48STRAIGHT News
Back to Cali for Grand Finale

September 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Brings Grand Finale of Mountain Bike Racing Series, Plus Music, Entertainment & Environmental Activities to San Luis Obispo on Oct. 24-25

There aren’t many cities across the U.S. with a greater passion for cycling that San Luis Obispo, Calif. Mix in an equally vibrant music, arts and environmental scene, and it’s no wonder the city been named as the host site for the grand finale of the spectacular Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer event series. From Oct. 24-25, the event will combine sports, live performances and sustainability programs to help Californians celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle while having loads of fun in the process.

The event will be headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers from across the globe battling in a dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes, Eric Carter and Melissa Buhl, as well as National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman and Kathy Pruitt, are just a few of the elite athletes expected to contend for a share of the richest cash payout in the sport, topping $100,000.

Local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to earn instant entry into the competition through an Open Qualifier time trial taking place on Friday, Oct. 24, which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women. Registration information can be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Off the dirt, guests are invited to visit the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has partnered with the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County (ECOSLO) to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. ECOSLO started San Luis Obispo’s first recycling program back in 1971, and has been an environmental role model for the county ever since.

Wrapping up the event will be a FREE concert by Brett Dennen, a folk/pop singer-songwriter from Oakdale, Calif., who has been compared to music standouts including Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Paul Simon, among others. His music has been featured on many popular television programs including Grey’s Anatomy, House, The Unit and Scrubs.

The full event schedule includes:

Friday, Oct. 24
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.        Jeep 48STRAIGHT Open Qualifier

Saturday, Oct. 25
2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.        Eco Expo & Beer Garden
2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.        Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Race (Awards Ceremony immediately following the race)
5 p.m. – 6:30  p.m.        Free concert featuring Brett Dennen

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event in San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on Nov. 1.

Countdown to the Canyons!

September 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Brings World-Class Mountain Bike Racing, Music & Entertainment Festival to The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah on September 19-20

For a second straight summer, the top professional mountain bike racers in the world will descend on The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and this time they will be accompanied by a bevy of music, entertainment and environmental activities for all ages. It’s all part of Jeep 48STRAIGHT, an event whose mission from Sept. 19-20 will be to empower Utahns to celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle while having loads of fun in the process.

The event will be headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers from across the globe battling in a dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes, Eric Carter and Melissa Buhl, as well as National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman and Kathy Pruitt, are just a few of the elite athletes expected to contend for a share of the richest cash payout in the sport, topping $100,000.

Local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to earn instant entry into the competition through an Open Qualifier time trial, which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women. Registration information can be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Off the dirt, guests are invited to visit the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $10 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has partnered with Park City’s own Heal the Snow environmental organization to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. Some of the organizations taking part in the festival include Park City Municipal Corporation, Utah Moms for Clean Air, Eco Moto, SheJumps.org and Muev Electric Bike.

Wrapping up the event will be a FREE concert by Rogue Wave, an indie rock band from Oakland, Calif., whose music can be heard on hit television programs such as Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, The O.C. and Nip/Tuck, among others.

The full event schedule includes:

Friday, Sept. 19
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.     Qualification for Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Competition

Saturday, Sept. 20
1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.        Sponsor Expo / Environmental Eco-Alley
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.        Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Competition
5:30 p.m.                      Awards Ceremony
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.   FREE Concert by Rogue Wave


Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at The Canyons will air on CBS Sports on October 12.

Following the event at The Canyons, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will head to San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Sept. 19-20 for the season’s grand finale.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Partners with Heal The Snow

September 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Furthering its commitment to producing world class sports, music and entertainment events alongside cutting edge green initiatives, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has announced a partnership with Park City’s Heal the Snow environmental organization to create the Green Your Scene Eco-Festival.

The Eco-Festival, which will be on display during the Jeep 48STRAIGHT event at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah on Sept. 19-20, will offer a robust, informative, and interactive experience for local residents and visitors. Examples of environmentally friendly features include electric motorcycles and other alternative ways to harness energy, as well as booths with education on green building practices. In addition, several other area non-profits will contribute their own eco-displays as part of the Eco-Festival package.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT is currently requesting proposals for vendor inclusion. There are no fees associated with participating, however, vendors are responsible for the set up, execution, and tear down of respective exhibits. For more information and to apply for participation in the Eco-Festival, please contact Jesse Swing at jesse_swing@hotmail.com.

“At Jeep 48STRAIGHT, we believe that protecting the environment and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle is not mutually exclusive,” said Kipp Nelson, founder of Jeep 48STRAIGHT. “Our goal is to provide a platform that turns the traditional environmental awareness paradigm on its head. Often it is looked at on the global level, and we want to offer solutions at the local level.”

Heal the Snow adheres to a similar philosophy of educating communities and businesses about healthy, low-impact living. Formed by a group of professional skiers, it has created innovative projects like the Shred Wagen; a sustainable mobile cabin that provides housing to skiers competing on the US Freeskiing Tour.

Full event information for Jeep 48STRAIGHT, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at The Canyons will air on CBS Sports on October 12.

Following the event at The Canyons, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will head to San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Sept. 19-20 for the season’s grand finale.

18 Athletes from Across the U.S. to Face Off Against World Elite

September 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

18 Mountain Bike Racers from Across the U.S. to Face Off Against World’s Elite Athletes During Saturday, Sept. 20 Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Championships

With word of Friday’s Jeep 48STRAIGHT Open Qualifier event at The Canyons in Park City, Utah, competitors arrived from near and far for a chance at cash, glory and national broadcast exposure. Utah’s best came from Layton, Murray, Park City, Ogden, Provo and St. George, with others coming from Great Britain, South Africa, and U.S. states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New York, North Carolina and Oregon.

At stake was a coveted spot in the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom, taking place here on Saturday afternoon and featuring head-to-head competition with the world’s elite racers. The riders will pursue a share of the richest payout in the sport and points toward the season championship, not to mention bragging rights among their peers and attention from millions of viewers when the event airs on CBS Sports.
 
At the end of the day, the 18 riders (12 men and 6 women) with the fastest times made it through, including:

MEN
Greg Minnaar – South Africa
Eric Carter – Temecula, Calif.
Chris VanDine – Park City, Utah
Amiel Cavalier – Auburn, Calif.
Steve Peat – Great Britain
Mike Haderer – Concord, Calif.
Kyle Strait – Costa Mesa, Calif.
Logan Binggeli – St. George, Utah
Jonathan Watt – Broomfield, Colo.
Christopher Herndon – Etowah, N.C.
Jake Kinney – San Diego, Calif.
Cameron McCaul – Santa Cruz, Calif.

WOMEN
Fionn Griffith – Great Britain
Tammy Donahugh – Boulder, Colo.
Leslie Slagle – El Cajon, Calif.
Lisa Myklak – Boulder, Colo.
Allie Burch – Patterson, N.Y.
Jackie Baker – Park City, Utah

The field of competitors for Saturday’s Dual Slalom includes a wealth of World Champion, National Champion and World Cup credentials. Among them include Melissa Buhl, the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion; 2008 overall World Cup Champion Minnaar; and former U.S. National Champions Cody Warren and Kathy Pruitt, winners of the season’s first event in New Jersey. Others to keep an eye on include Peat, a three-time World Cup Champion and Minnaar, who has amassed 35 World Cup titles during his career.

The prize purse for Jeep 48STRAIGHT tops $100,000 with additional bonuses from sponsor Paul Mitchell. The winner at The Canyons will pocket $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. Points are awarded during each race, and the overall series champion will receive the keys to a new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

In addition to the dual slalom, cyclists will compete Saturday in the 48STRAIGHT Cyclocross, presented by Scott USA. This event format features riders competing on a short course that may include pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring participants to quickly dismount and carry their bike while navigating the obstruction before remounting. There will be two categories of racing, including the more advanced Group A with a 60-minute race and $400 guaranteed cash payout, and the more recreational Group B, with a 45-minute race and $250 guaranteed cash payout.

Off the dirt, guests are invited to visit the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Jeep will host test drives while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting Park City’s Heal the Snow environmental organization. Jeep 48STRAIGHT has partnered with Heal the Snow to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. A sampling of the organizations taking part in the festival include the Trikke Trakk, Park City Municipal Corporation, Utah Moms for Clean Air, Eco Moto, SheJumps.org and Muev Electric Bike. Wrapping up the event will be a FREE concert by Rogue Wave, an indie rock band from Oakland, Calif., whose music can be heard on hit television programs such as Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, The O.C. and Nip/Tuck, among others.

Full event information may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.   

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at The Canyons will air on CBS Sports on Oct. 12.

Following the event at The Canyons, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will head to San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Oct. 24-25 for the season’s grand finale.

Minnaar & Buhl Capture Titles in Park City

September 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

To call the 2008 mountain bike seasons of newly anointed World Cup Champion Greg Minnaar and reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion Melissa Buhl successful would be a tremendous understatement. Today the pair added yet another exclamation point to their racing dominance by capturing titles at the second leg of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series held at The Canyons in Park City, Utah.

Despite facing one of the deepest fields in Jeep mountain bike history and intermittent rain showers that impacted the surface of the racecourse, South Africa’s Minnaar and Chandler, Ariz.’s, Buhl swept the competition without losing a heat, a feat all but unheard of since the event’s inception.

Minnaar, with two World Cup Championships and a World Championship under his belt by age 26, began the day with a win over Open Qualifier Cameron McCaul of Santa Cruz, Calif. Waiting in the second round was Great Britain’s Steve Peat, himself a three-time World Cup Champion, thus demonstrating the level of competition battling for the title. Minnaar swept past his good friend and rival to reach the semi-finals against Winter Park, Colo.’s Petr Hanak, where he won in straight races to reach the finals. In the championship heat, Minnaar faced off against World Champion and three-time World Cup titlist Eric Carter of Temecula, Calif., who had earned wins against Open Qualifiers Christopher Herndon of Etowah, N.C. and Amiel Cavalier of Auburn, Calif., as well as U.S. National Champion Cody Warren, who had captured the title at the first race of the season in New Jersey. In the finals, Minnaar outran the veteran Carter in both runs to earn the title. Hanak topped Warren in the consolation heat to earn the final podium spot.

“This year I have had great success in dual slalom competitions, having already won two of them,” said Minnaar. “I really wanted to win this one, and I pushed hard. When you add up the three World Cup wins and the overall World Cup Championship, plus three dual slalom wins, this has been a solid year for sure.”

Buhl’s day was no less spectacular, featuring wins over Open Qualifiers Lisa Myklak and Tammy Donahugh, both of Boulder, Colo., to earn a spot in the finals. There she would face off against Jeep mountain bike racing veteran and three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain. Griffiths reached the championship heat following a defeat of Open Qualifier Allie Burch of Patterson, N.Y. and a shocking upset of U.S. National Champion Kathy Pruitt, winner of the first leg of the series. In the finals, Buhl was just too powerful, winning both races against Griffiths to win her long-awaited first Jeep title. Pruitt earned third place with a win over Donahugh in the consolation heat.

“I came into Utah feeling really confident, focusing on my own race and making all of the jumps I needed to make,” said Buhl. “The weather definitely impacted everyone’s plan, and I had to race just a bit more conservative at times than I normally would. But I’m thrilled to get out of here with the win, and I couldn’t be happier with how the season went. I’m very excited about the final race in San Luis Obispo, where I like the dirt and racecourse and have a chance to win the season championship.”

The prize purse for Jeep 48STRAIGHT tops $100,000 with additional bonuses from sponsor Paul Mitchell. The winners at The Canyons pocketed $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. Points are awarded during each race, and the overall series champion will receive the keys to a new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at The Canyons will air on CBS Sports on Oct. 12.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT will now head to San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Oct. 24-25 for the season’s grand finale.

Back to Cali for Grand Finale!

September 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Brings Grand Finale of Mountain Bike Racing Series, Plus Music, Entertainment & Environmental Activities to San Luis Obispo on Oct. 24-25

There aren’t many cities across the U.S. with a greater passion for cycling that San Luis Obispo, Calif. Mix in an equally vibrant music, arts and environmental scene, and it’s no wonder the city been named as the host site for the grand finale of the spectacular Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer event series. From Oct. 24-25, the event will combine sports, live performances and sustainability programs to help Californians celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle while having loads of fun in the process.

The event will be headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers from across the globe battling in a dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes, Eric Carter and Melissa Buhl, as well as National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman and Kathy Pruitt, are just a few of the elite athletes expected to contend for a share of the richest cash payout in the sport, topping $100,000.

Local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to earn instant entry into the competition through an Open Qualifier time trial taking place on Friday, Oct. 24, which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women. Registration information can be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Off the dirt, guests are invited to visit the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $10 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has partnered with the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County (ECOSLO) to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. ECOSLO started San Luis Obispo’s first recycling program back in 1971, and has been an environmental role model for the county ever since.

Wrapping up the event will be a FREE concert by Brett Dennen, a folk/pop singer-songwriter from Oakdale, Calif., who has been compared to music standouts including Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Paul Simon, among others. His music has been featured on many popular television programs including Grey’s Anatomy, House, The Unit and Scrubs.

Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event in San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on Nov. 1.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Partners with ECOSLO

October 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Furthering its commitment to producing world class sports, music and entertainment events alongside cutting edge green initiatives, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has announced a partnership with the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County (ECOSLO) to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival at the upcoming Oct. 24-25 festival taking place at The Madonna Inn.

The Eco-Festival will offer a robust, informative, and interactive experience for local residents and visitors. Several area non-profits will participate in the Eco-Festival, including Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers, Central Coast Vineyard Team, Growing Grounds Nursery, Pacific Wildlife Care, Tall Bike Posse and Zero Hero. Pacific Energy will supply solar power energy for all the displays and spectators are encouraged to ride their own bicycles as the SLO Bike Valet will provide free valet service during the event.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT is currently requesting proposals for vendor inclusion. There are no fees associated with participating, however, vendors are responsible for the set up, execution, and tear down of respective exhibits. For more information and to apply for participation in the Eco-Festival, please contact Alicia Frank-Meltzer at afrank@48straight.com.

The Eco-Festival is just one of many Jeep 48STRAIGHT events planned for San Luis Obispo. The event will be headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers from across the globe battling in a dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes, Eric Carter and Melissa Buhl, as well as National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman and Kathy Pruitt, are just a few of the elite athletes expected to contend for a share of the richest cash payout in the sport, topping $100,000. Local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to earn instant entry into the competition through an Open Qualifier time trial taking place on Friday, Oct. 24, which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women. Registration information can be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Other highlights of the event include a Hill Climb, Rock Band Contest, Beer Garden and Trikke Trakk Cross Championship on Saturday leading up to the Dual Slalom competition. Off the dirt, guests are invited to visit the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists will be on hand offering $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

And what would Jeep 48STRAIGHT be without live music? A FREE concert will be held on Saturday from the Sunshine Brothers of Santa Barbara, courtesy of Trikke. And later that day, Brett Dennen, a folk/pop singer-songwriter from Oakdale, Calif., who has been compared to music standouts including Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Paul Simon, will wrap up the weekend. Dennen’s music has been featured on many popular television programs including Grey’s Anatomy, House, The Unit and Scrubs.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event in San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on Nov. 1.

Full event information for Jeep 48STRAIGHT, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.Jeep48STRAIGHT.com.

Brett Dennen Ready to Rock SLO

October 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Brett Dennen is a folk/pop singer-songwriter from Oakdale, California whose music has been featured in several television shows including Roadtrip Nation on PBS, Grey's Anatomy, House, The Unit, and Scrubs. He also appeared live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 2008. Named one of Rolling Stone's, "10 Artists To Watch” in 2007, Dennen was also included in Entertainment Weekly’s "Guy on the Rise" (one of 8 emerging singer-songwriters) in 2008. 48STRAIGHTcaught up with Dennen, who is set to play Saturday, October 25th at the Madonna Inn, to talk about life as a professional musician.

What is the biggest hurdle you have had to overcome as a singer/song writer to get where you are today? What kind of naysayers and setbacks did you encounter before releasing your first album?

BD: Early on I was told that to make it in showbiz, you have to change your name.  It was really hard because my father comes from a long line of proud Dennenzingers, and I don’t want to disrespect that at all.  I just want to make it easy for people to remember how to pronounce my name.

You have been compared to a lot of artists such Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Jack Johnson, Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Wynonna Judd. Which one of these artists do you actually think you have the most in common with? Have you ever met any of them?

BD: I’ve met some of them.  I think they are all great. Some of them have bad breath.  I don’t know how much I have in common with any of them.  I’m sure it is pretty equal.  They all make great music.  They all, like myself, think that brown is the greatest color there will ever be.

How did you end up making a music video with Mandy Moore? How is performing in a video different from performing at a concert?

BD: I asked her if she’d do it and she said yes.  I sang on her record a couple years back, so that’s how I met her.  Performing for the camera is just like performing for people, except cameras don’t get drunk, and they don’t buy merchandise either.

What do you think is the biggest misconception of being a professional musician?

BD: People think that we are stoned all the time.  And that is just not true.  We are DRUNK all the time.  There is a big difference.  It is illegal to be stoned.  Musicians don’t break any laws!!  

Do you participate in any outdoor sports such as mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding etc? Do you have a favorite athlete within this genre?

BD: I am an avid fly fisherman.  My big hero is Rusty “Wooly-Bugger” Orvis.  He invented the slip cradle cast.  He grew up near where I’m from.

Have you decided who you will vote for in the upcoming presidential election? What are the most important issues to you?

BD: Barack Obama.  Education, Health Care, War Spending, Energy, Foreign Policy, and Immigration

Meet Olympian Adam Craig

October 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Competing at his first Jeep 48STRAIGHT event in San Luis Obispo, 2008 Olympian Adam Craig, age 27 from Bend, Oregon, diversifies the field with his cross country background. While most racers who compete in dual slalom boast accolades from the gravity disciplines, Craig holds 14 National Titles in various endurance disciplines. He is a six-time national cross-country champ, five-time Super D champ, two-time cyclocross champ and one-time short track XC champ.

Known for great bike handling skills (something he acquired from years of mastering the treacherous terrain in his home state of Maine) combined with an utter lack of fear (Craig is also a competent whitewater kayaker and rally car racer), Adam is the reigning cross country and Super D Champ.

Being a “Mainer” how did the terrain in your home state shape your riding style? Who influenced your riding early on?

I got into riding because it was something fun to do in the yard.  Then in the woods, then up in the hills, then all over the place. The terrain in Maine is classic east coast, steep and nasty.  It's awesome and forces John Q Mountain Biker to have a soft touch and good grasp of plans B through L--meaning things go wrong all the time riding on wet roots and rocks in Maine, and you'd better have a backup plan or ten! The local shop guys I was riding and racing with were my influence, Justin Qualey mostly.  
 
What are some of the trials and tribulations of making a living as a cross-country racer?

They are inconsequential when compared with what lots of people have to do to make a living.  I ride a lot, try to rest a lot, don't eat too much cake and it pretty much takes care of itself.  Not to say it's easy, as being fit, fast and ready week in and week out takes it's toll physically and mentally, but anything you do in the name of bike riding can't be all that hard on you.  
 
You are one of the only athletes competing at Jeep 48Straight in SLO who comes from an endurance background. How do you expect this to be an advantage in a dual slalom competition? Disadvantage? Have you raced against gravity riders like Brian Lopes or Cody Townsend before?

I don't think my endurance background will be any kind of advantage, other than practice and qualifying not wearing me out.  I think if anything my slower twitch muscles and diesel engine will be a bit of a hindrance.  I think the advantage for me will be the fact that there's no pressure and it's really just riding, which I do LOTS of.  I've raced Lopes in Super D events and smoked him.  I'm pretty pumped to see how it all plays out, actually, I think I can corner well and I'm working on the jumping so we'll see...
 
Have you ever raced dual slalom before and if so how did you do?

I used to race a bunch of dual slalom in New England when I was a junior, won the expert class slalom at Mount Snow, Vermont in 1997, or was it '96?  And I just did the Fluidride Cup Slalom, got third in the pro class.  It was FUN!  

The Europeans tend to dominate XC World Cup events? What is it like to go up against them on their home turf? What does it take to beat them?

The Euros are good for sure but on my best days I can totally ride with them at the front of World Cup races.  It's pretty awesome to be riding with the best in the world in their backyards with thousands of rabid fans egging you on.  I think all it takes for me to beat them (all) is to settle down and race smart at the front instead of getting all fired up and riding a bit too fast...  
 
You have traveled all over the world for XC events. Do you have a favorite venue? Why?

Houffalize, Belgium and Mont St Anne, Quebec.  They're both classic courses with classic crowds and classic action.  Love those races.  And Mt Snow, Vermont, obviously, since it's always good to me, and FUN!  
 
Was Beijing your first Olympics? Describe your Olympic experience and how you did? Does it feel anti-climatic now that it is over? What is the biggest misconception people have about the Olympics?

Beijing was indeed my first Olympics. Had I known what an amazing, crazy, exciting spectacle it really was, I would have been able to mentally prepare for that, possibly having a race that shows my, and our nation's, true potential instead of getting a horrible start and struggling to finish 29th.  Oh well...  I think the biggest misconception people have about the Olympics is "The Experience" itself.  For me it was really just another bike race, albeit with the whole world watching. Definitely a bit anticlimactic, with all due respect.
 
What are your long-term goals as a rider?

Have fun and ride fast.  Winning a World Cup would be great.  Just having fun would be fine too.
 
How will your prepare for the upcoming event in SLO?

DIRT JUMPS!  This is the excuse I've always needed to get out and really properly learn to jump bikes.  I'm having an awesome time.

Local Racers Among Top Athletes Earning Spots in Grand Finale

October 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

San Luis Obispo-Area Mountain Bike Racers Among Top Athletes Earning Spots in  Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Grand Finale on Sat., Oct. 25 at The Madonna Inn

More than 60 professional and semi-professional mountain bike racers converged today at the mountains behind The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif., for a shot at cash, glory and national broadcast exposure via the grand finale of the prestigious Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series.

Top riders from San Luis Obispo were joined by other contenders from across the state, representing Alta, Berkley, Burbank, Costa Mesa, El Cajon, Huntington Beach, Los Gatos, Sacramento, San Clemente, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Thousand Oaks, Ventura and Winchester. Others arrived from points even further, such as …

At stake was a coveted spot in the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom, taking place here on Saturday afternoon and featuring head-to-head competition with the highest ranked riders in the sport, many of who are National Champions, World Champions and World Cup Champions. The competitors will be pursuing bragging rights, while also chasing a share of the largest purse in mountain bike racing and exposure from thousands of spectators on site and millions of viewers when the event airs on CBS Sports.

At the end of the day, 18 riders (12 men and 6 women) with the fastest times earned automatic entry into the Dual Slalom, including:

MEN                            
Greg Minnaar – South Africa
Brian Lopes – Laguna Beach, Calif.
Kyle Strait – Costa Mesa, Calif.
Rich Houseman – Temecula, Calif.
Mitch Ropelato – Ogden, Utah
Logan Binggeli – St. George, Utah
J.D. Swanguen – San Diego, Calif.
Amiel Cavalier – Auburn, Calif.
Brad Oien – Fountain Valley, Calif.
Mike Haderer – Concord, Calif.
Joey Backus – Meas, Ariz.

WOMEN
Fionn Griffith – Great Britain
Lisa Myklak – Boulder, Colo.
Michelle Rivera – La Puente, Calif.
Stephanie Nychka – Gresham, Ore.
Joanne Peterson – Folsom, Calif.
Leslie Slagle – El Cajon, Calif.Neko Mulally – Reading, Pa.

The field of competitors for Saturday’s Dual Slalom is among the deepest in the history of Jeep mountain bike racing. Among the men’s favorites include four-time World Champion Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach; three-time World Cup Champion Greg Minnaar of South Africa; four-time Australian National Champion Jared Rando; World Champion Eric Carter of Temecula; and U.S. National Champions Cody Warren and Rich Houseman. On the women’s side, reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion Melissa Buhl of Chandler, Ariz., will lead the charge with U.S. National Champion Kathy Pruitt and three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths close behind.  

The title winner at San Luis Obispo will pocket $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. The season champion will receive sponsor bonuses from sponsor Paul Mitchell and the keys to a new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Overall, the prize purse for Jeep 48STRAIGHT tops $100,000, making it one of the highest cash payouts in the sport.
 
Other highlights of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT event include the Trikke Trakk Cross Championship taking place prior to the Dual Slalom competition. Guests are also invited to visit the Beer Garden and Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin and Rossignol, among others. Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists will be on hand offering $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition, Jeep 48STRAIGHT has partnered with the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County (ECOSLO) to create a Green Your Scene Eco-Festival offering educational and interactive features designed to raise environmental awareness and provide local level solutions. Rounding out the weekend will be free concerts by the Sunshine Brothers of Santa Barbara, presented by Trikke, and folk/pop singer-songwriter Brett Dennen from Oakdale, Calif.

The Jeep 48STRAIGHT event from San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on November 1.

A Sit-Down with Chris Van Dine

October 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

A multi-time downhill national team member, current NORBA athlete trustee, and Park City resident, Chris Van Dine is one of the most versatile racers on the roster. He has over 20 career mountain bike wins ranging from downhill, dual slalom, dirt jumping, cross country, BMX, road, and 24 hour endurance racing. The first rider to land a barrel roll in competition, Van Dine comes from a family of die-hard riders. His father Galen was a mountain bike pioneer back in Pennsylvania during the ‘80s and his younger brother Nick is a promising up and coming downhiller. On top of it all, no other rider oozes “coolness” quite the way Van Dine does. After competing in all three stops of the Jeep series, 48STRAIGHT caught up with Van Dine to find out where he gets his mojo.

What kind of skills did you learn growing up on the East Coast that distinct to that area? Where else have you lived throughout the years, and how did those places influence your riding?

Where I grew up in Pennsylvania the trail riding is very technical, and the dirt jumping is seriously some of the best in the world so I love that stuff.  When I lived in Durango, Colorado I got heavy into downhill and alpine backcountry riding.  In Salt Lake, I was exposed to the urban scene; street, park, fixies, etc.  And southern California offered up new moto, park, and dirt jump influence.  I've always been influenced by other sports and lifestyles like skating, surfing, snowboarding, moto, BMX, etc.
 
How has your family inspired and supported your mountain bike career? Can you tell us a bit about your father's mountain biking legacy?

It took a little while for some of my family to warm up to the idea of riding bikes for a living but as things progressed the support grew.  I guess you could say my dad was a bit of a mountain bike pioneer back in the day--in an Appalachian hillbilly kind of way.
 
What made you choose to live in Park City and how long have you been there?
The 3.2 beer of course!  No, there are tons of killer resources around Park City.  I've been hanging and riding there for about 5 years now.
 
For someone who doesn't follow mountain biking, how do you explain a dual slalom event? What are some of the aspects you like about it, and what is most challenging for you personally?

The format is really similar to ski dual slalom, two courses and racers get a run on each.  The faster racer advances to the next round and the racing gets tighter.  I like slalom because it makes for good, clean, aggressive racing.  It's more about out riding your opponent instead of out sprinting them to the first corner and covering lines which is almost always what happens in the Mountain Cross format.  Slalom is all about technique and finesse, bar-to-bar.
 
You have competed in many disciplines of mountain biking--How is the "freeride" scene different then the "racing" scene? Is it easy to switch back and forth between the two? Is it common for someone to do both?

In general, I've found that the freeride scene is more easy going than the race scene, especially in Europe.  More and more of the young guys coming up are super talented across the board and have the ability to compete in both.  It's getting more difficult to do well in both, though, because the progression has really ramped up on both sides, and to be competitive you really need to specialize these days.
 
What kind of jobs have you had in the past to support your biking habits? When did you turn "pro"? What are some of the difficulties of trying to make it as a pro mountain biker?

I've done a lot of jobs to support my habits, spun wrenches in shops, poured drinks in bars, and all kinds of stuff in between.  I turned pro in ‘03.  As far as difficulties go, the only thing harder than getting there is staying there
 
Who, in your opinion, should be most respected mountain biker on the planet?

Tough question, there's a lot of respect due out there.  Gee Atherton is the most versatile in my eyes right now, but it's hard to argue against Sam Hill's blinding corner speed.  But really the true advocates out there living the dream deserve the respect.   
 
Where do you see the sport five years from now?

Depends on who wins this election.
 
48STRAIGHT is really trying to promote green initiatives. If skiers worry about losing snow to global warming, what do mountain bikers worry about?

Robots and clones ruling the galaxy.  Environmentally the same stuff affects us, desertification sucks.
 
 The presidential election is less than two weeks away--have you given any thought to who you are going to vote for? What do you think is the most important issue at stake?

Let's see, our country is at war and we're spending billions while innocent men, women, and children are killed everyday.  Families are being destroyed, our environment is being destroyed, our economy took a huge shit, I don't agree with our foreign policy, healthcare, (especially veterans affairs), education, stem cell research, NAFTA, national security, etc.  The list is long.  I think there are a lot of important issues at stake here.

Race Results from Grand Finale!

October 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Americans Eric Carter of Temecula, Calif. & Melissa Buhl of Chandler, Ariz., earn season championship honors at Oct. 25 Grand Finale of Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

The men’s Championship Heat of today’s Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif., featured two of the most acclaimed racers in the history of the sport – Eric Carter of Temecula and Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach – with over 60 years of experience between them. Lopes, with four World Championships and nine National Championships ended up outlasting his friend and rival to win the individual event title, but Carter, with a World Championship, two National Championships and over 30 career victories under his belt, earned the season championship based on this race and previous stops in New Jersey and Utah.

In what was labeled one of the deepest fields in the history of Jeep mountain bike racing, Carter would need every ounce of experience accrued during his career to maneuver through a bracket loaded with the world’s top-ranked riders. And as one of the longest tenured Jeep racers, having competed in just about every race over the past six years, Carter knew it would take clean runs, some good breaks and the ability to avoid injury to capture the prize that had eluded him for so long.

“It’s funny because I didn’t feel so good on the course, and never really felt I had my rhythm, but I guess I was riding a lot faster than I thought because I had some good runs and knocked off some great competitors,” said Carter. “I had to bust tail to get this done and am kind of blown away that I was able to execute like I know how. I’m somewhat speechless because I’ve been trying to get this title for six years now.”

The first two rounds saw him get past Open Qualifier Logan Binggeli of St. George, Utah, and the surprising Open Qualifier Mike Haderer of Concord, Calif., who pulled the day’s biggest upset by taking down Alpine, Calif.’s Cody Warren, a National Champion and winner of the first Jeep race of the season in New Jersey. In the semi-finals, Carter would have to contend with three-time World Cup Champion Greg Minnaar of South Africa, who won the second Jeep race in Utah. After losing the first heat, Carter stormed back to top Minnaar and earn a spot in the finals. Lopes day was equally brilliant, with wins over Open Qualifier Joey Backus of Mesa, Ariz., National Champion Rich Houseman of Temecula and four-time Australian National Champion Jared Rando. With the season championship in hand, Carter fought off injury to give Lopes a run for his money, but couldn’t get the win. In the consolation heat Minnaar outlasted Rando to capture the final spot on the podium.

“I felt really strong at practice on Friday and came in first in the qualifier, which gave me a lot of confidence heading into today’s race,” said Lopes, who was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame earlier this year and will soon be accepted into the BMX Hall of Fame. “I have really high expectations for myself, and was disappointed with how I did in the first race of the season. I wanted to redeem myself, and coming out here today against this caliber of athletes and getting the win feels really good.”

In the women’s competition, Chandler, Ariz.’s Melissa Buhl put an exclamation point on a brilliant Jeep season that saw her finish second in New Jersey and first in Utah, not to mention earning the U.S. National Championship and the World Championship. Her second place finish in San Luis Obispo earned her the season championship, and further solidified her standing as one of the most dominant racers in the sport. Buhl earned victories over Leslie Slagle of El Cajon, Calif., and Lisa Myklak of Boulder, Colo., before reaching the Championship Heat against Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain. Griffiths, a three-time World Cup winner who has never missed a Jeep race during the event’s six year history, was dominant throughout the day, beginning with a win over Folsom, Calif.’s Joanna Peterson and a subsequent stunner over season points leader and National Champion Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, Calif., to reach the finals. Griffiths pulled out the victory over Buhl to earn the individual event title. Pruitt topped Myklak in the consolation heat to earn third place.
 
“I felt confident today because I really liked the speed and layout of the course, which matches my race style,” said Buhl. “This whole season has been amazing for me, and is by far the best I’ve ever ridden. I am having a great time, and I know that I’ll now have a target on my back and I’ll have to work harder and harder to stay at this level.”

The title winner at San Luis Obispo received $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. The season champion received additional sponsor bonuses from Paul Mitchell and the keys to a new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Overall, the prize purse for Jeep 48STRAIGHT topped $100,000, making it one of the highest cash payouts in the sport.
 
The Jeep 48STRAIGHT event from San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on November 1.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Announces the Summer Event Series

July 08 | Jeep Sports

On the heels of a wildly successful wintertime launch that provided thousands of participants in Colorado, California and Idaho and millions of television viewers across the globe with unprecedented access to world class snow sports, illustrious musical performances and a wealth of other cultural, social and environmental initiatives, Ketchum, Idaho-based Jeep 48STRAIGHT today announced plans for an equally impressive summer event schedule empowering more people than ever before to celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle.

Taking place from August through October and spanning from East Coast to West Coast, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will be headlined by mountain bike racing’s most prestigious and highest paying North American tour, the Jeep King of the Mountain Series. The 2008 season for the first time will incorporate the action-packed, fast-paced dual slalom format, taking place on competitor inspired racecourses filled with berms, jumps, bumps and other man-made elements. Cycling’s most accomplished tactical and pure downhill racers, including World Champions Greg Minnaar, Brian Lopes and Eric Carter; U.S. National Champions Rich Houseman and Melissa Buhl; World Cup Champion Steve Peat; and Beijing Olympic Games athletes Michal Prokop and Jill Kintner, will stake their claim for the coveted crown, a share of the rich cash purse and the keys to a new Jeep.

The action on the dirt will be complemented by a weekend-long Jeep 48STRAIGHT Festival, featuring dozens of live concerts from some of the top acts in the industry. Though the slate of musicians has not been finalized, the recent winter series attracted 45 diverse and attention grabbing headliners such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Swollen Members, Ky-Mani Marley, Slightly Stoopid, Mickey Avalon, Salem and Dirtie Blonde, to name a few. Additional highlights during the weekend include other cross-cultural initiatives celebrating the unique cultural flavor of each host site.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The year-round series earns over 16 hours of coverage on CBS Sports, with additional visibility on the MOJO cable network and nationally syndicated television.

New Season. New Format. New Jersey!

July 08 | Jeep Sports

Whether you are a competitive cyclist, casual rider or just a fan of music, entertainment and the arts, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek in Vernon, N.J., is the place to be on August 22-23. Jeep 48STRAIGHT, the largest sports, music and entertainment event in the U.S., will roll into town with some of the top professional riders in the world, backed by a full line-up of musicians and a host of social and environmental activities – all designed to empower people to celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle.
 
The event will be headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers from across the globe battling in dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes and Eric Carter, as well as National Champions Rich Houseman and Melissa Buhl, are just a few of the elite athletes who have already signed on to make a run for the title. Local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to grab one of the spots in the competition through an open qualifier which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women.
 
Other highlights of the event include the Indy Cross, where non-elite amateurs and club riders can test their mettle and earn prizes by trying to beat a blistering pace on the Indy Cross track set by one of the top riders in the sport. Off the dirt, guests may walk the race grounds and take in the Sponsor Expo, Environmental Eco-Alley and Beer Garden, while settling in for a prime-time free concert featuring top national and area musicians! 
 
The full event schedule includes:
 
Friday, August 22
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.     Qualification for Dual Slalom 48STRAIGHT Competition
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.                 Indy Cross
 
Saturday, August 23
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.            Sponsor Expo / Beer Garden
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.       Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Competition
2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.         Indy Cross
3 p.m.                             Awards Ceremony
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.          FREE Concert featuring Hell's Belles
 
Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.
 
Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.
 
In addition to the first stop at Mountain Creek, the 48STRAIGHT schedule also includes stops on September 19-21 at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and October 23-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Think you have what it takes to tame the mountain at Jeep 48STRAIGHT?

July 08 | Jeep Sports

Whether you are a competitive cyclist, casual rider or just a fan of music, entertainment and the arts, Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek is the place to be on August 22-23. Jeep 48STRAIGHT, the largest sports, music and entertainment event in the U.S., will roll into town with some of the top professional riders in the world, backed by a full line-up of musicians and a host of social and environmental activities – all designed to empower people to celebrate and connect with the outdoor lifestyle.

The event will be headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers from across the globe battling in dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes and Eric Carter, as well as National Champions Rich Houseman and Melissa Buhl, are just a few of the elite athletes who have already signed on to make a run for the title.

ATTENTION ALL PROFESSIONAL & SEMI-PRO DUAL SLALOM RIDERS
An open qualifier competition will take place at Diablo Freeride Park, with fields capped at 75 men and 25 women. This event is not NORBA sanctioned, so an annual license is not necessary, Participation is restricted to PROFESSIONAL and SEMI-PRO riders only.

Each event will pay $5000 for the win. Overall Series Champions will receive a two year lease on a Jeep (or cash equivalent) as well as an additional bonus of $5000 from Paul Mitchell!  The men’s race will pay down to 16th place and women’s race to 8th place.  The break down is as follows:

1st place          100 points      $5,000
2nd place           90 points      $4,000
3rd place            80 points      $3,000
4th place            70 points      $2,000
5th  place           60 points      $1,500
6th place            50 points      $1,000
7th place            40 points      $750
8th place            30 points      $500
9th - 16th place   20 points      $250

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

NOT AN ELITE RACER BUT STILL WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE RACE SCENE?
Come test your self against our top pros at the Indy Cross!  We will have pros set a blistering paceset time on the Indy Cross track at Diablo Freeride Park.  Amateur and club riders are invited to come out and test their mettle against the course and one another. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Entry to the event is free and open to the public.

Tara Llanes Jeep 48STRAIGHT Update

July 08 | Jeep Sports

Pro downhill mountain biker and Jeep 48Straight staple Tara Llanes is no stranger to injuries. Throughout an illustrious career that includes an X Games gold medal, a Norba title, and multiple podiums at the UCI World Championships, she has bounced back from concussions, broken collarbones, sprained ankles, and blown knees. At the moment, though, Tara is facing the biggest challenge of her life both physically and mentally.

September 1, 2007 was like any other day for the longtime World Cupper who was competing at the Jeep King of the Mountain in Beaver Creek, CO. Tara was one of a handful of women clearing the rollers on a technical section of the course all through practice and was confident going into the race. In what amounts to a split second of rider error, Tara made a small mistake during the semi-final, which caused her to fly headfirst over her handlebars into one of the rollers she had cleared in practice.

“Where I crashed it was a really technical section, especially for the women,” said Tara. “There were only two or three women who were even jumping the section and the rest were kind of rolling through it. I am happy to say that I went through it and nailed it a bunch of times before I crashed. I was totally confident that I would get through it fine. It just so happened I went into it wrong. I should have pulled up for the roller, and I didn’t.”

Tara was airlifted to the hospital in Denver with a broken C7, T11, T12, L1 and L12 vertebrate. She went into surgery immediately where doctors inserted a rod that ran from her T12 down to her T2. “When I first woke up and asked the doctor what was going on and he told me, ‘Well you are never going to walk again.’ I looked at the guy, and I was like, ‘I am going to ***** prove you wrong’.”

True to her word, Tara is doing just that, but the battle is by no means easy. We caught up with Tara to talk about her road to recovery at the Jeep 48Straight event in Sun Valley, Idaho this March.

Can you take us through your recovery process since the initial surgery?
It has been really hard. Mentally this is the strongest I have ever had to be. I’ve had more better days then bad days, but still you just have your days emotionally that are crappy. You don’t plan on it, but there are days where you just wake up and hurt really, really bad. Some mornings I wake up, and I feel pretty good. Some days are really draining. Just coming to meet you it took me 15 minutes to put my pants on. I used to be 15 minutes out the door, now it takes me sometimes 30 or 40 minutes. So stuff like that grates on you. I am learning to do things faster and faster, and as far as I am concerned, I am not going to have to learn too long because I am not going to be in this chair for too long.

What kind of therapy have you been doing?
I am just charging the therapy like I charged my training and right now this is my training. I go to therapy three times a week, and I bust my ass. I had to fight with my insurance to get two hours of therapy instead of one. I only had one hour with my insurance, and at Craigs I was getting six or seven hours a day. I fought with my insurance and now I get two hours with my therapist and another hour to lift weights, and I am still fighting for more. I want to go everyday not three days a week.

What support have you gotten from the industry and your fellow competitors?
The industry was unbelievable. All my sponsors and a bunch other sponsors that weren’t even my sponsors donated product for fundraisers. There were a lot of fundraisers. I wish I could have been there for each and every fundraiser to say thank you to everyone. I haven’t been able to drive yet because I haven’t had a vehicle, and now Jeep is even giving me a vehicle. As far as I know, this is the first accident that has happened to this degree to a professional rider in the mountain biking community. I think it really hit home to a lot of the riders.

In what way will you try and become involved in sports again?
A lot of people have been talking to me about doing wheelchair sports, and I know what they are getting at. I know that it is a good thing to be out and athletic like I was before, but I have this thing in my head that if I start doing wheelchair sports then I am going to be in this chair forever. I don’t want to be in this chair forever. I don’t want to be on four wheels, I want to be on two wheels. I told my doctors that I would forgo the whole walking thing if I could just ride my bike. That is how much I want to ride my bike.

Do you have any role models who are in your situation that you have made a connection with?
There are a lot of people who have emailed me, “Hey, I was in an accident or my friend was in an accident.” I have had so many people email me, and I haven’t called any of them, except for one guy who was a snowboarder. I feel like I am strong enough to figure it out on my own. Not that I don’t appreciate any one of those people’s emails. I just don’t feel like I am going to be in this chair that long.

What are you doing outside of rehab?
I am working with Giant Bicycles. Talk about getting behind me. Giant has resigned me, Shimano components has resigned me, and GO211.com. GO211.com was going to sign me before the accident and even after the accident they still signed me. Right now I am working with these companies doing promotions. I am also seeing what I can do in the way of commentating.

What Gives You Encouragement Right Now?
I’ve gotten emails from people who were in wheelchairs for two years, and they are like, “You can do this, I never knew I would get through this, and I did and I am walking again.” Some of their injuries were worse than mine.

*To support Tara and her road to recovery go to: www.tarallanesroadtorecovery.com.

Hell's Belles Ready to Rock in Jersey!

July 08 | Jeep Music

World-famous and ready to rock, Hell's Belles, the premier all-female AC/DC tribute band, will take center stage at 48STRAIGHT when it touches down at Mountain Creek, New Jersey for a free concert on Saturday, August 23.  Playing all AC/DC, all the time, all over the globe, spanning all the pure rock brilliance of AC/DC's career (from "High Voltage" to "Back in Black" and beyond), Hell’s Belles is all about empowering women in rock-n-roll.

According to the Boston Herald, “Adulation doesn’t get more ironic. With hits like “Whole Lotta Rosie”, “You Shook Me All Night Long”, and “Big Balls”, AC/DC isn’t necessarily aiming for a female audience. The Belles transform these bawdy songs into vehicles for feminine empowerment.”

Formed in 2000, the brainchild of former member Amy Stolzenbach (Guitar) and Om Johari  (Vocals) is legendary for its nights of epic proportions. Hell’s Belles has played at venues all over the world, including Japan, Canada, and the good ol' USA. Sold-out, sexed-up, and starving for a little dynamite -- there's not a Hell's Belles audience that hasn't been blown away by the raw power and undeniable appeal of this all-girls band.

Complete Event Line Up at Mountain Creek, New Jersey
While the 48STRAIGHT professional mountain bike action at Diablo Freeride Park will no doubt be breathtaking, an equally dynamic line-up of events off the dirt will make for an electrifying weekend at Mountain Creek Resort.

Enjoy a visit through the Sponsor Alley and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin, Cycleworks Bike Shop and adidas Eyewear. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. You can also test drive a Trikke scooter and receive a free safety check for your bike courtesy of Cycleworks Bike Shop.

You’ll also want to hit the Beer Garden, featuring some of the most popular beverages from local and regional breweries before settling in to enjoy a FREE concert from Hell’s Belles, the world-renowned all-female AC/DC tribute band.

The full event schedule includes:

Friday, August 22
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.     Qualification for Dual Slalom 48STRAIGHT Competition
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.                 Indy Cross

Saturday, August 23
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.            Sponsor Expo / Beer Garden
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.       Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Competition
2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.         Indy Cross
3:00 p.m.                      Awards Ceremony
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.         FREE Concert featuring Hell's Belles

On the mountain, the event will be headlined by the 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, with some of the world’s top racers battling in dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Local professionals and semi-pros will have a chance to grab one of the spots in the competition through an open qualifier which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women.

Non-elite amateurs and club riders will also have their chance to shine and earn prizes in the Downhill Challenge Indy-Cross competition, where they will try to tackle the racecourse and beat a blistering pace set by one of the top riders in the sport.

For more information on Hell’s Belles go to: www.hellsbelles.info

Jeep 48STRAIGHT Winter Series Dates

July 08 | Jeep Sports

It's never too early to think snow and Jeep 48Straight is wasting no time locking in official dates for the 2008 winter program. The list of world-class ski and snowboard cross and halfpipe athletes expected to compete in the event is long and illustrious, and the event's significant visibility on CBS Sports will be invaluable as they gear up for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

This year’s lineup of world-class events includes:

December 12-14, 2008
Telluride Ski Resort | Telluride, Colorado
CBS Airdates: December 27 and January 18

January 30 - February 1, 2009
Squaw Valley USA | Squaw Valley, California
CBS Airdates: February 21 and February 22

March 27-29, 2009
Sun Valley Resort | Sun Valley, Idaho
CBS Airdates:  March 28 and March 29

Though still relatively new, Jeep 48Straight in its first year provided thousands of participants in Colorado, California and Idaho and millions of television viewers across the globe gained unprecedented access to world class snow sports, illustrious musical performances and a wealth of other cultural, social and environmental initiatives.

Plans are in the works to make this year's event bigger and better than ever, centering around the prestigious, action-packed Jeep King of the Mountain Series, featuring ski and snowboard cross racing, as well as additional big air, high risk ski and snowboard halfpipe competitions. The payout and prestige continues to grow, with competitors battling for the rich cash purse and the keys to a new Jeep along with the sport's most coveted crown.

The action on the snow will be complemented by a weekend-long Jeep 48STRAIGHT Festival, featuring dozens of live concerts from some of the top acts in the industry. Though the slate of musicians has not been finalized, this past season featured 45 diverse and attention grabbing headliners such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Swollen Members, Ky-Mani Marley, Slightly Stoopid, Mickey Avalon, Salem and Dirtie Blonde, to name a few. Additional highlights during the weekend include other cross-cultural initiatives celebrating the unique cultural flavor of each host site.

Each Jeep 48STRAIGHT event will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports. Year-round coverage of the event series totals over 16 hours, including exposure on CBS Sports, the MOJO cable network and nationally syndicated television.

Full event information, including dates, times, locations and ticket information will be announced in the coming months, and will be available online at www.48straight.com.

48STRAIGHT Tips for Living Green

July 08 | Jeep Sustainability

Jeep 48STRAIGHT is the ultimate celebration of the outdoor experience. The outdoors is the place to lead a more healthy, responsible, and progressive lifestyle. It’s also a place to test the limits of human performance, if not sanity.

We believe that protecting the environment and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle is not mutually exclusive. It is for this reason that we are working to minimize the environmental impact of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT events.

Our goal is to provide a platform that turns the traditional environmental awareness paradigm on its head. Often it is looked at on the global level, and we want to offer solutions at the local level. As a beginning, we will be offering weekly “Green Your Scene” tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint at home.

Rich Houseman Ready to Roll

August 08 | 48STRAIGHT Sports

The well-rounded Rich Houseman, age 30, from Temecula, CA is the 2008 US National 4X Champion and 2006 Norba 4X Mountain Cross / Dual Slalom Overall Champion. Not a bad pedigree considering Rich also works 9-5 as a marketing specialist for Sponsorhouse (an online community for athletes and sponsors) and as team manager for Yeti Cycles. A favorite on the Jeep 48STRAIGHT series, Houseman finished 2nd at the Jeep 48STRAIGHT stop in San Luis Obispo in 2007.
 
1) Can you bring us up to date since we last saw you on the Jeep Tour? What events have you raced in and how did you do? Any new personal changes?
I’ve raced most of the Nationals and Mountain States Cup events this year.  I’ve also won my first National Championship Jersey in 4X!  On the personal level, I’ve been getting prepared for our baby to be born!
 
2) Are you healthy right now? Do you have any injuries that might affect you coming into the Jeep Series this summer and fall?
I’m currently coming off a broken kneecap that sidelined me for the last month.  I should be good to go for the first Jeep event though!
 
3) I understand you work full time for both Sponsorhouse and Yeti Cycles? What are your job descriptions and when do you get time to train?
Right now I’m a Web producer for SponsorHouse/Loop’d, which basically means I’m in charge of sport and brand communities on our network.  My role with YETI Cycles is basically like the team veteran.  I make sure our younger guys are taken care of, and I’m there if they have questions.  My time to train is very limited, and I try to maximize any time I do get!
 
4) What would you say your strengths are when racing?
I’d say my experience is my biggest strength at this point in my career.   
 
5) What is your biking/racing background?
I started racing BMX at the age of 4.  I transitioned to MTB when I was 18.
 
6) What does it take to win a Jeep King of the Mountain event? Who is your toughest competitor?
You basically have to be at your best to win a Jeep event.  I’ve yet to win one so I’m still searching for the right formula!  The top 16 athletes who make the finals will be my toughest competitors.
 
7) Jeep 48STRAIGHT is really pushing green initiatives this year. How would you say your carbon footprint is these days?
That’s a very good question, and I have no idea!  Maybe I’ll learn a bit more about it on tour this year!
 
8) How do you think BMX will go over in the Olympics? Who are your picks for gold (men and women)?
BMX will be popular in the Olympics I believe.  It’s exciting, fast, dangerous, and fun to watch.  My pick for the Men is Jared Graves, Women - Shanaze Reade
 
9) Have you decided who you will be voting for in the upcoming presidential election?
I haven’t decided yet.
 
10) Are you married? Do you have any children?
My wife’s name is Hillary, and we’re expecting our first child September 21st!
 
11) I hear Eric Carter is your brother-in-law. What is the connection? Are you two competitive with each other?
Actually I was on Factory Hutch BMX team when I was 7yrs old with EC.  He met my sister soon there after, and now they’re married with two kids!  We’re definitely competitive with each other, but it’s all good fun!  It’s been cool to have EC around for my whole career, I’ve learned so much from him.  
 
12) What do you consider your career highlights?
2006 NMBS 4X title
2008 4X National Championship
1984 BMX World Champion
 
13) Did you have any role models growing up? Now?
My racing role model throughout my BMX career was definitely EC (Eric Carter).  MTB it was EC, and John Tomac.

New Enviornmental Awareness Initiatives Become Part of Jeep 48STRAIGHT

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

As Jeep 48STRAIGHT, the largest sports, music and entertainment event in the U.S., prepares to launch its summer mountain bike series on August 22-23 at Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, N.J., the outdoor lifestyle platform will at the same time unveil a number of carbon footprint-reducing initiatives designed to raise environmental awareness on a local and national scale.

As the ultimate celebration of the outdoor experience, Jeep 48STRAIGHT credits the outdoors as a place to test the limits of human performance, if not sanity, as well as source of a more healthy, responsible and progressive lifestyle. This message is reinforced at three events taking place from August through October across the U.S. In addition to the kick-off in New Jersey, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will visit The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, on September 19-20 and at, and The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif., on October 24-25.

During its inaugural winter season, Jeep 48STRAIGHT hosted a series of “Green Your Scene” environmental symposiums featuring a diverse line-up of guest speakers at the forefront of the sustainability movement, including Mariel Hemingway, Michael Franti, Aimée Christensen, Auden Schendler and Rocky Anderson. More than 700 residents from across Idaho visited Sun Valley to take part in the discussion and the issue of climate change and the mountain lifestyle.

This summer, Jeep 48STRAIGHT will promote “Green Your Scene” tips at each event, as well as weekly tips on its newly expanded website, www.48Straight.com, beginning on August 15. The tips will offer outdoor enthusiasts of all ages ideas on how to reduce their carbon footprint at home. For example, “If 20,000 Americans took one less paper napkin at a fast food restaurant, in one year we could conserve the total annual paper use of 50 Americans.” (www.idealbite.org).

Jeep 48STRAIGHT also is seeking partners to help implement a new “Less Trash – More Rewards” program. At each summer event, attendees will receive green corn-plastic garbage bags for use in collecting recyclable materials such as aluminum cans or plastic bottles. Once the entire bag is full, attendees return the full bags in exchange for a free bag or beverage of their choice in reward. This initiative was recently tested at a music festival in Europe and 97 percent of the cups used at the festival concession stands were brought back for recycling as a result. Those interested in partnering with Jeep 48STRAIGHT on this program may contact event representative Kate Danaher at kdanaher@48Straight.com.

The action-packed Jeep 48STRAIGHT weekend is headlined by the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers battling in dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Local professionals and semi-pros also have a chance to earn a spot in the competition through an open qualifier competition. For non-elite amateurs and club riders, Jeep 48STRAIGHT offers an Indy-Cross competition allowing participants to earn prizes and test their mettle while trying to beat a blistering time set by one of the world’s top ranked professional racers. Off the dirt, spectators are treated to a Sponsor Alley, with free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin, Rossignol and Adidas Eyewear, as well as free concerts from top musicians and other cross-cultural initiatives celebrating the unique cultural flavor of each host site.  
 
Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event from New Jersey will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

New Jersey Registration Now Open

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

When Jeep 48STRAIGHT, the largest sports, music and entertainment event in the U.S., arrives at Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek in Vernon, N.J., on Aug. 22-23, opportunities will abound for mountain bike riders to test their skills. For some very skilled professionals and semi-professional racers from across the Northeast, the stakes are even higher as an open qualifier event will allow a select few to gain entry into the championship competition against the very best athletes from across the globe.

Headlining the action-packed weekend will be the Sat., Aug. 23 Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series, featuring top ranked racers battling in dual slalom format for the richest payout in professional mountain bike racing. Competitors such as World Champions Brian Lopes and Eric Carter, as well as National Champions Rich Houseman and Melissa Buhl, are just a few of the elite athletes who have already signed on to make a run for the title. On Friday, Aug. 22, local professionals and semi-pros will also have a chance to grab one of the spots in the competition through an open qualifier which will be capped at 75 men and 25 women. Registration is now open at www.48STRAIGHT.com.

Non-elite amateurs and club riders will also have their chance to shine and earn prizes in the Indy-Cross competition, staged in the woods on a somewhat slower course with tighter features such as hairpin turns and pumping rollers, rewarding those best able to maintain flow. Diablo Freeride Park will feature live online timing for the rest of the season so that riders may participate in a virtual race league against the top time posted.

An equally dynamic line-up of events off the dirt will make for an electrifying weekend at Mountain Creek Resort. Guests are invited to enjoy a visit through the Sponsor Alley and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin, Rossignol, Cycleworks Bike Shop and Adidas Eyewear, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Visitiors may also test drive Trikke scooters and receive free safety checks for their bikes, courtesy of Cycleworks Bike Shop.

Additional features include the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Beer Garden, featuring some of the most popular beverages from local and regional breweries, and a dynamic FREE concert from Hell’s Belles, the world-renowned all-female AC/DC tribute band.

The full event schedule includes:


Friday, August 22

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.        Athlete & Course Inspection
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.     Athlete Training
12:30-3:30 p.m.         Race Qualification
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.         Rookie Rally - Indy Cross Track

Saturday, August 23

10:15 a.m.                    Athlete Course Inspection
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.        Athlete Training
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  Expo & Beer Garden
12:00 - 2:30 p.m.         Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Race
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.           Rookie Rally - Indy Cross Track
3:00 p.m.                     Awards Ceremony
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.           Free Concert Featuring Hell’s Belles

 
Full event information, including dates, times, and locations, as well as registration for the cycling competitions, may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

In addition to the first stop at Mountain Creek, the 48STRAIGHT schedule also includes stops on September 19-20 at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Jeep Athletes Clean House at Kokanee Cranworks in Whistler, BC CAN

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Considered one of the premier mountain bike events in North America, Jeep athletes cleaned house in both the dual slalom and downhill events at the Kokanee Crankworx in Whistler, BC CAN August 9-17. Jeep veteran and mountain bike legend, Brian Lopes, age 36, won the Jim Beam Air Downhill for the third consecutive year, while Jeep rookie JD Swanguen (who just turned pro in 2008 at the age of 19) won the men’s dual slalom. For the women, Fionn Griffiths finished on the podium (3rd) in the dual slalom and just missed it in the downhill where she finished 4th.

Dual Slalom Results
Pro Men
1. JD Swanguen (Jeep competitor)
2. Nico Vink
3. Chris Herndon (Jeep competitor)
4. Cody Warren (Jeep competitor)

Pro Women
1. Anneke Beerten
2. Rachel Atherton
3. Fionn Griffiths (Jeep competitor)
4. Kathy Pruitt (Jeep competitor)


Downhill Results
Pro Men
1. Brian Lopes (Jeep competitor)
2. Greg Minnaar
3. Chris Kovarick
4. Marc Beaumont    

Pro Women
1. Rebecca McQueen        
2. Micayla  Gatto        
3. Stephanie Nychka        
4. Fionn Griffiths (Jeep competitor)

Aussie Wild Child Jared Rando

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Aussie Wild Child Jared Rando, age 27, is a dual slalom and downhill fanatic who dominates on his home turf and abroad. The four-time Australian Downhill Champion is also the 2007 US National Mountain Bike Series Champion. A consistent rider who claims to be a “fisherman trapped in a mountain biker’s body”, Rando frequently splashes the cover of bike magazines back in Oz.   

Here's the full rundown on Jared:

Full Name: Jared Rando
 
Date of Birth: June 22, 1981

Place of Birth: Canberra, Australia

Hometown: Canberra, Australia

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 165 lbs

Marital Status: Single

Year Turned Pro: 2000

With Giant MTB Team Since: 2003

What Are Your Race Preferences?
Dual slalom and downhill are my favorite, but I like 4X a lot as well. I even do the odd cross country race and short track, and I am hoping to be able to do some Super-D this year. I really enjoy any form of racing.

What Do You Consider Your Career Highlights?
2007 US NMBS Series Champion, 4-time Australian Downhill Series Champion, 2nd overall 2006 National Mountain Bike Series (4X).

When Was The First Time You Rode A Bike?
I can't remember, although I remember trying to ride no hands for the first time and crashing into a rose bush.   
         
Who Was The Pro You Looked Up To As A Kid?
Nicholas Vouilloz   
        
What Was Your First Good Bike?
94 Giant Sedona--full rigid and race ready.       
   
How Would You Describe Your Riding Style?
Consistent but not too aggressive.

What Was Your First Magazine Coverage?
Australian Mountain Bike Magazine in 1997, I think. It was a photo of me crashing.

Name One Thing Not Many People Know About You.
I am a fisherman trapped in a mountain biker’s body.

What Is Your Favorite Cartoon?
Simpsons, closely followed by Family Guy      
     
Secret To Your Happiness?
Treat others how you would like them to treat you.

When I Am Not Riding I am...
Fishing, hanging out with friends, trying to avoid being indoors, and my new bar: Podium Cafe Lounge        
 
If You Could Only Ride One Spot For The Rest Of Your Life, Where Would It Be?
Canberra. So many good trails so close by.       
 
What Riders Are You Stoked On Right Now And Why?
Sam Hill for his ability, Steve Peat for his longevity, John Waddell because he's John Waddell, and Tara Llanes for her spirit.   

If You Didn’t Ride A Bike, What Would You Be Doing?
Fishing

What’s The Weirdest Place You’ve Ever Slept?
In a house with two walls and half a roof in the Cairn's Rainforest.

Do You Have Any Freakish Attributes?
None I can think of.

Pet Peeves:
1.Airports
2.Traffic

Top 3 Favorite Movies:     
1.Super Troopers
2.Snatch
3.Fubar

Top 3 MP3s:
1.Blazin' by Bliss N Eso
2.The Soul of the Beat by Hilltop Hoods
3.Superstylin' by Groove Armarda

Open Qualifier Results from New Jersey

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

18 Mountain Bike Racers from New Jersey and Across the U.S. to Face Off Against World’s Elite Athletes During Saturday, Aug. 23 Jeep 48STRAIGHT Dual Slalom Championships

With a healthy cash payout and exposure in front of thousands of race fans in person and on national broadcast television at stake, it was little surprise that Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J. was a hotbed of activity for professional and semi-professional mountain bike racers on Friday.

Vying for a coveted spot in Saturday’s Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series against the top-ranked athletes from across the globe, men and women arrived from all parts of New Jersey and other states including California, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont, to take part in the event’s Open Qualifier.

At the end of the day, the 18 riders (12 men and 6 women) with the fastest times made it through. Among them include four U.S. National Champions in Cole Bangert, Geritt Beytagh, Eric Carter and Kathy Pruitt. The full list include:

MEN
Cole Bangert – Twin Lakes, Colo.
Geritt Beytagh – Fletcher, N.C.
Blake Carney – Camarillo, Calif.
Eric Carter – Temecula, Calif.
Mike Haderer – Concord, Calif.
Joseph Haley – Raleigh, N.C.
Petr Hanak – Winter Park, Colo.
Christopher Herndon – Etowah, N.C.
Phillip Kmetz – Keene, N.H.
J.D. Swanguen – San Diego, Calif.
Lars Tribus – Milford, N.J.
Chris VanDine – Park City, Utah

WOMEN
Dawn Bourque – Campton, N.H.
Allie Burch – Patterson, N.Y.
Karen Eagen – Lowell, Mass.
Lisa Myklak – Boulder, Colo.
Stephanie Nychka – Gresham, Ore.
Kathy Pruitt – Santa Cruz, Calif.

The reward for these Open Qualifiers is a dual slalom date against the top-ranked mountain bike riders from across the globe, with a wealth of World Champion, National Champion and World Cup credentials. Early favorites include four-time World Champion Brian Lopes, four-time Australian National Champion Jared Rando and U.S. National Champions Cody Warren, Rich Houseman, Banger, Beytagh and Carter. And on the women’s side, all eyes will be on super stars Fionn Griffiths, a three-time World Cup winner, Melissa Buhl, the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion, and Pruitt.

The racers will be competing for the richest prize purse in professional mountain bike racing, topping $100,000 with additional bonuses from sponsor Paul Mitchell. The winner in New Jersey will pocket $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. Points are awarded during each race, and the overall series champion will receive the keys to a new Jeep vehicle.

In addition to the dual slalom, plenty of other action will be taking place on Saturday for race fans at Diablo Freeride Park. Non-elite amateurs and club riders can take part in the Indy-Cross event, where they’ll test their mettle on the racecourse while trying to beat a time set by one of the top racers in the sport. Off the dirt, the guests are invited to tour the Sponsor Expo and pick up some great free gear from partners including Jeep, Paul Mitchell, Trikke, Michelin, Rossignol, Cycleworks Bike Shop and adidas Eyewear, among others. Jeep will host simulator rides, while Paul Mitchell’s professional stylists offer $15 haircuts with proceeds benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Visitors may also test drive Trikke scooters and receive free safety checks for their bikes, courtesy of Cycleworks Bike Shop. The day will wrap up with an awards ceremony for the winners and a dynamic free concert by none other than Hell’s Belles, a world-renowned all-female AC/DC tribute band.
 
Full event information may be found at www.48STRAIGHT.com.   

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

In addition to the first stop at Mountain Creek, the 48STRAIGHT schedule also includes stops on September 19-20 at The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, and October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Warning: Rogue Wave to Hit Park City

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

As if the music line up at 48STRAIGHT wasn’t killer enough, the indie rock band Rogue Wave will play in Park City, Utah when the tour touches down Sept 19-20th. Headed by Zach Rogue (who created the band after losing his job in the dot-com bust) this popular group from Oakland, CA blends wistful vocals over blankets of sonic textures. They released their first album, Out of the Shadow in 2004. In the fall of 2005, they released their second album Descended Like Vultures. Their newest album, Asleep at Heaven's Gate was released on September 2007.

Songs by Rogue Wave have been featured in movies like Just Friends and in T.V. episodes such as Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, Chuck, The O.C. and Nip/ Tuck. Their song "Harmonium" is used in an ESPN commercial for the UEFA Euro 2008.

The current band lineup consists of Zach Rogue (vocals, guitar), Pat Spurgeon (drums, samples, guitar, vocals), Gram Lebron (keyboards, guitar, drums, vocals) and Patrick Abernethy (bass, vocals), who replaced Evan Farrell in 2007.

Brett Dennen Set To Light Up Stage In San Luis Obispo

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Brett Dennen is a folk/pop singer-songwriter from Oakdale, California who has been compared to Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Jack Johnson, Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Wynonna Judd. Dennen's music has been featured in several television shows, including Roadtrip Nation on PBS, Grey's Anatomy, House, The Unit, and Scrubs. He also appeared live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 2008.

Dennen is part of “The Mosaic Project” in the San Francisco Bay Area; a nonprofit uniting children of diverse backgrounds. As The Mosaic Project's resident “rockstar”, Dennen created an original musical curriculum for the program, which they released as an album called Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World in 2003.

In November 2007, Dennen was named as one of Rolling Stone's, "10 Artists To Watch” and in 2008, Entertainment Weekly named Dennen a "Guy on the Rise", one of 8 emerging singer-songwriters.

J.D. Swanguen dominates multiple disciplines of mountain biking

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT

Teen sensation and all-around ripper J.D. Swanguen dominates multiple disciplines of mountain biking

At only 19-years-old, J.D. Swanguen (John Dillon) dominates multiple disciplines of mountain biking including downhill, dual slalom, 4X, park, street and Super D. His freeride touch, like the ability to throw big whips off of kickers, distinguishes him from your typical racer.

Second at the 2008 US Open slalom (held at Mountain Creek, NJ), Swanguen comes from good genes. His father, John Swanguen, was one of the forefathers of Freestyle BMX along with Bob Haro. “Dad” Swanguen actually invented one of the signature tricks in Freestyle BMX called the Rock Walk. J.D.’s younger brother Matt “Mad Dog” Swanguen was also a promising racer before switching his focus to skateboard.

Aside from racing, J.D. is an ambitious event promoter, and he recently put on his first mountain bike contest in southern California called the, “Holla Fo Yo Dolla”. The event featured skatepark, dirt jumping and street--all disciplines typically associated with BMX but in this case competitors used mountain bikes.

Coming into the Jeep 48STRAIGHT stop in New Jersey, Swanguen was riding high off a dual slalom victory at Kokanee Cranworks in Whistler, BC CAN-- one of the biggest mountain bike events in North America. In addition to following the Jeep series in 2008, Swanguen has his sights set even further down the road. “I am not quitting (mountain bike) until I win a World Championships,” says J.D.

Cody Warren & Kathy Pruitt Capture Titles at First Leg of Jeep 48STRAIGHT at Diablo

August 08 | Jeep 48STRAIGHT



Youth and experience may be the most fitting descriptors to explain the separate paths Cody Warren of Alpine, Calif., and Kathy Pruitt of Santa Cruz, Calif., took in snaring titles at the first leg of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series today at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J.

It was the first Jeep mountain biking win for both athletes, including past Jeep King of the Mountain mountain-cross events and this inaugural Jeep 48STRAIGHT dual slalom event, earning the pair a $5,000 cash payout and valuable standings points toward the season championship, where a new 2008 Jeep Grande Cherokee awaits.

Warren, 22, needed a fast start, some fortuitous crashes and a strong finish to bring home the win, especially considering the match-ups he faced in each round of the competition. He began the day against U.S. National Champion Gerrit Beytagh of Fletcher, N.C., winning two straight runs before meeting Chris Van Dine of Park City, Utah, a rider with over 20 titles spanning all disciplines of mountain bike racing. Warren, himself a 2005 U.S. National Champion, swept both races and moved into the semi-finals, where he faced off against current National Mountain Bike Series leader, Petr Hanak of Winter Park, Colo. After dismissing Hanak in both races, he earned a spot in the Championship Heat against young standout J.D. Swanguen of San Diego. Swanguen, only 19 but coming off an impressive win at Crankworx in Whistler, B.C., won the first race of the finals, but in the last race of the afternoon, suffered a crash that opened the door for Warren to coast home with the victory.

“The biggest difference for me from last year to this year has been learning to save my strength, maintaining consistency in each round, and being careful not to push so hard that you get sloppy and crash,” said Warren, who last year finished just off the podium in fourth place at each of the three Jeep mountain bike races. “When I saw Brian Lopes go down early, I knew it was open for everyone in the field. This win is definitely among the best in my career, and I’m happy to be going home with some good money.”

One of the most shocking developments of the day was the crash that knocked Laguna Beach, Calif.’s, Lopes out of the event. The four-time World Champion and nine-time U.S. National Champion breezed by Open Qualifier and 16th seed Lars Tribus of Milford, N.J. in the first race, and it appeared to be just another warm-up round for the veteran. In the second race, however, Lopes took a spill off his bike that allowed Tribus to ease down the racecourse for the win, perhaps impacting the outcome of the entire day’s competition.

Pruitt’s advantage heading into the day was clearly experience, and the 10-year veteran and 2007 U.S. National Champion, used every ounce of it to earn the title. In the first race of the day, she matched up against three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain and advanced with back-to-back wins. In the semi-finals against former U.S. Open Champion Lisa Myklak of Boulder, Colo., Pruitt won the first race but lost the second by a slight margin, moving into the finals thanks to the time differential advantage. There she faced prohibitive favorite Melissa Buhl of Chandler, Ariz., the reigning World Champion and U.S. National Champion who reached the Championship Heat having not lost a single race. Pruitt stormed to a win in a tight first race, and took advantage of a spill by Buhl in the second race to secure the victory.

“I didn’t come here with the intention of winning, but I’m really proud of myself for earning this title,” said Pruitt. “I’m really sorry that Melissa fell, but I’m glad I had a chance to go up against her in the final. We have all had our falls, and that’s the way it is sometimes. She is my buddy and my first reaction was to stop, but I reminded myself that there was $5,000 waiting for me at the bottom of the hill. This is my biggest achievement to date, and now I want to take this momentum to the World Cup circuit and see what I can do.”

Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at Mountain Creek will air on CBS Sports on September 28.

Jeep 48STRAIGHT now heads to The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, on September 19-20 for the second leg of the summer tour, with the season finale set for October 24-25 at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.