© Beth Puliti

Need some motivation to come out from hibernation and hit the trails? How about this: It's National Wildlife Week!

Take advantage of the National Wildlife Federation's Be Out There™ campaign and connect with nature this week. I know I plan to!

The trails are sopping wet by my house, so I'll be spinning on skinny tires instead. But that's OK. The weather is warm. Spring is around the corner. I'll be in my element in the woods in no time.

I challenge you to go for a bike ride before the week is over to celebrate National Wildlife Week with me!

Shouldn't be too hard.

© PresleyJesus via Flickr

Looking for something to do this weekend? The largest consumer bicycle show in the United States is going on in Seattle. Visit the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 today and tomorrow to see more than 300 exhibits of bikes, gear, travel, health and fitness.

Don't miss out on these speakers, presenters and performers:

Erik Moen, PT: A well-known authority on bicycle biomechanics and injury intervention, Erik Moen specializes in bike fit at his orthopedic and sports physical therapy clinic, Corpore Sano. Moen joined the coaching and support staff of the U.S.A. Cycling team at the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics as well as the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics. I recommend you sit in on his presentation at this weekend's expo. I've interviewed him before for a cover story on cycling and bike fit. Dude knows what he's talking about.

Professional Mountain Biker Ryan Leech: His 14-year-long career as a professional mountain biker has taken Ryan Leech around the world. He's traveled with the Vans Warped Tour, the Jeep World Outside Festival, Cirque du Soleil, Whistler's Crankworx, and now he'll be making an appearance at the Seattle Bicycle Expo.

World Cup Mountain Bike Racer Craig Undem: His love affair with the bicycle may have started with a collegiate cycling race in 1983, but it hasn't ended just yet. Undem has raced in the World Championships of Cyclocross, won a World Cup metal in Mountain Bike Racing and placed second in the U.S. Elite Criterium Championships.

World Champion Artistic Cyclists from Germany: Though new to the U.S., artistic cycling has been popular in Europe for a while. Search for it on YouTube and you'll see why. Corrina Hein, Stefan Musu and Lukas Matla will be holding special performances at the expo each day. Trust me; you don't want to miss this, so reserve a spot!

See these and more this weekend at the Seattle Bicycle Expo, presented by Raleigh. Tickets are $10 for a single-day pass, $12 for a two-day pass. Kids 15 and under can attend free. Cascade Bicycle Club members receive a $2 discount when showing their membership card.

© Beth Puliti

What's so great about West Virginia (besides its abundance of coal mines)? It's the birthplace of 24-hour mountain bike racing! Which is why the 24 Hours of Big Bear has always seemed so special to me. I've raced in the event the past couple years and was saddened to find out that Granny Gear Productions won't be putting it on this year. In fact, The 24 Hours of Moab will be the only Granny Gear event in 2010.

It just so happens that as I was writing this post, I received an e-mail from Laird Knight, race director and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Member, that was sent to Granny Gear racers, fans, industry titans and media. Knight writes:

"This has been a tough decision. I know how disappointed folks are going to be...But last year we were robbing Peter to pay Paul all year long and at the end of the year I had to borrow money to pay remaining Moab expenses. I simply can't afford to do that again."

He notes that this year's 24 Hours of Moab will be one of the best events ever produced. Translation: Always wanted to race in Moab? This is the year to do it!

He also spilled the beans on his interest in selling Granny Gear. Interested? Only capable people that have the proven talents and finances to make the transfer successful need apply.  

© Jason Hall

Bet you didn't know the National Bike Summit was going on right now. Or did you? Perhaps I'm the only one who was clued into this late in the game. Regardless, the summit is celebrating it's 10th anniversary this week and is looking to garner as many bicyclists and advocates on Capitol Hill as possible.

Will you be in or around the Washington, D.C. area over the next couple days? Register on-site (since online registration is closed) and help Congress realize that the answer to energy dependence, health care and climate change is the bicycle.

"In 2010, Congress and our federal agencies will be setting national targets and goals for 2020. They will be writing transportation, climate, health care, natural resources and other critical pieces of legislation that will shape our future. Bicycling must be prominently featured in these important pieces of legislation..." notes the League of American Bicyclists.

Among the many sessions offered today, these two grabbed my attention right away: "Cycle Tracks to Pump Tracks - The Transportation-Recreation Connection" and "Entrepreneurial IMBA-Growing Mountain Bike Participation." A Capitol Hill rally and continental breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Speak up for cycling and let your voice be heard!