Saturday, January 31, 2009

Santa Cruz Introduces 'Driver 8'

Santa Cruz Bicycles has introduced another new creation:
driver8.jpg
Here's what they say about it:
Here's our new bike. We call it the Driver 8.

It has 8 inches of next-generation VPP rear wheel travel. It also has enough room to raise or lower the seat through a 7-inch range. It's got a 1.5" head tube, an 83mm wide bb with ISCG05 mounts and 150mm rear spacing with a Maxle thru-axle. So, just what kind of bike is it supposed to be?

We designed the Driver 8 to be a general duty, daily driver gravity hauler. It is a super tough, super versatile bike that is ideal for a life at Whistler. It's a damn good long travel high speed trail bike (Wait, is that freeriding, or all-mountain high speed trail riding? What about low speed, sphincter pinching gnarl? Does it speak with a Canadian accent? Man, this gets confusing...)
Kinda a cross between the Nomad and the V-10.

Friday, January 30, 2009

GT Golden Bike Series

GT Bikes has stepped up their support of MTB racing privateers with two programs for the 2009 MTB racing season:
  • GT Dirt Coalition: GT Bicycles announced it will recruit 35 mountain bike racers nationwide for its new grassroots mountain bike program: the GT Dirt Coalition. Each member will race and represent GT Bicycles and the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) at a minimum of six mountain bike races during the 2009 season.

    Each GT Dirt Coalition member will receive a high-end race machine: GT’s iconic Zaskar Pro hardtail ($3499.99) with GT signature triple triangle frame design or the Marathon Pro ($4299.99), GT’s lightweight full suspension bike utilizing GT’s Independent Drivetrain suspension system. Both models feature a monocoque carbon fiber frame and XT components. Members also receive a 10×10 Dirt Coalition tent, two race kits and GT swag. The sponsorship package is valued at $4,200-$5000.

    You can apply here. Pros are ineligible.

  • GT Golden Bike Series: GT Bikes recently announced the creation of a new mountain bike race series with an eye toward promoting amateur racers across the country. The Golden Bike Series is a seven race series and the amateur racer with the fastest overall time at each race will be crowned the GT Golden Bike Winner.

    In addition to the accolades of being the fastest amateur racer, The Golden Bike Winner receives their choice of a custom painted golden GT Zaskar or Marathon Team bike to use at the next race in the series. As for getting to that next race. Don't worry, GT will give each winner an all expenses paid trip for two to the following race. While at the race each winner will have their own personal cheerleading squad, complete with pom-poms, and a professional mechanic. And if that racer wins again, it's on to the next race until you lose the crown or complete the series on September 13th.

    In the end, only one amateur racer will be crowned the 2009 GT Golden Bike Champion, but each individual winner on the Golden Bike Series will receive a trip to the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas where they will be presented with their own custom Golden (painted) GT Bike. "We wanted everyone to have a trophy for their accomplishments and this is a trophy that won't collect dust" joked, De Leon.

The GT Golden Bike Series:
  • April 19: Sea Otter Classic, Monterey, CA
  • May 2: GHORBA Big Ring Challenge, Coldspring, TX
  • May 17: Spring Thaw Mountain Bike Festival, Ashland, OR
  • June 7: Massanutten Hoo-Ha, Harrisonburg, VA
  • July 4: Firecracker 50, Breckenridge, CO
  • August 8: Ore To Shore, Marquette, MI
  • September 13: Landmine Classic, Hingham, MA

Thursday, January 29, 2009

TBF Racing Announces Expanded Summer/Fall Schedule

370D0A17-6EE9-4C74-85D9-7DE857E4F27A.jpgIn addition to last weekend's MTB KickStart, TBF Racing has announced some new races for this summer/fall:
In 2009 we are excited to announce twice as many Friday Night Mountain Bike Races – June and July at Folsom Lake, and the new TBF MTB 50-Miler in October, an endurance-event for mountain bikers like never before. This timed event will offer top prizes, have fully supported aid/medical stations, and be on some of the best single track trails in Placer County . Our commitment is to providing top quality, professional Mountain Bike Racing for everyone to enjoy: top age group champions and first-timers with their brand new TREK.
This brings the TBF Racing summer/fall lineup to:
06/12/09: TBF Friday Night MTB (CA)
06/19/09: TBF Friday Night MTB (CA)
06/26/09: TBF Friday Night MTB (CA)
07/17/09: TBF Friday Night MTB (CA)
07/24/09: TBF Friday Night MTB (CA)
07/31/09: TBF Friday Night MTB (CA)
09/26/09: CLIF Bar MTB Challenge (CA)
10/25/09: TBF 50-Mile MTB Challenge (CA)
The 50-miler could be pretty interesting.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Niner Full Carbon Rigid 29″ Fork ?

Interesting pull from the guys over at BikeRumor:
... some spy shots of the upcoming Niner carbon fiber rigid 29er mountain bike fork.  The fork has been in development for about a year, and Niner’s top racers have been testing it recently…they even mention it in our recent interview with them.

It’s full carbon, tip to tip, steerer tube to dropouts. The official release is set for Sea Otter...
This could be popular with the singlespeed 29er crowd. Jump over to Spy Shot - Niner Full Carbon Rigid 29″ Fork » Bike Rumor to see pics.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

2009 Downieville Classic Dates ?

So I am not exactly sure about this, but it would appear that the 2009 Downieville Classic has been set for July 10 - 12, 2009.

2009 Lou Fest This Weekend

Lou Night WEB Frnt Page.pngI missed this one initially, thinking it was just a cyclocross race. However, there is also a MTB time trial (Air 40). While Fresno might be a bit of a haul for some of us, you do have a full day/night of racing at their MTB park and it's an open weekend on the schedule:
Ok folks, this weekend is THE event of the year on 31 January. Sick Promotions will be holding the 5th Annual Lou's Night Race and Air 40 Pack MTB Time Trial.

Kicking off with the MTB Time Trial registration at 11:00 am with the First rider off at 12:00 with the Air 40 Pack MTB Time Trial and finishing with the one and only Lou's Night Cyclocross Race starting at 4:00 pm with the Team Relay Event.

31 January 2009, festivities kick-off at 12:00 noon with The Air 40 Pack Mtb Time Trial and finish with the Lou's Night Cyclocross Races.....
More details are available on their website.

Monday, January 26, 2009

2009 MTB KickStart Results

Results and photos have been posted from yesterday's MTB KickStart opener in Granite Bay, CA. Despite the low temperatures (sub-40F) and rain at race time, a healthy 180+ racers showed up. Here are the results:Some commentary from TBF Racing's Facebook page:
"Sunday's MTB KickStart featured some changes to our mountain bike course, notably the removal of two sand pits which riders had to ride/run through in the past, and a new start loop avoiding the parking lot pavement. With a few bugs worked out on the levee approach, the new loop should be just the ticket for the upcoming MTB Challenge Series in February and March.

For the Expert Division on Sunday the female race was won by 15 year old Shayna Powless (her 12 year old brother Neilson won the 14-under Junior division) who turned in the fastest time of the day. The men's race was won by top local rider Bob Delp who held off two fast youngsters to pull off a 15-second victory.

TBF Racing also had its very first Unicyclist compete in our mountain bike races, Gary Pope finished the one-lap course in about 71 minutes, and said the other riders were courteous and smiling when they passed him."
There are also photos of the events posted (but there's some strange security shennigans involved).

Saturday, January 24, 2009

NorCal HS MTB Fund Raiser

While they are showing a "roadie" movie, it's the most MTB of roadie movies:
The Northern California High School Mountain Bike Racing League announces special screenings of the film The Road to Roubaix, timed and located to coincide with select stages of the Amgen Tour of California.

The Road to Roubaix brings to American screens a celebration of one of cycling’s most historically significant and charged one-day races, Paris – Roubaix, which has long gone by the deserved nickname “Hell of the North.”

Tickets are $12 and proceeds from these special screenings go to benefit the Northern California High School Mountain Bike Racing League.

February 12, Larkspur - Lark Theater - 8:00 p.m.
Feruary 13, Berkeley - Florence Schwimley Theater - 7:30 p.m.
February 15, Palo Alto – Campbell Center for the Performing Arts - 7:30 p.m.
February 15, Santa Cruz* – Rio Theater - 7:30 p.m.
February 20, Folsom - Jill Solberg Theate - 7:30 p.m.
February 21, Pasadena - Vosloh Forum Hall - 7:00 p.m.

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.norcalmtb.org/events/roubaix/index.htm

Friday, January 23, 2009

2009 Lake Sonoma Series

sonomaSeriesLogo.gifBikeMonkey has just released the schedule for this year's Lake Sonoma XC series:
The long-awaited 2009 series of racing at Lake Sonoma has been confirmed and scheduled. The dates for this year’s series are as follows:
  • March 21st
  • June 20th
  • September 19th
  • December 19th
The race series has been modified from last year’s schedule to coincide with the change in season, giving us 4 different courses for 4 different events. Each race counts towards the series overalls and as always food and beverages are INCLUDED in the race entry fee. Unfortunately to cover our costs we had to raise it to $30 per person but we hope that won’t scare you away… Guaranteed are kick-ass good times, fun races, great competition and camaraderie.
Via BikeMonkey.

Registration is available here.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

2009 Schedule Starts with MTB KickStart Sunday

Yep, the long wait since the last November's 24 Hours of Gold is almost over. This Sunday is the first NorCal MTB race of the year: TBF Racing's MTB KickStart in Granite Bay, CA (near Sacramento).

TBF Racing started the KickStart last year (read my race report) as a way to gently ease into the MTB schedule. It is also a prologue to their MTB Challenge Series.

As XC races go, it's pretty tame: 7 mile laps of 900' of rolling hills (sometime with a little sand). Novices and Junior do one lap, Sport and Single Speed do two laps, and Experts clock three laps. Go to the last year's race report to see elevation and map details.

Event: MTB KickStart
Dates: January 25th, 2009
Location: Granite Bay, CA (Granite Beach, Folsom Lake Recreation Area) [MAP]
Competition: XC
Cost: $40, $50 on race day. 18 & under are $30, $40 on race day.
URL: http://www.tbfracing.com/events/mtbkickstart.html
Registration: active.com or onsite
License: none

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Santa Cruz Introduces Blur XC Carbon

1A936EB7-A890-4636-8867-C1E6A5345B56.jpg
Wow. Santa Cruz finally made a carbon bike:

From VeloNews:
Santa Cruz is unveiling its latest cross-country machine, a carbon fiber Blur XC, which looks to be the fastest endurance race bike the brand has ever built.

The new frame weighs just 4.2 pounds in a size medium, according to Santa Cruz, which translates to a sub 23-pound complete bike when built with the manufacturer’s XTR-XC kit. It’s light: a pound lighter than the old aluminum frame, but the key to its race worthiness will likely prove to be the next generation VPP suspension design. Santa Cruz touts the new version of VPP as offering efficient bump absorption and quick pedaling response without the need for a shock lockout or platform.
Of course, expect this beauty to set you back some: the frame alone is $2299.

You can check out the entire specs over on the Santa Cruz Bikes site.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Clif Bar Recalls SOME Energy Bars

Due to the FDA recall of peanut butter products, you might want to check your energy bars:
On January 19, 2009, we (Clif Bar & Company) announced a voluntary recall of 14 U.S and 4 Canadian products including CLIF Bar, CLIF Builder’s, CLIF MOJO, CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR and LUNA Bar, in the U.S. and Canada because the peanut butter in those products was sourced, for a limited period of time, from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).

PCA is under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, Clif Bar & Company has enacted a voluntary recall. We take the health and safety of our consumers very seriously.
It's only certain types of bars produced during a limited time period, so you need to go the Clif Bar Voluntary Recall page to find out if yours are affected.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Wisconsin for MTB Venue in 2016 Olympic Bid

It looks like if Chicago wins their 2016 Olympics bid, they will be holding the MTB racing near Madison, Wisconsin:
The cycling events would be shifted from Chicago, 150 miles west to Madison to take advantage of Wisconsin's rolling hills and abundance of excellent off-road terrain.

Cross-Country mountain bike events will be held at Tyrol Basin ski and snowboard area west of Madison.

With it's rolling hills and legions of cycling fanatics, Wisconsin is an ideal locale for the 2016 cycling competition. Wisconsin currently hosts the Wisconsin Off-Road Series, the nations largest mountain bike racing series and Super Week, the only three week road bike racing festival in the United States.

Chicago is competing with Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio De Janeiro for the 2016 Games. Selection for the Games will be made October, 2nd
Via MTB Race News: News: Wisconsin Tapped as Cycling Venue for 2016 Chicago Olympic Bid

Friday, January 16, 2009

Granite Bay Trail Work

A good chance to help out the trails in NorCal before the racing season starts:
FATRAC has scheduled a trail work session for the very popular trails in the Folsom Lake SRA (ed: Granite Bay, where the TBF Races are held). Email the work leader if you intend to come.

Date: Sunday, January 18, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Folsom Lake SRA (Granite Bay, CA)
Work leader: Ron Dickenson

Meet at: Kiosk at main entrance (End of Douglas Blvd)
Via FATRAC website.

Sand Hill Video

94B474D8-E6A9-407F-8B93-29BBEF6FA27F.jpgThe folks over at Sand Hill Racing have posted a short video clip highlighting their track and stunts. It's a good preview if you've never had a chance to get out there.

Sand Hill Racing holds mountaincross and dual slalom racing in the Bay Area. This year's Sand Hill Spring Gravity races begins in early March. See here for the full schedule.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

NorCal Championship Series Returns for 2009

It looks like Team Bigfoot will organizing the NorCal Championship series again this year. While they are still settling a few dates, the races appear to be locked in:
2009 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Napa Valley Dirt Classic, April 5, Angwin, Cross Country
Lemurian Classic, Whiskeytown Lake, April 25, Cross Country
Gravity Day, Weaverville, (Date TBD). Super-D, Downhill
Skyline Park Mountain Bike Race, June 14, Napa, Cross Country
Howell Mountain Classic, August 9, Angwin, XC, Cross Country
Whiskeytown Classic, (Date TBD) Whiskeytown Lake, Sept. Cross Country, Short-Track, Super D
CCCX, (2 dates TBD), Fort Ord, Cross Country
CCCX, (2 dates TBD), Toro Park, Downhill
CCCX, (2 dates TBD), Toro Park, Super-D
Lagrange Fall Classic, Weaverville, Oct. 16-18, Cross Country, Downhill, Short-Track, Super-D

The Team Bigfoot Solo Cup endurance series will be back with the following events:
12 Hours of Weaverville, Weaverville
12 Hours of Humboldt, Arcata
Clikapudi Six to Midnight, Shasta Lake
Whiskeytown 9 to 5, Whiskeytown Lake
24 Hours of Whiskeytown , Whiskeytown Lake
Via Team Bigfoot.

I'll add these to the schedule as soon as they get dates.

Indoor MTB Circuit Opening in Boulder

This is something interesting for the winter months:
Boulder Indoor Cycling just opened the doors to its shiny new velodrome and is putting the finishing touches on an indoor mountain bike circuit inside the facility. Boulder Indoor Cycling will join Ray’s Indoor MTB Park in Cleveland, OH as only the second indoor mountain bike facility in the US (that we know of anyway). The mountain bike circuit will lie mostly inside the velodrome track meaning space will be tight but that won’t stop designers from adding log bridges, rockpiles, jumps and banked trails. Even though Boulder Indoor Cycling is in IMBA’s neighborhood I doubt it will be declared an IMBA Epic like Ray’s Indoor MTB Park - but ya never know.
Via SINGLETRACKS.COM

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Boggs IV Registration Full

If you snoozed over the holidays and didn't get your Boggs IV registration in, well you lost. Registration is full for Boggs IV 8 Hours this year.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Shasta Lemurian 2009

I haven't seen this officially announced on their site, but it looks like we have a date for the 2009 Shasta Lemurian:
Saturday April 25 2009 is the date.

Its true that the fires ravaged much of the terrain west of Redding including parts of Whiskeytown. Fortunately the race course was untouched as were most of the other trails! The one caveat is that an area above Brandy Cr Falls burned. The park service has closed the Brandy Cr drainage (Ice Box) to the public until May 1 due to risk of a debris flow. However Lemurian has received permission to use the same course as last year so long as there isn't a big rain event immediately before or during the event. In that case, we'll still go April 25th, but will use an alternate course based in Whiskeytown's Peltier Valley.
Via Mtbr.com Forums.

You can see results and details about previous year's Lemurians in the archives.

USA Cycling 2009 State / Regional Championship Applications

Promoters with an interest to participate in USA Cycling's regional racing take note:
Any promoter with experience organizing three successful mountain bike races over the last three years is eligible to apply to host a USA Cycling Mountain Bike State or Regional Championship. Applications are now available on-line and will be accepted through April 1, 2009.
 
As an automatic qualifier for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships, the USA Cycling Mountain Bike State and Regional Championship program exists in order to recognize the best mountain bike racers in each state and region. Through the USA Cycling Mountain Bike State and Regional Championships the top 15 riders from each discipline, category and age group will be eligible to qualify for competition at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships set for July 16-19 in Granby, Colo. The 2009 USA Cycling Mountain Bike State and Regional Championships therefore must recognize disciplines followed at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships.
Via USA Cycling.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Intern at NorCal HS League

The NorCal HS League never ceased to amaze me -- I think we should turn over organising the US Cycling races. Help HS MTB racing and get paid:
The NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League is now accepting applications for the Winter/Spring Program Internship position. The Program Intern will be responsible for helping with program coordination, distribution of materials, event planning, office needs and general office and field projects.

Kyle Wright, who filled the position in 2008 commented: “I loved working for the League. As the Intern I did just about every job there was to do, newsletters, lots of errands, helping plan events, course design and building, and League promotions. The best part of working for the League was that it never felt like a job.

“Ideally this opportunity would have been announced months ago,” stated League Assistant Director Justin Morgan, “but thanks to a generous 11th hour funding source we can now seek a new staffer to help launch the 2009 season. We are excited about this opportunity optimistic that the right person for this job will emerge.”
Full details are available at their website: http://norcalmtb.org/about/temp/Internship_Job_Description.pdf

Sunday, January 04, 2009

2009 SSWC Registration Opens

sswc09-registration-form.jpgJust on time registration is open for the 2009 Single Speed World Championships in Durango, CO: There is a form (yes, it's a coloring test) and some instructions. It looks like the basic drill here is that people need to download the registration form, do some coloring and then get it in the mail.

There is room for 500 men plus any women as long you get your forms postmarked by Jan 23rd, 2009. Yes, women are guaranteed a spot if they get their registration in on time. The race will cost $35 and you need to include a check with your registration.

You can see the video instructions here.

Post a link to your coloring creations in the comments.

Friday, January 02, 2009

Sonomas 100 Registration Open

sonomaslogo.jpgRegistration for next May's Sonomas 100 is open over at bikemonkey.

Details for the 100 mile race at Lake Sonoma are available in the archives.