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.

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

Trail Work Days for JORBA RVCC at Ringwood

Jorba/RVCC will start their first trail work day for 2009 on Sunday March 29th. We will be starting some work on the Ringwood/Ramapo Trail heading out towards Skyline Drive. This is a big and ambitious but very worthwhile project. Please come out o help if you can. The work site is 5 miles in, so be prepared to ride your bike to the work site. As the work progresses, the site will get farther in, and more difficult to reach.
These first sessions are especially helpful to attend.
Sunday March 29 : Meet at Lot C at 8:45. Tools will be provided. Bring work gloves, plenty of water and snacks. Be prepared to ride bikes in. No hikers led!

Tentative next work dates:
April 26
June 6/7

Information in this post originally sent in an email from Ellen White

Little Switzerland is open to Mountain Bikes

On March 10th the town of Rockleigh is considering trail use changes to the hill behind the Rockleigh Fire House (aka Little Switzerland)
This change was to prohibit motorized bikes. Many local bike riders showed up to voice concerns about the trails be closed to mountain bikers. While there was no risk at this time I think it was good that riders and Jeff Mergler from JORBA were there to show that they are concerned about trail usage and their availability for mountain biking. It was also good to catch-up with some folks I have not seen in a while and meet some new faces. Afterwards a few of us went out for a drink and made plans for riding this weekend. The North Jersey Mountain Bike club ride will be at Blue Mountain on March 15th ride leaves from main lot between 8:30 and 8:45

A message from Jeff Mergler - IMBA/Subaru Trail Care Crew visits

IMBA is coming back to NJ in October and will be doing 2 IMBA/Subaru Trail Care Crew visits to 2 of New Jersey's favorite parks.
On October 11th and 12th, IMBA will visit Washington Valley Park (sometimes called Chimney Rock).
The following weekend (October 18th) IMBA will visit Sterling Forest/Ringwood State Park!
That's 2 back to back IMBA/Subaru TCC weekends!
One of these should fit into your schedule.If you are interested in learning how to build sustainable trails, or hone your existing skills please consider attending these events.
The basic agenda for both weekends will be a 3 hour classroom session (9am) followed by lunch then applied field work in the afternoon (1pm until 4 or 5pm).
The classroom session is mandatory and its sure to be fun, interesting and eye-opening.
Don't let another year pass without attending this training!
Pay Dirt: The field work sessions are valid for Pay Dirt hours!
For Ringwood that will be Saturday's afternoon session, for WVP, that's Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning's session. Racer's: you been asking for hours, here's your chance.
Note: this event is open to all trail users, including cyclists, equestrians, trail runners and hikers.

RSVP required: Each of these events requires an RSVP so please follow the instruction below for either park to do so. - WVP: please phone Christine Biskey at (908) 231-0802 ext. 24. Phone RSVPs only.

- Ringwood: online RSVP here http://go.imba.com/ringwoodIf you require more information about either event, full details can be found here: - WVP: http://www.jorba.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=955
- Ringwood: http://www.jorba.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=971
More about IMBA/Subaru TCCs: http://www.imba.com/tcc/trailschool.html

Happy trails!
Jeff Mergler
Executive Director

IMBA is Coming to South Mountain

IMBA is Coming to South Mountain:
RSVP for Event

The International Mountain Bicycling Association is coming to New Jersey. Anna Laxague and Jason Wells of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will be at South Mountain Reservation for a Trailbuilding School. The Crews teach “sustainable” trail building, which means building trails that last a long time and require minimal maintenance. This helps reduce trail damage, protects the environment, and enhances visitor enjoyment.

Schedule:
Saturday9:00 - Noon: Trailbuilding School, classroom session at the Millburn Free Public Library on Glen Ave in Millburn, NJAfternoon: Trailbuilding School field session within South Mountain Reservation. Lunch at the trailhead.
SundayMorning: trail work, breakfast food and snacks will be provided.

For more information, please contact Jeffrey Mergler