NEW SPONSOR!!

We have reached an agreement with Native Eyewear for product sponsorship for 2009. Native was nice enough to send each rider a couple of pairs of glasses to keep their vision clear throughout the year. They were even willing to send the team manager, yours truly, a set. I snapped some pictures of mine and will be sure to get a couple more in the next couple days. Be sure to check out http://www.nativeeyewear.com/ for some really nice eyewear and soft goods (clothing, hats, t-shirts etc.)

Random Photos

A lot of people have been sending me random photos from the first 2 months of racing and I am just getting around to posting them. If you are one of the contributing photographers, thank you very much and keep them coming. Dylan or Andrew giving hell in the corners

Dylan or Andrew holding a lead

Jason throwin down on the 29er SS!

Proof that the Alesio Twins are of legal voting age. Look at that chest hair. Or is it mud?

Jason's butt. Thanks to NoTubes.com for sponsoring our ass'!

Jason reelin in the competition Chris on his freakishly small looking SLM. It is a 19" for the record

Jimmy at the Greenbriar starting line

Jimmy keeping the title sponsor happy.

Jude and Chris "Terminator" Dietrich at the start of Greenbriar

Photos from Michaux

Jude and Jimmy were both spotted at Michaux last weekend. Check out some professional picture taking skill.

http://singlespeeder.smugmug.com/gallery/8119862_vhZtE#529410571_BJXag

http://singlespeeder.smugmug.com/gallery/8119862_vhZtE#P-12-9

Race reports from Michaux coming soon!

Yes, I would like to escape from Granogue!

Here is Jason Fritzsche's report from Granogue. Enjoy!

This year it was clear why I was Escaping From Granogue. Never sure what the name of the race is supposed to mean, but I have a slightly better sense now. This one was a challenge of mind, rider, and equipment. Rain, rain, rain, and more rain turned the course into the one of the worst peanut butter mud-fests I had ever ridden in. I can take the mud and rain, but when you just simply can't move because of the growing glob of sticky mud around the essential moving parts of the bike, it's time to just call it. The actual decision was a culmination of many things. The mud grew so dense around the fork that it actually forced me over the bars on a descent. As a result of that, I tore a hole in the new kit, the chain was thrown off numerous times, and the rear brake lost all pressure and was leaking fluid. Lots of damage for only 3.5 miles of trail. The bike wash line was all too tempting when I spotted it on the climb in the open field. Done. Hats off to the riders who trudged through that mess for 3+ hours, wish I could say the same. This one is in the books as epic conditions, people will talk about Granogue 09 for years to come. As a bonus kick in the ass, I got the car stuck in some deep slop while trying to leave the parking area. Thanks to those who helped push me out. On a preparatory note, I read that spraying your bike with PAM will just wick away the mud. Is there any truth in this?

Chris Dietrich is famous!!

Chris was spotted at the Mt. Snow National in July 08. I don't know who originally found it, but 3 different people email it to me last night. Enjoy!

http://www.usacycling.org/gallery/album297/Crowdwomen_start

H2H Spring Cleaning

Here is Chris Dietrich's report from the H2H race in Wawayanda State Park (NJ)

Race #3 of the season, #1 in the Campmor H2H series.
Conditions: Rainy and muddy.
Course: Very technical with slippery roots and rocks everywhere.
Distance: 30 miles.
Time: 3:21

Overall I took 21 out of 22. Not anything to brag about, but I am still learning how to pace in a race this long. I felt good during the race and I am happy with my progress as the season is just under way. Had I pushed just a little harder there were about four other riders about 5-6 minutes ahead of me that I may have been able to catch. I did not have any technical issues or crashes, but it was a tough race. I saw some familiar faces at the race so I know some of the guys who finished in front of me. Some of those guys I can try and beat at Tymor in two weeks.

Chris races in the Expert Senior 1 class and is the 2 time defending New Jersey State Champion.

Greenbriar Challenge 4-26-2009

Here is a race report from Jason Fritzsche. I know I am a little late in posting it, but better late then never.

2nd stop of our 09 race season, the Greenbrier Challenge is a qualifier for the Nationals in July. My only preview of the course came from Josh's past recollections during the 3 hour drive. Three climbs, two of them significant, rock gardens, loose gravel rock, babyheads, blazing fast decents, technical muddy/rooty/rocky portion, hug the very edge of the lake shoreline, open field for recovery and onto the next lap. To sum it up, the best parts of Jim Thorpe all rolled into a 5 mile loop, true mountain biking. Sounded like my kind of course, I generally need those climbs to gain / gap other riders. Right from the start those hills started to break up the field. 1st, 2nd and 3rd broke off the front and I settled into the 4th, 5th, 6th group. I immediately began to see that our efforts were not enough to catch the lead pack and broke free shortly after the first climb. From that point on nothing really changed. Held onto to 4th, couldn't see anyone in front or back of me, suffered on the climbing, let it all go on the decents, remained smooth in the tech parts, and tried to keep the heat out of the rotation of thoughts. At the end of the day it was pure fun. Great course, podium finish, and a place in the singlespeed category at Nationals. Now accepting donations for airfare to Colorado.

Jason races in the Expert Single Speed class, designed our team jerseys and maintains his own blog. Check it out at http://www.dirtbaron.blogspot.com/

Updates from last weekends Michaux, H2H and Granogue races coming soon.