Arizona legislation opens state trails to e-bikes – As of the first of January, new state legislation ARS 28-819 has officially defined the classification of e-bikes, allowing those with a max power-assist speed of 20mph or less full trail access statewide wherever conventional pedal bikes are allowed. AZ is the ninth state to enact such regulation, and it applies to state, county & municipal lands, trail systems & multi-use paths.
Local authorities still have the power to enact additional policies to prohibit e-bikes on their own trail systems (with some having already done so last autumn), but this should open up a number of desert southwest trails for e-mountain bikers (now linking three of the states around the Four Corners. To clarify though, much of the most famous trails in the state are on federal National Forest & BLM land which still prohibits e-bikes off-road as motorized vehicles. More detail on the access issue at: e-Bikerumor.com
Advocacy & Contests
- Pitch in at GoFundMe for photographer Colin Meagher & even win a bike – So that lead photo of responsible eMTB trail riding is courtesy of Colin Meagher who shot it during a Shimano event. Now the thing is Colin is battling ALS, a debilitating disease that threatens both his life and more pressingly his ability to continue to take great photos. You can actually help offset some of the expensive treatment that he’s going through now via GoFundMe. And because his is so well respected in the bike industry, a number of companies have chipped in some killer gear as raffle prizes. There’s a Pivot Mach 6, a Cannondale Habit, a Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt, a Trek Session 29, a Marin Gestalt, a GT Performer, and a bunch of other kit. Help Colin one more time: GoFundMe.com
- American Bike League recognizes 82 bike-friendly businesses – The League of American Bicyclists is honoring 82 businesses in 30 states with its prestigious Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) designation. This award “recognizes companies for their efforts to promote and support active, healthy transportation options for their employees, customers, and guests.” Check out the full list of who made the cut here, or head over to their website for more about their Bicycle Friendly America Awards near you. BikeLeague.org
Where to Ride
- Register quickly for the 2019 Epic Rides Off-Road Series races – Registration for Epic Rides’ Off-Road Series has been blowing up since it opened New Year’s Day. With lots of mountain bikers setting out resolutions to go ride, the series will likely sell out as amateur & pros alike look to mix killer singletrack combined with weekends of live music & mountain biker community good times. First up, the Whiskey Off-Road Apr 26-28, then Grand Junction Off-Road May 17-19, Carson City Off-Road Jun 14-16 & lastly the Oz Trails Off-Road Oct 11-13. Full details at: EpicRides.com
- Ride the Tour de Zwift, their biggest ever virtual tour – Running Jan 3-30, the Tour de Zwift is a 9-stage event across all five of their virtual courses. Open to everyone in the Zwift community, they’ll host each stage for 2 days with events rolling out every 2 hours each day (plus make-up days on Feb 2 & 3). Use the tour as motivation to get your riding & training on track. Complete all 9 stages & unlock a special Tour de Zwift kit. Zwift.com
Gear & Deals
- Half Off Rapha for one more week – It’s the final reductions in Rapha’s annual clearance sale. A select bunch of popular Rapha favs are now 50% off both online & in their brick-and-mortar Clubhouses. Act now though, the sale finally ends next Friday, Jan 11. Rapha.cc
