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PRESS RELEASE: SRAM's Dirt Jump Contest, Force group, Ride Zone and Industry Cup highlight Sea Otter

By press release
Published: Mar. 16, 2006

Monterey, CA - Crowds at this year's Sea Otter Classic, the world's largest cycling festival, will have twice as many reasons to cheer (or gasp in amazement) since SRAM's Invitational Dirt Jump Contest has been extended to all four days of the event. And, after weeks of online ogling, consumers will get their first chance to get their hands on SRAM's much-buzzed about Force road group. This year the multi-sport, four-day "Celebration of Cycling' begins on April 6 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California.

The invite list for the Dirt Jump Contest reads like a "who's who" in the world of dirt jumping. Jamie Goldman (Santa Cruz Syndicate) will need to defend his title against standout aerialists like Gary Fisher's Greg Watts, who lately has been landing backflip-barspins and backflip-tailwhips; Chris Van Dine (Cannondale), who executed his first barrel roll at Sea Otter in 2005; and Paul Basagoitia (Kona Clump), who has twice won the big Crankworx Slopestyle and may have a 720 in him. Find out what happens when the celebrities try to best each other on the dirt jump designed by Rob Giustina from On-Course Events.

"The Sea Otter dirt jump contest always offers the best action for spectators," said Scott Hart, editor of Decline magazine. "What other cycling event allows you the comfort of sitting upon a soft, grassy hillside while two-wheeled lunatics attempt to take flight aboard bicycles just to entertain you? Watch them succeed or watch them fail, just be sure to bring a lemonade."

Practice for the Invitational Dirt Jump Competition takes place from 1-4 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday. The first round of competition begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The top eight finishers advance to Sunday's finals; scoring will be done by three judges and the highest total score wins.

SRAM Force in 3-D

Intriguing yet nameless at last year's Interbike, SRAM's newest creation has snatched the limelight in recent weeks with its debut at the Amgen Tour of California and with mentions all across cyberspace. So far only members of the Kodakgallery.com-Sierra Nevada and Orbea pro road teams have sampled SRAM's Force road group but that's about to change.

"Visitors to the SRAM tech area at the Sea Otter Classic will be able to experience pretty much the full range of SRAM products highlighted by the SRAM Force road group," said Michael Zellmann, PR and media manager for SRAM. "People will be able to test both road and mountain bike demos with hands-on shifting for both the Force and X.0 groupsets."

The Force 10-speed group includes integrated levers, front and rear derailleur, brake calipers, cranks, bottom bracket, chain, and cassette. The entire Force group's projected weight is 2138 grams. To virtually experience the Force, visit www.sram.com. To really experience the Force, drop by SRAM's Tech Tent anytime from April 6-9 at the 16th annual Sea Otter Classic.

The Ride Zone

Back for another year, SRAM's irresistible Ride Zone hosted by Bikeskills will lure young thrill-seekers out searching for the "best of cool" at this year's Sea Otter. Riders looking for a rush will find bridges, jumps, teeter-totters, ladders, rails and more set up for them to test their skills and push their limits. Obstacles come in all shapes and sizes and under the advice of a few celebrated pros lurking about to help out, what might seem impossible on Thursday becomes the so-called "piece of cake" by Sunday.

"What we're attempting to create in the Ride Zone is a riding environment that will appeal to a wide variety of riders," explained Chris Duncan of Bikeskills. "Our goal is to provide a "miniature" re-creation of a number of riding styles and disciplines. For example, one of the hottest types of riding these days takes place on what's called a "pump track." A pump track is a small, roughly circular track that has a series of small jumps and rollers that require not only skill and timing, but also tremendous anaerobic and aerobic fitness. We'll also have some small "table-topped" jumps."

"We're developing something new that will address the single biggest segment of mountain biking, an area we're calling the "cross country perimeter track." The goal is to have a series of common obstacles and terrain characteristics that are encountered on an exciting single-track ride, like switchbacks, log crossings, rock gardens, and sandy sections."

The SRAM Mountain Bike Ride Zone opens each day at 8 a.m. and goes all day until 6 p.m. A one-day entry fee costs only $10 and the real bargain is the four-day pass for only $20. Kids under 12 are free with adult entry.

SRAM MTB Industry Cup

Who makes rounder wheels, Mavic or Bontrager? Who crafts the softest chamois, Pearl Izumi or Louis Garneau? Who can get down a hill faster, Maverick or Santa Cruz? Let's find out, shall we, when bike biz CEO's, sales reps, welders, designers, bean counters, train spotters - even existentialists - get to bring their industry rivalry to the playing field at SRAM's MTB Industry Cup April 8-9.

The SRAM MTB Industry Cup offers a chance for the otherwise mellow product developer to show that lummox magazine editor just exactly how his lousy review was received when said product developer zings past said editor while hurling a few choice words of his own. Bike industry teams of four employees compete against other teams in two Sea Otter stages: a MTB downhill stage* and a MTB cross-country stage. What does the winner get? First place gets possession of the dinged and dented legendary Sea Otter Industry Cup Trophy (can I get a "woo hoo?")

The rules: Teams must come from within the cycling industry; teams consist of four employees, with at least one woman or one man.

Other SRAM-sponsored events at Sea Otter include: SRAM Amateur Circuit Race (Friday, April 7), SRAM Amateur Road Race (Saturday, April 8), SRAM Pro NRC Circuit Race (Saturday April 8), SRAM MTB Short Track (Friday and Saturday, April 7-8), SRAM MTB Cross-Country (Sunday, April 9), SRAM Pro MTB UCI Stage Race (Thursday - Sunday, April 6-9) and SRAM MTB Gravity Events - Mountain Cross, Downhill, Dual Slalom (Thursday - Sunday, April 6-9).

* Industry Cup Riders will practice downhill and race with the beginner downhill riders.

About SRAM

SRAM is an innovative global leader in bicycle component manufacturing with top brands that include SRAM components, RockShox suspension, Avid brakes, and Truvativ cranks, bars and stems. SRAM's official road group launch will take place in the U.S. at the Sea Otter Classic in early April.

About Sea Otter Classic LLC

The 16th Annual Sea Otter Classic will be held April 6 - 9, 2006 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California, USA. The four-day "Celebration of Cycling' is considered the world's largest cycling festival, hosting nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans. The Cypress Youth Fund is the Sea Otter Classic's philanthropic arm. The Fund provides funding to organizations that benefit their communities in the areas of youth, sport, education, and environment. More information can be found at www.seaotterclassic.com or by calling 800-218-8411.