Mountain biking AMA
- Mountain Bike Pioneers webcast with Mike Sinyard – For the fourth in Mission Workshop and Bike Magazine’s Ask a Founder series, Mike Sinyard of Specialized will take user suggested questions on the early days and growth of mountain biking. Join in by asking Mike a question on twitter using #AskSinyard. Tune in live on Saturday, Oct 10 at 7PM PST on Bikemag.com. There is limited space to join live at Mission Workshop in San Francisco, so email if interested to secure a spot: RSVP@missionworkshop.com.
Travel
- Join Radrace and Bombtrack for a virtual Tour d’Iceland – A few weeks back the german RadRace crew and outdoor photographer Lars Schneider took a fleet of Bombtrack Arise and Hook gravel bikes to Iceland for some exploring. As Iceland brings with it a lot of challenges, they are best illustrated with photos, as there are simply not enough words to express this cold and hostile environment. The images that Schneider came back with make you almost feel the freezing temperatures, see the steep mountains to be climbed, and the rough gravel to be negotiated. But above all its the breathtaking landscapes that will be most remembered and inspire us to one day take a journey there ourselves. Check out the trip in their digital lookbook here, and more about the project at Bombtrack.com.
Gear, Tech & Tools
- Zwift Structured Training comes out of a year of Beta testing and riders in 100 countries – The new multi-player gaming tech structured training program will be available to all users comes with a $10/£8 no-commitment monthly subscription. The new Workout Mode that launches Oct 29 aims to gamify the training experience to make it more fun and inspiring, including getting encouragement from other cyclists on Zwift’s virtual course. Zwift’s early Beta users will be rewarded with virtual goods in the new system. We’re curious how it will progress, as pay to play. Zwift.com
- It’s Trainer Time again with Kinomap too – The Kinomap virtual riding experience that we’ve previewed before gets an update with new web functionality to better filter and create playlists of your favorite virtual rides to recreate. They’ve also got two new iOS indoor cycling apps compatible with the Wahoo KICKR and KICKR SNAP for now, with TACX smart trainers in the near future. Both apps take control over the trainer to automatically adjust the resistance and replicate a more realistic road feel. Check them out at Kinomap.com.
- Park Tool Launches new Education-Focused Site – The new site adds more product info with a bigger educational section, focused on helping both pro and home mechanics fix their bikes The site now offers to Show Me Tools or Help Me Fix It with simple step-by-step how-tos and videos showing the repairs. It also brings back the Buy Local Now feature that directs consumers to a local shop to buy the tools they need from their LBD. See the new site at www.ParkTool.com.
- Get Seen for Free with Safe Reflections ReflectYourGear – Daylight hours are shortening in the northern hemisphere for the rest of the year, and with that comes increasing threats to bicyclist and pedestrian safety. That’s why reflective technology pioneers Safe Reflections introduced ReflectYourGear, a new initiative to help ensure outdoor and fitness enthusiasts sharing the road with cars are seen more clearly and from greater distances in the dark and in low-light conditions. ReflectYourGear material can increase visibility from 500 feet away, ensuring drivers have plenty of time to see and react. A free pack of material is available now at www.ReflectYourGear.com (with free shipping and handling) by using coupon code “BeSeen.” Quantities are limited.
- Preorder the new Abbey Bike Tools Modular Bearing Press Now and Save – We covered Abbey’s new Bearing Press at Interbike a couple of weeks ago, and now they’ve got a discounted preorder up on their site. Order now for delivery in late december and get $25 off with the discount code ‘bearing’ at checkout. Head over AbbeyBikeTools.com to order.
- #CrossIsHere and get the JPOW Ass Saver to prove it – Cross isn’t coming anymore, it’s already here. Ass Savers invites us to join them in the world of mud, cowbells and suffering with Jeremy Powers. Together they’re making the 8€ JPOW Ass Saver, ready to head into hours of shredding no matter the weather, to explore unknown trails, and quench the urge to push harder and discover where your bike can take you. Well, it’s just a snap on mini plastic fender, but you get the idea. Get one at Ass-Savers.com.
Events
- Iron Cross: North America’s Original Ultracross heads to a new home in Williamsport, PA – On Oct 18 Iron Cross gets a whole new course that blurs the line even further, meaning the ‘cross vs. mtb arguments will be louder than ever. With a finish at the Brickyard Ale House in downtown and some pre-event fun throughout the weekend there will be plenty of time to debate the merits of each and heckle those who make the wrong choice. Still time to pre-register before a price bump this Sunday night! IronCrossRace.com
- The first-ever Hong Kong Cyclothon takes place this weekend – This Oct 10-11 the Hong Kong Cyclothon will welcome cyclists from around the world to immerse themselves in the unique culture and breathtaking landscape of Asia’s World City. With more than 5,500 international participants, the brand new event promises to be a popular addition to the long list of great athletic competitions already held in Hong Kong. Check out the invitation-only Criterium, Men’s & Women’s Open races, as well as kids, family, and charity rides for all ages and levels of experience at DiscoverHongKong.com/Cyclothon.
Advocacy & Awareness
- AASHTO approves 8 new U.S. Bicycle Routes in VT, GA, ID, AZ, OH & KS to expand travel and tourism – Adventure Cycling Association and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials announced the approval of 2,141 miles of new U.S. Bicycle Routes (USBRs) in five new states, bring total USBR lengths to 11,053 miles in 23 states, plus D.C. The USBR system is a developing national network of officially recognized, numbered, and signed bicycle routes that connect people, communities, and the nation. Similar to emerging international and regional networks, such as Europe’s EuroVelo network and Quebec’s La Route Verte, the USBRS provides important recreational and transportation options for the active traveler. Explore new routes at www.adventurecycling.org/
usbrs. - BLM director unveils new interactive mountain bike maps at Outerbike 2015 – The Bureau of Land Management introduced a new access tool for trail riders all across the country last weekend in Moab for Outerbike, developed in-house together with IMBA and the MTB Project. The new mobile-friendly online tool includes interactive maps for 20 of the nation’s most popular public land trails, from Meadowood in Virginia to California’s Paradise Royale. See the new maps at BLM.gov/mountainbike.
- While one of their Editors Battles Cancer, Singletrack World is Raising Money to Fight – Deputy Editor Jenn Hill at Singletrack has had shit luck this year being diagnosed and treated for Stage IV lung cancer. Now as she leaves the office to spend her last time with close friends and family her coworkers at Singletrack are raising money to help fund and develop some of the treatments that have helped her enjoy and live out this past year to the fullest. Head over to SingletrackWorld.com to find out how you can buy support the cause through Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support and continue the good fight.
- Read How the Vegan Singlespeeder Got Fast and won 2015’s Breck Epic – Carlos Vulgamott fulfilled his quest to win the Breck Epic this year, one of the world’s toughest mountain bike stage races. Read about his decision to stop eating meat after a family health scare, and see how this beefy dude’s plant-powered diet keeps him fast; over at The Belted Blog.
