From the Vault
The following was originally posted on September 29, 2005: What is it about a road that stretches into the horizon, passes over rocks, sand, through trees and rivers. A road that climbs and descends, twists and turns. What is it about a road that goes on so far and so long that it lasts through […]
xXc Magazine
Season one, Issue one of xXc Magazine is now available. It is the brainchild of Jason Mahokey, outstanding author of The Soiled Chamois. The magazine focuses on ultra-endurance, solo, and epic mountain bike adventures. I was able to contribute an article and a couple photos to the project and I am pleased with how those […]
The American Mountain Classic
Image Credit It has been a summer or two since I had a target on my calendar that I focused on for months in advance. In 2006 it was the KTR. I remember reading about the race and the route in December, and becoming obsessed about it from that point on. Every day, every ride, […]
No Leadville. As Usual.
I did not get into the Leadville 100. Of course, I did not apply, so not getting into the race is no surprise. Each year, I think about sending in an application. I see the pictures of massive groups of riders, the throngs of people cheering and the celebrity bike stars. And every year I […]
Classic Audacity
On paper the world looks smooth and flat. Manageable. On maps the contouring trails are fascinating and beautiful, like sirens whispering sweet temptations into an eager and hungry mind. In reality everything is uglier and rockier and steeper and longer, and yet, still beautiful. And so it is with the Wasatch Classic. I spent hours […]
How To: DNF with Grace and Dignity
There is one inevitability about mountain bike racing. At some point, in some race, you will have to bail out. It might be a mechanical failure or it might be a physical problem. Or, you might just realize with pristine clarity that you hate riding a bike and that you will never, ever, under any […]
How To: Ride Your First 100 Miler
Grizzly’s note: This is a post in an ongoing “How To” series. Have an idea for a How to post? Let me know. And if any topics come up that I am no help at all with, I will track down someone who is! Also see, ‘How To: Get Sponsored‘. Attempting an off-road 100-mile bike […]
Back in the Day: July 2002
Brianhead 2002 I have exactly one Intermountain Cup XC victory. It came at the 2002 Brian Header, at Brian Head, Utah. The race was competitive, and spectacular. By far it was one of my favorite courses on the circuit. It had huge climbs, swooping descents, technical rock drops, and incredible scenery. It is a shame […]
