Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Opening Weekend
Sunrise will be opening for the season this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited. This means shuttle free downhill! Lift access DH trails only exists in Arizona at sunrise ski park, and its almost open once again.
Getting back up to date
This past weekend marked the first race of the season for myself and a few friends. Although it was not really my area of expertise I decided to enter anyway and see how it went. It was a super-D race here in Flagstaff. Sitting on the starting line I was really stoked and didn't care what placed I finished in, I just wanted to ride and get back into race mode.
Long story short I broke the derailleur on my bike within a minute of the start. It held together somewhat until about 3/4 of the way down the track then proceeded to explode into pieces and into the wheel. What would have been a really fun race turned into a long walk to the finish line carrying the bike.
In other news, I've been riding a lot of XC in the past few weeks. Preparing and getting in shape for downhill this year. Michelle recently got a bike so she can ride with me and shes doing great and loving it. I've noticed riding XC is more enjoyable the better shape that I'm in. So that's the news for now, hoping that I get to a DH race in the coming weeks!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Winter rides
I'm off to Sedona to get some trail riding in. That's about all I can do right now since its still winter up here. I could probably ride up here as its been sunny and warm the last few weeks, but the trails in the woods don't seem to dry up very fast. Usually tons of snow and mud for as while after winter. So Sedona here I come!
I'll try and document the ride today with some cool pictures if I can remember to stop and take a few.
I'll try and document the ride today with some cool pictures if I can remember to stop and take a few.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Winter Series round 5
I just got back from a race in Fontana. It was a great weekend and nice to get out of the snow and into the sunshine. Ended up getting second place, losing out by .72 seconds. Got a few pictures and a short clip for you to check out. Enjoy!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Funny Emails
So about a month or so ago, Nate's downhill bike got stolen from his house. Nothing has been heard or seen about it until now...
I was looking for bike stuff on craigslist yesterday when I ran across a guy that was selling the bike. Unfortunately, the ad has since been removed, but by reading the ad you could tell he didn't know anything about it. It was wrapped in plastic to try and hide it from being easily noticed, which is the funny part because anyone who had gotten that bike stolen is gonna notice it right away without question.
So since I found it, I decided I would some fun with him. Nate had already alerted the detective about the ad and got the guy's email and name. So that part was already taken care of. Here is our emails back and forth word for word.
(My favorite parts are his awesome spelling and the fact that if he had nothing to do with it then you would think he would be giving up info left and right on who and how he got it and sold it. But whatever)
Me: Hey, I'm interested in the Flatline if you still have it. What size is the frame?
The Guy: “Sold”
Me: Alright. So were you the one who stole this bike, or did you buy and your now selling stolen property? Just curious.
The Guy: “Excuse me what the Hell r u talking about”
The Guy: “Okay your rudeness is uncalled for you must be crazy or use drugs stop bothering me”
Me: John,
I'm not crazy or using drugs. I promise!
I noticed the bike is wrapped in plastic, did it come wrapped in it? You said it has been ridin twice. Why is it in plastic then? Probably to hide the fact that it has limited edition bright blue sunline bars and bright blue ODI grips that somebody would surely notice when looking at the bike. (by the way, bikes come in boxes when brand new and you have to assemble it, which requires taking off all the plastic that parts are wrapped in.)
Also only being ridden twice, it shouldn't have a big dent on the bottom of the frame under the BB/Cranks then. As you have noticed, that particular bike has the very dent I speak of.
So tell me, where did you acquire this thing?, and where is it now? Sorry if I am being rude with you, I surely am not trying to be :)
The Guy: “Ok here it is first off I was appaulled at your allegations yesterday. I have served my community for 15 years and stole one thing when I was 5 because I didn't have money to buy my mother a Christmas present never again. She made me take it back and appaologize. I feel thieves are the epitomy of scum and for u to call me scum was terrible. If u which I am assuming are saying this is your bike and I stole it well you have problems. The bike was bought for.my brothers and my son I couldn't tell u the difference between a schwinn and a rkymnt it was to allow them the priveldge of having a mountain bike. If it was yours that's terrible but don't ever call me a thief again or I will confront u and I promise u that u will have to appoligize . Enough said”
Me: It's not my bike first off. If you did in fact buy it, where did you get it? If you can provide me with the info as to where you bought it, and who just bought it from you, as well as where you sold it that would be great.
Also, I appreciate the threat at the end of your last email. If it turns out you have nothing to do with it, then I will by all means "appoligize."
The Guy: Trust me it wasn't a threat its reality and u just did it again so until we meet boy last warning no more texts emails or calls I would certainly hope u would understand that.
I left it at that. I may have to pry at him more for entertainment purposes though, lol.
I was looking for bike stuff on craigslist yesterday when I ran across a guy that was selling the bike. Unfortunately, the ad has since been removed, but by reading the ad you could tell he didn't know anything about it. It was wrapped in plastic to try and hide it from being easily noticed, which is the funny part because anyone who had gotten that bike stolen is gonna notice it right away without question.
So since I found it, I decided I would some fun with him. Nate had already alerted the detective about the ad and got the guy's email and name. So that part was already taken care of. Here is our emails back and forth word for word.
(My favorite parts are his awesome spelling and the fact that if he had nothing to do with it then you would think he would be giving up info left and right on who and how he got it and sold it. But whatever)
Me: Hey, I'm interested in the Flatline if you still have it. What size is the frame?
The Guy: “Sold”
Me: Alright. So were you the one who stole this bike, or did you buy and your now selling stolen property? Just curious.
The Guy: “Excuse me what the Hell r u talking about”
The Guy: “Okay your rudeness is uncalled for you must be crazy or use drugs stop bothering me”
Me: John,
I'm not crazy or using drugs. I promise!
I noticed the bike is wrapped in plastic, did it come wrapped in it? You said it has been ridin twice. Why is it in plastic then? Probably to hide the fact that it has limited edition bright blue sunline bars and bright blue ODI grips that somebody would surely notice when looking at the bike. (by the way, bikes come in boxes when brand new and you have to assemble it, which requires taking off all the plastic that parts are wrapped in.)
Also only being ridden twice, it shouldn't have a big dent on the bottom of the frame under the BB/Cranks then. As you have noticed, that particular bike has the very dent I speak of.
So tell me, where did you acquire this thing?, and where is it now? Sorry if I am being rude with you, I surely am not trying to be :)
The Guy: “Ok here it is first off I was appaulled at your allegations yesterday. I have served my community for 15 years and stole one thing when I was 5 because I didn't have money to buy my mother a Christmas present never again. She made me take it back and appaologize. I feel thieves are the epitomy of scum and for u to call me scum was terrible. If u which I am assuming are saying this is your bike and I stole it well you have problems. The bike was bought for.my brothers and my son I couldn't tell u the difference between a schwinn and a rkymnt it was to allow them the priveldge of having a mountain bike. If it was yours that's terrible but don't ever call me a thief again or I will confront u and I promise u that u will have to appoligize . Enough said”
Me: It's not my bike first off. If you did in fact buy it, where did you get it? If you can provide me with the info as to where you bought it, and who just bought it from you, as well as where you sold it that would be great.
Also, I appreciate the threat at the end of your last email. If it turns out you have nothing to do with it, then I will by all means "appoligize."
The Guy: Trust me it wasn't a threat its reality and u just did it again so until we meet boy last warning no more texts emails or calls I would certainly hope u would understand that.
I left it at that. I may have to pry at him more for entertainment purposes though, lol.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sedona XC shred
Went down to get some xc riding in today, and to get out of the snow as well. It was a good, not too demanding ride. Which ended up being good since I haven't ridden in about a month or more. Here are a few pictures I snapped of the day....
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Upcoming DH season
I realize that at this time last year I was telling you all about how I was going to get to a lot of races that summer and how excited I was.....Well this season I am aiming to actually hit most of the races that I've been wanting to do for so long, unlike last seasons fail.
There is no better time really for me to do this. I have a flexible job that lets me pretty much do whatever I want. And although I will be taking a class or two over the summer, I will be doing the races that I want. With any luck I'll have enough funds to do so without becoming poor.
Another reason that I'm so determined this year is that I have picked up a couple of sponsors that will be helping me out. Renthal and Gamut USA are on board and I'm excited to be riding under their name.
Now that I'm pretty much over being sick, I will be training and riding more than I ever have up to this point. I'm at a good spot in my life for this stuff to happen right now; sponsors, a bike that is dialed, a ride to most races, and an amazingly supportive girlfriend who puts up with all this bike nonsense.
Big plans for the season and I will be doing my damnedest to make it all happen! Time to get a plan together for getting ready for the season and making it happen!
There is no better time really for me to do this. I have a flexible job that lets me pretty much do whatever I want. And although I will be taking a class or two over the summer, I will be doing the races that I want. With any luck I'll have enough funds to do so without becoming poor.
Another reason that I'm so determined this year is that I have picked up a couple of sponsors that will be helping me out. Renthal and Gamut USA are on board and I'm excited to be riding under their name.
Now that I'm pretty much over being sick, I will be training and riding more than I ever have up to this point. I'm at a good spot in my life for this stuff to happen right now; sponsors, a bike that is dialed, a ride to most races, and an amazingly supportive girlfriend who puts up with all this bike nonsense.
Big plans for the season and I will be doing my damnedest to make it all happen! Time to get a plan together for getting ready for the season and making it happen!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
2012
Well, its been about 3 weeks dealing with this sickness. Its really starting to bring me down. Although I've been dealing with this and not knowing whats wrong with me, I've been really busy with life.
Between working and waiting for info about a new job position I applied for, I also moved, and decided to go back to school. Its been a lot to think about and handle all at once, but finally its all done. Now I'm just getting settled in to the changes in my life and hoping for the best.
Here's to a fresh start to 2012! I have some goals which include working on my video creating skills, as well as becoming a better writer, and RIDER. Hopefully I can get back into DH form here soon as well. There hasn't been any snow here in Flagstaff for about a month, so once I get fully recovered from being sick, I will be up hitting the xc trails harder than ever, just waiting for the chance to rip down the elden DH trails once again.
Between working and waiting for info about a new job position I applied for, I also moved, and decided to go back to school. Its been a lot to think about and handle all at once, but finally its all done. Now I'm just getting settled in to the changes in my life and hoping for the best.
Here's to a fresh start to 2012! I have some goals which include working on my video creating skills, as well as becoming a better writer, and RIDER. Hopefully I can get back into DH form here soon as well. There hasn't been any snow here in Flagstaff for about a month, so once I get fully recovered from being sick, I will be up hitting the xc trails harder than ever, just waiting for the chance to rip down the elden DH trails once again.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Test Ride - 2012 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo 29er
Thanks to my awesome friend Erik, I got to test ride the 2012 Stumpy 29er for 3 days.
Ill start by saying its the best xc bike i've ever thrown my skinny white legs over. The 29 inch wheels are far superior to the smaller "older brother" that we all know today. They roll over anything with much more prowise than the smaller 26 inch. The bike was excellent on the long uphills and descended much like a downhill bike, stable and ready to attack anything in its way. The super plush suspension meant that the ride was very comfortable and handled like a dream.
I rode 3 different types of trails in 3 days, from open faster wooded trails when the dirt was wet and tacky, to the rocky, dry, flat desert terrain of Phoenix. And even tight, technical, boulder infested trails of the dells in Prescott. Riding different terrain made me wonder if the bike was better suited for one type over another, but oh how I was wrong. It acceled in any and all environments that I threw at it.
I had zero complaints and problems with the bike, in my opinion, you wouldn't be able to find a better xc bike on the planet. Although the price tag is a bit steep, it is WELL worth it.
A big thank you again to Erik for letting me taste the wrath of his beloved new bike.
Here are a few pictures from a cool spot we stopped at.
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