Riding for Renewable Energy and Climate Change

Extreme skier and global cooling consultant Allison Gannett tells us why she is riding in the 300-mile Brita Climate Ride.

Allison Gannett is participating in the Brita Climate Ride to help raise awareness about global climate change. As a World Champion extreme skier fighting to save our snow, a champion ultra mountain bike racer fighting to save our singletrack, and an award-winning global cooling solutions consultant, latching on for the from New York City to Washington, D.C., was a no brainer. This 5-day charity bike ride from September 26 - 30, aims to raise awareness of climate change and the need for renewable energy legislation. The 300-mile ride is open to anyone and it’s a great event for experienced riders and novice cyclists (there are currently only 40 spots left. Register at ClimateRide.org). In my quest to make a difference, I’ve turned my passion for racing mountain bikes and cycling into a mode of long-haul transportation. Initially I looked for techy solutions, such as creating a solar powered hybrid SUV that got 100 miles per gallon. But I quickly realized that the carbon footprint of manufacturing a car can exceed 100 tons per vehicle, which virtually offsets any carbon footprint savings from the increased gas mileage. The answer? Drive less. But how to do it? I decided to try to ride my bicycle to my work events around the U.S. instead of renting a car. I needed to be able to carry my work clothes and computer, all without panniers or a trailer. My first attempt was a 6-state swing, spending two weeks on the East Coast with nine days of riding. My route: Colgate University, Pennsylvania-New Jersey-New York City-Boston-New Hampshire-Vermont, and back through New York via the Adirondacks to my starting point in Hamilton, New York. Gannett is an extreme freeskier and mountain biker who lives in Crested Butte, CO. Ever wondered how to get exercise while working? Try bike commuting in a more serious way - I’ve never had more fun or seen an area in more detail. My favorite parts were the extensive bike paths in New York City, touring East Coast cheese farms, and the windmills near Colgate University. East Coast riding is beautiful and the upcoming Climate Ride includes world class cycling in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington DC.

Back to Brita Climate Ride. I’m looking forward to another multi-day bike tour, as I have been mostly mountain biking through the wildflowers in my hometown of Crested Butte, Colorado. Climate Ride is a supported bike tour (they use Priuses and veggie-oil vans to get your luggage from camp to camp with as minimal of a carbon footprint as possible). But I plan on riding self-supported to decrease my carbon footprint further.

You don’t have to be an ultra mountain bike racer to do Climate Ride, so get on your bike and join me for this adventure! I’m looking forward to doing my climate solutions presentation while on the ride and I hope you can join us.

Well, cheers to those riding their bikes, whether for work or for fun. And special kudos to bike commuters everywhere. Learn more about how to make a difference at these three sites: www.AlisonGannett.com, www.ClimateRide.org, www.saveoursingletrackfoundation.org.

Upcoming Rides and Festivals for Cyclists in NJ and NY

The Second-annual JORBA Bike Festival

Back by popular demand, the Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association (JORBA) announces the 2nd Annual Bike Festival to be held from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Waterloo Concert Field, 10 Kinney Road, Stanhope, NJ.

JORBA’s Bike Festival was created as an enjoyable way to promote trail stewardship and cycling advocacy throughout New Jersey. Last year, nearly 1,000 riders—of all ages, all levels, and from all across the state—came out to enjoy a fun-filled day of biking. There is much more in store this year.

The 2009 Bike Festival will feature guided trail rides in Allamuchy North, Deer Park, and Stephens State Park for all skill levels including women’s only rides and a children’s ride; incredible raffles including brand new bikes, bike shop gift cards, and other gear; demonstrations by professional riders including Jeff Lenosky; skills clinics for all levels of riders by Cycleworks owner John Nicholson; contests throughout the day; demo trailers from Giant, Specialized and Trek; and dozens of food and industry vendors.

As an affiliate of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), JORBA is thrilled to be hosting the IMBA Trail Care Crew at this year’s Bike Festival. The IMBA crew will be giving talks promoting responsible riding and sustainable trails and will lead group rides. Please note, bicycle helmets must be worn if you plan to ride and, of course, non-riders are also welcome.

This year, JORBA is sponsoring an essay contest in memory of Brian Hahl–friend, dedicated teacher, and passionate mountain biker. The contest will award a bike to one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-16. To enter the contest, please submit a one-page essay telling us why you deserve a bike and what winning will mean to you. Please, only one essay per child. Send entries, postmarked by September 1, 2009, to The Brian Hahl Bicycle Grant Essay Contest, P.O. Box 673, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550, or electronically to bikefest@jorba.org.

Submissions will be judged by JORBA’s board members and winners will be notified phone so please include your address and phone number. Each bike will be awarded to the winners during the Bike Festival and we hope you’ll be present to accept your new bike and share your winning essay.
The Jorba Mountain Bike Fesival is a Great event checkout reviews from Last year
Pictures
Video

The 15th Annual Escape New York - September 26th 2009
New York Cycle Club's Annual Classic Chosse from 50,65, or 100 mile routes
Escape the crowds and ride out of Manhattan into our favorite cycling territory: the West Hudson Highlands.

Choose one of three beautiful, well-marked routes of 50, 65 or 100 miles, all beginning and ending in Manhattan. Each route offers picture-postcard views of the Hudson River and Palisades as you cross the George Washington Bridge and ride through the hidden pleasures of Bergen and Rockland Counties.

Enjoy the support and hospitality of The New York Cycle Club. This is the day our club goes all out to deliver a food-filled, fun-filled and fabulous day of riding to our brethren in the cycling community.

This year's ride profits will benefit both Recycle-A-Bicycle, a youth training and environmental education initiative, and Transportation Alternatives, advocates for non-polluting, quiet, city-friendly travel.

After the ride, stick around at Sakura Park for our post-ride festival! . . .for a Manganaro's hero, free drinks from FUZE and ZICO, gelato by Gelato Giuliana, our wild ENY flat-fixing competition, ENY raffle drawing and more.

Routes

Choose from three clearly marked Escape New York options:

1. 7:00 am: Century Challenge, 100 miles. A rolling full century through beautiful Bergen and Rockland counties. Route and Elevation Profile

2. 8:00 am: Rockland Roll, 65 miles. Ramble on lightly trafficked roads to scenic Rockland Lake State Park. Route and Elevation Profile

3. 9:00 am: Piermont Pleasures A half century to the charming and historic village of Piermont on the Hudson. Route and Elevation Profile

For newer riders tackling the 50 mile Piermont Pleasures route, we are offering leader-led groups. Join one at the start after check-in.

Limited SAG support will be available on all routes with an emergency phone number provided on your cue sheet.

Helmets are required.

Start/finish

All rides start and finish at Sakura Park, located at 122nd Street and Riverside Drive, just east of Grant's Tomb, near the 125th Street stop on the 1 subway, Manhattan. See Routes for start times.

A review of Clif Quench

This past Sunday I was doing a ride in NYC it was hot and humid and I had emptied my 4th water bottle and was looking for something to drink. The street vendors in Battery Park were selling Vitamin Waters for 4.00 a bottle. I was thirsty but not delirious so I decided to try my luck at a nearby deli.

Upon perusing the cold drink aisle a new drink from Clif caught my eye. (New to this East Coaster, it was released in March of 09) I figured what the heck I'm young and adventuresome, I’m in the Big City and I have 2 Bucks.

I tried the Orange flavor and while the 16 oz bottle (made of 40% Post Consumer recycles Plastic) got me through the next 12 miles. The taste left something to be desired actually it was pretty bad. This was Surprising because other Clif Products like their bars, shots, and blocks are tasty enough to be enjoyed even when you not on the bike. (Don’t even get me started on the Builder Bars they are just like having desert)

I don't think I would ever reach for the Clif drink unless I was on a ride and really needed something to drink.

However, The drink did quench my thirst and gave me a boost of energy to finish the last leg of my ride strong.

I would like to try some other flavors like fruit punch or Lime-ade

Let me know if you have tried any of the Clif Quench flavors and if any were palatable enough to reach for as an everyday drink.

Panther/Mountain Lion Update for Bergen County

There have been no additional sightings of the panther/mountain lion—however, the state DEP is taking the matter more seriously. They have closed the Boy Scout Camp to all traffic for now. I got a call from the Ranger giving me a ‘heads up’ that if anyone is caught in the camp (for now) they will be arrested for trespassing. They are trying a variety of methods to eradicate the problem. Stay tuned..

Syncros Partners with IMBA to Support and Reward Mountain Biking Advocacy

Syncros Partners with IMBA to Support and Reward Mountain Biking Advocacy

Syncros provides discount product coupons to IMBA members and volunteers as rewards for creating, enhancing and preserving mountain bike trails around the world

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Aug. 10, 2009 - Syncros Applied Technologies today announced its partnership with the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) to provide IMBA members and volunteers discount coupons for Syncros products as reward for their support of mountain biking communities and infrastructure.

Syncros, a bicycle component manufacturer known for its grassroots mountain bike heritage and pragmatic, indestructible components, will provide a 25 percent discount off Syncros products' MSRP for IMBA members, a 40 percent discount for IMBA trail builders, and a 65 percent discount for IMBA member retailers that organize shop employees to work on an IMBA-sanctioned project.

"Syncros appreciates all of the time and resources that mountain bike enthusiasts give to help IMBA maintain the trails that we all benefit from riding," said Steve Parke, general manager of Syncros. "We hope our partnership with IMBA will reinforce the Syncros brand as one that supports riders on their bikes and within their mountain biking communities."

The Syncros discount coupons offered through this partnership will be distributed to members, volunteers and member retail shops through IMBA. Individual IMBA members will redeem their coupon discounts through an online code provided by IMBA on the password-protected portion of its Web site. Qualified IMBA trail-builders will receive their coupons through their local IMBA Team Captains. IMBA will distribute one-time-use discount coupons to its member retail shops participating in trail restoration projects. The Syncros coupons are redeemable through Syncros.com where orders placed will be fulfilled through Syncros in San Carlos, Calif.

"IMBA is supported by a grassroots network of members, so we really value the support of a grassroots brand like Syncros," said Mike Van Abel, IMBA executive director. "It's great to have a partner that keeps our member benefits program strong and robust."

IMBA member retailers can submit their IMBA project proposals starting next month to the password-protected portion of IMBA.com.

Project proposals should include:

• Evidence of six hours of project work per team member
• Team name, contact phone number, e-mail address and mailing address
• The project's "who, what, where, when, why, how"
• Supporting photos, maps or other visuals
  

Creative proposals may be used on the Syncros Web site or for other promotional purposes.

About IMBA
Since 1988, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has created, enhanced and protected great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide. A group of California mountain bike clubs founded IMBA to develop and promote mountain biker-education programs and innovative trail management solutions. Now IMBA has members in each state of the U.S. and 40 other countries that annually contribute more than one million hours to trailwork projects on public land. To date, IMBA volunteers have created more than 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of new trails worldwide. More information about IMBA is available at www.IMBA.com.

About Syncros Applied Technologies
Canadian-based Syncros, known for its grassroots heritage and pragmatic, indestructible components, shares its roots with the very origins of mountain biking itself. Founded on ideas formulated in the back room of Vancouver's Westpoint Cycles in the mid-1980's, the company continues to serve the needs of hardcore, off-road riders. By the early 1990's Syncros was the leading provider of high-end off-road bicycle parts and in 2003 was purchased by Ritchey Design. Ritchey Designs' global infrastructure has allowed Syncros to return to its roots and provide components for the most serious XC, All Mountain, and Freeride enthusiasts. Please visit www.Syncros.com for more information about Syncros.

Contact Mark Eller
IMBA Communications Director
markeller@imba.com
303-545-9011 ext. 115

Stewart State Park in New Windsor NY.

About an hour from the GWB is the Stewart Buffer Zone in NY State
Stewart State Forest is a 5,600-acre State Park MUA (Multiple Use Area) surrounding the regional Stewart Airport.
Stewart is many things: The number and miles of trails make it an almost epic place to ride, The trails have something for everyone from carriage roads for families and beginner riders, Fast flowing singletrack for more experienced riders and while its not a freeride park there are some jumps and drops to keep a smile on more adventurous riders faces.


Stewart is not a great place to ride after a week of rain though it tends to take longer to dry out than other places like Ringwood State Park. The lower lying areas tend to get flooded and can be extremely muddy but when it is dry or better yet slightly damp conditions are optimal and you can really fly. Stewart has more flow the a city hydrant opened up on hot summer day. The Rock walls, banked turns, and rolling terrain just throw free speed at you.


Stewart host a number of races every year including a favorite of mine the Darkhorse 40
Always a challenge and always lots of fun this year is a 4x10 mile loop


Keep in mind that Stewart closes October to March for hunting season


Read about one Racers experience doing the Darkhorse-40 as her 1st race

GPS Maps:

NYC Cyclists wanted to compete against Cyclists from San Francisco

RadioShack Brand Launch Event and Lance Armstrong Foundation Participation

Overview

RadioShack will host a Netogether, a brand launch event happening in New York (Times Square) and San Francisco (Justin Herman Plaza) on August 6-8, 2009. Imagine, for three days, two larger-than-life (11’ x 17’) notebooks with always-on webcams and huge (7’ x 13’) screens connecting the coastal cities with live video and audio exchanges. Everyone in the country can join in via the web, as there will be live streaming video capturing all the sights, sounds and entertainment.

Throughout the event, the two gigantic notebooks will provide a forum for entertaining ways to connect with others that are 3,000 miles away. With a mix of performers and participants on opposite coasts, there will be live music, entertainers, games, and real-time connections with loved ones during the course of three days of wall-to-wall connectivity.

RadioShack is proud to partner with Lance Armstrong in the formation of his new cycling team and to help raise awareness and funding for the fight against cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation and LIVESTRONG. This event is going to generate a lot of national attention and RadioShack welcomes the participation of the Lance Armstrong Foundation as a great way to extend the news of Lance’s new team and rally support for LIVESTRONG.

LIVESTRONG BIKE-OFF

WHO: RadioShack and the Lance Armstrong Foundation

WHAT: LIVESTRONG cyclists and supporters in New York City and San Francisco to compete in one-hour bike-off competition against participants from the other city. For each mile completed, RadioShack will donate funds to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The city that completes the most miles during the hour will receive an additional donation on that team’s behalf to LAF from RadioShack. (Goal of raising $50K in one hour based on an individual goal of 20 miles per hour.)

WHERE: New York City’s Military Island located in Times Square

San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza located on the Embarcadero

WHEN: Saturday, August 8, 2009

New York City San Francisco

1 p.m. ET 10 a.m. PT

(call time TBD, most likely 30min-1hr prior to start for bike setup, check-in)

*RadioShack’s Netogether event will begin on Thursday, August 6 and continue through Saturday, August 8, and will take place simultaneously in both cities.

People throughout the country can watch all activities and entertainment including the LIVESTRONG Bike-Off streamed live at www.radioshack.com/theshack.

WHY: Opportunity for you to participate in RadioShack’s national rebranding launch event and raise awareness and funding for the fight against cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation and LIVESTRONG.

NEEDED: 10 cyclists who can participate for one-hour in a New York versus San Francisco cycling competition. Cyclists will be provided a LIVESTRONG Challenge jersey but will need to bring their own bike (and if possible a trainer to ride on and bike computer to measure miles ridden).

Upcoming Events in August

Mount Snow Mountain Festival
August 7-9 2009

Friday
Cross Country Events
Festival Village Activities
Group Rides
DH & DS Practice

Saturday
Kenda Cup East PRO XC
Festival Village Activities
Group Rides
Jeff Lenoski Super Stunt Show
Mountain Cross Events
Skill Clinics
Concert 8:00pm & Fireworks 9:30pm

Sunday
Super-D
Pro Short Track
Kenda Mountain Bike Series presented by e.thirteen
The Trek Womens Triathlon Series
Festival Village Events
Group Rides

THE DARKHORSE 40

Presented by

darkhorse cycles

Stewart State Forest, Newburgh, NY

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Online Registration Closes

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 11:45 PM ET

Upcoming USA Cycling Mountain Bike Races in NY and PA

Click here to display Upcoming Race Schedule for NY and PA Mountain Bike Events
Including Plateekill, Whiteface, and the Kenda Cup
Schedule