It is that ‘time’.  Its the doldrums right now – but in a very glorious way do the doldrums exist.  Its the point of summer that most everyone is taxed from their activities, the BBQs, the beer drinking, the family time, the racing – its all culminated to this lull in the season where everyone is just happy to hear that autumn may bring some sort of relief.  From what? I’m not sure, because if you’re a cyclist in Chicago – then its time to tune the engines into the sweet hell that is Cyclocross in 6 weeks.  Is that sumthin to look forward to?  

 

Absolutely.

 

The WEMS calendar has knocked some race schedules off kilter – but The Bonebell thinks its perfect to attempt an attack at the remainder of the series and cyclocross.  That is sweet fun my friends!  There are a few more races in MTB world left that shall not leave dirt lovers wanting for dirt fury – and with that the Palos Meltdown that is coming on September 7th!!!!  

Nevada Dave and El Maya were jamming on Palos this past Sunday, the 10th.  It was El Maya’s 6th wedding anniversary – and something was stoked in me to just hammer with Dave – he noticed it and gave fury back and blazed his own trail begging for me to follow just as fast – and I did. And it hurt like the dickens!  But – it was fabulous to see that Nevada Dave truly is the rock at The Bonebell.  Dedication to the dirt should feel this good.  On the Palos ride we ran into the trail crew from CAMBR and they quickly asked us – did we register for the big race – and we answered an emphatic “HELLLZZ YEAHH BEEEEYATCHES!!!”   We are excited to celebrate the dirt community coming together not only in competition but in celebration of the best damned trail workers and organizers in the ‘entire’ Chicago Cook County Metro area.  We would be pathetic singletracking hooligans without a clue without the work that CAMBR has put forth on the trail systems.  Nevada Dave and I had completed a flawless loop of trails that had us both challenging each other at every corner – despite Nevada Dave telling me “Bro, I’m still just chillin’ from yesterday’s ride (12 hours prior) so I’m going slow (not!)”  

Get out to Palos for the PALOS MELTDOWN this year, if not as a racer, then as a supporter of the finest community in the midwest that advocates a sport that is seriously scoffed at from both coasts until they come and ride our shizzy and realize that ‘Damn! Chicago has some serious trails!!” 

True Story – Nevada Dave and I ran into an MTBer from Salt Lake City, Utah at Palos and he was impressed with what we had.  We may not have 2000 ft elevation changes – but we certainly have trails that keep you honest and give your heart a workout no matter which section you churn. 
Don’t ever discount dirtbaggin’ in Chicago – The Bonebell hopes to make sure of it.  

Enjoy this video to prep you for Palos Meltdown (it looks slow from this rider – but its a damned good hill to mash up and at the meltdown – we’ll have to do it 4 times!)