Like a child...

photo by flickr user eyecaramba

Whether it be a long stretch of road, an epic single track or a flowing park, I can rest assured that for the next few hours, every other worry I could have let enter my mind can be forgotten. With sweat on my brow and a smile on my face I live in the moment and return to youth. My bicycle saves me.

Thank you for reading Fixed on Bikes.

It happens to us all...

I've got good news and bad news, since I'm a believer in getting the bad over with, here it goes: Josh, the guy who tours around the country with a rig full of Trek and Gary Fisher bicycles was injured on a ride up in Colorado, he suffered a shoulder separation tearing his AC Joint. If you're lucky enough to have never suffered this or any kind of shoulder injury, trust me it sucks, this is what it looks like-




Subsequently, the Demo planned for this Saturday had to be canceled. The good news, Trek is rescheduling a Demo for our area. As soon as I get word of the exact dates I will let y'all know. Until then, the trails are nice and moist, go ride your bicycles, and do your best to avoid any injuries.

Critical Mass... Ride Off Your Turkey Fat, You Ham!!!

Trek Demo Bike List

Here is the bike menu for the demo, remember to save Saturday December 5 for tons of fun, riding is free just bring a government issued photo ID.

Top Fuel 9.8's - 17.5, 19.5, 21.5
EX 9's - 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5
EX 9.9's - 15.5, 17.5, 19.5
Remedy 8's - 17.5, 18.5
Remedy 9.9's - 15.5, 19.5
Scratch - 17.5
Session 88 - 17.5
Assist Bikes - 17.5 FX, 19 7200 step thru
Superfly 100's - 15.5, 17.5, 19
Rumblefish's - 17.5, 19, 21
Six Series - 50, 52, 54, 54, 56, 56 Di2, 58, 60, 62
Five Series - 58
Cronus - 54, 56
WSD Madone - 47, 50

Madone 5.2 size run 47-58
Madone 6 series-50,52,54
2.1- 47,50
6000 hardtail-size run 14.5-17.5
Ex8- size run
Fx7.6- 15, 17
Top Fuel- 15.5, 17.5

Trek is on the road again....

Gary Fisher has the Superfly 100, the lightest full carbon 29'er available. Trek has the Top Fuel 9.9SL that comes in at the staggeringly light weight of 20.5 lbs. The best thing is Trek wants you to try out these sweet rides (plus many more) on your local trails. December 5, 2009 is a Saturday you'll want to keep open. Come to the Trek and Gary Fisher Outdoor Demo and ride all the bikes these two bike loving companies have to offer.

The demo will be held at the Chuck Heinrich Park on the North East side of the Franklin Mountain State Park. All are welcome, and there is no charge to ride, just be sure to bring a photo ID. If you have any questions call The Bicycle Co. at 915-544-2453 for more info.

12 Hours of Old El Paso Results

Photo by Jan Haugen

Bowen Ranch was pleased with the way we took care of their land, so thank you all for doing your part in helping maintain a great image of Mountain Bikers. You can expect many more mountain bike events at this awesome venue, starting with The 3rd Annual El Paso Puzzler on January 17, 2010 and The 23rd Annual Coyote Classic on March 21, 2010.

Here is a link to the PDF file of the race results, just in case you didn't receive the email.

Results

A GIANT HOTDOG CHASING A MEXICAN WRESTLER RUNNING ALONGSIDE A CAPED CRUSADER AND 4 SCHOOL GIRLS VS. A BAND OF PIRATES

Costumed Runners by Matt Talley

There were schoolgirls and there were pirates, 26'ers and 29'ers, racers and spectators, Blue Moon and Shiner. Some of us chose to ride single speeds, others enjoyed their granny gear, and everyone loved Happy Hill. The crowd was mixed full of characters, from seasoned racers fighting off cramps, to recreational riders fighting off cramps. The numbers of laps ridden varied, the numbers of beers consumed is a blur, but the numbers of smiles in the crowd, well, those were countless.

There was a vibe that captured the essence of why we do what we do - Bicycles are FUN - and it showed on Saturday.

It was early in the summer when Mike Rosson had mentioned he wanted El Paso to have a 12 hr race. After a few phone calls, mentioning the idea at a couple group rides, planning a date then rescheduling, along with many hours of work and thousands of dollars of sponsorship money, 12 Hours of Old El Paso happened.

The weather was great aside from the occasional gust of wind that pestered both racers and spectators alike. I don't know what you other guys felt but it always seemed like the wind was in my face, no matter what direction I was facing, making Knapp’s Road that much more fun to climb. When in the pits area I saw a few Tents going with the wind. My apologies for the A-Frames tumbling over with most of your bikes on them (Rest assured we will have a better system for next year's event).

Hopefully, everyone enjoyed the hotdogs and burgers, sorry to the vegetarians amongst us (Brent, did you get a veggie burger?). I know everyone loved the Blue Moon, 'cause that keg went fast.

Thankfully, no serious injuries were sustained by racers, or the kids in the jumping balloons (I know the wind blew them over a few times while loaded with the little grommets).

We were all exhausted by the time the fireworks shot off, after the awards were given out, everyone was eager to get into their RVs and Tents to sleep. Funny thing is we forgot to give out the prizes. Don't worry; we still have them, along with your contact information that you were supposed to list on the registration form. If you think you may have forgotten to list your info, contact me at chris_oaxaca@yahoo.com, and I will be sure to get you your prizes.

I would like to thank everyone who raced, everyone who traveled far from their homes to attend, all the volunteers, especially Robert Newman, Rodger Parsons and Arlen Bowden for manning the course, our Race Medic Alf Fierro, all the Texas Park Staff, Jaime Navarro with Intermedia Advertising, The El Paso Sports Commission, Firestone, Southwest Airlines, Tony Petta and the Wilsons for all their work on the course and Power Shots Cyclery for their scoring. Sorry if I forgot to mention anyone. Thanks. Save the date for next year, October 23, 2010, 12 Hours of Old El Paso the Sequel.

I will have the full race results up soon so be sure to check back.

View some photos of the event here: Flickr

Read another write up on the race and view some more photos at Ball of Dirt

COWBELLS, HORNS, and WHISTLES WELCOME!!!!

Sorry, it seems we will not have an official race website built on time for this years 12 Hours of Old El Paso. Hopefully this will help answer any questions you have.

Time and Date:
The race will be held on Saturday October 24, 2009 and begin at 10:00am until 10:00 PM. There will be no race day registration. If you have not yet registered, you can do so online at New Mexico Sports Online until mid-night Thursday October 22, or in person until Friday October 23 at The Bicycle Company.

Friday October 23, will also be packet pick up day at The Bicycle Company, at 3800 N. Mesa Suite D5. Call 915-544-2453 for directions. Packet pick up begins at noon.

If you are a junior rider, please come with your legal parent or guardian on packet pick up day so that they can sign your waiver and release form.

Location:
The North East part of El Paso is home to some of the finest trails in the area, recently, Texas Parks annexed the land from Castner Range north to Bowen Ranch. Thanks to Bowen Ranch, allowing us to use their land, along with this change in land management, we are able to use The Bowen Round House as a venue for our 12 Hr Race.

Directions to Venue:
The venue entrance is located 2.6 miles north of U.S. 54 on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Farm to Market Road 3255) on the west side of the road. Driver's will be greeted by a large sign that reads BOWEN RANCH. Below is a Google Map of the general area. If you follow the link to the larger map, you will find that the venue is located on what is called E.P.N.G. Pipeline Rd.


View Larger Map

Here is an aerial view of the race venue at Bowen Roundhouse:


View Larger Map

Camping:
Camping will be available at the venue both Friday and Saturday nights at no charge. We would like to encourage you to stay at one of the local El Paso area hotels. All racers who stay at local hotels will receive a ten dollar cash rebate on their race registration with proof of stay.

The venue will have designated parking and camping areas. Port-a-potties will be provided. Remember this is a desert, there will NOT be any running water. So we suggest that you bring plenty of water for both drinking and washing off during/post race.

According to the forecast provided by The Weather Channel, Saturday October 24, 2009 a.k.a. Race Day will have a temperature high of 77 and a low of 57 degrees Fahrenheit and clear sunny skies - However, this is not a guarantee, so be prepared, the event will be held RAIN OR SHINE!

Race Course:
Here is a map of the Trails with the Course Outlined.



The course starts at The Bowen Round House, an elevation of 4,250ft, with a Le mans start. Riders will ride from the Round House on "Lazy Cow" following the course in a clockwise direction. There is roughly 760ft of climbing, both single track and jeep roads, all of which will be clearly marked.

Classes
Racers can register as: Solo Male, Solo Female, Solo Single Speed, Duo Male, Duo Female, Duo CO-ED, Teams of 4 Male, Teams of 4 Female, Teams of 4 CO-ED. CO-ED designations require at least one female. USA Cycling categories (Cat1, Cat2, Cat3) will be assigned to Teams of 4 only. Only Solo Single Speed racers will have individual category. Depending on the number of racers registered in each category, we may group classifications together.

Prizes will be awarded to top 3 finishers in each category. Trophies and prizes will be presented after scoring is complete.

Post Race Party
The whole day will be a huge party on wheels, there will be plenty of food, beer and entertainment throughout the day for adults and kids (I guess we all feel like kids on bicycles) including a jumping balloon, music, and the post race costume party.

Racers and spectators are permitted to bring alcohol, however, we ask that there be no illegal serving of alcohol to underage persons(under 21, born after October 24, 1988 on race day).

Remember we are guests on Bowen Ranch, we ask that all participants in the day's activities clean up after themselves, and treat the ranch with respect. We want to keep the trails Bowen Ranch has allowed us to build, and continue to hold this event year after year.

Suggestions
Remember, the day light isn't lasting as long anymore, so expect at least 5 hours of dark during the race. Have your riding lights charged and ready for use.

Riders should bring a pump, tools, extra chain, shift and brake cables, tires, tubes, bike work stand, tents or E-Z Up for pit area, water, water, water, toilet paper, trash bags, energy supplements and food. There will be lights set up at the main tent area, but it wouldn't hurt to have your own light for your pit area.

Spectators should bring, other spectators, cameras, cowbells, air horns, "their fun". (Think Dave's and Buster's Commercial)

All in all this should be another fun bike event to mark your calendars for year after year.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Course Cleaning After Group Ride

The weather is prime for anything outdoors especially riding. Tomorrow we will be out at the North East riding the 12 hr race course and then some.

A lot of people are concerned about the condition of the course. Our recent swell of rain storms have wrecked some havoc on parts of the course. No need to get cold feet, after tomorrow's group ride, we will be doing some trail maintenance.

The group ride will start at 8:00 am and the maintenance will be around 12:00 PM.

See ya out there!

Why you scared?

I hear a lot of riders are backing down from 12 Hours of Old El Paso because of, well, because it's a 12 hour race. Well, let me clear some things up and put it all into perspective for you.

BICYCLES + FRIENDS + COSTUME PARTY = FUN

Multiply this by 12 HOURS = 12 HOURS OF FUN!!!

Don't worry I double checked my calculations and they are correct.

12 Hours of Old El Paso is synonymous with 12 Hours of Fun.

Don't be scared, register for 12 Hours of Old El Paso NOW!

Online at: www.newmexicosportsonline.com

or

In Person at The Bicycle Company.

For more info contact us at 915-544-2453