DH Bandit

2007-12-15T17:41:00.002-08:00

Well, if I had waited one more month, it would be exactly one year since I posted last...but I don't like to procrastinate. Lets cut to the chase - 2007 was phenomenal. I can't even keep track of all the events. I believe well over 30.

Here's a look back at '07 and some of my favorite photos. There's no chronological order, just what tugs at the memory. I'll try and post a new pic every day till the end of '07.

Colorado has so many amazing BMXers. Jon Chin is one of my favorites and is an inspiration to watch ride.

The cutest pug ever: Marvin

PH: Kevin Shiramizu/White Raven Productions. Hacksaw was kind and encouraging enough to let me follow him through the on-off box. I was so scared to try it and then I couldn't stop hitting it:-)

Sunset session out at 63rd...ride till ya can't see.

Road 34 Jump Jam - FTC, CO. Backyard jump jams at the base of the Colorado foothills - I'll say no more.

2007-01-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

It's been a hard winter here in Boulder. The current temperature is 18 degrees. . . fahrenheit. The landscape is primarily white with snow. When I think of more snow on the way, here's how I feel.

Seperated shoulder at Sugar Mountain, NC

Not to worry though, warmer days are ahead.

2007-01-10T21:38:00.000-08:00

I think it's pretty neat when three pieces of art are totally congruent.

1. Photography: Josh McGuckin
2. Riding: Luke - ftc, CO
3. Song Writing: "Ready to Fall" - Rise Against

I'm standing on a rooftop ready to fall
I think I'm at the edge now but I could be wrong
I'm standing on a rooftop ready to fall

Perpetual motion the image won't focus
A blur is all that's seen
But here in this moment like the eye of the storm
It all came clear to me

2006-11-27T23:38:00.000-08:00

Yep, if you haven't noticed I'ld rather be out riding than updating this blog. So here are some of my favorite pix from '06. The riding rocked all year around.

2006-05-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

No Looking Back

Team Mechanic: Andre Van Aarde

Well, let the race season begin. 5:00 this morning Gerrit Beytagh and Andre Van Aarde pulled into Boulder and left shorltly after with one more in tow, me. I'm bummed my teammate, Jo-jo, isn't here. It'll be another 2 weeks before the Mycky and Jo-jo show will start up again. However, I did have the honor of looking at all her trophies from the first NORBA National.

Jo dominated the race in Fontana taking 1st in Pro Women's downhill by 9 seconds (what?) and 2nd in 4cross. Congradultions!

I usually don't like being cooped up in a car over thousands of miles. Today, however, was different. My body is in dire need of R&R and today's travels reflected just that. For the twelve hours that we were in the truck, I was asleep for about 9 of them. My body is feeling much better and the gaping elbow wound has ceased to bleed and only occasionally oozes a clear liquid (usually at the most inopportune times).

Anyway we're crashed out right now at a Holiday Inn outside of St. Louis. I think our travels might be slightly hampered due to some fuel-injection misfunctions. Yah, we pulled into the hotel sending off some serious smoke signals. Hmmm, hot tubing, lounging, working from the lap top, might be in order for tomorrow. I'll steal the line that Andre just reluctanlty spoke into the phone, "it's all part of the fun."

2006-05-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

This has to be one of the funniest things I've seen in a while.

K-mizu Hilarity

2006-04-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Ah, the last of the classic late-spring snow is melting away and temperatures, like gas prices, are on the rise for tomorrow.

Anyway last week I saw some amazing riding go down. Where? Well, just about everywhere.

Midweek Pump Session:
LLB Style

It was really impressive to watch Steve and Lee upping the anty's every round. It went from jump-to-manuel this thing to double everything that is possible all the way around the track.

I rode away from Lee's backyard last Tuesday exhausted and inspired, dissapointed and pleased.

Precision and speed are often two very difficult things to attain. But to accurately combine both takes innumerable hours of practice.

Saturday: Airtime Madness
Local: Wilson's Woods

Props to Elliott & Shane for always stepping it up to the next big one.

Rider: Elliott Hoover

Also Gale Dahlager made a guest appearance up at Evergreen on Saturday. I can't begin to explain how good it was to ride with her. Thanks for coming out Gale!

I wish I had a picture of Gale just sailing through the line of doubles. All I have is a picture of Gale taking a picture and a sweet group picture of people witnessing the events in the picture above (hah, how many times can you put picture in a sentence). Gale and I were to busy chasing eachother through the line of doubles to worry about snapping the digi.

Saturday Night: Snap Sesh
Bangert Residence, twin lakes

Drive up through Leadville viewing a brilliant Rocky-Mountain sunset; hop out of Molly (elevation: 9200') and jump directly into a full on NBL-gate-start session which included a super smooth double into the most brilliantly crafted berm.

Those in attendance: Cole Bangert, Mik Hannah, Steve Wentz, Gale Dahlager, Neven Steinmetz, and of cource the Lasian.

Official Gate Keeper: Deryl Bangert

Rider: Cole Bangert
like the wheels?

SUNDAY: Final 4x Race in the Spring Series & Hammock Fest

It was really good to see everyone out at Darner's ranch. The coolest thing I saw that day was Neven killing it over the table and I think it wins the best-picture-of-the-post award. Check it yo's

Neven has really been stepping it up latley. Nice riding!

Something else was on my mind other than racing this past Sunday. So, I split shortly after quilifyers and went back up to Twin Lakes running solo. I spent the rest of the afternoon in a rotation of 4 different places:

Kitchen table with a variety of BBQ leftovers and Oreo Cookies
Riding the massive berms on the backyard mountain side
Dozing off in the hammock tied between two aspen trees
Practicing whips over the double into the berm

After the race, everyone came back to the Bangerts for more riding. Neven and I finished off the day on Cole's trick jump. I was the last person to finish riding that day. Neven only sat out the last five minutes though. I really didn't want to see the day end.

Precision and speed are often two very difficult things to attain. But to accurately combine both takes innumerable hours of practice.

2006-04-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Colorado Biking Secret #1

If you want to pound out run after run of uniteruppted Arbor goodness, go early in the morning when the air is still and cool and crowds are at a minimum.

2006-04-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

Evergreen, yet again, saw some righteous riding this weekend. Here are two of my favorite pictures.

Patrick Hooper Steps up to the big drop and dials it first go. Huge Props!

Classic E-dawg smoothness.

2006-04-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Book Review

Book Review: Under The Banner Of Heaven

Author: Jon Krakauer
Copyright: 2003
Non-Fiction

My Impression:
When I first put my hands on this book, I thought I would be reading a bloody anecdote of a murder upon two innocent vitoms, Brenda and Erica Lafferty. I was right. What I didn't realize is that this book takes a comprehensive look at the Mormon religion, its violent history and Fundamental roots. The book is far more than a bloody murder; it's a compelling history of our own American culture. The book was both entertaining (although not a page turner) and enlightening.

Pluses and Minuses:
+I love Krakauer's writing style. Although I had to have a dictionary by my side most of the time, I feel he chooses his words very carefully and his thoughts mesh together alomost seamlessly.

-Since it takes a good amount of energy for me to keep names, dates and locations neatly sorted out in my brian, well, this book was a little taxing in that department. Needless to say it is a history book of sorts and basic data processing is inevitable.

Quote: The last paragraph of the book holds the quintessential quote and my personal favorite, but I'll just entice you with a quote from Jon Krakauer in the Authors note.

"...those who write bout religion owe it to their readers to come clean about their own theological frame of reference. So here's mine:

I don't know what God is, or what god had in mind when the universe was set in motion. In fact, I don't know if God even exists, although I confess that I sometimes find myself praying in times of great fear, or despair , or astonishment at a display of unexpected beauty.

There are some ten thousand extant religious sects -- each with its own cosmology, each with its own answer for the meaning of life and death. Most assert that the other 9,999 not only have it completely wrong but are instruments of evil, besides. None of the ten thousand has yet persuaded me to make the requisite leap of faith. In the absence of conviciton, I've come to terms with the fact that uncertainty is an inescapable corollary of life. An abundance of mystery is simply part of the bargain -- which doesn't strike me as something to lament. Accepting the essential inscrutability of existence, in any case, is surely preferable to its opposite: capitulating to the tyranny of intransigent belief.

And if I reamin in the dark about out purpose here, and the meaning of eternity, I have nevertheless arrived at an understanding of a few more modest truths: Most of us fear death. Most of us yearn to comprehend how we got here, and why -- which is to say, most of us ache to know the love of our creator. And we will no doubt feel that ache, most of us, for as long as we happen to be alive." - Jon Krakauer January 2003

Boulder Public Library Link

2006-04-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

Check It Out

Boredom Magazine Issue 2

2006-03-27T20:57:00.000-08:00

Mik & Hannah's Wedding

Santa Fe was a beautiful place for a wedding. The ceremony and sunset started at the same time out on an adobe veranda; both were beautiful to witness.

Here are some other pictures:

The groom Michael Hannah.

Deryl & Robyn Bangert: two of the coolest people I know.

Jeremy and Jason wonder why their pictures don't look as good as Josh's.

I'm really glad Cole and I are teamates this year. The kid's a ripper.

Beautiful Robyn!

Mik & Hannah have a wonderful life together!

2006-03-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Got a solid session of Arbor dirt jumps in this morning. Thank you SIR, may I have another. Oh yes, back to Arbor for an afternoon session. That, or perhaps 63rd, I haven't decided quit yet.

I went to a talk last night at CU given by Scott Ritter, former UN weapons inspector. It was an excellent eye-opening speech. He had worked for the UN through Dessert Storm up until this war started in 2003. I hadn't a clue as to the thoroughness of the investigative work done by the UN.

The mind-blowing statement of the evening came down to this. After numerous re-inspections, Scott Ritter spoke to the CIA, and with absolute certainty, told the CIA that there were no weapons of mass destruction and no means by which to use weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Period. The CIA agent came back to tell Ritter that he believed there were still a dozen or so WMDs. But there would be no need to go looking for them though because they'll always be there.

Over the past two and half years our reasoning for going to war has taken on many different definitions; all of which have been sugar coated by legitimate concerns. I think it is wise to still look at the original question: why did we go to war? Does this question bother anyone else? Does it bother anyone that the official answer given is a lie?

Yup, I feel a little surly today and the Immortal Technique tunes aren't helping either. Speaking of Immortal Technique, he's coming to Boulder at The Fox April 28th. Should be a good show; rally the troops y'all.

2006-02-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day!

Here's a photo that the Lasian took; I tweeked it in photoshop.

Some crazy building is going on in Evergreen. Sick drops, huge jumps, berms, wall rides, unnngh! The craftsmanship is money too.

2006-02-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

Good To Be Back:
California was awesome. It was really good seeing my old friend Erik Vocelka. He bought my Morewood Izumu DH rig and has been riding the snot out of it. I'm so psyched he's back from the Middle East and riding again. I know deep down it's what makes him happy. Here's a pictures of me looking out over surf just south of Laguna. There's something so mesmerizing about the ocean. I could look out at it for hours. It wouldn't surprise me if I moved next to the ocean for some portion of my life.

All the same, it's so good to back in Boulder. It's been nothing but trick jumping for Neven, Tammy and I. It's so much fun riding with girls especially when they push me. The first day out at the Fix and I'm lolly-gagging around in the pump track and I look over and Neven is busting this stylish no-footer no problem. She rides off with that coy smile and my jaw just dropped. It was so inspiring. Between the two of us we're going to keep trying to bust out trick after trick. Currently my goals are solid no-footers, solid one-handers, flatter and flatter tables, and the oh-so-illusive x-up.

Hopefully I can round up the usual cast of characters for a girl’s weekend of off-the-hook dirt jumping.

2006-01-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

California Day Two & Three:

I'm calling myself out right now. I'm stupid. I decided to challenge Wentz to a drinking contest last night. Weapon of choice: Margaritas. I'm to hung-over right now to go into all the details. But I feel sorry for whoever has to clean up the bathroom at Sharkeez. Damn, those were such good fish tacos too. I'm just glad the mik never made it to Mimi and I for karaoke.

Anyway, I'm holding out in this coffee shop until In-n-Out opens. I need some greasy cheese burgers badly. On a brighter note, the past couple of days have been awesome. Monday was a dirt jumping spree. We started at the Hidden Valley dirt jumps. This great little stash of jumps features two sections. The moderate set of jumps range from 7-foot to 15-foot gaps with some decent size lips. Then I went to the big-boy section. Ugh, Crazy! These suckers are huge. Just look at the picture of Steve up against the landing of one of the jumps. The lips were about 10' high, gaps ranged from 15-25 feet, and the landings, many of which were step-ups, were about 15' high. Steve has been hitting this line. Hopefully I'll have some pictures of this crazy airtime in the upcoming days.

After Hidden Valley, we went to Sheep Hills. The place looked great and the dirt jumping was awesome. Right off the bat Steve busted out one of the biggest trickiest lines perfectly. I stepped up to some pretty big doubles and really just tried to dial in my technique on everything else that was small.

That evening, Steve and I made an Italian Sausage dinner for Le and Mimi. Between the pasta, wine, and company, the dinner was great.

Yesterday morning, Steve and I dug out at the Hidden Vallay dirt jumps. Later on, we went down to Laguna Beach and got an awesome XC ride in. I got to ride the Turner Highline. This new freeride bike handled beautifully.

Okay In 'n Out hurry up and open I can't type anymore.

2006-01-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

California Day One:
As Neven and I pulled up to the airport I saw the luggage check clerk at the curb. 'Sweet,' I thought, 'I'll just check my luggage slip this guy a 20 and my bike will be on it's way. Well, it appears that America west doesn't do curb side check and the two ladies at the front desk were hardly going to sympathize with my situation. 80 bucks later I was headed down terminal C bound for Las Vegas. The flight was peaceful enough, but there's nothing like the sound of slot machines as walk into an airport terminal.

My layover in Vegas soon grew from one hour to two to two and half hours. 'Poor Steve' I thought, 'he's going to have to wait for me in the airport'. But all of this, I would soon find out, happened for a reason. See Wentz had gone to see quite possibly one of the best super-cross races to date in Anaheim. After which, he was going to pick me up at LAX. I'm not sure when Steve became aware of the fact that he didn't have his keys, but he would soon realize as he peered through the window of Big Green, that the ignition was the key-thief culprit.

Well to make a boring story short, right as I got my luggage and was heading out of the airport at 2:30 am Steve pulled up. The timing worked out quite well. The drive down to Santa Ana was quick and the bed couldn't have been more comfy; I passed out intstantly.

The next morning I awoke to the wonderful smell of eggs and bacon. I spent the morning talking with Mimi and Le (Steve’s parents) over a cup of coffee. Breakfast was an awesome compilation of mushroom omelets, poppy-seed muffins, and fruit. Oh yah! Nothing beats home cooking more than . . .um . . .more home cooking.

After my belly was full I got the full tour of the Wentz's newly renovated home. It is absolutely beautiful. Shortly after that I assembled my bike and Steve and I headed down to Laguna Beach to pick up Johnny C. We rallied the trails for 2 1/2 hours. Imagine this, a costal breeze gently blowing in 70 degree air with sun just hot enough to make your skin tingle. And I know all of you in Colorado may have to dig deep into your memory banks, but imagine green ivy, palm trees, and the smell of fresh cut grass. Yep, I was in heaven. I don't think I broke a sweat for but 10 minutes during the whole ride; the weather was so perfect.

We first rode the Meadow Trail up to the top of a ridge that overlooked the Laguna Beach area. Meadow Trail is a full entourage of loose off-camber corners, berms, blue-grooved brake bumps, and sweeping fast sections. It was absolutely brutal to climb especially with a 38 ring up front and a road cluster in the back. But just to get to the top of the ridge and look down onto the ocean was amazing.

Within a week my hand has become so much stronger. Although it practically bounced off in every brake-bump section, it was a trooper and never stopped me from going into every corner way to darn fast;-) Yep, some new brake pads are in order. On the way to our next climb we practiced cutties. Cutties soon turned into a game of who-can-flick-a-rock(or sand)-at the-rider-next-to-them. A truly classic game that is unavoidable. Well, Wentz chalked up another win.

By the time we made it up to the water tower (5 Oaks Trail) my legs had that familiar burn of being spent; it was great. Of course Steve didn't let me know this, but the trail was more downhil oriented then most. It was absolutely awesome; I had to concentrate more on the trail then my hand and autopilot took over. Although it wasn't fast or pretty, it was another gift from God that I'll treasure.

From there I watched the most amazing sunset over Laguna Beach with Steve and Johnny. The oranges, blues, and purples, reflecting off the ocean took my breath away. After the sun set, we were off to a tiny Mexican restaurant on the beach front for a pitcher of Margaritas and steak nachos. Johnny and I proceeded to get buzzed while Steve claimed his first surf board from a trash can. Despite a missing fin and several huge cracks, I'm sure it will serve Steve well as a first board.

The nights not done yet. . . After margs, Steve and I met Mimi and Le at the Yard House Brewery for an awesome dinner and end to a perfect day.

2006-01-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

Wow, today prayers were answered. I felt the joy of two wheels and a lot of air beneath me. Yep, for the first time in over half a year I went dirt jumping at the Lake Arbor trails. Let me first explain how the morning unfolded.

I woke to a beautiful sunrise and I text messaged Neven (my partner in crime) 'game on'. This text message of cource implied that we were to rendezvous at my place around 7:15 and proceed to our secret hot-tub local for a morning soak. It was an awesome way to start the day. From there we rallied down to my doctor's appointment. The x-rays soon revealed that my hand was definatly on the mend. And although I should still ride with a conservative mindset, riding was now approved by the doc. I think all I really heard was that riding should commence immediately.

From the Doc's office Neven and I went to fuel up on Deli-Zone goodness. As the coffee gut was setting in, we made our way down highway 287. With reservation, we watched the trees bend to the will of the wind. But via phone, Fisher encouraged us to continue to the Lake Arbor jumps where we would meet and so we continued. As we unloaded the car, the questions started haunting my mind. How would my hand hold up? Could I even jump anything out here? Would I be relegated to the kiddies playground of one-foot high lips and gentle rollers? But like an old friend, the jumps at Lake Arbor remained true to the memories that I have been rerunning in my head for the past six months. I followed Fisher into couch (the small line) and soon I was following him into a slighlty bigger line. It was so awesome, pumping each lip just right to feel the bike arch up under me and meet backside.

Neven's bright smile soon matched mine as she attempted the ever-daunting first jump in couch; one which always unleashes a butterfly or two in my stomach. She was playing defense on the first jump. But the ball soon changed hands and she started to relax and nose into the backside of the jump. I was so proud of her. The jump is a real mind f**k.

But the real joy unleashed itself when Fisher told me to follow him into a line I had never even considered before. The jumps easily matched the biggest jumps I've hit to date. I watched as Fisher landed each jump in his true buttery smooth fashion. "Okay" I thought, "I can atleast ride up to the lip of the jump behind Matt". On the second run in I decided to commit to the jump. As I pedalled to the lip I saw Fisher float into the air. My heart rate slowed and I met the lip with confidence. Before I new it my front tire greeted the landing gently and the rest was history. After several more attempts I was hitting the second one in the line. As I once wrote for work, "The beauty of a bike is best witnessed five feet off a lip, twelve feet above the ground, and miles away from all your concerns." -Me

All you dirt jumpers out there know exactly the feeling I'm talking about. That feeling of having wings especially after they have been clipped. Neven, Fish - thanks for being apart of one of the best days of my life!

2006-01-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hidei-Ho everybody! Inaugural entry into the world of blogging and I have nothing to say. So here's the current state of affairs.

Hmmm, the wind is howling in true Colorado fashion: sporadically powerful. However earlier this afternoon there was a sweet spot of still air for about an hour. And to my satisfacion I enjoyed that still air through the pump track, over some small jumps, and seven feet above the ground on a tramp bike. Ahhh well, here's to intros