Alison Dunlap helps enable cyclists of all skill levels image courtesy of Alison Dunlap

BOSTON - (July 11, 2007) Olympian and World Champion, Alison Dunlap, returns to New England this weekend to literally set up camp at Pedro's Mountain Bike Festival in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Dunlap and the Boston LUNA Chix Cycling Team will arrive at the Festival on Friday to pitch tents, light the grill and settle in for a weekend of single-track riding with several thousand of their closest mountain biking friends. The Berkshires' reputation for "go-to" mountain biking will get a leg up on Saturday and Sunday when Dunlap hosts clinics for Festival participants to sharpen their skills, learn new ones, or just come away with the right to brag about riding with an Olympian and world mountain bike champion.

"Since retiring in 2005 I have really enjoyed the opportunity to share with other riders some of the skills and knowledge I have gained over the past eighteen years of racing," said Dunlap. "I think so many of us learned to ride a mountain bike by trying to keep up with someone. We never learned the basic fundamentals of why we do what we do on a bike. That's what I teach in my clinics. Even the most advanced riders are amazed at some of the core concepts they have never heard of before. It's a great atmosphere and a lot fun for riders of all abilities."

Saturday's Women's MTB Clinic gets underway at 1:30 pm and requires no registration however based on past Dunlap-hosted events, these things tend to fill up fast so arriving early would be a good idea. The clinic will be followed by a Women's Intermediate Ride at 3 pm, where skills will get tested on the twisted, rugged (fun!) trails that surround the Festival.

"Alison teaches in such a way that helps newer riders build their confidence almost instantly," said Roz Puleo, captain of the Boston LUNA Chix team. "Yet experienced riders will also come away with skills they didn't know they needed to learn. No matter what one's skill level is, Alison's experience and expert advice help participants find the skills and confidence to become better mountain bikers."

Later on after Saturday's ride, participants who are feeling a little peckish are invited to drop by the LUNA tent to sample new products. Starting at 5 pm on Saturday, cyclists who want a piece of Dunlap should drop by the LUNA tent where Dunlap will autograph most any medium that gets sent her way (tire sidewall, helmet, frame etc.) but paper works well too!

Get "girled" by Alison Dunlap!
Sunday's clinic and ride are co-ed where the guys get a chance to absorb some of the talent, experience, and advice that Dunlap has built up in her storied career as a professional cyclist. Sunday's Co-ed MTB clinic starts at 10 am and is immediately followed by a Co-ed MTB ride at noon. Again, based on past Dunlap-hosted events, these things tend to fill up fast so arriving early would be a good idea!

For quick reference:

About LUNA and the Breast Cancer Fund
Support for the Breast Cancer Fund has been at the core of the LUNA brand since its launch in 1999. The two partner together on a variety of national initiatives including: LUNAFEST, a traveling women's short film festival, and Team LUNA Chix, a network of women's community based sports teams. Both programs raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Fund through local events.

It's a potent combination: LUNA is the best selling women's energy bar and Breast Cancer Fund's top corporate supporter. LUNA's commitment to women's issues, nutrition and environmental sustainability made them a perfect fit with the Breast Cancer Fund's precautionary, prevention-focused, and sustainable approach to protecting human health from toxic chemicals and dangerous, environmental exposures. Breast Cancer Fund's mission is to identify and eliminate the environmental - and preventable - causes of the disease. To date, LUNA has given over $1.5 Million in support of Breast Cancer Fund, 20% of which has come from LUNA's community based activism and fundraising efforts.

About Boston's Team LUNA Chix Cycling Team
Team LUNA Chix is a group of women nationwide who serve as ambassadors for the sports of cycling, running and triathlon. Boston's Cycling team is a group of seven athletes dedicated to welcoming women of all abilities into the cycling community. The team conducts clinics and events for local women cyclists while also raising awareness for the Breast Cancer Fund. For more information, or to get involved, contact team captain Roz Puleo at bostoncycle@teamLUNAchix.com

About Pedro's Festival
The 13th annual Pedro's Festival will be held July 13th-15th in Hancock, MA. Set in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains, this non-competitive cycling event offers three days of camping and outdoor activities for cyclists of all ages, skill levels and styles. The Festival also features live music, outdoor movies, kid's activities, food, bike expo and family fun. For more information visit www.pedrosfest.com.

An online version of this release can be viewed here: www.bostonlunachixcycling.com/News/07_PR2.html

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Booher Media Group