Doping is a Disease

Identifying the sick

Let's call it like it is. A doper is a sick person, only like any disease of the brain the victim can appear totally normal. Only they are not. The psychological affects of winning through cheating is an addiction. It's a high. This type of activity can be so harmful in a number of ways. Take Ricco for example, his dependency on blood doping was so intense he began to self administrate his stored bags, likely from an Igloo cooler. He nearly died, kidney's were shutting down, it's sort of a miracle he didn't and yet he still exhibits signs of a very sick person. Denial, anger, blame.

We can place all the blame on the athlete who cheats, oust them from the sport, shame them, separate them from an activity that they've spent a lifetime practicing, but how does that fix the problem? When I think of Pantani taking his own life because he was too ashamed to leave his hotel and was completely shunned by the people and sport he obviously adored I can't help but feel sad. Somewhere, someone let him down. 

The UCI's responsibility

And who is supposed to be looking out for the well being of these sick people? The International Cyclist Union or the UCI. I won't speculate on what has been happening in the recent past, whether it's cover ups, lies who cares. The responsibility of the Cyclist Union is to represent the best interests of  the athletes. In this case, fixing the problem isn't like cleaning house. Were talking about human beings, and as I mentioned earlier they are sick beings.

What's needed? A form of rehab. And on top of that, creating ambassadors of clean sport. These rehabilitated riders should serve the same example as a crack addict at a junior high school would. They need to scare the shit out of young riders, tell their stories. I'm sure stories of fucked up transfusions, mislabeled blood bags or anything like that would serve to dissuade a young mind from ever taking that path.

What scares me most

The thought of a high school league being infected with this disease is super scary. We need to ensure the youth who's racing in HS now never has the impulse to cheat. We have a beautiful farm of talent coming up from the NICA programs that will ultimately feed our JR National team and ultimate our next generations of champions. How do we keep the HS league pure?

Ex Doper Speakers

Tyler Hamilton has possibly had the most grueling battle in the public eye since his cheating was discovered. His last bust was for anti-depressants not EPO. I'm sure it's been hard to find any joy for him. The opportunity to make a difference may be therapeutic for a guy like him. Part of the rehab process should include a speaking series by reformed dopers. Put them in front of JRs and HS league riders and let them tell their story. Scare the shit out of those kids. 

Who can save us

We need a hero to save road racing. Who can do it? My hope is riding on Taylor Phinney, we need him to win a Grand Tour (No pressure). If we can find a clean young man to believe in road racing, the sponsorship that goes with it and the interest in the sport will rebound.

A Green Pin Spanner Saved my Ride

My crankbrothers Kronolog post sort of shit the bed on my last trip to Sun Valley. I pulled up the saddle, because it wasn't returning on its own, and the post just pulled apart. It's not like I didn't see it coming, I just never anticipated the rapid deterioration. I actually considered going back to a solid post.

Today was a perfect Fall day and I wasn't going to let the post stop me from getting some sweet singletrack so I decided it couldn't get any worse and I should try to fix it so I can ride. I mean my old man was a television repair man, and he has an ultimate set of tools.

Lacking any specialty tools and seeing what looked like a pin spanner capable interface I grabbed the trusty green and have it a go.

This puppy had seen some days, years of Headshok top caps before ever owning a specialty tool to do the job took a toll on the old trusty. I honestly haven't buster her out in a while, so it was intriguing to look at the wear on Old Green.

Soon after giving her a go I realized the pin holes were too small for Old Green, so I did what any man with a drill would, I made it fit.

Perfect fit after the update. Who has specialty tools in their garage anyways? So once the fit was right I cracked it open.

Luckily the air piston used an 8mm tool. Cracked the whole piston/shaft assembly open and wiped it clean. O-rings seemed to be A-OK.

After inspection it appeared the air cartridge cap just backed out so a good clean and lube and I threw it all back together. Had to drill out the air cartridge seal cap to fit Old Green.

So, super easy. Kind of like a Headshok, not surprising as it uses a shaped inner steerer to keep the saddle aligned and a similar cartridge. Stoked it worked today.

So it seems a little maintenance is needed from time to time to keep the old Kronolog going. I've put 1000 miles on it with the Scale so I guess that's a good duration. One more cool thing when I re-assembled it I was able to put the cable entry on the rear of the seat tube, cleaner.

Hardtailing Not Knowing

It's been a few years since I owned a hardtail, and never a 29er. I decided it was time to get back on one. Wowswers! It's like having a road bike on the groomed trail.

The early Spring conditions here in Sun Valley have offered an early chance to ride singletrack, though limited it's great conditions and a gorgeous time of year to see the views from the top.

Big Wheels keep on rolling.

Here's how I have it set up currently:

Scale 900 RC frame
Fox 32 RL fork
Carnkbrothers Cobalt 3 Wheels
Shimano XT Drivetrain/Brakes
Syncros Bar/Stem/Post
Syncros DH grips (Rad and wide)
Maxxis Ardent F, Ikon R Tires
Fizik Arionne Saddle

Hoping all the Winter cross training will mean I'm not a total Turd this Spring!

Wasatch Splitfest 2013 Report

I joined the Wasatch Splitfest 2013 fo the morning tour, meeting at the LCC parking lot to stage. We ended up with 16 Splitboaders, has to be the biggest bunch I've toured with. Lot's of good folks who like sliding sideways and hiking up. The skin track off White Pine is like doubletrack, you can talk side by side with your touring partner. So casual. The terrain is alos super fun, we don't have the same rocky features where I've been riding in Sun Valley. Here's a couple photo's from the day:

DD on the way up, always keen to give'er.

We started at the White Pine Parking Area and rode Pink Pine, nice mellow get and some pow shots. About 2k in climbing and a run back to the car.

Found a little fresh shot to slash. Nice and steep. Here's the route we took today:

All in all, great to see that many Splitboarders, and so cool to tour somewhere else. The LCC lookes like a sweet zone. Also great to meet some Utah Splitters. Gonna have to come back to this place...

Strava in the Backcountry

  I am a very goal oriented person, setting goals in my career as well as my activities helps foster motivation. I also like the idea of analyzing my efforts in order to see progress. Enter Strava, it's taken the cycling community by storm. Nearly every ride you can do on or off-road has been segmented and there is a leaderboard. I'll admit, sitting on top of the leaderboard feels pretty good even though you know there is still some faster guy who's not in the Strava community yet. I tracked every ride I did this past Summer with the goal of reaching 200,000ft of climbing, mostly on my MTB. I didn't quite make it before the snow flew and locked me out of the trails in the Wood River Valley.

  Winter arrived and I needed a new goal, how about 100,000ft of ascent over the course of a Winter? That way I don't come out in the Spring a fat slob who can't pedal, it's happened. I of course turned to my favorite app, Strava, to keep track of my progress. What I found was that there are a few Backcountry people in my community and some Nordic who are using the app. Now I know somebody is going to write me feedback saying, "That's the point of the Backcountry, disconnecting from technology and experiencing the natural world." Or things to that affect. But here are some things to consider: -Route finding is much easier between partners when they have a gps file of a recent tour and maps. Referencing ridge-lines or trees or whatever can lose a partner in the planning phase. -When there is a community of people recording routes in the Backcountry there is physical evidence of use for land managers. -You can tell a partner, a spouse or whomever you're relaying your location and return time to with accuracy where you'll be and how long you'll be out. (This has proven especially beneficial in my marriage, those "2-hour tours" that actually take 5 are very limited.

Here's a recent tour with data. Miles, Vertical Feet, Moving Time--

You can utilize satellite maps and export gpx files to handheld devices--  

  Where I live, we have what I like to call "Urban Backcountry". You still have 3G cell service during your entire tour. If you are using the Strava mobile app, you don't need a cell signal just a gps signal. In the future apps like these will be able to provide real time position externally available through your on-line profile. Endomondo already does this, your friend, spouse, whoever cares can track your position and even send text cheers like, "keep going" or "you'd better be home for dinner". These are actually made for things like cause rides/runs etc. But imagine the safety implications. If you weren't home by your intended time rescuers could find your position almost immediately. It's like having a wider spectrum on your beacon.

All activities are logged - -

  I've heard some feedback that cell phones interfere with avalanche beacons, I'd like to know more about that. I'm also crazy about weight on my splitboard, and really wan to know how my set-up impacts my tour. I'm certain this technology has it's place in the Backcountry, and I don't think I'm, alone. 

Here's my profile on Strava: http://app.strava.com/athletes/353200

Wasatch Split Fest

Anyone who knows me could tell you I'm fired up on Splitboarding. Because of the cost, I don't have a Season Pass at Sun Valley Resort but I still hunger for the powder. Splitboarding has allowed me to stay active and still get fresh rides every time I go out. I recently heard about the Wasatch Split Fest, looks like a good time.

I'm sending off this care package to them for their raffle that benefits the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center. Stoked to be able to be part of the event on behalf of SCOTT Sports.

Contents: 3 Next2Skin wool base layer tops, 5 straps, 2 Bike DVD's (had to add something bike related), 1 pair Gore-Tex gloves, 10 medical kits, 1 Life-Link pack (SCOTT just bought Life-Link), 1 Life-Link slope meter, 4 pairs of socks and 5 50% discount cards for online purchases. Snowboard not included;) Now I just have to find a way to get there...

450 Miles on the SR Suntour Epicon 29"

I committed to switching to big wheels this season and it's been awesome. The 27.5" (650b) platform was easy to get the hang of but the 29" wheels eluded me. So I scrambled to together a Spark 900 (or 29'r) and thanks to SR Suntour I received an Epicon 29" 100mm fork to complete the bike. I've done a lot of fork testing in my time and I was excited to try something new but I have to admit I had my reservations about the brand. Those were short lived. The fork is absolutely worthy in the performance department and it's easy maintenance are a bonus.

Durability- After 450 miles of testing I am happy to report that it's been care free in regards to maintaining constant air pressure. I have never had to re-adjust the pressure once I had sag set. So the air system is bomber. The seals have never had a drop of oil weep past the wipers. Because the wiper seals have remained dry there has been no dust build up around the wiper, one of the most common reasons for contamination. The type of tolerances needed to have proper bushing and seal alignment to the point of no oil weeping past the wipers is very precision. It instills confidence in SR Suntour's Quality Control when I see that kind of performance in the field. The fork has been tested in the fine red dirt of Utah as well as sandy conditions in Idaho, the only conditions I've not experienced is the wet of the NW so I cannot speak for those.

Performance- I hate making brand comparisons, but this fork feels like a really good FOX Float. It has no real widgets to speak of except the rebound knob and the remote lock out so it's simple performance, but it's the simplicity that is so nice. No crazy platforms to overcome, or high and low speed compression to tune in, everything is already pre-tuned. And let's face it, on a 100mm fork who needs two compression knobs. I really never even used the lockout because the fork tune was good.

Comments- The QR axle made me crazy, mostly because all of my front hubs are DT Swiss. The floating spacer in a DT Swiss hub renders the axle system "not so quick". The end cap has to be depressed a second time upon removal of the axle to clear the second bearing and that requires a long stick or something to poke inside the hub. Luckily I'm using Tubeless tires and never suffered a front flat over the course of 450 miles so it never became an issue on the trail but in the shop or when using a roof rack it was a bummer. So... Don't use the fork with a DT hub.

Summary- I think SR Suntour has upped their game significantly with this product, they have some excellent riders racing the product so for sure they are worth taking a look at. They also happen to be the manufacturer of other brands forks so you may not know it but you might already be riding an SR Suntour fork. At $475 dollars it is one of the lowest price forks you can get with the performance of a higher end product.