Pivot’s new Mach 5.5 Carbon looks pretty nice. . . if you like 27.5 trail bikes.
The New Mach 5.5 Carbon builds on the legacy of our renowned Mach 5.7 Carbon as the quintessential trail bike. With 140mm of dw-link™ rear travel, it sticks to and claws up just about anything, with unparalleled pedaling efficiency. On descents, the Mach 5.5 Carbon’s incredible square edge bump performance and 160mm travel Fox 36 fork enables you to conquer terrain that makes other bikes cower. It’s a bike that inspires you to climb while looking forward to the descents and that begs you to push your limits while putting a smile on your face.
Boreal Mountain Resort, a.k.a Woodward Tahoe is getting a brand new lift-serviced mountain bike park.
The new bike park will feature flow lines that incorporate natural elements, wooden features and obstacles such as berms, wall rides and jumps. Trails and flow lines will vary in difficulty for beginner to advanced riders. “The goal in designing the Woodward Tahoe bike park is to create a fun and unique experience that represents Woodward’s commitment to innovative facilities,” commented Jake Kinney, mountain biking pro and action sports director at Woodward West in Tehachapi, California. “We want riders of all abilities and ages to enjoy the time they spend on their bike and feel confident with their riding.”
The park should be up and running by early July 2017. Sounds like a cool place to roll by this summer. For the official word from Woodward, please follow the jump.
In cycling many (if not most) of those racing every weekend have little understanding of the single most important piece of their cycling equipment: their hearts. Most don’t think twice until something goes wrong: a flutter in the chest, or a racing heart that just won’t slow down at the end of a ride. The truth is, heart issues like these happen far more often than any of us would like to admit. Especially, for those over 35 who are chasing the dream of winning their next masters race.
“This book is the most comprehensive guide to the subject of endurance sports and heart health. It is filled with sound, practical advice. But it isn’t meant to frighten you into becoming a full-time spectator. We present the information as it is known at this time. What you do with it is up to you, though we certainly encourage caution and thoughtfulness.”
It may not have been meant to frighten anyone, but after reading all the studies, data, and hard evidence provided in The Haywire Heart it’s difficult to look at a 250 mile training week with the same kind of rabid enthusiasm we once did. The authors list a series of research studies that show that far from being rare, heart rhythm issues actually increase with age, with increased training, and with improved fitness. Some even suggest that the fitter you are, the higher your chances are of suffering from some type of heart rhythm disorder.
The Haywire Heart is intensely readable, informative, and necessary reading for anyone who races bicycles. Seriously. Click the link and buy it now.
. . . and we mean a real live bear. . .as if you’d aren’t one of the 1.8 million people who have already watched this. Yes, there is a population of close to 1,000 wild brown bears in Slovakia. And safety is an issue.
Garmin’s smartlight system gets an urban/trail boost with the new Varia UT800. The new light has five modes and is visible during the day from one mile away. And when you run it with a new Edge cycling computer Garmin says it will “automatically adjust its beam intensity based on speed and changing light condition.”
“As leaders in cycling technology, we are excited to introduce the Varia UT800 to our line of innovative Varia cycling awareness products,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “With five different light modes, whether riding on the streets or the trail, the Varia UT800 smart headlight shines brighter for longer allowing cyclists to ride with greater confidence.”
We’ve ridden with an earlier version and it worked well. For the official word (and a photo) from Garmin, please follow the jump.
Southern California’s world famous Quick n Dirty twilight mountain bike race series is swapping things up for 2017. This year, the first race will be held June 1, 2017 at North County’s Lake Hodges Boat Ramp. Races will continue each Thursday night through June and then take a break for July then return again in August creating two separate blocks of racing. Here’s how it works:
We’ll compile points from each race and award a champion of the 1st and 2nd block of racing. You must race 3 of the 4 races in the block to qualify for the respective championship. . . For the Grand Champion, we’ll compile the points from each of the 2 racing blocks and give a way a snazzy Grand Champion jersey and special prizes to the overall winner in each category.
Come out this year because you never know who you’ll be racing with. It could be former World MTB Champ Ned Overand, AMA motocross hall of famer Johnny O’Mara, or even Bones Brigade skateboarding legend Steve Cabellero. For all the official details, click the link. If you already know and just want to register, click here.
We know what you’re thinking: hasn’t Patagonia been made sleeping bags for years? We thought that too, but in fact they haven’t. . . until now with the 800 Down Sleeping Bag.
“After years and years of making one-off sleeping bags for ourselves and people heading out on select trips, we wanted to share what we’ve learned with the greater outdoor community,” said Jenna Johnson, Patagonia’s sr. director, technical outdoor. “Our team built on a deep knowledge of insulation design and thought through every aspect of these sleeping bags, offering our customers a highly crafted, super functional bag option. Sleeping bags are such a crux part of our kit, and they become like a partner as we go out to explore and see new places. I’m very proud of our work and excited to offer these products to our customers.”
Nothing makes sleeping in your car more comfortable than a good mummy bag. For all the official details, please follow the jump.
It’s never too early to start planning for summer shred missions? Here’s a great reason to visit the historic Sun Valley, Idaho: seventh annual Ride Sun Valley Bike Festival June 29 – July 2, 2017.
Visitors can participate or spectate in one of the many fast-paced races—or kick-back, saddle up and enjoy the summertime recreational offerings of iconic Sun Valley, ID. The four-day festival is host to endurance, skill and learning based events centralized around all things cycling. Live music, bike clinics, demos, shuttle rides and the SCOTT Enduro Cup presented by Vittoria are waiting for you at this year’s eventful weekend, happening June 29 to July 2, 2017.
For 2017 Garmin and turned up their team sponsorship and now officially sponsors five world tour teams and four mountain biking teams. Which teams exactly? Here you go: Cannondale-Drapac Pro, Movistar, Astana Pro Team, FDJ Pro Team and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka. On the mountain bike side they’ve got Trek Factory Racing, CLIF Pro Team, CUBE Action Team, and Scott-SRAM.
“Garmin started sponsoring professional cycling teams nearly a decade ago, and we are excited to continue our commitment to the sport,” said Jon Cassat, Garmin vice president of communications. “As a leader in cycling technology, we are proud to provide the teams with top- of-the-line products – from GPS bike computers to cycling awareness accessories and multisport GPS watches – for training, racing and adventure in between.”
Garmin will be outfitting the teams with Edge cycling computers, Varia radar-equipped tail lights, plus Forerunner and Fenix GPS smartwatches all around. Kind of makes us want to get on a world pro team, you know, for the smart watches. . . right?
For the official word from Garmin, please follow the jump.
Pivot Cycles Factory Racing is pleased to announce the addition of Rupert Chapman to the team! Chapman, 24, from Christchurch, New Zealand, is no stranger to international competition – he has been racing downhill for 12 years, beginning as a young junior, and has multiple World Cup Seasons under his belt both in youth and pro competition. He is the current New Zealand National Downhill Champion and has numerous strong finishes on the professional circuit.
“I’m really pumped about representing Pivot Factory Racing in 2017 and beyond. I’ve always admired the bikes around the pits and now that I’ve finally started riding them, can say that they exceed my expectations.” said Chapman.
A true working-man’s athlete, Chapman has spent the last several years on construction sites in the off-season to pay for his international program. This will be his first season with full support. “Not having to slave away on the building site while trying to fit in training will be really good for my racing!” he said.
Chapman joins Bernard Kerr, 2017 Red Bull Hardline winner, and Emilie Siegenthaler, a regular visitor to the World Cup podium and 7-time Swiss National DH Champion, on the Pivot Factory Racing team. The first full outing as a team for 2017 will be at Crankworx Rotorura.
Boreal Mountain Resort, a.k.a Woodward Tahoe is getting a brand new lift-serviced mountain bike park.
In cycling many (if not most) of those racing every weekend have little understanding of the single most important piece of their cycling equipment: their hearts. Most don’t think twice until something goes wrong: a flutter in the chest, or a racing heart that just won’t slow down at the end of a ride. The truth is, heart issues like these happen far more often than any of us would like to admit. Especially, for those over 35 who are chasing the dream of winning their next masters race.
For 2017 Garmin and turned up their team sponsorship and now officially sponsors five world tour teams and four mountain biking teams. Which teams exactly? Here you go: Cannondale-Drapac Pro, Movistar, Astana Pro Team, FDJ Pro Team and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka. On the mountain bike side they’ve got Trek Factory Racing, CLIF Pro Team, CUBE Action Team, and Scott-SRAM.
Pivot Cycles Factory Racing is pleased to announce the addition of Rupert Chapman to the team! Chapman, 24, from Christchurch, New Zealand, is no stranger to international competition – he has been racing downhill for 12 years, beginning as a young junior, and has multiple World Cup Seasons under his belt both in youth and pro competition. He is the current New Zealand National Downhill Champion and has numerous strong finishes on the professional circuit.
