It's been a good year

There's always some way to bust your butt outside here in Colorado, even once temperatures are way down and there's snow. And most of us are active year round. But I think the MORF Majority would agree that, even if we're not collectively in the off-season yet, we're rapidly approaching that time of year. Almost time to place Year One of MORF in the Annals. Two "n's" in that word, ya jokesters.

Yeah, sure, we've got Mike in Maui right now, getting ready to race at Xterra Worlds on Sunday, making his run at a bunch of the World's other fast 35-39ers in off-road triathlon. Represent, Mike. We're all jealous of the next week you've got planned. Well, I am anyway.

So while Mike's been getting ready to throw down, the rest of us have opted this year to stay a little closer to home and simply drink more beer these last few months. Some of us are getting in a little CX now and then, but for the most part it's been down time.

Since it already seems like a long time ago, I thought it would be fun to go through the photo album, recollect, and be inspired a bit. Yes, it takes inspiration to get up and go to the fridge. Here are some shots we've compiled of MORF in kit:


Big thanks this year to the following supporters:
- Redstone Cyclery
- Curve
- Ritchey
- GU
- Rudy Project

These folks helped make Year One a MORFing good time.

Mountain Biking Access Boulder

Dave at Redstone had this message on his blog - http://www.redstonecyclery.blogspot.com/

We've got 3 MORFers in Boulder who will get to vote on this, read Dave's Blog exerpt below:

Bike Access to Your Mountain BackdropDepends on YOU!Ever dreamed of riding from your front door instead of driving to a trailhead? The chance for change is now as the city begins the planning process for our Boulder mountain backdrop. Bikes have been banned here for 25 years, so getting reasonable and responsible access to that land for mountain cyclists will not be an easy fight. There is something you can do right now. When you receive your mail ballot, vote for the BMA slate of city council candidates. Do not wait until later - VOTE NOW!!! The mailed ballots are sent out October 13-16. If you voted in the 2008 presidential elections, you'll get a ballot. If you don't get one, call the county at 303-413-7740 and they'll send one out. This city council will decide if bikes have any rights to the public open space land west of Broadway. Vote Suzy Ageton, KC Becker, Macon Cowles, George Karakehian, and Barry Siff.Thought you were done? Nope. We need you to do one more thing. Forward this email to anyone that you know who cares about mountain biking in Boulder. Get your friends to vote too! The Boulder Mountainbike Alliance endorsed candidates we felt would give mountain bike access a fair shake. Help us help them get elected. VOTE NOW!!!

And remember to thank Dave for his advocacy for Mountain Biking!

Xterra National Champs 2009

Team MORF didn't turn out in full force, but Vanessa and Mike toed the start line (aka boat ramp) and let it rip. This late in the season, the sun is not up yet for setup in transition and the temps are cold. Headlamps were must haves in your tri bag. The sun came up revealing a swim course in perfect water temps for a race, around 66F. The race would unfold on a flawless day with summer temperatures against the backdrop of fall colors. Watching from the sidelines due to school/work induced out-shape-ness, I watched Mike and then Vanessa hit the water along with a rabid pack of athletes racing like there was a prim for the first 50 racers to the first buoy. The only prim some got has a cold kick in the face, and in Luna Bar pro Danelle Kabush's case, 5/6th of the swim course minus her goggles. Karate Chop! Mike and then Vanessa came out of the swim in quick succession, high up in their age group rankings.

After exiting Pineview reservoir, the climb was steady, the kind of steady that sees you climb 3500 ft. before descending into T2. The bike course was defined by a quick 2 mile fire road filled with loose rock, before funneling down to sweet uphill singletrack. Mike came into T2 and I thought he had to be right up with the leaders. Vanessa followed in the front group of women, apparently the 25 to 29 year olds were faster than the women in their 30's this year...crazy. Both Vanessa and Mike were in the most competitive age groups, and both were in contention the whole time.

If you've raced Ogden, you know the run course is straight up, flat, and then straight down. Well, apparently, they added some elevation in the middle this time, in order to get the run to a 10k. More climbing...ouch. By the time the athletes hit the run, temps on the cloudless day had to be pushing 85, which felt unseasonably warm having come from CO where we had snow the last day of summer. Watching the athletes come down into the finish, I didn't envy the downhill sprint, but by this time of the year, everyone (except me) was in prime shape, and finished in fine form. Mike and Vanessa finished strong for 5th and 6th place finishes against a tough field. Nice job to all the MORFers that busted out this year, we had some great races!!!