SF Urban Riders is ramping up our activity on advocacy, stewardship, and promotion of off-road cycling opportunities in San Francisco.

Keep up to date with what’s happening by following our Facebook page or signing up for our mailing list (see the form on this web site).

Pro Men’s winner Colin Daw (Mike’s Bikes) heading back down University Hill.

Link to 2014 McLaren Short Track event RESULTS (with lap count times) click here.
Link to 2014 McLaren Short Track event RESULTS (with AGE/CATEGORY Information) click here.

SF Urban Riders would like to thank everyone who came out to the SF Mountain Bike Festival at McLaren Park and made it such a great time!

This year our participants were treated to perfect weather, the same challenging race course, and lots of other urban bike events like a trials competition, the RideSFO BMX Box Jump demonstration, and a cargo bike hill climb challenge sponsored by Yuba Bikes. ALL proved to be amazing spectator events, and great family entertainment for kids of all ages. Food was once again provided by our friends at the El Norteno Taco Truck, and this year BoomBotix provided the staging area sounds with their Mega-Bot Trailer.

The BoomBot mobile Retail Trailer supplied the sound! (Photo courtesy of Jason Van Horn)

Everything came together so the Beginners Men’s event could start on time, and except for a slight hiccup on the first round of podium awards, it all continued to run smoothly the rest of the day. Although attendance was slightly down from last year due to schedule conflicts with other cycling events, we still attracted hundreds of participants, and a healthy group of spectators. Each category was challenged by the courses undulating terrain, and pushed themselves to outstanding performances with only a few minor scrapes and bruises.

Men’s Sport category attacking the starting hill.

The best always waits for last, and the Pro and Expert Men did not disappoint. From the opening gun, until the final bell all participants gave it their all, with some having super-human abilities. Colin Daw (Team Mike’s Bikes) never looked back from the opening climb, while Expert Mathew Tracey-Cook (Oakland Composite Team) started in the mid-field until he decided to take control and torch the competition. The comment of the day came from the Expert field, where local legend Brad Koester was overheard exclaiming, “I was just passed by two kids who are barely 30 years old between them.”. The two riders doing the hard work were Peter Koch of the San Francisco Composite Team, and Jake Nye, just 14 years old, from Yackle Brothers Racing who came down from Reno, NV for the urban fun.Yes, we have entered a new paradigm of mountain biking, and it is young, healthy and quite fast.

The Pro Mens field put on a fast, fun show that everyone watched in amazement… they were flying 10 minute laps!

Like everything that SFUR does, it would not have been possible without the heroic effort of our Volunteers!
The SF MTB Festival requires dozens of volunteers day-of-event to insure everything from registration, to hospitality, to raffle prizes and awards. Most importantof all volunteers are the course marshall’s who keep the  course clear and engage and interact with other park users to inform them of the event, and spread the good word about SFUR and biking in McLaren Park. SFUR will be looking to host another Volunteer Appreciation Party to recognize not only SF MTB volunteers, but also the many individuals who continue to volunteer as Trail Crew leaders on our local trail projects not only in McLaren Park, but also Mount Sutro, Twin Peaks, and other open spaces.

Steve Schweigerdt helping break down the McLaren Short Track course

More quality photos and stories of the 2014 SF MTB Festival can be found here:
Bermstyle Website  http://www.bermstyle.com/san-francisco-mountain-bike-festival-returns-to-mclaren-park/

SF Gate Website  http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/McLaren-Park-haven-for-S-F-mountain-bikers-5738545.php

Peter Verdone Designs  http://www.peterverdone.com/?p=6268

CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS:

Men’s Expert podium featuring 1) Mathew Tracy-Cook, 2) Alex Kramer, 3) Patrick Minotti

Mens Expert riders pounce on the pedals at the starting line.

Peter koch of the SF Composite High School Team navigating the course in the Men’s Expert event.

Love that outfit, nothing says urban style like matching frame, helmet, shoes, and shorts!

Top of the climb, heading out on the first section of singletrack.

Last minute bike preparation for this SF Composite team rider.

Mens Sport riders battling it out for position lap after lap.

Rolling along the Philospher’s Way downhill section.

Big smiles from this Team Roaring Mouse rider in the Sport Women’s event.

A little zig-zag through the trees and ivy along the Philosopher’s Way trail.

Men’s Sport rider taking flight off a root section.

Rider down in the loose, sweeping corner. (Photo courtesy of Jason Van Horn)

Concentrating on the move.

The Trials demonstration was a new activity at this year’s event.

Not all trials moves go smoothly, but all offer a lesson to learn from.

Yes Giant Bicycles hosted another Youth Bike Raffle and gave away a few bikes!

Anybody who was at last years SF MTB Festival Raffle will tell you how amazing the prizes were! This years is more of the same – GREAT Sponsors haver given big, for a GOOD Cause! The SF Mountain Bike Festival is much more than a race, it is a urban cycling cultural event. With great entertainment ranging from the McLaren Short Track Challenge competitive event, to bike jump or trails bike demos, and the highly anticipated Cargo Bike Hill Climb Challenge. Ride your bike to the event, cheer on your favorites, and support the raffle to win one of our many awesome prizes.

Raffle Tickets are $5 each or 5-for-$20 at the event.

Main Prizes include:

SRAm Rock Shox Pike RCT3 650b fork.

Yuba Bikes Mundo Frame set

IZip Peak 3 Electric Bike.

Big Thanks to the following sponsors who are helping support the McLaren Bike Park project!

On the morning of December 7, members of SF Urban Riders, SF Recreation and Park, and Strava braved the frigid temperatures to come together and successfully improve sections of the Philosopher’s Way trail in John McLaren Park.

SFUR’s goal for the volunteer day was to give the trail “better shaping to improve water drainage and bike flow”. The project was aided by the previous day’s rainfall, which made the soil extremely malleable. Another generous aide to the crew of 10 volunteers was coffee provided by Annie Vranizan of Strava.  SF Recreation and Park Department (SFRPD) were kind enough to provide the vital tools- picks, shovels, McLeods, wheelbarrows, compactors, buckets and other various hand tools.

SFRPD provided the tools to get the job done.
Photo: DJ Sullivan

 The area of focus was a series of turns, which are part of the McLaren Short Track course at the SF MTB Festival every year, and can be ridden as either an ascent or a descent for daily recreation. Before work commenced, the volunteers gathered to review the area and plan what would be done at each section of the trail. The planning process was led by Joe Grey of SFRPD, who explained how to transform a trail from a hodgepodge set of turns and social-trails, into a well-groomed singletrack that suits all user groups, and skill levels. The plan detailed how the corners would be improved by lowering the trail grade, and carefully shaping the corners. Since John McLaren Park is used by both cyclists and hikers, the idea of building multi-use trails would be reinforced throughout the day.

Joe Grey and Kirra Swinerton of SFRPD scope out the terrain and plan out what needs to be done.
Photo: DJ Sullivan

Once work commenced, the volunteers built drainages for rainwater to properly drain, and formed berms in the turns to allow riders to efficiently flow through. In order to aid compaction of the trail surface, loose leaves and sticks were raked away. Obstructive stumps and stones were removed to make the trails wider in spots, and create a better corner to ride. When cyclists can ride the trail without having to slide around off-camber turns, it limits trail and habitat erosion. Small tree branches were used to close undesirable ‘social trail intersections’ and prevent erosion, and avoid potential bike and hiking collisions.

Tom Borden and Mark P. Sullivan of SFUR dig a drainage along Philosopher’s Way.
Photo: DJ Sullivan

All genres of cycling were represented in our volunteer group- from roadies to downhill riders.  A couple of runners taking a morning lap of the trails even complimented our work. It really set the tone for what is to come for the park.

After a few hours of work, this turn became a well-groomed feature of John Mclaren Park.
Photo: DJ Sullivan

When the dust settled and the volunteers had enjoyed a brunch on the tailgate of SFRPD’s heavy-duty Ford, it was time to break out the bikes and try out the newly renovated section of Philosopher’s Way.

SF Urban Riders would like to send out a big thanks to everyone who made the day a success, and we look forward to exciting things in 2014.

Dan Schneider of SFUR tries out the newly renovated berms.
Photo: DJ Sullivan

SF Urban Riders would like to thank everyone for supporting our fundraising event!

Most important were our Event Sponsors – A complete list can be found here: SPONSORS.

Key were our major Sponsors Specialized Bicycles, Mikes Bikes, Sports Basement, Giant Bicycles, Roaring Mouse, Saris Cycling Group, Marin Bikes, Ride SFO, and Alaskan Brewing Company.

Equally important were our partners SF Recreation and Parks Department, SF Parks Alliance, and the Bike Monkey who worked together to overcome challenges, and delivered a safe, sustainable, and fun course.

Before we continue, it is important for SF Urban Riders to make this official disclaimer:
– McLaren Park is not a full-time race course or bike park – it has many other active user groups.
– Please ride the trails responsibly (take time and introduce yourself to some park regulars).
– Only ONE Day a Year to attempt setting a personal STRAVA record – that is SF MTB Race Day!

McLaren Short Track Challenge Starting Line – Mens Expert Category (Photo courtesy of Josh Jacobson)

The best way to share the story of the SF MTB Festival is by sharing the Numbers and Photos from the event.

Results can be found on-line here: RESULTS

More Post Event musings can be found here:
Bermstyle

MTBR Forum

Yackle Brothers Racing

Ride SFO 

Now that the word is out about the upcoming SF Mountain Bike Festival, the feedback is many of our members are equally excited to volunteer for this awesome event, as they are to ride in it. SFUR welcomes your participation on all levels, and has several awesome volunteer opportunities to make it easy for everyone to get involved.

Volunteering is easy as 1,2,3…

Step 1 – Review the Opportunities below for one the fits your schedule.
Step 2 – Sign Up on the Facebook Event Page link OR contact info@sfurbanriders.org for more information.
Step 3 – Show up to the event and participate!

SF MTB Festival Saturday September 6th from 9am – 5pm
Day of event course marshall, youth program assistant, set up, break down,
https://www.facebook.com/events/525996484179794/

SF Urban Riders has been busy trying to improve its financial situation in 2013, and gather momentum for our organizations events (SF MTB Festival) and projects (McLaren Bike Park). Unfortunately there is little truth to the old adage “Money Can’t Buy Happiness’… in fact nothing much happens in the non-profit world without adequate funding. Although SFUR has over-achieved for years running on nothing but financial fumes, that model has slowly evolved to better achieve our members lofty goals of trail access, bike parks, and competitive events all within county lines.

The results have been outstanding, and  with your continued support and participation SFUR will be able to deliver.

Highlights of this years Fundraising Campaign include the Following:

Brews-4-Bikes @ SoMa Streat Food Park ($2,000) – Through the generosity of the Alaskan Brewing Company, who donated several kegs of tasty beer, SF Urban Riders was able to raise $2,000 at the recent Brews-4-Bikes event hosted at SoMa Streat Food Park on May 18th. Participants where treated to exceptionally hot weather, and fantastic Raffle prizes donated from BetaBrand, Mike’s Bikes, Roaring Mouse, Go Pro, Chrome, and Sports Basement. At the end of the day everybody had a great time, and those of legal age sampled everything from a Kolsch to an Imperial Dopplebock, and an American Pale Ale to an Imperial Red. Due to the weather Alaskan White Ale, and Freeride APA were the first to go.

SF Parks Alliance ‘Action Grant’ ($2,000) – SF Urban Riders is a fiscally hosted non-profit hosted by the SF Parks Alliance. The partnership is awesome, and sometimes leads to funding opportunities like  the ‘Action Grant’, which funds events and projects that bring more stewardship to our parks. In June, SFUR was awarded an SFPA Action Grant for $2,000 for hosting the SF Mountain Bike Festival in McLaren Park this Fall. The funding will pay for course delineators, and habitat barriers to host both the McLaren Short Track Challenge, and the Youth/Family Bike Skills Area. SFUR will use the event to recruit volunteers from the cycling community to repair/maintain the trails in McLaren Park. This is a win-win for everyone!

MBP Founders Club ($500) – The McLaren Bike Park is a large scale capital improvement project, and although it is slowly coming to life, it is progressing nicely.  One of the ways SFUR is funding the project is through the MBP Founders Club, which is comprised of dozens of SFUR members and local businesses. The funding helps pay for incidental costs in the Planning & Design process, and other costs not covered by grants or SFRPD resources. In the last quarter five more community members have stepped up and joined the MBP Founders Club at the $100 level. It is little commitments like this that make big dreams come true!

Here are a few commonly asked questions regarding SF Urban Riders Operation and Budget:

How long has SFUR been around? SFUR was formed in the Spring of 2008 by a group of local riders. Our first meetings were nothing more than dreaming big ideas over a few beers. SFUR has since become a recognized player in open space discussions around the city.

How Does SFUR Operate? SF Urban Riders operates by virtue of an ALL VOLUNTEER Leadership Group that donates approximately 1000 hours annually into the management, communication, fundraising, and planning of all activities, events, and projects. That includes leading volunteer groups on projects that benefit off-road cycling like Mount Sutro, and other open space trail projects.

What has SFUR accomplished in Five Years? SF Urban Riders is a recognized name at SFRPD and amongst many non-profit and neighborhood organizations which continue to lend support… probably the hardest element to win over and the easiest to lose. Our member/volunteers have contributed heavily to the Mount Sutro trail system since 2007. SFUR has also initiated the McLaren Bike Park Project and recently were awarded a $250,000 Community Opportunity Fund grant to initiate Phase One construction this Fall. SFUR has also worked hard to permit the the upcoming SF Mountain Bike Festival which will be held in McLaren Park this September. The SF MTB Festival will feature San Francisco’s FIRST Legally Permitted Mountain Bike Race and will be our largest fundraising party to date.

Why should I support the SFUR Mission? SF Urban Riders has proven itself to be the organization that can bring the most beneficial mountain bike improvements to the city. Our organization and its members have built positive relationships with neighborhood park groups, we actively work with land managers to build the best sustainable trails possible, and our projects and events continue opening opportunities for youth. Now it appears SFUR is talking part in the preservation of off road bike racing culture by opening dialogue with SFRPD about permitting cycling events. A successful SF MTB Festival will reopen the doors for other cycling promoters!

SF Urban Riders has the potential to deliver the cycling community some amazing things….. but it is gonna take some more volunteer hours and donations to meet our collective goals.

It is going to be a good year for SF Urban Riders, and we are busy planning a big party to celebrate!

Brews-4-Bikes is a social beer/food fundraising event to benefit the SF Urban Riders non-profit organization, and the Mclaren Bike Park project.

Hosted at the SOMA Streat Food Park, the event will feature some of the best ‘Food Trucks’ cooking Special Menu Items made with Alaskan Beer!

Your $30 contribution includes Unlimited Beer Samples from 11am-5pm, and THREE Raffle Tickets to increase your chance of winning the great items listed below. PLUS get a COMPLIMENTARY McLaren Bike Park or Alaskan Brewing T-shirt when you pre-register through Eventbrite!!!

Additional Raffle tickets can be purchased at the event for $5 each. Beer will be served a la carte at $5 a glass.

With your support (Socializing, Drinking & Eating) SF Urban Riders will raise much needed funding to advance Urban Mountain Biking opportunities for youth of all ages and abilities in San Francisco!

REGISTER On-Line at Eventbrite:  http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5898680111

Cheers!

SF Urban Riders 1st Annual BREWS-4-BIKES Celebration

DATE: Saturday May 18th, 2013

TIME: Open 11am – 5pm

LOCATION: Streat Food Park 428 11th Street San Francisco, CA 94103

COST OPTIONS:

$30 Adult Unlimited (Unlimited beer samples, Complimentary T-Shirt, and THREE Raffle Tickets)

$5 Adult Single-Serve Beer

$5 General Single-Serve Raffle Tickets

NO ADMISSION COST to Youth, General Public, or Designated Drivers

Alaskan Brewing Company has generously offered to donate beer in support of SF Urban Riders!                           All Food Truck kitchens will be cooking dishes featuring Alaskan Beers in the recipe, which will deliver something unique for the daily menu.

Beer On Tap:

• Alaskan Amber Ale
• White Ale
• Summer Kolsch
• Freeride APA
• Bitter Billiken ESB
• Black IPA
• Hopothermia DIPA
• Oatmeal Stout
• Select Pilot Series releases

REGISTER On-Line at Eventbrite:  http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5898680111

VOLUNTEER Help welcome:  https://www.facebook.com/events/233322670144141/

Win This Bike!

RAFFLE ITEMS:

• Specialized P24 Cruise (Complete Bike)
• Pivot ‘Point’ Dirt Jumper (Frame only)
• Go Pro Hero 3 Silver Edition
• BoomBotix BoomBot Portable Speakers
• Chrome Gear
• BetaBrand Fashion
• Gamut Guide and Chain Rings
• Sports Basement Gift Certificates
• McLaren Bike Park T-Shirts
• Alaskan Brewing Surprises

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

• McLaren Bike Park Display
• Map of the SF MTB Festival Course
• Complimentary Raffle Tickets (w/ Paid Admission)
• Fresh Music
• New and old friends to share bike adventures… and plan new ones!

WHAT TO KNOW:

Plenty of Bike parking in area (racks, poles, etc).

Vehicle parking nearby on street and paid lots.

All ages welcome. Streat Food Park serves food and is family friendly.

Raffle with take place between 3-4pm.

Adult Participant Ticket is good for Alaskan Beer ONLY. Food is a la carte.

Dress in Layers, city weather is unpredictable.

REGISTER On-Line at Eventbrite:  http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5898680111

VOLUNTEER Help welcome:  https://www.facebook.com/events/233322670144141/

NEW SPONSORS: 

You are invited to participate in the FIRST Annual San Francisco Mountain Bike Festival, hosted in McLaren Park. The event is FREE to attend with beginner riding zones, and a professional bike jump demo. The McLaren Short Track Challenge competitive event is a hybrid mountain bike and cyclocross course (with NO Barriers) and does require a waiver and registration fee to participate.

Registration Form: https://www.formstack.com/forms/bikemonkey-mclarenregistration

Click here for more information about San Francisco’s first mountain bike race!

SF Urban Riders has found some momentum and is going big in 2013.

Over the past few years SFUR and its volunteers have worked alongside SF Rec & Park, park advocates, and neighbors to improve and maintain the trails in McLaren Park. It is time to take one day to just enjoy the fruits of all the hard labor!

San Francisco Mountain Bike Festival @ McLaren Park

Date: Saturday March 30^th, 2013

Time: 9am – 6pm

The next generation of riders are psyched by the McLaren Bike Park project.

The San Francisco MTB Festival will showcase McLaren Park to local cyclists like never before, and provide opportunity for the cycling community to gather and celebrate our organizations 5^th Anniversary and it’s achievements. The event will most certainly feature a McLaren Bike Park display booth to share the Design Plans and other exciting information including the SFRPD Community Opportunity Fund grant, which was recently awarded to the project ($250,000). SFUR will also be inviting local youth groups to attend the event, watch the demo riders perform, and hopefully expose them to another healthy, recreation option right in their backyard.

Ride SFO crew working with the kids at the Visitacion Valley Street Fair.

The festival will feature local/professional BMX and Trials rider demos, a youth BMX Skills Area, industry sponsor booths, several bike raffles, and a competitive challenge for the more adventurous cyclists.

The McLaren Short Track Challenge will be a 4-mile, mixed-surface loop, with approximately 500-feet of elevation per lap. The course will offer an urban challenge to even the most skilled riders, as they strive to roll 24-miles with nearly 3,000 feet of climbing in just 90-minutes. More information to drop soon!

The 2013 McLaren Short Track Challenge Course Layout

Bike Raffles are the way most mountain bike advocacy groups keep the lights on and pay the bills, SFUR is no different. In fact, our organization may even be overdue. Many of our industry partners are stepping forward and delivering some outstanding raffle prizes. More than one person will end up riding home on a new ride!

Now for the important part… SFUR is busy with the many details involved in planning this epic event. For instance, the media department is busy crafting event logos and promotion materials, and the planning committee is reaching out to sponsors. Event planning also involves temporarily realigning traffic flow on Mansell Street and temporarily closing a short section of Sunnydale Ave for the day in order to create the space needed. This requires detailed discussion with several city agencies including SFRPD, SFMTA, and SFPD who are doing there best to accommodate.

There will be plenty of ways for everyone to get involved with SFUR, and we will need all the volunteers we can get in 2013.

It all starts with a Trail Work Volunteer Day in McLaren Park on Saturday March 30^th, 2013. Check the Facebook Event Page for Info/Directions: http://www.facebook.com/events/308834362571655/