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Mountain Biking News - April 2011
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Friday, 29 April 2011London Mayor Boris Johnson will offer a one-of-a-kind BIXI as a wedding gift to Prince William and Kate Middleton.
''It is a tandem version of the traditional BIXI bicycle developed jointly by Michel Dallaire and Devinci Cycles which we delivered at the request of our London partner, Serco'' declared Roger Plamondon, Chairman of the board at Public Bike System Company.
The r egal tandem maintains the distinguished silhouette, visual signature, and qualities of robustness and comfort which are staples of the traditional BIXI. It contains an oversized downtube to ensure the bike's rigidity, seven speeds, an adapted braking system, a greater wheelbase (1 800 mm vs 1 111 mm) and two bells.
The unique design of the tandem's pedal and gear mechanism will make it such that the lovebirds will ride together in harmony.
''We are very proud of the work we have accomplished to make this special gift a reality and are delighted to find our BIXI at the heart of the royal festivities'' concluded Roger Plamondon.
About BIXI and the Public Bike System Company
The Public Bike System Company (PBSC) is the organization behind the concept, development and operation of the first large-scale bike sharing system in North America, the BIXI. Destined to become a complementary means of public transportation, this service allows citizens to borrow a bike from a given station, carry out trips and return the bike to any station in the network.
PBSC offers a highly advanced bike sharing system on three continents, to private campuses and cities, such as London (UK), Melbourne (Australia), Minneapolis, Washington and Arlington (USA). PBSC also offers realistic solutions as to alternative transportation and consultant services, both technical and operational.
Source: www.prnewswire.com
Thursday, 28 April 2011In support of the fight against Multiple Sclerosis, Team Beach Haus will ride again in the Oakhurst - Coast the Coast Bike MS ride on Saturday, May 21st, 2011. Last year the founders of East Coast Beer Co. and Beach Haus® Classic American Pilsner created a team that surpassed its fundraising goal by 100% and this year they are aiming to do it again.
East Coast Beer Co., the parent comp any of Beach Haus® Classic American Pilsner, is also a bronze sponsor of the event again this year.
“This is an event that we will look to do every year, as a sponsor or event just as riders trying to raise money for MS,” said Brian Ciriaco. “We were really proud that we raised more than $3,000.00 last year – it was quite a bit more than we thought we would. We hope to raise more than that this year.”
East Coast Beer Co. is offering individuals to join their team and participate in the leisurely 25-mile ride through the beach communities along the Jersey Shore. Each rider that joins the Beach Haus team will receive a Beach Haus t-shirt. To join the team, go to: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/NJMBikeEvents?team_id=244548&pg=team&fr_id=15051.
This year marks the 20th annual Bike MS Coast the Coast Ride along the Jersey Shore. Over 1,600 cyclists can enjoy several different ride lengths, accommodating to the casual cyclist or to the more seasoned cyclist looking for a challenge, which boast coastal views, seaside towns, historic sites, the Pine Barrens and Cape May. Riders can also choose which day to ride, either Saturday, May 21st, or Sunday, May 22nd.
The number of people living with multiple sclerosis increases with every hour of every day. This rate is not going to diminish, nor will it stop, until a cure is found. Research has made some advances recently, but the world can still only offer disease management drugs and therapies to the 400,000 people living with MS in America.
To learn more about this event or how you can ride with John and Brian, co-founders of Beach Haus® Classic American Pilsner, please visit http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/NJMBikeEvents?team_id=244548&pg=team&fr_id=15051.
About East Coast Beer Co. – Established in 2007, Point Pleasant, New Jersey based East Coast Beer Co. (ECBC) was founded by passionate individuals with a belief that the great American traditions of creativity, diversity, and accessibility apply equally to building a great beer company. Pouring onto the scene in Summer 2010, East Coast Beer Co. introduced Beach Haus Classic American Pilsner (CAP) – which is crafted to pay homage to those early German-American brewers and the CAP style they created. East Coast Beer Co. will continue to explore and fuel their love of craft beer by cultivating and developing new brews in the future. It’s in the Haus! For more information on ECBC or Beach Haus, visit http://www.beachhausbeer.com.
Source: www.prweb.com
Wednesday, 27 April 2011For the third consecutive year, MapMyRIDE, the premier provider of web- and mobile-based mapping and training solutions for cyclists, is partnering with VERSUS, the exclusive television home of the Tour de France in the U.S., to present the 2011 Aquaphor Le Tour Challenge.
MapMyRIDE and VERSUS are also thrilled to announce that Aquaphor Healing Ointment has renewed its title sponsorshi p for this year’s edition of the Le Tour Challenge. “Aquaphor has become an essential product for cyclists by keeping them comfortable and helping them to perform better. Our partnership with the Le Tour Challenge helps to build further awareness with athletes that are both accomplished and new to the sport,” said Catherine Lair, Marketing Director, Beiersdorf Inc. “What better way to bring the challenge and excitement of the Tour De France and cycling as a whole to everyone, regardless of where you are physically, than through the Le Tour Challenge. Just as the Le Tour Challenge and MapMyRIDE provide tools that help cyclists improve and excel, we see Aquaphor as a critical tool to help them train and perform at their best.”
“We partnered with VERSUS in 2009 and 2010 on the Le Tour Challenge with the aim to provide cyclists around the world with truly novel opportunities to experience the excitement of cycling’s most legendary race,” said Robin J. Thurston, Chief Executive Officer of MapMyFitness, Inc. “At MapMyRIDE, we strive to help people lead healthier and more active lifestyles, and we believe the Le Tour Challenge gets us closer to that goal by motivating cyclists of all abilities to get out on their bikes and ride alongside the top pros without ever leaving their hometowns.”
The 2011 Aquaphor Le Tour Challenge gives cyclists around the world the opportunity to “virtually” compete in the 98th edition of the Tour de France. The event calls for participants to get out and ride their bikes over the duration of the Tour (July 2-24) and submit their ride data at www.mapmyride.com/tdf. MapMyRIDE then computes each participant’s “Virtual Stage Time” — the actual time he or she would have posted racing alongside the pros on a given stage. In addition, participants compete daily to win special cycling jerseys like the Aquaphor Le Tour Challenge yellow leader’s jersey. New this year is the team competition, where participants who crave extra competition and notoriety can invite their friends, family, club members or co-workers to compete against one another. All participants get chances to win more than $100,000 worth of prizes in random daily drawings such as a TREK Travel Grand Prize Trip Package for two to watch the 2011 Tour’s final stage.
The Aquaphor Le Tour Challenge starts on July 2nd to coincide with the 2011 Tour de France. Pre-registration for the event went live on April 15, 2011. For more information on the Challenge or to sign up, please visit www.MapMyRIDE.com/TDF.
Source: www.businesswire.com
Tuesday, 26 April 2011Spectacular action highlighted the inaugural Corona Dirtmasters Downhill in the Ben Lomond Forest at the Queenstown Bike Festival a couple of days ago (April 24), as 80 competitors took on the challenge with top honours going to national downhill exponent Reon Boe of Queenstown, in a time 5.08.50 minutes.
Boe was the fastest qualifier and the top seed and a big crowd gathered at the Br econ Street steps to watch him put in the quickest run of the day ousting second fastest rider, Rupert Chapman of Christchurch, who clocked 5.13.56, from the “hot seat.”
“This was an awesome race and it such a good thing for Queenstown,” says Boe. “I am sure we can get lots more people to come here in summer and hopefully one day we can hold a World Cup downhill.” Festival co-ordinator Geoff Hunt predicts the Dirtmasters will grow into a major event.
“This was the inaugural event in the inaugural festival and the huge interest it has created amongst both spectators and riders bodes well for the future. This is a developing sport and judging by the numbers of people on the hill, lining the street and gathering on nearby balconies, it’s the sort of action people love.”
Competitors rode the Skyline gondola to the top of the course which was held on a track established by the Queenstown Mountain Biking Club finishing at the Queenstown camp ground. Riders then rode into the final finish arena via the Brecon Street steps.
“It was fantastic to see the riders come down the stairs, getting lots of air and gapping the last set of stairs,” says Hunt. “It all added to the excitement of the finish which was hyped by the commentators.” Veteran mountain biker Tony Moore says the downhill has huge potential.
“Today’s race was impressive, a really good start. Riders have come from all over the country and the draw is Queenstown and also the gondola. They like to know that their bikes will be looked after and putting them on a gondola means they will arrive at the top undamaged, unlike some events where they are shifted round on the back of trucks.”
Moore says qualification is likely to become more competitive for future events as more riders are attracted to enter.
“For this first event everyone qualified and we set a reasonably mellow course to allow ‘have a go’ downhillers to enter but as the event gets sharper the hill will become more geared to it and focus around higher end riders.”
In the open men’s section Jec Rooney of Oamaru placed second in 5.16.10 and Edward Masters of New Plymouth put up a strong challenge finishing third in 51.16.18.
Chapman won the under-20 section followed by Christchurch’s Nick McConachie in 5.23.
One of the stars of the day was 17-year-old Reuben Olorenshaw of Nelson who held the hot seat against many older competitors with his blistering time of 5.18.
“The course was in perfect condition after being slippery during qualifying, “he says. “It had dried out and was quite grippy.”
Olorenshaw clearly won the under- 18 title and is eyeing a future in downhill biking and will compete at the World Championships in Switzerland in August.
The veteran men’s title went to Seb Kemp of Queenstown in 5.22.44 , heading off local guru Jim Hawkridge who clocked 5.29.20 and Vertigo’s Tim Ceci in 5.31.59. The master’s title went to well known Queenstown rider Graeme (Morg) Morgan, who put on top performance recording 5.33.08 and holding the hot seat for 13 places, before being ousted by Ceci.
The fastest woman of the day was junior Veronique Sandler of Nelson competing in the under 16 section and clocking 6.27.35. Veteran Teresa Blanpain of Dunedin won her category in 6.39.28 while the open women’s title went to Canadian Amy Freedman Davies who made her debut in the event.
She recorded 6.59.18 despite crashing on the course to beat national women’s mountain bike champion Kate Fluker, also competing in her first ever downhill event. She timed out at 7.15.88, placing second, and says she will be riding in more downhill events in the future.
“It was awesome and I was stoked because I shaved a minute off my qualifying time. This is such a great event for Queenstown, everyone’s loving it.”
Photos can be viewed at QueenstownBikeFestival.co.nz/gallery/downhill-photos
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Geoff Hunt
0274 967 530
Monday, 25 April 2011Queenstown’s Mark Williams made it a hat trick when he fought off a tight challenge for the Tour de Wakatipu title on Saturday (April 23) setting a new record of 1.37.14. Six hundred and ninety people entered the race which was held for the third consecutive year and featured as a key event in the inaugural Queenstown Bike Festival. The event which caters for elite, sport and recreational mountai n bikers starts at Millbrook Resort and follows tracks across public and private land to finish at Chard Farm.
Race Director Geoff Hunt says it is the only time of the year people have access through Coneburn Station along the Kawarau River which is part of the appeal of the event. “It was a stunning day and the feedback from the competitors was fantastic. It is always good to see new competitors and everyone, whatever level, can take part without any pressure.”
The elite and sports competitors include a loop of Lake Hayes to ride 45km while the recreational ride covers 36km.
In the elite section Williams and four others formed a tight pack from the start line dominating the race throughout. “As we came close to the finish there was a lot of jostling for position,” he says,” but I just managed to nose across in front.”
Paul Winterbourne (Moa Flat) who won the elite veteran title was just two seconds behind Williams in 1.37.16 and Shorty Allnutt (Hokitika) flew over the finish line in third place in 1.37.18.
Williams says conditions for the race were brilliant. “There had been rain overnight and the track was firm, a lot less dust than last year. Once again there was a great atmosphere at the finish.”
National women’s mountain biking champion Kate Fluker (Queenstown) was on fire to win the elite women’s open title in 1.50.14, but she was pushed hard by Whitney Dagg (Dunedin) who claimed second place in 1.53.54.
The fastest male and female junior elite competitors were Jeff Notman (Dunedin) in 1.52.57 and Laura Bridger (Dunedin) who clocked 2.01.49 respectively.
The elite women’s veteran female section was won by Denise Thorne (Alexandra) in 1.56.15 while the women’s masters’ title went to Anne Scanlan (Wanaka) in 2.06.12.
Brett Strachan (Queenstown) took the men’s masters’ title in a fast 1.47.14 while the masters plus section winner was Colin McKee (Invercargill) in 2.32.41.
The fastest man in the sports category was Tom Kaminszky (Dunedin) in 1.57.43 while the open women’s title was won by Lydia Tann (Queenstown) in 2.06.16.
Marco Wilkins (Dunedin) took out the junior men’s title in 2.24.31 while Annie Blair (Christchurch) clocked 2.00.38 to win the women’s veteran title. Dallas Bean (Rangiora) rode a quick race to win the sports veteran men’s category in 1.47.50.
The sports masters’ section saw Barbara Buchanan (Dunedin) win in 2.08.57 and Dave Johnstone (Invercargill) won the men’s title in 1.57.36.
The sports master plus title went to June Meadowcroft (Christchurch) in 2.43.31 and Laurie North (Queenstown) clocked a creditable 2.13.58 to win the men’s master plus.
The recreational open female race was a head-to-head battle with Jindra Sykorova (Prague, Czech Republic) crossing the line in 1.50.02 just in front of Suzie Read (Queenstown) in 1.50.35.
The men’s race was also closely fought with Brook Armishaw (Invercargill) taking line honours in 1.38.02 followed by Bradley McPherson (Invercargill) in 1.38.41.
Women’s junior winner was Sarah Davidson (Roxburgh) who recorded 1.50.35 while Will Sutherland (Gore) won the junior men’s title in 1.40.17.
In the veteran section Debbie Walders (Queenstown) clocked 1.48.27 to win the women’s title and Carey McDowall (Invercargill) took the men’s title in 1.34.06.
The masters’ titles were won by Judy Morrison (Dunedin) in 1.44.44 and Kenneth Mitchell (Queenstown) who finished in 1.40.24.
The fastest woman in the masters plus section was Janne Ross (Christchurch) in 2.33.10 and John Young (Dunedin) won the men’s title in 1.48.23.
New World owner John Thompson who competed in the race for the third time in the sports section says the Tour de Wakatipu has become well established and is a highlight on the Queenstown mountain biking calendar.
“It is the sort of event that appeals to such a range of people who can compete at their own level. Being able to cross such spectacular private tracks is also a major plus. The course was in the best condition it’s been in this year.”
Nevada Sport Managing Director Hamish Cochran who sponsors the event with Merrell products says the Tour de Wakatipu has good synergy with his brand because it caters for both elite and recreational riders.
“It is inspiring to see all the mixed age groups and particularly some of the older competitors. Everyone who enjoys biking can give it a go and the finish at Chard Farm has such a great atmosphere it is well worth getting there.”
The Tour de Wakatipu raised $3,300 for Cure Kids which funds research into children’s life threatening illnesses and approximately $2000 will be donated to the Wakatipu Trails Trust through the sale of beverages at the finish line.
High Res photos are on the web site Queenstownbikefestival.co.nz/gallery/new-world-tour-de-wakatipu/
FOR FUTHER INFORMATION
GEOFF HUNT
Southern Traverse Ltd
0274 967 530
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