500 riders from 35 Schools Expected at Series Opener

OAKLAND, CA, February 17, 2009 - 500 high school mountain bikers from 35 schools across northern California are eagerly awaiting the opening round of the 2009 Northern California High School Mountain Bike Racing Series, which begins March 1 with the 2009 Central Coast Invitational at East Garrison at Fort Ord, near Monterey.

The 2009 series opener is held on a fun course featuring lots of single track over rolling hills in mountain biking’s classic Fort Ord venue. Riders will complete multiple laps of a circuit that is approximately 6.0 miles per lap.

“Once again we are seeing an increase in the participation of students, schools and coaches, and as usual I am very excited to see the new crop of riders at the start line. The teamwork, camaraderie and star coaching quality, which have defined our League thus far, creates a unique racing atmosphere” said NorCal League Founder and Director, Matt Fritzinger. He went on: “The Fort Ord venue has a lot of history for our League, it makes the perfect opening race for both new racers and spectators alike.”

The complete schedule for the 2009 Northern California High School Mountain Bike Racing League Series is as follows:

• March 1: Central Coast Invitational 1, East Garrison, Fort Ord, Monterey.

• March 15: Granite Bay Invitational, Folsom Lake, Folsom

• April 5: Mountain Goat Challenge, Pilarcitos Canyon, Fort Ord, Monterey

• April 26: To be announced shortly

• May 17: State Championship, Bogg’s Mountain, Cobb

Athletes may register for the 2009 Racing Series at http://norcalmtb.org/race/index.htm, where they can also view course maps, get directions and check out highlights from years past.

PDF of this release is available at http://norcalmtb.org/about/press/2009_NorCal_Series_Opens_at_Fort_Ord.pdf

About the NorCal League
The NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, founded in 2000, is a non-profit organization open to students from both public and private schools. The League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities as well as generous donors and sponsors including the founding sponsor of the SoCal League, Easton Sports Development Foundation II, the founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, Clif Bar, Inc., Fox Racing Shox, Gary Fisher Bikes, Bikes Belong, Ritchey Bicycle Components, Crank Brothers, Creation Engine, Hincapie Sportswear, Mike’s Bikes, The Pedaler, Paradigm Cycles, HappyGoFun, Mountain Hardwear, WTB, and Touchstone Climbing Gyms. The League provides coaching and camaraderie to help students achieve both competitive and non-competitive cross-country mountain biking goals in a safe and enjoyable manner. Each season includes a Coaches Training Conference, winter riding camps, the six-race series , and a variety of summer camps. For more information visit www.norcalmtb.org or call (510) 653-2453.