Look at this! This is the new velodrome that has been completed in Boulder CO. Not only can you get your tracky on, you can also practice some MTB circuts when your through with the speed suit. Wicked. Im gunna start building one around my house this weekend, who's with me?

seen here

Thanks to the thirty hardcore cyclists who showed up at Bogert Park in the middle of a torrential downpour to ride wet streets, muddy trails, avoid (or partake in) physical altercations with a transient, summit the shit out of multiple fake rocks, go to the ends of the earth (or at least the end of our humble little burg), and then finish it all up by drinking cans of Miller High Life beer while soaking wet.

A number of the requirements on the manifest involved riders taking photos of various elements around town with the purpose of them being voted on after the ride by a couple of the event sponsors (Stevil of "All Hail the Black Market", John F. of "Chunkstyle", and Pete of "M.O.R.B.I.D." and maybe local bicycling non-celebrity or two such as Sethanol. Five people submitted photos that had about thirteen people in them so rather than vote on anything I'll just post 'em up for people to enjoy and if any of the photos get a bunch of comments I'll give them a prize (I haven't actually received the prize I want to give away yet no thanks to 685... I should really contact him and tell him to send that to me).

To view the photos in full-resolution, visit the collection of photos on Flickr:

Redundancy Alleycat Photos

Comment away on ones you like. A few of them are worthy of posting here for one reason or another - reasons I've stated in their captions.

Tom getting his photo taken withe the AHTBM sign as required in the manifest just before getting punched in the neck by the transient dude who happened to live at this alleycat stop. Doh.

Instructions at one of the stops included the words "...Keep in mind that Stevil [a judge] is a dirty fuck so no amount of lewdness will offend him. Middle fingers, bare asses, and beers represent, mofos!" so why not take it seriouly? They took it seriously elsewhere also - - check the photo gallery for that ravishing pic.

Anytime there's blood let during an event that supposed to be fun is awesome.

Why is this a good photo? It has High Life in it, obviously.

If there was or is going to be a photo contest I think this entry by Liz should win based simply on the fact that is completely and totally for the win.

The Revival is the first feature film from Skitch and Morehart Films. It has been 6 months in the making, with locations including Toronto, Vancouver, New York and Seattle. I think its really cool having a video that isn't focused just on the riders ripping around one particular city and Im excited to see the finished project. World premiere is happening on Nov.8th in Vancouver BC.

Here is the latest and final trailer. See more about the riders and up-coming premiere dates on their site! And yes this movie will be in HIGH DEFINITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$#$!#$#!!!!!!!!!

Seen everywhere... including here

I suppose that this post will mean a lot more if you're read the previous post and wondered what it was that Andrew was talking about. It will also make a lot more sense if you've been down to the kitchen and have been privy to all the "Engrish" jokes made about this bicycle frame. Unlike Andrew's find, "...this one is unfortunately not guaranteed."

I suppose that this post wont mean much unless you have been down to the kitchen lately, but for those that have this one is for you. I found another Precision Mechanism. This one is unfortunately not guaranteed, though maybe it will be after testing.

Just one Mechanism? I wonder which one it is.

These are the results in this past weekends Redundancy Alleycat Bicyle Race and Bicycle Race.  A race report, photo, and video post will follow next week.  I'd also like to suggest individual racers or teams submit race reports as well, too, additionally, and also as well.

Before I list the winners I'd like to thank our race sponsors whom provided a box of prizes that were given away after the race. They are (in no particular order), Stevil Kinevil of "All Hail the Black Market", Pete of "MORBID", John F. of "Chunkstyle", Wiley of "Practical Pedal", and 685 of "Pentabike" (who hasn't actually mailed me the prize yet and whom I'd best contact to bitch at).

Special thanks to John C. for recording race results at race end. If I missed your name, give me a shout and I'll add you to the list.

Racers, in order of arrival:

1. Holly
2. Sten
3. Alex
4. Natalie
5. Scot
6. Casey
7. Andrew
8. Tom
9. Mike
10. Gunnar
11. Joe
12. Alice
13. Reuben
14. Katie
15. Steve
16. Jeff
17. Malcolm
18. Colin
19. Hannah
20. Matthew
21. Ned
22. Adam
23. Nash

Raced, but did not finish:

• Justin
• Zach
• Daniel

Official Final Race Results as Professionally Recorded (and Written Down) by John C. on this Paper Plate

OK, so remember that movie The Island ? Well you can read about it there, though basically it was about famous people having clones so that when they have a accident or need some new organs they can just harvest them from their clones. Well looky what I found here! Yes its Ewan McGregor riding a fixed gear but thats not the point. Do you see?! No helmet. I think that we can all agree that this is pretty hard evidence that The Island was not just another mindless actions -thriller crapped out of Michael Bay's butt. It's reality. He probably has like 10 other Ewans just hanging out in some growth chamber underground waiting to replace him when he gets smoked by a garbage truck.

seen here

This Saturday I partook in my second cyclocross event of the season. The weather had called for a high of 50 with 70 percent chance of rain and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Luckily the wind was the only negative part of that forecast that became a reality. Though this was only my second cyclocross race, I don't have many different race stories to compare it too, however, I had my best start EVER this Saturday. Right off the line was dodging racers like NYC cabs and managed to work my way to 8th going into the first turn and remained so after the hurdles. Though all that changed when I found myself flipping over the bars after getting forced into a bad transition at the bottom of a super steep berm. The rest of the field, that included 50 riders total, caught up and passed me as I regrouped myself on the ground. For the rest of the race another rider and I battled it out until the last lap, finishing just a wheels length behind him. They only posted the top 20 positions, so I figured by the number of people still on the course when I had finished and number of riders that finished ahead of me that I probably took about 36 or 37th.

Here are some pictures of pain/game face

Thanks Mom.

Sometimes yah just gotta let it all out.

Thanks to my mom and stepdad for coming out to visit this weekend and driving all the way to Missoula with me for the race.

F*$k you and your secondary manifest, John.

Over the course of the winter you'll notice a few new virtual pens being placed to the e-paper that is The Bozeman Fix. A handful of new authors have been delegated to bring Bozemanites fresh perspectives on the Bozeman bicycling scene.

The administration at The Fix are soliciting for other authors as well. If you're an active cyclist in Bozeman and you think the writing and photography you would offer to this blog fits within the scope of work already here get in touch with us.

Stay tuned to this here informational ressource for all-things Bozeman, bikes, beer, and bacon.  

Hey everyone- I know that The Fix is not a mountain bike website but many folks in Bozeman who like to ride fixed gears and play polo and take part in other sorts of bike shenanigans also like to ride with knobbies on dirt. Because of this I am re-posting an email I received this morning from Bob of the Montana Mountain Bike Alliance. This might seem to be a bit alarmist, but Montana now has a unique combination of miles and miles of trails while being poised to lose bike access to much of it.
Please take a few minutes to ponder what kind of precedent our situation presents. The science supports responsible use of bikes on dirt, a significant part of local economies benefit from moutnnain bike tourism, and bikes are a great way to get kids off of couches and families spending time together in the great outdoors. Sadly, this message is proving difficult to get out with a well-funded, closed minded and collusive Wilderness contingent closing doors in our collective faces.
If this is something that you'd like to be part of there's a few things that you can do to make a difference: join the Montana Mountain Bike Alliance, Check out the Montana Mountain Bike Network ning site, or even just follow Montana Mountain Bike Network on Twitter.

Thanks!
-DNA

It's Game On in Montana and we need your help!

Late Summer - Early Fall 2009 Update

Montana continues to be the nation's focal point for mountain bicycle advocacy and land access challenges with a pending Wilderness bill, a recent court ruling and the enactment of the Forest Service Region 1 bicycle banning 'philosophy' that could close 1,200 miles of alpine singletrack in the next few years. The underlying issues in Montana have the potential to set bad bicycle precedent that could spread across the country. Unfortunately we are ground zero in what seems like a cruel joke but the threats to our continued access to great trails are real, advancing and irrevocable. Be sure to comment on the Bitterroot Travel Plan before the November 5th deadline!

• On Sunday October 10th a story ran in the New York Times that highlights some of the challenges we face as cyclists here in Montana. The piece gives a disturbing insight into the Region One bicycle banning philosophy. Entitled Growth in Mountain Biking May Put Western Trails Off Limits, the piece should sound the alarm for all those who cherish their backcountry access and motivate even the most APATHETIC among us to become active advocates. Does the conventional conservation group-think offer that because bicycling has been successful in getting more people off the couch, reducing obesity, promoting good health, boosting rural economies and connecting people with the outdoors that we should have our access restricted? PAY ATTENTION!
  

• WSA LAWSUIT - Sept. 28th - Ruling on a lawsuit filed by the Montana Wilderness Assoiciation, The Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the Wilderness Society, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy states that the Gallatin National Forest travel plan did not do enough to ensure the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area kept its wilderness characteristics. The ruling means that the Forest Service will have to revisit how the HPBH WSA is managed. Named as a threat to solitude in the lawsuit, mountain bicycle access to the 220 miles on 36 alpine trails south of Bozeman and east of Big Sky that fall into the 155,000 acre WSA will again be on the table for possible closure - including trails in upper Hyalite and Porcupine drainages. Read Article. View Lawsuit.
  

• An article appearing on NewWest.net allowed MMBA to weigh in on Senator Tester's Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. The piece uses the 2nd Annual Backcountry Bicycle Festival in Lima as a backdrop to examine the important link between access to great trails and prospering small town economies. Take a moment to read the article, and if you have time, puruse the comments that follow. An Important Read!
  

• On October 5th the U.S. Forest Service released the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan that spells out the latest management directive for the CDNST. A must read, albeit it dry, for anyone who is concerned about future bicycle access to the spectacular and irreplaceable trail resource. Also important to note is the position statement from the Continental Divide Trail Alliance on mountain bike use of the Continental Divide Trail. Knowledge is Power.
  

So what can you do?

• The most important and immediate action that EVERYONE OF YOU can do today is to comment of the Bitterroot Travel Management Plan before the November 5th deadline. Please see our Bitterroot Comment Suggestions page for more details. No matter where you live it is vital that you weigh in on this particular TMP as bad bicycle policy is spreading and your backyard could be next! May guilt and pinch flats plague you for eternity if you do not comment! Apathy Sucks. Don't depend on others to carry your load. This is APATHY FOR THE BITTERROOT! Please take 15 minutes to write your letter for future mountain biking opportunities. We need to bury the Forest Service with comments.
  

• Tune into Yellowstone Public Radio out of Billings, Montana this morning, Wednesday October, 21st, to help MMBA spread our pro-bicycle, pro-conservation message. MMBA will be issuing a challenge to the cycling community during the morning fund raising broadcast from 6 – 9 a.m. (MST). Participate and listen online at www.ypradio.org online or find your local frequency. No matter where you live or whether you already donate to YPR or not, this will be a great opportunity to flex our collective bicycle muscles for a great cause!

• DONATE! MMBA is a volunteer organization staffed by passionate, commited and masochistic cyclists funded by the change in their pockets and support from folks like you. Give what you can. We appreciate it!
  

Montana Mountain Bike Alliance
P.O. Box 7023
Bozeman, MT 59771

www.montanamountainbikealliance.com

"Whatever the social question, a bicycle should be part of the answer!"

Winter's here. Pack the bikes up. Thanks for all the great rides and memories. It's been real.

Wait, what an I saying? So there's skiing already in Bozeman (as long as you're willing to use or make rock boards) and about 4 inches of snow on the ground in town. Riding isn't done for those who would rather be astride wheels than atop planks. It might be tough, you might (will) struggle, and you might have to drive a bit to get to the riding- but you can ride. Trust me.

For the purposes of this post I'm going to try to stick to real trails, with real singletrack. In the winter you might not always have this luxury- but you'll usually be able to get that fat-tire fix. I'm also going to stick to regular mountain bikes- I don't have a Pugsley (hell yeah I want one though).

Pipestone

Most Bozeman folks know about Pipestone. It's a little climatic anomaly just over an hour west from town. Nestled in the rain shadow of the Continental Divide the whole area tends to stay relatively free of snow. And by relatively, I mean it will have three to four inches of the white stuff compared to the three to four feet we'll have in Bozeman. The best times of the year to ride at Pipestone are in the spring (late March through early late May) and autumn (October to late November). It is often possible to ride in midwinter- I've been there in January (in shorts!) during a warm snap and in six inches of the lightest powder at 8º in February after a few hours of skiing fresh powder (there's a story here, but I'll save that for another time).
Essentially, throughout the winter you can ride in Pipestone. How many of the trails you can ride on depends on the amount of snow received, but usually there's enough to scratch the itch.


South Cottonwood

Just a few miles southwest of Bozeman lies one of the most popular trails close to town. South Cottonwood is unique in that it is not nearly as steep as most of our trails, despite its paralleling a moving body of water. These two factors- high foot traffic and moderate grade make it variably ridable midwinter. On more than one occasion I've driven there with XC skis and bike- and I've chosen the bike. The furthest I've made it is about a half mile past the third bridge and if I had fatter tires I probably could have gone further. Studded tires are usually necessary if there has not been considerable snow for a few weeks- but that's when the trail is the most ridable.
A nice side benefit to riding a packed, icy trail is that the trail is insulated from your tires, so you can't do any damage. Yes, you can slide around corners to your heart's content. Braaap!

Sourdough Canyon (Bozeman Creek)
A couple of details about Bozeman Creek: it's not singletrack and you'll have to deal with acerbic glances from XC skiers. Like South Cottonwood it's better after a few snow-free and cold days. It regularly gets groomed by the Bridger Ski Foundation so the snow usually is nicely hard-packed and consistent. This is another area where I've ridden a few miles up (after riding there from town) on 2.1" tires without issue- unless you count the cold glares from skate skiers as I passed them uphill and again downhill.
Please respect the work the BSF does, especially regarding the classic ski track set. Sourdough is a multi-use trail but screwing up the skiers' fun won't win the mountain bike community any favors.


East Gallatin Recreation Area

Close to town on the other side of the interstate is a pond, park, and small network of trails. These trails do not get groomed for skiing and see a LOT of foot traffic. While a little bumpy these trails are usually plenty firm for normal sized tires. Do be aware of people walking though.

Well, there's a few ideas for you. Remember a few key details to make any attempts at riding more successful- fatter tires, a period of cold snow-free weather, and platform pedals. Disc brakes and singlespeeds make things a bit easier but are not necessary. This winter I might experiment with building a set of 24" wheels with fat tires- I'll certainly document that if it happens.


Remember, skiing is tons of fun but there's only one way to satisfy a craving for mountain biking. With a bit of preparation you can sucessfully ride in the winter- even in Montana!

BOZEMAN ALLEYCAT 2009

REDUNDANCY ALLEYCAT 2009 is an informal bicycle race presented to you by samh.net. For those unaware, Alleycat races are regularly organized events often found in cities across North America, Europe and Asia with strong bicycle messenger cultures. As Bozeman has no messenger culture Alleycat races are instead frequented by the urban cyclist culture (yes, that means you too are also invited as well, hipsters).

SPECIFICS

To achieve SUCCESS at REDUNDANCY ALLEYCAT 2009 each cyclist will have visit a series of checkpoints. At each checkpoint the cyclist will either have to perform a task, acquire an object, or write down a keyword. In order to perform these tasks the following items are required (cyclists riding in teams need only carry one of the following not including lights).

1. $5 entry fee
2. bicycle
3. messenger bag or backpack
4. camera or camera phone
5. writing utensil
6. front and rear bicycle lights

In exchange for your five dollar entry fee each racer will be provided a manifesto (aka a list of checkpoints and tasks) as well as a spokecard.

At the end of the race the winner will be determined based on how quickly they completed the course as well how successfully they completed the tasks. Mad props will obviously be given to anyone attending in drag.

WHEN and WHERE

REDUNDANCY ALLEYCAT 2009 will be held Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 7:00pm. It will be a LeMans start from the pavillion area of the park.

MORE INFO

Questions? Contact info available for this event at samh.net/alleycat.

Via Chelsea from International Coffee Traders Coffee House:

A black Kona Blast. Singlespeed, Fenders, Maxxis Holy Rollers Tires, Disc Brakes.
Stolen from 13th and Koch.

Send email to casey AT bozemanbikekitchen DOT org with any information. Information leading to the return of the bike will be rewarded with a free tune-up from the Bzn Bike Kitchen.

C-NOTE

Ok, kids. Wednesday night Polo has been off-the-fucking-hook but it's starting to get dark too soon to get enough real games in. So we are adding Sunday afternoon games to the schedule. 4pm at the Bogert pavilion where hopefully we can play well into the fall, or at least until the hockey rink is put up. If Bogert is problematic we'll resume play at the Hawthorne school.

Also, SamH started a Bozeman page at the bikepolo.ca site, which has (thankfully) replaced MySpace as the international bike polo informaiton exchange. Go there, join, start some shit.

We've also got a local page dedicated to Bike Polo in Bozeman. John C put together a Ning site for us, and that's where the most current local Polo information is going to be. Go there. Now. http://bozemanbikepolo.ning.com/


That's all for now.

-DNA

Bozeman Hardcourt Bike Polo from samh on Vimeo.

The first one is out there- go find it!

How does it sound to go ride your bike around and find stuff? Pretty good idea? Yup, thought so.
Head over to velocachebozeman.ning.com to join in and play a little velocaching. Unlike geocaching, we don't bother with GPS coordinates. When someone leaves a cache they simply take pictures from the drop location. The game's on when the pictures are posted. Multiple caches can be in play, and the key rule is that you need to use a bike to get to it. Share some stuff and share your knowledge of town with others. There's a few rules but I won't bore you with them here.

Thanks (once again) to the Boise cats for the inspiration. In fact, just check out their site.

-DNA

A special game of Bozeman Hardcourt Bike Polo is scheduled for Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 7pm, Hawthorne School (Rouse and Mendenhall). Be there.

We've got a new game coming up. You'll find out in a few days. It will involve bikes, cameras, and computers.

-DNA

Thanks to Doug and Outside Bozeman Magazine.

OK, so here's where we're at. I'm working (and can't escape) Saturday. I also am having a hard time finding someone who is willing to run the alleycat that day. So I am moving it to Sunday. Meet at International Coffee Traders on South 10th (by campus) at 1:30 on Sunday. Cost is $10. Yes, that's a bit steep but there's no prizes- just cash. And I'd like to be able to give something to more than just the winner. We'll have a few beers and we'll round out the day with some polo at the Hawthorne school, say around 5pm.
Don't forget about the Main Street Sprints tomorrow night! They start at 6 and will be going from Grand to Black. Get down there early, get a drink from the Crystal, and get yerself a good spot from which to heckle.

-DNA

Yep, I know that's what a lot of you are thinking. It's been too damn long since I've posted anything here and even longer since we had an alleycat in Bozeman. A few things have been going on, I'm going to take the liberty to use them as excuses:

• the shop I work at moved and we've been really busy trying to not fall behind.
• I've been working with a great bunch of folks trying to keep our trails from getting closed to mountain bikes, including putting together this site(which I encourage you to be part of).
• You know, I'm not the only one who can put on an alleycat. Just sayin.

But I'm not writing to say what's been going on, I'm writing to tell you what kinds of awesome are coming up. For starters, polo has been happening every Wednesday like it was last year at 7 every Wednesday behind the Hawthorne School on the corner of Rouse and Mendenhall.
But the big news is this weekend. You might be aware of the Bozeman Stage Race happening this weekend (25th and 26th), also referred to in some circles as the Bozeman Omnium. It consists of a road race, time trial and Main Street sprints. Well, that's cool and all, but since I'd rather not hang out with a bunch of guys in lycra all day we're putting on the Bozeman alt.Omnium. Still three stages, one being the Main Street Sprints (which has a single/fixed gear class). Instead of the road race, we'll have an alleycat. Instead of the time trial, we'll play some hardcourt bike polo. And we'll probably drinka a lot of beer too.
I know this is short notice, and I can't guarantee any prizes other than a bit of cash, but if you can make it out to the BZN for a couple of days we'll make sure you have a good time and that you have a place to sleep. Shoot me an email if you have any questions.
Heads up- the Main Street Sprints are organized and run by the MBRA (or whoever is running it) and IS a USCF event. That means you need one brake (two if not running fixed) and a one day license. Looks like $25.

-DNA

On Wednesday night games of Hardcourt Bike Polo are played in Bozeman. Be there. 7 pm, Hawthorne School (corner of Rouse and Mendenhall). Bring a good attitude.  Bikes and mallets available for borrowing. 

In June of 2009 I made up my mind to move from one apartment to the other. I also made up my mind to make this move using only bicycles and bicycle trailers. After making up my mind to do this I did some research and found some great testimony to this from other individuals and groups having done this on the Internet.

Two days ago, after I'd decided to move I found out about a contest that Madsen Cycles was putting on. If you're interested in helping me win, click this link to their site and check out their cool bicycles (it'll open in a new tab/window).

Madsen Cargo Bikes

I started off on a Sunday afternoon by loading a few plastic tubs into the "kid trailer" I pull with my Schwinn Tempo road bike.

Schwinn Tempo and Converted Kid Trailer.

After the first load with the Schwinn I sent a text message to my buddy Captain E to see if I could borrow his Madsen Cargo Bike. I did two more loads with my Schwinn/trailer combo and then heard back from Captain E so I cruised down to pick up the Madsen.

Upon retrieving the Madsen and Captain E's homemade bike trailer I could tell that this game was ON! I rode it home and began to load it up with my stuff. I've moved a lot in my day and I have numerous plastic tubs to hold just about everything. This made loading the flatbed trailer a breeze.

The Madsen loaded up.

The consecutive loads went off without a hitch as well. I was able to stack tubs on the trailer and bulky, odd-shaped items into the Madsen's ample bucket.

The snowboards depict a common site in any Bozeman move.

Note the fly rods sticking out the top of the traffic cone.

Having things packed well from the get-go is important.

Furniture, skis, you name it!

The last load I had been contemplating since the start. When I set off to make this move using only a bicycle I assumed that the last load I made would be in my automobile. I justified that I would have to move my car from one location to the next and that it made sense to load it up with stuff. Although, as I proceeded further and further with the move I became more and more stubborn to move everything with cycles. The last item left was my boxspring, mattress, and bed frame. I solicited the help of fellow members of the Bozeman bicycling community whom I know are up for general jackassery such as this. Responses from SingleTrackM1nd and tjdzor came swiftly and with great enthusiasm.

The three of us sat in the sunshine pondering the massive load, first making attempts to put the mattresses on SingleTrackM1nd's Xtracycle. The weight was no problem for the Xtracycle but the size was. It became clear, quickly that the Madsen would have to be used as the width of the bucket was idea for balancing the width of the load of the bed.

After placing the load onto the bucket one test run was made unsuccessfully but I felt confident in my abilities so we re-secured the load and set off down the street. SingleTrackM1nd and tjdzor road ahead blatantly stopping traffic at the two major intersections, laughing, shouting, and capturing video along the way. The load was precarious and it required great concentration but in the end there was SUCCESS! A whimsical video was captured by tjdzor. Check it out:

This article blatantly stolen from Utilitarian Transports

The Cargo Commuter
It’s a bike you can comfortably commute on, yet still haul that bag of potting soil or massive discount box of diapers on. The rack was designed to hold one of those big rubbermade containers with the lid, but we’ve used everything from old suitcases to pails, or just piling the stuff on and tying it down with old inner tubes.

We take the retrofit candidate, inspect it, famesave it, and reinforce it (only if applicable). We then extend the head tube and add a sweet hand made front rack to the new headtube and frame of the bike. This brings the size of the front wheel down to a 20″. (or 16″ or 26″ etc.) We replace the old fork with a smaller one designed for the new front wheel, extend the steerer tube, and after all that we paint it, build it, and test ride it.

Attaching the rack directly to the frame provides the rider with a few nice things:

• Having the rack lower creates more carrying capacity and makes for a more stable ride.
• The 20″ wheel is stronger and can handle loads better.
• One can keep a close eye on their load while riding.
• Seeing how the rack doesn’t move when you turn the handlebars, there is no heaving when turning with big loads. (up to 150 pounds)

Ok, polo is on again for tonight. I've got the mallets and ball but i won't be showing up until around 6:30-7. Also, we've been having issues with cones, so maybe keep in mind where we might be able to obtain some.

See you tonight .


-DNA

From the Bozeman Daily Chronicle May 13th, 2009

Ergo, Polo is still on tonight, bitches. I won't be there til 6:30 or so.

-DNA

I'm busy. This will be concise.

Polo Tonight, same place. 6pm.

-DNA

Unless you want to go play with yourself. 'Cuz I don't think anyone else is going to be there.



-DNA

I got an email this morning from Ian:

My roommate's Masi was deprived of its wheels last night. The frame was not taken, although unlocked. I think the reason the thief left the frame was due to the "custom" paint job.

Put the word out, not too many people have white deep-v wheels

Thanks,

Ian

Good thing (for the thief) we don't live in Wyoming:

And while we're on the subject of bike thief related stickers:

Keep your eyes peeled
-DNA

Nine players. Three Taco'd wheels. Three mallets caught in wheels. Three times I hit the ground. Three new guys. One broken mallet. One damn great night of bike polo.

Next week, same time and place. More people = more heckling = more fun. Come on down, it's a great time. We'll even let you use our mallets and bikes (for a while- then you gotta build your own).



-DNA

Hardcourt Bicycle Polo

Wednesday Nights - 6:00 pm*

Hawthorne School at Rouse and Mendenhall

*I redundantly request that you also be there as well.

This weekend the Gallatin Valley Bike Club is holding their annual Bike Swap at the fairgrounds. You can drop off bikes on Friday night and if you're looking to buy show up on Saturday morning. If you're a GVBC member you get in an hour before the rest of the unwashed masses. It costs $10 to join. Seems worth it to me.

Anyway, the point of this post. I have a small apartment. I share this apartment with seven bikes (honestly, the best roommates I've yet had). I'd like a bit more room so I've decided to bring the bike I ride the least to the swap- my Cannondale Cyclocross bike. This sassy little number is all hot to trot in her sultry red paint and Avid BB7 disc brakes. I've enhanced the already stellar braking by bumping the front rotor to a 7". Like any hot-blooded trailer park princess this baby's fast and has no problems letting everyone know it. She's got a Girl-Next-Door charm to her with Tiagra drivetrain but a hint of foreign mystique emanates from her Velocity Deep-Vs. Between her unyielding frame and Specialized Houffalize tires she'll run you ragged and begging for more. Oh yeah. This honey's well-proportioned with her 54cm seat tube, 55cm top tube, and 120mm stem.

All this, and I'm asking $1000. It goes to the swap at $1100. If you're interested in an unrelentingly fast 'cross specific bike (none of this 'freeroad' crap here) and you're about 5'7" to about 5'11" shoot me an email. It's at the shop until 6pm tomorrow night. I'd say it's got about 500-600 miles on it.




-DNA

This guy seems to think bikes don't belong on the road. The comments are amusing since he is pretty much being berated up one side and down the other.

You can send this asshat an email at colmanz1@msu.edu

I have no words for this level of stupidity.

Case

Here we are, back to the time of year when we start to (maybe a little hastily) don the sandals and shorts. This is also when we start to get excited about the coming season.
We've got a few things going on in the Bozeman bike community that I find especially titillating. The Bozeman Bike Kitchen has a great new space. The Montana Mountain Bike Alliance is actively advocating for protecting the wild lands surrounding us. This summer brings a stage race with Main Street sprints and there's also a 500 mile super endurance race.
We've also got some fun in store. Remember the awesomeness of Bike Polo? Yeah, that's right. It's returning with a vengeance next Wednesday. Show up at the basketball court behind the Hawthorne school. 6pm to start, maybe going a bit later in the summer.
Oh, there's more. Late Summer into early Fall we'll be starting up our Clunker Downhill "races". Get an old cruiser at a yard sale, make it work, and we'll meet up at Moser for some ridiculous fun riding inappropriate bikes on trails and gravel roads.
And don't forget about Rockysprints. Save for a few special events through the year there's only three more. Just imagine drag racing, except in a bar. Instead of explaining it, just check it out here.

Sound good? I thought so.

-DNA

p.s. There will also be alleycats. If you have to ask, big man...well...just stay tuned.

Wednesday, April 15th, 6pm 'til it's dark

Hawthorne School at Rouse and Mendenhall

C'mon down - - unless it's raining - - then don't bother

After a lengthy absence we will be putting on Rockysprints this Sunday, April 5th. Still at 317, Still $2.50 Sierra Nevada specials for anyone racing. No more Monday nights.

3pm, SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY at 317. See you there.

-DNA

Free bicycle touring clinic. April 5th, Bozeman Public Library.

Last night I dropped by 317 to discuss Sprints. As you may know, we've been having significantly fewer people show up than last year. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that Monday night is not when people like to go to a bar- and I can't blame them.
So Ryan and I discussed two things- moving Sprints to Sunday afternoons and having only four days in which we have Sprints.

So far, the dates for Rockysprints at 317 are April 5th and 19th and May 3rd and 17th. Times are looking like they'll go from 3in the afternoon til 7 in the evening. I'd love to get a good crowd, these events are most fun with at least 30 people.

So Sunday, April 5th show up at 317 at 3pm. Go for a good ride in the morning so you feel like you've earned some fun, if you must.

-DNA

Hey all. Tonight after work I'm going to be trying to talk to the fine folks at 317 to see about switching up what day we have Rockysprints. We've been getting only about 10-12 people a week to ride, and the last time there were only three. Including me.
I'm going to be shooting for Sunday afternoons, probably from 3 through 7. Leave a comment if you like this idea or not. I'll post here when something is figured out.

-DNA

I just got off the phone with Mike at 317, verifying that they are going to be open tonight. That means that Rockysprints are on! We're still having $2.50 pints for anyone racing and there's no cost to race. We also got a new Trek Soho S last week for the races, courtesy of Larry at Trek.
Drop by tonight, hang out, have a couple of beers and settle some scores with your friends.
9pm at 317.

See you there!

-DNA