Tarheel Trailblazers North Group

Over the past year the Tarheel Trailblazers North Group has tried a few
different venues for its meeting and none have seemed to stick that
well. For 2010 we will begin a monthly ride/meeting leaving First Flight
Bikes in Statesville at 6 p.m., riding out to the Signal Hill trails and
back to First Flight for a meeting at 7:30. If you cannot make the ride
please plan on still coming to the meeting at 7:30.

There are many exiting things happening with our northern trails.
-Signal Hill has seen a big increase in riders thanks to the hard work of many people and
there are still many items on the punch list out there.
-Lake Norman State Park will open the first section of the Laurel Loop on Janurary
1st 2010 and Bob is currently working on everything to get the construction
of section two underway with more phases in the making even after that.
-Fisher Farm is finishing off a new section of trail as well that
promises to be just as great as the rest of the trail.
-Other trails that we will focus on as the northern group will be North Meck Park and
Denver XC Trails as well as any future projects in the area of these
trails.The first meeting will be January 12, 2010. BYOB

Winter Short Track Series dates posted

This is one of the best events that I have done. If you have not done it you owe it to yourself to try.

2010 Winter Short Track Mountain Bike Series

For 2010, Charlotte Sports Cycling is again teaming up with the Dirt Divas to host the always exciting Winter Short Track Race Series at Renaissance Park. The winter race series is set to kick off SUNDAY, January 17. The short course brings a unique style of racing to the Charlotte area.....short-track mountain bike racing on a .8 of a mile trail with bank turns. It's a cross between a criterium, BMX, cyclo-cross and single-track, super fast and very spectator friendly. Charlotte Sports Cycling and the Tarheel Trailblazers have worked hard to create a trail that's exciting for the race participants and spectators. Participants, based on category, will race 15 to 25 laps on the fast course. All of the events will be held at Renaissance Park. We plan to have food, an event photographer, and music at all of the events.

We will once again hold the every popular TEAM COMPETITION. The Team competition will consist of team members across all categories earning points. The points will be derived from a system called "Pack Points". Pack Points are based upon the number of people racing in your category, with a minimum of 10 points for the winner. The top six people from your team will be scored. Get your team jerseys ready as the Team Competition was a huge hit in the 2009 series.

1st Place Team - $250 and a Sweet Winners Trophy
2nd Place Team - $150
3rd Place Team - $100

Dates for the series will be Sundays: January 17, 24 & 31 and February 7
The season finale will be held on Saturday, February 13 with awards party to follow.
The dates are pending Meck County Parks and Recreation approval.

More details will be posted soon.
Check the website for updates: www.charlottemtnbike.com

New FFB shirts, come and get 'em

Tim made up some new shirts for the shop with three of our favorite bike related quotes. The H.G. Wells quote has always been one of my favorite quotes of all time. We also have a small run of long sleeve shirts in army green with the FFB logo on the left breast and big rear that are very nice on these colder days.












We also have some new short and long sleeve jerseys on order designed by our good buddy Kris Henry @ Black Cap Studio. They will fit the same as our popular black jerseys so I know they will be great.



Last but not least, our pal Sinjin @ Copper Door Coffee has roasted us up some "Mountain Goat" blend that is very tasty and available here at the shop in 1 lb bags.

6 hours of Warroir Creek and Burn24Hour

Just got a great email:

6 HRS OF WARRIOR CREEK
One of 2009's most talked about and exciting events is back for 2010. Mark your calendars for April 3, 2010 and plan to spend your weekend in the Moonshine Capital of the World on some of the most popular trails in the Southeast. Online registration on Bikereg.com is now open and we’ve got a treat for you. Register through Halloween, that’s October 31st, and get in for $31 each. If you’re racing solo, use coupon code HALLOWEEN1. If you’re a duo racer, use promotion code HALLOWEEN2. It’s that simple, sign up and save. Race details can be found here. Click on over and check it out. While you’re clicking, follow us on Twitter! And don’t forget…

The BURN 24 Hour Challenge presented by Bikerumor.com is back for its 10th consecutive year! We want you to help us celebrate. We’ll drop the rag at noon on May 29, 2010 for 24 hours of non-stop action on the sunny shores of W Kerr Scott. Online registration can be found at Bikereg.com and we’ve got a treat for you too. Use coupon code HALLOWEEN and save $31 off your total registration. The promotion code expires on Halloween. All the fine details can be found at the official race website. We’re getting it updated as new details come in. And by the way, Tweet-Tweet!

Gone for a ride

Sean, Darrell, Cameron and I headed down to Charlotte for some riding Friday which found us at Sherman Branch and then up to an old favorite at Poplar Tent

If you have not been to either one I would highly recommend either one.

Sherman Branch was a really cool trail that features lots of small bridges and jumps. They have really made the trail flow well with the terrain that they have out there. I will definitely go back to SB and it cannot come soon enough
Sean on one of the jumps

Cameron in the rocks

Darrell

One of my favorite shots of the day, Sean in the rocks

Cam on the tree ride

We even helped a snake off the trail while waiting on Sean


Cameron shot a video of me on the tree ride


Dubwatch at a local convenience store for snack break



I first rode Poplar Tent some 11 years ago and am always glad to get back there. The trail is amazingly tight and twisty and rewards you with lots of fun trail especially Gravity Cavity. The $3 cover at PT is worth every penny and I can't wait to go back.

Sean on his Phil Wood Kiss Off that we just built

Cam in Gravity Cavity

Darrell

Sean on an alternate route in GC

then back on the normal route

Me