Guatemala will host the Pan American Mountain Bike Championships as the games visit Central America for the first time.  Drawing on the region’s growing popularity as a mountain bike destination, the Guatemalan Cycling Federation is excited to welcome the world’s best riders to the event.

12 countries have reportedly confirmed their attendance already, and the Games will give riders a chance to boost their UCI ranking with points on the line, helping them boost national rankings as they compete for spots in the 2012 Olympics.

Race action is expected to be broadcast live via video on the event website (which is in all Spanish with no “translate” button…and Google’s Translate messed up the page layout when we tried.)  Give it a whirl at www.guatepanamericanomtb2010.com.

Peugeot’s new design team just released these images of a concept bicycle dubbed the B1K.  Sculpted as a race bike, it features a chainless drivetrain, carbon fiber construction and scant few details on the rest of the design.

Click to enlarge the images…looks like we’ll have to come up with a new term for tires.  Tubulars and Clinchers just don’t seem to fit the bill (better pic of this on down the post).  Peugeot’s not new to bikes, and it’s good to see them revisiting the idea along with killer concept cars like the SR1.

At least there are more pics when you make the jump…

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MapMyRide+ has an updated version with several new features added, including the ability to Tweet and Share your ride via Twitter and Facebook.

The updated app lets you track your workout metrics in realtime using the phone’s GPS, then save and upload them.  It stores the most recent 10 workouts in the app and lets you edit and view them from the iPhone, and all workouts are saved to your MapMyRide training log.

It also geo-tags your photos taken from within the app, and it has voice feedback to keep you on schedule with your programmed workouts.  It even has embedded iPod controls so you can listen to your music while running the app.

The app and more info is available through iTunes here.

Working with Children of Abraham, a non-profit based upon Jewish / Christian / Muslim heritage, Hokey Spokes learned that one item NOT being donated were water purification tablets. They contacted the
manufacturer in WIsconsin and ordered 1,000 bottles of 24 tabs. When the pharmacy learned they were going to Haiti, they shipped 50-count bottles, and sent them to Gary, Indiana FedEx overnight. They were
placed last on a container that left January 22nd so they could be first-off when the container arrives.

The spokesperson at the Wisconsin Pharma said they had just received a desperate call from Haiti begging for water purification tablets. “We have nothing to drink here,” the man said. The pharmaceutical company joined with Hokey Spokes to make even a bigger difference with their
donation.

Carole Barnes (pictured), owner of Hokey Spokes, worked at a children’s orphanage in Haiti in 2002.

“We want to thank our customers for enabling us to give back to the community,” Carole said. “When youi see people riding with Hokey Spokes, thank them for their contribution to Haiti.”

We got this “press release” in yesterday, and it’s basically a promotional piece for BetterRide, a series of training camps for mountain bikers.  Normally, we’d pass on publishing something like this in favor of videos of monkeys riding a bike and such, but it’s actually sorta interesting.  Take it for what it’s worth:

PRESS RELEASE: What Does Downieville Classic winner, Singlespeed World Champion and Trek Factory racer Ross Schnell do in the off-season?!  Improve his skills with a clinic from Gene Hamilton of BetterRide.net!

Why did a rider this advanced take a coaching session from Gene Hamilton?  Well, after the session Gene asked Ross, “well was that worth the money and time?” Ross’s answer, “Yes, I learned more today than in the last 10-11 years of just riding” (in a rushed 3.5 hour lesson, BetterRide camps are 19-22 hours over 3 days!).  If this surprises you it shouldn’t, Ross had no formal skills coaching before this lesson.  There are no skilled sports that are mastered by just doing the sport.  In ski racing, tennis, golf, martial arts, etc. the best athletes spend less than 20% of their training time actually doing the sport, the other 80% is spent doing structured drills to master the core, fundamental skills of the sport.

If many of the top mountain bike racers in the US* have learned more in their clinic and/or 3 day camp with BetterRide than in their entire career before the camp, don’t you think you could learn a thing or two?  If you would like to create your best season yet do what these racers and over 1,200 passionate riders have done and invest in your future with skills coaching from BetterRide.

Hit “more” to see U.S. training camp tour locations..

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My Life on the Bike is a web series following Emily Beachy as she goes car-free for a year, traveling all over by bike (and just carrying on normal daily activities).  It’s got interviews with folks in various industries, including our beloved bike biz, plus people that matter in both local and international cycling culture about why things are the way they are.

Check out current full length episodes at www.mylifeonthebike.com.

Performance Bike may not know it yet, but it’s got something every self-respecting tech geek cyclist is going to want now that the iPad is official.

For $15, you can put your laptop or e-tablet on their Book Caddy and catch up on Bikerumor reading, or go old skool and look at printed paper while it still exists.

For a decidedly non-cyclist’s take on this, click here.  Thanks to UglyYeti for the tip!

Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong has just unveiled their new Quarterly magazine at livestrongmagazine.com.

Available primarily as a digital publication, print copies are available for order. Topics will focus on the organization’s cancer fighting efforts and provide inspirational and informative stories for those curious about or dealing with cancer. In their words, the quarterly will provide:

• compelling profiles of advocates, survivors, and supporters in the fight against cancer;
•articles about health, fitness, and wellness;
•resources and information about preventing, treating, and raising awareness about cancer;
•building an engaged community to take meaningful action on cancer issues worldwide.

Free registration is required to view the online magazine.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reports that Zipp Speed Weaponry is investing $12.4 million to build a new manufacturing and customer service center in Indianapolis, IN.  They are expecting the growth to add 105 jobs by 2013, with hiring starting in June and completion of the 70,000 square foot facility by July.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Zipp up to $690,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $110,000 in training grants based on the company’s job-creation plans. The city is kicking in additional property tax abatement to assist the move from their current location in Speedway.

Zipp, which was purchased by SRAM in 2007, will be supplying Astana with wheels for the 2010 season.

Photo submitted by Pierre Jahan. He notes: “Last opportunity to ride above 2000m (7000ft) before the coming of snow. The côte d’azur backcountry is probably one of the most beautiful mtb spot on earth!” Check out his website, sophiaoutdoor.com,  if you read french.

To see more Pics of the Day, click here, and to submit your own photo to be shown to the world, go here.

Volunteer opportunities for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California are now posted online at the official race Web site, www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.  Anyone wishing to volunteer for an opportunity to participate in the fifth-annual cycling race can apply online for positions, including hospitality, volunteer course marshals, security, and media operations, among others.

Considered cycling’s most important and successful road race in the United States, some of America’s most accomplished cyclists, including Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Dave Zabriskie and George Hincapie have already committed to participating in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California.  The fifth edition of the annual race will travel to 16 host cities throughout the state over the course of eight days from May 16-23, including the very first mountaintop finish in race history.  The eight-day race will begin in Nevada City and travel by some of the state’s most scenic landmarks, with the overall finish taking place in Thousand Oaks.

“The support of the volunteers in the local communities that the Amgen Tour of California travels through is essential to the success of the race,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race.  “Getting involved with the race as a volunteer allows local residents to take part in an event that captures the attention of local communities and the world, in addition to witnessing first-hand in the behind-the-scenes planning involved in an event of this stature.”

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Pedalbrain, the iPhone app and hardware kit that lets you upload and download training and ride data in real time, as well as see where your Pedalbrain-equipped teammates or riding buddies are, has just leaked that they are going to offer a version with a built-in battery.

The case will house a battery that will give you up to 6 hours of use with GPS, Data, ANT+ and Bluetooth running.  That means you can sync it with your power meter, heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensors AND use Bluetooth headsets, too.

Not sure what this thing is?  Check our original post and followup post for more info.