Shenandoah Bicycle Company

This past weekend, our fearless leader, Thomas Jenkins joined a group of his finest friends for a journey few have the pleasure of undertaking, the SDS-3Day (Shenandoah Mountain Touring’s infamous plush trip: Stokesville, Douthat, Stokesville).  Their ride began early on Friday morning, leaving for the “Southern Traverse” of the Shenandoah Mountain Trail, an IMBA Epic Ride.  These riders enjoyed 150 miles of Virginia’s sweetest singletrack.  This year Don Shepler and Erin Zell, a rad Harrisonburg transplant couple came in special, all the way from Galena Lodge in Idaho.  Don and Thomas were once roommates at the cockroach infested 344 Rock Street.  My how they have come a long way.

On Saturday, approximately 50 people showed up to the western slope of Massanutten resort to try out the 2012 line of Salsa Mountain Bicycles. These large wheeled beasts withstood multiple beatings from the big crowd. We heard a lot of buzz from the crowd about the Mukluk and Horsethief. Check out the video of Kyle scaling up the upper ravine trail on the Mukluk. Oh, and Wootten saw his brother bear before setting up for his last shot.

Check out the new trails built by IMBA and the Boy Scouts of America in the New River Gorge National River of the National Park Service .  Adam Stephens of Marathon Bikes has roots here in Harrisonburg and its always good to see Fayetteville, WV continuing to grow the Adventure Seen.  Shout out to the big folks producing this kind of story!!!  Watch the 2nd half of the video to see a little bit of where the wild and wonderful Wootten gleaned the videoboater craft at Class VI River Runners.

2012 Bike2Work Day in Harrisonburg, Virginia is going to be a great day for bike commuters. Tell all your friends that you will be riding your bike to work on May 18th and encourage them to do the same. Swing by Court Square before work to have free breakfast compliments of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition. Recruit your coworkers to ride their bikes to work & become a Team Leader. After work, swing by SBC and enjoy the Bike2Work happy hour from 4-6pm behind Clementine Cafe with draft beer specials and Acai Mimosas!!! For more information, visit www.hburgbike2work.org

Thomas Jenkins has been helping out with the Harrisonburg City Public Schools and Harrisonburg PD in holding Bike Rodeos that teach our youngsters how to be safe on bikes and sometimes on trikes! Cute Tykes!

This past week, a touching celebration of one man’s passion for life became a reality. Matt’s enthusiasm was so contagious that his life was filled with wonderful friends and family, art, music, delicious food and the bicycle. Five years ago, an annual tradition began with Matt Styer and his tightly knit group of EMU cycling friends. Each year in the spring, they took off to explore a region of America for a week on their bicycles.

In December of 2011, Matt lost his battle with cancer. So, this year, the group of riders decided to continue his legacy and honor Matt with a Memorial Tour in the Finger Lakes region around Ithica, New York. Here are some photos their trip with Michael Kennel, Julian Seth, Nathan Maust, Benjamin Sawatzky, David Troyer, Shawn Ramer Hunter and Kurt Rosenberger in their Styer kit with Matt.

Matt’s inspirational energy continues to bring his loved ones to a happily beautiful place.

Tim Richardson journeyed to the dirty South in Ashvegas for an in charge mission. Pinball Race to support his big old buddy Than. Supposedly an experience not to be fooled around with, orienteering over 80 miles of gnarly with more climbing than the SM100.

The 2012 VAHS MTB Race Series proves to be grounds for SHREDDING THE GNAR!  Although no JVSquad members were present at the race, there was a strong Junior Varsity contingency from the Miller School and the Blue Ridge School.  Additionally, there was some epic Harrisonburg team WINNING!  Good thing the Friendly City has a rich history of living RAD! Big ups to Peter Hufnagel for coordinating the 2nd successful year of the league, so awesome… The NEXT GEN is alive and well!!!

Music: “Enjoy (Outkast Remix)” by Bjork

SBCulture was in full effect one weekend in April of 2012 when a large group of Harrisonburg riders went on a Wild and Wonderful tour into West By God Virginia.  With fresh pavement on the Eastern slope of Reddish Knob, the party enjoyed gravel roads in the George Washington National Forest and the spectacular scenery west of town.

LOVE!!

May is National Bike Month and Harrisonburg is celebrating with so many great events including the headliner event “Bike to Work Day” on Friday May 18th. For a full list of events visit SVBC Bike Month Calendar!