In South Dakota, Tate, Matt and I stay at this cool old hotel called Hotel Alex Johnson… the only problem was the elevator was a little small. Here is a photo of 3 guys and 3 bikes in the cramped space!
Small Elevator
June 12, 2009
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Posted by swiftjesse
Review – Specialized Deviant Helmet
June 11, 2009
Product: Specialized Devaint Helmet – Full Face Free Ride/Bmx Helmet
MSRP: $140
Link: Deviant Helmet
Details: Twenty-one vents, full face protection and a tough fiberglass shell manage your toughest assaults with ease.
- Complies with one or more of the following safety standards for bicycle helmets: CPSC, SNELL B-95, CE and ASTM 1952 (standard for downhill mountain bike racing helmets)
- EPS foam with fiberglass shell
- Pro Fit 2 rear vertical adjust retention system is secure and easy to adjust on the fly
- Removable washable liner and cheek pads
- New increased travel adjustable visor
- Carrying bag included
- Size chart
Thoughts: I used the Deviant Helmet to increase my confidence dirt jumping. Its one thing to hit jumps wearing a little skate board helmet and another when you have a nice full face brain bucket on your head to make that decision to hit “the big line” a little easier!
Eager to get to the local jump spot, I grabbed the helmet out of the box and threw it on my head. I noticed my ears folded over as I squeezed my little head in, and my ears didn’t unfold once the helmet was on and I felt a lot of pressure on my cheeks. A little disappointed, I took the helmet off and started looking at the inside. Inside there is a nice sweat liner that is held on by a bunch of little velcro tabs that definitely increases the comfort on top of your head when in the helmet. Then I looked at the ‘mouth guard’ and saw that the cheek pads were held on by similar velcro tabs. I pulled the two individaul cheek pads out of the helmet, and then put the helmet on again… my head slid in easily, no problems with my ears and no pressure on my cheeks. Happy with my little helmet mod, I got my bike and headed to Sunset Park. While jumping, the retention system on the back comfortably held the Deviant in place. I never felt like the helmet was too tight or too loose. Like Goldilocks said when she found that last bowl of porridge, the helmet fit “just right!” The vents on the top kept the black helmet cool on my head and the visor did a good job blocking the evening sun from my eyes. The helmet was also nicely weighted and didn’t give my neck a work out like some bulkier full face helmets do.
All in all, I was really impressed with the helmets fit and comfort AFTER I took out the thick cheek pads. I would be nice if the helmet were to come with a couple different thickness of pads. For the price, I think its a great buy for a great quality helmet! Its definitely going to hold up to those slams in the dirt while keeping your head nice and cozy. The Specialized Deviant helmet is product you will rely and count on to help you hit those big jumps!
Side Note: If you are looking for that “bling’d out brain bucket” The Deviant also comes in a full carbon version for more then twice as much money… I think thats a lot for something that is made to hit the dirt but it may tickle some one elses fancy.
Pros: Pro Fit Head retention device works very well, easy to tighten and easy to loosen. Helmet is light weight and doesn’t restrict line of sight.
Cons: Cheek pads were too thick.
Reviewer: Jesse Swift
Rating: 
4 out 5 Peaks
Redline Cup
June 11, 2009The boys headed up to the Berthoud BMX track this past weekend for the Redline Cup for some night time racing. Good work boys!
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Posted by swiftjesse
Black Hills Fat Tire Festival
June 11, 2009
Team Bikeparts.com representing CO in SD!
jon w, tate, matt, micah and i all headed to Rapid City South Dakota for the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. it was a small, low key event but it was a new race to do and beautiful part of the country to see!
we got a hotel in downtown Rapid City because the races were being held in a park system just on the edge of town. (see the photo below)
Friday – Hill Climb: matt, micah and tate raced. tate took off at the start, but micah proved to be the strong one on the 7 minute steep fire road climb to the radio towers ( see the 1st photo above) and won the entire race and set himself up well for the King of the Mtn stage race.
Saturday – XC race: jon w, matt, micah, tate and myself raced. two 10 mile laps up and down and around the park. the start of the race was 1/4 mile sprint in wet grass! matt took an early lead with jesse, micah and jon chasing with another local pro attacking him often. as the race course crossed over its self, matt almost hit Tate on a descent as Tate was climbing just minutes behind the race leader. jesse and micah had a hard time staying behind matt but jesse came around him into the final descent. micah attacked hard and caught matt and jesse. in the grass spring towards the finish line, micah attacked again! jesse ended up winning, with micah 2nd, matt 3rd, local pro in 4th and jon w in 5th. bobbie watt ( jon’s wife placed 2nd in the womens race!)
Sunday – Super D race: jon w, matt, micah, tate and my self raced. the super d was very casual and was done in a Time Trial format where each racer starting individually and was racing the clock like a downhill race. the race promoter said “if you think you are fast, get in the front of the line!” so tate and jon w started the whole race off. tate had some bad luck and tore his baggy shorts. micah and matt also had some bad luck but jon watt kicked ass and won with a time around 6:35minutes! as well, bobbie watt won too!
King of The Mountain – in the end, Micah gained enough points in all 3 races to win the King of the Mountain award! he took home some cash and a pretty trophy! Matt placed 3 in the KOTM and needs to contact the race promoter for his money! 🙂 seriously matt…
Not only were there races, but there were organized group rides and a Film Festival! The winning film was about a 34 month old toddler riding around town picking up girls to AC/DC’s TNT song! very funny! And, like any fat tire festival, the beer was flowing! The whole event was fun and the locals were all very nice! South Dakota has a ton of trails and next time you are thinking of heading to Fruita or Moab, head north east instead and check out the Black Hills mountain bike scene! 🙂
P.S. it was a good weekend hanging out and racing with you guys! – jesse
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- Team Bikeparts.com representing CO in SD!
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Posted by swiftjesse
Tour De Trash
June 11, 2009
This race is part of the Summit Mountain Challenge series and is happening this weekend up near Keystone! $2o entry fee and 12:30pm start time… count me in!!! Click here to find out more about the Tour De Trash.
Ashland Super D
June 10, 2009Colorado Super D Pro, Mike West, is heading out of state this weekend to a cool little town in southern Oregon called Ashland. Its home to some incredible riding and is located right near ski mountain. All this makes for a 12 Mile Super D! Check the wesbsite for more info, Ashland Super D. Make Colorado proud Mike!
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Posted by swiftjesse
Lyons Bike Park
June 10, 2009
Brian, Tyler, Bill, the Boys and I headed up to Lyons to check out the Lyons Bike Park. At the park, there is a pump track, a mtb bike skills course and 3 different dirt jump lines. They created this park over the past couple weeks for the Lyons Outdoor Games. There is going to be a pump track comp and a dirt jump comp happening THIS weekend! Over all the park was fun and a little rough when we rode it, but it definitely has potential! 
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Jeffco Trail Survey
June 10, 2009
I received the following email today about the Apex trail in Golden.. Click on the link and let your thoughts be known! http://dev.comba. org/apex_ survey.html
Hey Folks,
This is a pretty serious issue and requires you to please act to maintain access to many of the trails that you have grown to love. Jefferson County has been getting a lot of heat on Apex conflict and is looking for user feedback on the use of this trail. Don’t kid yourself thinking that whatever the result is won’t result in a spill over to many more of the Front Range trails that you care about.
COMBA has been heading up discussions with Jeffco and has asked for the mountain bike community to speak up and be heard. Quantity matters much more than quality at this point. The more that we show that mountain bikers value Apex, the more we will have our voice heard. Just a couple of tips on what should be communicated:
1) Appreciation for all the work/effort from Jeffco for maintaining these trails for ALL users
2) Speak with a subtle voice and do not create more disparity to the issue. Rather we want to communicate that the conflict is minor and through some creativity it can be easily resolved.
3) Tell them how much you use the Apex trail system and how important it is to the Denver mountain bike community since it offers a nice, technically challenging trail to residents of Jefferson County without having to drive a long way to get there.
There are 3 ways to participate and I ask that you please do all 3.
1) Go to this link and fill out the questionaire so that Jefferson County hears your individual voice: http://dev.comba. org/apex_ survey.html
2) Attend at least one of the Open Houses in person that Jefferson County is holding to discuss with all trail users. Two open Houses will be held in June at the Open Space Ponderosa Meeting Room located at 700 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden (In same complex as Taj Mahal). A large turnout from mountain bikers will help ensure our standing in these important discussions! Mark your calendars and attend if you can: Thursday, June 18, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m; Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
3) Forward this email onto all of your mountain bike friends and personally ask them to participate.
Let’s show Jefferson County that we are united, appreciate the work that they do, care about trail access and are willing to mobilze to keep our trails open to biking.
Warm Regards,
Marv Storey
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Posted by swiftjesse
Virtuous – Sam Zbinden
June 3, 2009Fast!
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Posted by swiftjesse
Blackrock Trails
June 3, 2009Check this video from Transition Bikes of the SICK trails up in Blackrock, OR…
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South Table Mesa
June 2, 2009On a quick trip up from Santa Fe, Tom A took Kaya up on South Table Mesa in Golden to enjoy all the green…
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Art Alley Photo Shoot
June 1, 2009
A small group from our mtn bike team headed to South Dakota this holiday weekend for a mtn bike stage race. The hotel we got in downtown Rapid City was next to Art Alley. An area of downtown that let all kinds of artists decorate the alley…
Here is a photo shoot we did in the alleyway. enjoy!
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The Next Generation of Full Suspension
June 1, 2009From Steve Stevens at Golden Oldy Cyclery…
This is the 1887 Whippet bicycle from England…. which is FULL SUSPENSION. It was also available as a Full Suspension Tricycle.
… and this is an 1890 full suspension ladies bike … The WORTH SPRING FRAME from Chicago:
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