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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SAN FRANCISCO – Susan Gorin calls it a “Levi sighting.â€
The Santa Rosa mayor says she often hears reports from locals saying they had spotted professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer training on city roads.
“Levi doesn’t just live here,†Gorin says proudly. “He trains around here.â€
Another local, Gary Wysocky, first spotted the cyclist training along a stretch of Sonoma County road. Wysocky said he was able to interrupt Leipheimer for a 10-minute chat, which turned out to be a good-luck encounter: Leipheimer would eventually help him become a Santa Rosa lawmaker.
“He endorsed me for City Council,†said Wysocky. Asked if he had ever gone on a bike ride with Leipheimer, he chuckled. “In my dreams,†he said.
That Leipheimer, a 12-year Santa Rosa resident, has become a hometown hero is of little surprise. After switching from competitive Alpine skiing to cycling at age 19, the humble 35-year-old climbing specialist grew into one of the world’s best athletes, twice winning the Amgen Tour of California (tour officials are now calling him “the King of Californiaâ€), becoming the fourth American in history to finish on the podium of the Tour de France (2007) and earning an Olympic bronze medal last year in Beijing, among a long list of impressive cycling accomplishments…. More info