Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Teva Mountain Games


There's no event that draws more top level athletes in so many different disciplines of outdoor sports than the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, CO. If you want to be inspired to pick up a new sport or get better at the ones you already do then this is the place to be.

I'm sure the fabulously large prize purses for all the events contributes to the popularity, but Vail also offers the best of all things outdoors. If you like to climb, then this is the place for you. The trails are lush and moist, hardpacked and smooth. Gore Creek flows with abandon and the views are breathtaking.


Four Red Rock Racers made the trip for the mountain bike race. In lieu of having no semi-pro field, Gary made his debut in the Pro field racing big names like Ryan Trebon, Jay Henry, and Ned Overend. Eric Bohn raced the Sport Men, Julie Jay raced the Sport Women, and yours truly raced Single Speed. Gary also took on the road hill climb event and Eric ran the 10K on Sunday morning.

Here are some photos of our adventure.


Vail is beautiful and has epic climbing!

Riding from West Vail to pre-ride the course.
Eric, Kristen, Ara (Julie's sister), and Julie hanging out by the climbing wall where they hosted the IFSC Bouldering World Cup.
Pre-riding the course. Yes, it goes straight up the ski run.
That's Ned Overend in the red that just passed me.
Gary lines up for the Pro race.
And he's off!
Eric and Julie in the feed zone.
Eric finishes strong.
Kristen finishing (and wishing she had a 20 instead of an 18) but happy nonetheless!
Julie finishing her first XC race since college.

Eric and Skylar up on the bank above Gore Creek.
Gary takes on a wave in the very full and fast flowing Gore Creek in his little red boat.
Gary starts the Road Hill Climb up Vail Pass.
Gary and Skylar chilling in the car. Skylar is one of the best dogs I've ever traveled with.

So all in all it was a very cool weekend. Hopefully we'll see more Red Rock Racers at the 09 Games competing in all sorts of events.

Cheers!

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Teammate Profile; Kent Sherman



New RRR Teammate Kent Sherman looking fine atop Mt. Elbert, Colorado.


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Hello Steve and RRR!

I’ve become interested in road cycling in the last couple of years. Last year was my first year of “serious” riding and I entered my first organized ride (Taylor House 65 miler). This year, I got out on the road bike in late February, increased my mileage steadily, and recently cranked out two 100 mile weeks. I’ve had to back off in the last couple weeks due to a strained muscle, but hopefully can bump up the mileage soon. I am primarily a road cyclist and use my mountain bike mostly for errands around town.

I completely agree with RRR mission and etiquette statements. I plan on submitting a clothing order to Cosmic soon. I look forward to becoming involved with RRR and getting to know members
………………Regards, Kent



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Kent Sherman, age 56, spent most of his youth near Portland, Oregon. He earned a BS is Forest Science from Oregon State U. in 1976. The next four years consisted on odd jobs, traveling in winter, and forest fire fighting in summers. While preparing to enter graduate school, he was offered work with the U.S. Geological Survey, in Portland. He began work with the USGS in January, 1980, four months before Mt. St. Helens blew. An offer to transfer to Flagstaff in 1982 was accepted. Kent worked the next 26 years with the USGS performing water quantity and quality studies throughout northern Arizona. He retired in January, 2008. Linda and Kent were married in 1985. Their sedentary hobbies are watercolor painting and woodcarving, respectively. They have a passion for the outdoors and take at least one major hiking trip per year. Cross country skiing is a favorite winter activity. Kent has been a year-round cyclist in Flagstaff for over 25 years.

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Welcome to RRR, Kent!
see you out on the cobbles!




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