WE'VE MOVED!!

The XXC Magazine Blog is now the XXC News page located at XXCMAG.COM! The Blogger site will no longer be updated. So if you have us linked (and I hope you do!) Please re-link to XXCMAG.COM.

Thanks!

Jason at XXC Mag

Digital Moves To MagCloud.com

Some good news to share (at least for me) concerning the ease of getting digital downloads and print issues of XXC Magazine to readers. Both digital AND print issues will be available direct from MagCloud.com. Buy a print issue, get the digital for FREE, or just buy the digital for the same low price of $2.25 (about the same price of a tall at Starbucks I think, but I'm not sure on that).

There are some view setting I would like to share with you, since the digital version coming from MagCloud.com will be set as individual pages, and many of the the photos and stories in XXC Mag are best viewed as double page spreads. It's super easy...

I recommend using Adobe Acrobat and use the following View settings: Go to View, Page Display, 2 Up, Show Cover Page During 2 Ups. This will allow for proper display of 2 page spreads and to maximize pleasure. If using Mac Preview go to View, PDF Display, 2 Page Continuous. Having said all that, view as you wish it's your mag, I'm just glad you're reading it!

In the near future all print and digital copies (XXC #5 onward, 1- 4 will remain at XXCMAG.COM) will be sold through MagCloud.com. The easier things are for me on the business and customer service end, the more I can pursue content and work on the mag. There will be some slight price differences on an archived issues due to some fees on my part, but only .25¢ in most cases. New issues will continue to be $2.25.

I'm also not certain, but new issues may also be sold via XXCMAG.COM for the first month of their release, especially in the event of a reader contest. MagCloud boasts in their press release that the mags can be viewed now via PC, Mac, WebOS, iOS, Android, or any device that supports PDF." I only know about 1% of what all that means (my age is showing, isn't it?).


iPad- At this time there is no dedicated iPad version of XXC Magazine. I apologize. I have heard from some folks that there are ways to view XXC on the iPad, but I do not have first hand info on this. The only first hand info I have is that some folks downloaded some issues of XXC that were Zipped and it did not work. But I also hear from other folks that they got the PDF loaded. Digital issues on MagClould will not come compressed and should pose not issue.

More info on digital viewing is available HERE.

Print- Print issues of XXC #5 through #10 are still and will continue to be available via MagCloud.com. Prices vary based on issues length (there is a per page charge), and whether I was able to finagle a production discount or not. Believe me, I know the prices are a nuts on some of the issues of the print mag, but please keep in mind that my original goal (and I think my current goal) is to have XXC as an eMag to keep production costs down. Having an "on demand print option is/was just a bonus. I do love the mag in print though and will continue to offer it.

To be brutally honest with you (and myself for that matter) based on sales (digital and print) over the past year, there are still not enough folks reading the mag to warrant further investment in print production. Most mainstream mags keep the costs low due to the overwhelming amount of ads in their magazines. XXC has a handful of core advertisers and the revenue generated is just not enough to back printing 1,500+ magazines and praying I sell them in order to break even.

Back to digital- In the future I would like to continue to pursue the digital format more. We have an amazing sport, I want to be able to showcase it with amazing photos, first hand race and epic ride accounts, video, audio interviews, and more. This is more than I know how to do, but hell the mag is only 2 years old! There's plenty of time for world domination (and maybe more in print too).

Caps & Kits- 2011 XXC Mag caps and kits have come and gone. I plan to place a new cap order, but there will be no further jerseys or kits ordered in 2011. Thanks for the support on this one. I was stoked with the way the caps came out, and sold out of the extra 20 I ordered in less than 48 hours. Even my seven year old son stole one from me! (He's been in "time out" since. I kid of course).

Tees- I might have some more tees in the near future, but need to get some other things taken care of. Like getting that new frame of mine built up. Again, I kid.... Should have some more in the coming weeks.

As always, thank for the support and keeping XXC Magazine going. Issue #10 is out and about, and Issue #11 is in the planning stages. Got a story? Some killer pics? A two wheeled adventure to share? Shoot me an e mail and let's discuss. Might get you a couple bucks, or some XXC and/or advertiser shwag.

Jason Mahokey
XXC Magazine

Integrated Performance Medicine, Part 2

If your endurance racer or athlete, or just someone interested in nerdy fitness type things, check out Integrated Performance Medicine, Part 2 tomorrow. There was a Part I, but I dropped the ball on getting the word out in time, and am now banned in many, but not all, parts of the Colorado endurance community. I'm kidding of course, I just didn't have that much info to put out, but now I do, so here it is, and it comes courtesy of XXC contributor Ben Welnak. If you live in the Golden, Colorado area you can check it your in person, or you can watch it in streaming video on a bunch of websites. See below for more info. - Jason Mahokey, XXC Magazine.

What is Integrated Performance Medicine?

This meet up will be the second part to a comprehensive discussion on peak performance through peak health led by Nathan Daley, M.D. It will cover the science of exercise/training approaches, hormones, air quality, altitude, water quality, hydration, sleep, and psycho-social components of peak performance and health.

At part one of the series, Nathan explained

“Some new thinking in the world of performance enhancement and/or disease prevention. That is, the processes which lead to degenerative diseases are the same processes which impair endurance performance and, to maximize performance, we must enable the body to minimize and/or control and balance these processes. Thus, we can increase performance capacity by preventing and/or reversing disease, or we can prevent disease by increasing performance capacity.”

There was great audience participation that lead to a lot of discussion regarding training and nutrition.

When and Where?

The meeting will start at 6pm mountain time on Wednesday, January 19th in the Baker classroom, upstairs at the American Mountaineering Museum in Golden, Colorado.

American Mountaineering Center

710 10th Street

Golden, CO 80401

Streaming Live Video.

Can’t make it? Live streaming video will be available for those who cannot make it in person, though the slide content is not visible online and so the talk is mostly limited to audio. The PowerPoint will be available by email (DrDaley@leonardiinstitute.com) upon request. An archived version of the video will also be available.

Starting at about 5:45pm ( U.S. mountain time),

we’ll be streaming live on the following websites:

http://www.epicendurancecycling.com/?page_id=320

http://www.303cycling.com

http://www.benwelnak.com

http://www.themakerofshoes.com

http://www.thebikehubcyclingteam.com

Live on Social Media!

If you can’t be there, but still want to ask questions, you can go to:

Facebook: Ben Welnak (feel free to friend me, I don’t bite)

Twitter: @Bwelnak

Who is Nathan Daley, M.D.?

Nathan Daley, M.D., M.P.H., is residency trained in preventive medicine, integrative medicine, diagnostic radiology, and environmental health. In a pursuit to understand the true entity of health, Dr. Daley has acquired an impressive background in emerging areas of medicine. After receiving an undergraduate degree in Microbiology and his M.D. from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Daley underwent a clinical internship and diagnostic radiology training at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Frustrated by the overemphasis on end-stage disease and lack of health-oriented pursuits in modern medicine, Dr. Daley began investigating the origins of health from an ecological perspective involving gene-environment relationships and an individuals way of interacting with the environment. Nathan is an avid runner and cyclist and brings his experience on the trail together with his knowledge in the medical field.

The IditaTour: Part Two

Walk, run, skip, ride, click, surf, whatever you need to do to get over to Mike C's Big Wheel Building and see IditaTour: Part Two. Just amazing stuff.

2011 Dirty Kanza Registration Opening Soon!

2011 Dirty Kanza 200 registration opens Saturday 1.15 at 6 AM ET. Last year the 150 slots filled up in less than 14 hours. So this year's field limit is increased to 350 racers! But given the growing popularity of this infamous gravel event, it could very well sell out. So if you want your chance to suffer Kanza style, you better not sleep in!

If you want to know more about the DK200 check out the DK 200 web site. While you're there check out the photo gallery which contains a bunch of sweet photos from Adventure Monkey Eric Benjamin. You may remember Eric from his most excellent pics and story in XXC Magazine's 2010 DK200 Special Edition which can be seen below via Issuu.com.

Open publication - Free publishing - More xxc magazine

CLICK TO VIEW IN FULL SCREEN

If you want you very own copy of the eMag you can DL it at xxcmag.com for just 99¢ or if you have an iPad you can head to MagCloud.com and download it for FREE (with their MagCloud App). Or you pick it up in print for just $5.20.

What will this year's race have in store for racers? More heat and wind? Thunderstorms? Or Wizard of Oz-esqu tornadoes? XXC Magazine will have a rider or two at this year's event to capture the pain and suffering that is sure to go down in the Kansas Flint Hills this June. So stay tuned or that coverage from us later in 2011!

Jason Mahokey
xxcmag.com

Whiskey Off Road '11 Single Speed Madness

From the find folks at Epicrides.com....


(Tucson, Ariz.) Jan. 11, 2011. . . . Participants in the single speed category at the Whiskey Off Road could win a free trip to the 2011 Single Speed World Championships Aug. 27 in Ballyhoura, Ireland.

Epic Rides, in partnership with the Single Speed World Championships, will award the first place male and female finishers in the 50 Proof single speed categories round-trip airfare to attend the World Championships. This award, along with the $20,000 cash purse for pro riders – with male and female riders receiving equal payout – is one reason the Whiskey Off Road appeals to top level endurance mountain bikers.

“Those familiar with the unique subculture of single speeding know the nomadic Single Speed World Championships is an annual event not to be missed,” said Todd Sadow, Epic Rides president. “We are proud to take part in sending some of America’s most talented single speeders to such a fine celebration among the world’s cycling community.”

The 2011 Whiskey Off Road endurance mountain bike event, located in Prescott, AZ, will take place Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. The challenging course, festival atmosphere and superb organization of the Whiskey attract a large number of riders, supporters and spectators.

Amateur registration opened Jan. 3 and is limited to the first 1,400 registrants. With three days of event related bike racing, fun rides, a well attended industry expo and live music based in the “Event Hub” of Prescott’s commerce district, Epic Rides expects the amateur category to sell out in record time.

Online and snail-mail registration forms can be found at epicrides.com.

Amateur athletes will enjoy their choice of graduated distance options including a 15 Proof, 25 Proof or 50 Proof course (1 proof = 1 mile). All events will start and finish in the center of downtown Prescott on Whiskey Row.

All participants who toe the start line during the three days of riding in the Prescott National Forest will have the opportunity to earn a custom finisher pint glass just for completing the distance they registered to ride within the allotted time – not an easy task. Those who complete their course fast enough to finish in the top five will receive a custom Whiskey Off Road flask. For the junior categories, podium finishers will receive custom Whiskey Off Road stainless steel water bottles. All categories will receive product from industry sponsors in addition to the customized awards.

All participants who register for the Whiskey Off Road on or before March 26 will receive an event goodie bag valued at a minimum of $75, including T-shirt, water bottle, poster and publication plus assorted samples from event sponsors. The registration fee is $85 plus a $10 minimum donation to the Yavapai County Food Bank.

The IditaTour: Part One

I encourage you to go to lacemine29.blogspot.com (Mike Curiak) to watch part one in a three part video/photo series that highlights his 2009 of his Iditarod experience last winter- The Iditarod Trail from Knik to Nome without outside support. I would have posted it up here, but it seems proper that folks head to his site. Really a good watch.

Jason Mahokey
xxcmag.com

Approaching Deadline

Just a reminder that the deadline for ordering XXC Magazine jersey's, and bibs is this coming Monday, January 10th. It is also the deadline for pre ordering caps. There will be a few extra caps around early spring, but not at the pre-order prices.

Dave Sidery sent in this pic of the XXC kit in action on New Years Eve
above Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand. Thanks Dave!

Thanks to all the folks that have pre ordered. The support is appreciated and I sure I hope you will enjoy the jerseys and bibs, taking them on new adventures and logging many miles. To be blunt I know it is a pain in the ass to fork over cash for something that you won't get until March. But I thank you for spreading the XXC love. Someday when XXC is a big glossy with loads of advertisers I will make sure the kits won't have to be sold like this! LOL.

TO PRE ORDER CLICK HERE.

Lastly, I'm about out of the last batch of "Fun Hurts" T shirts. Just some smalls and a couple larges remain. Not sure if I will get another run done or not. If I do, any color preferences from those of you who might want one?

Thanks,

Jason Mahokey
XXC Magazine

Dirt Road Washtenaw

This morning as I lazily perused the message boards of the MMBA (Michigan Mountain Bike Association) I stumbled upon the mention of a book called Dirt Road Washtenaw by Rob Pulcipher. The book covers over 700 miles of dirt roads across the Washtenaw County, Michigan area. I ordered up the book and am anxious to check it out more in depth.

While I love riding and racing single track more than anything, I must admit since moving to Michigan I have fallen in love with riding the dirt and farm roads that are just a couple miles from XXC World HQ in Mount Pleasant on my cross and mountain bikes. It will be fun to see some other routes from south east Michigan. Plus it looks like they have a few more hill than I have up here in Isabella County, and that might be worth the trip alone!


I know that 95% of you are not from Michigan, so the book would sort of do you no good, but I still wanted to share the work of someone who seems to be as in to riding the dirt roads via bicycle as much as many of us are. There are also some great links on his site to some reviews of the book and to a brief interview with Rob Pulcipher on Michigan NPR about the book.

I hope to have the book in a few days, give it a look, and then I will drop some opinions on you about it. In the future, maybe I can even link my way via dirt roads the whole way down the state? LOL!

For more information check out dirtroadwashtenaw.com.

Jason Mahokey
xxcmag.com

Pre Holiday Random Info And Thanks

I was going to Tweet some info, then I was going to FaceBook some info, but in the end decided to go old school and Blog the info.

The info is no real big deal, but here it is is random order with no value on importance or lack there of....

1. I hope that everyone who ordered some merch in the past few days gets their goodies in time to put under the Festivus Tree. Your support is greatly appreciated.

2. Reminder- to those folks who want to sport some XXC-tastic kitz this season, the deadline to pre order a jersey, shorts, or cap (or all of those, if you wish) is January 10th 2011. The order will be placed that day with kits arriving and shipping from XXCHQ in very early March. There will be a few extra caps laying around this spring, but will not be available at the special pre order price.

3. XXC Magazine HQ will be closed from December 23 to December 28. Mags, and kits can still be ordered, but any t shirt or sticker orders will not be shipped until after the 28th.

4. Don't forget to consult the XXCMAG.COM Events page to plan you season. There are a ton of dates up, with more coming! If you have a confirmed date for and endurance race, shoot me an e mail and I will get it up on the site ASAP.

5. XXC Magazine #10 will be coming in late January. A few months ago, I wasn't sure a 3rd season of XXC and a 10th issue would happen, but damn it, it is!! In 2011 the goal is to get the print mag into some bike shops and into more hands in the coming year. Also look for more issues of XXC to be available for iPad, as well as our standard PDF eMag.

6. I want to give a SUPER FREAKING BIG thanks to all the folks that supported XXC with a purchase of the mag, down load, or merch purchase. I would also like to give a big thanks to XXC's advertisers. Advertising is not first and foremost on the priority list at XXC, but the folks we do have are some fine people who took a chance on XXC. Their belief in the vision of XXC means way more to me than their dollars do. Thanks!

7. Contributors! THANK YOU!! Without the contributors XXC can NOT happen. I thank you for your willingness and want to share your talents with XXC Magazine. In 2011 I will try as much as possible to make it worth your while. No there won't be big fat pay checks yet, but I will do my best to get you schwag, recognition, and when possible a few bucks for your time, work and talents.

8. That's it. Thanks for a great year, have a great holiday and good luck in 2011.

See you at the races!

Jason Mahokey
XXC Magazine