Pray for good weather

Flyer compliments of Todd, Marketing Director of the BearPa Challenge <--Check it out!

Needed: Flyer for the Tour de Alpine ride

If you haven't heard yet, we are going to have quite the ride on Saturday, January 8th. No, not an alleycat. No, not a blackout. We are going on a real, real long ride. Here's what was written on the ride's facebook page:

Starting at 9th and 9th in Salt Lake City, we will head south along 900 East, southbound, toward the south end of the valley. The ride will then turn up Traverse Ridge Rd/Suncrest Dr to ride through the canyon from Draper to Alpine (hence, Tour de Alpine).

A few miles into Alpine, we will be stopping at my uncle's house for a rest and some small snacks (be sure to bring your own for the ride, too). Then we'll turn around and ride back to Salt Lake.

The whole "Tour" is 60-65 miles depending on your destination. We will begin early in order to end early. Bring what you think you'll need for 4 or 5 hours in the saddle. Food will only be provided at the rest stop in Alpine. Any suggestions or changes to the ride are accepted. Please invite others, either through Facebook or by word of mouth.


Here is the map.


Now, the ride is all ready to go, but we need some publicity. I know we have some good graphic design talent among the members of this blog. Please be creative, and make something awesome. We can get a lot of people to this ride. Plus, it's rumored that a few big bike brands will be providing swag for the winners in each "classification". You'll see. Just come on the 8th.

So, in addition to asking for a flyer, this is also the first time that this ride has been posted on this blog. So read up on the facebook page, see a few videos and posts, and all your friends who are going to be riding it too.

It would be preferable to receive all flyers and graphic design ideas at longskull at gmail dot com.

A new SLC King of the Hipsters has been crowned.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, here it is: Joergen Trepp shall reign over us all with his speedy legs and acumen to discern the difference between what is hip and what is not. Joergen succeeded in navigating his way through the 14+ stops on the first and second manifests with their unhelpful, vague, and inconsistent clues. To quote JT: "Worst. Directions. Ever." Thank you, JT. I do what I can... The most confusing things were Lindsey's stop, which is at '4th Ave' but not at all in the avenues, The fact that I wrote 'west' instead of 'east' on the exchange place directions, and the Floral Street Alley, where the graffiti piece had been buffed! Ah well, all's fair in love and war, right?

The racers seemed pretty much split 50/50 between people who thought this race was the most fun you can have with pants on and people who thought wandering around alone and cold in sketchy alleyways left something to be desired. We had 34 racers, 17 of whom completed both manifests and reported in. I have yet to hear of any MIA people, but I suppose that's why it's called MIA. Huh.

Here's alittle video of the beginning of the race and people's hurried opinions on whether a velodrome in Ogden sounds neat or not:


Here're the standings:

1. Joergen Trepp (Geared)
2. Dima Hurlbut (Fixed)
3. Luke Macfarlane (Fixed)
4. Max Goldsmith (Fixed)
5. Jessica G, First Woman! (Fixed)
6. Tom Milar (Fixed)
7. Stewart Greer
8. Kevin Hall
9. Steve Floor
10. Drew Thompson
11. Morgan Coons
12. JT Allen
13. Noble Williams
14. Peter Worden
15. Courtney Thompson
16. Matt Delporto
17. Corbin Boing

First Manifest only:
1. Luke Williams
2. Eric Colby
3. Gutric Boing

The raffle ended well as well, with Morgan Coons taking home the mystery Italian bike! If you wanted it, it doesn't fit him, so he'll probably sell it and buy himself a nice touring frame. Supa-cool. The Klein and the Philippe are for sale, incidentally. Make me an offer and I probably won't reject it! (The Philippe, I've discovered, is 1 of 4 ever made. Neat!

I hope everyone had a good time, I did! Keep an eye out for whatever Mr. Trepp cooks up for you in 3 months or so, and I hear there's a ride to Alpine in the works!

King of the Hipsters next week!

So! I pre-rode the alleycat today, at 5 pm. It was pretty terrifying/awesome. Of course I knew the best-ish route, but I rode at about 80% and didn't do anything major-stupid in traffic. The race took around 80 minutes, and there's a good chance to break off after 45. If you ride at a fun pace in a group, It's fairly safe, I think it's one of the more fun and strange looks at the city that we've constructed. Have a blast and see if you discover some oddities about SLC.

If you're in it to win it though, be careful. I must impress upon you, this is a really fun race, not the hardest I've thrown in the past 2 years, but possibly the most dangerous. It's all around downtown in the worst traffic of the day, in the fading light. Lights and locks are a must. You will be asked to trespass. Leaves, metal grates, train tracks, and slush will try and knock you over. You will jump off and carry your bike.

After my pre-ride, I removed 2 of the most dangerous stops (hint: FFKR), but please, everyone do me a favor and DON'T DIE. This race is about having fun on your bike, and knowing your limits. If you choose to race hard, leave yourself ample winter margins. Cos I want you to make it to the party.

Woah! SPRINTS!

Check it out! SPRINTS THIS FRIDAY at the recently opened BICYCLE TRANSIT CENTER!

See you there!