Ridge Riders of the Black Hills

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

2011-11-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

Another great year of racing and riding in Spearfish! The weather was nearly perfect with a clear sky and cool start. Smokey Bear showed up on schedule for the 7:15 start.

Racers were lined up and smiled big for the money shots with Smokey Bear, and high fives.

At the drop of his hat Racers were off the line for the neutral roll out led by myself on the ATV.

I slowly led the riders out of town, and released them onto the 2 mile gravel climb which eventually converged onto the tight and flowing single-track of Tinton Trail.

Oh yeah, I needed to get back for the second wave of riders! Before turning around for the second wave start, I snapped a couple pics of the riders cranking out of town, jockying for position, for the single track that awaited them.

Back at the park I met up with Smokey and the front row of the Riders in Wave 2, for a another round of High Fives. This wave was substantially smaller but still had over 200 riders. The lead out was laid back, with no riders trying to draft the ATV... Up on the gravel I headed up onto the course to check the action and it was ON.

I buzzed up to Big Hill Aid Station #1 Mile 10, where RMS local wrench J.Etzkorn had it all under control.....time for a quick back rub?

After catching the first 12 riders or so I shivered onto Big Hill trails to check the course and action. I cut a couple trails and caught up with Phil Busching, a long time veteran and top finisher of the Five-0. I followed him down through the trees and into a big open meadow all white with what? Heavy Frost blanketed the grass with a dirt trail slicing thru it.

Onward to Iron Cr. drainage I found some sun. I warmed up and watched riders dip through the drainage wondering if they knew that Cardiac Climb lay ahead... A beautiful 3 tiered steep climb followed Recovery Ridge Trail to cool your lactic filled legs.

Onwards toward mile 22, Old Baldy Trailhead Aid Station #2 was getting busy. The small parking area was busting with overflow and spectators cars lined the gravel road to the entrance. There must have been a couple hundred fans awaiting there riders arrivals. Cowbells were going off as well as the volunteers keeping the water bottles topped off and feeding the fuel needed to finish the back half of the Five-0. Local Ridge Rider Mark Gould and Family have staffed this Aid Station for over a decade of Five-0's and know how it flows and goes, Thank You Very Much...

Riders mustered up the energy and headed out onto the trails of Old Baldy, Crangle Connection, and Taco Alley before pulling into Sheep Flats Aid Station #3 mile 28. It is a relatively short pull loaded with some of the more technical singletrack of the Five-0.

Here you see Kim Eppen first women thru Sheep Flats Aid Station #3 Mile 28. Kim went on to win the overall fastest women title!

Out of Sheep Flats riders have to crank up and over Beaver Ridge and from there navigate some fast rolling snowmobile trail to the Ball Park Aid Station #4 at mile 35 in Higgins Gulch. Here riders are treated by fine young felines. They have all the nutrition to get most riders thru the next 2 mile hard climb to the Bacon Station. You may even be treated to a Biker Wash where the rider is washed instead of the bike?...

Gear down, if possible and or Bear down on the pedals and crank out the pig of a climb for 2 miles and you will begin to hear DJ Kelly and the Baconators cheering you into the Bacon Station Location. This is the "unofficial station" #5, home of the originator not the imitator Mr. Baconator Christian Baird. The man behind cooking 50lbs. of perfectly cooked country peppered BACON. Besides Bacon by the handful you will be served up a PBR from his assistants!

There was even a celebrity appearance from Bacon Man I got to witness!

The Bacon Station was a sight to see for sure. It is at the top of one of the Five-0's hardest climbs and above the most treacherous downhills, DakoTA Ridge, 2 miles of smiles.

Only to be followed up by the last two miles of climbing before cranking out to the fast and flowing Tinton Trail to town....

After enjoying the Bacon Station it was back to town to check on the Strider World Cup races.

Their was 69 Strider Riders 5 & Under. Their was a class for each age between 2-5yrs. old. Behold the future of the sport, "Families that Ride together stay together."

Crow Peak Brewery poured the microbrew up, while Barbacoa's had the riders lined up for the Taco Bar. In the meantime friends reminisced about this year's Five-0 memories while music from Six Mile Road, Hank Harris/Jamie Lynn, and Dan Sherrills lion den filled in.

With Riders set up with good Grub and drinks it was time for the awards ceremony.

Thanks to headline sponsors Sram and Quarq Technologies, Salsa Cycles, Twin Six, and all the local sponsors the prize tables ran over. Cash prizes ran 8 Deep in some classes and all top finisher were awarded graciously.

Beside all the fastest racers getting rewarded, all riders were eligible for many great prizes such as Jenny Braig painting and Salsa Spearfish 2 complete!

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

Trail Working has commenced!

2011-08-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Les Heiserman for his 11th Dakota Five-O official logo!

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

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.

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

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

Race Day Sunday September 4th.

New this year there will be chip timing and a wave start to break up the 700 riders. The break down will be Racers and Riders. Racers will be, well racers, that know they can ride the Fivie-O in 6hrs. or UNDER! This class will need to line up at 7am for a 7:15 start.

The remaining riders will line up at 7:20 for a 7:30 start. I am hoping this will break the numbers of riders in about half. The line up area is the parking area between the bandshell and pavilion in Spearfish Park.

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

Both wave starts will be a slow neutral role out thru town led by an ATV until riders hit the gravel.

In either start riders will have to jockey for position in the 3 miles of gravel climbing before the Tinton Trail singletrack. I remind riders that on the 7 miles of Tinton and Twin Bridges Trails to be calm and enjoy the trail. The real racing and open passing begins after Aid Station one at Big Hill, 10 miles into the ride.

Catered Food from Spearfish's Barbacoa's will be served in the picnic shelter behind the bandshell starting at 12:30 for all riders.

Live music at the Bandshell from Dan Sherrill, Hank Harris and Jamie Lynn from 1-4pm.

Kids Strider World Cup race to begin at 3:30pm. Strider Classes for 2, 3, 4 and 5yr. olds. There will also be a pedal kids race for 5-9yr. olds Boys and Girls. Check out this Strider Race video and enjoy the music.

Awards Ceremony and prize raffle starting at 4:30. Be sure to stick around as we have many great prizes, including orginal artwork and a Salsa Spearfish complete bike!

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

Ride Your Bike Everywhere...

Tinton Trail Never Fails/Best of the Bacon Poems

2011-07-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

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

Pulled Pork sandwiches, vegi burgers and Crow Peak Brews were hitting the spot, as we rounded up little tots for the best race of the day the KID RACES:

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

Bacon Station Sensation!

Several months ago we posted a little contest on the Dakota Five-0 Facebook.

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

Below are the Awarded Winners!

Gord Buhr 1^st place winner

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soundpony 2^nd place winner

A poem by Mike Detter

I ride so hard sometimes sweat

oozes out the vents in my helmet

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

My muscles scream for forgiveness,

knowing full well they did nothing to deserve this abuse.

I think of root canals without anesthesia.

What joy that would be now.

Last fuel station was ages ago.

The dust mixes with the little saliva available

Clogging my air passages with dirt clods.

Sheets of clouds blanket the hills.

Occasionally the sun rips through shining a spotlight on me

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

Nothing but dirt and endless tracks over the horizon.

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

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

The bacon station is far removed from my memory,

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

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

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

The 80's sucked.

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

I pedal harder.

The reflector fades in the distance.

Damn.

Katie Pate 3^rd Place winner

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

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

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

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

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

Gather Up Gather Round Time to Go DOWN!

2011-06-20T06:52:00.001-07:00

6th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trials

June 26th, 2011 Spearfish, SD

Big Hill Trailhead

8 Miles South of Spearfish on Tinton/Tollgate Rd.

Preriding and Registration from 8-11am

Riders Meeting 12noon Big Hill Trail Head

Riders drop in 1 minute intervals starting at 12:30

Course is a 6 mile mostly down (descends 1500') tight trail riding.

Kids Races, Barbeque, Crow Peak Brew, Shuttles, and chip timed event!

Dash For Cash, Steer for Beer, Women's and Juniors Classes.

Camping available at Trailhead.

video of last year's Tinton Trail Time Trial!

2007 Tinton Pics Below (Flash Backs)

Terry Peak D0wnhill

Lift Assisted Mountain Biking

First Ride Day

June 25th

9-4 and 4-7 all day riding

Time to Find Time to Ride Between Bits of Rain, Snow, Sleet and Shine!

2011-05-03T06:48:00.001-07:00

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...

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 ridgeriders@blackhills.com

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.?.. We will be giving away a complete Salsa Spearfish at the awards ceremony to one lucky participant.

Twin Six is another new sponsors this year... We will be giving away some custom jersey's and other Twin Six Schwag as well.

Have you heard about the Strider World Cup 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 Strider Cup video (they even use the Dakota Five-O theme music)!

Another international stoked strider rider video and our hero of the day!

The ground is a thawing and I am off to perc test some soil and then ride! Hope the same for all. Pedal Power...

We are loving the Salsa Spearfish more than we can say we expected! More reports to come.

We Love Pow

2011-02-10T19:49:00.001-08:00

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.

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.

Mafia Racing will also be sponsoring the "Bacon Station" with PBR kegs to wash down the dirt.

Thanks to these fine sponsors for making the Five-0 Flavorfull.

We are getting stoked to work trail and pedal, but getting the snowtrack while it is good.

Working on the 4th Annual Mikey P Jam. Be sure to check it out if your in the area. Super good time! Cheap Ticket to paradise or at least Terry Peak.

Harvesting an Indian Summer

2010-10-31T20:35:00.000-07:00

Ridge Riders Fuel Reduction Program- Cleaning Lines for Snowier Times.

Halloween Day

L.B. and Mar...

Smells Like Up Dawg.

Whats Up Dawg?

Dead and Down, getting mowed way down. K4 in a mess.

Dakine Builders Pack has served us well. I would highly recommend one, when you need one.

It's rocky riding around here. Carpet Fibers not at its best. Warranty?

Above the tree between my seat and handlebars you can faintly see the DakoTA Ridge Trail descending Citadel Rim.

Oct. 19 Riding For Todd Andrew Way Day

Harvested on Dakota Five-0 Trail,

right here.

This Led to the stump.

Tight Stump above Twin Bridges Trail (Five-O). TA hated it, We loved him for it....

Little Bear Rock-Tinton Trail.

Slipping past the bench seat, DakoTA Ridge.

Working it with Kristi, Lookout Mountain Ridge Trail(good winter riding)....

Mickelson Trail rambling with the Queen City Ramblers, Oct. 1st.

Riding into Rockford

Busting on thru to the other side...

Mess with the Bull and You get the Horns!

Bacon Station Location Pics!

2010-10-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

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...

11yr. Old Cade Quigley

Bill Warren Spearfish Local's Handups

Were getting Married. Rider 420 proposes to rider 421 and she accepts!

This paperboy looks to be happy with his Suspension Bike.

Giddy Up! Spirit of Five-O, Sean Burns, mpls. maffia

IMBA's Jenn Dice styles the new DakoTA Ridge trail.

Fat Chance, but he did make the next section!

Bruce likes being Loose.

CRC rep out of kit, but on gas.

Decade of Racing/Riding/Touring for the Dakota Five-0

2010-09-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Dave Olson and Kelly Magelky setting a tough pace.

Brad Bingham enjoying the fast pace!

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.

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.

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.

By Aid Station #1 Big Hill Trailhead 10 miles in the racing and riding was well separated and underway.

The Aid Stations were rocking with riders and spectators and the volunteers were keeping up!

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.

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.

A Close second for was Bacon Man!

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!

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.

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.

2010-08-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Waist Deep in it...

2010-08-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

The Trail Grooming is underway, Undalay!!! No more dalay. Getting some weedeaters fired up and mowing in miles of waist deep grass. The moto of "Grow It, Don't Mow It" is out the door. We have had a nice cool and wetter than usual summer and with that the cows have not kept up with all the growth. The trail is looking good and beautiful as usual but it has been more rough than we like to present it for the large number visitors coming into enjoy the ride.

A sample of the work done so far is from Crangle Connection, and Old Baldy. Some where around mile 30. Working on Recovery Ridge and dropping off Cardiac Climb tomorrow. More Grooming and Pruning. Sticking it to the trailwork! Respect and thread lightly.

That is a 20'' bar those tall grasses on the left side could be tickling your nose.

Another from the Sand Climb on the New DakoTA Ridge Trail...

Cuz Finkbeiner flexes it out, with Approval!

Tinton Super D, Five-0 Flavors & Knife Blade Rock N Roll

2010-06-28T18:55:00.000-07:00

Harrison Tuber approved!

5th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trials went down June 20th with 91 riders doing the 6 mile Super D course.

There were loads of riders in our two favorite classes, Junior's Rock and of course Women's. Many of them first time racers! It was another perfect day for the event. The upper part of the course stayed dry all day the lower section received rain and hail, making for heads up riding.

Dave Olson 2004 Five-OooHhh!... Picking it up and riding away with it since!

Local pro fast guy Dave Olson and Fast Moma Petra Hansen won the Dash for Cash (expert) division. For Steer For Beer, Women's Open, and Juniors Rock, check it, RESULTS. Of course he had the shuttles running all day, pulled pork barbecued, Crow Peak Pile of Dirt micro beers, Kids RACE (the best races of the day), and awards/Ridge Rider Raffle (everyone wins)!

Below are some shot from a recent recon of the upper end of the Five-0 loop. Started in Spearfish Canyon up Iron Cr. Drainage and into Cardiac climb and Recovery Ridge where these shots were taken. Old Baldy west loop was looking just as fresh, down the Crangle Connection to Iron Cr. Lake Store to resupply.

The lake is just a half mile off the Five-O course below the Crangle Connection and before entering Taco Alley. When pre riding this unsupported it is almost a mandatory stop. Great camping at the lake and good access to trails!

Five-O trail can be tight but sometimes that is alright.

Knife Blade Rock N Roll July 10th, 35 mile point to point ride mostly on Centennial Trail. Hosted by Sturgis BAM committee, Bikes, Art, Music! Lots of entertainment and live music in Sturgis Park. There is also a mountain cross that will be sure to please the adrenalin thrill seekers. Great high speed ripping course for the year I did it. I expect that will go for this one as well.

Jake "the snake" Rau leading it out.

5th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trial Super D

2010-06-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry but I didn't take any brilliant "working in the rain trail shots" from this weekend but if I had you would certainly be happy. We added some new singletrack to the upper section of the Super D course and it looks real fun. High speed areas and jumps if your so inclined. We had some help from the Western Spirit cycling guides. It is always good to get some work out of them!

Come on out Sunday June 20th, bring your dad or not and celebrate Summer Solstice Cyclism. Camping available at the Big Hill Trailhead.

We will be doing some rides on Sat. evening and many riders are planning to camp up there. Sunday pre-riding and registration from 9-11am. 12:00 Riders meeting at Big Hill Trailhead. Short ride to Super D starting area, and riders will be started in 1 minute intervals. Barbeque, kids race, and awards ceremony to follow the race.

Entrants fee includes event T-shirt, shuttles, barbeque, awards/raffle, and for those old enough Crow Peak Pale Ales!

For more info: Tinton Trail Super D!

Daughter Down, Dad Devastated!

2010-06-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

Sierra was struck by a pickup truck riding the gravel road to Tinton Trail, June 4th. She called me telling me she had been hit by a truck and he kept going! Oh boy this is a bad call. Needless to say I was glad I was available to get there quick. She was hurtin for certain, but I was glad to see everything where it was suppose to be? I was ready to look for the red pickup but the emergency room was best. She ended up with a couple breaks in the pelvis and some seperations of the joints. It was worse than I expected and not minor injuries. Glad she is still with us but she will be down for 3 months! No snowboard camp or Five-0. She was training to do it again this year. She was the youngest girl to finish it last year at 13 yrs. old.

Be careful out there. Sierra was doing everything right. Heard the car coming, looked back and got to the far right. No oncoming traffic lots of room and then ca-boom! Drove her into the ground hard enough to break her, helmet and bike.

Breaking news they caught the guy! No details on his status or reasoning for leaving the scene!

Flow like honey and Bees Careful.

More ride updates, trail pics and June 20th Summer Solstice Cyclism

Tinton Trail Time Trial Stupor D- INFOmation.

Storming the Storm Mountain XC race on June 13th.

Getting Burleigh County, ND

2010-06-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

North Dakota- Bismark singletrack! 60 miles of it... Checking it Out.

Butts N Elbows

2010-05-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

Another Big Day of Busting Trail, and much prevailed! You got to see it to believe it. We tied it together, after 3 years of scouting, rerouting, realizing and finalizing it is ready to be ridden. Thanks to the big crew for pulling thru. If your in the area and want to ride this section or anything in the northern hills or Five-0 check with the local bike shops or contact the Ridge Riders.

Munro Earthmoving Represented.

Ridge Riders Represented!

Black Hills Fat Tire Festival May 28-31, Rapid City SD

Races: Hill Climb, Super D, and Dowhill among others.

Loads of New Trails to Ride, Lots of places to get out and Hide, and Rides to Socialize.

Check it out and See You There.

Don't Despair Lots of New Trail To Share!

Single Track Sanctuary! Women and Children always welcome.

2010-05-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

Big Day of Trail Work was done today Thanks to Rushmore Mountain Sports and the Country Side Congregation for helping stomp in more trail for the Five-OOOHHH! I was a little overwhelmed when I saw all the non riders at Big Hill Trailhead. I was expecting more like 6-10 helpers not 20 plus. It was a 1/2 mile walk in and over a mile of trail was roughed then buffed then delicately pattered with children's feet. They were all troopers and stomped and packed it in and back all the way out again.

Some of the above pics is the mellow stuff, stay tuned for more "buffed trail" shots.

Looking forward to posting riding pics but till this link is complete there will be little rest or rides....

Next trail day, Bike to Work Week. Work to Bike, meeting May 22 at 9 am Rushmore Mountain Sports. Bring appropriate clothing, a drink, and snacks. Mostly for me. Trail tools and transportation will be provided if needed.

Give Thanks and High Fives!

Work to Bike, Bike to Work...

2010-05-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

Bike to work week every week. But starting Monday May 17 it is an International event. Spearfish Bike Coop is keeping it local with some special events here in Spearfish. Monday the 17th Group ride up Lookout Mountain, starting at 6pm from Rushmore Mountain Sports. Special screening of Breaking Away at the Matthews Opera House downtown Spearfish 7pm. The rest of the week there are some other bike related events you should check into. May 22 we will be wrapping up Bike to Work week with Work to Bike trail day. Meeting at 9am Sat. morning (May 22) Rushmore Mountain Sports. Bring appropriate clothing for working in the brush. Gloves, eye protection, drinks and trail snacks. I am hoping to be out on the trail from about 10am to 3 or 4 pm depending on how everyone is feeling. I will be able to provide transportation for about 6-10 trail workers. Trail tools will be provided for those who don't have one. This is going to be a real asset for the Five-0 and all trail users as it make a great link. Any questions or additional detail call me 605 641-4963.

May Day, May Day, Calling All Trail Builders!!

2010-05-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

Are the Trails dry yet in the Northern Black Hills??... Hell No, not this weekend! But a couple Ridge Riders spent the weekend pounding in trail on the new section of the Dakota Five-0 course. It was raining, snowing, blowing, and muddy with bits of sunshine. Good day for working new trail.

We'd love some help with getting the areas that need benching in done. There's about a half mile of tough trail building remaining! It's getting really exciting to see it take shape with great views and loads of flow, can't wait to ride it. Trail Work days will be posted on Dakota Five-0 Facebook page or at the local bike shops. Over and Out!!

Let It Shine! Create a rhyme!

2010-03-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Howdy fella Five-0 ers... The snow is starting to fall off the trails and the gravel is starting to dry, so time to crank out some smiles. I have become a fan of riding the roads and gravel as of the last couple years. Must be becoming more mature, but I used to hate roads and gravel. Now I truely like the fact that you can crank out more miles in a shorter amount of time and end up in totally cool places farther from home. The Black Hills offer hundreds of miles of great secluded gravel and road cruises. Not to exclude mentioning all the singletrack and firetrails, but they are still wet for the most part,, well at least for the next week or two's.

Rapha visited the Black Hills last year and wrote up a little bit about a ride from Spearfish thru the Black Hills to the Custer State Park Game Lodge. It was a nice Black Hills century with about 20 miles of gravel on the Mickelson Trail to help break up the pavement. They shot some great pics and it was an honor to host this great bunch of riders. They were very impressed with the quality of the ride and the scenic hills riding.

We have some exciting news for all the fast men and women. Again this year Quarq Technologies out of Spearfish will be awarding a Garmin Edge 705 GPS to each the fastest man and women. In addition the winners will also receive $250 cold hard cash! Check out our cash and prize guidelines on the Five-0 webpage for further info on how we award deep and equal cash to men's and women's classes!

There are a couple events that I would like to share with you from the surrounding area.

The Ridge Riders will again be hosting the 5th annual Tinton Trail Time Trial Super D, June 20th 2010!
This is a 6 mile super d on the Tinton Trail, duh. Riders are started in one minute intervals and sprint for the bottom of Tinton Trail.

Black Hills Fat Tire Festival May 28th-30th, Rapid City, SD.

Loads of rides and races going down Memorial Weekend.

Fresh Singletrack on Cowboy Hill, urban IMBA project!

Check it out...

LaFramboise Island Mountain Bike Race
Pierre, SD
Saturday May 22, 2010 (week before Fat Tire Festival)
In case of heavy rain race cancelled
8:30 – 10:00 Registration
10:15 Race Meeting
10:30 Race BeginsThis will be a lap race on essentially flat terrain. One lap = appx. 5.75* miles. The course is a combination of tree-lined, narrow and twisting single-track and open, wider double-track trail. It’s not a really tough or difficult course, but is fast and does have some tight corners and fun, challenging spots. It should be an enjoyable race for riders of all ages and abilities. The course is located on LaFramboise Island Nature Area, at the end of the causeway separating the island from the City of Pierre. It is a natural Missouri River island, owned and managed by the SD Division of Parks & Recreation as a Nature Area. The island is on the Lewis & Clark trail and was visited by Lewis & Clark! The island and its course are also great for nature viewing, bird watching and easy recreational riding.
Pre-registration is not required, but if you plan to enter & ride, if possible, as a courtesy please let John Simpson know ahead of time for planning purposes. Thanks!
For more information contact: John Simpson @ H=605/224-7054 or C=605/222-0338 or jrsimpson@pie.midco.net

My name is Steven Aesoph. I am the race director for XTERRA Pipestem Creek, the most recent addition to the Mountain Region of XTERRA. The race date is June 26, 2010 in Jamestown, ND at the Pipestem Dam and Lake project.
http://www.pipestemxterra.com/

Ground work is beginning for the Terry Peak Downhill events. There looks to be 3 weekends where riders can enjoy lift accessed mountain biking at Terry Peak Ski Area. One weekend in June, end of July and the final race weekend sometime following the Five-0 in September. I will post more info as it becomes available.

So there you have it folks some of the rides are starting to unfold for 2010! Time to get out and start enjoying the spring riding or turns. Hesitation Is Devastation 5 Months until the 10th Annual Dakot Five-0, get registered and train up for the hand up. The website should have some updated info in the next week or two's, so stay in touch!

Don't Fret It Shred It!
Just wrapped up the 3rd Annual Mikey P Jam and it was a ski and snowboarding extravaganza! Riders came from near and far to display their best tricks at the local Terry Peak Ski Area.

Yo Yo Yo Let It Snow

2010-01-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

I know this is a bike blog but I love the seasons. I hope your making some tracks, wether it be biking, snow or both. It has been some time since posting and alot of things are going on since then. We have been getting around to some changes for the 10th Annual Dakota Five-0. We have decided to go with a new on line registration process and it is up and running. There will no longer be registration morning of the Five-0!! Be sure to get in on the early registration reduced rates and secure your position. We are limiting the number of riders to 500...

If you did not receive your 2009 T-shirt be sure to contact me. I sent out T-shirts to out of state riders and left the others at local bike shops. (You should have been contacted or left phone messages).

Les is working on the Oh-Ten design for the 10th, I am sure it will represent well. Thanks for checking in, I will continue to post updates as the trails begin to dry.

If your interested in spectating or participating in the 3rd Annual Mikey P Jam check the website and holler back with questions. It is a snowboard and skiing slopestyle event at Terry Peak Ski Area. Mikey P was a child hood friend who took the snowboarding world to new levels.

The kids are getting rad! Be sure to check it out, if in doubt air it out!

Five-0 Wrap

2009-09-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

The 9th Annual Dakota Five-O was another year of great racing, broken records, and a broken nose! With 389 riders there are going to be some great stories in 50 miles of mountain biking. Some of the highlights for me outside the Smokey Bear start, was 9 year old Cade Quigley's 5hr 51min. finish! He is a local rider that has a big back yard to practice in. Speaking of youngsters my daughter Sierra rider #13 age 13 completed her first Five-O in an impressive 8hrs. See me now, See proud Dad.

Oh yeah the broken course record was done by non other than local fast moma Nancy Busching Blazing in a 4hr. 34min. women's record. Earning her $350 cash and a Garmin Edge 705 GPS system donated by QuarQ Technology a local Spearfish cycling company.

The last three riders crossed the line around 11 and a half hours. We took those three riders names and drew for the Spirit of Todd Andrew award the sweet cruiser bike! Tami Crist from Minn. was the winner. These 3 women toughed it out to the very end not knowing or maybe knowing there was nothing left in the park for them. We let them finish and they were awarded for the effort. The farther you go the better it gets, Five-O love...

Over $4000 in cash awarded and many prizes raffled again this year. Thanks to all the support of our sponsors to make this possible. What about our volunteers!? Wow they totally give it up, to make the riders feel like rock stars.

We have continued to grow beyond our expectations are making big plans for the 10th Annual Dakota Five-O in 2010. Stay tuned in and Ride Your Bikes Everywhere!

Five-0 Trail Prep

2009-08-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

New 2009 Dakota Five-0 Art Work, thanks again to Les Heiserman. Les continues to crank out some original designs with lots of detail and deep deep meaning. He has done loads of art work for cycling in the Black Hills. The Ridge Riders logo from 1985, to a ten year state championship series in Deadwood, SD. A ten year series in the Bearlodge Mountains, Black Hills, Wyoming, and now the 9th Annual Five-0. You've got to meet this guy, his art work is a good introduction.

We have been trying to get a new section added to the Five-0 and have put lots of work into it, but it will have to wait for the next year, 10th Annual. We have run out of time and the red tape with the US Forest Service has proven again to take too much time for approval. It will be very nice when done. If you would like a visit to this area or help with trail work, stay in touch.

We will be using the same course as the last 8 years, which is pretty excellent mountain biking. We will have a hand groomed line on the Citadel Slide, that takes some technical ability to ride. It is a short tech section, but will make you pucker. The course in general is in very lush conditions with all the rain. We will continue to hand groom sections and weed eat the tall stuff. Hope to see you on the trail. There pre-riding it now!

Summer Solstice Cyclism

2009-07-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

4th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trial Stupor D

Kicking off summer with some summer solstice cyclism! 100 riders came out to celebrate the longest day of the year. 30 kids in the 17 and Under and 14 women,for many it was there first race/ride! 5 Stiders, and many youngsters on the kids course. Some heated battles took place in all classes. The course drops over 1500' in 6 six miles of mostly tight windy singletrack. Winning times were around 20-22 minutes. Many prizes given out thanks to local sponsors, bike shops, and artist, etc.... Kids Rock. Hammer Time...

Way Cool Juneior

2009-06-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

Tuff mountain biking in the rain and sleet, but part of mountain biking from time to time. I have been riding the cross bike much more, it is my primary "road" bike. Good for trail soaked days. Rails, gravel, and road, dirt and grime, Takes a Lickin keeps on Ticken. Not something you already don't know, just stoked on it myself at the moment.

4th Annual Tinton Trail Time Trials Super D, June 21st! I have caught the trail dry a couple of times this year, and it is in good shape. I will get out next week and groom the snow bent saplings and rough areas. A couple of things I didn't mention in the website or flyer was great camping at trailhead. Enjoy it while you can, it has been a real quiet Trailhead for years. In the future it may be become an ATV dump off point.... Following? At the Stupor D we will be tapping one of the finest microbrews available to trail riders. Crow Peak Brewery Tinton Trail Ale, or possibly Five-O Stout? Thanks to this fine establishment! It should go well with the barbeque. Kids Race, Singletrack, Barbeque, good camping, Summer Solstice Cyclism! Come and celebrate, ride a bike...

Joe Etzkorn the local wrench at Rushmore Mountain Sports is getting hitched up with Leslie, Officially June 20th! He has been an ASSet to the Five-O Aid Station #1. This is Joe and Leslie at Big Hill Trailhead 8th Annual Dakota Five-0, providing the aid! Good luck making the Stupor D the next morning! His idea!

Ramblers hosted the Crow Peak Challenge May 31st. It is a good ride! If you're in the Northern Black Hills, and want a good tech climb with views and descent to match, be sure to get it in! I had a great clean ride up with only two dabs. Not so clean on the gravel ride home. Some aggressive passing led to a handlebar tap and I was down, Big Ringing to Bell Ringing. High impact gravel slide out. 7 Stitches in the leg and 3 in the arm. Luckily I was able to pull off a century 4 days later as a gimped Rapha host.

This Week's Way Cool Junior! More to come from Junior.

Rapha Continental Riders showed up last week and rode the Black Hills North to South. It was a pleasure to ride with the crew. I thought for sure when I was contacted they wanted to ride the Five-O course. I came up with an alternative, that worked out to be a great route. Let me know if you're interested in doing this one. There are several shuttle services available to accommodate vehicle shuttles. Ending at the Custer State Park Game Lodge was a nice touch. Where the Buffalo, Elk, and Mountain Goats roam. Great Watering Hole, TATANKA!

L. to R.

Luke Kretchmar, Robert Andre, Aaron Erbeck, and Tony Pereira.

Pleasure to ride with you!

Daniel Wakefield Whiteshoes Pasley, lensman!

I look forward to seeing his Black Hills shots.

Raphafaria!

Lots of Rides Going Down, hope to see you out there. Summer is around the corner..go big! The farther you go the better it gets!

Trail Scouting

2009-05-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

I stayed home from snowboarding at Beartooth Pass this Memorial Weekend to partake in the BH Fat Tire Festival, and it was good. Hill Climb on Friday night had about 30 gluttons for punishment. It was just under a mile of gravel road climbing, no tech, just hammerfesting. Winning times were around 7 minutes something... Micah from Colorado took the win. Sat. m0rning was the xc race. The expert course was to be about 20 miles which turned out to be 15. It was also on M Hill and had some great trail with technical sections. Good course for the middle of town. My daughter Sierra did the beginner 8 mile course and loved it. Great to see her enjoy riding and racing. She won, lots better than me. Couple Colorado guys took the top two places with some locals biting at their wheels. Lots of rides going on during the days.

Super D on Sunday went well, some shuttles provided some practice runs down a 2 mile course. Some pedaling was involved to keep it real. Not sure how it all went down, but there was some winners. No injuries to speak of. Pretty fun weekend, nice to see someone else sweating it. Thanks for supporting Mountain Biking!

I have been scouting some reroutes for the Dakota Five-0, per the US Forest Service. The Citadel Slide, the most technical descent in the Five-0 will be replaced... Depending on approval it could add some time to race but the scenery and trail should be worth it. Besides we will have another great trail to ride. I will keep you posted as it develops!

I have been fortunate enough to gather some more sponsors. Quarq Technologies will be donating a Garmin Edge 705 for the fastes man and women! More prizes than you can shake a fork at for all others from the likes of Dakine, Pearl Izumi, Ellsworth Bicycles, and all the local bike shops. Summer is around the corner and I hope your all finding time to RIDE!

O-Nine Time to Shine -April Showers, May Flowers and Rides

2009-05-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.blackhillsportal.com/npps/story.cfm?ID=2970

Pasque Flowers in Pasque Alley along Tinton Trail May 4th. State Flower Power...

Another Shot on Tinton Trail near an old apple orchard. Speaking of Trails make some comments by the extended date May 18th.

Whitewood Road Race this Sat. May 9th- Directions check the local shops (a few flyers around) or call the director 605 642-4277 or 639-1683. Long Loop 35 miles, short loop 17.5.....

It's on Better Hang On... Signs of summer coming and going. Make the Most of it. BHMBA is getting after it this weekend with Storm and Fat Tire Festival Memorial WEEEEkend.

The Storm Mt. race is on for Sunday, May 10. The course is now marked, and a pre-ride is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 PM. The race starts at 9:00 AM sharp, with registration taking place from 8:00 - 8:45 AM. For both the pre-ride and the race, please park in Rockerville, across from the Gaslight. If you can’t make the pre-ride on Wednesday, head out there any time and check out the course.

LaFramboise Island Mountain Bike Race

Pierre, SD

Saturday May 30, 2009

In case of heavy rain race cancelled

8:30 – 10:00 Registration

10:15 Race Meeting

10:30 Race Begins

This will be a lap race on essentially flat terrain. One lap = appx. 5.75* miles. The course is a combination of tree-lined, narrow and twisting single-track and open, wider double-track trail. It’s not a really tough or difficult course, but is fast and does have some tight corners and fun, challenging spots. It should be an enjoyable race for riders of all ages and abilities. The course is located on LaFramboise Island Nature Area, at the end of the causeway separating the island from the City of Pierre. It is a natural Missouri River island, owned and managed by the SD Division of Parks & Recreation as a Nature Area. The island is on the Lewis & Clark trail and was visited by Lewis & Clark! The island and its course are also great for nature viewing, bird watching and easy recreational riding.

Back in the Saddle

2009-05-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Nice to be riding again. The trails are still curing out around the hills, but the cross bike has provided the "fix' I need. More good gravel cruising around Spearfish that you can comprehend. Yesterday cranked out a ride from Rochford, SD population 15 down the Mickelson Trail to the old ghost-town of Mystic and on to Hill City. Turned around and rode it back... Out scouting a one day, north to south Black Hills road ride. Rapha riders are coming through to feature a Black Hills Ride. They do a real nice job with the photography and cinematography, capturing the spirit of the rides. Hope to show them a good one day sample of what we got. The riding today won't lack any opportunity for colorful pics and historical mining culture. Very Nice, sure to bring a camera next time....

The US Forest Service extended the comment period for the proposed travel management here in the Black Hills. Take a look at the alternatives and make a comment by May 18th. Google Black Hills National Forest Travel Management. The Forest Travel management issue really is huge. Get familiar with the issues and make an imformed comment. Once the new rules are established it will be hard to close them! Next lesson learn to paste links into this window...

Yearning for some more dry singletrack. Rode Lookout Mountain today and it was good, to be back in the dirt, where my heart is at. The trails are old and well worn, and drain well in the spring. A new fresh loop would be nice around the summit.
We need to organize some trail work and finish Hopa Mesa Loop.
I'm Rapha here!
pj

9th Annual Dakota Five-0 prep

2009-04-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a long cold winter in the Black Hills, and I liked it, but it's time for the trails to dry out!!
Prepping for the upcoming Tinton Trail Time Trial Super D, June 21. Summer Solstice Cyclism, come out and celebrate the longest day of the year and Father's Day!
9th Annual Dakota Five-0 Sept. 6, 2009, Putting the labor back in Labor Day Weekend. The ride has continued to grow with nearly 300 riders in 08... I am seeking sponsors for this year's event, if your interested contact me from the website. This is the hard part of the job.
Lots of trail work coming up as it dries out. Hope to see you out there.

First Blog?

2007-09-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

Almost like taking a log..
I hope this is a rewarding experience for more than myself. I hope to use this to share ideas and spread some cycling love.
Let's Ride Out