Central America’s newest mountain bike race - the San Juan Howler, has morphed into a premier sports event showcasing Nicaragua’s natural beauty. Make sure you check mark December 11, 2010 for the Howler series races which include 18K, 28K and 42K.

The vision and dedication of the Bodhin Adventure Services race organizers, based in Juan del Sur on Nicaragua’s Pacific coastline has brought this race to fruition. This unforgettable mountain race also is thankful to the race participants, sponsors, and volunteers. Visitors delighted to visit this destination hidden diamond. Plus the locals get to compete alongside their sports heroes, but the Howler benefits a cash-strapped economy such as Nicaragua’s when affluent adventure travelers from other countries seek their nirvana with this race.

How Participants Pedal-Power Howler

Take for instance Tara Walsh & Rod Dagneau from, Canada. Tara Walsh was the only female competitor and Rod placed second in Howler’s elite division in the 2009 race. Race organizer Larry Thraen notes, “In addition to donating with their bikes-Tara and Rod got together with a bunch of sponsors who could not attend and flew down a bike box stuffed with new gloves, glasses, jerseys, helmets, plus bike parts such as tires, brake pads and reflectors. Nearly everyone took home something from the race! And you know reflectors here are a big thing. Many of the locals ride their bikes at night with no reflectors, lights or light clothing. It is extremely difficult to see them.”

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/SunamitaLim6.jpg]“It’s wonderful to see the impact by donating to the cause and how it can touch the community - especially after witnessing the huge surprise on Harvin’s face when he received one of the two bikes we brought down. I had trouble holding back the tears.”

How a Difference is Made by Sponsors

What goes around, come around though. Behind every successful event are incredible sponsors who give selflessly. With an enhanced image and amplified customer support, research shows that sponsors get back even more in return.

Classy, charming and gracious accommodations. Good food and books. Sponsors from Real estate, Construction, restaurants, hotels, the locals just asking to help, you name it; our kind sponsors top the bill with their generous contributions.

How Volunteers People-Power Howler

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/SunamitaLim5.jpg]The powerful impact of the Howler is bringing a world-class sport to Nicaragua.| A world-class sport is now in Nicaragua with the powerful impact of the Howler. Elite mountain bike racers from Central and South America, Europe and North America not only bring along family and/or friends - but they also end up helping out.

“It was amazing even a visiting doctor and his wife generously gave up a half day of their vacation to oversee a technically challenging section of the course to help ensure the safety of the athletes.” organizer Larry Thraen recalls.

And, local Nica pride gets a boost in volunteering for a new off-track race event that’s recognized overseas.

San Juan Howler a truly, win-win-win where people power again keep taking mountain bike racing to new heights. That what’s to howl about?

Author: Uncover the mountain bike vacations that whereintheworldareyou.com and Sunamita Lim uncovered in Central America! You could only hope for such a fascinating region for mountain bike adventures. Click on mountain bike action now to discover this virgin region.

Technorati Tags: biking, Central America, community, cycling, mountain bike race, mountain bike vacations, mountain biking, Nicaragua, San Juan Howler, volunteering, volunteers

Tags: biking, Central America, community, cycling, mountain bike race, mountain bike vacations, mountain biking, Nicaragua, San Juan Howler, volunteering, volunteers

[youtube:82DzpLZ547I?fs=1;[link:Elings Park SoCal Mountain Bike Racing_Dreamscape Images];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82DzpLZ547I?fs=1&feature=related]The pale gray sky reminded me of the east coast, not the beautiful horizon of Santa Barbara. Some local hikers trekked up the path and I asked what happened to the California weather. They reminded me it was June glum; the weather condition occurring mostly in June when the fog rolls into the California coastline to paint a dreary scenery.

Today, the beneficiaries of June glum were the Cat 3 riders at the Elings Park mountain bike race. The cool weather was sure to keep dehydration problems to a minimum. For the late Cat 1 starters, that was not the case as the sun pierced the morning fog by midday.

The Elings Park mountain bike event is one of the largest in the area and sure to remind people that Santa Barbara is one of the premier places in California to take a trip with the family. With its lush green hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it’s a good idea to bring a camera along for the memories.

To capture some speed in motion, I decided to bring out the video camera today. With its mix of single track trails and fire roads on a multi-lap course with plenty twist and turns, there would be many opportunities to capture some good footage.

With the hills on this course, a solid warm-up is mandatory. Shortly after the start of the race…you are going vertical. The race is made up of fire roads and single track trails, which climb to the top of Elings Park before descending. During the second lap near the beginning, the course turns off from the first lap trail and tackles plenty of winding trails and U-Turns to the top.

After capturing some video and still images, I found an excellent shooting position on the second lap ascent. The day was going as planned. So far, I had not fallen down any hills with my camera gear. Later in the day, I realized the day was still young.

The Cat 1 and 2 riders looked strong as the sun welcomed the riders with high 70 degree temperatures. My goal today was to capture these mountain bikers at close range so I climbed the hills surrounding the course to find the best angle and the heart beat of this race. After slipping down a few hills, I managed to create some serious ventilation in my clothing - an eight inch rip in my jeans from the crotch down the pant leg. Thankfully, anyone coming my way only cared about one thing going fast.

The MTB racers were given a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean once they climb to the top of the course. However, with the winding trails, the view was short lived.

Deep in some bushes with the winding, single track trail looping around me, I managed to find a good shooting point where I could capture the MTB competitors riding the twisting trail in front of me.

After capturing a few riders and satisfied I got the footage necessary, I managed to checkout my surroundings. It was at that moment that I realized one of the disadvantages of being in the zone. There I stood with an eight inch tear down my pant leg surrounded by poison ivy! The Elings Park mountain bike race will always hold a special memory for me. It reminded me that I too have to watch the path in front of me.

If you are looking for a great race to take the family for a few days, the Elings Park mountain bike race is one of the best. Put together by Team Big Bear, the race is sure to challenge your mountain bike fitness level.

Staying on the trail is highly recommended.

Keith Rejino is a sports photographer for Dreamscape Images, a personal trainer, triathlete and MTB rider. His Socal Mountain Bike website provides mountain bike event coverage, training and sports nutrition tips for the mountain biker. For more mountain bike event coverage, check out Dreamscape Images MTB site.

Technorati Tags: bike, bike racing, cycling, exercise, fitness, mountain bike, mountain bike race, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, mtb race, sports, sports competition

Tags: bike, bike racing, cycling, exercise, fitness, mountain bike, mountain bike race, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, mtb race, sports, sports competition

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/KeithRejino0.jpg] Beads of sweat poured down my face as I trekked up the sloped hill looking for the best photo shoot location. I was back shooting sports again after my short sabbatical. Today’s photo shoot was at the California Golden State Championship mountain bike event in Fontana, CA on May 15th.

The cross country mountain bikers flying down the rocky trail on the multi-lap course I’d seen before, or at least, most of them. Today, I preferred to shoot the MTB riders looking good on the downhill portion of the course. A race volunteer advised that most of the mountain bikers were walking up the tough uphill portion.

This was the third race in a four event series put on by SRC and major sponsor Kenda. With the Fontana sun blaring down, it was a reminder that the next SRC summer event in August would be more challenging for these mountain bike riders.

The multi-lap course was a mixture of rolling fire roads and single track trails with one major climb and descent. Near the top of the course on the big downhill section, the mountain bikers navigated an almost 90 degree turn before shooting down the rocky fire trail. Many of the MTB riders smiled for the camera, but after the first few laps, most had no energy for a pose.

David Santos captured 1st place in the XC mountain bike race in 1:29:07 with 2nd and 3rd place going to Griffith Vertican and Garnet Vertican in 1:34:07 and 1:41:05, respectively. For the women’s race, Heather Rose took 1st place and a fourth overall finish against the men in 1:53:12.

For the women’s downhill competition, Gabriela Williams captured 1st with Kelly Damschen taking 2nd place. In the men’s division, David Klaassen VanOorschot was the fastest of the day with Rich Houseman and Ryan Egusquiza picking up the 2nd and 3rd place slots.

Heather Rose, the women’s XC mountain bike winner, captured another victory in the women’s Super D. The men’s division leaders were Ryan Equsquiza in 1st followed by Eric Bierman in 2nd place.

For Mountain Bike Information, check out Keith Rejino’s website at Dreamscape Images mountain bike website for mental training tip, mtb news and sport nutrition guidelines.

Technorati Tags: bicycling, bike, bike riding, cycling, exercise, fitness, mountain bike, mountain bike race, mountain biking, mtb, sport, sporting event, sports

Tags: bicycling, bike, bike riding, cycling, exercise, fitness, mountain bike, mountain bike race, mountain biking, mtb, sport, sporting event, sports