For their honeymoon, Will and Melissa Calkins went to France. They didn’t go, however, to taste the cuisine or see the art. They went to stand on high mountain roads and celebrate their marriage by cheering their lungs out for five stages of the Tour de France.
That was 2004, a year of complete domination by Lance Armstrong, who became the first person to win six Tours. Since then, the couple has continued cheering and continued riding. And though the extremely pregnant Melissa won’t be making the trip from their home in Longmont, Colo. to Santa Cruz for the Stage 2 finish of the Amgen Tour of California this Monday, her husband is coming and so is … More info
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The seventh season of Urban Assault Ride, the largest bicycle-based adventure race series in the US, will hit the streets in 10 cities this year. Â
The Urban Assault Ride (UAR) is a funky bike scavenger hunt that involves navigating city streets, taking on unique physical challenges, and an after-party. Weekend warriors, racers, bike commuters, couples and families unite as teams of two take to the town by bike, sponsored by New Belgium Brewing.
During the ride, checkpoint challenges may include power-sliding adult big wheels, face-first slip ‘n slide action, or even jousting on BMX bikes. The challenges vary in each city, so participants never know what’s in store. Prior to the event, checkpoints are listed on the event’s website, so everyone has plenty of time to plot a course…. More info
For the action sports industry in 2009, it’s all about keeping your head above water.
Already struggling with a glut of inventory, the $14.4 billion industry is forecasting sales to fall as much as 25 percent this year. Some surfboard makers say their business is down 30 percent to 40 percent as consumers put off larger purchases.
With numbers like that, industry insiders say some brands will disappear and the economic undertow will pull down a number of mom-and-pop shops, considered the backbone of the business because of their connection to the core action sports customer…. More info
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