To say Klunkerz is “a film about mountain bikes” is a bit of an understatement, especially given that it’s racking up awards at film festivals all over the country (including “2009 Cycling Film of the Year” at the Endurance Sports Awards and the “Make Your Own Legends” award at the Boulder Adventure Film Festival). Klunkerz is THE film about mountain bikes and mountain biking, a visual history of the sport we’re all so addicted to and it really should be required viewing for anyone who calls themselves a mountain biker. I had the chance to watch the film this week for the first time and despite riding mountain bikes for the last 15 years, I still had a lot to learn…

The amazing thing about Klunkerz is the amount of footage director Billy Savage was able to dig up from the early days on Mount Tam (the birthplace of mountain biking). Consider this: the original group of guys (less than a dozen or so) were really just messing around on modified World War II era bikes on fireroads and trails in the early 1970s and had no idea they were launching a worldwide phenomenon - yet someone had the prescience to film their exploits! Savage puts the vintage film to good use and splices in commentary from the guys who were at the center of all the action - Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Otis Guy, and Charlie Kelly. Watching those guys fly down Mount Tam, kicking up dust and having a great time almost makes you feel like you were there.

Klunkerz also makes great use of photographs taken by Wende Cragg during the early days of mountain biking in Marin County, CA. Wende was a part of the first group that rode Mount Tam and as the first female mountain biker she has a pretty special place in history. Wende was also a photographer and we can thank her for documenting mountain bikers’ early exploits out on the trails. These days it’s fairly common for folks to take their tiny digital cameras out on the trail but Wende was way ahead of her time, lugging around her bullky SLR to get the great (and now historic) shots.

Watching Klunkerz made me realize how little I really know about mountain biking. For example, I always thought that downhill mountain biking was a relatively new development but it turns out guys were shuttling mountain bikes up to the top of Mount Tam and racing to the bottom in 1974 (the legendary Repack races). Mountain bikes were being produced in Asia fairly early on (Specialized started doing so around 1983) and by 1986 mountain bikes outsold road bikes in the US. And check this out: cyclocross was started WAY before mountain biking - yet no one thought to build or modify bikes for riding downhill.

Klunkerz also gives us wonderful insight into some of the trends we’re seeing in mountain biking today. From the film we see that some of the early mountain bikers like Gary Fisher were also pretty serious road riders but they made it a point to dress more casually on the trail than the road (jeans instead of spandex, work boots instead of flat shoes, etc.). In the late 1980s and 1990s mountain bikers started wearing road cycling clothes for the trail but today MTB fashions seem to be moving back to our roots (flanels, denim, baggy shorts & jerseys, etc.). The MTB pioneers interviewed for Klunkerz also say the original scene was very laid back and was just as much about socializing as it was about getting out and exploring the great outdoors - kinda like a cross between freeriding a ultra cross-country mountain biking.

If you’re a gear head you’ll also appreciate the detail director Savage includes about the evolution of early mountain bike hardware. From re-purposed Schwinn Excelsior bikes to custom built frames, mountain bikes quickly evolved from hack jobs to highly tuned machines and Klunkerz shows you what the early mountain bikes looked like and how they performed.

Klunkerz is one of those films you just have to see to get a full appreciation for where mountain biking has been and where it might be heading. If you’re not fortunate enough to make it out to a film festival screening you can purchase the DVD online from Amazon.com for under $23. An important addition to any mountain biker’s DVD collection - you’ll be watching this movie for years to come!

Evomo needs your help designing their next sick MTB t-shirt - and the pay ain’t half bad. The winning designer will receive $400 in cash and prizes PLUS will have their t-shirt debut at the Sea Otter Classic in April. Entries are due before Midnight, March 22, 2009 so get cracking - good design takes time you know

Brent Thomson, Trail Master at Bootleg Canyon in Nevada, passed away yesterday due to complications from his recent quadruple bypass surgery. We wrote about Brent and his struggle several weeks ago and our hearts go out to his family and the Las Vegas area MTB community. Details are pasted below and donations are still being accepted to help pay for some remaining expenses. RIP.

Las Vegas, NV -  February 18, 2009  - - Brent Thomson, Mountain Bike Industry Legend and Trail Master of Bootleg Canyon has lost his battle with complications from the Quadruple Bypass surgery he underwent in January.

While surgery went well and Brent was coherent and talking after recovery, a series of post-operative strokes took him back to the Intensive Care Unit where he eventually succumbed to complications from the surgery.

Brent’s son Barret was at his side with relatives as his condition worsened. “Brent appreciated and was aware of all of the love and support that the mountain bike industry has shown through this difficult time” said Barret. “There’s been an outpouring of emotion and support from all of his friends and the industry, and we’re making plans for a memorial event to be held at Bootleg Canyon over St. Patrick’s Day Weekend (March 14-15.)”

Barret can still use financial support as there are many loose ends to tie up. Please continue to support the cause by donating to the paypal account listed above.

Stay tuned for more information, and make plans to attend the memorial for Brent Thomson at Bootleg Canyon over the March 14-15th weekend.

Add any NEW mountain bike race or event before midnight, February 16, 2009 and get FREE Singletracks stickers, plus you’ll be automatically entered to win other great schwag.  We want to shout out to the top Singletracks users sending in the most races so far - Thanks to fastedjones, spazjensen, and element22!

You still have a chance to pass these guys up by submitting more new races/events, the top 3 contributors on February 16 will win:

First place prize: 1-year Singletracks PRO membership and set of Kenda MTB tires

Second place prize: 1-year Singletracks Training membership and Blackburn Mammoth 2-Stage pump

Third place prize: Singletracks T-shirt and NiteRider CherryBomb tail light

Adding races and events is super simple.  Check out the websites for your state’s or local mountain bike clubs and organizations for races, festivals, even trail work days.  Then come back to Singletracks and tell us the date, location, and a few other details so we can help spread the word about these great mtb events happening all over the world!  Fill out this Add an Event form with any NEW mtb event and your entry will be submitted for review and approved (if not already listed on the race calendar) within 24 hours.

When your mountain bike race or event is posted, you can RSVP for the event and let others know you’ll be there.  Plus, you can post photos and reviews of past events!

Have questions or need help adding an event?  Contact us.

I’m a big fan of mountain bike specific shorts for a lot of reasons: they’re comfortable, they look good, they fit well, they protect stuff, and they’re ultra-low maintenance. The Viper shorts from Sugoi are the perfect example of what’s great about mountain bike shorts and if you’re not already a believer, allow me to explain…

Comfort: The Sugoi Viper shorts are designed first and foremost with comfort in mind. From the integrated S.100 chamois with one piece construction and zero seams to the breathable dry wick outer material, these shorts just feel good on the bike and on the trail. Some folks may not care for an integrated liner but for me, it’s a good compromise because the liner material can be much lighter weight and breathable than typical spandex bike shorts. I hardly noticed the padding which is a good thing - not so thick that I feel like I’m wearing a diaper but thick enough that my ass wasn’t hurting after a moderate ride.

Style: The Viper shorts look cool as hell. I know, I know, you’re gonna say buying clothes based on how they look is silly but if that were true you’d be going to work covered in a burlap sack. Nope, style is at least a little important to most of us and the Viper shorts are semi-fitted giving them a sporty profile and just the right leg coverage (down to the kneecaps). Colors are neutral and sleek on the outside while the inside includes some neon details that just might surprise you (I’ve never seen a bright orange chamois before). In terms of fit you may want to consider choosing a smaller size if you’re unsure - the large shorts are a little droopy on my size 33 waist.

Fit: In my mind fit and style go hand in hand but when you’re mountain biking fit is all about managing flapping fabrics. The Sugoi Vipers have a high cut in the rear to keep your shorts from snagging your saddle nose on steep descents and are are virtually unflappable even at high speed. No need to worry about material getting sucked into your wheel or chain either - the length on the Vipers is perfect. One thing the Viper is missing is a drawstring for cinching up toward the end of a dehydrating epic ride (or epic diet).

Protecting stuff: We all have stuff to protect and the liner in the Viper shorts will secure your family jewels comfortably. The outer shorts are made from tough Nylon material that should stand up to all but the gnarliest tree snags and dirt slides. The Vipers also include four velcro-sealed pockets (two front, two back) to keep your gear secure, even on rooty and rocky trails. I actually had a hard time quickly accessing my pockets because the velcro is so tight - must be some extra strength velcro or something…

Low maintenance: Throw the Viper shorts in the wash with all your other clothes - how low maintenance is that? The shorts also include two elastic loops inside which I imagine could be used to hang them to dry after a quick rinse at the campground. Integrated liner means you won’t have to match up your shorts after every load of laundry.

Yep, the Sugoi Viper shorts make a solid foundation for any mountain biker’s trail ensemblé and are a HUGE upgrade for anyone still rocking the tight spandex or Umbro soccer shorts on the trail. Try them out and you’ll see what I mean - no need to thank me.

Photo by Sven Martin, Velonews

Rachel Atherton, was hit by a car while riding her road bike in Santa Cruz last week. Atherton dislocated her shoulder in the accident, Velonews reports:

World downhill champion Rachel Atherton of Great Britain dislocated her shoulder after colliding with a car in Santa Cruz, California, on Sunday. Atherton, who rides for Animal-Commençal, was training on her road bike with her brothers Dan and George when the accident took place.

The three had been in Santa Cruz on a training trip since January 9.

Atherton reportedly hit the car head-on, with her Cervelo road bike taking the lion’s share of the damage. The 21-year-old Atherton also suffered cuts and bruises to her face.

I always used to think a dislocated shoulder was the most glorious of bike related injuries.  I was riding with my friend, Esther, at Skeggs once where she took a nasty tumble and dislocated her shoulder.  We had to hike out about 2 miles and though I tried to keep Esther’s mind of the pain by trying to be funny, I knew it was a long and agonizing walk for her.

We made it to the closest fire station and Esther was feeling better thanks to a couple hunky firemen and a little morphine.  Must have been a good dose because she was feeling well enough for me to take a picture of her grotesque bulging arm socket (man, I wish I had a picture to insert here!).  After a few hours in and out of consciousness at the emergency room, Esther was all better and had proven she was one tough cookie!

So here’s to the tough cookies like Esther and Rachel Atherton, who can bounce back on their feet bike after a serious injury and giving us all a sense of mental and physical toughness to admire!

If you’re developing cabin fever while trying to stay in mountain biking shape this winter, you can also be preparing your 2009 race plans. If you have never tried a mountain bike race, find a race and you just might surprise yourself with how fun and rewarding it can be. For inspiration, let’s take a peek into the life of Unreal Cycles sponsored racer, Matt Adams. Matt shared with us his passion for riding bikes, his training regimen, and his 2009 racing schedule:

“Over the past seven years I have spent countless hours aboard my bicycle. My two wheeled companion has given me way to escape the trials of day-to-day life, a way to lose myself in another world.

My Unreal Junior has become a close companion. Downhill, dirt jumps, street, or slalom, the Junior loves it all. It has helped to make my training a joyful experience.

I ride a minimum of four days a week, more if I can help it. The typical day involves racing cars down the suburban streets in my hometown of Pacifica, California. Then hitting the dirt jumps or downhill trails, depending on my mood: keeping it fun is important. At least three of these ride days are followed by a second grueling upper or full body workout. I have found jiu-jitsu to be an excellent addition to my training regime. Twice a week I hit the mats for 3 1/2 hours. The core workout is intense. Sit-ups, leg lifts, pushups, pull ups, bench press and curls are a daily must as well.

In 2009 I will be focusing on racing on the west coast. I’ll be hitting some of the local Sandhill Ranch series, the Sea Otter Classic, some North Star races, and the Southridge Classic in Fontana come November. I will also be doing several of the CCCX races in Monterey. Also in 2009 I will be helping instruct at a local XC camp, and doing a 24 hour race in July.”

We’re wishing Matt the best of luck in his upcoming races. This spring, we’ll be testing an Unreal frame similar to Matt’s, so stay tuned for more about this unique build from Unreal Cycles.

A race schedule like Matt’s may seem daunting to most of us, but to reiterate his own words,”keeping it fun is important.” So what are you waiting for? Whether it’s entering your first mountain bike race or testing your endurance in a 24 hour race, just get out there and have fun!

A crazy cow charged a mountain biker and stomped on her legs yesterday at the South Boulder Creek Trail in Boulder, Colorado.  From the Boulder Daily Camera:

A cow charged a woman on the South Boulder Creek Trail on Monday afternoon, knocking her down, officials said.

The woman was riding her bike on the trail when she encountered the cow, and she stopped to let the animal pass, said Pete Taylor, a ranger for Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. The cow knocked the woman over and walked on her legs, he said.

He said the woman — whose name wasn’t released — wasn’t seriously injured, and she refused medical treatment.

She didn’t appear to do anything to provoke the animal, which witnesses said appeared to have an injured leg, he said. The cow had left the scene by the time rangers arrived, but hikers coming down the trail were warning others about the rogue bovine.

This is my first time ever hearing of any close cow encounters on mountain bike trails.  It reminds me of riding at Joseph D. Grant County Park in San Jose through the green fields where cows always kept their distance.  You would often have to open and close gates when entering wide pastures  just to keep the cows in.

The lesson here is to keep your distance from any wild animals you see on the trails.  I’ve seen my share of cows, deer, dogs, turkeys, snakes and other critters while riding my mountain bike.  Thankfully no run ins with angry cows.  If you have any stories or tips to share about your own animal encounters on the trail, feel free to leave a comment.

via Captain Crab’s High Sea Adventures

Yep, it’s that time of year again and, although I’m not really a resolution kind of guy, I thought up some ways to make myself a better mountain biker in 2009. Sometimes it’s tough to distinguish resolutions from goals but here’s what I came up with so far:

Become more involved in local trail work

I think I may have made this resolution last year but unfortunately I’ve yet to pick up a shovel to help out. In my own defense I’ve been checking the local MTB club’s website for details on upcoming work days but you know how that goes. I’ll continue to check on upcoming trail work opportunities but keep me accountable!

Challenge my skills and endurance

Like a lot of mountain bikers I’ve become sorta complacent riding the same trails week after week. This year I want to challenge myself to at least one moderate to difficult endurance ride each month while working on my skills progression. To keep this resolution (at least through the first half of the year) I’ve set a goal of finishing my first 100 mile mountain bike race in May. How’s that for endurance?

Take better care of my mountain bike equipment

Don’t laugh - this will be a major challenge for me this year. I’ve been riding the same mountain bike since 1999 (!) and despite abusing the thing it still gets me up and down the mountain. I’m looking to get some new wheels this year and I want to keep my bike looking and feeling new for years to come. That means washing all the dirt and mud off my bike as soon as I get home from a ride and paying attention to stuff like lube and cable tension. It also means drying my Camelbak, cleaning my shoes, fixing stuff that’s broken, and learning all I can about mountain bike repair and maintenance all year long. This will probably be my most difficult resolution to keep in 2009.

Continue to support IMBA

I may not get out to work on the trails as often as I’d like but in 2008 I did manage to support IMBA both financially and through various petitions at the local and national level. For 2009 I’m resolving to step up and look for more opportunities to advocate on behalf of mountain bikers everywhere though IMBA. I’ll also continue to use this blog and the forums for mountain bike advocacy.

Now that I look at this list it seems a little overwhelming but getting my MTB resolutions written up should certainly help keep me on track. What will you resolve to do in 2009?

Photo by JeffChristiansen via Flickr.

An experienced female rider in her 30s dressed as Minnie Mouse fell during a mountain bike ride near Lancaster, UK and broke her ankle Sunday, according to this article. The woman was taking part in The Bogtrotters mountain bike club’s “fancy dress ride” that included Dennis the Menace and Shrek. No word on whether Mickey was there or if he was involved in the crash at all

This is the first I’ve heard of a “fancy dress ride” but it sounds like it might be more well known in the UK (judging by the quote from the spokesman for Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue in the article). If anything this might make you think twice before putting on that bigfoot costume and hitting the trails on your mountain bike - getting costume fur stuck in your chain just might take you down!

Sure, landing a 10-foot gap jump on your mountain bike is an art form but this is actually about art inspired by mountain biking. We’ve seen a number of examples of mountain bike art over the years and thought this would be a good place to share.

Mountain bike pottery

Mudhunny and I actually received this wall hanging as a wedding gift from a mountain biking friend and it’s a unique piece of art to say the least. The center imprint shows a rider on his bike and the edges of the piece are imprinted with mountain bike tire tread. Beyond that I’m not sure of the mountain biking significance (maybe the clay is from a local trail?) but I suspect this artist, Mud Dabber Pottery, is based in the clay rich area of North Carolina near the soon-to-be IMBA Ride Center in Uwharrie National Forest. How’s that for owning the trail?
Mountain bike paintings

A few mountain bikers know their way around a paint brush and Jason Groves is one of those riders. I’m a big fan of his acrylic on wood paintings of mountain bikers in action - it’s amazing how he’s able to mimic speed and motion in the riders’ downhill poses through color. Check out Jason’s gallery on MySpace to find out how you can own one of these original MTB paintings.

Functional mountain bike art

This year we included a clothes hanger made out of bike wheel parts in our holiday gift guide and it’s a perfect example of using recycled bike parts to create works of art. The artist who created the wheel hanger also showcased a beanbag made out of bike tires sewn together and I gotta say the thing was super comfy. Recently we even noticed a mirror framed with an old MTB wheel & tire at an Ellijay bike shop, though sadly we didn’t snap a pic. I’ve also seen riders mount old bike frames with artsy paint jobs to the wall - definitely a cool effect if you have the space.

If you’re stuck indoors at some point this winter and are feeling artsy, why not create your own mountain bike art? When you do, send us a pic and we’ll post it on singletracks!

By now you’ve probably seen the spectacular crash footage of Eric Barone’s 2001 attempt to best his own world speed record on a mountain bike - if you haven’t, pop over to YouTube and check it out. From what I understand he set a world record of 101 mph on a stock Giant DH mountain bike but his second (failed) attempt was on a specially modified bike - guess that goes to show you off the rack is sometimes better than custom when it comes to quality mountain bikes

While Barone’s video continues to get mad play across the internet, it turns out the current world record for fastest mountain bike run is held by Markus Stoeckl - 130.7 mph! Stoeckl set the new record riding an Intense M6 down a snow covered 45-degree slope in the Chilean Andes in 2007 while wearing a super aerodynamic suit and helmet combo. The helmet actually had some condensation issues which meant Stoeckl had to hold his breath during the 40 second ride to keep his visor from fogging up! Incredible.

These downhill speed records got me wondering about the record for the fastest ride on flat terrain. Gravity assisted speed is one thing but to hold the record for the fastest ride on a flat surface means you gotta have some serious leg power. Although I couldn’t find any record of the fastest non-gravity assisted mountain bike ride I did read the human powered world speed record was broken just a couple months ago by Sam Whittingham - 82.33 mph in a recumbent! The recumbent was heavily modified and covered by an aerodynamic shell but still… I always though recumbent riders were just lazy - who knew they were actually speed junkies!

Photo by Brad Teubner, posted on recumbents.com