ABC of Mountain Biking News Feed

Teenager Austen Parker to Cycle 30,000 Miles

Austen Parker, 18, will embark on a 5+ world-record-setting 30,000-mile journey on a bicycle to raise funds to combat Juvenile Diabetes.

His journey will traverse the Northern and Southern Americas and will be filmed and documented 24/7 with two cameramen, a helmet camera and a dashboard camera in a support vehicle that will follow Parker on what he's calling the "Epic American Trek."

"It's my passion to help those who suffer from Diabetes and reduce the death toll from this terrible disease that kills 4 million people a year worldwide," he said.

On day one, Parker will cycle to a Hospital in Houston, TX and meet with children and families coping with Juvenile Diabetes. Afterward, he will bike south into Mexico and into South America, making his way around the coastline of the North and South American Continents and plans to arrive home in October, 2013.

There are 35 cities designated on Parker's immense itinerary, where he will stop and explore, "tasting wacky foods, visiting famous landmarks and exploring different cultures." Prior to arriving in the cities, Austen will spend nights camping out in the wilderness, including in the Amazon Rainforest!

Every day, when Austen has completed 100 or more miles, he will keep a video blog or a written blog on his website, discussing what he experienced that day and how he feels about what is ahead.

"Whether I'm in pain, worried or thrilled about what lay ahead, my blog is sure to keep you wanting to know what adventures I'll be facing next," he said.

Parker believes his epic trek will make one of the world's top reality shows! The vision of the documentary is a blend of the television shows "Man vs. Wild" and "Bizarre Foods." Each episode will show the harsh conditions and rough terrain of the many areas that he travels and will capture the danger and excitement of unexpected events, adventure and more!

Final preparations are being made for Austen's journey. Prime sponsorship opportunities are available for companies seeking a high-visibility return on donations of money, equipment, or supplies. For sponsorship information, contact Austen's team leader Chris Parker at Epicamericantrek@rocketmail.com.

Womens Weekend Event at Rays MTB

Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park is looking forward to another off-the-charts Women's Weekend event! What's Women's Weekend you ask? Women's Weekend is a �for women, by women' skills clinic designed for riders of all ability. Want to know the best part? It's FREE!

RaysMTB closes the bike park down for the afternoon; only women participating in the event are allowed in. Riders can choose from a variety of different clinics, from the most basic all the way to the most advanced. Women's Weekend Friday event is free, and also includes a product raffle and a dress up after-party. Participants also enjoy half-price admission for Saturday and Sunday admission. The Cleveland event is Friday, February 17th and Milwaukee's event is Friday, March 9th. Additional details as well as FREE online registration can be found here for CLE and MKE.

The coaches are made up from a dynamic array of professional female riders with BMX and Mountain Bike backgrounds. National Champion Mountain Bike racer, Leigh Donovan, is Ray's Women's Weekend ringleader, and leads the charge for the event. Additional athlete coaches also scheduled to appear: Tammy Donahue, Angi Weston, Rae Gandolf, Deanna Edwards, Corey McGee, Suzanne Summers, Jeni Roosen, Kat Sweet, Wendy Palmer.

This annual event has gotten bigger and better every year. Women riders looking for an encouraging, relaxed and fun environment to learn some new mountain bike skills � this event is for you! You are in for the experience of a lifetime!

Bring a friend to Ray's and they can take advantage of our $24.99 First Timer program. Any rider under 18 needs complete liability waiver signed at the park by their parent, or authorized by a Notary Public. Full details HERE

Source: reviews.mtbr.com

2012 MOG Outdoor Fest in Grand Junction, Colorado

Join us for the 9th Annual MOG! The Largest Outdoor Gear Sale & Bike/Gear Swap between Denver & Salt Lake City

Outdoor & Cycling Industry Brands, Reps & Retailers SELL Closeouts, Sales Samples, Blems... Spring Cleaning!

MOG Sale & Outdoor Fest:
o Date: Saturday, April 14th, 2012 * 1 day only!
o Location: Rockslide Parking Lot (400 Colorado), Downtown Grand Junction, CO
o Time: 9am - 4pm
o Entry: General Admission: $5 * Swap Vendors: $15 * Kids 12 & under free
*entry fee benefits: Colorado Plateau Mtn Bike Trail Assoc (COPMOBA) + Mesa Land Trust/Three Sisters Park

Also:
o Friday, April 13th: Telluride MountainFilm on Tour at Moss Performing Arts Center, Colorado Mesa University *fundraiser for the CMU Outdoor Program
o Sunday, April 15th: Ride, Climb, Hike, Run, Ski, Fish or Float in our famous western Colorado high desert!

Vendor Info:
o Cost: 10% sales. $200 non-refundable deposit due with registration (deposit will be deducted from 10%)
o Booth Size: 10'x10' increments (up to 10'x40' * first come, first serve * see p3)
o Attendance: est 3000+
o Register By: March 15th, see Vendor Registration (p3)
o Details: See Vendor Guidelines (p2)

About The MOG (Manufacturers of Outdoor Gear)
A benefit event for our outdoor community! Manufacturers, reps, retailers & gearheads come together for this 9th annual 1-day Outdoor Gear Sale & Bike/Gear Swap in downtown Grand Junction, CO. This annual, highly-anticipated, grassroots outdoor gear fest draws a faithful crowd of locals, mountain townies & city slickers from Moab-Aspen-Vail-Telluride-Glenwood-Summit County-Denver-Salt Lake-beyond. Drawing top outdoor brands from around the region, folks enjoy sweet deals on great gear & apparel, live music, contests, raffle drawings, kids' activities, and free doughnuts in the morning. Established in 2003, the MOG is an independent event supported by area retailers and benefits outdoor non-profit associations. www.mogoutdoorfest.com

Spring 2012 Toronto International Bicycle Show

Stealth Electric Bikes Canada will be showcasing Stealth Electric Bikes at the Spring 2012 Toronto International Bicycle Show. This will be the first major showcase for Stealth Electric Bikes Canada since opening up a new distribution center for Canadians a year ago.

"Stealth is eager to present its high tech line of electric bikes at the Toronto Show to the Canadian market,� said Michael Brown, Director of Stealth Electric Bikes Canada. Stealth Electric Bikes have a top speed of up to 50mph in competition mode and offering distances of up to 50 miles on one charge. Stealth Electric Bikes are available in three models. The Fighter, The Bomber and The Hurricane.

Stealth Electric Bikes are available in Space Blue, Snow White, Devil's Red, Bumble Bee yellow and a variety of other colors. Customers can customize their bike and order online at: http://stealthelectricbikescanada.com.

Stealth Electric Bikes Canada will be exhibiting at booth 710. To schedule show appointments and demonstrations prior to the event, or to request media materials, please call Michael Brown at 1-602-999-3446.

Iron Fist Clothing Signs Greg Minnaar

Los Angeles, CA � Iron Fist Clothing is proud to announce it has signed world champion downhill mountain biker Greg Minnaar to its Iron Fist Athletic team.

Recognized as one of the best and most consistent riders in the world, Iron Fist looks to Greg to anchor the new Iron Fist Athletic line, which is why the deal will keep him with the company through 2016.

"I'm excited to join IF. The roots of the company started just down the road from me in Durban more then 10 years ago before kicking off in California,� said Greg Minnaar, "I actually remember buying a IF cap in 2001. Iron Fist is an edgy fashion line with exceptional quality. Now we can only wait for the 2013 Athletic line to launch.�

"Greg is an exceptional athlete and friend and he represents a huge step forward for Iron Fist and Iron Fist Athletics,� said Travis Anderson; Iron Fist CEO. "We are excited to be working with a champion like Greg. He's exactly who we need to help us launch Iron Fist Athletic as a world class brand.�

Greg Minnaar is a world champion mountain biker from South Africa. Crowned downhill World Cup Champion 3 times since 2001, Minnaar has represented South Africa in the world championships every year since 1997, and he is always in the hunt.

About Iron Fist Clothing:
Iron Fist is by no means an ordinary clothing brand; its artwork and styling have set it apart from many of its streetwear counterparts. Making clothing because they feel like it, Iron Fist is impulsive, raw and unapologetic and has grown from strength to strength purely because of its diversity and constantly innovative approach to each season. Renowned for quality product with exceptional artwork from a barrage of some of the world?s best underground and street artists, Iron Fist is not for everyone, and they like it that way. The Iron Fist customer is an individual; a person who creates their own style. www.ironfistclothing.com