I just learned from fellow cyclist Howard Rhyne on Facebook that there is an upcoming mountain bike event.

If you enjoy riding on trails, I recommend you start off your 2009 cycling season with the 2nd Annual January Mountain Bike Marathon. This mountain bike training ride will be a cross-country mountain bike ride of approximately 42 miles. Riders will do one 6-mile lap, and then everyone will head out for a 30-mile loop on paved and dirt roads, and return for a final 6-mile circuit on the trail.

The January Mountain Bike Marathon is scheduled for Jan. 25 at North Carolina's original trail destination, Governor's Creek in Sanford.

This training event will be on trails and roads, and everyone has the opportunity to receive a prize after the ride by random drawing. Riders will be scored and assigned a placing, and all classes will start at the same time and be scored in separate categories. There will also be a field limit of 125 riders.

For the majority of the training ride there will be no vehicles on the course. However, on the middle portion of the route the riders will be on lightly traveled, paved and dirt roads that are open to vehicle traffic. It is important to follow traffic laws because there will be no traffic control to warn the riders of upcoming vehicles. Participants must obey all state traffic regulations.

The race promoter recommends that the riders dress for the weather and pace and feed themselves for the longer distance.

The first place finishing time will be estimated around 2 1/2 hours. However, many riders could take up to 4 hours or more to complete the assigned route.

The ride begins at noon and the mountain bike mass start will be scored in the following categories: Open Men (19-34); Open Women (19-34); Master Men 35-49; Master Men 50+; Junior Men (14-18); Master Women 35+; Junior Women (14-18); Open Single Speed; and Clydesdale 200+ lbs. re-registration is $20 (online registration closes Jan 19), and late registration is $25 (if postmarked after Jan 19, 2007).

Charlie Storm of STORM ENDURANCE SPORTS is hosting this event.

You can register online and gain further information at www.stormendurance.com.

Combs is a coach, cyclist and triathlete and expert in bicycling fitting/rider positioning. He takes a holistic approach to bike fitting to assess and correct repetitive strain injuries, pelvic asymmetry and muscle imbalances. He is also the Director of the Sport Management Program at Methodist University in Fayetteville.

For more information browse www.velosmart.com or e-mail him at gcombs@methodist.edu.r