As you know, we’re in Richmond for the 2010 North American Handmade Bike Show. After spending most of the day figuring out a work-around for various photographic issues, I finally got down to the business of shooting bikes. Didn’t get as many bikes shot as I’d like, but here’s a sampling of mountain bikes from Igleheart, Engin, Banjo Bicycles, Shamrock Cycles, Peacock Groove. Caelifera, Rich Adams, and Signal. More to come tomorrow.  Enjoy.

[Ed notes: Since this original post, Justin's added a day two gallery and day three gallery.]

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.

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.

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

It’s that time of year again! The Dirt Rag and Bicycle Times World Tour is gearing up for the season—with some exciting new stops planned for 2010. Our travels will take us far and wide, so stop by our booth and subscribe to the magazines, chat, or share a beer and a laugh. Where will we be, you ask? Here’s the list, as of this post:

• Ray’s Women’s Weekend, February 19-21 in Cleveland, OH.
• North American Handmade Bike Show, February 26-28 in Richmond, VA.
• Seattle Bike Show, March 13-14 in Seattle, WA.
• Sea Otter Classic, April 15-19 in Monterey, CA.
• Dirt Rag’s own Dirt Fest, May 21-23 at Raystown Lake, PA
• 24 Hours of Big Bear, June 12-13 at Big Bear Lake, WV.
• New Belgium Brewing Urban Assault, June 27 in Austin, TX.
• Interbike, September 20-24 in Las Vegas, NV.

Online registration is now open for Dirt Rag’s own Dirt Fest. For more information on Dirt Fest click here.

The 2010 World Tour is made possible by our proud sponsors and we’d like to thank them. So thank you: WTB, Panaracer, Kleen Kanteen, Continental, Princeton Tec and Kenda for kicking down some fine products, which we will pass along to you, dear reader, when you sign up for a subscription or renewal at our booth. See ya there.

Dirt Rag Magazine would like to invite you to our own event: Dirt Fest. Mark your calendars for the weekend of May 21st-23rd, 2010 and head over to the Allegrippis trails at Raystown Lake in Hesston, PA.

Dirt Fest will be a fun mountain biking festival, featuring 32 miles of prime singletrack for a weekend of great riding. Camping will be available. We invite you to come and join the festivities, demo mountain bikes and check out the latest products in the industry expo area.

IMBA will be on hand to teach trail building clinics and advocacy, and other club events will take place.

Dirt Rag will be bringing the flavor of hops and barley as we host a Pennsylvania beer tasting event, complete with brew techniques and history. Other entertainment and spectacles will follow.

The cost for attending is $30 per person including two nights of primitive camping at Susquehannock Campground or $15 for the weekend without camping.

Visit dirtfest.blogspot.com for more information on Dirt Fest (and/or to contact the promoters about getting your company or organization involved in the expo area, or as an event sponsor). If you’re ready to rock and roll, click here for registration.

Dirt Rag’s Dirt Fest is brought to you by Dirt Rag, IMBA, Raystown Mountain Bike Association, Rothrock Outfitters, and the Friends of Raystown Lake.