Fort Ebey – Another Great Ride!

Fort Ebey – Another Great Ride!

You know – I just love to ride here on Whidbey Island. Today was an exceptional day for riding as yesterday was a major rain day. All the trails we rode on were in great shape.Here is a teaser video for you until I do all the editing with 14 different sections of the ride:

There were a lot of really fast sections in today’s ride. We also had a hell of a lot of technical stuff due to all the rain we had yesterday. I actually felt like yesterdays rain came from Houston, Texas. You don’t see it rain that much, that quickly here. Washington threw us a curve ball yesterday, but that made for great riding today.

I have to mention a couple of things did happen while on the trail today. I over torqued my chain today on a couple of occasions and the third and final torque left me walking back to the car.  The other thing; I met to really cool lawyers from the Island who can really tear up the trail. By the way, they are both over 50 and could put a serious hurt on the 20-30 year old’s I’ve riddin’ with in the past. Great ride today guys…

Tour De Whidbey Updated Pictures and Video…

Tour De Whidbey Updated Pictures and Video…

Just a quick update to let you know I have finally finished the video as well as added a new gallery to the photo page. The camera used for both was a GoPro Helmet Camera. The pictures are of just one segment where I accidently set up the camera to take rapid fire pictures of when I was passing a bunch of other riders.

Tour De Whidbey…

Mind you, I was passed a lot towards the end as I figured the case may be due to the fact that this is the longest ride I have done so far. I can normally do 60 miles in about 3 1/2 hours. This ride was a lot more hilly and it took its tole on me after mile 50. Anyway, check out the video. Its over 13 minutes long and only covers the first 50 miles. I am currently editing the second half of the ride and will be posting it as soon as I finish. Enjoy and make sure you come out for next years ride.

I’ll race you!

Vuelta Winner’s, MTB World Cup & Washington State Cyclocross Updates

News Site Previewed: http://www.cyclingnews.com/
Photo credits: ©ISPA

Valverde crowned Vuelta king, Greipel wins Madrid sprint

Valverde Wins Vuelta

September 20, Stage 21: Rivas – Madrid 110.2km

By: Susan Westemeyer

Published: September 20, 14:33

First Grand Tour win for Valverde

Valverde, who has been chasing Grand Tour success since his first podium finish at the 2003 Vuelta a Espana, was sentimental about taking home the overall win.

“The day I put on my first yellow jersey after the stage of Xorret de Catí, to climb on the podium was a great moment of emotion. From then on my dream was closer each day. I therefore never stop fighting and concentrating, not even for a while.” Read More…

World Cup wraps up in Schladming, Austria

author By: Rob Jones

Sam Hill Heading To The Line

The 2009 Mountain Bike World Cup concluded this last weekend in Schladming, Austria, with all three disciplines coming together for a packed schedule of racing. For the sixth consecutive year, the Planai ski slopes at Schladming has hosted the Olympic-distance cross country, downhill and four cross racers from around the world, and the overall titles have finally been awarded after eight rounds of racing on three continents. Read More…

Swiss Champ Heule captures NACT lead in Seattle

September 19, Elite Men:

By: Kirsten Robbins

Published: September 20, 09:51

Seattle’s rain and mud fail to hold back Swiss Heule in at US ‘cross opener

Cyclocross Bike-a-Hike

Swiss Christian Heule snagged his second victory in three years at the USA’s west coast season opener Star Crossed in Seattle, Washington. The National Champion out-played American top dogs Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) in second and former World silver medallist Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) in third. Read More…

2009 Mountain Bike World Cup Finishes Up This Weekend!

2009 Mountain Bike World Cup Finishes Up This Weekend!

The 2009 Mountain Bike World Cup concludes this weekend in Schladming, Austria. Olympic-distance cross country, downhill and four cross racers from around the world, and the overall titles will finally be awarded after eight rounds of racing on three continents.

Current forecasts are estimating a 50-50 chance for thunderstorms and fairly heavy rain. Boy, won’t that make for an interesting race! Does anybody know if the race is being televised via English? I certainly hope so, I’d like to watch this race if the weather prediction is correct.

Check out the following link for more on this… CyclingNews.Com

Tour De Whidbey – September 26, 2009

Home and Mount Baker

Tour De Whidbey – September 26, 2009

Date

Tour De Whidbey Map

Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 7:00 AM
local time

Address

Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island
765 Wonn Road, corner of State Route 525 and Wonn Road

Brief Description

A very challenging 100 mile ride on beautiful Whidbey Island.The  100 mile figure eight route will cover both the north and south ends of the island, returning you to the central location of Greenbank Farm at the middle and end of the day. This ride is one of the most challenging century rides in the Northwest.

TimesSeptember 26, 2009 Rain or Shine!

Registration Includes

Every rider receives a bib number, course maps, and directions.
They will also receive:
* Pancake Breakfast (Carbo Loading)
* Well-marked routes with ride support
* Refreshments and snacks at all break stations staffed by our enthusiastic volunteers
* Delicious post-ride Chili Feeds at both registration sites in Coupeville and Greenbank

Safety Info

*Helmets are mandatory
*It is recommended that each rider bring their own water, a tube, patch kit, tire levers, pump and warm clothing in layers that can be shed as the day warms up.
*THIS IS NOT A RACE – Please be courteous of local drivers and traffic — I will still ride it as fast and safe as possible!
*Please obey all traffic laws. Be sure to come to a complete stop at all stop signs and traffic lights.
*Ride single file please

Whidbey General Hospital Foundation

This ride is a fund raiser for the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation. Proceeds go towards the
purchase of vital medical equipment and to fund health care programs for our community hospital.

The following profile was the profile for last years race. I would assume that the same applies to the upcoming ride:

2008 Tour De Whidbey Profile

As you can see, there is roughly 8,000 feet of elevation gain throughout the ride making this one of the toughest centuries in Washington State. You best be bringing your “A” game with you for this one!

Finally, I’d like to show you that I’ve entered into this ride with a captured picture of my registration:

Gary Marsh (a.k.a. Cranky) Registration Verification

There you go! Now its your turn to sign up and join me in one hell of a ride! I’ll see you there…