ROCKY MOUNTAIN TOUR & RACE GUIDE EDITOR’S Volume 7: MARCH, 2014 Publisher NOTES Seattle Publishing Jay Stilwell, President Dave Iltis, Cycling Utah Editor David Ward, Cycling Utah Publisher Gravel events and young talented riders — you’ll find a lot of both Associate Publisher / Editor In Chief Claire Bonin in this year’s guide. Associate Editor Road cyclists, both recreational riders and racers, usually prefer Darren Dencklau a smooth asphalt surface, free of debris. It is thus interesting to see Editorial Intern the increasing number of organizers who are moving away from the Christian Downes paved roads and into the backcountry, using dirt and gravel roads Contributors to hold great new events. It started a couple of years ago with a few Claire Bonin, Darren Dencklau, innovators venturing off the beaten path. However, this new trend Christian Downes, Katie Hawkins, has exploded this season, following a similar pattern as the gran Dave Iltis, Benjamin Rainbow, fondo craze we began seeing a few years back. Sand Creek Sports, Craig Undem I personally find the concept appealing and what I like the most Design / Production about it is being out of the traffic and in quieter places. It allows peo- Amy Beardemphl ple to expand their horizons and explore new places. Participants in Photography these events need to realize that they require more self-reliance than Jim Anderson, Steve Fassbinder Dave Iltis, Benjamin Rainbow, a regular road ride where Rough Riders 200 / Mark Fox, “...but it is equally rich SAG wagons are around Santa Fe Century, to lend a helping hand Tri-States Gran Fondo, Vicious Cycle, Wild Horse Century in young talent filled with and rest stops are plenti- ful. Although these may Sales those aspirations.” Claire Bonin, Darren Dencklau, sound exciting, I suggest Dave Iltis, Jill Von Buskirk a bit of caution to begin- Cover Photo ner riders — tackle the shorter versions of these events with a friend There are many different options until you gain more confidence in your abilities and build your skills. when it comes to touring. With the Will the gravel grinders and dirt road tours achieve the same advent of fat bikes, there are now popularity level and scale as the gran fondos? Most likely not, but for even more ways to get out there. With the ability to easily travel those interested in a different adventure, give it a try. through sand and snow, those Following in this spirit of change, we are introducing a new wide tires open up a whole new section to the Rocky Mountain Tour and Race Guide this year, world to those willing to work for the athlete’s profiles section (found on page 52-59), which features their adventures. Photo by Steve young and promising riders. The region is well known for its count- Fassbinder, aka Dr. Doom Second Cover pg.51: Cyclocross less and prolific professional and elite bike racers who medal on racing in Utah. Photo by Dave Iltis the world scene, but it is equally rich in young talent filled with RM TOUR AND RACE GUIDE is published those aspirations. once a year by Bicycle Paper, Cycling Utah and Seattle Publishing. Thanks to the countless efforts of many development clubs, Bicycle Paper, 68 South Washington St., Seattle, WA 98104. coaches, mentors and parents who guide the next generation, and Phone 206.903.1333 or toll free the one following right behind, these determined athletes are well on 1.888.836.5720, fax 206.903.8565, email [email protected] their way to surpass the accomplishments of their predecessors. Cycling Utah, 4543 S 700 E., Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84107 In this edition we are introducing 22 spotlight-deserving racers 801-268-2652 / [email protected] who are all a great source of inspiration and who represent the future POSTMASTER Send address changes to: of the sport. And that is just the tip of the talent pool, so keep an eye Bicycle Paper, 68 South Washington St. Seattle, WA 98104 out for the 2015 edition for a second presentation. All articles, photos and artwork appear in RM TOUR AND RACE GUIDE are the sole prop- Happy riding, erty of the RM TOUR AND RACE GUIDE and Bicycle Paper. No reprinting or any other use is allowed without obtaining the written permission Claire Bonin of the publishers or editor. All advertising inquiries should be directed to Editor Darren Dencklau ([email protected]) and Dave Iltis ([email protected]) Bicycle Paper / RM TOUR AND RACE GUIDE is listed in The Consumer Magazine & Agri Media Source SRDS. Though Bicycle Paper staff makes every rea- sonable effort to ensure that event information and dates are accurate, we suggest checking individual websites for any changes and/or updates that may occur. 2 RM TOUR AND RACE GUIDE INSIDE LOOK ADVERTISERS & CONTENT FEATURES Going Faster .................................6 Rear Derailleur ......................... 8 ROAD TOURING March – June .........................10-28 July – December ............... 28-48 MTB TOURING March – October ............... 49-50 ROAD RACING Athlete Profiles .................. 51-59 March – June ..................... 60-66 July – October ................... 66-68 MTB RACING March – June ..................... 69-76 July – November ............... 76-81 Racing in the Utah countryside. Photo courtesy of Dave Iltis CYCLOCROSS Calendar .................................. 82 America By Bike ......................20 Evergreen Health 7 Hills of Bicycle Paper ..................... 83, 88 Kirkland / KITH ..................18 TRACK Bicycle Racing Association Fire Road Dirt Series ...............77 Calendar .................................. 83 of Colorado .........................IBC Flagstaff Medical Center .........33 Bike and Barge Good Sam Bike Jam ...............45 MULTISPORT Holland Tours........................34 Gran Fondo de Taos / Calendar ............................. 84-86 Bike MS / National MS Taos Sports Alliance .............27 Society Colorado-Wyoming Hotter than Heck ....................37 TIPS & MORE Tour Companies .........................87 Chapter ..................................25 Huntsman 140 ..........................23 Cycling Clubs ......................... 88 Beaver Dam 49er Gravel Grinder Huntsman Senior Games .......86 / Nevada State Park .............47 J&G Cyclewear .........................11 Bob Cook Memorial Ride / Komen Colorado Ride for the Pass ......................17 Team Evergreen ...................32 Ride for the Cure ..................35 Rockwell Relay .........................65 Brian Head Resort ................. BC Lifetime ....................................71 Rough Riders 200 ...........IFC, 29 Canari / LeeMarc Industries ..15 McKee Classic / McKee Spin Geeks Events .....................1 Chile Pepper ............................73 Medical Foundation .............16 Summit Challenge ..................41 City of Aspen Gran Fondo ......21 Mountains to Desert (M2D) / The HeArt of Idaho .................36 Colo. Eagle River Ride / Just for Kids Foundation ......44 Tour de Prairie / City of Snowboard Outreach Soc. ...32 Park City Point 2 Point ............79 Cheyenne Parks & Rec ........26 Cycle Salt Lake Century .........14 Park to Park Pedal / Cathedral Tour of Utah ...............................3 Cycling Utah .............................62 Gorge Visitor Center ............47 Tour of Utah - Denver Century Ride / Pocatello Pedalfest / Ultimate Challenge ...............39 Creative Strategy Group ........5 Steel & Associates ................75 Triple Bypass Ride / Enchanted Circle Century Portugal Bike ...........................19 Team Evergreen ...................31 / Red River Chamber R+E Cycles ........................... 7, 26 Wacky Bike Ride / of Commerce .........................42 RAW Ride / Logan Rotary ......34 Wargin Events .......................43 4 RM TOUR AND RACE GUIDE INSIDE LOOK RIDE PREPARATION THE FUNDAMentaLS FOR GETTING FASTER By Coach Craig, Cycle University Cycling is like any other sport; there are fun- intense you should ride. If you can only do two damental skills, equipment and conditioning that spin classes a week, you should be puking at each create the level of performance on the bike. Like one! If you can pedal 12 hours a week, you need the periodic table, they are the building blocks of to mix long endurance days with short strenuous all matter, and in our case, they build the cyclist ones. Get a plan and work it. we are or want to become. Some of us use only 4. Learn to draft and ride with others. certain elements, while others harness them all — Take a skills class and join a local club, or a racing in the right quantities and proper sequence — to team to learn the language of group cycling and maximize speed and become comfortable performance. Below with riding near other are are some tips to people. Learning how help you get faster to draft and pedaling this season. behind other stronger 1. Get a proper cyclists will instantly bike-fit. You could be make you 20% faster. losing more than 10% 5. Be patient. Take of your speed to a bad your time and work at fit. Every season, rid- a level your body will ers with power meters allow. Don’t ride as hard witness instant gains as you can on every after getting fitted training session — this correctly. Plus, their Paceline practice! Reshuffling the group based on wind is the most common cycling enjoyment direction. Photo courtesy of Jim Anderson / USAC Talent ID Camp rookie mistake. Start increases as they get more comfortable and faster your program with easy miles and add an occa- on the bike. sional difficult day once every