Here's the best of the outdoor news I've missed.

Fires Close Zion Backcountry

Zion National Park has closed its backcountry to hiking, climbing and rappelling, as of Thursday, July 19. The park is located in southern Utah, 150 miles north of Las Vegas. Fires have burned approximately 8,000 acres, or 12.5 square miles, producing thick smoke in canyons in evening and early morning when temperatures drop.

Pleasing the Kiteboarding Gods

Festivities will begin on Friday, July 20th at East Point Kite Launch in Stevenson, WA. All athletes are welcome to come out for what is known as "media day". It's a chance to be shot by the most talented photographers in the area and more.

Cycling Book Sets the Pace

Cycling's Golden Age: Heroes of the Postwar Era, 1946-1967 was named Sports Book of the Year by ForeWord magazine during the BookExpo America trade show in New York City. ForeWord's Book of the Year competition resulted in over 200 winning books selected from over 1,400 entries. Each entry was judged on criteria including writing and production quality, originality, and audience interest in the subject matter.

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