Yesterday’s view of the parking lot at DR headquarters.

This age of nearly $4/gallon gasoline has certainly gotten everyone’s attention. Fortunately some folks are doing more than simply bitching about the high price of fuel. I’m increasingly impressed by the number of people I’m seeing out and about on bicycles whether it’s for fun, transportation, or both.

Now, since you’re reading this blog, I’m going to assume that you’re a cyclist–or at least interested in cycling. Given that statement, I’m going to implore you to give riding your bike to work a shot if you haven’t. Yeah yeah, we’ve heard all the excuses, while some of them are valid, you can do anything you put your mind too.

Alright, I’ll step down off of that soapbox and onto the next. For those of us that are already established bicycle commuters, our civic duty is to help folks who are interested get into the game. Though it may be hard to believe, you may be a (relative) wealth of information. If you know someone who expresses interest in giving bicycle commuting a whirl, do what you can to facilitate. Offer to check out their bike prior to riding in order to make sure they are safe and recommend a tune-up if needed. Help this individual be as prepared as possible for varying weather conditions, make sure they’re safely lit at night, and help them figure out how they’re going to carry all the stuff they’ll need. Speaking of stuff they’ll need, make sure they have a spare tube, pump, necessary tools, and knowledge to change a flat–confidence in fixing a flat tire does wonders. If possible, ride this individual’s commute with them sometime when the clock isn’t ticking. Point out shortcuts and things to watch out for along the way so they’re confident with their route and know how much time to schedule. There are loads more things you can do, but that covers the basics.

As established cyclists we have the unfortunate tendency to coming off as elitist assholes to non-cyclists and those who are new to the sport. The more we can do to help break down these barriers and facilitate cycling transport and culture the better off we’ll all be. So, when you’re out and about say hello and/or give a wave to your fellow cyclists and pedestrians–don’t even think about judging them based on their bicycle or attire. After all–two wheels, one love.

And since riding a bike makes you hungry, and eating is one many wonderful rewards for riding, I’ll include this yummy recipe courtesy of Vegetarian Times Magazine:

CHEESE ENCHILADAS WITH EASY MOLE SAUCE
Serves 8

Cocoa powder and peanut butter make this traditional Mexican sauce a snap. If you can’t find ancho chile powder, use 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper instead.

Mole Sauce
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 medium-sized onions, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
1/4 cup chili powder
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ancho chile powder
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1 15.5-oz. can diced tomatoes
3 Tbs. cocoa powder
3 Tbs. peanut butter

Enchiladas*
12 oz. light Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 3 cups)
16 8-inch flour tortillas

1. To make Mole Sauce: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onions, and cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until browned. Stir in garlic, chili powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, ancho chile powder and ground cloves, and cook 1 minute, or until fragrant, stirring constantly.
2. Add tomatoes, cocoa, peanut butter and 2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. To make Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350F. Ladle 3/4 cup Mole Sauce into bottoms of 2 12×8-inch ovenproof baking dishes. Place about 21/2 Tbs. cheese in center of each tortilla. Roll tortilla around cheese, and set seam side down on top of mole sauce, placing 8 filled tortillas in each pan. Top each dish with 11/4 cups mole, and sprinkle each with 1/3 cup cheese. Bake 20 minutes, or until sauce bubbles and cheese melts.

PER SERVING: 462 CAL; 24G PROT; 22.5G TOTAL FAT (8.5G SAT. FAT); 47G CARB; 30MG CHOL; 629MG SOD; 7G FIBER; 8G SUGARS

*Add your favorite veggies, or choice of protein, to the Enchiladas for a more balance dish. I usually add a variety of peppers, portabellas, black beans, and whatever else I’m in the mood for at the time. Oh, and only two cloves of garlic? I’d recommend most of a bulb, which could explain why I’m single.

See the original arcticle here.

Eric’s recent Brain Fart, along with office kitchen-table discussion, prompted me to think about my own bag usage. I, too, have an older Timbuk2 messenger bag, mine a 1997 DeeDog (the size below Eric’s XL Tag Junkie). Unlike Eric, this has been my sole everyday bag for most of the 11 years I’ve owned it. Sure, I have a few other bags kicking around, but never have I found one I’ve liked enough to use all the time or even occasionally (not that I have really looked). My bag is like an old friend at this point, and I see no reason to put it out to pasture.

The black, grey, silver color scheme was a direct ripoff of one hanging on the shop wall where I worked when I ordered it, but I was taken with the tough-but-cool look enough not to care that someone else might have the same bag as me (which according to some would take away cool points.) (As it turns out, Justin has one in those colors too. Oh well.) My partner, who’s been with me just months longer than the bag, used to call it “that funny purse of yours.” I didn’t take too much offense. My bag is the one physical area in my life that epitomizes the “A place for everything, and everything in its place” philosophy—if it weren’t for its pockets and pouches, I’d probably be constantly looking for my wallet, sunglasses, etc. In fact the three external holders I have installed on the shoulder strap make it my own personal superhero utility belt, keeping my ray gun and grappling hooks at the ready (or at least my cell phone and house keys).

I’m always amazed at the pile of stuff that is permanently housed in my “empty” bag, and how much stuff can fit in it when really full. It has a magical ability to appear bottomless at just the right moments, such as grocery shopping or bringing extra books and papers home from work.

The black is now quite faded, especially on the trim. The lining is just beginning to delaminate from the fabric, but it’s still waterproof enough, at least most of the time. The wear is of course part of its comfortable, old leather jacket charm, and a testament to how many years and miles it has survived.

We get all kinds of bags here at Dirt Rag, but I have instantly disliked the few I’ve tried, most likely for the simple reason that they weren’t my bag. They seemed uncomfortable or ugly or there were no pockets just right for my stuff. But sadly my bag might be forced into an early retirement due to injury—injury to my back, that is. In the last year since I got a laptop I’ve been lugging it home pretty frequently, upping the total weight of my “empty” bag (since even with a laptop inside, there’s plenty of space in the wondrous bottomless bag for other stuff). This has kept my chiropractor in business, but I’m not sure if that’s a wise long-term strategy. Last week I rode to work and back with my typically heavy bag on a mountain bike and have been paying for it since. In the more upright position the weight sat lower and hung off my shoulder more than usual, and I must have shrugged my shoulder to readjust the bag’s position one time too many, because I spent the weekend covered in Tiger Balm and leaning into a heating pad (which they don’t make hot enough nowadays, I want one of those good old ‘70s fire-hazard ones… but I digress).

I have a brand-new commuting backpack sitting at home that was used once and rejected because it wasn’t just right. But while my heart deems it ugly, my back deems it comfortable, so it might see some action pretty soon. But I’ll never give up my bag, just use it for special occasions, perhaps, or maybe I can solve the organization problem by simply putting my bag inside its replacement… that way it will still be with me.

When Laird Knight of Granny Gear Productions invented 24-hour mountain bike racing, he aimed to provide a format that engendered the camaraderie that pervades mountain biking culture. Harkening back to the early days of the 24 Hours of Canaan—with virtually the entire field camping side-by-side in a lumpy, muddy field just outside of Davis, WV and sharing the agony and ecstasy of a brutally challenging course—I’d say Mr. Knight got the formula correct from the get go.

At the time of those first Canaan races, tag-team racing was pretty much a foreign concept to mountain bike racers. But the format has proven wildly popular and has grown to the point where, on any given weekend, you can find teams competing in a 6, 12 or 24 hour race somewhere within striking distance.

Why has the tag-team format become so popular? Certainly different racers will have unique responses to that question, but for me it boils down to one simple concept: peer pressure. In a conventional, solo race, the only person I’m accountable to is me. Depending on how I feel on a given day, I might crush it until I feel like puking, or I might throttle back and keep the vital signs well below the red line—and feel not a bit guilty either way, regardless of the outcome. But, throw teammates into the mix, and it’s a whole new ballgame. Peer pressure rears is goading head, and urges one to drop the hammer and push beyond their comfort zone. And there is something magically liberating about those forays beyond the comfort zone.

For instance, in a conventional race I’d never have taken a half-dozen stitches to close a gash in my knee, and then get back on the bike and ride another lap. But that’s exactly what I did a few years ago at the 24 Hours of Snowshoe—on a very ugly course. Perhaps that was not the wisest decision I’ve ever made, but the pressure to not let my teammates down pushed me to keep riding at all costs. It’s all about the team.

Riding through a minor medical situation is just one manifestation of peer pressure at 24-hour races. You can bet that peer pressure is part of the equation any time a racer with aching, lead-filled legs suits up and takes another lap, instead of throwing in the towel. I’d never have crawled out of a warm, dry tent to ride in a rain-storm at Allamuchy at 3:00 a.m. were it not for peer pressure. And god bless those poor, disoriented souls that I’ve seen pushing/riding their bikes on what appears to be their first-ever nighttime lap—now that’s taking one for the team.

The 2008 edition of the 24 Hours of Big Bear is exactly one month away, and I’m already feeling the pressure of being on a team. I’m not one to kill myself with training rides, but with Big Bear approaching, I’ve already penciled a couple “training races” into my calendar, to try and whip my slack ass into some semblance of race-shape for the event. I’ll still be the slowest guy on the 4-man team, but I figure owe it to my teammates to be in peak condition. It’s the peer pressure.

The van was loaded, coffee was procured and we were off to Tennessee to the second running of Dirt, Sweat and Gears. Justin and Karl attended last year’s event and had much good to say about it, I was happy to be traveling to ride/race in a new event.

SSUSA started off the event with 3 stages off SS mayhem, a 2 lap XC course, hill climb, and the finals took place on an inflatable American Gladiators style jousting pit.

The main 12 hour event started a noon Saturday. An early morning thunderstorm made for a frustrating first lap for most racers, the trails was covered with a layer of super tacky clay based mud which stuck to almost everything. You know it’s bad when singlespeeders are on the side of the trail cleaning their drivetrains.

The second lap was improved and by lap three the course was over 90% rideable. The weather was perfect, partly sunny, a bit breezy, not too hot. The race rolled on throughout the day, folks stopped by the Dirt Rag booth and hung out and renewed subscriptions, kegs were tapped and the evening snuck up on us. Soon I was strapping on a light for our final lap, and soon after was settled in with beer from Yazoo and a big plate of pasta Karl had thoughtfully prepared for the end of the race.

10 o’clock started the awards ceremony with numerous raffles, auctions and door prizes being announced also. I even caught a glimpse of one of those giant checks for some of the winners.

After another night under the stars we packed up and headed home. A solid event by a pair of solid promoters, Clay and Grant. Good course, good competitors and good folks to hang with, the trifecta of mountain bike racing.

See more images in Justin and Karl’s gallery. Results for the 12 hour race and lap by lap break downs are here. Offial race website with more photos is here.