Augusta, GA will host the 2010 International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) World Summit on May 5-8th. The summit is open to the public, and topics will include: destination and urban trail networks, land conservation and sustainable trails, youth outreach and new programs designed to grow local capacity for the 700+ clubs and patrols in IMBA’s global network. In addition to the business of seminars and networking, the summit will feature parties and stellar riding—including a catered tour of the Forks Area Trail System (FATS), an IMBA Epic.

“The Augusta summit will serve as an essential clearinghouse to advance information on everything to do with mountain biking and trail-based recreation,” states IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “We will bring leaders in trail design together with land managers, the bicycle industry and IMBA’s thriving grassroots clubs. These are the key influencers that shape the sport, and only an IMBA summit can connect them all in the same place, at the same time.” Attendees will receive plenty of educational materials, while connecting with mountain biking enthusiasts from around the globe.

For additional information about the 2010 IMBA World Summit, contact IMBA Events Manager Patti Bonnet. Sponsorship inquires should be directed to IMBA Development Director Rich Cook.

Issue #2 of our sister publication, Bicycle Times, is on the streets. To give readers a taste of the flavor, we’ve reprinted selected articles on the Bicycle Times website.

Peruse the list below for a sweet taste, and then click on through to read the full story. We’ll be posting additional articles in the coming weeks, so bookmark www.bicycletimesmag.com, and be sure to check back early and often.

The Endless Ascent: Confessions of a Hill Climber

Alastair Bland I was born at about sea level, and after 29 years I am still there, just several feet above the big blue—but that’s the great illusion of my life. For on a bicycle I have courted, coveted and triumphed over countless ups and downs—hills, that is—and like many cyclists I am living proof that what goes up must come back down. Continued….

Cyclists Find No Safety in Numbers

John C. Cannon The debate on bicycle safety, mired in conflicting beliefs and a dearth of conclusive studies, stretches back decades with few firm conclusions. In this article, reprinted from Bicycle Times issue #2, our author sifts through the existing safety data, talks to the experts, and explodes some common bicycle safety myths. Read it….

Bicycle Times Issue #2 Feature: Bike Makeover

Philip Williamson A Bicycle Makeover is a recycling project. You take an existing bike, and turn it into a practical vehicle—a Useful Bike—with a few lightweight components and some fitting changes. Almost any bike is a candidate for a makeover, whether it’s a rigid steel mountain bike like this one. More….

DAHON Mµ UNO

Michael McGettigan Can a folder bike be “cool?” The Mµ Uno is Dahon’s answer to that question—matte black, super-simple, just one speed and a coaster brake. Dahon wanted to make a bike that your city dweller would be comfortable with banging around town. The mission statement for the Uno: a bike that is durable enough to ride every day, in all weather, with a single gear suitable for fast riding and light enough to easily carry up and down the stairs in train stations. More….

The next event on the Dirt Rag World Tour calendar made this staffer stand up and say, “Ooh, oh, me, mee!” It sounds like a helluva lotta fun packed into one weekend: the VisitPA.com Festival and Rassin’ Weekend, that is, at Marysville, Pennsylvania.

Rassin’ – that’s “racing,” for all you proper folk, and there are a bevvy of ways you can do it at this Festival. Starting Friday night is a time trial in the dark (but with lights required), Saturday has the 12-hour relay and 9-hour solo races, and Sunday will be the short-track XC day.

But there is also a lot of other stuff going on here, thus the “Festival” – there’s a pond for swimming and fishing, something called a “slow DH” that’s got to be interesting, good ol’ fashioned bicycle-shaped object tossing, and even a band and beverages on Saturday night.

We’ll be in the thick of it with our booth and banners waving. Come see us for good deals on Merch, and for those who sign up for a subscription, special swag! We’ll have Princeton Tec Swerve blinkies and Fuel headlamps, WTB Wolverine tires, Trail grips and tubes, Platypus bladders, and Jagwire cables.

See you in Marysville.

 Total Laps completed 1,832

Total distance traveled 23,449.6 miles

Total elevation gain 2,986,160 ft (565.56 miles)

We just returned from another great weekend of 24 hour racing at Big Bear Campground near Hazelton, WV.  Rolling in around noon on Friday, we saw that many riders arrived early to set up camp and to prepare for the festivities.  This year’s riders lucked out with cool and comfortable days, although rain from earlier in the week lingered as puddles on the old airstrip campground and trails. By Friday evening, the trails were soon churned up by hundreds of riders eager to preview the course.  Soon after dark, hundreds of radios were blaring the Pen’s game. Although we weren’t equipped with a radio, we were kept in-the-know by the crazed shouting and horns in the camp area. Go Pens!

From the early morning on Saturday through the afternoon of Sunday, there were few dull moments. Even when trying to doze through the night, we could hear riders talking about experiences out on the trail or cursing about unexpected light malfunctions. Between the trials competitions, 24 minutes of Big Bear, and the 12 hour race, there were many events to either partake in or watch.One of the most memorable aspects of this weekend was hearing about a rider who has overcome adversity. This incredible and admirable rider is Matt Gilman.  Several years ago Matt became blind due to his diabetes, yet he has persevered and relearned how to trials ride. Since he can only see about a foot in front of him, he carefully inspects the course with his hands before each competition. Check out these links to learn more about Matt and the trials competition.

Although the campground, exhibitors, vendors, result tent, and transition area were bustling through the entire weekend, a rider on the race course could feel miles away from civilization riding in the darkness of the night.  The course was rocky and rooty with peanut buttery muddy sections.  Since the weather held up so nicely, by the time we rode on Sunday late afternoon the trail started to improve.  Because we were out with the last riders, we had a chance to talk to some of the race volunteers at the aid stations.  What a great group of people!One of the best parts of the World Tour events is hanging out with the friends of DR at our expo tent.   As always we had a great number of renewals and new subscribers.  This year our sponsors provided some great treats for them.  Princeton Tec provided the Swerve Tail light, Fuel Headlamp, and EOS Bike Light. WTB supplied GTO clamp-on-grips, Technical Trail grips, Prowler tires, Wolverine Tires, and tubes.

Overall the event was great fun. We had a chance to hand deliver some tasty Troegenator to new friends we made while crashing their camp fires during our night hike. We had the chance to meet and talk about the race with spectators and racers.  And we had a chance to enjoy the trails.  If you haven’t participated in a 24 hour race yet, you’re missing out on an interesting and entertaining experience to say the least.  Check out the gallery.

Photos By Matt Kasprzyk

On July 19th 2009 the PureDirt mountain bike team will host a MTB-a-Thon at the Vultures Knob mountain bike trail in Wooster, OH. Riders will be responsible for collecting pledges, with the proceeds benefiting the “Change Through Chance” charity that provides horse therapy to children with special needs.

On May 25th Change Through Chance had a fire that destroyed the organizations buildings and many of their donated items. Though the insurance will cover the buildings, the donated items were not covered.

MTB-a-Thon registration will begin at 11:00a.m. The ride will start at 1:00p.m and end at 5:00p.m. with a raffle scheduled after the ride. According to www.puredirtmtb.com riders will be responsible for getting sponsors to pledge per-laps donations prior to the MTB-a-Thon, and participants will have four hours to complete up to four laps of the course.

If you can’t make the event, but would like to make a donation to help Change Through Chance, contributions may be sent to Change through Chance, 3800 Back Orrville Road, Wooster, OH 44691. Change Through Chance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

If you would like to donate a prize for the MTB-a-Thon raffle you may email the event organizer and make arrangements.

Additional event information is available at www.puredirtmtb.com.

The Turner Sultan is a 120mm travel 29er, one of the few big wheeled bikes out there sporting over 100mm of travel. I’m happy to be riding one for the beginning of the summer. My size large tester came built up with some interesting parts including a 2010 Fox F29 RLC with the 15mm QR and new FIT damper and very diminutive Formula R1 disc brakes.

I’ve made a few parts swaps, namely to the tires, bars and stem for fit and local terrain.  It is feeling pretty dialed now.

The weather is getting hotter, the trails are getting drier and this bike is looking for rocky trails to stretch its legs. I’m happy to oblige. Not a lot of saddle time yet, but so far the Sultan has been quite adapt in the tight singletrack that has made up the majority of my time in the woods.

 Want more info? See the geometry and spec on the Turner website.