Industry Dirt Park?
Tuesday, April 20, 2009
I'll be honest: I've only been to Industry skatepark once. I was extremely impressed with the facility and the features were awesome leaving tonnes of room for progression including Ontario's only foam pit (where I hurt myself, figure that out!). But when we were leaving my buddy Onick was talking to the owner (whose name I have forgotten, god I'm stupid) and he mentioned that the place was closing, unless he could come up with a cheaper way of keeping it open.

Dirt was mentioned as a cheaper was of keeping the park open, and the owner mentioned the old dirt park in the back where contests were held a year back or so. We checked it out. It was full of weeds, tall grass and mounds of dirt. Not to mention whats left of quarter pipes that may have been used inside.

We mentioned that although a dirt park would be sweet, we love the street/skatepark part of it too and would be sad to see it go. But thats all that I remember from that conversation. I never really thought much of it because people just kept going there and the features were the same with no sign of dirt.

Then I went on their website four months or so and noticed they had "dirt park coming this summer!" on their front page. That has now been changed to "dirt park ......" so what gives? I would hate to see this place fall due to lack of funding. I am pro dirt over skatepark, myself so I was starting to believe that they were going to have street/park inside and the dirt park outside.

I for one would love to see the dirt jumps come back out back. Or, if money is still tight down there maybe bring some dirt inside and cut the skatepark in half? Decrease cost of broken wood as there would be less of it (obviously) and dirt jumps are relatively self-maintaining. Maybe insurance is the problem, I don't know. But I will say this: Industry: Do the dirt thing! Indoors or out, I would love to see it!

Chicopee Green Season Rates
Friday, March 20, 2009
Chicopee has sent us their rates for the season. We'll fill you in on the bike related stuff:

Their Green Season Membership is pretty sweet. With this membership you get to do EVERYTHING for that price whenever you want, however often you want. That includes Bike Park, Trails, Pines, Rock Climbing, High Ropes, Beach Volleyball, Tennis, Disc Golf (<-- new for 2009!). This membership is avaliable for a rate of $129 until April, when it jumps to $149. GET IT NOW, its worth it. Really, it is. Because really, you cannot ride bikes ALL Day, EVERY day!

The bike pass which gets you Bike Park, Pines and Trail access is currently $99. Thats like, slightly less than 10 trips to the bike park the whole summer and you've paid it off.. after those 10 trips its almost as if its free. Cool eh?

If you feel like coming down for a day or twelve this summer, just randomly, whenever you want. Day rates are $12 for the bike park, so come on down and check Chicopee out this summer!

A Chicopee Slope-Style Event? Whaaaat?
March 18th, 2009
Leafing through my source of content (facebook) I came across a group trying to gain support for a Slope-style competition to be held at Chicopee sometime this summer. Aparently the group is working with IMBA Canada and Chicopee to implement an event like this.

The event would be similar to the "goat-style" jam that was held in Creston, BC not too long ago and would feature categories for all riders.

They want input on what features they should have there, as well as names to show support as to who will ride, who will build, who will setup blah blah blah. Check it out if you're interested.

PLEASE keep in mind this is NOT AN OFFICIAL EVENT, only some people wanting to see what the support would be like if/when Chicopee has an event like this. Granted, if the support is there, the possibilities are IMO endless.

If you want to show your support, Click HERE and join the group.

Official News Release - Toronto International Bicycle Show
March 10th, 2009
Give facebook another gold star. If nothing else I use it to get valuable information such as this:

"The largest Bicycle Consumer Show in Canada, the Toronto International Bicycle Show, is entering its 23rd successful year. Get ready once again for thrilling competitions, special events, hands-on activities and the most up-to-date displays of new products and accessories from major manufacturers and retailers.Special events and activities..."

There's more, click HERE to read the whole article.

From: Scott Mills, VIA Facebook

King Street Cycles Anniversary Sale
March 9th, 2009
Well, spring is in the air and once again it is time for our Anniversary Sale!

Saturday April 4th will be our 5th Anniversary Sale, with loads of great deals on everything in the store. We will have representatives from Norco, Brodie and Surly on hand to answer any and all questions, as well as Blowout prices on last year's models.

I will update this post in a couple weeks with some of our Feature Bikes as well as some sale prices, so keep an eye out!

From: eldo

Help bring a skatepark to Kitchener.
March 9th, 2009
There's a facebook group made by a bunch of wood pushers who are trying to bring a new skatepark to the area. Not sure what this means for the skatepark that was proposed to be at the new mt. trashmore park, but check it out on facebook.

Heres a clip we stole from the group:

"Hey, I'm Ryan Haddock and I'm apart of a council that is trying to bring a skatepark to downtown Kitchener. So far we have had many meetings and we are currently talking with council members within Kitchener to make this thing happen, But we need your help too. We need as many people to support this if we want any hope in making this thing happen. This is where you come in, take two minutes out of your day and share this group with twenty people in your friends list. If you send this to twenty people and they send it to twenty people the results will be exponential. In no time flat you will be thrashing a park that you had the opportunity to help create. Not only can you be apart of this but you can actually aid in its creation. Any little thing helps."

So this is our little thing, to try and help. We could always use more places to ride!

Toronto International Bike Show!
March 9th, 2009
Its March 13-15 at the Direct Energy Center. GO! The fall one usually sucks, but the spring one is always pretty good.

BMX Jam again this year, 4x, demos and other stuff. Go check it out!

Welcome to OCUP, Super-D!
February 7th, 2009
Thanks to all the returning sponsors Cycle Solutions, Commencal, Norco, Titec, Kenda, Want, Industry Skate Park and Impac. Welcome to a new sponsor POC Helmets and Armour, the new leader in MTB protection.
2009 is sure to be a ripper with two huge new introductions:

1) Canada's first Super D race series. This timed event is a perfect mix of XC and DH racing, a little up and lots of down. It's a great race for XC and DH competitors or for trail riders who love a flow filled ride. Come out and ride with your friends in the amateur class or press for the fastest time of the day in the open class. Medals and prizing for every Super D race, plus overall series points.

2) The Ontario/Quebec Challenge: a single event Interprovincial Championship Trophy will be awarded to the Province that wins the most DH categories (cadet, junior sport, senior expert etc), points will be awarded from 1st place (25pts) to 22nd place (1pt). The province with the most points in each category will win that category, the Province with the most categories wins the Championship Trophy! This is also a regular series points race for both provinces, so everyone will be grabbing points for their provincial overall series championship too!

Source: Peter Appleton (borrowed from Pinkbike.com)

Will it Ever Happen?
Saturday, February 7th, 2009
What was once a highly-anticipated park has repeatedly led everyone to disappointment. But will it ever happen?

According to the company building the park (yes, the city finally found someone to do it) the answer is yes. And sooner then you may think. How about this spring? Early this spring is what we're told.

Now don't get me wrong, I know we've been hearing "soon" for a long time, but could this actually be the time that it gets done? We'll find out soon.

Oh! Aparently, because Chicopee did it already, the dirt jumps have been removed from the plans. From what we understand the 4X course is still a go, as are the punp tracks, freeride lines and the skate park.

Industry Skatepark MTB/BMX Contests
Friday January 9, 2009
It's that time of year! Industry is pleased to announce some more bmx/mtb contests.

The weekend of Jan 17/18 Industry Skate Park will Host Ontario's top bmx riders on Saturday and Mountainbike riders Sunday.
We are currently finalizing for our title sponsorship but it looks like Ryder Distribution, Norco, Dobermann & Want are all on board.

Something that we are doing is a Pro/ Open Category with 50% of the entrance fees going back out in Prize money. Product for all Amateurs.

The Details:
When: January 17/18 2009
Where: Industry Skate Park Inc.
St Thomas Ontario 519-633-5607
Times: 10am doors open, Comp starts @ 1pm Sat & Sunday
Cost: BMX 16 under ($25) 16 over ($25) & Pro/OPen ($35)
MTB Am ($25) & Pro/ OPen ($35)

Register in the morning

For any more info please hit me with an email brandon@industryskatepark.com

Spread the word please!