Photo credit Tom Robertson, tomrobertsonphoto.com

It’s not often that a national caliber event (of any sport) takes place in Montana, so when they do it creates quite a stir. Last spring when some core Missoula mountain bikers told us they we’re putting on a brand new mountain bike race, and that it was part of the US Pro XCT, our reactions included a range between “Really?!” and “Awesome!”. We sponsored the event site unseen with Hammer Gel, HEED and Recoverite last summer and the race blew away all expectations. Over a thousand spectators came out to watch the main event, and celebrate the sport of mountain biking in Missoula, Montana, which sits only a couple hours . So a couple weeks ago when the opportunity presented itself for Hammer Nutrition to become the title sponsor of the Missoula XC, we just couldn’t say no! We’re happy to help bring national level mountain biking to Montana, and showcase our great products alongside the sports elite. Here’s a few words from the Missoula XC technical director, Ben Horan, about just how special this race is becoming:

Inspired by the success of the internationally acclaimed Missoula Marathon, the Hammer Nutrition Missoula Pro XCT was conceived of and implemented by a passionate core of cycling and community activists who share a love of cycling and of the community. The race is an event that provides a super venue for pros, rallies amateurs from the region, and brings a great event to a great town. It’s about having fun and involving as many different people as possible.

The Hammer Nutrition Missoula XC race course received rave reviews from professional racers and amateurs alike, and was designed and constructed specifically for this event. It reflects the contemporary World Cup course philosophy. Steep, technical climbs and descents alternate between single track, double track, and infrequent dirt road sections. Frequent and sudden rhythm changes challenge racers, but several sequences of fast and fun sections are included as well. The course features over 850 feet of climbing per lap; while it is not at extremely high altitude, multiple long, steep climbs per lap test racers’ fitness limits.

In 2011, hometown favorite Sam Schultz snagged the win over teammate Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Pro XCT Series winner, Max Plaxton, while Lea Davidson put on a clinic to win her first Pro XCT race ahead of Heather Irmiger and Katerina Nash. With this race as the final domestic test before the Olympics in London, and newly donning UCI C1 credentials all of the heavy hitters are sure to turn up with guns blazing. Come on out to test your mettle on the same tread as Olympians, or just have a cold Kettlehouse beer and cheer on your friends on July 14, 2012 at the Hammer Nutrition Missoula XC.

The 2011 Race Across America (RAAM), an event that Hammer Nutrition has been a major sponsor of for many years, is in the books and we want to congratulate all of the competitors for their tremendous effort in “The World’s Toughest Bicycle Race.”   Continue Reading »

Team Pulsar Construction/ Hammer Nutrition at the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250

Simi Valley, CA – Along the narrow loop extending from San Felipe, Mexico, adjacent to the Sea of Cortez, the world’s fastest gather to tackle the tough terrain to the finish line. Nearly 250 entries gather to compete over 250 miles of desert racing along a course that is considered, “The Best of Baja.” In a race filled with silt, jagged rocks, narrow passes between walls of rock, and sections of shattering speed, only the world’s finest find themselves up front at the finish. Continue Reading »

In mid-December 2010 a study was reported in the online version of the Journal of Nutrition. The results of this study suggest that there is an association between an increased intake of BCAAs (l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine) and a reduced risk of obesity and becoming overweight.
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Author: Steve Born

“Ideba what?”  That’s what people often say when they first encounter this relatively unknown nutrient, pronounced eye-DEB-uh-known. So unknown, in fact, that I believe we’re the only athletic supplement company that uses this incredibly beneficial nutrient. In over two decades that I’ve studied nutritional supplements, I’ve become extremely fond of many nutrients. I’d say that idebenone shares the top rung with old favorites such as lipoic acid (the “r” isomer form), l-carnitine, carnosine, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Continue Reading »

After its humble beginnings in a kitchen in San Francisco, Hammer Nutrition has enjoyed the last fifteen years of its existence in Whitefish, Montana. Whitefish is a great place to work and play, but we’re well aware of our secluded location, and most of our sponsored events take place outside our home state. Continue Reading »

Author: Steve Born

It sure sounds paradoxical, eating fat to help lose body fat. But that very well may be true and at this time of the year, a time when we’re trying to keep that “winter coat” to a minimum and/or kick start our weight-loss goals, it’s something definitely worth considering. Of course, you want to make sure that you’re eating the right kind of fats—meaning the healthy Omega 3 essential fatty acids (and avoiding saturated fats)—and that you’re consuming an adequate, but not too high, amount of them. Continue Reading »

A guest blog post by Phil Elsasser of the Hagens Berman Elite Team Fueled by Hammer Nutrition.

While I have used several of Hammer’s products such as Heed and Sustained Energy in the past, this year I have had the great opportunity to explore some of their supplements through Hammer’s support of the Hagens Berman Cycling Team. One product that impressed me greatly was Hammer’s REM Caps. Being an endurance athlete means that generally by the time my head hits the pillow at the end of the day I am out like a light. As a result, I have never really thought about using a sleep aid. This year definitely changed that. Continue Reading »

Alright, let’s face it; for the next few months, the weather in about three-quarters of the U.S. just isn’t going to be that great. For those who are fortunate enough to live in warm temps in January, please continue with your winter running and riding (or take a trip down to Tucson for the annual Hammer Camps!) or whatever it is you get to do in short sleeves. But for everyone else longing for warmer weather, there certainly is still hope! Continue Reading »

Miles Frank Rides the Mud

The Europeans were onto something when they decided to place the sport of cyclocross at the far end of the cycling calendar. Just before the legs and mind have had enough for the year, ‘cross comes around and riders give it one more push before throwing in the towel. Luckily, the races are of short duration and the terrain often favors technical ability over raw power. This means that riders can usually stay competitive well into November, and for a select few, all the way through to national championships. Continue Reading »