Tour Time

Next up on the calendar from Open Air Big Bear is the 2011 Tour de Big Bear high altitude training tour ride. Ride portions of the famed Stage #6 2010 AMGEN Tour of California route that international cycling announcer Phil Liggit called “one of the best cycling stages we’ve seen in America, ever!” In partnership with Open Air Big Bear and Big Bear Vacations, this years’ Tour de Big Bear will offer riders a chance to win free lodging for the weekend of the tour. Participants pre-registered for any of the stage tours by Friday July 29th will be entered into the drawing for a chance at winning the 2 nights stay, courtesy of Big Bear Vacations, for up to 4 people in a Big Bear Cabin on the South Shore of Big Bear Lake. Check out the CONTEST DETAILS! and then get out there and start training!

Tour de Big Bear

Saturday, August 6, 2011

“The Village” at Big Bear Lake

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

•Discounted Lodging - Robinhood Resort – Host Hotel - In Village across the street from Big Bear Lake
•Friday PM cyclist check-in/late registration
•No Host Pasta Dinner at Nottingham’s Tavern
•Cyclist Goodie Bag
•Weekend Goldsprint Competition Qualifying Friday PM at Nottingham’s Tavern
•Saturday AM cyclist check-in/late registration
•Stage Start/Finish in “The Village” with restaurants, boutiques and shopping
•Detailed stage maps and turn-by-turns for each route
•Timed Event for individual training purposes only (all classes of riders welcome)
•Course Marshalls riding all stages
•Three Complete and Fully Staffed Aid Stations
•Two additional “Hydration Stations”
•Medical and Repair Vehicles on Route Patrol
•Photography by “Freeze Frame Foto” Tucson, Arizona
•High Quality “Technical T-shirt”
•Finishers Medal
•Cycling Expo – Vendors, Goldsprint Competition Qualifier, Famous Tour de Big Bear Raffle
•FREE Bike Valet Saturday afternoon - Park bikes and enjoy “The Village” and Cycling Expo
• Goldsprint Competition FINALS Saturday Night at Nottingham’s Tavern
•Discounted “Blues for the Zoo” concert tickets (Saturday PM) with each registration

PaddleFest Wrap-up

2011 Big Bear PaddleFest was an outstanding weekend of fun on the water capped off by a tough 20k kayak race around the lake.  I managed to finish 2nd Overall thanks to the Seda Glider that North Shore Trading Company hooked me up with for the race. That thing was fast! Ted Devito from Mountain Fitness Center was too fast for me though and managed to finish about 3 minutes in the lead. The new venue for PaddleFest was perfect. Great spot right on the water that's close to the center of town. And with Swim Beach being right there the crowd was huge.Next up in the Conquer the Bear series of races is the Endure the Bear 30K trail run. This is going to be a tough race as both the guys in front of me are very fast. Lots of time between now and then to get some practice in on the trails. Check out a couple pics from PaddleFest and start training for the run!

 (Pretty close race for the 1st 5k as leaders approach Standfield Cutoff)

 (Men's 20k Podium)

 (Taking a little one out on the SUP for the Kids Race)

(The Conquer the Bear and Conquer the Cup participants)

Conquer the Bear - Rd 3

 (The 19' Glider I'll be racing in thanks to North Shore Trading Company)

The past week has been a non-stop paddling clinic for me as I attempt to get ready for round number 3 of the Conquer the Bear challenge. If you are not familiar with Conquer the Bear check it out here. After the first 2 rounds I am sitting in 4th place overall, roughly 28 minutes behind 1st place. This weekend's PaddleFest is going to be interesting. The 20K kayak race is long....like really long. There could be some major shake-ups in the ranking after this event. I took a lap around the lake in preparation the other day and with a few stops it took me 4 hours. That is a long time to be in a kayak. Most of my training in the boat has been focused on paddling technique. Throw in a few trips down to China Island and back and after a week I feel much more confident for the race than I did the first day out. Now time to rest the arms and get ready for Sunday's race!

(Seda Kayak Swift's ready for action at PaddleFest)