Bikerumor » Sneak Peek: 2011 Manitou R7 and All-New Marvel XC Suspension Forks!

Posted on August 16, 2010 by aa
(From BikeRumor.com) – We just got our hands on some nifty little internal documents showing that for 2011, Manitou has completely revamped their classic R7 to drop about 40g, improve stiffness and load bearing and make it look much slicker. The new casting brings the R7 down to 2.95lb to 3.05lb, making it one of the lightest fully featured XC forks on the market. Follow up calls ensued:

“Basically, our R7 tooling was worn out and rather than just redo the same thing, we figured we’d use this opportunity to redesign the fork,” says Rich Travis, Manitou’s Product Manager. “So we used FEA design to improve load tolerances and drop weight, and while we were at it we improved mud clearance and made it look better, too…More info here…

Posted in components, cross country, manitou, mtb, race, suspension | Leave a comment

2010 NYCROSS.com Cyclocross Series

Posted on August 15, 2010 by aa
The 2010 NYCROSS.com Cyclocross Series race schedule is now out. What I love most about this series is that most of the races are a 45 minute drive or less for me.
9/11: NYCROSS.com Cyclocross Clinic, Kirkland NY
9/12: Kirkland CX, Kirkland NY
10/3: CX at Ommegand Brewery, Cooperstown NY
10/16-17: Uncle Sam Gran Prix, Troy NY
10/24: Saratoga Spa CX, Saratoga NY
10/31: Wicked Creepy CX, Bennington VT
11/14: Bethlehem Cup, Delmar NY
12/12: Possible Albany Race.
Posted in cyclocross, nycross.com, race | Leave a comment

Capital Region kids finish 375-mile bike trip

Posted on August 10, 2010 by aa
Nowadays, most kids are content spending their summer lounging around an air conditioned house. But while Ryan Harrington’s friends spent their time inside, comfortably playing their video games and watching TV, the 14-year-old was busy tackling a 375-mile bike trip across New York State.
Harrington was one of 11 kids who took part in Sky High Adventure’s “Shape Camp” eight-day Erie Canal trip. The group, whose ages range from 6 to 16, traveled along the canal from Buffalo to Albany.
Posted in bikes, mtb, rides, road | Leave a comment

Darkhorse 40

Posted on August 2, 2010 by aa
The 8th annual Darkhorse 40 was by far one of the best mountain bike races that I have ever done. It was my second time racing the Darkhorse 40…last year was a DNF. Held at the Stewart State Forest in Montgomery, NY , the race course consists of two 20 mile laps of some on the best single-track the region has to offer. Fast and flowing sing-track.
This year saw a consolidation of classes. Elite/Cat 1, Cat 2, Singlespeed and Team. No age groups, no Cat 3, all open classes. What does this mean for the racer? Bigger fields. Way bigger. My Cat 2 field was 143 racers. Last year with the age groups I had 56. Overall the race is capped at 400 racers.
At staging for the start, I tried to get myself up as close to the front as I could, but I ended up around mid-pack at the start. The start of the race was on a 3/4 mile paved and dirt road, so it allowed me to get past quite a few riders before we hit the race course. The course was dry, dusty and fast. I felt great and the bike was handling great. The only problem was that I apparently got a little lazy in tuning and setting up my bike. I never checked the brake pads. I didn’t realize that I was in need of replacing the rear disc pads. About three miles into the race one pad of my rear brake was metal an metal, just like your car when your brakes wear out. Front brake was good, back brake at least slowed. It was noisy, but it worked out. I just wasn’t sure what kind of damage I might be doing to the rotor. At about the 20 mile mark I found out. I got a rear flat, so as long as I was stopped, I inspected the rotor. Actually, it wasn’t bad at all. Obvious grinding, but not bad. After, removing a thorn and replacing the tube, I was back on the course trying to catch as many of the dozens and dozens of riders that went passed.
I rode as hard and fast as I could. In fact, I think that the majority of my second 20 mile lap might of been faster than the first. I caught as many as I could but at this point I had no idea how far back I was. Then I got to the last 6 miles or so. I didn’t hit the wall, but I was tired. I worked hard to catch up after the flat and I just got tired. The last 6 miles were tough. My final result was 89. Not what I wanted or even thought where I would be. I rode very well and overall I felt pretty good but mechanicals happen. You just have to go with it and do the best you can.
Posted in marathon, mtb, race | Leave a comment

Mount Snow Classic XC

Posted on July 26, 2010 by aa
Well, my annual trip to race at Mount Snow is in the books. This past weekend was the Root 66 Mount Snow Classic XC race. I’ve always liked racing Mount Snow, and as other years, I was looking forward to it. I had heard that many course improvements had been made and I thought that it was about time. Much of the race course is the same trails used in years past but when I arrived on Saturday to pre-ride, I did find quite a bit of trail work had been done. As far as “improvements”, all I can say is that I never thought Mount Snow could become roadie friendly. Much of the trail was turned into groomed 5 to 6 foot wide road…smooth dirt road. The course was also lengthened to about 6.1 miles with the first ~4 miles climbing. The remain ~2 miles remained mostly untouched. About 2 miles of washed out and eroded trail and dirt road that brings you to the start/finish. Overall, it was disappointing after hearing of the many improvements.
When race day came on Sunday, I was glad that we had a 1:30 start time. I didn’t have to get up early and be on my way at the crack of dawn. I arrive around noon, watched a little of the pro/cat 1 race and then started to get ready and warm up for the cat 2 race. Right from the start, it was fast. Too fast for me, so I just settled in and started to climb and climb and climb. Each of the two laps was slow going. The course was all ridable for me and I still enjoyed the technical descents, but my race pace just isn’t like it use to be. However, I did feel as though I probably could have gone out for another lap. I think I’m starting to lean toward more of the ultra-endurance racing…6 hr, 40 mile, 50 mile, etc…and much of my training reflects that. My final result for the Mount Snow Classic was 19th. Not even close to what I had hoped for, but no crashes and a great workout.
Posted in cross country, mtb, race, Root 66 | Leave a comment

New York State Time Trial Championship

Posted on July 17, 2010 by aa
Today was the 2010 New York State Time Trial Championships, held in Cambridge, NY. Due to my original race plans of racing the 12 hours at 909 falling through, I decided to race the time trial. The Cat 5 race was a 20K race on flat to slightly rolling terrain.
As is the case in any road race that I do, I fit the mountain bike part; hairy legs, full finger gloves, mtb shoes, etc. At least I took the visor off my helmet. Oh, and no aero bard on my road bike. All the aerodynamic stuff would be nice, but none of that really mattered to me. I raced to race. I wanted to see how I would do.
The weather was nearly perfect for my 9:35 am start time. The 20K course was 10K out and back. The ride out was fast, very fast, with a tailwind. But unfortunately, that means a headwind on the return 10K. In spots, a straight on headwind. My first 10K was around 17 minutes, but my return 10K was about 21 minutes (I could have done without the headwind). My time for the 20K was 0:37:59 for an 8th place finish. 8th place was way off the pace, but I went into the race with only one goal – under 40 minutes. So, for a mountain biker showing up at a time trial, with no TT equipment, I think that I did pretty well.
Posted in race, road, time trial | Leave a comment

2011/2012 Marathon MTB Nationals go to Bend, Ore.

Posted on July 12, 2010 by aa
Colorado Springs, Colo. (July 12, 2010) – USA Cycling is pleased to announce that Bend, Ore. will host the 2011 and 2012 Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships.
The annual event, which crowns 24 national champions in marathon mountain biking, has been held in conjunction with the Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, Colo. for the past four years. Its move to Bend for 2011 and 2012 will mark the seventh and eighth USA Cycling National Championship events held in the cycling-friendly city in a four-year period.
“We are very excited to further our relationship with Bend,” said USA Cycling’s National Events Director, Kelli Lusk. “Bend is one of the most popular hotbeds for cycling in North America. Based on our previous experience there, as well as on the community’s outstanding enthusiasm for the sport, we’re confident our members will have an exceptional national championship experience.”
The city of Bend has also hosted USA Cycling’s 2009 and 2010 Juniors, U23 & Elite Road National Championships and 2009 Cyclo-cross National Championships. In December, it will play host to Cyclo-cross Nationals again. Then the 2011 and 2012 editions of the USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships will also take place in Bend.
With breathtaking beauty and a festival-like atmosphere as the backdrop, the 2011 and 2012 USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships will start and end in Bend’s historic Old Mill District. The race course will provide a combination of technical sections and miles of highly acclaimed single track. Competitors will gradually climb for 25+ miles toward Mt. Bachelor before looping around and returning to town on a fast and fun descent.
“As a community, Bend is honored and excited to host USA Cycling’s Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships,” commented president and CEO of Visit Bend, Doug La Placa. “We’re looking forward to sharing Bend’s world class single track with cyclists from around the country and we’re committed to hosting an event that will exceed the expectations of everyone involved.”
Posted in marathon, mtb, USA Cycling | Leave a comment

Newest Sponsor: Tri-Flow Lubricants

Posted on July 12, 2010 by aa
I would like to welcome Tri-Flow® Lubricants as my newest sponsor. As the name suggests, Tri-Flow® is on a three-part mission, to clean, protect and lubricate equipment for enthusiasts. Their cleaners, degreasers, and lubricants combine advanced ingredients with ideal application methods to keep any gear in top shape. Tri-Flow® Gets It Movin’™

Posted in lubricant, sponsors | Leave a comment

Motor Tabs: The Portable Sports Drink

Posted on June 29, 2010 by aa

MOTOR TABS™ Fluid Replacement System turns ordinary water into a smooth, refreshing sports drink! It’s as simple as dropping an effervescent tablet into water. Designed for use any time around participatory athletic activity or when additional electrolytes are required, MOTOR TABS is a portable sports drink that can go anywhere, as the tablets are individually wrapped in water/air tight foil packages that protect them from sweat, dirt and other harmful elements. Whether it’s on the bike, run, hike, gym or at work, MOTOR TABS restores vital fluids that are lost during physical activity or illness.
MOTOR TABS relies on an optimal ratio of sodium/potassium and a unique blend of three energy sources (dextrose, sucrose, maltodextrin), providing a well-balanced array of ingredients. MOTOR TABS restores electrolyte balance and provides a solid energy profile to help maintain peak performance throughout training, racing or exercise sessions. Each tablet delivers 250 mg of sodium, 75 mg of potassium, 16 grams of carbohydrate and 65 calories. Athletes may customize each bottle based on individual fluid intake requirements by using one, one-and-a-half or two MOTOR TABS for every 16oz/473mL – 20oz/591mL of water. Once the tablets dissolve – just a few minutes in room temperature water – there is no sediment or residual settling, as dissolution is thorough and complete. Cleaning bottles, hydration systems and reservoirs is quick and easy as well.
MOTOR TABS is a ‘foundation’ sports drink, as it’s sufficient for re hydrating athletes participating in most conditions. If additional calories are required (for events or training sessions that are several hours in length), consuming gels, sports bars or whole foods is encouraged. MOTOR TABS provides a solid base from which to build on your nutritional protocols, and is extremely easy on the stomach as well.

* Effervescent sports drink tablets *
* Optimal levels of sodium and potassium *
* Multiple carbohydrate blend *
* Dissolves completely in water *
* No aspartame or artificial sweetener *

Posted in hydration, sponsors | Leave a comment

UCI Allows Disc Brakes For Cyclo-cross

Posted on June 22, 2010 by aa
UCI Allows Disc Brakes For Cyclo-cross | Cyclingnews.com
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has approved disc brakes for competition in the 2010-’11 cyclo-cross race season. The ban was lifted via a newly issued document entitled, ‘Rule Amendments for…Click here for full story…
Posted in cyclocross, uci | Leave a comment