In less than 10 days element22 and trek7k are hitting the Las Vegas strip for Interbike 2009 and we’re bringing everyone along for the ride! Well, not literally, but we will be posting tons of reviews, pics, videos, and info daily September 21-24 to keep you in the loop on the latest MTB stuff.

On Monday and Tuesday we’ll be hitting the trails at Bootleg Canyon for the Outdoor Demo portion of the show where we’ll test ride as many mountain bikes as we can. Then on Wednesday and Thursday we’ll be meeting with company reps to find out about the newest stuff and from the previews we’ve seen so far there will be a lot to talk about!

So… if there’s a new product you want to hear more about, let us know right here and we’ll see what we can find out. And no, you can’t stow away in our luggage

IMBA’s annual “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day” (TAKMBD) is set for October 3, 2009 and if you register your event with IMBA before September 15 they’ll send you a goody box with race plates, stickers, and Clif Bars for kids. This year IMBA has set up an online map showing locations of organized TAKMBD events around the world - check it out and see if there’s an event near you!

I didn’t realize this but TAKMBD was actually started to honor a teenage mountain biker who passed away in 2002. Here’s the scoop from IMBA:

IMBA’s International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day celebrates the life of Jack Doub, an avid teenage mountain biker from North Carolina who had a true passion for the sport from an early age but passed away in 2002. Funding is provided by the Jack Doub Memorial Endowment. The event takes place each year on the first Saturday in October.

TAKMBD should not be confused with Trips for Kids, a non-profit organization that has been helping introduce disadvantaged kids to bicycling since 1988. Trips for Kids offers year round opportunities to help out, though trips are not necessarily MTB focused.

Help celebrate mountain biking October 3 while introducing the next generation to the sport!

This is part II of an article on prepping for a 24 hour mountain bike race (here’s part I in case you missed it). Whether you’re part of a team or riding solo, these tips will help you focus on the ride so you can enjoy your race!

PART I
Bike preparation
What to have on the bike
Riding clothes and accessories
What should be in that hydration pack

PART II
Base camp
Foods
Personal preparation

Base Camp

Your temporary home for the 24 hour race has to provide you and your team with a comfortable place to relax between stints on the course. Base camp should have all the food, shelter, and equipment  your team will need to finish the event no matter what the conditions. To be successful you need to bring more than you think you need and for some, this can make or break their event.

Get a tent that is larger than you would think you need - I tend to use a tent that will house 6 people. A good tent will keep everything inside dry so make sure you tent has adequate waterproofing and a solid base tarp to sit on. Don’t just lay your tent on the ground - set it on a tarp that will not allow water to seep in from below. Pitch your tent so that the winds of that day are not blowing into the door, but rather away from it. A sleeping bag and some kind of foam or air mattress is a must to ensure you stay well rested.

Another key item is a large cooler to hold all your food for the race. Bring a water container that can hold all your drinking water and keep it separate from any other sources of water that you would use (cleaning water, for example). I also recommend bringing a portable wood or gas stove; either way make sure you have enough fuel to warm up food and drinks during the race. For a gas stove you will probably need 3 to 4 small canisters of fuel - and don’t forget the matches!

A portable generator will allow you to power various items such as battery chargers, air pumps, and fixed lights for working on bikes at night. Some riders bring electric kettles which can be useful for quickly heating water for cooking or just coffee.

You will more than likely need to repair your bike at some point during a 24 hour race so tools are a must. This is where you will want to bring everything plus the kitchen sink. Imagine what the fellas bring during a NASCAR race and you’ll have an idea of what tools and spares you will need. When I do events like these, I bring spares of nearly everything. I typically bring a complete driveline with front derailleur, rear derailleur, chains pre cut to correct length, derailleur hangers, pre-cut cable sets, and a rear shifter pod. I also bring two extra sets of wheels with different tires - one aggressive set  for muddy conditions and another fast rolling set. Bring several extra spare tubes as well as replacement brake pads. For tools I bring my main bike tool box and bike stand. (see my previous post on bike tools).

Here is a list with options for your base camp:

• Tent bigger that you would think you need OR an RV (Ohh yeah!)
• Spare pegs and rope (just in case of high winds)
• Sleeping bag, pillow, and air mattress OR sleeping bunk in Winnebago
• Stove, grill, OR gas stove (foldable/ portable)
• Frying pan, 5L pot, sauce pan (not shown)
• Cooking utensils (big fork, cooking spoon, tongs. Don’t forget personal utensils: fork, spoon, knife)
• Fuel for stove or grill (not shown)
• First aid kit (make sure it includes polysporin, benadryl, afterbite, alcohol pads and antiseptic)
• Cooler - the larger the better or two smaller ones (one for fresh fruits and drinks, the other for meats and dairy)
• Food for your event (not shown)
• Drinks (not shown)
• Fresh water in collapsible 25L containers
• A tarp or two (not shown)

For tools and spares:

• 2 large plastic tote boxes ( clear see through labeled with contents)
• Tool box which must contain at least allen keys 2- 10mm, cable cutter, cone wrenches 12-19mm, hammer, spoke wrenches, phillips and slotted screw driver, chain whip, chain pin tool, bottom bracket tool (for your bike), pedal wrench, torque wrench and sockets, and shock pump
• Floor pump
• Repair stand
• 2 spare wheel sets (inflated and complete with tires, tube, and rear cassette). Have one pair set up for mud.
• 1 complete cable set (pre-cut and ready to install)
• Front and rear derailleur (cable stops already set)
• 2 rear derailleur hangers
• 2 or 3 sets of brake pads (use sintered pads, organics tend to wear out too quickly when wet)
• 4 tubes or more (I keep mine in a zip lock bag with baby powder)
• Lubricants and cleaners (chain lube, grease, WD-40, bike wash), brushes and picks (for getting the crud out)

Foods

Here you have to be smart because it’s too easy to pack junk high in sugars and empty carbs. Fortunately there are plenty of food choices to satisfy even the hungriest racers.

For quick eats you can portion food packages in advance that you can warm up or eat cold. If you’re into camp cooking, bring raw foods and cook them at your base camp. If you’re crazy enough to be on your own or have just a few people with you, camp cooking may not be the way to go. But even solo riders should bring fruits which are nature’s energy foods!

As far as specific food recommendations, think of foods that can be digested with relative ease and foods that will not offend your stomach. Also consider your meal timing. For example: eating fruits after another food may give you gas and an upset stomach. On the topic of fruits, below is a list of fruits that will help you during your event, but remember to eat these on an empty stomach or before other foods.

Good fruits to consider:

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. The kiwi’s vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C.

STRAWBERRY: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits. Plus they’re delicious and refreshing.

ORANGE: Sweetest medicine. Eating 2 to 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away and lower cholesterol.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost the immune system.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene which is good for your eyes and night vision.

As far as supplemental energy, find yourself an energy bar that is low in complex sugars and that you know isn’t disgusting. I found that Nature Harvest bars work great as well as Clif bars. Of course these bars work for me but you’ll want to experiment for yourself.  Trail mix is a good choice too - dried fruits and nuts plus chocolate (if you’re so inclined).

For base camp I tend to bring a stack of prepared burgers or simply chicken breasts that have been butterfly cut and marinated in a honey garlic sauce that will cook quickly over the grill. I also bring some prepared potato or pasta salad that will keep well in the cooler. For a nutritious cold dish I premix canned chickpeas, tuna, low fat sour cream, mayo, some crushed peanuts and spices, chopped onion, and a touch of hot sauce for flavor. This makes a delicious, high protein meal without any need for a stove! Fresh condiments such as tomato, lettuce and onions or some cheese work as well for your burgers and chicken. I also bring breakfast items like English muffins, eggs, bacon and cheese… sounds like a McMuffin but we’re talking home made here (hungry yet?). Warm food is a great pick-me-up when you’re waking up in the cold. It’s easy to make as well.

Personal Preparation

So now you have all your gear and base camp set up. You’ve gathered wood, set up the tent, and laid out a killer work space. But you’re outta breath already! Uh oh.

Preparing your body for a 24 hour race should take place well in advance (preferably before you set up base camp ). Before you sign up for a 24 hour race, consider how you’ll be racing. Will this be a corporate event where you’re riding 1 or 2 laps or are you going to be in a 4 person team where you will be expected to do more than 4 laps that day? Or are you crazy enough to do the entire event by yourself? Whatever you plan on doing, the first thing to find out is how long a lap is. Once you know the distance then you have a training target. From there you can build a training plan.

For the 24 Hour Summer Solstice I planned for a 4 man team. Each lap was 17Km or 12 Miles, and from previous results and looking at the score boards it usually took 48min for a lap. So seeing that 48 min is roughly 0.8 hours we can figure out how many laps will be done in 24 hours which comes out to 30. Now for the total distance you (or your team) will have to travel 360 miles. If you have a 4 man team that means each person will travel 90 miles each.

For training, I usually try to build up my rides to race distance +10%. So I end up making my rides 14 miles long and try and get in two or three laps a day at my local trails. I do that to slowly build up leg strength and endurance. There really is no substitute for putting miles on the trails.

Of course building the miles and endurance is important but you also need to build the machine (your body). Changing habits can really help here: getting extra rest and cutting out junk food may be tough but it’s part of training. The night before long rides, try to eat extra carbs (pasta!).

In terms of a specific training diet, you should really consult a professional before making big changes. Everyone is different and although I could tell you what I eat, our bodies will not react the same.

Give yourself at least 2 months of prep time to gradually increase your saddle time. An event like a 24 hour race isn’t an overnight success story - it takes time and lots of patience to get your heart, lungs, and legs up to par.

If your 24 hour goal is to have fun, take my advice on the equipment side of this article and you will be prepared and comfortable for the event. If you want to win, start training with your team now so you can dominate this fall!

Just a few months ago yours truly was invited to compete in the Summer Solstice 24 Hour up here in ON. Fun times for sure, provided you’re physically prepared and have all the necessary equipment. One thing to remember in events like these is even if you think you don’t need something, you do. I am going to break this article up into two parts, each with several sections containing checklists of items you’ll want to bring for a great race.

PART I
Bike preparation
What to have on the bike
Riding clothes and accessories
What should be in that hydration pack

PART II
Base camp
Foods
Personal preparation

Bike Preparation

The first thing to keep in mind in an event like a 24 hour race is, unlike a regular ride, you will have to contend with anything mother nature tosses at you. Fortunately, if your bike has been prepared properly it shouldn’t be that bad. If the weather reports say it’s going to rain, you’ll be riding in mud - lots of mud to be exact. Once again it’s not like going out for a regular ride - those trails will very quickly be turned into slop.

You can eliminate a few worries by having your drive train bomb-proofed. How do you do that? For one thing, lubricate your components before the event using a lube that is slightly thicker than you would normally use. I tend to use a waxy oil - it clings a bit better and doesn’t wash out as quickly.

I also like to switch out my hollow pin chain for a more durable chain (such as the PC-971 from SRAM). I really like SRAM chains because of the Powerlink which provides a means to remove the chain on the trail without any tools. The Powerlink also makes removing the chain quick and easy so you can soak it in lubricant between laps.

To keep your drive train operating smoothly, it’s also a good idea to protect your cables from grime. I use the Gore Ride-on cable system which is sealed from shifter pod to the derailleur, keeping all the grime and water out of the cable itself. The last thing you want during a 24 hour race is a shifting jam so bad that you stop using your shifter altogether.

Choosing the right tires for race day course conditions can give you a big leg up on the competition. If it’s a dry day, a faster rolling tire is a good choice while a tire with a bit more tread is better for soft dirt. If you’re planning on riding in the rain you’ll need a mud tire. If you have a course with tons of fast switchbacks and turns, a tire with good transition knobs would be wise. On the topic of tires, if you have a spare wheel set it’s smart to set it up with a different type of tire so you can react to changing conditions.

To truly bomb-proof your bike, have it tuned up just before the race. You can follow one of my previous posts on servicing your bike to give you a good idea about what to check. For those who don’t have time to dig through the archives, start at the front of the bike checking wheel bearing smoothness/ looseness, brake operation, and the amount of brake pad life remaining (you may want to just put a new set of pads). On the topic of pads, if it’s going to rain, toss a set of sintered pads on your bike - organic pads will not last at all. Torque the handlebars and brake levers. Lube the shifter pods and torque all the bolts down on the front end (stem bolts, brake bolts, and rotor bolts) . If you have a FS bike, check the operation of all the bearings and pivots. Reset the pressure on your rear shock, checking for leaks using soapy water all around. Also check the front derailleur, cable clamp, and derailleur clamp bolts for proper torque. Test your rear brake action, torque, and pad life (replace as necessary). Check rear wheel bearings and cassette. Finally, examine the rear derailleur condition and movement.

In a 24 hour race you are going to ride at night so you need a good quality lighting system or two. I use the Princeton Tec Switchback 3 along with a few other systems as back up. You may want to consider having two systems with you - one on the bike and the other on the helmet. Make sure your systems are functioning and fully charged for the event. Bring a spare battery if you can or at least plan a way to charge your battery when you’re not riding (car charger or a generator).

Bike Prep Checklist:

• Get a tune up including nut and bolt check and new brake pads and chain
• Bring an extra set of tires or wheels for different weather conditions
• Pack spare parts (cables, derailleur hanger, nuts and bolts, chain, tubes, chainring and bolts)
• Get a spare lighting system and batteries tested and ready to go
• Consider a tail light as well (some races require one)

What to have on the Bike

Once your bike is prepped there are a few things you need to have on that bike during your race. The most important thing that should be on the bike is your timing chip (dongle or lap counting device). If that’s not on your bike, your laps won’t be registered! Also, don’t forget your number plate. Make sure the plate does not impede your cables or your steering. Bring a spare tube and an water bottle if you need it. Just remember that there will be mud flung onto everything!

Your Personal Riding Gear

Choosing the right clothing for a 24 hour race can be a daunting task. To be successful on the course, you need to stay as dry as possible. That means you need a few changes of clothing. Have at least 3 sets of shorts and jerseys - trust me, you’ll go through all of them. Bring clothing that will work with you during the evening portions of the race. Remember in some states and provinces there will be a big difference in temperatures in the evenings compared to the day time. Bring at least one windproof jacket and a pair of pants to keep warm during those hours.

Clothing checklist:

• Helmet (and optional back-up)
• 5 or 6 sets of socks
• 4 jerseys
• 4 shorts
• 2 sets of gloves
• 1 rain jacket and pants (wind proof and water repellent - consider Gore wind stopper products or Paclite)
• Casual wear and warm clothing for when you’re off the bike
• A 2L hydration pack which can also hold snacks for your lap (nothing too large - a simple pack like the Camelbak Octane XC will work)

What should be in that Hydration Pack

For those who choose to use a hydration pack during the race, try get one that will just hold the essentials. Remember you’re only going out for about 12 miles (17km) at a time. All you need for a lap is your water, nutrition and emergency items for fixing a flat tire (forget these and you’re running the rest of the way). For tire problems you’ll need a tube, inflator, and tire irons. You may also want to pack a simple multitool just in case something comes loose or needs tweaking due to mud buildup.

For on-trail nutrition, carry items that are easy to eat and digest - experiment with this one before your event. Get your electrolites and carbs from a gel like Hammer Gel or a sports drink in your hydration pack. You can also carry fruit like bananas (consume these items first) or nutrition bars. Just remember with any food item, especially nutrition bars, consume with plenty of water. For best performance, try to eat before you’re hungry and drink before you’re thirsty (just a tip).

In your Hydration pack (if you use one):

• Hydration pack with enough water for one lap
• Food items for one lap
• Inflator, tube, and tire irons
• A multitool
• Spare chain links

Tomorrow I’ll be posting Part II of this article, including tips on how to set up your base camp, food to bring, and the tools you’ll want to have for more serious race repairs.

A few mountain bike items to take a look at today:

Mountain biking 101: How to get women into the sport. Diane Ursu posted a good article over on Examiner.com with tips for introducing women to the sport of mountain biking. Aside from the obvious stuff (get a comfortable bike, the right clothes, etc.) Ursu also says “don’t give her pointers unless she asks, at least for the first ride” and “let her lead.” Most articles I read about getting women into mountain biking are written by men so they usually skip these points Give the article a skim if you’re thinking of introducing your significant other to mountain biking this fall.

3 cool MTB events in Atlanta this weekend. I already posted about this in the forums but here’s a quick recap: SORBA Atlanta ride @ Panola Mtn. State Park Saturday; GA Tech sponsored collegiate MTB race at GA Int’l Horse Park Saturday & Sunday; and ribbon cutting / grand opening for new bike trails at Burruss Park in Marietta on Sunday. I’ll definitely attend at least one of these events - that is, if it doesn’t rain!

Mountain Hardwear giving away a pack-a-day through September 17. Man, August and September must be the months of free outdoor gear! Not only can you score a VHoldR HD helmet cam or Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, you can also register to win a sweet pack from Mountain Hardwear (giveaway pack changes every day). The cool thing about this promo is that you’ll find out if you’re today’s winner as soon as you submit the entry form and you can enter every day the contest runs (I didn’t win today so that means you still have a chance!). Most of the giveaway packs are hydration bladder compatible and should be great choices for epic slogs through remote terrain.

Lance Armstrong got his revenge at the Leadville Trail 100 today and set a new course record for the mountain bike race, finishing in a time of 6:28:50 (almost 20 minutes faster than last year). He rolled into the finish line with a flat tire and went right to his trailer without stopping to talk to the press so it’s hard to know how he felt at the end. Word is that he rode on that flat tire for the last 15 miles of the race! Whatsamatter Lance, you don’t know how to fix a flat mountain bike tire yourself?

Six-time winner and local favorite Dave Weins took second and finished the race about 20-30 minutes behind Lance. As he crossed the finish line the woman on the live webcast asked him “What slowed you down this year?” right off the bat and Weins looked a little insulted at the question (can you blame him?). He basically said he thought he did a pretty good job and that he gave it his all against the 7-time Tour de France champion.

Tinker Juarez had a mechanical issue early in the race (a broken seatpost clamp?) that forced him to exit the course.

Judging by the crowds in the webcast it looks like this was the largest turnout for the Leadville Trail 100 to date. According to race organizers more than 1,000 riders representing 47 states and 8 countries toed the start line this morning. After watching the webcast I think I need to start training for next year’s race right now

If you’re not heading up to Buffalo Creek for the IMBA trail work party tomorrow you definitely need to get to Leadville for the big race. I’m pretty pumped after reading CogandChain.com’s run down of the competitors and the stakes in tomorrow’s race. Lance may not have won in France but he certainly has a good chance in Leadville tomorrow!

Over at leadville100.com they’re offering a live webstream of the race for less than six bucks. If you can’t sit in front of the computer all day tomorrow you can pick up a DVD after the race instead for $20.

Send us a shout if you go to the race so we can share your pics on Monday!

A little while back I wrote a review on Mavic’s Crossline wheel set which was and still is a great set of wheels. But I recently got a chance to ride with the Crossline’s big brother, the Mavic Crossmax SX, and the experience left me impressed. Now don’t think the big brother is larger or heavier than its sibling; in fact the Crossmax SX set weighs 300 grams less!

The 2009 Crossmax SX wheel set has a completely redesigned rear hub that drops 165 grams of weight and makes use of the same ITS-4 (instant transfer system 4) pawl cassette engagement found in the Crossline set. This means that 2 pawls are in engagement at all times and each pawl is separately sprung. The hubs’ look has also been updated and sport a white finish which fits nicely with the awesome white graphics on the rims.

Mavic has always been known for great looking, high performance wheels and this year they’re keeping the pedal to the metal. The 2009 Crossmax SX wheels sport a new gray anodized finish and fresh white graphics - but don’t think these rims are all style without any substance. After the rim is shot peened it is put through a chemical anodization process which adds a very tough micro hardness exterior layer to increase the life and durability of the wheel. While forming and shaping the rim, Mavic welds and machines everything flat in a process called SUP for extra precision. Mavic is also able to save weight through their inter spoke milling process using a CNC machine to remove excess material between each spoke.

The Crossmax SX wheels roll with 24 straight pull Zicral spokes (aluminum) compared to 28 steel spokes on the Crosslines. The front axle is available in a 20mm configuration only while the rear can either be a 12×135 through axle  or 9×135 QR. The Mavic Crossmax SX wheels seem to fit best on bikes with 140 - 160mm travel and tires that are 2.3 - 2.5″ wide.

Mavic Crossmax SX wheels are UST meaning they can used with tubeless tires. Looking at the inside of the rim there are no protruding spoke holes and therefore nowhere for air to leak. The rim also has a drop center that provides a small channel for air to inflate a UST tire and force the tire over safety ridges to hold the air-tight beads in place. Mavic even created a special manufacturing process called FORE to fit the special Mavic M7 spoke nipple which makes the wheel much stiffer and more fatigue resistant.

It took me very little time to get the Mavic Crossmax SX wheels up and running. Seeing that these are tubeless I grabbed a set of  tires that I happened to have around and got to work. Installing a UST tire is pretty much the same as a tubed tire, just use soapy water and wet the sidewalls of the tire before inflating (it really helps popping the tire is place with less pressure).

On the trails I really felt the difference the wheels made right away, especially when comparing the Crossmax SX running UST tires vs. Crossline wheels with tubes. Right off the bat I lost a total of  630grams (or  1.38 pounds) of rotational mass after making the switch. The coolest part: there is zero strength lost and the Crossmax SX wheels feel super stiff. That stiffness gives the rider greater freedom to change lines more quickly and with less effort while tracking oh so well in tight berms. I had an awesome time on the trails smashing my way down slopes with a much greater degree of control and freedom than I had before.

These wheels are also incredibly efficient in acceleration. Remember these are not DH wheels and they’re not meant for very big hits or fast descents through rock gardens. But after a good thrashing I must say these wheels held up great, though I did have to use the M7 truing key (supplied with the wheels) to take out a small wow on the rim after encountering a rather large log. Speaking of tools, Mavic supplies you with everything you need to service these wheels including an M7 truing key, 12 and 9mm frame supports, rear QR, and a bearing adjustment tool. They even toss in the UST valves if that’s the way you want to go.

At $899.00 USD ($1340.00 CDN) these are not cheap wheels but if look carefully you may find them for a lower price. Ultimately these wheels are worth a few extra bucks because they hold up to abuse and won’t hassle you with any worries or problems on the trail.

Cheers.

A quick thanks to the folks at OGC for the Mavic wheels and of course Opus for a stable and reliable bike to do my testing with.

Photo from shiftwatch.blogspot.com.

You know how Corvette owners like to get together with other Corvette owners to fawn over each others’ cars? Or how Harley Davidson riders hang out with other Harley riders? Well, it turns out mountain bikers are starting to do the same thing along brand lines - something that wasn’t really feasible before the internet. Forget freeride and downhill groups - in 2009 it’s Trek Fuel 8 EX and Specialized Stumpjumper FS owner groups.

Here’s a perfect example: Ellsworth is sponsoring the First Annual Pacific Northwest Owners Tour next month outside Bend, OR for - you guessed it - Ellsworth owners. The tour is actually organized by Cog Wild Bicycle Tours (coincidental Harley reference?) and anyone is welcome to attend but Ellsworth owners save $300 off the price of the weekend. Beer, bikes, and bivouacking under the stars - it doesn’t get any better than that!

If you’re a Specialized Epic owner you may have seen proedgebiker’s relentless posts about the Epic owners group he created over on the Facebook. Last I heard there were about 200 members in the group - I don’t know for sure since I can’t even join the group as a non-Epic rider Group members can share photos of their bikes, swap stories and tips, and connect with other “elite” Epic owners.

I haven’t heard of any brand / model owner group rides in my area yet but it certainly wouldn’t be hard to organize. In fact, local bike shops would probably love to help you organize a meet up with other area owners. Gary Fisher owners, for example, could show off the evolution of GF mountain bikes over the years while Trek owners chould showcase the wide range of Trek bikes from hardtails to FS to cyclocross bikes. And just think how cool it would be to see a group of a dozen riders on the same bike whiz by you on the trail!

If you do end up organizing a MTB brand / model rally, send us a shout and some pics - we’ll try to help you spread the word!

While all eyes will be on Lance Armstrong and his comeback at this year’s Tour de France, the man himself seems to have something bigger on his mind: winning the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. In a Velonews interview talking about the Tour de France, Lance had this to say:

This is all a build up for Leadville. Honestly. Levi’s coming to Leadville. Levi (Leipheimer) talks more shit about Leadville than he does about the Tour. I’m like dude, you better step off me when it comes to Leadville. We gotta worry about Weins. I hear Weins is killing himself.

Of course “Weins” is Dave Weins, six time winner and course record holder for the Leadville 100 MTB race. You can watch the Lance Armstrong interview here for yourself and decide just how sarcastic he’s being (you’ll need to fast foward through some boring road racing news to hear it). In any event, from what I understand Lance will be racing at Leadville which is just a few weeks after the Tour ends - a grueling schedule for sure, even for a super athlete!

As we head into the weekend there are a few cool things happening:

Chicago is gunning to host the Olympic Games in 2016 but one problem: Chicagoland is flat as a pancake. Case in point: The original road cycling course was rejected because it was just too easy. Instead, word is the mountain biking event would be held in Blue Mounds, WI near Madison. The Trek company has to be salivating over the prospects…

Downhillers, looking for a free ride to the top? Check out Brundage Mountain Resort in Idaho where they’re offering free lift rides all day on July 2 as part of the summer season opening. The mountain boasts a 4-person high speed lift to the top of the 7,640 foot-summit which I’m sure beats pedaling all the way up Free is a heck of a value too considering that a regular daily pass is $25 (though that’s still a heck of a bargain).

Did you know the National MTB Championships are being held in Colorado for the first time EVER? It’s hard to believe but it’s true. You can catch the action July 16-19 at SolVista Basin Resort which is not too far from Winter Park. While SolVista is one of Colorado’s lesser known resorts, the Granby Mountain Bike Park located on site boasts 10 trails and a pump track. Get more info on the official site.

On June 12, 2009 the Tour Divide kicked off in Banff, Alberta (Canada) with an international field of 42 riders. The completely self-supported race from Banff to Antelope Wells, NM at the Mexican border is roughly 2,500 miles long, making it the world’s longest MTB race.

This year all the competitors are using Spot GPS devices, providing real time location updates to an online leaderboard (using software powered by none other than TopoFusion). At last check the front runners had entered the state of Colorado which is a bit over the halfway mark. Not bad for just 11 days on the trail Matthew Lee has a pretty good lead at the moment but anything can happen when you’re racing your mountain bike 2,500 miles!

So far competitors have encountered icy trails, wild animals, broken equipment, rain + hail - pretty much anything you can imagine and more. You can track competitors and read more updates on the TourDivide.org website.