Make Good in 2018 - Yawp! Cyclery's Ambition Tradition

I once thought of New Year's Resolutions as foolish; I believed that one should constantly strive for self-improvement, and that if one wanted to change something about one's life, the date on the calendar was superfluous. While I still agree with that, it's becoming more the case as I age that I'm often overwhelmed with the mundane and forget to ask myself important questions about self-improvement. New Year's is a fine reminder to do so. Additionally, with the way that time has accelerated these last few years, New Year's comes around about every four months, so trying to make resolutions in between New Years' Eves would tax a person unreasonably.

For most of us, our cycling goals are some of the least important goals we might have. You may want to make peace with a relative, change careers, or any number of really important things. Do those. But also make a cycling goal.

Last year we posted a blog called Cycling Goals are Trivial; Try Setting One Anyway. I can only speak for myself, but I suspect this holds true for some of the other people who participated in last year's Goal Program: my goal turned out to be more difficult than I imagined, took me to places I didn't necessarily want to be, and yet even if I hadn't completed my goal I'd be pretty glad I tried (if you're so inclined, there are blog posts about said efforts here and here). While my goal in itself was trivial, the experiences it produced meant a lot to me. I made some good friends because of an arbitrary goal--what a wonderful thing. (It wasn't all great--I also drank a lot of nasty water:)

Like me, you may find goal-setting to be exhausting and obnoxious. If you're thinking this Program is not for you, remember these two things: 1. Why make a bunch of spur-of-the-moment bad decisions when you could make your bad decisions in advance?

2. There will be prizes for anyone who meets their goal.

The folks who set goals for 2017 really blew me away. They aimed high, and if they did not hit their targets it wasn't for lack of effort. Thanks to all who participated, and congratulations to those of you who met your goals. 

If you aren't sure what kind of goal you want to set, here are a few examples:

-Commute to work by bike one day per week, every week.

-Ride 7,000 miles in a year.

-Thin out the stable and only ride one bike in 2018.

-Ride 1,000 miles on dirt.

-Bikepack for one weekend.

-Bikepack the Colorado Trail.

-Finish a 50-mile event.

-Ride a hundo every month.

-Clean everything at Dakota Ridge.

Guidelines

Challenge yourself. If commuting to work will not be a challenge, set a different goal.

Buying a new bike, getting your touring rig all situated, or finally getting your brakes dialed are all good goals, but they don't count toward this program. Your goal must have to do with riding.

Set as many goals as you like; only one prize per participant.

You have until January 31st to submit your goal.

To sign up, just fill out the form below. This year, we'll be sharing everyone's goals publicly in the beginning of February so that we as a community can support one another in the pursuit of these goals.

The Adventures of Levi and the Wrong Forms of Transportation

As a teenager, I had a Toys-R-Us (soon to be Toys-Were-Us) mountain bike that I enjoyed riding through the woods and down flights of stairs. It weighed as much as--but didn't handle as well as--a tank, and it sounded like a sack full of silverware tumbling downhill. In college, I liked the idea of selling my car and getting around on two wheels. The notion made me feel tough and "urban," whatever that means, but in reality I rarely rode my bike anywhere.

There was a marked turning point where a bicycle changed my life dramatically, and set in motion the events that led to the formation of this bike shop. In 2005 I was working at a bookstore, to which I daily rode the bus. It was crowded, rude, inhospitable to reading, time-consuming, and supremely unpleasant. My birthday falls near Christmas, and in the winter of 2005 my wife talked my family and her family into pooling efforts and purchasing a bicycle for me. I started commuting to work, and that quickly became my favorite part of the day. I soon thereafter started working in a bike shop and, well, here we are.

I'm writing about this because I recently rediscovered the booklet that my wife made for to announce the gift, and I'd like to share it with you. 

Obviously she knows me better than I know myself. Thanks, Rebecca.

And if you are happy that our bike shop exists, you can thank her, too.

Yawp! Cyclery's 2017 Gift Guide

Want to get a gift for a friend or family member who rides a bike but don't know where to start? Here are a few things that we Yawpers have tried and loved. 

Bags of all kinds

By fastening a bag to your bike, you can carry more stuff. When you carry more stuff, you can ride farther. Every time you ride farther, a reindeer gets its antlers. We are fortunate to stock bags from two fantastic Colorado companies. J.Paks and Oveja Negra produce high quality goods and are exactly the kind of people you'd want to support. My Oveja Negra Chuck Bucket turned into a catch-all necessity on this particular day when I could not have manipulated a zipper with my frozen fingers even if there had been an enchilada plate behind it. My J.Paks frame bags are not just bikepacking essentials; mountain biking without a hydration pack is the best! No matter the kind of riding or type of bike, all riders are happier without stuff in their pockets or on their backs. Every time you ride without a hydration pack, a beer can gets its koozie. 

Bags of all kinds: $45-170

 

Surly's Petite Porteur House Bag

Just the right size for an all-day ride or part of an overnight kit, the Petite Porteur House fits on Surly's 8-Pack front rack. There are plenty of small pockets for valuables, and replaceable waterproof liners for each pocket. The donut capacity of the large compartment is 12-18, depending on the shape of the box where you buy your donuts. 18 beers? No problem. 

The regular Portuer House is also great, but it is huge. If you need to haul your hockey gear or upwards of 40 donuts, that's the bag for you.

8-pack Rack: $100 (black or silver)

Petite Porteur House: $100

Porteur House: $150

Dynamo lighting

This gift involves a lot of pieces, but is totally worth it. You can always give someone just a part of this gift, forcing them to buy the rest. They'll thank you later. The complete setup consists of the dynamo headlight, the generator hub, and the optional taillight. 

Dynamo lighting is great for anyone who falls into one of these categories: they commute daily in the dark; they are tired of losing lights to theft or otherwise; they forget to charge their lights; they remember to charge their lights but leave them plugged into the wall; they sometimes don't plan to stay out late but then have a few unplanned beers and have to find their way home in the dark. Every time you find your way home in the dark after a few unplanned beers, Gary Busey falls up a flight of stairs. 

 

silipint

It's silicone, so you can microwave it, dishwash it, freeze it, grill it, bake it, crush it, pack it, squeeze it, throw it, drop it, and it will be fine. 

Once, Gary Busey fell up a flight of stairs with a Silipint and it was fine.

Silipint: $12

Neck tat

 

flat bar cross check

For only $875, this flat bar Cross Check is one of the best commuter and city bikes you can find. It's so great, you'll have friends no matter where you go.

merino wool helmet liner

Everyone should keep one of these in their backpack all year. It's light enough that you'll never know it's there, but it'll save you from frostbite when you have to find your way home in the dark after a few unplanned beers. It's one of the best pieces of clothing you can own.

Merino Beanie: $26

hip pack from north st. bags

They're called hip packs, but don't let The Man tell you where to wear them. 

Hip (or wherever) Packs: $49-69

Knog oi bell 

Not only is the Oi bell sleek and compatible with either road or mountain bars, but it's also directional. That means it's louder when you're in front of it than beside or behind it. Neat! 

Oi: $20

 

civia venue

The Venue is a great bike for getting around town. Eight speeds, lightweight, sturdy, and $479.

fix it sticks

This multi-tool is good for so many reasons. It can access bolts that are difficult to reach. The bits are replaceable (and thus you can add or remove bits so the tool is customized to your bike). There are no moving parts to break. Plus, every time you fix a thing, Gary Busey un-makes a movie (but not Lost Highway).

helmet

No matter who you're shopping for, it's almost certain that they appreciate the joys of complete thoughts and fine motor control. Helmets decay in UV radiation, so if a helmet is more than a few years old or has ever been dropped, it should be replaced. Kali helmets will keep your loved ones safe and looking good. Plus, every time you crack a helmet and not your skull, Oprah gets a neck tat.

Helmets: $49-100

Blingle Speed

If you're only going to have one gear, it had better look good. They're also incredibly light and surprisingly durable. 

Endless bikes is owned by a woman and the cogs are made right here in the USA. They come in all sizes and in so many colors.

Endless cogs: $50

paper for staying found by Singletrack maps

Ever had four people crowding around the screen of a Garmin? If so, you might prefer this groundbreaking new technology. It never runs out of battery, never breaks during a crash, and never has connection issues. You can spill stuff on it, drop it in the river, find the nearest water source, and fold it into the shape of a swan. Every time you consult a paper map, a cyborg decides not to kill a human.

Sweet bloom coffee

Yeah, this appears on our gift guide every year, but it deserves to.

Sweet Bloom Coffee: $17ish

socks

Need a gift for someone with feet? 

Nifty Socks: $13-20

This strider comes with pedals

Strider bikes have been helping kids learn to shred for years now. The new 14x model comes with a pedal kit, so once your child has mastered the balance bike, you can install the cranks and chain (included) so that this is both their first and second bike. 

14x: $209

 

This salsa comes without pedals or anything else

What's holiday shopping if you don't get a little something for yourself. 

Ti Timberjack Frame: Get ready for this: $2,399.

The Yawp! Company in Winter Park, Aspen, and Salida

The Yawp! Company has been going places and doing things--so many places and so many things, in fact, that there hasn't been much time to blog about said places and things. That means you're in for more photos than words, which is likely for the best.

We went to Winter Park in June, where the 30-mile Tipperary Creek loop somehow became 40 and where a long descent back to camp was mostly uphill. It was a gorgeous day, though, and we had the trails to ourselves. 

We saw a moose along way, but in all of my photographs the moose is indistinguishable from the foliage. You'll just have to imagine a moose in all of its awkward and deranged glory schlomping about in the swamp willows. Here are a few humans schlomping about in the damp, spring forest:

In July we went to Aspen. It was hot.

Are you the kind of person who's easily confused by trail names? You'd better hope you're not if you're riding in Aspen. Highline, Lowline, Butterline, Viewline, Skyline. We rode a 20-mile loop that was quite pleasant (but hot) and made totally worthwhile by the descents down Deadline, Airline, and Youhavetobekiddingmeline.

That afternoon, when temperatures became oppressive, we decided to climb a steep and exposed fire road. I can't recall a more unpleasant climb. We did, at least, get to sit on bench and look out at one of those landscapes that a photograph can't quite represent. 

That was followed by miles of riding a trench that was six inches across and six inches deep. It was just like shooting whomp rats back home. 

That was followed by a little beer.

In August we went west of Monarch Pass to ride Canyon Creek and Agate Creek. Canyon Creek was really hard.

You can see more stars from Snowblind Campground than pretty much anywhere else in the state. It's really magnificent. It would take less time to count the spots of darkness amongst the stars than the stars themselves.

Photo: Cullen Mahaffey

From Snowblind Campground the fire road climbs for 9-miles and 3600 feet. 

It's hard to tell from this perspective just how menacingly steep some sections are. 

There was a graveyard halfway up. Read as far into that as you want.

This was the last time for two days that we had dry feet:

Photo: Cullen Mahaffey

When the singletrack starts, the good news is that the terrible fire road climb is over. The bad news is that it's time to shoulder your bike and heft it up this mountain. It takes about 45 minutes. 

Photo: Cullen Mahaffey

Photo: Ian Murphy

Photo: Steve Kirshner

Photo: Steve Kirshner

The reward is worth it, though. The 12-mile descent is one of Colorado's finest. 

On the following day, we rode the Agate Creek descent off of Monarch Pass. It was also splendid. In fact, it may be my favorite way to get down from the top of that mountain. 

We crossed Agate Creek roughly six thousand times, and each crossing was slightly less ridable than the last (in the best possible way).

In October, we went to Grand Junction, but I can't blog about that now or it would be more or less on time, and we can't have that.

Spinning in Circles by Nathan Elder

At the beginning of the year, we challenged you to set a cycling goal even though cycling goals are trivial. We know that many of you who set goals have pursued them seriously. Even if you haven't been able to meet the goal you set, we are really impressed with your efforts.

Nathan Elder met his goal and was kind enough to write about it. All of the photos, words, and adventures below are his. Enjoy!

I emailed my goal to Yawp rather quickly last December and promptly neglected my goal. Mostly because emails are not real. Have you ever touched one? Didn’t think so. 

Late January was marked the joining of Strava and purchase of a new bike, both seeming essential to the goal.  With new bike excitement, the miles seemed racked up and felt easy.  Riding was further aided by global warming and the second warmest February on record.

But soon the new bike smell would fade and despite the warmest March on record for Colorado, the application of energy toward my goal decreased.  An apartment move provided another excuse cease toiling, and increase pizza/beer intake. 

Work picks up in April and May with the annual thawing of snowpack and flowing of rivers. Weekends fill up with work and excuses piled up. I began to think of my goal as an unreal email. I think it was actually an online form, which is even less real. 

Then June hit. Shit. I verbally articulated the goal to several people in the hopes it would motivate me. I rode a little bit, and conned others into riding Belcher Hill with me. Telling them it would be fun all the while using the hardest climb nearby as “training.” Still not feeling prepared as the month turned to July.

A few weeks before I embarked on my goal, I went on the Yawp/SloHi bikepacking trip. I found myself struggling near the back of the pack and hearing the inner voices telling me to give up on my goal.

And then I found myself in a dark place, literally. For the first time publicly, I admit that I took spin classes. Not just any spin classes, the kind where they turn the lights out, light candles and blare EDM music.  I sweated a lot. Wool was a bad choice for indoors. I contemplated what situation I could possibly find myself in where I need to spin mountain bike cranks at 110 RPM. I cannot feel the beat and cycle to the rhythm. But I had decided that I was going to accomplish my goal via any odd detour necessary.   

The day I as dropped off the side of highway 50, as soon as the sticky rubber gripped the pins of my pedals, all that was left to do was pedal and push. The two things I should have been doing all along. 

During the trip I had one weak moment. After eating real food and seeing semi-civilization for the first time in a few days and sitting out another rainstorm, I knew I was just a $17 hostel stay and $75 train ride from being dry and comfortable. The rain cleared, the sun came out and I pedaled on, finishing a few days ahead of schedule.

Push. Pedal. And achieve your goal. And prizes. Don’t forget the prizes. Levi promised them.*

*Editor's note: Yes, we did promise all of you prizes for completing your goals, but many of you attempted to meet such incredible goals that our prizes are going to seem chintzy and anticlimactic. Sure, we could've told you earlier, but where's the fun in that?