Tag: March/April 2009

Building Better Bike Balance:

Ryan Leech takes on an arcing skinny line filming for Kranked 5. Whether threading the needle between cars and a curb or lining up for a log ride on your favorite single-track, confident balance in tight situations is a crucial skill for cyclists who challenge the terrain. But learning to let your mind and body relax and roll evenly along a narrow route, elevated or on the ground, is often easier imagined than done. You’re eyes may comprehend that your two-inch tires have plenty of room to negotiate a 10-inch wide path, but convincing your brain and body to confidently follow is another story.

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High Adventure with a Higher Purpose

Dr. Else Uglum, Pediatrician, on top of Sankha La(14,700 feet), highest point on our trek. Arriving in Kathmandu, amongst the hordes of tourists, climbers, and locals, you start to wonder how many of these people are going to be on the trail with you. If you are headed to the Khumbu or Annapurna regions you would probably see many of them again. But in Humla, the most remote and northerly region of Nepal, this is not the case. In fact, you may not see another tourist at all.

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Catch That Shot!

Skier Chris Davenport climbs and skis the Mountaineer’s Route on Mt. Whitney, spring 2008. Do you ever wish your camera had an auto setting labeled ‘Amazing Action Shot’? You’re not alone. Despite how easy it is to flip your camera to the ‘sports’ setting and hit the shutter button as your buddy blows past you skiing, biking, or paddling, it’s surprisingly hard to come away from the moment with a stellar image of the action. Whether the shot is well–framed but blurry or focused but missing half a head, there are a lot of ways a one-chance shot can be flubbed.

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Cruisers, Clunkers and the Origins of the Off-Road Bike

Charlie Kelly hauling denim down Repack’s Camera Corner, late 1976, on his 50-pound modified Schwinn Excelsior. Notice the safety gear – knee pads, elbow pads, leather gloves and boots – sans helmet. A pickup truck parade that includes a pink 1953 Chevy leaves the last outpost of civilization – the leafy, hippie oasis that is Fairfax – heading up into the hills, with 50-pound bicycles and two chronometers … To Repack. The Repack trail drops 1,300 feet in 2.1 miles down the east side of Pine Mountain. At the top is an open ridge with views of Mt. Tamalpais, Marin, the San Francisco Bay, and the blue sky beyond. Fred Wolf and Charlie Kelly started the race down Repack, on Oct. 21, 1976, to be precise.

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BEER THIRTY!

The link between sports and beer is well established. But in the adventure sports community, we’re not talking about sitting on one’s kiester, sipping over-priced beer from a plastic cup while watching overpaid professionals have all the fun. For the most part, our beers are earned. For us, beer is the reward at the end of a long backcountry journey, a relaxing capper at the end of a high-intensity effort, the liquid gold at the end of a sweat fest. Not only does it help replace lost calories and soothe from the bloodstream out, it provides a prism of perspective to share and relive our adventures with friends.

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @ADVENTURESPORTSJOURNAL

Oh, the stories a Joshua tree might tell! Have you visited a Joshua tree yet and just listened? 💚⁠

📸: @caseykiernan⁠
@visit_joshuatree @joshuatreenps ⁠
#joshuatree #joshuatreenationalpark
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The @ca_enduro Round 2 recap is now up on our website (🔗 in bio). The Georgetown Enduro was put on by @mtbexp and @californiaexpeditions , and dished out quite the wild course for its intrepid racers!

📸: Georgetown Enduro pro champ @jakekellr by @bixxel.media.

#georgetownenduro #californiaenduroseries #californiaenduroseries #enduro #eduro @iamspecialized @iamspecialized_mtb
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Lupine motherlode in the Eastern Sierra. Just ... WOW 🤯 ⁠

📸: @mikemcdermottphoto⁠

@visitbishop #lupine #superbloom #bishop #lonepine #inyonationalforest #easternsierra
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There's big water flowing all over California, including the Kern. Be safe out there! 🌊⁠

This is a good time to brush up on wilderness first aid and outdoor safety training — @survivalmedonline is offering 20% off all Survival Med courses. Use the code SPIRIT at checkout. ⛑️⁠

📸 Anthea Raymond
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