Back of the Pack Racing Colorado Chapter

Back of the Pack Racing - Colorado is happy to bring on another member of the crew! Stout resides on the "Best" er Western Slope of our fair state with access to some of the best riding around. (Moore Fun anyone?)  He's a firm follower of the BPR-CO charter (gears make rocks easier, rocks are fun, therefore... And suspension! And a dropper!) but also likes the simplicity of the one gear.  A Black Sheep in action How do we know Stout? Well, honestly Leader is merely a Facebook friend (so we have to be the closest, bestest of friends possible, right?) - the in person meeting has yet to happen. But when it comes to the Crew, we take the good word of The Philosofizer very seriously. Stout comes on the recommendation of The Philosofizer following many miles of pedaling and pushing in the wilds of Alaska. And who knows what else... Those bivy stops were long and it was dark and cold.... But anyway! There will be a Best Slope chapter gathering soon I'm sure... Here...

It's been a while since Teach appeared from his self-imposed seclusion, aka work. So when he suggested a chapter gathering the past weekend, of course Leader and Pit Boss had to make it happen. Nothing far, just down to Canon City and some of the best winter riding for the Front Range chapter members. There's rocks, there A-lines and B-lines and there's some great camping. So close, yet so far. Teach got down first, claiming a spot right on the trail. Leader and Pit Boss followed a little later, with Leader needing to practice what she preaches about working hard - also something about day 14... Of course, the invite for Deuce from BPR-NM was out there, but he had "homework." More then just studying for the BBI course he was taking, but "homework" in discovering the multitude of craft breweries Colorado Springs offers. He'd already gotten the tour of the primary sponsor for Leader's running antics, but with a brewery on every corner practically.....

Even though some of the crew raced at Copper Mountain a few weeks ago, the Mineral Belt Mayhem was the next primary goal for Leader and Pit Boss. A decent representation for BPR-CO arrived ready to race - although there were no plaid and patches to be seen due to other "apparel requirements."  The weather was more summer-like then winter, with the starting temperature hovering above freezing. That meant both Pit Boss and Leader could break out the spandex and ride in comfort. The rest of the crew in attendance were wearing more BPR appropriate attire, including wool jerseys and baggy shorts. The track was fast this year - despite the warm conditions. Leader managed to stay upright through the neutral start, adroitly navigating the slippery ice in the corners. Once the race hit the groomed Mineral Belt Trail, it was game on. Lights on into the fading light and riders strung out along the trail. A long slog of a climb up to the high point above the California Gulch, then ...

At least that was the plan for the Tennessee Pass Night Jam - racing on snow under the light of the full moon. The weather seemed to have other ideas and as the Crew assembled, the flakes were flying. There would be no moon on this night! Just flurries and snow piling up on the groomed course, making for some classic fat biking conditions. As usual, the Crew following Charter Rules regarding clothing and "Other Obligations." There may or may not have been patches under all the winter riding gear and there was very little spandex showing. Even Pit Boss was wearing baggies, concealing his treasured spandex. There was a record number of Phat bikers toeing the line for this year's 17th edition and the excitement was high. Almost as high as the altitude! The Crew organizing Photo - Old Guy The course was the same as last year, but completely different due to the snow. Riding hardpacked groomers with three inches of new snow makes for a new experience. The snow was heavy...

It all started as a friday night ride, interupted by a large beer at the end.  It has evolved to meetings at breweries to talk about bikes, and eventually bike packing.  There are those of us that take bike packing very seriously and devise the most optimal gear set up as possible (Pit Boss), and then there is me.  My primary goal is to pack as much cold beer as possible for after the ride up the mountain. Pit Boss and the Leader wouldn't make it for this outing as they had "goals" about some "race", or some shit like that. Our story begins at LZ Pit Boss.  The picture below has been redacted for operational security (OPSEC) reasons. From there a stop was made at a local watering hole for beers  essential provisions. From there the fun began.  For algorithm purposes it was 12 miles and 2210ft of up carrying gear and beer.  I always leave early as I am very slow  deliberate in my pace.  I am in the Back of the Pack, ...

Sometimes the BPR-CO does things without wheels. Which gets confusing... How does the Chapter Charter apply when there are no wheels, no mechanical advantages and no dropper posts? And what about functional clothes? Running shorts are already pretty skimpy and revealing and Charter rules are pretty clear about that one.  But I digress. Sometimes we here in Colorado like abandoning our bikes for a simpler method of travel. Exploring the world on foot can be a nice change of pace as well. With that in mind, Leader decided that it was time to tackle the distance she usually travels by bike on foot. Yes - 50 miles in the back woods of Fairplay, on the edge of South Park. It's something she's wanted to do since before becoming a cyclist. So last weekend, Leader toed the line for her race, ready to take the demons of distance. Without wheels, it was going to be a very long day for sure...  This isn't just about Leader though. It's a tale of Pit Boss - and how you can take awa...