Mountain Bike Stoke

Check out this video of TNF snowboarder Ralph Backstrom mountain biking in New Zealand

New Zealand Mountain Biking Video from UnofficialSquaw on Vimeo.

Here's another one of TNF skier Sage Cattabriga-Alosa

summer bike road trip 2010 hi res from sage on Vimeo.

We've been mountain biking our summer away also. It's been raining like crazy, but we find a window in the morning or afternoon and head out for a quick spin. On the positive side, the rain has been making for some amazing wildflowers and mushrooms.

Andy and I have been racing in the local mountain bike race series, the Summit Mountain Challenge, and it has been incredibly fun. It's been great to get out and meet more like-minded locals. Everyone in the series feels like family and is encouraging and supportive, even as a newby. I really enjoy participating in the races and look forward to more next year.

We're beginning to get our winter gear in, which means spring items are on sale. Come on in and check out our hot new gear and get outfitted for the snowy season. It's coming soon, there's already frost on the ground at night. Yikes!

(videos via The North Face Facebook fan page)

shoulders

Shoulder.

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines shoulder as the laterally projecting part of the human body formed of the bones and joints with their covering tissue by which the arm is connected with the trunk.
There are a few other definitions including parts of garments, pieces of meat and a few verb definitions to include carrying a load or knocking something over.

Whichever you choose, shoulder means only one thing to the Breckgear.com crew. Cleaning. In the summit county vernacular the shoulder is the time of year between ski season and all the other seasons. A-Basin and Loveland ski areas are open for business, but we (snowsnobs) tend to find ourselves hand washing baseboards or cleaning the interior of the trash can. You and I both know that cleaning the interior of the trash can is reserved soley for the truly bored or the completely "retentive." Main street Breckenridge will soon change from tumbleweeds to toontown and thanks to the doldrums of shoulder season we will be ready and waiting for the crowds.

Although I seem to be casting these "tweener" times as pretty weak, it is actually a great time to visit summit county. The Summit Daily is teeming with 2 for 1 deals at all the restaurants, hotel rooms are less expensive and you can literally dance around in the middle of Main Street. The weather is chilly, but lets be honest, it's a great excuse to release your inner pyromaniac. You know that guy, it's the voice in the back of your head that can't wait to get all the ornaments off the Christmas tree and see how big the flames will be once it's in the fire pit.
This time of year may not be for our usual adrenaline seeking crowd but there is ample room for a more mellow crew. Come on up and visit, the locals will be siked to see you (sweet diversion) and you know the shops will be spotless.



Jasper the Dog