Well, I made my first turns of the winter recently. … On my cross bike.

But, a winter storm warning is in effect for western Montana for the next couple of days and we have are collective fingers crossed for an epic dump.

While contemplating the upcoming season and talking with a few friends, I have compiled a morning winter fun meditation:

Sliding on the snow is a gift and always fun!

Let me not curse the Weather Service for lack of snow, for they have as much control of the weather as I do.

The snow I am sliding on today is the best snow I am on … right now.

The best snowpack level is the one I am gliding on … in this moment.

Let me and my friends look upon beginners with compassion rather than disdain, for we were all there in the beginning.

May I offer words of encouragement on the slope, on the chair and in the backcountry to those who may be struggling.

I will make turns with a guy who looks like a cross between Santa and a garden gnome.

I will try to hone my skills in my non-primary snow sport discipline.

I will share the fascination and excitement of new snow fall with my children.

I will not judge people sliding on the snow in a different discipline than myself, lest I be judged.

When in the backcountry, I will look at snowpack in an objective way and be humble in my judgment of risk.

May I always enjoy the snow with the innocence of a child, the strength of a World Cup downhiller and the style of Stein Eriksen.

Have a great early season and may all your turns be full of joy!!

Jedzilla is looking forward to the upcoming ski season in Missoula and putting studs in his mountain bike tires as a backup….

It’s 2004 and I think I am hallucinating the biggest, most vibrantly blue butterfly I have ever seen. Its wingspan is so massive that the blue wings beat every 10 seconds … or longer.

“Wow! Look at that butterfly, beautiful!” this is grunted behind me and I mutter, “Thank God” under my heaving breath. It wasn’t a dream. I’m just dying of exhaustion!

This is one of my more lasting memories of La Ruta de Conquistadores. The “Ruta” as it is called is considered one of the hardest mountain bike races on the planet. Let me just say, “I can witness!!!”

The Ruta’s route in 2004 was a three-day stage race going west to east across Costa Rica, beginning in Jaco, on the Pacific coast ending at Playa Bonita near Limon, on the Caribbean side.

Some of my other great memories are of climbing up to near the top of Irazú (dormant volcano) while clenching my cheeks as I had to drop the deuce and could not find an appropriate spot until I was in the woods near the crest of the climb.

On the descent of about 20 miles I had four flats. Luckily, I had heard that the descent on Day Two was hairy and I carried four tubes with me that day, three tubes on the other two days. I will never forget on that first stage trying to clean the mud — which is clay-based “gumbo on steroids” — with jungle creek water along with about 20 other racers at the same time in muted jungle canopy light. Also during Day One after about an hour of racing I hiked –a- bike with about 200 of my closest “friends” (I had heard and found it to be true that it would be best to conserve energy) for an hour or so.

Then of course, the 16 or so miles of rail road track. Yup, you read right. On the last day racers follow and race on a decommissioned rail road track, I still think I have some loose fillings from going down those tracks. Oh, and did I mention that you are crossing the Reventazón and Pacuare rivers (both running Class 3) on decommissioned and unmaintained bridges that are missing pretty much every other trestle?

The bridges range 15 to 40 feet above the water.
Good times. …

La Ruta just finished for 2008 and is now a four stage event. Plans for next year and beyond are to make it five stages. All I know is that over three days, I spent close to 30 hours in the saddle and barely made the time cut on the second day.

I would recommend racing La Ruta to anyone who wants to test their limits in mountain biking. I have competed in 24 hour mountain bike races both solo and as a team. La Ruta make these races look like a weekend fun ride.

That’s why for my 50th (yes, I am on the downhill side of the 40’s) in 2011 I am going back to La Ruta with nine riders from Missoula to share the pain and … oh yeah, fun.

Jedzilla is married and a father of two who is trying to use his snowboard instructor background to potty train his eldest child. Stay tuned for a post on that subject. …

As our favorite ghastly ghoul of a holiday rapidly approaches, and everyone here in Jackson is scrambling to find that final perfect costume accessory, news is spreading about a new vehicle to show off your creativity and hard work. … YOUR BIKE! Read More »

This might be old news for the serious bikers in town, but earlier this month president Bush signed into law the Bicycle Commuter Benefits Act as a piggy back to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “bailout package”).

Beginning January 1, 2009, employers will able to compensate bicycle commuters up to $20 (in exchange for a tax credit) to offset bicycle purchases, maintenance and accessories. It’s not much, but let’s face it, at least here in Jackson, we all ride to work for fun anyway, right?

An extra Twenty in your back pocket can’t hurt.

This bill along with others, such as the California Complete Streets Act, passed by Governor Schwarzenegger at the end of September, should give people hope that our country can move in the right direction, even if only in baby steps. (The Complete Streets Act mandates that California streets be designed to accommodate all users including bicyclists.)

From the press release about the Commuter Act:

“We are delighted that the bicycle commuter benefits act has passed after a lengthy and persistent campaign spearheaded by Congressman [Earl] Blumenauer (D-OR),” said League of American Bicyclists President Andy Clarke. “Bicycle commuters will now be extended similar benefits to people who take transit and drive to work – it’s an equitable and sensible incentive to encourage greater energy independence, improve air quality and health, and even help tackle climate change. Thanks to everyone who has helped reach this milestone, especially Walter Finch and Mele Williams, our government relations staff over the years who have worked tirelessly with Congressman Blumenauer, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and many others in Congress.”

In an ironic twist, Congressman Blumenauer, who worked tirelessly on the bill for two years, felt compelled to vote against it because it was attached to the $700 billion bailout bill. … Sad to have spent that much time on something that in the end he felt morally obligated to reject. This site details the bitter-sweetness of it all.

Overall, I still think this is a good step for everyone.

Shane Lindsay is a graphic designer and bike fanatic who recently moved to the valley from Chicago with his dog Colt.

Editor’s Note: “Puck,” from The Real World San Francisco, is the outrageous character who romanticized the bike messenger life on the 1994 show. While this bill is really for commuters, not just messengers, Puck is a fantastic poster boy for the city biking life.