We had a couple photographers taking some photos of the 2011 TLC weekend and we want to share them with you. I put a link on the Media page for the photos by Joe Salas. You can click on this link….http://www.seppes.com/Sports/Bikes.

Thanks to Aaron Larocque for doing another amazing job on the video edit!

Thank you all again for such an awesome weekend. I think the event went off without a hitch (well at least none that you all saw…LOL) and the sun was even out! So attached are the final results for the 2011 TLC Mega DH and the TLC XC.

Also, we will be working on posting a Twitter scroll on our web site so that all of you can write in to tell us how you think the event went, what we could maybe do different, or to just say hi! Until then though it would be great if you all wrote in and commented in the blog section of our site. I want to thank each and every rider, sponsor, TLC Crew, and anybody I may have missed.

All photos of the weekend will be COMING SOON!

See you next year!
Tara Llanes Classic 2011 – Downhill Results
Tara Llanes Classic XC Results 2011

The Tara Llanes Classic is here to help in three different areas of paralysis. The first is with helping to fund the researchers and doctors who are trying to find a cure. On Sept.1, 2010 a U.S. district court judge in Washington DC issued an injunction blocking federal support for research on human embryonic stem cells (hESC), which means that for us to afford to find a cure we’ve got to raise the money with private funding. The second is keeping facilities such as CORE going so that people with paralysis are equipped with unique and specialized equipment, providing personalized and progressive evaluations, treatment plans, and education to help improve function, independence, and self-efficacy. The third and final is the Tara Llanes Road to Recovery Fund, which is here to provide skilled athletes in the sport of Mountain Biking with financial aid after a severe injury by granting funds for equipment, rehabilitation, and long-term disability.

“We are very excited to be working with a brand that is not only getting more involved with our mountain bike community, said Tara Llanes, “but also understanding what our non-profit is all about.”

Teva has been working with Mountain Bike Legend and team Giant rider Jeff Lenosky on a new mtb flat-pedal shoe called the Links. It’s hard to find a part of the Links that Jeff didn’t directly influence. He showed Teva his pedal; they designed a sole that integrates with it. He showed them the busted toe on his last shoe; they added a flexible armor across the forefoot. He showed them his wet, muddy shoes; and they found ion-mask™ technology that actually prevents the materials on the Links from absorbing water on a molecular level (true story). They built this shoe for Jeff, but anyone who has ever gotten on a mountain bike will appreciate his influence.

“Through the past 10 years of the Teva Mountain Games and our relationship with riders like Jeff Lenosky, we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the mountain bike community,” says Amy Bondurant, senior content marketing manager. “We are proud to carry on our passion for this sport through our support of the TLC. Tara is both a ray of joy and inspiration to anyone in the MTB community – to work with her is truly an honor.”

We want to thank Teva once again for outfitting the TLC Crew with both the Links and the Gnarkosi shoe and who know’s…maybe next year you’ll get to see even more Teva shoes! http://www.teva.com/productdetails.aspx?g=m&productID=4304&model=Links / http://www.teva.com/productdetails.aspx?g=w&productID=4171&model=Gnarkosi

Well, after a busy week of trade shows I’m back and in front of the computer and here to give you the great news about what our podium prizes are and what companies are giving them away.

Mega DH:
1st Place – Set of WTB Dissent Tires – Dissent 2.5 & Dissent 2.3
2nd Place – Set of Fox Launch Pro Kneepads
3rd Place – Smith Fuel V.2 MTB Goggles

TLC XC:
1st Place – WTB Silverado Saddle
2nd Place – Camelbak M.U.L.E or the LUXE
3rd Place – Blackburn Pump – Air Tower or the

I would also like to note that there is a new rule that has been added to the Pearl Izumi Industry Cup. It’s an important one so be sure to read up!

I just checked the weather and things are looking good. Here’s the highs for the weekend…Friday – 79, Saturday – 7

6, and Sunday 73. Yeeehaaaw! So keep checking the blog section for more updates.

Everything is coming together and we’re so excited, but believe me there were a few hiccups along the way. Well actually when aren’t there any hiccups?! Hehe. It kind of comes with the territory when you’re organizing an event though.

Today was certainly a busy one, but a pretty productive and exciting one. We FINALLY got our medals ordered after talking to about a million different people. Man…I really think the medals were one of the hardest things to nail down, but we ended up going with a guy up in Whistler and I’m sure they’ll look just as good as last year.

I also got a call from one of Reno, Nevada’s biggest radio station WILD 102.9 and we have a radio spot that will be airing from September 12th-19th as well as information on their website Tara Llanes Classic-(60 Radio)-091011-REVISED to try and let more people know about our event and have them come check it out. So we’re pretty stoked about that and I think our sponsors will be as well!

I can’t say enough about the sponsors that have already committed to our event and the companies that really believe in us. I feel like we’ve got a great group of people whether it be our TLC Crew, our Northstar Crew, sponsors, fans, and riders. This is a special event and we hope it keeps growing and growing!

Okay, well I better go because I’ve got to finish packing for the BTAC…the Canadian Bike Show. I take off for Montreal tomorrow for that and then straight to Interbike and Vegas baby! Then a couple days at home before we’re off to beautiful Lake Tahoe and the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort. Can’t wait!
Cheers!
Tara