CORBA’s Annual Fat Tire Fest is set for October 12, 2008.

Bionicon is proud to support the ongoing advocacy work of CORBA, the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Assocation. Bionicon will be at the Fat Tire Fest, and will have a fleet of demo bikes available for test rides.

This is a family event with rides for everyone from beginner to experts. Win prizes in the legendary raffle, the poker ride, wheelie contest, hill-climb contest, log pull, or the silent auction.

CORBA, the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclist Association, an all volunteer-run non-profit, has been instrumental in gaining and maintaining access to Southern California trails for mountain bikers. This is their annual fundraising event, the proceeds of which go to fund their trailbuilding crew, their ongoing advocacy work and fight for new trails.

The Fat Tire Fest will be held October 12, 2008 at Castaic Lake.

Read more at CORBA’s FTF Site:
http://corbamtb.com/FTF/2008/FTF.shtml

Register by Mail or on Active.com:
http://corbamtb.com/FTF/2008/register.html

Thanks to everyone who came and paid us a visit at Interbike this year. Thanks to all of you, we were slammed and barely able to leave the booth for a bathroom break for the five days (just kidding, of course).

We did however notice a significant change in attitudes this year from previous ones. Ten years ago when Andi Felsl walked a prototype bike around interbike trying to raise interest in his newly patented adjustable travel fork, he was given the cold shoulder by most manufacturers. After that experience, he realized he’d have to build his own frames to take advantage of this ingenious design.

Ten years later, with a complete line of full suspension bikes, numerous patents, and the fastest growing and most innovative brand in Europe, we had engineers from many of the major frame and component manufacturers coming by to take a peek at what we’re up to, as well as hoards of riders, dealers and people who’ve heard of or read about Bionicon’s technology, but hadn’t seen it in person.

The usual questions of reliability, parts availability and serviceability often came up, but with a near-perfect four-year reliability track record in the U.S., and longer in Europe, those doubts are easily assuaged.

During the outdoor demo we sent out bikes constantly for the two days…. our favorite comment about the Edison was “this bike isn’t cocaine… it’s crack!  When can I get my next fix?”

While our U.S. Presence is growing steadily, Bionicon is now the fastest growing Mountain Bike company in Europe, and their presence at Eurobike was one of the largest booths at the show. With our new line of commuter bikes, Fixie Inc. distribution and a cycling and technical outerwear clothing line, Bionicon is leaving its mark on the industry.

Bionicon’s time is here, and again we’d like to thank those whose interest and passion for what’s new and possible helps keep us motivated to innovate and inspire.

Superb Single Track

Bionicon will again host the a BBQ at the Kern Valley Gathering, October 24 - 26, 2008.

Last year’s event was such a great success and we’re excited to be a part of it again this year. Keyesville is known for the Keyesville Classic course, Just Outstanding and Cannell trail.

The Gathering is an informal event with free camping at Keyesville, or you can stay in local hotels or forest service campgrounds. We’re suggesting a ride schedule, but participants are welcome to set their own itinerary, and we’ll be glad to recommend trails. Some of the must-ride trails are:

Keyesville Classic Course: an 8 1/2 mile XC loop that snakes it’s way around the mountains. it has some fast rolling and flowing sections, some moderate climbs and quick descents. Suggested for Friday afternoon.

Just Outstanding: A shuttle run single-track from Shirley Meadows at 6,800′ down to the Kern Valley at 2600′. There are some optional routes that will bring you all the way back to Keyesville. Suggested for Sunday Morning.

Cannell Trail: This 24 mile classic has 8000′ descent with 2000′ of climbing. Starting at 9,000′ at Sherman Pass, it winds it’s way from the alpine meadows and pine forests down to the Kern River, just above Kernville. We’re suggesting this ride for Saturday morning. You can self-shuttle, or use Mountain River Adventures shuttle service (800-861-6553).

We are growing a Brand and look forward to sharing our Passion with you!

Bionicon has come a long way since it’s humble beginnings in Germany back in 1999. It’s an exciting journey, and we’re enjoying every minute of it. The company has grown into a highly respected innovator in the mountain bike industry, with divisions on three continents.

We cordially invite you to come and say Hi, talk about mountain biking, and catch up on Bionicon’s latest technology. Daniel Kohl will be there from Germany, as well as Mic De Min, Paul Ferguson and the full Bionicon USA crew.

Some of Bionicon’s newest innovations will be on display at Interbike this year.  We’ll be showing off the new B-Boxx transmission, developed in partnership with Nicolai. There’s a new Ironwood for 2009, and the 170mm Double Agent FR fork. We’ll also be showing off Bionicon’s line of urban commuter bikes.

Look for us at the Bootleg Canyon Outdoor Demo on Monday and Tuesday at Booth #D3940.

At the Sands Convention Center we’ll see you in Booth #864.

For more information or to schedule a meeting, contact Mic De Min at 760-446-3089 or write to mic@bioniconus.com

BikeRumor and other web sites are today spreading word of the B-Boxx, Bionicon’s internal planetary geared front derailleur transmission, which is making it’s debut today (September 4, 2008) at Eurobike.

Bionicon’s presence at Eurobike is large, and the B-Boxx debut has been much anticipated. If you happen to be in Germany for Eurobike, stop by and visit the Bionicon crew in stall FG-A7/4.

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Thanks to everyone who came out for the All-Pro Bicycles shop demo at Corriganville Park this past weekend. It was great to see every one of the demo bikes out on the trail by 8:15 in the morning. Most went out a second time as well, and the interest was definitely high.

We know of at least a few people who rode that are now pleading with significant others for permission to upgrade older bikes or add a new one to their stable, and at least one who will have a very happy Christmas!

Thanks to Gina and Dave from All Pro for hosting the event and sending everyone our way to “catch the buzz” of Bionicon’s bikes. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with All Pro. They’re great people and we learned from many that they’re just as down to earth and helpful as one would expect from a family owned and operated bike shop.

Give them a visit out on Tapo Street in Simi Valley, or visit their web site at http://allprobikes.com.

The adventure began weeks before the race as we learned that our two racers, Chewy and Jared, were going to miss the event. Poor Chewy fractured his collar bone and some ribs while jumping in Arizona. Jared was responsible and flew to the Midwest for work. That left us searching for the right riders for the weekend. All we had to do was ask, and two great guys stepped up for the Downieville Challenge.

Joel Hubbart, a 23 year old Super D racer from Colorado, accepted our offer and flew out Wednesday night before the race. Ericson Monsalud, a proud owner of Bike Attack in Santa Monica, entered as our Expert level racer.

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Title: All Pro Bikes Demo Event
Location: Corganville Park Simi Valley, California
We’ll have a demo van full of bikes at Corriganville Park in Simi Valley.
When: 2008-07-26, 8:00 - 03:30 p.m.

We’ll be out with the great folks at All Pro Bicycles on Tapo Street in Simi Valley. Come check out the latest in mountain bikes that can do it all! We’ll be there from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and you’ll be able to take out the bikes on the trails you know and love, to give them a real head-to-head comparison with what you’re riding now. Please bring your pedals and helmet.

Directions to Corriganville Park:

Exit 118 Freeway at Kuehner off ramp.

If on 118E (i.e - having passed through most of Simi Valley) turn
right at end of off ramp. If on 118W and you’ve just come down the
hill into Simi turn left at the end of the off ramp.

Drive about a quarter mile south on Kuehner to a 3 way Stop. Go
straight across and through the next 2 lights before starting
slightly uphill to third light. (Another quarter mile or so)

Turn left onto Smith Road and follow it a quarter mile to the parking
lot in Corriganville Regional Park.

View Larger Map

We’re packing up the van to spend the rest of the week enjoying the festivities of the Downieville Classic. We’ll be out there to support the Bionicon riders and show off some of our latest bikes. You’ll be able to take out one of our on-the-fly adjustable geometry bikes for a test ride, or just hang out and talk mountain biking with us.

Bionicon riders Chewy Aitken (Sedona) and Ryan Geiger (Flagstaff), both had impressive showings at the 2008 Whiskey Off-Road race in Prescott, Arizona, April 26.

Both riders raced the “25-proof” (25 mile event). Chewy, who lost precious time during a crash and also had to weave his way through slower riders from the 50-mile “50 Proof” division, came in with a time of 2:35:38. Just 29 seconds later, taking second place overall, was 14 year-old Bionicon rider Ryan Geiger.

Ryan won his junior male division by more than 30 minutes, and even more impressively, came in second overall in the 25 proof, building up on his recent success at the Keyesville Classic and his local Arizona events.

Chewy won the event riding the Bionicon Golden Willow, his weapon of choice for both cross-country and Super-D racing. Ryan was on the sub-22 pound Bionicon Frequency hard tail.