Have you ever been to a bike event that was jam-packed with women riders—not the typical dude ranch or sausage fest? Amanda and I have. This past Friday, we headed to Ray’s Indoor MTB Park in Cleveland for the third edition of the Women’s Weekend, which was bigger and better than ever.

Hanging out at the top of the ramps.

This year’s Weekend was organized by a top-notch team headed by Ray’s staffer and BMX pro Nina Buitrago and Mad March Racing coach Tamara Peloquin, and featured an impressive list of 16 gracious pros to lead clinics on everything from basic skills to ripping it up. Some of us learned the basics of bunnyhopping (without clipless pedals, mind you) from none other than DH racing legend Leigh Donovan. Current gravity podium-topper Kathy Pruitt was there showing how to catch air, some of Nina’s BMX colleagues were on hand to teach the finer points of barspins, and Tammy Donahugh, who was recently featured in the pages of Dirt Rag, came back this year as well to show how to get the most boost from the ramps. There was an equally impressive list of sponsors, who provided sweet prizes—including bike frames!—and some awesome demo opportunities.

What impressed both Amanda and I the most, however, was the number of chicks who showed up. Each year the event has grown by leaps and bounds, and this year’s total was well over 150! Quite a few women have come back each year. We noticed how many participants came ready to rock with their own jumping bike. There were also freeriders, Lycra-wearing fast types, and fairly raw beginners who came and expanded their skills. We marveled at a couple of really young girls—there was one who couldn’t be more than eight who was clearing the box jumps better than I was, on a 20”-wheeled Specialized Rockhopper. (Darcy Turenne speculated that the purple flowers help boost air.) [Edit: turns out the girl, Shelby, is older than eight, and her bike might have been 24"-wheeled... but still.]

Sadly, Amanda and I only got to hang out on Friday, and missed some party time and a movie premiere, but we know we’ll be back next year.

Check out our Gallery from the event, and look on our Forums for more photos and tales from the Weekend.

Just because you haven’t seen a brightly colored Subaru, emblazoned with the IMBA logo, roll into your neighborhood lately, it doesn’t mean that IMBA is napping. Quite the contrary. IMBA is hard at work on the front lines of the mountain bike access struggle—namely, Washington, DC. IMBA recently conducted several meetings with key congressional leaders and federal agency personnel.

IMBA reports that they’ve held productive discussions with Chairman Raul Grijlva (D-AZ), Congressmen Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), among other members of the House Natural Resources Committee. Congressman Grijalva pledged that he will not seek changes in Forest Service management strategies that would prohibit existing mountain bike access.

A similar view was expressed by Congressman DeFazio: “Bicycling, along with other non-motorized uses, has a de minimis impact on Wilderness values.” He elaborated, “The Forest Service should be prohibiting detrimental activities that have a significant and permanent impact on the Wilderness qualities of areas they recommended for Wilderness. I hope the Forest Service adopts this view and manages non-motorized uses like bicycling accordingly.”

IMBA also met with staff members of the National Park Service and Forest Service. “These meetings continued our important partnerships to build sustainable trails, repair eroded trail systems, manage recreation and get more people outside experiencing their public lands,” said IMBA Government Affairs Director Jenn Dice.

Read the full story at the IMBA website.

The Dirt Rag and Bicycle Times World Tour is headed to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show sponsored by Shimano in Richmond, Virginia on February 26-28th.

This is the first year that NAHBS will be on the east coast and the Richmond show is shaping up to be larger than the 2009 Indianapolis show, which had 115 exhibitors and over 6,400 attendees.

So, come join us and view the latest in custom bicycles from builders from all over the world—as well as the freshest produce from component and apparel designers. Awards will be given for categories such as “Best Lugged Bicycle”, “Best Paint Job”, “Best Off-Road Bicycle”, “Best City Bicycle” and ”Best of Show”, plus more.

While you’re viewing the eye candy at the show, stop by the Dirt Rag/Bicycle Times booth and sign up or renew your subscription and receive product from one of our fine World Tour sponsors. We’ll also have plenty of merchandise for sale. Speaking of sponsors, we’d like to thank the following companies who have partnered with us to bring our 2010 World Tour  to a city near you:   Continental, Kenda, Kleen Kanteen, Panaracer, Princeton Tec, and WTB.

If you can’t make ti to Richmond, keep your eyes on the Dirt Rag website. We will be posting daily from the show and creating a NAHBS photo gallery featuring the best bicycles, components and shenanigans we can find. Our favorites will also make it into Dirt Rag issue #148, and mini-builder profiles will be included in Bicycle Times #6.

Tickets for one, two and three-day admission are available on the NAHBS website and there are plenty of inexpensive lodging options available too. See you there.

The USA Cycling MTB Marathon Nationals will once again be held at the Firecracker 50, on the Fourth of July in Breckenridge, CO. National championship classes will have a two-week exclusive online registration period available from Wednesday, February 17th through 12:01 a.m. MST on Wednesday, March 3rd.

The field will again be limited to 750 race plates. Start spots sold out before pre-registration ended last year, and riders that want to compete for a Stars-and-Stripes jersey would be wise to take advantage of the exclusive registration period. Click here to register early and secure your start spot.

On March 3rd, online registration will open to non-championship competitors as well. At that time, a printable registration form and waiver will be posted online for those wishing to mail in their entry.

A total of 14 national titles will be on the line in Breckenridge, including men’s and women’s singlespeed national titles which are new for 2010. For more information,  visit the event website. Good luck and good racing!

Move over guys! The Women of MTB are in the house!

Ray’s warehouse, that is.

This Friday through Sunday (February 19-21), Ray’s MTB Park in Cleveland will host the third annual Women’s Weekend. The Largest Women’s Biking Event of the Year!

Launch off Friday with free admission for women riders of all levels and disciplines, breakfast at 9am provided by Superco and then off to coaching sessions and bike demos form the top women riders in the sport. After a Chipotle lunch, it’s back to riding with the pros until quitting time. Guys: All day stag party in the Troy Lee Rhythm room, just so you don’t feel left out. One day isn’t enough? The fun continues with ½ price admission for ladies on Sat, Feb 20th and Sun, Feb 21st as well.

Up for grabs this year are two bike frames: The DK Sentry BMX and Kona’s Shonky DJ, Slopestyle, so be sure and hang around for the Awards and Sponsor Raffle.

Dirt Rag is excited and proud to be on hand to cover the return of Ray’s Angels Women’s Weekend.  We’ll be roaming the course and picking up tips of our own, so take a moment to say hello and let us know how you enjoy the day!

For details on location and registration go to www.raysmtb.com

Dirt Rag has teamed up with Dohm to bring you a soft and stylish wool cap. Dohm caps are made in Colorado on antique knitting and sewing machines that are powered by hand, which takes more time and produces the best in quality craftsmanship. The fibers that run through the machines are world class yarns which are produced under the strictest environmental standards.

Dohm’s Super Soft visor cap is made of 50% fine Merino wool, 30% wool, and 20% polyamide. Our noggin topper has a soft fleece headband liner, shapeable visor, contoured cap flap and features our Dirt Rag logo above the left temple. This cap will surely keep you warm, whether you’re waiting at the 24-Hour race transition tent, camping, or finishing a cold ride.

Available for $32, one size fits most, and offered in either Coal or Magma color. Click here…