Just a little somethin' somethin' about the most excellent Edge Composites carbon 29'er wheels on test thus far. 100's of miles on them and I am more and more impressed....

My main man Brook Watts who is one of the principal people involved in throwing the biggest kick off party for ‘cross in the world, CrossVegas, sent me this press release to share. Simon Burney’s new clothing company, Schlamm is ponying up to help sponsor CV! If you don't know who Simon Burney is, he’s Mr. Cross. Anyone who has been around the sport long enough has his first edition of his now famous book (in Third Edition) Cyclocross: Training and Technique. Our boy Tim Johnson was his ‘model’ for the 3rd Edition! Oh, and here’s how close I got to Simon once. I should have had him sign my breast:

FOR RELEASE
UK based cycle clothing company Schlamm Ltd have joined the growing list of supporters of season-opener CrossVegas by agreeing to be the “Official Race Merchandise Supplier” of the event. Schlamm will provide official clothing to all event staff, race marshals and credentialed photographers, in addition to presenting a range of race merchandise that will be available before the event online, and at the event.

“CrossVegas has rapidly grown into THE place to be at the start of the cyclocross season, and a great place for all the Interbike show-goers to catch up after a hard day’s work and watch the stars of the sport beat the hell out of each other for an hour” says Schlamm director Simon Burney. “ Schlamm are delighted to be associated with this prestigious race, and whilst Vegas doesn’t typically have the ‘cross weather that our line of clothing was intended for, this will be a great place for us to start our winter season and remind people that it will get colder and wetter pretty soon after!”

"We're delighted to be able to offer both CrossVegas event spectators and the general public CrossVegas merchandise," commented Brook Watts, co-promoter of CrossVegas, "It's great to have them on board as a sponsor."

Official event merchandise by Schlamm will be available from August 1st online via www.crossvegas.com  and www.schlamm.uk.com and of course, at the race itself.

Schlamm specializes in clothing for cyclocross, and for training in those weather conditions you would rather not be out in, in addition to a great range of race and event merchandising, and casual wear. www.schlamm.uk.com.

CrossVegas is the largest cyclocross race in the U.S. taking place Wednesday September 23rd in Las Vegas.  The event is organized by Boulder Colorado-based Cross Partners LLC.  Complete information is available at www.crossvegas.com.

So, in March this year I postured with the a really brief post about pushing. The reality is, I felt and knew a lot behind the scenes that wasn’t projected outwardly. It certainly was all about pushing…and a month and a half later, I haven’t lost focus.

Push.

I watched Seamus the other day. In fact studied both Aiden and Seamus but Aiden, being older, the bike and lots of things just comes naturally and easier as you’d suspect as the older brother. But I watched the little big man do this little plastic jump. Watching him watch me for re-enforcement that he was safe…and cool…and getting better…and like his big brother…and like his daddy…and getting older…and…

Over and over. I watched. And smiled back.

I was compelled to grab my camera and just shoot. Mainly to capture the essence of someone pushing so hard.  Trying to make it all right. To succeed. To please. To validate himself. I was inspired.

And I am doing this now. This pushing…still. Making absolute my conviction to support my family.

My life has changed since April 1…days before writing that brief blurb on pushing, and I am pushing still. I will succeed and create the next wave of my life in a way that ensures I spray my efforts in 360° array to absolutely enforce to all around me that I mean what I say. That I can support the three part teeter totter….make life secure…enjoyable…livable….evolutionary.

We can die now. Don’t stop pushing. Milk it all. Be greedy for life.

Valmont Clean Up a Success!

A Mud and Cowbells Guest Blog Report by Pete Webber

The future home of the Valmont Bike Park got a spring cleaning this weekend thanks to 60 volunteers who spent their Saturday afternoon working to clear trash, junk, and old fences from the site.

The plan was to clean up the 40-acres in anticipation of official construction to begin later this year. By the end of the day, piles of trash included car tires, lumber, innumerable plastic bags, and unexpected discoveries like a shopping cart, golf bag, rusted bed frame, lawn furniture, and 11 different shoes.

The crews also dismantled 700 feet of barbed wire fences that were hold-overs from when portions of the property were a farm. Along with the barbed wire came nearly 100 fence-posts that had to be pried out of the ground.

The vibe was super positive as young and old got dirty and pitched in to do their part for the project. Everyone also got a close look at the park plans and toured the site with some of the team involved in the planning and design.

The event was organized by the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance and the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department, with help from the International Mountain Biking Association.

Since day one, the public support for this park has been unbelievable, and this weekend's event was no different. Stay tuned for future events later this year and come join the fun!

   The Valmont Bike Park Volunteer Crew

See the full set of images here, or enjoy them in the slide show below!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

(UPDATED) I loved seeing Sven when he'd tackle the Spring Classics. He'd attack the pave' and get himself on the front of the race to ensure cameras would see him attack the Kemmel and all the other cobbled climbs. The results never really materialized for Sven on the road in the spring which is why I love seeing him focus so decidedly on MTB since the Olympics last year...proving his dedication to using Dugasts from 32 to, now, 45.

Today he crowned himself King Of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg in the 'Lowlands MTB Championships'. What was rad was seeing Dutch National MTB Champ and all around 'cross hard-man Thijs Al take 2nd and other crossers (Stybar, Berden, etc) lay down the gauntlet on the field including  some heavies...like Julien Absalon (3rd). All hail the 'crossers!

Click the photo below to view the pictures on the day or click here to read the story on www.sport.be (in Dutch....). Use Babelfish or Google to translate.

Oh, and what was Sven rolling on today? My 'cross loving sister and camera-carrying soldier in Belgium, Mieke De Cnodder, caught Sven on...ahem...these incredible wheels. Look familiar???