In the heart of Virginia, the Richmond Cycling Corps (RCC) is hard at work connecting with local youth and helping them discover the power of cycling. RCC Director Matt Kuhn has built an incredible community of young cyclists and has helped kids find their way as aspiring engineers, professional racers, and influential community members. Matt’s passion for the sport helps create a common ground for these young riders to explore their new talents and connect with other cyclists.
Photo courtesy Richmond Cycling Club
The club’s newest program, called “Legacy,” is designed to help foster riders coming up through the RCC program and help turn them into future leaders. One goal of the Legacy program is to one day bring a rider up through the ranks of the program and have them take over and lead the charge into the future.
Photo courtesy Richmond Cycling Club
Creating new bonds and building a stronger cycling community in Richmond, the RCC is helping build a better future, one sweet jump at a time. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.
By Greg Overton — The bicycle is often described as the noblest machine ever produced, where the engine is also passenger, and its use makes one healthier. Many cyclists who have a longstanding history with the bike, and especially a bike that has carried them for many miles and many hours to many places will have developed a relationship of sorts with that bike, and also with the activity of cycling.
In a soft paced and well-presented film called ‘The Soul of a Cyclist’, produced by AntiClone Productions and Director Nuno Tavares, we enjoy several tales of cyclists who ride historic bikes for enjoyment, peace of mind, touring, basic transportation and simply for their love of doing it. We see traditional, historic products that carry the heritage of cycling in the age of technology and many who love the heritage and carry it proudly. There are no electronics, cutting-edge materials or training aids featured. Instead, we see a look back at a simpler time, yet one that translates well now and ongoing, as enduring as the machine itself. The film introduces us to riders and manufacturers and also to some of the challenges faced in finding high quality parts and shops who can still service historic and simple bicycles of the past.
Based in Portugal, Tavares’ home, and also filmed in England and Spain, this film carries the viewer along with riders on their solo journeys as well as huge cycling events such as The Tweed Ride in London, which draw hundreds or thousands of period bicycles with riders dressed in period correct attire and social gatherings that celebrate it all. This film is based around primarily traditional, upright, sprung saddle bikes and riders and their love of simply riding their bike. There is no racing per se or competition, but mostly leisurely cycling and the bike as daily transport or for travel. Yet, the current competitive rider will also identify with the connection made to the machine, what miles on a bicycle can do for health, the environment and a unique view of one’s surroundings by simply pedaling along and moving in quiet introspection.
A still from the movie The Soul of a Cyclist. Photo courtesy Nuno Tavares
‘The Soul of a Cyclist’ is a subtle and friendly nod to those who recognize and nurture this connection to the simple, sturdy, crafted machine that is capable of taking its partner nearly anywhere, yet at a pace that provides a thorough in-the-moment look at every mile along the way. A sort of belonging while also passing through. And the film shows that in all parts of the world, this connection is universal. Even this viewer whose involvement in cycling is mostly connected to racing and racing bikes, the heritage and connection are recognizable and familiar and are wholly identifiable.
The film is roughly an hour and ten minutes viewing time, with English subtitles throughout except where English is spoken on screen. It moves along conversationally and reading the subtitles while trying to take in the visual tour can bring about the need to watch more than once in order to catch everything presented. There is more on offer in ‘The Soul of a Cyclist’ than ‘bikes are very cool’, but it does send that message in a comfortable way, and the viewer will receive it. Because of the focus away from technology and onto the bike as the simplest machine for both reflection and discovery simultaneously, it is a great post ride watch that will grow your eagerness to take the next one.
For more information on The Soul of the Cyclist or to stream it, visit the film’s website: https://en.almadeciclista.com
Join Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall Wednesday, May 18, 2022 to bike to work with community members in celebration of national Bike to Work Day. Riders will meet at Allen Park for brief remarks from the Mayor and Transportation Division Director Jon Larsen before riding to the Salt Lake City and County Building at 454 S. State Street. The ride will travel from Allen Park, west to Liberty Park and then to downtown Salt Lake City.
Riders in the 2018 Mayor’s Bike to Work Day. Photo by Dave Iltis
May 21st, 2022 ride and open house at the Lyons, Colo.-based fabricator
LYONS, Colorado (May 13, 2022) — On Saturday, May 21, 2022, REEB Cycles is hosting an open house in their small, kaizen-driven engineering and fabrication shop in Lyons, Colorado, where the first craft beer was canned 20 years ago, and where REEB Cycles was born after mountain bike rides at Hall Ranch and post ride beers at Oskar Blues. The event encourages a 10am (MST) gathering to ride nearby trails followed by a light lunch, libations and a tour of the fabrication facility with the REEB team. The casual and engaging environment is an opportunity to toss a leg over and dive deep into the insights behind SQWEEB v4 and the latest 120mm travel steel “SST” models with the team that created them.
Photo courtesy REEB Cycles
WHAT: REEB Cycles Open House / Meet the Builder
WHERE: REEB Cycles Fabrication Shop, 339 Broadway St, Lyons, CO 80540 – Behind Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons
WHEN: Saturday, May 21st, 10am-2pm
10am DEMO RIDE – Attendees are encouraged to casually roll out from the shop to ride nearby trails. Reserve a DEMO BIKE via [email protected] or 720.600.5964
Noon(ish) SHOP TOUR / LUNCH ‘N’ BEER – Meet at the fabrication shop, take a tour, and talk with the REEB Cycles crew while they fire up the grill and provide liquid refreshments.
ABOUT SQWEEB v4
After two years years of continuous testing and innovation, a pound of weight savings and the addition of the mullet platform to their refined modular shock mount platform, REEB Cycles released SQWEEB v4 in February of 2022. Sqweeb v4 sports improved aesthetics and a redesigned rocker, which help shed a bit of weight and increase bearing life and serviceability. The modernized geometry, developed around 140mm to 170mm travel forks, adds to our already stellar standover height (and seat post insertion), lengthens reach and steepens the seat angle while three versatile suspension configurations deliver confidence and courage to the rider regardless of the terrain.
The REEB SST prototype, introduced in March 2022. Photo courtesy REEB Cycles
ABOUT SST
In March, 2022, REEB unveiled the prototype “SST”, a high tech, lightweight steel 120mm suspension platform that bridges the gap between the playful and capable hardtails and the SQWEEB full suspension bike.
The SST trail bike blends the custom steel tubeset from Jeff Lenosky’s signature Redikyelous hardtail with the design, fabrication and abuse testing of Adam Prosise’s groundbreaking BREWser. Pairing the suspension technology design from the critically acclaimed Sqweeb and utilizing innovative aerospace-grade SLM 3D printed frame components, the SST embodies the rowdy and playful character of REEB’s proven steel hardtails while providing enough suspension to hit the big lines.
Annual Fundraising Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles has 70 spots remaining; New Remote Participation Option Expands Opportunities to Raise Critical Funds
LOS ANGELES – April 28, 2022 – Organizers of the 2022 California CoastClassic Bicycle Tour + Arthritis Challenge Experiencepresented by Amgen, today announced that 70 spaces remain for its 8-day, 525-mile, in-person tour down the California Coast this September 10-17. May is Arthritis Awareness Month and Bike Month, so they have issued a fitting challenge to fill the ride to capacity by May 31. The code MAY22 will save riders 30% off registration.
Photo courtesy The Arthritis Foundation/California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour
Additionally, starting this year, supporters who cannot attend the in-person bike tour have a new option: they can register for the Arthritis Challenge Experience (ACE), which allows them to choose their own adventure and participate from home while still connecting with the vibrant CCC community. While the in-person ride is expected to sell out at 250 participants, ACE provides expanded opportunities for riders who miss the cut on registration or who cannot travel to California.
“One of the lessons we learned from the pandemic is that there are a lot of cyclists and other athletes out there who want to support the Arthritis Foundation, even if they cannot attend CCC in-person,” said Shannon Marang Cox, Ride Director and Associate Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation. “ACE gives supporters a great new opportunity to join us and contribute to our mission while still being a part of the larger CCC community that brings great experience, knowledge, and motivation to all participants.”
Now in its 22nd year, the California Coast Classic is a boutique, bucket-list bicycle tour that showcases the scenery of one of the world’s most fabled coastlines and travels the iconic California Highway 1. The self-paced pedaling adventure is open to cyclists of all levels and welcoming of e-bike riders. It is Gran Fondo Guide’s “Best Charity Bike Tour” and has been named one of “The 30 Best Road Biking Trips” by Outside Magazine.
Registration for the California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour + Arthritis Challenge Experience will remain open beyond the end of May, the 30% off registration code will expire on 5/31. More information about the tour, including its detailed itinerary, is available at the California Coast Classic website.
By Charles Pekow — Scooter riders will use a bike lane when available, a recent review found. They generally prefer it to the sidewalk. The study, done by researchers from the universities of Utah and Arizona, included both an online survey and personal observations in Salt Lake City and Tucson.
Scooters and bike lanes. Photo by Dave Iltis
But given a choice between a road and a sidewalk when no bike lane is present, the sidewalk more often wins when light rail tracks are present. Who wants to be hit by a train? And the more lanes of traffic, the more likely riders will opt for the sidewalk.
But can you trust surveys? Of those responding, 21 percent said they sometimes or always wear helmets. But the observations found only 2 percent were using them.
Once upon a time (before WW-II), daily life revolved around structured meals: enjoying a hearty breakfast, dinner (at noon), and supper (at night). When women entered the workforce, eating patterns changed—lighter breakfasts and lunches, with bigger family-focused dinners. Fast forward to pre-COVID 2020, youth sports and life’s busy-ness totally disrupted dinner-times; structured meals got lost in the shuffle.
Today, thanks to changes in work life due to COVID, our stay-at-home lifestyle has gifted many of us with time to cook breakfast, enjoy lunch, and have family dinners. Yet, many athletes are feeling confused and/or uneasy about how they are eating:
“I’m sleeping until 11:00 a.m. Should I eat breakfast—or lunch—when I get up?”
“I now have easy access to food given I’m working at home. I spend too much time grazing. Seems like I am hungry all the time.”
“My eating habits are weird. How should I be eating—what is “normal” eating?”
Sound familiar? To add a supportive framework, joy to meals, and answer the question What is normal eating?, I turn to eating authority Ellyn Satter, author of Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family (a book every parent should read; EllynSatter-Institute.org). Here is her definition of “normal eating”:
Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied. It is being able to choose food you like and eat it and truly get enough of it—not stopping eating just because you think you should.
That is, did you stop eating breakfast today because the oatmeal in your bowl was all gone? Or were you truly satiated? At the end of lunch, did you stop at your one-sandwich allotment, even though you wanted more? If you are “feeling hungry all the time,” you likely ARE hungry; your body is requesting more fuel. Trust it. You’ll end up eating more sooner or later, so please honor that hunger and eat more now.
Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.
That is, have you put yourself in food jail and banned “fun foods” like cookies, cupcakes, and chips, out of fear of over-eating them? Ideally, your meal plan includes 85-90% quality foods, with 10-15% fun foods. You need not eat a perfect diet to have an excellent diet. Some “fun food” in the midst of a pandemic can be, well, fun!
Normal eating is giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad, or bored, or just because it feels good.
Yes, food is a way we celebrate, mourn, and entertain ourselves. Sometimes we even need a hug from food, despite being not hungry. One bowl of ice cream will not ruin your waistline nor your health forever. That said, routinely overindulging in ice cream as a means to distract yourself from life’s pain will not solve any problem. If you are using food as a drug, to not start eating can be easier than stopping once you have started.
Normal eating is mostly three meals a day, or four or five, or it can be choosing to munch along the way.
Most athletes require fuel at least every 3 to 4 hours. Those who “graze all day” commonly under-eat at meals. If you stop eating because you think you should, not because you are satiated, you will feel the urge to graze. Solutions: eat the rest of your breakfast-calories for a mid-morning snack, eat an earlier lunch, or better yet, give yourself permission to eat enough satiating food at breakfast. Living hungry all the time puts a damper on your quality of life, to say nothing of impairs athletic performance.
Normal eating is leaving cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful.
If you are banning fun foods from your house because you can’t eat just one cookie, think again. Denying yourself permission to enjoy a few cookies boosts the urge to eat the whole plateful. I call that “last chance eating.” You know, “last chance to have cookies, because tomorrow I am back on my cookie-free diet.” Depriving yourself of cookies leads to binge-eating. Try planning in forbidden foods every day. They will soon lose their power.
Normal eating is overeating at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be undereating at times and wishing you had more. Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.
Yes, even normal eaters overeat. It’s normal to have too much birthday cake, too much Sunday Brunch, too much ice cream. When competent eaters overeat, they listen to their body’s signals – and notice they take longer to get hungry again. That is, if you have a hearty brunch, you will be less hungry that evening. Trust me. Rather, trust your body.
Hunger is your body’s way of telling you it has burned off what you gave it, and now it is ready for more fuel. You want to honor hunger and eat intuitively, like kids do. Kids eat matter-of-factly; they stop eating when they are content. Adults (especially weight-conscious athletes), don’t eat when they are hungry, then don’t stop when content. Rather, they “cheat” and guiltfully stuff themselves with forbidden foods —last chance before the diet starts again!
Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life.
If you are spending 90% of your time thinking about food, you are likely hungry 90% of the time. (If humans didn’t think about food, they would never think to eat.) If you eat until you are satisfied, you will stop incessantly thinking about food. That said, food-thoughts can be a way to distract yourself from stuff you really don’t want to think about. In that case, talking with a counsellor might be helpful. Smothering your feelings with chocolate will not solve any of your problems.
In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food, and your feelings.
Many athletes very rigidly eat the same foods every single day. A sports nutritionist can help add variety (more nutrients), flexibility, and more joy to eating. Food can and should be one of life’s pleasures, both when training and in the midst of the pandemic.
Imagine the scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe with its clear blue waters surrounded by towering majestic snow-capped peaks. Imagine being able to ride a bicycle around its 72-mile shoreline or a 100-mile century ride. After a two year hiatus, the 29th Annual “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride – Lake Tahoe” returns welcoming 3000+ bicyclists from all over the country to ride around the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. This fun ride is not a race but a fully supported bike tour and promotes the Lake Tahoe Bikeway project, the master plan to construct and inter-connect all the bike lanes around Lake Tahoe and assist the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition with its annual Bike Safe Lake Tahoe bicycle safety campaign. This is a fully supported bike tour offers spectacular scenery, fresh mountain air, and rest stops with great food & beverage, staffed by volunteers from various local non-profit organizations. It is professionally managed by experienced ride organizers with decades of knowledge of the Lake Tahoe area.
Photo by Jon Paul, courtesy TGFT Productions, LLC / Bike the West
The ride is also the culmination of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training (TNT) Cycle 100 national fundraising program where nearly 700 participants from 35 chapters and branches are participating and expect to raise over $3 million dollars. Over the past 25 years, TNT has brought a total of 24,000+ participants to Lake Tahoe to ride America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, bringing their total funds raised to $107 million dollars! Since its beginning in 1988, more than 650,000 participants have helped TNT and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) raise more than $1.5 billion to support blood-cancer research and patient service programs to improve the quality of life for their patients and families.
Bicyclists will ride two different tour options based on their ability level with all rides starting and finishing clockwise from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, located on U.S. Hwy 50, South Shore, Stateline – Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
For the conditioned bicyclists, the 72-mile route around Lake Tahoe is not only one of the most scenic, it is also one of the only bi-state bike rides in the country with its route in both California and Nevada. The 72-mile route circumnavigates the highways around Lake Tahoe in a clockwise direction and offers over 4,000 vertical feet of climbing.
For the more conditioned “Century Rider” bicyclists, a 100-mile option is offered that includes an additional out and back on Hwy. 89 from Tahoe City to historic Truckee that offers additional vertical feet of climbing before returning to Tahoe City to continue around the Lake. This ride option offers over 4,900 vertical feet of climbing.
Rest Stops, stocked with a variety of fresh fruits, energy bars, cookies, energy drink, and more are offered at the Vikingsholm Parking Lot overlooking Emerald Bay; Gate Keeper’s Museum in Tahoe City; Save Mart in Truckee; Kings Beach and Spooner Junction. Various local area bike shops provide technical support at all rest stops. Sponsoring rest stops include volunteers from Sierra at Tahoe Ski Education Foundation, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Rite of Passage and the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, plus many other volunteers. Event communications are coordinated with the Tahoe Amateur Radio Association and the Tahoe Blue Riders provide motorcycle course support. Barton Health Care / Tahoe Orthopedic Center and Douglas County and Carson City Search & Rescue providing medical first aid services. Both California Highway Patrol and Nevada State Police will provide traffic control services.
All ride options begin at 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. with staggered 15-minute start windows. All bicyclists will receive a Lake Tahoe NDOT goodie bag and welcome packet, a commemorative number, event t-shirt, wristband and custom water bottle. Plus, food & beverage at all rest stops, a lunch stop in Kings Beach and will also be awarded a finishers medal at the finish line, as well as being treated to an after ride meal & pool party with live entertainment at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Pre-registered rider check-in will take place on Saturday, June 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tahoe Sports Ltd. in the Village Shopping Center, located on Hwy 50 & Heavenly Village Way in South Lake Tahoe, or on Sunday, June 5, the morning of the ride, starting at 5:00 a.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Parking lot C.
The Hurricane Mountain Bike Festival was held from March 25-27, 2022. We present a photo gallery by John Shafer/Photo-John of the festival and rides. Enjoy!
Papusa vendor - for many attendees, this was their first time trying papusas. They're delicious! Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
A mountain biker with the Hurricane MTB Festival venue in the background.
Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Brian Head Bike Park booth at the venue. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Over the Edge Hurricane bike tech, Eddie Staton, getting a little air at the festival venue. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Kona Bicycles employee tuning up one of their demo bikes at the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
There are lots of giveaways at the Festival. Amy Wilde won a Deity Components package plus a Festival entry and lodging with Zion Lofts. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
The Rocky Mountain Bicycles demo booth at the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Knolly Bikes demo booth at the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
The 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival venue on Saturday morning. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Esker Cycles owner, Tim Krueger, setting up an Esker Rowl 29er demo bike at the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. The 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival venue on Saturday morning. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
The Hurricane MTB Festival is a family event. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Handup gloves booth at the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Mountain bikers getting ready to head out on a Hurricane MTB Festival group ride at Little Creek Mesa. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Angie Lockwood-Kurtz, working on her slickrock skills during a Hurricane MTB Festival group ride. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
The landscape and terrain make the Hurricane Mountain Bike Festival a dream event. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Mountain bikers playing follow-the-leader behind local, Clayton Coleman, at the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Cold, liquid refreshment at the Hurricane MTB Festival, provided by Zion Brewery. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
The log pull race is a crowd favorite at the Hurricane Mountain Bike Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Ladies log pull race during the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Festival organizer, Dejay Morisette, picking giveaway tickets during the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
Birria tacos at the 2022 Hurricane MTB Festival. Photo by John Shafer, Photo-John.net
DURANGO, Colorado (May 9, 2022) – The Iron Horse Bicycle Classicwill celebrate its 50th anniversary May 27-30 at the annual celebration of cycling in Durango, Colorado. In addition to the world renowned Durango-Silverton race and ride, the Iron Horse will debut three new events in 2022. This year marks a return to pre-pandemic registration numbers, and the 50th anniversary will celebrate all that the Durango cycling community has become–a home for Olympian, national, and world champion cyclists as well as the 600-rider strong Durango Devo youth development program.
Riley Amos decenting Coal Bank Pass on his way to victory of the 2021 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic 2021. Photo courtesy Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
The backbone of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is the Durango-Silverton route, where riders “race the train” over two mountain passes for a total of 50 miles and 5,700’ of elevation gain. The tradition began in 1971 when Tom Mayer, a cyclist, challenged his brother Jim, a railroad worker on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, to see who could get to Silverton faster. Tom was able to pedal the distance faster than the steam engine, and the legend of the Iron Horse was born.
Photo courtesy Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
“In the ’60s, there wasn’t a movement like this,” Jim Mayer said. “When you fast-forward and see what’s happened in areas like Durango and Moab and other places where all the bicyclists continue to race and ride, it’s incredible. I never would’ve thought [Tom’s] challenge to me would result in something this big. It’s an incredible legend.”
Photo courtesy Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
This year, the Durango-Silverton events have sold out, exceeding pre-pandemic registration numbers. Two-thousand two hundred riders will participate across the competitive Coca-Cola Road Race categories and the non-competitive, gran fondo-style McDonalds Citizen’s Tour. Last year, the professional road race was won by Erin Huck and Riley Amos.
New for this year is the Tailwind Ouray-Silverton race and tour, where riders will tackle Colorado’s infamous Red Mountain Pass. Leaving the town of Ouray, known as the “Switzerland of America,” the route travels 23 miles with 3,300 feet of elevation gain. With no shoulder, Red Mountain Pass is usually a perilous endeavor for cyclists, but riders in the Tailwind Ouray-Silverton road race and non-competitive tour will enjoy a closed road while they tackle the challenging climb and descent.
Back in Durango, off-road riders will be challenged by the Subaru Mountain Bike race in the Horse Gulch trail system, and the La Strada La Plata Gravel Ride on scenic county roads. The
Mountain Bike Specialists King & Queen of the Mountain is an omnium competition featuring the professional road race and mountain bike races.
Also new this year is the Dual Slalom and Roostmaster mountain bike events. These professional, invite-only events will make for excellent spectating opportunities under the lights of Durango’s Chapman Hill ski area Sunday night.
“We are really looking forward to bringing back some of the original Mountain Bike events that we hosted in the 80s to celebrate cycling in Durango,” said race director Ian Burnett. “This year we will honor our 50 year history while pushing forward some new traditions. I can’t wait to get the ride started and feel the amazing energy we have for this year’s event.”
ELBERT COUNTY, Colorado — Rattler Racing will host the 2nd annual Mad Gravel race at the picturesque Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch in Elbert County, Colorado on Saturday, May 28th, Sunday, May 29th and Monday, May 30th, 2022. Mad Gravel is now a full-on 3-day weekend event with a little something for everyone.
Photo courtesy Rattler Racing/Mad Gravel
Saturday will be a fast and furious circuit race within the boundaries of the Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch. You runners also get to enjoy most of the same course on a 5K trail course before the cyclists take off. Look for some great winding gravel roads, double track, and a mix of twisty single-track sections. Sunday is the biggie. Racers and riders have the option to pick one of 3 epic routes along the eastern Colorado slope. Monday treats you to a sweet mountain bike course highlighting the great trails within the ranch. Participants will get to take in amazing views of Colorado’s high 14’ers, and enjoy an optimum vantage point of the entire front range. All three days of Mad Gravel are fully supported with multiple aid stations.
This race is one of the first gravel events on the Colorado race calendar for spring of 2022. You won’t regret participating in this fully supported and ultra-scenic event. When the riding is over, the party commences with food, drink, music, and post-race festivities, all of which await you back at the expansive hall overlooking the venue. Not to miss! Get signed up today at madgravel.com.
“We put every effort in to cover all the bases and deliver the best race experience.” – Dave Muscianisi, Race Director
Event Details: May 28-30 — Mad Gravel|, Elbert, CO, Three distances to choose from including: the Sprint (43 miles), Marathon (78 miles), and Ultra (123 miles) , Dave Muscianisi, 303-817-6523, [email protected], rattlerracing.com/event/madgravel
Diane Tracy, 70, Of Saint George, UT, Captures Women’s 70-74 Age-Group World Championship Title
SAINT GEORGE, Utah (May 7, 2022) — Following a two-year hiatus, the IRONMAN World Championship returned with the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission. The 2021 edition of the event took place in St. George, Utah becoming the first location to host the event outside of Hawai`i since its origins in 1978. The Land of Endurance lived up to its billing with Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) and Daniela Ryf (CHE) being crowned as World Champions after what many are calling the toughest course they have ever raced. The race was featured live on IRONMAN Now channels and Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. The full broadcast of today’s race can be viewed on Facebook Watch via the IRONMAN Now channel here.
ST GEORGE, UTAH – MAY 07: Women’s champion Daniela Ryf of Switzerland and men’s champion Kristian Blummenfelt of Norway celebrate after winning the 2021 IRONMAN World Championships on May 07, 2022 in St George, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
More than 2,800 athletes started the days race including the impressive professional field. The 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission kicked off with a 2.4-mile (3.86km) ROKA Swim Course, taking place in Sand Hollow Reservoir. Followed by a challenging 112-mile (180.2km) FulGaz Bike Course that led athletes through stunning desert landscapes with 7,374 feet (2,248 meters) of elevation gain and an unforgettable climb through the Snow Canyon State Park at the 100-mile mark. The 26.2-mile (42.2km) HOKA Run Course will led athletes on two loops through St. George with 1,413 ft (431m) of climbing before culminating in an unforgettable finish line experience in the heart of downtown St. George.
Blummenfelt earns coveted title
In the men’s race, Sam Laidlow (FRA) led the pro men out of chilly Sand Hollow Reservoir waters (64 degrees Fahrenheit) in 47:29 with Daniel Baekkegard (DEN) on his heels. The Kiwi pair Kyle Smith and Braden Currie were next with Florian Angert (FRA) in fifth. Olympic gold medalist Kristian Blummenfelt fell a surprising two minutes back on the swim.
Onto the 112-mile bike course through the hilly territory of Southwestern Utah, a lead pack established itself early on with Laidlow (who trains with three-time IRONMAN World Champion Jan Frodeno) Smith, Bakkegaard, Angert, and Currie. Five minutes back of the lead group, Cameron Wurf led a chase pack that saw Canadian Lionel Sanders move up through the field as well as Blummenfelt with the three coming into the second transition 4:30 behind the leaders.
On a picture-perfect day featuring warm, dry conditions, typical of the desert and a wind factor that never made a significant impact on the pro performances, Smith, Currie, and Angert were out onto the run course in the top three. Currie took the lead at 4 miles, as Blummenfelt, one of the day’s biggest movers on the run, continued to move through the field behind him. The Olympic gold medalist, who started the run with over a four-minute deficit, started to make a dent in the leaders around the seven-mile mark. By the halfway point of the marathon, Blummenfelt had moved into second, entering a battle with Currie. At 19 miles, the Norwegian took the lead and never looked back claiming his first IRONMAN World Championship to add to his Olympic Gold Medal.
It was a breakthrough performance for Christchurch-born Currie, 2021 IRONMAN New Zealand champion, who tried to hold onto second but was passed by Sanders in the last few hundred meters. While some predicted that Sanders, who thrives on these types of battles, wouldn’t have enough run real estate to pass Currie but he proved the pundits wrong and surged into second within view of the finish line.
Blummenfelt won the race handily with his 7:49:16 finish, joining the rare collection of athletes who have earned both an Olympic Gold Medal in triathlon and an IRONMAN World Championship win. For the young Norwegian it’s of its an incredible feat for only his second-ever full-distance IRONMAN race.
“That was a tough day—it was a brutal course. Luckily, I was able to jump on the Wurf train on the bike. On the run, I maybe started out faster than I should have. It was a relief to see that I was making up time over the second half.” Blummenfelt swam 49:40, biked 4:18:42, and ran 2:38:01.
Sanders reveled in his second silver medal performance after also finishing second in Hawai`i back in 2017. “That was an amazing battle. It’s something I’ll never forget,” he said at the finish line. “I didn’t take anything for granted—this race my only goal was to execute my absolute best performance in the swim, the bike, and the run.”
Currie, a seasoned racer and past top-10 IRONMAN World Championship finisher reflected on the race at the finish line: “We had a fantastic group on the bike, it was so honest, consistent, and settled. I’m well-cooked, but stoked.” When all was said and done, the top five male finishers all clocked under 8 hours despite the difficult course.
Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) is the professional male winner of the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission taking place on Saturday, May 7. Blummenfelt had an overall winning time of 7:49:16. (Photo credit: Ryan Bethke / IRONMAN)
Top five professional men’s results:
PLACE
ATHLETE
SWIM
BIKE
RUN
FINISH
1
Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR)
49:40:00
04:18:42
02:38:01
07:49:16
2
Lionel Sanders (CAN)
52:07:00
04:16:13
02:42:25
07:54:03
3
Braden Currie (NZL)
47:37:00
04:16:31
02:47:11
07:54:19
4
Chris Leiferman (USA)
52:02:00
04:18:34
02:44:25
07:57:51
5
Florian Angert (DEU)
47:40:00
04:16:14
02:52:43
07:59:35
Ryf returns to glory
In the women’s race, American Haley Chura was first out of the water with over two minutes on the rest of the field. Fenella Langridge (GBR) and Lisa Norden (SWE) were next in line, with Daniela Ryf (CHE) leading a chase group four minutes back containing Skye Moench (USA), Jocelyn McCauley (USA), and Anne Haug (DEU).
Norden took over the lead early on the bike, with Ryf, Kat Matthews (GBR), and Moench also asserting themselves. By the 40-mile point, Ryf had confidently taken the lead, passing Norden and eventually Matthews. The Swiss athlete and Matthews would go on to lead the rest of the bike together as the rest of the field fell scattered behind them.
By the halfway point of the bike, the four-time IRONMAN World Champion made a characteristically bold move, pushing to the front and continuing to make up time at the front—to the tune of seven minutes ahead of her next-closest chaser, Matthews, and 15 minutes on super-runner and reigning IRONMAN World Champion, Haug.
Over the 26.2-mile hilly marathon, Ryf continued to run away from the rest of the field to the tune of “comeback race” and “the return of the Angry Bird” from commentators and fans. She crossed the finish line in 8:34:69 (including a sub-three-hour marathon) with a display of joy and passion uncharacteristic of the levelheaded athlete. Ryf flashed the number five to signify her five IRONMAN World Championship victories, putting her in the esteemed company of only Paula Newby-Fraser and Natascha Badmann.
“Two and a half years’ wait and I’m so happy,” Ryf reflected at the finish line. “To come to this finish, with this crowd, after a really hard last few months I’m just so stoked to bring it together today. I had fun today, and that’s really important.”
Matthews, who won two IRONMAN races last year but is a newcomer to this championship event, hung on for second with an 8:43:49 finish time. Though she was unable to challenge Ryf’s dominance, the 31-year-old put in a few strong surges and fought hard to hold onto her position.
“I cannot understand how my brain and body were able to push like that,” she said at the finish line. “My first world champs to come second to Daniela Ryf? I’m happy. Honestly, I think I paced it perfectly.”
Haug gave it all she had and rounded out the podium in third on the heels of consistent performances across all three disciplines and her crowning glory: a race-best run of 2:56:00.
ST GEORGE, UTAH – MAY 07: Daniela Ryf of Switzerland celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the 2021 IRONMAN World Championships on May 07, 2022 in St George, Utah. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Top five professional women’s results:
PLACE
ATHLETE
SWIM
BIKE
RUN
FINISH
1
Daniela Ryf (CHE)
54:42:00
04:37:46
02:59:36
08:34:59
2
Kat Matthews (GBR)
54:48:00
04:44:40
03:00:57
08:43:49
3
Anne Haug (DEU)
54:47:00
04:52:53
02:56:00
08:47:03
4
Skye Moench (USA)
54:44:00
04:53:13
03:04:21
08:55:21
5
Ruth Astle (GBR)
59:23:00
04:50:45
03:06:35
09:00:09
Diane Tracy Captures Women’s 70-74 Age-Group World Championship Title
Diane Tracy, 70, of Saint George, UT captured the IRONMAN World Championship title in the women’s 70-74 age-group at the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission triathlon in St. George, Utah, United States on Saturday, May 7.
Tracy completed the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission event in 16:32:59 (swim: 1:38:05; bike: 8:06:10; run: 6:28:06), beating out the top athletes in their age group.
Diane Tracy, 70, Of Saint George, Utah, Captures Women’s 70-74 Age-Group World Championship Title
News and Notes from the Day
Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) became the first man to win a World Championship title in his IRONMAN World Championship debut since Belgian Luc Van Lierde in 1996. He is joined elite company becoming only the second triathlete to ever win both an IRONMAN World Championship and Olympic Gold Medal, joining Jan Frodeno (DEU)
Blummenfelt’s victory breaks a streak of six years in which a German athlete won the men’s World Championship (2014 – Sebastian Kienle; 2015 – Jan Frodeno; 2016 – Jan Frodeno; 2017 – Patrick Lange; 2018 – Patrick Lange; 2019 – Jan Frodeno)
Daniela Ryf (CHE) fifth IRONMAN World Championship title moves her into third place on the women’s career victories list, trailing ‘Queen of Kona’ Paula Newby-Fraser (eight) and fellow Swiss Natascha Badmann (six).
Despite defeating Kat Matthews (GBR) by 8:50, the margin of victory amazing was Ryf’s smallest of her five IRONMAN World Championship victories. Ryf’s wins and margins of victory are 13:03 in 2015; 23:44 in 2016; 8:51 in 2017; 10:16 in 2018; and 8:50 in 2021
Known as the Irish IRONMAN Voice, Joanne Murphy became the first female to race announce the IRONMAN World Championship
Braden Currie (NZL) raced his heart out to finish third at the Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission in St. George, USA, the first time a Kiwi has claimed a podium finish since Cameron Brown achieved the feat back in 2005.
Lauren Parker (AUS) became the third female in the handcycle division to finish the IRONMAN World Championship. Previous finishers included Minda Dentler (2013) and Liz McTernan (2018). Lauren’s finish time of 14:00:47 created a new world best time at the IRONMAN World Championship in the female handcycle division.
Ruth Astle (GBR) raced into a fifth-place finish in her first professional appearance at the IRONMAN World Championship; In the last IRONMAN World Championship race in 2019, Astle won her F30-34 Age Group Division.
Mohammad Shamsuzzaman Arafat is the first Bangladeshi to finish an IRONMAN World Championship. He finished with a time of 11:32:10.
Over 2,800 starters for the 2021 edition of the IRONMAN World Championship, is the most in IRONMAN World Championship history.
The 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship saw athletes from over 80 countries, regions and territories compete in this world-renowned event, ranging in age from 18 to 79.
After the first IRONMAN World Championship in over two years and the first ever outside of the state of Utah, the 2022 edition of the IRONMAN World Championship includes another first as the event returns to Kona, Hawai`i for the first two-day race in the events history on October 6 and 8, 2022.
More professional race details will be available at LINK. Full results for the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission can be found at www.ironman.com/im-world-championship-2021-results.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (May 10, 2022) — The Golden Spoke Ride returns this Saturday, May 14 to celebrate the joys of safely cycling along the longest, connected paved trail west of the Mississippi River (second longest in the United States). Two rides will start simultaneously at opposite ends of the trail at 8:00 a.m., with one starting at the High Adventure Park (251 W 18th Street) in Ogden, and the other in Riverside Park (1260 W 600 North) in Provo. Both rides will converge upon the finish point at Tracy Aviary Jordan River Nature Center in South Salt Lake where participants will enjoy music, participant giveaways, lunch from food trucks, and information from vendor booths.
Individuals interested in participating in the Golden Spoke Ride are encouraged to register online at move.utah.gov/golden-spoke. Participation in the Ride is free, and registration is accepted up until the start of the ride (please note that at this time, registrants will not receive a t-shirt). Two rest stops providing hydration and snacks will be available along the north (Farmington Regional Park) and south (Lehi Bull River Trailhead) branches of the trail to hydrate and recharge participants. A detailed route map can be viewed here. All participants will receive complimentary UTA fare to help with return travel after the event. Move Utah, in partnership with the Jordan River Commission; Wasatch Front Regional Council; the Utah Department of Transportation; Utah Transit Authority; Bicycle Collective; Mountainland Association of Governments; Utah Department of Health; Utah Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation; and Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties, hosts this annual event. Additionally, this year’s Ride is generously supported by Rocky Mountain Power.
The Golden Spoke Ride promotes the health benefits of cycling as a form of physical activity that helps improve cardiovascular, lung, and mental health, and that is widely enjoyed by people of varying ages and abilities. The Ride also promotes cycling as an alternate form of transportation that compliments our region’s roadways and public transportation networks. The Golden Spoke Trail offers a safe space for riders to travel through four counties away from busy main roads, while closely connecting with a regional network of paths and numerous neighborhood access points. The Trail serves as a gold-standard example of more than 30 years in the making of a network of walking, biking, and running trails along the picturesque Jordan River.
BERKELEY, California (May 4, 2022) — The National Interscholastic Cycling Association is excited to announce six recipients of the annual Sparkle On Scholarship. In partnership with professional cyclist Kate Courtney, SCOTT, Syncros, SRAM, and Rockshox, the Sparkle On Scholarship recognizes graduating NICA student-athletes who have demonstrated academic and athletic excellence while giving back to the cycling community.
An-Mei Ellisor, Dane Grey, Nora Ellis, Elliot Crowder, Kiera Ramirez, and Zoë Harbertson will each receive $6,500, mentoring with Kate Courtney during their first year of college, and participation in a Sparkle on Scholarship summit focused on skill-building, on and off, the bike.
Kate Courtney, Photo courtesy NICA
The cohort of Sparkle On Scholars is distinguished by their unique contributions to the sport of mountain biking, the cycling community as a whole, and the joy and determination they show in pursuit of their goals.
“I am honored and excited to announce the 2022 class of Sparkle On Scholars,” said Courtney. “With nearly 200 applications from NICA student-athletes across the country, it was a very challenging selection process but one that left me optimistic about the future of our sport.”
Courtney is a professional mountain bike racer for the Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team. Kate is the 2019 Elite XCO World Cup Overall Champion and the 2018 Elite XCO World Champion.
“Collectively, this year’s scholarship recipients truly embody the core values of NICA; inclusivity, strong minds, bodies, and character,” added Courtney. “In the cycling world, they are leaders in their communities – accomplished racers, trail builders, trail access advocates, GRiT mentors, team captains, youth coaches and more. Off the bike, they are intelligent and articulate students with diverse interests, but a shared desire to continue contributing to the cycling community as they transition to college.”
NICA is proud to work with such a passionate partner to grow the next generation of cyclists.
“When student-athletes have a strong support system, it is amazing what more they can accomplish,” said NICA President Amanda Carey. “ NICA is so grateful for Kate’s mentorship and support of these outstanding student-athletes and the pursuit of their future goals.”
An Mei Ellisor, Photo courtesy NICA
An-Mei Ellisor
An-Mei Ellisor is thrilled to receive the Sparkle On Scholarship. She is a senior at Auburn High School in Alabama. She loves everything to do with traveling and the outdoors. In order to follow those passions, An-Mei will be attending and racing for Fort Lewis College, beginning in Fall 2022.
“To succeed in a sport you must have fun doing it,” said Ellisor.
Dane Grey, Photo courtesy NICA
Dane Grey
Dane Grey fell in love with mountain biking his 8th-grade year and started riding with a local NICA team, Saint Francis High School of the Southern California League. Dane now travels the United States competing in the UCI circuit and will attend Fort Lewis College in 2023.
“NICA has brought a lifelong family and community that has shaped me as a person and competitor,” said Grey.
Nora Ellis, Photo courtesy NICA
Nora Ellis
Nora Ellis is thrilled to be receiving an Associate’s degree in History and graduating from Linganore High School, Maryland, this summer. In the Fall, they will begin their first semester at Warren Wilson College where they plan to study environmental science. After three years of riding with NICA, Nora is excited to continue mountain biking as an Owl at Warren Wilson. Nora says their dad tried to get them interested in mountain biking, however it didn’t fully stick at first.
“After trying hard for many years, my dad is incredibly grateful that NICA has succeeded where he failed in getting me to actually enjoy mountain biking,” said Nora.
Elliott Crowder, Photo courtesy NICA
Elliott Crowder
Elliott Crowder has grown up in a bike shop and has a strong passion for all things bike-related. He plans on continuing his education at the University of Oregon Clark Honors College to obtain a degree in Political Science in pursuit of a Law Degree and participate in trail stewardship projects.
“I love NICA because of the friends I’ve been able to make, some of whom I have nothing in common with except for the love of mountain biking,” said Crowder. “Sometimes it feels like the fun we kids have with each other, not the races themselves, are the main feature of the weekend.”
Kiera Ramirez, Photo courtesy NICA
Kiera Ramirez
Kiera Ramirez will soon finish up her last season in the NorCal League. She shows great appreciation for cycling and the opportunities it presents. This fall, she is college-bound and eager to pursue collegiate racing as a future Mustang at Cal Poly.
“Cycling, in a nutshell, has offered me an overwhelming amount of opportunities and I truly owe my accomplishments and endeavors to the supportive circle around me,” said Ramirez. “I am forever indebted to NICA, my coaches, and my endearing family for nurturing my love for cycling.”
Zoë Harbertson, Photo courtesy NICA
Zoë Harbertson
Zoë Harbertson grew up in the Wasatch mountains of Midway, Utah with three brothers. She started biking on the Wasatch mountain bike team as a freshman in high school and has raced with NICA ever since. She has developed a love for all things outdoors, but especially an instilled passion for cycling. After she graduates high school, she is going to explore Europe for the summer and plans to attend Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado to race on the cycling team.
“As a NICA athlete, I was never the best or winning,” says Zoë. “But the times I crossed that finish line with the biggest smile on my face, [I knew] that I pushed everything in me those days. [That] is something I will never ever forget. And [it’s] a feeling I want to chase forever.”
