The cyclosportive Cotswold Spring Classic will get into gear on April 5, 2010. It will follow the pattern as the previous year’s sportive. What made the event a success was the fact that it was the only sportive cyclists can join on Easter Monday.

There will be two routes you can take, 179km and 105km. Feeding stations are provided for together with neutral service support, electronic timing and photography. Motorcycle outriders from the National Escort Group will be there and a finisher’s goodie bag will be given as well.

The Cotswold Spring Classic 2010 aims to give cyclists the place to wrap up their Easter weekend with a great ride with the opportunity to shed off any extra pounds gained from eating too much Easter chocolate eggs.

The event will kick off in Cirencester, with stunning views and steep climbs. For some, the total altitude may seem not as difficult as other sportives yet feedback from 2009’s event have mentioned that it was much more challenging than the Etupe de Tour.

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The 2010 24 Hour National Championship in Big Bear, West Virginia was canceled. The reason was the low attendance and difficulty in acquiring sponsors for the event. Spokes Magazine spoke to Granny Gear’s director Laird Knight regarding this decision. The event was scheduled to be held on June 12-13 together with 24 Hours of Big Bear, a race organized by Granny Gear Productions.

Last year’s event was also in conjunction with the 24 Hours of Moab. The 2009 24 Hour National Championship was done in Moab, Utah with Granny Gear Productions responsible for the race. The original location was supposed to be in Payson, Arizona but it was canceled on February.

The possibility of having the race in Moab instead of Big Bear is not yet determined. USA Cycling is in partnership with Granny Gear Productions to host a National Championship event. The cancellation might be temporary in light of last year’s rescheduling and relocation. However, the cards stacked for Moab looks good since Knight opted to give up the West Virginia race and the 24 Hour of Nine Mile in Wisconsin. It seems that Moab might be their last choice of having the event.

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Superstar BMX always aims to give its customers what they need. With three qualities, innovation, simplicity and technique, the results are quality products that are reasonably priced. For their 2010 catalog, they have released different types of products that will reach different kinds of cyclists. From conventional items to radical designed ones.

One of the new items is the Superstar’s PC Pedals which is now available in the United States market. With a standard square shape and PC body, the pedal has removable steel pins. It has a 9/16” Cro-mo axle and an axle cap with the Superstar logo branded on. It weighs only 410 grams or 14.6 oz.

The pedals are made to withstand hard riding without sacrificing the grip. They work much like metal pedals but are lighter to bring. Superstar BMX also offers plastic pedals with molded pins for cyclists who prefer plastic pedals all the way.

The Superstar BMX PC Pedals comes in colors of blue, green, orange, clear and black. Suggested retail price is $24.99 a pair.

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Soul Cycles have now added a new product for their 29”er hard tail. Joining the Dillinger is the “Vegas” full suspension bike.

The new frame is currently being manufactured by Soul Cycles to be ready for its launch by early summer. The design is a single pivot type which highlights a low leverage ratio travel of 5.5 inches. It will also be compatible Hammerschmidt. There is a front derailleur routing that allows you to use either 10mm or 12mm rear axle.

To maximize rear lateral stiffness, the iGlide based scissor link is in place. An Easton FS RAD tubeset will be fabricated with it. The scissors linkage functions to keep the swing arm laterally stable. The pivots will move on Igus “iGlide” bushings.

Versions available will be 26 inches and 29 inches. Soul Cycles will be bundling the frame with a Fox Shox RP-23 rear damper. The estimated retail price for the Vegas full suspension bike is under $1000.

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Commencal is the brand for clarity, strength and serenity. Their bikes have always been made to grab you with its classic design and strong lines. They took anything you don’t need and you’re left with a high quality frame with all the necessary items to give you the power you need for an unforgettable ride.

The Commencal Atherton Racing MaxMax is another version of the original frame released by Commencal before. It comes in limited edition with the hot graphic designs of Atherton Racing. The MaxMax is tagged to be the must-have bike. Its dirt jumping frame is made of 6061 T6 aluminum which is the same as the frames used on more pricey Absolut bikes.

The frame also acquired new dropouts which would allow more options for the bike to use different hubs. The frame will most likely be compatible with the following: 135mm hub standards which includes 10mm, 12mm and 12mm Maxle; singlespeed hubs that use a modular hanger or dropout system. The fork was developed to fit the frame, making it less heavy than the previous five-piece fork.

The Commencal Atherton Racing MaxMax could be the one bike for you. It is sold at a retail price of £399.99.

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DT Swiss launches new models for their suspension fork products. Having acquired Pace in 2006, this is a first for DT Swiss to engineer and design their very own suspension forks. With the use of the new technology, better models were manufactured for their product line.

The technology DT Swiss developed involved a change in the damping system. They applied the Twin Shot damping system to their 100mm travel XRC and XC forks. The goal here is to maximize control and how well it can be adjusted.

For the 32mm forks, DT Swiss placed a magnesium Torsion Box arch lower leg assembly. It provides a stiff yet light lower similar to the carbon made ones. The 130mm and 150mm travel EXM forks have the Launch Control II as its damping system.

Across all new fork models except for the XC, DT Swiss utilizes the Auto Balancing Spring (ABS) system. The ABS functions to set pressures in the positive and negative air chambers, automatically. This is done through one valve in the fork.

Price range is between £600-£1000.

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Due to the challenging weather in 2009, the Exmoor Beast Cyclosportive will remain in its original season for the 2010 calendar in late autumn and this time it will be on the 31st of October.

Similar to 2009’s set up, the HQ for the Cyclosportive will be located in Butlins, Minehead. This is to address any accommodation issues. Bike Shed will be providing on-the-road support for the cyclists while Massage Clinic will take care of the post-ride services and care.

Interested applicants for this event will undergo a two-month training program, facilitated by the organizers. There will also be the odd training ride with some famous cyclists. As requested by many enthusiasts, the half pint at the end returns for the event.

The Exmoor Beast Cycle Challenge poses the question, “Can you tame the Beast?” To answer that and conquer the Beast, you have to be at you fittest form and set your own pace to complete the event.

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