The 4th of July Low Down

During the first year of celebrating the 4th of July (1777) thirteen guns were fired, once at morning and again as evening fell, in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner you'll find familiar: a dinner, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, music, parades and fireworks. Ships were decked with red, white, and blue bunting.

During the second anniversary, General George Washington marked Independence Day with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute (on that note, a toast to the late great President Washington).

Now in 2008 (!), Epic Rides suggests maintaining tradition by decking out your bike with red, white and blue bunting (what is 'bunting' anyway?), putting in a mountain bike ride once in the morning and again in the evening…and of course indulging in a 'double ration' of rum or any other cold beverage known to tickle your fancy.

From us at Epic to you and yours, have a great 4th of July! (please celebrate responsibly)

New Tour Maps Posted!

That's right folks, the moment you've been waiting for…the new Tour routes are now mapped and ready for your viewing pleasure!

A couple items to note:

• The Ice Caves Trail is rideable however is slated to receive trail maintenance/love from local advocacy and outdoor enthusiast club T.R.A.C.K.S.. Once the maintenance is complete it'll be much more enjoyable.
• The Ice Caves Connector Trail (connecting Ice Caves to Timber Mesa) does not exist yet. The Connector is being built by T.R.A.C.K.S. this summer… we'll be breaking it in together come event weekend!
• Participants will be riding the route in the opposite direction from previous years. This means a fresh perspective on the existing trails from past Tours in the White Mountains and lots and lots of downhill from Los Burros to the finish!

Check out the latest route maps!

Tour maps are created by Topofusion and fancied by Cirrus Visual Communication, get mapping data for pre-riding & personal convenience at Topofusion.com.

Register here for the '08 Tour!

Trail Tips with Trail Build & Design Guru Mark Flint

Pack a Pair of Nippers
Stuff a small pair of pruning shears into your hydration pack or jersey pocket. While your buddy changes a flat or catches up you can prune back growth that's coming on to the trail. They also come in handy for trimming pesky body hair.

Summer Sessions - Events Around the Country

KENDA Bikefest presented by Dirt Rag     Hancock, MA     July 25-27
Festival to Feature KENDA Legends Hans Rey, Eric Carter, Brian Lopes and the KENDA Titus Hayes Professional Racing Team.

KENDA's Jim Wannamaker stated, "We're looking forward to stamping the KENDA name on this Festival. We'll have some of our top athletes including Legends Hans Rey, Eric Carter and Brian Lopes and members of the KENDA Titus Hayes Professional Racing Team leading clinics, demos and rides for Fest goers of all ages."  KENDA is also sponsoring new activities including a Saturday night scavenger hunt ride and long-time favorites like the KENDA Tire Toss Competition, the KENDA Ultimate Obstacle Course Challenge, and the KENDA Wheelbarrow Races. 

For more information: www.bicyclefest.com.

15th Annual Mountain Biking Micro Brew Festival     Parsonsfield, Maine     August 8th-10th
Back Country Excursions presents the tightest mountain biking microbrew block party in the Northeast. Join 400-500 bikers on a blissful 30 miles of hand-built awesome singletrack. Our freeride stunt park is cozied right alongside the kegs while live local folk duos rock it out around the evening fires. This events got it all…group rides, camping, food and a lobster bake too!
For more information:
www.bikebackcountry.com/tours_events/spec_events.php#event_16

Register and WIN! - A Pair of Kenda John Tomac Nevegals

Register for the Tour of the White Mountains presented by Cellular One before July 31st and be entered to win a pair of Kenda Nevegals. Winner will be drawn at random and announced in the following eNewsletter.

Enjoy your ride,

Todd Sadow
Epic Rides, Inc.

The P.S. - If you know someone who does not receive this eNewsletter but would appreciate the read, please forward, they'll thank you for it. Click here to register for the FREE Epic Rides eNewsletter.