Merry Christmas from the Schuman's

Here is to a Merry Christmas to all at Oskars. Thanks for everything and maybe me and little Graham will have a show there someday. We are practicing.

Cheers and here is to more growth!!!!

2008 Mountain States Cup Calendar

Big Mike & the folks at the Mountain States Cup have passed along all the info they have for the 2008 schedule. Here's what it looks like as of now:

April 12-13(tentative date) - MSC #1, Rabbit Valley Rampage, Fruita, CO

May 23-26 - MSC #2, The Chalk Creek Stampede, Nathrop, CO

May 23-26 - #3, The Chile Challenge(G3 format-gravity stage race) Angel Fire, NM

June 6-8 - MSC #4, The Sol Survivor (Singlespeed State Championships) SolVista Basin Ski Resort

June 20-22 - MSC #5, Wildflower Rush(G3 format-gravity stage race)Crested Butte, CO
* same weekend as CB Fat Tire Festival (Bring yer townie!)

July 11-13 - MSC #6, Blast the Mass, Snowmass Village, CO * Endurance Series Finals

August 1-3 (tentative date) - MSC #7, Full Tilt in Telluride, Telluride, CO

August 15-17 (tentative date) MSC #8, Keystone Climax

August 23-24 – MSC #9, The Eldora Escape, Nederland, CO

August 29-31 - MSC #10, Sol Squared , SolVista, CO

September 6-7 - MSC #11, The Fall Classic, Breckenridge, CO

VeloNews has also posted that Colorado is playing a big role in the American UCI Races. 3 of our races, the Chile Challenge, the Blast the Mass and the Keystone Classic are part of the UCI Calendar.

OB will see you there with a beer in one hand and a smile on our faces!

Euro Cross Camp V

Get an insiders view of Belgium Euro Cross Camp V with Wisco homeboy Tristan Schouten's Blog. Good luck man!

CX TRICKS:

I love the creativity that European cyclocross creates. While geeking out I found this little gem that decorates Bart Wellens' Ridley.

'Tis the Season...

Greetings!
Christmas Time Is The Season For Giving
Here is an opportunity to exercise that Christmas Spirit. I don't know about you but I get pretty tired of all the Christmas hype and commercialism. It seems to get worse every year and the idea of Christmas and giving to those in need seems to be swept under a sea of used wrapping paper, bows, and useless trinkets. This year I have found a way to help get in the spirit of giving at Christmas time to those in need and want to share it with all of you. I'm sure many of you know Wayne Bowers from Oskar Blues. He is the curly headed (or sometimes bald) energizer bunny that used to be general manager of Oskar Blues and now works in the accounting department. He has been a part of the Oskar Blues family for a long time. Wayne's sister had a baby two years ago and the child has many medical problems. After being told she delivered a little boy, she named him Isaiah and he was transferred in critical condition, was put on a vent and his kidneys were failing. The baby had a mass on its kidneys and would have to have surgery and they were not sure if he would survive. They found the mass was actually a fully functional female system. After a week waiting for results of a chromosome test, it was determined the child was a girl. Faith has had 13 surgeries, has one functioning kidney and it functions 30%. Her bladder doesn't function at all and she has reflux (her urine comes down to the bladder and then refluxes back up to the kidney), which causes infection and many more serious problems Faith also has a feeding tube and struggles with vomiting. In order for Faith to be eligible for a kidney transplant she has to be at least 22 pounds with a fully functioning urinary system. She will need a minimum of 3 surgeries to get her kidney. Dialysis may not be an option. We are having a benefit for her at Oskar Blues on Wednesday the 19th from 7-9pm to try and raise some money for her. Romano Paoletti and Jefferson Hamer are going to play some music all the employees are donating their pay for this day and we ask you to stop by and help us with our giving Christmas tree and our attempt to help someone really in need this holiday season. Jul Swann from OHM saloon in Town at 440 Main ST. is giving all the money from every haircut that day to this great cause. There is also an account set up at the Bank of the West in town where you can donate directly. We will also host a silent auction that night featuring some really big gifts to bid on. Won't you help this little girl and her family with a little something extra? It is what Christmas time is really all about and who knows it might help us all to regain the true meaning of giving and the Christmas spirit.
David Lyons Bluesologist McIntyre
email: anita@oskarblues.com
voice: 303-823-6685

CX Riders Across the US Gives Dale's a Thumbs Up!

This past weekend was the U.S. Cyclocross National Championships in Kansas City, KS.

With riders and spectators from all over the country, Dale's Pale Ale was a hit.

Getting rid of all the beer I brought was not an issue.

And for the designated drivers...well it was the beer bling that excited them.

I was fortunate to receive host housing from the coolest beer loving cyclists I have ever met. They even had a kegerator in the garage. Can we get them a keg of Dale's??

Saturday night was a party at the local bike shop in Lawrence, where SRAM showed off their new road groupo, RED. Wow, how much lighter can they go?

As for the racing, well it was INSANE!!! Cold, muddy, icy, and snowy. Everything cross is all about. All weekend I was saying, "Bring It!!!" Shannon was loving the mud, as she went on to win the master womens race on Friday. Come Sunday the course was completely different for the elite races, with lots of icy ruts. And unfortunately, my registration was screwed up and I had to start dead last which was like 90th something. I guess it seemed the odds were against me, but I made the best of it. With lots of determination, I showed those icy ruts who the boss was. I managed to work my way up all the way to 14th with one lap to go, then there was the sound we all hate...Psssssss. What a bummer, I flatted. But hey, it was the best race of my life. And thats just racing. I have no complaints. I can't wait to go back next year! This was a great venue, and they loved our beer!

Happy Holidays,

Monique

Can't get enough...CULT CROSS 2008

If you haven't gotten your cyclocross fix for the season it appears CULTCROSS could be your cure. They're offering 3 spring(March & April) ACA cyclocross races to burn whatever matches you have left.