Friday, October 31, 2014

TBR Giveaway! + Something New

WHEELS HOT FAYETTEVILLE HAS MOVED! 

CLICK ON OZARK CYCLING ADVENTURES LOGO BELOW TO GO TO NEW WEBSITE. THANKS!


I am excited to announce that Wheels Hot Fayetteville received a category upgrade letter. Ha! No seriously. Thanks to great viewership and new sponsors WHF is moving. 

Where? To a new more powerful platform where we feel like we can better serve our readership. 

What’s new? For starters WHF is turning into Ozark Cycling Adventures. 

Why? OCA is focusing more on our region. 

What is OCA? The idea for Ozark Cycling Adventures was born from this blog which originated as a creative outlet and has grown to become a true passion and lifestyle. OCA’s goal is to encourage bicycle adventures through growing & supporting the local cycling community and promoting bicycle tourism. Our hope is that it will be a helpful resource to local cyclists and to those traveling to the region. 

What’s different? Some new services are coming. Like mountain bike trail reviews, popular road/dirt routes, expanded event coverage and some really great guest writers will be chiming in. OCA will also have some fully supported guided bicycle tours in 2015. It’s gonna be fun. Without further adieu check it out for yourself. Click on the OCA logo below. You will find a smokin' giveaway from The Bike Route at the end! 





Thursday, October 30, 2014

Weekend Ride Notification 10/31

Good day peeps. So many events in The Natural State! The Arkansas Super-Prestige is back in session with a way cool night race. In case you didn't get enough Hazel Valley last Saturday you can tackle the HV100. The TRI-SPORT Van Buren Bike/Train Ride is Sunday. The Riverside Classsic MTB race is Sunday in NLR. Information is posted below. Have a great one!

Cycling excuses - I might have used one OR two of these.

BOOM! Seasonal flavors have dropped. Mmmm...Iced Ginger Bread & Spiced Pumpkin Pie. Limited time. Check Walmart for the 6pk & Sam's Club for the 24pk. 

Hazel Valley 100 this Saturday. Dare I?

Click on image above to go to USA Cycling.

NWA tradition. Click on image above to link to their FB page.

Click on image above for details. 


Group Rides

Saturday

Fayetteville
WHF Ride. Wheels Hot @ 8:30 from MopedU. What's on tap? I was thinking Airport Loop. 56 miles 2800 ft gain. We will stop at the gas station in Highfill to reload. Click here to see STRAVA route. I pushed the start time due to cold temps and grumbling from the bunch. 

Ozark Roadies Ride. Click on link to see if they have a ride going Saturday. 

Bentonville
BMC Bentonville Square Ride. Leaves from Phat Tire @ 9:00 am.  Usually 55 to 65 miles. Hard but with regrouping. Pace spirited. Route TBD. Advanced. 

Sunday

Fayetteville
TRI-SPORT Ride-spin off. There is a group of us that is going to start at 8am with the TRI-SPORT group then hang a right at Winslow and head over to Devil's Den and back in.

ONYX Coffee Lab Ride. Leaves at 12:30 from ONYX off Gregg Street. Usually 50 miles or so. Pace Spirited. Route TBD. Advanced.

Ride fast & be safe,
WHF

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Tuesday Shorts 10/28


Longest Lap
Cycling is such a spectacle. All I know is Mark G would be the first one out. Does NWA need a velodrome?

Marianne Vos
Why is she so good? Could it be because she competes over multiple disciplines year round? If we took a vote for best living bicycle racer Vos would have my vote.

 

Indoor Training Program for Cycling Performance
I've been bumping into quite a few of you who have mentioned interest. I know it's difficult to plan for this when the weather is perfect and you are still riding outside. But look forward, think about January/February. Now is the time to speak up. Please be in touch with Steve at AUCHTERLONIE@SBCGLOBAL.NET.  You can click here to link to the flyer for more details.


WEEKDAY GROUP RIDES

Time change this Sunday. Which means most evening group rides are kaput after this week.  TBR Tuesday Night Rides will start next week. If you know of any other group night rides let me know and I will post it. 

MONDAY

Fayetteville
Good Bikes ride. Leaving @ 5:45 from Good Bikes. It is intended to be a recovery pace, no-drop, skills-building/technique ride. Everyone is welcome. Hosted by University of Arkansas Cycling & Good Bikes. See Good Bikes or Arkansas Cycling on Facebook for more info.

Bentonville
Tour de Lunch ride. Leaves @ 11:15 am from the Bentonville Square. Approximately 1 hour. Moderate to hard.

TUESDAY

Fayetteville
Tuesday Night World Championships leaving @ 5:30 from The Bike Route or @ 6 from the parking lot adjacent to MopedU. A number of us have been meeting @ 4:30 from MopedU to get extra miles. We double back and meet the group at 6. You are welcome to join. Also some folks have been talking about running lights and extending the ride into the night a bit. Bring your lights (front & rear).

Rogers
Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.
-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of of regroups.
-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

WEDNESDAY

Bentonville
Tour de Lunch ride. Leaves @ 11:15 am from the Bentonville Square. Approximately 1 hour. Moderate to hard.


Phat Tire MTB ride. Leaves @ 6 pm from the Bentonville Square. No-drop. Intermediate-Beginner. 

THURSDAY

Fayetteville
Athlete Forward/The Bike Route beginner ride. Leaving @ 5:45 from Owl Creek Middle School. Pace easy-moderate. No rider left behind.

NWA Microcross. Cyclocross training race. Race starts skills @ 5:30, race @ 6 behind Good Bikes. Click here for details. 

Rogers
Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.
-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of regroups.
-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

Bentonville
Highroller Cyclery intermediate mountain bike ride. Leaving at 6:15 from the dog park near Slaughter Pen.

Bike Bentonville All Girls Ride. Leaves @ 6:05 from Bentonville Square. Click here for details.

FRIDAY

Bentonville
Tour de Lunch ride. Leaves @ 11:15 am from the Bentonville Square. Approximately 1 hour. Moderate to hard.

Ride fast & be safe,
WHF

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Hazel Valley Grand Prix 2014

What can I say? HVGP dished out the pain yesterday. Sometimes you have a bad a day. You just don't want it to be on this route. But on the cup is half full side of things. The weather was perfect and the leaves are starting to pop. It was freaking beautiful. Kudos to Roger at Hazel Valley Ranch for selecting this date. The course markings this year were great. And the chili & beer at the end was awesome. I love this event because of the great quotes that come from the experience. The story telling at the end is what it's all about.

Headed for the hills.

Hazel Valley.

Registration. Hot coffee & snacks.

Cipollini was on hand. 

Gathering for the start.

All is well.

Art H would later say, "that's one of the hardest things I've put my body through."

What comes next?

BOOM! John N would later send me this message, "Daayyuummmm - that was tough. Those hills started pissing me off at the end." Good job man!

Gravel kicker. 110 climb. 1 mile 500 ft gain. 

Sean S dropped the chain in between the cassette and spokes. Thanks Vince C! 

Top of 110.

Reward for a little suffering.  John S quote while climbing, "Garmin be like, Auto Pause cause you are going so slow." 

Then you ride on this ridge for awhile.

After bombing the 4 mile descent into Winfrey Valley.

Tons of tree tunnels.

Frog Bayou. (Photo Dust P)

Bidville Climb. 4.5 miles 1100 ft gain. 

While the scenery was beautiful. The sinking feeling that I was not on a good day set in.

Mixed emotions. Part of what I love about cycling. Jason B stated before the ride, "sometimes it's the hard days that you remember the most." So true. 

Top of the Rock. (Photo Dusty P)

Sean S would say, "I can't believe I have lived here for so long and never been out here." (Photo Dusty P)

At this point I had the "look of death". 

Ozarkia.

Jared H crashed early on (check out the left hip) but still finished. He posted on FB, "Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you. I think we will call today a draw." Good job man. 

Ron S manages a smile a midst the suffering. 

After all that I spilled chili in my lap. Which looks disturbingly like something...

This was much appreciated. Thanks again Roger and volunteers.

Big John S rode in on a chariot like a conqueror. He would later say, "Today the Hazel Valley Grand Prix kicked my butt, but it was a awesome event and such a cool place. Next year she will be mine." Good job man.

Finally...Let's Eat! Mighty Meaty calzone from Mellow Mushroom. 

Old STRAVA from last year. Forgot to start it. Click on image to see the route profile. If you are looking for epic HVGP might just be for you. A big thanks to Art H for scooping me up. Still picking up the pieces! 

Manual Entry.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Weekend Ride Notification 10/24

Well Friday is almost here. The Hazel Valley Grand Prix is on Saturday. It's going to be awesome. Group rides are posted. Hope your weekend is filled with outdoor adventures!

I love racing bicycles but my roots are in the simplicity of riding. These chaps manage to capture it. #rideyourbike


#tbt #snapplecycling #cold #flask #ozarkia



Click on image to link to event FB page. 

Group Rides

Saturday

Fayetteville
WHF Ride. No organized ride from me. I'll be crushing some dirt roads in the Ozark National Forest at the Hazel Valley Grand Prix Hopefully with a few of you! 

Ozark Roadies Ride. Leaving at 8:30 from Owl Creek School. The weather looks to be great, temps into the 80's. Since it is a home game I thought we should ride West again to avoid the traffic. Go out Goose Creek to Prairie Grove Battle Field Park and back. Roughly 35 miles at a moderate speed 14-15 av. I'd say we would be back around noon. Ride leader Dick Nelson

Bentonville
BMC Bentonville Square Ride. Leaves from Phat Tire @ 9:00 am.  Usually 55 to 65 miles. Hard but with regrouping. Pace spirited. Route TBD. Advanced. 

Sunday

Fayetteville
ONYX Coffee Lab Ride. Leaves at 12:30 from ONYX off Gregg Street. Usually 50 miles or so. Pace Spirited. Route TBD. Advanced.

Ride fast & be safe,
WHF

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tuesday Shorts 10/21



Valkenburg World Cup
KFC opens her World Cup account. JPow cracks top ten. USA is off to a good start.




The Jones Center p/b Three Happy Cows CX Race
Thanks for the video Blake K.


Bike Smart, Bike Safe - 3 Feet for Safety Act
Clever 30 second ad running in California. 3 feet, it's not too much to ask. 


Hazel Valley Grand Prix
HVGP is finally here. Let the great debate begin. Cross or mountain bike? HVGP is a epic sick ridiculous dirt road ride in the Ozark National Forest. It tops out at White Rock Mountain (current header photo on WHF). I rode this route this summer with Ozark Cycling Adventures. Click here to see photos of the route. I can't wait for Saturday! Click here for a link to the HVGP Facebook page.

HVGP route cue sheet from the OCA June ride. Just a couple turns. 

Weekday Group Rides. Times have changed due to lack of light from that big fireball in the sky. Don't forget to charge those lights

MONDAY

Fayetteville
Good Bikes ride. Leaving @ 5:45 from Good Bikes. It is intended to be a recovery pace, no-drop, skills-building/technique ride. Everyone is welcome. Hosted by University of Arkansas Cycling & Good Bikes. See Good Bikes or Arkansas Cycling on Facebook for more info.

TUESDAY

Fayetteville
Tuesday Night World Championships leaving @ 5:30 from The Bike Route or @ 6 from the parking lot adjacent to MopedU. A number of us have been meeting @ 4:30 from MopedU to get extra miles. We double back and meet the group at 6. You are welcome to join. Also some folks have been talking about running lights and extending the ride into the night a bit. Bring your lights (front & rear).

Rogers
Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.
-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of of regroups.
-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

THURSDAY

Fayetteville
Athlete Forward/The Bike Route beginner ride. Leaving @ 5:45 from Owl Creek Middle School. Pace easy-moderate. No rider left behind.

NWA Microcross. Cyclocross training race. Race starts skills @ 5:30 race @ 6 behind Good Bikes. Click here for details. 

Rogers
Bellview Road Ride. Leaves from Bellview Elementary.
-Leaving @ 5:45 B group (average speed 17-19). Intermediate pace, plenty of regroups.
-Leaving @ 6:00 A group (average speed 19-21). Fast pace, with a couple regroups.

Bentonville
Highroller Cyclery intermediate mountain bike ride. Leaving at 6:15 from the dog park near Slaughter Pen.

Bike Bentonville All Girls Ride. Leaves @ 6:05 from Bentonville Square. Click here for details. 

Ride fast, be safe & steer clear of nut crazed squirrels, 
WHF

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Day of the Bicycle

Perfect weather was all the talk. My teammate Michael K works for The Jones Center and was promoting a CX race along with a Bike Rodeo for kids. He partnered up with the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks. The scene was great and the suffering was all over the racers faces. PCG and I headed over to help out and cheerheckle some friends.

I thought the hill next to the wall was a cool feature.

It had a "take the hill" kind of vibe.

Or "storm the fort" kind of vibe.

CAUTION.

Looked tough.

PRO.

Ground level.

.ИOITUAƆ

"Just another day at the beach" yelled PCG.

The Jones Center has some great programs for the family. Check'em out!

I think you can make a CX course just about anywhere. That's one of the reasons it's so interesting.

Owning that hill.

TrickDilly food truck was serving it up!

Stud.

Birds eye.

Good times. Thanks to Michael K, The Jones Center, Three Happy Cows, Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks and all the volunteers who helped pull this off. 

But that's not the end of bicycles. PCG and I hooked up with friends to ride Lake Fayetteville. 

Timmers.

Regroup.

This was a fully supported ride. Complete with SAG wagon. 

These hams.

Ending at Apple Blossom Brewery and a Kessler Trail Ale of course! Folks the trail system is worth its weight in gold. So simple. Outdoors, trails & bicycles. Improving the quality of life in our cities. You can have all my tax dollars.