Tuesday Shorts 9/30

Worlds

Sir (bearded) Brad, uncorks armor piercing grenade in the ITT. Panzerwagen is defeated after 3 years reign. Would've liked to see more Sir Brad at bigger races in 2014. But what do I know.

Michal K-w-i-a-good luck pronouncing-t-k-o-v-s-k-i  slips away on the descent and holds off the chasers. Gerrans said he wanted to cry while crossing the line for second. A shrewd tactician (meaning he never sees the wind...EVER...okay except in the last 50 meters) probably needed one more person to take a pull so he could ride in their wheel to challenge for the win. Michal (I won't key his last name again) finally gets THE big win after consistently appearing in the top 5 all season. More importantly he secured 3 KOMs in his bid to become world champ. Kudos to the young Pole!

click on image to link to STRAVA.

Marianne Vos did not win. Marianne Vos did not win. No typo. Just kinda shocked so I keyed it twice. Her trade team teammate Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of France did win. The last kilometer is worth watching. I wonder what the breakaway group was thinking.

Microcross 

The Drummond family has been putting together these short videos every week. Good stuff. Watch Jason E eat some mud! Microcross, every Thursday behind Good Bikes. See below for details. 

Group Rides. Hey folks be sure to break out those lights! Stay safe out there.  

MONDAY

Fayetteville

Good Bikes ride. Leaving @ 6:00 from Good Bikes. It is intended to be a recovery pace, no-drop, skills-building/technique ride. Everyone is welcome. Hosted by University of Arkansas Cycling & Good Bikes. See Good Bikes or Arkansas Cycling on Facebook for more info.

TUESDAY

Fayetteville

Tuesday Night World Championships leaving @ 5:30 from The Bike Route or @ 6 from parking lot adjacent to MopedU. Pretty much an out and back. Getting dark at 7 these days. 

Rogers

Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.

-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of of regroups.

-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Fayetteville
Athlete Forward/The Bike Route beginner ride. Leaving @ 6:00 from Owl Creek Middle School. Pace easy-moderate. No rider left behind.

NWA Microcross. Cyclocross training race. Race starts at 6 @ Good Bikes. Click here for details. 

Rogers

Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.

-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of regroups.

-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

Bentonville
Highroller Cyclery intermediate mountain bike ride. Leaving at 6:15 from the dog park near Slaughter Pen.

Bike Bentonville All Girls Ride. Leaves @ 6:05 from Bentonville Square. Click here for details. 

Ride fast & be safe, 
WHF

The Saturday Ride 9/27

With Bikes, Blues & BBQ in town I decided it was high time we tackle some Ozark dirt. A good group showed up on a fine fall morning for a challenging 40 mile route, about 2,500 feet gain. Folks if you haven't gone off road yet you totally should. The amount of route options is incredible and the Ozark adventure is legit. Dogs a chasing, steep hills, bomber descents, 2 flats, a crash all while seeing only a handful of cars.

 Last of the Mohicans.

Quote of the ride, "Where's your skateboard bro?" Good times.

So 1980's. I was a little worried about getting impaled. 

Art H on phat tires?!

New steed alert!

New steed alert! That paint scheme is sick.

Okay enough equipment stuff.

Rolling out towards Tilly Willy. 

Super weather.

...and adventure begins.

This stretch is never ridden below warp speed. Thank you STRAVA.

But a flat slowed the bunch down a bit.

Then it's left on to the Wallin Mountain road climb. 

About 3 miles of stair step.

The bunch splintered.

The hardest ramps are at the beginning and end.

Some great views along the way.

Catching the front.

Regroup.

Back on dirt. Sector 2.

Jason E on his new steed. Later he overcooked a corner but was fine.

We even had a gun show.

Bombing.

Ozarkia.

Sean S hamming it up.

Tons of shade on this route.

Start of the climb up to Low Gap road.

The climb is really about 2 miles. After the right turn you are still going up.

Some solid ramps.

Pretty steep at points.

Josh H getting it done.

Ozark dirt rocks!

iphone failed at 20 miles. So here is a link (click image) to My Routes with details. 

Let's Eat! This is the beef slider (x2) with some killer onion rings. Served on a Hawaiian bun. Excellent.

PCG got the ham on rye with pimento & french fries. Yum!

Natural State Sandwiches at the Yacht Club. Good stuff!

They Don't Maintain Themselves

I received this note from Ali last night and it prompted me to shed some light on folks doing great work on the soft surface trail systems. 

I am amazed and feeling a need to give back:

Over Monday's sunrise, I encountered a tree down as I ran the trails at Lake Fayetteville. By Monday evening while mountain biking to sunset, I found the tree had been cleared. That brought quite a smile to my face...and a question to my mind. Which group or person was behind the act? The week went on and the question was pushed to the back of my thoughts. Wednesday night my dog and I tackled Mt. Sequoyah. There we found "the fallen tree" on the backside to have fallen even further. My chigger fearing feet were forced to dismount and push the bike under the brush. Thursday night I went back for more Sequoyah. The brush and tree had been cleared. Even the log further up the mountain was reworked for a smoother ride. The question from earlier in the week emerged again. Who was behind this? I was so happy for the work done on the trails that I felt the need to give back. Like buying someone a beer or a gift certificate or something. I thought to ask you if you knew who did the trail cleanup?  I'd like to make a donation to their organization or get them a gift certificate.

Have you felt the same way as Ali? Have you thought about volunteering or donating? Not sure how to get connected? Here are a couple organizations that build and service our trails check'em out.

So...who has been working on Lake Fayetteville & Sequoyah this week? Shoot me an email yogrunny@gmail.com. Thanks!

Ozark Off Road Cyclists

Friends of Arkansas Single Track  (F.A.S.T.)

Weekend Ride Notification 9/26

It's crazy out there. Helicopters circling and the constant low rumble of motos. Bikes, Blues & BBQ is in full swing and the roadways are packed. So...I've come up with a nice fix for the Saturday ride.Time to get a little dirty for some HVGP prep! Have a great weekend.

Who will be World Champion?

BDB100 is this Saturday in Little Rock. I have heard nothing but good things. I know there is crew headed down from NWA. Looks fun. Click here for details. 

Group Rides

Saturday

Fayetteville

WHF ride. DIRT ALERT. Wheels Hot @ 8:00 from the parking lot adjacent to MopedU. What's on tap? 40 miles of Ozark dirty goodness. The perfect prep for HVGP. About 3 hours of saddle love. Most of us will be riding MTB's but you are welcome to ride your CX bike. Come prepared with plenty of tubes, water & Co2. Pace spirited with regroups after major climbs. Click here for route details. I love this route! 

Bentonville

BMC Bentonville Square Ride. Leaves from Bentonville square @ 8:00 am.  Usually 55 to 65 miles. Hard but with regrouping. Usually 15-20 riders. Pace spirited. Route TBD.

Sunday

Fayetteville

ONYX Coffee Lab Ride. Leaves at 12:30 from ONYX off Gregg Street. Usually 50 miles or so. Pace Spirited. Route TBD.

Ride fast & be safe,

WHF

Tuesday Shorts 9/23

Bikes, Blues & BBQ

This town is about to swell up with our motorized brethren. It's gonna get loud! Just want to say be careful out there folks. 

NWA Bicycle Trader

Do you know about this? I do. I just posted my CX bike on there and it sold in a matter of days. No ebay fees, no shipping cost and no craigslist. Thanks Scott Schroen for setting this up. Click here for a link to the FB page. 

Girls Bike Bentonville

Bike Bentonville's women's specific group rides sound pretty awesome. They have some great numbers turning out. Does Fayetteville need something like this? I think so. Stay tuned.

Big Dam Bridge 100

BDB100 is this Saturday in Little Rock. I have heard nothing but good things. I know there is crew headed down from NWA. Looks fun. Click here for details. 

NWA Microcross
Looks fun! Click here for details.

Hey folks be sure to break out those lights! Stay safe out there.  

Group Rides. 

MONDAY

Fayetteville

Good Bikes ride. Leaving @ 6:00 from Good Bikes. It is intended to be a recovery pace, no-drop, skills-building/technique ride. Everyone is welcome. Hosted by University of Arkansas Cycling & Good Bikes. See Good Bikes or Arkansas Cycling on Facebook for more info.

TUESDAY

Fayetteville

Tuesday Night World Championships leaving @ 5:30 from The Bike Route or @ 6 from parking lot adjacent to MopedU. Pace brutal. This is a 'try and drop you' kinda ride. Route TBD.

Rogers

Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.

-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of of regroups.

-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

WEDNESDAY

Possible MTB Happy Hour spin. Holler if interested. Perhaps a little Seqouyah + front porch action.

THURSDAY

Fayetteville
Athlete Forward/The Bike Route beginner ride. Leaving @ 6:00 from Owl Creek Middle School. Pace easy-moderate. No rider left behind.

NWA Microcross. Cyclocross training race. Race starts at 6 @ Good Bikes. Click here for details. 

Rogers

Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.

-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of regroups.

-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

Bentonville
Highroller Cyclery intermediate mountain bike ride. Leaving at 6:15 from the dog park near Slaughter Pen.

Bike Bentonville All Girls Ride. Leaves @ 6:05 from Bentonville Square. Click here for details. 

Ride fast & be safe, 
WHF

kal-uh-fawrn-yuh

PCG and I have been married for ten years this September. We started our first days of married life in the Golden State and have been coming back ever since. Northern California continues to be one of the most interesting places in the world to me. From so many variations in landscapes to some of the craziest flora I have ever seen. A true melting pot from top to bottom. I have also met a supreme amount of nice people along the way. And the food...oh man...THE food.

 On our way to the Russian River we stopped in to Lagunitas Brewing Co. 

PCG has the perfect sampler perch at the moment (disclaimer PCG is just sipping on this trip). I was not just sipping.

We decided to check out Sonoma staying on the Russian River.

In Healdsburg you will find Bear Republic. Racer 5 is one of my favorite Cali brews.

Korbel was next door to the Sonoma Orchid Inn where we were staying.

So of course we must find out how Champagne is made!


The Sonoma Orchid Inn is a great place to stay. Brian & Dana will always steer you in the right direction.


On Saturday we headed to Napa for a CLIF BAR event. We always stop at Velo Vino tasting room.


And this year the new Bruschetteria food truck is there.

 Bicycles, food & wine. Let's Eat!

Then we headed to the CLIF Family Farm for the annual company bike ride.

CLIF BAR was born on a bike. So naturally the company celebrates this every year by riding bikes.

PCG and I were part of the welcome wagon.

Distances range from 132 to 30 miles.

Alyson T greeted with a tasty margarita after tackling 50 miles.

Co-owner of CLIF BAR Gary Erikson finishing the 132.

Such a great scene.

More 132's coming in.

CANNON-BALLLLLLL!!!

Co-owner of CLIF BAR Kit Crawford getting the party started.

A popular station.

So good!

The food. Oh man. Let's Eat!

This is my fourth year to attend. Still pinching myself. 

Sweet goodness.

On Sunday I needed to put my feet in sand and smell the ocean. If you fly a kite you are safe. 

The ocean makes me feel small. 

Seal watching where the Russian River meets the ocean. 

Great White a Belgian White from Lost Coast Brewery & clam chowder from The Birds Cafe. 

Prawns & chips. Excellent choice for the hunger knock. Let's Eat!

Flora.

Wild Flour Bakery. This place is in the middle of nowhere. A line out the door at 2:30 in the afternoon. So good!

A dark lager called Death & Taxes from the Moonlight Brewing Co. was tasty.

Cheese & pickle board from Backyard were interesting and tasty. 

Good read + good food + a beautiful place = vacation. I think I might need to ride my bike when I get home.