Amoeba - The simplest "light" form

Snow Ride

2012-02-13T08:41:00.007-07:00

Finally been feeling like Winter along the Front Range. Got out after the last storm of 18 inches to see if the hikers had stomped down the trail for us. It is like riding a tight rope on the way up. About a 8 inch wide path that is rideable if you can stay on it. Get off the track and you are up to your knees in powder. Trying to get going again can be really frustrating. Coming back down is just a tricky! Only if you get of the packed track you are usually going over the bars.

How low can you go??

2012-01-05T07:11:00.004-07:00

From a new customer in Anchorage, Alaska

"Glad to have your light on my head as my other one crapped out early on. This is getting towards the “fun / no fun” temperature limit for me. At these temps there is a lot of rolling resistance in the system – stiff tires, thick grease, Michelin-man clothes and general lack of initiative all of which conspire to make you feel even more out of condition than you are."

My motto is always - "No brain, no pain!"

Happy Winter Solstice!

2011-12-21T10:41:00.002-07:00

Nothing like riding at 5am with temps in teens!

Got Amoeba.....

2011-11-18T07:03:00.003-07:00

on your airplane???

Had someone inquire a while back about building a light for an airplane. He is running a 2x Cree XP-G w/b2Flex driver and looks like he decided on duo mode.

This is from his email -

I finally was able to get some night shots of my landing light setup. I am using duo mode with 1000 mA for high beam, L2 for low beam. It is ideal for my application. High beam lights up what I need while low beam is reduced enough not to destroy the night vision of every pilot in the region.

Got to love it!!!

Some recent 5 am rides

2011-10-18T06:42:00.006-06:00

Just wanted to post up for anyone looking for me at VeloSwap this weekend, sorry but I am not going to be making it. Got too many lights to build and can't afford to lose a weekend. Email me with your needs and I will get you hooked up.

Here are a couple of clips from a couple of our 5am FIFO (first in, first out) rides. There is no better way to start the day!

Dakota Ridge/The Hogback - trail follows the ridge line with shear cliffs on both sides o f the trail in spots.

Apex

Lower Enchanted Forest

Things are starting to get crazy!

2011-09-07T04:59:00.019-06:00

Well it is that time of year again, days getting shorter and it is 24hr race season. Lead times are fluctuating between 1 and 2 weeks.

Speaking of race season, had a few customers race and place in the 24hrs of Sage -

Nick and Tracy Thelen - 1st place, Duo Coed

Chad Brockmier - 2nd place, Mens Solo Single Speed

Heather Williams - 2nd place, Womens Solo

Congrats to everyone! Vapor Trail 125 coming up this weekend, 24hrs of Colorado Springs on Oct 1st, then 24hrs of Moab on Oct 8th.

Been having a great summer! Got to go to the beginnings of the USA Cycling Pro Challenge series final stage in Golden. Me and Dano met at 4 am on Sunday morning at the Golden Recreation Center then rode up Chimney Gulch to the Nature Center at the top of Lookout Mountain.

The road from the bottom to the top that the pro's road up is 1700 feet in elevation gain and 7 miles from the bottom to the top of Lookout Mountain. The mountain trail that we ride, Chimney Gulch, takes us that same 1700 feet in elevation gain but it is only 3.5 miles of trail! Anyhoo, we got to the top and watched an amazing sunrise.

The road had been closed all night by State Patrol to keep people from trying to park vehicles on the road. Me and Dano cruised down Lookout Mountain Road from the top as spectators were hiking and biking up it.

The crowd on Lookout Mountain was amazing! Here is a video from FIFO regular Goldenboy that really shows the electricity in the air along the course.

Me and Dano rode Lookout Mountain Road down and stopped in several spots and chalked some art on the road.

I rushed home to watch the live coverage on the internet as the coverage on TV earlier in the week was terrible. The coverage on the Shack Tracker was great, following the Peloton up Lookout Mountain, even had a few helicopter shots. The coverage on NBC was more like Nascar.

Woke up the next day and opened up the paper, cool, the Pro Challenge made the front page. Looking a little closer, right in front of one guys front wheel the chalk on the road reads "Got Amoeba?". How cool is that?!

Some new flavors!

2011-06-21T11:09:00.015-06:00

Got a couple of standard Amoeba set-ups ready to ship listed on MTBR

Bright Silver Amoeba set-up SOLD 07/16/11
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=66076&title=when-size-and-performance-matter96-amoeba-2c-the-simplest93light-94-form&cat=27

Matte Silver Amoeba set-up SOLD 07/13/11
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=66074&title=when-size-and-performance-matter96-amoeba-2c-the-simplest93light-94-form&cat=27

NEW!! Matte Silver 2x Cree XM-L bar mounted set-up http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=66239&title=amoeba-light2x-cree-xm-l-bar-mounted-set-up&cat=27

New flavors in the house!

Some changes are a coming

2011-03-09T10:11:00.002-07:00

Hello all. Yes I am still here, still building lights. Haven't had a classified ad on MTBR for months but people are still finding me. Didn't realize that I did not have my email on my blog, OOPS. I will fix that right now.

So here is the story, I am not taking any orders at the moment, going to take a few weeks off and catch my breath. Got a few new offerings brewing in my head.

Keep an eye on my blog in the next couple of weeks for some new things.

Was able to finally get for a 5am before work ride last week, had been about a month. Here is a short video of the downhill from the top of Apex. 27 degrees at the start and 22 degrees when we got back to the cars.

No this one is not me, just too good not to post up

Thank you sir can I have another!

Latest update

2010-12-10T11:12:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to post an update. Things are still busy. My build que is full up thru the end of the year. Currently taking orders for the weekend of Jan 1st.

Was able to finally get to bed at a descent time so that I could get up and get a ride in before work (5am). Me and Dano hit up Dinasaur Ridge (The Hogback). Was just what the doctor ordered!

Wow, things are getting crazy!!!!

2010-11-19T04:41:00.004-07:00

*******NOTICE****

Due to the overwhelming interest for my Amoeba light as of late, my lead times are currently 2-3 weeks! YIKES, I know, that is crazy! I have a full time job and a family and only build lights on the weekends so my capacity has it limits.

I would like to say sorry to all of those MagicShine owners contacting me trying to get a light right away, I feel for you. If you can wait, I can guarantee that the wait will be worth it.

Took a little road trip down to Colorado Springs to do a night ride with the the gang. 14 riders showed up and it was a perfect night. Here is a rela short video clip of hightechredneck rolling down a steep drop at the quarry. Good stuff!

Once again, thanks for your patience and I hope I can help you out with your lighting needs.

Looks like fall has arrived

2010-11-12T07:53:00.001-07:00

2010-11-01T05:29:00.008-06:00

2010 VeloSwap

I really don't like this sticker on my daughters bike. She keeps saying "Dad, you are not supposed to ride at night!"

Happy Halloween

2010-10-28T23:02:00.003-06:00

Loving these fall mornings!!

2010-09-30T18:55:00.001-06:00

5am morning ride down (after climbing up) one of local Denver front range trails, Chimney Gulch on Lookout Mountain. The video starts at the Windy Saddle lot in the middle of the trail.

Psst! Hey Buddy, got a light??

2010-08-10T05:16:00.013-06:00

Cree XP-G R5

Cree XR-E R2

SSC P4 U2

Random pics from the last few months

2010-06-17T04:52:00.024-06:00

I like to ride bikes and build lights!!

2010-05-11T05:17:00.016-06:00

How bikes were built in 1925

Spring time along the Denver Front range

2010-04-26T11:58:00.024-06:00

Who cares if it is winter?

2010-01-28T05:16:00.034-07:00

There is nothing like starting your day at 5 a.m. in the morning. Usually around 20-30 degrees, packed snow on the trails. Perfect riding conditions. Here are some shots from the past month.

A little video me and Dano shot on top of Dinasaur Ridge (or the Hogback). The trail is just across the road for the Red Rocks Ampitheater. Just used my SD Camera so quality is not that great. This trail follows a ridgline with sharp drops on both sides. Quite a technical trail during the daytime!

Checking thru the Alaskan bike threads, I stumbled onto these things they call Pogies or Handlebar Mitts. Found myself an old laminate jacket with a busted zipper, lined it with a sweatshirt with a busted zipper, made some precision cuts, and some high tech sewing with zip ties. Was even able to retain the pit zips of the original jacket. Have ridden down to 18 degrees without wearing any gloves! I call them my BarMittsBrahs.

I got me a pair of Bar Mitts, Brah!

Some recent custom builds

Kombi Light

1x Cree R2 WC spot
1x SSC P4 U2SWOH flood

regulated at 800ma

Single mode – on/off

Maybe it will be easier if I just post pics!

2009-11-06T06:07:00.011-07:00

Hmm, guess I should say something

2009-08-27T06:08:00.034-06:00

Well, where did the summer go? We had a cool, wet spring that seemed to go into the end of July and the first part of August. Never did have a 100 degree day this summer? Kind of nice. Well, as you can see by my lack of updating this blog, I would much better be outside than blogging. Seems like we tried packing our entire summer plans into one month. Was able to squeeze in some good ride in here and there.

So I will try to give a quick review of the last few months -

Been getting in some good F.I.F.O rides in with the boys danoinred, bad andy, Glover, andRickyBobbyGreg. There is nothing like starting your day off with a ride at 5 am in the morning! Diet Coke helps!!

Was asked by one of my customers Joshua to sponser a group of guys in Kansas, Bad Goat Racing , in the light department. Had been following Joshua's blog and they seemed like my kind of people - down to earth and like to ride bikes. They even hooked me up with a sweet team jersey -

So I have been trying to represent the Rocky Mountain edition of Bad Goat Racing

Took the Nirve chopper and the Von Franco out and did a crusier ride with the Denver Cruisers one night. Pretty fun stuff

Had two of my friends, Dan and Nick, compete in the 2009 Colorado Trail Race, which is an unsupported 470 mile mtn bike on the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango with only 60,00 feet of elevation gain. These guys are insane!! They were shooting to finish in 11 days. They did it in 10 and some change! Way to go guys. It was so fun to watch "real time" with their SPOT trackers and wondering what might be going on thru their heads? Here a write up - Dan and Nicks Colorado Trail Race Adventure.

Had another Amoeba customer and his wife, Dan and Bevin, compete in the Leadville 100 on a tandem! Check out their write-up - http://leadvilletandem2009.blogspot.com/

Got a couple of local riders that are going to be using their Amoeba lights to compete in the Vapor Trail Race. 125 miles mtn bike race in Salida with a 10 pm start time. There ain't to teams going on here! Just solo crazees!!!

Amoeba - rockin' the darkside!

2009-05-27T05:40:00.015-06:00

Well, I thought I had better update the blog (finally). Been just lettting it run with the card photos for a while, been getting some good hits. Been doing some good spring riding. Benn out to Buffalo Creek for a couple of PBR me!'s Thursday night rides (death marches). Usually end up being around 25 miles with about 3000' of vertical, 4 hours of riding. Also been doing some regular FIFO rides at 5:00 am. Been getting alot of rain on the weekends, I am ready for summer.

After a full holiday weekend of rain, Tuesday morning I woke up and headed out for a 5:00 am ride by myself in the steady drizzle. These are some of my favorite rides! Played around with the camera a little too.

The view before down. You have to careful about smiling too big on the downhill as you will have a mouthful of dirt by the time you get to the car. About 45 minutes of steady climbing and about 10 minutes down too the car!

Here are a couple of photos of me and Dano playing around at Red Rocks before work about a week ago. Great way to start the day.

Some other photos from this rainy weekend. Thought all of the green grass would make a good background.

Some new product photos

2009-04-15T07:04:00.004-06:00

Looking for some motivation

2009-04-03T08:06:00.007-06:00

With another storm on its way and the trails are still covered from the last storm, looking for some motivation. Found some good videos. That is all I got for now.

Hello mate!

2009-03-28T01:06:00.008-06:00

Got to admit that I am really hating missing the spring blizzard that just hit Denver. It has been so unusally warm lately that a spring blizzard would have been nice to enjoy for a few days, I know the trails can sure use the moisture.

Anyhoo, it has been incredible here in Australia! Temps in the 90's and 100's, overly freindly people, very laid back culture. What is not to love? Spent 5 days in Perth and am currently in Sydney for a day and a half.

View from the hotel in Perth

Sydney sights

Nothing to post for this week (too busy)

2009-03-24T16:48:00.002-06:00

Had another good week for riding. Got in a FIFO ride with Dano and Scotty on Monday morning, did Chimney Gulch up to the nature center. Great March morning with temps in the 40's. Did the Thursday night ride at Green Mountain, was awesome.

Friday when I walked into work, my boss said to pack my bags as I was going to Australia. Nothing like rushing to pack and ship out parts/toolbox in a half of day. After 24 hours in the air, we have arived in Perth, Australia! Very nice, I am going to enjoy this much better than China. Will try to keep posting pics, keep checking back.

Cheers.

Another good week for riding

2009-03-15T08:06:00.005-06:00

Another great week along the Front Range for mtn biking! Did Dakota Ridge/Matthew Winters on Monday morning at 5am with danoinred, PBR me!, and mountaingotaepics. Good stuff. GPS plot didn't turn out for this ride, just means we will have to do it again soon.

Wendsday morning was the coldest FIFO in the books yet, 14 degrees! Actually wasn't too bad, humididty must have been real low. Sweatin on the way up and freezing, numb hands on the way down.

Thurdsay night ride was another epic one this week. Did Green Mtn, over to Zorro/Dakota Ridge, then back over to Green Mtn for a serving of up the Box-o-Rox then down the Spine. 20 miles and 3 hrs of riding. Started of with about 14 riders and ended up being 6 making the last stretch.

Looks like another great week coming up with temps inthe 60's and 70's.

FIFO at Dinasaur Ridge / Matthew Winters

2009-03-09T10:46:00.016-06:00

Been too busy to post anything new, here goes:

Last week was good week for FIFO rides. Got 3 in - Chimney Gulch, Apex/Enchanted Forest, and White Ranch. Good stuff, here is the track from White Ranch.

A couple of pics that andychrysler took of me during the ride -

Had another good FIFO ride at Dinasaur Ridge/Matthew Winters this morning with PBR me, mountaingoatepics, and danoinred.

Found this great video of ride footage on the Hogback (Dinasaur Ridge). Gives you a real perspective of the trail. Whole nuther perspective in the dark!

Here is another. The front tire appears to be floating at times.

Some mad skills to be had here -

What a great way to end February!

2009-02-27T05:08:00.013-07:00

Man the weather along the front range has been incredible if you are wanting to bike. We got 3 FIFO rides in this week - Chimney Gulch, White Ranch, and Matthew Winters!

I can't believe how many rides we have gotten in just this month. Great start to the year. Missed PBR me!'s Thursday Night Ride out at Buffalo Creek this week. Oh well, there will many more!

Here are a couple of recent customer's feedback regarding Amoeba's -

From Canada -
"I did get the light and already tried them on a couple of commutes to and from work. All I can say is wow. I couldn't believe how small they were. The pictures certainly don't do them justice. The light output is very good too. The craftsmanship very good as well. I ma very happy with them right now. Let's see how they will hold up in the long run. I am even concidering buying a second pair down the road. Thanks again for an awesome product. Have a nice day. Sven."

From Florida -
"Thanks Scar for a great light. I just received your box today (great packing job) and was stoked to be able to ride tonight. The spot I received was exactly what I needed and was as advertised. Nice white light with maybe a hint of blue. My light wasn't washed out by the riders behind me! The comments by the other builders on the ride was "holy sh!t that's small" I cannot adjust the camera to take beam shots, but others have done that already. Since a thread without pict's is worthless............Appreciate the light and will order another in a bit for my wife.Kyle"

Got this from rideandshoot -
"BTW team Kitchen Pass finished 17th in the 4 man open category at the 24 Hours in The Old Pueblo. Not bad for bunch of 50ish guys. 19 laps... 304 miles"

Tracy Thelen wrote up this kick ass race report of her and Nick's experiences racing inthe Duo-Coed class at the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo, you have to check it out. Incredible write-up Tracy and nice finish you two!!

Need some mtb bike themed t-shirts? gotdirt got his Cotton Quips site up and running recently. Some great looking t-shirts and 50 cents from each sale is donated to COMBA. Gotta love that.

Had a great write-up about CaridianBCT in a plastics magazine recently. Makes you feel real good about the job you love doing. We have a real strong bicycling community at CaridianBCT , check out this statement from the article- a CaridianBCT employee said, “The biggest complaint employees seem to have is that on a nice day, there aren’t quite enough bicycle racks outside.”

A little humor for today -

In honor of the mother of the octuplets, Denny's is offering a new breakfast meal: The Octo-Slam - You get fourteen eggs, no sausage, and the guy next to you has to pay the bill.

Never can be too safe

2009-02-24T14:21:00.002-07:00

I sure hope this person can find all of the keys to all of the locks!

It is finally Friday!!!!

2009-02-20T09:37:00.005-07:00

What do you call an Amoeba light that crosses the road, jumps in a mud puddle and crosses the road again?

A dirty double-crosser.

Sorry I couldn't resist. Had another great night ride/Amoeba demo last at Green Mountain. Had a total of 13 riders show up, about 9 of them sporting Amoeba's. The wind blowing all day long had me wishing I hadn't said I would be there. Got out of the car at IronWorks and hey, where did the wind go? Another incredible February Colorado Fronte Range evening. PBR me! mentioned on his blog http://freeyourchain.blogspot.com/ that we did +2720' of elevation gain! No wonder my quads were smoked.

I wanted to post up some race results from some Amoeba customers. Seems kind of odd posting race results in February. First one is from the 2009 Leadville Winter MTB Series http://www.cloudcitywheelers.org/Events-&-Rides.html Local Front Range SS racer Eric Cutlip finished third in the Tennessee Pass Night Jam on February 7th . Way to Eric you rock!

Men’s Singlespeed Category:

1- Mike Scellian 57:112-

Doug Johnson 59:073-

Eric Cutlip 1:02:434-

Scot Banks 1:15:285-

Erik Arentzen 1:15:486-

Brett Ebben 1:16:387-

Tom Purvis 1:19:378-

Pedro Campos 1:21:599-

Jon Albers 1:30:1610-

Jon Romania 1:31:3011-

Jason Musgrave 1:32:1212-

Benjamin Tesohner 1:35:5513-

Jason Nepp 1:36:1714-

Robert Kuepper 1:38:2915-

Brian Ingoldsby 1:39:15

Colorado Springs racers Nick and Tracy Thelen raced in the 24hrs of Old Pueblo http://www.epicrides.com/twofour/24.htm on February 14th in Tucson, AZ. Even with Nick feeling under the weather they rocked a fourth place finish in the Duo co-ed category!

Place
Team Number
Team Name
Total Laps
Last Lap Completion Time

1
294
Shoair
18
12:07:32 PM

2
224
It Takes 2
17
12:35:03 PM

3
293
Ganesh and the Silver Moon
17
1:21:30 PM

4
237
Road Trip
16
12:25:49 PM

5
255
Team Santa Fe Bear Pair
16
12:30:20 PM

6
222
CyclePathic Tendencies
15
12:01:22 PM

7
239
SHIFTLESS!
15
12:02:58 PM

8
289
Doin it in the Desert
14
12:03:48 PM

9
284
Man, Wife, and Bike
14
12:48:26 PM

10
246
chainlove
14
1:09:49 PM

11
242
Prusack/Johnson
12
12:01:51 PM

12
249
Vaya Con Harper
11
12:01:06 PM

13
236
Ride & Vroom
11
12:19:34 PM

14
302
Puddin
10
12:02:34 PM

15
273
Nae Nae & Tanner
10
12:08:06 PM

16
271
Cosmic Balljackers
10
12:11:48 PM

17
221
PirateGirl and Mr. PirateGirl
10
12:18:36 PM

18
247
The Miller Crew
10
12:18:50 PM

19
316
Geeks and Gears
10
12:45:48 PM

20
229
los JÃbaros
9
1:26:13 PM

21
256
Procon/Red Energy
8
12:00:54 PM

22
303
The Tortoise and the Hare
7
12:06:43 PM

23
232
SOFA KING SLOW & TIRED
7
12:43:06 PM

24
223
The Deceptikons
7
1:02:13 PM

25
277
MissingSaddle.com
6
12:25:54 PM

26
7
John Mazzola
5
12:02:13 PM

27
220
The Royal Pains
3
12:19:22 PM

DNF
300
Jennie & Andrew
4
9:38:44 AM

DNF
295
Itty Bitty GCS
4
11:59:31 AM

Been doggin it this week

2009-02-13T14:10:00.003-07:00

Don't know if it is from travelling or just burning the candle at both ends, but I have been so tired this week! Can't drag myself out of bed in the mornings, which is very unusual for me. No ride pics, found this that I thought was cool.

FIFO baby!

2009-01-30T07:30:00.001-07:00

Got in the first FIFO ride since coming back home. Good stuff. Still more snow hanging around than I would have thought. Should be some good melting today with temp in the 50's.

Gotta love Colorado, USA

2009-01-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

Man does it every feel good to be home! Got back home late Saturday night, left China that morning at 5:00 am! Went from China to Japan, then was supposed to go from Japan to Seattle, then home to Denver. Our flight from Japan to Seattle got cancelled and our only option was to get on a later flight that took us to Chicago then back to Denver. It was crazy. That flight from Japan to Chicago was over 12 hours in the air!! Then add on the earlier flight from China to Japan, and from Chicago back to Denver – I really don’t want to fly anytime soon.

Trying to get back into the bike thing, this below freezing weather is not helping. Going to try to make it to the COMBA meeting tonight to hang out with my fellow bikers. Should be good for the soul. If you live in the Front Range, you need to show up!

Time for a good ole town meeting!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meet New COMBA Board Members
Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew at Annual MeetingGOLDEN, Colo. – Please join the 2009 Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA) Board of Directors and the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew for an early start to the 2009 Front Range mountain bike season.COMBA’s 2009 Annual Meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden.COMBA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving mountain biking by building and maintaining trails, teaching proper trail use, and working with government on public land management decisions affecting mountain biker rights along the Front Range — from Buffalo Creek to Coal Creek Canyon — as well as serving as a strong advocacy voice for all mountain bikers. The annual meeting will be a chance to meet newly-elected COMBA directors and engage in a broad discussion about COMBA’s 2009 goals and objectives."COMBA has fresh leadership and a renewed vision for 2009," COMBA President Terry Breheny said. "Our top priorities include seeking opportunities to build new trails and creating a real sense of community among Front Range riders. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, and we need help from the entire mountain bike community."It is important that COMBA receive input from downhillers, dirt jumpers, all-mountain riders, cross-country folks and others as we develop our 2009 work plan. So if you're a COMBA member, thinking about joining or just hearing about us for the first time, I hope you'll attend the COMBA annual meeting and join a discussion about the future of mountain biking in our backyard."COMBA, with a history dating back more than 15 years, is led by a 9-member board - a volunteer group of cycling enthusiasts who represent a cross section of the Front Range riding community. The 2009 board includes local bike industry representatives, gravity junkies, cross-country racers and folks who just like to get out and ride as often as they can.An election was held from December 14 - 30, 2008, to select new COMBA board members. The results are as follows:
Terry Breheny, President (Incumbent Director; New Officer)
Jason Bertolacci, Vice President (Incumbent Director; New Officer)
Kyle Henley, Secretary (New)
Michelle Beckman (New)
Joe Hanrahan (New)
Paul Murphy (Incumbent)
Anthony Sloan (New)
Adam Williams (New)
Nathan Wyant (New)"There is a lot of talent on this board, and I'm excited about the energy each member brings to COMBA," Breheny said. "The board is committed to delivering results based on achievable goals, operating with transparency and being accountable to our members."Additionally, David Rontal, an associate at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, has been appointed general counsel and AJ Beckman appointed treasurer.In 2008, COMBA organized a successful National Trails Day event in conjunction with the Colorado Trail Foundation; coordinated a public forum with Jefferson County Open Space officials that was attended by more than 200 cyclists; and hosted their second annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, which introduced more than 30 local children to the sport. In addition, COMBA continued to advocate for mountain bike access to regional trails."We're definitely looking to increase COMBA's public profile in 2009," Breheny said. "We'll be working closely with land managers, coordinating volunteers, raising funds, aggressively seeking opportunities to spread the gospel and add to the stock of local singletrack."Toward that end, the COMBA annual meeting will include a visit from two Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews. Each award-winning Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew features two full-time, professional trail experts who travel North America year-round. They lead IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, meet with government officials and land managers, and work with IMBA-affiliated groups to improve mountain biking opportunities across the nation. IMBA's Crews have led more than 1,000 trail projects since the program debuted in 1997.The Crews teach "sustainable" trailbuilding, which means building trails that last a long time and require minimal maintenance. This helps reduce trail damage, protects the environment, and enhances visitor enjoyment for all trail users.The Crews travel in 2008 Subaru Outbacks provided by Subaru of America - the company that has been IMBA's leading sponsor since 1997. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program has inspired great volunteer trailwork across the U.S. and abroad - a big help to government agencies and land managers who have limited funding for trail construction and upkeep."We're fortunate to have not one, but two Subaru/IMBA Trail Crews stopping in to visit COMBA," Breheny said. "I hope the Trail Care Crews will inspire all who attend to get involved and do what they can to support COMBA and our local trails."###CONTACT:Kyle Henleykyle@comba.org(303) 717-2766

Hong Kong for a day

2009-01-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

After a 2 hour train ride with the locals, this was the scene we were greeted to upon emerging from the train station. Ahh, civilization!

Chinese New Years market across from our hotel

I snapped this picture just as the crossing light turned green. Trick is to not hesitate, just forge ahead.

2009-01-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

Chinese bicycle repair shop

A couple pics from today

2009-01-20T01:34:00.001-07:00

2009-01-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

A few pics from Guangzhou, China

We have arrived in China

2009-01-17T15:51:00.001-07:00

I have gotta say that I was a little overwhelmed when I got off the plane in China. The bitterness in the air immediately landed on my tongue. The people are very rude and pushing. Was standing in a huge line at the airport tyring to get out of customs, I hear some Indian guy saying "Excuse me" and feel him pushing on the back of me. I say to him "Are you trying to get to the end of this line?" He says "Yes". I respond "What do think I am just standing here looking pretty?" He then backed off and waited his turn. At the hotel while the person was trying to check me in, two different Chinese people came up as if I wasn't even standing there talking to the clerk and tried to force their way to get attended to. The clerk scolded both and told them to get in line. Didn't even phase either of them. I can see I am going to have to learn to bite my tongue (bitter taste and all). Very warm here, although you can't see the sun for the haze in the air. Going to get out today and take some pics

I feel like I am Alice in Wonderland!

View from hotel window

Found this in my closet

2009-01-14T01:05:00.001-07:00

アメーバ-最も簡単で軽い形態

I am over in Japan for a week then onto China for a week. What a crazy place Japan is! People everywhere, bicycles everywhere. Here are some photos.

View from my hotel room (Tokyo Dome) - Now if I can just remember where I parked my car!

Sunset view from hotel bar (Mt. Fuji in background)

Dude, I got a blog!

2009-01-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

Well, here it goes. Going to dive into this blog thingy. Hope I can do it justice.