Here’s to anyone that didn’t believe that surfing in the Silver State was a reality. This is a snapshot from Sand Harbor on 8/31… also saw surfers riding at Hidden Beach.
Author Archive for taldor
01
Sep
Surf Tahoe
13
Aug
Armstrong vs. Weins
Nice article on the recent Leadville 100 bike race with Lance Armstrong showing his stamina vs. 5 time (now 6 time) LV100 champ Dave Weins.
27
Mar
Rock Creek Hut Trip
Went hut-skiing with a crew from Reno / Tahoe for 4 days in Rock Creek, between Mammoth and Bishop (exit 395 at Tom’s Place to be specific). We stayed in a truly basic hut - canvas over a cylindrical frame, wood stove set on cinder blocks in the middle, coleman stove for cooking and turf on the floor. It was probably about 20 feet x 12 feet, about 7 feet high. We used sleds to tow up our food & gear (and 2 5-gallon kegs of IPA) about 1000 feet elevation over 5 miles on a x-country ski trail, set up camp in a hut, then spent the days climbing a few mtns and skiing. Since we had a good camp and towed the supplies, we were able to eat pretty well (steak, plenty of sausage, pork burritos, BACON….I’m sure we burned all the calories).
This photo shows the start of our tour on Saturday - we made it up to the ridge between the peak on the left (Bear Creek Spire) and the one in the center (Mt. Dade), and skied a good combo of variability, powder and corn for a really long descent.
More photos of the hut, towable party and other peaks skied to come.
31
Jan
D.P. 1/30/08
With the persistent snow and cold temps, ’strippers have been regularly patrolling the Mt. Rose b/c on the early shift. We convened this morning for a CC bowl session and the conditions are as good as they’ve ever been - it looks like the time is right for a peak-to-valley-floor run this weekend. It was difficult, but I managed to “pinch it off” partway down and get a few snapshots - clockwise from top left: Brad L., Captain Redbeard, Clair, and B.L. enjoying the view.
26
Nov
Wings of Bacon
This is probably the best way to squeeze your adrenaline glands dry. The only thing that’s holding me back from trying it is that I think I would find all my favorite sports too boring to bother with after a session of terrain/proximity flying in a wingsuit.
19
Oct
Golden Boot
This Golden Cowboy Boot was in the middle of a busy intersection near my office yesterday morning. It’s a fine example of things that are seen in Reno - the things that make one ask why? and how?
My interpretation includes a pimp named Leonard who gets the crap kicked out of him by a few of his ho’s on a Wednesday Night in Reno, losing one of his Gold Boots during the scuffle.
23
Aug
Kayak vs. Rally Truck
I know a few of you ’strippers find yourselves in a kayak from time to time enjoying our mountains from the bottom of a canyon…it’s been a thin year for whitewater, but the joneses don’t understand that - gotta feed ‘em somehow. An alternative to letting the water and gravity move you rapidly through your landscape is to find some flatwater and power up the kayak version of a jetboat! This is a worthy contest - a whitewater kayak modified to run with a 45 horsepower water jet vs. a “Tomcat” modified Range Rover. The contest is a race in Iceland, the kayak has to navigate an iceberg choked waterway while the Tomcat takes on some gnarly lavabeds…enjoy!
06
Jun
Sidecar Dreams
Since my early days, I’ve had a special respect for the idea of Western Sidecars. In my view, rickshaws, adult tricycles and other pedal-powered utility machines have an important place in a future of waning petro-fuels. But these utility machines do not represent leisure and freedom the way that a sidecar rig does. When I think of Western Sidecars, I think of the kid in junior high with a platform of expanded steel welded to his bike with a mismatched wheel. Once I saw him hauling 3 or 4 standing passengers to a fight afterschool - pure leisure. I also think of a slow ride on a classic BMW along Franktown road, or maybe Highway 49. For that matter, even a Ural Offroad Sidecar Setup would satisfy that quest for simultaneous leisure and adventure.
Now, I love to dream, but I am faced with the realities of my life. I love riding my EX 250 when I’m not pedaling, but my wife just isn’t down with my hopes of putting our new son in a motorcycle sidecar anytime soon. Recently, however, a novel idea has come to my attention. The concept of the Western Sidecar has been adapted to a bicycle child carrier sidecar! Well, my wife thinks this is less safe than the pull-behind design for two reasons: the problem of car-door openings and the fact that the cyclist takes up more road. I know that the cyclist has the right of way and should be treated as a car by traffic, but I am less likely to be aggressive with a child in tow (or on the side) than I would be flying solo. Any thoughts or input on this would be appreciated, as I anticipate making a decision in the coming weeks on the type of carrier. In the meantime, please enjoy some of these bicycle sidecar designs and I hope to see more of these on the streets in the future.
04
Jun
iPop
I hadn’t really considered drumming to be a dangerous activity before seeing this clip. It really makes you wonder how these things stay in our head after launching a big air on skis or riding washboard on your rigid frame bike. Watch the guy in the upper right - jackpot hits at about 11 seconds.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-WZPLWv3rE]
Get your Ride On!
Bike to Work Week is happening next week, which means it’s time for Pancakes
on Peavine!! Those of you who joined in last year know that it was a
quality morning, complete with flapjacks, hot joe, good company, and great
riding.
Here’s the general format: May 18th, early Friday morning. MTB up to a
groovy little overlook about 2/3rds of the way up the mountain. Start time
is of your choosing for the climb up Peavine–the only set time is to get to
the overlook by 6:30 a.m.
Once there, we’ll fire up the stoves and enjoy a hearty stack of flapjacks
and fresh java while watching the sun rise. Then it’s pack up the stuff,
finish the climb to the top, and drop down the backside via the aspen grove
singletrack, over to the top of Cow and: Voilà! 30 or so miles of riding
(depending on where you start and where you finish), 3,000′ of climbing,
fresh hotcakes with the sunrise . . . all before work.
Last year, camping was involved. It’s true, we had good times. I’m not
sure I’ll be doing that this year, but I’m happy to help you out with
details if you’re so inclined.
Please let me know if you’re interested and we’ll figure out details like
who’s carrying the pancake mix, syrup, coffee, etc…Oh yeah . . . it’s
BYOPFM. Bring Your Own Plate Fork and MugIf you forget, you’re using the dog bowl, which apparently is ok with Huck Tater.
And remember: Never underestimate the magical power of doing completely
senseless things with like-minded people in beautiful places
Mike
If you miss the launch, follow Poeville road up towards the peak. After you come around on the south side of the ridge, follow your nose - it will tell you where the bacon is.
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