Evolution of Balance Award Winners 2009

danger_uni · 2009-04-30, 04:41 AM

Hey,

I am happy to announce the winner of the 2009 Evolution of Balance Award!

Gracie Sorbello and Matt Burney (USA) head off in July for a self-supported ride along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which extends about 4400 km (2750 miles) from Banff, Alberta (Canada) to the Mexican border. The route is offroad for 95% of its length, crosses the Continental Divide at least 28 times, and includes over 60,000 m (200,000 feet) of elevation gain. The plan is to take about 3 - 3.5 months for the trip, starting early July'09 and hopefully finishing sometime mid-Fall. It's a hugely ambitious trip, but if anyone can do it, they can, given Gracie's distance riding experience on her coast-to-coast uni trip across the U.S. in 2006. Gracie is also receiving some sponsor support from Panama Jack, Keen Footwear, and Roll bikeshop, and like her trip across the U.S. is hoping to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Click here for Gracie's website. Originally it was going to be a solo trip for Gracie, but Matt has recently committed now to the ride as well.

Thanks to all of you who applied for the '09 award, including riders from the USA, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Canada, and Germany. Good luck on your trips!

Also, thanks a lot to the co-sponsors who help make this award possible. They include the Hoover Family, Unicycle.com, and Horny Toad Clothing. The award aims to help support the spirit of non-competitive, creative and adventurous muni trips and includes:
• $1700 (CAN)
• $500 (US) gift certificate for Horny Toad Activewear (www.hornytoad.com)
• One free KH unicycle (single speed)
• One free set of KH pads and gloves
• Up to three additional KH unicycles at wholesale cost

Kris

CoreTechs · 2009-04-30, 04:52 AM

Congrats to the winners!

nexty · 2009-04-30, 04:56 AM

Gracie <.... snip.....> Footwear?!!

Best of luck guys.

nathan · 2009-04-30, 05:16 AM

Congratulations Gracie and Matt! Their adventure will be epic, that's for sure. I am envious of those who get to tackle massive challenges like this, but of course, they're really in reach for many people; it is question of priorities and vision. Vision is what these two have, that's for sure! Gracie has proven it already - and, although I don't know him, a quick search on Matt showed up a number of pretty amazing exploits as well.

I am very happy to be part of this award and can't wait to follow their big adventure this summer!

Everyone else, start planning for 2010.

---Nathan

pedrotejada · 2009-04-30, 06:44 AM

Awesome... Congrats to the winners (Are they forum users? Which nicknames?)

This is a LONG adventure! I can't wait to see some reports

Have fun in there... and keep us updated!

JohnnyReggae · 2009-04-30, 06:52 AM

Congratulations to Gracie and Matt. Good luck on your adventure !!

semach.the.monkey · 2009-04-30, 09:15 AM

Congratulations Gracie and Matt. Gracie is one of my all time heroes, and has been a huge inspiration to me, so I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award.

Can't wait to hear how it all went!

STM

MuniSano · 2009-04-30, 12:29 PM

In a word: EPIC!

Good luck Gracie and Matt!

I'm so envious it's killing me!

Like Nathan said, "Vison and Priorities." I've got the vision for something truly epic yet it's the priorities that I'm battling right now! I look forward to following Gracie and Matt's adventure and hope to learn useful tips for when I embark on my own quest.

capuni · 2009-04-30, 12:50 PM

Wow... 2,750 miles in 3 - 3.5 months! What an incredible journey. Congrats Gracie and Matt. Can't wait to hear more about it.

lunicycle · 2009-04-30, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuniSano

In a word: EPIC!

Good luck Gracie and Matt!

I'm so envious it's killing me!

Like Nathan said, "Vison and Priorities." I've got the vision for something truly epic yet it's the priorities that I'm battling right now! I look forward to following Gracie and Matt's adventure and hope to learn useful tips for when I embark on my own quest.

ditto!

Congratulations and all the best!

rolandisimo · 2009-04-30, 03:05 PM

wow, this sounds like fun!
congratulations!
Good luck.
ro

siafirede · 2009-05-01, 01:34 AM

Awesome! She mentioned her trip idea to me last year when she was visiting the area, and I told her all about the evolution of balance award and that she should apply. I'm glad she did! She is definitely an inspiration.

steveyo · 2009-05-01, 11:59 AM

Congratulations and good luck to Gracie and Matt. Sounds like an incredible idea.

But, with 2750 miles over 3.5 months, you guys are looking at avg 23 miles/day offroad?!? With backpacks? That's quite ambitious. Am I missing something in my calculations? Either way, wow, that's huge.

corbin · 2009-05-01, 02:57 PM

Big congrats to Gracie and Matt!

tholub · 2009-05-01, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveyo

But, with 2750 miles over 3.5 months, you guys are looking at avg 23 miles/day offroad?!? With backpacks? That's quite ambitious. Am I missing something in my calculations? Either way, wow, that's huge.

The Great Divide route is mostly fire road; on big wheels, 23 miles a day should be totally doable. At least in terms of distance; the logistics of the trip could be pretty challenging.

I'll be looking forward to hearing about it! I've thought about doing this trip myself, but there's no way I could dedicate myself to it at this point.

2009-04-30, 04:41 AM	#1
danger_uni Kris Holm Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver BC Age: 39 Posts: 1,577	Evolution of Balance Award Winners 2009 Hey, I am happy to announce the winner of the 2009 Evolution of Balance Award! Gracie Sorbello and Matt Burney (USA) head off in July for a self-supported ride along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which extends about 4400 km (2750 miles) from Banff, Alberta (Canada) to the Mexican border. The route is offroad for 95% of its length, crosses the Continental Divide at least 28 times, and includes over 60,000 m (200,000 feet) of elevation gain. The plan is to take about 3 - 3.5 months for the trip, starting early July'09 and hopefully finishing sometime mid-Fall. It's a hugely ambitious trip, but if anyone can do it, they can, given Gracie's distance riding experience on her coast-to-coast uni trip across the U.S. in 2006. Gracie is also receiving some sponsor support from Panama Jack, Keen Footwear, and Roll bikeshop, and like her trip across the U.S. is hoping to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Click here for Gracie's website. Originally it was going to be a solo trip for Gracie, but Matt has recently committed now to the ride as well. Thanks to all of you who applied for the '09 award, including riders from the USA, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Canada, and Germany. Good luck on your trips! Also, thanks a lot to the co-sponsors who help make this award possible. They include the Hoover Family, Unicycle.com, and Horny Toad Clothing. The award aims to help support the spirit of non-competitive, creative and adventurous muni trips and includes: • $1700 (CAN) • $500 (US) gift certificate for Horny Toad Activewear (www.hornytoad.com) • One free KH unicycle (single speed) • One free set of KH pads and gloves • Up to three additional KH unicycles at wholesale cost Kris

2009-04-30, 06:44 AM	#5
pedrotejada Europe Winter RoadTrip coming soon! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Age: 20 Posts: 1,294	Awesome... Congrats to the winners (Are they forum users? Which nicknames?) This is a LONG adventure! I can't wait to see some reports Have fun in there... and keep us updated! __________________ Kris Holm Unicycles My Blog! My Website! Brazilian Unicycling Team Gobble, Gobble!

2009-04-30, 06:52 AM	#6
JohnnyReggae Half the bike, half the sanity Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Age: 43 Posts: 972	Congratulations to Gracie and Matt. Good luck on your adventure !! __________________ http://www.amaonetya.co.za

2009-04-30, 12:29 PM	#8
MuniSano Hartman Rocks, Uncompahgre beyond.. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Age: 38 Posts: 995	In a word: EPIC! Good luck Gracie and Matt! I'm so envious it's killing me! Like Nathan said, "Vison and Priorities." I've got the vision for something truly epic yet it's the priorities that I'm battling right now! I look forward to following Gracie and Matt's adventure and hope to learn useful tips for when I embark on my own quest. __________________ munisano

2009-04-30, 12:50 PM	#9
capuni Perry Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Albany, NY Age: 41 Posts: 106	Wow... 2,750 miles in 3 - 3.5 months! What an incredible journey. Congrats Gracie and Matt. Can't wait to hear more about it. __________________ 2008 Evolution of Balance Award - Panama Expedition My Ride The Lobster Photo Album

2009-04-30, 04:52 AM	#2
CoreTechs Photographist Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Age: 25 Posts: 784	Congrats to the winners!

2009-04-30, 04:56 AM	#3
nexty Kris Holm stole my pedals Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Age: 30 Posts: 95	Gracie <.... snip.....> Footwear?!! Best of luck guys.

2009-04-30, 05:16 AM	#4
nathan BIG rides: 24"/36" on/off road Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Los Gatos, California Posts: 1,462	Congratulations Gracie and Matt! Their adventure will be epic, that's for sure. I am envious of those who get to tackle massive challenges like this, but of course, they're really in reach for many people; it is question of priorities and vision. Vision is what these two have, that's for sure! Gracie has proven it already - and, although I don't know him, a quick search on Matt showed up a number of pretty amazing exploits as well. I am very happy to be part of this award and can't wait to follow their big adventure this summer! Everyone else, start planning for 2010. ---Nathan

2009-04-30, 09:15 AM	#7
semach.the.monkey RTL #1 - Team Goonies Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nottingham, UK Posts: 1,381	Congratulations Gracie and Matt. Gracie is one of my all time heroes, and has been a huge inspiration to me, so I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award. Can't wait to hear how it all went! STM

2009-04-30, 03:05 PM	#11
rolandisimo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 395	wow, this sounds like fun! congratulations! Good luck. ro

2009-05-01, 01:34 AM	#12
siafirede Flex Your Head Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 28 Posts: 2,291	Awesome! She mentioned her trip idea to me last year when she was visiting the area, and I told her all about the evolution of balance award and that she should apply. I'm glad she did! She is definitely an inspiration. __________________ -James

2009-05-01, 11:59 AM	#13
steveyo ...feeding the machine... Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Albany NY, US Age: 50 Posts: 3,399	Congratulations and good luck to Gracie and Matt. Sounds like an incredible idea. But, with 2750 miles over 3.5 months, you guys are looking at avg 23 miles/day offroad?!? With backpacks? That's quite ambitious. Am I missing something in my calculations? Either way, wow, that's huge. __________________ steveyo ...like having your own personal rollercoaster... - a few uni race write-ups - muni and kokopelli uni t-shirts, mugs and stickers Last edited by steveyo; 2009-05-01 at 12:02 PM.

2009-05-01, 02:57 PM	#14
corbin Treehouse Muni Rider Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Gatos, CA Age: 35 Posts: 1,337	Big congrats to Gracie and Matt! __________________ http://www.corbinstreehouse.com maestro8 fan club Justin LE fan club

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