I don’t have much time to tell you about my last bike ride — and frankly my shoulder is killing me right now, so I’ll spare you the gory details. But I do have a bunch of pics for you to enjoy of the Wasatch Crest Trail — arguably the most enjoyable trail in Utah — and I wanted to share them. That trail has a bit of everything you could want. But for me, it ended in a bit of carnage with a broken collarbone. More on that later…

The Wasatch Crest Trail goes along the top of the Wasatch range, with views to the East towards Park City and The Canyons Ski Resort. And to the West are views of the Cottonwood Canyons where Brighton, Solitude, Alta, and Snowbird are located.

Like I said, the Crest Trail has a bit of everything you could want. It has a big uphill portion called Puke Hill (coming from the Guardsman entrance from Big Cottonwood Canyon near Brighton and Solitude ski resorts). If you like a climb, this one is definitely good for building your lungs. It then has a bit of a jeep trail towards a weather station. Then a long, gorgeous ridge ride on soft red dirt. That is followed by a steep, rocky spine in the style of Moab (see the video here for a glimpse of jimmymack’s first time riding the spine). After that, it’s just a looooooong gorgeous downhill singletrack for many miles before you come out of Mill Creek Canyon.

I’ve attached a bunch of pics for you to enjoy. I went with two of my brothers-in-law, John Hollberg and Brad Alldredge. And I then ran into an old college friend, Adam Davis, at the trailhead. We all pretty much rode the whole way together, until my “incident.”

About halfway through the downhill into Mill Creek, after the spine, I was in a bit of an opening in the trees. I saw about 5 folks coming uphill on the trail towards me, so of course I tried to get over to give them the right of way. But I was going at a fair speed and my front tire hit a rut, throwing me over the handlebars. Yes, I tried to do the “Magnum PI-style” shoulder roll but it didn’t turn out as smoothly as I thought it would.

As I lay there, face-down in the dirt, I heard the guys who were on their way up the trail stopping and talking about the wreck. I had no desire to move, because I knew something would hurt. I finally got up and I could tell my shoulder was destroyed. I was in serious pain, and I just kept hearing the guys who were coming up the hill talking about “popping my shoulder back in for me like Die Hard” and stuff like that, but really I didn’t feel like talking much. Much less letting ANYONE touch my shoulder.

But I was still about 5 or 6 miles or more from the car, parked at the bottom of Mill Creek Canyon. So what could I do? I just gritted my teeth and rode down the rest of the downhill, in pain with each stump or rock that I rolled over.

You can see I eventually made it down to the car, in the picture where I’m holding up my right arm. The doctor said it was a broken collarbone, and maybe a bit of rotator cuff. Bummer. But it doesn’t look like surgery will be required. Sweet!

So I don’t hold this injury against the Wasatch Crest Trail. It’s still one of the best trails (if not THE best trail) in all of Utah. If you get a chance to ride it and not get hurt, it will become one of your favorites. Heck — even if you do get hurt, it could still turn out to be your favorite.

Cheers,
Brig

During the entire month of August, Mountain Hardwear will be giving away a pack each and every day. No foolin’.  All you have to do is submit your name into the drawing and you could walk away with a brand spankin’ new Mountian Hardwear backpack, duffle or commuter pack. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Details of the pack-a-day giveaway

Mountain Hardwear wants to support your Pack-A-Day habit. Mountain Hardwear, a leading outdoor equipment and apparel company, is out to prove not all habits are necessarily bad ones. Throughout the month of August 2008, Mountain Hardwear will give away one pack, each day, everyday.

During the month of August, go to http://packaday.mountainhardwear.com, answer a couple of easy questions and you’ll be entered into the daily instant-win sweepstakes. Winners will choose one of the following packs from the new Urban Reality series: Paladin, Guardian, Defender, Sentinel, or the Natural 22, a limited pre-release destined for stores in Spring 09.

More Info: Visit packaday.mountainhardwear.com

I resisted the 29-er revolution until last fall.  I’d seen 29-er fully rigid singlespeeds made from niche manufacturers for years–mostly embraced by the hippie fringe mountain bikers wanting to buck the norm. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that we saw 29-inch wheels popping up on mainstream manufacturers like Gary Fisher and Felt and on botique manufacturers such as Niner Bikes, Ellsworth, Turner and Ventana.

Like I said, I hadn’t ridden a 29-er until last fall at Interbike 2007’s Outdoor Demo at Bootleg Canyon, Nevada. My first lap on a 29-er was on a the Niner RIP 9–hardly a good place to start for a first-timer.  I say hardly a good place to start because the RIP 9 sets the bar extremely high as far as versatility and function.

I’ve currently got a Niner RIP 9 in for long-term testing and I continue to be impressed with how well it performs. Not only is it one of the finest 29-ers on the market, it just happens to be one of the best all-around mountain bikes on the market, period.

In addition to the Niner, I’ve also got an Ellsworth Evolve 29-er in for long-term testing. Once again, Ellsworth is proving how amazing their ICT suspension design is.  Efficient doesn’t even begin to describe how well the ICT suspension performs while climbing and descending.  The Evolve, like the RIP 9, is also one of the finest all-mountain bikes on the market today.

With each bike, you have to shell out a premium because they are only sold as framesets. The beauty of that is you get to build them up however you like, but the downside is that it ends up costing a bit more.

Lessons Learned from 29-er Mountain Bikes

Thus far, I’ve learned a few things about 29-ers in general. Here are a few observations:

1. Good 29-er designs will roll over everything and feel just as nimble as their 26-inch brethren. Make sure you find one with the lowest-possible center of gravity
2. 29-ers aren’t for beginning mountain bikers… you have to be a strong rider to take advantage of the larger wheel’s momentum both climbing and descending
3. While climbing, you have to stay ahead of the gear’s natural cadence, otherwise you can easily lose all momentum when avoiding small obstacles
4. You don’t need as much suspension because the 29-inch wheels simply smooth everything out

So, get out there and try a 29-er. They are a blast to ride and add another element of fun to the trails as you rally down your favorite singletrack. And, I think they will continue to evolve and be more and more common as options at your local bike shop.  Like I said above, I don’t believe they are great options for beginners, but if you’ve got strong legs and lungs, you can power up anything and carve down anything as well. 29-ers are here to stay.

Have you ridden a 29er? Do you own one? Share your transition story below.

A few months ago I was on a search for a new backpack to carry my laptop back and forth to the office. Messenger bags are nice, but they just don’t do it for me. I prefer the ability to put the whole shebang on my back and huff around if need be–especially when traveling for business.

My previous pack suffered an untimely demise–I forgot about a bottle of milk in a side pocket for a few days and the chunky, curdled mess oozed into most of the compartments.  Yeah, it smelled. And, even after multiple washes, it still smelled stanky.

Looking at the laptop-compatible packs from many manufacturers, the DAKINE 101 had nearly everything I needed in a business-friendly/campus-friendly backpack. Tops on that list was a side-loading padded laptop sleeve. Nothing is more annoying than a laptop bag that doesn’t have that feature.  I don’t want to have to unzip my entire bag just to access the laptop.

Not only does the DAKINE 101 backpack have a side-load laptop sleeve, but it’s also got lots of other cool pockets and storage options to keep all your electronics cozy and safe. Here’s the quick rundown:

• Side water bottle pocket (works great with Nalgene bottles)
• Organizer pocket with removable MP3 player holder, cell phone pocket and other misc pockets
• Side-access laptop sleeve
• Zippered back panel security sleeve (to keep all yer loot)
• Dri-Mesh back panel and shoulder straps
• Fleece-lined sunglass pocket
• Rolling access side pocket (great for accessing stuff on-the-fly
• 2000 cu. in.
• MSRP: $75

DAKINE 101 Backpack Review

After a few months, this pack fits the bill. It’s not perfect, but for the money, it’s a solid laptop bag. For starters, the side-access sleeve works great for both my Apple Macbook and Macbook Pro 15″ laptops. It will also work great for those with clunky PC laptops up to 14.5-inches x 10.75-inches x 1.75-inches.

I dig the size of the large compartment–it’s perfect to haul all my cycling gear, water bottles and leftovers (lunchtime staple) to the office. There’s even a smaller pocket that fits my bike shoes perfectly.

The pack fits fairly comfortably, but, I’ll be honest, the zippered security pocket on the back panel makes things a little uncomfortable if you’re going to wear this pack for a long time.  Just don’t shove anything that’s too thick in there and you’ll be fine.

Good

• Side-entry padded laptop storage sleeve
• Large compartment to carry shoes, leftovers and enough clothes for a 2-3 day trip
• Smaller compartments with organizing pockets galore
• Subtle styling in black or brown keeps things low-key
• Love the sunglasses pocket… awesome for travel

Bad

• Back panel isn’t comfortable for all-day hauls
• I wish it had a removable waist belt
• Included iPod case design was already outdated when I bought the pack

I dig this pack overall and find it to be a versatile and functional laptop backpack. It’s perfect for both office and campus duty. With all you kids heading back to school next month, this one should be tops on your school backpack list.

Buy Now: Find the DAKINE 101 Backpack at Moosejaw.com

Velonews recently reported that Campagnolo is bringing back the Super Record but this time in an 11 speed. That’s right, 11 speeds.

But not only will the newly reintroduced Super Record group have 11 cogs but the Chorus and Record groups will also feature 11 cogs on the cassette. The re-engineering required on the cassette, crank, derailer, shifters, et al is a mind stretcher at the least.

This kind of begs the questions - “Why?” followed by “Is more always better?” From the source:

“There is constant demand from customers for cassettes, which have an extra sprocket within the usual range or those that would increase the metrical range.

Cyclists are never truly happy whether they are professionals or amateurs. Campagnolo therefore decided to use the redesign of the Super Record, Record and Chorus groups as an opportunity to offer them something extra.

The 11th speed is in fact the icing, while the cake is the remarkable makeover of the three groupsets dedicated to competition use.”

It’s cool to see so much innovation and new product in the road cylcling component groups from Shimano, SRAM and Campy. More to choose from come Inter-Bike 2008 time!

2 cents from VeloNews:

The technologies and the range of products presented are nothing short of truly impressive. With SRAM’s Red, the new Shimano 7900 Dura-Ace group and now Campagnolo’s three new groups, 2009 will offer more choice and technology than ever before for those in the market for a new set of components.

But this is about Campagnolo. Its new products highlight the brand’s willingness to approach its competitors head on with its own innovation and new technology.

No need for me to go into all the details when VeloNews covers it so well. Get over there and check out the original VeloNews scoop.

–Photo Credit: Matt Pacocha of VeloNews.com

I’ve been running my old shoes way past their breaking point. They were Adidas, so they didn’t have air — which to me has always been a downfall. I like the everyday wearability of pure EVA or foam-like midsole shoes, like Adidas makes (oh sure — they may call it Adiprene or something special, but it’s really just tricked-out foam or a variation on EVA). However — the problem with EVA or foam-ish midsole shoes is that they lose their absorption much more quickly than any other kind of midsole. EVA not so much as some cheaper foam-ish materials, but still much more quickly than an air bladder. So I’ve decided that I only really want to do foam/EVA midsoles if they also have an air bladder in them. Or, I could do an EVA-only midsole if I’m in a racing shoe that I want to be super-light for just a few uses until it is tossed.

You may say, what’s lighter than air? Well, foam or EVA is because with air you have to have a heavy plastic bladder to contain the air. Okay, then why is it that you want Nike air instead of an EVA or foam-only midsole? Because have you ever been running in an Adidas shoe for a few times & then noticed all the compression wrinkles in the midsole? That’s because all the air bubbles in the foam-like material are being popped — so pretty soon the midsole is all wrinkled and it loses all its absorption. Then your joints are just pounding the ground.

I learned this the hard way. In college I ran on non-air shoes for a while and ended up with a misalignment of the patella (kneecap). It was very painful, and when I went to the orthopedist (also a runner) he asked how much I ran. I said about 50 miles per week. Then he pointed to my shoes and said, “Not in those wrinkly things I hope?!” I confirmed, and he told me there are three main things you have to balance when deciding on picking up some good running shoes for everyday use:

1) Not having air under your heel will allow your heel to drop down into the midsole a bit and give it more of a stable cup to sit in, however..

2) That comes at a cost of more wear and tear on your joints — so he recommended sacrificing some heel cup stability to have enduring cushioning (as long as it doesn’t pop, an air bladder has just as much cushion 30 days later as when it was purchased — whereas a foam- or EVA-style midsole will have lost a ton of absorption through wrinkling).

3) The third consideration is fit — and though Adidas seem to have a wider forefoot which I like, it’s not worth risking joint injury.

Nike running shoes seem to come a bit narrower than other running shoes, and as such I usually have to purchase them a half-size larger than my skate shoes or other brands of running shoes. With some dress shoes and casual shoes I go with a 9.5 for a snug fit, but I can’t do that in Nike. In Nike shoes I almost always get a 10 and it fits just as closely to the foot as a 9.5 in other shoes. It’s also slightly narrower than something like an Adidas running shoe.

For durability, I suppose the best combination would be a polyurethane midsole with an air bladder. But I have seen some old Nike’s with polyurethane midsoles and they are way too heavy in my opinion. So I think the best is a combination foam or EVA midsole with an air bladder under at least the heel (if not the ball of the foot too).

And that’s the combination that the Nike Air Structure Triax has. There are also two key features of the Air Structure that I really would like to point out:

1) It has very sturdy support (harder material) under the inside portion of the heel — so it’s great for most runners, including those who tend to pronate. But beware if you supinate — these things will pitch you out onto the outside of your heel even more.

2) Since it is not a pure road running shoe, but rather is a trail running shoe, the Nike Air Structure Triax comes with a Gore-Tex liner — which is heavier and much less breathable than the lightweight mesh-style uppers of road running shoes such as the Nike Air Pegasus. This is great in wet or cold situations — such as you often find when trail running. And it is also a more durable upper than more ventilated road running shoes. But I wish it came with a fabric such as eVent which is still waterproof but has much better breathability than Gore-Tex.

I noticed the ventilation of the Nike Air Structure Triax to be in stark contrast to the exceptional breathability of the Vasque Aether Tech Softshell trail running shoe. Also, I preferred the BOA-style lacing of the Vasque shoe to the traditional laces of the Air Structure. But I really liked the waffle-style sole of the Air Structure, which has good grip but wide channels to clear the mud readily.

All in all, the shoe is a great option for trail running if your foot can fit a Nike. If you are a particularly wide foot, you may want to look elsewhere. And because of the limited breathability, I wouldn’t recommend this shoe as your summer road running shoe by any stretch. This is better as an Autumn or early-Spring trail runner.

BUY NOW: Click here for the women’s Nike Air Structure Triax 11.

BUY NOW: Click here to check out lots of other deals on some of the best running shoes on GEAR.com.

BUY NOW: Click here to see tons of clearance deals on athletic shoes at Overstock.com.

A while back I picked up the Pearl Izumi Zephrr Vest as my previous vest was far too large, feeling like a sail whipping in the wind when I wore it on a biking descent. I probed around the marketplace finding vests that were well north of $100 and others that were rice paper thin.

I finally honed in on the Zephrr because it was light weight, would stuff into a rear jersey pocket yet still had enough to it, not to mention that it didn’t break the bank. (more…)

I remember the early days of hydration packs. It was so cool to have one because it completely changed the hydration game, but at the same time most of the bladders on the market left something to be desired. Leaky bite valves, small bladder openings and nasty-tasting water were all hallmarks of the first bladders.

These days, companies (like Platypus, PolarPak, Nalgene and others) focus solely on the hydration bladder and not the pack itself.  Realizing that the pack is highly personal, but the bladder just needs to work and work well, that’s what these companies are doing.

Platypus has been pushing their Platy Bottles for years. They are awesome for backpacking especially where space is always a premium. As the liquid is used, you can compress the bottle down to nothing. Adapted from those bottles is the Platypus Big Zip SL hydration bladder, which is new for Summer 2008.

Available in three sizes (1.8 L, 2.0 L and 3.0 L), the Big Zip SL offers great features at reasonable $27-$29 price point. Here are some highlights

• New materials increase durability and flexibility.
• New SlideLock close ensures a secure and easy closure every time.
• Quick-connect fitting allows you to remove from pack without re-routing drink tube.
• New SlimeGuard™ anti-microbial treatment keeps your water fresh and taste-free.
• HyperFlow™ bite valve offers the highest flow rate on the market.
• Ergonomic shutoff valve is angled at 90º for no-hassle, hands-free hydration.
• MSRP: $26.95 (1.8 and 2.0 L) and $28.95 (3.0 L)

Platypus Big Zip SL Hydration Bladder Review

Easy to fill and easy to drink from, the Platypus Big Zip SL is a great choice when looking for a replacement hydration bladder. I like how easy it is to slip the SlideLock from the top and open the bladder wide for ice cubes and water fill-up.

The ability to disconnect the hose is a huge bonus as well. Nothing is worse than trying to fill up a bladder that’s attached to your pack via the umbillical cord-like drinking tube. Many times I’ve spilled water on my pack and had to wear a wet pack on the ride.

Slime-Guard keeps your water fresh and the bladder clean from ride-to-ride. I also like how easy it is to get a solid flow from the HyperFlow bite valve, then lock it out when needed. This is a solid hydration bladder ant a great price.

Buy Now: Search Moosejaw.com for Platypus Hydration Bladders

One of the best true all-mountain bikes has been re-designed for the 2009 model year. Fresh off the heels of the new Santa Cruz Blur LT re-design, the Nomad sports many of the enhancements delivered on the Blur LT in a longer-travel package.

Not only has the suspension design been completely re-factored, the frameset went through refinements as well. The huge hump on the top-tube has been subdued, making the bike an even nicer-looking package overall.

A Few Details on the 2009 Santa Cruz Nomad:

• Rear travel reduced to 160 mm from 165 mm
• Built-in grease ports on lower linkage
• Revised linkages and ratios
• New rear triangle

More details will be forthcoming along with a quick ride review after Interbike 2008 this Fall.

More Info: Visit www.SantaCruzBikes.com

DAKINE is supporting Project Blue for 2009 with a couple of recycled and eco-friendly surf packs. The men’s Recon and women’s Oceana packs are a perfect way to haul around your surf gear while supporting sustainable products and efforts to preserve the world’s oceans waves and beaches. On sale in January 2009, these Project Blue surf packs are dialed with some great features.

Construction of the packs consists of 100% Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. All buckles come from 100% recycled materials and non-toxic Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) is used as the waterproof fabric backing. Wow… that’s a mouthful!

Not only are these backpacks waterproof, but they are environmentally-friendly in their design and highly functional for a day at the beach to boot!

As mentioned above, $2 from the sale of every Project Blue backpack will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation.

Features of the Project Blue Oceana and Recon Backpacks

• Seam-sealed wetsuit pocket
• Insulated cooler pocket
• Organizer pocket
• Use of recycled fabric throughout
• MSRP: Oceana - $75 / Recon - $70
• Learn more at www.DaKine.com

Learn More About Project Blue

Hands down the hottest brand collection of the year, project BLUE features signature
apparel accessory items by such brands as Reef, Billabong, Nixon, O’Neill, DAKINE and
Electric.  Each project BLUE product not only features exclusive colors and designs, $2
from every item goes back to support the Surfrider Foundation and their efforts to protect
and preserve our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. It’s not a charity. It’s a plan of
action.  www.betruetoblue.com.

I remember the first pair of Gravis shoes I saw — a buddy of mine was wearing them at the marketing department at The Canyons Ski Resort in 2000. Sure, I know I’m not the cutting edge of style but I loved them right away. The pair I first saw weren’t so skate-style that they couldn’t be versatile, and they were a bit more friendly for walking and toned-down stylistically.

Gravis has been cruising along, cranking out the good stuff for a while now. Including some sweet bags. And it looks like the guys at RememberDelaware.com are hooking you up between now and the end of July. We just received notice that they are offering 25-40% off Gravis bags until July 31st. And as you can see in the pic at right, they aren’t just your basic bags — they also have handbags for girls and courier-style bags. As the guys at RememberDelaware.com put it:

From hand bags to luggage, Gravis has got it covered. They are dedicated to creating stylish, quality bags that will stand up to your busy schedule and loads of gear.

What’s more, RememberDelaware.com has Free Shipping on orders over $50, and 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Don’t like it? Return it anytime for any reason. That sounds like good enough reason to pick one up.

BUY NOW: 25-40% off Gravis Bags on RememberDelaware.com

So, I love a deal just like every other guy. Sure, sometimes I get free or cheap gear straight from the manufacturer. But one look at my garage will show that I often can’t turn down a good deal on cheap gear or sales coupons when I see them.

So this one caught my eye, and I thought I’d bring it to your attention — 50% off EVERYTHING on BackcountryOutlet.com until July 31st. Sweeeeet.

Here are the specs:

• Use this coupon code: 2YZ-1-GFVPL
• Discounted price shows in cart — so enter code at checkout.
• Free Shipping on orders over $50
• Use code to increase discount to 50% off retail price. Not valid on gift certificates or item(s) already on sale for greater than 50% off. Coupon only valid on BackcountryOutlet.com. Coupon good through July 31, 2008.

So surf through the Backcountry.com catalog, find something, and go see if the coupon code works for you. Remember, this deal is only good on items in their clearance area: BackcountryOutlet.com.

We’ve all done it. Grabbed a [insert name]ade drink at the store before or after a ride. With the myriad of flavors and colors, it’s got to be good for your body, right? Well, that’s up for debate, but the fact of the matter is that most of those sports drinks contain oodles and oodles of sugar.

Sugar is good–sometimes. It gives you that quick burst of energy, but if that’s your liquid of choice on a long ride, it gets heavy and hard to swallow when all you need is water and electrolytes to maintain the proper hydration balance. Plus, you’re mixing energy with hydration which isn’t always the best thing to do.

Enter Nuun active hydration tablets, which are a portable and effective solution to provide just the right amounts of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium. magnesium, vitamin C and B2) every time. And, all you need is a quick-dissolving tablet and regular water.

Who needs another sports drink?

Nuun is a sports drink, but not in the same sense as all the others. Without any sugars and still offering a range of flavors that taste great, nuun changes the hydration game. Not only is it better for you not to have to swallow all that sugar, it’s also better for your water bottles and hydration bladders. In fact, nuun is truly the first hydration pack-friendly sports drink. Drop a couple of tablets, wait a minute and you’re golden.

With the regular sports drinks, they leave a sugary goo that’s hard to rinse clean. But, with nuun, it’s sugar-free formula is not only easy to drink, it’s easy to clean–nice!

I’ve been using the Lemon+Lime flavor for the past month on morning road rides. I love the taste and I do seem to drink more water than previously (nuun states that flavored waters have shown to increase consumption by 40%), which is a good thing. We all know that by the time you’re showing signs of dehydration, you’re too late to stave off some of the side effects.

The blend of vitamins and minerals in nuun speeds up hydration and essentially splits hydration from caloric intake.  If you need to consume calories, they can be targeted calories, like a PROBar, ClifBAR, etc. There’s no calories piggybacking on top of your liquid hydration.

Nuun Active Hydration Tablet Details:

• Flavors: Lemon+Lime, Tri-berry, Citrus Fruit, Kona Cola and Orange Ginger (NEW)
• Quantity: Each tube contains 12 tablets
• Size: Standard Tablet (1 tab for 16 oz) or Bigger (1 tab for 32 oz)
• Price: $6.50 per tube or $22 for a 4-pack (Standard Tablets)
• Nutrition Facts: serving size = 1 tablet (4.6g); recommended dissolution volume: 16 oz water; amount per serving: calories 7, total fat 0, total carbohydrates <1g, sodium 360mg (15%), potassium 100mg (3%), magnesium 25mg (6%), calcium 13 mg (2%), vitamin c 37mg (63%), riboflavin .5mg (30%). *percent daily values (dv) based on a 2,000 calorie diet. not a significant source of other nutrients
• Read nuun FAQ’s

The bottom line… nuun hydration tablets provide the optimal mix of electrolytes, minerals and vitamins to keep you hydrated during all activities. By separating hydration from energy, you can optimize both instead of having to lump a bunch of calories into a sugary drink. That, to me, makes sense!

Buy Now: Search Backcountry.com for Nuun

If you know someone who can’t get enough silly cat videos on YouTube, needs to know the weather constantly, or can’t pry themselves away from sports scores on ESPN, then the Chumby looks like the perfect gadget gift. It’s like a second monitor just for your favorite widgets. You could also use this to constantly watch your favorite deal of the day sites like steepandcheap.com or woot.com.

Be sure to check out the list of widgets to get a better understanding of how might want one of these.

Check it out at www.chumby.com

Price:$179.95

(I’m hoping my wife reads this and gets the hint)

Up for the climb, down for the descent. Up for the climb, down for the descent. I just did that yesterday. Most of the time, I don’t have time to adjust the seat down when on a trail with lots of ups and downs. The result is an awkward seat position during hairy, technical descents.

“Dang! I wish I had dropped my seat down for this descent!” echoes through my mind. But, just when I think that, the trail either flattens out or starts climbing back up.

It’s trails like that for which adjustable-height posts were developed. the early versions were heavy and awkward to operate. They had too much mechanical guts to be serviceable for the long-term. And their weight didn’t make sense.

Enter the Crank Brothers Joplin Adjustable Seatpost

This little number is smartly-designed (as all Crank Brothers products are) and highly functional. With two options: 1) Lever-activated and 2) Remote-activated, the Crank Brothers Joplin seatpost offers 3 inches of adjustability on-the-fly. Not only will this benefit any all-mountain rider, but especially anyone riding an interrupted seat tube design. Available in the most common sizes (30.9 & 31.6) and weighing in at 461-534 grams, it’s a worthwhile upgrade and 200 grams of extra weight–unless you’re a weight weenie.

Here are a few more features of the Crank Brothers Joplin seatpost:

• Length: 382 mm
• Options: Under-seat lever (L model) or Remote lever (R model)
• Weight: 461 g (L model) or 534 g (R model)
• Adjustment Range: 3 inches
• Sizes: 30.9 and 31.6 mm
• Warranty: 2 years
• Price: $250 (L model) or $285 (R model)

I’ve used the Maverick Speedball on a quick ride a few years back, but I have yet to get on the Crank Brothers Joplin seatpost. It looks like a great design and something that would be an awesome addition to any bike. If you (like me) find yourself wanting to raise and lower your seatpost all the time, take a look at the Crank Brothers Joplin.

Buy Now: Search our Bike Catalot for the Crank Brothers Joplin

I’ve got a brother, two brothers-in-law, and countless friends who have played for the legendary Highland High School rugby team. That’s one reason I am thrilled about the upcoming fall premiere of the Hollywood film highlighting that rugby team: Forever Strong. I’ve added one of my favorite clips about the film to this post, but click here to view more trailers/teasers/clips from Forever Strong the movie. You can also just go to the site at www.rugbymovie.com.

The movie stars Sean Faris, who is a young kid that many call the next Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. He plays the role of a troubled teen who loves rugby and ends up on the Highland High School rugby team where his life is forever shaped by his teammates and by Coach Gelwix (played by Gary Cole from ‘Office Space’). The film also stars Sean Astin (from ‘Lord of the Rings’) and Neal McDonough (from ‘Flags of our Fathers’ and ‘Boomtown’).

The film appears to be a real ground-breaking film for rugby fans who have been waiting for a good movie a la “Friday Night Lights” to highlight the game of rugby. What’s more, it has several local heroes — like a cameo from the University of Utah rugby team’s head coach, Mark Numbers. And lots of great stunt work by Utah’s own Matt Griff.

The latest release date we have heard is September 26, 2008 — but we’ll try to keep you posted if we hear an update. Please post comments below if you have anything to add.

Here’s to a killer movie all US rugby fans are dying for!

Some people are just a natural at anything they pick up, and it’s just a matter of time before one of their interests makes the world stand up and take notice. Matt Griff is one of those guys.

I first met Matt when I was running with the Haggis rugby team in Salt Lake (now called the Park City Haggis team). I was a little runt, who happened to be slow — not a good combination for a rugby player. If you aren’t big, you better darn well be quick. Griff would give me tips & run drills with me — a couple of times a week we would meet at the Highland High School track at 5:30am with some of the other guys and run ladders or stairs in the stadium. It was extremely helpful, and by the end of the season I was my fastest ever. I can even boast of having chased down and caught the cheetah of the team a couple of times - Jason Pye (Jason now plays for the US sevens rugby team). And while I’m sure those happened to be moments when Jason just wasn’t trying too hard, it never could have come close to happening without the encouragement of someone like Griff.

But Matt’s athleticism doesn’t end with rugby, where he is a high scorer in every game he plays. He also plays on the Utah Jazz demonstration basketball team — you know, the guys who do flipping dunks off of a trampoline at half time? Crazy! He is a guy with a natural body awareness that he has honed over years and years of eager practice. You can tell there’s nothing he loves more than to analyze a movement until it is dialed-in perfectly.

This body awareness and analytical approach to motion is what has now landed him stuntman roles in several recent and upcoming films, including Eleventh Hour and this fall’s big Hollywood release about the Highland High School rugby team: Forever Strong starring the next Tom Cruise — Sean Faris. It also stars Gary Cole (’Office Space’), Neal McDonough (’Flags of our Fathers’), and Sean Astin (’Lord of the Rings’). Click here to watch the movie clips for Forever Strong. All those stunts you see where a guy is getting hit and doing a flip? That’s Griff.

You’d think that would be enough to tire a guy out. But not Matt. He is also shooting for Olympic glory at the Winter Olympics in the Skeleton event —- which is like luge, but face-first. And he is making people stand up and take notice at the times he’s throwing down in skeleton: placing 2nd in the US Western Regional Championships, and 2nd in the Utah Winter Games.

So keep your eye peeled for Matt Griff — he has talent that is undeniable. And the next time you’re wondering why you are such a talentless clutz, it’s just because God gave Griff a little extra.

Summer is the new high season, in my opinion. And the thing is, no one else has figured it out yet. So prices are lower but the get-aways are just what your doughy desk-jockey body needs. I think that especially pays off in Park City, Utah — where it doesn’t empty to “ghost town status” in May like other ski resorts. (more…)

Dear Friend of Utah’s Public Lands:

A great opportunity awaits you to spend quality time in Utah’s wonderful backcountry. Camp out…while giving back! I’m writing you to let you know that our 2008 season of volunteer service trips is halfway complete and several great places remain. For details and to join one of these fun and fulfilling excursions, go to http://www.utahbackcountry.org. In About Service Trips, read Testimonials of thrilled participants, and see what you’ve been missing in our Photo Gallery. Then Sign Up while space remains!

2008 SUMMER & FALL SERVICE TRIPS

* Dixie National Forest, Canaan Peak: August 17-23

Volunteers will re-route a one mile section of non-motorized trail from a sensitive wetland area to a ridgeline location around Canaan Peak, about 13 miles west of Escalante, Utah. Escape the summer heat of redrock country by hiking and camping at 8500’ in a high aspen & fir forest.

* North Stansbury Mountains Wilderness Study Area: August 30-September 1

Spend Labor Day Weekend…well, lightly laboring, but mostly relaxing in Utah’s quiet and wide open west desert. Volunteers will install an educational bulletin board informing off-road vehicle users about the WSA boundary, and erecting physical barriers to protect Muskrat Canyon. On Monday, we’ll explore the new Cedar Mountains Wilderness, checking out the pioneer wagon trail cutoff route.

* Cedar Mesa/Grand Gulch Primitive Area: September 14-20

To protect ancient ruins and sensitive soils throughout this unique area, volunteers concentrate on closing user-created social trails with fallen trees and rocks, and clearly mark open trails to keep impacts under control. We’ll also conduct seasonal trail maintenance on high use and frequently flooded entry trails into main Grand Gulch. Only one space remains open.

* Glen Canyon NRA, Escalante River: September 28-October 4

You get to spend a week in this spectacular redrock canyon amongst a golden ribbon of Cottonwoods in their fall splendor. Volunteers participate in restoring the river ecosystem by cutting down invasive Russian olive trees. The project is enjoined in its ninth season and is about half way complete. We’ll backpack down to the river 3 miles through Fence Canyon and camp around Neon Canyon.

* Capitol Reef National Park: October 12-18

Spend a colorful fall week in the orchard group camp site in Fruita and venture daily to remote areas of this beautiful Park. Volunteers will restore desert waterways throughout the area by cutting out invasive Tamarisk trees, as well as conducting seasonal trail maintenance and fencing projects. Day hike through, and on top of, the famous namesake reef at this perfect time of year in the canyon country.

VOICE YOUR CHOICE AT PATAGONIA
Thanks to all who have cast a vote for Utah Backcountry Volunteers in Patagonia’s Voice Your Choice program! Vote for your favorite local environmental group to receive a $4000 award from Patagonia. The competition runs through next Saturday July 19th. For those who have yet to vote, simply stop into Patagonia at 2292 S Highland Drive in Salt Lake City. You can vote once per visit, so drop by often. We are still a very young and growing organization and the $4000 gift would be huge for us. You are also invited to the award presentation at 6:00pm on August 2nd at Patagonia. Voice Your Choice today!

THANKS,
Dave Pacheco
Utah Backcountry Volunteers
P.O. Box 526197
Salt Lake City, UT 84152
(435) 785-8955

Leaving from my office a few weeks ago, I looked in my rear-view mirror only to see two strange-looking vehicles coming up from behind. At first glance, they looked like snowmobiles with wheels. I slowed down so they would slide into the lane next to me for a closer look.

Looking them over, I was interested to see who made them and just what the heck they were. All I saw was “Can-Am” branding on them. After that encounter, I quickly googled them to find out that they were the Can-Am Spyder Roadster from BRP.

After digging through a bunch of details on the Spyder Roadster, I’m still intrigued and would love to ride one to experience how they feel on the road. I’m not a big fan of bullet bikes and I’ve heard too many motorcycle horror stories over the years to really want to ride a motorcycle on the road all the time. Though the Can-Am Spyder Roadster does provide a bit more saftey than a traditional motorcycle, they still put flesh and blood a little too close to several tons of iron and steel for blood.

These are definitely a step up from the cheesy three-wheeled motorcycles you see on the roads that are typically a motorcycle conversion. Most riders of those three-wheeled bikes are old biker dudes who just can’t give up the wind in their face and are willing to face being ridiculed at a local Hells Angels rally. Those three-wheeled motorcycles make me laugh, while the Can-Am Spyder seems legitimately cool.

With gas prices rising and innovation plugging away, it seems like there will be more and more options on the road that don’t involve 4 doors and a V8 engine.

Here are a few specs on the Can-Am Spyder Roadster:

• Engine: BRP-Rotax 998cc V-Twin, 2-cylinder
• Transmission: Sequential Manual or Electronic 5-Speed with reverse
• Brakes & Safety: ABS disc brakes, Vehicle Stability System, Traction Control, Stability Control System
• Warranty: 2 years
• MSRP: Starts at $15,499
• More Info

More Info: Visit Can-Am.brp.com

While outfitting the family for the annual trek to the Freedom Festival balloon launch and parade on July 4, 2008 in Provo, Utah, I was scrambling to find the right backpack to fit all the food, drinks and gear.  Some things needed to stay cold and others didn’t.  So, some quick thinking turned me to the High Sierra Guide 3200 pack and things turned out perfectly.

With a myriad of pockets and extensive fit adjustments (for myself and my wife), the High Sierra Guide 3200 backpack is a great pack with a very flexible attitude.  At 32 liters, this pack is a perfect in-betweener size. If you were going super-lightweight, it could work as an overnight pack, but it’s best suited for an all-day pack to carry lots of stuff in style.

I ended up turning the pack into a walking cooler. The back pocket has a mesh inner pocket, which held a Ziploc baggie full of ice cubes–perfect for keeping the contents of the pack cool. Because the pack materials are thick and durable and the food was sandwiched between the bag of ice cubes and the thick padding on the frame, the food stayed nice and cold.

In the end, the kids had a great time at the early-morning balloon launch and the parade was a success. We enjoyed breakfast, snacks and lunch with everything kept nice and cold inside the pack.

The Guide 3200 is comfortable and fits well. With an MSRP of $180, the price of entry is a bit steep, but the street price is typically half that price. Do a google search to find the best deal on the High Sierra Guide 3200 pack.

Features of the High Sierra Guide 3200 Backpack:

• 32 Liter size
• Hydration-compatible
• ERGO-FIT shoulder harness is super flexible and easy to adjust
• Pockets galore–even comes with a cell phone/radio holster
• Tuck-away rain cover for inclement weather
• A-frame ski carrying loops
• Ice axe loop and daisy chains for attaching gear
• Available in three colors: Black, Blue, Orange

Buy Now: Check out Dicks Sporting Goods for a Deal on this Backpack

Check out the cheap backpacks at Overstock.com

Reeling from the astronomical gas prices, more and more people are returning to their childhood roots and riding their bikes more for transportation. It’s funny because in many countries, the bicycle remains the top form of transportation because it’s cheap, efficient and it’s good for the body.

As American’s Twinkie themselves to death, we should take note of the many other countries where a bicycle a way of life.  I need to eat my words and ride my bike to the office more often. And, when I do, I certainly want to be noticed on roads that are often packed with SUV’s, trucks and bike-ignorant drivers. My roadie jerseys are always brightly-colored to tip things more in my favor, but this little bike light just might be another trick to help get noticed.

The new ultra-bright Princeton Tec Swerve bike tail light is lightweight and brighter than staring at the sun. If given the choice between staring at the sun and staring into the Swerve, I’d almost take the sun–it’s that bright.

About the Princeton Tec Swerve

Just introduced in the nick of time to save people from becoming roadkill, the Princeton Tec Swerve is arguably the brightest and most compact bike tail light. With two modes of operation: 1) alternating flashing and 2) solid red, the Princeton Tec Swerve will make sure people see you… day or night.

Features and what’s included:

• 2 high-intensity LED’s with super lens focus-power
• 2AAA batteries give you 70 hours of light (that’s a LONG ride)
• Flexible mounting kits to attach to seatpost, seatstay, helmet, handlebar, wherever… it even includes a simple clip to attach to your jersey
• Level 1 waterproof rating
• MSRP: $29.99 - Buy from REI
• Visit www.swerveyourbike.com for more details

I’ve got my hands on this light and will be testing it out. My hope is that I’ll keep all jacked-up Ford F450’s and crazy SUV drivers well away from my back tire. Look for some observations and feedback in a future review of the Swerve.

More Info: Visit www.SwerveYourBike.com

It’s amazing to me when I consider the various speed records that exist in the outdoors, specifically those of climbing mountains.

A couple that immediately come to mind are Pemba Dorje Sherpa with the fastest Everest climb of 8 hours and 10 minutes followed by Rolando Garibotti with his Grand Traverse record from 2000 that stands at six hours, 49 minutes! (The Grand Traverse is a 9 peak, 14 mile, 12K vertical enchainment of the high peaks in the Tetons that includes the Grand Teton)

Then there’s photographer, skier, climber and adventurer Jimmy Chin, who is also sponsored by The North Face. This past week he managed to climb and ski the three Tetons (Grand, Middle and South) in a record 10 hours and 55 minutes car-to-car!

If you’ve ever summited the Grand Teton, Middle Teton or South Teton, you’ll know just how amazing this feat is. Heck, it took me and a climbing partner 14 hours to climb the Grand Teton car-to-car.

Granted, skiing down is a lot faster than walking/rappelling but HUGE props to you Mr. Chin. Nice work!

—Get the details of his record including a map showing the route at TetonAT.com

–photo of Jimmy courtesy of The North Face

My first mountain bike shoe was a Northwave. I loved those shoes enough that when I got my first road bike a few years ago I just threw some SPD’s on the roadie and charged. All of my roadie friends said that I needed to check out Sidi Genius wide but at well north of $200 I just couldn’t stomach the abuse that my wallet was in for despite how good they fit.

So I held off and kept on logging miles in my mountain shoes. In fact, I even road the Lotoja race (206 miles from Logan, Utah to Jackson, Wyoming) in those shoes aside from an additional 1500 miles or so in them.

After a fellow rider who we had picked up on a training ride saw me during Lotoja and said “hey, you’re the guy with the Kona road bike and the mountain bike shoes” (as I passed him on a climb, thank you very much) I knew it was time to join the roadie club with some proper shoes.

So I went back to Northwave and for just over $100 I picked up the Vertigo SBS Road shoe and have been quite happy since.

Quick Review of the Northwave Vertigo SBS Road Cycling Shoe

I’ve only put about 150 miles on these shoes but so far they are really quite comfortable. I had to size up 1/2 a size from my normal size 45 to give me the width in the forefoot and length. Likely the Euro sizing influence.

Aside from a custom footbed from our friends at Surefoot, the other thing I had to do to make them comfortable for riding was to put the cleat all the way back on the shoe. Otherwise it felt like each time I pedaled I was out on my toes. Perhaps this was unique to me but I was surprised that I needed to push them so far back on the shoe.

One of the features I wanted to have was a ratchet buckle on the top strap. From years of making killer snowboard boots and bindings, these guys have it dialed with their Step By Step buckle. It’s easy and intuitive to adjust and open, unlike what I experienced trying on the Sidi that required a degree in mechanical engineering to figure it out. I’ve adjusted them while riding with the one touch per ratchet notch feature and they’re a breeze.

Speaking of breeze, the mesh surrounding the toes does a fine job of ventilating but even on cool evening rides I didn’t feel like they were as breezy as a screen door on the Wyoming plains. They were key on this past Saturday’s ride over Wolf Creek Pass.

Lastly, Northwave gave this high-performance shoe a fiberglass-filled nylon sole enriched with carbon stiffness and better pedal feel. Since I can only compare it to my mountain shoes, I’m giving it a thumbs up but other riders I’ve talked to have also raved about this shoe.

Features of the Northwave Vertigo SBS Road Bike Shoe

• Patented Step By Step buckle is money!
• Airflow system
• Ultra Y Heel pocket gives solid heel lock
• Carbon reinforced sole provides extra support and pedal feel
• Northwave quality and guarantee

Buy Now: Why wait? Pick up the Northwave Vertigo SBS Road Cycling Shoe from Backcountry.com and you’ll be attacking like Contador all summer long.

So I got new road cycling shoes this season and the former one sided Shimano SPD compatible pedals were out of the question. With that realization I was back to what road biking pedal should to buy? Once again, the conflict of quality and performance were in a head butting competition with pricing.

Like most GEAR aficionados, I can appreciate the adage “You get what you pay for” and have subscribed to it ever since plunking down my hard earned cash on those Lange Pink Panthers back in 1990. But did I really need a $300 set of pedals?

I asked my buddy John who is the bike buyer at Backcountry.com (yep, they sell bike stuff now) which pedal he’s been most stoked about. As a Cat 4 rider who had been on the podium this season I trusted his opinion.

Without hesitation he suggested the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL at is is his first love and so it would be mine as well.

Quick Review of the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Road Bike Pedal

If a photo is worth a thousand words, the new Ice Grey color with its new beautiful finish will have you feeling more like a million bucks without robbing a bank. Ultegra’s ice grey finish is not only a cosmetic addition, but also features a weight saving compared to the regular Ultegra package.

Don’t let the name fool you - these pedals will not fit the SPD mountain bike cleat. But no worries. With the yellow cleats that are included if you buy the pedals from PricePoint.com, you get a few degrees of float which I’ve found is useful for altering a bit my feet position while on longer rides for increased comfort.

As far as in-out ease after just a couple of rides I was dialed and now after nearly 10 rides I’m stoked on these pedals.

Features of the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Road Racing Pedals

• Cartridge Axle, Sealed Mechanism, Cleat Retention Adjuster
• Extra-wide platform reduces lateral rocking for a solid interface
• Stainless steel pedal body cover reduces lateral movement from wear
• Wide bearing placement for uniform load distribution
• Large binding target for quick engagement
• Adjustable entry and release tension adjuster allows custom settings
• Lightweight design: Total system weight 387g (Pedals 317g Cleats 70g)

Buy Now: Pick up the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Road Bike Pedal with Yellow Cleats included for $154.98 at Pricepoint.com

The Mountain Hardware Wicked T is light enough that it could be renamed the Ghost T. The fabric is one of the lightest I’ve ever seen in a synthetic wicking performance T. The body of the shirt is made with Koolknit which is 100% polyester circular knit and as I said very lightweight and breathable. The fabric dries quickly given that is has a wicking finish. What does all this really mean? That it’s one sweet T.

But, it does seem to snag super easy and the fit is a bit larger than usual. I wear an XL tee shirt and happened to get this in an XL and it’s over all length is that of a L but it’s flowy and big enough that it could pass as a XXL. It also has a pretty loose neck which makes me feel a bit Metro when wearing it.

Quick Review of the Wicked T

I’ve used this shirt a few times for specific uses. The first chance I had was to use it as a running top on a particularly hot day. For this purpose the shirt is a dream. I could barely tell it was on and even though the fit isn’t the best (I’d suggest sizing down from your regular size if you want a good trim fit) it also pulled moisture away from me during the 7 mile run.

I also had a chance to use this shirt rock climbing and backpacking. For climbing it’s just too flowy for the size I have. It got in the way of my harness and rope. Better to get the size dialed in.

For backpacking it worked well for the same reasons that it did while trail running but the one thing I immediately noticed was that it snagged really easily and ended up with 3 pulled fabric snags after a few hours of use. The backpack was not friendly to the Wicked T.

All in all, I’d still recommend this performance tee for most outdoor and even fitness uses. This years colors are plentiful and worth checking out. Be sure to get the sizing dialed and you’re in business!

Features of the Mountain Hardware Wicked T

• Anti-microbial finish.
  
• UPF 35 sun protection
• Very lightweight and breathable
• Wicking finish
  

Buy Now:Score the Mountain Hardware Mens Wicked T from Backcountry.com

Buy Now:Check out the Mountain Hardware Womens Wicked T

It’s a simple thing for a road biker to decide, but then again, it’s not so simple. Every time you ride, every aspect of your performance and the feel of the road transfers through the tape you’ve got on your handlebars.

After the stock tape that came with my roadie turned out to be less than stellar (read - didn’t grip, made my hands slide) I pitched it and gave some Cinelli Cork Ribbon Original a try. I made the right call.

Now on my second version of the Cinelli Cork and after nearly 2000 miles, I’m more than sold on it.

Despite hot or cold temps, the cork always seems to give a good sensitive feel and especially in hot temps I never felt like it got wet, slimy or lost its grip. Over time the cork tape got dirty and did drift ever so slightly but I suppose after near 2000 miles any tape would start to lose its form, especially on the curve points where my hands are placed most of the time.

Be sure that you stretch the tape a bit when you’re wrapping it as there was just enough to give me good coverage on my FSA Wing Pro Handlebars.

Each Cinelli Cork Handlebar Tap kit includes:

• 2 End Caps
• 2 Cork Ribbon pieces for the brake levers
• 2 Long pieces of Cork Tape
• 1 piece of adhesive logo tape (although I just used electrical tape)

Buy Now: Pick up the Cinelli Cork Handlebar Tape for a deal at PricePoint.com

Note: If you find that you need a bit more padding on the road bike handlebars check out the Cinelli Gel Cork Tape at PricePoint.com.