tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66916521124105730082024-03-13T07:22:49.872-07:00Ridge Riders of the Black HillsRidge Rider Racing Rendezvous and other related mountain bike happenings...Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-51268350343882816882021-04-09T15:48:00.023-07:002021-04-10T07:40:52.775-07:00Arizona Trail Race 300, March 2021, Individual Time Trial<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">AZT 300</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was offered an opportunity I couldn't refuse to join my good friend and fellow bikepacking enthusiast to ITT the AZT 300. Jason Thorman proposed a plan early in the year to ride the trail in March and it was possible for me to join. Jason and another friend Scott Cleaver were going to drive down to Arizona and offered to haul my bike and gear down and meet me at the Phoenix airport, rockstar status! We planned for a start date of March 25th around the full moon and I booked the tickets mid February to help make the commitment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jason called a week or two after my commitment and emphasized what I already suspected. He wanted to do this ITT and not ride together. If it works out and we ride together so be it, great, but no waiting. It's Ride On and a game I know, as we have bikepacked and/or raced together for more than a decade. I call it chasing and racing with Jason!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday March 23 I was picked up at the Phoenix Airport and we drove south to Tucson. An hour and a half later we were there and found the first open Mexican restaurant <a data-ved="2ahUKEwiPrbDOxuzvAhWCHM0KHUG_CdgQFjAAegQIAxAD" href="https://www.facebook.com/elquinotucson/" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.facebook.com/elquinotucson/&ved=2ahUKEwiPrbDOxuzvAhWCHM0KHUG_CdgQFjAAegQIAxAD" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); background-color: white; color: #1a0dab; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><h3 class="LC20lb DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Restaurante y CenadurĂa El Quino</h3></a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and pulled over. We didn't realize that the menu was almost exclusively Mexican seafood. Jason pointed at the menu, to avoid having to pronounce his order and got this awesome mixture of cold raw seafood salad,,,, he looks at it in amazement! It was worth the stop.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1CFsKqJFh8/YG3foOy9nGI/AAAAAAAC5oA/nZaN--ZMvNwNxC5IYobEc006YioPMt3_QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3478.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1CFsKqJFh8/YG3foOy9nGI/AAAAAAAC5oA/nZaN--ZMvNwNxC5IYobEc006YioPMt3_QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3478.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had made reservations at Cactus Country Campground on the south end of town. We didn't know what to expect but we were the only tents in the RV park. The hot shower the next morning was worth it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was my first cold night sleeping in Arizona... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(I slept outside the two nights prior to the start and 3 nights on the trail and all but the last night were cold! I use a 10 year old 35 degree Western Mountaineering down bag but find I'm chilly at 35. Temps were hovering in lower 30's most nights, frosty and damp.) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aTj6-HMORI/YG3b0IZ0_SI/AAAAAAAC5nE/THIBtUNCs7kfWYdzC34Q8s7q7Q4RouAiACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3486.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aTj6-HMORI/YG3b0IZ0_SI/AAAAAAAC5nE/THIBtUNCs7kfWYdzC34Q8s7q7Q4RouAiACPcBGAsYHg/w320-h241/IMG_3486.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mid Morning we got started on the 2 hour drive to Parker Canyon Lake Campground. On our way to Sonoita we stopped and checked out the trail where it crossed the highway. I was stoked to see my first AZT trail cache box. It was full of thru hiker water, a couple gallons of Public Water, bottle of whine some miscellaneous food and other garbage. (I checked it again on my way thru during my ride and it was all cleaned up and organized, very nice!) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can see behind the guys a dry spot where a tent had been pitched a few hours earlier. It had been drizzling rain and later on the drive there was snow falling and on the ground!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2YZG-blD3F4/YG2pDqgD2yI/AAAAAAAC5gc/RFqp0XIAosQzjanQnmjSKHcuXRbROeP-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3492.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2YZG-blD3F4/YG2pDqgD2yI/AAAAAAAC5gc/RFqp0XIAosQzjanQnmjSKHcuXRbROeP-wCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3492.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtLrFn2B8EM/YG2pDun1IqI/AAAAAAAC5gc/GYqCb2HZN8E-vsNz-vPuE4qYfcYgkHAqQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3495.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtLrFn2B8EM/YG2pDun1IqI/AAAAAAAC5gc/GYqCb2HZN8E-vsNz-vPuE4qYfcYgkHAqQCPcBGAsYHg/w240-h320/IMG_3495.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We heard from our friends Jay and Tracey Petervary as they were in the area. We rendezvoused in Sonoita and caught up over lunch. We had a lively conversation over lunch beers and got some pro tips from these legendary riders. Some of the tips more obvious than others. Stay out of the Cactus and watch for Gila Monsters! LOL,,, Hmmm. OK.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfOMnf34hbc/YG3lggi7DAI/AAAAAAAC5oY/NJSNbF7dSKAO70JttJrPUYgGmi_RKs5NACPcBGAsYHg/s1125/IMG_3796.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1125" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfOMnf34hbc/YG3lggi7DAI/AAAAAAAC5oY/NJSNbF7dSKAO70JttJrPUYgGmi_RKs5NACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at Parker Canyon Lake Campground and began assembling, loading the bikes for the next days 7am start. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsubvRYS31E/YG2pDm1aYII/AAAAAAAC5gc/XRtDrD9bMYgip9OmOz7PZImBvzK5G5UggCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3497.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsubvRYS31E/YG2pDm1aYII/AAAAAAAC5gc/XRtDrD9bMYgip9OmOz7PZImBvzK5G5UggCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3497.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We took an evening ride to find the Parker Canyon Trailhead/AZT 300 start and we were treated with an amazing sunset and fun ride.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-NzoIHTQrs/YG2pDp0YdrI/AAAAAAAC5gc/jWB7wHctz2cDO4moQrwP_rG0nYcZOiFEACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3503.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-NzoIHTQrs/YG2pDp0YdrI/AAAAAAAC5gc/jWB7wHctz2cDO4moQrwP_rG0nYcZOiFEACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3503.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp3nJPk8Wlg/YG3smNZITsI/AAAAAAAC5ok/4AucbCbvCGsd9BwcOTJlMUZv3JDs1Im4ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3505.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp3nJPk8Wlg/YG3smNZITsI/AAAAAAAC5ok/4AucbCbvCGsd9BwcOTJlMUZv3JDs1Im4ACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3505.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a chilly night of tossing and turning we crawled out of our tents before our 5am alarms to find the ground and our gear covered in frost. All the water was slightly frozen and slushy. Brrrrr. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We ate our breakfast, drank coffee, warmed shoes and bodies in the car and gave our devices the last charge before heading to the trailhead. We rode the 2 miles or so to the start and arrived a few minutes before 7am with just enough time to strip off my long underwear and puffy jacket. It was a beautiful morning and I was stoked to ride. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott Cleaver was there to get us pumped and took a few pics. I appreciated him tearing down our camp and meeting us on the other end of the 300 mile ride.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My first pic of the day was about 20 minutes into the ride, I caught Jason crossing this small creek with water in it, one of maybe 3 tiny stream crossing on the whole ride. The trail was rock and roll from the start with little water.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDyWuy0L5dY/YG2pDqF3rZI/AAAAAAAC5gc/4R_bwRtRHX8Ru2ob7I5kPxEbvU0vkzEWwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3507.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDyWuy0L5dY/YG2pDqF3rZI/AAAAAAAC5gc/4R_bwRtRHX8Ru2ob7I5kPxEbvU0vkzEWwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3507.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The most unique and unusual cactus of the trip was this one early in day one. I've seen several other riders post pics since, that captured this amazing cactus. It was definitely an eye catcher.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xApAe1Fh9o/YG2pDgjktiI/AAAAAAAC5gc/xEjR_ntnxzc4S4FoPr4CadZxs5VtveqjgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3511.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xApAe1Fh9o/YG2pDgjktiI/AAAAAAAC5gc/xEjR_ntnxzc4S4FoPr4CadZxs5VtveqjgCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3511.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQCFprD4f04/YG2pDnVFp7I/AAAAAAAC5gc/ys15cjSnVZMjeqbjHhopw-naMY0Ht1_OQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3513.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQCFprD4f04/YG2pDnVFp7I/AAAAAAAC5gc/ys15cjSnVZMjeqbjHhopw-naMY0Ht1_OQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3513.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Canelo Hills Trailhead, amazing riding and new trail in this area was a highlight of day one. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k79u3bYDkQU/YG2pDj7d9lI/AAAAAAAC5gc/KBWdxi9V-AcZgtd3vVnZSXCLgPuzYWfiACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3516.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k79u3bYDkQU/YG2pDj7d9lI/AAAAAAAC5gc/KBWdxi9V-AcZgtd3vVnZSXCLgPuzYWfiACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3516.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looked back to see JT hiking another section early in day one. Lots of desert behind him. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6wLS5KNwmI/YG2pDk05wZI/AAAAAAAC5gc/cJKF8SbOrTAjtggEkolheOd0zZaEuuZZACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3521.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6wLS5KNwmI/YG2pDk05wZI/AAAAAAAC5gc/cJKF8SbOrTAjtggEkolheOd0zZaEuuZZACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3521.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I topped out and Hey look a gate and here comes JT!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADGAG3lDwN8/YG2pDuBrGLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/wq93yqr5zaEssvCjS2clngS5AALihDDxACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3523.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADGAG3lDwN8/YG2pDuBrGLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/wq93yqr5zaEssvCjS2clngS5AALihDDxACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3523.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another Gate! There were several beautiful metal bike/hiker rollovers as well but those are hard to stop for,,, you just keep flowing and rolling when you come to them Thank you very much!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I must say most of the gates are a pleasure to stop for as they are works of art and function smoothly.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPBahMsDu9U/YG2pDvnv0lI/AAAAAAAC5gc/NvHOXZKmJLIAGRyISjhqFnCC19vKBxqwQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3524.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPBahMsDu9U/YG2pDvnv0lI/AAAAAAAC5gc/NvHOXZKmJLIAGRyISjhqFnCC19vKBxqwQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3524.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh new gate!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPKl--XFB9U/YG2pDnMr__I/AAAAAAAC5gc/ceDiPvxScdIHaxyb1gTfK0sb8B8SvOgyQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3529.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPKl--XFB9U/YG2pDnMr__I/AAAAAAAC5gc/ceDiPvxScdIHaxyb1gTfK0sb8B8SvOgyQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3529.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was a nice break spot and shortly after I saw my first wild Javelina Hog in a wash before the Red Bank Well. It was an awesome first!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6kgg3vXi6Y/YG3wHmTvi1I/AAAAAAAC5ow/NDDyD1xOuRcG6ccO6rc_DJ2_yIMQACArQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3531.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6kgg3vXi6Y/YG3wHmTvi1I/AAAAAAAC5ow/NDDyD1xOuRcG6ccO6rc_DJ2_yIMQACArQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3531.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buTiJYzJSLs/YG2pDmCbVTI/AAAAAAAC5gc/7A-07csXTeQ5eL_E_o_pcVRx9g0SuPL4ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3537.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buTiJYzJSLs/YG2pDmCbVTI/AAAAAAAC5gc/7A-07csXTeQ5eL_E_o_pcVRx9g0SuPL4ACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3537.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>After some more amazing riding, nearly 50 miles in, I rolled into the Kentucky Camp and the first water spigot of the day. I wasn't there too long and look who shows up! </span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_V3hT6YYyk/YG3wHlqjQ0I/AAAAAAAC5ow/vXqX5J5XorU9DtMhNtQlOCoRrqibNwDFwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3533.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_V3hT6YYyk/YG3wHlqjQ0I/AAAAAAAC5ow/vXqX5J5XorU9DtMhNtQlOCoRrqibNwDFwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3533.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was an amazing old structure open to the public. It looked fun to hang at for awhile but after stocking up on water, eating snacks and prepping for riding into the night we were out at the same time again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gzd-3aBifk/YG2pDi4vUhI/AAAAAAAC5gc/Sg50ctNj0T4zdVL74uy_5DegYEGiaNcjACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3542.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gzd-3aBifk/YG2pDi4vUhI/AAAAAAAC5gc/Sg50ctNj0T4zdVL74uy_5DegYEGiaNcjACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3542.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On and ON into the moon lit night!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWo3QVesskc/YG2pDgQAo1I/AAAAAAAC5gc/o-BK9yIVN-MgiravCrHjKYWwZKhlXYgiwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3547.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWo3QVesskc/YG2pDgQAo1I/AAAAAAAC5gc/o-BK9yIVN-MgiravCrHjKYWwZKhlXYgiwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_3547.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_zXZ9xPrOg/YG2pDppRiLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/QtcocwKm5woKZq6SJ4CKuNDiCv4kYmp9QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3549.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_zXZ9xPrOg/YG2pDppRiLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/QtcocwKm5woKZq6SJ4CKuNDiCv4kYmp9QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3549.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agtJD_uI_YU/YG2pDnK-BNI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ICGyp_rrV8845akPU53EVF47WIMLNQ7ywCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3553.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agtJD_uI_YU/YG2pDnK-BNI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ICGyp_rrV8845akPU53EVF47WIMLNQ7ywCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3553.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">I rode until 12am for 17 hours and nearly 100 miles the first day. I stopped and camped at the La Selvilla Picnic Grounds. It had water, picnic tables and a pit toilet. Around 7pm and mile 70 I made it a goal to make it here because of the water. It took longer than expected and took a toll. There were a few other tent campers here scattered about, so I tried to silently set up camp away from the others. I slept ok but was cold and damp, and had some leg cramping on and off through the night. The next morning I was up, loaded and moving by 4:45am. After 15+ miles of mostly excellent morning riding I reached the Rocking K Market Store at 7am, an hour before the 8am opening. I took this opportunity to charge my phone and dry out my damp sleeping kit in the warm morning sun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I packed up all my now dry gear, Jason came riding up just as the doors to the store opened. Great timing on his part! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He rode until 10pm and got up around 2am and made some time up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed our time at the Rocking K store. They have an amazing menu and a good selection of trail necessities, snacks and real food to go. This was one of two resupply stops on the course, without going off course, and I wanted to leave fully loaded. I took my time and gathered what I needed, spending $55. Jason was off before me but he was in sight as I rolled my bike onto the street. We rode our own pace which was closely matched with each other. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_MDybhyhvw/YHDGZ82otTI/AAAAAAAC5yQ/1riEc9eXhSAo_7QSOOnzf4ZcCpT7boD-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3809%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_MDybhyhvw/YHDGZ82otTI/AAAAAAAC5yQ/1riEc9eXhSAo_7QSOOnzf4ZcCpT7boD-wCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3809%2B2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UpiIMwuN-I/YHDGZy4fvlI/AAAAAAAC5yQ/h-QE9J1kJCc-zn2QBQQuhVoZYU3dXGGcQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3810%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UpiIMwuN-I/YHDGZy4fvlI/AAAAAAAC5yQ/h-QE9J1kJCc-zn2QBQQuhVoZYU3dXGGcQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3810%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Qh2XTsk2s/YHDGZximCoI/AAAAAAAC5yQ/T7IB_buUzIgxWGTj7uhiOVSwGAEizhEoACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3811%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Qh2XTsk2s/YHDGZximCoI/AAAAAAAC5yQ/T7IB_buUzIgxWGTj7uhiOVSwGAEizhEoACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3811%2B2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to JT for these pics!</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgpeZDXMnS4/YG2pDvdh5cI/AAAAAAAC5gc/-7VtP1XnElEZW4Mdwhc0sF8K0APdY-zjQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3565.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgpeZDXMnS4/YG2pDvdh5cI/AAAAAAAC5gc/-7VtP1XnElEZW4Mdwhc0sF8K0APdY-zjQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3565.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome section, look how big the stem of that Yucca Plant is!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cVKTyTRdd8/YG2pDvz4YoI/AAAAAAAC5gc/BJak2f3vHUMj-GApoaWojGn3zLoDvtKqgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3567.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cVKTyTRdd8/YG2pDvz4YoI/AAAAAAAC5gc/BJak2f3vHUMj-GApoaWojGn3zLoDvtKqgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3567.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfv2tqp5AWU/YG2pDg-ksuI/AAAAAAAC5gc/k_W-pIDJn0ozOfSNYtDMG_GuDZL_bX2rACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3569.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfv2tqp5AWU/YG2pDg-ksuI/AAAAAAAC5gc/k_W-pIDJn0ozOfSNYtDMG_GuDZL_bX2rACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3569.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ate one point in the day, Jason caught up to me and excitedly told me to take a selfie with my tongue out. The photo revealed a Beet Juice stained tongue from my go to, get up and go drink, Endurelite's Perform Elite. Good thing since there was a hug hike-a-bike(HAB) section ahead! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBsFGs7R_ig/YG2pDmuykRI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ki3CsIygO58yvBE6RLxc4Ph9whX2OgJXwCPcBGAsYHg/s3088/IMG_3571.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBsFGs7R_ig/YG2pDmuykRI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ki3CsIygO58yvBE6RLxc4Ph9whX2OgJXwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3571.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Entering the area below the first big HAB up and over into Malino Basin Campground. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsWX60VLJSo/YG2pDvEpeQI/AAAAAAAC5gc/6QpY381_kT8bQGJlgi6pZFYrtuz5u9qdwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3574.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsWX60VLJSo/YG2pDvEpeQI/AAAAAAAC5gc/6QpY381_kT8bQGJlgi6pZFYrtuz5u9qdwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3574.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The riding out of Malino Basin was good climbing and mostly ridable singletrack to Prison Camp where we dumped out onto the pavement and climbed into the night. We rode mostly together on and off into the night. There was a moon poking through early but then it clouded up and the temp dropped.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHdsrg1uHc8/YG4Bfvq0iGI/AAAAAAAC5pI/Ue8UwTJ59HsEeJYg85RYJz93m6D5Nig0ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3586.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHdsrg1uHc8/YG4Bfvq0iGI/AAAAAAAC5pI/Ue8UwTJ59HsEeJYg85RYJz93m6D5Nig0ACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3586.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We started to see snow flurries falling around 7,000' and piles of old snow here and there. It was nearly 10pm and only getting colder and another 1000' of climbing to Summerhaven. We unfortunately would miss the only other on course resupply by several hours, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">10a-6p for the general store. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We camped near each other and both were on our bikes at 2:30 and racing. There was nearly an hour of paved climbing and another hour on the dark treacherous trail before Summerhaven. There was sheets of ice and snow on the rocks demanding attention while hiking with a bike. There was a stream crossing at the bottom and I filled a liter to go, as I was not sure there would be water in Summerhaven and I was bummed knowing we were several hours before any stores opened. A little more paved uphill into Summerhaven. It was 4:30 and nothing stirred in the small mountain town. The community bathroom was packed with thru hikers sleeping on the floor, one on the porch of the post office and keys were needed for the water spigots I checked. I sat on a bench, ate my Cinnabon and drank some cold coffee out of my bottle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was only a good warm up for what lie ahead for our sunrise ride and hike a bike!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ORACLE RIDGE to the TRAVERSE-O-DEATH</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OoyeWLTAmI/YG2pDpyoMLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/dMHsnto_tokRAbR_Y0SLbRYmv9r4QrKCACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3593.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OoyeWLTAmI/YG2pDpyoMLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/dMHsnto_tokRAbR_Y0SLbRYmv9r4QrKCACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3593.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKuYj_F_jBo/YG2pDvQ8srI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ktCdLEXMUEQNjbJ1fL_jgiongcm8Gj18wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3597.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKuYj_F_jBo/YG2pDvQ8srI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ktCdLEXMUEQNjbJ1fL_jgiongcm8Gj18wCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3597.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The coffee kicked in with the sunrise and we scampered across up and over some of the most dramatic landscape and HAB I've ever done. Past the Traverse-O-Death and it was on and off the bike for another hour. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Up high on the ridge I rode upon 6 or more big tents. I thought, wow thru hikers, but then I saw a couple cases of ramen, a crate of eggs, an open fire and an older gentleman tending the fire. He greeted me with a smile and nod, I stopped to say Hi. They were fence builders working ravaged fence from fire and wind. There is several miles of steep and ROCKY ridgeline fence building going on. They were prepared to stay up there for several weeks and had a couple different camps along the ridge. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I continued on and the riding was steep and rocky down, demanding my full attention. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nearing the bottom of the ridge was a tank of clear water a few miles before the High Jinx Ranch, but I was content and pushed on not knowing. There was some beautiful trail and descending over old school eroded wood water bars with good drop offs that were mostly rollable with care. The sun was getting high and I stopped because I thought I saw a mirage, a sign read High Jinx Ranch: Water, Lodging, Snacks?... 500 feet? ... Dropped my bike and followed the trail. It was hard to believe but it was real. I wasn't sure it was really open but there was a water spigot and that's what was needed. I had my bottles filled and along came the caretaker Chris and said he was open for business and put out a sign. Jason shows up just in time to get his order in before mine. He orders two of each snack, a coke and gatorade! I do the same! There's only Pringles, Snickers, Oreo's. We pay him $30 for snacks and a tip and he was appreciative. He also shared some of the interesting history of the ranch and area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eV9RTzOi8G8/YG4bjKmMsEI/AAAAAAAC5p0/RUw9sad8OKg_XTMOjhTFZym693xXbLn0wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3602.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eV9RTzOi8G8/YG4bjKmMsEI/AAAAAAAC5p0/RUw9sad8OKg_XTMOjhTFZym693xXbLn0wCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3602.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzbkd7wubxQ/YG2pDjAzvAI/AAAAAAAC5gc/N8n7ATR3TLIbTi8iSZslW3jZJZnvOVF3gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3604.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzbkd7wubxQ/YG2pDjAzvAI/AAAAAAAC5gc/N8n7ATR3TLIbTi8iSZslW3jZJZnvOVF3gCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3604.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvlTRYNL7i0/YG2pDk7-FAI/AAAAAAAC5gc/Wdrvhp1-m1cbPUS17KReIEx4_S87eoPggCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3606.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvlTRYNL7i0/YG2pDk7-FAI/AAAAAAAC5gc/Wdrvhp1-m1cbPUS17KReIEx4_S87eoPggCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_3606.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was a game changer as I now had enough snacks to make the finish. Knowing I wouldn't have to go off course to Oracle was a big relief. I don't ever like the idea of going off course if not necessary. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the STOKE METER Pegged I was back on the Best Ride ever!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeVwaQOEMtM/YG2pDsxLJLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/Ecq9RJJd9ZgTpHGLwVQUAARr3hJ7IXLPwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3610.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeVwaQOEMtM/YG2pDsxLJLI/AAAAAAAC5gc/Ecq9RJJd9ZgTpHGLwVQUAARr3hJ7IXLPwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3610.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Giant Yucca Cactus!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi59J5GVRWA/YHDMMLfmYxI/AAAAAAAC5y8/txpSz3_nKR4dWfmK6YVWNM_LC9MyQdyOACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/fullsizeoutput_9804.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi59J5GVRWA/YHDMMLfmYxI/AAAAAAAC5y8/txpSz3_nKR4dWfmK6YVWNM_LC9MyQdyOACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/fullsizeoutput_9804.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqhytKyxm7k/YG2pDkx6_OI/AAAAAAAC5gc/rFu74lJVrYYsPlqbWGWBKSp6MwrWVqWGQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3614.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqhytKyxm7k/YG2pDkx6_OI/AAAAAAAC5gc/rFu74lJVrYYsPlqbWGWBKSp6MwrWVqWGQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3614.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Four Peaks Brewery must have left this case of Drinking Water and a can for recycling the cans! Post ride we visited the Brewery partly because of this trail experience. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST-WYt9-wZk/YG2pDjdclcI/AAAAAAAC5gc/T2Hu2KHrkIMNAu131iC2PWg9YUmoBhvDgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3618.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST-WYt9-wZk/YG2pDjdclcI/AAAAAAAC5gc/T2Hu2KHrkIMNAu131iC2PWg9YUmoBhvDgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3618.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ2na3VcpkQ/YG2pDgPGYTI/AAAAAAAC5gc/j6M1cUxPhtovyTa0Ib3rZ3kh-o_dWsDeACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3621.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ2na3VcpkQ/YG2pDgPGYTI/AAAAAAAC5gc/j6M1cUxPhtovyTa0Ib3rZ3kh-o_dWsDeACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3621.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBAOqrqH3lM/YG2pDpDLOfI/AAAAAAAC5gc/H_eKcCK1A4AqyW5-FSflyttSB5unM6boQCPcBGAsYHg/s3088/IMG_3623.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBAOqrqH3lM/YG2pDpDLOfI/AAAAAAAC5gc/H_eKcCK1A4AqyW5-FSflyttSB5unM6boQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3623.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trying to keep covered up to prevent sun exposure!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R83bZ1aT6ok/YG2pDuu3jPI/AAAAAAAC5gc/lC4hcYO9GE4tUmHDXbTbkEC7Y6R8QSJJACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3627.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R83bZ1aT6ok/YG2pDuu3jPI/AAAAAAAC5gc/lC4hcYO9GE4tUmHDXbTbkEC7Y6R8QSJJACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3627.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVEfhuOnW6Q/YG2pDq5qoaI/AAAAAAAC5gc/UsL10QR_GwQdMXD41WwQ-5ulRRfo-niRQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3631.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVEfhuOnW6Q/YG2pDq5qoaI/AAAAAAAC5gc/UsL10QR_GwQdMXD41WwQ-5ulRRfo-niRQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3631.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At Beehive Tank, there was a long stick with a bottle taped to the end to spoon water out. We each filtered a liter of water here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Near the Freeman Rd. Trailhead we met a </span><span>trail angel called Sequoia. He had a cooler of Coors and a water cooler on top of the Freeman Cache. There were 3 or 4 thru hikers helping themselves and parked on top of the cache. That was ok we never needed to look inside the cache and they were good company. Right after offering us Coors, Sequoia barks off "I suppose you guys are out here on the John Schilling Challenge?" LOL, Yes we are! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>He was a true giant trail angel, full of character and had lots of Arizona MTB knowledge from past and present. We enjoyed his company and our Coors Original! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-_bdR6uU4U/YHCj5yT4G-I/AAAAAAAC5ug/VU64d0Uiom8i9NDPf7eaVKQxUFHmO-OqgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3815%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-_bdR6uU4U/YHCj5yT4G-I/AAAAAAAC5ug/VU64d0Uiom8i9NDPf7eaVKQxUFHmO-OqgCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3815%2B2.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time to hit the trail!</span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">The moon had risen and the sun was setting, I threw a Coke that I had carried since the High Jinx Ranch into his cooler and took another Coors. Good Trade,,, Thanks Sequoia!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUdMZBkQAgU/YG2pDpQy9BI/AAAAAAAC5gc/pTf9N6rHRYY0TOicfyj5qbFlDVXQEW35gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3633.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUdMZBkQAgU/YG2pDpQy9BI/AAAAAAAC5gc/pTf9N6rHRYY0TOicfyj5qbFlDVXQEW35gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3633.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next section of trail was some of the best ripping of the trip?! The Boulders to Ripsey is slightly downhill and amazing desert riding especially on a full moon lit night. Several areas I was able to ride with no lights but didn't for long as the trail is fast and sometimes narrow, cactus lurk.... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jason and I continued to ride a nearly matched pace into the night. We rolled toward the dark edge of the drop into the wash below Ripsey and stopped for the night. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My bag was slightly damp from a cold night prior on Mount Lemmon and quickly dried on a bush while I prepped for the next day's ride. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were both moving before our alarms and JT says "when does the race start?" I quickly said I thought it already did. He rolled off as I threw a leg over my bike. It was 3:08am and I was going to finish sometime today! I was feeling good, and both grateful and a little disappointed that this would be my last day on the trail. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9Ts6AuZU2s/YG2pDi-nMWI/AAAAAAAC5gc/zO3cs40drMol3hrxACKTqMngTjvwVasNQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3641.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9Ts6AuZU2s/YG2pDi-nMWI/AAAAAAAC5gc/zO3cs40drMol3hrxACKTqMngTjvwVasNQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3641.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The riding started with a good downhill into the wash below Ripsey Climb. I rolled past JT and thru some sandy wash and the climbing began. There were several switchbacks and full moon lit climbing. Up on the Ridge above the Gila there were several tents and I could tell there was a big drop and view. As the trail got into steep switchbacks I decided I better replace the burnt batts in my headlamp. Jason caught me here.... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It didn't take long to get to the bottom and more ripping to the Kelvin Cache. I pulled in just ahead of JT and opened the cache to find it well stocked! A case of Apples and Public water! I topped off my bottles and had an Apple. JT was eating oatmeal out of a zip lock bag and hustling but I was out. I took the apple to go and ate a few bites as I rode. I was stoked on the apple and knowing I would have plenty of water to finish, so I thought. LOL</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Be-QWjxtSps/YG2pDlUF-mI/AAAAAAAC5gc/reUs4dW5auY-IuTJLZxuo07YhVmHHjGyACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3645.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Be-QWjxtSps/YG2pDlUF-mI/AAAAAAAC5gc/reUs4dW5auY-IuTJLZxuo07YhVmHHjGyACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3645.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was on cloud nine as the sun started to light the horizon and the moon was still up. The Gila River was a welcome sight, seeing the oasis and water was amazing. Some of the best riding of the trip was descending back into the Gila River bottoms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjIaILok8Ng/YG2pDrA5cPI/AAAAAAAC5gc/BXriE6WjlWgF_yCQtZM9Q0Sx2jN05_a-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3651.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjIaILok8Ng/YG2pDrA5cPI/AAAAAAAC5gc/BXriE6WjlWgF_yCQtZM9Q0Sx2jN05_a-wCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3651.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More Gates and Cactus!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9S7LEbUlWqQ/YG2pDqHCdcI/AAAAAAAC5gc/_k9F2od7AMQTJGq2YK_l-LnkdGS3pZDNgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3654.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9S7LEbUlWqQ/YG2pDqHCdcI/AAAAAAAC5gc/_k9F2od7AMQTJGq2YK_l-LnkdGS3pZDNgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3654.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then the climbing kicked in, progressively increasing in grade and feet gained! It became the most challenging climb of the route.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmeH_BALi1I/YG2pDsc0tzI/AAAAAAAC5gc/yPCrVguLoOQ8lXyLexRS7MZTOu6KvNWigCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3662.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmeH_BALi1I/YG2pDsc0tzI/AAAAAAAC5gc/yPCrVguLoOQ8lXyLexRS7MZTOu6KvNWigCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3662.HEIC" width="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLmYublNHYI/YHCxUERviaI/AAAAAAAC5x4/jCSsMZBjgWYDsIxnSYHWLnopDGqIrCv-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3686.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLmYublNHYI/YHCxUERviaI/AAAAAAAC5x4/jCSsMZBjgWYDsIxnSYHWLnopDGqIrCv-wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3686.HEIC" width="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVHkTIFL_S0/YG2pDqyDCjI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ejrTo3MjqkAtcl2ewt2XLOlsc4SxQmIfACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3666.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVHkTIFL_S0/YG2pDqyDCjI/AAAAAAAC5gc/ejrTo3MjqkAtcl2ewt2XLOlsc4SxQmIfACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3666.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Up, UP and UPPPPP!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ygK_Fiq25U/YG2pDhdyYlI/AAAAAAAC5gc/jki0wF3rr5wsU9hanaifj8kBdlpCFvHwgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3676.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ygK_Fiq25U/YG2pDhdyYlI/AAAAAAAC5gc/jki0wF3rr5wsU9hanaifj8kBdlpCFvHwgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3676.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Switchbacks, Switchbacks and Switchback</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">AND</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">GILA MONSTER!!! A few miles before the summit, just 10' in front of me, was an Orange and Black 2' long, big around as your forearm Gila Monster. I couldn't believe it! I shot a couple lame pics from a distance not sure if they were aggressive and or fast. Mr Gila started climbing off the trail and up the embankment so I got a decent video. Pretty impressive lizard!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mr Gila is just up the trail on the right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPkSiCAKww4/YHCxUAq_rMI/AAAAAAAC5x4/A7LK7SHEOHwf-j6nj1NZrhPT1bckKd9pACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3694.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPkSiCAKww4/YHCxUAq_rMI/AAAAAAAC5x4/A7LK7SHEOHwf-j6nj1NZrhPT1bckKd9pACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_3694.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trail continued and continued to climb. I had started rationing water earlier, and was about out at this point. A few more false summits and I was going to lose it... but I finally gained the ridge and the saddle that drops off the other side. Before this point</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I thought I would be at the trailhead by 10am and had drank the last of my water....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60vtSOoL3ts/YHC_zLDvYAI/AAAAAAAC5yE/l9IUEmbpaaAVBcYrjpVhsNpLNWQDG56DwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3663.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60vtSOoL3ts/YHC_zLDvYAI/AAAAAAAC5yE/l9IUEmbpaaAVBcYrjpVhsNpLNWQDG56DwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3663.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhIZy3sY29w/YHC_zEb0qvI/AAAAAAAC5yE/dbsLM3TXbiYY5hCV1K-Wpv1vHO1UUA0twCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3682.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhIZy3sY29w/YHC_zEb0qvI/AAAAAAAC5yE/dbsLM3TXbiYY5hCV1K-Wpv1vHO1UUA0twCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3682.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVj-b1XbCIg/YHC_zCG_AbI/AAAAAAAC5yE/-K_433Vb6ysGcSNoY-i7flYyCKvM85B_ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3685.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVj-b1XbCIg/YHC_zCG_AbI/AAAAAAAC5yE/-K_433Vb6ysGcSNoY-i7flYyCKvM85B_ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3685.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8pEj9XNhqU/YHC_zK0pv9I/AAAAAAAC5yE/tHgJj2gQ-IAjzahxMcc0zFfmcSzra4ZtQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3690.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8pEj9XNhqU/YHC_zK0pv9I/AAAAAAAC5yE/tHgJj2gQ-IAjzahxMcc0zFfmcSzra4ZtQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3690.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">I finally crested the saddle and dropped off!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was beautiful the whole way but this side there was no mood for picture taking. Besides it was a much longer ride down and down and Up and Around with no water for the last two hours. Even my eyes were getting dried out! Sure was wishing I still had that Coke I left at Freeman Cache.... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I finally finished about 1:30pm in the heat of the day. There was no one at the finish that I knew, so I happily drank some warm public water and found the only shade behind the Privy House. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I finished my bottle of water and couldn't believe Scott our buddy wasn't there? Then I notice there's a Rocket Box across the parking lot, so I strolled that way and found Scott working on his bike. I surprised him as he thought we would be in hours later and planned to ride up and greet us. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No Worries!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scott had Beer and I was Done!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What an Amazing Desert Classic...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">285 miles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3 days 6 hrs. 44 minutes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jason came in less than two hours later to a small crew of new Trailhead Friends. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwiaoIFFKl0/YHCxUCnbS4I/AAAAAAAC5x4/DRWP2_imxGMR3VXu76BdCZcpFoTfp1hHgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_3701.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwiaoIFFKl0/YHCxUCnbS4I/AAAAAAAC5x4/DRWP2_imxGMR3VXu76BdCZcpFoTfp1hHgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_3701.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love Your Show JT, Nice Riding!!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_3-pyMUc8k/YHCxUF0f8KI/AAAAAAAC5x4/MoWNZ91e8XcM7YJJeL9iWIUVT5ARNVtEgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/fullsizeoutput_97e9.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_3-pyMUc8k/YHCxUF0f8KI/AAAAAAAC5x4/MoWNZ91e8XcM7YJJeL9iWIUVT5ARNVtEgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/fullsizeoutput_97e9.heic" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back of the Privy House Post Ride Celebration!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-29898393318066697282017-09-28T09:52:00.003-07:002017-09-30T07:03:35.425-07:00Black Hills Expedition...first attempt!<!--[if !mso]>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After 4 and a half days (and 4 sleepless nights),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>213 miles, and 27,658 ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of climbing my riding partner and I decided
it was time to throw in the towel on our first attempt at the Black Hills
Expedition bikepacking event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
gone back and forth, in a muddled state of semi-delirium, as to whether to keep
going or not, but in the end our reasons seemed clear that we needed to stop
and discontinue with the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
tough call, but as I sit here reflecting on all that happened, I believe it was
the right call for us both, for this ride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So going into the race I had a fair amount of bikepacking
experience, having done quite a few weekend trips with my husband, Perry
Jewett, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over the last 3 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned a lot on those trips, and felt
fairly confident that I could succeed on my own on this adventure I was about
to undertake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I wasn't quite
comfortable enough to set out by myself, so I was relieved that my longtime
friend, and riding buddy, Heather Heynen was up to try this challenge with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to busy schedules we were only
able to get in one overnighter practice run, and this would turn out to be the
only experience she would have with bikepacking, before the race started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to give her as much advice as
possible as to what clothing to bring, how to pack, what necessities to carry
with you on the bike, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and she is
also a planner and researcher, so she reveled in getting things figured out and
dialed in for her ride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My personal, biggest
mistake of this ride, was to decide to ride my new bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my new bike because it's a much more
fun ride and handles extremely well as it is a 27.5. But....it's a 1x with a 30
tooth ring, and this proved to be extremely hard pushing with the extra weight
on my bike and the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tough BHX terrain,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which put a big strain and pain on the old
knees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They started aching in the first
10 miles, and continued to hurt the entire time I was out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took Ibuprofen twice a day to try and help
with the pain, but even so, every pedal stroke was irritating and varied
between mild and extreme pain at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My next run, I will be sure to switch over to a 28 or maybe even 26
tooth due to the steep continuous climbs that are on this course. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided to do an individual time trial rather than start
on the race date due to schedules, and the fact that this was our first time
trying a bikepacking race so we had limited experience,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we had no idea how long we could go each day,
and neither of us had ever ridden in the dark much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our goal was to try to get in around 50 miles
a day, which was actually a lot for us both as we'd both had very little riding
the month prior due to sickness and busy schedules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were also a bit concerned about the
weather forecast as it called for a bit of rain during the week, cold nights,
and a lot of rain for the coming weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But overall, things looked good and we were both ready to get the wheels
rolling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our
Sunday morning start was chilly at 37 degrees. We met at the Conoco gas station
and were off by 7:45 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm very
familiar with the first 22 miles as it takes place on my hometown trail, Tinton
Trail, which consists of some beautiful singletrack through the Northern Black
Hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got to the singletrack I
was however, a bit disappointed as the previous two days of rain had made the
trail a bit muddy and it was pretty torn up the whole way by the cows tramping
up and down the path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tires were
immediately coated with a thin layer of mud that stuck with us through the
whole stretch of singletrack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally
this wouldn't bother me too much, but when your bike already weighs 48 pounds
(yes I weighed it just before I left) every extra bit of weight makes a
difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even with this slight
setback, the ride was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were butterflies everywhere, to the point of it being mystically weird, and the
fall colors were blossoming in the surrounding aspens.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMxIFby6u2g/Wc0YCPZ4JAI/AAAAAAAABko/CJNLgNEIDrcEdi4vQp14FHIpbUXNWsjJgCLcBGAs/s1600/Big%2Bhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMxIFby6u2g/Wc0YCPZ4JAI/AAAAAAAABko/CJNLgNEIDrcEdi4vQp14FHIpbUXNWsjJgCLcBGAs/s320/Big%2Bhill.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Hill Trailhead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6owZcEuhZI/Wc0YCNJMewI/AAAAAAAABks/fYrbK7ESh8AJclDu9y0umJL9zOxCX_WNACLcBGAs/s1600/fall%2Bcolors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6owZcEuhZI/Wc0YCNJMewI/AAAAAAAABks/fYrbK7ESh8AJclDu9y0umJL9zOxCX_WNACLcBGAs/s1600/fall%2Bcolors.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall colors going off on Tinton Trail!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We clicked away the miles and made it to the first
resupply at mile 22 by noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
quickly filling up our camelbacks and water bottles we headed up Spearfish
Canyon road pedaling pavement for about 3 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then turned onto Annie Creek road, and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>headed into unknown territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard that this was a tough section
with a lot of hike a bike, and sure enough, we did plenty of hike a bike
through the rocky and steep sections of the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qP_zijIK7aY/Wc0YgmlYmSI/AAAAAAAABkw/JTuawfTzfC8AARR39N06lUTDM8bkM8EAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/annie%2Bcreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qP_zijIK7aY/Wc0YgmlYmSI/AAAAAAAABkw/JTuawfTzfC8AARR39N06lUTDM8bkM8EAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/annie%2Bcreek.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up Annie Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2V-qJ1a7mYg/Wc0YgtrDZXI/AAAAAAAABk0/xYvFIFloApcKP3ikTvOfUUgVJFvx0C3fACEwYBhgL/s1600/terry%2Bpeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2V-qJ1a7mYg/Wc0YgtrDZXI/AAAAAAAABk0/xYvFIFloApcKP3ikTvOfUUgVJFvx0C3fACEwYBhgL/s1600/terry%2Bpeak.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry Peak Summit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finally summited on Terry Peak, which was
followed by some new trail down into lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here we quickly stopped for lunch and a few more supplies from the
grocery mart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this the riding got
interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We navigated the streets of
Lead, which included a series of steep metal stairs that almost ended my ride
as I slipped and struggled to get my bike down the "stairway to
hell".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we reached the bottom,
it seemed we turned around and headed on the steep Lead roads right back to the
top of the stairs!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then we rode some
new singletrack that wound through the hillsides and ended up right back where
we started...well ok maybe not quite but it sure felt that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally
after being in the Labarynth of Lead, we got to the Mickelson trail for about
15 miles of rails to trails riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
arrived in Dumont just before dark and decided it would be a good idea to stay
in the Dumont warming hut, so we could just throw our bags out on the ground
rather than setting up our tents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
handy having a roof over our heads and tables to organize our gear on, and it
stayed much warmer inside than it was outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only downside of it was that I kept waking up throughout the night
whenever I'd hear a car drive by and kept thinking someone would burst in on
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to this I got very little sleep
on our first night out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d338llmr0Y8/Wc0ZNMqms5I/AAAAAAAABk8/1z0-sKVEM34FaU8rd9PSlxxy5H-M4M6YwCLcBGAs/s1600/dumont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d338llmr0Y8/Wc0ZNMqms5I/AAAAAAAABk8/1z0-sKVEM34FaU8rd9PSlxxy5H-M4M6YwCLcBGAs/s1600/dumont.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing up in Dumont</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="height: 240px; margin-left: -8px; margin-top: 412px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 320px; z-index: 8;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="height: 240px; margin-left: -8px; margin-top: 412px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 320px; z-index: 8;"></span><span style="height: 320px; margin-left: 250px; margin-top: 82px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 240px; z-index: 6;"></span>The next morning
we were up before the sun and were both eager to get going. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be the first time I'd ridden in the
dark for years, and I actually really enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rode on mostly dirt, rocky forest roads
until we began to ascend the Custer Peak fire lookout road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really beautiful as the sun was just
beginning to rise.<span style="height: 320px; margin-left: 2px; margin-top: 82px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 240px; z-index: 7;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKmf_rh3Dv4/Wc0ZstqxEdI/AAAAAAAABlI/CFqG8IjWtZIlSwpLOM9YT96c-y6pZG3zgCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKmf_rh3Dv4/Wc0ZstqxEdI/AAAAAAAABlI/CFqG8IjWtZIlSwpLOM9YT96c-y6pZG3zgCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeR.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading Up Custer Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfVLAgNz-Xw/Wc0ZsqMZB2I/AAAAAAAABlM/oGqJ8jiGUHguW4Lk0zKHRx7hmmepIJ11ACLcBGAs/s1600/heather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfVLAgNz-Xw/Wc0ZsqMZB2I/AAAAAAAABlM/oGqJ8jiGUHguW4Lk0zKHRx7hmmepIJ11ACLcBGAs/s1600/heather.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BD1MT6Cy9es/Wc0ZsSYbhjI/AAAAAAAABlE/ZQwHdDJAyrIjCNYxGxJ1Fx5UQhR9YMypQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BD1MT6Cy9es/Wc0ZsSYbhjI/AAAAAAAABlE/ZQwHdDJAyrIjCNYxGxJ1Fx5UQhR9YMypQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0792.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TATANKA!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>From
the top of Custer Peak, we descended back down to a small campground called
Mystic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The store wasn't open yet, so we
casually went over to an unoccupied campsite and got water from the spigot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren't sure if the water was good for
drinking so we used our filters for the first time, and filled up our bottles
and camelbacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After riding more
forest road for awhile, the riding suddenly got interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found ourselves on some cow trail, and
eventually the track just turned into the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We kept looking around for where we had
missed a turn, but eventually just decided to bushwhack through the brush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dg6irp_VqyM/Wc0aiQ4WmMI/AAAAAAAABlY/FdM5JkPqCIkSDrkbyQDnTgGDmsY3WDLaQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dg6irp_VqyM/Wc0aiQ4WmMI/AAAAAAAABlY/FdM5JkPqCIkSDrkbyQDnTgGDmsY3WDLaQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What trail?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kl2yOooLo_M/Wc0ainsfRnI/AAAAAAAABlU/NWviRvJRay8eX8jNDohXTkMYHFFiFWIQwCLcBGAs/s1600/what%2Btrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kl2yOooLo_M/Wc0ainsfRnI/AAAAAAAABlU/NWviRvJRay8eX8jNDohXTkMYHFFiFWIQwCLcBGAs/s1600/what%2Btrail.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to trust the Garmin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to trust our track as there was no
trail to follow, just a line on the Garmin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The non-existent "trail" lead us along a barbwire fence and up
a hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were getting a little
frustrated at this point trying to figure out where to go, but eventually were
spit out onto some dirt and gravel roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 263.25pt;">
The
roads took us to a really beautiful section of trail that crossed a creek about
6 times?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I've done a lot of exploring
in the hills, but had never been to this area before, and was grateful to be in
such a beautiful setting)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would find
a spot on the creek where there were enough rocks to hop across, as we didn't
want to get our feet wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up
being very successful at this rock hopping and rolled out of the area happy and
with dry feet!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Du9YFIpCUyA/Wc0a3w0y4kI/AAAAAAAABlc/FibmhMktLP8E7sdgbrSjhxIPf8h4AHutwCLcBGAs/s1600/creek%2Bcross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Du9YFIpCUyA/Wc0a3w0y4kI/AAAAAAAABlc/FibmhMktLP8E7sdgbrSjhxIPf8h4AHutwCLcBGAs/s1600/creek%2Bcross.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping the feet dry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 263.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 263.25pt;">
We continued to navigate the
unfamiliar roads down into Sturgis where we would stop for our first
"real" meal in two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had the idea to 'drop' our bikes off at the bike shop and go next door to a
brewery/restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked perfectly
as we ordered our food, and instead of sitting and waiting, were able to go
back over to the bike shop and get water and resupply for the next section.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 263.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 263.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leqW78cEzG4/Wc0bGLUjw_I/AAAAAAAABlg/1piWijLBv28DnsVj4vvjerpfFebG6t6ZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leqW78cEzG4/Wc0bGLUjw_I/AAAAAAAABlg/1piWijLBv28DnsVj4vvjerpfFebG6t6ZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0801.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top notch service!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 263.25pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I need to give a huge shout out to Xtreme
Dakota Bikes at this point as we were treated like royalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They proceeded to pump up our tires, lube our
chain and thoroughly go through our bikes fixing this and that (my front brakes
were even replaced).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very
grateful for this as neither of us has much knowledge on the ins and outs of
bike maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 263.25pt;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="height: 320px; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 108px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 240px; z-index: 14;"></span><span style="height: 320px; margin-left: 334px; margin-top: 108px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 239px; z-index: 13;"></span>After eating
half a pizza, and stuffing the other half in my camelback for later, with fully
tuned up bikes, we were ready to take on the next section of trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again I was very familiar with the
trails that lie ahead, and was ready for the next section of easy gravel
rolling out to Bear Butte, and the start of the much anticipated Centennial
Trial!<br />
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3ydjh8AsUs/Wc0bs8JoCEI/AAAAAAAABlo/PcMRZ2dLZ2MPfaPed9EbjrI3-DuTZmThwCLcBGAs/s1600/Bear%2BButte%2Btrailhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3ydjh8AsUs/Wc0bs8JoCEI/AAAAAAAABlo/PcMRZ2dLZ2MPfaPed9EbjrI3-DuTZmThwCLcBGAs/s1600/Bear%2BButte%2Btrailhead.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centennial Trailhead...let's get this started!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RE78CWBjvTU/Wc0bsySdyAI/AAAAAAAABls/26jjxluySqMeDlkPGMEqf5msuD249DFQACLcBGAs/s1600/bear%2Bbutte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RE78CWBjvTU/Wc0bsySdyAI/AAAAAAAABls/26jjxluySqMeDlkPGMEqf5msuD249DFQACLcBGAs/s1600/bear%2Bbutte.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Butte </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
We once again, filled up our water bottles at the trailhead,
and rode the trail toward the Alkali campground where we would camp for our second
night out. During this section we were joined for a while by local Kent Moore,
and it was nice visiting and letting your mind shift from riding with a
distinct purpose to just riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a00cDCxUn1A/Wc0esYR-esI/AAAAAAAABl4/eUVYuUbeHhsjptFB1jniUsZcjsGGAO3qQCLcBGAs/s1600/bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a00cDCxUn1A/Wc0esYR-esI/AAAAAAAABl4/eUVYuUbeHhsjptFB1jniUsZcjsGGAO3qQCLcBGAs/s1600/bridge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing bridge was tricky!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After
crossing a log bridge we were into some of the Sturgis singletrack and had some
hike-a-bike through a sandy steep area, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>overall this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>section was a relief
from the days cow trails, and we had fun twisting and turning on the sweet
singletrack trails and making our way to the next trailhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at the Alkali trailhead/campground
well before dark, but neither of us wanted to continue on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were at mile 112 (with 11,700ft of
climbing), so we had met our '50 miles a day goal', and wanted to stay near a
water source so we could fill up before leaving the following morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set up camp, I ate my leftover pizza, and
we both settled down to another sleepless night, as cars kept coming and going
from the area (next time I'll be sure to camp in a more secluded area!).
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was a little anxious for the following days
ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be a full day of steep
climbing with all single track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'd done
this section many times, but never on a fully loaded bike, and I knew the extra
weight would make this already difficult section, even more cumbersome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My legs felt great though, and we headed out
in the dark, onto some of the most beautiful trail in the Black Hills.The riding was pretty
much as I expected, with some great flowy trail, followed by long hike a bike
sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JpKSB-2Y_k/Wc0fqZV-DSI/AAAAAAAABmI/NLRlrJNejtk392WGgmtY-90MLW87B6duACEwYBhgL/s1600/bulldog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JpKSB-2Y_k/Wc0fqZV-DSI/AAAAAAAABmI/NLRlrJNejtk392WGgmtY-90MLW87B6duACEwYBhgL/s1600/bulldog.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilly but beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H9G7-WMW4X8/Wc0fqYlGu3I/AAAAAAAABmI/Su4OT2rDxEkzJafXfirxTn1wPgR_8wDXgCEwYBhgL/s1600/centennial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H9G7-WMW4X8/Wc0fqYlGu3I/AAAAAAAABmI/Su4OT2rDxEkzJafXfirxTn1wPgR_8wDXgCEwYBhgL/s1600/centennial.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centennial Trail Bliss!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seemed to be repeated
throughout the day, as well as the constant changing of clothing, as we'd hit
areas of chilly creek bottoms, then climb up and out into the higher
hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We filtered water at Dalton Lake
and then headed onto the motorized trails that would take us to Nemo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biJ6IBNv9M0/Wc0hmhDQgPI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5ZQSm3yaW8w6xZxEfDKshi7KTsdmK-scQCLcBGAs/s1600/deerfield%2Blake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-biJ6IBNv9M0/Wc0hmhDQgPI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5ZQSm3yaW8w6xZxEfDKshi7KTsdmK-scQCLcBGAs/s1600/deerfield%2Blake.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalton Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
we got closer to Nemo, we decided that it might be a good idea to hole up
there for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew there was a
small store where we could resupply and we'd have water available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also knew that rain was in the forecast
for the evening, and the sky was looking ominous, so as soon as we found a spot
with cell service we called the guest ranch to see what kind of lodging would
be available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn't have any luck
with the guest ranch, but were given the phone # of "Lotty", so we
called to see if there was anywhere we'd be able to rest comfortably for the
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Lotty" ended up having
to call someone else, and after waiting patiently on the hilltop for around a
half hour, we were finally reconnected and told there was a room available at
the old Schoolhouse that we could stay in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Great, we'd be there within the hour!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was very excited to have a warm bed to sleep in, and perhaps get a
good nights rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it to Nemo in
the early afternoon, so the store was still open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped here and resupplied food, from a
very limited selection, before heading over to the Schoolhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lotty was there promptly and informed us that
we were the only ones staying for the night and could have the whole place to
ourselves!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had a full kitchen and
living area, and was a super cool little place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We showered, washed our clothes, and I warmed up my can of chicken
noodle soup on the stove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt revived(and
lucky) as I looked out the window at the rain coming down, and felt relieved
that we had just missed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had only
rode a little over 30 miles that day, but it was tough riding as it was a lot of
single track with hike a bike, and about 5,000 ft of climbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was also running on sore knees and not much sleep, so I was eager to
sleep in a warm bed, out of the elements, and give my knees some much needed relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we quit early we also decided to start early and were up the
following morning at 4:30am. We had packed our bags and filled up our water the
night before so we could make an easy exit onto the trail. After a quick
breakfast of mac and cheese (it was all I could find at the store in my muddled
state of fatigue) it was fun to once again be riding in the dark and navigating
the trails by headlamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temps were
brisk and there was frost on the ground which made for some beautiful scenery
as we clicked away at the early morning miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn7mSzwp5RQ/Wc0n8aRVY0I/AAAAAAAABng/zyLatqMNbSkS9VifAlkmsZwo4XylrjWVQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Nemo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn7mSzwp5RQ/Wc0n8aRVY0I/AAAAAAAABng/zyLatqMNbSkS9VifAlkmsZwo4XylrjWVQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Nemo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the motorized section out of Nemo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8e1YdABPTgU/Wc0jRg8dQkI/AAAAAAAABmg/yWPI3TJ-fsITYJGkqzSKr3pXYWYBVmf2wCLcBGAs/s1600/frosty%2Bmorning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8e1YdABPTgU/Wc0jRg8dQkI/AAAAAAAABmg/yWPI3TJ-fsITYJGkqzSKr3pXYWYBVmf2wCLcBGAs/s1600/frosty%2Bmorning.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty, cold morning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the best moments of the morning was when local Photographer Randy
Erickson met us on the trail to take our picture (he took pictures of all the
riders) and handed us each two strips of Bacon!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a treat!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4LmH5DkX84/Wc0ke_-uqiI/AAAAAAAABmw/tsnICD4rsEgsCNwhIHGteC5KgdEex5mhACEwYBhgL/s1600/bald%2Bmt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="480" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4LmH5DkX84/Wc0ke_-uqiI/AAAAAAAABmw/tsnICD4rsEgsCNwhIHGteC5KgdEex5mhACEwYBhgL/s320/bald%2Bmt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bald Mountains =beautiful views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trail was beautiful and we were both feeling refreshed
from the previous days rest and short mileage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we also knew that the dreaded Samelius climb lie in wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our goal for the day was to just make it up
and over this section, and then see if we could muster the strength to continue
on to Rockerville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried just to
concentrate on what was at hand and really enjoyed the days riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We
stopped at both Pactola Lake and Sheridan Lake to filter water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvobYOhwWe0/Wc0jqc33VII/AAAAAAAABmk/9ukrllEz-oMRqkAPDg1gWfLWMzOkddHlQCLcBGAs/s1600/filter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvobYOhwWe0/Wc0jqc33VII/AAAAAAAABmk/9ukrllEz-oMRqkAPDg1gWfLWMzOkddHlQCLcBGAs/s1600/filter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filtering at Pactola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Pactola we were able to find a nice little
stream to filter from, but at Sheridan we had to filter directly from the
lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water had a bunch of green
moss and dirt, and all I was carrying was a steri-pen, so I resigned to
drinking really nasty water for the next section of hike a bike up Samelius.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And hike a bike it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us two hours to go the three miles
from Sheridan Lake to the Summit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YH4Ov9dDgKo/Wc0j-NAEhzI/AAAAAAAABmo/ThQjig_sxAQDb3R9Oc0BLS1GqPFAB0XLQCLcBGAs/s1600/samelius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YH4Ov9dDgKo/Wc0j-NAEhzI/AAAAAAAABmo/ThQjig_sxAQDb3R9Oc0BLS1GqPFAB0XLQCLcBGAs/s1600/samelius.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking the dreaded Samelius</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>Then
another hour to descend/walk back down the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in the middle of the climb we
encountered an angry rattlesnake that I completely missed as I hiked by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather, wasn't so lucky as I had disturbed
it from its sunning, and it was coiled and ready to strike as she approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky for both of us,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we made it by unharmed but much more alert to
watching our step as we finished the hike up and over the summit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were determined to make it from here to
Rockerville before the restaurant closed so we could resupply food, and get
fresh water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continued on Centennial
for several more miles, before getting spit out onto the highway for a relaxing
and refreshing ride to Rockerville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
did have to ride some of the storm mountain singletrack before making it to
Rockerville, but the trails were fun and flowy, and we made it to the
restaurant before close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right away I
dumped out my nasty water and filled up with fresh new water, ordered and ate a
whole Indian Taco!, and we headed back out onto the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it just to the top of the storm
mountain trails as the sun was beginning to set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was warm up top, and we had a nice area to
camp in the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a full belly,
nice clean fresh water,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a secluded
campsite in the woods, and a long day of riding under my belt, I would get
probably the best night of sleep yet.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8tFJrn8QOI/Wc0k3xDu9FI/AAAAAAAABm0/2g2cQQ2N_IwQxP4Z5JHAY7T-U4FtIy5dgCLcBGAs/s1600/early%2Bmornings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B8tFJrn8QOI/Wc0k3xDu9FI/AAAAAAAABm0/2g2cQQ2N_IwQxP4Z5JHAY7T-U4FtIy5dgCLcBGAs/s1600/early%2Bmornings.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful early morning start!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again, we rose before the sun was up, to start
riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt fairly good, but immediately
new my eyes were puffy and swollen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
has happened to me before on trips so I wasn't too concerned and figured the
puffiness would subside throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The next section of the trail we'd be riding was called Fosters
Gulch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'd never ridden this section,
but had been warned of the technical riding, and the cliff that I would have to
traverse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually ended up enjoying
this section, but it was very slow going, and very technical, and we got a
little lost several times navigating the trail with our garmin.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm-e5gyDoj4/Wc0ldU-HaWI/AAAAAAAABnA/3GV1EIDD_H4fVjYqqUXyQx2s3opw1PiRgCLcBGAs/s1600/fosters%2Bgulch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm-e5gyDoj4/Wc0ldU-HaWI/AAAAAAAABnA/3GV1EIDD_H4fVjYqqUXyQx2s3opw1PiRgCLcBGAs/s1600/fosters%2Bgulch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating through all the sections on Foster's was tiresome!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IG_hDDkaIA/Wc0ldRrTeiI/AAAAAAAABnE/xOPTO1GbFic1kL1TKVJL1LZZYc8wXuqHgCLcBGAs/s1600/fosters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IG_hDDkaIA/Wc0ldRrTeiI/AAAAAAAABnE/xOPTO1GbFic1kL1TKVJL1LZZYc8wXuqHgCLcBGAs/s1600/fosters.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traversing the Cliff in Fosters!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty steep slope, no room for a fall!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Apparently
we weren't the only ones having difficulty navigating, as this would be the
first time we would see Rhonda Wright out on the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had started the day after us and had
slowly been catching us until she just passed us somewhere near Rockerville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran into her as we were traversing the
cliff section of the Foster's Gulch trail, as she was walking back towards
us?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought was that she had
gotten injured or something had happened to her bike, but she informed us that
she had missed this section of trail and had taken a cow trail below the cliff,
then had to pull/drag her bike up the cliff to get back on the
trail....ouch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew exactly where she
had missed the turn as I had almost missed it myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>guess she was hiking back to the point where she had missed the turn to
make sure she had completed the trail accurately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continued forward as she hiked backwards,
and the trail continued to remain elusive as we often had to stop to try to
figure out where the hell we were, and if we were still on the correct route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My swearing may have gotten a little out of
hand at this point as I was cursing race director, Jason Thorman, and then I'd
find myself laughing at the absurdity of the trail we were on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up in a gully crossing back and
forth across a stream. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we were
on what looked like a trail, other times we weren't. ( Now as I reflect on that
time, I really do appreciate that section of trail as it took us through some
really beautiful spots)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twzzb7qSoKw/Wc0m_OVkqyI/AAAAAAAABnQ/U-MTe555oAExSgUuBI9Kp0iG5KVYoY7mQCLcBGAs/s1600/swim%2Bhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twzzb7qSoKw/Wc0m_OVkqyI/AAAAAAAABnQ/U-MTe555oAExSgUuBI9Kp0iG5KVYoY7mQCLcBGAs/s1600/swim%2Bhole.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This swimming hole was one of those spots that helped me forgive the race director for taking us on such a crazy trail :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling pretty lost through this creek crossing corridor!</td></tr>
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We were both pretty exhausted at
this point and were starting to second guess where we were at on the
trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason we got confused
and thought we had somehow missed a turn into Keystone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were out of water, and thought we had
another 6 miles to go before hitting Horsethief <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We considered going back to the Highway we had crossed earlier, as we knew there
was a stream where we could filter water on the way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But at the same time, that would be just as far as going forward to
Horsethief Lake, however we didn't know
if there would be any water to filter before we could make it there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to put things into perspective, it had
taken us about 6 hours to go 12 miles through the technical and difficult to
navigate trails of the morning and we were feeling a bit defeated and
lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally got some sense and
decided to check for cell reception....Bingo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I quickly called my husband and told him to look on Trackleaders to see
where the hell we were at, and that we were lost, and there was no trail!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me to calm down and that I was acting
Delirious!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok maybe I was, as we found
out that we had not yet made it to Keystone and were only about 3 miles
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a relief!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling a little more confident, we blindly
followed the garmin route through some grass (with no trail) where it
miraculously turned into a trail and then a road, and then dumped us out onto
the highway for a short stretch into the town of Keystone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
found a restaurant and ordered food, and decided we should discuss what our
plans were for the remainder of this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were 4.5 days in, with 213 miles and 27,600 ft of climbing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>completed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We knew that we only had the rest of the day and the following day to
ride before the weather took a turn for the worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rain was in the forecast....a lot of
rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at the pace we were going we
knew if we tried to wait it out, we'd be out there longer that either of us
wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren't willing to try
to ride through the rain and hike-a-bike for miles upon miles of muddy trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pretty much knew our tour would be over be
the end of the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the
question was, do we keep riding or just quit now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried to work out a few details of where
the next water supply would be at, where we could camp for the night, and where
we could end up the following day that would have shelter and a phone to call
for someone to come get us before the rains started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some point during all of this, I went to
use the restroom, and removed my sunglasses and looked in the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yikes!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My eyes were really puffy with fluid pockets, and my whole face in
general looked a little puffy. I've had puffy eyes before...but never quite
like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also noticed my lower legs
were a bit swollen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for some reason
I also started thinking about the wreck I had a few days previous where my tires
slid out and I took a tree to my left side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hadn't been hurt, but I smacked it pretty hard, and I started thinking
about concussion issues (I've had 3 concussions in the last 2 years and seem to
get them very easily now).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it stupid for me to continue?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end we both decided that we should
probably call it quits as we were both a little delirious and warn down, and
only had 1 day of riding left anyway, and I think the final straw was that I
started getting paranoid about the concussion stuff.</div>
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Anyway, now I know that it was
the right call. My husband came and gave me a Ridge Rider Rescue, and brought
me home where I showered and slept like a baby for the first time in 4
nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day I noticed my stomach
area was very sore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I thought
it was just sore muscles, but as the day progressed, it just didn't feel right,
so I decided to go to Urgent Care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
pushed on my stomach and it was very tender to the touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then did blood work and found elevated
enzymes (triple the normal) in my liver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They sent me to the ER for a CAT Scan and Ultrasound where they found a
large amount of fluid around my liver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They mentioned Hepatitis, Liver Disease, Gallbladder issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They brought in the surgeon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily after asking me a multitude of
questions, they decided to wait on surgery and hooked me up to an IV and pumped
fluid and antibiotics into me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also
wanted to keep me overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My blood
pressure was high and my pulse was low at 47 beats per minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also gave me a dose of Morphine for the
stomach pain...that was wierd, felt like my head was on fire for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a sleepless night they released me the
next morning and told me I needed to get a HIDA scan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scheduled an appointment with my doctor the
following Monday, and the first thing she said when she came into the room was
"well this is weird".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah
right?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My blood pressure and pulse had
returned to normal, and my stomach wasn't nearly as tender to the touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me we should still get the HIDA scan.
So now I sit at home, wondering what happened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Was it the water I drank, the food I was eating, all the ibuprofen I was
taking for my sore knees??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Hepatitis test came back negative, and I'm scheduled to get the HIDA scan next
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stomach no longer hurts, but I
don't feel 100%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I'll get some
answers, and eventually heal up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need
to figure out what caused the swelling so I can continue on this crazy ride,
live life, keep pedaling forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could never quit riding, it's what I do, it's what I love, so my body is just
going to have to figure things out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
-and thanks Heather Heynen for
being such an amazing friend and riding partner!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it wouldn't have been nearly as fun without
you!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking forward to many more
adventures with you......</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><br />
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Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-38515964468049723492017-04-06T14:59:00.002-07:002017-04-06T14:59:26.632-07:00Celebrating the Last Weekend of Winter at the 28 Below!Well, it wasn't even close to 28 below at this year's 28 Below Fatbike race/ride/tour. While plenty of snow graced the course the weekend prior, the warm temps during the week took a little over half the snow on the course before race day. Lucky for us the nighttime temps stayed cool enough to freeze the ground, and a 7 am, hour early start, proved to be a good move as the conditions were firm and fast until after about 10am. Of the 60 registered riders, 53 toed the line and rolled out of Spearfish Canyon Lodge just as the sun began to rise above the canyon walls. <br />
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The course was fast this year, with a mixture of gravel, ice, and snow, and a variety of terrain. <br />
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It was heads up riding as riders had to navigate the course, following
the route across several grassy fields with only the orange diamonds on stakes
and pink flagging, marking the route as their guide.<br />
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A beautiful bluebird day, made the view from the Cement Ridge Checkpoint, worth the grueling climb. Thanks to our sponsors at Legend Suspension and Munro Earthmoving, our volunteers were able to make it to the top and prepare the Chicken Noodle soup for the coming riders.<br />
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Eggs were scattered throughout the course and the Golden Egg is always hidden somewhere at the Cement Ridge Fire Lookout. This year's 'finder of the golden egg', recieved a "golden" framebag (among other prizes for other eggs found) courtesy of our sponsors at Dirtbags! It Pays to Play!!<br />
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We also had a raffle to help raise money for the grooming of sweet fatbike singletrack at our local trails on Big Hill. Kirk Munro of Munro Earthmoving, generously donated a Grizzly Cooler, and we were able to raise $330 toward the grooming efforts. Thanks to everyone who supported the raffle!<br />
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Top 3 overall men's and women's riders recieved an equal cash payout and a Fatbike Flask thanks to Dykstra Pottery! And the overall fastest rider of the day Harley Hanson, recieved the fatbike powermeter valued at $1,200.00, courtesy of our generous sponsors at Quarq!<br />
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We hosted the after party outside this year, with Dan Sherill kicking out some tunes, and Crow Peak Beers flowing freely. The Prize table was overflowing, and every rider ended up walking away a winner! It was a great day, and we are already looking forward to next year's race. Thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, and riders who help to make this event happen. We couldn't do it without you! Pedal POWder!!Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-18421236572970186762017-02-03T10:45:00.000-08:002017-02-03T20:27:12.984-08:00JayP's Backyard Fat Pursuit-2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have been dreaming about going back for the Fat Pursuit since missing my only one last year... A few weeks after the 2015 Fat Pursuit I had a snowboard accident and was life flighted to Denver for a shattered pelvis. It was a horrific recovery and I had to sit out last year. I continue to deal with some complications but have been fortunate enough and dedicated to my recovery that I can manage long rides. Riding continues to help me recover and I'm a big believer that Bikes Save Lives. Let's Ride!</div>
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Loading up and heading out of Spearfish for the 200 mile <a href="http://fatpursuit.com/" target="_blank">Fat Pursuit</a> with fellow Ridge Rider </div>
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Josh Bruhn. </div>
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Our first night we stayed in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly,_Wyoming" target="_blank">Kelly, Wyoming</a> at my friend Chance's yurt in the <a href="http://www.hcn.org/issues/190/10098" target="_blank">Yurt Park</a>! There are 14 yurts in the park that share a common bathroom and community area, a really cool concept. It is always good to see old friends doing well and what they love. It's also a bonus when they throw down killer meals. Thanks so much Chance and Elle!</div>
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We woke Thursday morning 1/5/17 to -20 degrees and a beautiful sunrise hitting the Tetons. Chance was off to shred some peaks and we were off to Island Park to check into the Bunk Rooms at the Ponds Lodge. </div>
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It was a beautiful day to drive over Teton Pass and drool on the window, at all the good POW lines. We listened to weather reports of -36 degrees that morning in West Yellowstone and started getting a little nervous that we had everything we'd need! </div>
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Upon arrival a little after noon we loaded up the bikes and went for a ride! The Ponds Lodge is race headquarters and a friendly place with good food, beers and all the little last minute items a racer might need. </div>
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Out on the trails we found firm conditions and day high temps in the single digits. Josh and I rode out a few miles on the 200K course, crossed the highway, and rode back on the first few miles of the 200 mile course. It was a groomed super highway! Back at race headquarters the temps were beginning to fall. There were a few riders mingling around and I was happy to see gear check and registration was open. </div>
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Cheers to the cold TEMP Fears.</div>
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It was a fun evening of eating a lot and tipping back a few brews with old and new friends. </div>
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We retired early to the Bunk House, a comfortable room that could sleep 4 or more. Two of us managed to spread gear across the whole room. We checked the weather for Friday evenings 5pm start. We were <b>expecting</b> a start temp around 0 with <b>lows</b> around -20. </div>
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I started to look for an extra sock layer that would work. I developed a blood clot while recovering from the pelvis surgery and have had some circulation issues. My Wolvhammer boots have been adequate for years but this winter I noticed my toes are cold. I got the new boots in larger size and the new ones have a larger toe box. I also started using my RBH vapor barrier socks. I have started using compression socks and found some decent Smartwool compression socks that I use as my base layer. I put the thick RBH over the top and have been riding comfortably at -15.... I tried getting another sock over the vapor barrier but my boots were too tight. I did have a thin wool sock to add under the vapor barrier but forgot that little piece for this race... I thought I would be ok, just keep moving if it gets cold.</div>
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It was a decent nights sleep and a morning full of lounging, prepping bikes, recharging devices with fresh batteries and pacing. We got checked out of the room, packed the car and headed to the Ponds Lodge for another meal before the start. I loaded all my bottles and insulated hydration pack with hot water shortly before the start. It was finally 4:50 and time to roll out front for the start. </div>
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There were some pic opportunities while riders rolled around the start area and a call out to have riders line up for a group picture. Cameras clicked, and Mike Riemer Salsa Cycles marketing manager shared some encouraging words that hit home. He has been to many of these winter ultras and knows how to coach and stoke riders on the starting line and thru dire times. Thanks to Mike KID Riemer and Salsa Cycles a major sponsor of this event. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Jason Wolf from Salt Lake City has became a Fat Pursuit friend! Sharing some good luck with him before the start.</span></td></tr>
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Josh Bruhn stoked and geared up for his first Fat Pursuit.</div>
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We rolled out of the arches of the Ponds Lodge at 5pm with below zero temps. Riders were hunkered down and cranking away on a well packed Snowmobile Trail Highway following the beautiful Henry's Fork River. Flocks of swans floated in the current amongst the icy banks. I was amazed by the beauty and opportunity to ride this event. Faster than the sun could set the temps started to DROP! About an hour or so into ride it was -15. Riding the groomed single track in Harriman Park was a highlight of the ride. The riding was scenic, even in the dark of night that soon surrounded us. </div>
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Dropping into Mesa Falls overlook I could feel the cold air starting to drop even more. There was a cool looking historical visitor center cabin with a single tracked pack going past to an overlook above the river. This was the out and back section that required us to pick a unique candy from the sack located by some glow sticks. I chose blueberry and thought about whether it was appropriate to bring only the wrapper? I had never seen this type of candy before, it was a Farr Candy Bar out of Idaho Falls. It was round and harder than a golf ball, it had to wait. </div>
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The climb out of Mesa Falls was a nice warm up after being down in the cold river bottom. The riding continued along the river and it was amazing. The cold air combined with the star light made for some interesting lighting. We crossed the river and began a long climb. It was cold but I felt good. I had managed to keep my hydration hose from freezing by drinking regularly. I drank a 100 oz. by midnight and was taking frequent pee breaks. It was around midnight in the middle of that climb I heard my pedal pop and groan. I pedaled a couple more revolutions and it came off the spindle still clipped to my boot. I fumbled with it and got it back on the spindle gave it a good thrust and mounted to ride. It lasted for a few hundred yards and came off. I tried this frustrating technique for awhile and resorted to riding the spindle. Mile 45 and about 35 miles to the aid station. About this time a rider went by and I told him my problems. The rider apparently rode into the Pond's Lodge headquarters but he did let race officials know of my situation. I didn't get a good look at him in the dark or see his rider plate # but Thanks to him I had a pedal waiting for me when I got to aid station #1!</div>
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I had been riding with Graham Muir for several hours through the cold. He had a thermometer and had told me it was -31 degrees and it got colder! We had discussed the merits of taking a break and sheltering in the bivy but both agreed it might be too cold to get warm. I was extremely tired but kept pushing on and had decided to keep moving until I got to Aid Station #1 mile 80. I fell asleep riding several times both pushing and while riding. I had a funny experience where I dreamt I was on a training ride for the Fat Pursuit and suddenly woke and realized I was racing the Fat Pursuit! </div>
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Josh had caught up with me around 3am and I had been worthless as a staggering drunk but his stoke and presence brought me out of my slumber. We both agreed that it would be best to make Aid #1 and rode on into the early morning hours. Bakers Draw downhill was super cold and fresh moose tracks covered the trail. As we closed in on Aid #1 the sun was beginning to come up and the lighting was amazing. </div>
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Josh was with me and commented on the LARGE fresh cat tracks on the trail. I agreed! One of the things I love about winter is all the animal tracks stand out. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cold morning pedal exchange. I broke my Crank Brothers pedal around mile 45 and managed to ride the spindle to the first checkpoint at Mile 80. </td></tr>
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It seemed like it took a long time after sunrise to reach the party at Chick Creek Aid Station #1. Upon entry we were requested to light up our stoves and boil water. I have choose the past few years to use and alcohol stove and have had good luck. I'm aware of the drawbacks of alcohol stoves but love the simplicity. I have used it well below zero before but it was -10. This year I had to work to get the alcohol to light, but once lit it boiled water quickly. I showed the staff my blueberry candy bar from Mesa Falls and my required duties at Aid #1 were done. </div>
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While getting the boil going I was handed coffee! I loved it and I came out of my 5th slumber of the morning. I High Fived all the aid station personnel, got into the covered pop up to sip some soup and chat with Fat Friends. Bruhn was heating up his toes and we all hovered around the small heat source. It wasn't much but it gave the illusion of taking the edge off. I was now fully awake and not interested in sleeping. I got loaded up and told Bruhn I was out. He said right behind ya! Cool</div>
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It had warmed up to zero and we were off for West Yellowstone. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Aid Station #1 mile 80!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long expanse of the Black Canyon Trail setting in and getting cold again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh Riding and throwing horns going to West Yellowstone!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making friends at the Black Canyon Trail intersection. Kellie Nelson was waiting for Graham and they would finish the 125k course together. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was a pleasant afternoon of riding. Temps had warmed up and we had the stoke from seeing a few of the 125k races and rode with some of the other 200 mile racers. Shortly after getting onto the Black Canyon trail Bruhn was pulled over and seeking dry socks. I ate some food while he switched socks and pulled his base layer off for the first time revealing purple toes! I could tell his toes hurt bad and suggested he get to a clinic or the Aid Station in Yellowstone ASAP. Bruhn is a trooper or rather a warrior. He was back on his bike and not another word about it we needed to get to Aid Station #2. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately ASAP would be 5 hours!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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We caught up with Jason Wolf and he told us he had frost bite on his toes. I told him about Bruhn's and we rode together for the next 3+ hours in deteriorating conditions. Shortly before dark it started snowing and we were over 24hrs. into the ride. I kept thinking we were getting close to West but it was an illusion. My energy dropped off and I was slowing, problem was I was and not eating and tired. Should have bivied...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing the snowmobile trail groomer before West Yellowstone.</td></tr>
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Coming into West I was depleted and making poor choices. I was behind Bruhn and J. Wolf and followed tracks into town that left the course gps track. I was thinking that maybe the Aid Station was off course a block or two like the previous years I had done this event? Bruhn was near main street when I came up on him and the tracks he had followed were now covered. Bruhn was now really hurting from the forstbite and needed the shelter. I should have just stayed on the GPS track and it would have lead me there... But at this point we had been on course for nearly 30 hours and 126 miles and my brain was froze. With the help of our volunteer friend Chris Gallagher we were able to locate the aid station that was right on the track... Not Funny at the time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruhn's toes purple and blistered, second degree Frostbite!</td></tr>
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Once in the aid station we were treated to grilled cheese sandwhiches and chicken noodle soup. Jason was already soaking his frostbit toes and they made room for Bruhn to get his soaking in warm water. As I ate my food the volunteers asked about my toes and I said they were fine. He said OK, lets see them, and for the first time I peeled back my compression sock and saw both big toes were as white as ghosts. Dang, I guess I did get nipped a bit and didn't know it. My toes had been cold several times but I felt I had walked it off. Before I knew it the volunteers had my feet soaking in warm water. Between the frostbite and extreme fatigue I was done with my 200 mile Fat Pursuit. It hurt to call it quits but I don't think my toes would have faired well to keep going. We had the volunteers call us in as a scratch...</div>
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Out of 27 entrants in the 200 mile Fat Pursuit there was ONE finisher. Congratulations to Aaron Gardner from Victor, Idaho. He came to finish and won by taking head, he bivied down when it got cold, had the right gear and knew how to use it. <strong style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.663999557495117px; text-align: justify;">Chapeau Aaron! </strong></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaron Gardner finisher party with his wife kids and Fat Pursuit Family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoked to see Aaron finish and his family waiting for him. </td></tr>
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Thanks to Jay and Tracey Petervary for hosting this amazing event! Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who continue to support them and of course all the amazing riders who toe the line. It was great to spend time with the Fat Pursuit family and the friends getting there and back. </div>
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Bikes Save Lives! Bruhn and I are already planning on going back to finish the 200 mile Fat Pursuit and expand our winter riding experiences. Pedal POWer!</div>
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<br />Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-15229939434765475962016-03-28T08:44:00.000-07:002016-04-07T13:15:25.454-07:00What's New for the 2016 Dakota Five-O<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we gear up for registration to open up this Friday, April 1st 2016 at 7am mtn time, we'd like to announce a few changes we've made for the race. First off, registration will now be held with <a href="https://www.bikereg.com/dakota-five-0" target="_blank">bikereg.com</a>! We have been in contact with bikereg and hope to ensure a smooth registration process for all of you. There will also be a waitlist available on the site, so if you aren't able to get in, you can add your name to the waitlist in hopes of a rider not being able to make it, and you being able to take their spot! The waitlist is capped at 100 riders.<br />
During registration there will now be an option to buy extra T-shirts! Every year we are bombarded with folks asking to buy extra T-shirts so this will be your chance to get a shirt for friends, family or your own collection. Our t-shirts aren't the typical cut and paste, same logo year after year T-shirts. They are custom pieces of art that are hand drawn every year by artist and fellow Ridge Rider, Les Heiserman, and in my opinion are a collectible item!<br />
We have also added a 60 and over class this year, due to the continued pleading from the folks that <br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8coqfPO2gI/VvlOWJNz5fI/AAAAAAAABbc/kBMGfLDq6kkVoeNuy1kroV_bDQm6-VjGQ/s1600/88f8c3dd1b132121bc0e0668f236a010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>continue to amaze us with their fitness at 60 plus years of age! Way to be an inspiration to all of us riders that hope to continue on riding after we retire, and have ample time to enjoy the outdoors by bike!<br />
Finally, our sponsors and friends at Dykstra Pottery/Good Earth and Healthsourse Chiropractic, are offering a $500 bonus to any Single Speed rider that can take an <b>overall win</b> at the Dakota Five-O race/ride/tour. To clarify, this doesn't mean winning just the single speed class, but the overall field...all classes included. We've always had a soft spot for the single speeder here at the Five-O, so here is a chance for you burly riders to take home the bacon!! Can it be done??? We'll have to see.<br />
We look forward to seeing you all on the line. Pedal Power!!Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-71147586329645037752016-03-22T17:26:00.002-07:002016-03-23T07:41:01.181-07:00Pedaling in POWder at the 28 Below<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One thing you need to understand about the Black Hills, is that the hills hold snow. Even with the exceptionally dry winter we had, and no snow on the ground in town, there was more than enough snow in the high country for Fat Biking at the 2016, 28 Below. This year was the 3rd Annual event, and even though the race takes place in mid March, so far 2 out of 3 races have been full on winter events!! In all actuality we tend to get some of our biggest storms of the season in March, and this year was no exception! With the race set to take place on Saturday, the snow started falling on Thursday and didn't stop until the race was over. Due to the fact that the state Groomers had already called it quits for the year with the low snow, we decided to bring in a 30 inch groomer to pave the way for riders. We spent all day Thursday and Friday out grooming, only to have it dumped on and covered with 5+inches of fresh snow by race day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Futile grooming</td></tr>
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Due to the fresh snow, and what we knew would be tough riding conditions, we made the call to shorten the course. Instead of turning onto the 7 miles of powder covered Trail 3a, we opted to stay on Wagon Canyon road, which was a 2 mile stretch on a gravel road, with much less powder. From there riders would reunite with the course, and slug it out through the snowy forest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riders head up the Wagon Canyon Reroute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on Course, Snowmobile Trail #3 climbing to Cement Ridge.</td></tr>
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The race started with 57 riders toeing the line, at 8am Saturday morning, and temps in the low teens. In all everyone had a great time even though most riders water tubes froze up instantly, and there was a lot of hike a bike through the soft, new powder that covered much of the trail.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in doubt let air out, was the theme of the day.</td></tr>
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The 28 Below race, is the only permitted event in the Black Hills that takes place on groomed snowmobile trail. It consists of a roughly 30+ mile lollipop loop, with an out and back on a spur trail up to a fire lookout called Cement Ridge. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cement Ridge Aid Station.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first sign of blue sky as riders leave Cement Ridge.</td></tr>
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The fire lookout is around mile 18 and makes for a great aid station, as the views from this refuge gives riders a 360 degree view of the surrounding forest. But being out in no man's land, it isn't an easy task to get our volunteers up there. Luckily we have some of the best volunteers and friends a race director could ask for, and they always manage to make it to the top in time to serve up some of tasty Rachel's homemade chicken noodle soup. This year they used a 4x4 and blazed through 5+ inches of fresh powder, with the boys white knuckling up front and the girls squealing and cheering in the back as they slid, jumped and sped their way to the top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Kirk Munro's mad driving skills and Legend Air Suspensions<br />
beast of a vehicle, for getting staff and supplies safely to the top!!</td></tr>
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Once up top they began to set up camp, but soon realized they forgot the soup pan back at the cabin! As Christian was about ready to heat up the garbage can lid and start the soup a boiling, Heather made a quick phone call (Cement Ridge is the only spot on course with cell reception) to fellow Ridge Rider Brian Stampe. That set in motion a series of events that got a pan to the top, and the soup to a near boil, just in time for the first rider to roll in. Now that's teamwork, dedication, and one helluva group of good friends and volunteers!! As the day progressed the Jameson and Crown Royal bottles were emptied, the soup was devoured, and every rider was treated to some of the best hospitality this side of the Rockies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A steamy shot of Jameson will heal what ails ya!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon drop at Cement Ridge!</td></tr>
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The racing itself was close as riders vied for position, letting out pressure, trying to find the best line, often crashing in the soft white powder, and growing some beautiful white frostaches and ice-beards.<br />
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In the end local rider Zach Stone took the podium with a time of 2:50:42, followed closely by another local Nate Keck, just a minute behind. We had six ladies finish the ride this year with Aubry Hoard taking the win in a time of 3:47:34. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Place Women's, Paulette Kirby finishes with a smile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach Stone takes the win!</td></tr>
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The after party, hosted out of Spearfish Canyon Lodge, is a great venue as the race starts and finishes right out the front door. There was plenty of beer from our local brewers at Crow Peak Brewery, some live music, and food for all the racers to enjoy. The prize table was also overflowing with some great schwag from all of our sponsors, and everyone ended up with a prize off the table. Equal cash was awarded to the top 3 mens and women's overall, and Quarq even gave out a Fatbike Powermeter valued at $1200, to the overall fastest rider of the day! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach Stone takes home the Fatbike Quarq Powermeter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top 3 women take home the cash!</td></tr>
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To add a little fun to the race this year, we held an on course Easter Egg hunt. 48 eggs were filled with candy, a slip of paper that riders could redeem for a prize, and were scattered throughout the course. Prizes included Salsa Water Bottles, Sram hats or socks, Acme coozies, RMS care packages, and various other items donated by our AWESOME sponsors. The Golden Egg was found at the top of Cement Ridge, and had the special prize of a Four Deep down tube bag from Dirtbags, for the lucky winner. We even heard someone found an egg in the Cement Ridge outhouse! You just never know where you might find an egg.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Egg Found</td></tr>
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This year's 28 below was a challenging ride that tested riders endurance and their will to hike-a-bike. We hope everyone had a great time, and maybe learned a few lessons on the challenges of winter riding. We look forward to seeing everyone back next year for the 4th annual 28 Below Race/Ride/Tour. Pedal POWer!</div>
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A special thanks to all of our awesome volunteers, and the sponsors who help make this race possible. </div>
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<a href="http://quarq.com/" target="_blank">Quarq Powermeters/Sram</a>, <a href="http://dirtbags.bike/" target="_blank">Dirtbags</a>, <a href="http://salsacycles.com/" target="_blank">Salsa Cycles</a>,<a href="http://twinsix.com/" target="_blank"> Twin Six</a>, <a href="http://spfcanyon.com/" target="_blank">Spearfish Canyon Lodge</a>, <a href="http://crowpeakbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Crow Peak Brewery</a>, Spearfish Lumber, <a href="http://visitspearfish.com/" target="_blank">Visit Spearfish</a>, <a href="http://twowheelerdealer.com/" target="_blank">Two Wheeler Dealer,</a> <a href="http://rushmorebikes.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Mountain Sports</a>, <a href="http://acmebicycles.com/" target="_blank">Acme Bicycles</a>, Munro Earthmoving, Black Hills Vision Care and Dykstra Pottery!!<br />
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<br />Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-20628093088965357712016-02-03T17:30:00.002-08:002016-02-03T17:31:10.067-08:00The Black Hills are getting Fatter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Even with a below average snow year, we have plenty of POW for Fatbiking in the Northern Black Hills. We've been taking full advantage of that, with some sweet new fat-track located just 10 miles outside of Spearfish, at the Big Hill trailhead. With around 12 miles of rolling, burmed out trail, the parking lot is getting filled with bikers from all over the area. If you haven't tried it out yet, you are MISSING OUT!! We've been riding it every chance we get, and with varying conditions, we never get tired of it.</div>
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We were even graced with the chance to ride with endurance champ Jay Petervary (pictured above) on the local trails!</div>
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With the growing population of Fatbiking we hope to draw out some of you racers/riders to the 28 Below race, happening on March 19th, 2016 at Spearfish Canyon Lodge to celebrate the last weekend of winter! We've made a small change to the race, making it a fatbike only event, as we are no longer doing the snowshoe/ski portion. We have also hired artist extraordinaire Les Heiserman to design this years T-shirt! His custom designs are always top notch, so don't miss the deadline, as T-shirts will not be available to anyone registering after the 28th of February! The 28 Below course now consists of 30 miles of groomed snowmobile trail (due to an added 2 miles from a route change by the snowmobile assoc.) and it isn't easy to finish, but it feels great when you do! And after the ride we'll have Crow Peak brews, food, and live music to enjoy while we wait for the awards ceremony to kick off. Thanks to great sponsors like Salsa Cycles, Twin Six, Quarq, Acme Bicycles, Rushmore Mountain Sporst, and Two Wheeler Dealer, we'll have a table full of prizes that you may be lucky enough to win!</div>
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And thanks to Spearfish Canyon Lodge, we have a great venue with the race starting and finishing right out the front door. It's going to be a good time, so sign up early and get yourself</div>
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motivated to ride. </div>
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Speaking of sponsors, we just got a new one and you may have heard of this new bike bag company starting up called Dirt Bags. Our nephew Heath Brown, based out of Laramie WY, is the founder of this new company and graced us with a few demo bags that I am thoroughly enjoying! </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The feedbag pictured above is a great place for an insulated water bottle, food or other items that you like to carry such as a lighter, ibuprofen, gels and other small pieces that will fit in the front or side mesh pockets, giving you easy access to supplies. Or go with a larger feedbag as pictured below that can accommodate up to a 32 oz thermos.</span></div>
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A down tube bag is a great addition for carrying an extra thermos, pump and tube, or tent poles if you are doing an overnighter. Beers fit nicely in there as well!!</div>
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If you don't own any bags, I highly suggest getting some as they make storage for everything you need much easier, and you don't have to carry that heavy camelback around. Theses bags make a lot of storage available for extra clothing/layers as well. The rumor I heard is that Dirt Bags is working hard to be ready to take orders for bags by the end of February.....just in time for the 28 Below! They will be making some great custom bags with custom colors, so make sure to check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dirtbagcyclist/?fref=ts" target="_blank">facebook page</a>, or <a href="http://www.dirtbags.bike/" target="_blank">website</a> for updates and information on the bags! Pedal POWder!</div>
Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-55171613826430997822015-11-20T18:55:00.001-08:002015-11-20T18:55:39.839-08:00Fat Packing to Carbonate CampOUT and BackWith a forecast calling for 50% chance of snow and another 48 hours until my next work shift, Kristi and I decided it was time to dust off the fat bikes and head out for some Black Hills exploration. The day started with chilly temps and a chillier wind, but the blue sky made for a beautiful start. <br />
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We headed right out our back door and up Spearfish mountain, with 2500 feet of climbing to be had, in the next 6 miles.<br />
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Kristi pushing forward on the rim of Spearfish Canyon.<br />
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Stopping to check out a riparian area mid climb.<br />
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Up high the views were beautiful!<br />
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The dirt roads turned to snowy paths in the high country.<br />
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An old two story cabin near Carbonate and the town cemetery.<br />
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Kristi says a prayer at the gravestones. RIP<br />
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We were fortunate to spot the old abandoned bus that I had heard of, but never quite found. We thought we may have to spend the night here as the maze of old dirt roads was hiding our destination from us and dark was fast approaching!<br />
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Last climb to our destination was a steep one.<br />
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Time to set up camp and have a Crow Peak Brew.<br />
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The next morning we woke to falling snow in a white forrest. We had to go see the bus one last time before dropping down into the Canyon.</div>
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Heading down to Squaw Creek was a rocky, fun descent.<br />
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Getting fresh tracks back to town, down Twin Bridges and Tinton Trail was the icing on the cake! Pedal POWder!! Let it Snow.....<br />
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<br />Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-69062383163648543132015-05-06T13:25:00.000-07:002015-05-06T13:25:24.000-07:00Mother Lode ReconWith the 3rd Annual <a href="http://www.goldrushgravelgrinder.com/" target="_blank">Gold Rush Gravel Grinder</a> being just a little over a month away, it was time to do a recon of the all new 210 mile Mother Lode course.<br />
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I had
planned on riding the Mother Lode course this spring,
but instead was forced to have my wife and very good nurse, Kristi, chauffeur me around the
hills for the day. <br />
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For those of you who don't know, I had a snowboard accident Feb. 28th and was life flighted to Denver for surgery. I continue to recover from a shattered pelvis, DVT, and Pulmonary Embolism. It's been a long 3 months! I will hopefully be on my feet and walking by June 6th! <br />
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It was a very sunny and pleasurable drive, with lots of scenery and wildlife. We saw Elk, dozens of deer, marmots, a coyote, and numerous hawks,
eagles and other beautiful birds....while driving through many canyons that followed streams and creeks. It took us 10 hours to drive it, making us curious about how hard it is going to be?! We mapped out 207.6 miles with 13,000+ ft. of climbing. It's going to be a challenging ride, but is an extremely beautiful one. Here are some teaser pics we took of the course.<br />
Good Luck with your preparations for <a href="http://www.goldrushgravelgrinder.com/" target="_blank">Gold Rush Gravel Grinder</a>! If you haven't registered yet there is still time to get in and get your Pedal Power ON! <br />
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An Osprey nest just 10 miles into the Gold Rush Course, right before crossing into Wyoming!<br />
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Yield to these guys in Sand Creek Wyoming!</div>
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Lots of Logging happening, watch out for the trucks when riding!</div>
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One of many bridges you will encounter on the Mickelson Trail.</div>
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Ditch Creek is a nice smooth descent. </div>
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Still a little snow in the high country at about 6,800ft.</div>
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There are many flowing streams and creeks along the Mother Lode course. </div>
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It's not all smooth, fast gravel....</div>
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Miles and miles of smiles!</div>
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Can you find all the Gold in the Black Hills?</div>
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Sun is settling in, heading down Roughlock Falls Rd. </div>
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Mountain Meadows, near Deerfield Lake, Checkpoint #2 at 123miles in..they have beer!<br />
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Kristi heading out on the Mickelson portion of the Mother Lode. </div>
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Tunnel Vision... One of Three Tunnels you will pass through on the 15 miles of Mickelson Trail. </div>
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Checkpoint #3 mile 152, at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon, they have more beer!</div>
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Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-64197474951379101692015-01-20T10:44:00.000-08:002015-01-20T10:44:20.384-08:002015 JayP's Backyard Fat Pursuit 200k<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Kristi and I went back for another brutiful weekend at <a href="http://fatpursuit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">JayP's Backyard Fat Pursuit</a>. This years event was held on Jan. 10th, much earlier than the March 1st date of last year. We committed and signed up back in November and started preparing for this big ride. Preparations went awry, as I sustained a serious back injury snowboarding with our daughter Sierra, at Brighton over Thanksgiving. I had to work hard to just get back on the bike. Kristi then slipped on some ice mid Dec. and suffered a bad concussion. Beat up a bit before the New Year! </div>
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Fortunately my back came around enough to get some decent winter rides in, but Kristi was still suffering from bad headaches and the Doctor's orders were to stay off the bike for the next few months. </div>
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On Thursday, we loaded up the bikes and winter gear for the trek over to Island Park, Idaho. Driving over Togwotee Pass was the highlight of the 8 hour drive to Teton National Park where we stayed the night with our good friend Chance just outside the Park boundary. I devoured some Crow Peak Brews that I had brought along and washed it down with some excellent elk steaks and pasta that Chance graciously served up. Thanks to Chance for a great first night of our vacation!</div>
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Friday Morning it was up and over Teton Pass and into Victor ID for our first stop at <a href="http://www.fitzgeraldsbicycles.com/about/our-history-pg56.htm" target="_blank">Fitzgerald's Bicycles</a>. This is a great shop sporting all things bikes and serving up good coffee. From Victor it was about 1.5hrs of back road driving to Island Park. We arrived early afternoon and I geared up for a short ride and gear check. The <a href="http://fatpursuit.blogspot.com/p/racer-info.html" target="_blank">gear check</a> is required for both the 60k and 200k race. Jay P did the checks at the time I lined up. It was interesting to see all the assortments of loaded bikes and packing methods. </div>
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After the gear check in, and shake down ride, we checked into our condo we shared with some friends from Billings MT. The lodging and venue of the <a href="http://www.pondslodge.com/" target="_blank">Ponds Lodge</a> is excellent. </div>
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That night we were treated to a meal and a riders meeting with Jay P. going over some details of the race and what to expect. Some motivational words were shared by Mike Riemer from headline sponsor <a href="http://salsacycles.com/" target="_blank">Salsa Cycles</a>, and some Thank You's to all the volunteers before riders mingled off nervously for the night. </div>
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It was tough to sleep that night in anticipation of the big ride. What would the weather do? Am I bringing the right gear? How should I layer? The questions were like a washing machine, churning round and round' my mind. Finally I dozed off and got in a few hours of solid sleep before waking to mild temps in the mid 20's. I lined up at the start shortly before 7 and was surprised to find myself on the front line as Jay P. had a rider call up from the previous years event. The race started as Jay P. said it would 7am. <br />
Riders shot off the line like it was an XC race </div>
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and I found myself on the outside line going onto the trail. My tire found a soft spot on the edge of the groomed and I did a full OTB on a loaded fattie! Yes I was that guy... I managed to get out of the way and gather myself as riders slipped by. Back on the bike it was a line of riders for the first 5 miles with little passing. The snow was softer than most expected and you had to watch your line or sink in and or fall off. Riders were letting air out here and there along the trail. It was dark for the first hour of the race and all the blinking lights were mesmerizing. The first 30 miles of trail went pretty fast to the first Check Point. Here we had to light our stoves and boil 8ounces of water. This is a little test to make sure riders are prepared for what could be a life preserving skill. It went pretty fast this year due to the warm weather and lack of wind. After a cup of soup, I filled up on water and hit the trail. Todd Johnson from Jackson Hole and I pulled into the check point together and left at about the same time. He and I ended up riding pretty close the whole race which was kind of cool since he was stoked, liked to talk and super energentic.</div>
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This pic below is Todd on the long South Plateau Trail above West Yellowstone. This section of trail between Checkpoint One and Two (West Yellowstone) maybe the crux of the ride.</div>
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I made it into West Yellowstone about 4pm with plenty of light. It was interesting to ride the streets of West looking for our checkpoint. More snowmobile traffic than cars by far. I spent about an hour in the very nice condo they had provided by a local sponsor. Grilled cheese and soup warmed me up, and a fire place dried the gear. After a big Thanks to the volunteers, I was back onto the streets of West just as the sun had set. </div>
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Time to climb up and over the continental divide and crisscross the Idaho/Montana border. Taking the Two Top Loop trail and Top Loop Trail to the continental divide at night is a challenge, steep climbing, wind and cold are almost guaranteed. We crossed the divide several times before dropping the Rail Road Trail and meeting up with the oncoming groomer. Todd and I pulled off the trail together with plenty of time to let him pass. The trail remained soft even in it's pristine condition and would need some time to set up and freeze. No time to wait ...dropping in! Man Cave checkpoint #3 (mile 102) awaited our arrival. </div>
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I rolled into Man Cave about 1:30 am and was served up BACON, eggs and sour dough pancakes, my new favorite. Unfortunately I chilled out way toooo long and took myself out of the race unknowingly. The longer I sat the better it felt and the guilt washed away with time. 3 hours later it was time to GO! I left in a stupor and cranked the remaining 23 miles nonchalauntly and dazed. </div>
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I arrived at the the finish line to be greeted by JayP, Mike Riemer and Kristi. It was great to see them and to finish another Fat Pursuit, 23 hrs. and 45 minutes, almost 10 hours faster than the previous year. The time improvement was due to much better conditions this year, not so much my conditioning. </div>
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The <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/beargrease" target="_blank">Salsa Beargrease</a> and my choice of gear once again proved to be an exceptional ride for this event.</div>
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The overall energy and participation was much higher this year. JayP and his staff of volunteers know how throw down, make you feel welcome and part of something bigger than your average Fat Bike Race. The riders and volunteers are passionate and you feel at home with the Fat Pursuit family. I'm sure this event will fill fast next year. </div>
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Kristi shot a video of the start. There was almost 50 starters this year, lots more than the 18 starters the previous year. <br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GrwIvQJ3hCQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Be sure to keep pedaling, keep advocating for Fat Bike access, and sign up for the next Fat Pursuit! Thanks to the Sponsors, volunteers and JayP for making this memorable event possible.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-44159030631866745102015-01-06T06:37:00.000-08:002015-01-06T06:37:09.118-08:00Pedaling POWder!Winter is upon us and we are getting snow in the Black Hills! The Fatbike riding is phat, and we are gearing up for a few events that will be taking place both in and out of our homeland.<br />
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We are heading out to our second year at <a href="http://fatpursuit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">JayP's Fat Pursuit</a>, on January 10th! Kristi was stoked and ready to redeem herself on the short 60k course, but unfortunately she'll have to wait another year. Two weeks ago she slipped on the ice hitting her head and suffering a concussion. The doctor's orders were No Rides for two to three months. She may not last that long, but at this point is still having headaches and decided that it would be in her best interest to bow out in this years event. I, on the other hand am ready to suffer! I'm hoping to improve on my 34 hour time from last year, and will enjoy the company of a larger field. This year's (long course, 200k) event was capped at 50 riders and all of the spots have been filled. Spectators will be able to follow the race on <a href="http://trackleaders.com/">trackleaders.com</a>, (link with Fat Pursuit), where they can view each rider in the race and how they are progressing. I've been busy prepping, getting all the required gear, and am hoping for good race day conditions. We'll see what Old Man Winter blows in this weekend?<br />
On another note, we are looking forward to hosting the second annual <a href="http://www.savoywinterchallenge.com/" target="_blank">Savoy Winter Challenge</a>, which <br />
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includes the 28 Below, a 28 mile fatbike race, and Buzzards Roost, a 6 mile snowshoe race. This race is the only USFS permitted Fatbike event in the Black Hills, and will be using pristine, groomed snowmobile trail for all 28 miles of riding! All proceeds (if any), from this year's event, will go toward the South Dakota Snowmobiling Association, to use in the grooming of the trail systems. We as a fatbike user group, are working towards fostering a relationship with the US Forest Service to allow us access, in riding the groomed trails throughout the season. At this time fatbike riding on snowmobile trail is in a gray area, but we hope to have the issues resolved in the next year. You can sign sign up for the races at<a href="http://www.getevent.com/races/event/51448" target="_blank"> getevent.com</a>, and help support permitted riding on the Black Hills snowmobile trails!<br />
Pedal Powder,<br />
PJ Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-60367812185069996052013-11-21T06:43:00.001-08:002013-11-21T06:43:31.425-08:00Ridge Riders of the Black Hills: Savoy Winter Challenge<a href="http://ridgeridersblackhills.blogspot.com/2013/11/savoy-winter-challenge.html">Ridge Riders of the Black Hills: Savoy Winter Challenge</a>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-9200476068451148732012-08-29T07:14:00.000-07:002012-08-29T07:14:23.880-07:00Laborious Weekend ahead! <b>12th Annual Dakota Five-0 Race/Ride/Tour</b> is going down this weekend under a full moon and what looks to be excellent weather. The trail has been groomed by Swiss watch makers and marked by the local Hwy department. Expect the course to be Fast and Dry. There are some areas w/ moon dust (silt) and trail snakes (ruts) so heads up riding as usual for MTBing.<br />
Below is some information to help w/ your weekend at this years event. Ridge Riders are pretty stoked to see all the riders beating down the local Five-0 trail. Thanks!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Packet Pick</u></b></span>-up
will be on Saturday Sept. 1st at City Park Pavilion from noon to 6pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At this time you will be able to change anything that needs changing
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you are signed up in
the right class and wave!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Race Start</u></b></span>-
Make sure you start in the Wave you signed up for!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The start is a neutral rollout until you hit the gravel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try not to do much passing at this point as everyone is
trying to maintain their position here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The racing should start once you hit the gravel road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Wave 1</u> starts at 7:10am. If you
are a pro rider or someone who hopes to place in the top 10 please line up on
the front of the line at the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Other riders PLEASE line up behind them and stay behind them during the
rollout!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are going to
finish between 4 to 5 hours line up in the Middle to back accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Wave 2</u> starts at 7:20am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Wave 3</u> starts at 7:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALL RIDERS: THERE IS A
DOWNHILL ON A ROAD, DURING THE ROLLOUT, THAT YOU TAKE A<span style="color: #c00000;">
SHARP</span> LEFT HAND TURN ON.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>PLEASE BE CAREFUL ON THIS DOWNHILL AND TRY TO MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION AS
THE RACING SHOULDN'T BE STARTING YET!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Race</u></b></span><b>-</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">There are 4 aid stations and the unofficial 'Bacon
Station' on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
stations will all have water, Heed Hammer drink, and various food items such as
cookies, fruit, bars, etc. (except the Bacon Station: Just Beer and Bacon).
There will be a limited amount of Hammer Gels so please only take what you
need, and try to pick up any trash you have, PLEASE DON'T LITTER on the trail!!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course is
marked with pink Ribbon and arrows, and ground paint in a few areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We try to mark the course so that you
shouldn't go far without seeing a ribbon or arrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you go more than a 1/2mile without seeing some type of
marking you probably took a wrong turn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keep your eyes open and you shouldn't get lost!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are several gravel road crossings that we should have
volunteers at to help with traffic, but you are ultimately responsible for your
own safety!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last two miles of
the course is also a downhill gravel road, so be careful as the gravel can be
loose,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and watch for cars on this
section!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are changing the finish line to a straight shot this
year, rather than turning into the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This way if you are battling for position you will have a
straight shot for a sprint finish!<o:p></o:p></div>
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ANY RIDER THAT DOES NOT FINISH<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NEEDS TO LET THE TIMING PEOPLE KNOW,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO THAT YOU ARE ACCOUNTED FOR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Failure to do this will result<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in not being allowed to race in any
future event!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>The Kids race</u></b></span>
will begin at 3pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strider will
have a course set up for kids to ride from noon to 3pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Races will be by age 5,4,3,and 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sign up at the strider booth for
race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be staged behind the
bandshell this year, rather than around it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Awards Ceremony</u></b></span>
will start at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4:00 with awards
handed out to the top finishers in each category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SRAM has once again supported our race with a big
sponsorship, and will be giving away some great prizes to the top
finishers!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also stick around for
the raffle after the awards ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone who entered the race has a chance to win some great prizes,
donated by more great sponsors including Pearl Izumi, Specialized/Two Wheeler
Dealer, Twin Six, Rushmore Mountain Sports,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ergon,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black
Hills Vision Care, and Dykstra Pottery, among others...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Food and Music</u></b></span>
will start around 12noon with Barbacoas and Bay Leaf providing the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please keep in mind that all riders
should be able to eat and <u>only take one trip</u> through the food line. We'd
like to have food left for the riders that come in over 6 hours so please be
courteous by only taking one trip through the food line!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crow Peak brewery will also be at the
park providing beverages to the racers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year the city is cracking down on us though, and we were required
to put up fencing for a 'beer garden'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just be sure if you are drinking you stay in the 'beer garden'.....we'd
like to continue offering beer in the park, so we have to follow the rules if
we want this to continue!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Spectators</u>:</b></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have family or friends as
spectators please ask them to read this or discuss this with them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a LOT OF TRAFFIC on the gravel
road going to aid stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please
drive slowly to keep the dust down!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also there is an alternative route to and from the second aid
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can get there by
driving up Spearfish Canyon(US 14) to Savoy(about 13 miles).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once there stay to the right onto the
gravel road<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roughlock Falls
Rd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take next right onto Tinton
Rd/Tollgate Rd and follow this all the way to the Second Aid Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please use this route if you can, to
cut down on the amount of traffic and dust on Tinto Rd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also once at the aid stations please
park back away from the course and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b>stay off the course</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally..... </span><b>the food and
beer is for the racers, not the spectators</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>After Party!</u></b></span><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the race The Dry Creek Grill (formerly known as
Spearfish Chophouse) will be hosting live music and a beer garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian's Tavern will also be having a
Labor Day Jam with live music and outdoor seating area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By having two restaurants involved in
an after party, we are hoping to cut down the wait time for food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Bike Shops:</u></b></span><u>
</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit Two Wheeler Dealer
or Rushmore Mtn. Sports for all of your biking/repair needs!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Places to eat</u></b></span>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please try to support our local
sponsors by eating at Barbacoa's (great burrito's), The Dry Creek Grill
(located at the mouth of the Canyon), Bay Leaf Cafe (nice downtown location
with outdoor seating) and Killian's Tavern (located on Jackson Blvd, across
from Common Cents).<o:p></o:p></div>
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See you all soon and Pedal Power!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I would like to congratulate Christian Baird for winning the Five-0 Art Contest!</div>
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Big Thanks to some of our prominent Sponsors!</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-9120851367358076742012-08-08T10:50:00.000-07:002012-08-13T11:03:33.574-07:00Failed and Bailed on the Colorado Trail...In April I started training for the hardest bike race I thought I would ever do and it was harder than that! <br />
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After a year off the bike, building a home, and race directing the Five-0 for the last 12 years, I thought it would be a good time to get back in the saddle and do some training. It was pretty intense training, along with proper gear selection, and logistic homework for the last 4 months, but it was not enough for the CTR. <br />
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On Monday morning July 30th we lined up in Waterton Canyon outside Denver and took off for a 500 mile (65,000' of climbing!) self supported "race" across the Colorado Trail to Durango. The start was full of excitement and high energy as all the riders had been prepping for weeks or years for this ride.<br />
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The first day was a huge day for me as I wanted to get off to a good start while fresh. I ended up w/ 104 miles and 16,000' of climbing on day one. I got soaked out everyday, twice a day, with the second rain usually happening at night around dark and persisting until the early morning hours. The first day/night I was going hard and staggering around in the dark on wet rocks and roots until 2:15 am. This took some fight out of me without me even realizing it until the next couple days. With around 2.5 hours sleep I was up and off on the bike for day 2. Day two would be another great introduction into the CTR and hike-a-biking over the 10 Mile Range above Copper and the SKY chutes. Now this is no short hike-a-bike.... this is straight up talus with steep switchbacks at 11,000 plus feet! After hours of mostly hiking, it was a great view of Copper Mountain and an awesome descent into Copper / Frisco. After a little dip in the creek I rode off to Copper for a burger and resupply. It felt great to lounge around the base and take in the tourist watching. The trail out of Copper had seen some horse guiding and was covered in horse apples and was hoofed out. It didn't take long and we were heading up up and out to Searle Pass 12,040' and a little further to the beautiful Kokomo Pass 12,020'. This was some of the nicest riding I had done on this trail. Above tree line everything is clearer. The descent from these summits was amazing. We followed the Cataract Creek headwaters and descended into Camp Hale. This was the training grounds for the 10th Mountain Division and you could see why, remote, big and intimidating... It would be another 20 miles before reaching Leadville in the rain at midnight. Time for a Motel 6 cleansing! <br />
Day 3 came about rather slow starting out with the continental breakfast at 0630 and off riding at 0730. We headed out into the Leadville backcountry via Halfmoon Creek Rd. and joined the CT below Mt. Massive. Lots of primitive camping along this stretch of gravel rd. and some folks out prepping the Leadville 100. The next stretch of trail is some of the best Aspen tree lined trail riding of the CTR. Big Aspens and nice singletrack all the way down into Twin Lakes above Buena Vista. I rolled into town w/ my new friend Bill Shand and we met up with Paul Bosworth for some pizza next to the Trailhead bike shop. The Trailhead was wrenching on all kinds of CTR riders bikes. Paul had his disks trued and I had a new small ring put on. The Trailhead was offering free mechanical work for the riders. It was a nice shop that had all the things necessary to continue the ride. After the shop and pizza we rode off to the grocery store as this was our last restock we thought before the long segments ahead. I had the stupid idea of taking extra pizza wrapped in tin foil and wandered around the busy grocery store grabbing miscellaneous food supplies. Many veteran riders were outside the grocery store carefully going thru sacks of groceries and adding the calories carefully. I just threw a bunch of junk food on top of the pizza and headed out. I'm not sure what 'mistake number' this was, but it was a crucial one. Paul was already gone and out of town when Bill and I left together. We pedaled the road up below the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and watched the clouds boil into a blackness that soon was shooting bolts of lighting followed by heavy rain. We took cover next to a house w/ a bicycle sculpture attached to the mail box. Soon a gentleman came out and invited us into the garage and we talked bikes over a beer w/ him. The rain was heavy and we considered his offer to spend the night in the garage, but an hour later the rain stopped and we decided it best to ride for the hour or two of remaining light. The trail was rocky and horse hammered out of Avalanche TH and into South Cottonwood TH for several miles as a horse guide outfitter was using the trail apparently. Bill and I camped together again this night along the trail as it continued to rain into the night. It was a tough nights sleep in a bivy, w/ rain falling at elevation. I would find myself covered up inside the bivy struggling to breathe and throw it open gasping for breath only to let the drizzle hit my face for awhile and cover back up. This continued thru the night. The next morning we rose at 5am to a dampness and Bill bailing because of a tied up stomach ache that had bothered him for several days. I was bummed to see Bill have to bail but was up for another day of riding. We parted ways and I enjoyed the next section of trails to Princeton Hot Springs. This is an establishment that I did not know about and they had lots of food in the Gas station/ deli. They also take mail delivery drops that many CT users use. I ate breakfast here and had some coffee before heading out w/ additional supplies. The pizza I had brought as my main meal was now a dough ball dripping juice from the tin foil... I continued to carry it and tried to eat it later this day but was disgusted by it. The riding out of Princeton lead up to Chalk Mt. TH was some stiff riding again. It was beautiful trail interrupted w/ springs and creek crossings. The day continued w/ much effort and fatigue and took me to the HWY 50 crossing and the big climb up Fooses Creek. It rained again at around 3pm and soaked everything only to bring on sunshine and a beautiful evening ride/climb along a nice creek. Again at about 8:30 it began to rain and the lighting was close. I took shelter near the pass at about 11,000' and put on all my clothes and rain suit. It stopped lightning and the rain was light so I continued into the darkness and pushed another 1000' up to the summit of Monarch Pass at 12,000' and camped for the night at 10:30. It was a moon filled clear night and cold at that elevation. <br />
Day 4 started out w/ a really nice sunrise and me taking off w/ all my warmest clothes on. I had opted to not fill my water bladders on the climb the previous night as there were suppose to be water sources ahead. Well as I pulled into the water sources they were dried up or I missed the trickle and continued hoping to find a good source. The only water I found this morning was some spring water pooled in elk hooves and filled w/ sediment. I dipped up a couple small bottles worth and used my purification tablets on them but did not look forward to drinking it. I hoped to find better water but my guidebook indicated it would be 14 miles to the next source and that would be the last for several days perhaps. It was mid morning by now and I had studied the data book and contemplated my state of food and water and realized at the pace I was moving I would be way short on both. After much debate w/ myself I found it best to sulk down and out on one of Colorado's favorite trails the Silver Creek and Rainbow trail to Salida. It was a tough call to drop when bike and body were intact but I wanted to keep it that way without relying on outside help or emergency help plus all the bail outs beyond were into no mans land. Once into town or nearly into town my cell phone lit up w/ messages of "wrong way", "are you alright", "bailing to Salida", "call me", "stay safe", "are you alright"? It was great to know I had so many eyes on my blue dot, but disappointing to drop out out of my first race in 25 yrs. of racing. This race is different and I was ok w/ it I guess. Too late now I was about 4000' below the summit of last nights camp. I made it about 260 miles a little over half way on the CTR and learned a lot. Will I go back next year? Probably but it is a big commitment and lots can get in the way. With what I learned and a whole year to prepare chances are I will be back. I love this sort of race and all the character you build and characters you meet. I am thankful for the experience and hope to finish this ride one day.<br />
Thanks to Stephan for organizing this amazing race and all the friends on the trail, Kristi and Sierra for their support and John Bailey for his Ridge Rider Rescue and picking me up in Salida. Congratulations to Paul Bosworth for his amazing race and finish and all the other riders out there who finished or attempted.<br />
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Saying Good bye is sometimes easy when you have a good understanding family, Thanks!</div>
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Paul, Perry and Bill, Black Hills entrants</div>
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The fast guys on the way out of Denver's Waterton Canyon TH</div>
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Into the Hayman Fire burn day one.</div>
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Stoked Moots riders giving it up!</div>
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Les Handy from Denver!. </div>
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Day one brought on a bent small ring. Trying a rock multi tool fix helped but it would drop off the small ring randomly until day 3 in Buena Vista where it was replaced.</div>
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Soggy Trail below Kenosha Pass</div>
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Toby Gadd!</div>
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Approaching Georgia Pass</div>
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Top of Georgia Pass!</div>
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Some random trail magic for CTR riders stashed below Georgia Pass. Very Nice!</div>
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Bill Shand prepares to hike a bike over 10 Mile </div>
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Up and Up!</div>
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Dropping down into Copper Mountain was great!</div>
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Leaving Copper and heading up into Searle Pass, very nice.</div>
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Searle's Pass 12,040</div>
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Another Storm brewing above Buena Vista.</div>
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Good Morning</div>
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More rain ahead...</div>
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Fooses Creek bridge</div>
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Good Morning atop Monarch Pass</div>
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Rough morning after fighting my way to Monarch Pass! Swollen and bruised getting ready to Cruise.</div>
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Top of the Fooses Trail! Big Climb!</div>
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Bullwinkle crossed my trail on the Bail down Silver Cr. Trail.</div>
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Bailey's Ridge Rider Rescue was much appreciated. He took me back to Vail and I hung at the Eagles Nest Bistro at the top of mountain treated to comped fine food and drink! It was great to see all the friends in Vail and share some stories about another good adventure.</div>
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<br />Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-13034065053981006542012-07-24T21:39:00.001-07:002012-07-24T21:55:13.262-07:00Inspiration for Exploration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I headed out for another 3 days of bike packing mid July and explored some new stuff and cruised some old stuff. This was my third trip of the season in preparation for the <a href="http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/">Colorado Trail Race</a>. </div>
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Heading out w/ a few loose screws. This Maxxis Icon XO sidewalled tire has managed to hold up for about 500 miles now and only pumped it a couple times in the last couple weeks. The rear one tore within a couple rides. I have had terrible luck w/ ripping sidewalls and blowing out tires this year... I am now running the cheapest most durable tire I can find for the rear, a CST Caballero.</div>
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Osprey Nest Crook County line, Wwyyoommiingg</div>
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Ranch A near Sand Cr. Gangster hangout!</div>
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Grand Canyon near the Wyoming line.</div>
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Echinacea / Purple Coneflower </div>
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You can see an arch in the right side of the upper cliff</div>
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Lots of old homesteads along the Custer Expedition route. Some of them were stage stops for the Cheyenne to Deadwood stage coach. Others mining camps and prospectors camps.</div>
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On the Custer Black Hills Expedition Trail of 1874</div>
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Cold Springs Creek</div>
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Not trespassing just passing thru.</div>
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Night riding when creepy crawly things pop out!</div>
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Hell Canyon Trail is worth riding the 5 mile loop! It is near Jewell Cave Nat. Park outside Custer.</div>
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Raspberries by the handfuls..</div>
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Sitting the storm out in Oreville on the Mickelson Trail</div>
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Silver City Community Center</div>
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Nemo Bar hitching post!</div>
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Nothing but a big nail has stopped the Caballero's. It still wanted to hold air?</div>
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I continued on from Nemo back to Elk Cr. on Centennial Trail in some super heat before dropping out in Sturgis. Great trip, I can't wait to share some more w/ friends and meet some new friends on the CTR! <br />
Expect some updates from the next experience. We will be hitting the trail work when I return so we have a buffed out Dakota Five-0 course for all the riders come Sept. 2!<br />
Pedal Power</div>
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<br />Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-28762240354529335582012-05-17T20:43:00.002-07:002012-05-17T20:48:36.705-07:00Back at it!The 12th Annual Dakota Five-0 is going to be another big year judging by the interest day of registration. April 1st we opened registration at 7am and shortly after 11am 602 riders registered, No Fooling! Wow we were a little surprised and it put us in a bad place having friends and family not get in, Sorry if you didn't... We did however start a waiting list and had two hundred riders within a couple days. We have already taken 100 riders off that list and let them in as well?. The plan is to keep the numbers around 720 registered riders and incorporate a 3 wave start to break riders up.<br />
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<b>I would like to Thank Les Heiserman for 11 years of top notch Dakota Five-0 T-shirt designs! His work represents our event and will be missed, but after 11 years he is running out of ideas. </b><br />
<b>So with that we are running an ART CONTEST! Below you find it as it was posted on the Dakota Five-0 Facebook page....</b><br />
<b style="background-color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It's a sad day for us at the Five-O headquarters, as we have news that our longtime artist, Les Heiserman, will no longer be doing the artwork for the Five-O T-shirt! With that being said....we need help. Now I know there are many talented cyclists out there, as last year we had some amazing poems come in for our Five-O Bacon Station poetry contest....but do we have any artists out there?? I gu</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ess we will find out! We would like to hold a 12th annual Dakota Five-O art contest for this years Five-O Logo. We will give everyone interested until July 1st to get their artwork to us for review. The winner will recieve $300 and will have their artwork displayed on our webpage, advertising for this year's race, and of course on this year's T-shirt! All judging will be done by us, and if we don't get any entries we will just have to make something up ourselves (and we're not so talented in that department). You do not have to be a racer to enter the contest.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: red; line-height: 18px;">Get your art on!!! Pedal Power</span></span></span></b><br />
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Send your submission to: <a href="mailto:ridgeriders@blackhills.com">ridgeriders@blackhills.com</a><br />
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I wrapped up the <a href="http://www.mikeypjam.com/">5th Annual Mikey P Jam</a> on March 24th with some decent snow and warm temps. With the record high temps in March we skipped the mud season and had dry trails early. </div>
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I hit the trails and gravel grinding for base miles after a year of building our new home and it feels good to get ON the Bike! So if you plan on stopping by our old house near the start/finish of the Five-0 Kristi and I are no longer living in that convenient spot. We are now out by <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/crow-peak/317638">Crow Peak</a> near one of our favorite Black Hills rides. Good riding out the door is a given anywhere in Spearfish.<br />
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Below are a bunch of random pics from this Spring's Rides. If a pic is worth a thousand words this is a really long EZ read. Enjoy</div>
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Crangle Connection Trail</div>
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The (THAD) up and over above Taco Alley. The four fence crossing in the Five-0 are all now roll overs.</div>
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The Old Baldy Lake (mud hole) Bridge</div>
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Some of the trail work ahead of us on the Rimrock Trail</div>
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A miners cabin ready for a new resident!</div>
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Another Miners cabin, that would make a nice fixer upper. Great Location, Spearfish Mountain!</div>
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Cement Ridge Fire Lookout above Spearfish and just into Wwwyyyooommmiiinnnggg!</div>
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Typical cabins along Black Hills Gravel roads.</div>
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Great Place to fix a flat I guess...</div>
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100+ mile long Mickelson Trail. Non motorized No brainer riding.</div>
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Cheyenne Crossing Store (good food). Formerly the Deadwood Cheyenne Stagecoach stop.</div>
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Random stop off for Gin and Tonic and snacks on my ride thru Spearfish Canyon w/ old friends.</div>
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Lora one of our volunteers points out the new Ridge Rider sticker in the Beulah Bar. Great place</div>
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Alladin, Wyoming population 15. Great Bacon and Pie!</div>
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Great watering hole, I frequent.</div>
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Crow Peak Crew Cruise on our Anniversary!</div>
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Boundary Gulch Wyoming/South Dakota</div>
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Tinton Ghost Town....</div>
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Potato Spring=Good watering hole</div>
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Five-0 flat above Sheep Flats Aid Station</div>
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Southern Black Hills Semelius Centennial Trail</div>
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Spearfish Mountain Area Lake I never new about!</div>
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Potato Creek Johnny's Old Cabin- he found the largest gold nugget ever recorded in the Black Hills. It was the size of a small fist and was found near aid station #3 Sheep Flats on the Five-0 course.</div>
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Roughlock Falls in Little Spearfish Canyon.</div>
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More singletrack and bikepacking pics to follow.</div>
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Get out and Ride!</div>
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<br /></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-29580290641562312492011-11-10T21:31:00.000-08:002011-11-16T20:05:11.525-08:0012th Annual Dakota Five-0-A little ride with 600 Friends<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kBEpY4_P-SM/TsSFnz9_hcI/AAAAAAAAAl0/DoUd0RLtN-E/s1600/IMG_0439.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQHAVjKhv5c/TrzCpbYKsqI/AAAAAAAAAhs/5Edw-sIuxDo/s1600/P9030155.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zrESyNVqNiY/TrzBThqabKI/AAAAAAAAAhg/_ydqyrUVq78/s400/Five-Oa.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673622171777920162" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Racers were lined up and smiled big for the money shots with Smokey Bear, and high fives.</div><div style="text-align: left;">At the drop of his hat Racers were off the line for the neutral roll out led by myself on the ATV. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uW1jG5VN2Lc/Tr1CSHdU-LI/AAAAAAAAAjo/-nopOCtckxk/s1600/EST_0002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uW1jG5VN2Lc/Tr1CSHdU-LI/AAAAAAAAAjo/-nopOCtckxk/s400/EST_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673763984563828914" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iigIw9tqrMo/TrzEAUFNT7I/AAAAAAAAAh4/EVyQBhRgSMo/s400/EST_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673625140249579442" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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?</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5jq6Mpzsqw/TrzF7F9XLVI/AAAAAAAAAiE/kU_gz8lWe9g/s400/P9030162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673627249582484818" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;">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...</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAL532eqfa4/Tr1CQl6cJ4I/AAAAAAAAAi0/7a6Gjizq-v4/s400/P9030164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673763958379259778" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Upe4590W7Ts/Tr1CQ1HJKlI/AAAAAAAAAi8/sQlShCVzH1U/s400/P9030165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673763962459073106" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;">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! </div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWQEejyMfsw/Tr1EAhXN98I/AAAAAAAAAkU/nBk8lKr9Zko/s400/EST_0226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673765881303136194" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">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?... </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fclYJg5RpYg/TsPwMrXY1yI/AAAAAAAAAkg/mLyZ9r75fpo/s400/P9030171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675644056006874914" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">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!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzQgFY8DHHo/Tr1BFz9w7aI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/gxipJF8f580/s400/P9030192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673762673661111714" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4HqBmdETzo/Tr1BGnNsVhI/AAAAAAAAAio/DT3vPqz4FJ8/s400/P9030197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673762687418127890" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "></span><div style="text-align: left;">There was even a celebrity appearance from Bacon Man I got to witness! </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LV12jmP_KVg/Tr1BGEh5qmI/AAAAAAAAAic/m9AG345umYc/s400/P9030199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673762678107646562" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Only to be followed up by the last two miles of climbing before cranking out to the fast and flowing Tinton Trail to town....</div><div style="text-align: left;">After enjoying the Bacon Station it was back to town to check on the <a href="http://stridercup.blogspot.com/2011/09/results-from-dakota-five-o-strider.html">Strider World Cup</a> races. </div><div style="text-align: left;">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."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95GsrtuhSRo/TsR25ansdiI/AAAAAAAAAlc/W4LBd1w-xsg/s400/EST_0429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675792159164102178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGcw4wqjM-8/TsR2lEEXUzI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/CN0dR3RU38o/s400/IMG_0466.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675791809512952626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;">With Riders set up with good Grub and drinks it was time for the awards ceremony. </div><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxd3QH2h0lk/TsR10tTjrqI/AAAAAAAAAlE/ItZKfVc0f_8/s400/IMG_0366.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675790978768940706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: left;">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! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRgmf_wKnaQ/TsSFnm7a6CI/AAAAAAAAAlo/GWEKruHqMw0/s400/IMG_0434.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675808345904834594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kBEpY4_P-SM/TsSFnz9_hcI/AAAAAAAAAl0/DoUd0RLtN-E/s400/IMG_0439.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675808349405283778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">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...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LZBK1aRfKA/Tr1CRwk2LhI/AAAAAAAAAjY/fin7lKpbecY/s400/P9040224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673763978421349906" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9eCzVIhg6o/TsR1z-hOciI/AAAAAAAAAks/Uu7nB2M4di4/s400/IMG_0216.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675790966209802786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9u5a0QNfmic/Tr1EAOyrltI/AAAAAAAAAkI/RQwvM-Vg-J4/s1600/EST_0151.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9u5a0QNfmic/Tr1EAOyrltI/AAAAAAAAAkI/RQwvM-Vg-J4/s400/EST_0151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673765876318050002" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7USuEDO9WA/Tr1D_kmqyaI/AAAAAAAAAj8/sIn5C_MEmks/s1600/EST_0121.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7USuEDO9WA/Tr1D_kmqyaI/AAAAAAAAAj8/sIn5C_MEmks/s400/EST_0121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673765864993376674" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rc9vEVg8VNA/Tr1D_du5AtI/AAAAAAAAAjw/KuCLngSnwl8/s1600/EST_0090.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rc9vEVg8VNA/Tr1D_du5AtI/AAAAAAAAAjw/KuCLngSnwl8/s400/EST_0090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673765863148815058" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-83660045386738540422011-08-03T19:02:00.000-07:002011-08-04T07:10:49.361-07:00Trail Working has commenced!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AY4J5CUKxE/TjoapUWmV-I/AAAAAAAAAhY/DeLYwpeWbE8/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbymKa8UHGQ/TjoQht6YNRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-Ch-ZXMR_s0/s1600/11th%2BFive-0%2BLogo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbymKa8UHGQ/TjoQht6YNRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-Ch-ZXMR_s0/s400/11th%2BFive-0%2BLogo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636836055053776146" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbymKa8UHGQ/TjoQht6YNRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-Ch-ZXMR_s0/s1600/11th%2BFive-0%2BLogo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbymKa8UHGQ/TjoQht6YNRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-Ch-ZXMR_s0/s1600/11th%2BFive-0%2BLogo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbymKa8UHGQ/TjoQht6YNRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-Ch-ZXMR_s0/s1600/11th%2BFive-0%2BLogo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">Thanks to Les Heiserman for his 11th Dakota Five-O official logo</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Les Continues to ink up one of a kind nostalgic Fat Tire artwork.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbymKa8UHGQ/TjoQht6YNRI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/-Ch-ZXMR_s0/s1600/11th%2BFive-0%2BLogo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">Only 4 Weeks until the 11th Annual Dakota Five-0! With 700 riders coming we have had to set the bar high. Details being, weedeating about 20 miles of grass. In many areas the grass in nearly handlebar high. We will have the trail hand polished for your riding enjoyment. The sections we have done now are gleaming. Be sure to get out and pre-ride as many sections as possible.</a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fVDmKAHdvY/TjoBsG0QGaI/AAAAAAAAAg4/403Z3OYLM4w/s400/IMG_0771.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636819740863240610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQgCzeMCtkg/TjoBs2J3poI/AAAAAAAAAhA/20UHiywmxmQ/s400/IMG_0776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636819753570379394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"> Leo and Marley finishing up a problem area and adding a log ride!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Five-O Check In/Packet Pickup </b>will be at the Start/Finish area this year in Spearfish Park. It will be in the <a href="http://www.cityofspearfish.com/publicworks/buildings_rentals/tretheway.htm">pavilion</a> next to the bandshell from <b>2pm-8pm on Sat. Sept. 3</b>.</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Race Day Sunday September 4th. </span></b></div><div>New this year there will be chip timing and a wave start to break up the 700 riders. The break down will be <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Racers</span></b> and <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Riders</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Racers</span></b> will be, well racers, that know they can ride the Fivie-O in <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">6hrs. or UNDER</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">!</span> This class will need to line up at <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">7am for a 7:15 start</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">. </span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">The remaining riders will line up at 7:20 for a 7:30 start</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">.</span> 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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both wave starts will be a slow neutral role out thru town led by an ATV until riders hit the gravel.</div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Catered Food from Spearfish's <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/barbacoas-spearfish">Barbacoa's</a> will be served in the picnic shelter behind the bandshell starting at 12:30 for all riders.</div><div>Live music at the Bandshell from <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dansherrillrootsrockreggae/music/songs/d-rsquo-milestone-24193879">Dan Sherrill</a>, Hank Harris and Jamie Lynn from 1-4pm.</div><div>Kids <a href="http://www.stridercup.com/">Strider World Cup</a> 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 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J3xfWj4bx8&feature=player_embedded#at=26">Strider Race video</a> and enjoy the music.</div><div>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 <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/spearfish/">Salsa Spearfish</a> complete bike! </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div>Ride Your Bike Everywhere...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AY4J5CUKxE/TjoapUWmV-I/AAAAAAAAAhY/DeLYwpeWbE8/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636847180748052450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-10754327484652320832011-07-11T07:07:00.000-07:002011-07-11T20:30:22.558-07:00Tinton Trail Never Fails/Best of the Bacon Poems<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13.3333px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YK9h6HuCON0/Thsb6bYkzeI/AAAAAAAAAgI/jiEE4U6SdgQ/s1600/100_5743.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13.3333px;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ779J4I33Y/ThsaxPGJgxI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Ts8YEy4BTMc/s400/100_5731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628121592497799954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YK9h6HuCON0/Thsb6bYkzeI/AAAAAAAAAgI/jiEE4U6SdgQ/s400/100_5743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628122849926761954" /></a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IY0aMHPBDNo/Thsb5dqngvI/AAAAAAAAAf4/8E1DPq5qxnA/s1600/100_5740.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IY0aMHPBDNo/Thsb5dqngvI/AAAAAAAAAf4/8E1DPq5qxnA/s400/100_5740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628122833359438578" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1hxUd4OAF4/Thsb4lk6VsI/AAAAAAAAAfw/8Zgslaqkqzk/s1600/100_5738.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1hxUd4OAF4/Thsb4lk6VsI/AAAAAAAAAfw/8Zgslaqkqzk/s400/100_5738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628122818303121090" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7XoWI82V_OQ/Thsb4A78keI/AAAAAAAAAfo/LCi__crOGGA/s1600/100_5737.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7XoWI82V_OQ/Thsb4A78keI/AAAAAAAAAfo/LCi__crOGGA/s400/100_5737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628122808467624418" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpekmbbx_gs/ThsayJxVt6I/AAAAAAAAAfg/7ekA6ROMFqY/s1600/100_5736.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpekmbbx_gs/ThsayJxVt6I/AAAAAAAAAfg/7ekA6ROMFqY/s400/100_5736.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628121608248211362" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5zO0MfYoDM/ThsaxgmICZI/AAAAAAAAAfY/c3AvBipo3g0/s1600/100_5735.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5zO0MfYoDM/ThsaxgmICZI/AAAAAAAAAfY/c3AvBipo3g0/s400/100_5735.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628121597195323794" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vti6ExP5uzg/ThsawqmRWBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/3Y4N9LKcfGo/s1600/100_5728.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vti6ExP5uzg/ThsawqmRWBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/3Y4N9LKcfGo/s400/100_5728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628121582700419090" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh93AuwunnE/ThsawLxuieI/AAAAAAAAAfA/LU4X589pWXc/s1600/100_5726.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh93AuwunnE/ThsawLxuieI/AAAAAAAAAfA/LU4X589pWXc/s400/100_5726.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628121574426970594" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LkDU3mVtbE/ThsaEw_iEZI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Oso0pSNVFsk/s1600/100_5724.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LkDU3mVtbE/ThsaEw_iEZI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Oso0pSNVFsk/s400/100_5724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628120828502741394" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V8cqsWsSClY/ThsaESbp51I/AAAAAAAAAew/UDSks8HroMs/s1600/100_5723.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V8cqsWsSClY/ThsaESbp51I/AAAAAAAAAew/UDSks8HroMs/s400/100_5723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628120820299196242" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3WbVyso0_c/ThsaD6SRWyI/AAAAAAAAAeo/1fMV9hSyOnE/s1600/100_5722.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3WbVyso0_c/ThsaD6SRWyI/AAAAAAAAAeo/1fMV9hSyOnE/s400/100_5722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628120813817387810" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4gxFebmtO0/ThsaDq2uLaI/AAAAAAAAAeg/KHU0WqwdW6I/s1600/100_5721.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4gxFebmtO0/ThsaDq2uLaI/AAAAAAAAAeg/KHU0WqwdW6I/s400/100_5721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628120809675304354" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlp36x7v91g/ThsaDDQS62I/AAAAAAAAAeY/RY08xvOH9OA/s1600/100_5719.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlp36x7v91g/ThsaDDQS62I/AAAAAAAAAeY/RY08xvOH9OA/s400/100_5719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628120799045151586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">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. </span><a href="http://www.dakotafiveo.com/tinton_2011_results.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Winning times</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> were 20-25 minutes. Dash for Cash had a new champion Jim Meyer 20:28 founder of </span><a href="http://www.quarq.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Quarq Technologies</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 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 </span><a href="http://www.rushmorebikes.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rushmore Mountain Sports</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. 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.</span></span></div><div>Pulled Pork sandwiches, vegi burgers and <a href="http://www.crowpeakbrewing.com/our_beers.html">Crow Peak Brews</a> were hitting the spot, as we rounded up little tots for the best race of the day the KID RACES:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:13.3333px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLuEGn9NBok/Thscp9ohBzI/AAAAAAAAAgw/TCiDb5kjphM/s1600/100_5748.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:11.6667px;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C0rOpj9VJlo/ThscmlGmBTI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/nVfjBwm9Xjg/s400/100_5744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628123608449942834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLuEGn9NBok/Thscp9ohBzI/AAAAAAAAAgw/TCiDb5kjphM/s400/100_5748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628123666574280498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOsGU2f7eA4/ThscpTu-nII/AAAAAAAAAgo/aUF9xBxJV3k/s1600/100_5747.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOsGU2f7eA4/ThscpTu-nII/AAAAAAAAAgo/aUF9xBxJV3k/s400/100_5747.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628123655327095938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OP7mxyazfqw/Thscn-qSfqI/AAAAAAAAAgg/JGnTF1qZvvQ/s1600/100_5746.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OP7mxyazfqw/Thscn-qSfqI/AAAAAAAAAgg/JGnTF1qZvvQ/s400/100_5746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628123632490413730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f2QEUrhS5YI/ThscnVnIm4I/AAAAAAAAAgY/UM6BQ4fhLjk/s1600/100_5745.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f2QEUrhS5YI/ThscnVnIm4I/AAAAAAAAAgY/UM6BQ4fhLjk/s400/100_5745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628123621471329154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></span><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmel_m4NFc0/ThsWAgDrhBI/AAAAAAAAAeI/sGU1Nw-1Vtc/s400/IMG_0494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628116357190747154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe1vep4SFHI/ThsWBAm5_BI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/FMNEoKY1BhE/s400/IMG_0496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628116365928430610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><div>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@!</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bacon Station Sensation! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Several months ago we posted a little contest on the Dakota Five-0 Facebook.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">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 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">facebook</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> homepage or sending it in a private message. Get your poet on!!</span></span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><br /></span></span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Below are the Awarded Winners!</span></span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><br /></span></span></span></u></p></span></u></span></u></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></span></span></u></span></p><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Gord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Buhr</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> 1</span></span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">st</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> place winner</span></span></span></u></p></span></u></span></u></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><p></p></span></u></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">I've never ridden the Dakota five oh<br />but I'm willing to try and give it a go<br />Fifty miles long, I wonder if I'll finish<br />I better start now, eating my spinach<br /><br />Dakota five oh with the sweet bacon station<br />Dakota five oh, I have to have patience<br />Dakota five oh, I'm full of elation<br />I'll definitely be stopping at the sweet bacon station<br /><br />The black hills are gorgeous at that time of year<br />leaves full of color and ranches with steers<br />the smell in the air is of late summer or fall<br />but the smell of the bacon is loved by all<br /><br />Dakota five oh with the sweet bacon station<br />Dakota five oh, I have to have patience<br />Dakota five oh, I'm full of elation<br />I'll definitely be stopping at the sweet bacon station<br /><br />So I'll pedal and sweat and I'll have no regret<br />and I'll climb and descend for miles you can bet<br />but whatever I do on the day of the race<br />I'll surely have bacon all over my face<br /><br />Dakota five oh with the sweet bacon station<br />Dakota five oh, I have to have patience<br />Dakota five oh, I'm full of elation<br /></span></span></span></span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">I'll definitely be stopping at the sweet bacon station</span></span></span></span></p></span></u></span></u></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><br /></span></span></span></u></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"></span></span></span></span></p></span></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Soundpony 2</span></span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">nd</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> place winner</span></span></span></u></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; font-weight: normal; font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">A poem by Mike Detter<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">I ride so hard sometimes sweat </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">oozes out the vents in my helmet </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">like puss from a bed sore on the ass of an octogenarian.<br /><br />My muscles scream for forgiveness, </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">knowing full well they did nothing to deserve this abuse. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">I think of root canals without anesthesia. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">What joy that would be now.<br /><br />Last fuel station was ages ago. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">The dust mixes with the little saliva available</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Clogging my air passages with dirt clods. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Sheets of clouds blanket the hills. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Occasionally the sun rips through shining a spotlight on me </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Like the kid with no rhythm dancing in a talent show.<br /><br />Nothing but dirt and endless tracks over the horizon. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Pieces of cow pies fling from my tires and hurl past my cheeks. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Some stick to my downtube holding on for a ride out of the wilderness.<br /><br />The bacon station is far removed from my memory, </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">like an acid trip during the 80's and the Go Go's. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">I'm sorry to say goodbye to salty strips of goodness and warm beer. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Flashbacks still haunt me though and 'We Got the Beat' plays through my mind. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">The 80's sucked.<br /><br />A reflector gleams in front of me off the seat of a Huffy. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">I pedal harder. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">The reflector fades in the distance. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> Damn.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><br /></span></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">Katie Pate 3</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">rd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> Place winner<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">The trails of Spearfish beckon,<br />And all come from far and wide<br />To sample the beer and bacon,<br />Gastronomical perks of this ride.</span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;">The Dakota Five-0 will challenge,<br />It’ll put your will to the test.<br />Oh, how sweet the moment,<br />When you complete your bacon-y quest.<br /><br />It may get rough, it may get dirty,<br />You might even bust a crank.<br />But have no fear, victory is near<br />When you have PBR in the tank.<br /><br />When your energy begins to dissipate,<br />The Bacon Station comes into view.<br />Like a beacon of light in darkness,<br />That bacon will get you through.<br /><br />Smell that delicious, meaty goodness,<br />And a smile will cross your face.<br />For the happiest of all cyclists<br />Are full of bacon at the end of the race!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:center 3.25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:19px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10.0pt;"> </span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span></span></h6><div class="mvm uiStreamAttachments clearfix" ft="{"type":10}" style="display: block; zoom: 1; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><div class="UIImageBlock clearfix" style="display: block; zoom: 1; "></div></div></span></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-64621888152502608982011-06-20T06:52:00.001-07:002011-06-20T06:56:11.069-07:00Gather Up Gather Round Time to Go DOWN!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W4Lr0Xqg_Q/Tf9JElSAxzI/AAAAAAAAAdI/96aPiM_DGOE/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:11.1111px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhSSfBFFtqM/Tf5mF9KYisI/AAAAAAAAAdA/ltaJKbFkn2U/s1600/Tinton%2BTrail%2BLogo.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhSSfBFFtqM/Tf5mF9KYisI/AAAAAAAAAdA/ltaJKbFkn2U/s400/Tinton%2BTrail%2BLogo.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620041637508451010" style="text-align: right; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 242px; " /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">6th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trials</span></strong></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">June 26th, 2011 Spearfish, SD</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Big Hill Trailhead</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">8 Miles South of Spearfish on Tinton/Tollgate Rd.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Preriding and Registration from 8-11am</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Riders Meeting 12noon Big Hill Trail Head</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Riders drop in 1 minute intervals starting at 12:30</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Course is a 6 mile mostly down (descends 1500') tight trail riding.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Kids Races, Barbeque, Crow Peak Brew, Shuttles, and chip timed event!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dash For Cash, Steer for Beer, Women's and Juniors Classes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Camping available at Trailhead.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://blip.tv/frik-frak-productions/2010-ridge-rider-tinton-trail-time-trial-3913219">video of last year's Tinton Trail Time Trial!</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2007 Tinton Pics Below (Flash Backs)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:11.1111px;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OLZTOCWVbE/Tf9PcJ0fl8I/AAAAAAAAAeA/ea7kQrlnOkg/s400/100_1803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620298205072693186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:5.55556px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:11.1111px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:7.71604px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:11.1111px;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31mhAytBVPI/Tf9Pava4uhI/AAAAAAAAAdw/Hm0BxBgQnbs/s400/100_1857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620298180806097426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NseKum7bwvg/Tf9PbQbDEpI/AAAAAAAAAd4/9JS2Tx9WyZc/s400/100_1870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620298189665145490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></b></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.terrypeak.com/themountain/events/CalendarEventDetail39.cfm?e=91">Terry Peak D0wnhill</a></span></b></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:11.1111px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.terrypeak.com/themountain/events/CalendarEventDetail39.cfm?e=91">Lift Assisted Mountain Biking</a></span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.terrypeak.com/themountain/events/CalendarEventDetail39.cfm?e=91">First Ride Day</a></span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.terrypeak.com/themountain/events/CalendarEventDetail39.cfm?e=91">June 25th</a></span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.terrypeak.com/themountain/events/CalendarEventDetail39.cfm?e=91">9-4 and 4-7 all day riding</a></span></u></b></div></span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vohIckp6-Ts/Tf9KhU8KIYI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/q3wap0MVz8U/s400/100_1989.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620292796398838146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:11.1111px;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zit1xpyliZU/Tf9LSMRWfOI/AAAAAAAAAdY/p6dvDlT7mbg/s400/100_1994.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620293635885399266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:11.1111px;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7U8OakF5uak/Tf9LS1xM2kI/AAAAAAAAAdg/jkbXUJKS8uM/s400/100B2075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620293647024839234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:11.1111px;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-buOGOxwRFP4/Tf9MRo8rcRI/AAAAAAAAAdo/Bs5iRnHsuLI/s400/100B2185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620294725915078930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W4Lr0Xqg_Q/Tf9JElSAxzI/AAAAAAAAAdI/96aPiM_DGOE/s400/IMG_0325.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620291203057633074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px; " /></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhSSfBFFtqM/Tf5mF9KYisI/AAAAAAAAAdA/ltaJKbFkn2U/s1600/Tinton%2BTrail%2BLogo.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhSSfBFFtqM/Tf5mF9KYisI/AAAAAAAAAdA/ltaJKbFkn2U/s1600/Tinton%2BTrail%2BLogo.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></div></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-4082379110612576522011-05-03T06:48:00.001-07:002011-05-03T06:48:19.605-07:00Time to Find Time to Ride Between Bits of Rain, Snow, Sleet and Shine!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DagSonyPX8/TcAHBOrgklI/AAAAAAAAAc0/bggUUjd8Sic/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQYJOEx1arI/Tb-DtfrxLZI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Jpuzbz5TzcA/s1600/P4110068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQYJOEx1arI/Tb-DtfrxLZI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Jpuzbz5TzcA/s400/P4110068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602341279094615442" /></a><br />The weather has finally broke long enough for Lookout Mountain to dry but everything else in the Northern Hills is pretty wet. Last week we got more skiing and boarding in than biking. So it has been cooler and wetter than usual... What you going to do...<div>The 11th Annual Dakota Five-O sold out with 600 riders on April 1st, no fooling... We have since decided to invest in a chip timing system service for the first time. With this service we will be allowing an additional 100 riders for a possible 700 riders! If you did not get registered and are interested in the waiting list, please send an e-mail to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/ridgeriders@blackhills.com">ridgeriders@blackhills.com</a> </div><div>We are proud to have Salsa Cycles on board as a headline sponsor this year. It only seems fitting to have a bike company like Salsa involved in the Five-O. Not only for the Salsa quality and innovation, but their on our side since the flip-side.?.. <b>We will be giving away a complete </b><b><a href="http://www.salsacycles.com/bikes/spearfish/">Salsa Spearfish</a></b><b> at the awards ceremony to one lucky participant. </b></div><div>Twin Six is another new sponsors this year... We will be giving away some custom jersey's and other Twin Six Schwag as well. </div><div>Have you heard about the <a href="http://www.stridercup.com/">Strider World Cup</a> events? Well the Dakota Five-O is a qualifying race for Strider riders ages 2, 3, 4, and 5 yrs. old. There will be a class for each age group. There will also be a strider adventure zone set up for kids to frolic around in while supervised by Strider staff and employees. A big thanks to Strider Bikes for stepping up our already huge kids race! Check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J3xfWj4bx8&feature=player_embedded">Strider Cup video</a> (they even use the Dakota Five-O theme music)!</div><div>Another international <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82dGdRHxU6Y&feature=player_embedded">stoked strider rider video</a> and our hero of the day!</div><div>The ground is a thawing and I am off to perc test some soil and then ride! Hope the same for all. Pedal Power...</div><div>We are loving the Salsa Spearfish more than we can say we expected! More reports to come.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DagSonyPX8/TcAHBOrgklI/AAAAAAAAAc0/bggUUjd8Sic/s400/IMG_0138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602485654150746706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></b></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-20426200543558088292011-02-10T19:49:00.001-08:002011-02-10T21:10:50.748-08:00We Love Pow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcsso3XK-Rc/TVS0H-SuUWI/AAAAAAAAAck/5IH5ygxVznw/s1600/P1260803.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcsso3XK-Rc/TVS0H-SuUWI/AAAAAAAAAck/5IH5ygxVznw/s400/P1260803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572276688037761378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-7S76erKsU/TVSzrzmVMYI/AAAAAAAAAcc/HzlgumuSi1s/s1600/P2070867.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-7S76erKsU/TVSzrzmVMYI/AAAAAAAAAcc/HzlgumuSi1s/s400/P2070867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572276204130873730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9JYzrYh7bs/TVSzX_SoeAI/AAAAAAAAAcU/iYs4IveZSNg/s1600/167386_135215886542794_100001631494550_235383_8006632_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9JYzrYh7bs/TVSzX_SoeAI/AAAAAAAAAcU/iYs4IveZSNg/s400/167386_135215886542794_100001631494550_235383_8006632_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572275863672092674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClNtmuAxZvQ/TVSzGrdNraI/AAAAAAAAAcM/M1nrF3fXJ0s/s1600/P1200684.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClNtmuAxZvQ/TVSzGrdNraI/AAAAAAAAAcM/M1nrF3fXJ0s/s400/P1200684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572275566289989026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPsh435NAjU/TVSyyrQL77I/AAAAAAAAAcE/4oIjTqKRwmM/s1600/P1200666.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPsh435NAjU/TVSyyrQL77I/AAAAAAAAAcE/4oIjTqKRwmM/s400/P1200666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572275222637965234" /></a>Ridge Riders have been enjoying the fresh snow. This is what we do when the trails are buried and the temps are freezing! Go BBBBuuurrrrrrly.<div>Good things are lining up for the 11th Annual Dakota Five-0. Salsa Cycles stepped up and are donating a Spearfish Bike and other assorted goodies for the raffle/prize table. </div><div>Mafia Racing will also be sponsoring the "Bacon Station" with PBR kegs to wash down the dirt.</div><div>Thanks to these fine sponsors for making the Five-0 Flavorfull.</div><div>We are getting stoked to work trail and pedal, but getting the snowtrack while it is good.</div><div>Working on the <a href="http://www.mikeypjam.com">4th Annual Mikey P Jam</a>. Be sure to check it out if your in the area. Super good time! Cheap Ticket to paradise or at least <a href="http://www.terrypeak.com/">Terry Peak</a>.</div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-21927253984918316232010-10-31T20:35:00.000-07:002010-11-01T07:19:05.704-07:00Harvesting an Indian Summer<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5NUVrY0HI/AAAAAAAAAb0/DIWM6LJdGBo/s1600/Ridgerider%27s+Logo+(Traced).jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43ptC7vhI/AAAAAAAAAX0/7uvSwDp0N0g/s400/PA060323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422181690981906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Ridge Riders Fuel Reduction Program- Cleaning Lines for Snowier Times.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Halloween Day</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49b46oJdI/AAAAAAAAAak/_mNdb0S1lWg/s1600/PA310405.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49b46oJdI/AAAAAAAAAak/_mNdb0S1lWg/s400/PA310405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534428541428966866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">L.B. and Mar... </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49brj3scI/AAAAAAAAAac/TiKcnXcb8Mg/s1600/PA310407.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49brj3scI/AAAAAAAAAac/TiKcnXcb8Mg/s400/PA310407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534428537843855810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Smells Like Up Dawg.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whats Up Dawg?</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49bOg5npI/AAAAAAAAAaU/LmgDsUW0v78/s1600/PA310418.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49bOg5npI/AAAAAAAAAaU/LmgDsUW0v78/s400/PA310418.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534428530046770834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dead and Down, getting mowed way down. K4 in a mess.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49atUUvjI/AAAAAAAAAaM/ITZrjUiNK6Y/s1600/PA310420.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49atUUvjI/AAAAAAAAAaM/ITZrjUiNK6Y/s400/PA310420.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534428521135652402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49aExTHKI/AAAAAAAAAaE/z3xYsm4j1OU/s1600/PA310429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM49aExTHKI/AAAAAAAAAaE/z3xYsm4j1OU/s400/PA310429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534428510251326626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dakine.com/sport-packs/bike/builders-pack/">Dakine Builders Pack</a> has served us well. I would highly recommend one, when you need one.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48jIP-Z-I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/XNyndU6RLyE/s1600/PA310431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48jIP-Z-I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/XNyndU6RLyE/s400/PA310431.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534427566292494306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It's rocky riding around here. Carpet Fibers not at its best. Warranty?</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48i_MbSuI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/bzR3ez1EQk8/s1600/100_5536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48i_MbSuI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/bzR3ez1EQk8/s400/100_5536.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534427563861691106" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Above the tree between my seat and handlebars you can faintly see the DakoTA Ridge Trail descending Citadel Rim.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48iq6R72I/AAAAAAAAAZs/e25iNAn8WpQ/s1600/PA290399.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48iq6R72I/AAAAAAAAAZs/e25iNAn8WpQ/s400/PA290399.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534427558416871266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oct. 19 Riding For Todd Andrew Way Day</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48iXxiH7I/AAAAAAAAAZk/v2lnO0NkQZk/s1600/PA190367.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM48iXxiH7I/AAAAAAAAAZk/v2lnO0NkQZk/s400/PA190367.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534427553279909810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Harvested on Dakota Five-0 Trail,</div><div style="text-align: center;">right here.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46s45tt1I/AAAAAAAAAZc/XMLAsrfT63o/s1600/PA190366.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46s45tt1I/AAAAAAAAAZc/XMLAsrfT63o/s400/PA190366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534425534948030290" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46scnkxaI/AAAAAAAAAZM/2L4uRzpbQe8/s1600/PA190378.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46scnkxaI/AAAAAAAAAZM/2L4uRzpbQe8/s400/PA190378.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534425527355753890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46sAjjtkI/AAAAAAAAAZE/GSq18XfH0Uo/s1600/PA190383.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46sAjjtkI/AAAAAAAAAZE/GSq18XfH0Uo/s400/PA190383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534425519822714434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46r8ks22I/AAAAAAAAAY8/3CfCdl1m8pw/s1600/PA190385.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM46r8ks22I/AAAAAAAAAY8/3CfCdl1m8pw/s400/PA190385.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534425518753766242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This Led to the stump.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45vupOM6I/AAAAAAAAAYs/5fCobqDgZ0Y/s1600/PA190347.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45vupOM6I/AAAAAAAAAYs/5fCobqDgZ0Y/s400/PA190347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534424484222481314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45vb8y2SI/AAAAAAAAAYk/qPKETOSGmYU/s1600/PA190349.JPG"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45v9oEt4I/AAAAAAAAAY0/osmFxEFi4LM/s400/PA190352.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534424488244197250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45vb8y2SI/AAAAAAAAAYk/qPKETOSGmYU/s1600/PA190349.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45vb8y2SI/AAAAAAAAAYk/qPKETOSGmYU/s400/PA190349.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534424479204301090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45vEXYFYI/AAAAAAAAAYc/sQeLqYn8CAI/s1600/PA190353.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45vEXYFYI/AAAAAAAAAYc/sQeLqYn8CAI/s400/PA190353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534424472873342338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Tight Stump above Twin Bridges Trail (Five-O). TA hated it, We loved him for it....</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45u9avb-I/AAAAAAAAAYU/rtblG86aXa0/s1600/PA190357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM45u9avb-I/AAAAAAAAAYU/rtblG86aXa0/s400/PA190357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534424471008407522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Bear Rock-Tinton Trail.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43q-52ltI/AAAAAAAAAYM/fWLq2XP_6v4/s1600/PA190346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43q-52ltI/AAAAAAAAAYM/fWLq2XP_6v4/s400/PA190346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422203664602834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Slipping past the bench seat, DakoTA Ridge.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43qZheYqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/3AhEr3K67Ls/s1600/PA160342.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43qZheYqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/3AhEr3K67Ls/s400/PA160342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422193630241442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Working it with Kristi, Lookout Mountain Ridge Trail(good winter riding)....</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43p_U1B_I/AAAAAAAAAX8/TX7N4gm91EI/s1600/PA140333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43p_U1B_I/AAAAAAAAAX8/TX7N4gm91EI/s400/PA140333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422186597877746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43pQAveQI/AAAAAAAAAXs/o1KpTV3s-LY/s1600/PA040315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM43pQAveQI/AAAAAAAAAXs/o1KpTV3s-LY/s400/PA040315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534422173897160962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/mickelson-trail/">Mickelson Trail</a> rambling with the <a href="http://queencityramblers.com/">Queen City Ramblers</a>, Oct. 1st.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5D2-_BkaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/8pSDLtw_hhg/s400/P9300195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534435603984257442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42pYxYoHI/AAAAAAAAAXc/BTYfA5BHxE8/s1600/P9300162.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42pYxYoHI/AAAAAAAAAXc/BTYfA5BHxE8/s400/P9300162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534421076737040498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><a href="http://http://www.rochfordmall.com/saloon.html">Riding into Rockford</a></span></div><div></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42p5LYjcI/AAAAAAAAAXk/VXHLcRd-DnA/s1600/P9300181.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42p5LYjcI/AAAAAAAAAXk/VXHLcRd-DnA/s400/P9300181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534421085436022210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Busting on thru to the other side...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5CKXTHmXI/AAAAAAAAAbk/IrRF7d_mu2o/s400/P9300196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534433737905248626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5Bc6o-K7I/AAAAAAAAAas/ZNaadIDIKQM/s1600/PA010252.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5Bc6o-K7I/AAAAAAAAAas/ZNaadIDIKQM/s1600/PA010252.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5Bc6o-K7I/AAAAAAAAAas/ZNaadIDIKQM/s1600/PA010252.JPG"></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></span></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5CKXTHmXI/AAAAAAAAAbk/IrRF7d_mu2o/s1600/P9300196.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5CKK7YuRI/AAAAAAAAAbc/C-JkvdStGxw/s1600/P9300213.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5CKK7YuRI/AAAAAAAAAbc/C-JkvdStGxw/s400/P9300213.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534433734584482066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5CJuE-ZEI/AAAAAAAAAbU/zDXUAxtDBWE/s1600/P9300217.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5CJuE-ZEI/AAAAAAAAAbU/zDXUAxtDBWE/s400/P9300217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534433726840071234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5BeqFYuqI/AAAAAAAAAbM/4P1D38J1ti4/s1600/P9300212.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5BeqFYuqI/AAAAAAAAAbM/4P1D38J1ti4/s400/P9300212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534432987033680546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5BeYywbQI/AAAAAAAAAbE/ECNKMICU5y4/s1600/P9300214.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5BeYywbQI/AAAAAAAAAbE/ECNKMICU5y4/s400/P9300214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534432982392139010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5Bd6iXMEI/AAAAAAAAAa8/jTfHbNRoUC8/s1600/PA010233.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5Bd6iXMEI/AAAAAAAAAa8/jTfHbNRoUC8/s400/PA010233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534432974270312514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5BdWN-f6I/AAAAAAAAAa0/CKyXDslNm5Y/s1600/PA010237.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5BdWN-f6I/AAAAAAAAAa0/CKyXDslNm5Y/s400/PA010237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534432964521131938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5Bc6o-K7I/AAAAAAAAAas/ZNaadIDIKQM/s1600/PA010252.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5Bc6o-K7I/AAAAAAAAAas/ZNaadIDIKQM/s400/PA010252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534432957118163890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42oZKQCyI/AAAAAAAAAXE/t7-OwxsLx44/s400/PA010254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534421059661466402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42oxDEkQI/AAAAAAAAAXU/xCTCUcYF9HI/s1600/PA010310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42oxDEkQI/AAAAAAAAAXU/xCTCUcYF9HI/s400/PA010310.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534421066073805058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mess with the Bull and You get the Horns!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42ol-qWUI/AAAAAAAAAXM/nxVz0oQgAeQ/s1600/PA010258.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM42ol-qWUI/AAAAAAAAAXM/nxVz0oQgAeQ/s400/PA010258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534421063102519618" /></a></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TM5NUVrY0HI/AAAAAAAAAb0/DIWM6LJdGBo/s400/Ridgerider%27s+Logo+(Traced).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534446003896766578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-17070116885760491032010-10-19T20:37:00.000-07:002010-10-19T21:44:23.133-07:00Bacon Station Location Pics!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.9722px;">Been getting out, cause it is nice out,,, Rocktober! Proceeded by Sept.splender. Good Times in the Black Hills. But before I bore you with any of that, I think I should share some pics from the Oh-Ten Five-O Bacon Station Location. Christian Baird's pics are featured below. He is the GM of the Bacon Station and breaks away for camera time. Thanks...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.9722px;">11yr. Old Cade Quigley </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5tsHirb8I/AAAAAAAAAW0/BfFowYcOgQE/s1600/675W9095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5tsHirb8I/AAAAAAAAAW0/BfFowYcOgQE/s400/675W9095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529977997163720642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5tr2O39_I/AAAAAAAAAWs/4TD8wflf1S8/s1600/675W8857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5tr2O39_I/AAAAAAAAAWs/4TD8wflf1S8/s400/675W8857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529977992517253106" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Bill Warren Spearfish Local's Handups</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5trQSO1nI/AAAAAAAAAWc/ay1PNcq1FOg/s1600/675W9307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5trQSO1nI/AAAAAAAAAWc/ay1PNcq1FOg/s400/675W9307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529977982330787442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5tqUTjEeI/AAAAAAAAAWU/NFIp_Jhmd9E/s1600/675W9170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5tqUTjEeI/AAAAAAAAAWU/NFIp_Jhmd9E/s400/675W9170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529977966230180322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Were getting Married. Rider 420 proposes to rider 421 and she accepts!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r520vjTI/AAAAAAAAAWM/b3C1ALBL3SI/s1600/675W9354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r520vjTI/AAAAAAAAAWM/b3C1ALBL3SI/s400/675W9354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529976034170998066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This paperboy looks to be happy with his Suspension Bike.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5jirLwI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Wd_wX1iFE0s/s1600/675W9439.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5jirLwI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Wd_wX1iFE0s/s400/675W9439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529976028994940674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Giddy Up! Spirit of Five-O, Sean Burns, mpls. maffia</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5Vjf7yI/AAAAAAAAAV8/HqI9ONXnO10/s1600/675W9280.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5Vjf7yI/AAAAAAAAAV8/HqI9ONXnO10/s400/675W9280.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529976025240301346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">IMBA's Jenn Dice styles the new DakoTA Ridge trail.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5LjMgaI/AAAAAAAAAV0/ZXgDQSBXtxs/s1600/675W9133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5LjMgaI/AAAAAAAAAV0/ZXgDQSBXtxs/s400/675W9133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529976022554673570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5KZ4QRI/AAAAAAAAAVs/z1TpZC7VItc/s1600/675W9430.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5r5KZ4QRI/AAAAAAAAAVs/z1TpZC7VItc/s400/675W9430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529976022247162130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qf_47z_I/AAAAAAAAAVk/pLNwFvmywOk/s1600/675W9291.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 480px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qf_47z_I/AAAAAAAAAVk/pLNwFvmywOk/s400/675W9291.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529974490416271346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qflXOjbI/AAAAAAAAAVc/wirnQN_6M68/s1600/675W8987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 480px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qflXOjbI/AAAAAAAAAVc/wirnQN_6M68/s400/675W8987.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529974483295571378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Fat Chance, but he did make the next section!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qfbo_U0I/AAAAAAAAAVU/P1BiGIYpsbc/s1600/675W8903.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 480px; height: 319px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qfbo_U0I/AAAAAAAAAVU/P1BiGIYpsbc/s400/675W8903.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529974480685716290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bruce likes being Loose.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qe3TUeOI/AAAAAAAAAVM/nWyKD3w21lc/s1600/675W9130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 480px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qe3TUeOI/AAAAAAAAAVM/nWyKD3w21lc/s400/675W9130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529974470931151074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://carsrcoffins.com">CRC</a> rep out of kit, but on gas.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qewIYd7I/AAAAAAAAAVE/ufucP8JK5fg/s1600/675W9131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 480px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5qewIYd7I/AAAAAAAAAVE/ufucP8JK5fg/s400/675W9131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529974469006227378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5n9J39TpI/AAAAAAAAAU8/iqP07fn4o5I/s1600/675W8886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 480px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TL5n9J39TpI/AAAAAAAAAU8/iqP07fn4o5I/s400/675W8886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529971692777852562" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691652112410573008.post-17683424098903342182010-09-08T19:07:00.000-07:002010-09-08T21:24:37.905-07:00Decade of Racing/Riding/Touring for the Dakota Five-0<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhUB7LMTfI/AAAAAAAAATk/9VI9fm37N20/s1600/P9050171.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhP6jmJ5uI/AAAAAAAAATc/3ZzboYBU0bE/s1600/20100905rwc-291.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhP6jmJ5uI/AAAAAAAAATc/3ZzboYBU0bE/s400/20100905rwc-291.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514745611121452770" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhPN3X0pLI/AAAAAAAAATM/T3xhh6aEWww/s1600/P9040113.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dave Olson and Kelly Magelky setting a tough pace.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhNDs4xrJI/AAAAAAAAATE/fii08T6FPEQ/s1600/P9040094.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhM4nrxxkI/AAAAAAAAAS8/qWnIDO4BjEM/s1600/P9040087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhM4nrxxkI/AAAAAAAAAS8/qWnIDO4BjEM/s400/P9040087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514742279324157506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhLqBL0IYI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XcbEr0bY9e4/s1600/P9040089.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhLqBL0IYI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XcbEr0bY9e4/s400/P9040089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514740928959750530" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhLqBL0IYI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XcbEr0bY9e4/s1600/P9040089.JPG"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhNDs4xrJI/AAAAAAAAATE/fii08T6FPEQ/s400/P9040094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514742469699415186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Brad Bingham enjoying the fast pace!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The 10th Annual Dakota Five-0 went off. There were 500 riders for this year's decade loop. The 6am hot mic check was a cool 50 degrees. The blue skies and rising sun warmed it up to a nice temp in the upper 70's for a nearly perfect riding temp. The trails were buffed and dusty and testing riders technical skills. Most of the riders had dust goatees and nice dirt tans.</div><div><br /><div>The ride started out as usual plus an extra hundred riders from last year! The neutral roll out mass start is something to be seen. Smokey drops his hand for the start and riders roll out of Spearfish Park through town to the 3 mile gravel road climb. It is a hum of tires whirling and gears clicking as we try and keep the roll out slow and safe. </div><div><br /></div><div>With energy building riders entered the gravel and hammers were dropped. There was a lead group of about 12 riders by a mile into the gravel. Dave Olson, Kelly Magelky, Josh Bezecny and Brad Bingham set the fast pace for the Tinton Trail Single Track. Brad Bingham eventually took a commanding lead and entered the single track with a 15 second lead over Josh, Dave, Kelly. As the rest of the riders came up to the trail there developed a bottleneck that quickly dissolved into the trail. The first 7 miles of trail was well groomed and riders could keep up a good pace if not caught behind someone too much slower. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhPN3X0pLI/AAAAAAAAATM/T3xhh6aEWww/s400/P9040113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514744843335935154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">By Aid Station #1 Big Hill Trailhead 10 miles in the racing and riding was well separated and underway.</span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhPkn1sHNI/AAAAAAAAATU/qyGozuDYtKw/s400/P9040122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514745234303229138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div>The Aid Stations were rocking with riders and spectators and the volunteers were keeping up! </div><div>Thanks to them all and many compliments were said about their hard work. Most of the aid stations are 10 year volunteers! We doubled our volunteer base this year and it was a good thing.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhUB7LMTfI/AAAAAAAAATk/9VI9fm37N20/s400/P9050171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514750135756410354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Sean Burns brings out the Dakota ranch wear and wins the Spirit of Todd Andrew award for being tougher than nails. A Felt Military Cruiser was awarded.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhX82g0V2I/AAAAAAAAAT0/LY5GIuRoO6k/s400/P9050340.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514754446652102498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div>A Close second for was Bacon Man!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhYk7-PRwI/AAAAAAAAAT8/-QQrS41V7OE/s400/P9040131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514755135312447234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Speaking of Bacon the "Unofficial" Aid Station, the Bacon Station Was sizzling. With DJ Kelly and Christian in charge it was sure to be a party! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhZs6VcQFI/AAAAAAAAAUE/a5DdLGJnBJc/s400/P9050208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514756371823476818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhafzoB8pI/AAAAAAAAAUU/U7RfZf40e0A/s400/P9050153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514757246195724946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhctQIGGQI/AAAAAAAAAUc/KxulfwP5NOk/s400/P9050198.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514759676207962370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhafX93nuI/AAAAAAAAAUM/4DE811kkiow/s400/P9050159.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514757238771130082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Just wanted to let you know it wasn't all fun and games out there. Back in the park there was some serious kids racing going on. We had a strider bike open class that was 17 striders deep! Two pedal classes with 6 and Under and 11 and Under. All kids were awarded graciously with Smokey Bear water bottles.</div><div>Enough for now, I got results to work on and get back to you for more details from the awards ceremony. Thanks to Bayleaf Cafe, Spearfish Chophouse Whiskey Bar, and the Crow Peak Brewery for the good grub and drinks at the park. Live Music was enjoyed from Noise Tractor and Dan "Irie" Sherrill. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhdI1jeveI/AAAAAAAAAUk/F4NzFcKrdkk/s400/P9050256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514760150111403490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XEnezfGUhiU/TIhdri8mwQI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Ezgw6lbq2aw/s400/P9050282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514760746411933954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div>Ridge Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892277546820806466noreply@blogger.com0