Decker’s Coming

Last years man champ, Carl Decker will be on the startline on Spertember 19th. Will you be there? Will you be ready to challenge this man?

Continental Tyres and Us

Chainsaw runs these ones

We’ve got a ton of Conti rubber to throw at you during the event. Yellow trainer tyre skid contest at Fridays New Belgium affair and tyre toss at the post race awards at Ska Brewing. So do some research and see what ones you will fight for. We’ve got some of those white walled buggers too.

Schedule w/Photo

sswc09 schedule

 

yep, part of the course we think

Custom Bike Show Has 1 Spot Left

The Run What You Brung handmade bike lookie lookie is looking for 2 more bikes to fill the showroom. Please contact Tom at thenorseman@norsecycles.com if you want a spot. Here is who will be there thus far, thursday 4-7 at the Irish Embassy Pub. Curtis gets two because he went through this whole deal last year and he asked nice.

Norse, Blackcat, Retrotec/Paul Components, Edoz, StoutHeart, Shand Cycles, Bicycle Bound, Miles Bicycles, Matt Chester, True North Cycles, Independent Fabrications, 3D, Gypsy Cycles, Lynsky, Retrotec/Inglis, Bilenky Bicycle Works, Black Sheep and Soulcraft.

Dave Hagen, Course Manager, The Interview

Q: You throw tons of sweet races around Durango, whats up with that, is it your job or something? A:I have helped out at many of the NORBA Nationals and IHBC MTB races that were run in Durango. I got a job as the Team manager for the Fort Lewis College Cycling Team and that had me running Collegiate races, then I added open categories and now I am running three events a year and a Cyclocross Series.

Q: Any top secret tips on the sswc09 course? Can you reveal anything at this time? A: It will be interesting to see the gearing choices and how they work out in the end. The course climbs quite a bit and there are many extended technical sections – someone might want to run 4 gears easier that 2 to 1 (on a 26er) and some sort of rear suspension might come in handy. The course is quite different than many of the MTB courses that Durango has had over the years. The course will include some sweet singletrack with unbelievable panoramas – but don’t take your eyes of the course or you’ll be part of the panorama. The course also course travels through the finish venue twice before the finish so there will be plenty of opportunity for spectation.

Q: What are your time predictions for top man and woman finishers? How about the last people? A: I am thinking it’ll be just under 2 hours for the fast guy and probably around 2:20 for the fastest gal. I am hoping no one will be out there more than 4 hours

Q: Is this going to be a tough race? Can everyone finish? Is there going to be a time cutoff? A: The amount of climbing and technical sections will make it a hard race – the best all around rider will win. Yeah, everyone can finish but we will strongly suggesting that people that are heading out for the third leg after about three hours should think about how much longer they really should go.

Q: How about total miles and some elevation stats? A: As far as I can tell it is about 23 miles long with about 4K feet of climbing – the start is at 6700ft and the high point is almost 9000. All this a stones throw from downtown DGO.

Q: When was your first singlespeed race? How did you do? A: My first singlespeed race was a Hill Climb TT and it hurt bad. I got beat by some 14 year olds but the SS was probably faster than a geared bike.

Q: What is your 1×1 ride at the moment? Any component highlights? A: It is a Yeti ARC that I pretty much built (not a welder) when I worked there back in “92. It has the venerable 1 1/4” steer tube that is attached to a Carbon legged Specialized Judy form “94 (I think). The stem is too long and low, but that is all I can find. One thing that is a mental advantage is that my brake levers are from the days when they attached the shifter pods directly – so I shift all the time to make the pain seem less. 34×19 makes for a good gear most of the time and I don’t need a chain tensioner with that setup. I’d be very interested trying one of the new fangled rigs with disk brakes, suspension that does something and to not feel like I’m eating my front wheel the whole ride.

Hey

Chrome Kicks on Saturday

We just locked in some sweet kicks for saturdays Hosting Competition Finals. Check em if you want to see.

Republic of Doom

SSWC09 committe member and 1×1 superstar, Doom, will be making a handful of his find gore tex vests for sale and one to the victor of the foot down comp at friday night festivities. The photos are just a few stitches away from completion. Doom will also be fabricating a sweet secret prize for the male and female victors. You must win to be present. Republic of Doom

Ship Your Steed

Click on the link to the right to get to the info

These Guys are Coming

Calling All 2010 Potential Promoters

We are doing some wierd stuff and we need to know ahead of time who wants to host 2010. Please email chad@durangodevo.com if you are thinking of having a crazy busy 2010. Remember it has to land outside the US. Canada, Italy and Budapest so far. You must be at the friday night prelim host comp if you want it. No clues are present at this time.

Raequel the Housing Coordinator, the Interview

Cruising Tough

Q: Your husband is in the race, what is it with these singlespeeds, what’s

the big deal?

 A: For me, riding without training wheels is a big deal… I feel like an

idiot. I ride a 3 speed. Honestly, I don’t know what the big deal is, but I

am ready to find out. BRING IT ON!!! 

 

Q: So housing, what is the scoop thus far? Is there much host housing

available at the moment?

 A: I have few a sweet spots here and there. If you haven’t booked

accommodations yet, email me.  Groups are difficult to place, unless they

are willing to stay super far away, like Bobby’s creepy camping compound. I

have a nice guest house for 2 in town that still available for the right

lucky riders. 

 

Q: Are the dorms sweet or what? Why are they so cheep?

A:OMG, I totally want to get down in the dorms. It’s like a dream/ flashback

come true. The dorms are located in town. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!

School will be in session. FRESHMEN RULE!! It’s a chance to party all night,

wake up and not go to class, just in case you missed that opportunity. 

 

Q: What is the camping situation in Durango? Can you car camp without

getting hassled?

A:Camping in Durango proper is limited. The United Campground is a few miles

from the river trail, a bike path to town, and then a few more miles to get

to the race course. It’s an easy ride. It’s a nice facility, with a pool and

old people in RV’s. Yay shuffleboard!  You can also camp at Junction Creek-

that’s 4 miles from town. CottonWood Campground & RV park, 970-247-1977, is

located in town. Great location, but honestly, I know nothing about them.  I

have a few willing hosts that will let people camp in their yards, but I am

not so sure you can make a fire.  Bobby, a local racer and totally hot babe,

has plenty of camping on his creepy land miles, but its miles from town. 

 

Q: What are the best hotels to look into? Where would you stay if you were

traveling to town for the big race?

A: Since I gave up smoking crack, I can no longer recommend Spanish Trails.

If you want to drop $200+ per night, I recommend the Strater in the heart of

downtown. It’s close to my favorite 5 Star restaurants and has running

water. More reasonable accommodations, that include light breakfast are the

Comfort Inn & the Best Western. There is also the new hostel. It’s even

cheaper than the dorm  and also a great location.

http://www.durangohometownhostel.com Most any hotel on north main is great. If you

have a question about a property, feel free to email me prior to booking. 

 

Q: Can you give us some contact info for those looking to ask questions? And

that booking company, what about them?

A: My email is Raequel@durango.net or sswc09lodging@durango.net I will be

happy to answer your questions about hotels, hook you up with the dorm

experience or try to find you a host. Gateway Reservation is another great

resource. Gateway is a reservation service affiliated with the Chamber of

Commerce. Gateway can look for availability and rates of most local hotels &

It’s free. Call 800-409-7295 or http://www.gatewayreservations.com/

Volunteer Action is wepile@frontier.net

Please get ahold of Mr. Bill Pile if you are interested in helping out for SSWC09. His email is wepile@frontier.net and his number is 1-800-rad-dude. We still need a solid crew to help us, so get in touch and let Bill know if you want in. We are also asking for groups to manage sections on the course and have a good time. We need, drummers for the climbs, hula girls and guys for the open flats, and other random sweet things like that. If you have any ideas, lettuce know.

SSIT09 Clashes with SSWC09

The Italian singlespeed championships have been causing us some grief. It appears they’ve double booked the world championships in Durango on Sept 19th. We are pissed and need more time to sort this problem out.

The evil SSIT09 promoter, Drago Duilino

There Are Shuttles to be Had

 

unloading

The week of the big race, be sure to check out the shuttle action offered by Hermosa Tours. We choose our 2 favorite sweet downhill rides and they are  delivering. Its 10 bones a person for the Champions Venture and 20 for Blackhawk Down.

 

spots

Wednesday 16

3:00pm Hermosa Tours Shuttle, Champion Down, 25 spots approx 4 hour ride chillin

4:15pm Hermosa Tours Shuttle, Champion Down, 25 spots

Thursday September 17th

8:00am Hermosa Tours Shuttle, Blackhawk-Hermosa, 25 spots 5 hour ride average

3:00pm Hermosa Tours Shuttle, Champion Down, 25 spots

4:15pm Hermosa Tours Shuttle, Champion Down, 25 spots

Friday September 18th

8:00am Hermosa Tours Shuttle, Champion Down, 25 spots

9:15am Hermosa Tours Shuttle, Champion Down, 25 spots

 

1. Colorado Trail/Champion Venture Start – Approximately 20 miles.  Lots and lots of downhill with a 3.5 mile uphill on the final stretch of the Colorado Trail.
2. Blackhawk Pass – Approximately 15 miles.  Very up and down high country XC ride to Blackhawk Pass with an amazing descent back to the shuttle vans.
   

 Hermosa Tours Info:

 Phone: 877-765-5682
 email: info@hermosatours.net

Friday Film Fest Fancelled

Yep its true. What was originally planned as a friday night BBQ/film fest/prelim host comp at the downtown Smiley Building has been cancelled. It began as an idea of spreading the passion of the bike and ended in silly insurance and liability stuff. Very important, but not what we were looking for. So we have battled back and created an even more sswc-like event for friday night. At registration on friday, downtown, you will receive a map to ride to a top secret party location where we will supply beer and dinner for a small price. Several of our favorite eats in town will be set up to slang their goods. Its surrounded by sweet singletrack and this is where the preliminary hosting competition will be announced. All those wishing to host 2010 must be present. mag copy  updated schedule

Its Getting Hot in Here

 

working hard on this thing

BSNY and Outside

Bike Snob New York guy wrote a piece on last years version of SSWC in the latest Outside magazine. Check it here. Rumor has it that the top secret word master will be in Durango this september to race the race. His identity will be highly guarded during the event, so don’t ask.

Neds Bike

 

Ned's bike

Bike Polo September Sunday 20tits

 

its in the bag

By now you have learned that the Tour of Durango has been cancelled for the sunday following the big sswc09 race. We are all bummed, but we have moved on and made an even cooler day out of the cancellation. A bike polo tourney will take place. Not hardcourt polo my friends, but real grass bike polo. Three games on one in town field will see action beginning at 10am. A grand final 4 will take place downtown at 2pm to crown the champion. We will supply around 300 mallets, so bring your own if possible.

Trailwork on Wednesday

Show up at this certain spot around a certain time and you could possibly get clues on the course. The local trail wackers, Trails 2000 will be doing work on a certain section of the course. 4pm wednesday.