Canaan MTB Festival
Five years ago, I had the idea to do a mountain bike festival in Davis, West Virginia. I wanted to give back to the town that really created me as a mountain biker. I wanted to share this great mountain town with others and encourage people to ride together, do trail work and donate to the Tucker County Trails Club (TCT). I also was inspired by svbcoalition.org mountain bike festival in Stokesville, VA.
The fifth year was a huge success! We had over 120 riders, 25 for the Ladies Day and raised $2,000 for TCT through donations and selling raffle tickets. I want to thank everyone who donated, especially: Tip Top, Blackwater Bikes, Hellbenders, Sirianni's, White Grass, Blackwater Outdoor Center, Wild Ginger and Spice, HaySue's Salsa, Cannondale Bikes, Stan's No Tubes, Toasted Head Wine, Fast Forward Racing Productions.
I want to thank the ride leaders as well: Rob Stull, Rob Hull, Jeff Melnick, Meredith Erlewine, Chip Chase, Todd Romero, Dave, Van Morales, Ian Beckner, Jason Cyr, Kim Johnson. I couldn't have done it without your help!
We will continue the tradition next year with Ladies Lunch ride, Group rides, Benefit Fundraiser party, Bike Hash, Trail work and Fun! The dates for 2014 are on the solstice again...June 21, 22, 23.
Elk River Touring Center Women's Weekend
So many ladies came out again for this fantastic weekend of riding, skills building, camaraderie and great food. I always am so impressed with the great women come out for this event. Everyone is so positive and really pushes themselves to improve. The level of encouragement that the women give to each other is special.
The trails in Slatyfork are always a challenge with the mud, roots and climbs. I love the way that women rise to the challenge of negotiating the tricky roots and find inner strength to conquer moves that they could never get before.
But after all the dirty trails, a swimming hole, a hot tub and then a gourmet dinner are our treat!
The next clinic there is on September 13-15 and spots are still available! Check out the website www.ertc.com and look for it on Facebook.
Tour de Burg
I have mastered the fine art of slummin'! I first did the Tour de Burg in 2001 when it was a 10 day stage race consisting of both mountain and road days. I missed lots of them in between, but I've been the Women's Leader a big handful of times.
In the 18th year, the theme was the "Anti-Enduro" . Why? I think because there is a lot of hype about how Enduro is the most pure form of mountain biking and the most fun. And how a lot of enduros are chair lift fed which is nice, but nothing beats the satisfaction of climbing a tough hill and then rewarding yourself with a sweet, gnarly downhill.
Tour de Burg had 25 full pull riders with lots of day poachers. It cost $175 dollars for 5 hard days of racing and riding. This includes lunches, beer and dinners! And all the slummin you can handle! Its group riding at pleasure pace "PP" to the timed sections. Then go! and the timed sections are between 20 minutes and 2 hours. There are some costumes, rock star haircuts, beer drinking and of course amazing feats of athleticism.
My heartfelt thanks go out to Mike, Kari and Lindsey Carpenter for putting on this classic lifestyle event that is always the highlight of my summer!
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