You are cordially invited to the SECOND SF Urban Riders Social Fundraiser, hosted by  Team Mojo. This event follows the DFL Film Night event which raised $500 from sitting around watching movies and drinking beer. It’s a great way to hang out with old friends, meet new ones, check out some cool cycling maps, and benefit a great cause. SFUR supporters have volunteered so much time in the field on SFUR projects, its important to find a rewarding social balance. Besides, the cycling community seems more than capable of meeting the funding challenges ahead one beer at a time!

WHAT: Mojo Party (SF Urban Riders Fundraiser #2)

WHERE: Mojo Bicycle Cafe 639 Divisadero Street SF, CA 94117

WHEN: Wednesday February 29th, 2012 from 6pm-10pm

Mojo Cafe will generously donate 50% of the nights proceeds to SFUR….(how cool is that!).

FESTIVITIES: Special Guest Beer’s on tap                                                                                                                                                   SFUR’s NEW Urban Trail Map on display                                                                                                                       McLaren Bike Park map and updates                                                                                                                                 Share stories of urban adventure

This is a low key social fundraiser for SF Urban Riders, their will be a low-key sliding scale donation jar to help raise funds for the McLaren Bike Park and other SFUR programs ($1-$20)

The 1994 coverage of the  in-augural Leadville 100 features John Stamstad who won the Iditarod Bike Race numerous times, went on to be inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, and later pioneered the Ride the Divide route and race. The video also features the heroics of local riders like DFL legend  Kyle Brutschy who rode out a Top 10 finish.

Also on the schedule, vintage DFL Mountain Bike Road Trip movies to Moab, Utah and Crested Butte, Colorado.

Celebrate Mountain Biking in its Hard Tail days…. well before disc brakes, mega-travel suspension, and 29er technology!

Date: Tuesday January 24th

Time: 6pm – 8pm

Location: Sports Basement (Grotto Room)  1590 Bryant Street  San Francisco, CA 94103

Spread the Word – Hope to see you there!

Right now we are simply asking for year end donations, as this is the time of year for giving. Since every little bit helps, SFUR will be continually working on fun and interesting ways for its supporters to get involved. One such way is joining the recently launched McLaren Bike Park Founders Club. In the new year SFUR promises to step up our game with more exciting special promotion/fundraising events that can turn fun into money (TBA).

Why is it important to support SFUR?

Over the past couple of years SF Urban Riders has managed to create some great cycling opportunities for riders of all ages and abilities. Taking a moment to reflect,  a few standouts include: providing huge support toward the Interior Greenbelt/Mount Sutro trail system, hosting Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day annually, and working with SFRPD and the community to conceptually plan the McLaren Bike Park. SFUR has managed to produce good results while running on a lean budget. Now things change as SFUR looks to partner with SF Rec & Park on a large scale Capital Improvement project, a.k.a the McLaren Bike Park. Although grants will be applied for (and awarded) for the construction of the bike park, SFUR is responsible for raising funds to pay for much of the design and other documents and permits. That cost could reach $75,000-$100,000 to obtain a world class bike park. A small price for a bike park that will also serve as a venue for a variety of future bike events. It is important to note, that the funds SFUR raises locally is also part of the requirement to leverage the larger construction grants. So it’s time to start!

McLaren Bike Park conceptual design plans

Who is Donating? Specialized Bicycles (w/ Mike’s Bikes of San Francisco) awarded SFUR a Dealer Grant ($5,000) in July 2011,the  Single Speed Cyclo Cross World Championships recently hosted in Golden Gate Park raised $360 in November,  Gamut USA ($1,000) became the first to join the Founders Club just last week. Now we are spreading the news to our members and anyone else who wants to support a positive change in San Francisco’s youth bike culture… and already individuals have started showing their generosity. So far SFUR has raised over $7,500 toward our goal.

How to Participate:

Make secure On-Line donations of any size HERE

If you want to pay by check, please make them out to SF Parks Alliance, and note SF Urban Riders on the check. Mail to: SF Urban Riders c/o Dustin Smith, 221 Warren Dr., San Francisco, CA 94131.

75% goes directly to McLaren Bike Park Design and Development. 20% to the SF Urban Riders general fund for operating costs and youth programs. 5% to SF Parks Alliance, SFUR’s non-profit fiscal host.

For more info contact info@sfurbanriders.org.

Thanks for your continued support. Let’s make San Francisco a better place to learn modern bike skills!

Youth group ride in McLaren Park

TKMBD 2011 Event in McLaren Park

Youth Cycling programs are so much more than riding.

TKMBD 2011 Event in McLaren Park

Blazing Saddles was a great TKMBD partner.

The Presidio Y-Bike program and SFRPD assisted with the bike skills and rider management responsibilities again this year. The Y-Bike program has unique resources and programs that continue to be a key component to youth cycling opportunities in San Francisco.

Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel was on-site teaching the next generation about cycling fashion. The Moon booth made sure everyone got a chance for arm warmers or skull caps.

Matt Dove from the Y-Bike program talks trail safety.

After party at the Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel booth.

Specialized is always a welcome TKMBD sponsor. There presence and resources helps make the event  special…. with everything from the FREE Youth Bike Raffle, to all the other schwag they bring like shirts, helmets, water bottles, and bike karma.

Lets do it again next year!

At the end of the day Specialized T shirts for every participant.

Group photo at the Blue water tank in McLaren Park

Everyone is excited about Mountain Biking in the City.

Antelope  MTB Crash: HERE

Cyclocross Barrier Crash: HERE

Danny Hart’s 2011 Championship Downhill Run: HERE

Danny MacAskill Freestyle MTB: HERE

Single Speed Cyclo Cross World Championship in Golden Gate Park: HERE

A national event to promote off-road cycling for youth and as a family activity

An IMBA world-wide event - Locally Organized by SF Urban Riders

EVENT INFO:

Date: Saturday September 24th, 2011

Event Time: 10 am – 2 pm

Location: McLaren Park  (Eastern Parking Lot at intersection of Mansell St and Visitacion Ave.)

MAP LINK

PARTNERS:

SF Rec & Park – McLaren Park, Equipment, Instructors

YMCA – Instructors, Equipment

Clif Bar – Granola Bar Snacks

Specialized Bicycles –  Equipment, Raffle Prizes

Mike’s Bikes – Mechanics

Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel – Surprises & Goodies

Blazing Saddles – Equipment

EVENT INFO:

The TKMBD event is a FREE event to all local youth, and SFUR and it’s partners will have ample loaner bikes on-hand to accommodate participants without appropriate  mountain bike. SFUR will work closely with local schools, and other youth service providers to promote the event to youth around McLaren Park. Our partners include: SF Rec & Park, YMCA Presidio Bike Program, IMBA, Specialized Bicycles, Mike’s Bikes, and the SF Parks Trust. The event focuses on healthy recreation and environmental awareness.

ACTIVITIES:

FREE Bike Rental – SFUR and it’s partners will have a fleet of mountain bikes on hand to accommodate participants in need.

MTB Skills Area – Several skills challenges including a balance beam, ramps, short drop downs, and a teeter totter. All easily grasped by new riders, and with several instructors on site for safety spotting, guidance and support.

Short Loop – A short off-road circuit  that is extremely popular with youth of all ages due to its rolling topography and views. The course features a few basic technical mountain biking features.

Long Loop –  Guided group rides to explore the trails and visit some of the more interesting attractions of Mclaren Park like the future site of the McLaren Bike Park, and other cool spots.

Bike Maintenance – A complimentary bike service station sponsored by Specialized Bicycles & Mike’s Bikes will be onsite all day to safety check all participants bicycles and fix minor mechanicals where possible.

Bike Helmet Fitting Service  – A complimentary helmet service station sponsored by Specialized Bicycles will be on site all day to adjust participants helmets and educate about fit and proper use. Helmets will be provided to participants in need.

Bike Clothing – Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel will be gifting something special to every participant!

Outreach Booth – SF Urban Riders will host a booth with maps and information about the McLaren Bike Park and the new SFRPD Youth Mountain Bike program. SFUR will collect information and feedback.

Bike Raffle –  After the riding, Specialized Bicycles will host a Mountain Bike Raffle and one lucky winner with roll home with a new bike! The raffle is FREE to all youth participants under 16 years of age.

McLaren Bike Park Conceptual Design Preview – The latest plans for the McLaren Bike park will be on display for review and comment.

MORE INFORMATION:

Check the SF Urban Riders website for more detailed information:  SFUrbanRiders.org

Contact: info@sfurbanriders.org

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day 2010 in McLaren Park.

Many kids possess natural talent and enthusiasm.

Families encouraged to participate!

This will be the THIRD Year in a row that SF Urban Riders has stepped up to the plate to assist our partners SF Rec & Park and V-O-CAL with trail construction and maintenance in McLaren Park, and anybody that rides the trails of McLaren has made note of the improvements. When this process first started it spooked the local cycling community to hear of change in one of our beloved and secret training areas. The SFUR headquarters took many concerned phone calls from friends, neighbors, and urban cyclists. Now the vision of a better trail system and what it can bring to the future of off-road cycling in San Francisco is sweeping away the cynicism and reigning in optimism for a better future. When a large open space like McLaren Park improves its trail infrastructure, it also opens up new possibilities for hosting better, and more awesome trail events that can contine to benefit the park…… Can anyone say Cyclocross or Short Track Series venue?

Constructing the Deeley Falls Switchback in McLaren Park- November 2010

When you add the McLaren Bike Park project to the equation, you begin to see an infrastructure that could host world class cycling events right here in San Francisco! Sure it may take another five years to host a large scale, permitted event, but when it does it will have been worth every swing of the pick, and volunteer hour. As part of the process, SFUR Trail Specialists have been working closely with SF Rec & Park on both the trail alignments and the closing off of selected ‘social trails’.

Check out the details of the McLaren Park trail project on the map below, and take notice of how the new trails will bring a big increase in trail connectivity. That alone makes it a project worthy of the cycling communities focus and effort. The other tremendous benefit of this event is CAMPING! Camping and a camp fire will be happening Saturday Night to all volunteers interested. Bring some friends and party in McLaren Park with SF Urban Riders!

Every Hour SFUR Volunteers Contribute Will Be Credited Toward a McLaren Bike Park Community Grant!

Information & Registration On-Line: Click Here

Map of Overall Project Scope Showing Improved Trail Connectivity.

McLaren Trail Work Flyer

We want to fill you in on some HUGE news. SF Urban Riders is moving forward with design for San Francisco’s FIRST BIKE PARK in McLaren Park!!! We have support from SF Recreation and Parks, and we have a lot of momentum. But this isn’t going to happen without your help.

Please go to Facebook and respond to the event:

McLaren Bike Park Community Design Meeting #1, June 18th, Crocker Amazon Clubhouse. MAP LINK.

If you can come, you’ll not only be supporting the park, but you’ll get to throw in your two cents on what you’d like to see built. Either way, please let your friends and colleagues know what’s happening and ask them to spread the news. We want all of your great ideas, and we need to fill the room with excited bike enthusiasts.

Check out a brief post about our progress and the first meeting here:

http://mclarenbikepark.org/2011/06/01/lets-design-a-bike-park/

Find us on facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/McLaren-Bike-Park/355861728763

Thank you for your support!!! See you June 18th at the Crocker Amazon Clubhouse at 1:00pm!!!

Practicing skills before a Mount Sutro trail ride.

It is a new year, and a new era at the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. SFRPD has stepped up to offer more focus on contemporary recreation like Thai Kickboxing, Kayaking, Geocache Adventuring, and even Mountain Biking.

The developing partnership between SFUR and SFRPD has produced a winner: The Women’s Mountain Bike Boot Camp.

This program will run  THREE weeks and be hosted primarily at Crocker Amazon and McLaren Parks. It is possible, depending on the individual needs of each group, that a variety of other locations like Mount Sutro, San Bruno Mountain and elsewhere may also be used in order to maximize the quality of programming. The instructor has been confirmed, and we are excited Julie Bates from Team Roaring Mouse will be leading the program. She has a great resume of professional training, and is well known in the local cycling  community. All this adds up to a winning program, that will be fun for its participants, and improve all riders basic skills,trail system knowledge, and maintenance ability. Their is a small registration fee to pay for the Instructors time.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

It is important to show SFRPD that the community will support Mountain Bike programming.

For more details contact: Clay.Breitweiser@sfgov.org     OR call 415-337-4705

Course Dates: Saturday July 16  Through Saturday July 30th

Meeting Location: Crocker Amazon Skate Park  ( near Soccer Fields)

Course Number: 22049

Course Cost: $75   for the Full Course ( 3 Weeks)

Find the SFRPD Summer 2011 Activities Guide and Registration Information Here.

(Note-  Full Details on registration can be found on PAGE 48 of the SFRPD Summer Activities Guide)

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day 2009 in McLaren Park.

SF Urban Riders is proud of the seeds we have planted at the youth level, and the amazing youth opportunities that continue to blossom from those efforts. Now there are several ways that youth in our urban confines can practice and participate in organized Mountain Biking activities. Whether it is starting out with instruction at a summer camp, or challenging themselves taking laps at a high school race series.

Introduction to Mountain Biking Programs: SFUR has developed a complete introductory mountain bike curriculum geared toward youth with current basic bike skills. The program aims to improve every participants braking, cornering, and balance skills by emphasizes the best techniques. The program also focuses on improving endurance, exploring nature, understanding trail etiquette, and the importance of proper nutrition. This program is available at the Presidio YMCA all Summer (2011), and through SFRPD at Crocker Amazon Park in July, 2011. To Register for the Youth Mountain Bike programs follow the appropriate links:

More Info on the Presidio YMCA program can be found here:

More Info on the SFRPD Crocker Amazon program can be found here:

(SFRPD Youth Mountain Biking classes can be found on Page 25 of the 2011 Summer Activities Guide)

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Event (TKMBD): Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is a national event, organized locally by SFUR since 2009. The spirit of the event is to provide a FREE opportunity for kids and families to have a safe and rewarding mountain biking experience locally in McLaren Park.  SFUR and its partners Presidio YMCA, SF Recreation & Parks Department, Specialized Bicycles, IMBA, Clif Bar and others provide certified instructors, a pre-designed course, a fleet of demo bicycles, and even nutritional snacks so every kid could concentrate on just having fun and learning better bike skills!  The final details for this years TKMBD event are still be worked out. In the meantime, mark your calendars for Saturday September 24th, 2011  to participate in this awesome event!

SF Composite High School Team: The top rung of the youth cycling pyramid is the San Francisco Composite High School team that formed this year to compete in the Norcal High School Cycling League. The team came together in true grassroots fashion, with a single bike shop (Big Swingin’ Cycles) connecting a few like-minded kids together from different schools, and then inspiring support from their families. Our riders put together an impressive first season with little resources, and only a few weeks to prepare. Big salute to Brendan, Calvin, and Neil for chasing their dreams even under difficult circumstances. If you know a young rider looking for more information on the SF High School Mountain Biking team contact SF Urban Riders!

Brendan breaking from the pack at the start of a Norcal race.

SF High School Composite team members Neil, Calvin, and Brendan