proceeds going to Project Rwanda. After lively bidding action, participant Bronwen Conway rode home with a brand new KHS bike – a gift for her husband.

For more information about the 50 Mile Ride or Project Rwanda, visit the event’s web site at www.50mileride.com.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

We still need gear but money is may be a little tight, free shipping helps to soften that blow!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

As I was reading the newest issue of Outside Magazine I found an ad for the Spot Satellite Messenger.

The product is different than your standard GPS unit which typically doesn’t act as a communication device.

1. Send messages to folks back home using Spot when you have no cell coverage. Messages are sent to an assigned users email address or cell phone.
2. Allow people at home to track your movement using Google Maps.
3. Notify an emergency response team that you need help.

Click here to watch a product demo through Amazon.com.

There is an annual $99.00 service few which feels well priced. The product seems perfect for the weekend warrior or the hard core adventurer. I can think of a few times in the last month were I’ve been out a little further on my mountain bike than I had been before, would have been nice to let the fam know that all was well. I want one!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Photo: Agence France Presse
Andrew Hood over at Velo News has updated info on Lance Armstrong and his crash during Castilla y León:
“Lance Armstrong’s broken right collarbone won’t keep him out of the Tour de France, but being competitive in time for the May 9 start of the Giro d’Italia remains a major question mark.

Whether Armstrong can recover in time to start July’s Tour is not a major concern for Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel, but he’s not so sure about the Giro with the start in Venice just six weeks away.

“This has no impact on the Tour at all. I don’t think this changes anything for the Tour de France,” Bruyneel said Tuesday. “It’s too early to say about the Giro. Being at the start of the Giro isn’t a problem, but he has to have a decent level to be competitive. We may have to change our focus and try to do the Giro with another mentality.”

The 37-year-old’s comeback campaign was thrown into turmoil when he broke his right collarbone in a pileup about 15km from the finish line in Monday’s first stage in the five-day race across northern Spain.

The Belgian sport director — speaking to journalists before the start of Tuesday’s individual time trial stage in Palencia — said he’s confident Armstrong will be back in fighting shape to make a run at winning an eighth Tour crown.

“A broken collarbone in the month of March does not at all compromise the start of the Tour de France or your performance in the Tour de France, that’s not a problem,” Bruyneel said.

The crash throws a planned debut at the Giro d’Italia into doubt.”

Remainder of Story.

Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana had victory snatched shockingly away from him in the final moments of the SnoDrift Rally, Round 1 of the 2008 Rally America National Championship, when…

HT to The Goat for the video.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Photo: Agence France Presse

Andrew Hood at Velo News has just posted “Lance Armstrong crashed hard in Monday’s opening stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y León and was transported by ambulance to a hospital in nearby Palencia, Spain.

Race organizers confirmed that the seven-time Tour de France champion had broken his right collarbone.

“Armstrong suffered a fracture of the third medio of the right clavicle,” the race organization said in a statement after the rider underwent an X-ray at a hospital in the city of Valladolid.

Armstrong left the hospital Monday evening and said he was “miserable.”

“It has never happened before, I feel very disappointed,” he told reporters as he left the hospital. “I feel miserable right now so I have to relax a few days.”

He nodded his head when asked if he would return to the United States.

Armstrong told reporters his participation in the Giro d’Italia in May “will be very complicated”.

Armstrong’s teammate Levi Leipheimer told VeloNews he did not see the crash.

“I was in the front. It was on really narrow, bumpy roads. It was a pretty bad road, super-rough and narrow. The edges were deteriorating, with cracks and parts missing, It was worse than typical (Spanish roads).” Leipheimer said.

More from VeloNews here:
Info from USA Today

I have no idea what the movie is called because it’s all in French but the preview is sweetness!

HT to The Goat for the preview.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

The 3rd annual 50 Mile Ride is going down in Orange County, California today. From what I’ve heard over 400 riders are riding the 50 mile leg that kicked off at 7am this morning. 100% off the money raised is given to Project Rwanda.

Greg Sellers from Motor Tabs is at the event, he’s the official hydration drink of the day. He donated thousands of Motor Tabs to the pull this off. Greg and Sheek will be sending me pics all day and I’ll keep updating this post.

The mighty Sheek!

Mr. Sellers

Matt Ford (Mr. Rock N Road) and Big Mike Rogan

Meredith and some Trail Angels post ride…

Special shout out to Doug Grant and crew for pulling this off again, my family (Alison, Alex and Steph) for helping 3 years in a row, Sheek, Motor Tabs and Rock N Road. Great job guys.

More pictures to come throughout the day.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Fun inspirational story for you weekend warriors type’s like me. Get on your mountain bike this weekend.

Backyard Adventures: Squirting Blood
TheCleanestLine.com
March 18, 2009

I lay in bed the other night, a lot tired and a little bloodied, but smiling, thinking about the horned toad Alex and I had managed to catch earlier in the day. I’ve only seen a couple of these prehistoric-looking reptiles in the mountains of Southern California, because they’re kind of scarce and accomplished masters of camouflage. To find one was a simple treat that had made the day’s backyard adventure all the more memorable.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Andy B
outsideallday.com