Archive for May, 2008
Attention USA Cycling members: We are just over a month away from this seasonandrsquo;s USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships. If you havenandrsquo;t yet registered for the event, please remember that you can quickly and easily do so online at www.sportsbaseonline.com. Also, please remember the escalating registration fee structure that was introduced to the registration process for the 2008 season after valuable feedback from our members. Beginning Tuesday, June 10 at 12:00 p.m. EDT, a $25.00 late registration fee per event will go into effect.
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Three races marked the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. After 15 total events on the NRC, Rory Sutherland continues to hold a commanding lead in the overall individual standings on the men’s side while Leah Goldstein is the current womenandrsquo;s leader. The teams currently atop the standings include the Health Net Pro Cycling Team presented by Maxxis in the menandrsquo;s rankings and the Cheerwine Professional Cycling Team in the womenandrsquo;s.
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Taylor Tolleson emerged victorious in the fourth race on the 2008 USA Cycling Professional Tour, the 1.2-rated Tour of Leelanau in Michigan on May 25. Heading into the fifth, sixth and seventh races on the men’s-only season long calendar, Levi Leipheimer and Astana continue to lead the 15-race calendar.
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When Megan Guarnier , Emily Zell and Melissa Doherty were invited by Jim Miller, USA Cyclingandrsquo;s Director of Endurance Programs, to race in Europe, these relative newcomers to the sport were keenly aware of two things: They were being given an opportunity typically reserved for women whoandrsquo;d proven themselves at the highest levels of domestic racing, and the racing would be intensely challenging.
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One of the most important components on your mountain bike is your tires. They grip the ground and provide the traction you need on different surfaces. Most mountain bike riders look for light weight, strength and traction in a tire and many advanced riders even have multiple sets of tires for different riding conditions.
So what tire is right for your mountain bike and riding style? With so many different manufactures and models to choose from which one is right for you? These are not easy questions to answer so hopefully we can provide some insight to get you moving in the right direction. Mountain bike parts are not cheap and you want to make the right decision.
Tire Construction:
Consider a Kevlar bead or folding tire - A Kevlar tire weighs an estimated 60-80 grams less then a conventional none folding tire. It does not sound like much of a weight savings but multiple that number by two and then consider the rotating weight. For an extra couple of dollar, in my opinion, it is worth spending the extra money.
Terrain and Tread patterns:
Determine where you are going to ride and how you are going to use the bike. As an example will you be riding on the local trails that are hard packed dirt or on slick rock?
For hard packed terrain consider a narrower and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is 1.8 to 2.0 wide.
For hard packed terrain with a good mix of rocks you might want to consider a wider and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is wider then 2.0.
For loosely packed terrain consider a knobby tire. Choose a tire with a really aggressive pattern as this will help you gain maximum traction in the dirt. You might also want to consider tires that are designed for the front and rear of the bike.
For muddy terrain consider a narrow tire. Narrow tires will reach the bottom of the mud and create less resistance when turning making it easier for you to move forward.
For all terrain tires there are so many choices to consider. Many of the major tire manufacturers make very good tires that are great for all conditions.
Riders Body Size:
Consider your body size. If you are heavier you might want to consider a wider tire.
Where to buy:
You can buy your tires at a bike store, order them from an online basic bicycle website or from an individual sell tires posted on a mountain bike classifieds website.
The information above is a rough guide on what to consider when buying new mountain bike tires. Many bikes stores that have bikes for sale and bike parts can also give you their opinion. Talk to your friends and read online forums to see what other riders like and don’t like. The more information you have the better.
See you on the trail.
With nine menandrsquo;s races and 11 womenandrsquo;s events on the 2008 NRC now complete, Rory Sutherland (AUS) has a commanding lead in the overall individual standings on the men’s side while Leah Goldstein (CAN) is the current womenandrsquo;s leader. The teams currently atop the standings include the Health Net Pro Cycling Team presented by Maxxis in the menandrsquo;s rankings and the Cheerwine Professional Cycling Team in the womenandrsquo;s. The next race on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar will be the Tour de Leelanau on May 24. On the same day, the men will race the 1.4-rated Kelly Cup in Baltimore, Md. The Tour of Somerville, is also quickly approaching as the 1.4-rated contest is scheduled to take place on May 26 in Somerville, N.J.
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Attention all USA Cycling road members: the 2008 USA Cycling Junior, U23 and Elite Road Nationals are set for Aug. 6-10 in Anaheim, Calif. This year, USA Cycling has introduced several changes to the race registration procedure after feedback from many of our members. Online registration opens Saturday, June 7. Please read the following information which closely outlines the registration procedures, eligibilty and rules for this year’s event.
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The 2008 USA Cycling Media Guide is now available for download from the USA Cycling website. Designed to serve as a comprehensive resource guide for members of the media, the 2008 USA Cycling Media Guide presents a complete look at American cycling and the sportandrsquo;s national governing body. The five sections of the 268-page guide provide an introduction to the sport and its structure in the U.S.; bios of 2008 U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls and executive, coaching and support staff; a preview of all cycling events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing; a history of American cycling, U.S. performances and records; domestic and international race calendars and much more.
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The 2008 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships concluded on Sunday as Lees McRae College claimed the overall Division I team title and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology won the overall Division II team championship. Eight individual titles were also awarded on Sunday as the three-day event closed with criterium racing in Old Town Fort Collins.
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Following last weekend’s trio of races on the 2008 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC), Burke Swindlehurst and Leigh Hobson are the current overall individual leaders. In the team standings, the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team leads in the menandrsquo;s rankings and the Cheerwine Professional Cycling Team leads on the women’s side. Following last week’s events, the NRC continues with the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas, May 8-11.
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