Final Post, New Blog

The Mule Blog has moved. This will be the final posting. New post will be here www.muleterro.blogspot.com. See you there!

Leverich Canyon Crank Up- LLCP for short

I think it is time to send out an update on the mountain bike race that Team Muleterro is putting on in August. The race is going to take place south of Bozeman at Leverich Canyon. The local bike club and the forest service have worked together to make this a really nice mountain biking loop. Doable for the beginner and still fun for the hardcore downhiller. The trail consists of a pretty hefty climb (just for a short while) before leveling out a little and meandering up to the top. Once at the top you get to enjoy some beautiful views of the Bridgers and the Gallatin Valley before plummeting down the downhill trail (the plummet is very short). The rest of the downhill is fun. Nice and smooth with lots of banked turns.

For our race we are planning on staging at the top on Moser Rd. To get there you drive up Hyalite and turn left on the gravel road before the campground. There are plenty of pullouts near the top for parking. We are definitely encouraging travelers and Bozemanites to come up the night before and camp out. There are two nice flat clearings with fire pits right between the uphill and downhill trails. After the race we will be able to relax, enjoy the views, and hopefully have some good eats.

If you have any questios please let us know. We will be posting more info as the date gets closer.

The Devils Slide MTB Race Report

Hi, Bill here again. Yea, I know that I am getting lazy ... this is the same blog that's on my site with some slight edits. Here is my Devils Slide Report.

Saturday morning my friend and I headed out bright and early for Lewistown Idaho. For those of you that never made the trip down highway 12 you are missing something. Absolutely beautiful. This was our 4th trip to this race venue and I was the lone mule in Idaho this weekend.

We arrived and got into one of the little cabins along the Snake River. I highly recommend this option and if you go in on it with someone it can be almost as cheap as a camping site. I called up Chad at the Red Barn Shop to see if he was coming, the weather was fabulous. Then I loaded up with Carbo Rocket and potato chips and hit the race loop.

I even had enough time out on course to talk to someone about doing the Butte 100 (Triple Ring Productions). I am happy to announce two people gave me a ‘verbal’ commitment to do it … kool!

After a restless night wondering what the heck I was doing riding a 6 hour 7,000 feet of climbing mountain bike ride before a race. It was all about relaxing and getting in some good training so I didn't sweat it too much.

The next day we all lined up and I put in a solid effort. I didn't start off with a bang like last week but instead hung back because I thought I could mark any big attacks. It was a good thing because on lap 1 I had to regroup every one twice and the leader missed some corners.

That is when I took the lead, at least for lap one so no one would stray off course. This is where my 7 lap experience paid off from the day before.

So I spun easily up the first climb feeling like a rock star. the Turner Flux that I got from Red Barn just rocketed up the thing. From the top I looked back along the ridge and there was no one for a million miles. I knew that ol Turny would completely set the downhill part of the course on fire and that it did.

I cruised to take the win. I basically was able to practice my long distance pace due to the fact that no pros showed up and everyone was so laid back. It was a good time in the sun and dirt. Although I had a strong performance on the bike by “swag grab” skills were lacking. I got picked twice and froze when I got to the table. I ended up with nutrition products …o/o

Check out the photos by Scott Trost!

Grizzly Triathlon

Grizzly Tri Race Report- by Julie Zickovich

The Grizzly Tri is know as the Montana World Championship. It is the largest triathlon in the state drawing a racer attendance of ~450. This year it filled in something like 12 hours. The race is staged on the U of M campus with the swim being held in heats in the Grizzly pool. The ride is a 20k out and back towards E. Missoula and the run is mostly on trail along the river, with one big hill.

This was my first year doing the event and was a little nervous not knowing what to expect. I think the nerves led to a weakened immune system because Friday I was achy and had a sore throat, plus my arch was sore from pulling it on a run the week before. However, once I got to the pool and started watching the heats my nerves faded a little bit and I kind of forgot about being sick. It is a really fun event with lots of spectators and other racers.

I really worked on my swim over the winter so my heat started pretty late. At noon we got in the pool and we were off. Swimming 20 laps in a pool gets pretty boring, but I drafted my other 3 lane mates and saved a lot of energy. The ride was good. Hard to settle in in only 20k. Then as I dismounted I ate it on top of my bike. The run hurt for every reason a run in a triathlon hurts plus all my other issues. I definitely lost time there. Oh well. Overall I came in 14th. 2nd in my age group and was only a minute off my goal time. Next year maybe I will try the elite heat.

The womens and mens elite heats were really fun to watch. There are some very very strong Montana women out there. Good job all of you.

Thanks for reading - Julie

Barking Spider Report

Bill Martin here and posting some highlights from my own blog to update the herd on what went down last Saturday in Idaho.

No, the title has nothing to do with “farting” or the smells associated with “farting”. I have to admit, I just giggled like a 4 year old. The Barking Spider Mountain Bike Race in Nampa Idaho this weekend was on tap for me. I just posted the photos of the journey ==> go on over yonder!

I woke up bright and early to post some flyers for the Butte 100 in the most influential places, a technique perfect by the folks at Triple Ring. I filled up my bottles with some of that Carbo Rocket stuff and headed out to play.

I have to say, “whahooo, hell yea”. Thanks, Chad (Red barn Bikes owner), the Turner was a flying today. I am so glad you talked me out of that “other” bike. After a hour of playing around it was time to get serious. I arrived back to my car to see a Dirt Coalition tent being propped up behind my car. LOL … talk about irony … I was just trying to get on that squad but now I am thankful to be riding my Turner. I gave a couple ride-byes to see the one person I would be gunning for :)

So the gun went off and so did the Turner. I took the lead and sat down for a nice little race in Southern Idaho. Soon the the DC dude comes roaring past me so I attempted to grab his wheel. The dude was definitely making his big move of the day. It was all I could do to chase him down. Finally we were battling it hard and heavy. We romped up the first round of climbs and bombed the descents. We raced ourselves right past the pro group (who started a minute ahead of the cat 1s).

Soon I was off on my own and the Turner just kept flying own the trail to take first place. In the overall I placed 3rd … wrong category to take the cash though. So yea, it was a good day!

Bozeman Bike SWAP

Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club’s 2009 Bicycle Swap

April 17-18, 2009

Gallatin County Fairgrounds

Selling all types of bicycles, bike related parts, accessories, tools, clothing, bike and jogging strollers


To sell a bicycle or bike related item:

Bring it to the Gallatin County Fairgrounds on Friday, April 17 between 4-7 p.m.
Pay a $1 consignment fee per item
Tag each item with a sales invoice provided by GVBC
Experienced volunteers will be available to help appraise items
You have the opportunity to list both a full price and a discount period price (12-1 p.m.)
You must return to the swap between 1:00-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18th to find out which of your items sold and which you must retrieve

What happens if an item sells?

GVBC receives a 15% commission on all sales and we will mail you a check

What happens if an item does not sell?

· Bring your sales invoice to pick up unsold items between 1:00-2:30 p.m. the day of the Swap – Saturday April 18th.
· Items not retrieved by 2:30 p.m. Saturday will be donated to a local charity.

Buying a bicycle or bike related item:

Sale hours on Saturday April 18th
7:30-8:00 a.m. Open to GVBC members that work the Swap
8:00-9:00 a.m. Open to GVBC members only
9:00-11:45 a.m. Open to General Public
11:45-12:00 p.m. All buyers leave the buildings in preparation prior to the
discount period
12:00-1:00 pm Discount sales period

GVBC accepts cash and checks –sorry, no credit cards

How do I join GVBC?
Join at the Spring Party (check the GVBC web page for actual date)
Friday April 17th during the consignment period
Saturday morning April 18th between 7- 8:30 am
By mail to GVBC, P.O. Box 6425 Bozeman, 59771
Get a membership application from the GVBC web page:
http://bozemanbiketalk.com/GVBC/On%20line%20GVBC%20%20Membership%20Form%202008.pdf

Out-of-town sellers or sellers with more questions -- Contact Tom: tom@nrarep.com

Run to the Pub

On March 14th members of Team Muleterro ran in 317's Run to the Pub 10k and half-marathon. Jenny, Cory, Jason, and Justin ran the half marathon and Julie ran in the 10k. It was a beautiful day and what a better way to finish off a race but with a pint at the local pub. Thanks 317. Oh, and Julie thanks you too for drawing her name for the trip to Dublin in October. I guess she now has to train for a marathon.

http://perfect-timing.org/results/2009/runtothepub/index.html