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Mountain Biking News
Mountain Biking News - February 2012
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Tuesday, 28 February 2012Are you a downhill mountain biker who likes to travel? Or have you just got tired of your hometown downhill bike park? Then you should check out the new iPhone app "The Global Downhill Map" from Kiwisurf applications. It contains an interactive map which allows you to discover new bike parks around the world.
You have all the major bike parks pinpointed on the map and the applica tion allows you to show your own position to see which parks are closest to you. When you click a pinpoint you will get redirected to the park web site which gives you information about opening hours, prices and such. This is the most complete downhill bike park map yet, with over 330 bike parks in the global version.
The applications also offers free updates and new bike parks are continuously added to the map. This iPhone application will be a good tool for riders who are about to embark on a mountain bike road trips this summer. Also for the local rider who likes to ride some new tracks once in a while.
Monday, 27 February 2012Highland Fling, who operate the Bungee site, Progression Bikes of Dunkeld, and Escape Route of Pitlochry have joined Highland Perthshire Cycling in a collaboration to bring the first Bungee Jump on a Bike to Highland Perthshire. The businesses all offer fantastic experiences and services for cyclists in Highland Perthshire. They offer on and off road cycling experiences in the area from the adre naline fuelled to the more gentle family focused activities.
Emma Burtles of Highland Perthshire Cycling said: 'Highland Perthshire Cycling, are delighted to have our Leap Day celebrated in such style with this bike bungee. Our community based organisation, which has been awarded Cycle Friendly Community of the Year 2011/12, works to promote and enable more people to cycle more often in Highland Perthshire; whether locals or visitors, running workshops, clubs, school activities, and events to achieve this. The highlight of the year is the Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival running from 4th - 13th May 2012.
'Highland Perthshire Cycling works collaboratively with many local groups, schools and businesses in the region to make this happen. In the last few weeks a number of enthusiastic local businesses have worked together to create the giant 40 metre Leap on a bike; our unique celebration of Leap Year 2012 that will launch all that is going on for cyclists in Highland Perthshire and will highlight our brand new website.'
Adam Flint from Progression Bikes, the brave bungee biker who has organised the event, said: 'This leap on Leap Day is just one example of the fantastic collaboration between businesses in the area working together to promote and develop cycling. We are really putting Highland Perthshire on the map. From the miles of scenic road riding, to ribbons of wild singletrack, we really have it all. And its not just cycling one can enjoy here. There is so much on offer, no wonder it is becoming such a popular tourist destination for families and thrill seekers alike.
'Alot of work went into organising, preparing and setting up this event, and thanks must go to all those who made it happen, both on the ground and in the air!'
Highland Perthshire Cycling (HPC), a voluntary group set up in November 2009 to promote and develop cycling in Highland Perthshire, celebrate 'Leap Day 2012' with this dramatic bungee jump on a bike. HPC will also launch their new website (http://newsite.highlandperthshirecycling.co.uk/) that will go live on Leap Day - Wednesday 29 February.
Friday, 24 February 2012James McCallum, Rapha-Condor-Sharp Pro Cycling Team, Previews The Scottish Bike Show Sportive.
'The Scottish Bike Show Sportive course is absolutely sensational and rivals any other on the British calendar. There is great variety and it has incredible views of some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery.' - James McCallum
James McCallum, the Commonwealth Games medal-winning cy clist who rides for the Rapha-Condor-Sharp Pro Cycling Team, took time out from his rigorous training schedule to recce the course for the new Scottish Bike Show Sportive.
Scotland's newest long distance mass participation road cycling event will be staged in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park on Sunday 15 April 2012. It is one of the highlights of the expanded Scottish Bike Show, Scotland's consumer cycle show, being staged at the SECC, Glasgow, from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 April 2012.
This is what James had to say about his experience of the 100 mile Sportive ride:
'It's 1 degree on a cold January day and I'm rugged up and about to embark on my recce of the Scottish Bike Show Sportive 100 mile course ahead of the Scottish Bike Show in April.
'To begin with I make my way over the rolling terrain to the famous Dukes Pass that starts on the main street of Aberfoyle. However the journey so far deserves a mention. From Balloch to the Dukes Pass can be deceiving and if it's as windy as it was today this ride will be epic from the off.
'It is also worth noting that the Dukes Pass is as close as you will get to an alpine climb this close to any city in the UK. Its length and gradient can be sapping and even I'm starting to feel it as I hit hairpins less than two kilometres into the climb. As you make the summit the view that greets you is absolutely spectacular. It makes you think you were in the Highlands when in fact you are little more than an hour outside Glasgow by car.
'The descent is as invigorating as the climb with swooping corners coming at you in quick succession. A word to the wise, watch out for the potholes - winter's not been kind up here. At the base of Loch Katrine we take a right on to the Loch side and so the rolling course continues with a few short sharp digs on the road to Callander. The road surface here again needs some attention but that will add a lot to the race.
'From Callander we hit the side of Loch Lubnaig, which looks pretty weather-beaten today but if it's calm then the reflection of the valley will be beautiful. Next it is on to Lochearnhead where you hit the next major climb of the day: Glen Ogle.
'This is definitely one of my favourite climbs but it can get busy with holiday traffic. This valley brings back great memories from my childhood when, as a fourteen-year-old out riding on family holidays. Today, it is very different with a savage wind hitting me and slowing down by ascent.
'Crianlarich brings us to the half-way point of the journey and then it's on to the flat, fast and mainly down hill road along Loch Lomond. It is here that the tail winds really start to kick in now and I can feel that I'm making some real progress on my journey.
'Next it's a right turn and we hit Loch Long at the base of the 'Rest and be Thankful' that takes you to Dunoon. The terrain starts to kick in a bit now with some hard little snaps on the way up to the Green Kettle pub at the Loch's end.
'At this stage it's definitely important to still have something left in the tank as the next section to the finish in Balloch is very difficult and has plenty to test even the strongest cyclist. Again, this road is pretty tricky and should be in the back of all the competitors' minds as this will make or break you.
'Finally after just under 6 hours, 4 bottles of water and several energy bars I see Loch Lomond on the horizon as I descend back to Balloch.
'The Scottish Bike Show Sportive course is absolutely sensational and rivals any other on the British calendar. There is great variety and it has incredible views of some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery.
'Good luck everyone that is taking part. You'll love it.'
Organisers of the Scottish Bike Show are delighted to announce Cyclosport (http://www.cyclosport.org/) as the Official Sportive Media Partner. Cyclosport aims to give their rapidly growing community immediate and full access to all that is happening in the cyclosportive scene globally - whether rider or organiser. Cyclosport is run and managed by cycling fanatics. They love to see the sport grow, be professional, safe and fun.
Taking in some of Scotland's most beautiful glen, loch and mountain landscapes The Scottish Bike Show Sportive offers two challenging routes, a 100-mile Sportive ride and a 65-mile Challenge ride. Both fully signed and marshalled rides will test all round biking skills and fitness levels with some tough long climbs and fast descents throughout.
Entries to The Scottish Bike Show Sportive are open to all cyclists aged 17 and over and start at £22.50 for the Challenge Ride and £26.50 for the Sportive Ride; with discounts available for group bookings. Full entry and booking details can be found on the website - http://www.thescottishbikeshow.com/. Entries to the Sportive will also include entry to The Scottish Bike Show.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is the official charity partner of The Scottish Bike Show Sportive. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. 250,000 men are currently living with the disease. Organisers hope that all riders taking part will raise funds to help save men's lives. For further information on Prostate Cancer and The Prostate Cancer Charity go to: http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.
Thursday, 23 February 2012BERKELEY, Calif. – Student-athletes, coaches, team directors and league officials are focused on February 26, the start date of yet another record-setting year of mountain bike racing with the five-round Northern California High School Cycling League.
In a year that sees the National Interscholastic Cycling Association embark on its most expansive season to date, with seven racing leag ues taking place in six states, the NorCal League, which is where it all started back in 2000, continues to grow at about the maximum manageable rate, with athlete numbers expected to reach 650, up 14% from last year, and team numbers up 16%, 43 this year compared to 38 in 2011.
Vanessa Hauswald, the NorCal League’s director, said, “With more teams than ever, the 2012 NorCal League race season will showcase the power and determination of riders from every skill level. Thanks to our incredible coaches, we are able to provide the opportunity for every student-athlete to succeed on these teams. We look forward to seeing even more community members and non-cyclists out to cheer on the kids this season!”
Emily Cerna, Salinas Cowboys, Varsity, started two years ago as a Freshman and now in only her third year is leap-frogging Junior Varsity to go straight in Varsity.
Emily said, “I worked very hard at this last year, and now, being a junior going into a varsity race, i am very excited yet nervous at the same time because the competition level is so high in Varsity girls. I’m also excited for my team, The Salinas High Cowboy Racing Team because I think they will do very well! I probably couldn't accomplish so much without my coach/ dad Mike Cerna and my coaches Robert Estrella and Jim Warwick.”
Sean Bennett, of the El Cerrito team, moves into Junior Varsity after winning the Freshman’s league last year.
Sean said, “I haven’t been racing in a couple of months, so I’ll have to see how I’ve progressed, but I’m very excited. The community in my school that know about cycling is small, but we have a pretty good team and we’re all loving it. It’s our lifestyle! My Mom has started riding too now, she’s mainly into road bikes though, but she’s a pretty good climber.”
Related news of the NorCal League is a post-series trail care program, starting in June, for all venues on the race calendar. In this community and environmental support effort, student-athletes and other team volunteers will give back in the form of trail maintenance work that will leave the facilities in even better shape than they found them.
Throughout this year the NorCal League is recruiting parents and coaches to join an advisory committee focused on restructuring the NorCal league into two conferences for the 2013 season. With 650 riders racing this year, the league is fast out-growing its venues.
2012 series venues and dates
2/26 Race #1 Granite Bay Challenge
3/18 Race #2 Central Coast Classic
4/1 Race #3 Laguna Seca Grand Prix
4/15 Race #4 Boggs Mountain (or East Garrison if rained out)
5/6 Race #5 NorCal Championships
5/20 California State Championships Los Olivos/must qualify/reg opens May 1
All of this extra mountain bike racing activity will result in a lot more than additional kids having a great time on bikes. The provision of mountain bike coaching, teams, and races in the high school setting improves and enriches lives across a broad spectrum. Student-athletes build ties to the school community and develop lifelong healthy habits while participating in an inclusive team experience that helps build strong bodies, strong minds and strong characters.
More information
Wednesday, 22 February 20121000passions.com and the Wonderful Pistachios Professional Cycling Team are thrilled to offer a truly unique experience to cycling enthusiasts: the chance to train with the Wonderful Pistachios during their Official Winter Training Camp.
Get a glimpse of what life is like for the hardest working athletes in the world and join the Wonderful Pistachios for an unforgettable weekend of cyc ling and team building in Paso Robles, California on March 2 - 4th, 2012. Participants will be with The Team and their mechanics, coaches, bike fitters and staff members for the entire weekend, sharing rides, training exercises, and strategy sessions.
This all-inclusive experience is open to riders of all levels and includes meals and two nights in a hotel. Read more about this fabulous opportunity at:
https://www.1000passions.com/en/component/jebooking/listexpdetails/Training_Camp_With_the_Wonderful_Pistachios_Pro_Cycling_Team
Based out of Santa Rosa, California, the Wonderful Pistachios Professional Cycling Team competes nationally on the UCI America Tour and in top international events.
http://www.1000passions.com is a new website where people can buy unique personal experiences providing behind the scenes access to the worlds of art, crafts, music, food, film, sports, theater and nature.
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