The 2008 Show Low Bluff Tour of the White Mountains presented by Cellular One is in its 13th year, but in some ways it's a brand new event.

The endurance mountain biking event, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, still will be on trails in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest located near Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ, but some of those trails are new. More recent additions to the forests' trail system including Timber Mesa, Panorama, Ice Caves and Ice Caves connector trails will be added this year, with the previously more enjoyable sections of the route including Los Burros, Country Club and Blue Ridge trails remaining part of the course.

"The Apache Sitgreaves National Forest and TRACKS, the local trail construction and advocacy club, have worked hard to rehab the Ice Caves trail and build the new Ice Caves-Timber Mesa connector trail, called the Osprey Trail. With completion of the Osprey Trail, people will be able to get on the White Mountain Trail System at the Timber Mesa trail head and hike, mountain bike, or ride horses all the way to the Los Burros Trail." said Nick Lund, president of TRACKS. These trails exemplify the best of Northern Arizona riding, with climbs, fun and challenging, groovy singletrack, and of course spectacular mountain scenery.

Also new is the venue, which will be on Show Low Bluffs property.

"The site offers amazing camping, and it's close to town," said Sadow. "People who want to stay at the Hampton Inn (the event's official hotel) will have a short drive to the start line the morning of the event.

"With all the activities going on, though, we'll be surprised if they want to leave the venue once they arrive Friday afternoon to check-in," Sadow added. "The venue and its nearby access to nearly 100 miles of singletrack in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is a great taste of living in the Show Low Bluff community."

Those activities include another first for the event, the inaugural "White Mountains Jam Session" on Saturday evening. Xtra Ticket, Arizona's longest standing Grateful Dead cover band, and Kindread a Reggae band from Glendale, AZ will be featured. In addition to music, the White Mountains Jam Session will have hand-crafted beers on tap, and food provided by local BBQ expert, Grumpy Jake's.

"It's going to be a mountain biking hoedown not to be missed," said Sadow.

To support the International Mountain Bicycling Association's "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" (also Oct. 4) Epic Rides is offering all youths 18 and under a 50 percent discount on entry fees for the 8- and 15-mile rides.

Epic Rides is pleased to have sponsors that are committed to the local community and to the healthy outdoor lifestyle that is a part of mountain biking.

"Show Low Bluff and Epic Rides share a very valued customer, the outdoor enthusiast," he said. "We both appeal to the adventurer seeking to submerge themselves in nature. Our presenting sponsor, Cellular One, is a strong supporter of many local organizations and activities which better the community. Epic Rides is glad they utilize the Tour as a vehicle to show community support."

For more information about the event go online to www.epicrides.com/towm/towm.htm.

About Epic Rides, Inc:
Epic Rides has become world famous for producing events that celebrate the many positive aspects of mountain bicycling. Events such as the Kona Bikes 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, Show Low Bluff Tour of the White Mountains and the Whiskey Off-Road are popular with participants because they offer challenging, fun riding and emphasize the joy inherent in the sport. http://www.epicrides.com

About Show Low Bluff Development:
Show Low Bluff covers over 1,500 acres of land and is zoned for more than 3,500 residences. Within those acres will be a mixed-use community with more than 100 acres of commercial activities centered around a pedestrian-friendly area referred to as "The Hub." It will be the first traditional downtown venue in the White Mountains, projected to include the area's first outdoor theater and boutique hotel.

Show Low Bluff is focused on fun, which is why plans include a recreational area with a lake for sailing and canoeing, a stream for kayaking, a real swimming hole (not a pool), rock-climbing areas, trails for hiking, running and mountain biking, and riparian areas. Show Low Bluff is adjacent to the Sitgreaves National Forest and is projected to link its trail system with the extensive existing trail system in the White Mountains.

About Cellular One:
Cellular One, which houses a call center and support function in Show Low, is a network of wireless providers in 35 states "committed to bringing you communication services that keep you connected to the people important in your life. Delivering those connections to you in an honest and straight-forward way, living and working in your communities, and building a relationship with you is what we do."

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