Zipp re-launches a line of drop bars, and shows off their continued support of the PowerTap system by showing off a powertap equiped sub 9.

Zym has a new flavor!

Jason Schiers of Edge Composites, an up and coming force within the carbon world, talks to us about the newest offerings from the company based in Ogden, UT.

Visiting the ControlTech booth at Sea Otter this year revealed two new carbon bikes showing how light a bike can be built using ControlTech components. The first is a carbon monocoque road frame, built by a company based in Malta, that looks good and is incredibly light. This road bike weighs less than 16 lbs. built with SRAM Red components and parts from the ControlTech stock bins. The carbon crankset, tubular wheelset, skewers, carbon fork, stem, seatpost, and saddle are all available from the ControlTech catalog.

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Navigating the expo area at Sea Otter practically takes a GPS unit with the large number of vendors that setup every year. Hence, I wandered into the Garmin booth and got an update on a couple of Edge GPS units - the 605 and 705 - from Brandi.

Both the 605 and 705 Edge models automatically record your ride and measures your speed, distance, time, and calories burned. The Virtual Partner® feature lets you race a virtual competitor over a specified distance and speed.

The cool new feature for the hardcore trainers and riders who like closely monitor their progress is the ability of the 705 to interface with ANT + Sport™-enabled third-party power meters along with the navigation features of the Edge 605. The 705 allows you to track your heart rate, cadence, power, climb and descent when interfaced with the right power meter. The 605 has limited amount of memory, but the 705 can store up to 50 routes.

With a combination of all these features built into a single unit, recording your rides can provide you with a lot of data. Data which can be used to improve your fitness, be shared with others, and add a little fun to your routine training rides.

Ritchey to exhibit two new Break-Away bike framesets and various new components at one of the nation’s largest bicycle festivals

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Bicycle component company Ritchey Design announced today it will showcase the two newest framesets in the Break-Away line of bicycles at the Sea Otter Classic, April 17-20 in Monterey, Calif. Ritchey will be located in booth #728 by team parking in the event sponsor area.

The two newest models, the steel single speed road and full titanium mountain framesets, continue to round out the Break-Away line which now offers four road, two cross and one mountain bike models. When fully assembled, these bikes match the performance standards of non-travel bikes.

“Ritchey has seen an enormous increase in the demand for and popularity of adventure travel and Break-Away bicycles and framesets,” said Steve Parke, general manager and vice president of marketing for Syncros. “When disassembled, these bikes fit in a 9×27x30 inch travel case, making it an easy fit with airline check in procedures or the back of a compact rental car. Regardless of the model, there is no excuse for leaving your bike at home and not getting a ride in while on a business trip or vacation.”

In addition to the latest Break-Away models, Ritchey will also have the following new components on display:

WCS 4 Axis Stem
3D-Net forged, 2014 aluminum alloy for lightweight durability and improved strength-to-weight ratio
Specially-designed 4-bolt faceplate controls flex and distributes clamping forces across a larger area
Available in the NEW wet white finish
Used by HealthNet presented by Maxxis and Tibco Women’s Race Team

WCS Echelon Road Pedal
Forged alloy, low-profile body and chrome-moly axle results in a lightweight, power transfer efficient pedal
Tension adjustable, nylon/carbon claw provides ease of pedal entry and exit

Carbon Drop Style TT Base Bar
Full carbon, 3K Carbon bar provides durability with minimal additional weight
Non-slip sand textured clip-on clamping areas for lower torque clamp security and wear
Compatible with most clip-on bars, provides multiple set up options to conform to any riders’ needs

WCS Handlebars with Unidirectional Finish (originally launched at Taipei Cycle Show)
Produced maximum durability during fatigue testing
Provides more uniform look than carbon ply
Available for mountain and road bikes

WCS Carbon Logic II Road Bars
Unique drop and reach dimensions for each width of bar
Benefits hand position for brake lever access and high speed descents
Uses Ritchey’s Fit Logic design philosophy for custom bike fitting

Sea Otter Classic Challenges Participants with an Overflowing Activity Roster

 

Knowing the ropes, Ryan Leech suspends belief with his hard-won trials skills

MONTEREY, Calif. (March 13, 2008) Now more than ever before, Sea Otter Classic participants are faced with having to choose from an event schedule aimed at pleasing everyone. Live bands, recreational rides, beer and BBQ, the Mountain Bike Ride Zone, moto stunt shows, movie premiers, events for kids, and festival shows where “loop outs, x ups, augering, can-cans, and dumptrucks” become part of the dialect, pack a full roster of things to do at the 18th Annual Sea Otter Classic. If you thought that Sea Otter was only about BMX, road and off-road racing, which you can read about here, here and here, we’re just getting warmed up. Below is a guide to what else you have to choose from.

As always, entry to the Sea Otter Classic is free for kids 12 and under; military active duty, retired and families are two for one (50 percent off - ID card
required).

FESTIVAL SHOWS
Ryan Leech Trials Demos - Megawatt trials rider, Ryan Leech, returns this year to Sea Otter to perform daily shows that will no doubt inspire disbelief if he succeeds in riding such unreliable obstacles like chain links and eight centimeter cables. Leech will huck off obstacles, jump up onto barrels, perform jaw-dropping balancing acts, and generally stun spectators with his hard-won trials skills. He has performed thousands of trials shows all over the world and will be sharing his skills with the public throughout the festival. While chatting to the audience on his wireless mike, Leech will demonstrate his prowess by jumping and balancing his bike on a handcrafted course.

“My course is custom built out of steel, all fits inside a trailer which I also use to ride on,” said Leech, who spends a good chunk of the year towing the trailer around to perform at festivals, schools, and bike shops.

For a preview of just what Ryan Leech is capable of, visit: www.ryanleech.com

Time: check The Sea Otter Daily for daily show times

GT Airshow - Sharing the limelight with Leech will be the GT Airshow, which is a BMX freestyle show that showcases the sport’s very best athletes. GT Airshow riders will perform aerial stunts 20-30 feet above the ramps in addition to flips, jumps, quarter-pipe and half-pipe tricks. The GT Airshow comes to Sea Otter after having toured all around the world, performing at events such as MLB games, NFL games, NBA half-time shows, military bases, bicycle shops, and various fairs and festivals.

Time: check The Sea Otter Daily for daily show times

Magura Moto Stunt Show - “Boy Wonder” Aaron Colton, 14, comes to Sea Otter from his home in Minnesota to show us streetbike freestyle stunting. The youngest stunter in the world, Colton takes command of a streetbike that likely weighs three times more than he does and executes a series of stunts at speed from front and rear wheelies to balancing acts that could cost him big if things don’t work out. You don’t earn a moniker like “Boy Wonder” by bailing on stunts and everything seems to have worked out for Colton so far.

To learn more about Aaron Colton, visit his website: www.aaroncolton.com

Time: check The Sea Otter Daily for daily show times

Ceremonial Send Off’s - A parade led by the Defense Language Institute Joint Service Color Guard, followed by the Monterey high school marching band and flag bearers representing the countries of all Sea Otter participants will march down the racetrack toward the Sea Otter bridge just prior to the midday pro event races both Saturday and Sunday.

Time: Saturday, 12:30 pm; Sunday, 11:30 am

Live Music - Playing at the Sierra Nevada Beer and BBQ Garden, The Rockstone Players will entertain spectators with undertones of Black Uhuru, Sublime, Beck, Buju Banton, and Miles Davis that come together for a sound tailored to Sea Otter crowds.

Time: Friday, April 18 from 11:30 - 3:30

Then on Saturday, “Trusting Lucy” will take center stage at the Sierra Nevada Beer and BBQ Garden.

Time: Saturday, April 19 from 11:30 - 3:30

Breaking the law (gravity, that is) at the GT Airshow

SHOUT OUT TO THE KIDS
Kids’ Carnival - With so many events, you may be getting tired-but chances are, your kids aren’t! Enter the Kids’ Carnival, the single solution to parents’ need for rest and kids’ need to play, play, play. Housed on a soft grassy field amongst the Exhibitor tents, the Carnival offers huge, inflated bouncing structures, a climbing wall, interactive games and more. Parents can comfortably lounge while keeping an eye on junior burning off his rocket fuel. The Carnival is free to kids 12 and under.

Time: Thurs. - Sun. 9 am - 4 pm.

Sea Otter Egg Hunt - Skipper the Sea Otter hosts this event for children 8 and under! Your little ones will love to have the chance to “compete” for prizes on their own, as they search for eggs “hidden” around the lawn! Due to popular demand, the Sea Otter Egg Hunt will take place on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday this year! For more information, go here.

Time: Friday, Saturday AND Sunday at 10 am

Kids’ Bike Rodeo, presented by Nature’s Path Organic - The more fun your kids have on a bicycle, the more they will want to ride! Let your kids ride bicycles with us and we will help instill basic safety rules and teach them how to set up their bikes. The Kids’ Bike Rodeo promises to be as much fun as it is educational - for you AND your family! The Kids’ Bike Rodeo is open to children 10 and under. Due to popular demand, the Rodeo will take place on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday this year! For more information, go here.

Time: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 11 am

Kids’ Races - New for this year, the kids’ races are open for children 10 and under. Watch kids compete for the number one spot as they maneuver through a course designed for the younger set. All races will be broken up by age category. There is no entry fee and every kid is a winner. Go here for more information.

Time: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 12 noon

Kids’ Bike Playground - Not your average playground, the Kids’ Bike Playground allows kids 10 and under to try out their budding bike skills on obstacles appropriate for their age and level. No bullies allowed here.

Time: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 1-4 pm

RECREATIONAL RIDES
SRAM Mountain Bike Ride Zone - The SRAM Mountain Bike Ride Zone, hosted by BikeSkills is a riders’ playground where kids of all ages can play on jumps and learn tricks appropriate to their size and skills. Pros will be on hand to teach younger kids some new tricks while ladders, rails, teeter-totters, and berms will be set up for experienced riders. Click here for more information.

Time: Thursday through Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm

Mountain Bike Magazine’s Off-Road Tours Benefiting IMBA California - Starting Saturday, April 19 with Mountain Bike Magazine’s Off-Road Tours, riders get a chance to ride some of the best singletrack on either a 10 or 20-mile loop through the Fort Ord Bureau of Land Management Area. The shorter loop of 10 miles is a combination of fire road with a bit of singletrack and is ideally suited for beginning off-road riders. More experienced off-road riders can choose the 20-mile loop with extra sweet singletrack to enjoy the pristine terrain exclusive to Fort Ord. Either distance includes plenty of rest stops and on-trail assistance.

To sign up for Mountain Bike Magazine’s Off-Road Tours, benefiting IMBA California, go here. Check out the course map here.

Time: Saturday, April 19 9:30 am

Bicycling Magazine’s Road Bike Tours Benefiting the Davis Phinney Foundation - Bicycling Magazine’s ever-popular Road Bike Tours get underway Sunday morning, April 20 at 7 am with a 100-mile century ride through the scenic backroads of Monterey and the Salinas Valley or a shorter, 15-mile option on the closed roads of Fort Ord. On either route, riders will enjoy well-appointed rest stops and SAG support. Plus, top pro athletes and coaches will be riding along, offering riding tips to all participants.

All riders will enjoy a delicious post-ride BBQ and prize drawings where kids under 12 ride and eat free if accompanied by an adult.

To sign up for Bicycling Magazine’s Road Bike Tours, benefiting the Davis Phinney Foundation, go here.

Time: Sunday, April 20 7 am

Kids 12 and under can ride either tour for free when accompanied by an adult.

About Sea Otter Classic, Inc.
The 18th Annual Sea Otter Classic will be held April 17-20, 2008 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California, USA. The four-day “Celebration of Sport” is considered the world’s largest cycling festival, hosting nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans. The Sea Otter Classic benefits the Davis Phinney Foundation, which supports Parkinson’s disease research and wellness, and IMBA California, which organizes advocacy and trailbuilding efforts statewide and strengthens California mountain bike clubs. More information can be found at www.seaotterclassic.com or by calling 800-218-8411.

Source: Sea Otter Classic News Service