MTB Road Training

Posted on February 20, 2010 by aa
It’s mid-February, but I’m still trying to ride outdoors when I can. The roads are in no condition for a road bike, so I’ve mapped out some mountain bike road rides that I like to do. Here is one of the rides. I like this one because it’s patially dirt road and has some good climbing near the beginning of the ride.

MTB Road Ride
Find more Bike Rides in Averill Park, New York

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Registration for MTB Marathon Nationals is Open

Posted on February 18, 2010 by aa
Exclusive registration for MTB Marathon Nationals begins Wednesday
Men’s and Women’s Singlespeed added to national championship classes
Breckenridge, Colo. (February 16, 2010) – Pre-registration for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships will open at 12:01 a.m. mountain time on Wednesday, February 17.
The Fourth of July event returns to Breckenridge, Colo. for 2010 where it will once again be held in conjunction with the “Firecracker 50.” Riders wishing to compete in the USA Cycling national championship classes will have a two-week exclusive online registration period from 12:01 a.m. MST on Wednesday, February 17 until 12:01 a.m. MST on Wednesday, March 3.
The field will again be limited to 750 race plates, and because start spots sold out before pre-registration ended last year, riders that want to compete for a Stars-and-Stripes jersey are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the exclusive registration period.
Click here to register early and secure your start spot.
On March 3, online registration will open to non-championship competitors as well. At that time, a printable registration form and waiver will be posted online for those wishing to mail in their entry.
A total of 14 national titles will be on the line in Breckenridge, including men’s and women’s singlespeed national titles which are new for 2010. For more information, please visit the event’s website by clicking here.
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Sram XX – From Interbike

Posted on February 16, 2010 by aa
Posted in brakes, components, mtb, race, rides | Leave a comment

Energy Bar Recipe | FasCat Coaching

Posted on February 15, 2010 by aa
If you’re like me at this time of year, the amount of training can lead to some serious hunger. There is no doubt that as your training volume increases so does the amount of food you need to consume in order for your body to adapt to the training stimuli. This can lead to some huge grocery bills! What high octane is to a Ferrari, carbohydrates are to your highly tuned body.
Plowing through a box of cliff bars in 2-3 days sure doesn’t help. So I’ve developed a recipe for a more economical and more nutritious alternative to store bought energy bars that are often high in sugar with questionable glycemic indices…Read more…
Posted in energy bar, marathon, mtb, race, rides, road, singlespeed | Leave a comment

Tour De Schenectady- benefit for Schenectady Cancer Foundation

Posted on February 12, 2010 by aa
We are excited that you will be participating with us in our first annual “Tour de Schenectady” bike ride! This will not only be a landmark event for the Capital region bicycling community, but will also raise much needed funds for Schenectady Cancer Foundation, Whose goal is to provide free services to cancer patients in Schenectady County. To learn more, you can visit them on-line at www.schenectadycancerfoundation.org
Although this will be a fun-filled ride for cyclists of all ages, it is also a fund-raising event. Our goal this year is to raise $50,000 to benefit Schenectady Cancer Foundations dynamic contribution to our community. Each rider should plan to approach their family and friends about making donations to support this worthy cause. Once you are registered we will send you lots of great resources for you to use in your fundraising efforts. Riders will be encouraged to raise a minimum donation of $50.
A grand prize will be awarded to the top individual fund-raiser!! Raise over $200 in donations and get a raffle ticket to win a selection of other prizes donated by area businesses.
Located at Schenectady’s Central Park, day of registration will take place in the Pavilion Area. We will have morning foods, and restrooms Available. There will also be a special Cancer survivors tent set up to honor people who have dealt with this terrible illness.
We will also have all sorts of fun swag to hook you riders up! T-Shirts, Waterbottles, Goodie Bags, and food!
This event will be held rain or shine and registration fees are non-refundable.
If you have any questions please e-mail Heather Rizzi at: hikebikerunoutside@yahoo.com
The 9.3 mile loop consists of touring the historic districts in Schenectady. The city roads will be closed to all traffic for the ride. There will be aid stations along the course to help you complete your journey. The course starts and ends in Central Park.
9.3 miles may not seem like allot to the super fit fast riders out there, but to people struggling with cancer, to friends or relatives who have helped take care of someone with this illness, and to many others, riding to support this cause will be a feat in itself.
EACH WEEK IN SCHENECTADY 17 PEOPLE ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. Help us, help them.
Registration at BikeReg.com
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SRAM’s New 9-Speed Cassette Coming in March

Posted on February 11, 2010 by aa

SRAM is targeting mid-March for riders to get their chains around the new XG999 nine-speed mountain bike cassette.
The XG999 uses the same manufacturing techniques that produced the XX MTB cassette as well as the PowerDome road cassette. With the XG999 cassette, seven of the cogs are CNC-machined together out of a single block of billet steel, creating a lightweight, precise and strong cassette.
SRAM XG999 CASSETTE
The entire manufacturing process for the XX, including machining, quality checks and finishing is said to take nine hours per cassette. With the XX ten-speed cassette, the weight savings is immediately noticeable due to the hollowed construction (the 11-36-tooth weighs just 208-grams and the 11-32-tooth is a featherweight 185-grams).
The nine-speed XG999 weighs in at 175 grams (11-32), and since it shares the same open design as the XX, it will allow mud to flow through, which aids in cleaner shifting and longer component life.
• 
Weight: 175 grams

• Technologies: X-Glide, X-Dome design

• Speeds: 9 speed

• Materials: CNC’d 4140 chromoly steel

• Large cog material: AL-7075-T6
• 
Lock-ring material: AL-7075-T6

• Gear: 11-32 (11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32)

• MSRP: $300

• Available: mid-March
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Hayes Prime Disc Brakes Unveiled

Posted on February 10, 2010 by aa

New stoppers from Hayes promise more power and better ergonomics

Hayes has released details of a new disc brake, the Prime, which its claims is 23% more powerful than the Stroker, a move the company hopes will “re-establish Hayes as the leader in hydraulic braking systems.”
This leap in braking performance has been achieved due to revised hydraulic ratios but Hayes has also worked to give the brakes a more progressive and predictable feel throughout the lever stroke.
A new ‘Poppet Cam Technology’ has been used, but Hayes is currently being tight-lipped about its role in the new brake, the PR just saying it “allows for dead stroke adjustment, increased fluid flow and improved durability.” Better stopping power aside, the ergonomics have also been improved and there’s an on-the-fly tool-free ‘Top Hat’ reach adjustment, which is independent of the contact adjustment. However you set the reach of the lever, the mechanical power is the same throughout, meaning you get the same power and feel with the lever set close to the grip as you do with it set further away.
The new lever sports a two-piece design that makes fitting and removal a cinch, while the master cylinder is off-set by 10 degrees so you can mount it closer to the grips for an optimised lever position. Inside the lever there are new press-fit Titacon CL 500 bushings in the master cylinder Body for a smoother action.
There’s a new performance hose – a four layer low expansion hose to be precise – and a lighter two-piece caliper with pads being replacing without needing to remove the wheel first. Hayes ‘tube tops’ protect the paintwork where the hose rubs against the frame.
A new lighter two-piece rotor has been developed, weighing 110g for the 6in version, and new brake pads promise quieter performance. The rotor carries on the original Hayes sweeping-fin design patented in 1998, but is stiffer than the standard one-piece design.
To be released in June, there will be two models, Pro and Expert, available with rotor sizes to include 140, 160, 180, 203, 224 (mm), suggesting Hayes are targeting this new brake at a wide range of riders. The Pro model makes use of titanium push rods and mounting bolts, a two-piece floating rotor; laser etched graphics and sintered metallic brake pads. Target weight for the Pro model is 385g per wheel, and 415g for the Expert.
Price TBD. More info www.hayesdiscbrake.com/prime/
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EFX Performance Sponsorship

Posted on February 7, 2010 by aa
EFX Performance has joined as a new sponsor through the 2011 season. EFX technology is said to improve
  • Balance and Strength
  • Flexibility and Range of Motion
  • Focus and Awareness
  • Stress and Tension
  • Jet-lag and Motion Sickness
  • Recovery Time
EFX is an embedded wearable holographic technology designed to maximize performance and overall well-being by increasing balance, strength, and flexibility. EFX’s technology consists of frequencies that are highly compatible with both humans and animals on a cellular level. Because it works instantly when placed in close proximity with the body’s electromagnetic field, real time functional performance gains can often be demonstrated.
Like acupuncture, acupressure or deep therapeutic massage, we believe that placing EFX energetic dots near specific energy centers or chakras, may promote or enhance the energy flow along the main meridian channels.
We all have an energy field which surrounds and interacts with our physical body. This field responds to all influences, both external and internal. Your energy will strengthen when interacting with something that nurtures it and will weaken when exposed to disruptive influences.
The energy state of the field affects our body’s state of health. When your body is in harmony, muscles relax, blood flow increases, and relaxation replaces tension.
Most people can feel the effects of EFX by testing the body’s energy field. Simple kinesiology may be used to determine the immediate change in muscle strength, balance, flexibility and range of motion. Muscle testing is the measuring of the energy response through the strength of a muscle in the body.
Simply put, EFX is designed to resonate with and tune your body’s naturally occurring bio-electric frequencies, impacting function and performance. It is not a medical device, nor is it intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Posted in cyclocross, mtb, race, singlespeed, sponsors, training | Leave a comment

YETI BETI’S PRESENT FIRST EVER WOMENS ONLY MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE

Posted on February 7, 2010 by aa

Team Yeti Beti is encouraging all mountain biking women to come out for the Beti Bike Bash, an event they claim is the first ever womens-only mountain bike race!
FROM YETI BETI: We know that there are more women out there who want to try a race. Grab your other dirt loving friends and come out to test your skills against other women, or just come out and experience a Colorado mountain bike race. You can race by yourself or with 2 other friends for the 3 woman relay.
RACE does not have to be a four letter word. From the first timer to the seasoned professional, join us for a landmark event in the mountain bike community. This event is for all women mountain bikers, from the first timer to the seasoned professional.
The event is June 12, 2010, at Bear Creek Lake State Park (CO), with registration and packet pickup onsite starting at 8am, or swing by the local bike shop in Golden to get registered and learn how to fix a flat from 5p – 7p on Friday, June 11. Yeti bike demos, food and drink all day at the expo. More info at BetiBikeBash.com
Posted in mtb, race | 1 Comment

Manitou Rethought, Re-engineered, Re-energized!

Posted on February 5, 2010 by aa

As a mountain biker for many years, I’ve seen dozens of riders and companies come and go. One company I have always admired is Manitou but lately (the past few years) I feel like they haven’t been seen around much. Besides sightings of the Dorado (more on that later), the R7 on some winning XC bikes, and mentions of the Minute forks, the company seems to have been keeping a low profile. Well, I had the great opportunity to speak with one of the many people who are pushing Manitou back into the spotlight with an all new, shiny line up. Richard, or Rich for those who know him, has a passion for anything with two wheels and a frame. Before his present position at Manitou he was the product manager during the development of the Stroker line of brakes at Hayes.
Richard has moved on to the Manitou division…Read more
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