DEC 5th Update & OxSxOx 101

One Speeders Unite in Gravelage !

Race day is quickly approaching and the weather will cooperate in making it an epic, true "winter classic"... Come prepared by bringing as many warm layers and as much to drink and chew on as you think you'll need to get you through.

*THERE ARE NO OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESUPPLYING ON-COURSE

Feel free to drop at registration any extra layers you may want at the finish and we'll take them there.

The Brave New Wheel Support van will follow and assist you or your bike should either be rendered
"S.O.L".
Extra maps will be available for photographers, hecklers, etc.

This year we have Redneck-proof course markers, however, studying the map is highly encouraged... hint: you gotta know where you're going!

WHO'S ALL MAKING IT HAPPEN THIS YEAR??

Brave New Wheel

Go west! T-shirt Co.

Braaap nutrition

Wolverine Farm Publishing

Road 34 Bike shop and Tavern 

The Bean Cycle 

Your group ride

New Belgium Brewing Co.

Black Sheep Bikes

Lee's Cyclery

Also muchos thanks and props to Curtis Heideman for all the graphics.

WHO WILL THE OxSxOx BENEFIT THIS YEAR ???

ALL PROCEEDS  from entry fees, T-shirt and poster sales will go to our new, local, all women, all inclusive cycling team  Fort Follies!

That's right kids, the good Follies will be running this show, I'm sure one of them is that friend, co-worker, neighbor or partner you are so fond of... and now you have the opportunity to show her your support.

                                               OxNE SxPEED OxPEN  101

The OxSxOx has a different route every year, mostly gravel... as much of it as can be found for a good, fun loop. No one knows this route until maps are distributed during registration.

 For those not familiar with this kinda riding out on County roads:

 You will find not only gravel but also nice hardpacked sections as well as sandy spots and washboards at times.
Hills... it may not look like it when driving a car through but, they're there; not very steep, however,these are sustained, gradual climbs.

Equipment: The ideal tire for this will be one with some bite and volume to it. Cross tires from 32 to 40c are just about ideal depending on your weight and style of riding. I'm sporting Maxxis Razes in 35 and weight 120...for a hint.  NOTE: There's always the chance that we may encounter Puncture Vine aka "goatheads" somewhere along the course. Here's a few ways to fight them bastards:

-Run quality, "shielded" tires. ( Continental's "plus" family, while not a race tire are really tough / effective, for example)
-Run tubeless.
-Run Thorn resistant tubes
-Inject some sealing Goo such as "Stan's" in your tubes.
-Stay away from the edges of the road.
-some combination of the above.

And, good lord, what GEAR ??? you wonder...
Casual and amateur racers typically show up with gears around 40 to 44 /16 or 18
The more experienced riders typically show up with higher  46 to 50/16 or 17.
If you're one of Nature's freaks you may get away with a monster 52/14 ( Freak and all we love you Dads)
I'm more of a "climber" type douche and I'll be running 50/16 if that helps anyone.
In the end only you know if you'd rather mash or spin.

RULES: Ride a single speed bike.

Don't have one? Any disabled, handicapped multi-speed drivetrains welcomed !

Rookies: See below for your average Gravel Grinder Warpony.

Need other /more info than this?  Get in touch: bikeagainst@gmail.com

-WORD

It's happening !!

As customary, we will gather up for registration at Lee Martinez Park, in the parking lot by the tennis courts. directions here

LOOK FOR THE BRAVE NEW WHEEL YELLOW VAN

Registration is $15 and starts @ 9:AM Roll out @ 9:45

Coffee kindly donated by the Bean Cycle. Cinnamon rolls and Chili provided by Fort Follies!

We have two courses this year! OxSxOx classic and OxSxOx lite...

The "classic" course will be around 45 miles since 30 miles always seem to go by too fast.  This is the course for those looking for an All-Out Throw Down.

The "lite" course will be around 25 miles. This is the course for the curious, the hungover, the cautious rookie...

Prizes for both, "Classic" and "Lite" top 3 finishers and fastest lady.

Course preview to follow soon, in the meantime, I advise rookies to take a look at previous year's photos to get an idea of what this whole thing's about...

send your questions to    bikeagainst@gmail.com

-One Speed Greetings.

Winter OxSxOx !!!!

Huh ? heck if I know... wait, we're doing this thing ? We're having a One Speed Open in 3 weeks ? in December ?  Oh,boy...

Yep, we're racing these damn single speeds on the 9th son, it's gonna be crazy.

2011 RECAP

2011 was great fun even though things got scrambled due to some rednecks removing some of the course markers causing some peeps to get lost and put down some extra miles. However, everyone seemed pumped and positive.

Early on, Dan "Dads" Lionberg of 400 Smith Racing and former '08 '09 &'10 OxSxOx champ, left the front of the pack to never be seen again. I believe everyone will agree that he legitimately won the race, he rode strong and missed no turns. as for everyone else... it'd be very hard to tell who got 2nd, 3rd and so forth... so the numbers on the chart didn't mean much. Riders pushed hard and some rode way longer than others given the confusion and yet most people finished and finished with a huge grin asking for no explanations or anything else, just cold beer and single speed camaraderie. right on.

check out some pictures here:  

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2110641178675.115265.1624986352&l=415a64acad&type=1

The 7th annual OxSxOx is coming to a gravel road near you !

Back for another round of good ol' one speed fun Colorado style, as customary, a new, different course awaits your legs, lungs and rubber, burning, yearning to make the finish line where good, cold beer patiently sits.

Registration is $15 and starts @ 9 :am to 9:30 then we'll take off around 9:45 for a short warm up group ride to the official start. Coffee will be provided by the Bean Cycle Coffee House, we'll have cake too !

All proceeds will go to local grassroots-D.I.Y powerhouse: Hammer Time ! check out all the cool and important work they do in our community and if inspired, think about volunteering !

Here's more info on their story, community space and educational programs.

In the meantime please take a moment to check out the story of the OxSxOx to learn why it exists and how it all started, dang, can't believe it's been 6 years.

-Raf

OxSxOx '10 RESULTS

What the hell ? for the THIRD year in a row Dan "Dad's " Lionberg of 400 Smith racing took the "gold " in the coasting-free division.

According to witness's accounts Dan dropped the few hanging on to his wheel in the most demoralizing, punishing way: attacking up the steepest hill any OxSxOx course has ever seen, pushing a 52-16 to then disappear shooting down the other side rocking the TT bars through the entire gravel 'n' sand 'n' washboards combo.

I don't know but, next year more of the fast locals that have until now been too busy, intimidated or too cool to race the OxSxOx better come out and give Dan a run for his money !

(namely all those who said: " see you there ! " and slept in hungover, chickened out or just went for some excuservals )

The other top finisher's:

2nd place non-coasting ---------- Steve Burns (400 Smith racing )

1st place coasting ---------------- Logan Garey ( Rio Grande )

2nd place coasting --------------- Adam Wisseman ( Colorado state )

Top gal -------------------------- Claire Mechtly (400 Smith racing )

What a fine day ! no casualties, everyone finished with a smile, had a cold one ( or six ) hung out and moved on to party elsewhere.

Check out the first couple batches o' photos here

and here

Thanks to all participants, sponsors and volunteers, tomorrow, a little over $1000 will be delivered to the Animal house in the name of singlespeeders of the Fort and elsewhere ( Berthoud, Portland,Boulder,etc ) to help them keep unwanted pets alive until they become wanted, by someone.

If you've been looking to adopt a pet Animal House is the place you wanna check out !

This is who did what: ( Thank you dear peeps ! )

400 Smith Racing dawg sportiff David Boerner for coming up with such a baller course !

Curtis Heideman designed the poster, then Go West printed them for free !

Charly Bar and the Bean Cycle for the breakfast

Teresa Garcia for marking the course

Brenna Wozniak for the yummy muffins

Randy Leija for the freakin' awesome OxSxOx salsa

Adam for lending his finish-line-house again

Ian for driving the Brave New Wagon

Leanne C, Nora P and John R for running registration

Mr Rick Price for the Photos

Kevin Buecher for picking up the course markers

Ben Gannon for his overall unconditional badass support.

and finally the Sheriff for going the other way after seeing us roll by Vern's allowing us to have some good clean fun.

If you know of a Local non-profit fighting the good fight ( or one of them ) that could use a little dough, e-mail me suggestions for next year ( as well as questions, comments, critiques, etc) to bikeagainst@gmail.com

Thank you and stay tuned for the David Cross CX series this coming winter, a production of 400 Smith racing.

We'll see you next year over more gravel and uni-gear bikes under the sun.

-Rafael

One Speed Open Course Preview

David from 400 Smith Racing just mapped out the 2010 OxSxO course. He can't tell you what it is, but he will tell you how the Bike Gods hucked down from on high to deliver this beautiful course unto him.

Check it out!

Gravel and prairie on a one speed again

The sixth edition of the One Speed Open is ready to kick in full effect this coming August the 28th, a Saturday.

This year to benefit Animal House no-kill shelter. http://www.animalhousehelp.org/index.php

What's the OxSxOx like ?...

a minimum 30 miles of mostly road-rage-free and road-kill-free county roads, hardpacked and loose dirt, washboardie some years, always plenty of up-down, up-down to keep things interesting. Passing thru old farms, oil fields, ponds and lakes one don't often get to see while doing the dams, rist or carter lake 'n' masonville style riding.

Who races the OxSxOx ?

anyone ! all one-gear-heads come together for this one; from casual or dedicated commuters to former state, national and world champs.

It's as serious as you wanna make it, some peeps come out looking to clean and punish, others just to see how they do against their weekend riding crew.

In any case, the one common goal always present is to show that FoCo cyclists care above and beyond "two abreast" issues only, by giving all of the proceeds to local charities that don't get massive funding.

Helmets are recommended, flip flops are not...

( brain armor is cheaper than health insurance! )

More details soon, Y'alls stay tuned.

OxSxOx '09 Results & pics +

Thanks to everyone who participated, sponsored or helped in any fashion to make the race a big success !

Special thanks to Darren and Lisa @ Summit studios and Mr. Rick Price for all the awesome pictures, to Erin Hamilton for marking the course, to Claire for delivering the Coffee, to Leanne and John for running the registration booth, to Sarita Uhl for donating da keg and to Adam for letting us finish @ his place.

This year's turn out was the best ever and we were able to donate a total of $700 to " The Growing project."

Also more ladies than ever before raced ! Badass !

Make sure to check out all of the great pics HERE and HERE

We'll make the OxSxOx bigger and better in 2010, see you then !

One Speed Open 2009, Sundi July 12th

The OxSxO is coming around again, going in it's fifth year !
Registration fee is 15 Washingtons, that gets you coffee and snacks in the morning and beer afterwards along with the chance to win sweet prizes and perhaps the Glory of being the 09
focomonocogmofo

Registration will take place by the river under the bridge at the intersection of Linden and the Poudre trail @ 8:30am departing @ 9:30am

30 mile loop approx. ( ...or out 'n' back ? )

Coasting and non-coasting categories.

Special awards will be created for those who somehow " earn it "

As usual there will be T-s for sale and new for 2009, all-custom locally handmade and fabricated with recycled materials OxSxO bike hats !

All proceeds this year will go to " The Growing Project " http://groprofoco.wordpress.com/

More details soon, meantime, talk that buddy of yours into racing that rig with the cool Deep V's and all the anodized stuff.

Stay tuned.