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SANTA YNEZ VALLEY WELCOMES RACE FOR NINTH YEAR ·         Practice Thursday May 15th 2008 ·         Qualifying Friday May 16th 2008 ·         Races Saturday & Sunday May 17th & 18th 2008

N E W S
For Immediate Release: February 4^th, 2008
MEDIA CONTACTS: Mike Hecker, Stump Grinder Productions, 805-896-0673 or mike@ridesb.com.
INFO: www.ridesb.com.

Santa Ynez Valley National Presented by Platinum Performance

Stump Grinder Dirt Club in Los Olivos hosts the third stop of the National Mountain Bike Series,
returning the Nationals to its birthplace on the 25^th anniversary of the first ever National
being held in the Santa Barbara County backcountry.

WHAT:  International level mountain bike racing returns to the Stump Grinder Dirt Club during an Olympic year.  The SYV National presented by Platinum Performance is now in its ninth edition and is one of only six races in America to be sanctioned by the International Cyclist Union (UCI), and is also part of the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS), the most prestigious of all mountain bike race series.  The Event will feature mountain bike races, exhibitor booths, professional athletes, live music, food, the Firestone Walker Beer Garden, free kids’ races and landings and liftoffs of the CALSTAR medical helicopter air ambulance.   Competitions include: Cross-country (XC), downhill (DH), dual slalom (DS), super downhill (SD) and short track cross country (STXC).

WHO: All ages and abilities are invited to compete as there is racing for Beginner, Sport, Expert, Semi-Pro and the Professional levels.  Last year’s winners were Georgia Gould (Team Luna Chix) from Missoula, MT and Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis) from Victoria, BC, Canada.  Many mountain bike trade teams as well as local officials and dignitaries will be on hand.

WHERE: Stump Grinder Dirt Club, Zaca Station Road, Los Olivos.  Directions: Turn off of State Route Highway 154 onto Zaca Station Road, travel north 1.33 miles, and turn right into the entrance of the Stump Grinder Dirt Club.  Follow ranch road .75 of a mile to the main venue area, Charlotte’s Meadow.

WHEN: Thursday, May 15^th from 12 to 6 PM, Friday, May 16^th from 6 AM to 7 PM, Saturday, May 17^th from 6 AM to 7 PM and Sunday, May 18^th from 6 AM to 6 PM.

WHY: Competitors participate to enhance long-term health and to promote an active lifestyle.  Help support an event that contributes to the economy of our community. The SYV National presented by Platinum Performance contributes to the Santa Barbara Bicycle Club, the areas oldest non-profit bicycle racing club that has taken an active role in supporting children cycling activities.

MORE: The National Mountain Bike Series is the longest running mountain bike race series in North America. Originating in the late 1980’s (as the NORBA National Championship Series) the Series has enjoyed tremendous popularity for the past 20 years – popularity based upon the foundation of providing athletes the highest quality race experience against the best competition in North America. Participants come from over 30 US states, Canada, Mexico and South America to test themselves in the national arena.  In 2008 the Santa Ynez Valley National presented by Platinum Performance celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the first ever NORBA National Championship that was held nearby in the Santa Barbara Backcountry.

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ALL MEDIA WELCOME. INTERVIEWS WITH OFFICIALS & RIDERS AVAILABLE.

Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Classic presented by Platinum Performance added to the National Mountain Bike Series
For Immediate Release
Los Olivos, CA – 2/12/07

Team Big Bear and Blue Wolf Events, promoters of the National Mountain Bike Series and SG Productions have reached an agreement to include the 2007 Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Classic presented by Platinum Performance (“The Classic”) as the second stop in the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS).  NMBS #2  The 2007 Firestone SYV Classic presented by Platinum Performance is scheduled for April 27 -29, 2007, and is sanctioned by USA Cycling the governing body of the sport of cycling in the United States as recognized by the International Olympic Committee.  In addition to the NMBS the Kenda Cross Country presented by Trek VW is also part of the new USA Cycling MTB Endurance National Racing Calendar.

“The Classic” is now in its eighth year and is a late addition to the NMBS, the direct descendent of the NORBA National Championship Series, the most prestigious mountain bike race series in the history of the sport.  Only the Kenda Cross Country presented by Trek VW and the Kenda Short Track Cross Country races will be part of the NMBS point series.  The other events slated for the weekend are not part of the NMBS, however the Chamberlin Ranch Downhill is part of the new USA Cycling MTB Gravity National Racing Calendar.  In addition to these three events, there will be the Coastal Tree Care Super Downhill as well as the Platinum Bar Endurance Cross Country.  Other activities include an expanded Bicycle Expo Area, Live Music, Free Kid’s Racing, Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip Barbeque, Pancake Breakfasts, On-site Camping and of course awesome spectator opportunities for cycling fans of all ages.  Along with the NMBS accreditation, comes the attendance of many of the larger professional mountain bike racing teams in the world.

“When Team Big Bear and Blue Wolf Events approached us to see if we would be interested in affiliating “The Classic” with the NMBS we were ecstatic” said Mike Hecker, owner of SG Productions.  “Team Big Bear has provided the timing and results for “The Classic” over the past 4 years, and has first hand knowledge of the dedication of our staff, the ability of our awesome volunteers and the overall quality of our venue and the event itself.  We are proud to be asked to take part in this, the most prestigious of all mountain bike race series.  The first ever NORBA National was held in 1983 in the Santa Barbara back country.  This has long been a dream of mine and it will be an honor to return a national race to its birthplace.”  Hecker added.

The date of NMBS#2 The 2007 Firestone SYV Classic presented by Platinum Performance is April 27 – 29, 2007.  The event takes place on the Ted Chamberlin Cattle Ranch and on Firestone Vineyard, outside of Los Olivos, CA, in Northern Santa Barbara County.  Over the past few years “The Classic” has averaged 900 race participants and over 2500 spectators and has enjoyed consistent growth since the year 2000.

All event info will be up on www.ridesb.com, in short order.  To contact Mike Hecker please send an email to mike@ridesb.com or call (805) 896-0673

For more info on the National Mountain Bike Series visit www.mtbnationals.com
For more info on the Firestone Walker Brewing Company visit www.firestonewalker.com
For more info on Platinum Performance visit www.platinumperformance.com
For more info on USA Cycling visit www.usacycling.org

6th Annual Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend
Immediate Release - August 14, 2004
     Santa Barbara, CA – SG Production has announced the dates of the 6th Annual Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend. The races will take place on the same weekend as the past two years, the final complete weekend in April, the 22nd through 24th, 2005. This Central Coast mountain bike tradition will once again take place in Los Olivos, CA in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.
     Owner of SG Production and www.ridesb.com, Michael Hecker said that “We are happy to announce that we have been able to reach agreement with the great staff at Firestone Vineyard, Firestone Walker Brewery, and the owners of the Ted Chamberlin Cattle Ranch to once again hold the Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend on the weekend immediately following the Sea Otter Classic for the third year in a row.”
     He added “We know that all the racers that have raced with us in the past will once again be here and that there will be new faces that will decide to come on down the coast form the previous weekend to discover what our event is all about, to help us celebrate our 5th year anniversary, and to enjoy an event that everyone involved with is very proud of. Many racers have asked me to never stop promoting this event, that the Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend is what bike racing is supposed to be, that it is grass roots racing at its best, to those statements, I say thank you.”
     Hecker continued by stating “We hope that with this early announcement to avoid any scheduling conflicts with other mountain bike event promoters, both USA Cycling licensed, and especially with those that are not. It behooves us all to work together to avoid this situation. This is the only date available at Firestone Vineyard to host the event, so our hands are tied.”
     Once again the Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend will be NORBA sanctioned and should be a stop on the American Mountain Bike Challenge Series schedule. The event will continue to feature the same great cross country, downhill, and short track courses, as well as all the great food, camping, music, beer, and atmosphere.

Semana Nautica Criterium 2004 – Post Event Press Release
Immediate Release – June 28th, 2004
     Today marked the successful return of bicycle road racing to the streets of Santa Barbara. The Semana Nautica Criterium was a sound and enthusiastic event. Thanks to all the volunteers, the Santa Barbara Bicycle Club, and everyone who made this dream reality.
     The event attracted hundreds of competitive cyclists. The winner of the PRO 1,2,3 main event was Gordon McCawley from Australia riding for the Southern California based Schroeder Iron Professional Team. Another highlight had to be the FREE Kids race. The smiles on these children as they raced dragster style are a major reason why this event was made a reality. Local boys Chris Haun and Chris Walker won the 40+ and 30+ Masters races respectively.
     As the day progressed the crowd watching the PRO 1,2,3 race grew larger, one estimate set attendance at several hundred. (Most of whom rode a bike to the race!) Race Director Mike Hecker said "This first year was about starting something, be assured the Semana Nautica Criterium will grow by leaps and bounds in 2004. This is just the beginning. We even had Mayor Blum here to start the Pro race."

High School Mountain Bike Racing Clubs
Immediate Release - March 18, 2004
     Stump Grinder Production and RideSB.com are proud to announce that Dos Pueblos and San Marcos High School have created High School Mountain Bike Racing Clubs, and will come together to compete at the first ever Santa Barbara County High School Cross Country Mountain Bike Championship race on April 25^th.  The championship race will take place at the 5^th Annual Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend, the Central Coast’s premier competitive cycling event.
     Other schools are encouraged to create Cross Country Mountain Bike Clubs.  It takes is a cycling mentor like Dos Pueblos teacher John Merritt to get involved.  Year round liability insurance, that covers all rides and students, is provided by USA Cycling when new High Schools enroll as Licensed National Off-Road Bicycling Association (NORBA) clubs.  The total club membership fee is $200 annually.
     “This is a great way to get high school kids, who may or may not be involved with the accepted sports, involved in a healthy activity that is both fun and very rewarding” Mr. Merritt said.
     “We at RideSB.com are excited at the possibility of exposing teenagers to the great sport of cycling.  In a way we view it as just doing our part in discovering our countries future cycling champions.  Now let’s see if the establishment of the Dos Pueblos Club will motivate other high schools to follow their lead” said Mike Hecker of RideSB.com.  Eventually we hope to establish a Central California High School Cross Country Mountain Bike League modeled after the 5 year old Nor-Cal High School Cross Country Mountain Bike League.
     There is an effort to build the San Luis Obispo league as well this would then create the ideal scenario to establish a 501 C3 Non-profit Central California Cross County High School Mountain Bike League.  Attached is the informational flyer for the Santa Barbara County High School Mountain Bike Racing League.
     Some important information:
USA Cycling is the governing body of competitive cycling in the United States as recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the Union Cyclist International.  RideSB.com and Stump Grinder Production is a Santa Barbara based bicycle racing event promoter and is licensed by USA Cycling.

Specialized Leads Out Fifth Annual Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend
Immediate Release - February 20th, 2004
     SG Productions / www.ridesb.com proudly announces that Specialized has joined forces with the prestigious Fifth Annual Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend to be held April 23-25, 2004 . As a Platinum level sponsor, Specialized will support the Central California based event at all levels, including an on-site presentation and even a few guest appearances by Specialized Factory sponsored athletes.
     The 5th Annual Firestone Walker Mountain Bike Weekend is held at the Firestone Vineyard and the Ted Chamberlin Cattle Ranch outside of Los Olivos , CA in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. The event has grown into a “must-do” for cross-country mountain bike racers and is affiliated with two other prestigious race series, The American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) and the California State Championship Series. Because of its affiliation with the AMBC, Firestone Walker is also a qualifying race for the one-day National Championship Race in Mammoth Mountain , CA . The new Rockgardn Chamberlin Ranch Downhill event on Saturday will, well, rock! What's more, the Rio Vista Chevrolet Dirt Criterium on Saturday afternoon will certainly keep both racers and fans in check.
     The racing is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Firestone Walker AMBC / CA State Cross Country. In addition to the fine racing, plan on staying around for tasty Central Coast Style Barbeque, the Firestone Walker Beer Garden , live music, a huge prize raffle, expo area, and the Shimano Youth Series race.

The 66^th Annual Semana Nautica Summer Sports Festival to add USCF Bicycle Races to Event Schedule
Immediate Release - May 22nd, 2003
     RideSB.com / SGP, The Santa Barbara Bicycle Club, and The Semana Nautica Association proudly announce that The Semana Nautica Criterium will take place on June 28^th.  The event, the first bicycle road race to be part of the annual festival since the early 90’s, is to take place on a 0.60 of a mile closed city street racecourse surrounding Alameda and Alice Keck Parks in downtown Santa Barbara.
     Semana Nautica is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote athletic and recreational activity in Santa Barbara for all ages and abilities.  The Santa Barbara Bicycle Club, established in 1972, is the oldest non-profit bicycle club in Central California .  RideSB.com / SGP is a Licensed Bicycle Race Promoter of USA Cycling and the US Olympic Committee, their flagship event, the Firestone Walker Cross Country, has quickly become the largest competitive cycling event on the Central Coast.
     The Semana Nautica Criterium marks the return of competitive cycling to Santa Barbara ’s downtown streets in three years.  Race Director Mike Hecker states “We’re excited that the city has approved our dream to return bicycle racing to the downtown area.  It’s a great way to expose this community to the great sport of bicycle racing.”