- David Cachon rides El Caminito del Rey on a mountain bike – OK, so unfortunate disclaimer first off: “The Caminito del Rey cannot be done by bicycle. It was a special opportunity offered to a professional rider.” That said this is pretty cool and needs to be shared. So the Caminito del Rey was once called the the most dangerous path in the world, built to let Spanish workers scale the cliffs to get to the hydroelectric plant that was being built there starting in 1901. Anyway over the years it had gotten even sketchier in various states of disrepair, so after four years of work and renovation the regional government of Andalusia opened it back up in 2015. And to promote the 2.9km cliffside path and to draw tourism they let 2x World Trials champ David Cachon take it for a spin. Check out footage of his ride and some more pics after the break, and then you can continue to our regular Friday Roundup…
more on the ride and story over at: RedBull.com (who else?!)
OK, now back to our regularly scheduled end of the week roundup…
Advocacy
- Trek pledges over $1 million to expand NICA – Trek has committed to contributing $1 for every Bontrager tire sold from 2017, with their retailers able to opt in to match the contribution, in a move by the company to expand its support of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). The pledge is expected to top $1,000,000 within five years. Trek has already been supporting NICA for over five years, and adds it to the short list of its key focus advocacy causes to support along with People For Bikes with each helmets sale and IMBA with each full-suspension bike. With over 10,000 student participants nationwide, NICA is one of the nation’s fastest growing high school and middle school participation sports. NationalMTB.org
Where to Ride
- Ride with Levis’ Commuters this Saturday in NYC – Levi’s has teamed up with their friends at Cyclones for a jungle cruise bike ride this weekend. Levi’s is hyping their urban cyclist collection with the event tagged as ” A zoo, an ice creamery, a lake park, and a badass after-party”. The ride takes off from the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg bridge on Sat, 13 Aug at 2pm and continues through Brooklyn, stopping at Ample Hills Creamery, a hydration station by Juice Press, a complimentary visit to Prospect Park Zoo, and a private Baby’s all Right after-party featuring live music by NYC based DJs, free booze/snacks, and more. Get a ticket ti the ride and party at: CyclonesAug.SplashThat.com
Gear & Deals
- Save up to 30% in Rapha Summer Sale – There’s not much argument that Rapha kit is expensive. Many would say overpriced, while just as many will swear by their quality, design, performance, and repair service. Anyway you look at it, 30% off is a good deal and may bring some of their kit into the reasonable realm for many riders (there are some things for even less like 50% off blue climbers shoes). Checkout more than 250 products for men and women in the end of summer sale, from socks to water bottles, and bibs and jerseys in between. Rapha.cc
- Catlike gets distribution via Vittoria in the US – Vittoria’s US operations has taken over distribution of Catlike’s full helmet, shoe, and glasses lineup. The two companies say they make a good pairing as they have both been early adopters of innovative Graphene applications and both European companies are unique in owning and directly controlling their own manufacturing. It will likely ease access to the Catlike catalog through the same outlets where you’ll find Vittoria wheels and tires. Catlike.es
