I am glad Jim posted info about the Trek Store bike demo day on Friday, June 20th.   In addition to Trek's awesome event, FORC is hosting a MOUNTAIN BIKING SKILLS CLINIC at Sunderbruch Park in Davenport, IA on Saturday, June 14th.  And, FACTORY GIANT and Bike N Hike will be at Sunderbruch on both Friday June 13th and Saturday, June 14th for a BIKE DEMO WEEKEND.  We tried to get the Trek Store demos to coincide with our MTB 101 class, but we just couldn't get our schedules to sync.  Maybe next year!  Definitely check out BOTH events.  Both events are FREE to the public!  Did I mention FREE?!  These bike demos are a great opportunity to get to know the staff of your local bike shops if you aren't already acquainted, see what great products they offer, and have any questions you might have answered.  They are TOPS in their field and they have gone to great lengths to get their products out in the field with their demos to provide you a great opportunity to ride their bikes in a real trail setting!  Don't miss it!

The MTB 101 Skills Clinic will be held on Saturday morning, June 14th, at 9 AM.  The clinic will wrap with a group ride following the conclusion of the skills clinic (you may want to bring some lunch during the break).  The Skills Clinic is geared toward the beginner or intermediate rider wanting to either learn basic mountain biking skills or improve existing skills.  There will be a short lecture component to the class followed by a hands-on riding clinic with instructor guidance.  For more information about this spectacular event (and pictures from last year's clinic) , check out:http://www.qcforc.org/Home/MountainBiking101/tabid/461/Default.aspx.

Also, FACTORY GIANT will have their semi truck here along with representatives of Bike N Hike both Friday night (June 13th) and Saturday morning and afternoon (June 14th) for people to test out Giant bikes on the Sunderbruch trails courtesy of Bike N Hike in Rock Island, IL and Factory Giant.   You know me... there WILL be women's specific bikes available for the fastest growing population of mountain bike owners.  You need not be a participant of MTB 101 to test out the demo bikes on either day.  Come on out!  No doubt plenty of FORCers will be at the park riding, so join in on a fun ride while you're there!  You know you want to...

Again, check out:  http://www.qcforc.org/Home/MountainBiking101/tabid/461/Default.aspx.

Check out the article in the Dispatch today (Sass, I hope you don't mind that I included you in one of the photos I submitted to the paper):

http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=390513

Nice job, Ryan, on getting such terrific press coverage for us!  Keep spreading the word abotu MTB101!

Bexter said :

Check out the article in the Dispatch today (Sass, I hope you don't mind that I included you in one of the photos I submitted to the paper):

http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=390513

Nice job, Ryan, on getting such terrific press coverage for us!  Keep spreading the word abotu MTB101!

Holy cow! The article turned out better than I thought!

I must admit, I am amused by the writer saying its "my" organization.  I thought "ohh...boy...little awkward....not just MY organization."

I told him a few times that I was not the founder! Not the founder! Rick will probably beat me senseless! :)

Hopefully some of the Tv stations will show up since this beat them to the punch!

Nice article Ryan!

Unfortunatley, Ray Ray and I will not be able to attend this special event, family obligations. 

Poofy

derailleur said :

I must admit, I am amused by the writer saying its "my" organization.  I thought "ohh...boy...little awkward....not just MY organization."

Sweet Article! I have to say, Ryan, you are an excellent spokesperson for this club. You are articulate, your education and career path is generally representative of a good portion of our membership, you excude an excitement for the sport, and even after a good ride you can get in front of a camera and not look like a carnival worker.

We should make you the official spokesperson for ALL of our events!!!

Yes, we could all take a lesson from Ryan!!!!

Update about MTB 101.  I know a big storm is coming today / tonight and perhaps somewhat into Friday morning.  But, once this storm has passed through, it looks like the remainder of the weekend will be smooth sailing with warm temperatures and dry conditions (yay).  Planning ahead, HJ went out to SBP last night and mowed a section of the grass at the top of the asphalt drive to set up the skills obstacles in case the field down below is too marshy.  It may be too marshy after the forecasted rain tonight.  We thought picking higher ground would be more conducive to dryer soil (hopefully in this case the rain does drain downhill and not just pool up top).

Factory Giant will be setting up sometime after Noon on Friday and they will be offering test rides from 4 PM to 7 PM Friday.  They will open back up on Saturday at 9 AM and will be at the park through early afternoon.

The trail steward has been gracious in his willingness to allow riding associated with MTB 101 on the trails if at all possible.  We checked trail conditions Monday afternoon after it rained torrentially Sunday and then drizzled part of Monday morning.  The green loop was tacky and rideable, no tire impressions made, at 1 PM.  So, even if it rains as late as Friday morning, we should be OK by Saturday to ride the green loop using the asphalt road as access.

MTB 101 is a GO!  Spread the word.  We are competing with a number of other events in the QCA Saturday, but we sure would like to see a nice showing for our event.

Last night's storm was so severe that it is going to take WEEKS for Sunderbuch Park to dry out.  Unfortunately, we have no recourse other than to cancel MTB 101.  At this time, a rain date has not been scheduled.  Thank you to everyone who helped get everything prepared for MTB101.

For new riders who still need help, post up on the forum and once things dry out, we would be more than willing to go out with you and help you out.

B