Post Interbike Thoughts: Tonya's Top 10 Picks for 2010 | News | mountain bike, mtb, mountain bike racing, freeride, Downhill MTB, bike tests, MBA, Mountain Bike Action, Ask RC, XC mountain bike, trek, specialized, giant bikes, mantis, ellsworth, foes, pump tracks,

For most of us, Interbike is not all about bikes and components, but also about people. In my Top 10, you will find in addition to my picks for the most innovative technology, my picks for the people I found at Interbike to be the most influential and important to mountain biking both historically and in the future. I do hope you enjoy!

9. Hoo Ha Ride Glide by Reflect Sports, $21.95. Chamois creme has been a lifesaver for me over the years. I've tried almost every brand, some with little, some with decent success. However, the Hoo Ha Ride Glide seems to be up to the challenge. While a full test has not yet been put to the Ride Glide, a first use definitely gave the creme the viability to move on to the next level. The story goes: Ride Glide was "developed by women for women athletes who needed a skin cream formulated for their most girlie parts. They searched high and low and only found a cream for guy parts." Expect a full review later on!

(Left to right) Matt Fritzinger (NICA Founder, NorCal League Founder), Mike Sinyard (Specialized), Ben Capron (Global Marketing, Specialized), Austin McInerny (VP, NorCal Board of Directors), Matt Gunnell (SoCal League Executive Director) Presenting a jersey to Specialized for their massive support of the High School Mountain Bike League initiative. Tonya Bray photo

8. National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). Matt Fritzinger has created one of the most important forces in mountain biking in the USA today with the help of Specialized and Easton Sports Foundation. NICA is the newly governing body of High School Mountain Biking, which unifies the efforts of all who wish to create high school mountain bike leagues. Birthed from the NorCal League, founded by Matt 7 years ago, the NICA dream brings the highly successful model to the Nation. Leagues also currently exist in Southern California, Colorado and Washington. If you would like to become a part of the Association, there are opportunities for Donors and Founder's Club. Visit the web site for more information. www.nationalmtb.org

7. GoPro HD Helmet HERO, an HD Helmet Cam, $299.99. Life is HD, and if you don't believe me, you must not have had the opportunity to watch Le Tour in HD this July. We've had our fun making our little home mountain bike videos, however the time has come to take it up to 11 and re-live our adventures in High Def. The picture quality is unbelievable, making all other video cameras completely obsolete. www.goprocamera.com

6. Gary Fisher. Gary Fisher will always be the Andy Warhol of mountain biking to me, and I am so happy to have him as a part of the industry as he brings much needed style to the sport of mountain biking. From his creation of GeneSisters, the first women's mountain bike line to taking mountain biking to the fashion brink with Paola Pezzo (do you remember the Fisher catalog from the late 90s with Pezzo on the cover? Now a collector's item!)- Fisher has been at the forefront of women's mountain biking. A creative innovator at the cutting edge, perhaps a little ahead of his time, makes my Top 10 from Interbike with his beautiful custom tailored, highly reflective and fashionable cycling suit. www.fisherbikes.com

5. Anodized SRAM XX. Bringing back the 80's. We've been subjected to the return of 80's fashion for the past several years as Generation Y-ers pile on Wayfarers and leg warmers-something of which even Karl Lagerfeld (Karl Lagerfeld is one of the most renowned fashion designers in history) vehemently regrets being part. Yet one fad's return I can write home about--and if Lagerfeld were a mountain biker, I bet he would as well--is the return of the anodized mountain bike components. I had a beautiful Manitou full suspension bike decked with full green anodized Ringle. Wow do I miss that bike! Now we can return to our old roots, however, no blue or purple here- all 2010 color palette! www.sram.com

4. Cannondale Simon Electronic Suspension. Cannondale remains the most innovative bicycle manufacturer of all time with the release of Simon- a programmable electro-mechanical suspension system manifested in a Lefty. There are 5 different settings controlled by a joystick on which is attached to the handlebar. The computer monitor sits on top of the stem- showing you which mode you are currently riding: Downhill, All-Mountain, Cross Country, Travel Management and Lockout. The range of the current Lefty is 0mm to 130mm of travel- and what that means to you is this: not only can you manage the amount of travel you have in the fork, you can also manage the geometry, seamlessly moving from a climbing position to an all-mountain position. The future of mountain biking is now! Visit Cannondale.com for more information and availability! Cannondale.

3. THULE Raceway Platform, $249.95. Like nothing you've ever seen before, this THULE trunk rack is what we've all been waiting for. If you've always wanted to have a hitch rack, yet the idea of installing a hitch on your chichi car turns your stomach, you no longer have any worries! The raceway Platform is so easy to install with a ratcheting cord system complete with locks to keep your rack secure, unlike webbing based systems which may be difficult to tighten and impossible to lock on your car. Other problems this rack eliminates include: 1. The major dork factor of spinning wheels if you forget to secure your bike's wheels on a trunk rack; 2. Finding enough bungee cords or webbing straps to sufficiently tie down your bike; 3. Awkward fit--the flexible rubber hooks allow the rack to fit nicely on most cars. I know you will love this rack! www.thule.com

2. Timbuk2 Dolores Chiller, $110.00, Soft-Sided Cooler Messenger Bag. Perfect for the Birthday Ride. A soft sided cooler messenger bag fit with a bottle opener. If there is one thing we can all agree on about what we love about mountain biking, it is definitely the social aspect of the sport. Getting together with friends and celebrating birthdays is a long-standing tradition in many circles. Now the birthday celebration ride has become so much more festive with Timbuk2ís soft sided cooler bag. Comfort and good looks- and complete utilitarianism make this the perfect gift for your mountain biking friends! Buy one as a birthday gift for your next mountain biker friend's birthday, filled with ice and drink! www.timbuk2.com

1. Nat and Rachael Lopes of HilRide- Mountain Biking Power Couple. This good-looking duo may have the market cornered on the best mountain biking power couple of all time. Partners at HilRide, a company that specializes in Mountain Bike Park planning and development, tourism and production, the two travel to the ends of the earth creating a fertile environment for the future of mountain biking. With global sustainability, economic stability and tourism at the core of their effort, Nat and Rachael may very well have the key to saving the earth! www.hilride.com