Mark Weir, WTB’s PR manager and pro athlete, is joining a select group of the world’s best mountain bikers in a race down Mt. Kenya this February. The event, named Urge Kenya, is being organized by two-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel and Fred Glo of Tribe Sports Group. Only ten athletes will be racing this spectacular, ultra-endurance downhill event and all proceeds will be donated to ACORD, an international alliance working to promote social justice throughout Africa.

So far, the alleged roster of riders consists of Mark Weir, Brian Lopes, Fabien Barel, Wade Simmons, Ritchey Schley, Steve Peat, Julien Absalon and Anne Caroline Chausson, among others. The riders will spend three full days trekking to the 16,355-foot summit of Lenana Peak. Although each competitor will be assigned a Swahili guide, the riders must carry their own bikes. The hike up the mountain will serve as course inspection and the start order will be determined by each rider’s knowledge of the Swahili language, encouraging interaction between riders and guides throughout the trek. The voyage up Mt. Kenya will undoubtedly be a life-changing bonding experience for the group. The trip down will be a flat-out battle between the world’s best mountain bike pilots across a half-dozen ecological zones, including bamboo forests and Afro-Alpine chaparral. The group will speed through the impressive landscape and finish in less than three hours.

Fabien Barel and Fred Glo are visiting the area right now organizing the event and Mark Weir is anxiously awaiting his departure in late January. “It will be a once in a lifetime trip,” said Weir. “I just hope I can breathe at 16,000 feet.” Weir also stated that he’d be riding with a paper bag over his head to prepare for the thin air. In a more serious tone, Weir stated, “this is an incredible opportunity to use our sport to help people that are less fortunate.”

photos courtesy of Fred Glo.
                     

With the impending doom in our economy and summertime temps rapidly coming to a close, WTB reminds you to get out on your bike while you still can. A small crew of us here at WTB world headquarters squeezed in a lunch ride today in spectacular fall weather. Something about riding mid-day—during the week—really adds an element of excitement. From the first pedal stroke out of the parking lot our group was high energy. We were laughing and hooting and hollering the whole time.

Click HERE to read more.

WTB is proudly exhibiting at this Saturday’s Biketoberfest Marin, a celebration of cycling that will donate all proceeds to bicycle advocacy in Marin. The event will include a free bike expo, a vintage bike exhibit, demo bikes and guided rides. For $20 festival-goers can sample from 16 different beers from 11 Northern California-based breweries. Other highlights include live music by Ross Shafer, the MONOPHONICS and Mad Maggies; a massive drawing; and a free skills clinic from Bikeskills. Visit Biketoberfest2008.org for more info. See you there.

This is a photo gallery of my commute from Cole Valley (San Francisco) to WTB Global Headquarters in Mill Valley (Marin).

Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of shredding sweet singletrack in Downieville, and finding the perfect flow on Ashland’s well groomed trails. However, I have managed to link together what I like to call a super commute (16 miles each way). I am so grateful to work for WTB, a company that embraces bike culture. I get paid a $3 daily incentive to ride to work, save $5 on bridge toll and have a shower and washer and dryer available.

The best part, each day on the bike commute is an adventure. From fancy yachts (the Maltese Falcon featured in the photo gallery) to bobcats. My commute has everything from bike lanes to fire roads to singletrack. I go up hills and down hills. I deal with sketchy drivers, mindless tourists, territorial coyotes, gale-force winds, fog, sunlight and moonlight. I would not change a thing. I took these pictures while commuting to and from work in the last month. Enjoy my photo galley. Hopefully it will inspire you to rally your own super commute.

I feel sorry for people who don’t ride bikes. Because when they wake up in the morning… that’s the best they are going to feel all day long.

Click HERE to see my photo gallery.

–Chris Schierholtz

WTB’s extensive new 2009 product line will be available in a matter of weeks. We’re introducing three redesigned tread designs, two new saddle models, new grips, new hubs and a wide selection of UST tires. To learn all the minutiae about our new Dissent 2.3, Prowler MX 2.3 and LaserDisc FR wheels check out the videos below from Pinkbike.com. To download a PDF of WTB’s complete 2009 catalog click here.

To watch the complete 2009 videos, click here.