As the calendar flips to March, the action in the Dirt Rag online event schedule is heating up. One can only hope that spring-like temperatures are not far behind.

We invite you to join us as the Dirt Rag / Bicycle Times 2010 World Tour rolls into the Seattle Bike Expo on March 13-14th. Or scan the list and find an event near you and roll your own tour.

If you’re a promoter and you’re wondering why your event is not on this list, it’s probably because you did not send the information to our Vice President in Charge of Event Listings. If that’s the case, then click here to email the V.P. with the details on your upcoming events, so we can list them in the future.

We’re in the van on the way home from another successful NAHBS adventure, but I wanted to post today’s photos for your viewing pleasure. Sure is amazing to see that much raw talent under one roof. These guys really do represent the best of the best.

If you haven’t seen them, check out Friday’s and Saturday’s photos, too.

Without further delay, here are more pics from day number two of the 2010 North American Handmade Show. Look for in-depth coverage in both issues #148 of Dirt Rag and Issue #6 of Bicycle Times. Be sure to check out the additional pics from day one and day three.

Yes, the green trike is a pedal-powered lawn mower, courtesy of Ted Wojick.

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.

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.