July 24th 2010, 30 brave souls, some of whom raced last year, some who were new- came to test their legs and try their luck at what is a difficult race indeed.  By one rider’s GPS, it consists of 3000 feet of elevation gain over the 44 mile course.  This was the second annual Tour de Watertower, longer than last year, and with much hotter weather (last year it rained and hailed.)  After working through the paperwork, we’ve got some results.

The top riders came in with great times

1st place:  Mens: 2 hours 27 minutes, 34 seconds:  Evan “DJ Stroky”:

2nd place Mens: 2 hours 39 minutes, 48 seconds: Charlie O.

3rd place Mens: 2 hours 43 minutes, 24 seconds: Max S.

1st place Womens: 3 hours 27 minutes:  Jessica W.

DFL (also 1st fendered bike): 4 hours 36 minutes:  Professor Dave

Times are listed below.

Thanks to Zac at Cascade Bicycle Studio for hosting the event at his shop, where we screened the Tour de France before and after the race as well as the prizes that he donated.  A “Job well done” to all that attempted, and especially those who completed this difficult course.  We hope to see you back next year!  Also a big thank you to the volunteers that were at the checkpoints, keeping track of times and riders.

The third annual Resurrection Race was a huge success thanks to the 64 racers that came out despite threat of rain, the volunteers that worked checkpoints and the sponsors that provided prizes that sweetened the pot. The afterparty was a happy time, being covered and well stocked with nearly 300 cans of liquid ambition, as well as firewood that was quickly put to use.

A race that at it’s shortest totaled near 22 miles and for some was much longer- the checkpoints each had their own activity, some of which were reminiscent of previous Resurrections. Dimitrius was in the mix for a photo opportunity, we shared communion, we brought food to the poor (the 45 cans of food will be donated to the Women’s Shelter), racers were betrayed by Judas Bubba…. if you didn’t race, you missed out and you should plan on making it next year. Rain or shine, we’ll be there. Easter Saturday.

64 racers, the largest turnout that we’ve had for the Resurrection- with 11 women racing. Checkpoints closed at 5:30, leaving many people with incomplete manifests. Even so, all that raced were warmed by the fire and sated with the pile of beer while they shared stories of their route choices, mechanical mishaps, and adventures they had during the race. There were lots of new faces, which is always great and I hope that this is a sign of things to come for Seattle’s bike summer.

All that raced are really winners, but the people that took home prizes are the ones we’ll focus on here. Felix took first place coming in looking like his head was going to explode. Trevor came in right behind. Coomer came in third, just a few minutes behind them. Jessica was the first female. You’ll see Felix rocking the bag that Seagull donated and Trevor will be sporting a new paint job from Responsible Johns De-Luxe Powdercoating. Kristen came in DFL, and walked away with a prize that will be talked about for a while. Responsible Johns, to show an example of the work that is done in his shop, powdercoated a 1.75L flask that was provided by The Kids Are All Wrecked. The flask was then filled with Royal Gentelman whiskey. Kristen may find that it was easier to finish the race that it will be to finish the flask of Royal Gentleman.

Here is the rundown of racers with completed manifests and their times.

1. Felix N #62 1hr 48m
2. Trevor #43 1hr 48m
3. Coomer #4 1hr 55m
4. Beers #35 1hr 58m
5. Mike D. #39 2hr 5m
6. Zach W. #16 2hr 5m
7. Randy H. #34 2hr 5m
8. Geoff C. #29 2hr 6m
9. Robin L. #44 2hr 8m
10. Evan S. #7 2hr 12m
11. Fred #14 2hr 12m
12. Jason M. #33 2hr 12m
13. Sipple #32 2hr 13m
14. Louis 10 2hr 17m
15. Dustin #36 2hr 20m
16. Ross #15 2hr 2om
17. Andre #37 2hr 20m
18. Alex W. #48 2hr 21m
19. Chase W. #47 2hr 22m
20. Sean #52 2hr 23m
21. Jessica W. #19 2hr 23m
22. Bryan M. #6 2hr 28
23. Jason K. #30 2hr 29m
24. Ted #9 2hr 31m
25. Rae #49 2hr 34m
26. Jamaal #2 2hr 34m
27. Chris #59 2hr 36m
28. Daryl #8 2hr 37m
29. Chris #38 2hr 37m
30. Margaret #63 2hr 38m
31. Jack #50 2hr 42m
32. Vincent #51 2hr 42m
33. Aaron #18 2hr 45m
34. Geoff #46 2hr 48m
35. Alex C. #18 2hr 50m
36. Elliot #24 2hr 50m
37. Russell #23 2hr 50m
38. Tittlefitz #53 3hr 3m
39. Robin N. #13 3hr 4m
40. Monica #41 3hr 19m
41. Kristen #22 3hr 20m

Seagull Bags | Recycled Cycles | Responsible Jon’s Deluxe Powdercoating | Alki Beach Tattoo
Lighthouse Roasters | ZLOG | The Kids Are all Wrecked | Go Means Go | Urban Velo

If you took any photos, please attach a link in the comment section to them, we will be uploading some to Flickr soon.

If you had a good time with this race, stay tuned for more. You can check the calendar for upcoming events as well. For now, you can save the date: May 8th, 2010. Another race coming up- details announced soon. Also- June 19th at 9pm, the 9 to 5 Summer Solstice Scavenger Hunt kicks off and you don’t want to miss it.

As Seattle spent the weekend taking part in rides, alleycats, and roller races- Portland bikers were tearing each other limb from limb at Mini Bike Winter.

Here is a little edit from the Chariot Wars- Congratulations to Jake Ryder from Zoobomb- Chariot war champ 2 years running. I’m not sure of his drivers name. I think the fella at the end sums it up best “ROCK N’ ROLL”

You’ve been waiting for it, watching the Flickr group grow- and now it’s time to announce the talented winners of the Dark Days photo contest. There were some really great images submitted, and Tom from Bikejuju and I had a hard time selecting the winners we did. A huge thanks goes out to Bikeglow and Planet Bike in their support of this contest- lights are always perfect prizes!

The winner of the Planet Bike winter commuter package

Selected by the staff at Planet Bike: Mark Magnussun. For his photo Düsseldorf Winter Landscape Mark wins a set of Cascadia fenders, a mini pump, a Blaze 2W or Blaze Dynamo headlight, a SuperFlash rear light, and a saddle bag with tire levers and patch kit.   Great job Mark!

Best Overall Image

As I said before, picking our favorites was very difficult.  There was such a diverse bunch to pull from, and photos by people from many cycling camps were submitted.

Though we couldn’t agree on our one favorite overall- we both felt that Tim Kainu did a great job with all the photos he submitted.  Tim will ride away with a nice prize package worth over $100 – a Bikeglow unit, a Planet Bike Blaze 2 watt LED headlight, and a Planet Bike Superflash Stealth rear blinkie light.

Best Northwest Image

Robin (Ray Tracing) is a talented individual all around.  He is a great writer, and his photography is splendid.  He did a great job on all of his photos, and we chose this one of the lovely Caroline with Seattle’s downtown as a backdrop.  Robin will also take home a full prize package – a Bikeglow unit, a Planet Bike Blaze 2 watt LED headlight, and a Planet Bike Superflash Stealth rear blinkie light.

Most Creative image

This one was difficult.  Being the Dark Days photo contest, lights became a brush for some, and a canvas for others.  After some discussion, Tom and I decided that one of the earlier entries, by Twin Cities Brightest should be awarded a Bikeglow unit, a Planet Bike Blaze 2 watt LED headlight, and a Planet Bike Superflash Stealth rear blinkie light.  It still blows my mind a little when I look at it.

Thanks to the fine sponsors, we had more lights than those awarded to the winners listed above.  Here are a few more of our favorites, which will go home with stuff as well, so you should get in touch with us!

There were lots of “in motion on the street” shots submitted, of those we chose this ghostly commuter image from Ken Kraft as the winner of a Planet Bike Spok micro blinkie.

Sweendo gets a Planet Bike Superflash Stealth for his creative Northwest submissions that were close runners up in several categories.

DPJ gets a Planet Bike Spok micro blinkie for the great images submitted.

If Flickr user Carol Torres in Sao Paolo can come up with a USA address for me to mail it to, she can get a Planet Bike Spok micro blinkie for her photo from Amsterdam.

And finally, because we ran out of prizes long before we ran out of great photos, Flickr user Cosmicmotionstudios gets our last Planet Bike Spok micro blinkie.

Thanks again to everyone who participated! Your photos are all amazing.

Winners: Tom is trying to reach you, but if you see this first, email juju@bikejuju.com with your mailing address (US or Canada only.)

If you are Tim, Ray or TCB, state your order of preference for a blue, red or white Bikeglow unit, and for a black or white Planet Bike Blaze. First folks to express a preference will get priority, and we’ll give up on contacting all winners by late January and give any leftover prizes away in future contests.

The Bicycle Film Festival just swept through Seattle in it’s first visit here, and was a great success. The diversity of those that attended speaks volumes as to the diversity of Seattle’s bicycle community. Commuters, messengers, racers, randonneurs, bmx riders, polo players, bicycle historians, and weekend warriors came out to share in movies made from these camps, as well as others. It was really great to see all the people there, and the valet bike racks were full of 75+ bikes most of the time.

Friday Night brought the much anticipated Seattle premiere of “Where are you go”, and all that attended left with a strong feeling to, as one moviegoer put it-

“Do something epic.”

After Friday’s programs, the crowd picked up their bikes from the valet bike parking attendants (Thanks to Cascade Bicycle Club for supplying the bike parking racks), went to Flowers and packed the house to take part in Goldsprints. Many people hadn’t seen this bar room roller coaster, and once we got the wheels rolling people that were hesitant before had grins from ear to ear, and signed up to spin their legs faster than they’ve gone before. $3 42BELOW vodka specials kept people refreshed, and the shouting from the crowd kept their legs spinning fast.

Saturday was packed with movies, the first program starting at 1pm (a repeat of “Where are you go”), and finishing up at 11pm. The “Urban Bike Shorts” program consists of 14 short films, and encompasses more of the gritty films of the festival. Films that had people on the edge of their seats watching an alley cat race, or laughing at news reporters, or bobbing their heads to the sounds of the “Scraper Bike King”. The BFF team alley cat wore out the racers, not only because it was a race of over 30 miles, but the weather was quite warm… maybe a little too warm. The winning team walked away with $100, so they were well rewarded for their efforts. After the movies, we went back to Flowers for more party time, where we closed the bar with some good music, and made some good memories.

Also a big thank you goes to the volunteers that helped make the BFF go well. Many volunteers are needed for an event like the BFF. Ticket takers, the box office, the merchandise table, alley cat checkpoints, A/V techs, BFF promotion/street team, and valet bike parking (9 years, and never a bike stolen!) The BFF is largely volunteer run, and through the help and support of the local cycling community, it will continue to bring this broad range of movies to cities around the world. It’s through the efforts of these folks that events like the BFF run smoothly, and next year, we’ll be doing it all again.

Thanks to Chris, and Ortlieb USA for taking care of the volunteers as well. I hope you liked Road to Roubaix Chris!

If you have any photos of the Film Festival, please put keywords such as “BFF Seattle”, and post a link in the comments section. Thanks!

9/11 Sprints Results

Men’s Bracket

1. Pavel C 23.443
2. Patrick M 24.799
3. Kevin K. 25.756

Women’s Bracket

1. Ali M 30.779
2. Monica G 32.021

9/12 BFF Race results:

1. Daniel V and Ponch
2. Tall Bryan and Felix
3. Pavel and Kevin K

This event concludes the final sprints that GO MEANS GO has been contracted to do with 42BELOW.  There are sprints scheduled for 9/11 at Flowers Bar, following the Bicycle Film Festival’s opening night.  Thank you for supporting these events, and stay tuned for information about the return of Emerald Sprints this fall and winter.

Qualifying Times

• Patrick M    24.627
• Brian G    25.977
• Chase W    26.817
• Eric C    26.905
• Matthew G    27.149
• Mike D    27.599
• Ponch    28.46
• Ryan L    28.474
• Ben B    28.893
• Kevin H    29.651
• Kerry D    29.942
• Hal    30.479
• Ali M    30.518
• Stickney    30.52
• Felix N    31.003
• Lee W    32.147
• Monica G    32.161
• Ryan W    32.175
• Kristen F    32.445
• Cody F    33.677
• Fallon S    33.977
• Anna L    34.155
• Professor Dave    34.476
• Elisa    35.368
• Melissa W    35.462
• Sylvie    37.102
• Dan    37.187
• Megan    37.343
• Sarina    41.784

Grudge Matches

Sylvie    37.102
v
Dan    37.187

Hal    30.479
v
Sylvie    33.811

Robin    27.867
v
Karl    27.795

Men’s Round Two

Patrick M    24.345
v
Chase W    26.554

Brian G    25.457
v
Eric C    27.337

Women’s Final

Kerry D    30.685
v
Ali M    30.182

Men’s Final

Patrick M    23.573
v
Brian G    25.131

Men’s Standings
1.  Patrick M
2. Brian G
3. Chase W
4. Eric C

Women’s Standings
1.  Ali M
2. Kerry D
3. Monica G
4. Kristen F

Congratulations to Washington Native Tyler Farrar in his first big victory!

Text from Velo News.

Garmin-Slipstream’s Tyler Farrar sprinted to victory in the Vattenfall Cyclassics on Sunday.

Farrar out-sped Matti Breschel (Saxo Bank) and Gerald Ciolek (Milram) to become the first American to win the 216.4km circuit race in Hamburg, Germany.

Having lost out several times on sprint stages to Columbia-HTC’s Mark Cavendish in this year’s Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, the 25-year-old Farrar said he was pleased to finally get a win under his belt.

“This season has already gone pretty well for me, although a big success had been missing, so this is really nice,” said Farrar. “After so many second places on the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, it is a great feeling to finally stand on the top of the podium as a winner.”

Sergio de Lis (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Yuriy Krivtsov (Ag2r-La Mondiale) broke away early on and built a lead of several minutes before the Garmin and Columbia-HTC teams began taking time back, the latter working for an on-form André Greipel, and 48km from the finish, the escapees had been retrieved.

The course included four ascents of the Waseberg, a short, tough climb that chipped away at the peloton, with the last ascent coming just 15km from the finish.

Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank), Nicolas Roche (Ag2r), Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) in turn tried their luck in solo moves or with a few companions, but the bunch shut these moves down, too.

Astana and Tom Boonen’s Quick Step squad led the way in the winding, dangerous finale, speeding into the city center of Hamburg. A crash with 2km to go took down a number of riders, among them Farrar’s teammate Martijn Maaskant.

But Farrar kept the rubber side down and crossed the line first, leaving the hometown crowd disappointed — a German has not won here since Erik Zabel in 2001.

“The team rode together, at the front, all day,” said Farrar. “We had some bad luck with crashes, but the boys really came through today.”

Slipstream CEO Jonathan Vaughters praised Farrar for hanging tough despite some disappointments.

“He didn’t get frustrated by so many second places, he re-focused and worked hard, and now he’ll start winning a lot more,” said Vaughters. “He’s a very strong rider — he has his first season with grand-tour experience, and now he’s reaping the benefit of that experience.”

 —Agence France Presse contributed to this report

Congratulations to all that participated in the Rose City Fix event on Saturday in Portland, OR!  A great turnout with wonderful weather and a day filled with fun on two wheels.  The organizers really did a great job of putting it together, and I feel thankful to have been a part of it.

It sounds like this is looking to be an annual event in Portland, and hopefully this event inspired some people to get out there and organize some races and events!  A HUGE thanks to Backspace, which hosted the finish to the race as well as the award ceremony, to all the sponsors;  but especially to Jacopo, owner of Dodici frames, who donated a custom Dodici frame and fork to the winner of the race.  He came over from Italy to be a part of the fun, is a great guy, and you should check out his frames!

Out of the 53 racers that started, 39 finished before the race was called 1hr 45 min later.

Race Results

1. Walton 1hr 2m
2. Kyle M 1hr 5m
3. Sharkey 1hr 5m
4. Jeremy 1hr 8m
5. Zach R 1hr 11m
6. Jib H 1hr 12m
7. Joey V 1hr 16m
8. Aubry E 1hr 16m
9. Cam 1hr 16m
10. Tall Bryan (first from Seattle) 1hr 17m
11. Jake 1hr 17m
12. Al N 1hr 17
13. Trevor P 1hr 17m
14. Charlie D 1hr 19m
15. Evan M 1hr 20m
16. Marshal 1hr 21m
17. Kyle M 1hr 21m
18. Peter T 1hr 21m
19. Miguel 1hr 22m
20. Andrew B 1hr 23m
21. Aaron McP 1hr 23m
22. Geoff 1hr 25m
23. Josh S 1hr 25
24. Danny V 1hr 29m (received a ticket)
25. Jonah R 1hr 29 (received a ticket)
26. Josiah 1hr 30m
27. Daniel M 1hr 30m
28. Brady 1hr 30m
29. Drew B 1hr 32m
30. Tommy Lee 1hr 34m
31. Topher 1hr 34m
32. Brandon N 1hr 34m
33. David G 1hr 34m
34. John Michael 1hr 38m
35. Victor P 1hr 39m
36. Benji C 1hr 41m
37. Vladimir 1hr 41m
38. Laila G 1hr 42m First Female
39. Calie 1hr 44m

Trick Contest

1. Zach R
2. Johan
3. Johnny B
4. Laila (First Female)
5. Cameron
6. Jib
7. Jake
8. Jordan
9. Sean
10. Maiki
11. Danny V
12. Felix
13. Daniel M
14. Brandon
15. Clay

Footdown

1. Sean
2. Daniel M
3. Walton
4. Jonah
5. Jib
6. Clay

Thanks again to all involved, and a big shout out to the Seattle squad, the 20+ riders that went south to support the Northwest fixed gear community, and to bring home some prizes.  The overall feeling of the event, which I hope continues; is of positivity, support, and community.  Let’s keep it going, and get some inter-city events going!  If there are any events planned in Portland, contact me, and I’ll get them on the calendar!

Qualifying times

• Edward G 30.951
• Brian G 24.846
• Koos K 28.314
• Patrick M 24.286
• Joey E 39.405
• Noah T 24.21
• Erick C 34.079
• Mark M 26.712
• Ponch 28.391
• John V 25.079
• Gwen D 40.793
• Mickey T 37.221

Round Two

• Noah T (23.618) vs. Brian G (25.095)
• John V (DNF) vs. Patrick M (24.264)

Final Round

• Noah T (23.917) vs. Patrick M (23.788)

Men’s Winner:  Patrick M

Women’s Winner:  Mickey T

Men’s qualifier

• Patrick M    23.939
• Nat    24.758
• Noah T    24.564
• Joe H    25.087
• Andrew S    25.111
• Brian G    25.125
• Brian M    25.261
• Brian/Sally    25.59
• Christiaan B    25.86
• Mike D    26.126
• Malik B    26.712
• RoB J    27
• Brian P    27.154
• Graham    27.193
• MWA    27.651
• Todd G    27.931
• Ian R     28.008
• Nadeem S    28.087
• Jonathan D    28.468
• Ryan W    28.69
• Joseph S    29.011
• Mark K    29.131
• Ryan K    29.42
• Conor H     29.951
• Scott L    30.14
• Johan H    30.301
• Alex W    30.686
• Craig M    30.738
• Reid    31.781
• Sergio    31.903
• Bob M    33.41
• Leif E    26.668
• Ken C    34.183

Women’s qualifier

• Rae Anne    26.016
• Ari S    29.907
• Katherine R    29.361
• Katherine M    30.789
• Margaret B    32.585
• Chloe B    33.096
• Molly K    33.128
• Dani N     33.421
• Samantha    34.282
• Emily J    35.265
• Danielle J    35.964

Men’s Semi Finals

Patrick M 23.662 vs. Nat P 24.264

Joe H 24.608 vs. Andrew S 26.084 (Andrew took Noah’s place, as Noah was not present)

Women’s Semi Finals

Rae Anne 25.887 vs Kathrine M 33.506

Dani N. 31.239 vs. Ari S 28.578

Katherine R 29.869 vs. Margaret B 34.622

Men’s Finals

Patrick M 24.208 vs. Nat P. 24.334

Women’s Finals

RaeAnne 28.887 vs. Ari S. 30.186