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Mountain Biking News - February 2009
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Thursday, 26 February 2009Shovels will start flying later this year as construction of Kelowna's first mountain bike skills park gets underway.
"The new mountain bike skills park will provide riders of all ages and abilities with hours of fun and excitement," says Barb Davidson, Park & Landscape Planner. "We have been working closely with the mountain biking community over the past year and this type of facilit y was definitely a priority."
The mountain bike skills park will be located on a 3.4 hectare site at 1960 Hollywood Road South, adjacent to the Mission Creek Greenway. The park will be designed by a mountain bike park expert in collaboration with local riders and the Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan. The $243,000 project includes construction of the skills park and amenity improvements. Construction is anticipated to be completed by early fall.
The skills park was one of the recommended priorities in the Kelowna and Area Mountain Bike Strategy presented to City Council on Monday, February 9. The strategy will be used as a guide for future development and management of mountain bike facilities within the City of Kelowna. Other priorities include exploring opportunities to build three additional mountain bike skills parks, building 10 kilometres of new trails at Knox Mountain Park, working with the development community to try and protect existing trails between the Glenmore Highlands and the city's northern boundary, establishing International Mountain Bike Association recognized trails systems in Okanagan Mountain Park and Gillard area, and creating a regional trail coordinating committee.
"Knox Mountain is the most popular area for mountain biking," says Ms. Davidson. "We are hoping to identify appropriate areas for new mountain bike trails this year when we update the Knox Mountain Management Plan."
The Kelowna and Area Mountain Bike Strategy was a partnership between the City of Kelowna and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan. Future projects will be contingent on funding approval by City Council. Visit kelowna.ca, Residents, Parks for additional information on the Mountain Bike Strategy.
Source: www.mtbco.ca
Wednesday, 25 February 2009The KwaZulu-Natal Government, through KwaZulu-Natal Tourism, is the newest partner to the international mountain event to be staged in Pietermaritzburg this year.
KwaZulu-Natal, marketed as The Kingdom of the Zulu, is one of the most visited regions by local and international tourists and one of the key attractions, besides the diverse natural attractions and rich cultural heritage, is major sports events.
The Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, presented by Shimano from April 10-12 is one of the highest profile events in the sport of cycling and will add to KwaZulu-Natal's growing list of top sports events.
"We have worked closely with the staff at the KZN Government for the past while and have always had their support in a variety of ways," said Treble Entertainment's Alec Lenferna, Event Director.
It's reassuring to have their support for this event, which really is one of the most prestigious events in cycling.
With KwaZulu-Natal Tourism coming on board as a partner, the organisers will be able to spread the word about what the region has to offer even further and wider across the world. There are approximately 100 teams comprising 700 riders from 40 different countries that will be participating in the event and enjoying the hospitality of the region over the Easter Weekend.
"The Kingdom of the Zulu is an iconic brand in itself, and to able to tie the past and present of the region to this international event is a fantastic opportunity and as many of the local traditions and images as possible will be incorporated into the event planning and implementation," added Lenferna.
Source: www.fritzpienaarcycles.com
Tuesday, 24 February 2009The 24 Hours of Summer Solstice is approximately 80% sold as of February 6, 2009. Don't let your team registrations wait too long as North America's Largest 24 Hour Event will sell out. Also register for the Hot August Nights as there are still some serviced sites available.
Crank The Shield has extended it's offer of a full Crank The Shield (newly designed) race kit to anyone register ed by February 27, 2009. Register now for Crank The Shield with only a $300 deposit and we'll make sure you get in on this special offer.
A special thanks to Plastiglas for returning as sponsor of the Plastiglas Ontario Cup Series and to Sporting Life our presenting sponsor of the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice. We will send out a full list of our returning sponsors, as well as some new ones in the coming weeks.
Online registration for the Epic 8 Hour and Ontario Cup Races will be available by March 1.
Source: www.chicoracing.com
Monday, 23 February 2009With tyres pumped, bags packed and last minute training taken care of, mountain bikers from around New Zealand are counting down the hours to the start of the inaugural Skins Alpine Epic on Wednesday (25 February).
New Zealand's first stage mountain bike race, to be held from 25 to 28 February, will see teams of two battle it out over 259km of picture postcard scenery from the Canterbur y foothills of Mt. Somers through the Southern Alps to Lake Tekapo in Mount Cook/Mackenzie country.
Competitors will finish on the shores of Lake Tekapo with the spectacular backdrop of the Southern Alps behind them.
Event co-organiser, Nick Ross, predicts first place will be a battle of epic proportions between New Zealand's top cross-country mountain biker and Olympian Kashi Leuchs (pronounced Cashy Lukes) teamed up with fellow national rep Marcus Roy, and well-known endurance athlete Mark Williams from Queenstown with team-mate Scott Wilder, a competitive road cyclist from Christchurch.
Naming rights sponsor Skins, a specialist in body-moulded compression performance equipment, has further incentivised racers by pledging $5,000 cash for overall place getters.
Mr Ross says securing key sponsorship from Skins has been very important.
"We wanted a strong naming rights sponsor whose values closely aligned with that of the event and who would actively want to be involved. Skins have given us both – in fact, Skins' managing director David Watt will be on the start line as a competitor."
"In a multi-day race format, it's crucial for athletes to recover as much as possible each night in order to meet the next day's challenge," says Mr Ross. "Skins is a perfect fit for the Alpine Epic because it optimises performance and recovery."
Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie General Manager Phil Brownie, a race entrant himself who has teamed up with Cathy Richards from Visit Waimakariri, is expecting a large crowd of supporters and locals to be at the finish line cheering racers across.
"Everyone's really excited about it. I'm expecting a big Mackenzie contingent to be there so we should have a decent cheer squad to welcome us in. It's just as well – I’ll probably need it!" he jokes.
The four-day event will round off with a banquet and prizegiving at an original high-country homestead in Tekapo.
For daily race results and photos visit www.alpineepic.co.nz.
Monday, 23 February 2009OAKLAND, CA - 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 ov er 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, create 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 norcalmtb.org, where they can also view course maps, get directions and check out highlights from years past.
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