Thinking of going on a mountain bike trip this summer? We just returned from Mammoth Mountain and can tell you that no one will be riding the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park until at least early fall. In the meantime, there are other places to go. How about a slow, downhill family roll in Northern Idaho? Here are the details:
The Route of the Hiawatha, which Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area operates under a special-use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, opens May 26. Considered the crown jewel of the nation’s rails-to-trails initiative, the family friendly bike trail celebrated its 25th anniversary last summer and will operate seven days a week through Sept. 17.
Close to the historic town of Wallace, the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha’s gentle 1.6-percent to 2-percent, all-downhill ride straddles the Idaho-Montana state line, delves 10 tunnels, crosses seven sky-high train trestles, and has a shuttle service back to the top. Attracting just under 70,000 riders each summer, the Route of the Hiawatha is by far the most popular ski area bike trail in the country.
Full-moon night rides are planned for June 3, July 3, Aug. 1, and Aug. 30 by reservation only. In fact, the Route of the Hiawatha strongly encourages guests to make reservations for the day they want to ride — especially when renting equipment.
And if the family roll isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, hop on over to the Silver Mountain bike park. It opens June 16. 2023. For more info on the slow roll, click the link.
Don’t call it a “fanny pack.” Mazama DesignsRimrock is so much more. It’s a lumbar pack, with hydration. . . and a compression system. This thing will hold all your stuff tight, right into the lower part of your back. You know just above your fanny.
Rimrock’s synchronous compression system offers a comfortable and stable fit by keeping the pack and cargo tucked into the small of your back. The hip belt features load compression, an integrated pack magnet retainer, and extra-large dual-zippered pockets. Other features include an air foam ventilated back panel, contoured shape, strap stow system, quick access tool pocket and internal zip pocket. Rimrock includes a 1.8L INTAKE ICE insulated reservoir that delivers cold, taste-free water for up to 4 hours.
And yes, you can take sips off the pack while it’s still on thanks to a long hose. What else do you need? Could be the perfect anti-backpack for cycling all for $89.95. The Rimrock launches later this month. In the meantime, click the link for the the info on Bend, Oregon based Mazama Designs.
The new face of user supported international cycling media showed itself today, March 16, 2023 with the launch of Escape Collective: The Home of Independent Cycling Journalism. You will know many of the names behind the new brand (Wade Wallace and Caley Fretz are “mostly in charge”) as they’ve been responsible for creating some of the best cycling media of the last decade. Not to go too deeply into it, but many of them left their (private equity funded) former corporate media employers after experiencing buyouts and “consolidation.” But they’ve rounded up their crew and are already offering up some solid content.
Here’s how Caley Fretz puts it:
This is an incredible moment. We finally have somewhere for you to bookmark and open up every morning and scroll through and, hopefully, find a bit of inspiration or enjoyment or simply some information you didn’t have before. This is the start, the very first day, of a vision we have for what bike media, and outdoor media more broadly, can be. It’s a vision many of you have literally bought into and one we cannot wait to bring to life.
Make sure to checkout the site, bookmark it, and most certainly subscribe, because these are the good guys.
PS: None of this should be confused with the Australian cycling apparel brand Escape. (Wonder how this trademark situation will go?)
Seems like this took a little longer than it should have but legendary downhiller Shaun Palmer is now a member of the 2023 inductee class of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. He joins Brittain’s Rob Warner, Germany’s Diddie Schneider in the Class of 2023. The mountain bike world of 1995 never knew what hit them as Shaun jumped in out of nowhere and dominated the scene. Changing pretty much everything about the sport along the way.
Palmer, a world-renowned Hall of Fame snowboarder, scored a breakout performance just one year after getting into the sport. Aboard one of the most-prolific downhill bicycle frames of all time, the Intense M-1, he scored the silver medal at the 1996 UCI Downhill World Championships, missing gold by just 0.15 seconds. His immediate world-topping results captured the immediate attention, and intrigue, of the entire mountain bike community.
Not sure what he’s been up to lately, but it’s great to see him getting a little more credit for all the things he’s done in his multi-sport career.
We’ve never been fans of the big, clunky, clod-hoppers that most mountain bikers seem to enjoy riding it. They’re usually fugly as blackened sin. So that’s why we were surprised to see that Fox has done something rad with their new Union Clipless Shoes. The’ve created a sleek, smooth, attractive MTB shoe with BOA closures. And while they keep some of their flat pedal style, they’ve been streamlined for speed. No more laces tangled on the crank or chewed up in the chain ring. No more sloppy slippers that loosen up on the way down. They’re a little more expensive ($249.00), but damn, they look fine. Click the link for all the details.
Coming from someone who didn’t ride The Whole Enchilada “clean” on the way down, it is amazing to think it is even possible to ride it all the way up. But, Braydon Bringhurst apparently has done all 8,600 feet of climbing. And here’s 100 minutes of proof of the process. Cheers to those who still like pedaling their bikes!
No one wants dirty discs. And Muc-Off has just announced the perfect solution: Muc-Off’s Disc Brake Cleaner.
The unique formula breaks down unwanted particles which can compromise braking performance. It has added conditioners that rehydrate the disc brake pad to dramatically reduce brake squeal and prolong the disc brake life, leaving discs and other braking componentry clean and contaminant free.
Garmin’s big daddy, top-of-the-line cycling computer just got a solar update with the new Edge 1040 Solar.
Harnessing the power of the sun, the Edge 1040 Solar features a Power Glass™ solar charging lens, giving cyclists even more ride time between charges–up to 100 hours in battery saver mode –while multi-band GNSS technology provides more accurate GPS positioning in challenging ride environments, such as dense urban areas or under deep tree cover.
The Edge 1040 Solar is big and expensive. It retails for $749.99. This makes it a bike computer for people who really love big cycling computers. We’re still happy with our Edge 500 and a phone in our back pocket, but if you don’t mind the size and paying as much for a bike computer as you’d spend on an iPhone then the 1040 Solar might be right for you. For all the details click here, or follow the jump.
Our favorite designer, the world famous teller of stories, layer downer of thick lines, and all-around epic human Aaron Draplin continues his partnership with Smith Optics with the addition of a cycling helmet collaboration. Same great Smith helmets, but with a head full of DDC flavor. Click the link to check out the collection.
The Summer Series is where it all started and to this event continues to be the staple of the Quick n’ Dirty vibe. You can expect a fun, fast, and challenging series of races that keeps you tuned up, doesn’t break your wallet, and in most cases, gets you home in time for dinner. However, we will have food vendors on site if you want to kick back, relax, and grab a bite to eat at the race.
You’ve got five more chances to race. Click the links below to sign up!
Race Day Schedule:
Registration opens at 4:00pm
Kids race starts at 5:00pm
Race starts at 6:00pm
WHERE:
Lake Hodges Boat Ramp
20175 Lake Drive, Escondido, CA GOOGLE MAPS
This address takes you to the gate of the parking lot. Proceed through the gate and follow the road to the boat ramp parking lot. For additional details please click the link!
