I haven’t seen email or tweet from event maestro Mark Davidson and have to think he’s still sleeping it off. The guy was on his feet non-stop and spent more than an hour on-stage giving schwag away; he deserves a rest!

There was a day-long jump jam at Depot Park in Santa Cruz, booths with demo rides and cool gear, and lots of great folks from Bones Over Metal, Black Market Bikes, Titus and of course the sponsoring Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz. It’s always great to be able to meet a tweep face2face — plus I got to see Fenriq’s (Erik Orgell’s) vintage Ibis Mojo hardtail up close (sheesh…I’d forgotten all about MORON tubing!).

A near-sellout of hooting, whistling, stomping, amped mtb fanz showed up for the California premiere of “Awesome Land — Women of Dirt” inside the Rio. And while the hour-long film didn’t disappoint, with jump and DH action, killer scenery and personal insights from the riders, my favorite part of the whole festival was the panel discussion afterward.

Karen Kefauver, who writes the Spin City column for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, tossed out intelligent questions and the ladies — Kathy Pruitt, Emily Johnston, Lisa Myklak and Tammy Donahugh (left to right on stage in video) — were not only insightful and forthcoming, they repeatedly cracked up the audience with over the top answers.

I caught a couple of the better moments on video. Miles Sullivan and Mark Brent (he’s the guy on the panel), “Women of Dirt” co-makers, were there filming as well and I’ll post their more professional version when it hits. Suffice it to say everyone had a rad time, and congratulations to MBOSC for hosting a memorable fest. We can’t wait till next year!

Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz have finalized plans for their two-day Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival on Feb. 27 and 28, capped with the California premiere of “Women of Dirt” at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the stately Rio Theater in Santa Cruz.

On hand will be riders Lisa Myklak, Emily Johnston, Tammy Donahugh and Kathy Pruitt, as well as filmmaker Mark Brent. A Q&A session will be moderated by Karen Kefauver, a freelance sports and travel journalist who authors the cycling column, Spin City for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and an outdoors blog.

There will also be a group ride at Soquel Demo Forest on Feb. 27 along with a Demo Day at Bike Station Aptos. A pump ‘n jump jam in Aptos will precede the film on the 28th.

(We sure hope the weather has cleared up by then!)

The film’s worldwide premiere is Friday in Seattle. Previous Bike Intelligencer coverage.