Sweet new caps, socks, head gear!

Team riders, we've been waiting for this moment for awhile now. This summer we worked out some cool designs with the folks at Pacesportswear and Defeet. The first items to mention are these cool cotton caps. The underneath of the brim has the same grey scale bean images as our Alter Ego jersey and the logo. So sweet!

Next in line are the helmet liners and skull caps. You'll look like a rebel with these. There are hemet liners and headbands on the site.

Last but not least are the new 5" high wooleators by Defeet. A thinner more comfy version of their woolieboolies. Ride ready and rock steady!

December Issue of Bicycling and Todd Kent from Michigan

I just received the December issue of Bicycling magazine and saw a rider in full alter-ego kit profiled on the final page-Todd Kent from Munising, Michigan. He briefly describes racing a single speed mtn bike in a 24 race in Wisconsin.
Way to go!
I am off to see Race Across the Sky, a one night movie event about this year's 100 mile Leadville mtn bike race. I have old connections to Leadville.
Out for now.
Ty (aka Saddledancer)

Attention Team 53x11 members

We have some clothing items on sale right now and additional discounts apply to team members. Just wanted to give you a heads up so you get first dibs.

http://www.53x11coffee.com/category-s/281.htm

MFG Cross and The Cycling House

MFG is a local cyclocfross series up here in Washington, and it was so good to see The Cylcing House highlighted as a sponsor. There was a race today just a few miles from home in the Lake Sammamish State Park, and though I don't race cross I love to support and watch it. Plus I had two friends racing so had to go.
The weather was exceptional-clear, cold/cool and a light wind off the lake. The course was rather flat and not super technical, but did have two hurdles/obstacles plus about a 200 meter sand run along a beach. Not many riders were ab;e to ride the entire sand pit but some did.
There were also some hydroplane races going on and I got some good shots (I think), of the flying boats as back drop to the running riders.
All in all a beautiful day to see some hard racing. And bonus points for knowing The Cycling House helps sponsor such a great series.
Keep it up guys!
Ty (aka Saddledancer)

IMBA's International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

Just a head's up for everyone. Saturday, October 3, 2009 is IMBA's International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. (http://www.imba.com/resources/kids/index.html) There are events all over the country. You can find the closest event to you here, http://www.imba.com/TKMBD/map.html. For those of you in the DC area, there are three events, one each at Ft. Dupont, Rosaryville, and the Anderson Family rise along the Capital Crescent trail (Silver Spring). I hope to coonvince my 11 year-old to get out and ride. How about you?

A DAY TO REMEMBER

The Pacific Northwest has been blessed with incredible Fall weather this week, and today was by far the best. It is hard for me to rate weather a 10, but today qualified-clear sunny skies with little wind and temps in the 50s and 60s.
My season may be over but my riding sure isn't.
I did a very nice 20 mile ride this morning with some good effort thrown in, then jumped on my single speed to ride around town doing errands. I grabbed breakfast at Starbucks and ate at the Salmon Hatchery, located 1/2 mile from my house. The salmon started running a few weeks ago and we have Salmon Days next weekend, a 2 day celebration of the salmon. It is always a humbling experience to go and watch these fish make their way up the Issaquah Creek to the holding pools. They come from the Pacific Ocean via Lake Washington, then Lake Sammamish and up the Issaquah Creek.
Thanks to my girlfriend having to work all day I got in a 3rd ride, a 2 hour 40 mile jaunt arounf Mercer Island with some good effort. Almost a PR for the island. I have not had a triple day in a long time and I just can't get enough. I HAVE to be outside in this weather even though the World Champs were on Universal Sports.
Anyway, a nearly vertical 1/2 moon, incredibly blue sky, running salmon, great views of Mt. Rainier and Baker, the Cascades and Olympics and then all the Paragliders at nearby Tiger Mtn made for one very memorable day.
My legs are tired but my spirit is refreshed.
Hope all is well with my teammates.
Ty (aka Saddledancer)

Season Ends In Grand Fizzle Fashion

I had high hopes for the end of my road season, what with the Blackberry Crit in Bremerton last Sunday and the Mt. Baker Hillclimb this Sunday.
WELL-
we were hit with a very bad weather system last week and it POURED. I don't race in the really wet stuff so slept in and enjoyed the cooler temps. I looked at the results and saw that only 8 riders finished (13 started) the Masters race.
A good friend is getting married tomorrow and I would have to get up very early Sunday to make it to the Mt. Baker race as it is about 3 hours away. I have always made a nice weekend out of that event. Plus who knows what libations I will consume manana? I was able to transfer my entry today into the 2010 race.
So overall not the way I wanted to end my season but friends only get married every now and then. And I am still riding, even commuting to work today. A gorgeous early morning 20 mile ride into Seattle-1/2 moon, rising sun, clear skies, cool temps, and awesome views of Mt. Rainier, Seattle and the Olympics. I even saw several swimmers in Lake Washington.
The ride home was very cool too, so to speak. It was quite warm (low 90's). I saw one deer and rode a bit with a very strong rider. I am enjoying my Giant TCX Cross bike more and more, especially after I swapped the FSA compact crank out for a Campy Chorus carbon standard with a climbing cassette.
I am so looking forward to a full and fun 2010 season and wish everyone a great rest of 2009. Keep the rubber side down.
Ty (aka Saddledancer)