Singlespeed World Championship 2005

[Echo]

State College, PA. Who's going? I don't see myself doing the race, but I do see myself having a great time and drinking beers :thumb:

Edited to add the date: Aug 20-21

[BikeGeek]

I'll be there. As much as I tell myself that I'll race, I'll probably just drink beer too. I grew up in the State College area and would be happy to lead an SS bar-tour. :D

www.SSWC05.com

[psycle-on]

I would love to be there but WHY are the good events always on the same weekend??? Nationals at Snowshoe is the same weekend. :dead:

[Echo]

Damn!

Maybe they just figure it's two totally different crowds?

[Angus]

I am giving a Firm maybe, I am moving and starting my own company in 2005 so I am not sure how well funded I will be at race time .... :nopity:

[Nate at RIT]

I'm so in. Even if I'm in Boise, I'm flying back for that. $30 gets you a belt buckle, a shirt, beer stein, and beer. Can't beat that deal with a stick.

Echo, why no riding there.?I'm sure you won't finish DFL (there are supposed to be something like 30,000 people there)

[Echo]

Echo, why no riding there.?I'm sure you won't finish DFL (there are supposed to be something like 30,000 people there)
Dude I'll be riding, but I ain't doin' no 23 mile race with a 13 mile climb. That does not sound conducive to quality drinking time.

[HRDTLBRO]

With 13 mile climb comes 13 mile descent, my friend. :D I'd like to come, but i'll be at the shoe full of snow, er...mud.

[PsychO!1]

Do the winners get tattoos like the old days when Marla and Travis won it???

[wooglin]

There's a 13 mile climb? Where are they gonna come up with a 13 mile climb in PA? I might go just for that.

Do the winners get tattoos like the old days when Marla and Travis won it???
They got them last year, and I don't think a break in tradition is in the cards. Guess I'll have to not win. ;)

[Nate at RIT]

Probably 13 miles of climbing, not all at once. PA doesn't have extended climbs. It's all about rolling hills, esp down at State College. The only you could come up with 13 miles of climbing in a shot would be if it was at .25% grade. Echo, time to man up, and start climbing on the SS. Spin classes with pretty girls don't do that for you.

[BikeGeek]

Keep an eye on the official site posted above and riderx's site (http://www.singlespeedoutlaw.com) for more info. I grabbed this press release from SSO.

The Single Speed World Championships for 2005 will be
held in State College, PA on August 20th & 21st. This
year will mark the first ever visit to the East for
the SSWC and promises to offer a challenging course in
the East Coast tradition. Racers can expect
challenging climbs, rock strewn ridges, and fast,
tricky descents.

As usual, the event will focus around the main event
(25+ mile single loop) designed by local single
speeders to highlight the finest trails available.
Back from past years will be the Derby to help decide
the location for 2006- be ready to throw down. Men’s
and women’s titles will be decided on the now infamous
Go-Cart track (from the East Coast Single Speed
Championship of the Universe)- racers will have to
qualify for the opportunity to battle in the cars,
eliminating “Pro” racers from an easy day of it.

We would also like to offer any professional bike
racer under suspension for illegal drugs by the UCI
free entrance into the event. Yup, we know your pain
and would like to offer the rare chance to attain a
World Title while under suspension. In fact, let us
know your favorite drugs and we just might be able to
have some waiting. Also, Jan Ulrich- patron saint of
single speeding. With that grinding single speed
climbing style, watching you push those gears brings a
tear to our eyes...free beer for you, my friend. You
are our hero and a true single speeder at heart.

Like Nate said, no huge climbs but definitely some gut-busters. Expect lots of rocks. They're not so good, but here's a couple of pics I took of the "trail" in the area known as "The Gap."

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=55664

[wooglin]

Probably 13 miles of climbing, not all at once. PA doesn't have extended climbs. It's all about rolling hills
That's not nearly as much fun. I've got it penciled in, but its two weeks or so before the Shenandoah 100, which is closer and less likely to take such a toll on my body. The riding will be brutal either way, but the hangover will be so much worse at SSWC. :)

[Echo]

OK fine I'll race, someone has to finish last :D

[douglas]

hmm, I might just have to get me an SS just so I can go !

[riderx]

Let me say this, the course will be modeled after the East Coast SS Championship of the Universe that those boys put on the past two years. Think Punk Bike Enduro. It's been a hell of a lot of fun in the past and sure to be multiplied by a factor of 10. Don't miss it! And don't take the word race too seriously...

[wooglin]

And don't take the word race too seriously...
So I should stop turning hot laps in my go cart?

[riderx]

So I should stop turning hot laps in my go cart?Actually, that's where you should concentrate all of your training efforts! There's some white knuckle action and the ladies are fierce...

[BikeGeek]

Let me say this, the course will be modeled after the East Coast SS Championship of the Universe that those boys put on the past two years. Think Punk Bike Enduro. It's been a hell of a lot of fun in the past and sure to be multiplied by a factor of 10. Don't miss it! And don't take the word race too seriously...

So I take it you and your crew will be there? :thumb: Do you ever see Roel anymore?

[riderx]

So I take it you and your crew will be there? :thumb: Do you ever see Roel anymore?That's the plan. But who is Roel? :confused:

[BikeGeek]

That's the plan. But who is Roel? :confused:

My bad. Roel is a MORE member that helped get me in to SS. I could have sworn I met him on a ride that you led and just assumed he was a regular on your rides. He moved about a year ago and I lost track of him.

[BikeGeek]

I just found this graphic of the Rothrock Ride. I wonder how much of this will make it into the SSWC05 course? :eek:

http://www.purplelizard.com/images/sale/r3profile.gif

[Nate at RIT]

Think Punk Bike Enduro

Sweet. I've got my bike all lined up for it. Gotta follow up my fixie repsentin' in the Punk Bike Enduro, except I think this time I'll go with 26"s, not a 'cross bike. Actually it'll be the same frame, just different wheels and bars.

Left side drive fixie mtb. :evil: Should be fun.

[Agentorangemen]

I better meet everyone of you RideMonkey Vixens that are coming to State College for this drunkfest/race. Bar tours are courtsey of me, 22 downtown, 44 in the State College area. I will be racing, err, trying to come in DFL. This is going to ROCK.

[Echo]

All you posers trying to get DFL have no idea what you're up against when Echo's in town :devil:

[peter6061]

You have to finish to get DFL, a DNF is not gonna cut it.

[BikeGeek]

Bar tours are courtsey of me, 22 downtown...

Zeno's is a must. Considering how much some of us like trying new beers, I don't know if we'll make it out of there. :D

Are you a townie or a student?

[Agentorangemen]

Student, but I'm staying for my PhD. so I will basically be a townie by the end of that.

[BikeGeek]

Student, but I'm staying for my PhD. so I will basically be a townie by the end of that.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: get the scoop on what trails will be part of the course, then lead a Ridemonkey pre-ride in June or July. :)

[Sideways]

I will most definitely be there and racing.

[Agentorangemen]

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: get the scoop on what trails will be part of the course, then lead a Ridemonkey pre-ride in June or July. :)

This was an idea I had. Does anyone here on the board know who I could contact to find out which trails will be part of the race? As soon as I get away from my damn Undergraduate Thesis I'm going to go around to the local bike shops and see if they have any information, or even know about, the race. I have seen a few SS'ers around campus, but never had the time to try and talk to them about the race. If I do find out the course, I'm planning on hiking it, mapping it, and taking some pictures along the way, and then posting what I found on my PSU webpage. I'll keep the board informed of my progress.

[BikeGeek]

This was an idea I had. Does anyone here on the board know who I could contact to find out which trails will be part of the race? As soon as I get away from my damn Undergraduate Thesis I'm going to go around to the local bike shops and see if they have any information, or even know about, the race. I have seen a few SS'ers around campus, but never had the time to try and talk to them about the race. If I do find out the course, I'm planning on hiking it, mapping it, and taking some pictures along the way, and then posting what I found on my PSU webpage. I'll keep the board informed of my progress.

I think they're keeping wraps on the exact course, but I know the guys at Nittany Wheelworks are involved and might be willing to give you hints. I saw a thread in the Dirt Rag forums about the race. One of the guys involved in planning the course would only offer up a map of Rothrock. :think:

[Agentorangemen]

THEY POSTED THE MAP!!! I am excited. I hope to get out there the weekend after Easter (UG Thesis is due 05/01/05). I haven't checked out the rest of the site, so I am going there now, just wanted to let you guys know!

[BikeGeek]

THEY POSTED THE MAP!!! I am excited. I hope to get out there the weekend after Easter (UG Thesis is due 05/01/05). I haven't checked out the rest of the site, so I am going there now, just wanted to let you guys know!

Sweet. That climb up Longberger is gonna be fun. :rolleyes: At least it flattens out a bit before you hit the rock gardens near Bear Meadow. I'll drop you a note when I can get up that way again...probably May or June.

[1speed]

I can't wait! The course looks sweet. Takes me back to my East Coast roots in a literal way. Wonder if Travis is going to show up? Could be a good battle going on. It will be hard to just drop in from here (CO) and ride a totally different style trail but I can't wait. Hopefully the trail won't throw me down and spread me like butter across the rocks and roots. See you all there!

ps:riderx, tt better make it up for the race!

[BikeGeek]

Latest Update!

It's been a while since the last update so here it is! The trails are
open and pumped with green here in Central PA, the route has been set,
sponsors are bucking up, and planning is taking strides to bring you the
finest event we can.

Due to the overwhelming interest and sheer number of people we are
going to have to be more official than ever so bear with us. Registration
will be handled by http://www.bikereg.com and you have to attain a user
I.D. with them PRIOR to being able to proceed. The event registration
is scheduled to open June 1 at 5:00pm (eastern time). As of now
registration will be limited to 400 riders. Check http://www.sswc05.com for
more info.

In the past routes have varied from year to year and this will be no
exception. One loop around Rothrock State Forest in 27 miles will leave
even the pro riders wondering why they have to leave at the end of the
event. Featuring a 6 mile ridge top trail, the lush East Coast forests
are full with rhododendron and hemlock groves, porcupines, white tail
deer, and the occasional black bear. Be ready for stout climbs, rock
gardens, and trails to remember for a lifetime.

Sponsors are backing the event more each week. As of now
Fisherbikes.com has stepped up as the Official Bike Sponsor with a RIG going to the
male and female winners as well as a ton of goodies for everyone.
Speaking of winning (and whining), lets hit this one last time. The top
placing will be determined on the go-cart track. If you're one of the few
whining 'cause you're super fast and you've been training all year and
what does go-cart racing have to do with real mountain biking anyway-hit
the NORBA nationals. Top 20 men racers and 10 random riders will do
battle in 3 heats advancing to the final heat of chaos (and driving). The
same for thee women with the top 10 doing battle on the track in one
fabulous heat!

Dirt Rag has laid out plans to organize rides on Friday Aug 19th in
Pittsburgh...more on that to come.

Rumor has it there will be a scavenger hunt before/during/after the
welcome party on Aug 20th. We're still searching out a bar big enough for
the masses more on that to come as well. There will be rides being led
all day on the 20th and maybe the 19th if my ulcer stays
manageable-official schedule due out soon. If you show up early we'll send you
riding and let you know where the bars are.

Stay relaxed. Remember- some pro is gonna kick everyone's ass and some
woman is gonna beat you too. The trails are worth the trip, you will
have fun, and if you complain about anything at all the Penn State
Cycling Club is gonna drag you into the woods and beat you silly. See you
this August 20/21rst!

[Echo]

Yeah I saw that yesterday. 400 rider limit! Ack!

[peter6061]

Got that email too. I was wondering if anyone was going to post it...

It's going to fill up right away.

Should be fun.

So when are the scheduled trips up for preride? Just trying to fit a few more rides into my already jam packed riding season.

[BikeGeek]

There's nothing that says we couldn't still go for the drinking and riding if we can't get registered. :D The riding in that area is awesome, and the drinking? Well, it is a college town. I can recall at least 20 bars all within a short walk of each other.

[Slider]

Damn!

Maybe they just figure it's two totally different crowds?


ughh ammm I happen to have a Giant DH Comp and a fully rigid 1992 cannondale m400 SS and would not trade iether for the world. I have came to the conclusion that is why god created Omni Presence, hence the phrase "Jesus Christ on a bicycle." God's a rider and and we all know it in the cockles of our hearts

---------------------------------------------------------------------

You want ridding and a drinkin town go to athens OHIO "Ohio University"
-court street 27 bars on 3 blocks
-Lake hope state park
-cycle path bike shop

(go in the fall when school is in session)
[/list]

[BikeGeek]

I dumped my cockles once I found out how much they weigh. I'm much faster now.

[BikeGeek]

Registration opens at 5:00pm ET tomorrow. Don't forget!
http://www.bikereg.com/races/register.asp?EventID=2372

[BikeGeek]

Holy crap. Bikereg.com is taking forever to load!

[BikeGeek]

Who else registered for the race?

[Echo]

I'm just coming to ride and drink.

[BikeGeek]

I'm just coming to ride and drink.

Nothing wrong about that. :thumb:

[peter6061]

I'm registered and I've got a bunch of friends coming up to watch and drink as well. Should be a good time, now what beer should I carry around on my bike during the race?

[BikeGeek]

I'm registered and I've got a bunch of friends coming up to watch and drink as well. Should be a good time, now what beer should I carry around on my bike during the race?

Something refreshing. Maybe a Wit or a Weizen. Only problem is that those rock gardens will really be stirring that yeast up. :D

[peter6061]

Something refreshing. Maybe a Wit or a Weizen. Only problem is that those rock gardens will really be stirring that yeast up. :D
Maybe I'll have to send my wife up into the course somewhere for a 'feed zone' and have my Weizen waiting and cold.

[stinkyboy]

402 Crazy mofos:

https://www.bikereg.com/races/ConfList.asp?ID=2372

[BikeGeek]

<gulp> There are some big names in there. I guess it's good that my only goal is to finish.

[peter6061]

<gulp> There are some big names in there. I guess it's good that my only goal is to finish.
Okay, I'll give it to Travis Brown and Marla Streb...

I'm only there to beat YOU!

Actually, I'm only there to have a kick arse ride/race and drink some beer with friends. Should be a good time.

[BikeGeek]

Okay, I'll give it to Travis Brown and Marla Streb...

I'm only there to beat YOU!

Actually, I'm only there to have a kick arse ride/race and drink some beer with friends. Should be a good time.

Let's get them hammered the night before the race. :D

[peter6061]

Let's get them hammered the night before the race. :D
Sounds like a plan. Do you really think that'll help? I imagine they will still school us. It's worth a shot.

[BikeGeek]

You're right, they could probably drink us under the table too.

[BikeGeek]

I was in State College this weekend to help my sister move and got a chance to pre-ride the course. You can't really tell from the map they posted, but the course is stretched over two ridges. The course in a nutshell: you climb, and climb, and climb, then bomb down into the valley, then climb, and climb, and climb....

From the start, the climb up the Longberger Path isn't as difficult as I remembered. The first 50 yards or so is riddled with loose rocks and dirt. I couldn't get grip and walked it. The next 2 miles, give or take, is sweet singletrack. Even though you're climbing, the trail flows nicely and is pretty easy on the legs. As you near the top, you get into the rocks. I hesitate to call them rock gardens as these were more like rock pastures. :) As if the rocks weren't fun enough, Ma Nature has thrown some trees down. The locals have done a nice job in ramping the bigger ones with rock, but they can still be tricky to cross since it's sometimes hard to get the needed speed in the rocks. If you do manage to get on the tree, getting down the other side into more rocks without going OTB proved to be very challenging. It was at this point in my ride that my back got extremely wet. The hose on my camelback came loose and I lost most of my liquid. :angry:

Longberger spits you out onto North Bear Meadows Road, where you hang a left, then another left on to Bear Meadows Road. Both are gravel roads. After about 3/4 mile, the course takes a right on to Kettle Trail and heads straight to the top of the ridge. It's only 100-150 yards, but it's steep, rocky, and loose. I wasn't able ride very far before spinning out. At the top, take a left on Tussey Mtn Trail. This singletrack follows the ridge for about 3 miles. Along the way you're treated to spectacular views and tons of blueberries. I stopped for about 15 minutes and ate a lot of berries then filled my pockets, which I would later discover was a bad idea (I ended up with a lot of sticky, blue money). This section ends with a fast descent on what appeared to be fairly new trail. A couple sections are kind of sketchy and if you're not careful, you'll wash out in the loose dirt/stone. Oh, there are some more rock gardens too. The trails dumps you onto a gas line cut where you bomb down to Treaster Kettle Rd (elev. 1361 ft), another gravel road. Hang a left, then a right onto Thickhead Mtn Road and get ready to climb. The road eventually turns from state maintained gravel to grassy dirt and gets very steep. I'm walking again. :dead: The climb peaks at about 2300 ft. The next 3 or 4 miles is downhill on Detweiler Run Rd. It's not maintained as a road, so it's pretty much grass doubletrack. It's fast, but like riding a washboard. My arms and shoulders were aching by the time I got to the bottom. I word of caution here. Stay alert, there are some big rocks and logs hiding in the grass. The only thing that kept me from completely enjoying the ride down was knowing that I was going to have to climb back to the top. Sure enough, you intersect Bear Meadows Rd and climb, climb, climb.

Unfortunately, once I reached the next intersection (Bear Meadows and N. Bear Meadows) to continue the course, I had to call it quits and head back to the car. I was completely out of water and starting to cramp. I think I ended up riding about half of the course. If it was any indication of what the rest of it was like, I have to say that the crew that put this course together are cruel, heartless, evil, sadists, and I think I love them. :thumb: This race will definitely be a ride to remember.

Oh, and I'm not sure who is responsible for maintaining the trails up there, but nice work!

[peter6061]

So Tim, what gear ratio wear you running? Would you change it? Were you rigid or suspended? It doesn't look like I'm going to get a chance to preride, so I'll be riding blind, but it sounds like fun. Looking forward to it.

Oh, and thanks for the report.

[BikeGeek]

I was running 32:18 and I'll probably stay with that. My problem was that I haven't been on a bike in almost a month due to a sprained ankle, so I was sucking big time on the climbs. I would definitely go suspended. Central PA can be really rocky and this course has it's fair share of that flavor. A fork with lockout would be ideal for the gravel road climbs. If you have weak ankles, taping them wouldn't be a bad idea. I can't count the number of times I had to unclip in the rocks. If I hadn't been taped I probably would have rolled my ankle again.

[peter6061]

Good to know. I'll bring a few gears to play with.

I, like many, thought the race was on Saturday, but with that last email update, I see that it is on Sunday, so a preride will be in order the day before. I dial in my gearing then.

Should be good on everything else. Sorry to hear about your ankle. Hope it doesn't affect you too much. You've got three more weeks to 'rest' it.

It's not like a little thing like a sprained ankle was going to keep you from sweeping the trail with Travis Brown and the other Pros out there....

[clancy98]

so how many bikes are they estimating are going to be in town for this?

[GumbaFish]

I sifted through this whole thread and i am still stuck on the fact that you can get a belt buckle, shirt, stein, and beer for 30 bucks...dammit i wish my ss was more then just my commuter.

[clancy98]

what if I was too late to reg and still want a belt buckle?

[BikeGeek]

We get belt buckles?

[Mike B.]

I didn't read every post, but how many are just going to hang out and watch the race? I'm a PSU grad and I love going back to State College. It also happens to be my birthday on that Sunday and since it's not football season yet, I could use an excuse to head down that way.

Maybe a ride on Saturday for those that aren't pre-riding the course?

Oh, you can thank the Nittany Mountain Biking Association for maintaining the trails.

[BikeGeek]

Oooh, custom head badges for the winners.

http://www.sswc05.com/images/badge.jpg

One week 'til the party! Where's everyone staying?

[riderx]

Where's everyone staying?Crashing on someone's floor that I don't know - a friend of a friend.

[BikeGeek]

Crashing on someone's floor that I don't know - a friend of a friend.

I think we're crashing in a Monkey's yard, but I haven't heard back from him for directions. If that doesn't work, my little sister has a place downtown.

[Arsbars]

stories? pix?

[BikeGeek]

Congrats to Marla Streb and Brian "Buck" Keich! More to come.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/marlabuck.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/marla.jpg

[BikeGeek]

The day started with peter6061 and I setting out from my place at 6am. After a 4 hour ride we arrive at "The Gnome House" where Agentorangemen (Kyle) has offered us some crash space. After introductions, and a big-ass breakfast that sat like rocks in our stomachs for most of the day, we set out for the forest. The plan was to take an easy ride on some of the course, but we discovered that the trails are anything but easy.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/sswc05_01.jpg

Here's Peter and Kyle working on a log crossing in a rock garden. It was difficult to carry your momentum through the rocks to clear the log, but we all eventually got over it.

Peter:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/sswc05_02.jpg

Kyle:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/sswc05_04.jpg

Peter with style:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/sswc05_03.jpg

I didn't get too many pictures. It was one of those rides where you're working really hard, but just can't bring yourself to stop for pictures.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/sswc05_05.jpg

Race day.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/sswc05_06.jpg

Cueing up for the run that took us down the road, onto singletrack, across a road, on to more singletrack, then back to our bikes.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y106/BikeGeek/sswc05/sswc05_07.jpg

More to come.

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

Congrats to the winners! Now Marla has two tattoos as a result of single speeding! I hope Mark likes tattoos!

[peter6061]

Thanks for the pics, BG. Sorry we didn't get more of them, but it was a race after all. We'll get more when we go up again in a month or so.

Big props to all the organizers and volunteers. These guys sure put on a great event.

Congrats to Brian and Marla!

Big thanks to Kyle (agentorangemen) for putting us up and showing us around. Let us know when you get to the area and we'll return the favor.

[BikeGeek]

If anyone is interested, here are some decent write-ups of the event:
http://bikecentric.blogspot.com/2005/08/sswc-05.html
http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=1712
http://www.singlespeedoutlaw.com/issue5/blog.shtml
http://mtbike.mountainzone.com/blogs/marla_streb/

:)