Morganzo 55 Wrap-up



The task: ride 55 miles of unforgiving gravel in the first ever Morganzo 55: Double Nickels on the Grime.

click for full map


The players: a ragtag collection of has-beens and never wases...
 (l to r: Jon W, Amy C, Matthew T, Lincoln J, Sam H, your author)

The purpose: the endless pursuit of beauty by bicycle











The challenge: impassible roads, unquenchable thirst




 The reward...


Matthew Thomsen wins the Morganzo Trophy as first overall unsupported badass cyclist. 


Amy Chiuchiolo wins the Hardcore Trophy for killing it in the Morganzo and then riding the Bangtail Divide immediately after. Seriously.


Sam Haraldson wins the Troll Trophy for slaying the hilly Morganzo on only 8 gears. 


Lincoln Jamrog wins the International Trophy for coming all the way from Livingston and building bridges made of gravel. 


Jon Wareham wins the Spirit Award for his positive attitude during multiple mechanicals.


The Minutemen - "This Ain't No Picnic" from  Double Nickels on the Dime


The Minutemen - "Corona" from  Double Nickels on the Dime


Thanks to all the participants and we'll see ya in 2013.

I Normally Ride Bikes...



I normally ride bikes, but when I have to drive a car, I drive my Ford Fiesta (it gets really good mileage) like this...

via Bike Jerks


Morganzo 55: new start time 9am



TIME CHANGE

In response to this crazy heat we've been having, we decided to bump the start time for the Morganzo 55: Double Nickels on the Grime up an hour to 9am.

This Saturday, July 14.

Arrive early to the corner of Dry Creek Rd. & Theisen Rd. north of Belgrade to get your cue sheet and we'll leave promptly at 9.



Some Crazy Shit



Hey jondub... have you seen this one?

via


TEAM DILLY IS THE MAN TRAILER from Kyle Stark on Vimeo.

Morganzo: Double Nickels on the Grime Update


The 55-mile course for Morganzo: Double Nickels on the Grime is looking great. I rode parts of it last night while trying to figure out which machine would suit me best for the actual event on July 14th.

Wanting desperately to use the fully rigid ride pictured below, I installed 42mm tires, dropped the psi, and tested it out last night. Alas, some of the rutted, dried mud sections were still a bit too rough for my comfort level. The rocky, molded sections of road even rattled my water bottle out of its cage at one point.


Fortunately, at least 45 miles are more like the lovely gravel you see above. Even so, I believe suspension (probably a hard tail) is the best choice for the terrain.

And why do they call it Morganzo? See here...

Yup. A bunch of them Morgan kids still have property up there north of town. Hopefully they won't mind us sharing this lovely land with them.

See ya out there in a couple weeks.

Rally 'round the reservoir

To support National Bike Month, GOOD and CLIF Bar are asking you to tell us how you would promote bike riding and get more of your neighbors on bikes. You can vote to bring $1000.00 to support trails around the Hyalite Reservoir.

Dan Lacey is an animal

Dan Lacey kills everything in this clip.  
1:24      180 to fakie smith cab to manual to 360 out
Don't forget the huge 360 over a rail and of course the toothpick to over toothpick. Ridiculous!


 

Bike Polo Opener This Week Canceled

Bike polo has been canceled for Wed. June 20th.

July 14: Double Nickels on the Grime

Join us for the inaugural riding of 



The Morganzo: Double Nickels on the Grime

Saturday, July 14 @ 9am TIME CHANGE



Meet at the corner of Dry Creek Road & Theisen Road north of Belgrade in time to get set up for a 10am start.

WHAT IS IT?
It's a 55-mile bicycle race on gravel roads in the shadow of the Bridger mountains. The course is scenic, hilly and curvy, gaining over 3000' of vertical along the way -- that's the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest from sea level more than 1/10th of the way to the top.



WHY GRAVEL?
Gravel is more fun than pavement and offers more consistent kickass views than singletrack. Plus, there's a movement afoot. Check out Almanzo or Gravel Grinder to learn more about the awesome races that have been going on in the Midwest for several years now.



HOW DOES IT WORK?
In keeping with the spirit of gravel racing, The Morganzo is an unsupported race and you are wholly responsible for your own safety and well-being. Winner gets first choice of beer from the cooler. There is neither an entry fee nor prize money.

RULES

  • You are on your own. Bring everything you need to fix anything that might break or go flat.
  • No littering. Let's show respect for all the beautiful private land we'll be riding through.
  • Helmet required.
  • Winner will be showered with praise and probably cheap beer.
  • Last one home is a rotten egg.
  • Here are more well-written rules to consider that they use in the Trans Iowa.


GOOD IDEAS

  • Be sure to carry plenty of water. 2 bottles probably won't be enough.
  • Ride what ya got, but road tires are not recommended. There is no perfect bike, only perfect doping techniques that can't be detected by the feds...yet.
  • Have a way to easily view the cue sheet (which will be provided). They make fancy stuff for it if you're into gear. Or just hang near the course marshall who created the route.
  • Carpool with a buddy






MORGANZO? DOUBLE NICKELS?
It's local history. It's punk rock. See here for more.


RSVP in the comments if you're in or have questions.



CDT MTN Bike Race 6-14-12


Wed 6/13/12
Sam H, Kirk Ahlberg and myself set out earlier this afternoon from Bozeman to the Butte area to see if we couldn't catch up with some CDT Mountain Bike Racers. Using the smart phones of my bike geek friends along with the spot tracking system ( http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide ) we were able to catch a few riders just west of route 15 south of Butte.

We caught up with a dude named Kevin who started a time trial along the route 2 days before the race began. I wish I could remember his last name, but without the tracking list of riders it is lost on me.We were talking about the riding and the bear bell his daughter gave him for his ride. I hope that his family will find this post and enjoy seeing him in the field getting it done.

Behind Kevin was the fabled Babe the Blue Tandem ridden by last years winner Kurt Refsnider and Caroline Soong who also raced last year. 

I had wondered about Babe and if he was steel or a ti frame. Kurt told me that they always prototype in steel.

 Here is a close up of the Rohlhoff they're running.
 And the grip sifter that Kurt said is giving him some pain while riding.
Ryan Correy riding in close on the tail of the tandem.
Ryan making a move.
The tandem wasn't gonna let him get too far ahead.
Kirk, Sam and myself rode North of the trail to try and catch more riders.  





Dylan Taylor rolling into the top of the pass.
Dylan said he was feeling good and that his new pink bar tape on his bar ends helped.

Katherine Wallace rolling in.

A close up of her fork. I think she said it was a whiskey.


Representing the Kiwis.

Apparently, for you bike geeks out there, Ollie Whalley is running a Rohlhoff with a belt drive.


We were stoked to talk to some of the riders in this years race. They are keeping us stoked and inspired as we follow their beacons from the comfort of our office chairs. 

Ride the Divide!




Tour Divide Beings Today



Interested in following the Tour Divide? Here are some good resources:

And if you haven't seen "Ride The Divide" you can stream it on Netflix.











French Iphone edit

This whole web video was made using some of them there fancy Iphones. It's artsy and shows off much of the amazing street riding to be found in Paris.
enjoy


Our Streets: How We Got To Where We Are



via Strong Towns


This is not real, but should be:

Livingston Bicycle Fest

Livingston Bicycle Fest
Sunday, May 20th 12 to 4pm
Miles Park, Livingston, MT

How a Bicycle is Made



I figured a little schooling was in order since it's Bike Week and all. Follow me, Jimmy, and we'll see what happened before that bicycle just showed up at your neighborhood Woolworth's...


the bicycle is a comfortable and cheap way of getting abouta great boon to man
ideal for shopping
easy to park
handy for work
a faithful friend ever ready to take tired workers back home
and after work,
 to bring relaxation, health & happiness




via

First Time Bike Commuter?

It's Bike Week in the BZN and that first time biking to work can sometimes be a little daunting, but you don't have to let it be.

Check out the comments on this blog post for some great tips for first time commuters:

       http://www.bikecommuters.com/2012/03/16/lets-bike/

Some of the tips that jumped out at me are...

  • you don't need a special bike -- any bike'll do
  • choose the route that is most pleasant, not fastest
  • it's okay to start by just biking in one direction (like maybe take the bus in the morning with your bike and just bike home to avoid getting sweaty)
Happy Bike Week!





Stolen Bike Alert - Raleigh

STOLEN BIKE ALERT:

If you have any info or see this bike, please email us here at The Fix.


Double Nickels on the Grime The Morganzo 55




Printed without permission from Loto Mojo:
There's been a surge the past few years of semi-organized gravel bicycle rides, at least across the Midwest. I first heard about the Almanzo a few years ago and appreciate the independent spirit and grassroots vibe of the ride/race. The Trans Iowa is another one I'd love to ride one day.
Read more and stay tuned to Loto Mojo and here at The Fix for more on this ride / event.

Trans Iowa V8

If you're not already following the Trans Iowa and you're interested in doing so, here's the link to a primary reporter/organizer of the race (ride).


http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/

Hell yeah summer

I know we can all feel summer coming. Here's a great downhill edit to satisfy the cravings:

2012 Bozeman Bike Week Schedule

2012 Bike Week Schedule

Coffee Stops
May 14-18, 2012, 7-9 AM Free drip coffee and refreshments for bicycle commuters at these fine Bozeman Establishments:

Monday (May 14) Rockford Coffee by Team Rockford/Clif and the Bozeman Police Dept. (corner of Rouse/ E. Main)
Tuesday (May 15) Sola Café by Gallatin Alpine Sports (GAS) and Oracle (290 E. Kagy)

Wednesday (May 16) Costco –by Master’s Velo (refreshments: New Day Bakery food and Crema Roasting) (2505 Catron St) *For recommended bike routes to Costco- see facebook.com/bozemanbikeboard
Thursday (May 17) Lil Sherpa Java – by the Dirt Concern (111 E. Mendenhall)
Friday (May 18) Community Food Coop by Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club (908 W Main)

Bike From Work Party

Friday May 18 5-8 pm Lindley Park Center (1102 E Curtiss St) Pasta Dinner (to first 75 arrivees) & Beverages (suggested $5 – 20 donation)/ Raffle Prizes/ Live Music/Bike Activities

Kid's Events
Thursday May 3 (4:30-6:30pm): Bozeman School District K-5 Bike Rodeo - Emily Dickinson School (2435 Annie St). For details contact Julie.smith@bsd7.org or Sharon Navas at 522-6650
Wednesday May 16: Bike to School day – Contact your school for details

Thursday May 17 (4-6pm): Bike and Board Rodeo (for Middle school students, ages 10-14) Chief Joseph Middle School (4255 Kimberwicke St). For details contact Amanda at 522-6312 or Amanda.ferrat@bsd7.org

Bike Commuter Challenge

Join Bozeman’s Bike to Work Challenge by creating a team at your workplace.  Any team member who bikes to work any day from May 7th – 17th can win prizes.  See RideShareMT.com for details. 

Bicycle Shop Specials
Thursday May 10 (4-7pm):
  • REI (2220 Tschache St) -  Bike maintenance and food from Baja Fresh (accessory give-aways –tire levers, patch kits or water bottles) and 20% off coupons (free)
Tuesday May 15 (7pm):
  • Summit Bike & Ski (26 South Grand) - Basic bike tune-up/maintenance class (free)
Thursday May 17 (6:30pm): 
  • Bangtail Bikes (137 East Main) -  Bike maintenance clinic (free)
Now through May 18:
  • Bozeman Bike Peddler (101 East Oak) - Trade in ANY used bike and get a minimum of $50 off a new bike 
May 12-18:
  • Chalet Sports (108 West Main) - 20% off of all commuter accessories (Panniers, fenders, bells, bike outerware...)  
  • Owenhouse Bicycling and Fitness (25 South Black) - 20% off on helmets, 10% off on Burley trailers
  • Roundhouse Sports (1422 West Main) - discounting a full maintenance bike tune up from $60 to $39.95, or a safety check up from $30 to $19.95, and 10% off bike accessories (one time purchase)


Gallatin Valley Bike Club 2012 Bike Swap


Gallatin Valley Bike Club 2012 Bike Swap
Gallatin County Fairgrounds
 
Drop off: Friday, April 20th 4 - 7pm

Sale: Saturday, April 21st
Members only 8 - 9am
Public 9am - 11:45am
Discount period 12 - 1pm

 Pickup: 1 - 2:30pm

Fee: $1 per item to list + 15% of sale (cash check only)

Asphalt and Corn

The road into Hyalite Reservoir in Gallatin National Forest is closed to motorists every Spring.  It is a time when cyclists flock to it's dry pavement for a great climb followed by an even greater descent.  However, sometimes the riding just isn't enough and a multi-sport thrill is necessary...

Huffy bicycle, POE pannier, and Madshus Epoch skis

Area Man Cycle Tours in Vietnam

Area man bicycle touring in Vietnam.  April 2012.

Reveal the Path

Oh... to be paid to ride our bikes all over the world.


Reveal the Path Trailer from Mike Dion on Vimeo.

Nonviolent Direct Action Training

Our country is at a crossroads. We have a choice: Greater wealth for a few or opportunity for many.

This month, 100,000 Americans will train for nonviolent direct action. You can be part of this exciting process.

In Bozeman, the Montana Organizing Project and Moveon.org are offering a training session with community members on Saturday, April 21. This direct action training can be applied to any sort of social change - the environmental movement, Occupy Wall Street, civil rights, etc.

The local training will be offered at the Gallatin Labor Temple at 422 East Mendenhall, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free lunch provided.

Lean more and register at http://the99spring.com/about/

This Spring, we Rise!

Red Bull Mini Drome





Red Bull went to the trouble of e-mailing The Fix to ask if we'd put up this video so I did it. Maybe they'll give us some free cases to give away at an Alleycat. Personally I prefer coffee but whatever.

Fat Bike

Oh the North American Hand Built Show. How you make me drool.


http://singletrackworld.com/2012/03/nahbs-north-american-hand-built-show/

MY NAME IS JON DUB AND I SUCK AT THE INTERNET

This is a well filmed and edited video with some bad ass tricks. Many are just super technical grinds, but some notables are:
wall ride over double stair                  2:50
540 down double stair (must see!)     4:18


More BMX Videos

Wheelie Gramma

Take that, little ol' lady from Pasadena.

BSNYC - The Enlightened Cyclist

Snob (and friends) made this awhile ago.  It's funny and deserves to be seen by the like-minded folks who peruse this here blogular space.  

Danny MacAskill

I win!

New Danny Macaskill video which is more biographic than outright crazy, but it's still pretty rad. Enjoy.

Vintage Ladies Bicycle Freestyle

The fixie freestylers and trials superstars have got nothin' on these guys.

Alleycat Bicycle Race Tonight

A little bird told me about an alleycat bicycle race tonight.  

5:15pm at Bogert Park (bring yer; bike lights)

winter pump track

This is a rad video of people riding a cool pump track in the middle of winter. The backflip-attempt section in the end is quite entertaining. Enjoy.


Pumping It Out - Through the Winter from Liam Mullany on Vimeo.

Representin' in Cambodia

Hank and Jordanna are riding their Long Haul Truckers in Asia.  Hank is rocking a Bike Kitchen shirt the whole way.  His mustache is better, and less ironic than yours.  


Friends of Cycling, Walking, Trails and Transit

Dear Montana Friend of Cycling, Walking, Trails and Transit:

Federal support for cycling, walking, trails, and transit is under the most severe threat in 20 years. Congress is scheduled to act next week on legislation that would eliminate or severely curtail investment in bike, pedestrian, trail, and transit programs. We need to let our Congressional delegation know how much Montanans care about these programs – and we need to do it in the next six days!

Click below to sign on to an urgent letter -- included below -- to Senators Baucus and Tester and Representative Rehberg. Please sign this letter ASAP and by no later than 10 am on Monday, February 13.


Please share this widely with your Montana friends and neighbors. We would like to get as many Montanans as possible to sign and state their strong support for biking, walking, transit and trails.

Again, here is the link – please sign by February 13 and share this widely.


If you have questions, email info@adventurecycling.org. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Ginny Sullivan
Adventure Cycling Association



Stay Rad, Cyclists.  Sign on with your support!

Riding Bikes is Awesome


Putting Adventure Cycling on the Map from Quality Bicycle Products on Vimeo.


This video is rad and so if the Adventure Cycling Association. I wish they were in Bozeman and not Missoula.

And with all the warm weather we are going to be getting in the next ten days we might as well go for a ride: 

Group Ride, Sunday 2/12/12, @ 4pm
Meet at Heebs 
We'll be riding road, trail and dirt roads (mostly trail system) so bring an appropriate bike.

dish vid is incomprehensible

dish vid is incomprehensible

it made my brain broke an now allz i can do is drool for a living.

it may also be the best street section of all time? I'll have to watch it a couple of hundred times and get back to ya.


Nathan Williams 'This Is United' Full Video Part HD from Channel 4Down on Vimeo.

Rouse Ave Reconstruction Project

January 10, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Lori Ryan, Public Information, MDT, (406) 444-6821

Informational meeting to discuss Rouse Avenue Reconstruction projects in Bozeman, MT – Gallatin County

Bozeman - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is conducting an informational meeting to discuss a proposal to reconstruct approximately 2.03 miles of Rouse Avenue/Bridger Drive from Main Street (Reference Marker 0.0) to Story Mill Road (Reference Marker 2.03) in Bozeman, Gallatin County, to meet current MDT urban roadway standards while adding capacity. The meeting will start with an open house at 6:30 p.m. followed by a brief presentation at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Bozeman Senior Center, 807 N Tracy, in Bozeman.

Community participation is a very important part of the process, and the public is encouraged to attend. Opinion, comments and concerns may also be submitted in writing at the meeting, by mail to Jeff Ebert, District Administrator, at MDT’s Butte district office at PO Box 3068; Butte, MT 59702-3068, or online at

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml

Please indicate comments are for project CN 4805 and submit by February 27, 2012.

Proposed work includes reconstruction and widening throughout the corridor; intersection improvements with turn lanes; addition of bike lanes, sidewalks, and a two-way left turn lane (TWLTL) throughout much of the corridor to improve safety and level-of-service (LOS); side-street improvements at intersections to accommodate turning movements; and storm drainage improvements. The corridor is proposed to be reconstructed in two segments: Main Street to Oak Street and Oak Street to Story Mill Road. The purpose of the projects is to improve vehicular level of service and enhance bike and pedestrian travel within the Rouse Avenue corridor.

The target ready date to acquire right-of-way and complete design is December 2012. The actual start of construction will be dependent on the availability of funds.

New right-of way and relocation of utilities will be required. MDT staff will contact all affected landowners prior to doing survey work on their land. Staff will again contact landowners prior to construction regarding property acquisition and temporary construction permits.

MDT attempts to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s participation in any service, program or activity of our department. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in this meeting, please call Paul Grant at (406) 444-9415 at least two days before the meeting. For the hearing impaired, the TTY number is (406) 444-7696 or 1-800-335-7592, or call Montana Relay at 711. Alternative accessible formats of this information will be provided upon request.

Long Bike Surfing


Erik the Mule surfs the RecycleCycle across the finish line at the 2011 Mulecross.  Photo from "Team Muleterro - To Infinity and Beyond".

Not cycling related

This video is scary as hell.

I know this is a cycling themed blog, but many of us also love to shred some snow when we're not out hammering on our bikes.

After watching this clip go back and compare 00:12 to 00:50. Yeah... that's why people die from trauma in avalanches.


Puckerface avalanche from Jamie Culp on Vimeo.

I found a bike today

This video is a funny way to waste 4 minutes of your life.