There are a lot a mountain biking films out there, but the original is STILL my favorite mountain biking movie…and you can get it here.
Well, spring has arrived…although it has felt like summer for a couple of weeks. That is until today. With the temperatures back down in the 40’s, I realized that we really did get spoiled the last couple of weeks for my “spring training”. So far in March 2012, I have logged more outside mikes on my bikes than I ever have in the month of March. Last week we had record high temperatures which got me up earlier than usual to get out on the road bike. This is the month for those dreaded hill climbs. Around here every ride seems like it’s hill climb day, but that’s what happens when you live next to the mountains. With only two weeks to my first race of the season, I do hope that this cooler weather will be gone quickly. My overall fitness isn’t bad for March, but it can and will be a lot better.
I have also made an investment in me. That is, my overall health on the bike. Last fall I purchased a Specialized Body Geometry saddle. I’ve read the science behind it, compared different saddles and decided it is worth a try.
Specialized’s Body Geometry ergonomic design alleviates pressure and provides plenty of support for super-comfy rides. It was a smart move on my part. I just purchased two more Specialized Riva saddles for my other bikes too. Not only does it feel good, the Riva costs only $30.00. I have ridden many different saddles through the years, and have had my favorites, but the Body Geometry is by far the best saddle for those long days in the saddle on my road or mountain bikes.
With more rides, more runs and lots of racing, it will be a fun and exciting season.
Over the past year or so I have become a big fan of Airborne Bicycles. You might remember the first incarnation of Airborne, they were the ones with the titanium bike and frames for ridiculously low prices (for titanium). Then, they went away for a while. Then, the came back with a “bread and butter” line of mountain bikes. Over the past couple of years they have expanded the line and upgraded the line of bikes. Now Airborne has two of my favorite bikes and, in my opinion, the best deal anywhere for comparable bikes…the Goblin 29er and the Delta CX.
You may have read my post about a sneak peak of a new offering from Airborne that turned out to be the Airborne Guardian, a budget 29er. Now we have a new sneak peak of a bike that should be available mid to late summer 2012. While I have no insight to anything that Airborne is up to, I have to say that I am pretty sure that this new bike is a full suspension 29er. Take a look at the two sneak peak photos and judge for yourself.
**UPDATE** Well, it’s not a full suspension 29er, but it is a full suspension something. Again, we’re all guessing here so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Everyday more races are scheduled and more races appear in the BikeReg.com listings. As my season gets closer, I’ve added a couple of races to my schedule. First, the 2012 Army Spring Classic is including USAC categories for non-collegiate racers. It is a two day event with a TTT and circuit race on Saturday, and an ITT hill climb and criterium on Sunday. The race is held each year at the U.S.Military Academy at West Point. I’ll be racing the Cat 4/5 ITT and Crit on Sunday.
Next, I’ve been in contact with the folks from the Wildcat Epic and they have said that the current race date conflict between their event and a NYS MTB Series event will be adjusted with the Hurley Mountain Classic, from the NYS MTB Series, being moved. That opens the door for me to race the Wildcat Epic for the first time. The Wildcat Epic is a 2-day mountain biking experience held in the picturesque Shawangunk Mountains of New York.
Both events are pretty exciting for me. West Point is just such a cool place to visit, and the Wildcat Epic I’ve been wanting to race since it’s inception in 2010. Both will be extremely challenging for me, but I am very much looking forward to both events.
The River Mountains Loop Trail is Nevada’s first endeavor of its kind. Constructed through a combined effort of many of Nevada’s resource management agencies, private land owners and citizens, this non-motorized trail will provide Nevada residents with an outdoor recreation area offering scenic views, plentiful wildlife and the vast beauty only the Mojave can offer.
Currently with 32 miles of usable trail, when fully completed, the River Mountains Loop Trail will be approximately 35 miles in length and will surround the River Mountains connecting Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Henderson, Boulder City and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley, expanding recreational and alternative transportation opportunities for the region’s growing population.
To better accommodate outdoor enthusiasts, throughout the trail, you’ll find segments 24 feet in width, including a twelve foot paved trail for hikers and road cyclists, a second trail for equestrian use and a third trail for mountain bikers.
With the completion of the River Mountains Loop Trail in 2010, individual segments are dedicated each year and are available for public use.
The community is invited to use the River Mountains Loop Trail at your leisure and the hope is that you’ll have a safe and memorable experience as you enjoy this new addition to Southern Nevada’s unique desert environment.
About the River Mountain Trail
Planning for the River Mountains Trail began back in 1996, when a group of community interests, individuals and agencies came together to discuss trails and local needs. This group now known as the River Mountains Trail Partnership shared a common goal-expanding trail opportunities southeast of Las Vegas to increase close to home recreational opportunities for the benefit of local residents as well as visitors to our fine state.
The River Mountains are a vast land of contrasts, therefore what better location for a scenic loop trail.
Formed by fiery lava erupting from small volcanoes nearly 5 million years ago, the River Mountains have been chisled by water down cutting its way to the Colorado River.
The Loop Trail, approximately 35 miles in length, will surround the River Mountains, connecting Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Boulder City, Henderson and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley, therefore expanding recreational and alternative transportation opportunities for the regions growing population. In fact, it’s now been named as one of 31 New National Recreation Trails!
Linking residential areas to local and regional parks and trails, the River Mountains Loop Trail will truly enhance the quality of life for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
The trail will also link natural and cultural resources while providing outdoor education opportunities focused on the uniqueness of the River Mountains landscape.
Visit their website: The River Mountains Loop Trail
A few days ago, I posted about a new 29er from Airborne Bicycles…Airborne Bicycles: Guardian 29er. After my post, I decided to bounce around the internet and check out other similar 29ers to compare. I really couldn’t believe the difference in pricing between bike companies for a same or very similar spec’d bike. A good quality mid-level 29er for $600.00 is just an outstanding deal. The word from Airborne is that there will be a limited run on the Airborne Guardian, so if your hemming and hawing about entering the 29er world, you might want to get in a pre-order for the Guardian.
Here are a few pics of the Guarding getting ready for assembly:
Well, I finally broke down and updated my Facebook profile to the new “Timeline” format. While I’m not a big fan of this format, I do like the header set-up on the page. And, as I play around with it, it does seem to keep things in a more organized fashion. So maybe I actually do like it…? I guess it’s one of those things that you just have to get use to. After all, Facebook is probably going to require the change. That’s the way it seems to go anyway so I might as well just do it on my own.
The wait is over. A few weeks ago, Airborne Bicycles gave us a sneak peak tease for a new bike that was being added to their line-up. The consensus was a full suspension 29er is coming. While I’m sure it is, the Airborne Guardian is actually a budget 29er hardtail. Below is the what Airborne says about the Guardian.
- Guards Red
- Airborne’s budget-minded hardtail 29er
- Hydroformed frame
- RockShox XC28 TK Mg29 lockout fork
- SRAM X5/X4 3×9 drivetrain
- Tektro Auriga Hydraulic Brakes
The Airborne Goblin 29er has been the darling of both magazine and website editors. It’s been universally agreed that the Goblin is a great performer and storming value for its pricepoint. The only complaint we receive from time to time is the fact that even $1150 is a stretch for folks on a tight budget. Lets be honest; sometimes kids, bills, and (gasp!) other hobbies get in the way.
What makes Airborne a different type of bike company is the fact that we participate heavily in social media. We listen to our customers. Because you wanted it, we began work in earnest on a low-budget version of the Goblin. During development, we refused to confuse the term “low-budget” with “cheap.” What most people don’t realize is that it is harder to build a great sub-$1000 bike than it is to build a great $5000 bike. We pride ourselves on making bikes that we would recommend to friends and relatives to ride.
Enter the new Guardian 29er. The Guardian utilizes the same hydroformed 6061 Aluminum frame as the Goblin. It also uses the same Airborne handlebar, stem, and seatpost. The same Small Block 8 tires from Kenda. Even the same Selle San Marco Saddle.
What did we change? The fork is the new RockShoc XC28 TK Mg29, complete with Preload Adjustment, Rebound Adjustment, and Turnkey Lock-Out. The drivetrain is a SRAM X5/X4 mix in 3×9 configuration. The cranks are Truvativ E400’s. And lastly we changed the wheelset out to a more-than-capable Weinmann Disc-Bull double-walled and eyeletted wheelset.
All of that adds up to a great 29″ hardtail at an amazing price of $599. Call us crazy to sell it so cheap. But one of our internal mottos is “we want to get more butts in saddles”, because more riders out there on the trail is a good thing.
We’re producing a limited number of these so we can’t guarantee all sizes will stay in inventory long. If you don’t have a 29er yet, here’s your chance to get on one. Act fast!
NOTE: WE WILL BE PRODUCING THE GUARDIANS DURING THE WEEK OF 3/12 WITH THEM LANDING IN OUR WAREHOUSE THE FIRST WEEK IN APRIL. ORDER NOW BEFORE THEY ARRIVE AND WE WILL PICK UP THE SHIPPING EXPENSE SO YOUR BIKE SHIPS FOR FREE IN THE CONTINENTAL USA! THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER FOR ORDERS PLACED BEFORE APRIL 1ST.
IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE CONTINENTAL USA, CALL US FOR A QUOTE. THANKS!
Specifications
| Frame | 6061 Hydroformed Aluminum Hardtail 29″ |
| Fork | RockShox XC28 TK Mg29 with Preload Adjust, Rebound Adjust and Lock-Out, 80mm |
| Headset | Ahead Sealed Cartridge 1 1/8″ |
| Brake Levers | Tektro Auriga Comp |
| Brakes | Tektro Auriga Comp Hydraulic Disc |
| Rotors | Tektro 160mm Rotor |
| Shifters | SRAM X-5 Trigger 9-Speed |
| F Derailleur | SRAM X3 |
| R Derailleur | SRAM X5 9speed Long Cage |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-950 12-34T 9-Speed |
| Chain | KMC X-9 |
| Crank | Truvative E400 22-32-42T |
| Bottom Bracket | Powerspline Sealed Cartridge |
| Pedals | NONE |
| Rims | Weinmann Disc Bull Double-Walled with Eyelets, 32H |
| Hubs | KT HiFlange 32H |
| Spokes | Black 14g Stainless |
| Tires | KENDA Small Block 8, 2.1″ |
| Handlebar | AIRBORNE Alloy Flat, 640mm width |
| Stem | AIRBORNE Alloy +/- 7 Degree Rise, size specific |
| Saddle | Selle San Marco SPID White/Black |
| Seat Post | AIRBORNE Alloy 31.6mm Diameter, 350mm Length |
| Extras | Owner’s Manual, Clear Coat, H20 Bottle Mounts |
See the Guardian here – Airborne Bicycles: Guardian.
A call for volunteers…Windham Mountain will, once again, be hosting a UCI World Cup Mountain Biking event. This year the dates are the weekend of June 29 – July 1. And, once again, the are looking for help. If you are interested in possibly be a volunteer for any part of the weekend of events, read their press release below and contact them. The 2010 ans 2011 events were outstanding, and you can bet the 2012 edition won’t fall short.
Greetings!
We Need Your Help Again!
Cycling fans and friends of Windham, we need your help!
For the third year in a row, the world’s best professional mountain bikers will converge on Windham Mountain for a World Cup event. Putting on an event like this is a monumental task and we need hundreds of volunteers to help make this year’s event another success. Following last fall’s devastating floods that wreaked havoc on the Town of Windham, your help is needed now more than ever.
If you or someone you know can make it to Windham, N.Y. June 29 – July 1 and you would like to be a part of this exciting, world class event, please consider volunteering.
There is a job for all interests, from assisting with registration or information, directing parking and feeding volunteers to assisting race officials and helping coordinate the block party.
Go to http://www.racewindham.com for details on the event, and register to volunteer at www.racewindham.com/volunteer1/
See you in Windham in June!
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.RaceWindham.com
or visit our FaceBook page.
Most energy bars are just glorified candy bars, loaded with unhealthy ingredients that do nothing to support enhanced athletic performance or overall health. That’s precisely why Hammer Nutrition offers the Hammer Bar—you’d be hard pressed to find a bar that’s as loaded with wholesome, nutritious ingredients.
Hammer Bars can be used to complement your liquid fueling regimen for extended exercise periods, ideally for training or races lasting two hours or longer. However, they are most ideal as a pre-workout/race meal, post workout/ race recovery food, healthy snack, or meal replacement. Eating a Hammer Bar for breakfast, lunch, or dinner provides the body with some of the highest quality food anyone can consume.
If you have never tried a Hammer Bar, you really don’t know what you are missing. The three original flavors— Almond Raisin, Chocolate Chip, and Cashew Coconut Chocolate Chip— are just awesome tasting, and the new Cranberry and Oatmeal Apple flavors are equally as good and are the new favorites among Hammer Nutrition staffers!
You can download the full PDF brochure here.
armandarekian.com 