Utah Windriders Association

Absolutely nothing to do with windriding, but inspiring if your mtb riding this summer:

Seven time tour de france winner vs 5 time Leadville 100 winner, 1 great race for US mountain biking.
http://www.superhumanmag.com/content/view/763/92/

And if you're not impressed by the size of some peoples lungs . . and you REALLY like to Mt Bike . . then you'll want to check this out . . and I mean in person on October 2-5th.

http://www.redbullrampage.com/

I've never been to a cooler event in the history of my life than the last couple of these in 2003 and 2004. Impressive would be an understatement!

Insane..

Dave, thanks for mentioning the rampage.

I promised myself that I would go watch if the race ever returned. I have watched all the rampage videos. Unbelievable!

I think this is one of those events you watch and become convienced that you are 18 again. Which eventually leads to the hospital.

I am excited.

While we're on the topic of insanity. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdE9sZ2pg50

I think windsurfers are the worst.

I think this is one of those events you watch and become convienced that you are 18 again. Which eventually leads to the hospital.

I am excited.

Yeah I went back after the first one of these I saw (this was at 35 years old) and started jumping my bike off some of the cliffs they were doing. My 2nd trip I injured myself worse than I've ever been injured. I probably should've started smaller but just having seen the event it took my riding to a new level and places that I'd never have even dreamed of before. Even if you don't ride - this is definately a must see event. Just make sure you understand it's not a "drive right up to it" type venue. It's apparently 4 miles off the highway over the desert terrain so you'll need to either hike or bike to it and pack in food & water. Having been to the ones in the past . . . a small price to pay!

Mtn bike Tricks are for kids(who dont' mind eating sh*t). Fun to watch, but the ugly crashes make me cringe.

Big hucks are for powder days.

I will stick to XC riding...give me 50 miles of sweet single track and I'm stoked.

All I can say is once you start taking to the air . . whether on skis,snowboards, mt. bikes, kiteboards, paragliders, windsurfers, whatever . . your perspective changes. Suddenly the world becomes 3 dimensional and 2 dimensions just don't excite you anymore.

An injury, especially a bad one, changes your perspective too. Instead of hucking everything in sight, you pull up to the top of the jump and think, if I don't stick this, I may not ride my bike/skis/board again for 6 months. The price of admission to the 3rd dimension can be painfully expensive

Brian,

Join me at the 12 hours of sundance this weekend, twelve hours of single track and none bone breaking pain, if all goes as planned..

The thing I love most about kiting, big air with less consequences. I don't have any of the knee and lower back pain that I had when I used to freestyle ski and huck cliffs.

There is a purity about mountain biking and kiting that is lost by the Red Bull crowd. IMHO, the real epitome of mountain biking is the climb, the ability to stay balanced and keep going up a difficult section is more rewarding than any fast downhill or huck. Same can be said kiting, one of the coolest feelings is a satisfying carve through the Wasatch's finest Pow (all day long and no freaking lift tickets or lift lines).

24 Hours of Moab Solo. These guys are amazing.

http://www.superhumanmag.com/content/view/954/92/

I missed a lot of kiting training to go solo for this this summer, I think it was worth it. Definately a kick in the pants.

I hear there is a four day kite race coming next winter. That would be epic.

Red Bull Rampage. Way cooler,

http://www.superhumanmag.com/content/view/950/92/

Makes 24 hours solo look like day care nap time. Dave, did you go?

Les-

24 hours of moab solo? i don't care who you are, that is a feat in and of iteself! how many laps did you get done? my friend just got back from doing 4 laps and she was beat!

Mike,

I did 8 laps. placed 38/64. Im not convinced that solo is harder than racing with a team. Racing with a team, you go hard each lap, have to wake up when its your turn numerous times. Solo, you just take it easy, try to stay awake, keep warm (which is difficult self supported), and keep going. Four laps for your freind is pretty good, especially if each member got 4 laps.