Issue 152: Early Fall 2018

For issue 152 of BICYCLIST Magazine, we bring stories from all across the map to inspire, entertain and inform. The BICYCLIST Challenge for this issue is a glorious 73-mile ride around Lake Tahoe, affectionately known to locals as ‘The Big Blue’. With more than 70% of the shoreline being national forest land, the ride can either be a single day jaunt through idyllic forest that engulfs the lake, a weekend exploration of the tucked away sandy beaches dotting the shores, or even a multi-day tour with excursions into the surrounding mountain roads. There is so much to offer for both road and MTB riders, and for those coming to the area for September’s Northstar Free Ride Festival or Interbike (the industry convention to be held in Reno this year), the timing is great for a ride, with average temperatures in the high sixties.

For an event a little closer to our neck of the woods, Richard Duquette brings a report on the ARCH ride, an invite-only MTB ride that takes place in April. The ride connects various “islands” of open-space preserves with received permission from the county to traverse the otherwise off-limits land tracts. To receive an invite, register with San Diego Mountain Biking Association, an organization that works to expand trail access in San Diego County. Even if you’re not from the area, they are an organization that is helping make San Diego County a known and well-respected destination for mountain biking the world over.

John Woodson brings us a report from his experience riding Ride Southern Utah’s Desperado Duel heading out of Panguitch, Utah. The 109-mile loop is an inviting ride that includes incursions in Bryce Canyon National Park, a remarkable geological area that offers the red sandstone as a backdrop for the ride.

Also in Utah, this September 14-16 Denise Mueller-Korenek will be attempting to break the paced land-speed world record. She currently holds the women’s record set in 2016, but she is returning to break the men’s record of Fred Rompelberg that has stood since 1995. The rarified air builds cooperation and Mueller-Koreken will be using the methanol-powered dragster used by Rompelberg in his record-breaking run. The feat involves being towed behind a speeding race car, driven by professional racing driver Shea Holbrook, in the salt flats of Bonneville, Utah during the annual Speed Week. 

The Gear Patrol for this issue looks to solve some of the challenges faced by the daily commuter. Some great innovations have come along that make life for the daily rider a bit less challenging. There’s enough to worry about in the age of distracted drivers, and having gear that simplifies the experience is what we’re all about. 

We got our hands on some of Floyd’s of Leadville Vanilla Recovery Protein and the Last Page brings a couple of recipes utilizing the new product that will put your recovery on point. I find many vanilla-flavored powders to have a chalky or bitter after-taste but I was pleasantly surprised by the true vanilla taste of this powder. The science is still inconclusive from my perspective on some of the claims made regarding CBD for recovery, but just using the compactor of vanilla whey protein powders, Floyd’s gets high marks for taste and mix-ability. Be sure to give the SoCal Recovery Smoothie a whirl after your next sun-soaked ride.

See you on the route. Stay safe. Peace,