Fitzgerald's Bicycles

Fitzgerald's exists to grow Cycling, the Fortune of Our People, and Respect for the Planet.

Uncategorized Archives

New World Record for Bicycle Tightrope Riding

Posted by Fitzy on January 1st, 2009

Going From NOT Being Able To Ski To NOT Being Able To Ski!

Posted by J9 on December 30th, 2008

Wow, is all I can say to our state of weather conditions this holiday season. I am sure I am not too far off when I say, “I am over it”. I am over not getting out in the mountains, I am over people getting killed in the mountains, I am over getting stuck OVER the mountains, I am over all of the “judgements” being placed on EVERYONE regarding where and if certain areas are skiable, and lastly…I am over not getting much for exercise. I came off this weekend in an all time LOW energy slump. Aside from the no skiing, all the eating and yes, drinking, from the holidays was really getting to me. If I downloaded another bowling game on my iphone or whined that I was getting fat (while eating some chocolates and drinking a Zonker Stout) I think Scott would have killed me. Luckily for him Monday meant “work day”. Weird, I was actually looking forward to work!

Yesterday morning I decided to try and turn things around by getting myself excited for something other than skiing. Hmmmm…whaat could there be? Those of you who know me know I am not one for the indoor trainer…yeah..yeah Byers, I know it shows once the race seasons begins. I admit I would rather be in the back-country skiing powder lines. But, I do realize keeping the miles under my belt will only make me a better rider come Spring. With that said I hit the Computrainer at the shop yesterday. I rode a 20 mile course from Vermont and loved every minute of it. It actually felt really good being in shorts and a tank and sweating my ass off… a real change of pace from the negative temps we have been getting around here.

Driving over the pass last night in 75 mile per hour winds and total white out conditions got me even more excited for another Computrainer session. The idea of hiking up Glory, skiing out to Powder Reserves or sitting on the lifts seem beyond crazy! Maybe tomorrow I will go ride a course in Kona or Coeur d’laine. Come on and join us at the Fitzgerald’s Indoor Cycling Center.

ICC Operating Hours are: Monday- Friday at NOON, 4PM, and 5:30PM
Please EMAIL us, info@fitzgeraldsbicycles.com or call the shop at 307-734-6886 to make an appointment.

For Rates and Details click HERE.

Jannine Fitzgerald

Free Rapping for the Holidays!

Posted by Fitzy on December 19th, 2008

HH ChristmasScott & Jannine’s Free Rapping Radio Ad

We’ll even wrap your purchases for you! We have great recycled gift bags as well as wrapping paper. Come on in for the last minute stocking stuffers or something bigger that could be a show stopper!

Indoor Cycling Center Now Open!

Posted by Fitzy on December 16th, 2008

ICC Flyer

The ICC is now open for the season!
Our schedule to start off with is pretty simple:

Mon - Fri
Noon, 4pm, 5:30pm

- Rides are approximately 1 hr in length on moderate terrain. Consider these indoor virtual group rides, not indoor races.

- All abiilities are welcome. Look for more formatted rides and coaching options coming in 2009.

- Email or call the shop to make reservations.

For rates and details click HERE.

Holiday Extravaganzapalooza!

Posted by Fitzy on December 12th, 2008

holiday ad small2

Team Newsletter 11-12-08

Posted by Fitzy on November 13th, 2008

submitted by Dave Byers

What a great weekend of cross racing! The Rexburg organizers came up with their best course yet and Sam Krieg down in Poki-town created a monster of a cross course on the ISU campus. It was long, hard, fair, and fun! A great turnout by the orange train on both days made for a fun weekend of racing and traveling with friends.
Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
The Weekend Double-Header

The CUBE Race #3 - Rexburg, ID, Sat Nov 8th

Fitzy and Jannine won the Men’s A and Women’s A series overall titles respectively on Saturday! Bergy rocketed up the standings by taking another win and claimed third place in the overall after only racing two events. Big thanks to Fitzy, Jannine, and JayP for sending the great pics and to Trevor Garner for an awesome writeup. (see below)

The CUBE Race #3 and Overall Results
Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com

The King & Queen of Cross - Pocatello, ID, Sun Nov 9th

We had a great turnout in Pocatello for the King & Queen of Cross race and the orange train represented well with several podium appearances.

King & Queen of Cross Results
Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
Trevor Garner sent in this report from the weekend:

“Hello. My name is Trevor. I’m a cyclocross addict.

I can’t help it. So after not doing one single workout for the entire week since Mike and I did a seven hour trail run the previous Sunday, I began preparing Saturday morning for another double-header weekend of cross racing at a couple of our somewhat “local” races. First, on Saturday, the final race in the three race Cube Cyclocross Series in Rexburg. Then, on Sunday, the inaugural King & Queen of Cross race in Pocatello.

The Rexburg event was alot like the races held last year; Same location and much of the same course I remembered. Given what the course designers had to work with (no hills and limited space), they did an amazing job putting this race on. They made a great course with alot of tight corners and a variety of features and surfaces including a grassy mud bog right after a barrier section coming into the start/finish line!
Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
Apparently, I took two minutes too long on my pre-race nature break cause when I arrived back at the start line, everyone was patiently waiting on me. Sorry! Sorry everyone! Thanks for waiting! As I took my place at the back of the ten or fifteen guys lined up on the narrow bike path(three others of which were covered in the orange/green Fitzy colors: Bergy, Byers, and Fitzy himself). No sooner did I have my warmup vest off than we started. Boom! On came that warm familiar instant oxygen sucking sensation and that comforting burning sensation in my legs. Ah, maybe a ride in the past week may have helped.

The first lap was spent dodging traffic until things cleared up a little and I began my chase of Bergy who was having his typical turn-and-burn style race. Every time I’d see him exit a corner twenty seconds in front of me, there he’d be, up out of the saddle gettin back up to speed. So I spent the rest of the race chasing him around the course and except for the one lap where he toyed with me and let me get ten seconds closer to him, he continued to add to his lead with every lap until, by the end, he had a minute or so. Whew. This cross stuff makes my body hurt. But no time for that now son, you’ve got another race tomorrow morning.

After the race, I stopped for lunch in Rexburg at one of the local eateries generous enough to put up a gift certificate for the post-race raffle where I was fortunate enough to grab it. One pulled pork sammy, a side of mashypotatoes, and a huge salted supapretzel later, and I was back on the highway heading south to Mike’s place in Blackfoot for the night. A quick bike cleaning, a bit o pizza, and a li’l relaxy time and it was time for bed.

Mike went for an hour-fifteen run in the morning, we ate breakfast, then loaded up and headed down to Poki where I was introduced to one of the greatest cross courses I’ve ever had the opportunity to meet. Brilliant. Designed for a crosser, by a crosser. It even had the same big inflatable bengal tiger the football team uses for their pregame introductions! And we got to ride right through it’s mouth! Sam did a magnificent job with this thing. Kudos, dude. We need more events like this.
iPhoto
Again, the Fitzy gang was out in force. Lots of orange and green. Every race had some. It’s pretty cool to see out there. The men’s race had a good crowd of maybe 15-20 riders. Off the gun, Sam went out with a dash with the rest of us strung out behind. Bergy bobbled getting clipped in off the start for some reason, but I expected to see his snakegreen bike come hissing by me any moment. Shonuff, there he was, passing me in a fury only until I got him back in another corner just ahead. Then he passed me again and I stuck on his wheel. Into the SOOOOOOPER tight tree section. I nudged his back wheel. Giddyup! Then, on a slightly tricky section transitioning from a concrete pad onto slightly off-camber grass, his front tire washed out and I, being a wheel length behind him at the time, promptly ran him over. I’m talkin completely ran him over monster truck style. Rear wheel, frame, both legs, fork, and front wheel. A perfect crusher maneuver. I couldn’t believe I didn’t go down. It definitely surprised me and I stalled a bit looking back to see if Bergy was ok and saw he was already getting to his feet. Well that’s a good sign, I thought. I hope he’s not injured or damaged. Before I knew it, he was back up to me and passed me again. I wanted him to get up there and go like I expected he should and then, he was gone. Up ahead and out of sight in pursuit of the leaders. I settled in to my usual anerobic threshold pace. A good cross racer has the ability to unleash short bursts of speed and power over the course of the hour during the race, but due to all my ultradistance running this past year, my legs don’t possess this ability. I’ve trained them not to. So I become Mr. Consistency out there, favoring instead to maintain the same pace over the duration of the race. And I admit, the 50 yard sandy run-up was a KILLAH! Even for these runner legs.
Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
If I haven’t mentioned it before, the course was a B-L-A-S-T. I just wish I could go faster. This was one of those courses where faster was funner. I’m working on it. Feeling better with each passing race, but I’m running out of time. The season is winding down and now it’s very dark and cold and scary when I’m released from my pen at work. All I wanna do is go run or ride, but it’s tough when it’s dark and 20 degrees. (Oh shut it you whimpering sissy and go train).
Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
J9 took a second in the women’s race after powering around the hilly course in her 42 tooth single ring. Sam ended up winning with his usual commanding style. Bergy was third. Fourth wasn’t far behind him. And I was fifth, a couple minutes behind. Double-whew. Now I was feeling cooked. “Hey Mike! Wanna go run stairs?” Mike was hanging out during the race and our plan was to go to the ISU minidome and run bleachers for an hour or so after the race (his brilliant idea to prepare for the thousands of stairs lurking in the depths of the Grand Canyon waiting for us in three weeks.) Well, the minidome was closed. So we did a run outside for an hour along some of the trails above Poki. I guess that served as a good cool-down?

Next up? A cross race in Salt Lake City this coming weekend. Then a weekend off. Then the Grand Canyon after Thanksgiving. And then… Portland! Another double-header cyclocross weekend and getting a long trail run in the Gorge on dirt! (The plan: Ruckle Ridge to the PCT then down Eagle Creek)

Hup! Hup!” - Trevor Garner

Gmail - November 11th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com

Serotta Season of Change Sale!

Posted by Fitzy on November 6th, 2008

SeasonOfChangeSale.pdf
SeasonOfChangeSale.pdf

Team Newsletter 11-05-08

Posted by Fitzy on November 6th, 2008

his newsletter is dedicated to those of you who are still thinking about which PSI to run on the grass, which cantilever brake pad compound will prevent squealing and fork shudder, and which degree of “hotness” to choose for your embrocation .
Gmail - November 5th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com

We had seven team members converge on Rexburg this past Saturday for a fun day of racing followed by pizza and beers on the way home at Tony’s Pizza in Driggs. What would a cross day be without a beer?

Your last chance to do a local cross race in 2008 is this weekend. We have The CUBE Cyclocross race #3 in Rexburg followed by the The King & Queen of Cross in Poky on Sunday. Not to sound like a broken record, but we have the opportunity to grow our cycling community by showing our support for events like these in neighboring towns. Join us for one or both races this weekend!

With Daylight savings time ending, our 5:30 PM cross practices on Wednesday night have come to an end. However, the barriers are still up and you practice any time you like. Hup Hup!

Thanks to everyone who sent in reports this week!
The CUBE Cyclocross, Race #2
Rexburg, ID

Gmail - November 5th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
November 1, 2008
Our neighbors in Rexburg, ID took it to another level for Race #2. The guys behind The Cube Cyclocross are passonate about cross and they did a great job with Race #2. The course was improved, the start/finish area was more convenient, and the field was deeper. 29 men lined up for the combined A & B start! Not too shabby eh?

It would be great to see another big showing from Jackson this weekend at Race #3! You can chop wood later!

Many serious questions will be answered this Saturday in Rexburg:
1) Will Schildog come out of retirement two weeks in a row?
2) Will Fitzy ride a clean race and claim The Cube Series overall victory?
3) Can Jannine continue to suprise her fans with a new sock look each week while winning the series overall?
4) Will I finally manage to get through a pre-ride and a race without crashing?
Gmail - November 5th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
Gmail - November 5th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
The CUBE Race #2 report from Schildog:
“Despite my best attempts to avoid racing ever again, my semi-retirement lasted a total of 6 weeks before Bergart and Fitzy guilted me into to going to Rexburg to try my hand at cyclo-cross. Not that I don’t know full well that cross is an absolute blast and basically the most fun you can have with your heart rate over 300, but I had successfully resisted the peer pressure until I finally ran out of excuses this weekend. Knuckling under, I hauled my 25+ pound 2003 Specialized Epic over to Victor and picked up Bergy and his brand spankin’ new lightweight Salsa cross bike.

By race time I was a total pro at dismounts and remounts despite my unique left-handed switch leg style (hey, at least I didn’t stack into the barriers during warmups like someone else wearing an orange jersey riding a green Salsa). Fitzy gets the award for blasting off the line like an Italian climber, but after dodging and weaving through the first set of turns boxed in by some less-than-confident bike handlers, I can understand his strategy. He had 45+ seconds on the field about 200m into the race.

Soon enough, things settled in. Bergy threw in a few attacks to bridge, we caught Scott, and then started to pull away a little. I tried to get comfortable in 2nd on Bergy’s wheel, but quickly started feeling the effects of the heavy, slower-accelerating MTB vs. the light and nimble CX ride. I could close the gap on the twisty sections, but the straightaways and pavement sections were taking the juice right out of my legs. Without much technical stuff, the gap grew steadily by about 2-3 seconds/lap. Soon I found myself in no-man’s land, but some skinny kid in 3rd kept me honest enough to have to keep working consistently.

Every 3 laps or so, I’d focus on ramping it up and would actually shave Bergy’s gap by a good margin. Cagey racer that he is, he would detect this and throw in some attacks of his own and I’d be right back to where I started. Bastard. I also was in constant fear that my untested legs and lungs would suddenly give out, and I would come to a screeching halt in spectacular barrier crushing/technique meltdown fashion, but the one good thing about getting older is you tend to have more resistance to drastic changes in pace. You also don’t have the ability to put the hammer down, but it doesn’t seem to hurt as bad as when you’re young and stupid. I managed to keep my 3rd place challenger at bay (although I shouldn’t have been too worried-one good kick to the sternum and he would have been out for weeks anyway), and came across the line 30 seconds or so back from Bergy. Not too bad for a comeback race on the completely wrong equipment.

All in all, it reaffirmed my belief that cyclocross is stupid good fun, and seems to be a great way to spend a Saturday-great vibe, good exercise, fun people. Plus, the 10 lb. bags of potatos in the raffle made the drive to Rexburg totally worth the trip.” - Schildog

Another CUBE report from Jannine Fitzgerald:
“The second race of the Rexburg Cube series turned out many fitzy-tards! 4 Daves, 1 Brian, and 2 Fitzy’s turned up to the start line! They changed the course for the second race and proved to be quite challenging! Fast into the barriers, sharp and slippery into the turns and a couple of slick bridges to keep us all on our toes. I had Amanda Riley to chase down the entire race. I was feeling really good and was able to maintain Amanda’s wheel for most of the race (not without wanting to puke…she is a power house)…but after my wheel almost popped off in the woopty doos (Amanda kindly waiting), sliding out on a wet, leafy turn, and just plain old “blowing up” I happily settled in for second. The boys all raced hard and had great races! It was great to see so many team folk come and I hope even more will show up this Saturday for the last race. We all headed home with sacks of Idaho potatoes…we all know what we are bringing to potluck Thanksgiving parties! Pocatello on Sunday will round out the double-header weekend! Grab your cross bike or mountain bike and come out! ” - J9

Gmail - November 5th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
Here at Fitzgerlad Bicycle’s Team World Headquarters, we have heard rumors of the cross race exploits of our own TK from across the country. There were rumors that he was in Portland, then Seattle, and then Boulder for the Boulder Cup racers, etc. But all we have is this crappy low-res pic of TK in a 2007 Fitzy kit and a bunch of guys chasing him. This could be anywhere. Until we actually see a first-hand report we have to assume he at home stuck to the rug with tubular glue and unable to type or race cross.

Team Newsletter 10-29-08

Posted by Fitzy on October 30th, 2008

submitted by Dave Byers

I love that we have cycling content to talk about and it is the end of October.
We had team members racing in Ketchum, ID, Rexburg, ID, Portland and Seattle this past weekend as well as those who simply decided to take advantage of the great weather and got out on their bikes. Has anyone seen JayP’s sweet new recumbent?
Gmail - October 29th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com
For anyone who has been on the fence about trying a cross race, The CUBE Cyclocross races in Rexburg would be a great place to get your first ‘cross on. There are men’s and women’s beginner categories, there are lots of folks racing cross on mtn bikes, the races are only 40 minutes long, and the Nature Park is a gorgeous venue off of the beaten path. For the experience crossers, there was plenty of solid competition as well. We have the opportunity to grow our cycling community by showing our support for events like these in neighboring towns. It would be great to see some new faces in Rexburg this weekend!

Don’t forget cross practice on Wednesday night at 5:30 PM in the Victor Park. Rain or shine, meet at the triple barriers. Hup Hup!

Thanks to everyone who sent in reports this week!

The CUBE Cyclocross, Race #1
Rexburg, ID

October 25, 2008
Our local cyclocross opportunities are expanding rapidly and that is a wonderful thing. Our neighbors in Rexburg, ID have their own three-race cyclocross series called the The Cube Cyclocross and they did a great job with Race #1. We had cross racers of all shapes and sizes, including the mayor of Rexburg, come out and enjoy the great weather and a fun course. The Nature Park in Rexburg is the perfect cross venue and they have a ton of flexibility to change the course configuration from week to week to keep it interesting.

It would be great to see a bigger showing from Jackson this weekend at Race #2! Don’t make me name names.

The CUBE Race report from Fitzy:

“Ok, I am not a racer. I repeat, I am not a racer. I’m simply a Cyclocross addict who needs to race in order to feed the addiction! This weeks feeding took place in Rexburg, ID about 40 min North West of Victor. Let me begin the report by praising the City of Rexburg for an outstanding race! The course was at a beautiful Nature Park complete with tree lined manicured grass, fast bike paths, high speed barriers, and of course a “Duck Crossing” sign by the Start/Finish that truly did reference all the Ducks and Geese that were walking across the course. Nice work fellas!

When it came time to line up for the Men’s race I kept Little TK’s advice close at hand, “Get up front right away, that’s were the race is won and lost”. Being a non-racer, it’s hard for me to walk right to the front of the line, but what the heck right? The horn sounded and we were off. What I lack in fitness I make up for in general bike riding skills, so I was able to clip in first and power off the line to own the hole shot. After two turns on the paved bike path we headed down a loooooong paved straight away into the head wind. I thought for sure the field would come screaming by me here, but for some reason they stayed behind. Before we rode across a narrow wooden bridge (with handrails) I looked over my shoulder to see who was behind. “Holy S*&T!” we were doing 25 mph heading at the first barrier and the entire 17 person field was drafting me. I had blurry images of being piled into the first barrier by the advancing pack of hungry riders. As I made my first dismount and hit the ground running my fears were almost confirmed. Think jumping off a skate board when you’re going faster than you can run! Somehow my feet kept up with my speed, I stayed up, got back on the bike and put a pretty substantial gap on the pack. Good advice TK!

The rest of the race was just a redline blur as I successfully held off the number two rider who was knocking on my door for 45 minutes. I would pull away through the barriers and the tech dirt sections. He would reel me in on the pavement. The whole race another key tip from Troy B kept shooting through my head. “Find places were you can make up 3 seconds”. I think all those 3 second spots kept my opponent at bay and put me across the finish line first. SO FUN! Can’t wait to head back to Rexburg this weekend to defend. Of course all the fast guys won’t be at States this weekend, so the glory might come from a strong mid pack finish… no problem, as long as the addiction gets fed!”

Editor’s Note: If Fitzy were not a racer, would he be thinking about ways to make up 3 seconds? That is all I have to say about that.

Another CUBE report from Jannine Fitzgerald:
“Byers, Fitzy and myself headed to Rexburg last weekend for the 1st race of the Cube Series Cyclocross Race. We were really curious on how the course was going to be, how the race was going to be organized, and what the participation would be. We were pleasantly surprised on all accounts. The race was organized really well. They paid much attention to details and laid out a really fun course in Nature Park. The course consisted of grass, pavement, dirt, woop dee doo’s, and multiple barrier sections. The park was a really pretty place to race. Plenty of people showed up to race. Many were racing for the first time, and they all had a blast. Cross racing is such a family friendly environment.

The organizers plan on changing the course for each of the remaining two races. I am challenging all of you that are interested to just come (don’t make me name names…hint hint). Rexburg is only 30-40 minutes from Victor, just over an hour from Jackson. It is really close and worth the trip. It is a great way to keep fit as well as hang out with a bunch of really fun people. So pile into a truck and come over this Saturday. Don’t forget your cow bells and cooler of favorite Belgian Ale! ” - J9
Gmail - October 29th Fitzgerald's Team Newsletter - 7346886@gmail.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________
Idaho State Cyclocross Championships

October 25, 2008

Dave Bergart reports from the Big One in Ketchum, ID:

“4 bikes and four riders piled into Will’s car and pointed it west to Sun Valley. Cyclocross State Championships! After an interesting (read; 4 dudes one car = smelly) road trip where I learned that Troy owns a sharp knife that can cut bagels, Will has an incredible eye for spotting beautiful women, and fellow Fitzy’s teammate Trevor is actually an under cover ultra distance runner freak just moonlighting as a bike racer, we arrived. In the parking lot we were greeted by fellow Teton Valley super mechanic Nate, and super fast bike racer Amanda Carey. They had been reconing the course since yesterday and gave us the low down. Did you bring your hard tail mountain bike? Uh oh. You see, the cool thing about cross racing is every promoter gets to design their own course. The roadie in me likes wide open, fast courses, which is about the complete opposite of what Sun Valley had in store for me. 40% single track, tight turns, off the saddle scary descents, ball bearing rocks. This course was knarly.

This was a 2 day affair. Saturday determined Sundays start position. At the gun we had a dream start. Sam Krieg from Pocatello got the hole shot followed by Troy, Trevor, and myself. Good showing off the line. ¼ of the way through the first lap Trevor bobbled a corner and I was able to sneak by into third. Then it got interesting. I over cooked a turn in the single track and ended up in the woods. 3 guys blew by. Determined, I got back and started to chase. 99% of the way around the first lap I went down again ripping my skin suit in the process. As luck would have it my crash was right in front of the beer tent to the chagrin of the un-relenting announcers and spectating Ocktober fest goers. Mentally crushed I took one lap to regroup. The wheel pit was busy and I was making up ground. Really, on this course the name of the game was no mechanicals and stay upright. I finished the day in 5th which was a lot better than I thought. So mental victory on the day.

For Sundays state race I was called up to the front row. Sweet! I looked back at the start on all the poor suckers who where going to eat my cyclocross dust. Really though as the day progressed they would get the last laugh as I officially would become the worst cyclocross racer in the state of Idaho. The day started well. I was top 5 going over the insanely long and steep run up. Then I front flatted. Luckily it was a semi-slow leak. As my PSI went from 38 to 18 the riding got more challenging. The off the saddle decent proved to be a religious experience. Nate had a wheel for me in the pit but it cost me 3 places. I started chasing and 2 laps later re-connected only literally at the point of contact blew my back tire. A 2km run with my bike on my shoulder got me back to the pit only to move into last place. I tried to catch at least one guy, but it proved not possible. Bummer, but that’s cross.
Overall the Victor crew had a great weekend. Amanda crushed the womens pro field, Troy placed 4th, Trevor top 15, and Will mid pack. Combined we overcame 6 flats and one broken chain! And still represented.

On the plus side I didn’t walk away a complete loser. Yep, that’s right, during the awards ceremony, I was crowned Idaho State Cyclocross Dance Off Champion! I didn’t get a State champion jersey and I’m told that my Fitzy kit for next season wont dawn any armband strips, but I called my mom and she said she’s proud.” - Bergy

Michelle Byers reported from the Idaho side:

“It’s been quite some time since I last rode what used to be a fall favorite for me, so this weekend I did a double-header on the Aspen Trail. Both rides started from the Darby Canyon trailhead in Driggs; Saturday I took our dog Kenai, and then Dave, Tina (aka Mini T) joined me for my second ride on Sunday. The trail is probably in the best shape I’ve seen it all year; buffed single track with only a couple of small muddy sections on the entire trail. It was riding really fast and two to three of the four creek crossings are rideable. What was so amazing about the trail was the yellow fall colors, not so much on the trees but on the trail itself. You ride through these amazing sections of big beautiful aspen groves while your tires roll over a seamless blanket of yellow. It’s the kind of ride where you want to ride as fast as you can on the down hills while at the same time wanting to stop to enjoy the moment with not much more than the wind whirling through the few remaining leaves on the Quaking Aspens. Although Saturday was a little cooler due to the cloud cover, it was still one of my best rides yet this year especially considering I only saw one other person and her dog during my entire ride. Both days were “perfect” fall riding days. Get out and enjoy while we still can!”- Michelle.

Hamilton Smith reported from the Big Holes:
“If anyone is curious about the big hole crest, I am happy to provide a report I will call Trail of Tears.2
Most importantly, I have become very opinionated about riding North-South vs. South-North. I have always suffered from trail amnesia, where literally weeks and even sometimes days after an adventurous ride, all negative aspects seem to vaporize. Given my 1-year hiatus from the Crest, it really seemed to be a perfectly sensible approach to zip over Pine Creek Pass, and approach the Crest from Spooky Trail. Uhm…no, at least not with 6-8″ of snow on north facing aspects, and moto-affected, saturated soils that bind like gumbo. Nothing like sliding a dark icy decent into a patch of sun-warmed clay. Therefore, trail report from BHC is: ridden North to South, and without additional snowfall, it is a fall classic for adventure seekers (given a sensible approach is used). Door to door from Victor, descending Mahogany Canyon, was 40 miles, or a shuttle can be used. It’s a rugged ride, i.e. - typical Big Hole ride, definitely bring more than two water bottles.
Btw- Spooky to the Crest was in perfect condition, so loops on the Southern end of the Big Holes are a great option.” - Hamilton

T-Race reported from a Tuesday late afternoon Arrow Trail ride”
“Freakin’ Sweeeeettt!…a little muddy, not too bad, and the same ol’ sick singletrack of the Arrow. Gosh, I should be riding my MTB every minute I’m not walking!” - T-Race

Editor’s Note: Amen Sista’!
Tim Kelley’s Cross Crusade makes a West Coast Swing

Stay tuned for another update from the racing & travels of our cross addict TK once he gets home from his trip to Portland & Seattle.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Upcoming Races

Here are some of the events being attended by Fitzgerald’s Team members in October & November 2008:

Nov 1 - The CUBE Cyclocross Race #2, Rexburg, ID

Nov 1 - Utah Cyclocross Race #5
Nov 2 - Utah Cyclocross Race #6

Nov 8 - The CUBE Cyclocross Race #3, Rexburg, ID
Nov 9 - King & Queen of Cross, Pocatello, ID

Nov 15 - Utah Cyclocross Race #7

Nov 22 - Tour De Tucson (Email Dina Michev if you are heading south)

Nov 29 - Montana State Cyclocross Championships, Missoula, MT

Fitzgerald’s exists to grow Repect for the Planet!

Posted by Fitzy on October 28th, 2008

This is an excerpt from our Mission Statement that we really like putting to use as seen here:
photo.jpg - Gmail
For the first time we successfully recycled all the used tires and tubes from the summer. All told we think our recycling efforts kept over 500 tubes and 100 tires out of the landfill. Here’s to doubling that number in ‘09!