Relive the first race of the series in pictures...

This message is here to let you know that the Champion sizing kit arrived today. I haven't opened it yet, but if they sent everything I ordered, there's a size run in 2 styles of jerseys (race cut, not race cut) and sizes of shorts.

Get in touch with me to stop by and start a fashion show for me and Charlotte.

We're getting close to ordering the new jerseys, shorts, and etc.  Here's the latest design.  Still time for some tweaks, so more comments are appreciated.

Report from day 1 of BCR Training camp in Tucson, Arizona.

(For clarification, it's just me down here. But I wore my orange today - really - so it counts, in my opinion)

85 degrees. Sun. I rode with NV/FCCC rider Jesse Rients today for a few hours, easy/tempo. Nothing too strenous - it's never a good idea to go overboard right away after a sudden climate change. I'm thinking tomorrow might be a first attempt at (at least part of) Mt. Lemmon. Rumor has it that some pro's have been floating in and out of town so I'll let y'all know if I come across anyone.

Next year - one of you guys should come down here with me. You won't regret it.

I was actually at the Chilly Chili Ice Race - really! Although it was hard to tell as I was off the back almost immediately from the gun.  I do have evidence of being in the race courtesy of this picture by "Lunatic Biker" Ray  (www.lunaticbiker.blogspot.com). I lined up to do the 'A' race as the only guy with a cyclocross bike with somewhat worn down and rusty cheapo commuter studded tires, and quickly realized I was in trouble.  After 5 laps of very gingerly navigating the glare ice turns, and pushing the bike up the hill and through deeper snow off of the lake, and having at least 3 spectacular wipeouts, I somehow managed to not finish in last place.  Good times, and even scored some good shwag.   This is always a fun event!

Bent Crank Racing is looking to grow its numbers and you’re invited to join us!   BCR is a small, local team that was started in 2001 to be different from other teams in the metro. We may not have large corporate sponsors to offer you free stuff, but we do have cow bells. While we may not have a team vehicle, we have a small number of people willing to give water handouts. We like to think we’re different in that we’re more fun than your other options and we like to give back to the community. The majority of our members are MORC members and each year we host a time trial to raise funds for MORC. As a member you’ll have unrestricted access to any events we offer up, which could be anything from barbeques, team rides, or game night. Several members also drive MINIs and I bet you could get a go-kart ride anytime. Occasionally we come across some deals on bike-related goodies and that gets passed along to team members. We’re looking to offer a fun atmosphere focused on friends, beer and fun. We’ll have team rides throughout the metro as well as some form of support for racers that wish to participate in the MNSCS. For those not interested in racing, the beer and game nights are well worth the price of admission. Here are some of our goals for 2008: Increase members More team rides Bring the BCR newsletter back Our own race videos Leb TT Volunteer at local races – cx, Thursday night races, etc. MORC trail work Group parties Regular visits to Pro-Kart Repair clinics It all comes down to riding and friends. Everyone on BCR likes to ride, whether it is road, mountain, cx, double-deckers or unicycles. We also like hanging out and having a good time. We welcome all sorts of skill levels and riding styles and hope you’ll give us a thought. If you have questions about us or would like to pull the trigger and hang out with us give me holler and I’ll help ya out. There’s no contract if you decide to join. We just ask that you grab a jersey and wear it proud (and not while blowing through stop signs). Thanks! Grizzly Adam  aemanoff@gmail.com

The MNSCS has their 2008 calendar out (tentatively) and it's something we'll be participating in again. We also created a list of the races on a Google Calendar so you can get info and reminders easily. Click the button to check it out. From the MNSCS site 2008 Race Schedules The 2008 MNSCS race schedule has been established.  Get ready for a great season! You will note some changes from 2007. Steeple - Chase will not be in the schedule in 2008 as the ski area is up for sale. Added to the schedule is the White Tail Ridge race on August 24. This will be a joint MNSCS – WORS race and booked as a "Border Battle". We worked with WORS to reduce race conflicts as much as possible.  5/11/2008 Erik's Spring Cup, Inver Grove Heights, MN  6/8/2008 Afton Avalanch, Hastings, MN  6/22/2008 Dirt Spanker, MT Du Lac, Duluth,MN 6/29/2008 Bluff Riders Charge - Mt Kato, Mankato, MN  7/20/2008 Memorial Classic, Red Wing, MN  7/27/2008 Powder Monkey, Spirit Mountain, Duluth, MN  8/10/2008 Welch MTB Jam, Welch, MN  8/24/2008 White Tail Ridge - River Falls, WI MNSCS/WORS Border Battle 8/31/2008 Laddies Loppet Stage Race, Callaway, MN  9/20/2008 Revolution's Single - Track Escape, St Cloud, MN Welcome to the 2008 MNSCS Another exciting year of mountain bike racing is in the works!  We welcome  the 10 fabulous events scheduled for 2008.  Look for more details here as we progress into the Spring!