News Briefs: Rock Star Donation, Looking Cool, Trail Access, Freeride Grants, Mongoose Malfunction and the Top of the World

Who Says Rock Stars and Pro Cycling Don't Go Together?
While I'll spare you the People magazine "Oh my God, did you hear about who did what last week"-style gossip, it is interesting that $56,000 of Sheryl Crow's hard-earned dollars went to the Lance Armstrong Foundation recently. The rock star had the winning bid for a ride in the U.S. Postal Service team car during one this year's Tour de France stages. While she probably could've gotten a free ride, the bid goes straight to L.A.F.'s cancer-fighting charity.

Look Cool, Get Energy and Quench Your Thirst
Hansen Beverage Company, known for all-natural drinks, has partnered up with the trendy surf company, Lost International, Inc., to form Lost Energy. The new drink is aimed squarely at the 15-to 25-year-old hipster demographic. Hansen's Monster Energy is currently one of the fastest growing drinks in the $1-billion U.S. energy beverage market and they expect Lost Energy to follow suit. Hopefully riders will soon have an opportunity to buy a beverage that shows how cool we are, or aren't.

Haro and Ellsworth Spend Big for Calavera Trails
To prevent building on Southern California's Mt. Calavera trails, Haro and Ellsworth both donated $5,000 recently to The Preserve Calavera Group, which is trying to raise enough money to buy the land and save it from development. The area's well-groomed and rugged singletrack skirts a unique 513-foot volcanic plug that solidified 22 million years ago. For more information on how to help save these popular trails, go to www.preservecalavera.org.

Kona And IMBA Kick Down Cash in Freeride Grants
With the help of Kona, five IMBA clubs were each awarded $500 cash grants to aid the creation of freeriding, dirt jumping and downhilling areas. More than 30 clubs applied, but the grant went to these five: Friends of Breckenridge, Colorado; Gorge Freeride Association, Oregon; Ocala Mountain Bike Association, Florida; South Island Mountain Bike Society, British Columbia; and Peoria Area Mountain Bikers, Illinois.

You Get What You Pay For
Mongoose is recalling 14,000 D-XR AL full-suspension bikes. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the frame flexes severely and breaks near the rear shock. Two of the $99 mountain bikes have reportedly already broken, and gave riders abrasions and bruises. Pacific Cycles, Mongoose's parent company, urges owners of the D-XR bikes to stop riding them until the rear shock is replaced. To take advantage of this warranty, call Pacific at 877-564-2261.

How High?
The Australian tour company, DCXP Mountain Journeys, wants to take you to the top of the world this summer--on your bike. On the 25-day trip, starting this July, you'll cover lots of miles and tons of climbing on the way up to Mt. Everest's north basecamp at 17,060 feet. The $3,350 (USD) price covers almost everything aside from airfare, visas and alcohol. Check out all the facts and awe-inspiring photos at www.dcxp.com.