Iditasport Extreme
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MAY '99 On the National Track Merrell and McCoy take on the EDS Cup Series BY JEFFREY NACHTIGAL ounging on the grassy infield at the San Jose Velodrome, Maria McCoy sat back Lto watch the first round racing action of the EDS Track Cup in March. As a large field lined up at the rail for the start of the women’s points race, McCoy realized with a jolt that she was supposed to be lining up for this race. (See “On the Track” on page 4) Iditasport Extreme BY PAT NORWILL ebruary 27, 1999 – Two days into the third annual Iditasport Extreme 350-mile Fwilderness race, 45% of the starting field had dropped out. From the north, cold air blew into racers’ faces at a steady 30 mph. With snow drifts, high winds and avalanche danger, this year’s race had turned into “the survival of the fittest.” (See "Iditasport" on page 6) Santa Claus Drives a Big Truck BY ESTELLE GRAY orking in a bike shop is like having Christmas all year long. Every day de Wlivery trucks show up at our door with boxes with our names on them! This time of year is the best. We get lots of boxes. It is like being a kid in a candy store. Sometimes, de- pending on who it is, I tell people I work in an adult toy store. (See "Santa's Truck" on page 14) Hey! Ride in all ** Teva package: Shoes & Clothes! 3 races ** Weekend in Bend Package: Lodging, Meals & Guided Tour! and you ** Free entries to Year 2000 High Cascades Races! ** One more super prize! can win: Bothell Ski & Bike Dura Ace Custom Titanium Bicycle $3,665.00* Ultegra Custom Titanium Bicycle $3,170.00* Campagnolo Record Titanium Bicycle $4,116.00* * Not including pedals. See these models at: Elliott Bay Bicycles 2116 Western Ave. Seattle 206-441-8114 On the web: www.davidsonbicycles.com 2 MAY ‘99 Bicycle Paper OPINION chain gang that I regularly commute with. Volume 28 • Number 4 The Zen of bike Unlike most bike commuters for whom May, 1999 maintenance or the the ride to work is a solitary experience, PUBLISHER Paul Clark my commute includes a highly social ferry MARKETING & grime and grind of ride across Puget Sound. There’s a ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jay Stilwell regular contingent that sits in the same EDITOR David McNamara deferral GRAPHIC DESIGN Mellanie Thompson area every day. Sometimes nine or ten CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Erik Moen people are crammed into two benches that keep their INTERNS Rick Peterson Northwest riders who commute or typically seat five or six. The group joke bikes serviced WRITERS Maynard Hershon simply ride for fun year-round know the is that the two positions next to the and clean throughout the Jeffrey Nachtigal perils. Grime, dirt and stones window should be plaqued to honor the winter. Significantly, nobody Gordon Black Pat Norwill approximately the size of billiard balls most frequent occupants - Jeff, a Poulsbo confessed to paying for these services, Estelle Gray insinuate themselves into all the moving hairdresser who pedals to Capitol Hill, even though a bike service at a store costs Erik Moen parts of your bike. Not to mention the bike and Kevin, a manager at a less than an hour’s labor at your average PHOTOGRAPHY Scot Filion rider. The process of grime saturation photo-processor in the Denny Regrade. BMW dealership. Marianne McCoy begins around the The rest of What about you? Are you too cheap Richard Larson PRINTING Consolidated Press summer equinox and the regulars to pay a bike mechanic to service your DISTRIBUTION Ben Slaught reaches its inevitable Outspokin’ include Larry, a bike? Or do you love getting oil on your Grosse Mailing conclusion when the lawyer; architect hands, gunk on your wrenches and BY GORDON BLACK clocks announcing Mike; graphic generally get into the zen of bicycle spring finally move designer Kim; mechanics? Or do you simply defer until forward. photo specialist Mark; mechanic Ken; the final moment close to total Woody Cox not only won last year’s National Masters Pursuit I’m talking maintenance so deferred Kent, another lawyer (it is Bainbridge mechanical failure, then do it yourself? (cover), but he also won the Island after all); and computer guy Mike. The auto companies say you should World’s Masters Pursuit and holds that it has reached a psychotic state of the World Record. Further, he was denial. Your ears are deaf to the belt-sander Peter, Jay, Julie and a handful of others a member of the gold medal- PHOTO BY MARIANNE MCCOY winning National and World’s noises when you pull on the brakes; your make occasional appearances, though I Masters Olympic Sprint team as eyes are closed to the black goo embedded suspect they simply have more well as the National Masters Team Pursuit winners. on your rims, cranks and other parts. And interesting companions elsewhere on the then there’s your chain. There’s so much ferry. muck caked on you could grow a minor But back to the subject of bike crop on it. maintenance. An informal poll of these Sound like your bike? It is my bike. The bike commuters revealed this: at least half Bicycle Paper is published ten times a year, monthly Feb. through poor thing had taken so much abuse in two actually clean and maintain their bikes on change the oil in your car every 3000 miles Nov. by Seattle Publishing. Write to 12420 Gibson Road, Everett, WA 98204. Internet web address: http://www.bicyclepaper.com years and nary a hint of maintenance that a regular basis. About a quarter do no to prolong engine life. Bike companies when finally I had to disconnect the front maintenance until something breaks or don’t have the same message about Phone (425) 355-9322 or toll free 1-888-836-5720. Fax (425) 438-9031. E-mail [email protected]. brake because it continually rubbed against needs replacing. The rest were too busy regular tune-ups to your bike, though Subscription rates: $12.00 per year; $20.00 for two years. the rim, I knew it was time to do some looking out of the window to answer my stores that offer repairs can do as well POSTMASTER Send address changes to: maintenance. I shod it with new pads. I questions. Computer guy Mike, who financially off fixing bikes as they can from Bicycle Paper even washed it. The accumulated owns a Klein road bike, selling them. 12420 Gibson Road, Everett, WA 98204 grime from the chain was taken cleans his bike the most As an admitted procrastinator of bike to a Superfund site regularly, allegedly maintenance, take it from me: do All articles, photos and artwork appearing in Bicycle Paper are the sole property of Bicycle Paper. No reprinting or any other use for disposal. Not because he has to keep it yourself and your bike a favor and get it is allowed without obtaining the written permission of the publisher surprisingly, my bike in his apartment. He serviced. There are guys out there with or editor. Unsolicited editorial contributions about personalities, touring, runs better now. claims he doesn’t let it into aprons who actually enjoy doing that stuff. racing, advocacy, equipment, health and events are welcome. All With all the his bedroom. manuscripts should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Write or call for editorial guidelines and deadlines. All self-righteousness of Some of the advertising inquiries should be directed to Jay Stilwell. a born-again bike respondents in this highly Repair diagrams courtesy of Seattle Bi- Bicycle Paper is listed in The Consumer Magazine & Agri Media Source SRDS. mechanic, I declared my unscientific poll claimed to cycle Supply and Park Tool Co. recent spring clean to the JUMP ON IT. SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Enclosed is my check or money order for a subscription to Bicycle Paper Please check the appropriate boxes: Canadian Subscribers: U.S. funds, please. Publishers of the ONE YEAR for $12 Top-notch journalism by STP Official Program. TWO YEARS for $20 people who know the sport... Coverage of the people, NAME_____________________________________________ places and products of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, ADDRESS__________________________________________ British Columbia... CITY/STATE/ZIP_____________________________________ MAIL TO: The Northwest's most Bicycle Paper FAX: (425) 438-9031 comprehensive rides 12420 Gibson Road PHONE: (425) 355-9322 calendar. Everett WA 98204 Email: [email protected] Bicycle Paper MAY ‘99 3 FEATURE “I was sitting there watching them and go to nationals, do the EDS races.’ She even then I realized that that was my race,” McCoy gave me my pursuit bike....” remembers with a laugh. “I yelled to Lisa to Merrell, too, was influenced by Smith’s ‘hurry up, our race is starting’! We made it encouragement to try the national races, a to the back and they said go. No warm-up, move that has had dramatic affects on her but we finished.” development. Just finishing at San Jose would have been “I dropped over 16 seconds on my 3000K fine with McCoy, who as a pursuit (time trial) pursuit in one season. If you stay in a rider “never expected results.” McCoy not national race, you can do anything,” says only finished the 20K race, but managed a Merrell. “I learned at the EDS last year that 20th place, and then another 20th place in the biggest thing is to relax, pay attention the 10K scratch race. Lisa Merrell, who and learn.” considers herself an “all-rounder,” opened Merrell is also quick to point out her many eyes with an unexpected 4th place in abilities on the road: As of April, she had the scratch race and 7th overall in the event reached the No.