Support Historic Opportunity for NEW Mountain Bike Access in Marin County, California

California State Parks has announced a proposal to open singletrack for mountain biking in Marin County, on the shoulders of Mt. Tamalpais. The agency plans to permit bicycle use on the 4-mile Bill’s Trail segment and is soliciting public commentary on the project.

This landmark opportunity is the direct result of more than three years of partnership building with the parks department by IMBA California, Access4Bikes and the Bicycle Trails Council of Marin. A successful opening of Bill’s Trail will set the stage for bicycle access to several other singletrack trails in Marin, which is widely considered to be one of the birthplaces of modern mountain biking. Despite its historic role, Marin has seen precious few opportunities for mountain biking open to the public in recent years.

Take Action! Tell California State Parks you support their decision to open Bill’s Trail to bicycles. The commentary period ends on June 26.

Additional Information

Located within the Mt. Tamaplais watershed in Samuel Taylor State Park, Bill’s Trail winds through native ferns, wildflowers and hazelnut trees. It averages a reasonable 7-percent grade, and its six switchbacks provide riders with multiple views of the surrounding landscapes. While it is expected that bike access on Bill’s Trail will be limited to alternate days at first, the parks department states that this stipulation will be open to further review.

California State Parks is expected to announce opportunities for bicycling on other nearby routes in upcoming months. The Diaz Ridge Trail, which runs through Mt. Tamalpais State Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area property, is scheduled to receive a major reroute this summer. This project could produce shared-use singletrack joining State Parks and National Park Service properties.

A small number of local hiking and equestrian groups have vowed to fight against any new access for mountain biking in Marin County, despite plentiful evidence that well-designed trails can be successfully shared by various user groups, and that mountain biking is a sustainable, low-impact form of recreation. “I think that, broadly speaking, the community of trail users in Marin is ready for this,” says IMBA California Policy Advisor Tom Ward. “We have seen great success with our volunteer mountain bike patrol program there. Mountain bikers care deeply about protecting the gorgeous trails and natural areas in Marin, and we will continue working with like-minded groups.”

Retired Professional Cyclist Steve Larsen Dies after Collapse

Steve Larsen, who won races as a professional road cyclist, triathlete and mountain biker, passed away on May 19. According to Larsen’s family friend, Michael Nyberg, Larsen collapsed during a track workout. Despite immediate medical attention, he could not be revived. Though an autopsy is pending, it is suspected that he succumbed to a heart attack. He was 39, and he leaves behind his wife, Carrie, and their five children.

Larsen raced alongside Lance Armstrong on Team Motorola in the early ’90s, competing in events around the world, including the Giro d’Italia. Then, he moved onto mountain biking, and in 1998 and 2000 won the NORBA National Cross-Country title. In 2001, he began racing triathlon, and later that year placed ninth at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. He retired from professional racing in 2003, but continued to race for fun as he ran his real estate agency in Bend, Oregon.

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Elite triathlete and former national mountain bike champion Steve Larsen died of a sudden heart attack while running at Cascade Middle School on Tuesday night.

Larsen, who was 39 and lived in Bend, was with a group of about 40 people who regularly run together when he collapsed. Other runners performed CPR on him and called 911. Paramedics arrived and transported Larsen to St. Charles Bend.

Deschutes County Medical Examiner Dr. Steve Cross said an autopsy was performed this morning and found no obvious signs of coronary heart disease. Larsen’s heart will be sent to a laboratory in the mid-West where it will be analyzed for disease, Cross said.

Larsen enjoyed success as a professional athlete in multiple sports.

In the early 1990s, he raced on the Motorola road cycling team with Lance Armstrong.

He switched to mountain biking in 1994, winning the NORBA National Cross Country Mountain Bike Champion title in 1998 and 2000, and narrowly missing a chance to represent the United States at the Sydney Olympics.

He then turned to triathlon, scoring top-ten finishes in national and international competitions.

Larsen retired from professional racing in late 2003 and started working in real estate, first with Lowes Commercial Properties in Bend and then with his own company, Steve Larsen Properties.

He ran the Ironman World Championships triathlon in Hawaii in October and finished sixth in the Lowe’s XTERRA West Cup at Lake Las Vegas on May 2.

Larsen is survived by his wife, Carrie, and five children.

- Bulletin Staff Report

Topeak Dual-Touch Stand Review

Every rider, regardless of age or number of years riding, comes to a point in their lives when good just isn’t good enough. What I am referring to isn’t that “come to God moment” when you see the bike of your dreams (Maverick ML8) and compare it to what you are currently riding. No, what I am talking about is the need for bike storage. As bikes continue piling up in garages, or like me, in the family room of a townhome, there quickly arises a point where putting bikes in corners and/or against walls just isn’t good enough.

With the bike season upon us once again, and a new bike on the horizon, it was time for me to do my due diligence on bike storage.

My conditions were simple:

1. Hold at a minimum 2 bikes (regardless of frame type)
2. It could not take up much space
3. No holes in walls or ceilings

I checked out a number of bike racks, both online and in local shops. Most were hideous, or looked unstable; then I came across the Topeak® Dual-Touch™ bike stand. It is elegant, minimal footprint, and it was fully adjustable to accommodate different frames.

I head to my local bike shop, purchase the Topeak® bike stand, and head home. Excitedly, I rip open the box, and grab a 5mm Allen wrench from my saddle bag, I quickly assemble the hooks to the cross-bracket, and the bracket to the stand. 10 minutes and 8 bolts later I have my bike stand assembled. I get out the stud finder, locate a ceiling joist, extend the upper stanchion and lock it in place.

Being mildly impressed by the ease of setup, I grab two bikes and throw them on the stand. Perfect! Now I need to go buy one more Topeak® Dual-Touch bike stand and all of my bikes will be off the floor, obviously to make room for additional bikes…

Specifications:
Weight: 11 lbs
Weight Capacity: 40 lbs per hook | 160 lbs total
Max ceiling height: 126” | 10’5”

Author’s Rating:
Ease of Setup: 4/5 (Stud finder required)
Stability: 5/5
Looks: 5/5

NAHBS Announces Richmond, Virginia as 2010 Venue Location

Speedway, In.—The Greater Richmond Convention Center in the historic city of Richmond, Va. will host the 2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) when the world’s number one custom bicycle show moves to the east coast next February 26-28.

Booth registration for the show will start immediately for the 2009 exhibitors, who will be contacted by email. Open registration will start June 15, and will be accessible through the event website www.handmadebicycleshow.com.

Show founder and director, Don Walker, said “I researched all the way along the east coast and Richmond came up as the strongest candidate, all criteria considered. I then put forward three candidates to a vote among this year’s exhibitors, and Richmond was the clear winner. I looked at some of the largest cities as well, and while these cities might have great cycling culture, their prices are out of range for the vast majority of my exhibitors.”

Jack Berry, president and CEO of the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, commended the decision. “The timing’s perfect!  Cycling is really becoming more and more popular in this region. Being a cyclist myself, personally I’m thrilled! This is huge for Richmond and the Mid-Atlantic.”

Champe Burnley, president of the Richmond Area Bicycling Association, also sees this as a good time for NAHBS to come to Richmond. “Richmond is a cycling hub with a great history. We have a strong cycling community with great facilities, which helps draw a major international show like NAHBS.
We really want Richmond to be a world class cycling city. For officials and the business community, our efforts are now starting to realize a return.
Officials here are really beginning to get cycling and its benefits to the community. NAHBS could not have chosen a better time to come. This marks a cycling renaissance for the Richmond area.”

NAHBS will occupy the 46,000 sq. ft show hall D in the convention center. This has space for over 200 10’x10’ booths, and Walker expects to fill it.

Richmond is located within a day’s drive of half the U.S. population, and within cycling distance of the nation’s second largest cycling club (Potomac Pedalers). Only 90 minutes by car from Washington, DC, Richmond is served by Amtrak as well, with a station about a mile from the proposed host hotel. Richmond International Airport is approximately 15 minutes by car from the convention center.

The state of Virginia actively promotes bicycling and related activities, and has designated various special routes for the purpose.  United States Bicycle Routes 1 and 5 meet in the city of Richmond, and the city is known to have a strong cycling culture, ranging from racing to tourists and fixed-gear riders.

Located in the middle of the Eastern Seaboard, Richmond becomes the fifth city to host the NAHBS in the show’s six-year history. Houston, Texas was first, and then two years in San Jose, California, followed by Portland, Oregon, and in 2009 Indianapolis.

About NAHBS

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show moves from city to city each year. It is scheduled for February 26 – 28, 2010, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The show is dedicated to showcasing the talents of individuals around the world whose art form is the bicycle. It aims to be a meeting point–online and in person–for frame builders and consumers looking for custom-made bikes, for the sharing of ideas, and promotion of a special industry with a rich history. Since its first year in 2005, NAHBS has grown from a show with 23 exhibitors and 200 attendees to 150 exhibitors and 7200 attendees. For more information, see www.handmadebicycleshow.com.

Harlot H4M Murray Short Review

Big on Style and Durability.

First off, I rarely wear women’s clothes anymore, it’s been ages (don’t ask). And that was my first thought when I received a pair of Murray Shorts by Harlot Clothing Co, “but I don’t even cross-dress these days, why would I want to wear a pair of women’s mountain bike shorts? I don’t even like wearing men’s mountain bike shorts.” Admittedly, they looked badass and masculine, that’s when I realized that “H4M” stands for “Harlot for Men.”

Harlot’s line of men’s clothing is very limited compared to their expansive line-up for the ladies, but with a name like Harlot, you can’t expect them to cater to the dudes too much. I made a point of calling their customer service line and letting them know that they need to beef up on their menswear. I’ve been known to rant about the substandard offerings of the bicycle industry’s clothing options, so I was excited when I saw that these shorts at least looked cool, and it only got better once I tried them on.

Very understated and sleek, you can wear the Murray Shorts out in public and no one will think you’re in bike gear. Before I tested this theory however, I decided to take them on a short ride to test their performance and durability. Despite their sleek appearance, the Murray Short is very roomy in the leg and has seatbelt-style straps on the waistline so you can optimize your fit. The gusseted crotch provided unlimited flexibility and comfort.

Van Damme could have worn these in Bloodsport and still won the Kumite. There’s no chamois in these babies, but the nylon/polyester blend is comfortable enough for freeriding or a short cross-country jaunt. As I said before, they’re a lot roomier than they look and are designed to have enough room for slim-fitting bike shorts underneath if you’re gonna be riding longer than a couple hours. My only complaint about this style of shorts is how hot they get with a pair of traditional chamois bike shorts underneath. In temperate weather it’s fine, but hot summer days will wear you out fast if you’re wearing bike shorts under the Murrays.

Now a word on durability: Remember those “Bike” brand shorts your PE coach used to wear? You know, the nut-hugging short-shorts with the double-snap waist tab? If one so chose, you could slide into third on a bed of glass and the shorts wouldn’t have a scratch. Well, the Murray Short is like that, but it looks good (Win-Win!!). It’s also water-resistant, so they won’t get heavy and chafe if you go for a wet ride. They also sport a moisture-wicking waistband to ensure your comfort through sweat, dirt, and grime.

Best of all, they’re made right here in the U.S.A. out of North American-sourced materials. Kudos to Harlot for making a clothing product even I approve of, now if they would just make some more stuff for guys!!

The Straight Dirt:

The Good
Sleek, comfortable, attractive, performance-oriented, doesn’t look like typical cycling gear, affordable.

The Bad
Hot as hell on a summer day with bike shorts underneath. By themselves = no problem.

Murray Short:  $89.00

Harlot Clothing Co.
68 Camino Torcido Loop
Santa Fe, NM 87507

www.harlotwear.com

Chrome Bags Light Weight Shins in for Review

You know what I love more than getting review product delivered to my doorstep?  While on the way home from work receiving an email on my iPhone from a vendor verifying that I received the product.  That’s what Rob at Chome Bags did.  I’m the kind of guy that when I buy something I can’t wait to open the package until I get home so I attack it as soon as I step foot outside of the store’s doors…it’s the kid in me I guess.

I have been really stoked about receiving the Shins for a few reasons:

• MTOBikes.com will no longer solely focus on mountain bikes.  Chrome Bags marks the first vendor to help support us in this new endeavor.
• About ten years ago we bought my father a bike so that he could commute to work.  He bought an odometer shortly after and has Just under 12,000 miles logged on the bike.  His longest ride has only been 34 miles.  Around the time we bought my father his bike I had been riding to and from high school to my job as a pharmacy technician.  I moved closer to work in December and got the itch to start biking to work.  I bought a single speed 29er (commuter/road bike on the way), but I’ve been lacking good commuter apparel.  Enter Chrome Bags Light Weight Shins.
• In regards to commuter apparel, bags, and backpacks Chrome Bags have quite a reputation and as such I have been really excited to get my hands on some gear.

I realize I kind of rambled on for awhile…hey, I’m excited.  Not only am I excited about the Shins, but this marks a new era for MTOBikes.

Here’s what Chrome Bags has to say about the Light Weight Shins:

Our lightweight Shins deliver technical features that riders depend on for the daily grind. The lighter 4.6 oz material will act as a second skin without the added weight in hotter climates. This 3/4 length technical cycling knicker will stay in rotation due to its functionality on the bike and its clean, fresh look off.

• Made of 4-way Tweeve™ Durastretch™ fabric, a durable, breathable fabric, that retains its shape and is also water-repellant
• Cut high in back and low in front
• Keeper pockets
• Lightly padded chamois seat and inseam
• Reinforced hem
• Zipper and secured cargos
• Articulated knees

The Shins are available in the following sizes:

Small: 28″-30″ / inseam 21″– Medium: 30″-32″ / inseam 22″– Large: 32″-34″ / inseam 22.5″– X-Large: 34″-37″ / inseam 23″

Retail on the Light Weight Shins are $160.00.

First impressions

The material used is very light weight, has great breathability, and stretches anywhere from 1-3″ in any direction.  They are stylish.  Let me repeat, they are stylish.  Sexy and sleek.  The thigh pockets are deep and cargo pockets have zippers.  There was good reason for my excitement and at first glance it doesn’t appear that I’ll be disappointed.

A review of the Light Weight Shins will be published soon, so check back often or sign up for our RSS feed or newsletter to be notified when the review is published.