I’ll be out of town from 2/23 to 2/29. I’ll resume posting when I return.

Local mountain bike legends and Marin Community members gather to celebrate Trips for Kids and raise $3,000

The annual fundraiser, held at the Broken Drum Brewery & Wood Grill in San Rafael, Calif., raised close to $3,000 for the program. The money raised is used to fund mountain biking adventures for at risk kids.

“Each year, Broken Drum owner Noah Berry not only opens his doors for the cause, but donates proceeds from the food and drink sales,” said Marilyn Price, founder of Trips for Kids. “We are so fortunate and grateful for Noah’s continued generosity. This would not be possible without him.”

Outside the Broken Drum, admirers gawked at the rows of tricked-out mountain bikes lining the sidewalk; inside, pints in hand, the owners of these bikes tell tall tales of traveling on two wheels. TFK supporters had the opportunity to meet and socialize with the pioneers of the mountain bike industry, but the loot inside the bar was also a draw.

Impressive bikes and accessories generously donated by the bike industry were raffled throughout the afternoon. The most sought-after prize was a 2007 Jamis Dragon Comp mountain bike. A silent auction was also held for a Muirwoods 29er mountain bike donated by Marin Bikes.

For more than twenty years, Trips for Kids has given over 37,000 at-risk youth an opportunity to explore the outdoors on a mountain bike. With the guidance of Founding Director and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer, Marilyn Price, these rides give disadvantaged youth a chance to experience the challenge and joy of mountain biking. There are now fifty eight Trips for Kids coast to coast in the United States and Canada, with more on the way.

For more information about Trips for Kids visit http://www.tripsforkids.org or call (415) 458-2986. The Trips for Kids Re-Cyclery Bike Thrift Shop is located at 610 Fourth Street, San Rafael, Calif. The shop is open every Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I’d really like to write a comprehensive review of the new Motobecane Fantom Cross that I got recently, but all I can report is that it feels really smooth on the trainer. With the constant snow, and weather that rarely tops the 30’s, it’s not likely to see the outdoors any time soon. On the plus side, it’s right here in my office, so I can jump on it any time I please.

Note to self: Winter is for reviewing videos, not bikes.

By now, the entire internet must be full of photos from the show in Portland. Even though I’m practically chained to my desk, I haven’t had time to review the photos taken by friends, or put together a decent post. After reading this, you may agree that I still haven’t put together a decent post. But at least I’ve thrown a few photos on here, for your viewing pleasure.

Of course, I was just sent a link to the photos, with no info, so I’m going to try to bluff my way through this. Bear with me.

The first shot is the excellent handiwork of Spectrum Powder Coating. I’m familiar with their work, as they’ve done a couple of frames in this color (root beer) for Thylacine Cycles. You have to see this color in person to appreciate the quality and depth. It should be the new black. Really.

Next up is some kind of monster from Moots. (Apologies to Metallica, but the bike is way better than the album) I’m diggin’ the huge tires, but someone will need to explain the cassette on the front wheel. Please.

As a tandem owner, I covet the Independent Drive from daVinci Designs. That alone is reason enough to buy one of their tandems.

For those steel diehards that consider carbon fiber to be nothing more than plastic, I offer the wood and plastic bike.

Um, I don’t even want to know what’s going on here. Perhaps some new Texas thing?

Finally, a very interesting light setup, guaranteed to make sure that motorists see you (and get annoyed/distracted by you) at night.

This will be my last attempt at trying anything resembling coverage of a show for a long time. I’ve learned a couple of things since Interbike. One, I should focus on a few things, instead of trying to see everything. Two, I have to be there - sending someone else (as in the NAHBS) is not the same.

I’m over it.

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