Sunshine, Slush and Steel: My First Winter Race on The Sam’s Pants

Heading into my first winter in Colorado, I’d often say I’d take 10 degrees and sun over 40 and raining any day. After 10 cold, soggy winters in the Pacific Northwest, I was craving something different, something drier, even if it meant colder temps, more snow, and a bit more wind. Trading fenders and Japanese fishing gloves for frosty sunshine felt like a worthy exchange.

But as anyone familiar with Old Man Winter knows, Colorado’s winter rides are anything but predictable.

Colorado Winter, Meet Boulder Open Space

I’d seen photos from last year’s race, riders transformed into living statues by a glaze of mud as the sun melted snow into the infamous Boulder sludge. That’s the thing about winter here: the forecast might promise dry and sunny, but conditions on the ground are always a surprise.

When REEB handed me a Sam’s gravel bike and told me to “ride it like I stole it,” I was all in. I had one mission: push myself, push the bike, and soak up the full experience.

Race Day Prep: Fine-Tuning the Setup

The day before the race, I made some last-minute changes. With the course drying out, I swapped my 50mm tires for a faster-rolling 35mm Continental Terra Speed. I also threw on a -17° 110mm stem to stretch out the cockpit just a bit more aggressively.

From the first pedal stroke, the bike felt dialed. Responsive, comfortable, and rock solid.

The Race Begins: Lyons to Lefthand

We rolled out from Lyons under clear skies. I wasn’t aiming for any attacks, I just wanted to ride smart, save energy, and hang with the pack. When we hit the snowy path at Boulder Reservoir, I surged ahead to avoid the bottleneck. The Sam’s handled the slushy ruts like a champ, forgiving every icy hit with steel-plush confidence.

Hunt Limitless wheels took the brunt of a few rim strikes without losing pressure, shoutout to their wide 4.5mm bead hooks.

We regrouped before the climb up Lefthand Canyon, where the pace kicked up. I hung on as long as I could before finally getting dropped just before Rowena. But the race wasn’t over, not even close.

The Rowena Gauntlet

Rowena was a hike-a-bike warzone: snow-covered, steep, and relentless. I hit the bottom with a cyclocross-style dismount and shouldered the Sam’s… for a while. Eventually, the steel frame got a bit too cozy with my collarbone, so I switched to powerhiking beside it through deep snow.

Brutal? Absolutely. But I clawed back a few spots and some dignity on that climb.

Regroup, Refocus, Rip

After Rowena, the race paused for the Sunshine Canyon descent. I regrouped with a lead pack of about 15 riders. The next timed section began with a steep grind up Linden. I paced it smart, then made my move on the fast dirt descent of Old Wagon Wheel.

This is where the Sam’s came alive.

I sprinted into the downhill, cornered late, and let the steel frame do its thing, smooth, planted, confidence-inspiring. I made up ground, passed two riders, and even had a near wipeout on a shadowy snow patch… but the Sam’s saved me with a beautiful counter-steer recovery.

I let out a loud “YEEWWW!” and found two new teammates for the final chase into Lyons.

Finish Line Feels

We didn’t need to say anything, we all knew the mission. Work together, gain ground, then race each other to the line. In the final stretch, I managed to take the 3-up sprint. I left it all out there and couldn’t have asked for more.

Why I Still Race

Racing isn’t for everyone. Some people love it, some don’t care, and others just want a solid ride. For me, it’s still a blast. It’s not about the podium anymore, it’s about testing limits, embracing the chaos, and riding something that matters.

Big brands will tell you that to race, you need the latest carbon aero tech, the lightest gear, the most marginal of gains. But that’s not my scene. I want a bike that can handle real life, commuting, bikepacking, trail shredding, and racing all in one.

The REEB Sam’s isn’t just a bike. It’s a connection to the craft, to the builders, and to a different way of doing things. And that makes every mile just a little more meaningful.

Kenny Rizer
Age: 34
Hometown: Warrenton, VA
Currently Resides: Boulder, CO
Riding: 25 Years
Racing: 11 Years