Inaugural White Mountains Jam Session!

Enjoy an evening of music and steady vibes at the Inaugural White Mountains Jam Session!

Epic Rides couldn't be more stoked to introduce the Jam Session to the Tour. Jamming will commence Saturday evening once the riding is over and Grumpy Jakes BBQ is serving it up hot. This means all attendees will be able to sit back, relax, put on their feedbags, enjoy some hand crafted brews and get down to the steady rhythms provided by the Jam Sessions line up.

Epic Rides is currently recruiting bands for the show. We will announce the complete line up near the end of August. In the meantime, we highly recommend dusting off your dancing shoes!

Click here for registration and complete event details!

Trail Review - Panorama Trail

New to the 2008 Tour route, the Panorama trail will be ridden by the 15, 30, and 60-mile participants. Panorama trail is a relatively level eight-mile trail of moderate difficulty.

This trail offers some Jedi quality single track. Bench cut trail with subtle exposure and wide expansive views meander through the forest sometimes rising above the Aspen and Pinon tree tops to offer a rich reward in the form of a view second to none in the area (on a clear day you'll be able to see the San Francisco peaks in Flagstaff!). Be sure to take a break from the groovalicious single track and lift your head up to look around a bit while riding Panorama, you won't be let down.

Check out the following links for an overview of the entire White Mountain trail system (provided by T.R.A.C.K.S.) plus get directions to individual trailheads for pre-riding purposes.

Epic Survey - On the Note of Music

What's your favorite type of melody? Click here to let us know!

AZ Trails Survey - Complete the Survey, Ride more Trails…

The State of Arizona has a plethora of awesome trails to ride. Many of these trails are available to us thanks to the Arizona State Parks. Coincidentally, the State Parks Department is requesting your help.

Please complete the survey at the following link so they can determine what they are doing great, what needs work and how they can improve upon your general outdoors experience. The survey is going to take around 15 minutes to complete; pace your self and have fun!

Click here for the AZ Trail Users survey

Trail Tips with Trail Build & Design Guru Mark Flint

Share your water…
Being that we're in the desert, consider sharing your water with the Sonoran plants. Give a small saguaro, barrel or other cactus a drink - making sure, of course, that you have enough for yourself. We wouldn't want to find ya all shriveled up like a raisin under a tree spooning a rattlesnake. That's never as fun as it sounds.

Summer Sessions - Events Around the Country

New Belgium Brewing Urban Assault Events!     Nationwide     May - September
Beer, Bikes, and Big Wheels. The New Belgium Urban Assault Ride is sweeping the nation. In this funky bike scavenger hunt, teams of two race to checkpoints around town completing crazy obstacle courses at each stop. There's no set course, so you'll have to plan the best route around town. Two New Belgium cruiser bikes await the winning team - as well as lots of tasty New Belgium beer at the legendary after party. Get all the info at: www.urbanassaultride.com (This just in...the UAR may be hitting the streets of AZ next year, so try one out this year and get a leg up on your competition!)

Check out the 2008 UAR Austin, TX event video here!

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

Skull Valley Loop Challenge     Prescott, AZ     September 21st
Take the Challenge!! Escape the hot, dusty desert. Come ride in the cool pines of Prescott. The Skull Valley Loop Challenge begins in historic downtown Prescott-a mile high! Riders set-off from Goodwin Street at the south end of Courthouse Square and are escorted to the edge of town. There the climb begins up Iron Springs Road through forested hills before coasting into Skull Valley and on to Kirkland. The 75 and 90-mile rides follow State Route 89 from Kirkland Junction over rolling hills to beautiful Peeples Valley where the quarter horses and cattle play.
For more information go to:
www.prescottcycling.org

Register TODAY (July 31st) and WIN! - A Pair of Kenda John Tomac Nevegals

Today is the final day to Register for the Tour and become eligible for the Register and Win! Register now and be entered to win a pair of Kenda Nevegals. Winner will be drawn at random and announced in the next eNewsletter.

Enjoy your ride,

The crew at Epic Rides

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