In case you didn’t hear it yet, Floyd Landis admits to the Wall Street Journal that he took performance enhancing drugs beginning in 2002. CNN.com has a good article, as does the WSJ (subscription may be required).

Not content to simply clear his own conscience, Landis accuses Lance Armstrong and other current cyclists of doping as well. Landis says he spent up to $90K a year on drugs and has used up the entire $1M plus that he raised for his defense against doping allegations following his Tour de France victory. Of course Floyd says on that particular occasion he actually wasn’t using testosterone (though he had in the past) but why would you believe a doper?

I guess that whole Floyd vs. Lance showdown at the Leadville 100 is finally off the table once and for all.

Smith & Wesson Tactical Police Bike (photo courtesy policebikestore.com)

Drug dealers in Watford, Hertfordshire (UK) are offering 150 British Pounds to anyone who trashes police officer Mark Pearce’s mountain bike. Apparently Pearce and his bike are pretty effective at fighting crime and the local gangs want to put a stop to the dynamic duo. Although the short article I read didn’t offer a lot of details, it does say the bike is equipped with “surveillance equipment, a camera, radio and siren.”

This certainly isn’t the first time we’ve heard about the effectiveness of police on mountain bikes but it is the first bounty we’ve heard on a bike. Other law enforcement agencies are also employing decoy bikes rigged with GPS transmitters to foil would be bike thieves so clearly the bad guys need to look out.

At the IMBA World Summit last week we learned about the effects of urban MTB trail networks in the bad parts of town and apparently the criminals and junkies aren’t into mountain biking. The I-5 Collonade bike park in Seattle forced junkies to find other places to get high while Ray’s Indoor MTB Park brings a whole new crowd to a previously abandoned warehouse district. No wonder thugs feel like mountain bikes are threatening their livelihood.

Portal Trail photo by dauw.

Bad news out of Hartford, CT: A mountain biker who was injured at the West Hartford Reservoir (managed by the Metropolitan District Commission) sued and won $2.9 million from a jury. Maribeth Blonski, who once hosted a mountain biking television show on a local access channel, was injured when she clipped a steel gate installed to keep vehicles out of the area. Blonski broke four vertebrae in her neck, though the long term implications of her injury are not mentioned in the article I read. The jury did find, however, that Blonski was (only) partially responsible for her injuries.

As mountain bikers we all need to take personal responsibility whenever we ride because when landowners get sued, they close trails to bikes. For every landowner who loses a lawsuit like this, there are easily a dozen or more who get scared and close their trails just to be safe.

Every time we saddle up we make a choice and sometimes that choice can have unforeseen consequences. Mountain biking is a dangerous sport (that’s part of what makes it fun) and just like everything else, there are risks involved. If something seems unsafe to you (like a metal gate), get off your bike and walk around it or even better, get back in your car and go home. Don’t risk hurting yourself and ruining a good thing for everyone else.

photo courtesy Race Across the Sky.

Leadville 100 Trail race organizers work hard to protect the integrity of their unique and challenging mountain bike race each year so the latest news shouldn’t be too surprising. According to Sky Hi Daily News, 36-year-old Wendy Lyall competed in the 2009 race using 40-year-old Katie Brazelton’s official race number and ended up “winning” second in the 40 to 49 year-old women’s division. Now both women face a class 6 felony for criminal impersonation.

Brazelton wasn’t able to compete in the race so rather than lose her $250 entry fee (numbers are not refundable or transferable), she offered the number to Lyall. Race organizers received an anonymous tip recently which led to the investigation and since then the women have returned the belt buckle and second place prizes.

Of course these women probably aren’t the only ones who raced Leadville last year using a borrowed race number. Race directors argue this is a safety issue (emergency contact and medical info may be associated with race ids) and clearly it can also affect race results. In any event, this case will certainly make others think twice about transferring race numbers in the future, especially as race numbers become more difficult to obtain (think scalpers).

photo courtesy hansrey.com.

This morning at the IMBA Summit, Mr. No Way himself, Hans Rey, gave a great talk about where he’s been and what he’s been up to lately. Hans brought some amazing photos to share including shots from many first rides and first descents around the world from Egypt to Machu Pichu to China and beyond. In the mountaineering and climbing worlds, first descents are a hot topic and it was cool to imagine taking a mountain bike to places that have never seen knobby tires. Of course IMBA’s official stance is that unless bikes are expressly allowed in an area, the area should be considered off limits to biking which sorta puts a harsh on first descent bagging.

Hans also talked about a new trail designation he’s pushing for adoption in the MTB world: Flow Country trails. If you’re a mountain biker you already know what flow is and the “country” part is a nod to cross-country riding. Anyway, the idea is to certify “flow country” trails that are appropriate for all skill levels and even all riding styles (FR, DH, XC, etc.). Hans showed a video of the first flow country trail in Livigno, Italy and it’s best described as flowing and fast, with bermed turns and small jumps for getting air. Here’s the official flow country description from Hans Rey’s website:

Flow Country trails are flowy, purpose-built singletrails for mountain bikers of any skill level or for any kind of mountain bike, no matter whether beginner or expert or on a hardtail XC or downhill bike; and especially for the ever growing section of All Mountain/ Enduro riders. This mountain bike specific trail will provide a common playground for both worlds of riders, the endurance driven riders and the Freeriders. The tracks shall neither be extreme, nor too steep or dangerous, small berms and rollers shall provide the addicting rollercoaster feeling and sensation.

Although we didn’t get all the details this morning, I’d venture to say some of the loops at FATS here in Augusta might qualify (we’ll see what Hans has to say after he rides there this afternoon). I got a chance to sample the Big Rock loop there yesterday afternoon and flow country seems to be a pretty good way to describe it.

We’re stoked to see the movement toward uniting all types of mountain bikers with a single trail type that everyone can enjoy instead of fragmenting the sport further. As IMBA gets behind the flow country idea, look for designated trails around the US and the world.

Kona is sponsoring their 3rd Annual Shoot the Ride Photo contest and they’re giving away $700 in Kona store credits to the top 3 photogs! The contest is pretty simple: email your “tightly edited photo” to photos@konaworld.com and in May they’ll announce the winners. Clearly the shotgun approach to MTB photography won’t work here – pick your shots like a sniper for a serious chance at winning. Get the contest deets here.

If you’re thinking about competing in a 24 hour mountain bike race this year, you might be surprised to find how limited your options are. With two of the biggest promoters of 24 hour races, Granny Gear and 24 Hours of Adrenaline, scaling back in 2010, many long running races just aren’t happening this year. We were curious to find out why this is happening and based on our research, here are some possible factors.

1. The bad economy has dried up demand for 24 hour mountain bike races. According to the folks at Granny Gear, sponsorships were hard to come by this year despite climbing expenses from last year’s races (read this letter from the race director at Granny Gear). This could be because bike companies are shifting their promotional dollars to online marketing efforts and sponsorships and away from big events – but we just don’t know.

At the other end of the equation, racers are feeling the pinch as well and paying $100-200 for a race is tough to swallow in this economy. Some participants in last year’s 24 Hours of Nine Mile blame steep price increases for low attendance so clearly something has to give. I’m no economist but it would seem the cost of hosting 24 hour races is on the rise – otherwise someone would be getting rich…

2. Environmental concerns are shutting 24 hour races out. We actually have very little to back up this claim but this could play into the cost increases mentioned in #1. Allowing hundreds (if not thousands) of riders to ride a 10-12 mile loop for 24 hours straight is pretty much a trail maintenance nightmare. Many races happen rain or shine and organizers are often on the hook for returning the trail back to its original condition afterward. Trash clean-up is the easy part – get out your McCloud!

3. The logistics are just too difficult for volunteers to handle. Here’s a note from the Montezuma’s Revenge race directors, a race that was held for 21 years before bowing out in 2008:

It is with great regret that we are further postponing this event until further notice. Due to some unfortunate staffing issues along with numerous logistical roadblocks we have decided to hold off on the 22nd annual event.

Since there’s no money in hosting 24 hour mountain bike races, volunteers are forced to take the reigns which can be a BIG job, even for folks with experience. The burnout rate for volunteer race directors isn’t surprising since organizing a single race can quickly become a full time gig.

4. Longer format, individual pursuits are becoming more popular. One bit of irony may be that 24 hour racing just isn’t extreme enough anymore. The film 24 Solo showed the world that riders like Chris Eatough and Tinker Juarez could complete a 24 hour bike race by themselves and weekend warriors started looking for the same kind of personal endurance test.

Of course we aren’t all racing 24 hours solo but more and more individuals are tackling 6 and 12 hour races on their own. Dirty centuries like the Leadville 100 are becoming the sport’s “marathon” where individuals can test their limits. Since 24 hour races are often team affairs they may have lost their allure for some riders which is kinda sad.

We’ve also noted a bit of an uptick in MTB stage racing over the past year or two. Stage races allow riders to experience diverse terrain and are often raced on an individual, rather than team, basis. These races may address some of the environmental concerns yet still include many of the social aspects of 24 hour racing (you know, beer at the campground at night).

Going forward

The good news for now is that 24 hour mountain bike racing isn’t dead! We counted at least six 24 hour races in the US on our MTB race calendar and even a 25 hour (daylight savings baby!). Most of this year’s canceled races promise to be back next year and for that we’re crossing our fingers…

One final note: 24 hour racing seems to remain strong in places outside the US including Canada, Europe, and Australia (where the 24 Solo World Championships are being held this year). This could point to a cultural factor causing the decline here in the states (see #4).

Tignes resort in France is teaming up with CANYON brand to offer free lift access to 100Km of mountain bike trails this summer – gratis. Admittedly I wasn’t familiar with Tignes but after watching a short video on the website I’m sold! Sick downhill lines PLUS they’ve even marked uphill tracks for XC masochists.

Poking around a bit I have to say the Tignes website offers some of the most detailed resort trail info I’ve seen. With descriptions and difficulty ratings for each run plus maps & videos, you can pretty much pre-ride the place without leaving the comfort of your easy chair. Why not book a trip to France this summer to watch le Tour and get in a few days of (free) riding at Tignes?

Three interesting items from around the MTB world this week:

The Unnamed Epic coming to hills of Wisconsin

photo by akutny.

Chicagoans are bummed the Olympics won’t be coming in 2016, especially after all the hard work that went into the bid. Organizers proposed an MTB venue in Blue Mounds, WI which got a lot of people excited to ride so race promoters are taking advantage with the “Unnamed Epic” race. The event will start in Mineral Springs, WI and will travel 75 miles over singletrack, snowmobile trails, and roads to end at Blue Mound State Park, the highest point in Wisconsin. Total climb: more than 5,280 feet. The race will be capped at a total of about 800 riders so get your entry in now to guarantee a spot!

Register Your Mountain Bike Online – For Free

I’m not sure how new this concept is but MyBikeNumber.com is a site where you can register your bike serial numbers in case of theft. You can even print out a unique QR barcode to stick to your bike to identify it with a mobile phone scanner.

The whole idea is cool but until people start using the site to check on used bikes they’re thinking of buying there won’t be many recoveries. But we see the potential for something much bigger – perhaps like a “CarFax” for bikes. If shops start scanning bike #s everytime they work on a rig this could become mega-useful. Instead of just checking to see if a bike is hot you could also see if it’s had any major frame damage or if Lance Armstrong actually rode it in the TDF like the guy who sold it to you said. Then again, some may see this as a little too “big brother” so who knows…

Trips for Kids Collecting and Selling Used Bikes at Sea Otter

One of Trips for Kids’ main fundraising activities is operating a bike “thrift store” in San Rafael, CA and they’re bringing to concept to Sea Otter again this year. Many of the bikes and parts are donated from the bike industry so we’re not talking rusted out Huffy frames or moldy cycling shoes from the 80s. Definitely seems like a cool concept and we wish there were more places to buy reliable used mountain bikes without having to resort to Craigslist or eBay. One to start up in your area?

photo courtesy sealchallenge.navy.mil.

A Gallup poll commissioned by the US Navy found that mountain bikers (and other “alternative” sports enthusiasts) were more likely to survive the intense training required to become a SEAL. This report comes as the Navy is seeking to shore up the SEAL ranks which traditionally has a 67% training drop-out rate. Other sports participants the SEALs will target include snow boarders, rock climbers, and martial artists.

Clearly mountain biking is a sport that requires both physical and mental endurance and tends to attract the sort of adrenaline junkies the Navy SEALs are looking for. The training is intense but so is completing a dirty century or sessioning a 10-foot drop over and over until you get a clean landing. On top of that, most mountain bikers learn a thing or two about maintaining and repairing critical equipment in the field.

The study also found the best candidates come from the northeast, northern plains, and west coast of the US so don’t be surprised if you see a Navy booth set up at your local MTB race. Makes me feel proud to be a mountain biker!

photo via blessingofthebikes.com.

Here’s something you may not have seen before: a church service dedicated to bike riders. The 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes will take place at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in NYC on April 10, 2010 at 9:30am.

During the service a priest sprinkles bikes with Holy Water and there’s a moment of silence for cyclists who have passed away during the previous year. The whole event is very low key and is suited for people of all faiths (or even none at all). Here’s what the organizer has to say:

The interesting thing to me about The Blessing of the Bikes is that some people take it very seriously, some think it’s all a big joke, and some are deeply offended. No mater which of those opinions works best for you… good on you!

Mountain biking (and cycling in general) can be dangerous and many riders no doubt take comfort in blessing their bikes for the upcoming season. A quick search brings up mentions of similar services in New Hampshire and Michigan so check with your local bike shop to see if there’s a service near you!

Several people emailed this story to me on Wednesday and to be honest I was fairly ho-hum about it initially. I mean, Google Maps have included public transit and even walking directions for a while now so the bike stuff isn’t all that surprising. Commuting maps that take into account traffic flow, shoulder width, hills, etc. already exist in printed form so it’s about time they’re available in a digital, route-able format.

But this blog isn’t about commuting or road riding – it’s about mountain biking. After digging into the Google Biking Map of San Francisco I noticed something surprising: mountain bike trails. For example, this map (shown above) shows what appears to be singletrack in and around Glen Canyon Park.

I read a little more about the map data and found out that Google has also coded 12,000 miles of “bike trails” from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Of course many rail trails are either paved or are, at the very least, wide, flat paths but still, this is better than riding the road.

But don’t get too excited about off-street bike routes. Here’s what a Google spokesperson said after a New York reporter found himself routed onto Central Park paths where bikes are off limits:

The parks are one of the things we need to work on. We don’t have great data for them.

Map coverage is certainly limited at the moment and a quick check of my area shows some pretty questionable road choices – and no trails. Google Bike Maps may also be of limited to use to mountain bikers for another reason:

Many cyclists will tell you that going downhill is annoying for a different reason: you may have to ride your brakes all the way down. All else equal, we try to avoid routes that require a lot of braking.

Ahem, downhill is annoying? Clearly we disagree and our bike trail maps (covering almost 10,000 miles of trails) will continue to include the good stuff . Watch the video with more info about Google’s bike mapping project.