Shafer

Adam has put up a nice description and pictures of Shafer road. This is the entrance or exit for the white rim. His pics are the best I've seen at showing how insanely steep this climb is.

Adam's blog made the top 50 of the most influential cycling blogs/twitter. Fatty was number 2 behind NYC bike snob.

RAWROD TT - White Rim Moab

Friday was the Ride Around the White Rim in One Day, time trial version. 100 mile ride through arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world.

As a rookie to riding the White Rim, I was nervous about the ride--especially since it was a self supported ride. You have to carry everything you could need in your pack--Food, Water, Mechanical, etc. The weather was also a concern. It was supposed to rain starting around noon through the rest of the day.

A group of 9 of us left from the the highway at 8:30 am (Brad K., Rick S., Jesse, Carson, Brandon S., Aaron S., Grizzly Adam, Keith, and myself). I knew I was riding with a group of fast riders and just hoped that I could finish within a reasonable time.

From what I understand, we rode the rim counterclockwise, which is the non-traditional route. Aaron S. had his front tire wash out on the horse thief descent. He went down hard cracking his helmet, scratching his sunglasses, and hammering his leg. He hiked back up to Horsethief campground and we assumed he would catch a ride with someone back to the vehicles at the highway.

With this being a time trial, it was each person for themselves. No one was waiting for anyone else and our group had splintered already. While descending down hardscrabble, I got a small gash in my rear tire. I thought the stan's would seal it, so I filled back up with air, but in a short bit, I was flat again. I put in a tube and headed on my way. I knew that because of my delays I was now last of the group and would be riding solo for the remainder of the 75 miles.

From Hardscrabble to Murphy's, it was a bit unsettling. I was the last rider, I didn't see anyone else on the trail, and a storm was moving in. If I was to have a catastrophic mechanical or a wreck, I would be in real trouble.

Since I was last, I stopped at some of the overlooks to take some video. I found a nice rock seat at mile 50 and 75 and called it my feed zones.

Once I was past Murphys and one more pinch flat, I got in a good rhythm. The sun came out and I felt better about things.

Near the end of the ride, I came to a fork in the road - one way to the visitor center and one way to Moab. I wasn't sure which way to go, so I stopped a hummer and started looking at their map. They were shocked when I showed them on the map where I had started from that morning. As I was looking at the map, Aaron S. came blowing by on the road heading towards the visitor center. I was amazed that he had made the ride after the spill he took on horse thief. I took off after him trying to catch him. I was able to ride with him for a bit, but he pulled away on schafers.

Schafers--I just don't have the words to describe this climb out of the canyon to the top of the rim. It is unbelievable that a road can be built like schafers.

The pavement back to the vehicles was a pain and seemed like it went on for an eternity.

After the ride, the homemade bread, and brats from Kenny were perfect. Great experience that I'm already looking forward too for next year (it must have not hurt enough). I normally don't film myself, but since I was all alone in the middle of nowhere, I started talking to myself and filming myself.

Stats from the ride:

Distance: 100.83

Climb: 6,491 ft.

Total Time: 9:35 -- Avg Speed 10.5 mph

Actual Ride Time: 8:24 -- Avg Speed 12 mph

Some of the scenery from the ride.

RAWROD TT - White Rim Moab from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

Lunch Ride Video

Lunch ride 4-16-10 from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

P+90XXXXXL

Had a great lunch ride today. Good sized crowd. Video coming.

I mentioned to Brandon on the ride today that I had been trying p90x and not been getting the desired results. He recommended this video to me and said that it's the best program he's ever followed.

Brandon's Exercise Program

Tax Day Pics

What an awesome day - Temperature and trails were perfect. Trails were tacky, but not too muddy. Friday should be optimal.

Route was Betty, Belt, Frank to Altar, back down Frank, Dragon's Back to Race Course and back to shooting range.

I'm planning on another lunch ride Friday. Any are welcome.

Tax Day Lunch Ride

I absolutely hate tax time. I will complain about it endlessly until someone reminds me that if I'm paying taxes that means I made some money.... and that is a good thing.

Come beat out your tax return frustrations or celebrate your tax refund on a lunch ride in the UC. 11:45 at the shooting range.

A reminder of what lunch rides are all about....

BST Lunch Meeting Part 1 from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

Lunch Ride

Brandon and Kenny on the BST. The rider in the background is Dug - Yep, a Dug sighting in the UC on the "trail that must not be named".

Corner Canyon

Lower corner canyon trails are awesome. Nice ride today. Thanks to Brandon B for showing me some new trails.

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer

I have an addiction to Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer.

I seek after components and bikes that are made of carbon fiber.

However, I rarely think about the limitations of this wonderful composite.

Julie Leth at Track World Championships

Trials riding

As a kid, my dad had a couple of old trials motorbikes. We didn't engage in any insane tricks, but we would have contests to see who could ride the longest without putting a foot down following one another through the rocky foothills. Fun times and good memories.

Check out this fun video of bike vs. motorbike.


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New platform

I have ridden the 29er platform for only a year now and have been convinced that it is all I will ever ride. I have heard rumors of the 650B platform becoming more and more popular. While this is new and there are not a lot of choices, a new site has been launched for this platform. Check it out.

www.bike650b.com