October 23, 2003 – USA Cycling announced today the 2004 American  Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) Calendar. The 2004 AMBC series kicks off  in North Miami, Fla. Jan. 18, 2004 with the Oleta Fat Tire Festival and runs  throughout the year, culminating with the Florida State Championship Series,  Nov. 21, 2004, also in North Miami.

During the ten months in between, the  AMBC will be contested in 18 different states, providing top-level regional  racing opportunities for racers of all abilities. The AMBC also welcomes 12  new events to the calendar this season.

AMBC competitions are excellent  places for riders to try the racing scene for the first time or seasoned  athletes to test their skills against their fellow racers. The expert  and pro races give more experienced riders some challenges, as they face some  of the more challenging courses and talented riders in their region and from  other parts of the country.

In addition to the senior, master, and  professional races, some AMBC events also host the Alison Dunlap Junior  Olympic Mountain Bike Series (ADJO-MTB) and the Shimano Youth Series  classes. The AJDO-MTB offers riders age 10-18, the chance to test their  skills against competitors of the same age. The Shimano Youth Series provides  a first-time racing experience for kids who are 12 years old and  younger.

All AMBC events offer cross-country racing, with some events  also including downhill, dual slalom, mountain cross, short-track  cross-country, and/or observed trials competitions.  The AMBC has also  expanded in the past few seasons with a competitive 50-miler and two stage  races.

Click here to view the complete 2004 AMBC Calendar: <http://www.usacycling.org/news/calendar.php?series=ambc>

For  additional information on the AMBC program, please contact Kelli Lusk, NORBA  Program Director at: klusk@usacycling.org

About  NORBA NORBA is the mountain bike member association of USA Cycling.  Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste  Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 80,000  members and 2,000 annual events. For more information, visit www.usacycling.org, or  contact Communications Manager Andy Lee at 719 866 4867