YEAR ROUND TRACK RIDING IS NOW AVAILABLE WITH THE ADDITION OF "THE DOME" TO THE 7-11 VELODROME1/8/2016 Since the 7-11 Velodromes inception back in the nineties it has been touted as one of the faster velodromes out there. And due to its concrete construction, it has also served as a wonderful training ground for pro athletes and first timers alike. Theres just one problem... It snows 6 months out of the year in Colorado. Until recently, the change of the seasons has forced track users to turn to other forms of exercise in the winter months. But fret not, young aspiring olympians. With the help of the City of Colorado Springs, and USA cycling, the track now features a seasonal "dome" that now covers the entirety of the track and its infield. Spanning what looks to be 50 feet high, the new dome gives year round protection from the elements while still being big enough to not feel claustrophobic when riding inside of it. Only time will tell from a durability perspective, but even the money saved from a winter maintenance standpoint, coupled with continued revenue streams from clinics, public rides, and training fees, make "The Dome" a great addition to the cycling community here in Colorado Springs.
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Its not often i'm genuinely excited to go to a far away trail system. With former hidden gem spots like Moab and Fuita now turning into tourist traps for old age group hacks and there single speed rigids, and with such good riding right out of my doorstep, what reason do I have to leave? That was my thinking until I heard through the grapevine that a new trail network in Canon City was being developed. If this were "the next big thing" being built in some yuppy mountain town like Vail, I wouldn't give two shits... BUT THIS IS CANON CITY PEOPLE. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Canon city, let me enlighten you. Canon is a very small town about 130 miles southwest of Denver. Up to this point in history, its most notable fun facts have been that its home to not one, but two maximum security prisons. One of those two prisons is the ADX Florence, the only prison in the Unites States with the "Administrative Maximum" designation. This places houses the likes of the Unabomber, the Shoe Bomber, and most recently the Aurora Theater shooter.
The sheer fact of all that history is that trail infrastructure this good flat out shouldn't exist in this location... And thats exactly why I needed to get down there as soon as possible to ride it for myself. While I had only owned my "almost new" Niner WFO for the better part of a year, the bike always seemed to have some funny quirks about it since its inception. With a very high front end and an overly long wheelbase, playful was never a word I would use to describe it. I was just longing for something that was a little more playful, akin to the famed Santa Cruz 5010 but with a bit more travel. Thus, the seed was planted. Like the movie inception, all it takes is an idea, and that idea soon manifests itself into a full fledged longing for a new bike...
The past few months have been quite crazy... A spontaneous decision to move back to Colorado Springs, accompanied by all the annoyances that come with it, had forced me to take a bit of a break from blogging, riding, and just having a life in general. But now that things are starting to calm down with the onset of another freezing Colorado winter, I can finally start getting back into the groove of things. In the meantime, enjoy a fresh update to the look of the site. More stories to come later in the week!
Having taken a 2 year hiatus from mountain bike racing, I was a bit nervous when my brother convinced me to sign up for this years Rocky Mountain Endurance series. My eating habits have gotten horrible, I'm overweight, and I hadn't lifted a finger to train for this event... But I digress. It was time to turn over a new leaf, and get back into the type of riding that initially sparked my love for mountain biking in the first place.
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