The Case for Choosing the Ibis Silk SL If and When You Win My Contest
Friday is the last day of this contest. Yes, the one where, by donating multiples of $5 at my LiveStrong Challenge page, you get to select any of several popular models of Ibis bikes. Then pick up the bike and get it professionally fitted at SLC Bicycle Company. And then head out for some amazingly good riding right here in Utah, with me as your guide (scary).
Recently, I made the case for choosing the Ibis Mojo SL. And it was a good case indeed. If you’re into mountain biking, you couldn’t do much better (though if you’re into hardtails, you should probably give the Ibis Tranny some serious consideration).
But you know, not everyone prefers dirt. Some cyclists love riding the road. And you know what? I’m one of those people. At least three days a week, on average, if you were to ask me whether I like road or mountain bike riding better, I’d choose road.
And in fact, at least 50% of the reason I picked the house I picked is its proximity to a very special road ride.
So today, let’s talk about some ideas for road riding if you win, as well as the bike itself.
Meet the Ibis Silk SL
Your Ibis Silk SL starts with an amazing frame — a 2.2lb carbon beauty, available in either a clear matte finish or Siberian white — and then adds the amazing Shimano Dura-Ace component set, making this a full-on dream bike.
You will love this bike, and it will love you back. In short, the two of you will be in love, and will never want to be apart.
Let’s Ride Local
Here’s a little secret: my day job doesn’t require that I live in Utah, and it for sure doesn’t require that I live in Alpine, Utah.
I live here because I love it here. And one of the main reasons I love it here because of a nearby road called The Alpine Loop. I like that place so much that I did my 100 Miles of Nowhere on it this year.
It’s a big, beautiful road, with incredible views of mountains, evergreens, and aspens as you go.
If I may, allow me to suggest you ride it during the early part of Autumn:
You’ll climb around 3000 feet to get to the top, and it won’t be easy. But once you get there, you get to choose whether to go back down the way you came, or head down to Cascade Springs, which is worth seeing on its own merits — its a series of beautiful, tiny waterfalls fed by an aquifer.
Of course, that big seven mile descent into Cascade Springs means you have to climb back out of it. Which is either awesome or awful, depending on your own point of view.
On the way, there’s a fair chance you’ll see moose lounging about:
Or, you know, we could go down the other side of the Alpine Loop — the Sundance side — which is just as beautiful and even more curvy and twisty. Really, just an awesome descent on a beautiful mountain road.
And if the Alpine loop doesn’t satisfy your road-riding-in-the-mountains itch, we can go do Nebo.
Or, if all this sounds like a little too much, we’ll just gather up the twins and go riding on the Provo River Trail:
Regardless, I’ll probably want to make you finish the ride (time of year permitting) by trying out the sliding rock, about a mile from my house:
Don’t worry, I won’t make you go down head first (but I will use peer pressure techniques to try to get you to).
Not Local?
If the Alpine Loop and the Nebo Loop don’t sound exotic enough for you, we can head out toward Moab, and ride in the Canyonlands. I’ve never actually done that before, but have always wanted to, and this would be a pretty awesome excuse.
Or — and I know this is breaking the rules because we wouldn’t be in Utah anymore, but we’d be pretty close — we could go to Grand Junction, CO and ride across the Colorado National Monument:
I’ve talked about riding this road before. Believe me when I say the stunning scenery is almost matched by the perfection of the pavement.
If I hadn’t already ridden this road, I would be wondering why I hadn’t.
I Believe I Have Made My Point
So I think I’ve made a pretty good case for riding your road bike in my neck of the woods. And if you win this contest, that’s an option you can consider. And consider well.
Road or MTB? It won’t be an easy decision.
But you won’t win if you don’t donate by Friday. And your donation will help LiveStrong continue it’s amazing work toward the fight against cancer.
So if you haven’t done so — and hey, maybe even if you already have — go and donate some multiple of $5.00.
You might win an awesome bike with incredible componentry, a custom fitting, and a great biking trip customized for what you like to do.
And you’ll for sure be doing a good thing.
Comment by Susie H | 06.21.2012 | 10:52 am
I know I am completely not up to your level of riding, and if I won, the right thing to do would be to give it to someone more worthy — but I think not! I will take it and do my damnedest to keep up! (I hope I win!) See you tomorrow! :)
Comment by wharton_crew | 06.21.2012 | 10:57 am
Fatty, if I win, I propose a dual-strategy. I’ll choose the Mojo (naturally, it is soooo beautiful!) BUT, I’ll also bring my beloved Madone 5.5 and we can then experience all that Utah has to offer. I may also just buy a house next to you, so that you can be my permanent guide – I’m sure Dug, Kenny, and the Hammer won’t mind!
Comment by ClydeinKS | 06.21.2012 | 10:58 am
Case closed – taking Fatty on a ride he hasn’t done, on two wheels anyway. If only I could be so lucky to be selected…
AK_Chick – if you win that must’ve been from my donation to your page :)
Wish I could join everyone in Davis this year, my ride here won’t compare. Have a great time!!
Comment by Clydesteve | 06.21.2012 | 11:13 am
Team Fatty – Have a great time in Davis! I wish I could be there with you this year.
Comment by mykill | 06.21.2012 | 11:16 am
I don’t need your beautiful pictures of beautiful scenery to build a case for choosing the beautiful Silk. You will see my case for choosing the Silk when i storm the tent on the beast this weekend.
I’ll have an extra slice of pie in your honor post-ride Sunday, ClydeinKS!
Comment by davidh,marin | 06.21.2012 | 11:24 am
Bikes, Cheaper than girlfriends, and Wife#1 doesn’t mind nearly so much. :-) (hi honey)
Speaking of pie, can i get an informal heads-up for riders on Sunday?? I had too much pie last year. Every one was taking ‘dainty’ slices, ubworthy of the team name. Unfair to make me eat it all!
Looking forward to the weekend and then we can all trade lies of our harrowing bike adventures.
Someone bring the Daisy
Comment by ClydeinKS | 06.21.2012 | 11:26 am
Mykill – thanks buddy, now I’ve got extra pie from you and extra cake from AK_Chick. I think she is dedicating a climb (although the ride sounds pretty flat) and you still have a sprint for me? I am there in spirit and calorie ocnsumption apparently!
Can’t wait to hear/read the report!
Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 06.21.2012 | 11:27 am
Isn’t there some legendary ice cream at Mt Timp caves? That’s the rumor I’ve heard. If that’s the case it’s the alpine loop for me!
Comment by Christina | 06.21.2012 | 11:40 am
Once again, throwing it out there that if you pick me, I’ll drive myself :)
This trip would be like your trip to France…all these amazing rides I’ve read about and seen video of, but never done. I’d pull over for about a zillion pictures.
I raised my full amount and then some for Davis! I won’t be there, but know I’ll be with you all in spirit. Maybe next year.
Comment by mykill | 06.21.2012 | 11:54 am
@DavidH- i will be there and contributing a special pie that is long on flavor, fat, protein and carbs, but short on wheat and dairy. I’m not sure how that factors into your head count, maybe a negative one eighth?
@ClydeinKS- yep, i’ll sprint Allendale Road for you, but i’m going to call it Clydesendale Road in honor of us heavyweights.
Comment by ro | 06.21.2012 | 12:29 pm
ok you convinced me. I’ve donated. I hope I win! I need a new bike!!
Comment by Liz | 06.21.2012 | 12:37 pm
Thanks — I am feeling a little better about all this, now that you’ve thrown out a ride that includes the twins. It is just maybe possible that I could keep up with them. Especially with such a fancy bike. Didn’t you say they have mountain bikes? That would be a bit of a handicap for them. Yes, I’d say it’s a definite possibility that they wouldn’t drop me. Especially if I come to Utah a month early to acclimate to the altitude.
Comment by ClydesdalePilot | 06.21.2012 | 12:54 pm
That bike looks amazing. All those rides sound amazing. I think my head would explode if I won and had to make that choice.
PS: I hope I win and I hope my head doesn’t explode.
Comment by Kristi | 06.21.2012 | 1:10 pm
Love, love, love the Monument ride! We live in Fruita and leave from our house and are so amazed that in 4 miles we are to such an amazing place. That being said it can be brutal too. I took the road down from Cold Shivers on my face a couple months ago. I am hoping to be back on the Monument before the end of the year once all my broken bones heal. Love you blog, it is nice to see a local boy doing such good!
Comment by Dingbat | 06.21.2012 | 1:24 pm
How can Fatty exert peer pressure when none of us mere mortals are his equal?
Comment by Laura S | 06.21.2012 | 1:57 pm
Nice road presentation! Makes me totally want the Silk even though all I really need to complete my stable is a good mountain bike…
Comment by MattC | 06.21.2012 | 2:03 pm
Fatty, I’d be the opposite of Wharton Crew…if I win I’d ship out my Blur and take the Silk w/ the Dura Ace C50 wheels (DROOL!)…that way I can get in ALL the great riding. I’d kill for this bike. Really. Just point out who (is there anybody bothering you lately? I’m quite crafty…it can certainly look like an accident, or at the very least like my brother Greg did it rather than me).
David…Greg and I will be there of COURSE…and I can GUARAN-FATTY-T-YOU that I will NOT take a dainty slice. I will make my tapeworm proud!
See all of you Team Davis peeps VERY SOON! Woo-HOO!!!! (oh, and btw: I’ve got name-tags and sharpies for tomorrow night at the Hall of fame…w/ my rather limited brain-cell capability I can’t possibly remember everybody’s name…this way we all get to see who everybody is, along w/ their ‘commenting-name’…like we did at our San Jose picnic 4 years ago).
Comment by Dave T | 06.21.2012 | 2:33 pm
@DavidH Put us down for 3 please see you in Davis.
Comment by Miles Archer | 06.21.2012 | 2:54 pm
I will be there in Davis but not much of a pie eater after a ride in the hot sun.
Comment by Lori P. | 06.21.2012 | 2:54 pm
Soooo bummed I won’t be able to make it to the BBQ tomo. Words do not describe my disappointment. Unless a miracle happens….then I’ll be there, but that is what it would take lol.
I just hope someone saves me some pie.
=)
Comment by MukRider | 06.21.2012 | 3:24 pm
I like the dual-strategy idea. I think I’d take the Silk, but would want to try out some of the great Utah mountain biking options. Fatty’s about my size, surely he has a spare mountain bike or two laying around….
Of course I’m pretty well set with bikes myself, so the right thing to do would be to let someone else have it. But…. NOT!
Fingers crossed :)
Comment by davidh,marin | 06.21.2012 | 4:04 pm
@DaveT I knew Team T3 would be there, didn’t realize they wanted a pie each. Hah! But for you guys absolutely.
@MattC Really, a Blur in Utah. Wouldn’t that squeaky Bottom Bracket take away from the rustling of the Aspens…or did you always think that noise was just your knees?
Getting ready to boil some Brats….at home…wish me luck. At my age finding Wife#2 would be harder than a Strava record.
Comment by MattC | 06.21.2012 | 8:06 pm
@Lori…tomorrow is cycling hall of fame (w/ Brats n beer/wine/etc, and Cake I hear)…Pie is Sunday AFTER the ride (at least if last years tradition holds up).
@davidh…yes, a Blur…and it’s a much finer bike than I am a rider (tho I always try to make it proud)..it’s a 2003, so it’s somewhat old…in bike-years it’s like 197 years old), and it’s made of that rare and extremely out of favor wonder-metal Al-loo-min-e-uhm (as is my road bike). But the Blur ROCKS! And no squeaky BB on that baby (it’s XTR).
It’s the Ibis Silk that I covet (and MUST HAVE)! I’ll never get a fine carbon steed any other way I’m afraid…(I buy my bikes used due to how pricey they are new…same w/ my cars I’m afraid). But we’ll retire well someday. I hope.
Comment by Jeremy | 06.21.2012 | 9:57 pm
Assuming I’m not totally suffering from heat exhaustion, I’ll be there with my pie-eating face on. Looking forward to seeing folks tomorrow.
Comment by Lori P. | 06.21.2012 | 10:12 pm
Oh thats right! Cake is tomorrow….Pie is sunday. Silly me. Still, because I may be the slowest, the sentiment still stands.
Comment by Tamir | 06.21.2012 | 10:45 pm
I want to make a donation, but I prefer to make it by PayPal. Do you plan to make PP an option in the future?
Thanks.
Comment by AKChick55 | 06.22.2012 | 12:20 am
ClydeinKS – I hope your donation is the golden ticket!
I would LOVE the Silk. It’s magnificent and i’ll never be able to afford anything that nice. I never win anything so I’ll be happy for whoever wins it (and a wee bit jealous). I forgot about altitude. I don’t know how I’d do considering I live at sea level. I’m not good at climbing even though nothing around home is flat. I’m still out of shape from our horrid heavy snowfall winter (but skate skiing in April in the hot sun? JOY!). I do have to admit that I would almost choose the Haakalugi for the name, but I have a wonderful cross already (though the name is now where as cool).
So excited to see people tomorrow!! I have to figure out where the Cycling Hall of Fame is early so I don’t get lost. Without mountains as markers, I’m hopeless with directions. Thank goodness for my iPhone and Google map app.
DavidH, Marin (I just realized I was IN Marin County today and that’s where you’re from?? I could have come see the four legged bike er horse?). I will probably have dainty slices so I can try more than one flavor. It’s supposed to be cooler on Sunday, I hope! Will there be a cooler?
Can’t believe it’s in 2 days! Getting nervous! :) And excited!
Comment by Rob L | 06.22.2012 | 5:44 am
Damn. Have to say if nothing else Utah has moved up in my places I could live list if nothing else. I need to order some sleeveless jerseys so my cyclist tan doesn’t end up like that slide rock picture though. :)
Comment by davidh,marin | 06.22.2012 | 11:00 am
CHF Update: Last pot of Brats is on the stove. MattC get your ‘worm’ alerted. about 80 brats to grill up tonight.
AKChick Directions? You don’t need any directions. If you hit High Mountains or Desert; that’s East. If you find salty waves; that’s West. If you begin to see or smell vast amounts of Ganja; that’s North. If you start seeing alot of well tanned or artificially inhanced people; that’s South. There. California geography 101 is now over.
See everyone this evening.
Comment by Wayne | 06.22.2012 | 2:09 pm
I (an Australian living in Switzerland) rode the Colorado National Monument a few years ago. Very nice:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=95754&v=BS
Comment by GenghisKhan | 06.22.2012 | 2:20 pm
In like Flynn!
Comment by bykjunkie | 06.22.2012 | 3:46 pm
The winner realy does need to bring the opposite (road or mountain) of whichever bike they would choose just so you all could ride all of it!!
Comment by Bill Canning | 06.22.2012 | 9:12 pm
As part of my fund-raising, I promised my friends and coworkers that if they donated enough money, I would shave my legs for the ride this weekend. The ploy worked as I had about $250 extra come in after the challenge went out.
Long story short, I shaved my legs last night, and am ready to show them off this weekend. Here’s a little blog post about my first time as a leg shaver: http://tdf2012.blogspot.com/2012/06/am-i-real-cyclist-now.html
Comment by diverkiwi | 06.22.2012 | 11:18 pm
The brats were amazing tonight! Thanks to everyone who made it happen tonight!
As for the pie on Sunday, I guarantee I’ll have at least a few slices of 3.14!!!
Plus being on the shorter route, I’ll be back earlier with pie taunting me while waiting for my team mates… lol
Comment by davidh,marin | 06.23.2012 | 1:44 am
AngieG wanted me to ‘text’ her when I got back to Marin tonight. I assumed she meant a letter so I just mailed it now. Don’t know how she’s going to receive a letter in Davis before Monday, but I sent it just the same.
Already planning next year’s menu. Hope to see more of you next year.
@diverkiwi I’m putting you in charge of guarding the pies. Thanks for volunteering!
Comment by diverkiwi | 06.23.2012 | 11:02 am
LOL
A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do!
Comment by Diverkiwi | 06.24.2012 | 1:24 pm
Pies are safe!