Thursday, November 10, 2011

12th Annual Dakota Five-0-A little ride with 600 Friends




Another great year of racing and riding in Spearfish! The weather was nearly perfect with a clear sky and cool start. Smokey Bear showed up on schedule for the 7:15 start.
Racers were lined up and smiled big for the money shots with Smokey Bear, and high fives.
At the drop of his hat Racers were off the line for the neutral roll out led by myself on the ATV.
I slowly led the riders out of town, and released them onto the 2 mile gravel climb which eventually converged onto the tight and flowing single-track of Tinton Trail.
Oh yeah, I needed to get back for the second wave of riders! Before turning around for the second wave start, I snapped a couple pics of the riders cranking out of town, jockying for position, for the single track that awaited them.
Back at the park I met up with Smokey and the front row of the Riders in Wave 2, for a another round of High Fives. This wave was substantially smaller but still had over 200 riders. The lead out was laid back, with no riders trying to draft the ATV... Up on the gravel I headed up onto the course to check the action and it was ON.

I buzzed up to Big Hill Aid Station #1 Mile 10, where RMS local wrench J.Etzkorn had it all under control.....time for a quick back rub?
After catching the first 12 riders or so I shivered onto Big Hill trails to check the course and action. I cut a couple trails and caught up with Phil Busching, a long time veteran and top finisher of the Five-0. I followed him down through the trees and into a big open meadow all white with what? Heavy Frost blanketed the grass with a dirt trail slicing thru it.
Onward to Iron Cr. drainage I found some sun. I warmed up and watched riders dip through the drainage wondering if they knew that Cardiac Climb lay ahead... A beautiful 3 tiered steep climb followed Recovery Ridge Trail to cool your lactic filled legs.
Onwards toward mile 22, Old Baldy Trailhead Aid Station #2 was getting busy. The small parking area was busting with overflow and spectators cars lined the gravel road to the entrance. There must have been a couple hundred fans awaiting there riders arrivals. Cowbells were going off as well as the volunteers keeping the water bottles topped off and feeding the fuel needed to finish the back half of the Five-0. Local Ridge Rider Mark Gould and Family have staffed this Aid Station for over a decade of Five-0's and know how it flows and goes, Thank You Very Much...
Riders mustered up the energy and headed out onto the trails of Old Baldy, Crangle Connection, and Taco Alley before pulling into Sheep Flats Aid Station #3 mile 28. It is a relatively short pull loaded with some of the more technical singletrack of the Five-0.
Here you see Kim Eppen first women thru Sheep Flats Aid Station #3 Mile 28. Kim went on to win the overall fastest women title!
Out of Sheep Flats riders have to crank up and over Beaver Ridge and from there navigate some fast rolling snowmobile trail to the Ball Park Aid Station #4 at mile 35 in Higgins Gulch. Here riders are treated by fine young felines. They have all the nutrition to get most riders thru the next 2 mile hard climb to the Bacon Station. You may even be treated to a Biker Wash where the rider is washed instead of the bike?...
Gear down, if possible and or Bear down on the pedals and crank out the pig of a climb for 2 miles and you will begin to hear DJ Kelly and the Baconators cheering you into the Bacon Station Location. This is the "unofficial station" #5, home of the originator not the imitator Mr. Baconator Christian Baird. The man behind cooking 50lbs. of perfectly cooked country peppered BACON. Besides Bacon by the handful you will be served up a PBR from his assistants!
There was even a celebrity appearance from Bacon Man I got to witness!
The Bacon Station was a sight to see for sure. It is at the top of one of the Five-0's hardest climbs and above the most treacherous downhills, DakoTA Ridge, 2 miles of smiles.
Only to be followed up by the last two miles of climbing before cranking out to the fast and flowing Tinton Trail to town....
After enjoying the Bacon Station it was back to town to check on the Strider World Cup races.
Their was 69 Strider Riders 5 & Under. Their was a class for each age between 2-5yrs. old. Behold the future of the sport, "Families that Ride together stay together."

Crow Peak Brewery poured the microbrew up, while Barbacoa's had the riders lined up for the Taco Bar. In the meantime friends reminisced about this year's Five-0 memories while music from Six Mile Road, Hank Harris/Jamie Lynn, and Dan Sherrills lion den filled in.
With Riders set up with good Grub and drinks it was time for the awards ceremony.
Thanks to headline sponsors Sram and Quarq Technologies, Salsa Cycles, Twin Six, and all the local sponsors the prize tables ran over. Cash prizes ran 8 Deep in some classes and all top finisher were awarded graciously.
Beside all the fastest racers getting rewarded, all riders were eligible for many great prizes such as Jenny Braig painting and Salsa Spearfish 2 complete!

We will be doing it again for the 12th Annual Dakota Five-0 Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012! Mark your calendars for 2012 registration opens April 1st, No Fooling, it could fill fast...




Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Trail Working has commenced!


Les Continues to ink up one of a kind nostalgic Fat Tire artwork.




Leo and Marley finishing up a problem area and adding a log ride!

Five-O Check In/Packet Pickup will be at the Start/Finish area this year in Spearfish Park. It will be in the pavilion next to the bandshell from 2pm-8pm on Sat. Sept. 3.

Race Day Sunday September 4th.
New this year there will be chip timing and a wave start to break up the 700 riders. The break down will be Racers and Riders. Racers will be, well racers, that know they can ride the Fivie-O in 6hrs. or UNDER! This class will need to line up at 7am for a 7:15 start.
The remaining riders will line up at 7:20 for a 7:30 start. I am hoping this will break the numbers of riders in about half. The line up area is the parking area between the bandshell and pavilion in Spearfish Park.

Timing Chips will be affixed to the number plates and riders will not have to return them. Riders must be sure to pass under the Start/Finish Banner at the staging area to activate the start and finish time.

Both wave starts will be a slow neutral role out thru town led by an ATV until riders hit the gravel.
In either start riders will have to jockey for position in the 3 miles of gravel climbing before the Tinton Trail singletrack. I remind riders that on the 7 miles of Tinton and Twin Bridges Trails to be calm and enjoy the trail. The real racing and open passing begins after Aid Station one at Big Hill, 10 miles into the ride.

Catered Food from Spearfish's Barbacoa's will be served in the picnic shelter behind the bandshell starting at 12:30 for all riders.
Live music at the Bandshell from Dan Sherrill, Hank Harris and Jamie Lynn from 1-4pm.
Kids Strider World Cup race to begin at 3:30pm. Strider Classes for 2, 3, 4 and 5yr. olds. There will also be a pedal kids race for 5-9yr. olds Boys and Girls. Check out this Strider Race video and enjoy the music.
Awards Ceremony and prize raffle starting at 4:30. Be sure to stick around as we have many great prizes, including orginal artwork and a Salsa Spearfish complete bike!

I hope you're all haveing a great summer and finding time to ride and prepare for this demanding 50 miler! Let me know if you have any questions or ideas concerning the 11th Annual Dakota Five-O.
Ride Your Bike Everywhere...


Monday, July 11, 2011

Tinton Trail Never Fails/Best of the Bacon Poems















The 6th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trial Stupor D was another successful day in the woods of riding bicycles. 91 Riders participated on a near perfect day for ripping. The air was filled with moisture and fog rolled thru the trees. It never rained but was damp enough to leave the trail tacky and fast. Riders got their pre-rides on in the am. Thanks to all the shuttles provided riders could get 2-3 runs on the six mile course. The course dropped 1500' and is 90 percent tight singletrack. Winning times were 20-25 minutes. Dash for Cash had a new champion Jim Meyer 20:28 founder of Quarq Technologies based here in Spearfish. Jim has settled for 2,3, & 4th's at this race previous years so he earned this one. Second place went to John Eppen 20:47 who was ripping it up on the singlespeed and Ryan Niesent both from Spearfish for a tie! The Junior's Rock is stacked up with up and coming rippers! The fastest went to Zack Hansen 23:4 representative of the local Rushmore Mountain Sports. Another Hansen made a first place podium visit, Women's Open Petra Hansen 23:14 from Spearfish/Germany... It was a solid bunch of fast felines with some competitive times. The Steer for Beer clASS was stacked as well with 38 thirsty riders. Andrew Wachs 22:10 was the first place winner taking home a Crow Peak growler and refill. Top 3 riders all got Crow Peak growlers and all the microbrew they could drink.
Pulled Pork sandwiches, vegi burgers and Crow Peak Brews were hitting the spot, as we rounded up little tots for the best race of the day the KID RACES:





Thanks to Crow Peak brewery for providing two sweet kegs for this event. Thanks to Kevin Jasper for taking on the event so that it continued for a 6th year. And of course all the riders and sponsors@!

Bacon Station Sensation!
Several months ago we posted a little contest on the Dakota Five-0 Facebook.
We are starting off the competition with a poetry contest for this years Five-0. The poem may be of any kind, as long as it is about our much loved "Bacon Station". The prize may be anything from Bacon Bandages to a Salsa Spearfish.....but it will more than likely be a custom Five-O jersey from Twin Six, one of our fine sponsors. You have until July 1st to submit your poem by either posting it to The Five-O facebook homepage or sending it in a private message. Get your poet on!!

Below are the Awarded Winners!


Gord Buhr 1st place winner

I've never ridden the Dakota five oh
but I'm willing to try and give it a go
Fifty miles long, I wonder if I'll finish
I better start now, eating my spinach

Dakota five oh with the sweet bacon station
Dakota five oh, I have to have patience
Dakota five oh, I'm full of elation
I'll definitely be stopping at the sweet bacon station

The black hills are gorgeous at that time of year
leaves full of color and ranches with steers
the smell in the air is of late summer or fall
but the smell of the bacon is loved by all

Dakota five oh with the sweet bacon station
Dakota five oh, I have to have patience
Dakota five oh, I'm full of elation
I'll definitely be stopping at the sweet bacon station

So I'll pedal and sweat and I'll have no regret
and I'll climb and descend for miles you can bet
but whatever I do on the day of the race
I'll surely have bacon all over my face

Dakota five oh with the sweet bacon station
Dakota five oh, I have to have patience
Dakota five oh, I'm full of elation

I'll definitely be stopping at the sweet bacon station


Soundpony 2nd place winner

A poem by Mike Detter

I ride so hard sometimes sweat

oozes out the vents in my helmet

like puss from a bed sore on the ass of an octogenarian.

My muscles scream for forgiveness,

knowing full well they did nothing to deserve this abuse.

I think of root canals without anesthesia.

What joy that would be now.

Last fuel station was ages ago.

The dust mixes with the little saliva available

Clogging my air passages with dirt clods.

Sheets of clouds blanket the hills.

Occasionally the sun rips through shining a spotlight on me

Like the kid with no rhythm dancing in a talent show.

Nothing but dirt and endless tracks over the horizon.

Pieces of cow pies fling from my tires and hurl past my cheeks.

Some stick to my downtube holding on for a ride out of the wilderness.

The bacon station is far removed from my memory,

like an acid trip during the 80's and the Go Go's.

I'm sorry to say goodbye to salty strips of goodness and warm beer.

Flashbacks still haunt me though and 'We Got the Beat' plays through my mind.

The 80's sucked.

A reflector gleams in front of me off the seat of a Huffy.

I pedal harder.

The reflector fades in the distance.

Damn.


Katie Pate 3rd Place winner

The trails of Spearfish beckon,
And all come from far and wide
To sample the beer and bacon,
Gastronomical perks of this ride.

The Dakota Five-0 will challenge,
It’ll put your will to the test.
Oh, how sweet the moment,
When you complete your bacon-y quest.

It may get rough, it may get dirty,
You might even bust a crank.
But have no fear, victory is near
When you have PBR in the tank.

When your energy begins to dissipate,
The Bacon Station comes into view.
Like a beacon of light in darkness,
That bacon will get you through.

Smell that delicious, meaty goodness,
And a smile will cross your face.
For the happiest of all cyclists
Are full of bacon at the end of the race!


Monday, June 20, 2011

Gather Up Gather Round Time to Go DOWN!



6th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trials
June 26th, 2011 Spearfish, SD
Big Hill Trailhead
8 Miles South of Spearfish on Tinton/Tollgate Rd.
Preriding and Registration from 8-11am
Riders Meeting 12noon Big Hill Trail Head
Riders drop in 1 minute intervals starting at 12:30
Course is a 6 mile mostly down (descends 1500') tight trail riding.
Kids Races, Barbeque, Crow Peak Brew, Shuttles, and chip timed event!
Dash For Cash, Steer for Beer, Women's and Juniors Classes.
Camping available at Trailhead.

2007 Tinton Pics Below (Flash Backs)