Moab Ellsworth Owner's Retreat

November 6-8th was the annual Ellsworth Moab Retreat; 35 people showed up and were treated to some of the best trails around.

I'll post pictures on my FLICKR soon.

I rode slickrock on my Enlightenment 29er SS on Friday, a Moment on Saturday & Sunday. Ate it hard twice, with one time landing on my wrist and head....

UCI Sunday Race

A little late with this, but I worked the Ellsworth tent the whole day but raised over $500.00 in selling raffle tickets for just that day. Malissa Petrov won the Ellsworth Roots 54cm cyclocross frame and fork.

Donny from SBR did it up along with friends from Spin & Lake Effect.

More later....
Ciao,
Rick

Pre-UCI & Post Cinci Race

I'm not sure what is going on here......
Gary had wiped out during Friday's race and Brett was helping to clean out Gary's knee....

This was the night b/f our races Saturday....did I mention that Brett & I went out to "carbo load" later that night....mucho carbos!

It must have worked...Brett won his age group, I came in 4th in mine and Gary got 5th in his. Donny wowed the crowd with his superior skilz and his refined style.

Pictures are here.

I'll add more what took place on Sunday's race later.

Ciao,
Rick

'Cross race in Cali (SoCal Prestige Series)

I'm way behind in any posts...my first race in this series was the third race. I ended up lining up in the last row; Ellsworth is helping sponsor the race and I was helping others in my booth and didn't get to the line early enough. Great course design and short story is that I started last (27th) and ended up getting 19th for a first effort of the season.

The UCI races in Cinci are up next.

Cioa,
Rick

A teaser from my climb

InterBike was great....mucho contacts and work to do, but it's good to be back and be able to ride to & from the office again.

Here's up the first part of the 1,200 foot climb I get to take in the morning....


This is the recovery section....I can't ride one handed and "film" on most of the climb.

Finally

Finally a new post.....been busy but no excuse.
- new 'cross bike out and Ellsworth is (help) sponsoring:
*So Cal 'Cross Prestige Series
*UCI - Cincy/Bio-Wheels
*Velo Bella Women's Racing Team

Interbike is coming up and Ellsworth has 7+ new bikes coming out including a new hardtail Enlightenment carbon 29er that is sure to kick some a$$. Lord knows that I try kicking some on my "old" Ellsworth Enlightenment Scandium/Carbon Hardtail; both can be rigged as a SS or a geared bike via removable drop outs.
WORD.

My continuing efforts on becoming a better surfer....

Still figuring out what to do with my home back in Brecksville, OH.

Things will work out.

Life's Good.
Rick

The Fox Fork Came in!

Mucho thanks to Jesper who loaned me his White Bros Carbon rigid fork for my Enlightenment hardtail 29er SS.

The Fox fork just showed up this week and I rode with it on Saturday.....Jesper has way higher skilz than I and I love the Fox fork with 15mm through axle performance.

Better pictures of it later...after I get back from working at the 24 hrs of 9 Mile in WI.

Ciao,
Rick

Time for Change

To the Ellsworth Scant road bike for me.

First time on it with the parts from my Cervelo R3 was very nice. I'm looking forward to riding it to work tomorrow and throwing it on the scales...any guesses?

Update:
Got the saddle dialed in and it weighed as shown - 15.65

Ciao,
Rick

Granny Gears 24hrs at Big Bear

A complete write up soon.....photos are here

Uhm I forgot to

Yeah, I have forgotten to keep up with this.

Ever since getting the OK to do this Mid West Demo Days Tour and The Granny Gears 24hrs of Big Bear it has been a blur of activity. Felt like I was moving again and having to pack the van perfectly and then try to see if the items that didn't arrive in time to get shipped to me (laptop/wheels/SS kit/Fork & 2 bikes). Jeese.

I stopped in Boulder to visit w/Jen & Jesper and do the Death Ride....should have been called the death march for me...being out of shape and the altitude killed me w/in 30 minutes or so...still the 5 mile downhill was big fun.

The rest of the trip was long and boring, well the dude I picked up that looked like he was in big trouble and took him the rest of the way to Moab (40 miles) made that park interesting....'cept in Chicago where Kristin made Martinis that brutalized my head and made the next day way too much fun....not.

I'll download some photos and more updating; tonight I got back from leaving on last Thursday to meet w/a new dealer in C-bus for us (Northland Cycles - High St, Columbus) and then head to BioWheels for a Friday activity where after hours Nate crushed me on a little 33 mile road ride. Another hotel and then the Harbin Park Opening Day MTB festivities that were fun....'cept no riding for me. Lots of demos though and fun for all. After that drove up to C-bus....slept at a Relatives empty house (kinda weird) and then off today for the CORA/Ellsworth Demo Day at Alum Creek. Great weather and I did get to ride the Phase II course and had a blast doing it.

Looks like some sales will result from these two days of Demos and more to come!

A couple more demos this week and it's off to see Da Bear in WV.

Nite!
Rick

The Weekend....

Went surfing for the first time at San Onofre Park, CA yesterday with Beverly...rock not sand bottom made for good consistent long waves and some of the best rides I've had yet. Each ride on the board is getting better.

Rode the Ritchey Ti 'cross bike today with the AlphaQ fork on it and quick stop 'cross brake pads and had NO brake chatter!
I rode the bike on the nearby MTB trial where I got a few weird looks at me blasting by on the 'cross bike with Duro ties and Ellsworth wheels on it. The 'cross scene isn't big here, go figure. Tires hooked up real well...I did get a rear flat....snakebit no doubt! So all the new stuff I was checking out worked great and felt fast.

Met Beverly to go hiking and then some great Mexican food...a great weekend.

Getting ready for my Trip to the Mid West for 3-4 demo day weekends and the Granny gears 24hrs of Big Bear Race in June....hope to see you there!

Ciao,
Rick

Ellsworth Featured in San Diego Union-Tribune

This photo shows the Seal Team and our Solo Marine Competitor.

Here's a story on the Navy Seal team we help sponsor and has my photo that I took featured.

Our 29er, full suspension, 4" travel, Evolve is a great weapon to use for 24hrs races.

Stay tuned for more news.

Rick

Night Riding

(The new MiNewt.X2 is on the right)

I don't know why I don't do this more often.

I've ridden with lights three times this week; twice on the road and twice mountain biking. None of them have been hard rides....just fun ones.

However, one of my favourite rides since moving out here was the night ride before the 24hrs of Adrenaline at Hurkey Park was held. Lots of climbing and the descents were wild; I did them faster at night that I could in the day, go figure.

I recently bought a NiteRider MiNewt.X2 from one of the Navy Seal Race team members (Eric) that we help sponsor. Wow the difference it is compaired to my old NiteRider light is unbelievable! Lighter, more powerful, quicker charging......NICE.

I'll definitely be doing more rides at night.....

Ciao,
Rick

The weekend

why am i not smiling?



This was the first completely non-Ellsworth event weekend that I've had for almost a month. I'm not complaining, but it was nice planning to do whatever I wanted and when I wanted to do it.

Saturday, I picked up the surf board (it had another ding in that was non-surfing related), I went bike apparel shopping with a friend, then surfing at Solana Beach, followed by tasty shrimp and fish tacos capped off but a night ride on the Bianchi SISS (which is for sale, BTW).

Today was surfing at Del Mar beach, relaxing at bit at "home" then going for a 40 mile ride along the PCH. It was waaaaaaay nice. I'm sore right now but in pretty good spirits. BTW, Red Stripe beer is pretty good stuff.

Have a good week everyone!

Cioa,
Rick

Pua & Ron's House Warming Ride/Party

Working at Ellsworth does have it's perks....

Had mucho climbing with some fantastic decents....definately feel'n the love again for riding MTB.

More later...gotta get to work.

Ciao,
Rick

24 Hours of Adrenalin™ - Hurkey Creek Spring (2009)

This race brought back sooooo many memories of the three Granny Gear 24 hrs of Snow Shoe that I did (1 crewed and two raced) back in 2000/2001/2002....so Donny, Alex & Billy, yeah, I was thinking of ya!

Anyway, the Navy Seal team we help sponsor and crewed for won their division by two laps, the Marine who tried the race for the first time (and did it solo) finished with 11 laps...outstanding. Nothing like being sleep deprived & drinking many malted beverages, riding the course at night and riding all over the place shooting photos for Ellsworth of the great people who raced this.

People who know ride Ellsworth.

Ciao,
Rick

My first crash this year

I was going to post on the 24 Hours of Adrenalin™ at Hurkey Creek Park after my road ride this morning around the office. 'Cept on the way back from the turn-a-round I was just getting into some tasty turns in a decent when a white pick up truck passes me in a big hurry and heads into the turns in front of me. I'm watching it and start to pick up some speed thinking that sob better keep moving so I can enjoy the fruits of doing all of this climbing. Right in the turn I see "him" put the brakes and slow waaaay down; I'm thinking wtf and before I can think about it I'm on him and am forced to hit the back of him or put the bike down.

You'll be happy to know I sacrificed myself to keep the bike from getting hurt.

That and when I locked up the back & I could feel the tubular tire come off I'm thinking, "oh no, not a Beloki"....luckly I didn't break anything but did get a big bunch of road rash. I can't sit down for sure...let's just keep it at that...no pictures. That and I'm already stiff-n-sore....

I can't wait to get out again....I'll be more careful next time.

Ciao,
Rick

Sea Otter 2009

Pro Neven Steinmetz showing the gurlz (and guys) how to fly on her Project Pink Dare
This shot of Pro Team Rider Neven Steinmetz is a fav cause you can see where she is looking at...this is her practicing for the slalom race on her Project Pink Moment
Real heroes that race bikes very fast, Active duty Navy Seals that have a race team we help sponsor
Navy Seal Ted racing the Super D

I'm disappointed that I didn't get a shot of our XC star Pua Sawicki racing; I did have a chance to meet her.


8 hours of driving in a crew cab pulling a trailer, 4 guys sleeping in one room for 4 nights with one bathroom, thousands of spectators and competitors in every aspect of bike racing, meeting pro racers, riding different Ellsworth bikes to take photos of them and others, meeting and helping current & future customers, getting sunburned and working long days with refreshing beverages......followed by a long drive home, getting in late and then starting the work week again on Monday.

That is Sea Otter.

Is this great or what......

Photos are here....I wish I would have taken more of the venue and the people, but I did need to get back to the booth and work also.

Today's ride on the Ellsworth Evolve

I met up with three guys EARLY this morning and headed up to Vail Park to get in some riding before the other guys had to get home for family commitments. Yeah and I actually wore my baggy bike shorts...I'm sure many of you would be surprised that I actually own a pair!

I have never ridden a 29er before, let along a 4" travel full suspension one. We ended up riding for 2:40 and climbed (ok, some hike-n-bike) 1920'. The trails here do not have any logs to worry about but plenty of sand & rocks....that and a long fall down off of the ridge line!

I was surprised to not feel a big difference in handling of the 29er Evolve. In fact it seemed to take all my bad lines in stride and make for an enjoyable experience. I can tell you it climbs really well and descends even better. The other three guys had gone down a steep decent and yelled up to me to stay left....what do I do? Take the right line and had visions of a huge endo....the Evolve took it in stride and had the guys laughing that the bike had more skilz than me. No doubt.

My friend Jeff just rode it and couldn't stop talking about how much better it felt. Uh, Rick, how much does this cost he asked? :-) Looks like his Specialized FSR full suspension may end up being on "Craigslist".

Anyway, a great day and I'm loving getting back into mountain biking and will consider making the Evolve my ride. Well, after I ride the 5-1/4" travel Epiphany!

Oh, I did (finally) get in an hour of surfing today on the "old/new" board that I have now. Just an hour? Well it seems that the good conditions are more consistent here so just an hour was enough to get me happy to be out in the surf again.

I'm just starting to have fun (work & pleasure) out here but I do miss you guys. Good luck to all at RATL & the Covered Bridge Races!

Ciao,
Rick

The move and time change....

I'm struggling with getting everything together and feel like the great Jimmy H says...(cue the music)

Riding the Ellsworth Scant

The Scant is the road bike that Ellsworth makes here in the US and I wanted to take one out to see how it felt & climbed. Tony was nice enough to loan me his and I took it out for some quick climbing and compared it to my Cervelo R3 this morning.

The Scant was a small (53cm effective length top tube) and had different geometery than the Cervelo. The Scant felt lower; Tony said that he had designed it per Pros feedback that they wanted a lower bike with a roomy cockpit. It felt great and decended fantastic. The wheels shown are the carbon clinchers.

I'll see if I can take it out on a longer ride for more feedback on it, but I was very pleased by the looks and ride of it. Don't be surprised if you see me racing on it this season.

Ciao,
Rick

First Day at Ellsworth

Is history and it was a good one. It was like being a kid at a candy store seeing all of the bike & frames. People there are great....

Tony is letting me take out his personal Scant (road bike) for a taste test tomorrow morning. It will take place on the twisty, steep but tasty climb/decent road right where the office is. I'll be riding it and then the Cervelo R3 to compare how they feel. They weigh about the same 16ish and change. The test should be a good one except that the Ellsworth will have the Ellsworth carbon clinchers on it and the Cervelo the Tubies....maybe I'll use the same wheelset for both?

This weekend may have have some Truth or an Epiphany to it? Yummy trail riding it looks like.

It's been a long but good day.

Ciao,
Rick

It's been a blur...or should i say an Epiphany?

The drive to get here and then getting settled in have been crazy and my first day at Ellsworth is tomorrow.

Pictures and more of the story later.

Ciao,
Rick

Ellsworth

Yes, it looks as though I'll be leaving Ohio for 3 months to work at Ellsworth as a contractor/intern with becoming the manager there as the goal after 3 months.

This is a huge move for me even though I'll be back in 3 months to take care of my house, cat, furniture, etc......it's pretty wild leaving everything here except what I can put into the Mini Cooper Clubman.

I'll be at the shop by April 6th and helping out at our booth at Sea Otter April 16-19th so if anyone is going, stop by and say "hi"!

No formal good byes yet....but I am excited by this opportunity and want to thank everyone for the help and support you given me.

I'll be updating the blog with the trip and Ellsworth happenings.

Peace,
Rick

California dreaming

I'm hoping to get an offer to work for a company tomorrow.

If not I'll be doing the 9-5 thing in Cleveland which isn't all so bad after all......hope fully I'll know soon.

Ciao,
Rick

Sunday Ride

Was a struggle for me but a good time for all. Seems like the 10+ HRS OF DRIVING I did to unload the motorcycle that AG had to have took a tool on my knee. Still a great 35 mile ride.

Life is getting better by the day.

Ciao,
Rick

what am I thinking about?

So during my fun 40+ mile ride to Chagrin Falls and back on Tuesday, I'm listening to my iPod on shuffle and Offspring comes on...a big smile hits me and I can't help but think this song is what Billy B kept saying ___ was all about and I agree....

Hopefully within a week I'll know if I'll be off on an adventure soon....

Ciao,
Rick

Mountain Bikes for Sale

2003 Bianchi SISS w/Chris King headset, Marzoc Bomber fork & the rigid one - $639.00
1999 Klein Mantra w/upgraded ISIS crank & air shock front fork - SOLD.
I gotta tell ya I have an empty feeling inside watching the Klein leave.....
1997 Trek VW "Limited Edition" SS Mountain bike with upgraded ISIS crank, Surly flip-flop hub (20 & 16) and upgraded front brake and fork (it was rigid) - SOLD to Eric! This was my first real mountain bike and then converted it to a single speed; I'm glad Eric bought it...

Ciao,
Rick

Ellsworth 'Cross Bike?

Check it out......Ellsworth sold out of last year's issue.

I don't know about you....but it is getting me pretty "excited".
:-)

Here's the information on it.

I'll post more information as I get it.

Ciao,
Rick

A ride at the "Chip" yesterday

I was able to get away for just about an hour yesterday and I'm blessed with being riding distance to the MetroPark in Brecksville.

So I was going to do an easy ride....well, if you've ever ridden the Chippewa Road (Race) course....it's tough to just soft pedal it.

I saw Ted on the road and got in a fun workout.....about 3 laps worth.

Could Spring be here?

Ciao,
Rick

LSD Ride with Donny Sunday

Yep, I got to ride outside with Donny on Sunday.

A nice 3 hr ride with the high light being the Boston Mills climb.

A great day and we had a lot of fun...if you discount Donny's poor "twig & berries" issue.

Ciao,
Rick