Updates from Bob Burnes

Finally got the internet working in the hotel. I r...

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:25:41 GMT

Finally got the internet working in the hotel. I really need to invest in one of those air cards.

in southern California for training for the next t...

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:13:57 GMT

in southern California for training for the next three weeks. If you want to ride, shoot me a message!

I really have to stop working the weekend shift. I...

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:09:25 GMT

I really have to stop working the weekend shift. I'm missing all the good races :D

wants everybody to try this Rock Mountain Roast Co...

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:58:54 GMT

wants everybody to try this Rock Mountain Roast Coffee! It's awesome goodness. :D

has been enjoying the local trails!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:31:57 GMT

has been enjoying the local trails!

took a look at the 2010 race year and it looks lik...

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:30:15 GMT

took a look at the 2010 race year and it looks like I'll be able to hit EVERY Pro GT US race!!!!! Man, I am STOKED!

plotting out the all new Pro GT for 2010! YEAH!

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:16:15 GMT

plotting out the all new Pro GT for 2010! YEAH!

pretty nervous about a job interview this week.

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:07:44 GMT

pretty nervous about a job interview this week.

had a super cool session yesterday in Toro and fou...

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:04:53 GMT

had a super cool session yesterday in Toro and found my feet again on SPDs.

is bumming today.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:51:41 GMT

is bumming today.

is cranking out the Euro-Techno tunes as we speak!...

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:56:43 GMT

is cranking out the Euro-Techno tunes as we speak! LOL

Oops...my lack of sleep is showing. What I meant t...

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:49:13 GMT

Oops...my lack of sleep is showing. What I meant to say was I'm going for a cup of Rocky Mountain Roastery COFFEE!!! There we go.

I'm going to need some coffee...some ROCKY MOUNTAI...

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:46:20 GMT

I'm going to need some coffee...some ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROASTERY COFFEE!!!!!

got 2 hours from Mammoth just to get turned back b...

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:10:51 GMT

got 2 hours from Mammoth just to get turned back by a wild land fire. Alternate route will take another 10 hours to complete. I could make it to the race, but I'd never make it home in time to get to work. I AM gutted. :(

Check it out! You can update your status and it ke...

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:29:18 GMT

Check it out! You can update your status and it keeps it in a file. People can check up on your current or previous "SHOUTS!" Cool.

NICE! I like this new feature!!!

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:39:15 GMT

NICE! I like this new feature!!!

[BURN]: Kulture Magazine

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:38:49 GMT

Thank you so much. Also, thanks to all that voted, I will be featured in the May issue of the magazine!!!!!!!

Now the fight begins to who will take the top spot. Top spot get's the major feature and a chance to win the cover of the magazine!!!!!!!!

http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1525853

And now the race begins for the cover of the magazine.

Here's some info on the magazine itself and why I'm gunning so hard to hit that cover:

"Kulture Magazine is a FREE monthly publication. We also offer a digital copy on our website. We offer a chance for upcoming Artists/Bands, Models and Extreme Athletes a chance to get their name publicized with their industry of choice. Kulture Magazine not only has the best upcoming talent which the United States & World has to offer, but the talent in our publication are also the top voted for talents on KultureMagazine.com. Readers and fans vote monthly for the Top 10 Artists/Bands, Models, and Extreme Athletes that will be featured in the next upcoming issue!

We feature who the fans want to see!

Our talents get national and worldwide exposure on our magazine's website. To top things off, we will personally distribute an issue to every Entertainment and Media company that Hollywood and the United States has to offer, such as: Casting companies, Production companies, Modeling agencies, Record labels, Racing teams, etc. With this potentially becoming the doorway into the lifelong dream of being a star."

I don't care about being a star, however, the exposure this could generate for the Pro Gravity Tour could be awesome!!!!!

Once again: Let's show 'em how the MTB rolls. Vote!!!

http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1525853

Thank you so much!

[BURN]: Lab Monkey

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:12:41 GMT

I like tacos. My oldest son doesn’t. I think he’s crazy and I can’t believe somebody I’ve raised couldn’t love one of the, if not one of the only, foods on planet human beings shouldn’t live without. But there he is, completely defiant in his disgust of tacos.

I suppose my son’s dislike for Taco’s is very much like my friends dislike for bike products other than the one’s he’s got on his bike. His tastes never change and he swears up and down that anything other than what he’s currently got, is disgusting and below standard.

I used to swear by the products he’s using, but as my style and experienced changed, so did my likes and dislikes. I also found out that just because it’s very expensive doesn’t mean its top of the line. Often, the mid-price range is what suited me best, though the bling factor on the more expensive component did get more looks and comments. And just like my taste change, so do the companies that make the products I love so dearly. I call it, for lack of better terminology, product evolution.

Companies have to produce better and better equipment if they hope to stay in the game. It’s that simple. Companies that produce a less than stellar product get left behind until they disappear all together-or end up on the Wal Mart Shelf 50% off.

Companies like SRAM and Shimano are two of my favorite examples. You’ve got the die-hards on both sides and you’ve got people like me. I’m all for the better product. Who’s going to give me the most for my hard earned cash? Who’s going to supply the product that’ll last the season? Two seasons? Three seasons? (The reason I have the sponsors I have, by the way, is because they produce products that last!)

Here’s what I learned over the years, boys and girls, and if I could give you any advice it would be this: Don’t look at product reviews written by other riders about products. It’ll only drive you out of your mind and confuse you.

I’ve recently switched drive trains and if I listened to the product reviews, I wouldn’t have a drive train at all.

Instead of listening to the reviews on the forums, I did this; I researched the drive train products I wanted to buy by looking at the products web sites. Yeah, that’s right. I went right to them and explored the item I wanted to buy. I looked at everything, than I went to the competitor’s web site and did the same thing. If you’re going to get your money’s worth and you want to know if the product is right for what you do, then you’ll have to get good at researching metals, plastics, and design. Know what the difference is between 6061 and 7075 Aluminum. Understand what they mean when something’s cast or formed and know what they mean when something is made from ballistic plastics. You don’t have to be an expert in the field, just understand why you’re paying for what you’re buying and is it really the product you need for your use. Then, after you purchase the product you think is right for you, regardless of what the forum monkey’s say, try it out and make up your own mind.

[BURN]: Yeti/Fox on SCHWALBE TIRES!!!!!

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:13:02 GMT

Yeti / Fox Shox to ride SCHWABLE TIRES!

Monday, January 12, 2009

just read on JaredGraves.net...

"Yeti/Fox racing Factory teams, new tire sponsor for 2009 is Schwalbe. I know what you are all thinking. probably the same as I was thinking at first (just ask yeti Boss Chris Conroy) Conroy saw a good thing and decided the team would go with Schwalbe to race on, and develop new tires. He's always looking out for the best interests of the team, and I have had another one of those life lessons, and this lesson was to think outside the square. I thought Maxxis was all there was with tire choice, but I am more than impressed with Schwalbe, They are all about making the best tires they can, and have some kick ass designs to get the ball rolling with. And things are only going to get better."

I've been happily sporting and riding my Schwalbe tires for some time now on and off the race track in 4X, dual slalom and BMX. It's awesome to hear my favorite race team will be hammering down the tracks with what I consider to be the best rubber on the planet-nice!

If you haven't had the chance to check this awesome tire company out, check out:

www.schwalbetires.com

Get yer'self a pair and try them out! You will NOT be disappointed!

Bob Burnes

[BURN]: LET IT BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:37:26 GMT

A plume of steam streamed from my nostrils like a river of fire and smoke from the exhaust tips of a funny car. I studied the trail before me and the valley after that and the mountain range after that. It was a clear cold morning and I was poised at the top of the Goat Trail. The steam from my body drifted all about me on this still day and covered me in blanket of white mist. I flexed my fingers in hopes of getting rid of the icy cold snake that sunk it's teeth deep into my knuckles and bones.

It was my second run of the morning. The first run was to check the water. This time....this time was with feeling.

On the way up to the top of the GT, I took careful note of the ground. I felt confident and happy to be alive and riding my bike. I repositioned the ear buds in my helmet before I pulled the Zune of my pocket and checked the play list. The saviors of metal (Dragonforce) were on for the next three songs, but I’d only need one to make it to the bottom. Up went the volume.

I dropped in from a small hill and hammered the pedals until I was up to speed. The first descent is short, but the second is much larger and faster. I didn’t let up. I pinned it as hard as I could and hopped the rain ruts and rocks and shot up the next hill.

The next section is a beautiful twist and turn area with lots of off camber turns. The sun stabbed through the Oaks in wicked rays of gold and white. The Spanish Moss made weak attempts to grab at my clothes and bike, but the flow was on.

I made a long left hand turn and had long decided to hit the big hip jump in the mild rock section. I made circles with my feet and dropped another two gears and applied the torque. I lined up and hit the hip jump perfect. I knew I’d make the short 7 feet to the landing, but what I didn’t know is if I’d make it past the 1,000 pound Blood Mare running up the trail. To ‘ell with the one Blood Mare. It was the other 6 1,000 pounds animals that had my attention.

Somehow, some way, I managed to land and miss everyone of them, weaving and dodging like I was made for this moment. I define miss as not dieing.

I didn’t make it out unscathed though. When 180 pounds plus 25 pound bike goes 25+ mph on 12”’s of trail against six 1,000+ horses with 160 pound (And I’m being kind) riders going 30+ mph on 12”’s of trail the odds are against me.

I missed the first pack no problem, but the next three horses I bounced off of each one of them, but never, Praise God, went down.

I threw my backend over the back tire and grabbed at my brakes until the Yeti was still.

Over my shoulder I heard the horse riders say I should be more careful and I’m lucky I’m not dead.

I took off my helmet. A flash of steam enveloped the air and sweat was free to create streams down my forehead. I blew one stream out from my mouth in a response to the snort the closest horse offered me in greeting. A ray of sun gave the impression I was on fire.

The leader of the pack dismounted and came back to me. He was wearing a Division 26 t-shirt that matched mine. “I USED TO RIDE BMX”

He was apologetic and said he was trying to hurry the horses off the trail before I biker came down. I was sorry because if I’d known horses could walk this trail, I’d have taken it in sections and listened carefully before I trucked down them.

We high-fived for having great tastes in clothing companies (He’s an avid rider himself) wished each other a Happy New Year then went on our separate ways, but not after he took a good long look, as did the other horseback riders (They were all mountain bikers too) at my set up.

I took the trail in sections with out incident. When I got to the bottom I took note of the trail sign. Horses were allowed on the trail and so were hikers.

Hmm.

Lessons:

1. Be mindful of others on the trail. Don’t hammer down a trial unless it’s closed for race. You don’t know what you could run into.

2. Being courteous on the trail is also part of being a good sponsored rider. You represent some of the finest people on the planet (They’re not just companies) and people notice.

3. Don’t get angry if you do have a near miss. Stop and check on the other party.

4. Dragon force’s “Through the Fire and Flame” is a perfect track to smoke a trail on. YEAH!

Until next time,

Go on and ge' yoself' some!

Bob to the Burnes

[BURN]: Go On N' Brush Tho' Shoulders Off

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:18:02 GMT

I’ve got about 900 songs on my Zune and about 90% are what I call power songs. Metal, rap, techno. If it’s carrying a beat that would make a room full of nuns break out into a full on prison brawl the second the play button is pushed, you can bet it’s on my play list.

My music isn’t designed to pump me up for a race or amp up my aggressive driving. I don’t bob my head to the driving beats to put me in the right mind set to push myself against another rider. Every song, every beat, every push of the volume control is to prepare me to meet me head on.

There are two people living in each of us. The one who wants this. He or she wants that win, they want that sick run with the perfect lines and the power of a rocket powered hot rod with the pulling power of a diesel truck hauling the mail down an empty highway. Then there’s the other person living in each of us. They want to sit at the computer, watch the rain from the inside, and hand you excuses on why you should take it easy today instead of putting in some weight training action or that training ride.

I hate that person, but the Force is strong with that one.

It’s a daily battle between the forces of Dedication and the evil régime of Excuses. Somedays it’s easy to choose my side and press on. Other days…I align myself with the darker side of humanity and fall to the wayside-a causality of my own laziness.

So, to pump myself up for the greatest battle I face every day (the one against me) I turn up the Dragonforce put my head down and pick up the weights. I go for the run. I put in that practice ride. I sprint it out. I throw on one more 5lb stack, and I go for another down hill run.

So, as winter continues and the weather continues it icy march into January, join me in the greatest fight you’ll even know-the fight against yourselves.

Get some.

[BURN]: Get Your Burn On

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:07:02 GMT

One of the most frustrating things about moving, but more so when you hop across oceans, is adapting. Sometimes this adaption process can last months as you make adjustments to schedules, location, climate, so on and so forth.

One of the frustrating factors for me was the gym. In England, the USAF base had not one, but three state of the art gyms for my use7 days a week everyday from 5am-2am. Nice.

When I got to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, I thought the base would have the same accomidations...well...maybe not.
The gym at Nellis was terrible and very tiny. Most of the equipment looked very old and I'd never seen it cleaned. I got sick twice when I was stationed there and both times were after using the gym.

So I did my work outs at home, but even that had it's limitations. Every time I went for a run, the temps would soar into the 100's. Everytime I tried to work out in the house, my 2 year old son, God Bless him, would use me a jungle gym.

The only ride time I got in for a work out came in the form of a weekly BMX race-of which I was grateful, but it did little to strengthen me, but really helped my racing confidence. So a plus was had.

That went on for almost 10 months and it just seemed like I wasn't getting any where. Move onto present time and here I am, a civilian again, but this time...this time I've got the gym. A great gym. It's about 15 minutes from here and it's got everything I need and it's new and clean.

I'm fairly excited about this.

I read an article that bikers don't weight train enough and don't run. I plan on doing both not only to make me a stronger more physical player in the gravity games, but because doctors agree: if you're going to survive a crash, you'll need strong bones and a solid muscle base. And the only way you get that is through weight training and a bit of running. (Running strengthens the bones by building density. Density is built up through use. Totally true. I read it in a magazine. Weight training also helps bone density.)

So, before you get on that bike for the umpteenth time this week and go for a training ride, replace one of the those rides with some weight training in a good gym. You'll curse me at first, but after that first big crash...you'll high five.

Time for the gym!

Bob Burnes

[BURN]: As the Season Turns

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:33:46 GMT

It's November now. I've been back in the US for over a year and what a year it's been. I moved from across the ocean to Las Vegas then from Las Vegas to my home town of Salinas, California.

I left active duty military and went back to work as a police officer.

I raced for the first time in the US and raced dual slalom for the first time-ever. And I loved it.

I was hospitalized for a week for pancreatitis and left weak and 20 pounds lighter. And I hated it, but it set me on the right track to eat right and get me in shape for the 2009 season.

It's been three months since I left the military and life is just now starting to find a groove, but I feel a bit off still. You get used to living that way of life and when it's gone, it leaves you feeling a bit....strange.

But life rolls on and so do the seasons.

I finished this season in 5th in the US (I'm awaiting confirmation from bluewolfevents) and managed, despite missing a number of races during my military to civilian transfer, to finish 15th in the Western Region in the 30-34 cruiser in BMX.

I managed a number of podiums in BMX this year and hit two podiums in the Shimano Winter Series (Fontana, CA) as well.

AND I had the opportunity to race in the Sea Otter-a dream of mine for years and years.

I met a number of my racing heroes and they didn’t disappoint. Guys and gals I’ve only seen on TV, magazines, or on the computer. I finally got to thank them for what they do and how they affected my life and I got to do it in person!

2008 has been a very memorable year and I'm really looking forward to 2009.

I've planned some major changes for the 2009 season. Starting in about two weeks, my web site will receive a total make over. New videos, new pictures, new layout and bi-weekly blogs with the latest news and race reports.

I've started a new training program and the riding here in Monterey is EPIC all year round so I'll get all the practice I'll need for the new season.

Thank you, to everyone, for your support! I couldn't have done it with out you.

Getting ready for the Cal State Champ-E-YON-CHIPS!...

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:42:55 GMT

Getting ready for the Cal State Champ-E-YON-CHIPS!!!!!! Mammoth here we come.

[BURN]: Gettin' the Good Deals

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:43:52 GMT

One of the most common questions I get on my message board is, “How do I get sponsored, Bob?”

Well, first you should know that sponsorship isn’t about getting free stuff-it’s a business partnership between you and the company that you’ve either applied for, or if you’ve really worked hard, has decided to offer you a sponsorship.

One of the first things you should ask yourself before even thinking about sponsorship is why you want to get a sponsor in the first place. Remember-this is a business relationship and you’ll need to have something to offer the company if they’re going to hook you up.

I’ll share my reason for needing sponsors:

I’m active duty military and my income is fixed. That means that I won’t get any extra money for working overtime (which I do very often) or extra bonuses for a job well done. What I see on paper is what I get regardless of how high gas prices get, how high rent gets, or how high the cost of food gets. With out my sponsors, I wouldn’t be able to afford my bicycles let alone attend any of the races. So to me, my sponsors make it possible for me to chase my racing dreams and enjoy a sport I love dearly.

And now it’s your turn.

I want to hear why you need sponsors. Shoot me back a message and let me know why having sponsors is important to you!

In return, I’ll post more of the sponsorship secrets that have helped me over the past three years.

So spill it! What’s the point of your sponsors?

Thanks!

Bob Burnes

USAF/Manitou

Updates from Bob Burnes

Finally got the internet working in the hotel. I r...

in southern California for training for the next t...

I really have to stop working the weekend shift. I...

wants everybody to try this Rock Mountain Roast Co...

has been enjoying the local trails!

took a look at the 2010 race year and it looks lik...

plotting out the all new Pro GT for 2010! YEAH!

pretty nervous about a job interview this week.

had a super cool session yesterday in Toro and fou...

is bumming today.

is cranking out the Euro-Techno tunes as we speak!...

Oops...my lack of sleep is showing. What I meant t...

I'm going to need some coffee...some ROCKY MOUNTAI...

got 2 hours from Mammoth just to get turned back b...

Check it out! You can update your status and it ke...

NICE! I like this new feature!!!

[BURN]: Kulture Magazine

[BURN]: Lab Monkey

[BURN]: Yeti/Fox on SCHWALBE TIRES!!!!!

Loop'd MTB

[BURN]: LET IT BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!

[BURN]: Go On N' Brush Tho' Shoulders Off

[BURN]: Get Your Burn On

[BURN]: As the Season Turns

Getting ready for the Cal State Champ-E-YON-CHIPS!...

[BURN]: Gettin' the Good Deals