Giro d' Gilbert

The first annual Giro d' Gilbert was run yesterday and will be an annual occurance going forward during the Giro d' Italia. It is a 50+ mile road ride from Chambersburg, PA that features an extremely steep climb up on Gilbert Road into the Buchanan State Forest which borders the Cumberland Valley to the West. The Giro d' Italia is famous for steep climbs that finish on heinous wicked grades up dirt roads - Gilbert is no different. The main climb is 2.6 miles that averages over 11% has sustained sections of 20% and peaks out at 25%. Noticeably, the top half is on hard-packed dirt. For the inagural run we had an all MBM turnout including: Joel Moats, Cathy Large, Chuck Buczeskie, and Darius Mark. Joel had the wisdom to bring a bike with cyclo-cross gearing.

The ride lasted 3 1/2 hours, 51 miles, and featured over 4,100 feet of climbing. Thanks to the long days we finished just after dark. Kudos to Cathy for bringing flashing bar lights. The ride profile looks like this:
Plan for this one next year during the Giro, as you can imagine we all had a great time.

Maximus

Check out Don's pictures from the race.

http://www.singlespeeder.smugmug.com/

It was intense.........well at least it was for Dale.

Stoopid 50 Weekend - June 8-10, State College

Hello All,
The rumors of a 50 mile race in beautiful central PA are true! Nittany MBA is hosting the 'Stoopid 50' weekend on June 8-10 near Penn Roosevelt State Park in Rothrock state forest. Events include a Friday night ride and Saturday morning rides led by Nittany MBA. We'll regroup Saturday afternoon in time for the fun events - the 2 Stoopidest things to do on your bike in Rothrock. First, a fun time trail down one the best trails in the forest. Then a lung busting hill climb, and finally a technical section to see who can go through clean! After a hard day, relax at movie night and build your courage for the long awaited bonfire bunnyhop competition.
On Sunday, Shenandoah Mtn Touring (W101,Shenandoah100) will be hosting the Stoopid 50 race at 9am. This will be a tough but rewarding course. You will ride sweet singletrack all day and it is possible the mtn laurel will be in bloom. This is the highlight of weekend for both race participants and spectators. Register on-line at:
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=4753
Chris has a much more detailed account of the weekend on the site. Come to race, come to ride or come to just hang out. Questions about the weekend? Post online at nittanymba.net.

HO

Hibernia Race Report

Hibernia STXC ahr-166 mhr-176

Expert A-Raced against Ryan Leech,Wes Schempf,Ray Adams,Kyle Hammaker,Nathan Diebert,Zach Adams,Martin Kell,etc…

http://www.mountainbikeracer.com/upcomingraces/display.php?raceid=954&page=tour&tourid=90

http://mlkimages.smugmug.com/gallery/2750470#146553912-L-LB

Couldn't match the starting acceleration of the leaders.Settled into a groove and started clawing people back after the second lap or so.Passed one of the VisitPA.com riders and was reeling in Tim Messersmith from Trek-but as the bell lap sounded everybody on the whole course seemed to surge ahead with one last attack and I lost hold on Messersmith.I attacked as well but still wasn't able to keep from getting lapped by the two leaders(Leach and Hammaker) 50 yards from the finish line.--------yay I wasn't last!!!!

HOT NEW CROSS BIKE FROM YETI !!

Yeti ARC-X
Those who live in Colorado have probably seen the occasional Yeti cross bike at the races�but they were rare, custom bikes that were made exclusively for elite racers and well-connected shop employees. Well, those days are over, check out the 2008 ARC-X

Nittany MBA Spring Group Ride

Hey Kids!

The annual spring Greenwood Furnace mountain bike group ride will be held Sunday, April 29th. It is a few weeks earlier than normal due to races and Mother's Day. We'll meet at 11am at Greenwood Furnace State Park in the picnic area behind the ranger station off route 305, just over the bridge on the left. We will have both intermediate and advanced rides. Nittany MBA will also have burgers afterwards. If people would like to bring a side dish or desert, it would be appreciated but certainly not necessary. This is always a fun time for everybody.

HO

Sunday MTB Ride

MBMers,

Is anyone going to show up at Caledonia?
I'm willing to ride RAIN OR SHINE.

If nobody wishes to do the same,I'm going to ride @ Mont Alto because I know the area better.-----
How about some feedback if you're gonna make it.

Put on your rain slickers for 2-2.5 hours.

Joel Moats

PS ---The Hibernia Short Track was cancelled due to the Huge Snow Storm we are having.Hmmm

Just not fast enough......

...the squirrel that is.

Ride Report - Where have all the cyclists gone?

Riders: Sue Witter, Chris Bratthauar

So it's a bit windier and colder than usual for this time of year...maybe 20 degrees or so with 20+ mph winds. I expected the ride to be lightly attended on Thursday night, but figured someone would show up. At 4:45 pm I was the only one in the parking lot and I was starting to think that the Thursday night ride location had changed without me knowing.

Then Witter's YUV (yuppie utility vehicle) slinked into the lot. Whew, I thought, atleast I don't have to ride in the cold by myself tonight. We both got dressed in enough gear for a January ride and headed out.

Once we got moving it was relatively easy to stay warm on the climbs but the descents were a bit chilly. Two hours on a cold Thursday night and we packed it in. We got back to the cars right about 7 pm with the temperature dropping along with the little sunlight that was left.

Hopefully, as the weather warms, the rest of the Thursday night crew will turn up.

Happy Easter!

Stuff for sale on eBay LOOK!! Cheap!

Tons of stuff in my Basement has to GO!! Hit the link to see my listings. If it dosen't work my eBay name is starnote12 .
New Avid bb7's
New Avid Juicy 5's
Rock shox fork (Dales old fork)
xtr cass 11-34
sram cass 970 11-34
xtr pods 9 speed
Bontrager Race external BB crank
Thompson stems and seatposts!!
29er wheels Bontrager Races NEW
Lemond steel road frame 57cm with EC70 carbon fork and HS

http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/SaleSearch?sofocus=bs&satitle=&sacat=7294%26catref%3DC5&fbd=1&sorefinesearch=1&from=R14&nojspr=y&pfid=0&fswc=1&few=&saprclo=&saprchi=&fss=1&saslop=1&sasl=starnote12&fls=4%26floc%3D1&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D0&salic=1&saatc=1&sadis=200&fpos=68102&fsct=&sacur=0&sacqyop=ge&sacqy=&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&sabdlo=&sabdhi=&saaff=afdefault&afcj=&afmp=&fsop=2%26fsoo%3D2&fcl=3&frpp=50

Thanks for looking at what I have for sale.

Thursday Night Ride Report

Riders: Sue Witter, Rob Mazzei, Dave Hamilton, Chris Bratthauar

Left the Mont Alto parking lot @ 5pm sharp taking the Park trail over to Staley. From there we decided it would be a good day to climb Shelf trail to stay off the low, muddy trails.

"Rocket" Rob took off ahead of the group and missed the turn on to Shelf trail. The rest of the crew debated for a few minutes whether we should leave Rob to the mercy of the mountain or follow him. We decided Rob should live and we headed up Ramp trail after him.

We regrouped in the clearing and climbed the rest of the way to Wirt Road. From there we headed across Charcoal Hearth trail to Staley Road. Climbed up Four Logs and then up to the fire tower. We headed down the trail behind the fire tower and across Crumble regrouping again on Snowy Mountain Road.

We climbed up Snowy Mountain to the top of Four Logs. The crew bombed down Four Logs and the top of Turtle where things started to get mushy, so we headed out to Staley Road. From there we coasted down Staley Road to the double track that leads up to Lower Buckets.

We made the short climb and headed back on to the singletrack. Lower Buckets was in great condition and we flowed down it like we were on rails. We finished up on the Park trail, making our way back to the parking lot.

We emerged from the woods around 7:30 pm, just as the sun was disappearing behind the trees. All in all a great ride to start the "Thursday Night" season.

Membership Renewal Time

We would like to thank you for your participation 2006 and look forward to your continued support of the club during 2007. You should have received an emailed membership invitation already - if not, let me know. Please update your contact information (email) and return with a check for $10 to us at: MBM, 6132 Moser Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713

Please feel free to invite any of your cycling friends to a club ride or to join MBM as well. If you would like any additional information, please contact me.

Happy trails.

Rides 3/29 and 4/1

Thursday, 3/29 Mont Alto @ 5 pm.

Sunday, 4/1 Maximus Sport Loop (sorta...). Meet at Bendersville Road Parking lot. Ride starts at 9 am.

Bad News, Good News

I took a walk in the woods around Mont Alto today with my kids. The BAD news is the ground is completely SATURATED.

The GOOD news is all the stinkin' snow is GONE!

Here's to a HUMID ride tomorrow morning...

Thursday ride

Posting for Dale.....Mont Alto, 5PM if the weather is good.

Sunday Ride, 3/25

Mont Alto. 9 AM. Hope for no slush on the trails.

Spin, Spin, Spin

Ok, last week we had a couple of nice days and I got out on the road bike with short sleeves. The Tuesday night Carlisle fast ride featured - well, fast people. 35 at the start and as we added miles it pared down to three:
Nathan Goates from Shippensburg University (l) and Taylor McClain (r) from Penn State.


On the climb up to King Gap State Park, at a fast clip - sub 13 minutes.
This photo is of the group leaving the movie theatre parking lot - 35 in all. Now it is trainer time again. Five days straight on the trainer and I'm about to pull my hair out - thank god for cycling.tv and the Paris-Nice race.

Snow......When will it end??

Now this was Hard Core!!! Shovel the track so you could race.
Jack Frost Classic Feb 2001.

Sunday Ride, 3/11

Mont Alto , 9 am.

Remember, daylight savings is in effect Sunday morning! Don't show up an hour late!!

Hail to the Chief!!

Check out this newly retired MBM Ex-President in his Beginner Racer Days.

We shouldn't be seeing this pained expression now that he can spend all of his time riding.

Mont Alto Trail Conditions

Took a quick ride up to Mont Alto this morning to check on trail conditions. Overall, looks plenty rideable. There is a soft slushy layer on top of the little bit of hard snow that is left. The fire roads still look a little nasty, but the singletrack looks OK. See you all in the morning!

Beginning of Park Trail

Park Trail looks nice

Going up Buckets

Staley Road - Icy! Stay on the singletrack!

Sunday Ride, 3/4

Mont Alto 9 AM - Snow tire season should be over!

Mud tire season may now be in full effect.

Big Bar's and Stem's

Does anybody have an opinion on the newer 31.8 diameter bar/stem combo's?
Is there any advantage in stiffness or weight? From what I have seen this combo is generally heavier.

Any thoughts on the Pro's and Con's?
T

MBM Annual Meeting Update

The annual MBM meeting was held as scheduled on Feb 25th.

Those attending included: Trevis Benchoff, Mike Witter, Sue Witter, Wayne Benedict, Chris Bratthauar, Joel Moats, Bruce Kessler, Martin Kell, Aaron Himelfarb, Dale Fitzsimmons, Rob Mazzei, Morgan Styer & Hillary Styer.

Trevis reported 65 members in 2006. It was decided to e-mail club membership renewal notices in lieu of using mailed letters. Club dues bank deposits will continue to be handled by Trevis and Dona. Several email notices will be sent out as reminders to renew memberships. A deadline of May 1, 2007 was agreed upon to pay 2007 dues.

The treasurer reports a balance of $1413.29. Some of this will be spent on lumber for a new bridge on the 'Middle Narrows' and the balance along with incoming dues will allow new jerseys to be purchased next year for very little cost to members.

Mike Witter agreed to figure out lumber costs for this new bridge.

147.5 hrs of trail maintenance was reported to DCNR for 2006- up from 127 in 2005. The goal for 2007 is 200 hrs. Colonel Weistling also needs to be cleaned up after clear cutting and there are several blow downs in the Old Forge area.

There are no jersey or sock purchases planned for 2007.

The club will renew it's IMBA membership for 2007.

Dale will continue to coordinate the regular Sunday morning and Thursday after work rides, but after May 1, 2007 the ride info will be on the blog only. All other rides should be submitted to the blog also. http://the-skinny-on-mbm.blogspot.com/

Elections: Aaron was elected 'Trail Maintenance Boss'
Dona will continue the Treasurer's post
Sue will continue as Secretary
Dale 'Ride Czar'
Morgan was elected our new Vice President
Chris Bratthauar is our new MBM President!

Meeting adjourned

XL jersey for sale

I'm selling a size XL short sleeve Michaux jersey with full length zipper. It is the maroon version and in like-new condition. The only reason I'm selling it is because I've lost some weight and it is too big on me now. $25 takes it.

Trail Conditions 2/24

Michaux(Mont Alto) trail conditions @ 1300 hrs today are as follows.

Fireroads are icey and slushy-yes at the same time.
Trails are very bad momentumly speaking.EVEN DOWNHILL.
Too deep and crusty and you can't ride on top of the snow anymore.

Spike tires still suggested.

Details on the Bike and Browes Snow Race

Come out and race your bike downhill in the snow at Whitetail Ski Resort on March 10th.
www.skiwhitetail.com
Dual Slalom Mt. Bike Race on the Stalker Ski Slope
Registration 8:00-9:00 AM Race starts at 10:00 AM
$10 Registration Fee
Junior 10-17 years and Senior 18+ Categories
Prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd placeBest Crash / Wildest Run Prize
First 25 Entries will receive a gift bag courtesy of the Bike and Browse
Helmets are required and you must provide your own bicycleJunior racers must have a parent or guardian sign your release form.
www.thebikestore.com

Dual Slolam race on March 10th

Hey everybody, I just got off the horn with Mike Reed from Beautiful downtown Waynesboro. He was letting me know about the snowrace happening at whitetail this year.

Last year's event was a blast, the course was kept fairly simple with just some turns around gates, then both riders merged into one course for some elbow rubbin' bar bangin' action to the finish. The hardest part about the event is staying on two wheels while constantly drifting one way or another.

Trivia Question!!

Name the year and race where this picture was taken.

Bonus: Name everyone in the picture.

The winner will receive some MBM swag!

Deadline: 2/25/07 - MBM winter meeting.

Tour Of California

For anyone intrested the Amgen Tour of California is being covered by OLN all this week.
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/race-live/tv-schedule.html