Category — Biking

This lady was out hiking on her property and was mauled by a bear. More than likely a result of the loss of habitat in the California mountains due to the recent fires.

She had two big dogs with her and was still mauled pretty good, kind of makes you think about the balance between man and nature. She was able to get away from the bear and drive herself to find help!

If nature ever got really really pissed, humans, with our soft skin, lack of sharp pointy teeth or claws we really wouldn’t stand a chance…unless we pave the world. Wait a minute, maybe that is why the wally worlds and super mega churches are so popular. They take up an insane amount of land and pave what ever they can. That explains it! Come on folks it is o.k., they are protecting us from all of the animals that want to eat us. Now why didn’t I realize that earlier!!!!

(for those of you that can not figure it out…JuiceBox, that was pure sarcasm)

However if this bear ever comes for my stash there will be a war and I WILL win, never get between a Yeti and his beer!!

The bear picture was not one of the bears mentioned in either article but does show how bears are doing their best to blend in and assimilate into human society.

Read all about this tragic story here.

Although I am disgusted by this we must all realize this is a reality as humanity seems to be de-evolving this is the result.

For those of you that care please think of your daily actions/reactions and try and be more civil.

Stonewall Century: 16 August 100 miles of painful road biking a lot of climbing!!

MuddyBuddy: 17 August 6 mile run/mountain bike covered in mud making a b-line for the beer garden!

This is looking very promising for team UpaDowna.

There are probably a few of you out there that know that I rode a bike across this great country a few years back. So when I mention these folks understand that I have experienced the pain and pleaseure, though not at their level. I departed from San Diego, CA and ended up in Jacksonville, FL and it only took me 27 days!! Which comes out to a little over 100 miles a day. Impressive right? Not really, not even close.

If you want ot be impressed you should check out these guys. The Race Across AMerica is a group of elite cyclists that literally race across the U.S., they started in Oceanside, CA and end in Annapolis, MD a full 3000 miles and most cover it in as few as 7 days!!! These guys and gals are nuts!!!

Check out this quote from their site , it says it all.

“This is a Race. Unlike other famous races, like the Tour de France, RAAM is not a stage race. The race is one stage, live to the very end. In RAAM, once the clock starts on the west coast, the clock doesn’t stop until each racer reaches the finish line on the east coast. RAAM is 30% longer than the Tour de France and racers finish in half the time with no rest days. The race format is essentially a time trial, commonly called racing against the clock or the race of truth. Unlike the Tour de France, there is no drafting or taking shelter from the wind. It’s an all out solo challenge.”

While I was driving through the southwest we ran into a few of them and here is one of the shots we got, from the truck with the windows up and A/C blasting. Most of these were taken around Mexican Hat, Utah where the winds were fierce and the heat was brutal.

Hail to the warriors!!

Once MtnMama and I left Vail we bolted for the freedom of the great out doors and headed to the mountain biking mecca that is Fruita, CO.

There is no place like Fruita if you want to get out on some short snappy runs. The mountain biking is phenomenal, there are no lines, no crowds, no noise. Just beautiful sweet single track with short climbs and great drops. This trip out I rode about six loops in a few hours and definitely got my fill.

The weather is still cool enough to not burn out and bonk due to heat, then again I started out on my first ride around 630 am. Unfortunately we were on a bit of a time bind so I only got the chance to hit up a few of the trails which included: Frontside, Joe’s Ridge, Zippety Do Da, Western Zippity, Prime Cut, Chutes and Ladders, and Kessel Run.

Here is a link to a topo of the area. If any of you riders out there get the chance to hit up this western Colorado gem go for it.

Directions are pretty simple as long as you can keep up with the way the “Fruitloops” name their roads. Just remember you want 18 road until it ends then set up camp and ride. All of these loops are short and full of excitement from crushing climbs to cloth touching exposed descents!!! Fruita has it all.

Another thing do not lock yourself in to only the 18 road rides there is an entirely different world awaiting you at either Kokopelli’s Loop rides or at Rabbit Valley. Both of these other areas have killer single track that will blow your mind!!! Check out some of the pics from the area.

This years TMG were phenomenal!! It is always amazing to see such highly competitive, highly skilled athletes come together for such a great event.

For day 3 we headed to the IFSC bouldering world cup finals, kayak freestyle finals and the slope style qualifier. Day 4 we watched the kayak sprints and the world renowned 8 ball challenge.

All in all a good time was had by all. Code Man was on the move constantly and I think I peddled him all the way around Vail at least twice!! So the results of a lot of these events are news to me as well. All in all we had a great time at the Teva Mountain Games 2008. This is the place to get re-inspired for all of your outdoor adventures. Not to mention that the PBR was everywhere!!!