Women of Mountain Biking Survey
Jul 20th
Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures has launched a Women of Mountain Biking Survey to gain a deeper understanding of why women mountain bike, and to specifically understand:
-Are more women mountain biking, and why are some women still reluctant to mountain bike?
-What are the unique needs of women riders, and should the mountain biking community/industry be doing more to facilitate and encourage women to ride?
The results of the survey will be shared publicly to help guide the growth of the sport and industry. The more women that participate, the stronger the potential of the survey. All women mountain bikers are invited and to participate, and share the link to this important survey.
The survey will be open until Friday, August 20, 2010, and the results will be made public and available to media on Friday, August 27, 2010
Take our Women of Mountain Biking survey
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Sacred Rides MTB is a different kind of mountain bike tour company. Of course we care about clocking miles of trails, pushing ourselves beyond boundaries, and toasting a hard fought ride with our fellow Riders–but just as much, Sacred Rides cares about sharing the benefits of our cherished sport with new Riders. Check out our Women’s Rides and Skills Camps
The Windy City Adds First Ever Dedicated Bike Park
Jul 14th
Sitting atop land that had been undeveloped for many years, a wooded area once thought of as a hotbed of gang activity and other illegal activities, The Garden is a community project built by Chicagoland BMX/Mountain Bikers, and the Chicago Park District. Grand opening 7-31, details inside.
As one of the few wooded areas close to downtown without specific zoning, local riders had attempted to use the land for recreational use with little to no success for nearly a decade. In the fall of 2008, the Chicago Park District had announced plans to plow the land which prompted action by a group of individuals interested in putting the land to good use.
Led by Tim Hovey, Daniel Peter, and Jeremy Kawka, a group of local riders began to attend Park District meetings and crafted a proposal for the land. Delighted with their proposal, the Park District allowed initial construction of the bike park under careful watch during the summer of 2009. With shovels, wheelbarrows, piles of dirt (graciously donated by Lake Street Landscaping Supply), a chainsaw or two, and hard work, the riders not only built their bike trails, they also built fence-lined pedestrian walkways for nearby residents. On top of that, they worked alongside the Park District to clean the area of broken glass and assorted trash.
As the area began to take shape, the seriousness of these riders, backed by CAMBr West, convinced the Park District to accept The Garden proposal and in the Spring of 2010, this land has been sanctioned as Chicago’s first-ever bike park!
The Garden Crew and CAMBr West are throwing an event named “Settin’ Down Roots: The Garden Dirt Jam” – a celebration of everybody’s, from-the-ground-up, hard work and the park’s recent legal status.
The event, starting at noon on July 31st, will include a race, a huge raffle, local vendors, music, the best riders in Chicago (possible appearance of a pro or two), and other events for the entire family. All proceeds will go to CAMBr’s continued efforts to bring safe, fun riding opportunities to the Chicagoland community. Go to gardendirtjam.cambr.org to sign up and get more info.
Check it out here: thegardenjumps.com
Takin’ On The TEST OF METAL!
Jul 2nd
“Losing My Test of Metal Virginity”
by Crystal Lambert
Crystal and Charlotte racing the Test of Metal
2010 began with the decision that this was the year I was going to complete the Test of Metal! Next on my list was to convince a close friend that it would be a great thing for us to accomplish the 67km bike race together. And with a little nudging she was on board! Getting a spot in the race itself was all there was left to do. We in no way trusted ourselves with the New Year’s Day sign up so we opted to join a training clinic that ensured we get a spot. After a bit of research we found that there were a few options for this and we chose the Endless Biking Enduro XC Training Program and signed up!
We hit the gym with the TOM as our goal right away. To some this may seem early to start training, and maybe it was, but neither of us was super fit nor very experienced riders so we were pretty nervous.
Fast forward to February… my friend and TOM team-mate had a crash and ended up with a bad concussion. Sadly she could no longer complete the TOM an onward alone I went.
Mass Start
In April the EB Enduro XC Training Program began. It was a 10 week long training clinic with rides twice a week, coached by women and men who have competed in and won numerous races. Many of you already know that EB has fantastic programs and coaches but I have to plug them yet again. The Enduro XC Program was amazing! I honestly miss the grueling rides and hard-ass coaching.
Crystal's Support Team
Every week and every ride I would gain more confidence, stamina and knowledge. Two weeks before the TOM one of our training rides was to compete in, and presumably finish the North Shore Marathon XC Race. My first race was looming and I was nauseous nervous but felt prepared as long as mentally I could hold it together. Before I knew it I was running around a baseball field, riding through a pump track and generally being yelled at. I had officially started my very first bike race! During the race I tried to keep calm and only worry about myself. It worked and I had a really fun ride on some challenging terrain.
The North Shore XC Race was 27km and I completed it in approximately 3:45. My level of concern for the time it would take me to complete the 67km TOM was growing. It was just 2 short weeks, 1 parental visit and 3 training rides away.
Finally race day had arrived! The TOM begins with an 800 person mass start which is fantastic to witness. With the sun shining the riders were pumped! I lined up in my 5 hr finish time spot and waited. The National Anthem played and it was time. Being at the back of the pack it was awesome to see the hundreds of riders leave Brennan Park and begin the ride down Hwy 99.
What's the Duct tape for?
The first thing you notice when riding in the TOM is the energy of the volunteers and spectators. Residents are out in their drive-ways with music and horns and water sprinklers and they all cheered just as loudly for me (probably somewhere around rider 778 out of 800) as they did for the first rider. It was amazing and you couldn’t help but get caught up in it. And it didn’t end there. All through the 67kms were friendly, energetic faces and yells of support. I was lucky enough to have my own mini support team on hand to follow me around with cheesy signs my concussed team-mate made to help me along.
Five hours and nine minutes later I pulled through the finish line. When I hooked up with my family the first thing they mentioned was every time they saw me I was grinning from ear to ear. Granted there were times when I was tired and sore but I enjoyed every minute of it and can’t wait to do it again!
