Nmbo

David “Tinker” Juarez and Cowbell Challenge Inc., bring National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest to metro Charlotte
Charlotte, NC - World and national mountain bike endurance champion, two-time Olympian, and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer David “Tinker” Juarez partners with Cowbell Challenge Inc., in presenting the National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest at Fisher Farm Park in Davidson, NC, October 24-26, 2008. The three-day, family-oriented mountain bike festival features the last race of USA Cycling’s 2008 National Ultra Endurance Calendar, as well as short track, time trials, and children’s races. The race venue is uniquely designed to take advantage of the early sunset, giving racers the opportunity to ride the trails at night. Proceeds from the festival benefit Davidson Recreation & Parks Youth Scholarship fund.
“I’ve been a professional cyclist for 35 years,” says Tinker. “I love this sport, especially endurance racing, and this chance to step off the trail and give back to sport is tremendous. We can’t wait to come to North Carolina for this world-class endurance cycling event and festival.”
National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest kicks off on Friday night with short track races, sponsored by Niterider Lighting Systems. Kids can get in on the action with special Kids Kompetition races on Saturday morning, including a chance to try out the Strider balance bikes, designed specifically for one to five year old children. The featured event of the weekend, the Oktoberfest 8-Hour Endurance Race, starts at noon on Saturday. Time trials and a special combination event known as “the Beast” round out the weekend on Sunday. Races conducted after sunset will require adequate front and rear lighting.
A drawing for a five-night stay at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia will also be held on Sunday. “This is a true mountain bike festival with something for everyone with a bike and a little energy,” says Taylor Sullivan, president of Cowbell Challenge. “We’re designing an endurance course that will challenge the top pros and amateurs, and the whole weekend will be filled with chances to ride for fun and for prizes.” The 8-hour endurance race boasts equal cash payout for men and women in the solo (Open) categories and prize packages from sponsors including MonaVieCannondale.com and ODI Grips. Other activities include Halloween costume contest for kids and adults, and bike demos by Cannondale and Specialized Bicycles.
Fisher Farm Park in Davidson, NC, is the site of a former dairy farm owned and operated by the Fisher family since the mid-1800’s. Davidson, approximately 25 minutes from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, is a beautiful college town situated near Lake Norman for an idea combination of small town ambience, outdoor recreation, a flourishing Main Street of local businesses, and a unique sense of community.
Sponsors for National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest currently include Niterider Lighting Systems, Cannondale Bicycles, MonaVieCannondale.com, ODI Grips, Specialized Bicycles, iBert Safe-T- Seats, Strider Running Bikes, Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia, Summit Coffee ,The Cyclepath, and Bicycle Sport. Registration for short-track, combination, and time trial races begins at $10, and the 8-hour endurance race begins at $50. There is no charge for children’s races, but they must be registered. For more information on registration, purchasing raffle tickets, new sponsors and activities, and the schedule of events, visit www.NationalMtbOktoberfest.org.
Cowbell Challenge, Inc., a 501C3 nonprofit corporation, is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and organizing endurance mountain biking events which raise funds in support of charitable causes that promote health, well-being, and strong communities. Its signature event, the Cowbell Challenge 12-Hour Endurance Mountain Bike Race finished its seventh year in 2008 with more than $16,000 raised in support of numerous local and national non-profit organizations that support those facing catastrophic illness, families in crisis, maintaining natural spaces, and promoting cycling and fitness.

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Related links:
http://www.NationalMtbOktoberfest.org
http://tinkerjuarez.blogspot.com/
http://www.usacycling.org
http://www.cowbellchallenge.org

Friday Night Lights Short Track Race: a true short track race on about a quarter to a third of a mile open course, takes 2-3 minutes to get around—and once you are lapped by the field you will be pulled from the race. Must have a bright head or bar light and a back red light. Race starts at 7pm, class are Open Male and Female and Single Speed Male and Female and the time limits Open class male and female is 30mins and the Single speed class 20mins. Friday demo rides.
Saturday morning: Costume contest for kids at 9am, kids races start at 10 am with bikes and demo rides throughout the day.
Saturday at noon: the main event and last race of the USA Cycling National Ultra Endurance Calendar—the Oktoberfest 8-hour Endurance Race. The course will be different from the Cowbell Challenge, although you will cover the same 4-mile single track section, with new areas added including two new climbing sections. Classes for this race are Open, Single Speed, Masters, Duo, and Team. This race is an equal payout race: 1st $600, 2nd $300, 3rd $150.
Sunday: Time Trial starts at 10 am and goes until all the racers are done. The course will be the 4 miles of single track at Fisher Farms. So how fast can you go with control around the Farm? The Beast will start about an hour after the time trial race is done. The course will have one good climb in it, some single track, two or three sections to dismount and run with the bike. Everyone races the whole time limit; Open Class 45mins, Single Speed Class 40mins, Masters and Sport Class 30mins.
We’ll announce the Grand Champions about an hour after The Beast is slain… And Tinker and Terri will draw the lucky winner of the 5-night stay at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia.
We’re working on scheduling some additional demo/fun rides, so stay tuned.
Days Inn in Corneilus, $52.95 per night until 9/2, then $58.95 –it’s actually $1 less per night than Cowbell. You will have to call the hotel directly to get the rate, can’t get the rate through online reservations. 704-892-9120
The intro race fee will there until Labor Day 9/2, prices will go up after that…check out the website www.nationalmtboktoberfest.org for more details…

Race Adjustment to the Friday Night Short Track Race:
The original idea was to have a motorcycle out on the short track race to be in front of the lead pack and if a racer got caught by the motorcycle, the racer would get pulled. We wanted to make the short track race more interesting and more challenging--to push yourself in a short time limit. Similar to how the NMBS Short Track races are done, with the goal of having a true national style short track race in the area. Since we announced it, I heard it was not a good idea to have a motorcycle out on the grounds of the park and after reading a few emails, with questions and a few forum comments, we’ve modified the Friday Night Lights Short track race… Not to worry, we have a good timing system coming to the NMBO race and we’ll time everyone racing in the Friday Night Short Track Race. Now every racer can race the whole time during the short track race and be tracked –you may get lapped but you won’t get pulled.

Thanks to Specialized for sponsoring the King and Queen of the Mountain race within the Oktoberfest 8-Hour Endurance Race on Saturday. The Lady that climbs to the top of 5 to 7 climbs (still finalizing the checkpoints!) will be recognized as the Queen of the Mountain, and will receive the Specialized/Komen pink Propero Helmet and 2008 Women’s Factory Team Jersey--also in pink—to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

The man who will be “crowned” King of the Mountain will be awarded a Red Propero Helmet and a red Specialized Factory Team Jersey.

Butch, i grew up in your area come one down off the mtn and enjoy NMBO...smile... I did the same downhill courses in snowshoe... i am sure you can ride a bike for more than 5 to 7 mins....smile...just kidding...
Yes, good courses for the end of the yr roadies maybe going into cyclecross...smile... cycle therapy racing come on over to the nmbo too and enjoy it...

Map of courses are up on the site...
These are the tentive course routes, subject to change if anything comes up...
http://www.nationalmtboktoberfest.org/raceinfo.html

NiteRider is the Official Lighting Sponsor of NMBO, Sponsoring the Friday Niterider Short Track Race and when the sun goes down the lights come on, NiteRider will award the Fastest Lap at Nite Female and Male in the 8hr Endurance race. They are bringing out the truck and trailer to event too…
www.niterider.com

Cool Breeze Cyclery has come on board to be part of the NMBO actives for the weekend. They will be providing neutral support for all the racers out there the events and sponsoring the Kids Races. Stop by their booth/tent each hour for their raffle drawing during the weekend of events.
www.coolbreezecyclery.com

Grip It and Rip It for the Whole Shot at NMBO sponsored by ODI Grips.
First racer to get around the course in the short track race, first racer out of the prolog and onto the endurance course, fastest time trail racer and first racer around the beast course will be awarded ODI Grips. www.odigrips.com

The mountain bikers’ bailout plan… sort of…
Like you, we’re feeling the pinch in the wallet from the Washington/Wall Street circus and the gas pump. We understand and we are with you --who knows what deal they’ll finally come up with—we figure we might as well race mountain bikes! So while you’re waiting on Washington, take a break, and take advantage of the National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest. OUR bailout plan makes it a little easier to get here, to stay here, and to enjoy a whole weekend of racing and riding:
• We’re freezing registration prices! The increase was scheduled for October 1, but you can still take advantage of the current fees ---all the way up to October 17! And don’t forget, the more races you do, the better the price—check out the grand champion combos at www.NationalMtbOktoberfest.org/registration.html
• Discounted room rates at the Days Inn Cornelius: Contact the hotel directly at 704-892-9120 to get the Oktoberfest rate of $58.95 per night. Bike friendly, inexpensive and just a few miles from the race venue.
• Best breakfast deal going at the Egg at Davidson: Fuel up for Saturday’s race at the Egg at Davidson. Your choice of oatmeal or pancakes, plus two eggs, choice of meat, juice and coffee for only $4.50! Check your race packet for directions and a coupon.
www.theeggrestaurants.com
• Cheap good tasting micro-beer, organic coffee and good music! We’re hooking up with Summit Coffee in Davidson for a post race party on Saturday night. $2 brews and live music beats stock watching any day! www.summitcoffee.com
Then there’s always the really cool swag, the free t-shirt, and the chance to win a 5-night stay at Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia where you can forget Wall Street and Washington –at least for a little while. Your registration includes one raffle ticket, and you can buy additional tickets at just $20 each. All the proceeds benefit the Ada Jenkins Center and Town of Davidson's Recreation & Parks Youth Scholarship program.
Thank you for supporting NMBO!

some more bail out...
•Free, neutral technical support: provided by the great folks of The Cycle Path and Cool Breeze Cyclery.
•Free demo rides: check out the latest mountain and road bikes from Cannondale, Specialized, and Trek!

Kenda is sponsoring fastest male and female winners in all categories of the Short-Track races on Friday Night, 8-hour Endurance, Time Trials and The Beast. Each winner receives a set of Tinker’s Signature tire, the Dred Tread. http://www.kendausa.com/bicycle/tinker.html

Friday is your last chance for the best deal in mountain bike racing… NMBO’s Bail Out price freeze ends—and late registration prices go into effect on Saturday morning. You can still get a great deal on accommodations at the Days Inn Cornelius—make your reservation by October 21 to get the NMBO rate of $58.95 per night.
Get there early on Friday Or Saturday and join Cannondale, Specialized and Trek for demo rides. Then it’s time to try out some night racing and short-track – all in one race on Friday night—and sponsored by NiteRider. And we should see some great competition among the kids on Saturday. .. lots of them already planning to come out and play … err… race, thanks to Cool Breeze Cyclery.
Look for some great new features on the Endurance course… a new rock garden, double down bridge, and Kudzu Hill… the climb that just keeps growing and growing…..
The “Beast” race on Sunday is an “old school” cyclo cross race, so come find out what it used to be like in the good ole days. And really test your speed, your wits and your skills with Time Trials.
Make your plans now to head to Davidson, NC for National Mountain Bike Oktoberfest , for riding, racing, costume contests, more riding, more racing, party at Summit Coffee, more riding, more racing and the chance to win a 5-night stay at Anse Chastanet resort in St. Lucia.
See you October 24, 25, and26!
Tinker, Taylor, Connie and the Cowbell Challenge Crew
www.nationalmtboktoberfest.org

• Online registration ends at 9 pm this Thursday, Oct. 23. You can register on race day, but the price increase is slightly higher—we call it Mountain Bikers’ Bailout Package-Amended.
• We’ll have a little something extra for all those who are racing in the Grand Champion Class or the 8-Hour race, from KENDA and MONA VIE.
• We did some fine tuning on the course for the 8-hour race over the weekend. The course is marked and you are more than welcome to go out and take a ride on the 8+ miles before Saturday.
• We will combine the categories in the Friday NiteRider short track and the Beast on Sunday so that everyone will race at once. Not to worry, we'll keep time with in the class you signed in on separately.
• Remember, there is a $2000 Equal cash purse payout in the Open Male and Female 8-hr Endurance race. And we have over $7,000 worth of prizes to win throughout the weekend.
• Raffles: the lucky winner of grand prize trip to St. Lucia will be called out on Sunday; Cool Breeze Cyclery will be doing prize drawings every hour; our Family Prize raffle for those with little ones features prizes from iBert and Strider, and we’ll raffle copies of the 24 Solo DVD autographed by Chris Eatough to benefit World Bicycle Relief.
• Don’t forget your Halloween costumes!
Fisher Farm Park will be the happening place for mountain biking this weekend, and Davidson will be the happening place for everything else—the Downtown Merchants sidewalk sale, Farmers Market, and Spooktacular—Visit the Town of Davidson website for more.
Races within the Race
The Oktoberfest 8-Hour Endurance Mountain Bike Race is the final race on the USA Cycling Ultra-Endurance Calendar. So you can bet the competition will be fierce! Our sponsors have really stepped up to provide some great prizes for all the events:
• King/Queen of the Mountain
The Lady that climbs to the top of 5 to 7 climbs (still finalizing the checkpoints!) during Oktoberfest 8-Hour Endurance Race on Saturday will be recognized as the Queen of the Mountain, and will receive the Specialized/Komen pink Propero Helmet and 2008 Women’s Factory Team Jersey--also in pink—to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The man who will be “crowned” King of the Mountain will be awarded a Red Propero Helmet and a red Specialized Factory Team Jersey.
• Fastest Lap, Fastest Night Lap
NiteRider is the Official Lighting Sponsor of NMBO, sponsoring the Friday NiteRider Short Track Race. When the sun goes down the lights come on, and NiteRider will award the Fastest Lap at Nite Female and Male in the 8-Hour Endurance race.
• Grip it and Rip It for the Whole Shot
First racer to get around the course in the short track race, first racer out of the prolog and onto the endurance course, fastest time trial racer, and first racer around the Beast course will be awarded ODI Grips.
• Get Spotted in Your Tifosis!
The first racer in the endurance race to get spotted in their Tifosis gets their choice of a brand new pair, so make sure Shannon spots you first!
Just Kids’ Stuff

• Cool Breeze Cyclery is sponsoring and organizing the Kids’ races on Saturday morning… they’re setting up for 6-8 years, 9-11 years, and 12-15 years, so get your kids signed up! No charge to race, but they must have a parent/guardian-signed release.
• We’re not leaving out the littlest bikers! We’re setting up a Strider Corral for toddlers to 5 year-olds to try out, race and even win one of the Strider Running Bikes.

Cheap or free!
• Best breakfast deal going at the Egg at Davidson: Fuel up for Saturday’s race at the Egg at Davidson. Your choice of oatmeal or pancakes, plus two eggs, choice of meat, juice and coffee for only $4.50! Check your race packet for directions and a coupon.
• Cheap good tasting micro-beer, organic coffee and good music! We’re hooking up with Summit Coffee in Davidson for a post race party on Friday and Saturday nights. $2 brews and live music beats stock watching any day!
• Free, neutral technical support: provided by the great folks of The Cycle Path and Cool Breeze Cyclery.
• Free demo rides: check out the latest mountain and road bikes from Cannondale, Specialized, and Trek! Last minute reminders, updates and adjustments for this weekend:

got a light rain late last night early morning, should make the course nice a tacky the first hour or so of the race and the then the course will be good and packed in the rest of the day.
mtn bike demo on the course from 9am to 11am, road demo most of the day.
Cannondale, Specialized for Women and Trek will be on hand for the demos.
if you need lights to race will NiteRider has them to rent out or buy.