Ok, I've been saying for a few months now that I'm going to get goldsprints going here in Bozeman. We've got one set of rollers (mine) and a location (317). The Opensprints site is up and running and much more complete than it's been. It has plenty of info on the hardware and software setup, but frankly, it goes over my head AND I don't have time to get it going. The bikes/rollers/location I can do.
If anyone wants to help, leave a comment or email.

Thanks!

No, my dream is not (merely) attractive ladies on bikes. Trust me, it goes a bit deeper than that.
I've been an avid cyclist for something like 17 years, more than half my life. I've got fixed gear bikes, single speed mountain bikes, a dedicated bike polo bike, a cyclocross bike, soon a 5"travel mountain bike, and Xtracycle. I love bikes, they're my passion (shared with food and beer) and there are few things I love more than sharing this passion with others. For example, my favorite mountain bike ride I can think of is a short 3 mile ride that takes two hours because I am bringing someone along for the first time. I like to think my passion for riding is contagious.
But what would make me happiest is not making more people into cyclists, it's simply getting more people on bikes. Normal people, who just want to get to work without wasting money on gas. People who know there are better ways to save the earth than by buying carbon credits, or by buying a Prius. Earnest folks who do what is within their immediate capacity to pull their own weight.
And that is what I like about this blog, Copenhagen Cycle Chic. Yes, it's a bit voyeuristic. But it gives a glimpse of my dream: A culture with citizens who ride bikes who aren't cyclists.

Today I woke up to sun and warmth (and some dreaddy guy on my couch, but that's another story). Just a few days ago I had finished building up my new everyday steed, the KHS Winner. This puppy is a early 80's cheap lugged steel frame, completely free of any kind of strong and light steel alloy, like chrome-moly. Now, I'm absolutely NOT complaining about this, I'm grateful to Sethanol for sending this thing my way free of charge. It's just heavy, like 25 lbs in fixed-gear trim.
Anyway, I'm pretty damn excited to have this built after cracking the frame on my previous daily commuter and it really is the perfect daily commuter for me. It's a 56, with a 56 top tube, the parts from my grey bike (like the XC Pro bottom bracket) fit and it was designed for use with 27" wheels, so with 700's there is plenty of breathing room for meatier tires and full fenders.
I had considered skiing today, but when the warmth arrives I think more about riding, doubly so when I have a new (to me) bike.
So I went for a damn ride.
Embarking on my trip I thought "Oh, a nice easy 20 mile spin would be nice". As soon as I started up Story Mill Road past the dump I realized that I had not had a good ride for too long to go easy. So it was on past the dump into the Bridger foothills onto some nicely packed snow roads. Traction was adequate until I started down Sypes Canyon Road. I found that despite retaining my strength by commuting all winter by bike, I had lost my high-rpm form. Choppily descending at about 40 rpm faster than I could really handle I came upon a slick patch of snow- I couldn't hit the front brake, and I've got no rear brake, so I was left with trying to slow through pedaling. With limited traction this technique is not as reliable as on dry pavement as the rear wheel started locking up and sliding to one side or another with every pedal stroke. The passing car did nothing to calm me, so I had one option left: Accelerate. I got on the gas, the rear straightened out, and I managed to spin smoothly enough to get past the hazard. Yikes!
From then it was pretty uneventful- I made a left on McIlhattan back to Story Mill to 86. WHile at the intersection of SM and rt 86 I made the (masochistic)decision to head left towards Kelly Canyon. Climbing up most of the dirt road was fine until the final half mile of 14% packed snow. At points riding my bike was more like rowing, I had this amusing lunge-pull-lunge-pull thing going on. Halfway up the hill my normal motorcycle noises and primal grunts changes to a high-pitched wheezing. It was probably good that I was alone. Anyway, I made it up without walking and stopped for a few minutes to let the pounding of my heart calm down before heading back into town.
A great early ride!

Here's a little something coming up next month. On the 15th of February at the Emerson there's going to be a gallery event. There's a traveling photo display featuring shots from Greg Siple from Adventure Cycling, and he'll be there talking about his travels. They're also taking submissions to display five interesting/eclectic/weird/funny bikes in the Jessie Wilber gallery for a month and a half. Send them a pic of your bike if you think it's good enough.
Click on this link.
4:30 PM Friday, Feb 15th. The ballroom will be open, so you can bring your bikes inside during the social hour before the actual opening. There will also be beer. Maybe wine, too.
See ya there.

I've got a few things to cover here before the battery dies on my computer.
First, I've started a new blog dedicated solely to the reporting of trail conditions around here, check it out at bozemantrailreport.blogspot.com. I've sent out invites to a few folks and am looking for more people who are willing to take a few minutes to post some words about the condition of wherever they rode. I can't offer you anything in return other than greater knowledge of where to ride. Think of it as giving back to the cycling community. I put my email on the profile page so if you're interested send me a note and I'll set you up.

Second, as some of you may know Wiley and I are working on getting a Goldsprints-like thing happening here. I can't guarantee that it will be easy or that you won't throw up, but I can assure you that it's gonna be fun. Ryan at 317 has given us permission to set it up on Sunday or Monday nights and we have some of the equipment needed. Any equipment donations will be greatly appreciated by all. When it's going I'll post it here first.

Third, there's going to be a bicycle-themed event at the Emerson in February. I'll put up some more details here as soon as I get them.

For now, that's about it. Keep riding, stay strong, and keep the bike scene alive in these frigid winter months!