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The Church of the Big Ring Players

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DZ Talks To The Rev from The Rev on Vimeo.

5355:11

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Don’t ride uncaffeinated. Seriously

TOCBR: Why should people come race the Gap?

SK: Rumor has it that Lance is dropping out of the GIRO now that LEVI blew it. He will be at the GAP!
Because the gap is probably the best damn road race in Idaho or Utah. The roads are in great shape. A cool climb, no POT HOLES…. And it isn’t an out and back. It is a LOOP that finishes on a climb. The best rider will win. If you have the balls to ride off the front you might just pull the wool over the climbers eyes.

TOCBR: Is the Gap “Big Ring”?

SK: Marco Pantani rode it in the drops 55/11… back in 1996. He was juiced to MAX but it can be done.
That gap can be ridden in the big ring. Most riders will probably ride in their small, but I will give $5! bucks to anyone that pedals it in the 53! I heard when LOUDER raced it he rode the 53/16 for most of the climb!

TOCBR: Will there be beer?

SK: I will provide a cooler of PBR. Just look for a green Honda!
OR …..BYOB…. It is a stellar climb and most categories will finish before the 1-2’s so bring a beer and watch them suffer to the finish! Oh yeah… it is in Idaho so you can pick up some good beer at the SINCLAIR gas station at the base of the climb!

COTBR: Have you accepted The Big Ring as your personal savior?

Rachel Lloyd: I’ll have to do some more research before I can accept the big ring as my savior…

COTBR: Have you tried the socks yet? Folks are reporting an extra 20 watts from them!

RL: I have tried the socks they are awsome, definately 20 more watts, thanks!

COTBR: You seem to thrive in nasty conditions. Are will you be doing a snow dance for Kansas City?

RL: I have definately been doing the snow dance for Kansas, but it looks like it will be fairly warm and windy… we’ll see!

COTBR: What does your Euro campaign look like this year?

RL: his years Euro campain: I will fly to Belgium on Monday after Nat’s and will race the last four world cup races. Nommay France Dec. 21, then Zolder Belgium Dec. 26 with some local races to follow (I still need to figure these out) Then Jan 18 in Roubaix France, and Jan 25 in Milan Italy. I hope to make the national team and race the World Champs Jan 31-Feb 1 in Hoogerheide in the Netherlands. That’s my plan, I am stickin to it!

COTBR: Clinchers or tubulars?

RL: I am on tubies now-a-days, I ride Challenge tubulars and Williams carbon wheels. (they are awesome!)

COTBR: Any advice to ladies out there who may be thinking about giving ‘cross a go but are a little intimidated?

RL: Intimidated, shmintimidated, just give it a shot it’s just bike racing. There are categories for everyone out there, local races are usually very low key and fun, so get out there and give ‘cross a shot!

COTBR: You “chicked” like 90% of the field (including yours truely, I tried to hang on the DH but soon felt how Custer must have felt shortly after saying “What Indians?”) at Downieville this year. What is your best story about guys who can’t handle getting their ass whooped by a girl?

RL: I’ll have to get back to you with a good story about dudes going slow…

Thanks again. See ya in Kansas City!

53×11,
The Rev

I recently was able to spend some time with Ali “socks” Goulet. Ali finished 12th in the elite nationals in Kansas City last year. He is the real deal. Ali races the Utah CX circuit. Without question, Ali is one of the most inspiring riders out there givn’r every weekend. He is definitely a crowd favorite. The guy leaves it ALL on the table – every single race. Mad handling skills – including barrier hoping, and a powerful engine that keeps him in the race. Additionally, Ali is great for the sport of cyclocross. For the last few years, he has put on a Ridley Skills clinic with local CX’ers Kathy Sherwin of VeloBella and Bart Gillespie of Mona-Vie Cannondale. He also helps with local cx clinics helping coach and mentor other cx racers. Folks…Ali is BIG RING.

The bio: I was born in Vermont, started cycling when I was 14, got a road bike at 15 and started racing, primarily mountain bikes.

My early cycling highlights were winning a World Cup in Vail as a junior expert and beating our local pro in a hill climb at age 16.

I put the bike away when I was 18 an perused snowboarding, one of my snow highlights, being voted #5 in SnowBoarder magazines top 20 riders of the year for 2000. After ten years off the bike I found the love again and was soon racing in Utah’s Icup and NORBA NMBS, In three years I worked my way up from expert to pro on a national level, winning an expert national title and the Utah state title along the way.

COTBR:  So tell us, have you accepted THE BIG RING as your personal savior?

Ali:  I believe in myself, only I can truly save myself, with that being said, I do feel The Big Ring has much to offer and everyone should observe the ten commandments of the Big Ring.

COTBR:  Who are you riding for this year?

Ali:  For the past two seasons I’ve been on the Ridley Factory Team, this year I also have Easton components to thank for making my ride light and sexy… oh and Challenge tires to give me grip.

COTBR:  So…what’s with the socks Ali. Is this your trademark?

Ali:  One cold race day I put on some snowboard socks, not to start a trend but just for warmth. Gardie Jackson, one of our series announcers started calling me Socks and so the nickname was born..In a sense it is my trademark…for cold days. On warm days I wear regular socks..Lately JonBear and I joke that my new nickname is Fat Daddy Socks, you figure it out.

COTBR:  So did you have a good cx off season since your last race in Kansas City?  How do you spend your cx off season?

Ali:  Recently I’ve used road racing as my prep for cross, after years of racing mountain bikes I find road racing to be very refreshing, I enjoy the tactics and being able to hurt face to face with your opponent,  I still ride my mountain bike though.

COTBR:  So, how is your cx season going so far?

Ali:  Ridley is off to a great start, Bjorn Selander placed 3rd at the MadCross UCI behind Page and some Planet Bike guy. Dayna Dueter and Dave Cole just scored their best results in the UCS, 1st and second respectively. I held down 2nd last weekend in Heber and Jennie Wade held off a Cat2 roadie for 4th in the A’s so things are rolling.

COTBR:  You seem to have an “all or nothing” approach to races. Tell us about that.

Ali:  Simply put, you’re not Big Ring if don’t use the Big Ring. How can you know what you’re capable of if you’ve never been over the limit? I recommend everyone try leading a lap or two of their respective class, push your limits and see what happens. You just can’t win from the back in cross..sure you can move up if people have problems but if the front guys are rolling, its over.

When I first started racing A’s I raced like I do now – only I would fade hard or drop out, people would tell me not to start so fast and that it hurt me. Really my problem was burn out from racing MTB’s into September with no downtime before cross. I adjusted my racing program and since then I’ve made good on those fast starts with fast finishes. I’m constantly trying to improve my racing tactics but I’m not going to sit back and hope for a good race, I’m going to make it happen.

COTBR:  What races outside of Utah are you targeting this year?

I’m looking at the Boulder Cup UCI and Nationals. My wife and I just had a beautiful baby boy www.EthanBazGoulet.blogspot.com , throw in our three dogs and it’s just not possible to justify much travel this season. I am super focused on Nats though, I would like a Masters national title and I want to better my Elite result from last year.

COTBR:  So what accomplishment on the bike are you most proud of? – Off the bike?

Ali:  It would have to be my Elite Nationals result from last season, off the bike its my family, my beautiful supportive wife Joanna and bundle of joy Ethan. Snowboarding and Cycling accomplishments make for great memories but in the end that stuff if for the Ego, the family is for the heart and trumps everything else.

COTBR:  Tell us something that most probably don’t know about you…

I danced ballet as a wolf in the Nutcracker when I was 7 and I’m a French-Jew-Mexican.

COTBR:  Thanks for your time Ali. Do you have any parting words of advice to the readers of Church of the Big Ring and Cyclocross Republic?

Nothing is achieved without risk so go for what you desire or you’ll always wonder “what if” and remember, if you’re hurting the other guys are too so keep it in the Big Ring!

COTBR:  I told you guys, Ali is the real deal! Watch for him to have a great Nationals ride this year. We are all behind him here at the Big Ring!

pictures courtesy of Forrest Gladding.

COTBR: Have you accepted The Big Ring as your personal savior?

DZ: Uh sure man.

COTBR: Is it true you’ve used your unique time trialling abilities to occasionally rob stagecoaches or is that just a viscous rumor started by some fruitcake who thinks you look like the infamous “Black Bart”?

DZ: It’s just a viscous rumor.

COTBR: Congrats on making the Olympic Team. Do you think Chipotle will roll out a General Tso’s burrito in honor?

DZ: I doubt it but you never know.

COTBR: Does DZ Nuts work for diaper rash as well?

DZ: I haven’t tried it but someone did and said it worked.

COTBR: The safe route database at Yield to Life is a great idea. How are you compiling that? Are you taking submissions from other riders?

DZ: We are trying to talk to bicycle coalitions from each state to help gather the information. We welcome submissions from riders. Please email your questions and comments to yield2life@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you.

COTBR: Any plans to race ‘cross?

DZ: Not at the moment but someday I think I will.

COTBR: I heard a rumor that your Olympic training involves eating weeds and jumping in raging ice cold rivers. Whats up with that?

DZ: Yes I’m sure my neighbors thought my yard was just full of weeds but the other day my massage therapist pointed out that some of them are edible so now I sit out there and eat them while the others are spraying weed killer on perfectly good food. The river thing— was riding and ran into Burke and he said wanted to go up Millcreek canyon and soak in the river, I said sure. The water is snow runoff so it’s ice cold and I screamed like a little girl for the first couple of minutes but after that we sat there for a good 20 minutes and the next day the legs felt great so now I try to hop in there every now and then. It’s an interesting spot for me to go and try to heal because it’s the exact spot where I was hit by a car in 2003.

COTBR: What is on your iPod these days?

DZ: Hannah Montana.

COTBR: Which Grand Tour has the best schwag?

DZ: I’d say the vuelta. You get a pretty cool t-shirt.

COTBR: Do you think leisure suits will make a comback?

DZ: I’m not sure what those are. I’d say yes though.

COTBR: Jimi or Stevie Ray?

DZ: Oh man that’s a hard one. I’d say Jimi for the mood I’m in now.

COTBR: What would you be doing if you were not a pro cyclist?

DZ: I would like to be a professional gamer or something to do with super heros.

Tune in next week for part II

Burke “T-Bird” Swindlehurst of the Bissell Pro Cycling Team is one such rider. I had the pleasure of seeing Burke win his first Utah State Road Race (I think he was 18) title way back in the day and it has always stuck with me due to the sheer joy that was evident on his face when he crossed the line. Since then he has used that love of the sport (and a huge engine) to win such hard man races as the Iron Horse Classic (2x), Tour of the Gila (3x), and Vuelta de Bisbee, to name a few. He was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule and testify. Brothers and Sisters lend your ear:

COTBR: Have you accepted The Big Ring as your personal savior?

Burke: I’ve been a disciple for 20 years now!

COTBR: I know you are a big music fan, what is in heavy rotation on your iPod?

Burke: Lately, hmmm….Meat Puppets, Black Keys, Scott H. Biram, Kinks, Hank III, Heavy Trash and a new guy I just found called TK Webb.

COTBR: Besides riding bikes really fast, any unusual abilities?

Burke: In fact, yes. I have the unusual ability to clear my throat every 3-5 seconds.

COTBR: Strat or Les Paul?

Burke: Within the parameter of that question, I’d definitely go with the Les Paul. That being said, I have a Japanese Fender Jaguar Custom which has the ability to sound like either at the flip of a switch!

COTBR: Would you rather win A Tour de France or tour with Hank III?

Burke: Hmmm . . . That’s a toughie. Either one would involve copious amounts of illicit drugs. Given that I would choose “C”, in which case that would be winning the Tour of Utah this year and following it up with a Hank III show, and the only drug involved in either scenario is some Stella Artois.

COTBR: Steel cage match: Mark Bissell and James Dyson. Who is walking out of that one?

Burke: No question Bissell takes walks out. I’ve ridden with him and the dude has some incredible fitness for the owner of a major corporation.

COTBR: What result are you most proud of?

Burke: That would probably have to be winning the Tour of the Gila in 2005. I was on a team with a sponsor that quit paying us by the first of March and I thought it might possibly be the last race of my career. I decided to lay it all on the line the last day (while lying 4th on GC ) and put so much energy into the effort that I figured I’d either win the race, or fall over and DNF from the effort. I don’t think anybody saw it coming except me and I definitely remember feeling an incredible sense accomplishment that I hope to realize again someday both on and off the bike.

COTBR: What does The Big Ring mean to you?

Burke: A shift from the little ring?

COTBR: What advice do you have for a young rider trying to break into the Pros?

Burke: Tragic Optimism . . . Seriously. You must have an almost tragic belief in yourself because 99 out of 100 races you’re likely going to fail miserably, but as long as you learn from your mistakes and keep trying, there’s that 100th time when you don’t fail and it makes it all worth it.
I also see a lot of young riders out there with talent who don’t seem to really grasp the fact you have to get yourself to as many high-profile races as possible. You can crush the local pro’s at the local World’s all you want, but if you don’t make the effort to get yourself to a race where the pro team DS’s can actual see you, you’re never going to get noticed. That being said, once you do get to those races, you’ve gotta race every one like it could be your last. Attack! Go in breaks and ride till the wheels fall off! Push your limits and don’t be afraid to fail. I can’t think of a single race I’ve ever won in 20 years where I didn’t risk losing in a big way to get that win. And that’s what the team Directors want to see. They want to see the hunger. And, if you’ve got an engine to go with it, well, you might just find yourself with a career in bike racing. Finally, I’d like to say to the young riders who wake up every morning (like we all do), read about the latest doping scandal and maybe start to wonder if you can be a pro bike racer without drugs, let me assure you that you can. I’ve done it and I know many more riders who are clean and win races. So, what are you doing staring at this computer screen? You heard me…. get out there and ride!

COTBR: One day you wake up to a world where ever CD you buy, every mp3 you download, every song on the radio and every concert that comes to town is Nickelback. Do you:

a) bob your head to the beat
b) pierce you eardrums with a Popsicle stick

Burke: Luckily for us, that day will never come. I believe that for every action there is an equal re-action. You give me Toby Keith, I give you Hank III. You give me Brittany Spears, I give you Shelby Lynne. The natural antidote to Nickelback would be The Sword cranked to eleven, the result of which may be that Chad Kroager’s nuts might finally drop. One can hope, can’t he?

COTBR: Final Thoughts?

Burke: Hmmm . . . Final thoughts. I dunno. I think we need to get out and wet a line again once “Sprinter” ends and things warm up.
I think it’s my turn to drive.

Thanks Burke looking forward to hitting a river with you soon. Brothers and Sisters look for Brother Swindlehurst pushing The Big Ring at an NRC race near you this season.

What could be more Big Ring that getting more people and kids on bikes? Not much. Many think the Big Ring only applies to racing. Not true. Many people talk about making the world a better place but only true Big Ringers actually do it. One such person is Jonathan Morrison, Executive Director of the Salt Lake Bicycle Collective. He was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions about what it is he and his crew do to spread the message of the bike everyday:

COTBR: Have you accepted The Big Ring as your personal savior?

JM:  Yes I have.  As a young boy I had a blue and white tricycle with wood blocks on the pedals so I could reach them.  Sitting on that trike a gleeful man flew by on a bicycle and I wanted to follow him.  That moment has shaped my life and ever since I have sought the higher power driving that man.

COTBR: Among the many great things you do in the 801, to me the most Big Ring is your Earn A Bike program.  Can you give some details of that program?

JM: At the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective we believe every kid should have a bike.  However we don’t just give them bikes, we want them to become emotionally invested so they have to earn their two-wheeled freedom.

Through partnerships with after/summer school programs such as YouthCity, YWCA, and South Salt Lake Recreation we bring groups of youths to the Community Bike Shop.  Once there, they embark on a month long task of picking out a donated bike, tearing it apart, rebuilding it from scratch, getting a helmet, lock, and completing a BikeEd safety course.  All under the careful eye of amazing volunteer mechanics, mentors and League Cycling Instructors (LCIs).

When everything is said and done, it is hard to say who smiles bigger, the students or the volunteers.

COTBR: What does The Big Ring mean to you?

JM: To me the Big Ring is not a mechanical gear with 50 something teeth, but a metaphor for a diverse community that keeps growing bigger and bigger.  Everyone is welcomed into the Big Ring.  Either that or I have R.E.M.’s shiny people holding hands song stuck in my head.

COTBR: Are there other programs similar to yours in other cities?

JM: There are roughly 120 known Community Bike Projects throughout the North America and while they are similar at heart to the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective, they differ like hand-built bicycles.  The common themes are environmental; volunteering; re-using bicycles and parts; Earn-a-Bike classes; community bike shops that provide bikes, parts, tools and expertise; Valet Bike Parking; and getting as many people riding as possible.  Simply put, “Butts on Bikes.”  All the Community Bike Projects are all listed in the the Bike Collective Network Directory (www.bikecollectives.org).

COTBR: How could one establish a similar program in their home town?

JM: Aside from contacting a community bike organization and asking them how they did it.  The Bike Collective Network (www.bikecollectives.org) has two great resources including a “wiki ” that contains the collective knowledge of all the organizations that participate, specifically a Bike Collective Starter Kit.  The second is an email listserve called “The Think Tank” that has over 350 members of organizations from across North America exchanging ideas and answering questions.  Another great opportunity is the annual Bike Bike Conference (www.bikebike.org), which will happen this year in San Fransisco where organizations meet and discuss face to face.

COTBR: What Collective achievement are you most proud of?

JM: One could say that the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective has a lot of things to be proud of, but the most amazing thing we have helped do is create a community.  If you walk into the Community Bike Shop during any open shop night, you will see kids, retirees, mountain bikers, road racers, messengers, hipsters, and everything in between all sharing laughs and helping each other.  That is a special kind of magic we are very proud of.

COTBR: I see so many people riding around town with only one gear on their bike.  Much like sugar was rationed during WWII, is the shortage of gears got anything to do with the war on terrorism?

JM: Single speeds and fixed geared bicycle pre-date gears, so this is just history repeating itself.   Most notably, the latest re-incarnation of single speeds and fixed gears has made bikes affordable again.  The money conscious consumers during WWII would certainly approve.

A single speed is mechanically simple, thus easy to maintain, and best yet — cheap!   Before  cars the bicycle was used more for transportation, after cars they became more of a sport.  With sport came a demand for fancy expensive bicycles, and and the inexpensive quality bicycle took a seat next to the Dodo bird.  That is until now.

So instead of spending a few grand for a “good” bike, you can buy a classic 70′s / 80′s road bike from a thrift store or garage sale; lighten it up by removing the derailers, shifters, and extra gears; shorten the chain; throw on a rear track wheel, and voila!  You are the proud owner of a cool, one of a kind “good” bike — best yet you only spent $100 bucks.

COTBR: What is the one must have piece of equipment for any would be commuter?

JM: While this may seem slightly unconventional at first, hear me out.  I recommend a camera phone.  Why?  Cyclists certainly need to abide by the same rules if we want the same roads and rights, but motorists aren’t innocent either.   A camera phone can capture and report the license plate, vehicle and driver description of dangerous motorist instantly.  I hope you never need it, but providing irrefutable evidence is a must have.

COTBR:  I’d like to get involved with the collective.  What can I do?

JM: Call 801-FAT-BIKE or visit www.slcbikecollective.org to contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Krista Bowers.  She will find out what you want to do and match that with what we need to get done.  Or just show up on a Monday Volunteer Night at the Community Bike Shop from 5 to 9pm at 2312 S. West Temple; Salt Lake City, UT 84115.  You don’t need to know anything, we will teach you!