Take Action To increase Opportunities for Bicycling in National Parks

There's still time to make your opinion known. I've included the entire text of the original IMBA media release or you can check out the online petition that they have set up here.

From IMBA.com:
For Immediate Release
12-18-08
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst
drew@imba.com
303-545-9011

At long last, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has proposed a rule change which will make it easier for parks to open trails for mountain biking. IMBA urges mountain bikers to register comments in support of the rule change. IMBA has been asking for this change since the 1990s. We now enter a 60-day commentary period to make the change official.

Take Action Now! Customized letters are most effective.

You can read IMBA's white paper analysis of the proposed rule change and view the entire text in the Federal Register online. We know that several groups are working to defeat this proposal -- it will take thousands of comments in favor of the rule change to ensure it stays intact.

As the proposal explicitly states, none of the NPS procedures for environmental review -- or opportunities for public commentary -- will be diminished by this change. What it will achieve is a much more manageable system for adopting mountain biking trails. The proposal states, "As a general matter, the proposed rule provides park superintendents with a more efficient and effective way to determine whether opening existing trails to bicycles would be appropriate in the park unit they manage."

IMBA believes that this measure will enhance national parks and deserves your support -- please file your comments today!

Sample Letter

Thank you for accepting my comments concerning RIN 1024-AD72, the National Park Service rule change for bicycling. I fully support the proposed rule.

1. The special regulations process that restricts bicycling on trails is unduly burdensome and duplicates protections that are already addressed by the NPS General Management Plan and the National Environmental Policy Act.
2. This proposed rule would give park superintendents better tools for opening trails to bicycling. It would also treat bicycles like other non-motorized trail uses, such as horseback riding.
3. Independent scientific studies, including those conducted by the National Park Service, have shown the environmental impacts of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking, and far less than other uses.
4. The best research regarding social interactions on trails reveals those who encounter other user groups report very favorably on their interactions. Claims otherwise are unsupported by scientific data.
5. Shared-use trails are a successful management tool worldwide. NPS staff are skilled at selecting appropriate trails for shared-use by hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.
6. This rule will aid visitor enjoyment for both children and adults. Bicycling broadens the recreational offerings and gets Americans out of their cars and into the natural world. It connects people of all ages with the natural environment and is a fun, low-impact activity.
7. Improving opportunities for bicycling and promoting trails tourism could benefit economic conditions for nearby communities.
8. Mountain bikers are prolific volunteers--conducting nearly one million hours of trailwork on public lands annually--and could help build environmentally sound, sustainable trails.

Thank you for considering my comment. Bicycling is a wonderful way to explore our national parks and I hope the proposed rule change will be implemented.

Yumeya

Shimano is introducing aftermarket titanium & carbon fiber bits to upgrade XTR groups. They'll be releasing more information about the Yumeya parts at EuroBike and at Shimano.com September 1st. I'd also expect to see the same information at InterBike. Originally found at Singletrack Magazine.

2009 Specialized Bikes

Here's all the info on the 2009 Specialized bike line.

I told you today was going to be a special day.
We'll try to give you some highlights of the new bikes later on today & into this weekend.

Friday is going to be a very special day

Very special. You might want to wander on back over here tomorrow & check out the party.

Preliminary Agreement Reached on Marzocchi's Future

Press release from Marzocchi:

The Marzocchi management entered today into a preliminary agreement to start an acquisition procedure by the multinational Tenneco Inc., in order to provide additional opportunities for growth and to continue the tradition of a brand that contributes to writing some of the most exiting pages of the motorcycle and mountain bike history.
...
Marzocchi today means reliability and no compromise performance and is a symbol of the Italian industry that goes right to the hart of the passionate riders all over the world.

Marzocchi is currently carrying a debt that back on April 30th, 2008, was roughly calculated to be around $15 million, which Tenneco, a Fortune 500 corporation, will assume responsibility for.

I think that this will work out well for Gruppo Marzocchi. When I began working at a shop many years ago, it was impossible to discuss forks without praising the ride quality, the reliability, & the seviceability of the Marzocchi forks. Over the past several years, however, it seems as if the Gruppo Marzocchi has become less of a presence in the American suspension market. I would think that with Tenneco's financial backing of Gruppo Marzocchi & the extensive engineering resources Marzocchi forks will see a resurgence in popularity in America.

Specialized 2009 Carbon Epic

Specialized released their Epic line of full suspension mountain bikes in 2003. The new line was well received from the beginning & has become a popular choice for riders looking for a cross-country oriented full suspension bike.

Now, for 2009, Specialized has drastically revamped the Epic line. There's a great review of the bike over at CyclingNews but the nutshell version is that the new 2009 high-end Epic comes in under 22lbs while still retaining a similar ride quality as the 2008 Specialized Epic Marathon Carbon.

However, we hesitate to use the phrase "comparable model" as the 2008 Epic Marathon Carbon was not full carbon but rather a FACT carbon front triangle & an M5 aluminum rear triangle whereas the new 2009 Specialized Epic is going to be a full carbon frame.
Yes, that's right, a carbon front end & a carbon rear triangle.

Specialized didn't stop there though; They've outfitted the 2009 Epic with their proprietary FACT integrated crankset. Please note that while Specialized's road FACT integrated crankset is compatible with the BB30 standard their new mountain FACT integrated crankset is not compatible with the BB30 standard.

Specialized re-engineered the placement of the shock (under the top tube at the top tube & seat tube junction) and the Brain unit (above the rear non-drive axle). Specialized claims that these modifications will produce a more balanced ride. Specialized will be using their Futureshock E100 1^1/2" to 1^1/8" forks on the new 2009 Specialized Epics.

Ever since Specialized took on Mike McAndrews, they've been pushing the suspension envelope. McAndrews has been in bicycle industry for a quite a while now and by looking back on his employment history, he always seems to be working at fork & suspension companies when those companies were breaking the mold.
Remember RockShox and the Mag 21? The Maverick Duc32?
McAndrews was there.


After a 10 year hiatus between the original carbon Epic, Specialized recommitted to carbon fiber in 2004 with the S-Works Tarmac and the Roubaix line. It appears that Specialized's commitment to carbon will only increase into 2009 for the CyclingNews review of the 2009 Epic states: "All of the new Epics and Eras will be carbon-only; there are no aluminum models for 2009 although a slightly less expensive Marathon version will use aluminum chain stays".

If the 2009 Epic is any indication of what other companies are going to bring to the table for 2009 then 2009 promises to be a banner year for new cycling products.

Amtel-Vredestein Tires

Sibur Russian Tyres has purchased a 70% stake of Amtel-Vredestein for about $370 million.

Amtel-Vredestein, a Dutch manufacturer of bicycle and auto tires, had been struggling to turn a profit and to retain market share over the past few years. Sibur's Russian Tyres controls a little over 30% of the Russian tire market and by acquiring Amtel-Vredestein will become one of the top ten tire manufacturers world wide.

Given that Russia currently is, population-wise, 9th in the world and that Russia has seen considerable economic growth over the past decade, Sibur's acquisition of Vredestein should work out well.

"Bear mauls girl during mountain bike race"

"Grizzly suspected in attack along trail during 24-hour event in Alaska."

As someone who has participated in a couple of 24-hour events, I'm glad to say that my exposure to wildlife at 24-hour races is limited to small rabbits and field mice darting through the singletrack at 3am and wandering members of Team Hamana.
All pretty tame compared to being mauled by a bear.

We hope that the rider heals up & is able to get back on the bike soon.