Who will top Conquer the Bear?

The competition is tough...and the challenge is big. The 2011 Conquer the Bear Series will wrap up next weekend with the running of Endure the Bear Trail Run. After three awesome events it's still too close to call the lead for this years overall meaning there's lots on the line when the gun goes off next Saturday. I'll break down the top podium contenders and give you my thoughts on who's gonna win... Remember. Endure the Bear is a 30 kilometer trail run on a VERY challenging course at serious altitude. This is no joke. No time is safe here. Have a good day and you could make up some big time on the field...a bad day could spell disaster. Here we go!

Conquer the Bear - Men

Ted Devito - 5hr08min - I've been running with Ted and he's been on top of it. He's got the power to climb the hills and the speed to break away, plus he has the mental advantage of holding a sizable lead over the rest of  us. Being number one comes with pressure though...and thats not to be taken lightly. I think his game plan is going to be just to stay close to the rest of us, if somebody gets away from him his day could unravel.

Jesse Haynes - 5hr16min - Jesse has be killing it lately. I think he has raced 4 50k trail runs this year and either placed 2nd or won each of them. Being the "non-local" in the running I think he wants to come take the title off the mountain but not sure if he'll have the speed to make up 8 mins on Ted. I know he's gonna go for it though and expect hime to start fast and try to break the field early.

Matt Smith - 5hr32min - I'm a long way off the lead here but hopefully will be able to keep up with the two guys in front of me and stay on the overall podium. I know the course well and while I may not be able to make up much time I'd like to fight for the race win. I'm coming off a tough Ironman race though where my body took a decent beating. Recovery prior to this race will be key just to make the distance.

Ramon Escobar - 5hr59min - Ramon needs somebody to have a rough day if he wants to climb back up into the top three but in a race like this thats entirely possible. Not to mention this guy is extremely talented and has the balls to go for it. He's young though, and distance running is a tough game for the kiddies. I bet he stays consistent...goes out fast and fades hard.

How I see it playing out....I'm giving Jesse the race win. He's just been absolutley stellar in his recent race results and I think his need to make up time on Ted gives him the drive to finish first. But Ted's a fighter and I'm guessing he'll be within 5 minutes of the lead keeping the Overall Conquer the Bear Title with a "local." I'm going to push the first 5k and try to take home the FRS King of the Mountain and $50 in cash.

Conquer the Bear - Women

Heather Devito - 6hr04min - Heather is absolutely dominating the series, period. Not sure what else to say. She is fast. Maybe if she is nice she'll slow down a bit as to not make so many of the guys look bad. The real race is for 2nd/3rd place as Heather has this thing all but wrapped up.

Cathleen Calkins - 7hr18min - Cathleen has been super consistent all series and I don't see why this will be any different. She has a nice buffer on 3rd and 4th place but like I mentioned, it's a long race. She's an old pro when it comes to endurance but does she have the speed to hold off the charging girls behind her? This is going to be good to watch!

Rachael Ghrist - 7hr51min - (disclaimer: Rachael is my girlfriend!) Rachael wants 2nd place bad and has the speed to make up the time. She's been training on the course and knows when and where to go for it. She's in the same boat I am in. Having the big question of if she can fully recover from Ironman in time to dig deep and really go for it.

Angela Meyers - 8hr05min - Angela is competitive as hell and that plays a huge role when it comes down to a battle like this. I know she wants on that podium. The only question I have is if she enjoys trail running enough to really push hard out there. She has to run a solid race to climb back up to the top three and the ladies in front of her don't want to give an inch.

How I see it playing out....Heather walks away with the Race Win, Overall Series Win, and FRS King of the Mountain Award. Clean Sweep! and very impressive. In the battle for the podium I think Rachael puts down the hammer and makes up the time on Cathleen taking over 2nd. And while I'm going to give Angela a strong performance in the race I dont think it'll be enough to get back on the podium.

In the end though, this series only crowns 2 champions. One Man and One Women. They split the pot each taking home $500 in cash money. I'm giving the win to my good friends Ted and Heather Devito! Incredible athletes and great friends as well. It's fun to compete against people who push you to your limits and make you feel good about your effort...even if their's was much better!

Everybody who stepped up to take part in Conquer the Bear is a winner though as it's all fun and a great way to enjoy Big Bear...and life in general.  Check out the overall standings going into the last event and then sign up for next year!

Overall Standings

Endure the Bear on the Horizon!

Open Air Big Bear’s Conquer the Bear, and Conquer the Cub High Altitude Multisport Challenges presents participants with a yearlong race series covering multiple disciplines including snowshoeing, mountain biking, and kayaking. Since mid-February athletes have trained and prepared themselves for all the challenges, we now call 'Big Bear Mountain Skills'. It all started with the Snow Shoe race on a nice sunny winter day, moved onto the incredible trails for the Ride the Bear Mountain Bike, then the white sand beach and placid waters of Big Bear Lake for the PaddleFest Kayak race. Now, the ridges and single track just above the village of Big Bear will host hundreds of trail runners, for the Endure the Bear.

The series concludes with the Endure the Bear Trail Run challenging competitors to tackle a 4th discipline along with the difficult terrain and thin air found in the mountains surrounding Big Bear Lake. In just its second year, Endure the Bear is proving itself as a premier trail run of the western U.S., with events to suit the novice on up to the elite/ultra-adventurer.

The event starts and ends in The Village of Big Bear Lake where athletes can count on blazing sun, mild alpine temperatures and a resort with all the resources for a comfortable adventure getaway. Those participating in the Conquer the Bear series will be competing to split a $1000 cash prize as well as the FRS King of The Mountain Award worth $50 cash to the first Conquer the Bear, and Conquer the Cub Athletes each to reach the designated point on their respective course.

Race director Paul Romero is getting excited for the event and notes that “The real show down to watch is the Conquer the Bear challenge, these athletes that have tackled all the Open Air Big Bear events, in a challenge for accumulated time throughout the year. It all comes down to the run for the champion to be crowned, and race for the $1000 cash, winner takes all!”

Along with the Conquer the Bear athletes, Endure the Bear Trail Run offers something for everybody with a variety of race distances. The family fun run 5k presents the shortest challenge for participants while the 15k serves up a small taste of big mountain running. For the more experienced athletes the 30k provides a mix of long distance and stunning vistas and the 50k offers those prepared with an exciting ultra-endurance challenge.

Open Air Big Bear and sponsor Big Bear Vacations will also be teaming up to provide one lucky participant with free lodging for race weekend. Those athletes who are pre-registered for any of the trail run distances by September 2nd will be entered into a drawing to win 2 free nights lodging on the South Shore of Big Bear Lake. In addition, those athletes who are registered prior to September 1st will receive a free race shirt.

(Stunning Views await those brave enough to Endure the Bear)

 

Volunteers are also needed. Come get an inside view of the course and race activities. Cheer your friends and family from an aid station. Get involved, email karen@teamsole.com

For more information on Endure the Bear, Conquer the Bear or Conquer the Cub Race Series, including registration details or contest information visit http://www.openairbigbear.com/.

Tour De Big Bear Recap!

(Start of the 2011 Tour De Big Bear)

The 2011 Tour De Big Bear is officially in the books...and what a great day it was! To everybody's amazement the event was "sold out" two days prior with all 500 t-shirts, finishers medals, and goodie bags accounted for. That didn't stop an additional hundred plus folk from signing up for the ride despite not getting any of the swag that goes with it.

(Another AWESOME Open Air Big Bear Event!)

The TDBB had 3 different routes for folks to ride, 25, 50, and 70 miles. Each group was led out by our local celebrity Jordan Romero in his sweet FRS kit. Jordan also rode the entire 25 mile route and was the first one back by a good margin of time. This kid is an incredible athlete....look for him to do even BIGGER things than he's already done in the future. After Jordan got back the rest of the riders started to filter in and the one common thing between them all was the huge smiles to be seen. I was at the finish line all day and I could not believe the positive remarks coming in so steadily. Everybody had a blast! The only negative I heard was about the road conditions on one part of the course were a little less than disierable.

(First one back...local celeb Jordan Romero!)

The day finished up with a HUGE raffle where some folks went home with full on Big Bear getaways including lodging, gear, massages and food....awesome! Some sweet gear was given away as well and lot's of folks left extra happy! Great event in Big Bear Lake and a great addition to the Open Air Big Bear family of events. Looking forward to next years Tour De Big Bear!

(Showing of the hardware!)

Big Bear Bouldering is the Bomb!

So states this article in the Big Bear Grizzly (see full article here) by Kathy Portie about the bouldering in Big Bear Lake. The gist of the article is this. Big Bear Lake is a legit climbing destination. Yes, Joshua Tree is one of the BEST places to climb in the WORLD and it's only a little over an hour away...but it like 110 degrees out there right now! And while Big Bear might not play host to the quality or quantity of climbing you find in Josh, we've got it pretty good up here.

 (Bouldering up past Bluff Mesa with outstanding views)

I am a big fan of climbing up here. There is a ton of varitey and most of the spots are quite different in feel from one and other. That means lots of options depending on what you feel like doing for the day. Add to that the abundance of FREE camping and the great summer temps and whats not to love? What we are missing is a strong local climbing community. Big Bear is in need of a solid outdoor/climbing shop. I mean you can't even get chalk in this town! So while we have the potential to put Big Bear on the worlds climbing map...there is still a good bit of progress to be made. Get out there and check out some of the local climbing when you have a chance!

(Technical climbing at the Backside Bouldering area)