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Wednesday, September 19th, 2012
We are looking for fun, awesome, or creative videos and photos for our 2012 bike season contests with prizes that will bring you fame, fortune, and entertainment. We would like to encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to share their adventure and to check out other groups trips.
Bike Video Contest
1st Place Video
-$850 bike credit
-Goodie Cooler at one hut next time you ride with us
-A radical paperweight / trophy
-One year subscription to Mountain Flyer (the West’s premier mountain bike magazine)
-Serious bragging rights/video posted on our website
2nd Place Video
-$425 bike credit
-Radical paperweight/trophy
-Goodie Cooler at one hut next time you ride with us
3rd Place Video
-$225 bike credit
-Radical paperweight/ trophy
Bike Photo Contest
1st Place Photo
-$425 bike credit
-A Goodie Cooler at one hut next time you ride with us
-A radical paperweight / trophy
-Serious bragging rights/ photo posted on our website
2nd Place Photo
-$200 bike credit
-Radical paperweight/trophy
3rd Place Photo
-$100 bike credit
-Radical paperweight
The Rules to Play By
- Videos must be less than three minutes in length.
- Photos and a link to videos must be posted to our Facebook Page.
- All photos and videos must be submitted by November 30th.
- The top three contenders in each category will be determent by the number of “likes” on Facebook and then the placing order will be determined by a committee. Pssstt…..get your friends to “ like” your video or photo.
- A copy of the video or photo must be sent to San Juan Hut Systems with a written statement that San Juan Hut Systems has permission to use your work.
- All videos and photos must be submitted by one person and one person only.
- Only one submission per person.
- The bike credits can be divided amongst the group at the discretion of the person submitting the video or photo.
- The bike credits expire after two bike seasons and cannot be used in conjunction with any other “deals” including but not limited to specials, group rates, and certificates purchased at an auction or fundraising event.
Everyone is encouraged to submit videos and photos regardless of their experience level. Photos and videos will be judged on many factors so you don’t have to have knarly or pro footage to win, although you could. Here are some of the things we will be considering: is the piece inspiring, does it come close to doing the scenery justice, does it convey the adventure and hut life, is it fun to watch/look at, is it creative? Good luck!
P.S We also have plans for a winter ski and video contest, stay tuned.
Tags: bike photo and video and contest
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, San Juan Huts 200, Summer Huts, Telluride to Moab, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, May 21st, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writing from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Day 4: 7/11/09 Wedding Bell
Departed Dry Creek Basin Hut at approx 7:45 a.m. Earlier that morning a thundering “boom in the night” woke the entire cabin. Usually that same sound meant that Kevlar was testing the strength of the of the hut trusses with his forehead. At dawn I noticed no facial bruising and the truth unfolded. It seems that Jim Dandy was honing his karate skills by trying to break the bunk ladder with his leg. Final score: Bunkladder =1 Jim Dandy’s shin = 0.
It was a nice day cruising through the sagebrush basins. The gentle downhills were a relief from yesterday’s rocky ride that needed the Vulcan death grip on the handlebars to survive. Cloud cover kept the heat off and the winds were gentle. Kevlar spent the day riding with us. Arrived at Wedding Bell Hut at 12:45 p.m. The fortress has a great view. Heavy thunderstorm clouds over the hut in the afternoon. We’re trying to convince Kevlar to run up the ridge with a long metal pole to mark the last lightening strike. Jim Dandy has become the master chef of the group. Having seen him order the more expensive menu items while eating out qualifies him for the job. Our meals have been fantastic!
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Posted in Bike, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, May 14th, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writing from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Day 3: 7/10/09 Deep Creek
Team Oracle left the Black Mesa Hut at approximately 7:45 a.m. Opening the upper windows in the hut helps with circulation. It seems that earplugs are a must to get some sleep. Eight tired males in a small room yields a nightly symphony of bodily noises. Kevlar found some clothes in his bag last night left from the Italians. I’m sure he will be digging deeper tonight for more intimate apparel.
Caspar a.k.a Kevlar took off first down the hill dressed in white. I’m sure the locals thought the Colorado Yeti had returned to the Black Mesa. The downhill today was great. FSR 615 was very rocky with patches of mud. We ate lunch at the ‘T’ intersection of Beef Trail Road. The locals drove by and offered some grit to the PB&J.
We arrived at Miramonte Reservoir for a quick swim. No sign of Kevlar. We pushed on for Dry Creek Basin Hut and arrived at approximately 1:45 p.m. Kevlar had the hut open and had a plate of milk and cookies waiting for us. We were also greeted by biting black gnats. Some of the team made some nachos for all to enjoy. Curious George repacked his front bike bearings with Vasoline.
Interesting to note some of the items the team members brought: “Jim Dandy” is still carrying his eight pound arctic raingear. He’ll probably put it on and run through some Moab lawn sprinklers to justify the load. Curious George has enough bike tools to open a shop in Durango. Kevlar has a livestock brush that he hopes to use to groom an elk herd.
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Tags: Bike, Biking, Durango, moab, mountain bike huts
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Moab, Telluride to Moab, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, May 14th, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writings from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Day 2: 7/9/09 Black Mesa
Six of us (the smart ones) left Bolam Hut at 8 a.m. Kevlar and “Curious George” decided to do Alternate 1 and 2 while we ventured to Black Mesa. Lots of gravel downhill helped the Wizard’s chain ring come apart. Thank God the “Godfather” was with him to repair it. Great ride with killer views today. The only other difficulty was repairing the Godfather’s handlebar bag a few times.
Got to the hut at 3:04 p.m. Worked on the bikes and prepared burritos for dinner. Kevlar drifted in between 3-4 p.m. looking like a freight train hit him. Curious George stumbled in later. The consensus of the lost boys was that Alternate 1 and 2 sucked. Getting lost, lots of mud and rock—never again!
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Tags: Bike, bike rentals, Biking Conditions, mountain bike routes, Mountain Biking, mountain biking tips
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Mountain Bike Routes, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
Monday, May 7th, 2012
It’s true that your glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves take a toll after big rides, especially those first big rides. But it comes down to the core when it comes down to post-riding pain and particullary back and neck. Here are a few exercises that align the spine, encourage upper body flexibility and relieve pain in the back, neck and shoulder–and a few can be done right at your desk. Check out Bicycling Magazine easy upper body training in yoga fashion.
Tags: Bike, mountain bike huts, Mountain Biking
Posted in Bike | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writing from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Team Oracle
Day 1: 7/8/09 Bolam Pass
The eight amigos (seven California boys and one from Colorado) left the Starbucks at Purgatory around 8:25 a.m. The extra coffee was critical for the anticipated *** trail needed to be deposited to mark the way for the stragglers. Great climb up the mountain. Creek crossings were a surprise. We got to wash our shoes and the “Wizard” participated in a high-altitude baptism. Thought we had the hut at the Graysill mining site. If that’s the hut we’re in for a long ride. Made it to hut around 1:45 p.m. The Italians left the hut in great shape. The two cans of chili missing indicated their dinner was less than special. We started dinner early. “Kevlar” field-dressed a Marmot. We had pasta as a side dish.
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Tags: Bike, customer feedback, Durango, mountain bike huts, Mountain Biking, trail conditions
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Events, Mountain Bike Routes, Telluride to Moab, Trail Conditions | No Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2012
How much do you know about shifting? To make riding more fun and bike repair less frequent, check out these tips from seven-time Canadian national cross-country champion Andreas Hestler from Bicycling magazine for a better ride and a longer drivetrain life.
- Is cross chaining the answer? Riding in a combo of the big chainring and big cog, or the small ring and small cog, is generally not a good idea. But Hestler says, it can at times offer the ideal gear and races set their bikes to handle it. However, it’s rough to shift into.
- Think before you shift. Your eyeing that hill climb before you and it’s all about anticipation. Anticipate your next gear and when to accelerate. Shifting after terrain changes sets you back energy-wise and slows you down. Same goes for sand and water crossings—think before you get in gear.
- Care for your chain. Changing the chain, Hestler says, keeps you from having to replace your cogs and rings as often. And be weary of wet-dry riding, chains weaken in these conditions. Check your chainring and cassette for burrs and nicks.
- Go easy. Make shifting light, careful and timely to avoid breaking something. “If you love your bike it’ll love you—shift lightly and carefully,” says Hestler.
Tags: Durango, mountain bike huts, mountain bike routes, Mountain Biking, mountain biking tips
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Events, Telluride, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Mesa Arch in Canyonlands
You’ve made the trek to the mountain biking mecca and a well-deserved stop following 215 miles in the saddle. Now what’s next…stay a night or two and explore Moab.
Moab never ceases to amaze with its geographic wonder spanning slick rock domes, bowls and fins to high mesas and the La Sal Mountains’ 13,000-foot peaks. The gorge of the Colorado River provides its own beauty and recreation. And, don’t forget Arches and Canyonlands national parks…spectacular.
Best site for lodging options: Check out discovermoab.com .
Tags: Backcountry Skiing, Bike, Biking, moab, mountain bike routes, travel packages
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Moab, Summer Huts, Telluride to Moab, Trail Conditions | No Comments »
Friday, April 20th, 2012
If you don’t ride year-round, you know the outcome of those first rides in the saddle as summer approaches. Ouch: lower back and glute pain, hamstring, hip flexors and quad aches. How do you lesson the strain in these first rides? There are some simple answers that require a stability ball, some floor space and, most importantly, your motivation.
Bicycling Magazine offers up some stellar advice and it starts at the core—your core.
Try this one: Lie with the middle of your back on the stability ball with knees bent 90 degrees and feet flat on floor. Place hands behind head (don’t pull on neck). Squeeze belly button toward the spine, lift upper back off the ball. With your shoulders off of the ball, make a circular motion with your torso while applying pressure with lower back to ball through motion. Clockwise 15 ovals, counterclockwise 15 ovals. Works the transverse abdominus (inner abs), stabilizes lower back, glutes, hamstrings and hip flexors.
“Why It Works: Despite the straightforward motion of the bike, your body moves in three directions: forward as you head down the road, vertically as your legs pedal up and down, and laterally as your hips and upper body rock side to side,” writes Bicycling author Dimity McDowell.
Tags: Durango, moab, mountain bike tips, telluride
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Moab, Telluride | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
Outside Magazine rated San Juan Hut Systems #1 for the traditionalist hut-to-hut mountain bike trips. We also garnered the esteemed title as “the original hut-to-hut bike trip.” And, well, it’s true.
Tags: Durango, media, mountain bike routes, Mountain Biking, telluride
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Media, Moab, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
