Taking the Blue Highways to the National Championships - Maxx Chance

Kudos to the New King of SSCXWC.

Rider Profile: Maxx Chance

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to chat with Team Blue rider Maxx Chance.  He was fresh off his win at Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships (SSCXWC) in Utah and was eagerly preparing for USA Cyclocross Nationals in Lakewood, Washington. Maxx was bubbling with an enthusiasm that I’ve not seen in a long time, an enthusiasm born of pure joy. It was the same infectious joy that most of us still remember – that moment when the training wheels came off and we were flying solo down the road.

Already a bad-a$$ in 2011.

In 2008, at the tender age of 12, when most boys his age were busy playing video games, Maxx launched his cyclocross career. That first year he raced eight races, and won his final race. His win gave him the motivation to return the following year to kick some proverbial booty, and kick booty he did. He climbed onto the podium 15 times out of 18 races, and was victorious in 11 of those races. He had similar incredible results in his third year, with six wins and a total of 12 podiums. His breakout moment was winning the Colorado State Championship Open Category 4 Men’s title – at just 14 years of age.

Maxx’s cycling career trajectory continued with a series of enviable results: in 2014 he placed 2nd in the USAC Junior 17-18 National Championship event and was chosen to represent the USA at the World Championships, where he placed a solid 26thagainst the best junior cyclocrossers in the world. Moving up to the collegiate ranks, Maxx placed second at the 2015 Collegiate National Championships. The following year, he once again placed second at Collegiate Nationals and was the overall Under-23 winner at the US Open of Cyclocross, a UCI C2 event. In 2017 Maxx finally won Collegiate Nationals and placed 3rd at USAC Under-23 Nationals. In 2017 and 2018 Maxx was again chosen to represent the USA at the Cyclocross World Championships in the Under-23 Category. He placed 33rd in 2017 and 39th in 2018, an excellent results for an American.

After ten years of focusing on cyclocross, Maxx decided it was time to earn money cycling and switched to road racing. He began his road career in 2018 racing for 303Project. In 2019 he was recruited to ride for Wildlife Generation presented by Maxxis. He has achieved solid results in regional and national racing, capped by a fifth place in the USAC National Championship Under-23 Road Race. While cyclocross has had to take a back seat to his career on the road, but his passion for dirt has not dimmed. In fact, it seems to have grown.

This year Maxx took an unorthodox path to the USAC Cyclocross National Championships, earning a Single Speed World Champion title along the way. Unlike years past when he raced an average of 28 cyclo-cross races per year, this year Maxx raced just nine races (most UCI-sanctioned events), including the Pan-American Cyclo-cross Championship in Ontario, Canada. He traveled more than 4,200 miles, much of those in a car with his Blue Stages Racing teammates, Eric Brunner, Denzel Stephenson, and Coach Grant Holicky. While Maxx earned six top-ten results in those nine cyclocross races, his most memorable race – and result - was at SSCXWC 2019.

Bunny-hopping the Barrier of Fire.

 SSCXWC 2019, Santa Clara, Utah – Revenge of the Lizard King

I’m not sure if Maxx knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he registered for the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship (SSCXWC). While it was only his second single-speed cyclo-cross race ever, he arrived as fully prepared as one can be for this weekend of insanity. Three days before the event he stripped his Blue Norcross team edition cyclocross bike down to the bare bones and converted it to a single-speed race machine with a $30.00 chain tensioner. He also put together a special race “kit” that consisted of a mesh crop top with blue sequin seashell pasties and matching iridescent blue tights. The race weekend began innocently enough, with a civilized 35-mile gravel ride. That was the end of innocence. The Feats of Strength qualifier event was the highlight of Friday afternoon. The racers were put through their paces, which included a wheelbarrow race with actual wheelbarrows, a hatchet throw, picnic tabletop burpees, a mad dash through a sandy volleyball court, bicycle basketball, and dildo T-ball (with the option of firm or floppy). The 220 entrants were winnowed down to 148 men and 40 women, lining up for their respective world championship races.

Saturday things got really real.  As a sick twist on the Le Mans style start, every racer had to put one shoe in a pile located 100 yards from the start line. This created a mad dash and frantic search before racing even began. The first obstacle on the course was the 900-gallon Jell-O wrestling pit, complete with marshmallows and carrots. This was followed by a flaming barrier over which most competitors bunny-hopped, while the avid spectators roasted weenies on sticks. Next was the Breaking Bad Trailer; gutted, spray-painted, and filled with rabid spectators, baby dolls, ear-splitting music, and Fireball shots. As if this wasn’t challenging enough, the course changed every lap. In some instances, it was routed to send the racers through every mud puddle possible. In another sadistic version, racers were herded through a nearly impassable boulder field. There were not one but two steeply pitched flyovers, often preceded by a beer hand-up. Maxx and three competitors were running neck-in-neck, cheating like gentlemen, matching each other pedal for pedal on the bike and fireball shot for fireball shot off the bike.  So the organizers decided to prolong their pain. The 60-minute men’s race was extended to a 75-minute, four-man battle. In the end, Maxx charged across the line for the win. He was whisked into an idling truck and taken directly to the waiting tattoo artist. Given the choice of the Lizard King and the middle-finger SSCXWC logo, he opted for the middle-finger, placed as close to his nether regions as possible. He was then escorted back to the celebration party where he was anointed Single-Speed World Champion and crowned with the Golden Single Speedo, in which he danced with abandon the entire night. According to the race organizer, Cimaron Chacon, Maxx was the dream SSCXWC champion. “He raced hard, played hard, cheated honestly, and endured every challenge with a smile on his face, often laughing maniacally ,” said Cimaron. He was just like a kid, freed of his training wheels.

Blue on Blue.

 USA Cycling Nationals Update

Maxx was hoping for a cold, sloppy, snowy, and technical National Championship race in Lakewood, Washington. The weather gods smiled upon him, blessing him with everything but snow. He raced to a solid 10th place in a field of 54 of the nation’s top racers. 

His Blue teammate Eric Brunner returned home with two National Champion jerseys – Collegiate and Under-23. While impressive, this was not his first championship jersey. He has been Colorado State Collegiate champion twice, this is his second time as National Collegiate champion, and he has placed both second and third in the USAC National Cyclocross Under 23 division. Eric is currently racing and training in Europe in the lead up to his third appearance in the World Cyclo-Cross Championships.  (You can read more about Eric’s win at nationals and his Blue Norcross Cyclocross bike here.)

Two additional Blue athletes have been chosen for the USA World Cyclocross Championship team, Lauren Zoerner and Tea Wright. Blue Factory Team rider Lauren, 16, who has been racing since she was eight years old, was chosen to represent the USA in the Junior Women category. In her ten-year career, she has been National Champion twice, and has podiumed six times. She also has a Colorado State Championship title. In her lead up to the World Championship, Lauren raced two World Cup races and one Superprestige race in Europe before breaking her wrist. Sadly she will not be able to race the World Championships. 

Tea Wright, 17, has been racing since she was just eight years old. She has two National Championship jerseys to her name and one Colorado State Champion jersey. In additional, she has been runner-up twice – once in the National Championship and once in the Colorado State championship. Her father’s love of mountain biking inspired her launch her own successful racing career. She is looking forward to representing the USA in the Cyclocross World Championships. Currently she is a Blue Factory Team rider and is the latest addition to the 2020 Blue Stages Racing Team.

 2020 is looking very bright for the racers of Blue Stages Racing Team!

Your Winter Dose of LSD

Where LSD = Long Steady Distance not Lysergic Acid Diethylamide 

Are you sitting on your trainer, staring out the window at the snow piling up on your back deck? Or maybe you’re bundled up like the Michelin Man, taking advantage of a sucker hole in the foul weather, the one that ends in a sideways downpour with gusts that nearly blow you into the ditch. Perhaps you have surrendered to Mother Nature and have taken up swimming, skiing, or surfing Netflix from the comfort of your couch. But what you’re dreaming of is heading out in your summer jersey and shorts, logging hundreds of base miles under the warm summer sun. What would you say if I told you that you could have all that, and endless tacos too?

Ready to Roll - Your future Blue Hogback outfitted for your next amazing back packing adventure

Less than five years ago endurance beasts Lael Wilcox and Nicholas Carman were in a similar state. Not content with Netflix surfing (OK, these two are adventure monsters so I doubt they do a lot of Netflix surfing), they decided to conquer the Baja Peninsula by mountain bike. The result of their efforts is the 1700-mile Baja Divide bikepacking route. The route officially starts in San Diego, California and ends in San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur. While the route varies year to year due to the Baja 1,000 race, extreme weather events, erosion, and other forces of nature, it is always comprised of approximately 95% dirt and 5% pavement. The dirt sections are a combination of dirt road, cow path, sandy arroyo, firm beach riding, rutted single or double track trails, gnarly washboards, baby heads, and unforgiving technical climbs. Tackling the entire route in one shot is not for the weekend warrior. 

The ride is brutal, but it is not without rewards. If you want to check out from civilization, sleep under a blanket of brilliant stars, explore Spanish missions and cave paintings and magical towns, skinny-dip in the Pacific Ocean, swim with whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), enjoy the solitude of a land unspoiled by urban sprawl, all while feasting on tacos, fresh caught ceviche, and gallons of tasty cheap beer, the Baja Peninsula has all that and more. The more I’m referring to is the incredible people you will meet along the way. This includes ranchers with their farm-fresh eggs; the mom & pop tienda owners who will happily sell you a pouch of refried beans and fresh corn tortillas warm from the cooler, let you camp in their yard, and maybe even offer you the use of their hose to clean off some of the trail grime. You’ll meet the goat farmer who will sell you fresh queso de cabra (goat cheese); the fishermen who will shuttle you to a secluded island, catch a fish or five, transforming some of it into ceviche and cooking the rest over a campfire, and collect you the following day; and fellow adventurers with whom you will swap your tales of woe and feats of daring. You might even end up sharing a bucket-load of tears with your new friends. I’ve heard this ride can bring a grown person to their knees. 

Like anything in life, you can opt to devour the entire Baja Divide or you can cut it up into bite-sized pieces.

 The Whole Enchilada

If you choose to ride the entire 1,700 miles, you will be logging almost 92,000 feet of climbing. The current record for the Baja Divide is 11:11:20 (11 days: 11 hours: 20 minutes), but that does not include the final portion of the Cape Loop from San Jose del Cabo through Todos Santos and back to La Paz. Most people seem to opt for a relatively leisurely pace of around 50 miles per day, which often translates to ten hours per day in the saddle. Depending on your fitness -- and your masochistic tendencies -- you will want to plan on four to six weeks to complete the entire route.

 The Food Log (aka the Little Burro; aka the Burrito)

Another option is to tackle the route in parts. There are four sections, and each has its own distinctive flavor. The northernmost and southernmost parts are easiest to access, via the San Diego International Airport in the north and the San José International Airport in the south. If the never-ending washboards and ankle-deep sand have sucked your will to pedal, you can always hop on Mexico Highway 1, cutting out some mileage and some wear and tear on your body. It’s also possible to stow your bike in the luggage cargo and ride the Aguila bus between sections. One last option is to hitch a ride with a passing local. I would not recommend this last option for riders traveling alone, especially women. The Baja Peninsula is quite safe, but there is no reason to take unnecessary risks.

The Northern Sierra 
San Diego - Vicente Guerrero
305 miles, 24,425 feet of climbing

Tecate, your first taste of Mexico, is a strange mix of border town, brewery, and Pueblo Magico (a designation conferred by Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism for towns that offer visitors a “magical” experience - based on the natural beauty, cultural richness, traditions, folklore, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts and hospitality of the area). Tecate is one of three Pueblos Magicos on the Baja Peninsula. The other two are Loreto and Todos Santos. In my experience traversing Mexico, Pueblos Magicos are truly magical. 

If you are a wine aficionado, you might consider a circuitous detour through Mexico’s wine country in the Valle de Guadalupe on Mexico Highway 3. The area is beautiful, the pavement is excellent, and there is a plethora of wineries, restaurants, and lodging options. This could easily be a stand-alone excursion. 

A visit to Salvador at FASS Bike Shop in Vicente Guerrero is a must. Salvador is an OG (original gangster) mountain biking enthusiast and enthusiastically supports every Baja Divide rider who crosses his threshold. If you need service – or any last-minute equipment, advice on the ride, or just a sympathetic ear -- Salvador is an amazing guy.

The Valle de Los Cirios 
San Vicente - San Ignacio via Bahia de Los Angeles
559 miles, 22,003 feet of climbing

The Valle de Los Cirios (the valley of the cirios) is a magical place of a different variety. The cirios, also known as the Boojum tree, is a Dr. Suess-esque cactus that is found in no other place on earth. In 1980 the Valle de Los Cirios was declared a protected national area, and is slated to become an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is as stunning as it is remote, a mix of giant cardon cactus (endemic to Baja), cirios trees, a variety of beautiful palm trees including the magnificent Mexican Blue Fan Palm, amazing boulder formations (known as Baja’s Rock Garden), and a plethora of wild animals including pumas, bighorn sheep, deer, coyotes, eagles, hawks, and owls. The town of Cataviña, smack in the middle of the region, boasts a cheap Pepto-Bismol pink hotel, the upscale Hotel Misión Santa Maria Cataviña, a couple small cafés, and a small army of locals selling expensive gas from five-gallon containers. The closest gas stations are 76 miles to the north and 120 miles south, and many people forget to top off the tank before hitting this section of highway. 

Descending into the Bahia de Los Angeles (bay of the angels) provides the tired bikepacker with another spectacular vista. The “angels” are a series of 16 islands in the middle of the bay. One of the islands is home to rattle-less rattle snakes, but since they’re a  protected species you won’t be allowed to accidentally set foot on their island. The bay is also the seasonal home of a variety of whales, including orcas and whale sharks. I strongly recommend spending the night at Campo Archelon. Originally built as a sea turtle sanctuary, the Campo now rents cabins, beachfront palapas, and kayaks. The owners are very friendly and helpful, and can arrange boat trips to fish for yellowtail, cabrillo, dorado, and grouper; island visits and clam-gathering excursions; whale-watching tours (Bahia de Los Angeles is a temporary home to orcas, blue, humpback, sperm, minke, mako, and fin whales); excursions to swim with whale sharks; or a simple sightseeing adventure by boat. 

The Missions 
San Ignacio - La Paz
558 miles, 22,931 feet of climbing

San Ignacio is a refreshing emerald oasis nestled in a prickly sea of brown.  The town, a vast date palm oasis, is home to the impressive Misión San Ignacio de Kadakaaman and provides a taste of old Mexico. My favorite camping spot, Los Petates, is located on a pond of agua dulce (fresh water). The owner Manuel keeps the place immaculate, with palm palapas, secondhand tables, a BBQ area, showers and flush toilets, and repurposed school bus seats to lounge on. You can paddle around the pond in a plastic paddleboat, and at night the symphony of bullfrogs, crickets, coots, and other creatures serenades you to sleep. Manuel also arranges tours to the cave paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco and other points of interest. 

The one not-to-be-missed excursion from San Ignacio is a visit to the gray whales in the Laguna San Ignacio. Each year the gray whales return to one of three locations on the Pacific coast of Baja: San Ignacio, Laguna Ojo de Liebres just south of Guerrero Negro, and San Carlos on the Bahia Magdalena, just west of Ciudad Constitución. During the mid-December through March birthing season local fishermen become tour guides, shuttling small groups out into lagoons heaving with mama and baby whales. The whales are very playful, circling the boats, diving deep under the water and lifting the boats out of the water with big exhalations, breaching, lunging, spy-hopping, bow-riding, porpoising, lob-tailing, and slapping. They pop up, just out of reach, then closer and closer to the boat until finally the mama comes up for a little human love. Later in the season, the mama whales actually push their babies towards the boats, introducing their wee wanes to humans. The Baja Divide route travels the 42-miles from town to the Laguna de San Ignacio. The first half is rolling, beautifully paved road, the second half is a grueling slog through the salt flats on gnarly, never-ending washboards. Once you reach the laguna there are a number of whale-watching tour operators that offer lodging, food, and boat trips out to commune with the whales. 

The Cape Loop 
La Paz - San Jose del Cabo - Todos Santos - La Paz
255 miles 20,777 feet of climbing
See below for extensive details of this segment.

 The Taco Combo Plate with a Side of Guacamole

If you love the idea of a sunny Baja riding holiday but the thought of a grueling 1,700 miles is just too daunting, you have two completely different, but entirely delightful options. The Cape Loop is dotted with lovely towns, each with an exhilarating collection of single-track trails. For a challenging yet comfortable route, you can fly into Los Cabos, ride the divide route and recover between sections in one of the sweet local villages, partaking of the local single-track offerings between legs. Another option is to rent a car and drive from town to town, feasting on single-track, tacos, guacamole, and beer. The influx of bike-riding expats combined with the increase in local mountain bike enthusiasts has given rise to an incredible system of trails scattered throughout the Cape from La Paz to Los Cabos. All of the towns in the area offer a range of accommodations and plenty of great food options.

The following are some of the highlights:

Los Cabos (population 305,983) on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula encompasses both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The entire area has become a major tourist destination with as many as one million visitors each year. Originally Los Cabos consisted of two distinct towns, one a sleepy fishing village (Cabo San Lucas), the other home of the Mission San Jose del Cabo (founded 1730) and a sweet but touristy downtown area that hosts an Art Walk every Thursday. With the influx of tourists the two towns have become big and crowded and more than a bit dirty, but the beaches are gorgeous and there are good number of trails throughout the region.

San Jose del Cabo – Todos Santos
Mileage: Road – 65 miles, Bike – 55 miles

Todos Santos (population 6,485) is a Pueblo Magico and home to a plethora of expats. Many of the early arrivals were artists and surfers who transformed the town into an artist community with gallery-lined streets, a wide array of food ranging from gourmet French and Italian cuisine to the bacon-wrapped hot dog vendors that dot the street corners at night, and a plethora of lodging options. There is an extensive series of trails, ranging from swoopy singletrack to rocky fire road grinds to secluded beaches. Todos Santos is also home to the newest branch of Over The Edge Bicycles, who will  hook you up with all things bike.

Todos Santos – El Triunfo
Mileage: Road – 45 miles, Bike – 50 miles

El Triunfo (population 327) is a former mining town just 32 miles south of La Paz. It is home of the Reto Baja 100k Mountain Bike race held every November. It is also home to two museums, one devoted to its mining history, the other to pianos. For such a tiny town, there is amazing food to be found, specifically the Café El Triunfo, with delicious meals and bakery goodies, and Bar El Minero, which serves up homemade salchichas, garden fresh salads, and a wicked paella on Sundays.

El Triunfo – La Paz
Mileage: Road – 32 miles, Bike – 25 miles

La Paz (population 244,219) is the capital of Baja California Sur located on the Sea of Cortez. The most delightful feature of the town is the malecón (an esplanade along the ocean), lined with restaurants, hotels, and a plethora of boats that are happy to take you on a tour of the Islas Espirito Santo and Partido to swim with sea lions and whale sharks, gorge yourself on freshly made ceviche and tostadas, comb beautiful deserted beaches, and watch exotic birds such as the Blue-Footed Booby. It is also the gateway to two of the most beautiful beaches in Baja, Playa La Balandra and Playa El Tecolote. 

La Paz – El Sargento/La Ventana
Mileage: Road – 29 miles, Bike – Unknown (This is not an official part of the Baja Divide route)

El Sargento/La Ventana (population 255), located a 45 minute drive southeast of La Paz, was a small fishing village founded in the 1940s by pearl diver Salome Leon. Together with El Sargento it has become a kiteboarding and windsurfing mecca. It has two gorgeous series of trails, one north of El Sargento the other south of La Ventana. The afternoon winds are fierce so you will want to get your ride in early.

El Sargento/La Ventana - Los Barriles
Mileage: Road – 49 miles, Bike – El Triunfo to Los Barriles - 55 miles

Los Barriles (population 1,174) is located on the Sea of Cortez roughly halfway between La Paz and San Jose del Cabo. The town has become the Baja capital of kiteboarding and windsurfing. There is also an incredible series of trails, so you can ride all morning, feast on tacos and cerveza for lunch, then hit the surf after a nice siesta.

Los Barriles  - Cabo Pulmo 
Mileage: Road –35 miles, Bike – 30 miles

Cabo Pulmo (population 58) is part of a 17,570-acre Marine Protected Area and National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. This is the most remote location on the divide route, and is considered by some to have the best trails. In addition to riding you can scuba dive or snorkel in one of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America. The fishing village of Los Frailes also offers incredible snorkeling from the shore – no boat or guide necessary. Here you’ll also find miles of pristine beach and glorious swimming.

Cabo Pulmo – San Jose del Cabo[SE2] 
Mileage: Road – 61 miles, Bike – 40 miles

Nos vemos, Mexico! (See you soon, Mexico!) 

I have traversed the entire Baja Peninsula five times. My first trip I traveled in the luxury of my wee Chinook RV with my faithful canine companion Luna by my side. The next four trips I was accompanied by Luna and my two new Baja Beach Babies, Pequeña and Loquita. My final trip down the peninsula I was going “home” to my sweet one-half acre mango oasis, La Finca de La Luna, in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur. If you find yourself riding through Todos Santos please give me a shout. Sometimes it’s good to see a friendly face, get an intro to the local bike shop, or hear a (well researched) opinion on the tastiest tacos in town.

Web Research 411:
Baja Divide Website: https://bajadivide.com
Baja Divide Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajadivide/
Trailforks Trail Maps: https://www.trailforks.com/region/baja-california-sur/?activitytype=1&z=7.9&lat=23.62033&lon=-110.41668

 For a brutally honest blow by blow of the Baja Divide, accompanied by amazing and gorgeous video images, check out Ryan Van Duzer’s Youtube channel. I do offer two caveats. First, while he is an adventure junkie, he is not a dedicated mountain biker, evidenced by the fact that he bought new bike shorts and a new bike (yes, saddle and all) immediately before embarking on this ride. Second, on occasion he has a bit of a potty mouth, so if that offends you, you might want to skip his videos here.

Handheld GPS: The Smart Tool for Your Grand Adventures

With the rise of ultra-running and riding, we find ourselves further and further off the grid. Quite often we also find ourselves lost. I’ve always been partial to “lost,” it’s the place where I’ve discovered the most amazing delights. But, when I’m at mile 87 of a 100-mile gravel/off-road/back-country event, being lost loses much of its charm. Fortunately, we live in the information age. Except for the most entrenched Luddite we all have a smart phone, which can usually get us un-lost. But there are times when a smart phone is no match for the vagaries of mother nature. Happily in those times technology 2.0 comes to the rescue. Today’s handheld GPS units are smaller than a bar of soap, incredibly accurate, and impervious to inclement weather. These days, you can get yourself completely lost and still be home for dinner.

You might be wondering why you need a handheld GPS unit in addition to your smart phone. Smart phones are great for getting around town and avoiding traffic in the comfort of your car, (with the phone safely plugged into your car charger) but the GPS function is an energy hog and will drain your battery rapidly. Smart phones also tend to be a very fragile, impossible to access while wearing gloves, sensitive to rain, mud, direct sunlight, and screen-destroying falls from not-so-high places. With a price tag of up to $999.99, smart phones are a less-than-ideal choice for rugged off-road adventures. Another downside of the smart phone is the restrictive data plans of most cell phone providers. This is especially challenging if your grand adventure takes you to exotic locales halfway around the world. A dedicated GPS unit is a far superior choice for off-the-grid adventures.

It will come as no surprise that two of the most highly recommended units are made by Garmin. The eTrex 22X ($169.99 msrp) and the eTrex 32X ($269.99 msrp) are both excellent and affordable options. These units communicate with standard US-based GPS and with GLONASS, a global satellite network.  Working in tandem, these two positioning systems can find you in all but the densest of forests and deepest of valleys. At approximately 2” x 4” x 1.3” and less than five ounces, these palm-sized units are packed with features, yet still slide into a small backpack strap pocket.  Garmin’s eTrex models also have a 2.2” (diagonal) transflective screen with 65K color TFT, meaning the display is readable in direct sunlight. They come pre-loaded with TopoActive maps, and Garmin has a complete library of downloadable, worldwide topographical maps. The device has memory for up to 2,000 waypoints and 200 routes. It can also be set for automatic routing when on the road. Both eTrex models come complete with a USB cable, 8GB of memory, and a slot for a microSD card (card sold separately) to save all your critical data on the go. The units are incredibly durable and have a waterproof rating of IPX7. While not suitable for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, or high-speed watersports, they will certainly survive a rainstorm, snowstorm, or quick dip in the toilet bowl. Most importantly, these units run on ubiquitous AA batteries (any old AA will do, but they recommend NiMH or Lithium batteries for longer run time), which can be purchased at most mom and pop convenience stores worldwide. Those two batteries will give you up to 25 hours of use in GPS mode. A few sweet bonus features are hunting and fishing calendars, sun and moon information, and a picture viewer. For those of you who like a good treasure hunt, these units are Geo-Caching friendly. Finally, if you really like to geek out on satellite imagery, you can subscribe to Birdseye Satellite Imagery, which allows you to download and integrate satellite imagery with your maps. 

The more expensive Garmin eTrex 32X has three valuable additions: a barometric altimeter that tracks cumulative elevation, an old school 3-axis magnetic compass that will show you your direction even if you aren’t in motion (unlike regular GPS), and wireless connectivity with ANT+. 

While a handheld GPS device might seem like a godsend, it is no substitute for old-fashioned paper maps, a magnetic compass, a basic tool kit and first aid kit, some mountaineering skills, and a good dose of common sense. Accidents happen, batteries die, things plunge to the bottom of outhouse toilets, and digital maps aren’t always accurate. A good scout is always prepared.

 In today’s hyper-connected world sometimes we need to unplug and walk (or ride) away. A handheld GPS can guide you to a vast array of hidden pleasures, far from everyday troubles, to a place where you can be present with your thoughts and with the delights of mother nature. Use your handheld GPS to find that perfect secluded spot for a snack, a skinny dip, and a siesta, before making the long trek back to the demands and chaos of the modern world.

For complete product information, check out Garmin eTrex 22X or Garmin eTrex 32X.

Fixed Gear Bikes: Not Just for Poseurs

Winter time is the perfect time to become a one-gear convert.

It was a cold and foggy Wednesday in January. The steam was rising from our bodies as we pushed over the final climb from Mill Valley to Four Corners. Awaiting our arrival was a parade of cyclists lit up like Christmas trees. They wore white hot headlamps, blinking red taillights, helmet lights front and rear, jackets and vests with a dizzying array of reflective tape, and spinning spoke lights in every color of the rainbow.  Safety had risen to an entirely new level on those chilly, after-dark workouts. The anticipation was mounting as we awaited the arrival of our coach. We all knew that he was going to put the hurt on us, and this was destined to be a particularly painful night.

 “How many laps do you have to do tonight?”

 “Only three.  How about you?”

 “Coach thinks I’m ready for four.”

“Ouch. Good luck with that, Sheila.”

The night was magical, the moon full and bright. The fog rolled across the ridge but the valley was clear and still. One by one we doused our lights as we approached each lap of the climb, riding by the light of the moon, serenaded by a symphony of frogs and crickets.  The first three ascents had been nearly effortless, one of those perfect workouts. Then I reached a 12% grade followed by a 16% hairpin, about halfway up my fourth and final lap.  It was then that the grunting and whimpering began. I was out of my saddle, trying to use every ounce of my body weight to get those dang cranks turned over. “I…just…can’t…do…it,” I whined.

 “Everyone – off your bike!” my coach bellowed.

Together, we walked the steepest portion of the climb, remounting just before the last hairpin to ride the final stretch.  Everyone let me lead the pack over the final pitch of what would be my first, and last, four-lap night. It was my victory lap, bittersweet for the section walked, but a victory nonetheless.

Our winter training regimen included a weekly nighttime fixed-gear group ride that descended Highway One west of Mill Valley, passed the Pelican Inn and the turn off to Muir Beach, before turning onto the twisty-turny false flat uphill Muir Woods road, culminating in the 1.6 mile climb back to Four Corners -- a climb with an 8-10% average grade, and occasional pitches of up to 15%. After that winter’s regimen, I was finally able to pedal in circles rather than squares; I could climb almost any hill, with ease, in the comfort of my saddle; and my normal cadence approached 100 rpms. Best of all, my mashing-induced knee pain had vanished.

I’ve heard many people dismiss fixed gear bicycles on the road as something for bike messengers, bike polo aficionados, and hipster poseurs.  In truth, a fixed gear bike equipped with front and rear brakes is an incredible training tool. The beauty of a fixed gear lies in its simplicity. Relieved of the need to shift, you can focus your attention on a smooth pedal stroke, something a fixed gear forces you to do unless you like bouncing on your saddle, bumping your private parts with every stroke. The bikes are stealth machines, silent, devoid of the click, shift, and whir of derailleurs. Equipped with a beefy BMX chain, they are nearly maintenance free, especially on dirty wet pavement, free of cogs and pulleys, cables and fragile chains. This is one bike you can comfortable hose down, dry and lube the chain, and it is ready for another beating. And counterintuitive-but-true, but climbing on a fixed gear is often easier and faster than a geared bike.  You don’t have the option of easier and easier gears, the powerful up-stroke kick propels each leg up and over, and on a steep climb you have to keep your momentum or you might be standing stock-still in the middle of the climb, just before you tip over and are lying in the middle of the road still clipped in. The most important thing to remember about fixed gears is that you cannot coast. My first outing I forgot this cardinal rule and attempted to coast the first descent.  Of course, my bronco nearly bucked me and, “don’t coast, don’t coast, don’t coast” became my new fixed gear mantra.

 The Equipment

You’ll need a fixed gear bike with front and rear brakes and a gear ratio around 67.5 gear inches. This equals a 42 X 16 or 42 X 17. The brakes and the gear are critical for a couple reasons.  The goal is not to blow your knees out by pushing too hard of a gear or by using your legs to stop your machine.  You want to use your brakes to keep your cadence at a manageable speed and to stop you in case of emergency.  For climbing, you want a gear that you can turn over and get yourself up the hill. 

These days it’s surprisingly easy to convert an old road bike into a new fixed gear.  There are many websites that tell you how to do this. Sheldon Brown is one of the old-school gurus, and a trusted source of information for all things bike. You can check him out here. If you have the mechanical skills and patience, you can do it yourself. If you are like me, your local mechanic can help set up your new toy. I was fortunate to have a few bike geek friends; one found me a classic old Fuji Roubaix that had vertical dropouts, another gave me his gently used flip-flop rear wheel (fixed on one side and freewheel on the other, but I love the fixed side so much that I have never flipped it), a third friend put it all together for me.  The entire bike cost me less than $200.00, but if you are jonesing for the beautiful new Blue Chinook, this might be just the excuse you need to transform your current road bike into a fixie and put your down payment on a new steed!

If you plan to attempt this feat at night, I strongly recommend a good headlamp, taillights, reflective clothing, and any other light that will enhance your visibility.

The Terrain

Pick a 10-12 mile loop or out-and-back with a 1.5-2 mile climb averaging 8-10% and a flat recovery section between the descent and the ascent.

The Exercise

Descent: The goal is to pedal as quickly and smoothly as possible.  When you first attempt fixed gear descending you will find yourself bouncing uncontrollably in the saddle. The key is to use your brakes to slow the bike enough that your cadence can keep up with the rear wheel revolutions. Over time, you will find your legs spinning faster and faster while your butt remains firmly planted on the saddle.

Flats: This is your opportunity to recover, which you’ll need because fixed gear descending is deceptively challenging, much more difficult than coasting. The flat recovery section also gives your body the chance to commit the increased leg speed to muscle memory.

Ascent: you can think of this portion as a (seemingly) never-ending series of single leg squats or leg presses. Most of the climbing will be seated, unless the grade becomes too steep or you are so worked that you need the weight of your entire body to turn over the cranks. You want to rely on your core to quiet the motion of your body and focus all your energy on your legs, smoothly turning over the cranks, focusing as much energy on the down-stroke as on the up-stroke.

 Duration

You should plan on 1.5-2 hours, plus warm-up and cool-down. Challenge yourself to complete one additional ascent each month.

Don’t be surprised if your fixed gear bike becomes your go-to off-season bike. In addition to being an amazing training tool and a low-maintenance inclement weather bike, fixed gear riding is surprisingly, counterintuitively, exhilarating fun. And when you do get back on your Blue Chinook (or other race bike), you’ll be surprised at how you can fly.

Fueling for the Long Haul

Sweet Potato & Kale Stovetop Frittata: Your Breakfast Sonata

Before a big training day I happily set my alarm 30 minutes early so I can cook up my favorite breakfast: Sweet Potato & Kale Stovetop Frittata. This masterpiece of a meal is loaded with calories, protein, beneficial fat, simple carbohydrates for a quick energy boost, complex carbohydrates to keep you rolling for hours, and lots of vitamins and nutrients to keep your body running like the finely tuned machine it is. 

 Ingredient 411

Eggs and nutrition scientists have had a volatile relationship. In the beginning, eggs were the perfect food. Next, they were deemed perfectly evil. Now that the connection between dietary cholesterol and cholesterol in the blood is better understood eggs are a perfect food once again -- in moderation, of course. Eggs are low in calories, high in quality protein including all the essential amino acids, and loaded with HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol. In fact, eggs actually help increase your good cholesterol (HDL) and decrease your bad cholesterol (LDL). Besides vitamins A and D, eggs also contain the nutrients choline, leutein, and zeaxanthin, which help rebuild cell membranes and maintain eye health. In essence, eggs are a shell-contained, nutrient rich, protein bomb.

Fat is your friend. It is a refrain we often hear, but did you ever stop to discover why? Olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and nuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Research has shown that polyunsaturated fats reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent insulin resistance. They are great sources of antioxidant vitamins A and K. They are rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which are essential for building healthy cells and maintaining brain and nerve function. Additionally, they are high in calories, a benefit for endurance athletes who burn a tremendous amount of calories during, and after, workouts. Studies show that eating moderate amounts of these good fats can actually lead to weight loss. 

For years I considered onions, garlic, and all those tasty yet pungent members of the allium family a delicious and aromatic base to every savory dish I cook. As it turns out, onions and their kin are loaded with healthful benefits. Rich in vitamin C, vitamin B, and potassium, onions are amazing antioxidants. Oxidation, a chemical reaction in our body that can produce free radicals, is a normal occurrence. Free radicals are known to damage our cells. Eating a diet high in antioxidants can actually terminate these chain reactions. They also help fight inflammation, reduce cholesterol, and vitamin C helps the body access and absorb iron. Onions even have antibacterial properties that can help your body fight e-coli and other nasty beasties. Most importantly, there is nothing quite as homey as the scent of sautéed onions.

Everyone knows that kale is good for you, but few people know just how delicious kale can be. It’s worth learning to prepare kale, because just one cup of raw kale contains 684% of our RDA of vitamin K (in addition to being an antioxidant, vitamin K aids in blood clotting, highly valuable to those of us who are frequently on kissing terms with the pavement), 206% of our RDA of vitamin A, and 134% of our RDA of vitamin C, yet another great antioxidant. Kale also contains three grams of almost perfect protein, meaning it contains the nearly full complement of amino acids. It is also a great source of the minerals magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Surprisingly, kale is a better source of calcium than dairy products. Finally, kale has a high water content, which helps you feel full and in turn aids weight loss.

Recently, I elevated sweet potatoes to my personal pantheon of super-foods. Not only are they easy to cook, they taste great and are packed with nutrients and energy-producing complex carbohydrates.  The Glycemic Index (GI) of sweet potatoes is 48, much lower than white rice (72), new potatoes (70), whole grain bread (72), a banana (62), or a can of Coca-Cola (63). Lower GI sweet potatoes will release glucose more slowly, increasing glucose availability later in the exercise period. In addition to the lower GI, one cup of sweet potatoes is loaded with vitamin A (769% of RDA) and vitamin C (65% of RDA). As we’ve already seen, these vitamins are antioxidant powerhouses. A high fiber food, sweet potatoes are great for gut health. They keep things moving through your intestinal track, fuel healthy gut bacteria, inhibit bad bacteria, stimulate blood flow to the colon, decrease inflammation, and increase mineral and nutrient absorption. While both regular and sweet potatoes are highly nutritious, regular white potatoes are a member of the nightshade family (tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, cayenne, and paprika).  Some people have dietary sensitivities to the nightshades, so sweet potatoes are a great alternative.

One or twice a week I bake a mess of sweet potatoes -- just wash them and throw them in a 350 degree oven, skin and all, for about 45 minutes or until they are tender when pricked with a fork. They can then be stored in the refrigerator for a week or more. When I’m feeling peckish, I always have a healthy snack on hand. I’ve also been known to head out on a long run or ride with a spud or two tucked into my back pocket. Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to the overly processed, sugar-laden, “energy” foods that we usually consume on our endurance outings.

Sweet Potato & Kale Stovetop Frittata
Servings: 1 - 2

Ingredients*

 1 tablespoon olive oil
½ medium onion - peeled, halved, thinly sliced
1 large pinch of salt
1 cup sweet potato – (raw or pre-cooked) peeled and cut into ½” squares
2 cups kale – washed and cut into ½” slices
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
2 eggs
¼ cup full fat yogurt or sour cream
1 tablespoon ground chipotle chiles en adobo (optional)
Ground black pepper
¼ cup goat cheese

*Quantities are mere suggestions. Frequently, I will use just one egg, double the vegetables, and omit the cheese. You might choose to add an egg and double the cheese to up the calories and the protein content.

Heat oil over medium heat in an 8” non-stick frying pan with a lid (matching or otherwise). Add onion and salt. Stirring frequently, sautée until just translucent and soft.  Lower heat slightly and add sweet potatoes. If the pan is dry, you might need to add more olive oil.  Cook, stirring frequently, until potatoes are tender. Stir in kale and thyme and cover until kale is slightly wilted.  

While the potatoes are cooking, mix eggs, yogurt, (optional chipotle chiles) and black pepper with a fork until they are completely blended. Turn the heat to the lowest level, pour the egg mixture over the vegetables, crumble cheese on top, cover, and cook until the eggs are completely cooked. The frittata will puff up, soufflé style. This should take less than 10 minutes.

Frequently, I will double the recipe so I have a tasty treat awaiting my return.  I might even put the leftovers in a sandwich baggie and eat it during my long workout.

This recipe is incredibly versatile.  The choice of vegetable, herb, and cheese are completely optional.  Some of my other favorites are: asparagus and mushroom with lemon zest, thyme, and Parmesan; bell pepper and cauliflower with sage and Gruyere; cabbage and eggplant with oregano and mozzarella; or new potato and spinach with rosemary and sharp cheddar. All of these are cooked in the same manner. The only difference is the cooking time, since starchy vegetables such as potatoes and carrots tend to take a bit longer.  In addition to being nutritious and filling, the variations are only limited by your imagination.

Your mama always told you, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” and this is especially true for endurance athletes. A bowl of cereal with milk, orange juice, and a cup of coffee adds up to 359 calories. That is simply not sufficient to fuel your training – even a moderately paced three-hour road ride can burn 2500 calories or more. The power and nutrient packed ingredients in the Stovetop Frittata will set you up for a long training day, and provide the anti-oxidants to aid your recovery.

 Buen Provecho!