Yeah, considering that I’ve been friends with Chuck for years and years (Ibis has been a huge supporter of Team Fatty’s fight against cancer) and have been an Ibis junkie pretty much since I’ve started riding (I’ve owned a Steel Mojo, a Bow-Ti, a Ti Mojo, a Silk Ti, and a Silk Carbon), it’s strange that we’ve never gotten together for a ride ’til now.

OK, maybe it’s not all that strange, but that’s the conceit I’m kicking off with, so let me have it, OK? Sheesh.

And when people visit here, looking to see what my backyard riding is like, I always — whether they want to go road or mountain — take them up American Fork Canyon. For one thing, it’s genuinely one of my backyard mountain bike rides.

For the other thing, it generally makes people incredibly jealous of where I live.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Ricky M and I met the Ibis guys up at the Timpooneke trailhead, the Ibis guys driving a van that looked just as suited for covert surveillance as for holding a whole buncha high-end bikes:

(Kirk Telaneus on the left, Chuck on the right)

Both Ricky and I have been riding hardtails — usually rigid SS — lately, so Chuck and Kirk said we needed to switch things up: Mojo SLs for both of us — plush full suspension and gears galore.

Here’s Ricky supervising as Chuck sets up Ricky’s bike.

Hey, it’s not every day you get a Mountain Bike Hall of Famer to be your own personal mechanic.

I should note at this point that if you ever consider converting your Fat Cyclist jersey into a sleeveless, you may want to consult Ricky on how to do it so that it looks like your bibshorts look like a bra strap. Nice look, Ricky.

Oh, and here’s Chuck, setting his shock pressure to 10,000psi.

The Hills are Alive

There’s nothing quite as lovely as being acclimated to riding at 7000 - 8000 feet and then taking a Californian out for a ride. It does wonders for your ego. Kirk and Chuck didn’t have any difficulty hanging with Ricky and me, but they did call attention to the fact that they were feeling it a lot more than when they rode at home.

And also, they expressed appreciation for the fact that AF Canyon is just an incredible place to go riding:

(Chuck, wondering how in the world the Matterhorn got relocated to Utah)

(Kirk and Chuck, doing synchronized posing. Look for it in the 2012 games in London.)

(Chuck and me, showing off the Mojo SL and some beautiful scenery. Yes, he’s really that much taller than me.)

Different is Good

I’m convinced that the best way to appreciate the capability of a full suspension bike is to ride a fully rigid bike for a couple years, then hop onto aforementioned full suspension bike.

Because Ricky and I were just grinning and laughing as we bombed the downhill portions of the ride. Just letting the bike go, hitting stuff you’d normally avoid. Letting the suspension do the work.

After flying down Joy in what felt like record time, I turned to Ricky and said, “You know, I am not having any trouble at all picturing a Mojo in my stable.”

“I was just thinking the same thing,” Ricky replied.

Which is undeniable proof of two things:

1. The Ibis Mojo is a terrific mountain bike, and riding one makes you want one.
2. I will never ever be satisfied with the number of bikes I own.

Ow

As the ride went on, Ricky and I were more and more confident on our Mojos, taking more aggressive lines and letting the suspension do its job.

We were, perhaps, getting a little reckless. But we didn’t crash. Not even once.

And then, finally, we got to the final downhill. For this one, I knew I should take it more cautiously, because the trail is full of loose rocks, mixed in with plenty of embedded ones. And you never know which rocks are going to slide out of your way, and which are going to stay put.

I picked my way carefully and cautiously. Not exactly mincing, but not aggressive.

So of course I crashed. Good and hard. Taking most of it on my right knee. Here’s my bloodied up knee, artfully framed by the Mojo…erm…frame:

Not Ironic

As I rode — all the wind out of my sails now — back toward the trailhead, I thought about it: how ironic that I’d be just fine when riding aggressively, but crash once I got cautious.

And then I reconsidered. Maybe — probably — it wasn’t ironic at all. In fact, it was probably downright causal. Sure, I’ve had crashes when riding hard, but I have a suspicion that I’ve had just as many — maybe more — when riding overcautiously.

And I can’t even count how many times I’ve had a second crash during a ride because I’d become hypertentative following my first crash.

The problem, for me, is that this lesson is only easy for me to learn — and I’ve learned it several times — in my head. I know that riding tentatively just makes you more likely to crash, but when I’m nervous of a trail, I just can’t seem to convince my body to stay loose. Nor can I seem to convince my hands to stay off the brakes.

Which explains why I have scars on top of scars on top of scars on my knees, I guess.

PS: I still want a Mojo.

PPS: If you’re a Utah local and you’d like to try a Mojo SL, Mojo HD, Tranny or a Hakkalügi out, Chuck and Kirk are going to be in Park City this Sunday, with a whole buncha bikes for your demo-ing pleasure. See below (click the image for larger version) for details of where and when.

Hart wore the sweaty t-shirt, shorts, and trail shoes he’d been running in for 58 miles that day. As the old man chain-smoked one cigarette after another, the woman offered Hart a bowl of soup. Hart politely declined. He didn’t feel like eating. It was 10 p.m. on Day One of his Colorado Trail speed attempt, he had no idea where his 19-year-old crew member was, and he was sitting with two strangers in a ramshackle trailer in a remote mountain town. His quest for the Colorado Trail record, Hart figured, was over.

Matt Hart before hitting the Colorado Trail early one morning.

That morning, July 15, began on a promising note. Fellow Montrail teammate and teen running wonder Dakota Jones sent him off at 4:30 a.m. at Waterton Canyon, where he’d begin the first leg of the 484-mile Colorado Trail (CT). Hart felt fresh, rested, and determined to beat the eight day, 12 hour current CT record.

58 miles later, at 7 p.m. in the evening, an exhausted Hart reached the junction where Jones planned to meet him. He couldn’t wait for clean clothes, hot food, and his warm sleeping bag. Figuring Jones was late for the pick-up, Hart laid down by the trailhead to wait. As time ticked on, the mosquitoes started biting, and Hart became increasingly worried about where Jones was. With no cell phone, Hart had no way of contacting his young crew member.

Eventually, Hart decided to run three miles downhill to the nearby campground. He found a group of 20-somethings drinking beer. They were less than eager to move from their campsite, but Hart finally talked them into giving him a lift to town. He borrowed their cell phone and used 411 information services to locate the Denver home phone number of adventure racer Ben Reeves, who planned to join their crew in a few days. Since Reeves didn’t have Jones’ cell number, he agreed to drive nearly two hours from Denver to rescue Hart in the small town of Jefferson.

Hart’s rescue crew of campers, still thoroughly uninterested in wasting time on the disheveled ultra runner, dropped him off at the first inhabited structure they came to. The 10-foot by 10-foot trailer served as both a bait shop and living quarters for a man and his wife, with shelves of merchandise up front and a blow up mattress in the back. They welcomed Hart to take a seat at their kitchen table. Breathing in the smoky air and making small talk with the couple, Hart wondered how long he’d have to wait.

But far sooner than expected, he heard the sound of tires pulling up on the dirt out front. The old man peered out the trailer door. “You got a white van?” he asked Hart. “I think your people are outside.”

Matt Hart midday on the Colorado Trail.

Sure enough, Dakota Jones had driven Hart’s Euro van to the trailer. He’d phoned Reeves, figured out where Hart was, and driven to town. Apologetic and frustrated with his own mistake, Jones worried that Hart would be mad. Jones hadn’t double checked the directions and drove to the wrong trailhead to collect his runner.

Hart, however, felt nothing but relief. He wouldn’t have to explain to the Jones family that he’d lost their 19-year-old son in the Colorado Rockies. They’d sacrificed a few hours and wasted energy, but they could get on track. The Colorado Trail attempt was back on.

This July, Matt Hart ran the Colorado Trail in nine days, seven hours, and 48 minutes. He didn’t set the speed record, and the first day’s mishap was just one of many mistakes, but both he and Jones consider the trip a success. Hart finished the journey, pushed himself as fast as he could go, and perhaps most importantly, the unlikely duo of 35-year-old Hart and the teenage Jones became close friends.

“One of the great things about a 19-year-old is he’s almost delusionally positive,” Hart said of Jones, who he dubbed “Young Money.” “He was like, ‘hell yeah, you’re breaking the record!’ I loved it.”

As an ultra runner and former adventure racer, Hart relished the challenge of tackling a trail from start to finish. He’s accustomed to sleep deprivation and navigation, and he’s willing to accept prolonged suffering.

On the Colorado Trail, he found plenty of it. He ran for 15 to 24 hours a day, sleeping just three or four hours a night. Worried about the side effects of too much ibuprofen, Hart endured ever increasing foot pain, which he likened to the sensation of someone whacking them with a sledge hammer. At night, he often couldn’t sleep at all, and would instead roll around moaning because of the pain.

On the fourth day, a sudden afternoon thunderstorm rolled in while Hart was running above 12,000 feet. Figuring he’d continue on so long he didn’t feel his hair standing up with electricity, Hart powered through hail and rain for two full hours. He wore just a light windbreaker, tank top, and running shorts. Running as fast he could just to stay warm, Hart strained his hip muscle, adding to his list of aches and pains for the rest of the week.

"Sleep" on the Colorado Trail

Hart remembers sweet moments too. After averaging 60 miles a day for the first three days, he could only manage 38 miles on Day Four. Even though he knew he might have just sacrificed his shot at the record, he delighted in spending an evening at camp with Jones and Reeves. The three adventurers cooked salmon, swapped stories, and slept a full eight hours.

“That was the best night we had together,” Hart said.

As always, the finish line proved to be one of the best moments. Hart hadn’t slept for most of the past two days. Girlfriend Linda Barton joined him for the last segment of the run, and they struggled together through a tough section of trail.

At the very end, though, Hart started smelling the barn. He picked up the pace and began running as hard as he could, leaving Barton behind. Jones and Reeves ran with him on the last stretch, cheering and filming with video cameras.

“I was elated,” Hart said.

Hart plans to tackle similar adventures down the road. Here then, are a few of the take aways from Colorado:

Planning
The Colorado Trail expedition came together in just three days. Hart originally plotted a July adventure in Washington State that included climbing Mt. Rainier and then running the entire Wonderland Trail around the base of the mountain. However, a cold west coast spring left far too much snow on the Wonderland. Hart shifted gears and dreamed up the Colorado Trail challenge at the last minute. With more planning, he could have better prepared his crew members with trailhead driving directions, figured out which roads weren’t accessible in his Euro van, and gathered more tips from Colorado Trail veterans.

Jones agrees. “The lack of preparation definitely made it more difficult,” Jones said. “We were winging it a lot of the time.”

Eating
Hart began the trip on the right track. He spent $300 at Whole Foods to stock the van’s pantry before the adventure. At Jones’ urging, he ate until almost uncomfortably full at every pit stop. Hart gobbled tortillas filled with tuna, avocado and spinach. He ate PB&J wraps, salty chips and pretzels, and chicken noodle soup. But halfway through the trip, Hart began to take less interest in food, and he believes he should have forced in more calories. The resulting energy loss cost him, he feels.

Matt Hart refueling on the Colorado Trail.

Gear
For the most part, the sponsored athlete and gear junkie outfitted himself well. He carried a Nathan hydration pack filled with water and food and wore hybrid trail shoes, Montrail Rockridges, the entire time. Since Colorado Trail veterans David Horton and Scott Jaime warned him about tendinitis, Hart kept his shoes laced very loosely. The technique did indeed save his tendons, but Hart wished he’d tried wearing gators for the first time ever in his running career. He constantly stopped to take off his shoes and empty dirt and rocks.

Among the trail adventures Hart would consider next are the Highline Trail in Utah, the Wonderland Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Appalachian Trail.

As for Jones, he’s not planning a similar quest any time soon.

“I watched him run and thought, ‘This doesn’t look fun,’” Jones said. “It looked painful. It might be a few years before I want to do something like run the Colorado Trail.”

Heidi Dietrich is a writer, journalist and trail runner living in Seattle, Washington. Learn more about her writing at www.heidiseattle.com.

Young Money (l) and Good Ben (r), Hart's Colorado Trail crew.

Related posts:

1. Horton, Meissner & Hart Predict the Western States Champions
2. A Whale* of a Good Time on Orcas Island
3. Allegheny Trail Record Attempt – Mongold and Casseday Style

While Patagonia outerwear and clothing is one of the most respected brands in the industry, their footwear line is perhaps still living in the shadows. But, just as the outerwear has evolved, so has the Patagonia footwear line. This season, Patagonia introduced a handful of trail runners that are light, comfortable and functional on the trail. I’ve now had the Patagonia Tsali trail runners long enough to know that they aren’t perfect, but definitely ones for the keeper pile.

Patagonia Tsali Trail Running Shoes Features:

• X-Dynamic lacing system
• Lightweight DWR for additional water protection
• Gender-specific fit
• Ultralight Dupont foam footframe is 25% lighter than traditional EVA
• Multi-density sticky rubber outsoles
• Reflective inserts
• Mesh uppers
• Weight: 10 oz each
• MSRP: $100

Patagonia Tsali Review

When the Tsali’s were launched at Outdoor Retailer, I was immediately impressed by the sharp looks and the X-Dynamic lacing system. Yes, the lacing system caught my attention because it was such a simple and intuitive solution to the need to more evenly cinch the upper laces for a snug fit.

The X-Dynamic system consists of two looped webbings that lock the uppermost laces into place against the top of your foot. Check out the photo below to see it in detail. This system not only provides a secure fit, but it also keeps the tongue in place for proper cushioning and protection.

On the trail, the Tsali’s cinch down comfortably in foot-cradling comfort. The mesh uppers are reinforced in key areas to provide breathability and support where needed. On the breathability side, I think they could be a little better, but some of that may have to do with the dark color of the sample shoes. In the hot sun, they get a little roasty toasty.

Patagonia built these with a breathable air mesh upper that is treated with a lightweight DWR which provides a respectable amount of water protection. In my submersion tests, the shoes were good for about 5 seconds before water started seeping through. Most trail shoes last 1 second or less, so that extra DWR is better than nothing should you wander into storms or wet terrain.

The outsoles are flat with a slight anatomical curve. While most shoes have distinct forefoot and heel areas, the Tsali’s are instead made from a single piece of rubber featuring varying treads for both uphill and downhill traction. Midsoles provided the right level of cushioning and support in this neutral runner. I slipped in a pair of Spenco Earthbound insoles for the duration of my tests with fabulous results. The fit continued to be superb with just the right amount of additional support for my flat feet.

In talking with the manager of my local running sore (Runner’s Corner), he mentioned that flat outsoles are a much better overall construction for a natural stride and feel. On the road, I agree, but on the trail, I always seem to step on rocks or roots just under my arch (where most shoes have less outsole), causing my foot to roll. These are not the first trail runners I’ve experienced this with, so maybe I need to be more cautious in my foot placement while wearing this type of shoe.

Good Tsali

• Lightweight
• X-Dynamic lacing system locks down the foot for a comfortable feel
• Great traction both up and down
• Excellent cushioning
• DWR treatment provides additional weather protection

Bad Tsali

• While some may say the flat outsoles are better, but I seem to be less stable on the trail
• Can run a little hot
• Could use a tad more forefoot protection
• Run about a half size small

Bottom Line: Patagonia Tsali Trail Running Shoes

The Tsali is very light yet supportive and comfortable. Not many 10 oz trail running shoes can boast the type of overall performance that the Tsali’s provide. Foot-snugging comfort with only a few minor downsides… I can definitely recommend these if you’re looking for a great overall trail shoe.

Buy Now: Search for Patagonia Tsali Trail Running Shoes

…but the most combative rider at the Tour de France, Sylvain Chavanel, is sidelined with a toenail infection.

As you may or may not be aware, I have a couple of sites wherein people can post their times riding up some popular climbs. These sites are really more about dick waving than anything else because, due to self-selection, most of the times submitted are from people who are reasonably fast. If you’re just surviving the climb, after all, why would you want to announce to the world how long it took you? Especially if you had to stop and lean against the guard rail on your way up.

Anyway, not too long ago, I had someone submit a time for the north side of Suncrest. It was a fast time, too. He sent me his name, his time, and the date he did it, just like everyone else. And then he also pointed out that he did it on a Trek Madone.

Why the hell do I care what bike you did it on? One of my friends did it on a mountain bike, and I posted his time just like everyone else’s. Am I supposed to be impressed that you ride a Madone? I was impressed by your time, but I can’t see how it’s even relevant what bike you did it on. I mean, Madones are fine bicycles, but so are Super Sixes, Team Machines, C50s, TCRs, and F1s. Determining which is better really comes down to the individual, what fits best, and what you want it to do.

That you’re on a model ridden by a famous professional and bragging about it suggests that you probably don’t know much about bikes and just bought one because you-know-who rides it. If you know bikes and chose that one because it was best-suited for the job, you probably wouldn’t feel the need to point it out.

Bike shops exist and manufacturers sell through them for two reasons. First, because shops can save us from ourselves. And second, because when they can’t save us from ourselves, they can make money for themselves and their suppliers as a result of our poor judgment.

They save us from ourselves because bicycles are specialty products. And except for the bike nerds of the world, most people are ill-equipped to choose a bicycle or bicycle equipment without assistance from someone with specific product knowledge. Bicycle manufacturers want their products to be used correctly because it reinforces the value of their brand. They sell through specialty channels to help ensure consumers are getting the right product for their needs and will therefore be happy with it.

In some instances, however, a consumer knows what he wants, and what he needs is immaterial. These customers are easy to spot when they walk into the shop. They’re always wearing yellow bracelets, and they inevitably come in looking for Madones to ride while wearing US Postal Discovery Astana Radio Shack, Mellow Johnnies, or Livestrong team kit. Bike shops are happy to indulge these consumers’ desire to look like their favorite professional (and the only one they know by name). Even if these customers actually look nothing like their hero.

They look nothing like him because professional bike racers don’t wear kits that come in sizes large, extra large, and 2XL*. And I have it on good authority that a local shop that happens to sell Radio Shack team kits only stocks them in large, extra large, and 2XL (mostly the latter two sizes). In these instances, the shop is happy to take said customer’s money, send him happily out the door with his Mr. Incredible suit, and will no doubt be getting a good chuckle from their knowledge that said customer, for all his fancy equipment, would get absolutely destroyed by the 18 year old shop employee in the T-shirt and trucker hat who bit his lip to keep from laughing as he watched the transaction go down.

*Even amongst amateur racers, small and medium kits are the norm, with the handful of larges** ending up on the sprinters, rouleurs, and guys well over six feet tall for whom the mediums are just too short.

**I don’t mean to imply that there’s anything wrong with wearing a large. XL or bigger, and you might want to diet if you’re really into riding bikes. Unless you race MTB, where, thankfully, they offer a clydesdale category. But nothing wrong with a large. I mean, If I were proportioned as I am and of even average height, I’d wear a large. If I were over six feet tall, I'd be looking at XL or bigger. I’m just sayin’ don’t go rolling around in Radio Shack kit. Or any pro team kit for that matter. (Actually, if you don’t want to look like a Fred, don’t wear Radio Shack or Mellow Johnnies or Livestrong kit ever, no matter what size.) Unless the team is defunct and it’s a retro look. (Which is why Rock Racing kits are on the verge of going from only being cool to the hot chicks with douchebags crowd to being unequivocally cool.) Or unless you’re really fast. If you’re fast, you can wear whatever you want.

Taken to the extreme, these transactions can be both a huge windfall and a huge pain in the derriere for the shop. For instance, at the above-mentioned shop, a well-healed customer recently pulled into the parking lot in his Maserati. Apparently some of the people that work for him ride bikes and encouraged him to take up the sport. And to do so, he needed the best-of-the-best bicycle, which of course meant a Tarmac like those ridden by both the winner* and runner-up of Le Tour.

*The real winner of this year’s tour was Specialized and their CEO, Mike Sinyard. Specialized’s sponsorship of Contador when they already had the Schlecks and Saxo Bank under contract assured them of having some very high-profile product endorsements to complement their already-effective campaign highlighting Cancellara’s domination of the spring classics. Fit, function, and need aside, brand recognition leads to brand preference, and a brand recognized for having been used by race winners can certainly tip the scales in your favor.

The loser of the endorsement battle is Shimano, but it’s only for their own ineffectiveness. Mark Cavendish is more exciting and noticeable than about anyone else in the peloton—Shimano should be blasting all over the place that his 15 stage wins in three years all came on Dura Ace and PRO components, yet all I’ve seen so far is a little inset photo of him on the back cover of Velo News as a stage winner at the Tour of California. SRAM has gotten more mileage out of Mara Abbott winning the Women’s division in Tour of the Gila than Shimano has gotten out of Mark Cavendish dominating pretty much every field sprint he contests.

Of course the shop was happy to sell this high-end Tarmac to this well-heeled customer. Even if he’s a novice and probably doesn’t know not to wear underwear beneath his bibs. The problem arose when he said “and I’ll need ten more so each of the guys who works with me can also have one.” It’s mid summer, and not even the Specialized warehouse has that much inventory.

As one of my preferred trail running shoe manufacturers, La Sportiva is introducing an entirely-new philosophy in midsole/outsole design, cushioning and fit. The MorphoDynamic technology is said to create a lighter overall product that’s more stable, lower to the ground and also adequately-cushioned. Typically, low-profile shoes were slim on cushioning, but it appears that La Sportiva is claiming to have the best of both worlds with this new technology.

The uppers should look fairly familiar and feature typical La Sportiva lines. What’s different is the midsole and outsole where the MorphoDynamic system shows its face. Looking at the outsole, they seem funky and lack the square-edge treads we are all accustomed to — interesting. They also don’t look so “low-profile”, but we’ll just have to see them in person to be sure. Below you will see photos of the Electron, Quantum and the MorphoDynamic outsole.

I’m hoping to take a closer look at Outdoor Retailer next week, so stay tuned. For now, read the official news release from La Sportiva below.

07.27.2010 – La Sportiva N.A., makers of technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking footwear is set to introduce their latest innovation in Mountain Running® at this summer’s Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City (August 3-6). The progressive new line introduces their new break-through MorphoDynamic™ technology and addresses the needs for lighter products that are low-to-the-ground and well cushioned.

“This has been in development for over two years,” says Jonathan Lantz, President of La Sportiva N.A. “Our MorphoDynamic™ technology represents a revolutionary step in the construction of trail running footwear; it could be compared to mountain biking several years ago when dual suspension bikes were first introduced. Our new products for S11 incorporate the MorphoDynamic™ technology in the soles enabling the shoe to adapt to the running surface creating a smoother, more stable ride on off-camber and uneven surfaces. The results are unbelievable; we have produced two models which will provide trail runners with one of the most responsive, plushest rides around.”

La Sportiva’s MorphoDynamic™ technology features a new ergonomic last which mimics the natural shape of the foot. In a traditional running shoe last there are typically hard corners and a flat bottom, which does not match the foot’s natural shape and creates an upper with dead spots (empty spaces in the shoe). The MorphoDynamic™ ergonomic, slip last cradles the foot and brings you closer to the ground thus increasing your stability. This results in a supportive fit, which is more responsive than a traditional flat last.

“By using a combination of soft, EVA and lightweight PU wrapped by sticky La Sportiva FriXion® AT rubber, we have increased the amount of cushioning midsole without increasing the weight of the product,” says Lantz. “Our A.T.I. (Adaptable Terrain Interface) sole adapts to the running surface creating a smoother ride and increases the surface area and contact points the outsole has with the terrain. Plus, on top of the PU layer is a firmer EVA layer, which provides stability for the foot.”

La Sportiva’s MorphoDynamic™ technology will be incorporated in two new Mountain Running® shoes slated for Spring 2011, the Electron and Quantum (available in men’s and women’s specific models).

More Info: Visit IRunFar.com for an Initial Review