"Getting the Right Fit" by 198

The http://www.mtbtrailreview.com/ site did a great write up on "Getting the Right Fit" and features 55nine Performance. Check out the article and the rest of the site here.

55nine Performance, Ergon, and Vassago Cycles Join Forces to Support IMBA-SORBA and Historic Trail System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Eddie O'Dea
Event Director
Fool's Gold Mountain Bike Races and Festival
404-432-5841
eddie@55ninePerformance.com
www.55ninePerformance.com


55nine Performance, Ergon, and Vassago Cycles Join Forces to Support IMBA-SORBA and Historic Trail System

Dahlonega, Georgia – The 2008 Fool's Gold Mountain Bike Races & Festival put on by 55nine Performance is teaming with the Southern Off-road Bicycle Association (SORBA) to create a one-of-a-kind festival in the Southeastern US. Both 55nine Performance and SORBA are working together to support improvements of the existing trail system in the Bull Mountain area of Dahlonega, Georgia, as well as to support development of new trail to an already epic area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. 55nine Performance will be making a cash donation to SORBA's Land Access Fund to support the Bull & Jake Mountain trails which was the site of IMBA's first Epic ride. Ergon is helping in the efforts to grow SORBA membership by giving away a limited number of grips to all those that sign up as a SORBA member through the Fool's Gold events. Vassago Cycles will be present at the Fool's Gold event to demo their line of bicycles and to raffle one 2008 Optimus Titanium 29er mountain bike frame valued at over $1600. Tickets will be sold at www.vassagocycles.com and at the event for $20.00 each. Proceeds from the Vassago frame raffle will also go towards the Bull & Jake Mountain area trail fund.

"The Fool's Gold Mtb Races and Festival rides travel this historic trail system and showcase some of Georgia's most epic riding. 55nine Performance, along with the USFS and SORBA-IMBA, recognizes the opportunity for improvements to the current trails and the need for opening additional trails in this area. We are creating an event that brings together a national caliber race, recreational riding and trail advocacy in a way that will generate revenue to build and maintain trails. It's a perfect circle." says, Race Director Eddie O'Dea. The Fool's Gold 100 mile race is the 6th of the 8 race National Ultra Endurance Series in 2008. The Festival will have organized rides, games, bands, on-site food & lodging, and more for the entire weekend of August 15-17, 2008.

Jeff Kerkove, Marketing and Athlete Relations for Ergon USA (and Team Topeak-Ergon MTB Endurance Racer) says, "Supporting IMBA and its chapters is a high priority for Ergon USA. We hope that by adding a little incentive to becoming an IMBA-SORBA member will continue to grow the dominating trail advocacy that currently exists in the Southern States. There is no secret as to why so many Southern venues are becoming hotbeds for racing and riding in the USA...the trails speak for themselves."

Kris Fowler, Owner of Vassago Cycles says, "Vassago is excited to be a part of the Fool's Gold races and festival, it is a great venue and an opportunity to support one of Georgia's best trail systems. The Southeast in general has some of the most fantastic mountain biking in the nation, and organizations such as IMBA-SORBA are the ones that make it possible. Our titanium frame raffle is our way of putting our money where our mouth is, as proceeds will be donated to IMBA-SORBA in support of the great job they do for all of us."

Tom Sauret, SORBA Executive Director, says "These partnerships brining together the bicycle industry, event directors and advocacy organizations are at the core of the bike culture movement. Working together in this manner will grow our sport and increase mountain biking opportunities in the Southeast."


About 55nine Performance:
55nine Performance is race promotion venture which aims to produce national caliber events while supporting local advocacy groups. They currently direct the BURN 24 Hour Challenge which benefits the Brushy Mountain Cycling Club and the Fool's Gold Mtb Races and Festival which benefits IMBA-SORBA. 55nine Performance also operates a performance center in metro Atlanta that provides bike fitting, pedal stroke analysis, coaching, and nutrition services.

About IMBA-SORBA:
The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), IMBA's regional presence, is the largest nonprofit mountain biking organization in the Southeast. SORBA members work with land managers in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee to create trails and trail systems for mountain bikers and other users to enjoy. Through advocacy, education, and recreational opportunities, SORBA carries out its mission to promote land access, trail preservation, and new trail development in order to enhance mountain bike touring, racing, fun, and fellowship for all mountain bicyclists in the southeastern United States. For more information visit: www.sorba.org
About Ergon Components:
Ergon Components is the global leader in ergonomic bicycle component development. Garnered with design accolades the world over, Ergon specializes in providing comfortable performance enhancements for every type of cyclist. http://www.ergon-bike.com
About Vassago Cycles:
Vassago Cycles is a frame manufacturer based on the East Coast (USA), providing ludicrously superior handling frames to discerning riders. We believe that great bikes, craft brew, and the humming crackle of knobbies on singletrack are the answer to all the world's problems. http://vassagocycles.com

For more information about SORBA membership, visit www.sorba.org.

Tom Sauret

Executive Director

SORBA—Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association

tom@sorba.org

Robin Allen

Communications Director

Competitor SE Magazine: June 2008

Check out page 43 for "FAST TALK" with Eddie O'Dea. Eddie talks with Competitor SE about 55nine Performance, Atlanta's premiere bike fitting service.

And while you're there, see our new ad on page 45!

Competitor Magazine is free at gyms, bike shops, smoothie shops, REI, etc.

Endurance Racing Clinics in Georgia

Click the image to enlarge

Wobble-naught Fit Demonstration with Nat Ross & Leonard Zinn on Velonews TV

Have you been interested in a bike fitting? 55nine Performance uses the Wobble-naught system to fit professionals and enthusiasts alike. To see a Wobble-naught fit in action complete with EMG and Video Analysis, check out the new videos on Velonews TV.

Bike29 presents the 29er Gathering of the Southeast

What: A gathering of 29 inch wheels and their riders. Expect contests and prizes, a whole lotta riding, bike demos, food, unlimited microbrews, and onsite bunkhouse lodging.

When: August 15-17, 2008

Where: The beautiful mountains of Dahlonega, Georgia, as part of the Fool's Gold 100/50 mountain bike races & festival

How Much:

Saturday August 16 only: $40.00 gets you Saturday lunch & dinner, organized rides, hot showers, unlimited beers, schwag, band, and entry to the Bike29 gathering of the southeast. Please register for the Festival Saturday-only on Active.com.

Friday through Sunday Enchilada: $100.00 gets you on-site lodging Friday night through Sunday morning, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunday breakfast, organized rides, entry to the Bike29 gathering of the southeast, hot showers, beers, schwag, & band. Please register for the Festival Weekend on Active.com.

Bike29 will present awards and prizes for the following:

Ugliest 29er, Sexiest 29er, Blingest 29er, Lightest 29er, Oldest 29er, Best Wheelie on your 29er, and Most Creative Setup on your 29er

The prizes and awards will be done around 5:45 pm, so 100 and 50 mile racers are eligible to participate. If you are racing the Fool's Gold 100 or 50 mile race , register for the race on Active.com with or without the weekend festival.

Landis to race NUE

From cyclingnews.com:

Floyd Landis has accepted an invitation from the National Ultra-Endurance (NUE) MTB Series to compete in their eight-race series in 2008. Heading into its third year, the National Ultra-Endurance MTB Series features a schedule of 100-mile races held across the United States.

"We are pleased that Floyd has accepted our invitation to come out and race at our events," said NUE Series Director Ryan O'Dell, "These are the kinds of events where everyone is welcome, all ages and abilities. Having Floyd means we can generate additional exposure and attract sponsors that will help us further build our unique brand of racing."

In 2007, Landis raced the Shenandoah Mountain 100, which was the NUE Series finale. Riding for Smith & Nephew - BHRhip.com, he finished third behind Jeff Schalk (Trek / Volkswagen East Factory) and Harlan Price (Independent Fabrication). He also finished second at the Leadville 100, which was not part of the NUE Series.

"The great experience I had last year was a big part of my decision to commit to the whole series," said Landis, "I had a great time and felt very comfortable. It really gets you connected with why we all chose to ride bikes. The races are fun, healthy and very competitive and the racers, staff and sponsors for these events are truly great people. I can't wait for the first race in April."

Landis won the Tour de France in July of 2006, but organizers later stripped him of his title following a positive doping test for testosterone. Original runner-up Oscar Pereiro was awarded the title in October of 2007. Landis' bid to overturn his positive doping test before a hearing involving the US Anti-doping Agency (USADA) was unsuccessful when an arbitration panel ruled to uphold his positive test results and subsequent two-year competition ban in September.

However, Landis is still awaiting the outcome of his final appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a decision expected in March. In the meantime, he has been serving his suspension, which applies to sanctioned competition. The NUE series is sanctioned by neither the UCI nor USA Cycling.

A source close to Landis told Cyclingnews that Landis was fully committed to the NUE Series regardless of the outcome before CAS. "He's commited to his sponsors and the NUE Series will be his primary competitive forum for 2008. Whether CAS overturns the decision against Landis, it doesn't change his competitive focus for the year. The NUE series is an opportunity for Floyd to keep himself in race form and to continue to provide value to his sponsors who have stood by him."

In addition to attracting many local and regional grassroots racers, the NUE series' growing profile is drawing over time more elite level racers, many of whom are subjected to anti-doping testing out of competition and at other competitions.

When asked if there were any plans to add anti-doping testing for the NUE series, co-organizer, Garth Prosser said to Cyclingnews, "No, we don't have that kind of money. This is old school mountain biking. We could make more money by recycling the beer cans from after the race than from organizing the race." Before making his reputation in the professional road scene, Landis was one of those "old school" racers on the American mountain bike circuit.

The 2008 NUE Series will open April 19 in Tennessee with the Cohutta 100 and will wrap up on September 6 in California with the Tahoe-Sierra 100. See the full NUE series schedule here.

The 2007 series was won by Chris Eatough (Trek / VW), who is expected to defend his title in 2008 although he could not be reached for confirmation.

55nine Performance owners interview at Cyclingnews.com

Eddie and Namrita were interviewed by Sue George and they will be the new diarists of cyclingnews.com. Check out the interview and upcoming diary for an insight to their lives of endurance training, racing, and race promotion..among other things.

LINK

Fool's Gold 100 to be part of the NUE MTB 100 series

The Fool's Gold 100 mile mountain bike race will be the 6th race of 8 offroad centuries in the 2008 National Ultra Endurance Series.

Cohutta 100 Tennessee April 19
Mohican MTB 100 Ohio June 7
Lumberjack 100 Michigan June 14
Breckenridge 100 Colorado July 19
Wilderness 101 Pennsylvania July 26
Fool’s Gold 100 Georgia August 16
Shenandoah 100 Virginia August 31
Tahoe-Sierra 100 California September 6

Best 4 out of 8
All ties broken at the final event

55nine Performance and Vassago Cycles

We are excited to announce our partnership with Vassago Cycles in the dual sponsorship of former Kona-sponsored enduro-freak Eddie O'Dea and Namrita O'Dea (Vassago Cycles/55nine Performance) on Team Vassago Cycles/55nine Performance for 2008.

Both Eddie and Namrita will race the 2008 Granny Gear Solo 24 hour Series on their Vassago 29er mountain bikes. Eddie will race the new Vassago Chupacabra and Namrita will race the Chupacabra as well as her Vassago Jabberwocky singlespeed for the 2nd year in a row. Also look for both Eddie and Namrita at the Singlespeed World Championship Race 2008 in Napa, CA and at several of the National Ultra Endurance (100 miler) races next year.

55nine Performance is Eddie and Namrita's personal business focused on Laser-precision bike fitting using the Wobble-naught system, Sports Nutrition, and Coaching.

How's that for a winning combination!

Specialized/Red Bull Racer Rebecca Rusch Interview

Ride424.com interviewed professional endurance racer Rebecca Rusch, check out her interview...notice she gives props to her Wobble-naught bike fit!

Fools Gold in Bicycling Magazine (Nov 2007)

Check out Bicycling Magazine's November 2007 issue. Fools Gold 100 is one of the top 6 Off-road centuries the magazine recommends. Fools Gold has both a 100 mile and a 50 mile race and the 2008 date will be announced in the very near future.

The mountains of North Georgia are home to the state's first and only dirty century. In addition to a load of singletrack and a few gravel road surges, expect a roaring party after the race, with beer included. Dahlonega, GA; 55nineperformance.com.

Fools Gold Recap & Interviews on MTBCAST.com

Check Episode 87.

Breaking News: Abercrombie & Fitch and Wobble-Naught

Check it out!

or copy and paste: http://www.13wmaz.com/video/player_news.aspx?aid=35438&storyid=37658

ERGON/55nine Performance Demo Day at Blankets Creek on April 24