Anaheim, Anaheim, CA - Having been home to some of the world’s most well-known freeriders like Lars Tribus and Shaums March, CHUMBA Racing has re-launched its quest to find and nurture new talent in the U.S.  CHUMBA has always made an effort to be involved at the core of mountain biking - whether it is racing, product development, working with riders, or organizing and participating in recreational rides.  It is along these lines that CHUMBA has begun to scout talent to help train and provide guidance to younger riders who have aspirations of taking their riding to the highest levels possible. 

Jason Seamans, CHUMBA’s Team Manager, says, “This will be a great opportunity for me and the company to develop relationships with local young up and coming riders who need people to train with and have access to the best equipment possible.”

Most recently, CHUMBA signed Dakota Dulmage, a junior expert rider from Huntington Beach, California.  Dakota competes in 4X and DH, and builds and rides trails and jumps as often as he can.

 For more information, you can call Jason Seamans at 714-348-6859 or e-mail info@chumbaracing.com.

Due to the overwhelming success of the 2007 Exhibit Tour, Red Bull Illume will be extended through 2008!

Atlanta, GA | March 5-16, 2008
Centennial Olympic Park | South Lawn
Illumination at Dusk

www.redbullillume.com

Announcement to be made at the show awards presentation

Speedway, Indiana - After protracted speculation and negotiations, and what seemed like a thousand requests from cities all over, the 2009 North American Handmade Bicycle Show has decided on a venue for 2009 in what will be its fifth year of operation. The venue for the ‘09 show will remain a closely-kept secret until the awards ceremony in the show hall at 3 p.m. Sunday 10th February.

The flourishing handmade bicycles show features 156 exhibitors from three continents. It is accepted as the place to meet the builders of the world’s most beautiful bikes, and with its series of seminars and expert panels is the foremost information exchange in the handmade cycling industry. The nature of the meetings is not only between customers and builders, but also a place for builders to meet builders, and component and accessory manufacturers meet builders.

“The industry needed a place for everybody to gather and talk about hand made bicycles from their particular perspective, that’s really what it’s all about. Now it’s gotten popular, we have to keep moving because it’s only fair to bring the show to within a day’s drive of each of the major cycling centers around the nation. Of course this makes a lot more work for me, the guy who has to make all the arrangements, but I’m interested in providing the best service that I can to all concerned with the show. I may not be Hemingway, but I still think of the show as a moveable feast,” says show director, Don Walker.

The venue for the ‘09 show will be a closely-kept secret until the awards ceremony in the show hall at 3 p.m. Sunday 10th February.

Apart from having the requisite convention center, here are a few features of the new venue:

* The governor of the state concerned wrote to express his desire to host the show
* The host city is within one day’s drive of approximately 100 million people
* The state concerned is adding $20 million a year to build, expand and link the state’s trail systems, and sees bicycling as a major part of that
* Three micro-breweries are situated within two blocks of the expo hall, and the host hotel is right across the road
* The city is regarded as one of the most hospitable in the USA

“Frankly, I think if I can move NAHBS around the country, running the show almost single-handed, then other trade shows probably could too… if they really wanted to provide that level of customer service,” states Walker, who may not be Hemingway but has never been afraid to speak his mind.

About The North American Handmade Bicycle Show
Having started with 23 exhibitors in Houston, Texas, in 2005, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show is dedicated to showcasing the talents of individuals around the world whose art form is the bicycle. It aims to be a gathering point – online and in person – for framebuilders, tubing and component manufacturers, and consumers looking for custom-made bikes; for the sharing of ideas; and for the promotion of this industry and its traditions. For more information, see www.handmadebicycleshow.com

source: Paul Skilbeck

at the 2008 Mountain Bike Championships on the slopes of Mt Stromlo in Canberra, Australia 

Canberra, Australia (January 27, 2008) - Dylan Dean Designs’ factory rider Bryn Atkinson scores Silver on Australia day at the 2008 Australian Mountain bike Championships on the slopes of Mt Stromlo in Canberra, Australia.

After qualifying 1st, ahead of defending Australian National DH champ Nathan Rennie, Bryn knew he had a shot at the title. “I had a pretty descent run, said Bryn. “I had to improvise in a couple of different sections, but I’ve been running flats lately, so it kinda makes it a little bit easier when stuff happens. Ya know… all you have to do is lean back & go for it!”

On race day, Bryn knew he had to ‘PINN’ it! Although the course lacked in steepness, it still proved to be a challenge as the lower section had large amounts of pedaling, sapping riders of their energy. Even with a stellar run, Bryn fell just shy of the win. Excited about his outstanding result, Bryn is looking forward to building off this momentum as he works on his training for the 2008 World Cup season.

About Dylan Dean Desgins:

Dylan Dean Designs (D3), a division of Dylan Dean, Inc, is a world-class paint shop based in southern California, USA. World class athletes have donned D3 paintwork on their helmets, including mountain bike riders Bryn Atkinson, Andrew Neething & Rich Houseman. Additional information about D3 is available at www.dylandeandesigns.com.

source: Dylan || Dylan Dean Designs

Guided bike tours, events, and maps lead cyclists along “the route to freedom”

Missoula, Mont. —Adventure Cycling Association, North America’s largest cycling membership organization, celebrates Black History Month by announcing a dynamic spring and summer line-up of bicycle trips and events planned for their Underground Railroad Route (UGRR), as well as available maps.

The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route honors the bravery of those who fled bondage and those who provided shelter by tracing “the route to freedom” that escaped slaves may have followed 150 years ago or more. According to Ginny Sullivan, New Routes Coordinator at Adventure Cycling, “These bike trips and maps provide an opportunity for individuals, clubs, and communities to engage in an active homage to those courageous men and women by riding all or part of the Underground Railroad Route.”

From April 27 to June 13 cyclists can explore the full Underground Railroad Route by joining Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad tour, passing numerous historic sites along a 2,028-mile corridor from Mobile, AL to Owen Sound, ONT. In the words of a cyclist on the 2007 inaugural ride, “To walk in the same footsteps of the men and women who made this trek, it’s unbelievable. The things Harriet Tubman and the other people on the Underground Railroad were able to do with so little support, it’s inspiring.”

The Association is also offering a fully supported, eight-day tour on the last leg of the UGRR from July 27 to August 3. Riding from Buffalo, NY to Owen Sound, ONT, participants can expect gorgeous landscapes including the Niagara River (where thousands jumped into boats or leapt into fast-churning waters to swim to freedom in Canada) and Niagara Falls. After reaching the Niagara Escarpment summit, riders will make a quick descent to Owen Sound and end their journey by celebrating with locals and visitors at the 146th Annual Emancipation Day Celebration.

For those interested in planning their own trip (of any length), map sections of the UGRR are available at www.adventurecycling.org/routes/undergroundrailroad.cfm. Adventure Cycling also recently published three unique day-trip maps in the Ripley, Ohio area, offering people of all ages and experience levels a chance to take a day’s jouney along part of this historic route.

A map for the UGRR’s Pittsburgh Spur can be found here: www.adventurecycling.org/routes/undergroundrailroad.cfm. Due to the many roads leading in and out of the area and the rivers which represented natural landmarks to follow to freedom, Pittsburgh was also an important stop for freedom seekers making their way north. Recognizing this historic role, this spring the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club will lead a three-day, two night tour on the Pittsburgh Spur route. Check the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Minority Health and BikePittsburgh websites for more information.

Finally, from July 19 to July 26, the Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure (XOBA) offers another mid-summer adventure along a stretch of the Ohio portion of the route with their 11th Annual Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure 2008 –The Underground Railroad Tour. Riders will spin through the beautiful Ohio countryside visiting major historical and cultural landmarks such as the John Rankin House, Cincinnati’s Freedom Center, and the city of Oberlin, one of the most important abolitionist centers in the country.

The Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club can be reached via Mario Browne at mbrowne@cmh.pitt.edu. Walt D. Williams, Director of the Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure, can be reached at xoba@outdoor-pursuits.org.

source: Adventure Cycling

MONTEREY, Calif. (January 30, 2008) Soil composition, topography, weather and of course, the all-important “flow” are key to building the mountain bike courses at the Sea Otter Classic, A Celebration of Sport. “If you build it, they will come” has never been truer for Sea Otter’s mountain bike events, which continue to attract swarms of racers from all points around the globe. The Sea Otter Classic takes place April 17-20, 2008 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California, USA.

For 90 percent of the 1,500 downhill racers that show up at Sea Otter, it might be the only time during their season that they race downhill. For some, like Joey Okamura of Carmel, Calif., it will be where they get hooked on downhill racing.

“I was just starting to look to the competing side of mountain biking and I found the Sea Otter Classic races,” said 17-year-old Okamura. “When I first came to the practice day it was great. There were a lot of mountain bikers from all over the world there to do two things: race and celebrate the sport of mountain bike racing. The Sea Otter Classic is by far one of my favorite events out of the whole season.”

World champions arrive from powerhouse gravity nations like Australia, France and now the UK to defend their previous year’s Sea Otter victories against increasingly competitive fields. The dual slalom course draws the greatest flattery from competitors.

“All those berms and flat turns, you have to be energetic from top to bottom to keep up the speed and keep going faster, I love it!” said France’s Sabrina Jonnier, who will return to Sea Otter this year to earn a fourth, consecutive victory in dual slalom.

What you need to know about off-road racing at the Sea Otter Classic:

Joey Okamura, 17, will return this year to race as an expert at Sea Otter photo: brightroom.com

SRAM Downhill The SRAM Downhill course continues to evolve in 2008 with an improved top section (new line), a great mix of jumps, turns, pedaling sections and hi-rev speed traps, the course promises a challenge or two for you on the way down. For more information, go here

SRAM Dual Slalom The SRAM Dual Slalom is a classic. The single best Dual Slalom race in the world, the legendary Sea Otter course includes massive berms, tricky off-cambers, jumps and rhythm sections to challenge riders and thrill spectators. Course builder and designer Keith Defiebre has prepared a few surprises for 2008. Check it out here

SRAM Super D returns for its second year to hook an even bigger field of off-road enthusiasts eager to try out this obscure discipline. Super D, which is a hybrid of downhill and cross-country requiring not only power, but also a finely tuned descending strategy to win, will launch three days of mountain bike racing starting Friday, April 18. The 2008 Sea Otter Super D will be a combination of fast fire road and singletrack descents and maybe a few short double-track climbs. Super D is a LeMans-style, mass start race by category. For more information, go here

SRAM Short Track Short Track, a white-hot race format that has some racers seeing stars due to its high intensity output for a short amount of time, will kick off at noon on Saturday, April 19. Racers test their speed skills against their peers in this anaerobic hammer fest. The SRAM Short Track course is fast and challenging! For more information, go here

SRAM Cross-country will take place on Sunday, April 20, when hundreds of racers in numerous categories take to the start line to test their fight and fitness on the Fort Ord trail system. The SRAM cross-country event poses a distinct challenge since it is typically the longest race of the season. A course map for Sea Otter’s cross-country event will be available March 14. Go here for map information. Racers will fight their way up short, steep climbs and enjoy single-track trails that include rocks, sand and other challenges. They will careen through tight sections in the trees and ride open fields of scenery. Go here for more information

About Sea Otter Classic, Inc.
The 18th Annual Sea Otter Classic will be held April 17-20, 2008 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California, USA. The four-day “Celebration of Sport” is considered the world’s largest cycling festival, hosting nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans. The Sea Otter Classic benefits the Davis Phinney Foundation, which supports Parkinson’s disease research and wellness, and IMBA California, which organizes advocacy and trailbuilding efforts statewide and strengthens California mountain bike clubs. More information can be found at www.seaotterclassic.com or by calling 800-218-8411.

source: Sea Otter Classic News Service

Radical Films detonates into mountain bike mayhem with, “The Cackle Factor - Kranked 7″ on April 19^th, 2008 with the world premiere at the Sea Otter bike festival in Santa Cruz, California. The Get Kranked World Tour begins the very next day.

With over 100 showings in North America’s most influential mountain bike communities, the tour is a community event designed to bring mountain bikers together for an evening of cutting edge entertainment, fun and stoke.

We are currently looking for promoters to be part of the tour by hosting a premiere show on a date between April 20th and July 20th, 2008.

As a promoter of the Tour, bike shops and bike clubs have the opportunity to host the evening, taking advantage of a great promotional event designed to stimulate quality relationships with their clientele and the local biking community.

The Movie

Inspired by old hipster slang for the insane asylum (the cackle factory), the film trips with stunning footage cut to a post-industrial explosion of funk, rock, reggae, hip-hop and punk.

As the world spirals into madness seemingly at war with itself, the best mountain bikers are judged against it. Join us as we freak out and explore:

WHO IS INSANE? US OR THEM?

Featuring epic riding sets from: Jamie Goldman, Nathan Rennie, Steve Romaniuk, Mike Kinrade, Eric Porter, Kyle Ebbett, Timo Pritzel, James Doerfling, René Wildhaber, Matt Hunter, Mike Hopkins, Ben Boyko, Kirt Voreis, Garett Buehler, Bobby McMullen, Ryan Berrecloth, Josh Bryceland, Dylan Dunkerton and Curtis Robinson.

Filmed in HD in Alaska, British Columbia, California, Vermont, Switzerland and France.

Soundtrack features: The Hilltop Hoods, the Kinks, Zebrahead, Tsunami Bomb,
Ziggy Marley, the Guess Who, Anti-Flag, Five Alarm Funk, Placebo, Lagwagon, the Misfits, Super Cabin, Pennywise.

What it takes

· Set a date between April 20th to July 20th, 2008

· Book a theatre, bar or other venue with a seating capacity of 150-1000 people. We encourage all-ages events.

· A projection system with a big screen and a killer sound system

Join the party now! Dates and locations are on a first serve basis. Contact Johnny Smoke to confirm your premiere:

source: Johnny Smoke

Bicycle industry goes green while raising funds for
mountain bike programs for low-income youth

San Rafael, Calif. - Jan. 29, 2008 - Trips for Kids (TFK) heartily thanks the more than 100 companies that donated products to its Re-Cyclery Bicycle Thrift shop last year. Profits from the shop fund TFK’s national mountain bike program for underserved youth.

“We applaud the participating companies’ commitment to greener business practices,” said Marilyn Price, TFK founder and director. “By donating their over-stocked, out-of-date, slightly used or blemished goods to the Re-Cyclery, they are reducing waste and providing a wonderful community service.” Slip

Located in downtown San Rafael, Calif., the Re-Cyclery Thrift Shop is stocked entirely with donated merchandise from companies, shops and individuals. TFK mechanics assemble, refurbish and breathe new life into the donated bicycles. With a broad assortment of bikes, parts, clothing, and accessories, this is a regional center for affordable and environmentally sound transportation and gear. In 2007, this green business earned more than $325,000 paying for 57 percent of the organization’s overall operating expenses. For a list of contributing companies and shops visit http://tripsforkids.org/about-sponsors.htm .

“We would not be able to sustain our current level of youth services without our thrift shop and the support of the cycling industry,” said Price. “We are extremely grateful for those companies and individuals that donate bicycles, bike parts and, most importantly, time to Trips for Kids. Thank you for your devotion to cycling and willingness to donate, and for helping improve the lives of children across the country.”

For the past 20 years, more than 38,000 low-income youth across North American have experienced the joy and challenge of TFK’s outdoor adventures. The daylong mountain bike rides build confidence and self-esteem in the children while generating an appreciation for nature.

“I learned that it is hard making it to the top, but I learned not to give up, too” said fourteen-year-old Beatriz after a TFK ride. “My Trips for Kids adventure was awesome, I had so much more fun than I normally do.”

Along with the service opportunities companies are given by donating to TFK, they are also instilling in low-income kids an excitement for mountain biking. TFK’s outreach to minority youth helps the cycling industry keep pace with the changing demographics of cycling.

Manufacturers, distributors and shops wishing to clear out unwanted stock, receive a tax deduction, help the environment and help the kids, can email Marilyn at info@tripsforkids.org or call (415) 458-2986.

The Trips for Kids Re-Cyclery Bike Thrift Shop is located at 610 Fourth Street, San Rafael, Calif. The shop is open every Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about Trips for Kids go to www.tripsforkids.org .

About Trips for Kids
Trips for Kids is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit based in San Rafael, California. Trips for Kids started in 1988 as a grass roots effort by avid mountain biker, environmentalist, and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee, Marilyn Price. Its programs give underserved youth a chance to experience the joy and challenge of mountain biking, while learning valuable life skills and an appreciation for the outdoors. There are currently 57 Trips for Kids chapters across the United Stated and Canada, with more on the way. www.tripsforkids.org

source:Maura Lansford, for Trips for Kids

January 26th, 2008 Temecula California

For the season opener for the 2008 12 hours of Temecula race series, it was all a Pua-Powered Ellsworth. The weather started out beautiful but it soon changed, turning cold and windy after only a few hours of racing and finally ending with 3 hours of nasty cold rain to top off the day.

Right out of the gate Tinker Juarez dominated the entire race field, building a 2.5 minute gap only half way through the first 10 mile lap. He was able to steadily increase his lead and after just over 10 hours and 12 laps he was able to finish the race early and take the win. He was also able to take home the “King of the Mountain” award for being first to the top of the initial climb. Juarez came just short of the fastest lap award, missing it by only 18 seconds to a team rider.

On the Women’s side the story was much the same, Pua stayed out front with the top 3 men and was able to put over 7 minutes on her competition on the first lap. After only 7 hours she had already gained over one lap on her nearest competition. At just over 9 hours she was able to finish the race nearly 3 hours early for the win with 10 laps. Pua was also awarded the “Queen of the Mountain” award and the fastest female lap.

http://www.12hrsoftemecula.com/

source: Rich Carr

Tour of California Camp scheduled for Feb 17-20 combines epic rides and pro road racing

Campbell, CA – January 23, 2008 - Silicon Valley Cycling Center (SVCC) is pleased to announce that we are ready to open the doors of our bike studio in Campbell, CA and offer discerning cyclists a unique combination of services and products.

BikeConcierge^SM is SVCC’s innovative bicycle charter service and was born from the founder’s frustration with being a business traveler and a cyclist. SVCC will deliver a high-end road or mountain bike, helmet, route guidance and nutritional products to your hotel anywhere in the greater Silicon Valley area - all you need to travel with are your cycling clothes and shoes. BikeConcierge^SM makes it easy to get on a bike and ride the epic roads and trails of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Located in the technology hotbed of Silicon Valley, SVCC offers hi-tech products with expert service to give the user a complete understanding of their new equipment and how it helps them improve their fitness and performance on the bike. SVCC partnered with Look Cycle, Ritchey Components, PowerCranks, SRM, Cyclops Power, E-Motion Rollers, Hammer Nutrition, Trailhead Cyclery and Wenzel Coaching to bring best-in-class products and services to the customer.

SVCC’s camps, clinics, coaching and bike fitting offer cyclists of all abilities the opportunity to improve their performance. Most group functions are a maximum of six riders ensuring the highest level of attention possible to each participant. SVCC offers skills clinics for riders to improve specific areas of their riding. Individual coaching programs are available through our partnership with Wenzel Coaching to help riders achieve their goals. A Wobble-Naught bike fit specialist will dynamically optimize your position on the bike enabling maximum performance and comfort.

SVCC’s Tour of California Camp takes place February 17-20 and participants will ride parts of the 2008 race course as well as routes from previous editions. Riders will be tested by the Hors Categorie Mt. Hamilton climb and the leg-shattering Cat 1 Sierra Road. Participants will also experience epic riding in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Marin County, training grounds for many riders from the Pro Peloton. Go to SVCC Tour or California Camp page for more information.

About Silicon Valley Cycling Center

Silicon Valley Cycling Center (SVCC) provides high-end products and services to the discerning cyclist. As an authorized dealer of Look Bicycles SVCC offers a complete cycling experience under the service mark, BikeConcierge^SM. SVCC offers custom camps, clinics and coaching through a partnership with Wenzel Coaching and helps cyclists effectively utilize technology to improve their cycling ability.

source: Alex Wheeler