I have a rule…. Actually I have a few, first up, you can’t trust vegetarians or people with mustaches. In recent years both of these have been disproved so I use them now more as a loose guide than a hard and fast rule during first encounters with new people. However the rule I was originally referencing I still stand by, If you are standing at the top of the Imperial Chair lift in Breckenridge CO (the highest chair lift in North America), the weather is good and you’re fit enough to do it you have to hike the rest of the way to the top. 

Now I’m a father and rocketing through life towards the dreaded middle age I feel very mortal, and I've realized that sometimes you just don’t know if you are doing something for the last time. So what the rule really means is seize the moment and if the opportunity presents itself, go do something awesome, it might just be your last chance. Anyway on with the story, whilst skiing last week the scenario presented itself. I was on Imperial, the weather was good, my legs felt great, the hike to the top of Imperial bowl was open and despite the random assortment of craft beer from the night before my tummy felt ok, the chances of the dreaded “Brown Pow” were low… It was on. Sitting on the lift sandwiched by two Danish friends I proposed the idea. To my Right was Lasse, part time KSD rider and member of the mighty Kato Smells Danger team from the 2013 Mayhem Enduro race. The giant man that finished the race despite falling so hard on what we all affectionately referred to as “The death drop”, that he ripped his gopro mount, break lever and shifter off his handlebar. My favorite quote from the day came from a guy in the team behind us “Dude…. That’s a lot of man to hit the ground”. To my left, Jacob, family friend of Lasse. The guy I had secretly hoped I’d be able to take to school on the slopes despite his credentials. In reality as he is 10 years my junior and about 80 lbs lighter the best I could do was try to keep up. After a brief discussion it was decided Lasse was out, Jacob was in. We fist bumped and hugged Lasse at the top of the lift, made plans of where to meet and started the hike up what Jacob had declared “an easy little climb”, I led the way and my pathetic little asthmatic lungs were immediately reminded of how thin the air is up there. I’m ashamed to admit I took a little satisfaction in Jacob struggling slightly on the first half of the climb, however on the second half he seemed to have re grouped, caught up and even had time to whip out his GoPro for some photos during both of my rest stops. Dragos defeated line from Rocky 4 came to mind “he’s not a man….. he’s a piece of iron”. We reached the summit in good time and took what turned out to be some pretty cool photos and selfies. After high 5s and fist bumps we assessed our options and clipped into our skis. 

Finally my last rule is to share your passion with the ones you love. After gentle persuasion for her entire life my 3 year old daughter started to really take an interest in her bike last summer, that made me very happy. This year was her first time in ski school and although she declared that she really only needed 2 days in ski school till she was good enough to come out with us, she agreed to go every day. Day 1 went great, she was hooked despite having “Cwazy skis” that sometimes just went where ever they wanted too. By the end of the week she was apparently ready for big girl ski school, could control speed, turn both ways and had taken the chair lift twice. This makes me very happy, I can never decide if I’m a Bikoholic and Skiing is my methadone or a Skioholic who uses Mountain bikes for a summer fix. Either way it looks like Scarlett and I have many chances to do awesome stuff together in the future….

Until next time….. Hang tough and stay hungry

With the snow accumulations mounting, and March most definitely coming in like a lion this year, some of the KSDers decided to give Ohio a big "adios" for the weekend and head South.  Kenny, Corianne, Andrew, and Tim all packed up for Dalton, GA to race the third and final stage of the Snake Creek Gap Time Trial and bring some new belt buckles home to Ohio. (Their tale will be told in another post)

I, along with a dozen or so other KSDers and NE Ohio mountain bikers, set out for a much less competitive weekend in Louisville, KY to ride the new Mega Cavern Bike Park and attend this years NAHBS (North American Handmade Bicycle Show).

During a lunch break at a KSD day at Ray's late last year, the conversation quickly turned to the new indoor park being designed and built underground in Louisville, and speculation abounded.  When would it open?  Is it really twice the size of Ray's?  How would it compare to Ray's?  Will it cater to multiple disciplines, or primarily dirt jumping?  Days later, the Mega Cavern announced a tentative January opening, and when we saw that the NAHBS was going to be in Louisville this year on March 6-8, our road trip was set.  

Now, if you're looking for a full blown review of the Cavern, well, I'm sorry.  I'll type one up later, but really just wanted to let the photos do the talking for now.  I will say this - just go!  Don't listen to the critics and just go.  Totally worth it.  Sure, there were a few hiccups (that I'll detail in a review), but grab your bike and go play in the dirt!  And as for the NAHBS, go there too!  To see so many different visions become reality, and in the form of the most efficient machine on the planet, it's not to be missed if you have the chance.  

But before I get to the main galleries, a big congratulations to our friend and sponsor, Rody Walter of Groovy Cycleworks for bringing home "Best in Show".  Well Done!  The bike was stunning.