8th Annual Yeti Tribe Meet in Winter Park

WIENER DOG LIMBO TRICKS

Once a year the dedicated Yeti Tribe gets together to show off their latest Yeti builds, get re-acquainted, go for epic rides and m a y b e, have a brew or two. This year was no exception.

The group was 250 strong and met in an uncut stream side field at the edge of Winter Park, Colorado to continue the tradition. The Sarge has attended every official tribe meeting held since 2002. For this event, I loaded up a total of 10 bikes, 3 kin folks, 2 wiener dogs and all the camp gear to test the aging Silverado over Berthod Pass. All 7 Yetis were assembled front line in camp for drooling eyes.

Yeti freaks from all over the US and a couple of foreign countries assembled in the Beaver Village Lodge meadow to celebrate our brand.

Group 8:30 am mounted up for a 30 mile trek through Tipparary Creek and other Grand County singletracks while Taylor and I chose to cruise over to the WP Resort for chair rides up and super sweet downhill bombs on the long travel heavyweights.
"Lets make one more run before the 4:00pm lift deadline". One too many, the wind bounced us around on the lift line and cold wet gusts welcomed us to the summit. By the time we streaked down to treeline, it was pouring down hard on the final descent making the downhill course slick, nasty and cold.

Icky ride back to camp...seems like we were laughing though.

Cudos to Sarah Rawley, Chris Conroy, Steve Hoogendoorn, Big Joe Hendrickson and all of the Yeti crew that made the happening. Death to the coffee delivery boy.

See you next year in Durango.

Sol Vista National Championship Races Just Another Good Time

Just hated to stay home on a summer weekend so we tripped over to Sol Vista Resort for the 2009 National Championship Races.

SV is not the prettiest ski resort in Colorado and it does not have great facilities or many runs. What it did have this weekend is sun, loose powder sand and over 800 competitors in 5 disciplines. Race winners here took home a Stars & Stripes Jersey.

While I definitely just showed up for a good time, it turned out to be a fun course with high-walled berms, powdery turns and a short uphill climb where I could spin the XC legs and take advantage of the pure downhill competitors.

SOL VISTA NATIONAL SUPER D
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Men 50+
1-Paul Zarubin (Northstar at Tahoe)
0:07:12
2-Robert Bevard (Horns Hill Hucksters / God / Bike Doctor)
0:00:08
3-David Strouse (COMotion Sports / Yeti)
0:01:59
4-Woody Harris (Mojo Wheels)0:02:13
5-Michael Kast
0:02:48

Much needed brownie points were gained when we pulled up at the Winter Park Chateau instead of the Super 8 I had mentioned earlier. The next 7 weekends are spoken for in the name of ME and my cycling. Love You Terri!!

(http://www.winterparkchateau.com/index.html)

FIRECRACKER 97 - NO-WHERE COLORADO

While most mountain bikers were heading for Breckenridge, Durango or Winter Park, I loaded up the Jayco and Silverado and beelined to wonderful Sterling, Colorado in the northeastern part of the state to enjoy the 4th of July celebrations.

Actually, we did not see any fireworks and forgot to put the flags out at the dilapidated Buffalo Hills RV Park off I-76 at the Sterling exit. Use to be a Jellystone Park campground in the '70s with a few signs of Yogi bear still around. Only there for the monthly elder-care trip spying on the 79 year old father-in-law since he never writes and let the phone thing lapse a couple of weeks ago. Long story.

I did managed to salvage the weekend by loading up the Yeti Road Project with dual water bottles and the road jersey with Powerbars and gel packs before proceeding northeast for beautiful Julesburg Reservoir (AKA Jumbo Lake) via State Highway 138 that parallels I-76. My work buddy, Brad Case was camped there with 87 relatives and various clan members so I thought I'd make a surprise appearance and bum water bottle refills.

After 40 miles of flat highway I was greeted with 5 miles of muddy country roads before topping out at the reservoir. I was so impressed with the local town of CROOK I passed through, I thought I'd share some stats with you in case you are looking for that perfect place to retire:

CROOK, COLORADO

Population in July 2007: 126.

Population change since 2000: -0.8%
Males: 65
(52.3%)
Females: 61
(47.7%)
Median resident age:
50.0 years
Colorado median age:
34.3 years
Zip code: 80726

Estimated median household income in 2007: $44,278 (it was $32,500 in 2000)
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $78,647 (it was $48,500 in 2000)
Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $81,511; Detached houses: $82,721;

Mobile homes: $41,750

Since the males outnumber the females, I'd shy away from Crook if I were a widower.

The real thrill of the day was trying to outrun the ominous clouds and pending thunderstorms predicted for the area. I managed to made it back to ex-Jellystone world about 1:00 pm just in time to beat the T-storms.

Oh yeah, another wonderful biking weekend on the road in Colorado..and yip, the ole' man's doing fine.

Although I thought a lap around the lake would make the ride a century, I finished up with a total of 97 miles round trip. Close enough.