Bouré Bicycle Clothing

From the PR Department

2011-12-10T12:04:00.002-07:00

Life in Durango with Todd Wells & Ned Overend from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.

Pros To Roll On Durango Roads!

2011-12-09T09:34:00.009-07:00

Durango Scores Cycling Stage

Pro Cycling Challenge to start here next August

From the Durango Herald

By Joe Hanel

The Final Jersey winners for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Levi Leipheimer, Rafael Montiel, Elia Viviani, TeJay VanGarderen, and Timmy Duggan.

Durango will find itself in the international spotlight next August on the starting line of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

“It’s such a great city and has such a great heritage,” said Stacie Lange, spokeswoman for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. “It’s definitely a great place to start this race.”

The inaugural race last summer drew more than 1 million live spectators and television viewers in 161 countries and territories, race organizers said. It was carried on national television on NBC and the Versus cable channel.

The 135-rider field included some of the world’s top road cyclists. Levi Leipheimer of Team RadioShack won the race.

The exact route has not yet been decided, but the first stage on Aug. 20 will start in Durango and end in Telluride. The second stage will begin in Montrose. The race will finish in Denver on Aug. 26 with an individual time trial.

Ned Overend, a member of the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame, was thrilled about the news.

“It’ll showcase the mountains in this whole part of Colorado, which a lot of people don’t know about,” Overend said. “It’ll be great for cycling here. It’ll be good for tourism.”

The closest that the 2011 route came to the Four Corners was Crested Butte and Gunnison.

With two possible routes between Durango and Telluride, other area towns such as Mancos, Dolores and Silverton will have to wait to see if the race will pass through. Lange said the final route will not be announced until next spring.

Race organizers noted that Durango puts on the annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, an event with 4,000 riders, and the town is home to more professional cyclists, national champions and Olympians per capita than any other American city.

“By incorporating iconic cycling cities like Boulder and Durango in our second-year race, we will further build the virtual postcard for the state of Colorado that we established in our inaugural year,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge, in a news release...

2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge stages
Stage 1, Aug. 20: Durango to Telluride
Stage 2, Aug. 21: Montrose to Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte
Stage 3, Aug. 22: Gunnison to Aspen
Stage 4, Aug. 23: Aspen to Beaver Creek/Vail Valley
Stage 5, Aug. 24: Breckenridge to Colorado Springs
Stage 6, Aug. 25: Golden to Boulder
Stage 7 (individual time trial), Aug. 26: Denver

Click Here to continue reading this article.

Source: USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Durango Sweetness

2011-12-09T09:20:00.004-07:00

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Durango Devo Sweet Elite Team Announced

Six Riders Named to 2012 Squad

From CyclingNews.com

By Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

Tad Elliot racing to sixth at nationals in Sun Valley, Idaho

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Durango Devo Sweet Elite mountain bike team is heading into its second season with another strong line-up. The development team, based in Durango, Colorado, will focus on regional events, some national-level events and the Windham World Cup.

Four riders are new to the team including Sarah Sturm, Lauren Catlin. Payson McElveen and Sepp Kuss. Tad Elliot and Colton Anderson are both returning members.

In its short history, the team has claimed several national championship titles thanks to Howard Grotts, Alicia Rose Pastore, Tad Elliot, Sage Wilderman and Teal Stetson-Lee. Sturm is also the current collegiate short track national champion while Caitlin is the current collegiate cross country national champion.

Chad Cheeney, also the manager of the Durango Devo (non-elite) program, is taking over as manager of the team for 2012. "Last year I was busy with the other Devo stuff, but I helped with the idea to have this team back in the day. Durango Devo was seven years old and our under 19 members started graduating from our program and they had nowhere to go, so we created this elite team. This year I'm pumped to be more involved."

Chad Cheeney racing Super D at Nationals at Sun Valley, Idaho

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Durango Devo Sweet Elite was formed in 2011 with a goal of promoting and supporting riders age 17-25 that are prepared to move to the next level of race competition. The team focuses on providing riders coaching, management, equipment, and funding to travel and compete at a regional and national level. The Sweet Elite is an extension of the successful Durango Devo Youth Cycling Program that provides riders age 5-19 structured after school riding programs with an emphasis on creating life long cyclists.

To be a member of the Durango Devo Sweet Elite Team, you have to be a non-elite Devo program graduate, be a college student at Durango's Fort Lewis College or be a Durango local.

Speaking of the squad's schedule for 2012, Cheeney said, "We're not really targeting any series. We're staying mostly within the Rocky Mountain Region. We'll go to the Colorado Springs and Missoula US Pro XCTs, and we'll go to the Windham World Cup. We'll do Nationals in Sun Valley, Idaho - that's our number one race. We hope to also send riders to Worlds." He also mentioned targeting events like the 12 hours of Mesa Verde, the Ironhorse Classic, the Teva Games and the Whiskey 50.

2012 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Durango Devo Sweet Elite Team Roster
Tad Elliot (elite man)
Colton Anderson (elite man)
Sarah Sturm - (Cat. 1 / elite woman)
Lauren Catlin (U23 woman)
Payson McElveen (U23 man)
Sepp Kuss (Junior man)

Team Steering Committee
Ned Overend - Former World and National Mountain Bike Champion
Chris Wherry - Former US Pro Champion
Sarah Tescher - Director of Durango Devo
John Glover - Manager of Mountain Bike Specialists
Gaige Sippy - Director of Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

Ned Chats Up Dirt Rag

2011-12-09T09:10:00.006-07:00

Catching up with Ned Overend

From DirtRagMag.com

Words by Josh Patterson

Photos by Shannon Mominee and Josh Patterson

If you look up Ned Overend’s Wikipedia entry you’ll notice it claims he retired from professional racing in 1996, which goes to show you that you can’t trust everything you read on the Internet. While it may be technically true, Overend did stop racing mountain bikes full time to focus on other endeavors, like winning two XTERRA World Championships. Racing is no longer part of Overend’s job description; his daily duties include marketing and product development for Specialized, his long-time sponsor.

That’s not to say Overend is a desk jockey. One certainly couldn’t tell he was no longer racing and training at the professional level from his showing at this year’s Cross Country National Championship in Sun Valley, ID. “Deadly Nedly” finished ahead of 48 professional racers decades younger than himself—it has to sting knowing this guy was in his prime while you were in diapers, and you still can’t hold his wheel... Today, Overend is a legend in his spare time.

What has been your most rewarding accomplishment as a mountain biker?

Well, there are individual races, but at this point it’s longevity. When people talk to me that is what they are excited about. The fact I’m still passionate about racing has become my biggest accomplishment, more than winning a World Cup or World Championship.

Is there a race you look forward to each year?

I always look for different races, but the Road Apple Rally in New Mexico is a favorite. It’s a high-speed race with bermed turns—not as painful as a lot of other races. It is also the oldest mountain bike race in the country, must be going on 30 years.

Road, mountain or cyclocross, do you have a favorite?

Mountain for sure. I love ‘cross racing for the intensity, even though it doesn’t so much suit my style. It tends to be more power-oriented.

This July you finished 14th at Cross Country Nationals. How does it feel to be 56 and able to leave riders half your age in the dust?

[Laughs] I’m conflicted. I do a lot of different stuff for Specialized, my job is more than racing, but it does allow me to train a lot. At the same time, when I get a result like this, I think “Jeeze! If I focused more on training then I could probably improve that result.” That’s just the way a racer thinks. It’s cool to be able to perform at this level still—I think it helps that there’s no pressure for me to race.

Any advice to master’s athletes, or any mountain biker who wants to be able to ride at their full potential, regardless of their age?

I’m not too obsessive about cycling, or training in general. My training approach has obviously worked for me. You need to be informed about the training process, don’t rely on a coach. Living in the mountains has helped me—it forces me off the bike in the winter. I Nordic ski and do other sports to create a physical balance that I think is responsible for my longevity.

What is your favorite trail?

We have a new trail in Durango, the Skyline Trail. It was initially built for the Singlespeed World Championships in 2009. There was a lot of hike-a-bike back then—we made the climb more rideable. It’s a super technical trail along a ridgeline.

Tech question #1: Do you see 29ers taking over the XC market?

I do. The 29er has reinvigorated the hardtail market. They have evolved to the point where they are a superior bike for cross country in most situations. There are a lot of situations where 29ers are faster and very few where they are slower. I think this year is the tipping point for 29ers in Europe.

Tech Question #2: What do you think the future holds for disc brakes in cyclocross?

[Todd] Wells and I have had cross bikes with disc brakes for a while. It gives those bikes a lot of range. It gets boring training in the grass, we like to go out and do trail rides on our ‘cross bikes in a variety of riding conditions. That is where disc brakes excel. We’re still trying to figure out how big the disc needs to be—the weight really needs to come down, but discs will evolve in ‘cross and on the road.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

[Laughs] I don’t know. I didn’t see myself doing this 10 years ago! I’m for sure a lifestyle rider—this will be part of my lifestyle. My wife and I moved closer to town for more of an urban lifestyle, I see ourselves moving even closer to town and using our bikes more and cars less.

Drink of choice?

IPA. We have some great breweries in Durango. Someone needs to start brewing more IPA’s in Europe! I enjoy the beer over there, but a good IPA is one thing I look forward to when I get home.

Hermes & Aphrodite

2011-11-15T10:33:00.009-07:00

Hermaphroditus

Greek Mythology, a son of Hermes and Aphrodite, with whom the nymph Salmacis fell in love and prayed to be forever united. As a result Hermaphroditus and Salmacis became joined in a single body that retained characteristics of both sexes.

Hermaphrodite

Noun, a person or animal having both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics, either abnormally or as the natural condition.

Toad Lily

Flowers & Photography by Lisa Bourey

Durango’s Downtown Bicycle Racks

2011-11-09T13:56:00.004-07:00

A special thanks to those that made this program a success, starting first and foremost with Durango's Multimodal Coordinator Amber Blake, and these participating businesses:

Carvers Brewing Company

Mountain Bike Specialists

Maria’s Bookshop

Gazpacho’s Cantina

Successful program goes beyond experimental stage

From the Editorial Pages of the Durango Herald

November 9, 2011

Just as Durango got its first taste of real winter weather, the city put its on-street bicycle racks away for the season. More than anything, though, that extra bit of attention to the racks served to highlight what a popular and successful program the on-street bike parking has become.

And why not? Everybody wins.

Moving the racks for the winter is simple common sense. Plowing snow downtown is a priority, and if the racks were left in place, they would be in the way.

It also stands to reason that usage would decline. While Durango has more than a few hardy souls who ride their bikes year-round, that is not nearly the number who enjoy riding in the warmer times. And with that, the racks will return in May.

All this started as a pilot program in 2010. The first on-street rack was in front of Carver Brewing Co. That proved so successful that three more were added in June in front of Maria’s Bookshop, Mountain Bike Specialists and Gazpacho’s Cantina.

The program is a public-private partnership. Businesses apply to the city for a rack. If approved, a business pays a $200 per year capital improvement fee for five years, which largely offsets the $1,300 cost of the rack. The business also pays for the installation of the rack and pays the city what it could have expected to collect from the parking meter and associated fines. Any needed replacements are covered by the city.

The public response to the racks has been overwhelmingly positive. Merchants and their customers like them. Bike riders have a convenient place to park, and the on-street location of the racks keeps the sidewalks clear for pedestrians. Downtown parking may even benefit. And all that comes at little or no cost to the taxpayers.

For merchants, the benefit is obvious. More of their customers can park right in front of their business. That is especially important for downtown as a whole as the demographics of bike riding expand to include more and more of the public. Driven by concerns for the environment, fitness, traffic and increasingly economic, that trend can be expected to continue.

Another possible gain could be to motorists. Installing bike racks on the street eliminates a parking space and, in that sense, reduces available parking. Without the convenience of the racks, however, it is certainly possible that two or more of the 16 riders who can park their bikes in each rack would have driven instead. If so, the net effect could be to bring fewer cars to downtown. It would be a minor effect, but one that could be at least as meaningful as the loss of one space and one that could help ease parking.

Having the racks in the street also is much more orderly than having bicycles locked up willy-nilly to parking meters, trees or what-have-you. It makes walking the sidewalks easier and safer. And it contributes to an over-all sense of a more orderly downtown.

Increasing the bicycle ridership also affects traffic. In some areas – north Main comes to mind – that can be a problem for riders and drivers alike. But downtown, the effect is to calm traffic a bit in an area where that is welcome. The speed limit on Main Avenue downtown is 25 mph, but often there is little reason or opportunity to go that fast. Which is just as well; drivers also are watching for pedestrians and beckoning storefronts.

The city is taking applications from business for bike racks for next year. Public comments are welcome as well.

Durango’s downtown bicycle racks are a happy example of how little things can make a big difference. It is an effort to applaud.

Durango Botanical Society Flowers

2011-11-08T16:52:00.006-07:00

Durango Takes a Giant Stride Towards a Botanical Garden

From the Denver Botanical Society Blog - Posted October 25, 2011

By Panyoti Kelaidis
Denver Botanic Gardens Senior Curator and Director of Outreach, Panayoti Kelaidis is internationally known as a plantsman, botanist, and horticulturalist and is the one man who has done the most to transform horticulture in the Rocky Mountain states. He has lectured all over the world, and conducted plant exploration trips to Asia, Europe, South Africa, South and North America, and he has also written extensively.

The new Botanical Society Garden at the Durango Library

People are always asking me “What exactly do you do in the way of ‘Outreach’ “? Well….I travel to places like Durango, where the Durango Botanical Society ran me through my paces a few weeks ago! This redoubtable group is only a few years old, but they already boast a sizable membership and monthly meetings. Do go back and click on the hyperlink. I think you will be impressed with their activities (and their wonderful website).

They have also spearheaded the creation of an ambitious garden at the very impressive Durango Library. The garden at this site was designed by Lisa Bourey, an exceptional gardener and inspired designer. You can see a few pictures I took at the marvelous garden she and her husband Drew have created and maintain in a charming neighborhood of that wonderful town. I realize I am full of extravagantly enthusiastic adjectives: Durango does that to one. It is really a gem of Colorado cities.

: Salvia greggii and Salvia darcyi in new garden

The first plants were planted earlier this summer and they are looking GOOD, I must say. They are, of course, Plant Select choices (as are many of the first plants installed thus far), but there is far more to this garden than just these! I am very impressed with the range of plants I saw in gardens in and around Durango. They seem to be able to grow most everything we do in Denver (no mean feat with their higher altitude and chill winters). Many plants look better there–their trees don’t seem as stressed, and they seem to do very well with more boreal, cool loving plants due to their cooler nights. It seems to really be an ideal climate for many plants.

Durango Botanical Society dignitaries at ribbon cutting

Here you can see some of the principal players who have brought this Society into being, including the President (Cindy Smart, at the far right), looking smart indeed with her chic outfit and gorgeous hair! Darrin Parmenter stands next to her, one of the most dynamic Extension Agents I have ever met (and they are a dynamic lot by and large). Looking leftward is the profile of Jeff Wagner, whom I have known nearly three decades, and one of Colorado’s premier plantsmen. Lisa Bourey, the designer, is left of him. The young man on the scooter is her proud son Axel! And I do not recognize the rest of the rogues gallery, except to say that Societies such as their’s take an extraordinary amount of time to nourish and guide.

They are to be commended for achieving so much in such a short period of time. Botanical gardens are generally successful only in cities of half a million or more. To imagine and create the first phase of a botanic garden in a city of only 16,000 people is bold indeed! If it were not Durango, I might be a tad more dubious!

Traveling to lecture at places like Durango is a great pleasure for me. I received a royal welcome and loved sharing the wisdom of Denver Botanic Gardens, but I feel as though I have gained more knowledge than I imparted. The Four Corners, after all, is really the historical wellspring of our entire West, with Mesa Verde looming nearby. The snowy La Platas gazing down from the north and the vast reaches of Canyonlands and even the Rio Grande valley not far away suggest to me that this is indeed a major botanical center.

I believe their Society has much to offer Durango–expanding that great city’s conservation footprint and cultural depth, and proffering an important touristic venue into the bargain. We at Denver Botanic Gardens salute you, DBS!

Fweest Fotos

2011-10-27T11:58:00.005-06:00

Beautiful weather and pleasant rides greeted Fweest riders this year. And as fun as it looks in the photos, it was even better in real life.

Riders meet and greet before the Church of the High Pines Service.

Paceline on the Steve & Steve Ride.

Fall Colors galore were evident throughout the two Steves' Ride.

Wade's guided tour of the smooth dirt roads of
Southeastern La Plata County.

Happy members of Patti Rosenthal's MTB Ride 4 Pure Joy.

Chips and beer awaited riders at Rob Kabeary's School House cabin in Mayday.

Descending out of La Plata Canyon.

Gem of a Garden

2011-10-14T10:13:00.005-06:00

Growing up in a typical Midwestern home, I was raised in the Calvinistic world of hard work and modesty. Showing off pictures of the plants in our yard, I've not dared to offer anything more than beautiful plants, photos and description. But given this golden opportunity... I'm happy to offer a little third party bragging by one of the world's most inspirational horticulturists, Panayoti Kelaidis.

From the Blog, "Prairie Break"
by Panayoti Kelaidis
Senior Curator and Director of Outreach at the Denver Botanic Gardens
One of the Worlds Top 5 Botanical Gardens!

A cloudy, blustery day in October is hardly the time to visit or photograph a garden, but there are those who are up to the task! I had visited Lisa and Drew Bourey's gem of a garden a half dozen years earlier (in September that time) and was anxious to see it again. Like all plantsmen's gardens, this one is multidimensional: I can only imagine what it must be like in the magical months when there are hundreds of flowers everywhere. But autumn has its compensations, like the heavy fruit set on the Pyracantha espalier!

Durango is not just in Southwest Colorado, it is a beacon in the Southwest! I think this may be one of the great gardening climates, judging by the astonishing array of plants not just in the Bourey garden, but everywhere. What impressed me most about this area is that the plants LOOK good right now after a very hot summer: the cool nights at the relatively higher elevation are no doubt part of the reason. And more reliable snow cover. I love the melting tones of the zinnia with the casual purple Amaranth (Lisa had cut the giant purple amaranths the night before: they had predicted 23F and of course it didn't freeze at all!)...

This is, of course, a modest sized lot in a city neighborhood: my pictures just catch a few glimpses here and there: I love the way the Snow in Summer Euphorbia (E. marginata) picked just the right spot to come up!

This is a native around Denver, and yet we hardly ever see it in gardens hereabouts. I was surprised to find it grown in Kazakhstan, and in Europe it is a popular passalong plant: and here it is growing with debonaire charm on the West side of the divide...where it isn't native!

I forgot to ask which Carex this is...but I think it is particularly enhanced with the lush, green spread of Geranium magniflorum in front of it. Lisa made much use of this woefully neglected Plant Select offering, which warmed the cockles of my heart (I collected this with Jim Archibald in the late 1990's on Joubert's pass)...

Two enviable specimens: a gargantuan blooming Sedum cauticolum, and next to it one of the biggest Pelargonium endlicherianum I have ever seen: I would love to see that one in bloom! Plantsmen's gardens are above all about plants themselves, their intrinsic majesty and beauty, but these gardens are also about juxtapositions and combinations and a story. In this case, Lisa has decades of experience with plants a nursery manager at a local garden center, as the leading landscape designer in Durango. Her husband, Drew, obviously shares much of her enthusiasm, and is no horticultural slouch! He takes the initiative with the large collection of succulents scattered throughout (check out his blog: you can see evidence of his and Lisa's formidable photographic skills)...and read about a man who lives his dreams!

A few more vignettes from here and there in the garden: isn't this a great way to show off the seedheads of Allium christophii?

A cloudy, chill October morning, yet this garden entranced me: I could tell that Lisa and Drew and their kids have endless fun there. Despite the small size in square feet, it really seemed endless in its convolutions: what a great place for kids to grow up! I doubt I have seen more great plants superbly grown in such a small area, nor more imaginitive design. I nominate the Bourey garden as the epitome of the Colorado garden: rich, varied and lovely year around!

To read more from Panayoti Kelaidis, go to his blog "Prairie Break".

Late Bloomers

2011-09-26T13:13:00.005-06:00

Surviving is every cacti's middle name, right in between genus and species... as in Escobaria 'survivor' varicolor. Durango's dry, windy Spring was followed by a Summer with extended dry periods. However, recent soaking rains (the last hurrah of our monsoon season) gave some of our adolescent cacti a second chance to flower and reproduce. Many of the cacti in our yard have done just that.

Foxtail Cactus

Escobaria varicolor

Photos by Lisa Bourey

Super-Ultramarine

2011-09-26T12:52:00.011-06:00

Alpine flowers that define the color Ultramarine;

a brilliant deep blue pigment originally obtained from lapis lazuli.

Parry's Gentian

Gentiana parryi

Photography by Lisa Bourey

Fungus Among Us

2011-09-26T12:44:00.008-06:00

A few photos of mushrooms in the montane of the San Juan Mountains near Durango.

Photography by Lisa Bourey

Micropolitan Banana Stand

2011-09-20T13:25:00.016-06:00

*With Apologies to Dortmunder*

Durango Ranks Number One as the Top Micropolitan in the Nation!

From the department of shameless promotion, Bouré Bicycle Clothing has been named as one of the vibrant companies that makes the quality of life in Durango so special.

The Durango area was recently named as the number one micropolitan in the nation. A micropolitan is a small city with a population of more than 10,000 but less than 50,000. Policom, an independent economic research firm, recently conducted a study that determined that Durango/La Plata County area has the strongest economy in the United States, edging out 575 other similar-sized areas.

This isn’t Durango’s first dabbling in the top 10 for economic strength as it debuted in 2008 and steadily climbed to the number one spot. The study shows that Durango has an extremely robust economy and higher than average wages. Strong industries like natural resources, farming, tourism, the second home market, and vibrant companies such as Mercury Payment Systems, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Bouré Bicycle Clothing, among many others have helped grow the economy, contributing to the quality of life that the community enjoys.

There’s no doubt that Durango is an incredible place to live, work and visit! While the population is only 16,000 people, the vibrant town features a quality of life much like a larger, metropolitan city with a plethora of things to do. Downtown Durango features an incredible arts scene with galleries, rejuvenating spas, unique boutiques and more restaurants per capita than San Francisco. Fort Lewis College also brings additional culture, energy and a positive vibe that makes the town thrive. As home to Mercy Regional Medical Center and as the headquarters for the Four Corners area, Durango’s sophisticated healthcare services are equal to the level of care other communities ten times its size have.

And the spectacular, rugged San Juan Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for maintaining this quality lifestyle. Durango has some of the best weather around with winter days that produce perfect conditions for skiing and riding, as well as a warm, sunny, dry climate that makes enjoying summer and fall outdoor adventures that much better! With hundreds of miles of trails, natural hot springs and abundant wildlife, it’s easy to find ways to escape the hectic day-to-day activities of life. It’s no wonder people are drawn here.

We invite you to be part of this vibrant community that is a great investment for many more reasons than were listed above. Come visit Durango Mountain Resort this autumn to view the brilliant fall colors this area is known for and see what a top micropolitan culture can bring to your life.

Story by Regan Dickinson, Denver Ski and Snow Report Examiner.com

Promotional Flyer by Durango Mountain Reality

Jack and the Magnets

2011-09-19T16:25:00.009-06:00

From the Daily Randonneur:

by Jack Holmgren, a longtime and much-appreciated Bouré customer.

Jack Holmgren at PBP 2011, looking great in his San Francisco Randonneur jersey and custom SFR-logo Bouré ELITE Thermo tights, magnets tucked away somewhere.

The Magnets

Turns out you can go on-line and find an image you like and add words to that to create a design. For the 2011 Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur I found a 2-inch magnetic square picture of the Golden Gate Bridge. To that I added “San Francisco Randonneurs.”

While they were meant as tokens of gratitude to be dispensed during PBP proper, some slipped away before I took the start. In particular they connected me to the pivotal controle town of Loudeac in Brittany. This magnetic attraction began before the ride, grew stronger during the ride, continued after the ride, and promises to continue doing so.

My friend Kevin Salyer drove out to Loudeac with me a few days before PBP to scout the route. We styled ourselves the MacArthur Award Nominee Team as we had the genius idea of annotating route maps with the locations of bakeries and bars and the like. Of course once we started driving the course it became clear that every town had a bakery and bar and there was no need for making note of this simple and obvious fact.

But we also wanted to cycle a bit of the course. My chain had done some sort of a Triple Salchow in transit and despite my own and the efforts of several vastly more qualified individuals refused a return to normal. So I was delighted when I walked into Cycles Mace in Loudeac to find a native son who spoke Canadian.

Jeff was a gem and was riding PBP as was Claris, the proprietress of Cycles Mace. The local Loudeac cycling club, drawing from a population of no more than 10,000 inhabitants was fielding 45 riders. This impressed as the San Francisco Randonneurs, drawing from a population region of between 5 million and 10 million, had only managed to equal Loudeac’s participation!

Several hours later I returned to find the Cycles Mace had solved the puzzle of my chain. When I asked the cost of the repair they would not accept payment. But the owner and the mechanic were delighted to receive the SFR magnets.

During PBP, 450 kilometers into the ride, I rolled into the Loudeac controle and gave the controle worker and her interpreter SFR magnets. As I left the controle on the exciting bumpercar/cyclocross course I heard the mechanic who had saved my chain yelling at me. When I stopped he came over and we hugged as he asked how his repair was holding up and I inquired about Claris and Jeff.

Time passed.

Somewhere after Druex I came upon a rider who was going too slowly to finish on time. He stared intently at his bottom bracket and it hit me that he was suffering from Shermer’s Neck. He spoke only Japanese but I motioned for him to pull over. I flipped his handle bars up and ran an inner-tube thru his helmet and around his shoulders. These improved his situation dramatically.

Up the road a bit I found a rider in a similar fix. He was French and spoke a fair amount of English. Patrick was from Loudeac as I learned when I asked him where he’d got his Cycles Mace cap. His aging Peugeot was not a candidate for bar flipping as all the bolts were rusted tightly. I went to work on making his helmet fit properly and attaching an inner tube to his helmet and shoulders. Apparently I was a tad too zealous as Patrick asked if I was trying to kill him.

Time was running out so I suggested Patrick follow my wheel to the finish. We worked out basic signals and made our way towards the finish as the grains drained the hourglass.

On our way we came across two fellows from the same club, The Haute Alps of Somewhere. One had Shermer’s Neck but knew what was happening as he’d had it in 2007. He couldn’t rotate his bars due to the cables but had fashioned an ingenious, artistic, and ineffectual cervical collar out of newspaper and plastic bags. He declined my inner-tube invitation but joined our “Shermer’s Neck Pace Line.”

As we proceeded at a slow and careful pace through the suburbs our gruppo grew as many riders had so very little left that they had slowed to a Shermer’s Neck speed.

We finished on time. The Japanese rider thanked me with the poignant, profound, and profuse thanks with which people of his culture transfer affection. I gave him and Patrick a magnet. I will see them again, this I know.

Chanterelles

2011-09-15T15:50:00.007-06:00

Fungophiles have been ecstatic over the quality and quantity of mushrooms available during this year's "mushrooming" season in the southwestern San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Not to be left out, we joined in the pleasure of beautiful alpine hiking followed by delicious cuisine.

Cantharellus cibarius, commonly known as the chanterelle, is a fungus in the family of Cantharellaceae. It is orange or yellow, meaty and funnel-shaped. On the lower surface, underneath the smooth cap, it has gill-like ridges that run almost all the way down its stipe, which tapers down seamlessly from the cap. It has a fruity smell, reminiscent of apricots and a mildly peppery taste and is considered an excellent edible mushroom.

Mushroom Territory

Into the Pan

Chanterelles, garlic & jalapeno

Chanterelles & garden vegetable broth over angel hair pasta

Photography and Cuisine by Lisa Bourey

The Great Basin

2011-09-02T14:10:00.003-06:00

The Great Basin is the largest area of contiguous closed watersheds in North America. Geographically separated from the Pacific Ocean by the Great Basin Divide, all the watersheds drain into groundwater aquifers or eventually collect and evaporate in geographic sinks, like the Great Salt Lake (or Groom Lake for you UFO buffs).

Amazingly, the unique Basin and Range topography ranges from North America's lowest point in Death Valley to the Lower 48's highest point less than 100 miles away at the summit of Mount Whitney.

3000-year old Bristlecone Pine
Pinus longaeva

The green pine needles give the twisted branches a bottle-brush appearance

Nevada's only ice glacier in a cirque below Wheeler Peak (13,065 feet)

Alpine Paintbrush

Castilleja nana

Photography by Lisa Bourey

Chenrezig Sand Mandala

2011-09-02T13:17:00.005-06:00

Six Tibetan monks, representatives of the Gaden Shartse Monks of Mundgod, India just made the group’s third visit to Durango. From the Tibetan Refugee Settlement in Mundgod, their mission is to raise funds for the monastery, home to more than 1,000 monks, and to be of service through their traditional teachings and lifestyle of peace, harmony, compassion and tolerance.

To the amazement of all who followed the progress, the monks spent four days in Durango constructing the Chenrezig Sand Mandala at the Open Shutter Gallery. Sand painting is an ancient Tibetan art form and is constructed from dyed sand particles to represent the esoteric, textual traditions of Buddhism. This Mandala is a representation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, or Chenrezig.

The sand particles are laid with precision to form an intricate pattern of designs

Their Tools

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Ned Wins Mt. Washington Hillclimb!

2011-08-20T17:24:00.010-06:00

Ned Overend, Tinker Juarez go 1-2 on Mount Washington

By VeloNews.com

Ned Crosses the Finish Line

Photo provided by 39th Annual Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb

A pair of 50-somethings — Ned Overend and Tinker Juarez — went one-two on Saturday at the 39th Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire.

Overend, who was celebrating his 56th birthday, pulled away less than two miles into the 7.6-mile ascent and rode to the victory in 55 minutes and three seconds.

Juarez, 50, took the runner-up spot just over a minute later with Timothy Ahearn third at 3:19.

“It’s good to win,” said Overend as he cooled off at the summit. “I wanted to win, and I wouldn’t travel this far for it if I didn’t think I had a chance. Comparing past times with the others, I figured I should be the favorite, but I’m not getting any younger!”

It was the second consecutive runner-up finish for Juarez, who finished second to Nico Toutenhoofd in 2010.

“I had more confidence today,” said Juarez. “I knew what to expect. When Ned pulled away, though, I knew he was going to take it. Once you get a decent gap here, it’s hard for anyone to make it up on you. I love this climb!”

Vive le tour!

2011-08-06T16:08:00.003-06:00

A 1962 French documentary by filmmaker Louis Malle.

Vive le tour! from Bear Thunder on Vimeo.

Break Free!

2011-08-03T14:51:00.000-06:00

Tour de Mackeys

2011-07-26T15:57:00.011-06:00

With an RV and a quiver of Boure clothing, Steve and Lisa Mackey are traveling Colorado in search of their new favorite high mountain ride. Cottonwood Pass, Vail Pass, Mt Evans, Rabbit Ears Pass, Ute Pass, Independence Pass or Slumgullion Pass? We'll let you know which one they choose, if they return home.

Laundry drying on a rest day during the Tour de Mackeys.

Steve and Lisa Mackey on top of Cottonwood Pass, their current favorite, with Steve lifting his bike to an elevation of 12,130 Feet.

Romance

2011-07-18T18:33:00.000-06:00

White Siberian Iris

Iris sibirica

Photos and Plants Courtesy of Lisa Bourey

Safe Roads Coalition Benefit

2011-07-18T15:40:00.003-06:00

KSUT's 35th Anniversary Party at Ska Brewery to Benefit the Safe Roads Coalition!
Saturday, July 23 from 2 – 9 PM

Celebrate KSUT's 35th anniversary with music, food and beer! A portion of the proceeds will go to the Safe Roads Coalition! Check out the flier below for all the info!

Fausto's Tour Bianchi

2011-07-18T12:55:00.016-06:00

1953 Bianchi Tour de France

Produced in honor of Fausto Coppi’s 1952 Tour De France victory

A replica of the bike that Fausto Coppi rode to win the 1952 Tour de France and the prized possession of the Bouré Bicycle Museum

57cm seat tube (c-t)

57cm top tube (c-c)

Campagnolo dropouts

Serial #496851

Bianchi bottom bracket
Bianchi integrated headset
*"Bianchi-1953" is stamped on the bottom bracket cups and headset cups*

Bianchi seat binder bolt

Magistroni Bianchi-engraved cottered crankset with 49/46 rings (rechromed)

Campagnolo Gran Sport shifters, front & rear derailleurs

Campagnolo/FB Bianchi-engraved, low flange, 3-piece hubs

Nisi rims, 32h Front/40h Rear with knurled brake surfaces
Regina Gran Sport Corse freewheel – 14/16/18/21/24

Sheffield Sprint – 673 pedals. Christophe toe clips & Binda straps

Universal Extra (long reach in the rear) brake calipers and levers

Ambrosia Champion (aluminum) handle bars (38cm c-c) and stem (12cm)

REG spring-loaded down tube water bottle cage

Brooks B-17 Narrow saddle (modern)

This bike was restored by Ed Litton of CA, an authorized Bianchi warranty frame builder/painter. It has period correct celeste paint, and decals. The chrome on the frame is original.

Photography by Brandon Donahue
"Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, Quincieras, and Family Photos that will make your life look better than it really is."

Tour Spectating

2011-07-14T15:34:00.012-06:00

Photos from 1935, where a crowd gathers in front of Mr. Pierre Cloarec's bicycle shop to watch the owner, who is racing in the Tour de France.

From Slate's Today's Pictures

For More Tour Photos at Slate

Representing

2011-07-14T15:16:00.003-06:00

Bouré Team Rider Sighting

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Bike-Walk Week 2011 - June 4-10

"Above, from left, Dave Dahl of Minneapolis, Barbara Dahl, of Durango, Colo, and Shar Feldheim of Minneapolis headed down Portland Avenue."

Exotica

2011-07-06T15:57:00.006-06:00

Atlas or Moroccan Poppy

Papaver atlanticum

Photos and Plants Courtesy of Lisa Bourey

Remember The Alamo!

2011-07-06T13:30:00.005-06:00

In the Secret Basement...

Tour Translations

2011-07-04T13:18:00.009-06:00

French: maillot à pois rouges

English: a white jersey with red dots

The Polka Dot Jersey is worn by the leader of the King of the Mountains classification in the Tour de France. It is a secondary classification in the Tour de France, in which cyclists receive points for reaching a mountain top first. The leader of the classification is named the "King of the Mountains", and since 1975 wears the Polka Dot Jersey. At the top of each climb in the Tour, there are points for the riders who are first over the top. The climbs are divided into categories from most difficult (Hors catégorie) to least difficult (Category 4) - measured as a function of their steepness and length - with more points and places awarded with increasing difficulty.

Saxifraga 'Teckles'

Fleur à pois rouges

Photos and Plants courtesy of Lisa Bourey

Tour Dictionary

2011-07-04T12:20:00.008-06:00

Domestique, n.

[doh-mes-teek]

A road bicycle racer who works for the benefit of his team and leader often at the expense of his/her own individual performance. The workhorses of the teams, these cyclists have the job of doing anything possible to help their team leader perform well. This can even mean sacrificing your own bike or wheels if your team leader has a crash or puncture.

The French "domestique" translates as "servant". The word was coined in 1911, although such riders had existed before then.

Florida Road Grand Opening

2011-06-23T10:12:00.005-06:00

Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’

Florida Road grand opening marks end of travel travails

By Jordyn Dahl - Durango Herald Staff Writer

Dylan Bettin, 6, along with Durango Mayor Christina Rinderle leads cyclists down Florida Road during the road’s grand reopening ceremony. The $17 million rebuild was the city’s the largest and most expensive publicly funded project.

Photo by JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald

In true Durango fashion, Mayor Christina Rinderle led community members on a bicycle ride Monday morning along a reconstructed Florida Road for its grand reopening. About 30 people showed up for the ride that started at 10:45 a.m. in Mason Park and ended at Chapman Hill, where a red ribbon and free barbecue from JBo’s awaited attendees.

More community members showed up to witness the ribbon cutting, which – to Rinderle’s dismay – caused a short detour on the road for the ceremony. Rinderle quickly invited city councilors, former Durango Mayor Michael Rendon and all the children in attendance to cut the ribbon with her so the road could be reopened to traffic. “I’m so proud of this road and so thankful that it’s done,” she said.

Florida Road features 5-foot bike lanes and a sidewalk on either side of the road for pedestrians.

Cereus-ly!

2011-06-22T08:51:00.009-06:00

Echinocereus is a genus of ribbed, usually small to medium-sized cylindrical cacti, comprising about 70 species from the southern United States and Mexico in very sunny rocky places. Usually the flowers are large and the fruit edible. Extremely hardy, these cacti all thrive in our Durango garden. Some more than thrive, they show-off!

Fendler's Hedgehog Cactus

Echinocereus fendleri

Bailey's Lace Cactus

Echinocereus reichenbachii v. baileyi

White Lace Cactus

Echinocereus reichenbachii v. albispinus

Green Hedgehog Cactus

Echinocereus viridiflorus

Photos and Plants courtesy of Lisa Bourey

La Plata es Oro

2011-06-15T11:49:00.014-06:00

Hats off to Jim Davis (County Engineer and Director of La Plata County Public Works), Doyle Villers (Road Maintenance Superintendent), Shawn Nau (County Manager) and everyone at the La Plata County Public Works Department for making La Plata County roads safer for cyclists. So next time you spot a dangerous road condition, go to the La Plata County website to let them know - and make the road safer for the next person.

La Plata County Rated #1 On New Reporting Website “See Click Fix”

Release Date: Jun 8 2011

Durango, CO - In April of 2011, La Plata County launched the web based “SeeClickFix” reporting website, designed to efficiently connect citizens with their local governmental agencies to report non-emergency road related issues. Out of the 366 governmental agencies utilizing the site, La Plata County is rated as the highest performer in percentage of items fixed and the number of days it has taken to resolve the reported issues. "SeeClickFix" is another communication tool that the public can use to alert the County Public Works Department of public safety or maintenance issues impacting our county roads. Most comments have been relevant and about issues that we can address," said Jim Davis, Director of La Plata County Public Works.

The online site, “SeeClickFix”, allows citizens to report county road maintenance, damage or other minor issues quickly and easily with the help of Google maps. The La Plata County Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of 686 miles of county roads, which includes 196 miles of paved and 490 miles of gravel roads. Some of the typical services provided include winter and summer road maintenance, maintenance of drainage facilities and structures, roadside mowing, sign installation and maintenance, and annual striping of roads.

Please note La Plata County is not responsible for roads that are private, within the city limits of Durango, Bayfield or Ignacio or State Highways.

To use the new online reporting tool, residents are encouraged to please visit the La Plata County website. Citizens can also download an app for their Blackberry, iPhone, or Android phone to participate in the program.

Typical comments focus on the following items:
• Signs
• Vegetation Blocking View
• Road Damage
• Drainage
• Pot Holes
• Traffic Flow
• Roadside Hazard
• Debris on Road
• Speed Limits

For more information, please contact the Public Works Department at (970) 382-6363

Happy Days Are Here Again!

2011-06-07T15:10:00.013-06:00

Fremont's Clematis or Fremont's Leather Flower

Clematis fremontii

After a record-setting frigid winter, followed by a cold, dry and windy Spring, warm weather has come to Durango at long last and our plant world has sprung to life. The general unpleasantness of Durango's Spring 2011, is best described by our local Agriculture Extension Agent Darrin Parmenter:

"I would have to say that this last April (and so far the first week of a snowy May) was one of the most unappealing and forgettable “springs” on recent record. After a lovely – but dry – March got us all excited about the garden and landscape, April literally blew in some crummy weather. The winds were relentless (multiple days with gusts over 40 mph), the precipitation was sporadic, the skies – especially on the weekends – were gray, and to top it all off, the last week of April was quite cold."

One method used by Weather Underground to compare temperatures from year to year is called “growing degree days,” the amount of accumulated heat required for plants to flourish. Growing degree days are calculated by adding the highest and lowest temperatures each day, dividing by two and subtracting 50, a base temperature. The higher the number, the warmer it was. The average growing degree days for Durango in April & May 2009, 2010 and 2011 were 229, 107 and 79, respectively. So, let's hear it for the bonus "growing degree days" we've just recently enjoyed!

Beehive Cactus

Escobaria vivipara

Blue Penstemon

Penstemon cyaneus

Banana Yucca

Yucca baccata

Claret Cup

Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Sonoran Live Oak

Quercus turbinella

Photos and Plants courtesy of Lisa Bourey

Slow-Burning Camels

2011-06-06T15:31:00.000-06:00

Grotts Gets His Gold

2011-05-31T15:53:00.006-06:00

Howard Grotts beats Troy Wells and Travis Brown to Claim IHBC Pro MTB Title

Mountain bikers race through Steamworks Brewery in downtown Durango

By Bentley O’Quinn - Special to the Durango Herald

Howard Grotts at the Devo Sweet Elite Team Presentation

DURANGO - Not many mountain bike races go through crowded restaurants and down a ramp into the back alley, but this wasn’t just any mountain bike race.

For the 40th Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango, race organizers decided to bring back the mountain bike race, and they decided to go all out.

On Sunday, both the men’s and women’s pro fields battled through a windswept course around the Fort Lewis College campus before riding back into town and through Steamworks Brewing Co. before crossing the finish line.

Durango native and Durango High School alum Howard Grotts added to his fourth-place finish in the Iron Horse Road Race with a decisive win Sunday.

“I was hurting in (Saturday’s) race, but (Sunday) I felt good the entire time,” Grotts said after only the third professional race of his career.

Troy Wells of Durango started out the day strong, leading the race for two of the three laps. Grotts turned on the burners on the first climb of the final lap.

“Howard (Grotts) is so light, he just road away on the first steep part,” Wells said. “I tried to ease up my second lap, but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t have enough in the tank to catch him.”

Wells and Travis Brown, a Mountain Biking Hall of Famer from Durango, finished second and third, respectively.

“Once I passed Troy (Wells), I didn’t know if they would catch me,” Grotts said. “But I had it in my legs.” Read more ...

Brad Johnson of Flagstaff, AZ

pedals past the crowd in Steamworks Brewery

Ned Wins Again!

2011-05-31T14:02:00.014-06:00

Back in the high life again

Overend, 55, wins fifth Iron Horse Classic road race

By Ryan Owens - Durango Herald Staff Writer

Bouré Bicycling Clothing’s ageless cycling wonder and owner, 55-year-old Ned Overend, acknowledges cheers from the crowd as he wins his record fifth Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Durango-to-Silverton road race.

SILVERTON – Not that anyone around these parts is surprised by anything Ned Overend does on a bicycle anymore, but it had been 19 long years since the man known as “Deadly Nedly” took home a road race title at the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.

But at 55 years old and in the 40th installment of the race, the Durango cycling legend proved one thing to the pro men’s field and any potential doubters.

He’s still got it. And then some.

Overend made his move on Coal Bank Pass, building a sizeable lead and holding off Greg Krause, Drew Miller and Howard Grotts on Molas Pass in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 54 seconds to win his record fifth Iron Horse Classic Road Race title Saturday, maintaining his lead over four-time women’s champion Mara Abbott in the process.

As other riders began to struggle in both major climbs, Overend said he just “felt better and better.”

“(It’s been) too long. ... Howard made the move, and I went with him and hung on as long as I could. ... I felt stronger and stronger on Molas,” Overend said.

It was Overend’s first Iron Horse win since 1992, setting the record for the longest gap between road race victories and breaking a mark held by Michael Carter, who had 17 years between victories.

He’s only the second rider older than 40 to win the race, Carter being the other, and is the only one older than 50 to take the crown. Overend also won in 1983, 1986 and 1987.

The big move of the race came on Coal Bank Pass. Overend and Grotts left the lead peloton as the climb began, with Grotts looking like he might drop Overend halfway up, building a 10-second lead.

But Overend, the ultimate crafty veteran, chased down the former Durango DEVO standout near the summit and put some distance between the 19-year-old Cat 2/3 rider on the descent. He maintained the lead during the climb up Molas Pass, and the rest is history.

Ned descending Coal Bank Hill

“I used some experience to catch him on the descent and go by him,” said Overend, the defending singlespeed national champion. “Those 30 years came in handy for that. ... I was going downhill faster and through those corners faster. I’ve probably done it a couple hundred more times than him.”

Grotts, who easily won his category in 2:20:12, said riding at the front with Overend in his first IHBC race after jumping from the junior category was almost surreal.

“He’s always going to be fast and strong. It’s fun to ride with him. ... I really didn’t know what to think ... It was good coming over the top of (Coal Bank) and hearing that we had a 30-second gap,” the-soon-to-be Fort Lewis College cyclist said. Grotts just finished his collegiate season at Colorado School of Mines.

Overend said he enjoyed seeing the young Durango native make a serious run at the title, adding that Grotts’ time will come.

“Youngest kid and the oldest kid in the pack out there together. Could’ve been a story either way, huh?” he said. Read more...

Clean Commute Week 2011

2011-05-24T13:05:00.007-06:00

Clean Commute Week is an effort by the City of Durango to encourage a shift in the way Durango citizens think about transportation. The goal is to promote the use of alternative modes of transportation to benefit people’s health, the health of our community and the environment.

By promoting bicycling, walking, carpooling, and public transportation as environmentally responsible and practical options, the City of Durango hopes to excite people about the benefits of clean commuting and get them to take a break from their single occupancy vehicles. They hope that through these events, people will learn that commuting cleanly can be easy, cost effective, and fun. Check out this Week of Fun Events!

COMMUTER OF THE DAY

Nominate someone who has made the shift towards clean commuting or is an exceptionally dedicated clean commuter. Fame and Glory await them!

COMMUTER BENEFITS CARD

Register Here and The City of Durango will send you a Benefit Card that will get you Sweet Discounts at local businesses. The Commuter Benefits Card is good only during Clean Commute Week (June 18th to June 24th). So register, get your card, and use it!

COMMUNITY COMMUTING CHALLENGES AND CHANGES A PUBLIC MEETING

Wednesday, June 22 (5pm -7pm)

The City of Durango would like to tell you what we have done to improve commuting safety. We would also love to hear what you think works and what we could improve upon. Let's get together and discuss what makes commuting around town great and what could be better.

Free Beer from Carver Brewing and SKA Brewing!

D&SNGRR Train Museum

Please RSVP if you are planning on attending.

PEDAL VS METAL

Wednesday, June 22 (noon - 1pm)

An in-town errand run that pits bike riders vs solo drivers vs carpoolers vs fast walkers.

Choose your Mode: Bike or Drive

Durango Transit Center (250 W 8th Avenue)

CLEAN COMMUTE DAY

Friday, June 24 (6am to 10am).

Enjoy a free snack and refreshments from local businesses.

T-shirts will be available on a first come first served basis.

Stop by one of these breakfast stations during your morning commute:

• Durango Transit Center (250 W 8th Avenue)

• Main Ave and 9th Street

• Mercy Regional Medical Center

To register and for more information, go to:

GetAroundDurango.com

Giro d'Italia Viewers Guide

2011-05-18T09:31:00.004-06:00

1. GazzettaTV for Live Stream

2. Eurosport Audio with Sean Kelly

3. CyclingNews.com Ticker to tell you what happened during the 10-minutes you walked your son to school.

4. Stage 11 Winner - John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale

Escobaria in Bloom

2011-05-13T17:03:00.007-06:00

Oft hidden, these low-growing pincushion cacti survive low temperatures and bloom in early Spring - which in Durango is otherwise known as mid-May. Well distributed in prairie and desert grasslands, they are found throughout the Great Plains from Texas north into Canada, and west from Texas into the desert Southwest. The subspecies navajoensis is native to our Southwest region
. The two specimen pictured here are survivors of numerous cold, wet winters in our Durango landscape.

Missouri Foxtail Cactus

Escobaria missouriensis

Escobaria missouriensis ssp. navajoensis

Early Bloomers

2011-05-02T16:13:00.004-06:00

A few of the first natives blooming in our Durango garden.

Mountain Ball Cactus

Pediocactus simpsonii

Evening Primrose
Oenothera caespitosa

DWC Criterium Cancelled

2011-05-01T22:25:00.007-06:00

Sunday, May 1, 2011

DWC Critters,

I really I don’t like to do this. But the National Weather Service forecast is just too grim...
Sincerely,
Spencer

Today: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 41. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north northeast. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT.

* TIMING…A BURST OF HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTED LATER THIS MORNING…FOLLOWED BY NUMEROUS SNOW SHOWERS LASTING INTO THE EVENING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION…TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES IS EXPECTED.

* VISIBILITY…FREQUENTLY LESS THAN ONE MILE IN MODERATE SNOW AND FOG. DOWN TO A QUARTER MILE IN HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS.

* IMPACTS…EXPECT SLICK AND SLUSHY CONDITIONS ON ROADS AS HEAVY WET SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE PAVEMENT.

ANIMAS RIVER BASIN-SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF… DURANGO… BAYFIELD… IGNACIO… PAGOSA SPRINGS AND VICINITY
456 AM MDT SUN MAY 1 2011

La Plata County Bike Map

2011-04-21T14:16:00.006-06:00

A big round of applause for Bouré's Wade Moore and the Staff of La Plata County who collaborated to create the first ever La Plata County Bike Map. The maps are fresh off the presses and will available starting tomorrow (Friday, April 22nd). You can get one from the at the City of Durango Transit Center, the La Plata County Courthouse Information Desk, at local bike shops, or right here at Boure Bicycle Clothing's World HQ. We'd be happy to include one with any order... just let us know.

This map is designed to showcase the many beautiful and quiet rural roads of La Plata County, and the best ways to get in and around Durango on a bike. The map highlights six great rides, features the trail systems around Durango, and even has a few safety tips. And hopefully, the map will help Durango's many cycling visitors find more pleasurable cycling routes than Main Avenue and the US Highways in and around Durango.

Special thanks to La Plata County's Jim Davis, Jason Meininger, Shawn Nau, Robbie Overfield and Rob Bergstrom who toiled to make the map a reality. More thanks go to local cycling advocacy groups; the Safe Roads Coalition, Healthy Lifestyles La Plata, Trails 2000 and the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic for their generous contributions. Additional information was provided by the City of Durango's Amber Blake and Kevin Hall, and Basin Printing generously donated their expert, Eran Schoelhorn, to make it a first-class map.

Click HERE to see the map in all 16mb of glorious detail.

The Old Man & The Sea Otter

2011-04-18T12:40:00.006-06:00

Ol' Ned Overend was at it last weekend, as usual. Despite his much ballyhooed retirement back in the 90's, we've never known him not to be in race shape and ready to throw it down. And at age 55, here he is doing just that in the Elite Men's Cross Country MTB Race at the Sea Otter Classic. As you tell by the expression on his face, now he's just doing it for fun.

In case you've forgotten, Ned's worn those World Championships stripes on his sleeves since earning them in Durango in 1990.

Ned raced the event on an as-yet-unreleased 29in-wheeled alloy hardtail called Carve. So not only did he finish the race respectively (definitely the first over-50 racer), he was doing R&D at the same time!

Oh BTW, our friend, kid-neighbor, and Ned's Specialized teammate Todd Wells won the race.

Photos from CyclingNews.com

Amstel Gold & Lance

2011-04-16T21:49:00.004-06:00

Tune into the Amstel Gold Race Live on the the Interweb Sunday morning.

Often a part of Lance Armstrong's early season build-up to the Tour de France, he always performed exceptionally well... but came up tantalizingly short.

Lance on the attack in Amstel Gold

2nd by an inch to Michael Boogerd in 1999

2nd to Erik Dekker in 2001

4th to Michele Bartoli in 2002

Poloships Update

2011-04-15T12:29:00.005-06:00

Bike Polo is in Durango this weekend!

12 Men's Teams, 4 Women's Teams

Saturday, April 16

FLC Softball Fields, 10am-3pm - Round Robin Play

Buckley Park, 5:30-10pm - Championship Brackets

8:00pm - All-Star Game

8:30pm - Womens Final

9:00pm - Mens Final

There will be food vendors at Buckley and the lights will come on at 7:30pm, with announcers and tons of bike action for you spectation delight. Free admission and bleachers to sit upon, so come cheer on your favorite Malletheads!

Mallethead

2011-04-15T12:23:00.005-06:00

A Bicycle Polo Documentary

An action segment of the soon to be released bicycle polo film.

A "Friendly Training Ride"

2011-04-13T20:34:00.004-06:00

Group training rides are the backbone of most Cat 3's training programs. Pride, ego and pecking order is often determined by these weekly sessions. Brought together are often different personalities with little else in common other than to have... A "FRIENDLY TRAINING RIDE!"

"What do you say we take it easy today?"

"OK with me. I was out late last night."

"Let's just have a mello spin."

Each one knows this is pure smokescreen! After a brief warm up, these competitive types will break out a hammer fest!!

In Durango, we call this the Tuesday night rides.

The Poloship Cometh

2011-04-13T13:56:00.007-06:00

Rocky Mountain Grass Poloships

April 16, 2011

The 2011 Rocky Mountain Grass Poloships will take place in Durango, Colorado on Saturday, April 16th to decide the 2011 holders of the Colorado Cup. Grass bike polo has been played around the world for over one hundred years and after 20 years of hibernation, the fast action sport appears to be back in Colorado. The Colorado Cup is a traveling trophy that grew from a 2009 challenge tourney in Lyons between Boulder, Fort Collins, Carbondale and Durango. Whomever wins the tourney, keeps the cup and owns rights to host the next challenge tourney.

Teams from all over the Four Corners have been invited. 14 mens teams and 5 women's teams have made commitments thus far. The morning Round Robin Play will take place on the Fort Lewis College Campus, to determine seeding for the championship bracket. Then play moves to downtown Durango under the lights at Buckley Park. The mens and women's finals games will be aired live on local radio KDUR 91.9 FM with halftime shows and an All-Star game to add to the excitement. The 2011 RMGP is being put on by Passion Productions, promoters of the 2009 Single Speed World Championships, and the sponsors for the event are Fort Lewis College Cycling, Durango Cyclery, Ska Brewing, Steamworks Brewing, King Cages, Durango DEVO, Pool Creative, Target Rental, Pam Cheeney Retires, Leamonhead Hair Salon, City Market and Durango 9R School District. Each sponsor was allowed a team and drafted players from a long list of Durango locals.

Sound Sweet or What!
Chainsaw Cheeney

Newly Shorn Arrivals!

2011-04-12T15:16:00.007-06:00

This is the jersey that has sheep pleading, "Shear Me!"

Our brand new lightweight Bouré Wool jersey will envelope you in the unsurpassed delight of Woolmark® 100% extra-fine Merino wool. Beautifully chain-stitched embroidered logos on front, back, and sleeves make this wool jersey a one-of-a-kind. Three rear pockets and 15 cm zipper. Performs in hot weather as well as cool. Wool... what can't it do?

Who Rides?

2011-04-01T14:46:00.004-06:00

Fun photos from our latest "WE LIKE ..." links, Rides a Bike.

Marlena Dietrich Rides a Bike... and shows how to look marvelous.

Joan Crawford Rides a Bike... on rollers

Elvis Rides a Bike... and signs autographs on a boy's head

Humphrey Bogart Rides a Bike... with a hand in his pocket

All photos from Rides a Bike. Visit the site for many great shots.

http://ridesabike.tumblr.com/

Schweeet Elite Team Update

2011-04-01T13:50:00.003-06:00

The Devo Sweet Elite is getting ready for Race #1 in Fruita and they'll have this glossy Team postcard to pass out while there. Then Teal is going to the Sea Otter Classic is California mid-month and the team is partnering with Specialized to get her to the race and take care of her while she's there. The Sea Otter is quite possibly the largest MTB event of the year in the States and it's good to have the jersey in that prestigious field. And a big thanks to Specialized for all their help.

I Say, Polo Anyone?

2011-03-24T16:20:00.005-06:00

The Duke of Edinburgh taking part in a bicycle polo match at Windsor in 1967.

Swinging mallets in 1947.

Women's Bicycle Polo Team, 1946

Eighteen year-old Tony Dibble narrowly avoids colliding with his Norwood Paragon teammate Peter Sayer, aged 17 1/2, as they attempt to fend off a high shot for goal during a match against a Clarencourt team. Croydon, 1952.

Photos from http://corbis.co.in/

EZ-Steps for Field Botany

2011-03-18T14:47:00.011-06:00

A Quick & EZ Guide to Finding and Identifying Native Plant Species.

1. Possess Good Plant Identification Books for the region of your travels.

2. Ignore Silly Signs that warn of impending risk.

3. See! Smooth roads... no problem.

4. Confidently Reassure Family Members who may begin to worry as the road steepens, crossing streams, and rapidly deteriorates. Wonder (but never out loud) if we'll be able to turn this all around when the road ends at the Wilderness boundary?

5. Set-up a Identification Field Laboratory.

Insure it has good lighting, while still suitable for sore-foot soaking and cold-beer drinking.

6. Identify Plants.

Start with easy ones to get warmed up.

Arizona Sycamore

Plantanus wrightii

Sotol

Dasylirion wheeleri

7. Replace Broken Tail Lights (and other broken parts) after returning to smooth roads.

Photos Courtesy of Lisa Bourey

Latin Lesson

2011-03-18T13:22:00.009-06:00

Apache Pines, indigenious to the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico, populate the lower forested areas of the Sierra Ancha Mountains of Southeastern Arizona. Very similar to Ponderosa Pine, but with longer needles (up to 12-inches) that droop elegantly and possess an emerald color that brings the forest alive. These Apache Pines are seen bordering Reynolds Creek at an elevation just under 6000 feet. Look for them on your next trip to mountains of Southeastern Arizona (or the Sierra Madre of Northern Mexico), you'll find them pleasantly delightful.

Apache Pines with Half Moon

Pinus engelmannii cum dimidium luna

Apache Pines without Half Moon

Pinus engelmannii sin dimidium luna

Apache Pine (with 10-inch needles) planted in our Durango yard

Pinus engelmannii in domesticatio

Photos courtesy of Lisa Bourey

2011 Bouré Team Jerseys

2011-03-02T10:36:00.007-07:00

Well, our 2011 Team jerseys are designed and prepared for final production. Both jerseys have full-length zippers for maximum cooling and ease of donning/doffing, with bright coloring to keep you visible on the road and to aid in backcountry rescue. Our LS jersey is made with a super-cooling, SPF-35 fabric (SQ Pro with Mynx UV for you fabric technophiles) and feature white sleeves for maximum summer comfort and sun protection. As per the norm, we're offering them at Pre-Sale pricing through March, with delivery in early April. And our Elite shorts are now on Sale, but only until March 15th.

Men's & Women's Boure Team SS jerseys

Regularly $70, Pre-sale $60

Men's & Women's Boure Team SPF-35 LS jerseys

Regularly $85, Pre-sale $75

Men's and Women's Elite shorts

Save $15-$20

Safe Routes to Riverview

2011-03-01T09:54:00.014-07:00

Announcing new safety improvements at Riverview School for students who still practice the time-honored tradition of walking to school... even in the snow (albeit not through than 10-feet of snow without proper footwear, like our parents).

Riverview TEAM (a parent-teacher organization with the acronym for Together Everyone Achieves More), Riverview parents who support Safe Routes to School, Bouré Bicycle Clothing and the Safe Roads Coalition recently raised money to purchase three sets of Crosswalk signs to increase safety at three Crosswalks adjacent to Riverview School. After personally witnessing several near accidents at these locations, I'd have to note that these signs have significantly increased awareness for student pedestrians using these Crosswalks, while alerting and educating parents of the Colorado State Law that requires them to Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalks. A special thanks to Principal Doug Geygan and beloved-teacher-turned-custodian Brian Honold who've taken the extra time to put them out both before and after school.

This newly signed Crosswalk is at the west end of Riverview's entry/exit on Mesa Avenue. In this particular case, these signs increase visibility for children who cross in the morning from the shadows on the left.

This young Riverview student uses the newly signed Crosswalk on the way to school, while still employing the time-tested, pre-signed techniques of wear bright clothing and sprint when clear.

Flâneur

2011-02-04T14:45:00.006-07:00

The term flâneur comes from the French masculine noun flâneur—which has the basic meanings of "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", "loafer"—which itself comes from the French verb flâner which means "to stroll". Charles Baudelaire developed a derived meaning of flâneur—that of "a person who walks the city in order to experience it". Because of the term's usage and theorization by Baudelaire and numerous thinkers in economic, cultural, literary and historical fields, the idea of the flâneur has accumulated significant meaning as a reference for understanding urban phenomena and modernity.

Salvador Dali taking his anteater for a walk

This Word of the Day is brought to you by John Rubano.

Finesse

2011-01-28T15:11:00.005-07:00

finesse |fəˈnes|

verb1. do (something) in a subtle and delicate manner

This Word of the Day is brought to you by Brandon Donahue.

ART Temporary Closure

2011-01-28T12:19:00.004-07:00

For IMMEDIATE Release, FRIDAY, January 28, 2011

NEWS Release

Animas River Trail Closure

Durango, CO: The portion of Animas River Trail at the south side of the pedestrian bridge between the La Plata County Humane Society and the Durango Mall will be closed for utility work the week of Monday, January 31. Utility construction work is scheduled to commence Monday morning and should be completed by the end of the week. The Animas River Trail will reopen as soon as the work is completed.

Rule #65

2011-01-27T14:47:00.003-07:00

From Velominati's "The Rules"

Bicycles must adhere to the Principle of Silence and as such must be meticulously maintained. No squeaks, creaks, or chain noise allowed. Only the soothing hum of your tires upon the tarmac and the rhythm of your breathing may be audible when riding. When riding the Pave, the sound of chain slap is acceptable. The Principle of Silence can be extended to say that if you are suffering such that your breathing begins to adversely effect the enjoyment of the other riders in the bunch, you are to summarily sit up and allow yourself to be dropped.

Hot Off The Press

2011-01-20T16:12:00.003-07:00

Our limited supply of Bicycle Friendly Durango Colorado tee shirts have been delivered to us by Amber Blake, Durango's Multi Modal Coordinator. Price is a mere $15, with $5 per jersey going directly to improve bike facilities in the City of Durango and another $5 going to the Safe Roads Coalition of La Plata County, who have a mission to promote safe roads, pathways, and sidewalks in La Plata County and its Towns and Cities for all users. So if you want to promote alternative transportation in Durango, this is great way to show your champion your support. And talk about a chance to improve your cycling karma!

To get one or more tee shirts for yourself, you can visit us at Bouré HQ, order on-line (Click for MEN'S or WOMEN'S), or stop by Mountain Bike Specialists at 949 Main Ave in downtown Durango.

MEN'S - oceana, pistachio, indigo blue & charcoal

WOMEN'S - navy, avocado, charcoal & chocolate

The Big Chill

2011-01-17T12:37:00.004-07:00

This has been Durango's coldest winter in awhile, with recorded temperatures as low as -26°F and periods below 0°F that have lasted for over 16 hours. While the skiing has been superb, the cycling's been quite bracing. And as committed horticulturalists, we're keeping our fingers crossed that our trees and shrubs emerge alive and intact this Spring.

The icy Animas River as seen behind Durango High School.

BFDC Tees

2010-12-22T14:51:00.013-07:00

Coming Soon!

In January 2011 we'll have these fancy 100% cotton "Bicycle Friendly Durango Colorado" tee shirts for sale to benefit the City of Durango's efforts to improve bike and pedestrian conditions in town. Tee shirt price will be $15 (plus $5 shipping, if needed) and available in both Men's S-XL sizes (top row; charcoal, indigo blue, pistachio, and oceana) and Women's M-L sizes (bottom row; charcoal, chocolate, navy and avocado). Thanks to Amber Blake, Durango's Multi Modal Coordinator, for getting the tee shirt campaign underway and for her continuous efforts to improve the bike-ped environment in Durango. Plus, you'll both look and feel fabulous wearing one! Look for them soon on the Bouré website. And don't worry, we'll remind you when they're here.

Sweet Threads

2010-12-22T10:02:00.011-07:00

Now Available!

The Durango Devo Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Sweet Elite U-25 Cycling Team (aka the DDRMCFSEU25CT) is ready for action in 2011 - and you can own one of their Thermo jerseys.

Find out more about this jersey or order one by clicking HERE.

Show your support for the team and wear the same jersey as riders Tad Elliott, Howard Grotts, Sage Wilderman, Teal Stetson-Lee, Alicia Rose Pastore and Colton Andersen. Not to mention local heros, team coaches and supporters Joey Thompson, Ned Overend, Sarah Tescher, Chris Wherry, Chad Cheeney, John Glover and Gaige Sippy. For more info on the Durango Devo Sweet Elite Team, click HERE...

Holiday Bike Lanes

2010-12-14T15:12:00.003-07:00

Riverview Wins 2nd CX Title!

2010-12-13T12:01:00.009-07:00

Following Ned Overend's lead, who lives 6 doors down from my Durango Riverview neighborhood home, Todd Wells, who lives a further 4 doors away, secured a National Cyclocross title on Sunday in Bend, Oregon. I only wish I was still in good enough shape to ask Mrs. Overend and Mrs. Wells if Todd and Ned could come over to ride with me. Look for the upcoming review of their championship Specialized bikes by Matt Phillips of Bicycling Magazine, who lives next door.

From CyclingNews.com

Wells wipes the field clean

Todd Wells (Specialized-Cal Giant) captured his first cyclo-cross win of the season, the one that counted the most, at the UCI elite men's USA Cycling Cyclo-cross Championships held on Sunday in Bend, Oregon. The newly-crowned national champion outgunned the hometown favourite Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) who placed second and recent US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross (USGP) overall winner Jeremy Powers (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) in third.

Wells won the mountain bike cross-country and short track national championships earlier this year. He took some time off to recover from a successful summer of racing before diving into the cyclo-cross season this Fall with a goal of winning the national title. He is no stranger cyclo-cross stars and stripes jersey, having won the event on two previous occasions - in 2001 and 2005.

"All my jerseys are pretty special to me but it's always nice to get a title and this one is right up there with the others," Wells said.

Wells dedicated his victory to friend and former team manager, Jerry Hutchinson, who passed away this summer. "He passed away six weeks ago and I wanted to dedicate the race to him and get a victory," Wells said. "I was thinking about him the whole time and I felt like he was with me out there." Click to read the rest of the article ...

Todd leading Jeremy Powers

Ned Puts it Down on the Grass!

2010-12-10T15:57:00.006-07:00

From CyclingNews.com:

Ned Overend adds to Stars-and-Stripes jersey collection

The 55-59 master men's contest was a battle of heavy hitters, with the legendary Ned Overend (Specialized) powering to a solo victory.

Finishing second in yesterday's time trial to ‘Cross Vegas organizer Brooke Watts (Cody Racing), Overend started on the front row start with reigning national champion Paul Curley (Midstate Cycling Club-Gear Works) and six other strong men. Norman Kreiss (Morgan Stanley) surged from the second row to take the early lead while Curley and Overend rode patiently behind Kreiss on the first lap.

"The course was changing all the time," said Overend. "It was kind of dicey on that first lap, but then I was able to bridge up to Norm and put it down on the grass areas."

Overend finished nearly one minute up on silver medalist Kreiss, while Randall Root secured the bronze medal 2:51 behind Overend.

Master Men 55-59

1. Edmund (Ned) Overend (Specialized) 0:42:38

2. Norman Kreiss (Morgan Stanley Cycling Team) 0:00:57

3. Randall Root (Evolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster) 0:02:51

DWC Wins 2 CX Golds

2010-12-10T13:25:00.001-07:00

The Durango Wheel Club garnered two 2010 Cyclocross National Championships on the first day of competition in Bend, Oregon. Walt Axthelm added to his enormous pile of National and World Championships when he won yet another National Cyclocross title in the Men's Masters 75-79 category. And Martha Iverson, with her own enormous pile of National and World Championships, won the Women's Masters 60-64.

Walt Axthelm sporting the power of the mighty "B"

Martha's amphibious assault!

Oklahoma City 1, Durango 0

2010-12-07T15:37:00.002-07:00

It's with regret we announce the move of local cycling advocate Jeanine Justice, Executive Director of Healthy Lifestyles LaPlata (HLLP) - a coalition of health & wellness professionals who work to create a healthy, active and sustainable community. She is moving soon to Oklahoma City, and she'll be much missed by the Durango cycling community.

Jeanine contributed tirelessly to the cycling advocacy cause (asking for little credit) and often working in helpful collaboration with Wade Moore and Drew Bourey of the Safe Roads Coalition. Her organizational skill, support and financial backing helped make possible such notable, policy-changing events as:

• The Durango Bicycle Summit which resulted in Durango being named a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community and began the process of hiring Durango's first Multimodal Director, Amber Blake.

• The world-famous Dan Burden's "Creating Healthy Communities" workshop.

• A Safe Routes to School grant in collaboration with the City of Durango for Park Elementary School in the amount of $208,000.

• ... and so much more!

Good luck Jeanine, and thanks!

Alexi Tells All

2010-12-01T16:43:00.005-07:00

We recently received an email from the one-and-only Alexi Grewal, who is in training for a late life comeback. He directed us to a post on his Blog, "Back In Among The Wheels", that elaborated on his historic 1984 Olympic Road Race win. As a friend of ours who knew Alexi back then says, "Alexi was one smart bike racer. Not altogether a noble character, but honest." All we can say is, "Read & Enjoy!"

From: Alexi

As stories go, my friends and enemies might like to know this one.
I titled it "The Skin Suit", but "The Traitor", or "Free Ride" would work too.

THE SKINSUIT: A.K.A. THE OLYMPICS IN L.A.

Before we get too far down the road, there is a story I must tell. It is a story I have already shared with Davis Phinney, my main rival then and always. But now I will tell it for all.

The story of the Los Angeles Olympics, from my perspective. First off, I did not stay with the team before the event, because of my positive test for ephedrine at the Coor’s Classic I ended up flying out to L.A. on Len Pettyjohn’s dime with my own support crew. So what ever did or did not happen with the blood doping scandal of those days I had no part of it.

I rode my bike to the start. With Len Pettyjohn carrying my spare wheels and bottles. When I got there it was tense. My instructions were simple, ride for Davis, I said fine, except that I told Eddy I would be going solo late in the race. He said ok. That was the race meeting for me, the first time Eddy and I had spoken in months.

In the race however and in my mind and prep I never gave one thought to really giving away my chance. I was there to win, it was all I knew at that point in life.

Once the race started, of course there are duties you must do, play your part in the race be present to observe and watch the front. On the very first lap I had worked myself up to the transition zone at the front, the place where you have to choose to follow moves or stay put. At the top of the first long climb both Ron Kiefel and I were present when a string of riders worked itself free as the climb crested and the road turned fast. We both looked at each other. For a second, I am sure neither of us really wanted to be exposed that early in the race. No matter his demeanor Ron Keifel wanted to win just as much as anyone else. I have always considered him a hard man to beat.

He hesitated, we were in equally good positions to respond. Intuition told me to go, so I wound it up, saving my legs as best I could and made the effort to bridge and join. The second I got there I knew it was good. A free ride with the likes of the Austrian Helmet Weshelberger in the move and willing to drive it.

From that point forward a certain rhythm was established. I was up the road ahead of the other favorites with the exception of Helmut. I did not have to work and I only had to follow one man. The latitude was there to let him go also. It was more or less the perfect place to be in. I knew it. I was not thinking what I could do to help Davis, I was thinking how I could use the situation to work all my rivals against each other, and conserve my legs which were marginal.

I am an observant bike racer, the tension on the U.S. team was visible. Thurlow was ashen, Kiefel was quiet, Phinney was wearing a skin suit. There was no doubt in my mind Keifel and Phinney were gonna be good. The skinsuit was information I filed away. Only one pocket was sewn into it and we faced a hot, hilly two hundred kilometer race. One feed zone per lap on a downhill, right near the start finish, wearing a skin suit with one pocket was to rely on the unreliable.

Click HERE to read more...

Iron Horse Turns 40!

2010-12-01T16:36:00.004-07:00

Registration is now open for the 2011 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango, CO - May 28-30, 2011. This ride and race sells out annually and was recently listed in Outside Magazine's "Life List."

2011 marks 40 years of riding and racing the "Iron Horse" train to Silverton over Coal Bank and Molas passes. Other events include the 25 mile Quarter Horse to Purgatory, Downtown Criterium, Time Trial, Cruiser Crit and Kids Race. This year's weekend will also feature the return of an Iron Horse MTB race. Mountain biking has a decorated past in Durango as the home of legendary riders Ned Overend, John Tomac and the 1990 World Championships. The unique course for 2011 will challenge both pros and beginners - all within sight of downtown Durango.

Bikes on the Burma Road

2010-12-01T16:15:00.003-07:00

Our friend Margy Dudley, owner of the Open Shutter Gallery, recently travelled to Myanmar and sent back this photo - apparently showing how to keep sand off your rims. Go figure?

FLC Wins Again!

2010-11-17T10:57:00.008-07:00

Fort Lewis Cycling Team Wins 4th Consecutive MTB National Championship

Fort Lewis cyclists adorned in their hard-earned Stars and Stripes jerseys

The recent Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships could not have gone any better for the Fort Lewis College Cycling Team. By the end of the weekend they had thirteen podium finishes and took the overall team win for the fourth year in a row. Sage Wilderman took second in the Cross Country, won the short track, and then hopped on a Downhill bike and took the win there, too. Rotem Ishay won both the Cross Country and the Short Track for his second year in a row. Jack Hinkens, a freshman for FLC, podiumed in both of his first appearences at collegiate nationals. FLC also had three racers show their diversity in the sport and accumulated enough points over the weekend to reach the podium for the individual omnium award. These three riders were Nate Byrom, Sage Wilderman, and Kaila Hart, who placed fourth in the Short Track. Other podium finishes consisted of Sarah Sturm, who placed third in the Short Track, and Taylor Borucki, who placed fifth in the Downhill. Although podium finishes are relished, it was the overall team effort that allowed Fort Lewis College to be the overall 2010 Mountain Bike National Champions. Congratulations FLC!!!

Women’s Team
Sarah Sturm- XC, ST
Nathalie Krantz- XC, ST
Lauren Catlin- XC, ST
Annie Cheeney- XC, STS
Sage Wilderman- XC, ST, 4X, DH
Kaila Hart- XC, ST, 4X, DH
Chantel Coleman 4X, DH

Mens Team
Rotem Ishay- XC, ST
Trevor Downing- XC, ST
Jack Hinkens- XC, ST
Colton Anderson- XC, ST
Nate Byrom- XC, ST, 4X, DH
Taylor Borucki- 4X, DH
Lucas LeMaire- 4X, DH
Sam Stevens- 4X, DH

(XC=Cross Country/ST= Short Track/4X=Four Cross/DH=Downhill)

For more reading:

Fort Lewis Cycling

USA Cycling

Cyclingnews.com

Wade 1, Lazy 0

2010-11-04T15:31:00.003-06:00

Before

Below is the "Pincer Movement" Wade Moore confronted near the intersection of Hwy 160/550 and River Road on his cycling commute to work this Monday - just before an area were they're resurfacing the asphalt highway. Scary, huh? But worry not, Wade has contacted the proper authorities and CDOT has promised to rectify the obvious problem.

Shortly Thereafter

Our hats off to Mike McVaugh (CDOT Region 5 Traffic and Safety Engineer) who, when alerted by Wade to the aforementioned problem said, "Hmmm... that's not right!". Mike quickly contacted the proper personnel who immediately rectified the problem - as shown below. And as a bonus, they swept the shoulder of accumulated debris. Now it's a clean bike commute coming from east of town. Thanks Mike!