This Sunday, September 13th is the Blue Mountain Reservation Chain Stretcher XC race. Like races past, DOWN Cycles is donating some sweet prizes. New for this year we will have a four Marin Bikes available for demo/test rides. Anyone is welcome to test out a Marin Mount Vision 5.8 full suspension bike. Riders are also welcome to race the bike during this event!

The Marin Mount Vision 5.8 retails for $3465.00. The demo bikes are for sale as this is the last event they will be used for. They will be radically reduced in price down to $2300.00!!! We will have three sizes available for purchase/demo: medium, large and extra large. They are in amazing condition, come with a full 5 year warranty and are professionally tuned. We will also have a 29er hardtail, size 20" for testing!

The guys at the WMBA shortened the track up this year. In a nut shell, the track is designed with a few lung buster climbs and some ripper fast downs. The new layout starts in the opposite direction from years past. See a track map at Chain Stretcher XC Race Map.

I know these trails inside out and I can see three spots that are going to cause bottlenecking. These sections are very technical and can be cleaned, but I can see spastic racers flounder and cause congestion.

First section with issues will be the immediate entrance into “Switchback”. The root step up into this single track will dismount 90% of the racers.

Second section will be most of “Criss-Cross”. Things are going to get ugly after the first few sweeping turns. Criss-Cross becomes very steep and technical with rock sections that resemble something you’d find at a trials event. The steep climb out will finish off any rider lucky enough to get that far.

The section of "Monster" will ride nice in this direction (opposite of years past). Exiting onto "Dickey Brook Trail" will be a pinner section. Get ready for death at marker #34. This is the worst climb on the track. The third section to boggle minds and flip out (or maybe over) most racers will be the rock ups on the first section of this climb. Get past that and grind your way up to “Yang”.

Yang will be a blinding fast run back to the parks start/finish. This section will offer few options to pass so take advantage of any opportunities to when you can.

Have fun out there and please be courteous to other racers. The Chain Stretcher always has a positive vibe. Thanks to the people at the WMBA for running the event! They have been out there buffing the trails out for the event, cutting downed trees and reinforcing areas damaged from rain/overuse. Come visit us at the DOWN Cycles/ Marin Bikes tent. I'll be the one licking my wounds and rubbing out the leg cramp.

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5/20/09, 75 degrees, Sunny and the dirt is tacky. EC, his mechanic Sniper, and my GT bicycles rep Adam Andre all hit up Blue Mountain Reservation for a shop ride. We filmed a bit of XC on XC bikes at DH speeds. The vibe was positive, the GT bikes are stellar and everyone had a killer ride!

I bounced around on the GT force bikes and was very impressed. These bikes are fast! They're also very lightweight and simply gorgeous. The craftsmanship is top shelf and the build spec is impressive. I also hopped aboard EC's Proto GT Fury. The Fury is the first production full carbon fiber DH bike (I know, I know, BCD has been building full carbon DH rigs for years). The Fury rides just as you'd expect, like a full on World Cup custom bike. The rear suspension felt, well, pretty much perfect and the bike accelerated easily. I was impressed to say the least.

Best of all was the good times had by all! We had a blast tearing around my local trails and I was proud and excited to have a world cup racer and all time legend of the sport amped on trials I built. EC even gave me props on my riding and filmed a bit with me as well!

Thanks again to Team GT for visiting my shop!

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Once again the Chain Stretcher race is upon us!

This weekend October 5th Blue Mountain Reservation will host the 2008 "Chain Stretcher" Norba sanctioned XC event.

The WMBA crew always picks the choice trails for the race and this year is no exception. The length of the track has been reduced to less than 8 miles per lap (racers request) and "My Favorite Trail" and the Peekskill sections have been dropped. Both Upper and Lower SIS, Stinger and a section of Mix Monster will keep things interesting.

DOWN Cycles is offering up $150, $75, $50 CASH prizes for any team riders who place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place finishes! Just ride with the jersey and fly the DOWN colors for the race!

Speaking of prizes, DOWN Cycles is also donating some very cool swag for all race winners for the Beginner and Sport Categories! Pint glasses, filled with socks and or chain checker tools (I thought would be appropriate considering the name of the race), stickers, water bottles, T shirts etc..

Good Luck to everyone who signs up. I will be out there once again trying to fight off leg cramps. This year I'll be on my EWR. Yes, I have decided to not race on my IF cross bike.

A heads up to everyone: The new section of Mix Monster is open! I rolled up Sunday ready to help with the new section and the trail was already done! I think the guys finished in like 4 days!

Anyway, I got some fresh tracks on some familiar terrain as the new section of Mix Monster crosses directly over some of the old renegade DH runs. This new section of trail rides best one way and is thrilling to say the least. I can't say I don't miss the wide open pinner section of old, but the new line has it going on with techy off cambers, some steeps and packed in rock gardens.

This trail section is not in the race,thankfully, as it need to be broken in and feels like you're riding on flat tires.

A huge thank you goes out to the guys who dedicated their time and energy to build those stream crossing rock gardens! A lot of time was spent cutting in shelves to ride on as well.

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Down Cycles 10 year anniversary party!!!

Thank you to all the customers who support the shop. This Saturday August 16th 2008 is a celebration for all to enjoy. Come by for the event and meet Eric Carter, professional mountainbike racer for the Mongoose Team.

That's right, Eric Carter the legend is coming to my rinky dink prison, I mean DOWN Cycles to sign some autographs, chit chat with the droolers and eat some pizza/burritos. Maybe you'll get some swag if you time it right.

We are setting up a bunny hop contest to keep everyone occupied. It's not going to be one of those sanctioned contests. Just a bunch of knuckheads hopping over a pole.

This event should be pretty chill, good times, bikes, food and your favorite rider of all time, EC stylin and profile-in.

This event is going down (it's all about down) on Saturday August 16th. Eric Carter is in the area for the Jeep DS race that's at Diablo Freeride Park the following weekend. He's building the track for Diablo, so he should arrive around 3:00 or so. Call DOWN Cycles if you need further information.

Directions:

From South: Take Rt 9A North to Rt 9 North (9A N merges into 9 N around the Ossining area). Get off the Montrose Exit. Make a right off the exit (you can see the shop from the exit ramp) and we are the 4th drive on the left. 2015 Albany Post Rd. Do not plug this address into your GPS. Your GPS will send you in the wrong direction!!!

From North, Taconic State Parkway: Get off the "Underhill Rd" exit. Make right off the exit ramp. At bottom of Underhill Rd, (road ends) take a right on Rt129. Take Rt 129 all the way into the town of Croton (Watch out for the cops in town). At second light take right (follow signs to Rt 9 North). You will go through 1 light (cross over Rt 9a, Albany Post Rd) and the entrance to Rt9 North will be on the right. Get on the high way and now follow the directions I have above "From South" to get to the shop. I know it sounds weird to now be south of us, but trust me this is the easiest way to get to the shop.

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• May 12: Dual Slalom #1
• May 13: Downhill #1
• May 20: Cross Country #1
• June 2: Dual Slalom #2
• June 3: Downhill #2
• June 24: Cross Country #2
• July 14: Dual Slalom #3
• July 15: Downhill #3
• August 25: Dual Slalom #4
• August 26: Downhill #4
• September 15: Dual Slalom #5 - A.M.B.C. DOUBLE POINTS
• September 16: Downhill #5 - A.M.B.C. DOUBLE POINTS
• September 30: Cross Country #3 - A.M.B.C DOUBLE POINTS
• October 13: Dual Slalom #6
• October 14: Downhill #6
• October 28: Cross Country #4
• November 11: "Last Chance for Glory" Downhill #7 DOUBLE POINTS!

See everyone up at Plattekill...

Team DC

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Below is the proposed Gravity East Series Schedule for the 2007 season. This will be a series encompassing many of the different downhill & slalom/mtn cross events up and down the East Coast, from New England to the Carolinas!

This series has been a long while in the making and comes from loads of discussions over the past couple years between racers, promoters, and the folks at USAC. This series is designed to showcase the amazing variety of riding and elite level of racing on the East Coast to the global cycling world! East Coast Unity!

1. May 5/6 - Duryea Downhill, PA
2. May 12 - Massanutten Yee-Ha!, VA
3. May 20 - Diablo Freeride Park, NJ
4. June 2/3 - Plattekill, NY
5. June 15-17 - Whitetail/Capital Cup, PA
6. July 14/15 - (location to be confirmed)
7. August 11/12 - Wolf Laurel, NC
8. September 2 - Whiteface Mountain, NY
9. September 22/23 - Mount Snow, VT
10. September 29/30 - Whisp, MD
11. October 13/14 - Series Finals Plattekill, NY

All of these dates are tentative at the moment and are subject to change. A series website and ranking system is in process. Keep your eyes peeled for more detailed info in the coming weeks.

The plan is to have overall series cash purses for Pro & Expert categories and good prizes for the Beg/Sports. Best 7 of 11 races will count toward the overall. Promoters of these events will surely be stepping their courses and events up a couple notches for this series!

2 Updates

Diabloween was the ultimate “hike a bike”. The day began with no power and non stop 50 mph wind gusts. Despite all the problems, many hardcore riders stayed for the day, pushing to the top and/or chilling at the bottom to watch the jump contest.

Props to all the riders that stayed to cheer on the riders! The weather was not cooperating and the riders were dealing with the cold weather, the wind and abstractive Halloween costumes (just ask the rider who lost his boxer shorts).

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6 Updates

NEW YORK, NY--- Chris “Doc” Boudreaux is leaving Brooklyn Machine Works after ten years as company co-owner and head of downhill frame design.

As one of the top frame designers and builders on the East Coast, Chris Boudreaux is as unique as the city he lives in: Formal training and experience as a MD, and a life-long passion as a rider, from BMX to downhill racing. Chris’s skills and talents have made him a visionary among high-end framebuilders, and an icon among riders who want the best downhill, dirt jumping and BMX rigs that money can buy.

Doc’s most notable accomplishments during his time at BMW include several generations of downhill frame designs, which were the staple of the company’s business. The TMX, Minilink and Racelink bicycles became world famous for durability, performance and customer satisfaction.

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2 Updates

Register at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1343648

WILMINGTON, N.Y. – Skiing and boarding the network of runs atop Little Whiteface is one thing. But now, many top mountain bike professionals will have to amp up their intensity as they attempt to handle ski and bike trails beginning with Approach and covering 2,500 vertical feet over more than three miles down the Olympic Mountain.

It’s all part of the Whiteface 5 Kilometer Downhill Race, presented by High Peaks Cyclery, on Sunday, Sept. 3 beginning at 11 am.

This event, sanctioned by NORBA (National Off-Road Bicycle Association), will feature a pro cash purse of $5,000. Prizes will also be offered to the top three finishers in other categories and age groups.

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General Information:

• Date: May 26-28, 2006
• Event Promoter: TerraLogic Park Industries, LLC
• Location: Diablo Freeride Park / Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon NJ
• Nearest Airport : Newark International, Newark NJ
• Disciplines: Downhill & Slopestyle Exhibition
• Event Scheule COMING SOON!
• Format: Open Pro/Am Format
• Purse: $20,000 +
• Amateur Prizes: $15,000 in product
• Hospitality Services : Complimentary food & beverage for pro athletes & VIP’s

Read more!

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Some great news!!! Snowshoe will be giving out cash prizes total $40,000 for this years race series. $25,000 in cash rewards and $15,000 in prizes! This is one of the biggest purses in the nation and between Diablo and Snowshoe the east coast is without a doubt taking this sport seriously!

Click here for more information: SnowShow Race Series

http://ride.snowshoemtn.com/docs/cash_payouts.pdf

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DHRacers LLC. with the ongoing support of Honda North America, are proud to welcome new sponsor Iron Horse Bicycles and top USA pro downhiller Duncan Riffle to their program.

DHRacers LLC. are delighted to begin a relationship with a company who is as passionate and dedicated to racing as we are. Iron Horse are regulars on the podium internationally and we will ensure that this trend continues in North America with the signing of Duncan Riffle who will be competing in both the World Cup and Norba circuits as well as all the other major North American races.

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$30,000 in Cash and Prizes Offered at Diablo Freeride Park

February 7, 2006 - Diablo Freeride Park is pleased to announce the 2006 Diablo Domination Downhill Series event lineup. In its second year, the series returns with 5 event dates and nearly $30,000 in cash and prizes. Mark your calendars, the 2005 series proved to be heavily contested with huge cash and prize offerings on the line.

• Diablo Domination Race #1 May 21, 2006
• Diablo Domination Race #2 July 2, 2006
• Diablo Domination Race #3 August 27, 2006
• Diablo Domination Race #4 September 24, 2006
• Diablo Domination Race #5 October 8, 2006

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With the permission of Brooklyn Machine Works, we were able to get our hands on photos of the future release of Brooklyn Machine Works "Hit Man"!!!

I don't know what to say, my jaw has just dropped completely off...

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2 Updates

Members of the GT and Mongoose Mountain Bike Teams will be competing at Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park 3Ride Pro Invitational on Saturday Feb 4th. UCI Fourcross World Champion Brian Lopes and Mountain Bike Legend Hans Rey will both be representing GT. Mongoose jump stars Aaron Peters and Jim DeChamp will be competing for the 'Goose.

Ray's 3Ride Pro Invitational consists of three events - Speed Trials on the Moen Flow Sport Course, Dual Slalom on the Fisher Pump Track and a jump contest. Admission is only $5, and Sunday you can ride with the pros.

http://www.raysmtb.com/index.html

For more information on Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland, OH, visit www.raysmtb.com

DirtyRig

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