We by no means have the firepower, the resources, the sponsors, or the troops to challenge Rapha Continental but we do have the spirit of adventure. The search for beauty, style, love, passion, inspiration, and the lost art of cycling. Dogs, Bicycles, Planes, Art, Coffee, Vegetables, Pain, Suffering, Glory, Playfulness, and Wonder. Let it begin.

By Michael Wolfe and Amelia Jones – Wildlife Expert

After twice being delayed by Jehovah’s Witness at the front door we departed under threatening skies for the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on the north end of the Great Salt Lake. A quick stop for $11 sandwiches and designer soda pop at Liberty Heist Fresh we hit the road. Upon arriving at the Refuge, the rain had stopped and the temperature was a balmy 60 degrees. As we’ve been commissioned to write a story for Cycling Utah Magazine the goal was to see as many birds as possible and document our adventure in our trusty journal.

We passed a Pikey Camp as we entered the Refuge.

Once underway on the 12 mile dirt loop, we could see large columns of gnats extending a hundred feet into the air. The swarms were almost more than we could handle. The first observation deck was completely amass with these nasty creatures so we high tailed it west into the void, gnat column in tow. I’m amazed at how fast these swarms can fly. After a couple miles into a mistral, the swarms blew away and we were taken aback by a breathtaking view of the desert landscape and anvil clouds.

The birdwatching and fighting of gnats let to a series of unfortunate events. As I was standing at the crossroads listening to the deafening screech of birds, I turned around and found Amelia lying on the ground suffering a bio-mechanical from which she quickly recovered.

The rest of the photos: Link

Last year’s report including a list of bird we saw and photos: Link

We left just in time as the rain set in for the rest of the evening.

Yea, so Art put the thump on the masters at Hell of the North last weekend. I had the fortune of riding in the neutral support car so I had a bird’s eye view of how it unfolded. Art won with grace and strength — tact and mercy. A break of 5 got off on the second lap and stayed away for the remainder of the race. There were two or three guys from Canyon Bikes. At one point, a Canyon rider attacked when one of the stronger riders in the break sat up to clean the mud from his glasses. You’d think someone who’s been racing long enough to make it to masters would know better. By the last two laps it was whittled down to 4 riders, two of which were from Canyon Bikes. Those two riders got 3rd and 4th. Some divine irony there I suppose. After the race I asked a long haired spectator how he felt about the tactics and this is what he said:

The rest of the photos:

Can’t wait until next year. A final 2008 goodbye from The Church of the Big Ring and some photos:

Les Jambes Skinny

Damage at Cutthroat Cross

Take the Money!

Farewell

Rode for three hours today hoping to explore the dirt roads north of the city that lead out to the lake. Unfortunately, all roads were gated a mile or so into the adventure. We went on a tour of Swedetown instead. Both Ed and Victor have new cross bikes. Victor got green rims. What the hell was he thinking?

See the slideshow here