Cal and I just agreed to put on some races at Club Edge (615 North 400 West) on July 9th, to kick off the whole concert in the park season. So, after you go to Gallivan center and watch some amazing free show, come do some sprints racing. I think things will kick off around 10pm ish. Also, Cal and I will be using all 4 rollers. This will be the first time for this, and will give us a better idea of how to throw "The Time Trial Diaries." Come race, have a beer, do some dancing. It'll be a good time for all.

Well, in an effort to run our website and business better, Cal and I are going to really try and stay on top of the website. Updating it as much as possible, with news of our own sprints, as well as activities that we are interested in.

More recently, Cal and I were hired out to put on the sprints for eBay in Draper. I've posted a few photos from it on our flickr.com page http://www.flickr.com/photos/saltcitysprints/ We didn't really take too many photos, but there are a few. We also had some races at Piper Down last Wednesday. A group of around 40 people showed up. Which in my opinion is a good sized group for something we didn't really have any time to promote. Regardless, people raced, teeth gritted, sweat sheaded, beer drank, races won and a few prizes given away. Thankfully we had our friend Hawk video taping the event for our upcoming instructional video "How to Operate Your OpenSprints." As well as Greg Hebard taking some great photographs with his new light setup. Thanks guys. 

Also, I would like to announce the latest round of Salt City Sprints. We haven't gotten the dates, but I am hoping for August. My new idea for the sprints will be a relay. 4 bikes racing at once. It will be an overall time trial event, over much longer distances. Teams will consist of between 2  - 4 racers. And rather than races just 400m. as quickly as you can, it will be 3-5 miles. Sure it's a race, but because it's a time trial, it's the endurace you'll need to will. Because this event will take much longer than the usual races (which usually don't last longer than 30 seconds max) we will do pre-registration for your team.You'll need to show up ready to go at your allotted time. Organization will be key for pulling this off, so we'll only do pre-registration and a time will be given to your team. We'll also be adding resistence to the rollers, so it won't be you just spinning there. One other first for this set of races will be the option to ride your own bike, without the fork mounts. If you'd like to ride your bike, your pedals then do so, but if you'd feel more comfortable using the fork mounted track bikes, they'll also be there ready to use. I'll keep the site updated with new developments and keep your eyes posted for "Salt City Sprints The Time Trial Diaries" fliers, coming to a corner/coffee shop/ bar near you! Name subject to change. 

The Return races were our most successful GoldSprints events to date thanks to amazing sponsors, volunteers, and the OpenSprints System!  The times were consistent, speeds were consistent, but the question kept coming up -- are they really going 60 mph?

Amazingly the answer is YES due to little resistance and massive ratios, but instead leaving it at that, here is the math behind it -- in engrish.

How much distance do you travel on one full crank rotation?

We use a 54 to 15 gear ratio.  Using simple math (54 / 15) we know the rear wheel spins 3.6 times for every single crank rotation.  The average circumference (distance it travels is one full rotation) for a 700 x 23C wheel is ~2.1 meters.  Using more simple math (3.6 x 2.1 meters) we find that for every full crank rotation you would travel ~7.6 meters if you weren't stuck on a stationary bike.

How many times do I have to pedal to finish a 200 meter race?

200 m / 7.6 m = ~26.5 crank rotations

How many times do I have to pedal to finish a 400 meter race?

400 m / 7.6 m = ~53 crank rotations

How fast could you pedal 53 times if there was little to no resistance?

Fast.  Bike on simple rollers have little to no resistance, which is why roller companies sell add-ons to add resistance.  From a dead start (not a rolling start) we had a local speed skater, named Andrew Love, pedal at 53 times (400 meter race) in 14.733 seconds.  (53 rotations / 14.733 seconds) Which works out to ~3.6 rotations per second.

So how fast is that?

1 meter per second is roughly 2.23693629 mph

400 m / 14.733 seconds = ~27.15 meters per second.  2.23693629 x 27.15 m/s is...

~60.73 mph

January 24th marked the 1 year anniversary of Salt City Sprints. Throughout the year there have been many ups and downs in the world and our own personal lives. This Februrary, what most say is the coldest of months here in Utah, Salt City Sprints wants to heat things up! We will be throwing 2 races during 1 weekend. the first event, a 21+ event at Club Orange (533 South 500 West) on Thursday the 26th, the second will be an all ages race at Nobrow Coffee Co. (315 East 300 South) on Saturday the 28th. We don't want anyone left out! If you want to race, and can't make it to Orange, then come see us at Nobrow.The cost of these events will be $5, which will be payable at the door, we are also setting up our online registration info, so you'd be able to signup and pay all on the website. 

This year, the bikes are faster than ever and up to the task of making you sweat, bleed, and more than likely "PUKE!" (Throw up bucket will be provided.) However, it's not our goal to make you vomit, but it has been known to happen. 

We are also working on building up our sponsors for this event, as well as the sponsors for the upcoming Spring, Summer and Fall SCS events. If you are interested in helping a good cause by donating goods or money, please contact me (Todd Erickson) or Cal Cruz through our contact information. 

The internet is such a wonderful place! It allows you to do virtually anything. Andrew Chase, the gentleman behind this year's flier, created something truely artistic. It's so funny! I've compared last year's flier with this year's, and it's as if we've hit the light switch and can finally see! The internet world has noticed too. Gradually I've been receiving more and more emails or links to bicycle websites or blogs that feature this years flier. I love the internet as a promotional tool, but it wasn't the idea of having a Gold Sprints race that drew people's attention, it was the flier. I refer to it as a flier rather than a photograph because it's so many photos in one. It's very dynamic and creative.  I'd really like to thank Andrew Chase again for putting the flier together for this year's Sprints. The entire bicycling community is sitting up and taking notice.

www.andrewchase.com

 Feb 7th. Danny says, "Go check out the new flier, it's RAD!" Should be able to find it via the photos link.

 Feb 6th, 2009 Danny says "It's always a good day, when I don't have to use my AK." Thanks for your thoughtful insite Danny, keep your head up. 

 Danny Woodhead would like to point out that "He rules!" and will be helping to update our site often with other funny or amusing statements.

Thanks Danny.