Sunday, like a good pilgrim, I attended the early service at the church of Tiger Mountain. Once again, it was dumping rain. As usual, my faith was tested at the trailhead. Car parked. Warm inside. Windows instantly foggy. Quiet except for the pitter patter of rain on the roof. Wet bikes. Should we go for it? Maybe we should bag it. The parking lot is empty, no one is as dumb as us. I've been tempted like this before....
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This article is Part I of a series, to read part II, see Mountain Bike Racing is Awesome.
Last night I entered my first XC mountain bike race. Late in the season, as usual. Haven't been training, as usual - although lots of recreational riding. Lots. I studied up, asked plenty of questions. Thought I was ready - and I was ready - as ready as anyone will ever be for their first race. That's what I learned. It's about experience. About what's in your head more than what's in your legs...
Read the rest of Mountain Bike Racing Sucks.
This article is Part II in a series, to read part I see Mountain Bike Racing Sucks
I'm kind of pissed that I keep figuring this out at the end of the season, but like I've said before - this time I mean it. Racing is hard, but it is worth it. This week I entered my second ever mountain bike race and improved my standings 1000 to 1. What that means is that I finished the race this time, and had a blast, as opposed to last week, when I blew up after one lap, called it quits, and then had to live under the dark shadow of shame and regret for the next 167 hours…
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The official Grand Opening of Seattle's most raddest bike park is upon us. Saturday, Sep. 13th is sure to be a great turnout under the freeway with raffles, vendors, etc. I'm mostly looking forward to throwing a few tail whips, hucking some drops with all the other kiddies enjoying themselves on their burly bikes, and grubbin' some BBQ.
Here's your sneak preview at the park map I've been working on for the past year. This has involved many photos of the park, lot's of sketches and revisions and plenty of riding "research" in order to capture the spirit of the park (hard work, I know). The hand-drawn line art is finally complete and scanned, and we are now adding digital color late into the night for the next 9 days. If everything goes according to plan, this will be finished and installed in the form of a large sign, in time for the grand opening. We'll see about that...
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Progress continues late into the night! A pile of lumber and some plexi-glass which now resides in my garage will soon be converted into a finely-crafted sign fixture to house the artwork seen above. This is the latest not-quite-final map illustration and layout overview (still subject to change).
Look for the final map (hopefully) installed at the Colonnade Park grand opening party this Saturday (Sept 13, 2008) - and bring your bike!
Last Sunday... two friends, rising sun, bikes loaded, coffee in hand... another epic morning on Tiger Mountain looming. We travel through Seattle, go East on I-90, past the calm waters of Lake Washington to exit 25 (Hwy 18) and discover my friends brand new $2400 Specialized Stumpjumper was missing from my hitch rack. Seriously.... gone.
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Probably everything I've ever said about cycling involved the phrase "It's all mental" - not that that makes it any more true. But it keeps coming up in my head, so there must be something there, at least for me. I'm going to start a little collection here, and as time marches on and the experiences pile up, I will come back and add things, as I think of them...
Read the rest of It’s All Mental (unabridged version)
