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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2008 Kona Bicycles 24 Hours in Old Pueblo: More Riders, More FunMore riders, more singletrack and more fun is in store for riders and spectators at the Kona Bicycles 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, which will take place Feb. 16-17 near Willow Springs Ranch, north of Tucson.
The event, now in its ninth year, has become a winter mountain bike vacation destination for mountain bikers across North America. Its popularity comes from the fast and flowing singletrack, some signature challenges on the course, and the emphasis on having fun and celebrating mountain bicycling.
“We put on a high-quality, well-organized race,” said Todd Sadow, president of Epic Rides, “but it’s within the greater context of connecting people across the spectrum of the bicycling community, bringing them together in a positive environment to celebrate the many benefits we enjoy. Mountain bicycling combines physical challenges and fitness with the enjoyment of Nature — and in particular at this event, Southern Arizona’s unique Sonoran desert landscape.”
An anticipated 1,650 riders will compete in the event, 200 more than the 2007 race, and a huge increase over the 176 contestants in 2000, the 24 Hours in The Old Pueblo’s first year.
Sadow said this year’s event will incorporate another three miles of singletrack, utilizing existing trails “improving safety for the riders and others in the area while ramping up the fun factor another notch.”
The Ninth Annual Kona Bicycles 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo is dedicated to Mountain Bike Hall of Fame member Richard Cunningham, the founder of Mantis Bicycles, whose contributions to the sport include covering mountain bicycling as editor of Mountain Bike Action magazine, for being a long-time advocate for mountain bike access, and for his many innovations and contributions to mountain bike design.
For more information about the event go online to epicrides.com/twofour/24.htm.
EpicRides has become world famous for producing events that celebrate the many positive aspects of mountain bicycling. Events such as the Kona 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, Show Low Bluff Tour of the White Mountains and the Whiskey Off Road are popular with participants because they offer challenging, fun riding and emphasize the joy inherent in the sport.
The Kona Bicycle Company designs, manufacturers and distributes more than 60 models of purpose-built, high-performance mountain, road and urban bicycles. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Ferndale, Washington, USA, Kona bicycles are distributed worldwide in more than 60 countries through independent specialty bicycle dealers. Kona funds several professional road, mountain and cyclo-cross racing teams that include world cup champions, world champions and national champions. For more information go online to konaworld.com.
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