tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73113652024-02-06T23:23:08.056-07:00Official Website of Jeff KerkoveJeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comBlogger2359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-65632208839549431222014-12-17T14:27:00.003-07:002014-12-25T09:10:18.719-07:00I'm Moving!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgndtFH0zQOWwjAZmAFwbIhE2N9eFM3ERCGerVI6ofrbrNUTRsRS8L1Q8I9EX2i6oyprXQ56TQxaFAIVeqAFwLDopRaPoHJcb_0op19JEUEqwZO88ahiklO5cULCoe_9syhtX-/s1600/EPIC0082.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgndtFH0zQOWwjAZmAFwbIhE2N9eFM3ERCGerVI6ofrbrNUTRsRS8L1Q8I9EX2i6oyprXQ56TQxaFAIVeqAFwLDopRaPoHJcb_0op19JEUEqwZO88ahiklO5cULCoe_9syhtX-/s1600/EPIC0082.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
Things are on the UP!! I'm in the process of re-evaluating the blog, blog design, and future content. The content on this site will remain here, but all future updates will be on my new site: <a href="http://jeffkerkove.format.com/">http://jeffkerkove.format.com/</a><br />
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My url <a href="http://www.jeffkerkove.net/">www.jeffkerkove.net</a> will redirect there, if it hasn't already.<br />
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Thank you and stay tuned to my socials for the most up-to-date.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeffkerkove" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/JeffKerkove" target="_blank">TWITTER</a><br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/jeffkerkove" target="_blank">INSTAGRAM</a></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-48476247400597447112014-09-04T10:29:00.001-06:002014-09-04T10:37:46.530-06:00REPORT: Rincon de la Vieja MTB Challenge 100 (RVC100)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/15138530625" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3908/15138530625_da1b18a980_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Back to Costa Rica! Last year I was very fortunate to meet Juan Carlos and have him extend me an invite to come down and race Latin America's first and only 100-mile mtb event, the <a href="http://www.rincondelaviejachallenge.com/">Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100</a>. This year he did the same and I brought with me Karen and Sonya. Last year I went into the race a mere 6 days after finishing the Breck-Epic Stage Race. My only goal in 2013 was to take the lingering fatigue and ride as fast as possible, hope for the best. I finished 8th in a time of about 7.5 hours.<br />
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This year, I was fresh, knew the course, and had different goals. For the 2014 RVC100 I wanted to finish closer to 7 hours and place better in the standings. I equipped myself with the <a href="http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/series/lux-cf-29.html">Canyon Lux CF</a> full-suspension with a <a href="https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/family/xx1">XX1</a> 32T chain ring. Last year I had a hard tail and a 30T ring. The hard tail about killed me as the course is super rough from start to finish.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14951848739" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3875/14951848739_07186320d8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Off the plane, Costa Rica was a lot cooler than in 2013. For the 2 days leading up to the race, conditions were dry and cool. About as perfect as this Gringo could ask for.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14951885260" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14951885260_e7a3a6e6f0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I got in a series of rides to check out the first 20 miles of the course. My decision to bring the fully and the XX1 32T chain ring proved ideal. Thumbs up from this guy!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14952014388" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="426" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/14952014388_82d1d188f4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Race day come super early, a grueling 5:30 AM start time. I was up at 3:50 AM, breakfast a 4 AM, then an auto transfer to the start line to line up with 259 other racers. I felt good and confident. Goal #1 was to survive the start, a 30 min DH neutral roll out, that last year was super sketchy. It was anything but neutral in 2013. This year, the roll-out was controlled. I position myself on the outer edge of rows 2 and 3 as the field rolled down the road.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/15115532176" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5578/15115532176_70d4ca2504_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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As with all 100-milers I do, I start slow and pick up speed. Once the neutral roll-out was over, the field surged forward. It was chaos in motion. Riders that would take 12 hours to finish were mixing up with the front of the field. At times, it was super sketchy. I was in a defensive-mode riding my speed. It didn't take long and I was up in the Top-10 and in the lead group. The group would surge on the steep 20%+ grades and I would drift off the back. I was keeping my same speed and would eventually get back on.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14951995538" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3906/14951995538_f013a63477_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It wasn't until about mile 30 that I came unattached from the lead group. One of the Specialized Costa Rica rider pushed the pace hard on one of the steeper longer climbs and I fell off. I now found myself riding either solo or with a smaller group of 2 or 4 riders. I was fine with this, as there was a ton of racing left. Conditions which were jungle-like, greasy, misty, and cool.....this would change at about mile 60 to dry and warm. Key word here being warm :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/15115538916" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/15115538916_f479b65256_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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My nutrition was solid. Tons of water, <a href="http://guenergy.com/">GU</a>, and <a href="http://elete.com/">ELETE </a>products. The 5 or so American's that were there racing had aid bags dropped at all the aid stations, so we could grab and go. The first 2 aid stations were slow to get me my bags, as I was the first American into each check point. I lost time here, but it was not a huge issue, although it seemed like it at the time.<br />
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The 2nd half of the race would prove to be the crux of the race for everyone. As the 100-mile loop circumnavigates an active volcano, it passed through 4-5 climate zones. The last half of the race passes through a section of high-desert....similar to Fruita, CO. The terrain is white limestone and the temps are typically warmer than the first 50-miles. This year, temps were extreme, with the temps maxing out above 110F. There was now no humidity, shade or wind. Personally for me, this is where the wheels fell off the bus. Regardless how much I drank, I stopped sweating and had goosebumps. My pace slowed and I was going backwards.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14951895270" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/14951895270_f30ea2a3ac_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It was like being in a blast furnace. Not only was the sun beating down from above, but the it was also reflecting off the white sandstone roads. I moved forward as fast as I could without overheating. Occasionally, I would stop in some shade to expedite the cooling. Some Tico's were doing the same, so you knew it was HOT!<br />
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The remaining 12 miles, I was in damage control mode. I was asking locals along the route for any liquid to either drink or pour on me. It wasn't until the last 5 miles that I was given a soda hand-up and the a host resort employee was spraying finishing riders with a hose of water. A gracious effort that was a little too late.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/15138160692" title="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Rincon de la Vieja Challenge MTB 100" height="426" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/15138160692_e8aa2c1483_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I finally crossed the finish line about 8.5 hours after I started. I immediately went to the catered food and drink for the post-race and started slamming cold beverages. It was all I wanted....liquid and cold. It was by far the hottest conditions I have ever ridden in. I sat there for a good hour in my <a href="http://www.primalwear.com/">Primal</a> team kit....thankful to be out of the sun and on my way to an overall cooler body temp.<br />
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Race file on Strava | <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/185736192">http://www.strava.com/activities/185736192</a><br />
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In the end, over 100 riders would NOT finish due to the course and conditions. The course was a beast this year....eating away at everything the riders had. Me, I was lucky to finish and I look forward to the next edition of the RVC100.<br />
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If you are looking at racing outside of the USA, the RVC100 is about as logistically easy as they get. Fly into Liberia, Costa Rica......then it is about a 40 minute car transfer to the race venue and the host resort of<span class="ict"> <a href="http://www.guachipelin.com/">Hacienda Guachipelin</a></span>. The event itself is on par with any well run 100-miler in the USA. While little singletrack exists, the course is still worth the trip down! Various terrain keeps you on your toes for 100-miles. Bring a sense of adventure and your eye wide open! Stay a few days after and make the 1 hr drive to the home of the Endless Summer.....Tamarindo, Costa Rica....for a little sun and surf!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14952582007" title="Endless Summer, Tamarindo, CR by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Endless Summer, Tamarindo, CR" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5556/14952582007_b0e9d27d69_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-88652933847415789072014-07-26T07:37:00.002-06:002014-07-26T07:37:33.074-06:00Jones Pass: The Route to the Colorado Freeride Festival and Enduro World Series<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Personally, one of the best rides in Colorado exists just to the south of Winter Park, CO. Most riders, me included at times, are head down and full steam to get over Berthoud Pass to get that day started at <a href="http://trestlebikepark.com/">Trestle Bike Park</a>. Don't get me wrong, Trestle Bike Park is amazing! But sometimes, the sense of adventure outweighs the lift lines, berms, jumps, and park features. Not many are aware that just off of Hwy 40 to the west while en route to Winter Park sits Jones Pass. This route was new to me until about 4 years ago. Now, I try to make room in my schedule to hit this out-n-back ride at least once a year. I didn't need to be in Winter Park until 4 PM to set up the <a href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/">Ergon Bike</a> booth in the expo, so I pinged Kyle Taylor from <a href="http://www.92fifty.com/">92Fifty Cyclery</a>, who had the day off, to meet me at the trail head to get in a few hours on this route.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14748749595" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14748749595_6af8792324_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The route starts with a 45-60 minute jeep road climb right from the parking lot. Steep in spots, but manageable with the <a href="http://www.pivotcycles.com/bikes/detail/15">Pivot</a> and <a href="http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/series/spectral-al-29.html">Canyon</a> bikes we were on. The time spent pedaling this road, puts you right on the divide, just over 12,000 ft. Winter in Colorado was long and rough in 2013/14. Signs on the hard winter are still towering in the high mountains of Colorado. The cornice still exists and blocks the jeep road access to the top of the pass, in most cases 20 feet or higher. Bikes soon became crampons and ice axes as we scaled up the wall of snow.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14746398864" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/14746398864_ce3a9ecc84_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
After making our way up and over the cornice without any carnage, we were well on our way southward on the CDT. Well defined, this trail snakes along towards I-70. For the most part, this trail in 90% rideable with a few steep punches and scree to get over.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14748747745" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14748747745_f4d9c2b96e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
No matter how many times or how high in elevation I ride in Colorado, I am visually blown away by the massiveness of the Rocky Mountains. Kyle, pedals across one of the many saddles in the route....not sure if he is key'd in on the trail in front of him or if he is looking at what I am seeing through the camera to his left.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14562103888" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14562103888_a3363c4f0c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Weather is always a factor when riding this high in elevation. We had eyes and ears to the sky all morning. Dark clouds began their early afternoon dance as we rode on. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14768603843" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" height="376" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14768603843_5471f78287_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Traversing around 12,500 ft, we were just a few moments from turning around as our personal weather consciences began to send up red flags.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14562100778" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/14562100778_4ba1839e00_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Speechless.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14768603133" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14768603133_faa6ba8f2c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
With a sense of urgency, Kyle makes his way back to Jones Pass to begin the 10 minute jeep road descent back to the cars.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14748438822" title="Jones Pass - 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jones Pass - 2014" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14748438822_35f08de6d1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We timed it just right. We had to make our way back down the 20 foot high cornice as the black clouds built up and moved easterly. With the sun still shining, we scaled down the cornice and dropped back down to the cars. 45 minutes later, the skies would open up with rain and hail.<br />
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No doubt, this is a great way to open up the 4 day weekend at the <a href="http://coloradofreeridefestival.com/">Colorado Freeride Festival</a> and <a href="http://www.enduroworldseries.com/">Enduro World Series</a>! </div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-52291533004511038182014-07-22T11:15:00.000-06:002014-07-22T11:15:04.467-06:00REPORT: Telluride 100<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">July 18, 2014 </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Telluride, Colorado </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.visittelluride.com/" data-mce-style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.visittelluride.com/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: white; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline; color: #000000;" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">Telluride, CO</span></a> is known Worldwide for it's fantastic skiing in the winter. Soon it will be well known for it's <a data-mce-href="http://telluride100.com/" data-mce-style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://telluride100.com/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: white; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline; color: #000000;" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">Telluride 100 mountain bike race</span></a>.
2014 marked the inaugural year for the Telluride 100 which covers 96
miles and climbs 15,000 ft. As a first year event, the field was
limited to 100 athletes. Coming from all over the USA to tackle this
demanding course, the athletes would ride 2 different loops, both
starting and finishing in the town of Telluride.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Loop
1 was the toughest loop of the day and also the shortest at about 33
miles. Starting from town at 6 AM, the racer would climb up the
numerous switchbacks of <a data-mce-href="http://www.coloradoguy.com/black-bear-pass/black-bear-pass-4wd-trail.jpg" data-mce-style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.coloradoguy.com/black-bear-pass/black-bear-pass-4wd-trail.jpg" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: white; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline; color: #000000;" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">Black Bear Pass to over 13,000 ft</span></a> before descending down the backside to then climb up to nearly 13,000 ft again going up and over <a data-mce-href="http://cdn.alltelluride.com/images/content/5915_14382_Ophir_Pass_Telluride_Colorado_md.jpg" data-mce-style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://cdn.alltelluride.com/images/content/5915_14382_Ophir_Pass_Telluride_Colorado_md.jpg" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: white; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline; color: #000000;" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">Ophir Pass</span></a>.
From the start, Yuki Ikeda of Topeak-Ergon, would take to the front
with a small group of riders in tow, including teammate Jeff Kerkove. </span><br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSCN0073.jpg" href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSCN0073.jpg"><img alt="DSCN0073" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-5991" data-mce-src="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSCN0073-768x1024.jpg" src="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSCN0073-768x1024.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Yuki
would get a gap of 3 minutes on the opening climb up Black Bear Pass.
Jeff, who was pacing off the back of the 7 person lead group would work
his way up to 2nd place by the top of the pass, followed closely by
Travis Brown and Richie Trent.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Yuki
would maintain his lead through Loop 1 into Loop 2. Jeff, riding in
2nd, would take a wrong turn due to a course marking issue and have to
backtrack a few minutes. This would result in Jeff and 3 other riders
coming back together for the beginning of Loop 2. Leading the charge on
Loop 2, Yuki would ride solo off the front.</span><br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EPIC0002.jpg" href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EPIC0002.jpg"><img alt="EPIC0002" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-5993" data-mce-src="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EPIC0002-1024x689.jpg" src="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EPIC0002-1024x689.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">The
start of the 65 mile Loop 2 would prove to be the separation point for
the chase group. The steep climbing from the town of Telluride to
mid-mountain on Telluride Ski resort would let eventual 2nd place
finisher Stig Somme get away on a solo mission to try to catch Yuki.
Jeff and Ricky Willis would ride together until late in Loop 2. Not far
behind was Travis Brown of Trek. The final 65 miles would take the
riders over 2 more high mountain passes as well as add 4-5 hours of
racing time. In the end, Yuki Ikeda would stay solo off the front to
win the inaugural Telluride 100. Jeff Kerkove, who was battling for 3rd
would drop to 5th by the finish line after working through a
nutritional miscalculation in the last 20 miles.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Yuki
Ikeda following his victory, "My legs felt very good from the
beginning, but I had some stomach issue towards the end. Sport drink and
food didn't sit well in my stomach. I could only take was plain water.
However my legs still worked and Stig Somme who finished second kept
pushing me. I was super happy, honored and proud to take the win for the
first year, and it was my first 100-miler win! However, it was not only
about racing, I enjoyed the whole experience that Telluride offers!"</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Jeff
Kerkove, coming in 5th, had this to say after finishing, "I am
destroyed! The course was brutal but also visually jaw dropping. I rode a
smart pace, but made a crucial mistake in nutrition planning late in
the race and ran out of liquids. Now that I know the course and the
timing of the aid stations, I'm looking to come back to better the
result. This event has everything to make it an iconic Colorado
100-mile race." </span></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/10499627_10152591331316151_4735633372551389377_o.jpg" href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/10499627_10152591331316151_4735633372551389377_o.jpg"><img alt="10499627_10152591331316151_4735633372551389377_o" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-5992" data-mce-src="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/10499627_10152591331316151_4735633372551389377_o-1024x679.jpg" src="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/10499627_10152591331316151_4735633372551389377_o-1024x679.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div data-mce-style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Podium (L to R): Travis Brown, Ricky Willis, Yuki Ikeda, Stig Somme, Jeff Kerkove </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline; color: #000000;" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>RESULTS</strong></span><br /> <span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"> Yuki Ikeda, Pro Men, 1st</span><br /> <span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Jeff Kerkove, Pro Men, 5th</span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Strava file:<a data-mce-href="http://www.strava.com/activities/168148413" data-mce-style="color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.strava.com/activities/168148413" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: white; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;"> http://www.strava.com/activities/168148413</span></a></span></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-2594741484360712642014-07-15T12:05:00.002-06:002014-07-15T15:38:46.120-06:00 Mosquito Range: See The Path Less Traveled <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A re-post of a post I wrote up for PinkBike and MTBR.com.....<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14664448155" title="Mosquito Range traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14664448155_9460cc44dd_o.jpg" width="640" alt="Mosquito Range traverse"></a><br />
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With one of our Ergon Bike USA offices located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado I am lucky to drive through some mind-blowing terrain. I often pass through Leadville en route to events, to visit Ergon retailers, and weekend rides. The Mosquito Range sits to the east of Leadville. It's peaks are high (topping out over 14,000 ft), but less aggressive than it's brother range to the west, the Sawatch Range. From a distance they look smooth and relatively flat in comparison to some of the jagged and aggressive peaks in any other direction. For the past few months, I have been eyeballing this range that shoots across the sky from south to north as I would pass through Leadville. I was curious, if it could be ridden. I knew it was accessible, but just how accessible would it be with a bike in hand?<br />
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Over the past few months I looked at maps and did some web research. Folks had hiked the range, but nothing on anyone taking a bike across the ridge line. After putting a route on digital paper, I pinged the guys a 92Fifty Cyclery, a small shop near Black Hawk, CO. As personal friends, an Ergon retailer, and knowing they are all up for any bike adventure, I asked them if they would like to try to traverse the Mosquito Range by bike with me. I was straight up with them. I told them I had no idea how much of the route was be riding vs hike-a-bike. At 35 miles round trip with about 6,000 feet of vert, I planned on a 5-7 hour day taking into consideration we likely would be pushing and/or carrying our bikes.<br />
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From 92Fifty was Jon, Kyle, and Richie. The four of us set out from downtown Leadville at 10 AM on a Sunday. We had 18 miles of pavement and jeep road to cover before we could even begin to gain the ridge line. We pedaled for 2 hours before we reached the top of Weston Pass to the southeast of Leadville. From here, the hardest part of the day towered over us. We had a hike-a-bike that was 1 mile long, gained 1400+ ft, and was an average gradient of 30%. On top of that, there was no trail.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14475498447" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/14475498447_92a92cb43e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
JD pushes up from Weston Pass, which sits at an elevation of 11,900 ft.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14658724061" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14658724061_a778b2716c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Kyle and Richie led the charge through the high-alpine flora being chased by a very thick crop of mosquitoes.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14475264420" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/14475264420_95f5a997c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
With no trail, we all alternated from making our own switchbacks and pushing the bike to putting the bike on our backs and hiking straight up. There was a sense of urgency. We wanted to know what exactly was at the top and what our proposed route really looked like.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14475263920" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3904/14475263920_6deb8cddfb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
At an elevation of 13,300 ft, we reached the ridge line and stared onto the beauty of mother nature. There wasn't much talking. Just silence and the occasional sound of a picture being taken. The wind, not existent. I couldn't think of a better adventure to break in a brand new Canyon Spectral AL 29, received just a few days prior.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14475304879" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/14475304879_6efb479e48_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We began the northward push on terrain that was very bike friendly. So far, so good. The route demanded the pedal friendly larger travel bikes. Most of us were on 140-150mm travel 27.5 and 29ers.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14659681554" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/14659681554_551fee884d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Not long and we found ourselves in pretty typical Colorado high mountain terrain; a blown out boulder field. Each step careful, as the rocks would slide and move. Each rider careful as to not roll and ankle or slice open some skin on the sharp rocks. Bikes became hiking poles on wheels.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14661575912" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14661575912_d04ffc848b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We made plenty of stops during the day on the ridge, mostly for sightseeing. Early in the ride we had to stop so JD could attend to some heel carnage sustained from the Weston Pass hike-a-bike. Both heels had pretty good size blisters on them. The fix was quick, but as we all know, blister hurt like hell until you can get out of your shoes.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14638963046" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/14638963046_4d45c9e2a3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We truly are very small in this World.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14475492147" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14475492147_bf33c2020a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
A quick break in the saddle just below Horseshoe Mountain.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14475491727" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14475491727_62d7379ae3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Kyle makes his way to the summit of Horseshoe Mountain at our high point of the day, 13,800 ft. A cabin still stands telling the story of the mining times long ago.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14681839653" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/14681839653_52c16854e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The top of Horseshoe Mountain is unlike any other terrain on the Mosquito Range. It's flat and smooth....and littered with the occasional mining hole.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14638960286" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/14638960286_2f8eca5203_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The flat smooth conditions didn't last long. Moments later we were back on the terrain that was expected....loose moving scree. JD had no problem pushing his Nukeproof down the "trail"<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14661571572" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/14661571572_c3c8b39736_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Room for error? Not much. Ride or walk, it didn't matter. It came down to making smart riding decisions.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14638959046" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14638959046_7398192e34_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Signs of the long hard winter still exist below the summit of Mt Sheridan. Kyle watches his step as to not loose bike or footing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14659675414" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/14659675414_c67bdce59d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The saddle between Mt. Sheridan and Mt. Sherman would be our exit point. Mt Sherman is a popular 14er hike. The trail here is very well established, but it's very dry and loose. The camera doesn't do the steepness justice as JD drops towards Leadville.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14638957626" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/14638957626_03de841c88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Kyle comes into one of the many switchbacks on the Mt. Sherman trail.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14475254890" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/14475254890_478ea469c9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The lower sections of the Mt Sherman trail are the burliest of the route. JD made most of this descent. The rest of us, had a hard time keeping the bike moving forward and upright.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14659666934" title="Mosquito Range Traverse by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosquito Range Traverse" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3863/14659666934_2fd81c0504_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
7 hours after we left, we were back in Leadville. Pizza and beer was in order and the infamous High Mountain Pies!<br />
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After seeing the path less traveled east of Leadville, I think we'll being doing a little bit more. If the sense of adventure is there, the path will always be there waiting to be traveled.<br />
<br />
<b>Riders</b><br />
Jeff Kerkove<br />
Jonathan Davis<br />
Richie Trent, aka MTB Jesus<br />
Kyle Taylor</div>Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-32849496004834774112014-07-08T09:28:00.001-06:002014-07-08T09:28:09.324-06:00REPORT: Durango Dirty Century & Firecracker 50<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Enjoy!! Cut-n-paste from the team post-race press release.......<br />
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July 8, 2014 <br />
Durango and Breckenridge, Colorado, USA <br />
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Over the past two weekends, Topeak-Ergon USA rider Jeff Kerkove, has been putting in some lengthy efforts on the Canyon race bikes. The last weekend of June, Jeff competed in the Durango Dirty Century (DDC), a 100-mile self-supported and self-navigated backcountry mountain bike race. The following weekend he celebrated the USA Independence day by toeing the start line of the fastest mountain bike marathon race in the USA, the Firecracker 50. While looking for solid results, both events would serve as preparation for the new Colorado event in 2 weeks, the Telluride 100 which he and teammate Yuki Ikeda with both compete in.<br />
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Roughly 70 riders lined up to complete the Durango Dirty Centruy in late June. As a self-supported and self-navigated event, all riders had to carry most supplies to finish the 100-miles....which could take 10-15 hours to complete. Perfect weather hovered over the riders all day, which was welcomed as a majority of the course traverses above 10,000 feet and treeline.<br />
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Jeff Kerkove had a great start to his DDC. He hit the singletrack in 4th place as riders began to settle into their efforts for the day. "I felt great and was keeping the effort light. I knew I would be in the saddle for over 10+ hours and the course would only get tougher" said Jeff. With the course consisting of 95% pure singletrack, riders would need every ounce of energy they had.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14604727182" title="2014 Durango Dirty Century by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Durango Dirty Century" height="439" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3873/14604727182_27504a89cc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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At about the 50-mile mark Jeff started to slow. "It was a lack of fueling on my part. I had all the proper nutrition, but I simply got so caught up in the course and riding I fell behind on taking on calories," stated Jeff. Still moving forward, Jeff would be caught by chasing riders dropping back to around 10th place. Hoping to finish around 11 hours, Jeff rolled to the finish line in Durango after 12.5 hours on the bike.<br />
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"It was slow going, but I had no option but to keep pushing on. The amazing course and beauty of the high terrain makes for enjoyable suffering," said a smirking Jeff at the finish line.<br />
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Below is a video from about mile 70-80 of the DDC, filmed by Jeff with his Epic Camera....<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-rLh9-mCUA8" width="640"></iframe><br />
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The following weekend was the Firecracker 50, an iconic 50-mile mountain bike marathon event held in Breckenridge, CO. Finishing off a 2-week hard training and racing block, Jeff lined up with 55 other Pro Men to complete two 25-mile laps around Breckenridge, CO. <br />
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Out of the gate, Jeff hung to back of the lead group on Lap 1 of 2. The group charged up Boreas Pass Rd towards the opening singletrack. "I had no pacing limits today. It was ride hard from start to finish," said Jeff. Looping around Breckenridge at an average elevation of 10,500 ft. Jeff would turn his fast lap ever on the Firecracker course. After Lap 1 he was 6 minutes down to the leader of the event.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14418669250" title="2014 Firecracker 50 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Firecracker 50" height="425" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14418669250_e206114c04_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Loop 2 was a different story. Still riding at a good pace, Jeff did slow from his Lap 1 effort. "The gas ran out! I had a hard time getting up the steep climbs." Jeff would drop his position on the race, but still finish strong. "The last 2 weeks caught up with me. I knew I would fade, but just didn't know when. Overall I am happy, as I was only 5 minutes slower than my previous fastest race time here in Breckenridge. Super fast Pro field today!" said a dust covered Jeff. <br />
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Jeff will now settle into a 2 week rest block in preparation for the Telluride 100, a new 100-mile event to hit Colorado. <br />
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RESULTS<br />
Jeff Kerkove, Durango Dirty Century, 8th place<br />
Jeff Kerkove, Firecracker 50, 25th place</div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-57327294713778152912014-06-18T17:29:00.001-06:002014-06-18T17:29:09.036-06:00REPORT: Bailey HUNDO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Congrats to Wiens for winning the 50-miler! My race was good....and bad all in the matter of 100-miles.<br />
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Cut-n-paste from the team release....<br />
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This year marked the 5th year for the Bailey Hundo, a non-profit event that uses the race entry fees to support Trips for Kids, the Colorado League of high school MTB racing, and COMBA. Add in the professional organization and the enthusiastic Bailey community and you have a top-shelf event that utilizes some of the most amazing singletrack in the state of Colorado.<br />
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In previous years, the Bailey Hundo was a stand alone 100-mile event. New for 2014, the Bailey Hundito was added, a 50-mile event. Lining up at 6 AM on a Saturday morning in downtown Bailey, CO would be nearly 500 racers, all looking to complete either the 50 or 100 mile events. Dave Wiens would represent the team in the 50-mile race, while Jeff Kerkove would saddle up for the 100-mile race.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14268392667" title="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito" height="425" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14268392667_68ea0c09ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The race start was launched with the blast of a shotgun. Both the 50 and 100 mile racers started together, so Jeff and Dave were able to ride close to the front together as the field made its way south of town in search of the Colorado Trail. At the first climb, the field quickly separated. “I tried to hang with the top guys who, by the way were riding 55 miles more than me, but I got gapped off pretty fast. They were pinning it, said Dave in regards to the start. Jeff wasn’t far behind. “I could see Dave in front of me, but I had to keep a lid on my effort. So I never caught up to him. I was in for a 6-7 hour day,” commented Jeff.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14431725526" title="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/14431725526_83c7efe773_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Dave continued to ride his pace in the 50-mile race. Really never sure of his placing in the race, Dave pushed his freshly built Canyon Lux CF to it’s limit on loose and dry Colorado Trail. “I was never sure exactly who might be ahead or behind me so I kept on the gas the entire distance,” said Dave after finishing. After racing hard for 50-mile and not really knowing his placing, Dave would cross the finish line in 1st place, becoming the first winner of the inaugural Bailey Hundito.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14268195189" title="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito" height="425" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14268195189_32e29b387a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile, in the 100-mile race, Jeff was doing what he does best….start slow and finish fast. At the 60-mile checkpoint, Jeff was sitting in 7th overall with only a 2 minute gap to 5th and 6th. “I settled into a good late race pace. It didn’t take long and I moved into 5th with 20 miles to go, I could see 4th place up the road….I was very motivated,” said Jeff. Cruising the last 15 miles of the race, Jeff increased his effort, only to strain a muscle in the upper-hamstring of is left leg. “I’m not sure what happened, it has never happened before. It was a huge bummer, as I could barely pedal with my left leg.” Jeff slowed dramatically and went from hunting for that podium position to now just finishing. After finishing Jeff said, “That is the ups and downs of racing. I just need to make sure this isn’t a major injury, rest, then get back on the bike for the next events of the season.” Jeff would cross the line in 9th place in the Pro Men’s field.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14268196359" title="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Bailey Hundo and Hundito" height="424" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/14268196359_1d500993be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Next up, Dave will head to New York for the Leadville Qualifier Series event. Jeff heads to Durango, CO for the Durango Dirty 100<br />
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Photos by Primal Wear, Inc. and Linda Guerrette Photography<br />
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RESULTS<br />
Dave Wiens, 1st, Pro Men, Hundito (50-mile race)<br />
Jeff Kerkove, 9th, Pro Men, Hundo (100-mile race)<br />
<br /></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-6642819232451596482014-06-09T12:48:00.000-06:002014-06-09T12:48:59.312-06:00REPORT: GoPro Mountain Games XC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="userContent">Yes, XC racing still hard as hell. Still blows my mind how deep the talent pool is in this sport! Always a painful reminder that we all have to keep pushing and working hard.</span><br />
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Here is the team PR piece.....<br />
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<span class="userContent"><b>Jeff Kerkove tunes his engine with one of the most competitive XC races in the USA, the <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=121264207885509" href="https://www.facebook.com/mountaingames">Mountain Games</a> in Vail, CO.<br />
</b><br />
The XC race every June at the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, CO brings out the best XC racers in the USA; <span class="text_exposed_show">Olympians, National Champions, and World Cup winners. Without question, the event could double as the USA National XC Championships, as the $8,000 prize list has racer foaming at the mouth to hit the podium.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14383617334" title="2014 GoPro Mountain Games XC | Vail, CO by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 GoPro Mountain Games XC | Vail, CO" height="387" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/14383617334_d3a0a26411_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Starting at 8,100 ft, the course covers 4.5 miles and climbs 1,100 ft up the side of Vail Ski Resort. The racers would complete 3 laps on this difficult course at altitude.<br />
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In the middle of a big 2 week training block, Jeff Kerkove who lives near Vail mountain made the 30-mile commute by bike to toe the start line and push his limits of personal effort and anaerobic speed.<br />
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Over 60 Pro Men lined up to race the 3-laps of the GoPro Mountain Games XC course. Out of the gate, a crash mid-pack split the field. Jeff was caught behind the crash, and forced to chase right from the start. "I didn't hit the deck like the 5 other guys did, but like most of the field I had to wait for them to move out of the way," stated a dust covered Jeff after finishing. With the crash, 1/2 the field got a head start on the later half of the field. Jeff was able to get into a small group of riders and started to chase the very fast front of the field. "We knew we would never see the front of the field, so we just pinned it as hard as we could possibly go to get what we came here for....suffering!"<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14381255381" title="2014 GoPro Mountain Games XC | Vail, CO by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 GoPro Mountain Games XC | Vail, CO" height="517" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/14381255381_39a2e4c3a8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Jeff pulled off 3 consistent laps to move further up the field and finish in 35th place. Jeff after finishing, "I can't complain. I felt strong and my equipment worked great! Plus, the race was so much fun as there was no shortage of competition around me. Everyone gets pushed to their limit here."<br />
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Photos © Linda Guerrette</span></span></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-26593088882261982142014-05-29T08:23:00.001-06:002014-05-29T08:40:28.202-06:00REPORT: Gunnison Growler<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Via the Topeak-Ergon newsletter...... <br />
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May 25, 2014<br />
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Gunnison, Colorado, USA</div>
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2014 marked the seventh running of the Gunnison Growler, a 32-mile and 64-mile mtb event put on by Topeak-Ergon USA rider, Dave Wiens. As a fundraiser for Gunnison Trails, the Growler brings in over 700 riders from all over the USA to tackle the demanding trails that loop around the southern edge of Gunnison, CO at an elevation of over 8,000 ft.<br />
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In his 6 attempt at the Growler, Jeff Kerkove of Topeak-Ergon USA toed the start line on Sunday to cover the 64-mile course. Mother Nature also decided to toe the start line, by greeting the racers with rain and temperatures in the high 30Fs. With rain overnight and at the beginning of the race, it was sure to effect course conditions, as well as rider preparation for a 6 hour day on the bike.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14294959191" title="2014 Gunnison Growler by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Gunnison Growler" height="800" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/14294959191_0de486ae50_c.jpg" width="534" /></a><br />
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The race rolled out of Gunnison at 7 AM and the racers bolted for the course to begin the first of two 32-mile laps. Jeff having raced the Growler a handful of time previous settled into his pace. "The race always starts fast, but the course is super demanding and you have to pace it perfectly so you don't go backwards on Lap 2," stated Jeff. Dress head to toe in thermals and carrying a Gore-Tex rain jacket, Jeff was prepared for the weather to get only worse. Lap 1 gave riders a slippery and greasy 2.5 hours on the bike. Jeff rode a consistent lap and rolled in after Lap 1 in 14th place, right where he wanted to be. At the transition of Lap 1 to 2 Jeff grabbed more GU nutrition and dropped off his rain jacket as skies began to brighten.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14111762537" title="2014 Gunnison Growler by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Gunnison Growler" height="420" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/14111762537_2b8cee60a2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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"Lap 2 I knew what I had to do. I felt good and pushed my pace just enough to start reeling in some of the fading riders in front of me," said Jeff. With nearly 350 riders covering the course on Lap 1, Lap 2 became perfect conditions. With no more rain during the actual race, the course only got faster. Jeff pushed his effort and worked his way into 9th place near the end of Lap 2. "In the final miles I was wheel to wheel with 9th place, but spun out climbing up a steep muddy rock and was passed. It formed a gap and I could not bridge back up on the short remaining miles of the lap." Jeff would finish in 10th place on the day, his best result at the Gunnison Growler.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14111663648" title="2014 Gunnison Growler by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Gunnison Growler" height="424" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14111663648_dd99d246b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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"All I wanted was a good race today. In my previous attempts at the Growler I always seem to have bad luck; pacing, mechanicals, etc. But today, I rode my perfect race, my bike and equipment was perfect. Everything went as planned, " said a muddy Jeff after his 5.5 hour day on the bike.</div>
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Next up for Jeff is the GoPro Mountain Games XC race in Vail, CO and the Bailey 100 in Bailey, CO<br />
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>RESULTS</b></span><br />
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Jeff Kerkove, 10th, Pro/Open Men</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>STRAVA FILE</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001_EksJ-5HcbH6OSHS2Dj2oe-ZSIpg7C-_a8L720a5w9zoFQN5WSSQexRqXY3UzwTpMEfNBsA4i4gaJfIT-LMX3zOw6a2OLCrXe5w1pznWDdXKGzjRvY5RONH1QQ05uX39SJ7cum0vh2Q=" shape="rect" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.strava.com/activities/145565420</a> </span></div>
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<i>Photos © Kevin Krill | Crested Butte Photography</i></div>
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Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-74440577548554557772014-05-20T15:54:00.001-06:002014-05-20T15:54:51.689-06:00REPORT: Firebird XC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A direct cut-n-paste from the team PR piece....<br />
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May 17, 2014<br />
Eagle, Colorado, USA<br />
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The weekend of May 17-18 officially kicked off the mountain bike racing season in the high country of Colorado. Taking place at 6600 ft in Eagle, CO, the <a data-mce-href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WHMW7RMKkaQ8txpa0bb3AK5OAQhT7xbkleJBrTwcRF2P5YdtJwmA_PvET51oKJQt_CRHsZObfAHHiaufNIXSTLqplJ1fMwQxA89WSDSY1kWb7rIDGcGtTw==" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WHMW7RMKkaQ8txpa0bb3AK5OAQhT7xbkleJBrTwcRF2P5YdtJwmA_PvET51oKJQt_CRHsZObfAHHiaufNIXSTLqplJ1fMwQxA89WSDSY1kWb7rIDGcGtTw==" shape="rect" target="_blank">Eagle Outside Festival</a> brought in over 30 bike industry vendors. In addition to the festival and demos, the event also offers the Firebird. What traditionally is a big 40-mile backcountry loop, was shortened to a 25-mile XC race due to snow on the higher elevations of the course. That did keep the field from swelling to over 90 riders in the Pro/Open field.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14232755374" title="Firebird XC by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Firebird XC" height="426" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14232755374_ba1c632fe4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Racing in his home town and on his home trails, Jeff Kerkove toed the start line for Team Topeak-Ergon USA aboard his <a data-mce-href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WHMW7RMKkaQ8txpa0bb3AK5OAQhT7xbkleJBrTwcRF2P5YdtJwmA_PvET51oKJQt_CRHsZObfAEqy5FrRBt-B3YEXKjSgxK_TmgqtArKsqp1XW41pBWz3ROBWsHnYWr1F0gfRnylLnTTiC9j1gRVqaAxjroLlNYeanxX9qdIyxg=" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WHMW7RMKkaQ8txpa0bb3AK5OAQhT7xbkleJBrTwcRF2P5YdtJwmA_PvET51oKJQt_CRHsZObfAEqy5FrRBt-B3YEXKjSgxK_TmgqtArKsqp1XW41pBWz3ROBWsHnYWr1F0gfRnylLnTTiC9j1gRVqaAxjroLlNYeanxX9qdIyxg=" shape="rect" target="_blank">Canyon Lux CF</a>. The start was violent, as over 90 men rolled out of the festival venue en route to the trails. Jeff, known as an endurance specialist, rode in the top 20 as the field made their way to the singletrack. "I knew the race would be hard with the rough trail late in the laps. I cannot start fast, so I need to warm up to the pace," stated Jeff following the race.<br />
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Jeff hit the trail in a good position and knowing the course very well began to pick off riders in front of him. The course is known to be smooth and fast, but with recent wet weather and cattle ranching near by, parts of the course became very very rough. "I was able to catch and pull away from my competition on the rough trails. No doubt, the Canyon Lux CF was an advantage on the course today."<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14229706841" title="Firebird XC by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Firebird XC" height="800" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14229706841_a8fda7e2e4_c.jpg" width="533" /></a><br />
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Jeff rode at his limit for nearly 2 hours to go onto finish in 18th place. "This is the hardest I have ridden in this young season," said Jeff. Watching from the sidelines was Ergon photographer, Angel King. Angel following the race, "You could see Jeff getting faster as the race went on. He just ran out of race course to better his position."</div>
Next up for Jeff is the Ergon and SRAM sponsored 64-mile Gunnison Growler on May 25 in Gunnison, Colorado.<br />
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<b>RESULTS</b><br />
Jeff Kerkove, 18th, Pro/Open Men<br />
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<b>STRAVA FILE</b><br />
<a data-mce-href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WHMW7RMKkaQ8txpa0bb3AK5OAQhT7xbkleJBrTwcRF2P5YdtJwmA_PvET51oKJQt_CRHsZObfAGXaboiCAAgrA39jx3EA0ulqwpiYFocZRCSHoGgDnFHCVqhUaGkFB__g5ZlPxxXL3c=" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001WHMW7RMKkaQ8txpa0bb3AK5OAQhT7xbkleJBrTwcRF2P5YdtJwmA_PvET51oKJQt_CRHsZObfAGXaboiCAAgrA39jx3EA0ulqwpiYFocZRCSHoGgDnFHCVqhUaGkFB__g5ZlPxxXL3c=" shape="rect" target="_blank">www.strava.com/activities/142402720 </a><br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
<b>Photos © Angel King / Ergon Bike</b></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-19218067959393431562014-05-01T09:37:00.000-06:002014-05-04T08:58:42.910-06:00REPORT: Whiskey Off-Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Another season. Another Whiskey Off-Road. I always look forward to this event....at least the 50-miler on Sunday. Honestly, I could do without the street crit on Friday. Falling at the end of a 3-week work road trip, the <a href="http://www.epicrides.com/index.php?contentCat=6">Whiskey Off-Road</a> is always a daunting task.....work expo, train, rest, work expo, rest, train, etc.<br />
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I know my place in this event. Who I can race with....who I can't. With nearly 100+ Pro Men in the field....all of which are fast and solid dudes to boot....the Whiskey Off-Road always lets one know where their early season fitness sits. The course all week had been super dry, dusty, and loose. With the lack of riding in the Vail Valley prior to heading on this 20-day road trip, I got bike happy. I rode a lot. It was too nice and trails too good not to. The Whiskey course is great and I got in a few laps on it testing Continental tire combos and <a href="http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/family/xx1">SRAM XX1</a> chainring options. In the end, I settled on a 34T front ring and a set of <a href="http://www.conti-online.com/www/bicycle_de_en/themes/mtb/cc_marathon/raceking_en.html">Continental Race King 2.2 tires</a>.<br />
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Saturday, 1 day from race start, Mother Nature released its fury dropping temps, rain, snow, and insane wind. I watched from the Ergon expo tent and the comfort of our rented house as the Amatuer racers buffed out the course and taught us all a thing or two about sucking it up and racing hard.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14104895415" title="2014 Whiskey 50 Off-Road by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2014 Whiskey 50 Off-Road" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/14104895415_8258dc9b48_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Race day came for myself and nearly 100 other Pro men. It was sunny and cool, but perfect. My goal for the day was to execute a good race and to beat my previous best time on this course. The start always gets me at the Whiskey Off-Road. I can't start fast, fact. If I do, I blow and the rest of the day is a wash. I need to work into it...riding my own pace. I did so, slowly moving backwards in the field. As the race went on, I got into my groove and was able to up my pace, actually surprisingly high. Riders in the field started to come back to me over the water-bar climbing as well as on the singletrack descent.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/14058528796" title="Jeff_Whiskey by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Jeff_Whiskey" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/14058528796_1c6db2dc88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The hardest part for me, mostly because I haven't been able to take on an big climbs yet this year, was the pace back up to Skull Pass. I was gap'd off the crew I descending into the valley with...and was mostly riding solo back to the finish line. I rode a solid tempo, but it wasn't fast by any means. I foam'd at the mouth for the top and the singletrack back to town. Once there, I was able to catch a few riders and move up a few places. The new <a href="http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/series/lux-cf-29.html">Canyon Lux CF</a> was so damn fun to ride!! I actually got goosebumps from the excitement of the riding and handling of the bike.....it was like an effortless roller coaster ride.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/13895193688" title="Whiskey Off-Road HR profile. OUCH! by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Whiskey Off-Road HR profile. OUCH!" height="273" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/13895193688_b9f703879c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Finally, a proper race HR file. Don't think I have ever ridden that long at threshold!<br />
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My final result was 57th....and I did PR my course time. Overall, I am fine with that....as I have to keep things in perspective and a reality. <br />
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All my race details posted on Strava: <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/134923428">http://www.strava.com/activities/134923428</a><br />
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Photos courtesy of Kathleen Thomas, Photo by The Damion Alexander Team, and <span class="editable meta-field photo-desc ">Ryan Greeff</span> </div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-26004396007074814272014-03-18T09:55:00.001-06:002014-03-18T10:03:44.115-06:00REPORT: True Grit 100<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a very long time since I've updated. Since the last event of 2013, the 100-miler in Costa Rica, I have been getting through another winter in the Vail Valley. With nearly 5 feet of snow touching the ground here in Eagle, CO, backcountry xc skiing was the name of the game this winter. In addition to the long ski days, I have been getting in some 1 hr days on the trainer.<br />
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With the longer winters here in the CO high country, to motivate for the season, I eyed the <a href="http://truegritepic.com/">True Grit 100 in St. George, UT</a>. The TG100 is the opener of the National Ultra Series and the kick off for most riders. I knew this race would be difficult, as it is very technical from start to finish. In preparation for the event, I did a handful of 3-day training camps in St. George and Moab in Feb and in March. Coming out of both of those camps I felt I was more than ready to take on the TG100.<br />
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Going into the race, I felt physically ready to have a good race. Mentally I was excited to race! I knew the course, as I had pre-rode it in Feb. I chose to ride my <a href="https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/series/nerve-al-29.html">Canyon Nerve AL 29er full suspension</a>, as it worked well with the course chunk and funk. The only downfall to that bike, was the weight. It was an alumn bike rather than newer carbon, weighing in at about 26 lbs.<br />
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The 8 AM start saw over 50 Pro men toe the start line. My plan was to ride my race....never pushing too hard into the red zone. When the gun went off, the group took off up the opening hill. Eventual winner, Drew Edsell, set the pace. For me, I sat in about 15th place as we rolled out to the singletrack. As we covered ground, I moved up into the Top 10 of the field. The lead riders were in sight, but not within chasing distance. I went about my business riding the opening loops and then Zen. On the Zen Trail, I was with one other rider. The leaders in front of me were out of sight....and those behind me were close, but not biting at my heels. As I picked my way through Zen I soon found myself solo. For the rest of my day I would be solo only occasionally seeing riders in front of me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/13245475713/" title="Moab - March 2014 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Moab - March 2014" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/13245475713_29f5981f56_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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After Zen I grabbed a fresh bottle and climbed up and over to the Bear Claw Poppy singletrack. After finishing this trail it was time for the Stucki Springs climbs into a brutal headwind. It was a beast of a wind that slowed all the riders. Here is where I caught Justin Lindine....who appeared to be cramping on the side of the trail. I asked if he needed anything. He said "No". I pushed on.<br />
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Next up was a lollipop loop on Rim Rambler. It was here where I saw my true placing. Coming into this trail I met the riders that were in 3rd, 4th, and 5th. They were just finishing the section of trail I was starting. GREAT! I knew I was in 6th place currently with about 45 miles to race. I finished this trail and made my way to over to Barrel Roll....the last singletrack loop before the dirt road back to start the final race lap.<br />
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On Barrel Roll I only saw 2 riders, the leaders; Edsell and Smith. They had about 20 minutes on me. Barrel Roll is one of my favorite St. George trails. Having ridden this trail a bunch, it didn't take long to complete it. Again, I was solo on this trail....as I was most of the day. Out of Barrel Roll I stopped at the aid station to grab a fresh bottle of <a href="https://guenergy.com/">GU</a> and a <a href="https://guenergy.com/">gel flask of GU</a>. All my water was on my back in my <a href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/bx1">Ergon BX1</a>. I left the aid station following the course markings, which now were a mix of orange ribbon and white chalk. After a section of singletrack, we then began a long section of dirt road. This is when everything went to hell for me....and a handful of other riders.<br />
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Riding solo down the road I came to race volunteer...or what I though was a volunteer...that was redirecting racers to go a different route other than I had pre-rode in Feb. I had no reason to second guess it, as the white chalk was marking the turn and the volunteer was wearing a True Grit 100 event hat. I made the right turn....instead of what I though was a left....and began pushing down another jeep road followed by a few steep climbs. As I headed north....instead of south....I was second guessing all of this. But, I would always see tire tracks...so I kept racing forward. Eventually, I found myself back at the Barrel Roll trailhead and aid station. WTF!!!! This obviously wasn't right. Knowing where I was I quickly got back on course....the same section of course I rode 20 minutes earlier. I couldn't wait to get back to the course marshal and tell them they are sending riders the wrong way. Once back to that spot, the course marshal was gone and the white powder course markings had been wiped away. WTF!!!!<br />
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Mentally, this crushed me. I was so angry. Two things that rarely effect me....especially while competing. Here I was in 6th place....and now back in the 20's. What the hell just happened? Why would someone do this. I continued on in the race stating Lap 2. This whole time I mentally shut down. I was unmotivated to try to chase. Running through my head I questioned why me and what if others? Normally I never do this and just keep pushing on, but for some reason I could not. I finished about 10 miles of Lap 2 before I had enough. I decided enough was enough and called it a day....basically because I was mentally crushed by some jerks decision to alter other riders race experience. It was my decision and my decision only to stop, and I have to live with it. I broke one of my golden race rules.....don't stop racing unless you cross the finish line or are told to stop by the race organizers.<br />
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Later in the day, the racers would find out that a racer....who got their race bag and #.....but decided not to race and volunteer instead was mis-informed and was sending riders off course. This happened to a handful of riders there were a head of me and behind me. Was it intentional? Highly unlikely, but know one really knows.<br />
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Needless to say, physically I was ready for the TG100, but not mentally. Not an ideal way to start the 2014 season, but it is good to get the bad mojo and funk out of the way. A BIG lesson learned. Funny to think after all these years of pinning on a race number, every race offers a new learning experience.<br />
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Next up, more prep and the Whiskey Off-Road....which doubles as a work and race event.</div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-29110370922086754442013-08-28T09:50:00.000-06:002013-08-28T09:50:01.658-06:00REPORT: Rincon de La Vieja Challenge MTB 100-MileVia the team PR piece.....<br />
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<b>Kerkove does battles at Costa Rican 100-mile mountain bike race</b><br />
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August 23, 2013<br />
Liberia, Costa Rica<br />
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The Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-Mile is the brainchild of Juan Carlos Villa. Making history this past Saturday, the Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile is the first 100-mile mountain bike event ever in Latin America. With the growing success of the 100-mile format in the USA, the Rincon de La Vieja saw a sold out field in 2013, with nearly 300 athletes toeing the start line.<br />
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The course is a single 100-mile loop circumnavigating 2 volcanoes, one of those being still active. Consisting of a mix of dirt roads and single track, the course traversed through 5 microclimates and would prove the ultimate course for the racers to do battle. Jeff Kerkove of Team Topeak-Ergon USA toed the start line of this inaugural event, just 8 days after finishing the Breck-Epic Stage Race.<br />
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“Going into this race, I was expecting a La Ruta like experience with jungle riding, mud, hike-a-bike, etc. Even though the course is road heavy, it will be very very tough” stated Jeff prior to start after training on the course the day prior.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9612843999/" title="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/9612843999_268a520a86_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile"></a><br />
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The race began with a neutral roll out, prior to the UCI official yelling, “Go!” Once the race was underway, the field spread out quickly. Jeff found himself riding in the Top-20 in the opening miles prior to the short steep climbs. “The climbs here in Costa Rica are the steepest I have ever ridden. I had to ride my own pace and not dig too deep.” said Jeff. Jeff’s pace would prove to be successful, as he would work his way up to 8th place by the end of the event.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9612841665/" title="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/9612841665_4289ca29d5_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile"></a><br />
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Jeff’s only drama would come after Checkpoint 2 early in the race, where he clipped a rock with his left foot racing through tall grass and crashed hard at 20 mph. He sustained a cut up knee and swollen shoulder and knee. While this killed some of his momentum, he continued on and finished strong under pouring rain. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9616055142/" title="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/9616055142_6be7c5c4ee_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9616053044/" title="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/9616053044_4193a0c356_z.jpg" width="640" height="401" alt="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile"></a> <br />
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In the end, Jeff would finish 8th overall. “The course was great! Even though a lot of dirt road, the roads were very very hard and rough. My legs feel like I climbed and rode twice as far as my GPS says. I am used to dry and dusty courses at altitude. Costa Rica was wet and slippery, it forced me to find my “jungle legs” for the event”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9616042904/" title="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/9616042904_839fab0660_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9612830587/" title="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/9612830587_8094ab39d2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013 Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100-mile"></a><br />
<br />
<b>Results</b><br />
Jeff Kerkove, 8th<br />
<br />
Strava GPS file: <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/77916797">http://www.strava.com/activities/77916797</a>Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-78778672115338826852013-08-19T08:46:00.002-06:002013-08-19T08:46:39.736-06:00REPORT: Breck-Epic Stage RacePR piece from the team.....<br />
<br />
<b>Topeak-Ergon sweeps the Duo Men category of the Breck-Epic</b><br />
<br />
August 11-17, 2013<br />
Breckenridge, Colorado, USA<br />
<br />
In 5 short years, the Breck-Epic has set its self up as one of the toughest backcountry mountain bike stage races in the World. Lasting 6-days, covering 240 miles, and climbing nearly 38,000 feet, the Breck-Epic traverses through the Colorado backcountry around Breckenridge, Colorado<br />
<br />
In 2013, Topeak-Ergon athletes, Yuki Ikeda and Jeff Kerkove, entered the Duo Men category. For 6-days, Yuki and Jeff would race side by side against a handful of other teams. This was the first time that Yuki and Jeff have raced together, but it proved to be the perfect combo.<br />
<br />
To make the week more interesting, Yuki and Jeff would have to race with Yuki’s lingering fatigue. The day prior to starting the Breck-Epic, Yuki raced the Leadville 100 finishing 20th. Fatigue would not be a limiter, as the team would win Stage 1 by 10 minutes over the 2nd place team. The rest of the week would be very successful. Having good fitness and no mechanicals all week, Yuki and Jeff would take the win on all 6 stages.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9547884840/" title="EClark_130813_3040 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/9547884840_58d6fd3246_z.jpg" width="640" height="392" alt="EClark_130813_3040"></a><br />
<br />
Yuki Ikeda after finishing the Leadville 100 and Breck-Epic back-to-back effort, “Breck Epic 6 Day was a big challenge to me because it started the day after racing Leadville Trail 100. I had hard time for the first three days, but surprisingly started feeling better and better in the last three days. I was able to finish strong thanks to my duo team mate, who pushed my limit and encouraged me for the 6 days.” <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9545095153/" title="EClark_130812_2743 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9545095153_b01d0cf55e_z.jpg" width="640" height="392" alt="EClark_130812_2743"></a><br />
<br />
Jeff following the week of racing, “Yuki and I worked well together, the effort was streamlined. Yuki pushed me as hard as I could go both uphill and down, figured for sure Leadville would have slowed him down a bit, but it didn’t. Feeling fortunate to of had good legs, partner, and equipment to take the win!”<br />
<br />
Next up for Yuki is the Grand Junction Off-Road in Colorado prior to heading back to Japan. Jeff has a very short recovery period as he heads to Costa Rica for the Rincon de La Vieja Challenge, Latin America’s first 100-mile mountain bike race.<br />
<br />
<b>Results</b><br />
Jeff Kerkove & Yuki Ikeda, 1st Place, Duo Pro Men<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9545094947/" title="Breck_Epic_Podium by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/9545094947_8a17517110_z.jpg" width="640" height="392" alt="Breck_Epic_Podium"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9547884556/" title="Breck_Epic_awards by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9547884556_1cb8257d76_z.jpg" width="640" height="392" alt="Breck_Epic_awards"></a><br />
<br />
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-76252580234394724402013-07-29T13:15:00.000-06:002013-07-29T13:15:46.108-06:00Gain The DivideA little adventure riding on the <a href="http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/series/strive-al.html">Canyon Strive</a> en route to Winter Park, CO to work the <a href="http://coloradofreeridefestival.com/">Colorado Freeride Festival</a> for 4 days. Love this Jones Pass ride!!<br />
<br />
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10201502192507505" height="366" width="651" frameborder="0"></iframe>Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-75858032310158860502013-07-17T12:40:00.000-06:002013-07-17T12:48:03.506-06:00REPORT: Breckenridge 100<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">PR piece released from the team....<br />
<br />
<b>Topeak-Ergon takes 2 podium spots at the Breckenridge 100</b><br />
<br />
July 14, 2013<br />
Breckenridge, Colorado, USA<br />
<br />
You’ve tried the rest. Now take the test! Those are the words spoken by the Breck 100, arguably the hardest single day 100-mile mountain bike race in the USA. Consisting of 3 different loops in a clover lead pattern, racers ride the 3 distinctly different loops to cover 100 miles and climb nearly 13,000 ft. Not only is the course demanding, add in an average course elevation of 10,500 ft and the summer monsoon conditions, and you have all the elements to label this as the toughest mountain bike race in America.<br />
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Starting at 6 AM, racer would leave downtown Breckenridge to begin their ascent of Wheeler Pass, the high point of the race. Sonya Looney and Jeff Kerkove would represent the team on the day. This would be Sonya’s second time competing in the 100-mile event, and Jeff’s first. Both riders would have great starts, setting the tone for what would be a 9+ hour day on the bike.<br />
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Sonya would hold back her effort early in the race, planning for a strong finish. The effort would pay off, as she would work into 1st place about 40 miles in the race and hold on for the victory and a new female course record.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9307530235/" title="2013 Breckenridge 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Breckenridge 100" height="392" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/9307530235_952e1cf48e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sonya after her demanding victory, “I was excited to return this year with the idea that I might be able to set the course record. I had a pacing plan that worked perfectly and despite the pouring rain the last 20 miles, I was able to keep my focus and had good legs to finish strong. Breckenridge is my favorite place in the World to ride!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9310314370/" title="2013 Breckenridge 100 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Breckenridge 100" height="392" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/9310314370_fa3c596200_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jeff, would ride the day in the top part of the Pro Men’s field, having enough strength to finish in 5th place on the day. Jeff following his race, “I am super stoked with my ride, a lot of people struggle here with the Breck course. The course was super hard and the pouring rain late at 11,000 ft made for insane conditions! I found myself laughing late in the race, it was so ridiculous!” <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9307564891/" title="2013 Breckenridge 100 - Little French climb by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/9307564891_8f704cd6d0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013 Breckenridge 100 - Little French climb"></a><br />
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Next up for Sonya is the Mongolia Bike Challenge and Jeff with team up with teammate Yuki Ikeda for the Breck-Epic Stage Race.<br />
<br />
<b>Results</b><br />
Sonya Looney, 1st, Pro Women (New course record)<br />
Jeff Kerkove, 5th, Pro Men<br />
<br />
Strava file: <a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/67180813">http://app.strava.com/activities/67180813</a></div><br />
Photos by Eddie Clark Media and Mountain Moon Photography</div>Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-5409877132030578822013-07-09T13:17:00.003-06:002013-07-09T13:17:50.090-06:00REPORT: Firecracker 50<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Team PR release...<br />
<br />
<b>Topeak-Ergon celebrates July 4th at the Firecracker 50</b><br />
<br />
July 4th, 2013<br />
Breckenridge, Colorado, USA<br />
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Every July 4th, America celebrates its independence. On this very same day every year, thousands of mountain bikers from across the western USA descend on Breckenridge, Colorado for the Firecracker 50. A long-standing and very popular marathon race, the 50-mile Firecracker 50 sends riders up to 11,300 feet above sea level twice as they traverse the two 25-mile loops that make up the Firecracker 50.<br />
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Toeing the start line in downtown Breckenridge, CO for Team Topeak-Ergon USA were Dave Wiens and Jeff Kerkove. This marks the return to racing for Dave after taking a small break from racing after the 2009 Leadville 100. With a 9:30 AM start, the Pro Men would lead out the 1,000+ field of racers into the Colorado backcountry. Dave, having a great start, would make the small lead group break. Jeff would follow shortly behind in group 2 as they chased early in the race.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9249227156/" title="2013 Firecracker 50 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Firecracker 50" height="426" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/9249227156_e13222428d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Dave would ride a smart race, catching riders who would struggle with pacing and mechanicals. Finishing in 3rd place overall, Dave had this to say following his race, “My new Canyon 29er was awesome! So fast! My strategy was to go as hard as I could go but to not get in over my head. I fell off of the pace of the leaders but kept it at my red line. Was in the group of 5-7th at half way. I was strongest on the flats and less steep climbs like Boreas. Moved into 4th, then caught Jay….then Jay flatted and I knew if all went well, I rode smart was a little lucky, I could get third. Mission accomplished.”<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9249227512/" title="2013 Firecracker 50 by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Firecracker 50" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/9249227512_dca675087f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Jeff would ride his best Firecracker 50 race to date, finishing 12th and riding his fastest time in this Colorado classic. “I felt good all day, and had a good race for me. Was happy to turn my fastest time on this course and achieve my highest placing here at the Firecracker, “ said Jeff upon finishing.<br />
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GPS data on Strava: <a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/64791182">http://app.strava.com/activities/64791182</a><br />
<b><br />
Results</b><br />
Dave Wiens, 3rd, Pro Men<br />
Jeff Kerkove, 12th, Pro Men<br />
<br />
<u>all photos by Devon Balet Photography</u></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-52754231811587166612013-07-01T09:34:00.002-06:002013-07-01T09:35:17.625-06:00REPORT: Crested Butte Fat Tire 40Via the team PR....<br />
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<b>Kerkove has solid race in the Crested Butte Fat Tire 40</b><br />
<br />
June 29, 2013<br />
Crested Butte, Colorado, USA<br />
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The Fat Tire 40 is part of the Crested Butte Fat Tire Festival, claimed to be the longest running mountain bike festival in the USA. Planted at 9200 ft. above sea level, the Fat Tire 40 is a single 40-mile backcountry loop that traverses over some of the most breathtaking and organic mountain bike terrain the USA has to offer.<br />
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Beginning at 8 AM under clear sunny skies, the Fat Tire 40 rolled out of Crested Butte Mountain Resort under neutral control. After about 1.5 miles of neutral controlled pacing, the race was on as the field shot straight up the backside of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Jeff Kerkove of Team Topeak-Ergon pedaled his effort wisely as he sat around 10th place during the long slow grind to the top of the mountain. Opting to run the 28T SRAM XX1 front chainring, Jeff was able to gauge is effort early as the later half of the event throws lung busting climbs and technical terrain at the racers.<br />
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“I opted to ride my heavier full suspension 29er over my lighter hardtail 29er. This course is pretty brutal, so I want to conserve energy over the duration of the 40-mile, 3.5 hour race”, said Jeff Kerkove.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/9184726780/" title="Jeff Kerkove | Fat Tire 40 | Pro Men by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/9184726780_604d0895fd_z.jpg" width="640" height="424" alt="Jeff Kerkove | Fat Tire 40 | Pro Men"></a><br />
PHOTO: Chris Miller | Miller Perspectives<br />
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Over the 40-miles, Jeff would find himself racing around the same 5 or 6 competitors. “We battled back and forth all morning. The racing was really good, everyone is so fast and the competition is so tight here in Colorado”, Jeff Kerkove following the race. “I paced perfectly and improved a lot over last year, so I am happy with my result”<br />
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Jeff would place 15th overall, improving last years race time by 10 minutes. Next up for Jeff is the Firecracker 50 on July 4th.<br />
<br />
<b>Results</b><br />
Jeff Kerkove, 15th, Pro Men<br />
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-52001356027941592362013-06-22T08:38:00.000-06:002013-06-22T08:38:46.934-06:00Welcoming in the Summer of 2013 on Vail Mountain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2 Riders. 7 different Ergon products. 3 <a href="http://www.gsmoutdoors.com/shopping/epic/carbine.aspx">HD Epic Cameras</a>. 5 runs down Vail Mountain. We can't think of a better way to welcome in the Summer of 2013!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68907677?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=c9ff23" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe><br />
<br />
Music: Hard Brew<br />
Artist: Mad Mav<br />
Source: jamendo.com</div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-83414779083361570022013-06-11T08:07:00.001-06:002013-07-09T13:18:20.869-06:00REPORT: GoPro Mountain Games XC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8995132067/" title="GoPro Mountain Games XC - Vail, CO by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="GoPro Mountain Games XC - Vail, CO" height="393" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/8995132067_86cee971a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
What better way to get into shape than to race at 9,000 feet on Vail Mountain while pinned! 3 laps on this course is pretty brutal, but also damn fun! Climb for 20 minutes, then rip the descent for 10 minutes. My race was a bit flat, but not too bad. Totally 100% my fault, as I went a bit harder in the previous day pre-ride than I should have. As for the race, I felt good for the first 2 laps, then went back a few places on the third lap. I ended up 35th overall out of a field of 60ish strong racers. Crazy how this event brings out the top mtb talent!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8995131957/" title="GoPro Mountain Games XC - Vail, CO by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="GoPro Mountain Games XC - Vail, CO" height="471" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/8995131957_edd9cdbc5c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Race file on Strava: <a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/59135607">http://app.strava.com/activities/59135607</a></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-2036142865264581122013-05-30T13:18:00.002-06:002013-05-30T13:20:17.617-06:00REPORT: VRD Eagle Ranch Classic XC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Not sure where the juice came from Wednesday evening, but managed a 3rd place in the <a href="http://www.vailrec.com/">Vail Rec. District</a>'s opening round of the <a href="http://www.vailrec.com/mountainbikeraces.cfm">summer mtb xc series</a>. The race was the Eagle Ranch Classic in Eagle, CO. Here is the saddle cam from the Pro Men race.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="366" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10201121097580370" width="650"></iframe></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-40957368078552182032013-05-29T13:06:00.005-06:002013-05-29T13:07:28.643-06:00REPORT: Gunnison Growler<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Press release from the team....<br />
<br />
<b>Kerkove deflated at the 64-mile Gunnison Growler</b><br />
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May 26, 2013<br />
Gunnison, CO<br />
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The Gunnison Growler is the brainchild of Topeak-Ergon team rider, Dave Wiens. Encompassing two 32-miles laps out at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area south of Gunnison, CO, the Growler is deceivingly difficult event which throws an unrelenting course filled with rocks, steep climbs, and altitude at all who dare to take on this beast. This year, Jeff Kerkove, represented the team at this event, which is becoming a Colorado classic.<br />
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Beginning at 7 AM with temperatures hovering just above freezing, Jeff rolled out of town with the field at the front of the race. With over 350 riders on the start line, the race was a buzz rolling out of town. Jeff started strongly sitting in the top 10 as the race crested the infamous Kill Hill.<br />
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Riding a conservative pace, Jeff raced along with a group of 5 riders, each taking turns leading the charge. At about mile 20 of lap 1, Jeff struck a rock on course, which led to a small leak in the rear tire. Over the next 30 minutes of racing, Jeff would be forced to stop and add air to the tire with his CO2 inflator. With 3 CO2 cartridges in his pockets, he used all 3 in 30 minutes. He rolled on a flat tire for a few miles before entering an aid station where he was fortunate enough to be able to put Stan’s sealant in the back wheel and continue on.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8868410533/" title="2013 Gunnison Growler by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 Gunnison Growler" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/8868410533_644e687117_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
Photo by Kevin Krill, crestedbuttephotography.smugmug.com/<br />
<br />
Now sitting in about 50th place after all the stopping to inflate the tire and a lengthy pit stop at the aid station to put sealant in the wheel, Jeff began his charge to catch back up to the front of the race.<br />
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The effort would prove to be not enough, as he would only work up to 26th place by the end of the 64 miles.<br />
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Jeff following the event, “I felt really good going in and was where I wanted to be early in the race. Unfortunately racing is a game of risks and luck. Luck was not on my side and I did what I could with the remaining course I had left. However, I am happy with my fitness heading into early Summer.”<br />
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Next for Jeff is the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, CO and the Bailey HUNDO in Bailey, CO.<br />
<br />
<b>Results</b><br />
Jeff Kerkove, 26th, Open Men</div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-33088472088563908542013-05-17T08:34:00.001-06:002013-05-17T08:34:38.049-06:00REPORT: Firebird 40<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It doesn't happen often, but I got to sleep in my own bed for the first running of the Firebird 40 here in Eagle, CO. The <a href="http://eagleoutsidefestival.com/" target="_blank">Firebird 40 was part of the Eagle Outside Festival</a>, a 2-day outdoor festival located in the Brush Creek area of Eagle. FYI, don't miss it in 2014! In addition of the high dollar prize purse mtb races, there was a massive bike demo and expo. So, once again, I got to mix work and pleasure.....racing first, then working the 2-day expo.<br />
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Due to the long winter and BLM permitting issue, the organizers didn't get to use the single backcountry 40-mile loop to race on. Instead, we were forced onto a 7-mile loop in the Eagle Ranch area on the east side of Eagle. This was a great mix of singletrack, double track, and rec path. Going into the race, I just wanted to feel good from start to finish. I wanted to ride hard. Take risks. Empty the tank.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8747847640/" title="Firebird 40 - pro men lead out by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Firebird 40 - pro men lead out" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8747847640_10c546f3dc.jpg" width="442" /></a><br />
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The lead out was neutral on a narrow rec path for about 2 miles before we turned onto a road to sprint for the single track. I stayed at the front for the duration. I wanted to be one of the first riders out of the 90 rider field into the singletrack. Our field was staked with the Wells brothers, Hoke, Cares, Henry, Sonntag, etc. I found myself at the front chasing the leadout vehicle. Surprisingly, I felt good. About 100 yards from the singletrack I let up to see who would roll past. I had Todd Wells and 4 other go floating by. I was 5th into the singletrack with a pegged HR. I had nothing to loose. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8733901457/" title="Firebird 40 - Eagle, CO by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Firebird 40 - Eagle, CO" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/8733901457_104d7c82c8.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
I remained in 5th until the doubletrack. At this point, I started to gas out on Lap 1 of 5. It was a long race and I knew I would get my legs again. Just a question of when. I drifted back to 25th or so, back riding with the guys I typically see while racing; Jon Davis, Jason Hilimire, Travis Sheefer, Matt Schiff, etc. The pecking order was set for the day. We would battle all race. Living in Eagle, it was a huge help to know the course. Riders were over shooting corners and crashing in the twisty blind corners. I was able to keep a smooth race.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8735021010/" title="Firebird 40 - Eagle, CO by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Firebird 40 - Eagle, CO" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/8735021010_07ac674b2c.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
Bailey's Climb proved to be the toughest part of the race. This short steep climb crushed riders. Riding aboard the new <a href="http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/family/xx1" target="_blank">SRAM XX1</a>, which kicks ass by the way, I was at the limit riding the 32 x 42 gear combo. I was at XC pace. No time to recover. Full gas from the gun! Surprisingly it felt good.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8733904259/" title="Firebird 40 - Eagle, CO by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Firebird 40 - Eagle, CO" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/8733904259_5b8a44f9a2.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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For the remainder of the laps, myself and the riders in sight would battle. It was a good healthy race. In the end, I finished in 21st place out of the 90 or so that started.<br />
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Results: http://eagleoutsidefestival.com/firebird-results/<br />
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Strava file: http://app.strava.com/activities/53684131<br />
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Next up, I get to race on this course again in a few weeks time for the <a href="http://www.vailrec.com/mountainbikeraces.cfm" target="_blank">Vail Rec. District XC</a> Series. But, before that is the <a href="http://gunnisontrails.com/gunnison-trails-events/the-original-growler/" target="_blank">64-mile Gunnison Growler</a>. I haven't taken part in this race for a few years. Looking forward to putting rubber back on Hartman Rocks.<br />
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In the meantime, the trails are perfect here in Eagle. Going to load up on miles Friday-Sunday before chilling out heading into the Growler. If you need your dirt fix, come to Eagle. Trail map here: http://eagleoutside.com/activity-overview/#/mountain-bike/</div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-63966373504935781462013-05-06T09:21:00.001-06:002013-05-06T09:28:37.163-06:00REPORT: Enduro Cup - Moab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Release from the team below. On a side note, sign up for an enduro event! Super fun riding and racing in a chill environment. Egos and attitudes checked at the door. Amazing day of riding hard on trails with 120+ of your best friends! All you need is a 5"-6" travel bike and willingness to ride amazing trails!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Kerkove gets a taste of enduro racing in Moab</b></u></span><br />
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May 4, 2013<br />
Moab, UT<br />
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This past weekend on the Magnificent 7 trail system west of Moab, UT marked the opening round of the Enduro Cup Series, a three race enduro series in Utah. Enduro racing is a rapidly growing racing format that combines downhill riding skills with XC like fitness on a series of timed stages. Racing aboard a 6” travel Canyon Strive, Jeff Kerkove of Team Topeak-Ergon threw himself into the mix of the Enduro Cup – Mag 7 event.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8707960353/" title="Enduro Cup - Moab by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Enduro Cup - Moab" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8127/8707960353_872e1983f0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The event at the Mag 7 trails was a very pedaling heavy event. The course favored the rider who had great fitness as well as superior bike handling skills. Jeff was introduced to the course and format quickly with the opening stage. While the stages were only 2-3 miles long and took 5-7 minutes to complete, the effort level is that of XC racing. “I was pinned at max effort right from the start!”, said Jeff after the event. Racers would mimic this effort over similar timed stages 4 times during the day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8707951359/" title="Enduro Cup - Moab by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img alt="Enduro Cup - Moab" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8420/8707951359_2f5ca20d8b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Jeff following the event, “The racing was super hard….harder than I thought. I crashed early in Stage 2 with a front tire wash out on a sandy corner, which cost me some time. Enduro racing is racing on the verge of in control and out of control. Every second counts! While the competition is intense, the vibe is super chill and all the athletes competing are on the same page about having a great bike experience. After trying this Moab event, it has sparked interest to try more enduro racing.”<br />
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Jeff would finish consistently in the top 20 on all stages. “I had no idea of my results after each stage until the event was done. It was full-gas on each stage until the finish. I am happy with 19th place for my first time trying this format and a racing against a very talented Pro Mens field.”<br />
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<b>Results</b><br />
Stage 2 - Upper Bull Run: 27th<br />
Stage 4 - Lower Bull Run: 17th<br />
Stage 6 - Arth's Corner: 20th<br />
Stage 8 - Great Escape: 17th<br />
<b>OVERALL: 19th, Pro Men</b></div>
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7311365.post-39294965660079172392013-05-02T09:04:00.000-06:002013-05-02T09:07:50.468-06:00REPORT: Sea Otter and the Whiskey Off-Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sorry! Long time no update. Been busy with travel for work and getting the Topeak-Ergon USA partner product aligned in time for the riding and racing season.<br />
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Good news is Spring is finally here, but it came to Eagle, CO while on a 2 week road trip to California and Arizona for work. Two great events Ergon and the team was part of; Sea Otter and the Whiskey Off-Road. Throw in some riding and racing and it makes for an amazing 2 weeks!<br />
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Sea Otter was 100% work, so no racing. We used the MTB Gran Fondo to get away from the booth and to network with our core customers. Was one of the best Sea Otter in recent members with perfect weather, huge crowds, and massive stoke from the riding public.<br />
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There was no high expectations with the Whiskey Off-Road as far as the racing goes. The Ergon booth in the expo was busy for the 2-days prior to the event and I used the free time I had to get out on the trails and get miles in the legs.</div><br />
First up was the MTB Fat Tire Crit! As always, it's a hard fast fun few laps for me. Only a hand full of guys survive this thing. Impressive the speed and depth of talent in the mens Pro field. I had the Epic Cam on the back of my saddle for the duration of the crit. Here is a sample of one of the laps.<br />
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Saturday was spent working the Ergon booth in the expo and getting out with Yuki to check out the course some more. As you can see, super fun course!<br />
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Sunday was race day! Was excited to actually race for the 2nd time this year. I didn't expect anything great just from the sheer lack of time on the bike this Spring, but still felt good and motivated. Race started with drama for me, as I couldn't find my Garmin Edge 500. So, no data during the race. Oh well, just ride based on perceived exertion.<br />
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Race started with 80+ pro men. All fast. All great riders in our sport. We rolled out of town as a group and it wasn't until about 15 minutes in that the group split. Before we even hit the dirt, the groups were made for the day. I found myself near the back with heavy sluggish legs. It was early and I just kept pushing hoping that the legs would loosen up. I wasn't laboring in my breathing, just heavy legs. I found myself alone for the most part. I had riders behind me...and a few up front. We all played cat-n-mouse all day. I didn't get caught up in any racing drama and only did what I could do.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8702297672/" title="Whiskey 50 - Skull Valley Climb by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8559/8702297672_2ae5623d05.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Whiskey 50 - Skull Valley Climb"></a><br />
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The climb up Skull Valley this year was warm! Temps topped out near 90F at the lower elevations. I climbed feeling like I was dragging a boat anchor. I passed a few riders, but was also passed. There was not gas in my tank. I had one speed; slow.<br />
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I crested Skull Valley with a few other riders in sight. We duked it out in the remaining miles of singletrack. The last 20 miles of this race are the best! Some ripping singletrack followed by 7 miles of pavement back to town.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkerkove/8698455443/" title="Kerkove_Whiskey by Jeff Kerkove, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8698455443_60eaa9b3fb_z.jpg" width="522" height="640" alt="Kerkove_Whiskey"></a><br />
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I rolled into town at 3 hrs 40 minutes.....which is the same pace as last year, surprisingly. The course this year was longer with an additional 10-15 minutes of dirt road and singletrack. My placing? 58th. Ouch. Seems everyone I talked to this year improved their race times, but not their placings. The talent this thick at this event.<br />
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As for the sluggish legs. I thought it was from the 2 weeks of travel and days working the expo. Which, I am sure contributed a bit to it, but the reality of it was 2 pedal spindles that were nearly 100% seized. Lesson learned.<br />
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Glad to be back in Colorado! Riding here is getting damn good at 7000 ft! I have 3 races over the next 4 weeks I am looking forward to....<br />
Enduro Cup - Moab, UT<br />
Firebird 40 - Eagle, CO<br />
Gunnison Growler - Gunnison, CO<br />
Jeff Kerkovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375158740007509339noreply@blogger.com