Boulder Cycling

2011 Colorado Bike Summit beyond expectations

Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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I was lucky enough to have the honor to attend Colorado Bike Summit put on by Bicycle Colorado. The summit was put on because many noticed that Colorado had the largest presence at the national bike summit every year so it was time to capture that energy and start Colorado's own Bike Summit. This year's bike summit was kicked off with the great keynote speeches by John Burke of Trek, Tim Blumenthal of Bikes Belong, Bill Vidal, Mayor of Denver, Randy Neufeld of SRAM and lastly Dan Grunig of Bicycle Colorado.

John Burke of Trek

John Burke of Trek

The speeches say a lot on their own (more to be added as they are uploaded). In addition to the speeches there was as panel discussion on how Black Hawk and the recently failed mountain bike safety bill. The panelist gave a great deal of information on how we should interact with our elected officials. Key take aways were.

    BMA's speech on West TSA at recent Banquet.

    Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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    Speech by BMA's president, Jason Vogel, at BMA Banquet on West TSA access


    Learn more how you can help with Mountain Bike Related issues
    Also check out Jason's Guest Opinion in the Daily Camera

    BMA is asking for us to take action by showing up this Wednesday to the

    City Council Chambers, Municipal Building
    1777 Broadway (SW corner of Canyon and Broadway)
    Boulder, CO
    Wednesday, February 9 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm

    BMA is asking for 4 things

    From the Daily Camera's Letter to the Editor

    Cyclists aren`t the enemy

    I must object to the mean-spirited and ill-informed tirades about mountain cyclists published here recently. As mountain bike riders know, this activity is noble, positive and saturated with spiritual meaning.

    For most of us, this is not some kind of extreme thrill sport, but rather a flowing way to experience nature`s blessing. No one is asking to ride on the Mesa trail or otherwise "take over" all the hiking trails. The current proposal is for a separate route that will provide a critical link in the system; allowing cyclists to avoid riding along Broadway south of Table Mesa, where the "bike path" is on a dangerous sidewalk that crosses numerous blind driveways into a shopping center.

    The negative opinions expressed by the bicycle bigots can be compared to a group of snowshoers who want to ban cross-country skiers because they "go too fast."

    That being said, I know that mountain cyclists are grateful for the off-road cycling opportunities that do exist and can ultimately make do without this much-needed southern connecting link route. But whatever happens, please stop characterizing mountain cyclists as threatening or predatory. Boulder is a cycling town and off-road cycling is a worthy and important aspect of our overall culture.

    PETER McINTOSH

    Below snippet is from the BMA Facebook Event Page. Lots more details there, some history and resourceful comments

    If you ride a mountain bike in Boulder, and you believe in more trail access from town, now is the time to show up. BMA wants to get 500 mountain bikers there - and we need you to make it happen!

    *** WEAR A GREEN SHIRT AND A BIKE HELMET *** ... and wear them with pride as you fly the BMA colors and visually state "I am a mountain biker!"

    On this Wednesday, the city's Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT), a council-appointed citiz...en advisory board, will hear testimony on whether or not to continue the Boulder Bike Ban. City Open Space staff said mountain bikers should have NO access to the West TSA. The OSBT meeting is our chance to change that!

    To overturn this ban, BMA wants to show the mountain bike community's numbers - that mountain bikers are not a "special interest," we are the very fabric of Boulder. By just showing up in your green shirt and bike helmet, you cast a vote.

    Or better yet, show up and sign up to speak. Don't repeat what others have said before you. It's enough to just get up there and say your name, your address, and "I support BMA's modest proposal." But feel free to say more if you'd like to. Your comments will dispel the myth that all mountain bikers are 20-something, meat-headed, adrenaline fueled, selfish people with no concern for families, our community, or our environment.

    The Pros Closet - Bigger than you think

    Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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    Owners Nick (left) and Pete pose in their "lobby"

    Seven years ago, while living in a Volkswagen Van and training to make it as a professional mountain bike racer, Nick Martin planted a seed. A seed that today
    has grown into the world’s largest online used bike store. Nick combined his deep knowledge of auction science with his industry contacts and started down a path that has expanded beyond the simple life inside that old Volkswagen Van. While Nick was successfully selling for his mountain bike peers he met Pro Roadie, Pete Lopinto. Pete and Nick combined forces and brought their road and mountain bike contacts together to form The Pros Closet. Within a week Nick’s one bedroom Boulder apartment has filled with teammates old kits and used parts. At that point they knew this was a business model that was going to work.

    The Pros Closet is a bike shop unlike any you have seen before. Their knowledge of auction science and eBay’s market place has allowed them to turn over 60% of their inventory every 7 days. By opening your auctions up to a worldwide marketplace and using their proven auction strategies, they can put more money in your pocket than you can selling your own gear. Their deep inventory comes from bike shops, companies, professional athletes, industry reps, and riders like you.


    Click to Enlarge     How they operate

    Here is how they work.

    • STEP 1: Bring in the contents of your garage and dresser drawers
    • STEP 2: Watch the action. Once your item(s) are listed, they e-mail you a link to
      your online account so you can view the action as your auctions unfold. They also
      assign account manager to your account to answer any questions you may have
      throughout the process.
    • STEP 3: Get Paid: After your auction ends, the collect payment and professionally
      ship your item(s) to the winning bidder

    Boulder Junior Cycling Development MTB Team Kick off Party

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    What: Join past, current and future members of the Boulder Junior Cycling Development

    Mountain Bike Team to learn what the team will be doing in 2011. This is open to athletes,
    parents and friends.

    + The Development Team is open to riders ages 10/11-18 who are interested in racing
    mountain bikes and having fun, but are not ready for a full year of high level cross country
    racing.

    When: Thursday, February 3rd

    Where: The Trek Store on Broadway and Baseline in the Basemar shopping center.

    Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

    There will be a presentation by a coach and parent volunteer. There will also be jersey’s
    available to try on for those joining the team.

    + Please be prepared to sign up and have payment ready. You can find the sign-up forms
    on boulderjuniorcycling.org

    The fee for the Development team is $625 per year. Rides go from April 5th - August 11th on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
    We will start at 4:00 p.m. during the school year and switch to 9:00 a.m. during the summers.

    Each junior gets one Jersey with the fee. You can purchase further kits if you would like and we get enough demand.

    + For more information on Boulder Junior Cycling Development Team check out:

    2011 Colorado Bike Summit

    Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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    This Febuary 7th & 8th Bicycle Colorado is hosting Colorado's first Bike Summit geared towards tightening the loosely knitted community we are in. This summit gives us a change to bring cyclist together with industry experts with state and local representatives with the goal of finding more ways to make cycling fun and safe for all in Colorado. This two day summit will include keynote presentations by Tim Blumenthal of Bikes Belong, John Burke, President of Trek Bicycle Corporation and Randy Neufeld of SRAM Cycling Fund. In addition to the speeches there will be break out sessions on Developing Complete Streets and the Benefits to Communities, The Power of Mountain Biking in Your Community, or Next Steps for Safe Routes to School. If you are a strong cycling advocate then this is your chance to get with local and state representatives as many will be there. I will be there both days with goals to network and focus on Safe Routes to Schools (something that is dear to me) so say hi if you are there too, I'm the bald guy with camera gear and a big smile as I will be with all of my people. Learn more about the 2011 Colorado Bike Summit

    Registration here

    Agenda

    Colorado Bike Friendly Businesses

    Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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    BikeDenver has for awhile a "Bike Friendly" business award and now Boulder's Community Cycles is joining in on this concept. Recently they awarded the list of "Bike Friendly businesses for Winter 2011"

    Boulder List (below) and Denver list here

    Platinum Level

    * Full Cycle Bikes
    * Bikes Belong
    * Pedal To Properties
    * UCAR/NCAR
    * Belt Collins West Ltd.

    Gold Level

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