Ethos Brotherhood...

Dominating the BLVD Cup...

Garet

Travis Cameron

More of Lyle's photos of the event can be found HERE

Sunshine Divine...

A-freaking-men! The sun FINALLY came out. The gloomy gray weather has ended...at least for now. I made it through the a week of the flu and am now ready to get back in the saddle. Today was the day (Sunday) so I met Travis (a.k.a. the trail a$$hole) at at his trail. The tread was dry, leaf covered and scary-good. The rocks were slicker than a greased-possum, making the techie section a real bear, sending me into the earth more than once. I guess I was not fully recovered from the flu because I could barely ride. I bet ol' Travis waited for me at least six times in as many miles. At one point I just wanted to walk my bike, but I trudged-onward. We checked out some of the new trails being cut in Swope Park after our ride. Man, this area is going to be a destination for sure. The terrain is just too wicked-cool not to attract more than the locals. So here is too the divine sunshine, thank you for showing your face and bringing me out of the gloom...

Hump Day Bliss...

Man, the rain was headed to our neck-of-the-woods at a fast pace – according to the radar. Shoffner and I had plans to ride…somewhere, preferably DIRT. I was dying, just waiting for him to get out of class so we could beat the weather and have a good time tearing around...as the sprinkles started coming down. At this point any mere mortal would have put his tail between his legs and called it a night, headed to the local bar and told fishing stories all night long; but not me. Shoffner finally called and was headed to my place for an adventure ride. The rain was not coming down enough to make the ground wet under the canopy of trees in my yard, so we figured the trails would be golden. We were right! We headed out from my place at 7:30 with lights. Down the Lawrence hill and into the Mill Creek trail system just long enough to cross the creek into SMP. Once in the park we hit some good single track and gravel to get us to the mountain bike trails. We blazed the purple loop, the red spur and finally the orange. I’ll say it again; the trails were in perfect shape! YAHOO! We then head out on a mission to continue our dirt single track endeavors and had great success in adding about 6 more miles to our ride. What a freaking awesome time followed by what else but a nice cool beverage. The rain barely hit the area and it was bone dry on the trails as well as the pavement by the time we arrived back at my place around 9:45. I guess you suckas that stayed home because you were scared of melting are wishing you would have sacked-up and made it out for Hump Day. It’s raining today and I have no regrets…

Boom Box...

Dirty Dancing...

The Swayze Memorial Cross Extravaganza started off with a bang on Wednesday night. A hand full of mental cyclists showed face for what ended up being a grand time in one of midtowns hidden parks. Britton mixed it up for us with a three stage event.

First we all lined up for a time trial. All I am going to say is this; I must have been watching way too much television, because you just can't pull a Tokyo Slide on a Cross Check in grass going ludacris speed and live to tell about it, unless of course you are me, and I did not fair all that well. I don't seem to know how to jump those barrier thingy's either; I manged to knock that puppy right over with my failed bunny-hop attempt. I must have been a hoot to watch! My boy Garet busted out the TT in good form (even though he was totally sober) and went on to finish the overall event tied for a money spot

Second we did a 9ish minute cross race with many trees and steep but short hills. I think Cameron passed me on his fixie like twelve times in 9 minutes...at least that's how I remember it. The new training plan that Quannum has me on; beers before and during races for a quick pre-hydration and carbo-load, did not treat me well. Maybe it was the Power bar I added to the mix...but I thought that would dial me in...wrong-o, sucka! Oh Well, It was all for fun anyway!

Third we did a similar but longer cross race with an added 40' of sand. The sand was hell on all but Cam, who once again lapped us with his hovercraft riding abilities. He'd float the entire sand pit on his 2.4's as we all ran through like girls.

The whole event for me, was all about having a low-stress good time with no plan of even getting close to a good finish. I have to get the hot-dog cross guys totally psyched-out thinking that I am indeed, a tard.

I'll be there next week with my game face on, ready for action and post-race urban madness!

On a side note I was able to get in a quick ride at SMP with Andre. This was a good thing because I had been home with a sick boy for many days and needed some fresh air before I turned into a fat p.o.s.

Andre and I did a lap plus* and had a good, yet fairly relaxing time on what I'd have to say was the best weather day we've had all year. Perfect day actually. I do have to comment on the trail alteration that we came upon. Someone has dumbed-down the step-up on red by breaking it off. Yes, someone has broken the rock ledge step-up so that every tard on the block can send the obstacle now. Bummer! I thought this was the 'advanced' trail...

Be There...

A New Dawn...

Thursday night the temps were perfecto for a ride at BURP. The Ethos Racing posse gathered for a quick 'before the sun goes down' lap from the Sandtrap. Andre and I arrived early and zoomed a turn on the Wagon Trail. I love that section of trail with it's technical rock features and finally the fast flowing trail back to the bridge.

We then met up with Travis and Jamie, who were pimping the new Ethos Racing kit. Looking good fellas! We headed out Oxbow to the East side, flew through Middle and High Lines and then called it a night as the rain and sun came down. BURP is a great place to get on some dirt with all flavors of difficulty; sweet climbs, large technical rocks, zoomy downhills and fast sections along the river. Just a grand time in the city with the feeling of being lost in a forest. I love Blue River!

KC Cup Race Photos...

Local Photographer Randy Braley was at the event and has some great photos up for your viewing pleasure HERE.

If you'd like to get prints of any of these photos, contact info is HERE.

KC Cup 2009 - Race Report

Heartland put on another fine festival of events over the weekend at the new Kansas City hot-spot; Swope trails. Saturday things started off with cyclocross. The course was sweet with a mix of dirt single track, some pavement and lots of turns through grassy terrain. I couldn’t tell you how many folks were actually racing but there were just as many kids and wives out watching which was great to see. Chipotle donated 100 burritos for the event, which were sold and profits benefited the local trail building pocket book of the ERTA. The weekend of events was a fundraiser for them so that the 50ish miles of trails that have been planned can become a reality over the next decade. I’m psyched to see this happen!

Out for the race were many locals. A few note worthy mentions are Dave Wilson, Jamie Jeffries and Brian Chasm. These fellas love to have a good time riding bikes! My main man Dave Wilson brought home 3rd in the Single Speeed class, ripping it up 'multi-bike' style on his mountain Bike with skinny tires. Nice riding Dave!

Dave getting ready to dominate...

Brian felxing his single speed muscle power.

Jamie ripping the course.

Sunday was the XC Mountain Bike race. I had long awaited this event! I knew that most of my riding pals would be racing and I was even more psyched that my Wife and Son would be there cheering me on!

I raced the usual Single Speed class. We started off the line 2 minutes behind the Experts. The course started with a series of pavement to dirt single track jaunts, then down a paved road for a ½ mile and finally into the woods on the dusty, technical and rock covered single track. I had a great start considering all the pavement (which can be slow going with only one gear). I was trucking it pretty good and went into the woods in about third position in my class. I was ripping through the trails and feeling great. My knees did not bother me one bit, even after all of the worrying! Knowing that the 8-pins section was coming up, I was able to pass a handful of riders and get in there, without what would be a potential road block. I knew that the 8-pins section was so technical that riders would crash, walk or just go way too slow. I love this section and planned to blaze it on my bike, no walking for me...that would make me feel like a real looser. I made it about ¼ of the way into 8-pins when I lost my chain. I tried to put it back on and keep riding three times. It kept falling back off. I finally realized that I had somehow bent my front chain ring!!! F%&K!!! This is the second chain ring I have taco’d in two weeks! This time it was my White Industries (last time it was a Surly). I laid my bike down and grabbed the nearest rock, then proceeded to beat the ring until it was straight enough to hold the chain and I was back riding. I would guess that 25 riders passed me during that time. Bummer!

I knew there was no hopes for a podium finish now but I was NOT going to get another DNF, so I decided that I would just do as planned and keep riding hard and pick-off as many riders as I could and finish the race. I was feeling solid and riding well when I decided to grab my water bottle for a refresher and it was gone. I guess during my ghetto bike repair I had lost my only water bottle! Bummer again; I was thirsty, but still determined to keep cranking along! Thankfully when I passed My cheering section (Dave, Racer, Timbo, Kelly and Seamus), Kelly had an extra water bottle and she handed it to me and I kept on riding and was so thankful she was able to hook me up! I did at some point along the way find my missing water bottle on the trail, so I grabbed it as I passed and was good to go.

Still feeling solid on my last lap, still passing riders and most of all having a great time, I popped-out onto the final climb to the finish and sprinted to the line. I was feeling great and ready for another lap! I had a great race and if I had not had the mechanical on my first lap, would have made the podium! I don’t care so much about that though, so all was good and off to the ‘free sponsor beer’ cooler I went! I placed 6th and by the looks of the lap times, I was way behind after that first lap but made up a little time on the second! It was great to have Kelly and Seamus there cheering me on and awaiting my finish at the line. It’s cool to be able to hug your kid when you finish a race and feel the love. He was cheering me on the whole time! Thanks Bubs!

My Family at the finsh.

My bros all had great races. Cameron took 2nd to Shad in the Expert race. Garet pulled off a close 3rd and Travis came in not far back in 5th, also in expert. Nice riding fella’s!

Cam enjoying some post race hydration, straight from the case study that beer does rehydrate you better than water!

Cam (2) and Garet (3) on the podium.

Tige (1) and Travis (5) on the podium.

All in all it was a great weekend of racing and a very well put-on event! Special thanks to Heartland, specifically the local boys for all for doing the trail work, making for the best trail in Kansas City hands down . Special Thanks to Travis Stephens for doing most of the man-work building these kick-a$$ trails.

Cowtown Posse in disguise!

Results are HERE

Hope to see you all out at the Swope Trails soon, be it riding OR building! -Burnsey

Buy My Stuff...

For sale:

s o l d White Brothers Magic 29 Suspension Fork, 100mm of travel. Used for less a month. Sold my 29er, so the fork is now for sale. Excellent condition. Disc Brake only. Like New!The perfect fork for those wanting to go from rigid to suspension, especially good for single speed due to the 'magic valve' technology that keeps the fork from 'bobbing' while climbing. I run the same fork on my 26" bike and it kicks major a$$. Highly recommend this baby for your 29er! Photos upon request...Asking $300

Specialized 'Roval traversee CL 26" wheelset, tubless set-up. Super light. Roll true and no hopes, but do have a few dings in the rims (nothing that inhibits performance). Will accept up to a 9-speed cassette. Asking $275

s o l d Chris King Headset, 1 1/8" black, includes 5mm headset race. One piece is annodized gold, so I guess this is a mis-matched set, but it's what I ran to complement some gold hubs in the past. Excellent condition. Asking $75

s o l d Race Face Turbine Crankset, 5 bolt, 94bcd, silver. Excellent condition. Bought these much wanted cranks for one of my SS builds. You can run these with three rings OR like I would, with one and a bash gaurd. Requires square taper BB. I also have a Race Face bash gaurd and a Surly 32t stainless ring. Asking $75 for the cranks, $100 with ring & gaurd.

Truvative team Carbon Riser Bars, 31.8 clamp. Seen a ton of use, scratched and ugly, but beefy and good to keep you from rattling out your teeth. Asking $40

s o l d Surly Track Cogs (thread on)I have at least two. One is a 19t and the other is an 18t. Asking $15 each

s o l d Thomson X4 Stem, 31.8 clamp, 110 x 12, black. Asking $70

s o l d Crank Brothers Candy C pedals, yellow, well used w/o cleats (new cleats are $20 at your LBS). Asking $25

s o l d Oury Lock On Grips, black w/ silver lock rings, like new (no endcaps). Asking $10

s o l d Oury Grips, standard grey, great condition. Asking $5

No Name Drop Bars, silver. FREE

s o l d WTB Rocket V saddle, silver & Black, cromo rails, like new. Asking $25

Prices are OBO.

Serious inquries only, please. Email me at climbing_guides@hotmail.com. I might be able to get photos for you, but I'd rather you just come and see the goods. First come first serve. You come to me, I am a busy man. Thanks for looking!