Sponsored by

A long time ago Backpacker Magazine had a contest of the same name, the “Bag Night Challenge”.  I love the concept of the contest and thought I would do my own.  I waited ten years, that’s enough time, isn’t it?  The idea is simple, track the number of nights you spend outside in your sleeping bag (Jan 1. 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012 or the 21st if you believe the world is going to end).  The person at the end of the year with the most nights wins!

Grand Prizes

• Most bag nights – Your choice of either a down or synthetic sleeping bag (15 to 40 degree) from MontBell, Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy, a NeoAir Xlite from Thermarest, Action Wipes All in One Kit, and Meru Hat from Ibex
• Random winner -  Your choice of either a down or synthetic sleeping bag (15 to 40 degree) from MontBell and a 15 pack of Action Wipes.

Other Prizes from:

• Julbo – Dirt Sunglasses
• Princeton Tec – Custom Fuel Headlamp
• Thermarest – NeoAir Xlite
• OR – To be announce
• Stanley – 1 Handed Water Bottle, Camp Cook Set, BPA free Water Bottle, and Interlock BPA free Camp Mug
• Ibex – Woolies Crew
• Osprey Packs – Viper or Verve Pack
• Action Wipes – All in one Kit or 15 pack

(and possibly more!)

 To be fair here are a few rules to follow.

•  The idea is to encourage people to get out in the woods, exploring, and enjoying nature. (car camping is okay)  This is not about simply sleeping outdoors.  It’s about experiencing nature and learning about it and yourself.
• For the time being there will also be bi-monthly prizes for those who have logged the most bag nights in that time frame.  I will randomly select this winner.  To be fair you can only win the bi-monthly prize once.
• To be fair to my pocket book and our sponsors only those in North America are eligible to win.
• You must provide when, where, # of nights and possibly pics.
• The BNC has the right to question any entry, and ask for further details.
• The contest is based on the honesty so play fair.

BAG NIGHTS THAT DON’T COUNT

• Sleeping inside with the window open
• Those who are thru-hiking or doing some other type of multi week trip
• Those who choose willing or otherwise to live in a tent outside
• Your backyard or porch
• In an Army tent on base (in the field is okay)
• Bag nights that do not have data to back them up.

Jan. 1st to Feb. 29th – Outdoor Research & 15 pack of Action Wipes

Mar. 1st to Apr. 3oth – Stanley & a All in One Kit from Action Wipes

May 1st to Jun. 30th – Julbo & 15 pack of Action Wipes

Jul. 1st to Aug. 31st – Ibex a All in One Kit from Action Wipes

Sept. 1st to Oct. 31st – Osprey & 15 pack of Action Wipes

Nov. 1st to Dec. 31st – Princeton Tec a All in One Kit from Action Wipes

How to play:

• Go out and sleep in your bag, in the woods on an overnight trip.
• Photos are welcome and will be posted (email the to scatman at adventuresofscatman dot com)
• Bonus Points! will be awarded to those who follow AOS on Twitter and Facebook and any of the sponsors on both as well.
• Don’t worry you can enter retroactively by listing your nights you’ve spent outdoors already.

•  ENTER HERE

Sponsors on Twitter:

• Stanley
• Outdoor Research
• Ibex
• Julbo
• Princeton Tec
• Thermarest
• Action Wipes
• Osprey

Sponsor On Facebook

• Stanley
• Outdoor Research
• Ibex
• Julbo
• Princeton Tec
• Thermarest
• Action Wipes
• Osprey Packs

I will track everyone’s bag nights on a Goggle Doc and update the leader board which is located on the right side of my site.  So add up those nights you’ve already been outside and start planning the next trip and enter to win!

Photos of contestants

The top wallet is the copy.  The bottom two are a design I saw the other night.  They feature a full window on the back instead of the smaller one like the original one.  This will hopefully eliminate one from having to take their license out because whoever’s looking at it can’t see the whole thing.  The second and the coolest thing about the bottom two are they have a tab you can pull and as you pull it slides your ATM card and whatever other cards you have inside out so you can access them.

I will be making small tweaks to them and will hopefully start producing them.  So if you want one let me know.  Color options coming soon.

Front View

Back View

Note Tab in center of back.

Pull tab and presto, your ATM or other cards pop out

This one is slightly wider than the black version.

I’m think next I will make a pouch that holds ones cell phone, id, cards and cash for one the bike.  A wallet and cell phone case in one.  I’m hoping the clear plastic I have allows one to still use the touch screen of their smart phone.

Pic: Caught in a blizzard above treeline in the Snowy Range of Wyoming, I set up my bivy in the alcove of an outhouse, and proceeded to get covered in spindrift.  Fun!

Alec M. bivoucing on the pooh shed porch.

Ryan D.

Ryan D.

Ryan D.

Ryan D. in Leatherwood Wilderness Area in Arkansas

Leatherwood Wilderness Area in Arkansas

Alec M. in Moab, UT

MOab, UT.

Cascade Bicycle Studio Opens Doors; Expands Staff and Product Offerings

Seattle, WA – February 13th, 2012 – Cascade Bicycle Studio will transition from appointment-only hours to standard retail hours at its currentFremontlocation beginning February 16th, 2012.   Additionally, Cascade Bicycle Studio founder Zac Daab welcomes a new business partner, Terry Buchanan, and mechanical technician Jason Williams to staff.

“The decision to hold regular retail hours is one that I’ve contemplated since the day I began my business in 2006,” said Zac Daab, CBS founder and co-owner.

“Cascade Bicycle Studio has created phenomenal success, growth, and profitability in six years of business.   With the studio open regular retail hours and the addition of Terry and Jason at the studio, we will be able to expand our services.   We are thrilled to be offering a full selection of clothing from the haute couture brand, Rapha, as well as complete bikes on the floor for immediate gratification from Seven, Focus, and Parlee.”

Cascade Bicycle Studio was founded in 2006 by Daab, and until recently worked exclusively by appointment.   The studio offers bicycles from Seven Cycles, Focus Bikes, Parlee Cycles, and Ibis Cycles.  In 2011, CBS was named a Top-100 Bicycle Retailer in the United Statesby Bicycling Magazine and a Top-10 Retailer in the United States by Complex Magazine.  Currently, Cascade Bicycle Studio is featured in Peloton Magazine and Luxe Magazine.

“I’m thrilled to be working full-time at the studio with Zac,” said CBS’s newest partner Terry Buchanan.   “My background in the local cycling community includes race promotion, racer development, and recreational rides with my family.  I’m highly motivated to continue to do great work with Zac, and expand Cascade Bicycle Studio’s services and offerings.”

Buchanan is the co-founder of StarCrossed, the original twilight cyclocross race under the lights atMarymoorPark; the founder of Lake Washington Velo Club; and a key mentor to now professional riders like Tyler Farrar and Svein Tuft.

In addition to Buchanan, Cascade Bicycle Studio also welcomes Jason Williams.   Said Daab, “We are pleased to be working with Jason.   Some of you have already met Jason this fall.  More than anything else, Jason is a nice person.   There’s no ego, no attitude.  You can’t instruct this characteristic; you either have it or you don’t.   Jason comes to CBS with a depth of mechanical service knowledge, primarily from the auto industry, but also within the bicycle world.”

Williams is the two-time singlespeed overall series winner ofSeattle’ MFG Cyclocross series, and 2011 singlespeed winner of StarCrossed.

Cascade Bicycle Studio celebrates the new studio hours with a party this Thursday, February 16th, from 11am to 9 pm.   CBS will offer hourly raffle prizes throughout the day, with notable guests and a DJ set at 6pm.

Contact:

Zac Daab

zac@cascadebicyclestudio.com

115 North 36th Street

Seattle,WA98103

Ph: (206) 547-4900

 

Join us for an informative seminar on preparing to climb North America’s Highest Peak. Thursday, March 1st, 7:00 p.m.:  Greg Vernovage joins us for “Your Road to Denali.” A lead guide for IMG, Greg will discuss what you need to do to prepare for your Denali climb—from planes and logistics to gear and training. Greg is an acclaimed ascentionist who has bagged notable climbs from Nepal to his home, the North Cascades. Clinic is free but space is limited. Please call to reserve your space.: 206. 971.1496 Other Great Events in the Coming Week: Snowshoeing Extravaganza: Avalanche Safety—Feb 15, 7 p.m.: Whether you’re a snowshoer, snowmobiler, or skier, if you spend any time in the backcountry you are at risk for triggering an avalanche. Join the knowledgeable instructors from the Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center as they discuss the basics of avalanche terrain, decision making, and snow stability. Free clinic with limited space. Sign up: 206. 971.1496 Snowshoeing Extravaganza: Favorite Hikes Talk—Feb 16, 7 p.m.: Join us in welcoming Dan Nelson, author of guidebook Snowshoeing Washington from the Mountaineers Books series. Dan will share his favorite local spots, tips and techniques for getting started, and sign copies of his book. Free clinic with limited space. Sign up: 206. 971.1496 Vertfest: Festival of Freeride & Mountain Mettle: Two days (Feb 17th & 18th) of celebration slathered in snow and awesomesauce come complete with the Monkia Johnson Memorial Rando Rally, clinics for splitboarders, skiers, and mountain photographers; and all the celebratory vibes you’d expect from our mountain communities. As usual, all proceeds benefit The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center.For more information and to join us for what’s sure to be the celebration of the season, visit the OR Website or Brown Paper Tickets. Questions? We’re always available to take your calls at 206.971.1496. Give us a jingle at any time! ———- Scatman Get out there! Powered by adventure, fueled by Feed the Machine, hydrated by nuun, organized by GYST Concept, kept clean by Action Wipes, and built for life like Stanley.

1. I have a hot ass, as I woke up with a huge dent under it from the snow melting. We’re talking J Lo size people and my ass or lack of one isn’t big.
2. Bring warmer gloves for the am as it can be colder.
3. Hip belts and pedaling don’t mix.
4. Apparently I can sleep through the Groomer, as it passed (40’ away) during the night or early morning and I never heard it.
5. Loose corn like snow sucks to ride in.
6. People smile when they see a fat bike.

Note the overly large 3 person tent for little old me. I went a little crazy selling stuff on Craigslist this summer.

My campsite for the night. Hard snow, bright moon, loud squirrels, curious woodpecker and Hugo (my Pugs).

Though the sun looks warm it was a super cold morning.

My non-bikingpacking set up. I should have my gas tank and a sling done shorty. After that a frame bag.

Lost Creek I believe???

This is all the pictures I could manage as I was using my Iphone and my hands were freezing.  I couldn’t bare the thought of taking them off again.  Next time I’ll remember my actual camera.

I put Sram Gripshift on my Pugs as it was so hard to use the Shimano trigger shifters last time.  This was a huge improvement and the bike preformed better too.  Remembering the winter boots was key.  At least my toes were warm.  I’ll post gas tank and sling pictures soon.

Scatman

Get out there!

This little guy is a Pika and their friggin’ adorable.  I’m comfortable enough with my manhood to say they are the cutest thing out there.  I always smile when I see one.  I’ve been know to sit at a rock slide for 10 minutes of more waiting to see one.

Common Loon.  This guy has the best call of any duck/bird out there.  I look forward to seeing them in Maine every year I go.  I will never for get the first time I heard one call.

My #1 food choice, enough said.

My #1 drink choice, though I haven’t had one in years.  Just hearing one being opened makes my mouth water.

I love bikes and riding them.  Skinny bikes, fat bikes, you name it.

One of the things I miss the most about hiking is the incredible sunrises and sunsets I got to see almost daily.  They just warm your soul.

Nothing is better than a comfortable bad, oh and clean sheets right out of the wash.

Epic single track, does it get any better than this?

Chicken burrito, black beans, white rice, pico de gallo, extra green salsa, and cheese.  I can never pass up a chance at eating here.  It’s ritual to stop on the way home from any ride or ski.

I can’t pass a Brown Bear Car Wash without smiling.  He’s cute, try and tell me he isn’t.

I love a cold beer and this is one of my favorites.

It’s incredibly quiche and I feel like I’m writing part of a online dating profile, but I have to say it.   This list wouldn’t be complete without me mention my family and close friends, who hopefully know who they are.

So what do you love?

(From Wikipedia)

Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, refers to a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface.

Because it represents only a thin accumulation, black ice is highly transparent and thus difficult to see as compared with snow, frozen slush, or thicker ice layers. In addition, it often is interleaved with wet road, which is nearly identical in appearance. This makes driving or walking on affected surfaces extremely dangerous.

Black ice may form even when the ambient temperature is several degrees above the freezing point of water 0 °C (32 °F) if the air warms suddenly after a prolonged cold spell that leaves the surface of the roadway well below the freezing point temperature.

The term black ice is sometimes used to describe any type of ice that forms on roadways, even when standing water on roads turns to ice as the temperature falls below freezing.^{[citation needed]} The American Meteorological Society Glossary of Meteorology includes the definition of black ice as “a thin sheet of ice, relatively dark in appearance, [that] may form when light rain or drizzle falls on a road surface that is at a temperature below 0 °C.”^[4]

(not from Wikipedia)

Scatman, sometimes called Craig, a tall skinny adventurer who likes to ride bikes.

Daring, adventurous, a thrill seeker, and yet sometimes a bad decision maker, Scatman is usually a very capable individual.  He strives in adverse conditions and likes a challenge.  Can usually be found hiking, biking, skiing, or doing other outdoor pursuits, pushing his limits.

Because of Scatman’s slim build he doesn’t have much padding and falls usually result in serious bruising and pain.  Due to this fact he is usually a very calculating and safe individual.  This is not to say he doesn’t push the limits in areas he excels in.  So of the areas he excels in are sewing, baking, talking, and gossiping.

Okay, seriously now.  Those aren’t my skills, though I can sew pretty well.  I would like to think my bike handling skills are quite good.  I mean seriously, I got 8th at the cyclocross nationals in Providence, RI where it was 90% snow and ice.  I like to think I’m a very capable rider most days.  I have been riding for 24 years now, that has to count for something.

This morning, in a split second I had every ounce of skill and bike handling stripped away when I went down like a sack of potatoes on black ice.  I hadn’t been on the bike a full minute and I was sliding across the road, hip/ass cheek screaming and my bike mangled.   I popped back up from my fall almost as fast as I went down but the pain slowed me down.  I stood there thinking, “Damn, that fucking hurt!  Should I go back for the mountain bike?”  I walked it off a bite then gave it another shot, thinking I just had to get to where the sun had hit the road.  I now know it was a bad mistake to ride to work as it did get much better.

If you were to watch me ride the rest of the way to work you would have thought I never had rode a bike in my life.  I was so over cautious and tentative that it took me forever to go the 2.5 miles to work.  My heart was racing and I second guessed every questionable patch of road.  That black ice reminded me that everyone once in a while we all need to be put in check and be made to remember we’re not master of our domains.

The damage to my bike.

My bruise on my left ass/hip

Feed the Machine, hydrated by nuun, organized by GYST Concept, kept clean by Action Wipes, and built for life like Stanley.

If you’ve ever done a lot of hiking like me you know all too well it can take a toll on your camera.  After my Pacific Crest Trail hike you could barely read any of the symbols on my camera.  We won’t even go into the condition of the LCD screen.  I had all this damage even though I kept my camera in a hip belt pocke

Here are a few tips you can use to keep your camera looking new.

LCD:

Buy and put a screen saver for a smart phone on the LCD to keep it from getting scratched.

Lens:

Carry a eye glass cloth.  The trail can be dusty and god forbid you drop your camera in the worst moon dust imaginable while on Hat Creek Rim like I did.

Butter Fingers:

If your like me and have dropped a camera or two then you know my pain.  I’ve broke two the same camera twice.  After seeing the Osprey Metron series packs I got the idea of putting a retractable cord on my camera.  If you keep your camera on your shoulder strap a retractable key chain device offers plenty of length to snack photos.

Versatility and better pics:

Do you hate the dreaded obvious self portrait shots where it’s plain as day you’re the subject and photographer?  Unless you’re Elastic Man or Gumby, you need the Stickpic.  It’s a simple device that allows you to attach your camera to your hiking pole and increase the distance between the camera an yourself.  The result is pictures that look like someone else is taking the picture, and a wider field of vision in the shot.  You can also use it to video journey.

Water Proof your camera:

SealLine case.

Feed the Machine, hydrated by nuun, organized by GYST Concept, kept clean by Action Wipes, and built for life like Stanley.