TRAINING CAMP ON THE ROCKS

Yea  I know, long time before the training camp update but life got in the way.  I'm over yard work, taxes, garage cleaning and backyard fencing and actually have a few road rides under me.

Travel started out a little slow with a 45 min I-70 stall at Idaho Springs due to something called a "roll-over".  Made it to Butler's retreat in New Castle for a great dinner, bed and last shower of the weekend.

Moab was as great as ever with the exception of a nasty visit from the hail and snow gods Friday while we were trying to get the COMotion Mothership settled in the Loop D campsite.

The day was salvaged with a quick trip over to pay homage to the great -white -over -rated Slickrock Trail.  It's been a few years since I've climbed the beast and with the many wet areas, I quickly recalled how you will crash at -4 MPH backing down a whoop-dee-doo you under estimated.  Glad to get the first crash out of the new 575.  Sharpie touch up on the awesome lock on grip ends and you're ready to brag NEW again.

Turn out was fantastic with the bulk of the 2010 team attending including some new faces. 

Team riders included website guru Javier (freshman), Cris B. and the Jenmiester, Todd-TC with Pro-Stephen I., Catherine, Doug D., Kelly, Scott & Lisse, Monica, Kris with a "K" & Lindsey, Boss Lechner, Felix, Brian and Laura (freshmen), Gary and Devoroh, JD (old-freshman), Boni, Pudge and Coach Brian traveling all the way from Michigan, Chad, Holly and several friend of  friends including Melanie and James.  The camps were a little scattered throughout the loop but that may have been a good thing.  Some people actually sleep on these things.

Plenty of good food between the oriental dishes, taco soup, turkey legs and a couple of trip into town. Eddie McStiff fried stuff and Moab Brewery's porter beer and more fried stuff provided the carbs. 

Don't worry, we burned it off on hard rides at Soverign, Porcupine Rim and full-out circles in the parking lot.

We escaped with only a few injuries, a couple of broken bikes and no arrests.  Training Camp was good.

OK, ADD AN EIGHTH YETI TO THE STABLE

With the ASRc dialed for the upcoming cross country/ short track race season, it was time to ready the newest occupant of the downstairs Yeti coral.

The 2010 Yeti 575 will serve as the alpha training ride and make climbs on the Super D course easy. Last year I rode the 41 pound ASX with 2.6" rubber. Way overkill for suspension and traction......definitely not fun for climbing.

Den inventory process. Yip, all there.......
The build kit was Race, mid-way on the kit choices with the 15mm front axle and DT Swiss Ratchet Wheelmounting System (RWS) rear. The bike was built stock with only a few exceptions. I swapped out the Schwalbe 2.25 Fat Alberts for a pair of 2.4 Continential Mountain Kings I had sitting on the shelf.

The Shimano mid-grade chain was replaced with a Sram 991 nickel plated version using the handy quick link. White shifter cable housings and hydraulic brake hoses finished the customization.
No secret that I am a bike snob but I have told myself it's OK to not ride XTR on a training and throw-it-down-the-mountain bike.

A few hours after completion, Todd Carver e-mailed with a Retul bike fit opening. I quickly snatched it up. Demo for some Trek factory brainiacs in town. My set up was based on dimensions from my other bikes so I figured I was pretty close. Just wanted confirmation. All the adjustment needed was to drop the seat 1cm and go ride it.

Time to quite being a "Fred" and start dedicating major hours to the saddle.