Best Christmas Song Ever

Ivan Hrvatska- Make Love To Christmas

Merry Christmas

OHHHHHH YAAAA

Hello biking freinds

It's Movember and am growing my MO for prostate cancer and am looking for some donations.If you can help me go to http://www.movember.com/m/2635018 and make a small donation.

Thanks so much
Cory Smith

Now i wait!!!

Booked 5 nights in Leadville at the Super 8 and tossed my name in the lottery for the 100 mile mtb race now i wait until feb/2012 to see if i get in.Anything over 9 hr is unacceptable,i want the under 9 hr buckle this means i will have to shave off pretty much 2 hrs off my first time.My first 2 days at Elite have been great.I am so sore but i have to do one more day this week so i am booked in for this morning and i am going to suffer like a dog.

More great La Ruta Pics

http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://vimeo.com/31047220&ct=ga&cad=CAkQAhgAIAYoATAAOABAwMyl9QRIAVgAYgVlbi1VUw&cd=upa8UDxAROk&usg=AFQjCNG61bXPzIMo_si2GZFR1gL_Ohv8sQ

I love training in the winter

I will be again training with Jeff Fisher at Elite in Winnipeg starting in November.I am now counting the days.I invite everyone to come check it out and have an interview with Jeff you won't be sorry.As for summer it will much of the same.Lots of camping, training/riding,not much racing and likely another trip to BC with my bike and my family.Things in the works are trying to get back into Leadville to get sub 9hr and Trans Andes in Chile next winter.

Lunartic_Hubless Wheel Prototype.mov

Halloween is coming-Here's one of my favorite videos

Lost and Found

During the summer i wasn't around home much so that meant i lost my way and never rode at Birch except for once all summer but this past Sunday i finally found my way back.I went with Don and we had a great ride trying to hit every climb we could find and after 1400m it was time to go home.The trails were in great shape so everyone better get there butt's out there before the snow comes.  

Summer is coming to a end

Well summer is almost over for me and the potato harvest is just around the corner.This has been one of the best summers I've had in a long time.Camped every weekend except 2 since may long.Had a great camp spot with full service,wifi,pool,hot tub,and tons of great riding.Even got out to BC for some camping and riding.I got to ride and at the same time spend lots of time with my family.My winter was good as well i spent the winter training a Elite Performance in Winnipeg and really enjoyed that.It was a good mix of weight training and cardio.I may go back this winter i just haven't decided yet.I rode my new 29er the most this year but found time for my road bike a little and my other mtb's.This is the last weekend before our campground closes so Monday i haul the camper home.Then i will be able to ride around home a little more.

I just got back from my own stage ride!!!

Just got back from my holidays in BC and the weather was great.I decided to create my own stage ride to see more area and it was better than expected.With help from some of my friends down there i rode some real nice area.Here is the break down.

Stage One-Abbotsfort to White Rock
Stage Two-Abbotsford to Cultus Lake and then back to Abbotsford
Stage Three-Abbotsford to Hope
Stage Four-Hope to the summit of the Coquihalla and then back to Hope( This was a 45 km climb straight out of Hope and 45 km back down )
Stage Five-Recovery day with easy ride around Kawkawa Lake
Stage Six-Discovery trail down to then up Sumas Mtn road then back on the Discovery trail

Had alot of fun camping in Hope ,visiting friends,watching my daughter play with her cousins and of course riding my bike.Never saw a drop of rain until the day we left.

I like this video so much i had to post it again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuF7YIZJGyY&feature=related

Ok .....Yes i have been training hard!!!!

Reno's

Reno's are going well at the potato storage. Addition is just about done and i have a new truck loader coming from the USA. This is what it looks like.

I was just about supper!!!

Got in 125km of sweet riding at Clear Lake on Sat and Sun but Sunday i got a little to brave and had mother bear breathing down my neck as baby bear climbed the tree right in front of me.It was while i was doing a grassy climb so i spun my bike around and descended rather quickly as not to anger her anymore than i had to. So i guess it's back to eating berry's for you momma.

Canada Weekend Equals

Arrived Clear Lake Thursday night

Riding Friday,Saturday and Sunday with a bike swim on Friday across a channel while being stripped down to my bib shorts only to look up and see two love birds out for a walk watching me on the other side of the channel shaking there heads

Fire works
BBQ's

Lots of fruit

Swimming and hot tubing

Playground playing with Taya
Visit from grandparents on Friday

Evening walk by the lake Saturday night

Home Sunday night and had to chase atver's off Don Sissons field

Monday tired all day and to bed early

Bush Wacking

Rode the South Escarpment Sat and i was bush whacking.They haven't maintained this trail so there was lots of long grass and after an endo and my sixth downed tree that i had to scale over and the rain that started coming down i turned around and headed out.Man there was a lot of fresh bear tracks and shit on this trail.Being a hunter i like this.I have shot Moose,Deer,Elk,Coyote and a Timber Wolf which i have mounted in my basement but i have yet to shoot a bear.I then decided that because i was soaked anyways i would ride east from the trail head on the gravel road.After a few minutes i started going down and down.After around a 3km fast decent i was at the east gate( fun ). I then rode it back up to my truck.When i arrived i ran into a hiker who had just bush whacked for 6km through poison Evy and then told me he gets poison Evy bad so i told that it was probably game over for him but he should wear pants when he bush whacks back to his truck.I sure got wet and dirty today but the hot shower and warm food was good medicine.

Racing isn't shaping up

I got back to Clear Lake Thursday night.Came early by myself to do some work to the campsite and managed to get in a 1hr ride before dark ,rest of the family is coming Friday night.Sure like it up here and we plan on coming every weekend plus holidays all summer and then in August we are flying out to BC and i am bringing my bike for some epic riding. Plus i have another $200,000.00 reno and equipment upgrade going on at the storage this summer so this leaves no room for racing plus the location of the racing i would of liked to do are 4hr's plus away to get to from Clear Lake and to be honest i am just having to much up here to stay home to go to a race.I would like to do the duathalon that they have in Clear Lake or anything i can find in the area but we will have to see.Let me know if anyone is planning to come to Clear Lake maybe we could get together for a ride.

Riding Mountain Pic

Monday Ride

Decided to stay Monday at Clear Lake so i went went for another ride from my campsite.First i toured some gravel roads around my campground finding some nice climbs.I then rode into Clear Lake to explore.I rode some single track around the Wag and you'll see me campground having to jump a few downed trees.I then went and rode along the lake and found some fun single track in the bush beside the lake.Every thing was going ducky until a hit a stump with my crank arm that was in the grass along the trail.It really jarred me and stopped me dead.So i did a system ckeck on my bike which was A OK and continued on.Then i rode a trail that was full of water and ended at the lake shore.After riding out of the trail i looked down and noticed my 705 GPS was missing so rode back to the stump and looked around (nothing) went back threw the water (nothing) back to stump (nothing) up the hill (nothing) down the hill (nothing) and then back to stump on my hands and knees combing the grass with my fingers.All of a sudden there it was (relief ).So after that emergency it was time to header back to the campground .What  another great ride!!!

Fathers day ride 2

Rode the north escarpment up to bald hill then rode it all the way down to the park boundary then got my feet wet crossing a creek to get to j.e.t then rode it back up which was real wet and greasy.It took about 1:45 min to ride 25km.I then went back to the campground to swim and sit in the hot tub with my family.

Fathers Day weekend ride 1

So i'm at my camp site in Onanole and its been great.Got here late Friday night.Saturday was sunny so i went for ride from my campsite to clear lake and then did a loop around the hole lake and then back to the camp ground.It was 2hr and 60 km with some single track,dirt road,paved road and a section of trail that under water right up to the hubs on my 29er.I just about turned around but because i was wearing my La Ruta jersey i had to ride on and not be a wimp.had some rain Sat night but woke up to Sunny sky's Sun morning.It going to be a good day to ride.

New Build

Back in the spring i decided to change road bikes.I wanted something i could use in a few dualathalons.I had never done one and wanted to try one ,so far i have only done one but i have been to busy lately to race but back to the bike.I decided to buy a frame and build from there.I ended up buying Greg Sherwin's old road frame which was in such good shape that no one could believe it was used.This is what the finished product looks like.All i am waiting for is a free hub body for my campy stuff.

Ran in to one of these a Birch...Beware!!!

Birch Update

Rode Birch with Don Sat and it's good to go.Snow in some area's but lots of ridable stuff ( lots of fun ).GO THERE!!!!!!!

Bruxelles

Well i have the weekend off and i tried to volunteer because i don't get a chance to very often but it sounds like they have lots. So i have no choice but to go for my second jar of gravel. I do not have a cross bike and my road bike is still in the shop awaiting parts plus it's to pretty to ride on the gravel anyways . I will be doing the MTB cat so get your ass out there MTBers.The weather isn't ideal but who gives a F!!!!K.

Bianchi ev3 for sale . UPDATED THIS ITEM IS ALL SOLD

SOLD!!!

I now only have my 54cm frame, fork, headset, seat post and seat post clamp for sale.If anyone is interested make me an offer.It has carbon stays and the fork and seatpost are Bianchi carbon.

Brand New....Hot Off The Press!!!!!!

http://granfondohighwoodpass.com/

Riding Mountain

Looks like i will be spending a lot of time riding in and around Riding Mountain Park  because i just bought a seasonal camping site to park my trailer on.  As funny as it sounds i have never rode a bike there.I hear it is pretty good.  The reason i picked this area is because there is so much to do there not just for me but for the family as well.  Now i just have to wait for the snow to melt.

Don and Nathen at the Birkebeiner

They were in the skate category 30/34 and 50/54 http://results.birkie.com/pages/2011_pdf_results.php

Want to check your VO2 max? If you have a treadmill, then let the good times roll.

The length of time on the treadmill is the test score and can be used to estimate the VO2 max value.
This VO2 max test is a maximal exercise test where the athlete works to complete exhaustion ( or til you die ) as the treadmill speed and incline is increased every three minutes.
P.S..... Make sure that someone is with you so that if you die they can record your time.You don't want to die for nothing.


Stage 1 = 1.7 mph at 10% Grade


Stage 2 = 2.5 mph at 12% Grade

Stage 3 = 3.4 mph at 14% Grade

Stage 4 = 4.2 mph at 16% Grade

Stage 5 = 5.0 mph at 18% Grade

Stage 6 = 5.5 mph at 20% Grade

Stage 7 = 6.0 mph at 22% Grade

Stage 8 = 6.5 mph at 24% Grade

Stage 9 = 7.0 mph at 26% Grade

For Men VO2 max = 14.8 - (1.379 x T) + (0.451 x T²) - (0.012 x T³)


For Women VO2 max = 4.38 x T - 3.9

T = Total time on the treadmill measured as a fraction of a minute (ie: A test time of 9 minutes 30 seconds would be written as T=9.5).

Alps in California ??? OH Yah

http://www.deathride.com/

Good News!!!!

You can finally ride all 7 days of the TransRockies solo.How do you ask?  Well they now have a 3 and  4 day option so you just have to sign up for both and you can ride the hole thing solo because where the 3 day race ends the 4 day race starts.I remember emailing them about riding 7 days solo in 2009 and they said no way because of safety reasons.They must have got some better insurance or something.

Like Adventure!!!!Here's Something Different

http://www.sabahadventurechallenge.com/sac/

Which is the best frame material ( overall )

Pic your fav and let it be know!!

Hydroformed kinesium aluminium

6061 Aluminium

7005 Aluminium

SL Aluminium

7005 T6 Aluminium

6069 T6 Aluminium

6011 Aluminium

6061 T6 Alloy

High Mod Carb

Titanium

Carbon nanotubes

ONE DOWN!!

In less time than it takes to bake a frozen pizza, all 800 spots in the 2011 Test of Metal race were gobbled up on Saturday (Jan. 1).




It took 23 minutes for the race to completely sell out, breaking last year’s record time by one minute and thirty seconds.



Race director Cliff Miller was pleased with how swiftly the 800 spots went.



“It was fantastic,” he said. “We have a brand new record and I was a little surprised that they went so fast.”



Miller and the organizing group behind the race were stationed at the Howe Sound Brew Pub on Saturday (Jan. 1) to track the entries pouring in and he said it was fun to see how well received the race was.



“Everybody was really happy with the way the registration went,” he said, adding that he hasn’t yet perused through the entry list to see the makeup of the riders participating for the 2011 race.



Registration for the race began at 6 p.m. and the popularity of the Test of Metal was proven after the early-bird locals only registration sold out in 187 minutes on Dec. 1. This year’s race is scheduled to take place on June 18.



The race, which has been running on its current course since 1996, attracts mountain bikers from around the world and has become the most anticipated event on the B.C. mountain biking calendar. The 67-kilometre course features over 1200 metres of climbing and 35 kilometres of single-track racing.



Last year’s race attracted riders from as far away as Switzerland and Hong Kong. A total of 64 racers came from outside of Canada and almost a quarter of the Canadian entrants were from outside the Lower Mainland.



Past participants include Canadian Olympians Alison Sydor, Geoff Kabush, and Seamus McGrath, as well as notable celebrities like Vancouver Canucks’ icon Trevor Linden.



Miller also praised the work of the more than 300 volunteers who help make the race thrive.



“This race wouldn’t happen without all of our wonderful volunteers,” he said. “All the volunteers and the people in Squamish help make this event so great.”



Miller added that the next major focus for the mountain biking community in Squamish is on the Orecrusher, which is the first race in the Hell of a Series bike races. Taking place on May 14, the Orecrusher kicks off the series and is a lap race through the trails of the Cheekye Fan. Registration for the Orecrusher opens in March.

News

South African Croeser is newest signing for UK-based squad




The Orange Monkey-Cannondale cross country mountain bike team has been accepted by the UCI as a registered mountain bike team for 2011. The UK-based team, introduced in 2004, has grown each year and will undertake a demanding schedule of races at home and abroad, including five of the six World Cup events.



South African Rourke Croeser, a multiple-time national champion, is the newest addition to the roster. He will race in the elite/under 23 category along with Ben Roff, who is moving up from the junior category. Paul Beales and Chris Andrews will compete in the elite category while Alex Baker will represent the team in junior races.



Croeser is beginning his early season in South Africa before heading to the United Kingdom in May. The rest of the team will head to Cyprus for the Sunshine Cup series.



Team Manager, Will Cooper will head the squad, along with two mechanics and a full pit set up at both domestic and European races.



The team continues to be supported by Cannondale bikes, which has stepped up to a title sponsorship role. "It's great to see a lot of hard work and dedication, both on and off the bike, be rewarded as the team progresses to UCI status," said Mike Cotty, Cannondale's Marketing Manager. "I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the guys, and Cannondale, on the podium at many more races in 2011".



The team is also sponsored by Schwalbe Tyres, Bioracer Clothing, KCNC Components, Pyreneescycling.com, Zipvit nutrition, Mavic Wheels, Casco Helmets, Squirt Lubricant, XCRacer.com, Pedal Precision, Magura Brakes, CycleOps Power and No Tubes Sealant.



In keeping with the team's clean cycling stance, its riders have joined the anti-doping organization, Bike Pure, and will carry the blue wristband as the symbol of a Pure cyclist.



2011 Orange Monkey-Cannondale Team Roster

Chris Andrews (Elite)

Alex Baker (Junior)

Paul Beales (Elite)

Rourke Croeser (Elite / under 23)

Ben Roff (Elite / under 23)

Will Cooper (Manager)

Ian Roff (Mechanic)

Michalis Karatzis (Mechanic)



Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed

Question!!

I know when i get my new 29er i will be asked why did you do it....why 29er.Well it's because i what to earn myself a cool nick name like my freind BIG WHEELS HAL.

Advantages of light wheels( discuss )

The advantage of light bikes, and particularly light wheels, from a KE standpoint is that KE only comes into play when speed changes, and there are certainly two cases where lighter wheels should have an advantage: sprints, and corner jumps in a criterium.




In a 250 m sprint from 36 to 47 km/h to (22 to 29 mph), a 90 kg bike/rider with 1.75 kg of rims/tires/spokes increases KE by 6,360 joules (6.4 kilocalories burned). Shaving 500 g from the rims/tires/spokes reduces this KE by 35 joules (1 kilocalorie = 1.163 watt-hour). The impact of this weight saving on speed or distance is rather difficult to calculate, and requires assumptions about rider power output and sprint distance. The Analytic Cycling web site allows this calculation, and gives a time/distance advantage of 0.16 s/188 cm for a sprinter who shaves 500 g off their wheels. If that weight went to make an aero wheel that was worth 0.03 mph (0.05 km/h) at 25 mph (40 km/h), the weight savings would be canceled by the aerodynamic advantage. For reference, the best aero bicycle wheels are worth about 0.4 mph (0.6 km/h) at 25, and so in this sprint would handily beat a set of wheels weighing 500 g less.



In a criterium race, a rider is often jumping out of every corner. If the rider has to brake entering each corner (no coasting to slow down), then the KE that is added in each jump is wasted as heat in braking. For a flat crit at 40 km/h, 1 km circuit, 4 corners per lap, 10 km/h speed loss at each corner, one hour duration, 80 kg rider/6.5 kg bike/1.75 kg rims/tires/spokes, there would be 160 corner jumps. This effort adds 387 kilocalories to the 1100 kilocalories required for the same ride at steady speed. Removing 500 g from the wheels, reduces the total body energy requirement by 4.4 kilocalories. If the extra 500 g in the wheels had resulted in a 0.3% reduction in aerodynamic drag factor (worth a 0.02 mph (0.03 km/h) speed increase at 25 mph), the caloric cost of the added weight effect would be canceled by the reduced work to overcome the wind.



Another place where light wheels are claimed to have great advantage is in climbing. Though one may hear expressions such as "these wheels were worth 1–2 mph", etc. The formula for power suggests that 1 lb saved is worth 0.06 mph (0.1 km/h) on a 7% grade, and even a 4 lb saving is worth only 0.25 mph (0.4 km/h) for a light rider. So, where is the big savings in wheel weight reduction coming from? One argument is that there is no such improvement; that it is "placebo effect". But it has been proposed that the speed variation with each pedal stroke when riding up a hill explains such an advantage. However the energy of speed variation is conserved; during the power phase of pedaling the bike speeds up slightly, which stores KE, and in the "dead spot" at the top of the pedal stroke the bike slows down, which recovers that KE. Thus increased rotating mass may slightly reduce speed variations, but it does not add energy requirement beyond that of the same non-rotating mass.



Lighter bikes are easier to get up hills, but the cost of "rotating mass" is only an issue during a rapid acceleration, and it is small even then.

2011

No big races planned so far but maybe thishttp://transrockies.com/trc/ or thishttp://www.sevenbikerace.com/or thishttp://testofmetal.com/ or my first pick if i could make it down there is thishttp://www.cascadecreampuff.com/ because i think it would be the hardest ( check out the times ).My wife wants to go west this year so if i do anything thing it will be out that way somewhere.Besides that i plan on having fun doing some local races and maybe http://www.offroadsyndicate.com/xc8.php to end off the summer.