AdventureCORPS Community

Organizations

	1% For The Planet A growing global movement of 899 companies (and counting) that donate 1% of their sales to a network of 1,582 environmental organizations (and counting) worldwide. We became a member on July 1, 2008. As such, we are now donating at least 1% of total revenues (in other words, "off the top," not just 1% of profit, which would be next to nothing!) to environmental causes. This is in addition to all the work we do on behalf of, and donations we make to, our Official Charities: Challenged Athletes Foundation and Major Taylor Association. We are pleased and proud to be in such good company! Info
	Adventure Cycling Association Founded in 1973 to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle for fun, fitness, and self-discovery. Publishers of Adventure Cycling Magazine. We've been a club member since 2002 and Gold Level Sponsor since 2010. Info
	American Trail Running Association Established to represent and promote trail and mountain running. Club and race member since 2002. Info
	California Deserts Visitors Association CDVA is a professional organization comprised of tourism and hospitality organizations dedicated to creating marketing efforts that accomplish collectively what none can do alone—promote the entire Deserts Region as a destination and maximize tourism revenue. We joined in February, 2010. Info
	California State Parks Foundation CSPF was founded in 1969 by William Penn Mott, Jr., former director of both California's Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Park Service. With over 100,000 members, CSPF is the only statewide independent nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's magnificent state parks. We joined at the "Parks Explorer" level in August, 2009. Info.
	California Triple Crown The CTC does a wonderful job of promoting and supporting double century riding in California. We have been producing member events since 2001. Info
	The Caring House Project Foundation The primary objective of the CHPF is to provide housing, food, water, medical support and opportunity for the desperately homeless around the world, particularly in the Caribbean, South America, Indonesia and here in the United States of America. Founded in 1998 by Badwater Ultramarathon veteran Frank McKinney and his wife Nilsa. Click here to learn more about the project and its mission.
	Challenged Athletes Foundation One of the Official Charities of AdventureCORPS. See the "Charity" page. Click here to donate today.
	Conservation Alliance The Conservation Alliance is an organization of outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas throughout North America. Corporate member since September, 2008. Info
	Death Valley Chamber of Commerce Today over a million visitors a year enjoy the trip to Death Valley. The allure, the mystique, and the sheer scope of the nation’s largest National Park in the lower 48 states has made it a must-see destination for both American and International visitors. We have been members since 2009. Info
	Death Valley Natural History Assocation In association with our membership in 1% For The Planet, we are very pleased to have joined the Death Valley Natural History Association as Life Members and are recognizing DVNHA as an Official Charity of AdventureCORPS as of January 23, 2009. DVNHA is a non-profit organization supporting education, research, and preservation in Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Info
	Divers Alert Network An incredible medical and scientific resource and safety net for scuba divers worldwide. Member since 1991. Info
	Explorers Club A worldwide organization of which Chris has been a "Fellow National" since 1998. Founded in New York City in 1904, the Explorers Club is committed to the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Info
	Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation We are pleased to have organized events on behalf of this fine organization fron 2001 through 2007. Info
	League of American Bicyclists Founded in 1880 to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. Club member since 2002. Info
	Major Taylor Association We proudly support the MTA and recognize them as an Official Charity of AdventureCORPS. See the "Charity" page.
	Mercy Corps In response to the horrific situation in Haiti, AdventureCORPS organized a cycling event called "80 For Haiti" on February 13, 2010. It was an 80-mile ride, on Old Hwy 80 in southeastern San Diego County, with an $80 entry fee. 100% of the entry fees went directly to Mercy Corps, one of the most respected relief organizations worldwide. The "80 for Haiti" start / finish was in Pine Valley, CA and the route was spectacular, on absolutely quiet roads through rolling terrain. AdventureCORPS absorbed all costs so that 100% of the entry fees could go to Mercy Corps. Altogether, over $28,000 was raised! See our "Charity" page and the event page for more .
	Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce The City of Mt. Shasta, nestled at the foot of imposing 14,162-foot Mount Shasta, is surrounded by natural beauty and offers many year-round outdoor activities. The mountain is the second highest volcano in the United States and has been a prominent landmark along the historic Siskiyou Trail—the track of an ancient trade and travel route of Native American footpaths between California’s Central Valley and the Pacific Northwest. The Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce is happy to offer information and guidance to visitors year-round. We have been members since 2009. Info
	Randonneurs USA The US governing body for self-suported, long-distance cycling in the French tradition and publishers of American Randonneur. Member since they began in 1998 and SoCal brevet administrator in 2001-2003. Info
	Rough Stuff Fellowship A UK group founded in 1955, long before "mountain bikes," and dedicated to cyclists who wanted "to get away from roads and cycle on tracks and byways," i.e. off-road—our kind of people! Member since 2005. Info
	Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce Twentynine Palms is the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, and host to the finish line of our Furnace Creek 508. Although we have been bringing visitors to 29 Palms since 1990, we just - finally - joined the Chamber of Commerce in 2011. We look forward to getting more involved with the community and bringing even more people to this wonderful region. Info

Products

Hammer Nutrition

We highly recommend the fueling, hydration, and supplement products from Hammer Nutrition - as well as their endurance sports knowledge available through their website and magazine, Endurance News. (All of the recent Endurance News magazines, with articles by Chris Kostman in each issue, are available for download here.)

For any endurance event or workout, prepare yourself a "four hour bottle"* of Perpetuem and HEED each day, bring along a flask of Hammer Gel and a container of Endurolytes and Anti-Fatigue Caps, and all you'll need is more water as your day unfolds out there. It's a simple but extremely effective way to sustain yourself for long hours or days in the saddle.

*Our "four hour bottle" includes four scoops of Perpetuem and four scoops of HEED. This provides 920 extremely tasty calories, including 24 grams of protein, eight grams of fat, a nice selection of electrolytes and more, not to mention lots of great, long-lasting carbo energy. We drink this mix slowly (hence the name, "four hour bottle") and drink plain water at the same time (about one bottle an hour).

ZombieRunner.com (not just for runners!)

Our friends at ZombieRunner, Don and Gillian, are both veteran finishers of the Badwater Ultramarathon and have been sponsors of that event for several years now. They run an absolutely AMAZING online store. Shop ZombieRunner.com and you will find the best stuff for ultra runners, marathoners, trail runners, adventure racers, hikers and other people who love the outdoors. (You'll also find Official Badwater Gear.) Heck, even if you never run or hike, you will still find a lot of great, useful, and unique stuff on their site! Click on over now!

Ritchey Break-Away Bicycles

The Ritchey Break-Away is a no-compromise, world-class bicycle which also breaks in half to travel in a relatively small suitcase for ease of travel (no more big bike boxes to lug around and to try to stash into taxis and closets) and, nearly always, at no extra charge when being checked as luggage on airplanes.

AdventureCORPS founder Chris Kostman purchased his Break-Away in 2004 as a travel bike, but its incredible ride qualities and stylish appearance were so alluring that it immediately became practically the only bicycle he ever rides, whether traveling or not. Chris rides the steel road version, while Elizabeth has the titanium/carbon road model. We are now pleased to offer Ritchey Break-Away bicycles—road, cross, mountain, and single-speed—for sale as AdventureCORPS is an Authorized Ritchey Dealer. Contact us if you are interested. More info. Visit the Ritchey website.

RoadID: the Best Safety Lighting, Reflective Gear, and I.D. for Cycling, Running, and all Outdoor Sports

The Firefly Supernova by RoadID.com is the brightest, smallest and most durable safety light of its kind. You'll be amazed that a light this powerful fits in a package this small. Attach the lightweight Supernova to your seat pack or bicycle frame for cycling or your waistband, jacket, shirt collar or hat for running and you'll alert motorists of your presence up to a mile away! The intensity of this safety light will blow your mind. When you click over to their site to order one, be sure to order an I.D. or two, also!

RedOxx Duffle Bags, Gadget Bags, and Luggage

Hand-made in Montana from American materials by a team trained by former military parachute riggers, the bags made by RedOxx are the ultimate bags for carrying anything and everything of importance in one's life.

Admittedly, I'm a bag nut, so I can tell you with absolute assurance that there is no finer, nore more durable, baggage line out there. Personally (and I kid you not), my RedOxx arsenal includes ten different models of increasing size, all in the same color scheme, Safari Two-Tone: from Lil Roy (my "man purse") to Tri-Fold Shave Kit (holds ALL my bathroom needs, even a host of Kiehl's skin care product) to Gator Bag (electronics and gadget bag) to Metro Briefcase (home for my MacBook whenever I head out the door) to Safari Beanos PR4 (gym bag, camera bag) to Safari Beanos PR5 (maximum legal carry-on duffle) to Safari Beanos PR5.5 (swallows A LOT of gear) to Airborne Ruck Sack (bomb-proof backpack big enough as a single bag for a weekend get-away) to Air Boss (pictured above, which, I swear, holds three times what it should and keeps my clothes wrinkle-free at the same time) to Gypsy Suit Cover (when I gotta take my tux along). When we head off to host an event, or on a road trip, sometimes the whole ten bags get loaded up - nirvana for a bag nut! Website.

The Stick

The Stick is a revolutionary device used to segmentally compress and stretch muscle. It is highly effective in the treatment of muscle pain and trigger points, including by us! We make The Stick available for use all checkpoints and the finish line of our cycling events and camps. Website.

The Stick provides the following benefits
• Prevents and predicts muscle injuries
• Dramatically improves strength, flexibility and enduranc
• Rapidly prepares muscles for physical activity
• Disperses the effects of lactic acid following activity
• Accelerates muscle recovery

Ron Jones Dynamic Warm-UP DVD

Each morning of CORPScamp - and before every ride, run, or workout in our daily life - we do a five minute off-the-bike "Ron Jones' Dynamic Warm-Up", before we begin. This routine of ten movements, done for ten repetitions each, is is done while standing, so no towels or props are needed. It's a great way to warm up the body by moving through essentially every plane, and range, of motion through which the human body can move. This allows for safer, more productive, and more efficient cycling and human movement in general. The creator of the Dynamic Warm-Up is a Furnace Creek 508 Hall of Famer with an MS in kinesiology. He's one of the smartest people we know, and, as a two-time Team RAAM and multiple Furnace Creek 508 4x team champion, is one of the best athletes in endurance sports. His website is also an incredible treasure trove of original health and fitness information. Be sure to sign up for his email newsletter, too!

Bike Shops

Velo Culture

Originally located in San Diego, but now based in Portland, this shop is for the core cyclist: The person that commutes to work, rides a track bike, plays with tall bikes, rocks the single speeds or admires the classics. It's a laid back place where you can BS about bikes and remember why steel bikes are so great. Ride your bike to the shop for extra props! Website.

The Bicycle Outfitter

Located in Los Altos, CA, the Bicycle Outfitter and its staff have been committed to introducing customers to the sport of cycling. The Bicycle Outfitter accommodates all riders of all types—whether a customer is a racer, weekend rider, or looking for a bike for their child. The shop's manager, Dave Prion, has been Chris' friend, and wheel builder, since the mid-80s. Website.

Bicycle John's

Located in Burbank, Northridge, Acton, and Lancaster, Bicycle John's is passionate about cycling and it's reflected in everything they do—from the products they carry to the services they perform. Bicycle John's offers John's 30 plus years of experience, his passion, and enthusiasm for the sport. The staff is top notch—knowledgeable, dedicated, and highly skilled. Whether you are looking for someone who can properly fit you to your bike, or someone who knows the art of wheel building, Bicycle John's has the expertise. They also provide technical support for Furnace Creek 508 on the day prior to the event and on race morning! Website.

Tam Bikes

Tam Bikes, located in beautiful, mid-town Mill Valley, California, offers a full-service, full family bike shop with a custom flair. They strive to offer a friendly atmosphere and to provide an education on bicycles and bicycling alike. Tam Bikes is also the Official Host Bike Shop for our Rough Riders Rally in Marin County. Website.

Magazines

Marathon & Beyond

There's just one magazine out there which is a Must Read for everyone who runs, especially those who like to run 26.2 miles or further. It's edited by one of the founders of the Badwater Ultramarathon, Richard Benyo, who is also a Badwater Hall of Fame member. Marathon & Beyond is published in a book format and features timeless stories and insights from the best running writers and pundits.

Richard and his partner, Jan Seeley, the publisher, also have a semi-official annual tradition of featuring the Badwater Ultramarathon or a Badwater athlete in their July issue. They've even published some of my articles!

Most importantly, the M&B staff are rock solid fans and supporters of the Badwater Ultramarathon and of the sport in general. The magazine is quality, through and through, and my copies NEVER head for the recycling pile like most other running magazines. Every issue is a real keeper! Check out M&B here and get a subscription.

Bicycle Quarterly

The coolest and most enlightening cycling magazine on the planet is Bicycle Quarterly, published in Seattle, WA by legendary endurance cyclist Jan Heine. Bicycle Quarterly is a magazine about the enjoyment of the sport we love. In Bicycle Quarterly, you find professionally written articles which include full tests of today's best bikes, rides off the beaten path, beautiful classic bikes made by old and new masters, technical issues that are relevant to everyday riding, expert advice on long-distance riding, cycling history, a forum for framebuilders, and much more. Info here.