Earlier today Lance Armstrong Twittered out this video on the making of the 2010 Team Radio Shack Trek Madone.
For a second it make me want a Trek and then I realize how much I love Specialized.
I really looking forward to this year’s road season.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Frozen the movie
It’s important that you watch the entire trailer, the girls hands are the funnest part.
HT thegoat.backcountry.com for the video.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
From Russia With Love – the Kettlebell
By Greg Sellers
Often described as a ‘cannonball with a handle,’ the Kettlebell has become quite popular in America. With origins dating back to 1704 in Russia, the Kettlebell is a staple of military, strongmen and now with other training systems such as CrossFit. In fact, it’s a must-have piece of equipment for every CrossFit studio across the country.
The Kettlebell has gained notoriety due largely to the efforts of Pavel Tsatsouline, a strength and flexibility coach, and by Kettlebell Sport world champion and world record holder Valery Federenko. Tsatsouline brought the Kettlebell to America from Russia in 2000. Kettlebell workouts are intended to increase strength, endurance, agility and balance, challenging both the muscular and cardiovascular system with dynamic, total-body movements.
Used by the Russian military and Special Forces, the Kettlebell has been touted as the most effective, efficient piece of strength training equipment available. Proponents of Kettlebell training suggest that it increases strength, power, speed, coordination as well as core stability. Some even claim that it can replace several different forms of training and is superior to more traditional weight training.
“The Kettlebell is a key component of our strength and conditioning program,” said Ryan Galdes of Defiance CrossFit in Mountain View, Calif. “With the Kettlebell, we can begin training key movements like the squat, clean, and press in an easy-to-teach, non-intimidating manner.”
Today the simple training aid is helping men and women alike get into top shape. Ketttlebells are typically available in from 8 lbs to 100 lbs. A common starting point for men is 35lb. whilst women typically start with 18lbs.
Beginner’s Kettlebell Workout (each exercise 3 sets x 15-20 reps)
Kettlebell Swing
Grab the Kettlebell with both hands. Keep your back, head and shoulders up. As you stand up, swing the Kettlebell out in front of you at chest height, paying close attention not to shrug your shoulders. As the same time, you are straightening your legs, and pushing your hips forward. Then, on the downswing, you once again go into the squat position, swinging the Kettlebell downward and back through your legs. The arms merely hold the Kettlebell, as your hips provide the power to thrust the device forward.
Single Arm Rows
Stand with feet hip width and knees slightly bent. Bend at hips with back straight and knees bent.
Take one hand and place on stationary object that is approximately waist height to support upper body. Hold Kettleball in other hand with a neutral grip and let arm hang straight down (perpendicular to floor). Keeping elbows close to body, pull Kettlebell up to body and squeeze shoulder blades together at top of movement. Return to start position. Remember to keep back flat and head straight.
Alternating Floor Press
Lie on your back holding a Kettlebell in each hand. Alternating with your arms push up one Kettlebell at a time. Slightly rotate your trunk when pressing the Kettleball upward, then repeat with other arm. This will work your core stabilizing muscles as well as upper body muscle.
Front Squat
Grab two Kettlebells and hold them at chest level in front of you.
Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. Knees should be slightly bent.
Lower body by flexing at the hips and knees. Upper body can flex forward at the hips slightly during movement but make sure to “sit back” on your heals so that knees stay over the feet.
Once thighs are parallel to floor, stop and repeat.
Single Arm Jerk
Stand with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Position Kettlebell to ear level with an overhand grip (palms facing forward). Go into a quick quarter squat. Then extend legs and stand up and at the same time press hands up above head keeping wrists over the elbow and arm moving parallel to body at all times. Return to start position. This is an explosive exercise and the legs are used to generate power, which will enable you to use heavier weights as you become more familiar with the movement.
As with any training program, it’s advisable to consult with a physician prior to embarking on a new training regimen.
Click here for more info on the author, Greg Sellers.
Greg Sellers Pre-Kettlebell workouts:
*This photo is real and has not been enhanced or alter in any way.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
I ride my bike a lot, during season I’m riding 10 – 12 hours a week. That’s a lot of time in my SDG Saddle and it’s super comfy. Last season I tried a bunch of different remedies to prevent saddle sore which is basically inevitable at some point during your season. The sucky part is that saddle sore can keep you off of your bike until it heals. After discovering Friction Freedom last summer I never tried anything else.
Friction Freedom Chamois Cream is a cycling chamois cream that helps heal and manage existing saddle sores, while preventing chafing, and bacterial and fungal infections that cause hot spots and infections.
Friction Freedom Chamois Cream is 68% larger jar than other leading chamois cream brands.
I’ve also used Friction Freedom during long trail runs to prevent chafing. It’s a great product for runners, cyclists and triathletes. For me, it’s all about prevention.
Year’s to your butt not being sore and chafed in 2010!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
SCPS #18: Santa Cross/Series Finale
Photo: J-Urb’s Flicker
After a week off due to the Cyclocross National Championships in Bend, Oregon and a record number of SoCal Cross enthusiast heading north for the event the Southern California Prestige Series (SCPS) presented by Shimano returned this week for its last race of the series, Santa Cross. It was a perfect day with warm SoCal weather and one of the best courses of the year. Like last year this Pierce College course in Woodland Hills, California dealt the hardest climbs and tricky off camber turns riders have seen this season. It was a culmination of fun and test by course designers, Jeff Herring and Jonathan Livstay, to see what riders have learned this year.
The morning events were off with cheer as riders showed their Christmas spirit dressed with festive colors, as elves, or good old Saint Nick. It was another fun event and great end of the season party as most people stuck around all day to see who would be the top three teams in the series, individual series leaders, but more so for the end of season raffle as promoter Dot Wong handed out the following: Bailey O’Brien CX frame to Lisa Wade, SportsbaseOnline.com awarded a Fuji CX Pro frame and fork to Josh Kepler, Shimano XTR Pedals to Charlie Stone, Alpha Q Carbon CX fork to Dave Lawson, SDG Saddle and Seatpost to Thomas Kanusky and Art Rupio, and a Planet Bike commuter fender to Kenny Avchen. Congratulations to all the lucky winners!
Photo: J-Urb’s Flicker
The Elite Women:
While recently crowned junior National champion Coryn Rivera was not in attendance, the National podium racing Ryan sisters (SoCal Cross/CICLE) were, along with Pua Sawicki (Mata/Ellsworth) and other hungry SoCal racers looking for the final series win. However, many knew the hard climbs of this course would definitely benefit Sawicki and her MTB skills. The race started with a quick road sprint making a long sweeping left onto dirt and then into a quick off cambered right. This technical aspect single filed riders from the get go and it was Kendal Ryan who took the early lead but soon, as most expected from the course, it was Sawicki hard charging off the front.
Photo: David Lawson
The Elite Men:
Like the women’s race it was another Ryan who took the lead as young Captain Morgan Ryan (SoCal Cross/CICLE) took the lead and set a blistering pace through the first lap. While most riders seemed tired from their travels to Bend, Oregon and the long season Ryan showed well as he wanted to prove something to Santa Claus. Saint Nick (Sid Taberlay, Sho-air/Specialized), however, was not going to just let Ryan ride away as he like Sawicki knows how to use the hills to his advantage. While Ryan took the first lap and others battled to take over for the second and third it seemed the race was going to come down to series leader Brent Prenzlow (B&L/Celo Pacific), Brandon & Kyle Gritters (Rock N’ Road), and Taberlay. While Prenzlow pulled the group through a few laps with about five laps to go Taberlay attacked to take the lead. This put Prenzlow in second and the Gritters brothers were riding third and fourth with Anton Petrov of Bike Religion in hot pursuit. In the end it was Taberlay Claus off the front, opening more and more of a gap on chasers with each lap to take the win. In second it was Prenzlow who also soloed in to take the overall series title and Petrov who continued to push passing the Gritters for third. To round out the top five it was Brandon and then Kyle Gritters in fifth.
It was another fantastic season of racing. Thank you to all whom came out to race this year, the clubs that stepped up to help put on some fantastic races, and to all the series sponsors. If you are not done racing yet and want to keep your cross engine going through January like the European racers look at the schedule on www.socalcross.com for the Cross Fever Series brought to you by Shimano… a three race series grassroots with a shorter race day and less categories . The series was created by Prestige Series director, Dot Wong last season (January 2009) to meet the demands of riders who still wanted to race ‘cross as well as continue the momentum of the sport to the real end of the cyclocross season of World Championships at the end of the month. Last year’s series continued to introduce new riders to the sport as well as reaching out to smaller cross regions like San Luis Obispo, Bakerfield and Palmdale. It also helped educate cycling clubs on how to host a cross race so they would be ready to fly during the peak of cross the following season.
Looking for last minute gifts? TheNorthFace.com is doing free Free Overnight Shipping on orders over $150 but it expires today.
Click the link below for more info:
I’ve had my eyes on the The NorthFace Animagi Jacket…
Take a look around, I bet you find something you like,
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Best of Bruce Crisman from Federal BMX on Vimeo.
HT 303cycling.com for the video.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Our 4th annual Rwanda Ride will be held on Saturday April 10, 2010. We are pleased to announce that registration is now open! Visit www.50mileride.com to register. I hope you can join us again this year!
As you remember, we had over 400 riders last year and you helped us to raise over $32,000 for Project Rwanda. If you had fun last year (and we hope you did!), you’re going to have an absolute BLAST this year! We promise to make this an event to remember, and we’re pulling out all the stops.
Still shopping for that last-minute Christmas gift? Why not give an event registration to that special mountain biker in your life? Sign up today at www.50mileride.com .
Thank you for your support!
The 50 Mile Ride Team
PS… Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to keep up with the latest news.
This is a great cause to support. Even if you don’t ride in the event, please consider supporting it when a donation. 99.9% of the proceeds go to support http://www.projectrwanda.org.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
New film from Brian Vernor (Pure Sweet Hell, Where Are You Go) about the currently exploding US cyclocross scene, and the emerging Japanese cyclocross scene.
HT CXMagazine.com for the trailer.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Careful! This video will make you want to ride your bike…
When you see my section you will understand why I call it, “Oh Crap Jason Lowetz is Coming!”
Watch for, me, the Rock N’ Road riders around 2:07 into the video and teammate around 5:00minutes into the video.
CYCLE CROSS BEND OREGON 2009(sat. last race mens) from FARfromEARTH Films on Vimeo.
This video guy is good.
-DSheek
I wish it was nationals again this weekend…
My mom (Katie) gifted our family with a few days of skiing up in Winter Park. As far as creating family memories the trip has been fantastic. We’ve snowboarded, ate too much food, played, hit the spa, and had so much fun spending time together. My boys (Carter and Landon) call my mom Grrrrrrrr. Grrrr has watched the boys so that Julie and I can go shred. We’re old now, so we only rode 2 days and just hung out the others.
10 reasons why I love Winter Park Ski Resort:
10. Underground/heated parking for easy loading and unloading the kids and grandma in the cold.
9. Ski-in-ski-out at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge where we are staying.
8. They have a real Starbuck’s at the base.
7. The Winter Park Village has everything you need (food, coffee, shops, rentals, arcade, things for kids, etc)
6. My 3 year old son Carter learned to ski today! (pictures and video coming soon)
5. The weather this week has been perfect.
4. 12 inches of fresh snow in the last 48 hours.
3. The funnest resort I’ve skied since living in Colorado.
2. We had a minor issue with our hotel the Zephyr Mountain Lodge and they took good care of us and made it right.
1. Family time! Great memories with my kids, my wife and my mom.
Sorry for the gushy post, I promise I’ll never do it again.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
I’m not normally a fan of ski films but this one caught my eye. I love stories about the history of my favorite sports. I’m going to pick up a copy and will post a review.
About the film:
Swift Silent Deep is a documentary ski film about a revolutionary underground band of rebel skiers who called themselves the Jackson Hole Air Force. Swift Silent Deep opens the book on a notorious group of hardcore ski bums who checked authority as they explored the out-of-bounds terrain of Jackson Hole and unwittingly became the fathers of the extreme skiing movement. This great ski movie features incredible archival ski footage and a great cast of characters, including Benny Wilson, Howard Henderson, Scot Schmidt, the founders of Teton Gravity Research, Warren Miller, and the late Doug Coombs. Swift Silent Deep is a must for any ski film collection.
Click below for more info the film:
http://www.swiftsilentdeep.com
Happy shredding!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
