Category — Biking

This is just plain awesome!

Cheyenne Mountain State Park (Colorado Springs, CO) might be expanding! Many residents around the park are trying to sell their land for open space purposes. Unfortunately locals are probably thinking El Paso County can’t afford to buy it all with all of the budget shortfalls facing the area. No worries though, this purchase would be done by TOPS (Trails, Open Space, and Parks). TOPS is a local committee who’s mission is to guide our city in the prudent acquisition, development and preservation of Trails, Open Space, and Parks, thereby creating a legacy for future generations in the Pikes Peak Region.

THAT ROCKS! The addition would bring the park another 120 acres, to it’s already 1600+ acres. Negotiations are still being made over the price. City Council members and the Parks Board will have sign off on the deal. The TOPS committee plans to tour the property for sale on 01/06/10 (this Wednesday). My fingers are crossed.

TOPS Working Committee’s Mission:

• Work together, in accordance with the TOPS Ordinance, to guide our City in the prudent acquisition, development and preservation of Trails, Open Space, and Parks, thereby creating a legacy for future generations in the Pikes Peak Region.

Quick Facts about TOPS:

• July 1997 Colorado Springs established the TOPS open space conservation program
• At City Council?s direction, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board created the TOPS Working Committee
• TOPS is funded through a 1/10^th of 1 percent sales tax for trails, open space and parks and expires in 2025.
• In 2003 voters approved extending the TOPS program through 2025.
• TOPS Protected Open Space Exceeds 6,178 Acres!
• TOPS has built over 32 Neighborhood Parks!
• TOPS has constructed over 46 miles of Urban Trails!

Seriously if you live in the area or are planning a trip to Colorado’s Front Range our newest state park is well worth the visit. With awesome trails and a great chance to ride/run hard during one of the many races/events held there every year which include the Xterra trail run and marathon as well as the 1st race of the PPRR winter series!

Alright folks this is it. Recently I received a brand spanking new Yuba Mundo 21-speed cargo bike for review. Boasting an amazing 440lb cargo capacity and Cadillac like handling I was pretty stoked to give this thing a go.

The trend towards more environmentally friendly and healthy modes of transportation has been slowly ramping up and what better way than on a bike that can haul it all?! After several phone chats and emails with Ben Sarrazin, Yuba’s founder and over all bike nut, I was blow away by his passion and dedication to expanding the possibilities of zero emission travel as well as his commitment to building a cost effective mode of transportation for one and all. The result of his time and energy is the 6′9″ 55lb welded steel behemoth the Yuba Mundo.

So here is the deal. We all grow tired of reviews of items that are hasty and off the shelf quick looks, and well for some things that is alright, however this is an investment, both in money MSRP $1099 and in lifestyle, so we are really going to run it through the ringer over an extended period of time.

This is the introduction to this lengthy process.

Upon receiving the Mundo via Fed Ex I was pleased to find that there was minimal work to fully assembling the bike. All in all I simply had to put the seat on, attach the handlebars, pedals, front fender and the rear cargo support. Total time commitment: 45 minutes.

Now my first thought about the bike was holy crap this thing is a beast!!! I was definitely concerned about the viability of this as a daily mode of transport, but all of my concerns melted away as soon as I took the first pedal stroke. All I can say is wow! Cushy luxury would be an understatement, this baby was a joy to ride super easy to maneuver and believe it on not seemingly weightless. As I mentioned this is a lengthy review and I will have multiple updates on this bike as I use it for commuting (both in the city and in my small mountain town) I will load it up for a play day with kayaks, grills, beer, friends and who knows what else! I am also working to get this out to the people of my community to see what they think so keep checking back for a chance to give it your own test ride!

5'0" 75 y.o. woman pedaling with ease!

Here is a bit of beta taken from the main Yuba site which should really give you a feel for what this movement is all about!

Based in Sausalito, California, Yuba was founded in 2006 by Benjamin Sarrazin, a lifelong bicyclist who saw the need for a new type of bike while traveling around the world as a professional kayaker in the 1990s. In South America, Africa and other parts of the developing world, Sarrazin saw people carrying goods to market on rickety bikes not built to handle the weight of big payloads. He returned to the States in 2000 and helped start Xtracycle, which builds a platform that can be welded to bikes. Sarrazin worked at Xtracycle for several years and helped popularize long wheel-base bikes in the United States. But Sarrazin felt that the add-on design was not sturdy or durable enough for the long haul, so he left and founded Yuba, enlisting the help of top frame builders and designers to create the Mundo, the strongest long wheel-base cargo bike on the market.

In an era of climate change, rising fuel prices and growing discontent with our automobile-centric society, the Mundo is a clean, healthy, affordable and fun alternative to fossil fuel powered vehicles. In a few short years, Yuba has built a devoted following of customers who use their Mundos for everything from carrying groceries to delivering products. “Yuba’s goal is to create a better world by giving people a practical, comfortable option for running errands and getting work done,” says Sarrazin, who can frequently be seen pedaling his Mundo around Sausalito with his young daughter and wife on the back.

As I am writing this I notice that there is a bit of snow falling, so get ready for a review of this beast sporting studded tires and going on a 8 mile round trip grocery run!!

I guess we know who could have provided Phelps with his pot huh?

Missy Giove a once bad ass mountain biker was busted in June 2009 when she jumped into a truck filled with 200lbs of marijuana, further investigation reportedly found another 150lbs as well a $1 million in cash. She was one of many implicated in a coast to coast pot smuggling operation. On Dec 23, 2009 Missy Giove (37) was found guilty on charges stemming from a federal drug conspiracy investigation. What a freaking lunatic!!! Missy was one of my early heros for her unrelenting balls to wall racing style. She was aptly named “the missle” and with good reason, she had a nack for pulling out screaming decents and never looking back.

Unfortunately she made some bad choices and got busted and now she is just a nothing link in the chain of childhood idols gone bad, or at least getting caught. I personally have no problem with pot and all signs are pointing towards its legalization (as soon as the govt can figure out how to profit!) but until it is legal, my recommendation is don’t be a dummy.

She is slotted to be sentenced March 25th and is facing up to 5 years in the slammer. But hey maybe she can get them to build a MTB park and rebuild her shredding ability hell she could be back on the scene in 2015….watch out!

This is the Ktrak bike and as I am certain you have deduced this rig is for ripping on the snow! And although this would be a great fun time for me I doubt I will ever actually have one to demo. However coming soon I will have my 1st weeks impressions of an absolutely kick-ass rig.

The Yuba Mundo cargo bike!

The great folks at Yuba sent me out a demo rig in Carrot orange and I have been blasting around town, running errands and carrying crazy loads on this 440lbs capacity 21 speed cadillac of the cargo-cycling world!

Since I made the switch to the single speed I have realized the true nature of knee pain. Cranking up steep ascents here in the Colorado mountains with my 32×16 gearing has taken it’s toll on my knees. But what am I whining for?? Check this guy out, Pro Mountain Biker Brian Bartlett is not your everyday downhiller, he is an amputee and he rides harder than you.

Brian lost his leg in a freak accident (he got hit by a car when crossing a street) and as a result he went on to develop a prosthetic that is pretty outstanding. Now this story is pretty dope because Brian is a pioneer, he asked his doc what was on the market that would get him back on the bike, unfortunately there was nothing so he designed his own!  The amazing aspect of this prosthetic is that is allows him to actively pedal with both legs. Where as most prosthetics are designed to support the body they are not designed to be proactive parts of the body.

Brian designed this knee as a tool to get him back on the bike and as a means to not just hang but to dominate. And judging from these videos I would say he has succeeded. Utilizing 6061T aircraft aluminum, cold rolled steel, and R6 sealed bearings as well as the Rock Shox Monarch 4.2 Air Shock the “Bartlett Knee” is bomber!! You can even dial in the performance of the knee just like a modern rear shock. I also dig the sweet logo it sports on the base of the knee. GET SOME!

Now I love my knees but if I lost them, the Bartlett Knee would be my knee of choice! Check out more at Leftside Inc.