Raceface

Race Face has provided the mountain bike industry with OEM and aftermarket components for over 18 years.  The announcement of their liquidation came in March 2011.

Race Face, a Canadian Manufacturer, has been an industry standard since nearly the beginning of the sport.  They have been an innovative force on the industry and have provided everything from cranks to seatpost mechanisms.  Their components ranged from machined aluminum to carbon and helped many professional riders shave those crucial ounces off of their performance machines.  They even sponsored Steve Peat, a world cup champion in downhill racing.

Word is that the parent company Grant Thornton Limited sent a letter to all employees at

their New Westminster and Taiwan facilities on March 14 informing them of their immediate termination.

As the owner of many Race Face components over the years I hope that someone picks up their flag and marches on.  Otherwise the industry will have lost yet another great company.

Raceface

Concord Park, located off North Shore drive in West Knoxville, has some great mountain bike trails.  In all there are approximately 9 miles of trail to ride.  Concord is one of our standard ride locations.  The trails range in complexity from beginner to intermediate.  There are a few features that can be considered expert.  The trails offer a diversity of hills and flat trail (level trail is by water’s edge).  Most of the trail is single track with some double track.  These trails excel under wet conditions.  The trails shed water easily and the soils have enough sand content so that they do not stick to your tires.  Be ready to stop as these trails are prone to having downed trees.  The trees, however, do not stay in the way for long as they are well maintained.  Concord is a popular place for hikers and can get pretty busy, especially in the summer.  This park is best to ride in the winter and during week days.  If you don’t be prepared to stop often and don’t assume that people follow rule number 8. 

2 Miles of Trail on the West side of the parking lot

  The trails of Concord Park are split by a parking lot.  To the west of the parking lot there are about two miles of trail.  The Westside trails are mostly single track.  These trails are twisty, hilly and full of roots.  We like to ride these trails in a clockwise fashion entering the trail system at the southern most opening.  These trails are just as rideable either direction.  Generally we ride the Westside trails first.  They are a good warm up for the more extensive trails on the eastside of the parking lot.

Trails East of the parking lot

1. Know your role – Fast climber? Get up front and pull your crew. Slow descender? Get hell out of the way, you’re clogging up the downhill like a colon full of 5lbs of cheese
2. Know Basic Bike Maintenance – Be able to fix your own flat, repair a chain, tweak your derailleur….people will help if you’re not too needy.
3. Be Self Sufficient – Always bring what you need…and sometimes more. Having two tubes is not that much weight you weenie.
4. Pay It Forward – Tubes, quick-links, a helping hand. You’ll need it one day too.
5. Bike worth does not equal biking ability – Everyone loves the latest and greatest…but it doesn’t increase skill.  Most of us won’t even come close to pushing our bikes limits…..
6. Know Your Abilities – Don’t get too far over your head and don’t claim to be better than you are.
7. Music while riding is great…Unless you are oblivious – If you are going to wear earphones while riding, check around you constantly for other riders.
8. Treat Other Riders Like You Would Want To Be Treated – No one likes a jackass, unless you’re like our crew, then the sky’s the limit.
9. You bring it in…you bring it out – No one likes a litterbug. Keep the trail clean.
10. No One Looks Good In Lycra…Especially Mountain Bikers – If you’re going to wear it for the ride then bring some short to put on over it afterwards.  No one wants to sit around having beers afterwards looking at a sausage casing……
11. In Shape Does Not Equal Technical Ability – You are in shape…awesome…but you still may suck. Being in shape just makes you able to ride longer.
12. Riding Keeps You Young – Yes…the guy that is twice your age will still kick your ass.
13. Any Holiday Is An Excuse To Ride – Why are we riding today? Because today ends in Y.
14. Diversity Is A Good Thing – Different bikes, different styles, and different personalities. It would be dreadfully boring if we were all the same.
15. Don’t Be “That Guy” – You know the one…the guy that brags about his time on local loops and doesn’t ride anywhere else. Enjoy your ride…it isn’t a contest, unless it’s a race.
16. Support Those That Support You – Support your local IMBA and local advocacy chapters. They do more than just work on trails.
17. You Have Zero Room To Bitch If You Didn’t Work On The Trail – Try not to be a backseat driver to trail work.
18. If a rider catches you…It doesn’t mean they want you to ride faster – Move to the side and let the rider by.
19. Just Because You Can’t Ride It…Doesn’t Mean Others Can’t – Mountain biking should be a progression. Not all trails can be wide and groomed.
20. It’s Only A Race If The Other Participants Know They Are Participating – You didn’t beat your friend on the climb if you are the only one that knew it was a race.
21. Beware Of Rider Recommendations – The best bike for a friend may not be the best bike for you. Everyone thinks they are on the best mountain bike on the market.
22. Mexican Food Is The Perfect After Ride Meal – Don’t know why…it just is.
23. Online Superstars Type More Than Ride – Time worrying about online arguments is time you could spend on the bike.
24. There Is No Cure For UGI – Upgradeitius is a serious disease for which there is no cure.
25. Riding Is The Best Therapy – Self explanatory…

The GPS track of the 5.6km race course

On Saturday April 16^th Throttle and I, as well as 130 other brave souls, got our asses kicked by a Navy Seal.  I am speaking of the 2011 Navy Seal Extreme Off-Road Challenge presented by Smoky Mountain Endeavors in Cosby TN.  Dan Schreder (President) has been running this race for about 3 years now and it is quickly growing into a must do event for southeastern US adventure racers.  We made a weekend out of it and went up Friday night to camp and enjoy some of the spring

The Sin City Geezers - Wendy, Jason, Alex, Throttle, Notorious....Steve was MIA at this point

weather.  About 11 folks came out the night before and enjoyed some BBQ and frosty beers; always a good idea to carbo load before a big race, right?  We were in fact treated to some spring weather in the form a nice steady rain that lasted the night through.  Unfortunately after many beers and two hours of rain we realized that we probably should have put the rain-flys on our tents.  We did finally get the tents and bags dry and ended up having a great night sleep.  By Saturday morning the rains had cleared out and by race time it was a beautiful sunny day.

Thottle and I sprinting - obviously towards the beer

By race time our six person team was raring to go, with some slight trepidation on the part of the newbie’s (I believe one of the question/comments was “Am I gonna Die?”).  For 3 of us this was our second run at this event so we had a slight advantage in terms of mental preparation.  However, this course is challenging enough that even foreknowledge of the challenges doesn’t make them any less demanding.  Running a 5k race is not a feat by any means, but running a 5k race on this terrain has been likened to running a half marathon.  In fact I overheard a few of the

Alex enjoying the obstacles

competitors who recently ran the Warrior Dash and Tough Mudder say that this event far exceeded it in terms of metal fortitude and difficulty.  The race encompasses over 65 acresof 30 degree slopes, pond crossings, obstacles, and rope climbs.  The uphills will challenge your calves and lungs and the downhills will burn your knees and thighs.  The obstacles are a mix of up and overs, an uphill monkey bar climb, and balance features that all become very exciting in wet and muddy conditions.  Did I mention it rained all night before the race; that of course added mud holes, slippery slopes, and one section that amounted to a butt slide down a 40 degree slope….yeee haawww.  The rope climb comes near the end of the race and being that a few of the competitors were in front of

Jason - Splash Down in the water crossing

us (Probably 120 of the 130) it was slightly slippery by the time we got there.  Of course being the consummate athletes that we are, we stashed some beers before the finish line to finish in style.  Then came the part of the event that we really excel at, the after race festivities.  The atmosphere was friendly and jovial with racers comparing experiences, enjoying some tasty post-race food cooked by Colleen Schreder (VP of Smoky Mountain Endeavors), and of course enjoying a keg of Yuengling Lager (Provided by none other than Bikes N Beers) for all the racers to

Wendy taking a breather after the rope climb

replenish those critical carbs lost during fierce competition (Maybe not so fierce on our part).  One of the teams did struggle to get in but Dan was kind enough to hold off the award ceremony until they arrived, as he said to the crowd “No one gets left behind”.  The final team did arrive to every single competitor cheering them on, a sight that team will not soon forget.  At the award ceremony Dan presented some very unique handmade trophies and the winners in each category received some complimentary tickets for white water rafting at Rafting in the Smokies, another one of

Steve (Left) our MIA team member - We're enjoying some stashed beers before the finish line

Dan’s great sponsors.  After the award ceremony Dan and Colleen was kind enough to host a few of us drunkards for the majority of the evening as we floated the keg (I told you we excelled at that part).

Smoky Mountain Endeavors hosts this race twice a year (Spring and Fall) and the next race is coming up on October 1^st, so mark your calendars and get your ass training.  As for Bikes N Beers we plan on being there with an even bigger team ready to conquer the hills and float another keg.  If you’re interested in seeing what else Smoky Mountain Endeavors provide you can check them out here.  If you go, tell em, Bikes N Beers sent you.

The post-post race activities (L-R) Becky, Notorious, Erin, Wendy, Colleen, Jason, Throttle

J. Wilson a fellow beer and home brewer is observing Lent the old-fashioned way -on beer. Wilson read about German monks who fasted and sustained themselves with “liquid bread” or the beer they brewed themselves in the 1600s.  The married father of two, who describes himself as a nondenominational Christian, says he became fascinated with the 300-year-old tale of doppelbock beer known as “liquid bread,” brewed by German monks who were not allowed to eat food during Lent (I think these monks were on to something).  Living by the strict rules of their order, the monks were regularly required to castigate themselves by periodic bouts of fasting, when next to no solid food was allowed to pass their lips. The longest and most taxing of these periods of culinary abstinence was, of course, Lent, the 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Because the monks believed that liquids not only cleansed the body but also the soul, they would make plenty of liquid instead of solid bread from their grain, and then drink it in copious quantities…the more, the holier. Because the monks were society’s role models in those religious times…as did the monks so did the common folk. The secular verson of the sacred strong bier was called a Bockbier

Literally, Doppelbock means double Bock(bier). It is one of Germany’s “biggest” beers, typically with an alcohol content by volume of around 7%, but some Doppelbocks go up to 13% in strength. Doppelbock emerged in the late eighteenth century as a powerful lager variant of the old monastic strong beer, the monks’ “liquid bread,” which they traditionally brewed for the Lenten season.  

Mr. Wilson says it’s a historical study into the lives of these Christian monks centuries ago. He says he is just the vessel (apparently to be filled up with beer for 46 days). He wants to be clear about that. He hopes beer lovers’ learn something reasonable about Christianity, and hopes Christians learn something reasonable about beer.

Mr. Wilson

His first day sounded like heaven.  He loaded two kegs of Illuminator into the back of his Jeep, dropped his boys off at school and hit the office, where he tapped the first keg and had a little breakfast (the most important meal of the day).  I hope Mr. Wilson invites me to breakfast….soon!  Someday I will work where it is OK to tap a keg and have a beer….stay tunned.

GPS track of the race course

This past Saturday (April 9^th) we had the pleasure of riding the inaugural Fat Tire Shootout presented by Smoky Mountain Endeavors Inc.  Dan Schreder, President and host put together a unique and challenging event that pushed everyone’s limits.  Due to a somewhat limited field the original “Devil takes the Hindmost” format was reconfigured to a 2-lap sprint to the podium.  There was no time to rest in this high-energy winner takes all race.

The topography at Smoky Mountain Endeavors is demanding to say the least.  The course was a 1.75 mile loop with a ton of combined elevation providing a leg and lung busting challenge.  As with most mountain bike races the course starts with a climb to spread out the field and provide that “Why the hell am I doing this” feeling.  Once you crest that hill you get treated to a double track downhill that is fast steep and full of Yee Haw moments.  The next hill quickly arrives and while not overly steep it is long enough to get those legs

One of the nice sweeping downhills

screaming again.  The nice aspect of this hill is its following companion downhill is in view of the leaders so you can get a good sense of how much ground you need to make up or perhaps throw a nice jeer towards your competitors.  The ensuing climb after that will then separate the men from the boys.  While it’s not long it is probably close to a 20% grade and except for the freaks will require a good serving of granny gear and humility.  The following downhill is just a steep as the up and will require some finesse to prevent stink bugging while braking.  Assuming you make it down without toppling over the handlebars the next challenge is the courses only dismount and a definite opportunity to make up some time on your competitors if you have some cyclocross skills.  The downhill to follow is the longest on the course (probably just shy of ¼ mile) and ends with a 90 degree turn into the muddy section of the course.  Be careful when taking this turn as coming in too hot will more than likely wash you out or high center you into a workout facility or possible a pond (although at this point you might

Throttle making his way through one of the mudholes

be looking forward to a nice dip).  The next section runs along a mountain stream and provides a number of bridges, a stream crossing, and a few tire spinning mud holes that require good lines and determination.  This section exits to the final climb which will once again challenge your technical skill (some loose switchback sections) and resolve not to be put down.  Once summated you can enjoy some fast sweepers back down to the start/finish line, but be warned, one of these sweepers is a off-camber hairpin that will require some quick brake feathering or you’ll end up off the course in a hurry (As some of the competitors found out).

The course being short is very spectator friendly and can be traverse in as little as 10-15

BikesnBeer an official Sponsor

minutes offering up a good opportunity for family or friends to see a large portion of the race.  The main event area, where the start/finish line is, has a large covered pavilion and music fills the valley providing a very festive atmosphere.  The grounds contain numerous level camp spots, with a large bonfire pit and primitive shower to wash up after the event.  The Fat Tire Shootout was sponsored this year by us (BikesnBeers.com) who provided free after race frosty libations, and another great local business Rafting in the Smokies, who provided the winners with passes to enjoy a Zipline Adventure.   Dan is contemplating a 4-hour individual/team competition for his next Fat

Steve Enjoying a tasty Bikes N Beers brew.....

Tire Shootout which from the sounds of it will challenge even the heartiest of Mtb’er out there.  Smoky Mountain Endeavors is also host to one of the area’s most unique adventure type races called the Navy Seal Extreme Off-Road Challenge, held twice a year.  The next race is coming up this weekend (April 16^th) and is sure to be another challenge to be experienced.  Smoky Mountain Endeavors also offers a wide variety of services, if you’re interested please contact Dan Schreder at: management@smokymountainendeavors.com , and tell him BikesnBeers sent you.