2010 Norco Bikes Launch - Shore Riding

by Jordan Holmes
Jul 15, 2009

Day 2 at the 2010 Norco Product launch was day 1 of riding bikes. Around noon, after everyone had stuffed their faces with lunch, and learned all about the new 2010 bikes from Norco we headed over to Mount Seymour to shred some core trails. Some of the riders in our group had never been on what was known as the North Shore, so Norco escorted us on some more of the tame trails. Here's some photos, and a video on the ride.

Riding the shore with the Norco Team...

Day 2 marked the first day of riding, so after our briefing session in the morning, we ate lunch, then got packed up and ready to go ride. Norco had invited riders from all around the world including Germany, Switzerland, and even Australia! We got to ride with a plethora of riders, all at different riding skill levels, on some of the most gnarly trails known to man, the North Shore!

Getting Ready to Rip

Getting Ready to Rip

The setup

The setup


A couple people in our group were complete virgins when it came to gnarl rocks, and roots, so the guys from Norco kindly showed them how to handle the trails. Proper body position, proper brake contact, and confidence in the bike ensured you as the rider could make it the whole way through. A couple riders had some issues earlier on into the trip, however, after a short pause and chat mid mountain we were all back on our A game.

Pete about to roll in

Pete about to roll in

Leech and Pete doing what they do

Leech and Pete doing what they do


Everyone in our 15 person group got to ride one of Norco's new bikes from 2010. The most popular bike seemed to be the Team DH, and DH bikes, as we were riding some hardcore trails! I was daring and threw a leg over the new Empire 5 SE, but I will let you know how that went in a different story. Everyone made it down the trail without any love from the rocks, or roots, and we managed to get out of the woods with only 2 flat tires, which is an accomplishment in itself.

Rolling the skinny line on the Team DH

Rolling the skinny line on the Team DH


We were riding up on Mount Seymour, so we hit up some of the more classic trails. CBC started us off, with some very nice rock work, and clean trails. We then moved into Corkscrew, which led into Pingu, then Pangor, and finally Empress. All of the trails shared 1 common thing, they were hard! Massive rocks and roots meant you had to be on your A game, but like I said, it was a pain free trip.

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All in all the ride on the North Shore went great. We returned back to the hotel just in time for the 7pm dinner and events, and finished dinner and drinking just in time to get this story put together, and put up! Hope you guys enjoy the coverage, we're having a ton of fun! I'd like to throw a mad props to Norco for hooking us up with this trip, its been wicked so far! One more day of epic fun, so stay tuned.

View all photos from the 2010 Launch
www.norco.com
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27 Comments

  • + 5
flag torrecrazydownhiller (Jul 15, 2009 at 7:59)
 the trail was rokin but the people were horrible
  • + 3
flag mwoodley (Jul 15, 2009 at 10:05)
 yah cbc's amazing Drool but yah they where riding abit slow.
  • + 1
flag eleventyfive (Jul 16, 2009 at 23:17)
 +100
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag krazy-downhiller (Jul 15, 2009 at 10:21)
 why would they not show pictues of the new norco bikes
  • + 2
flag brule Mod Plus (Jul 15, 2009 at 12:20)
 Jordan posted a bunch of pics and I featured the DH in another article. We are currently taking pics today of numerous models.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag sharkyboy (Jul 15, 2009 at 8:01)
 I liked the 2009 color schemes better
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag freeridingfreak (Jul 15, 2009 at 14:38)
 HA nice, CBC to Salvation, sweet line down seymour
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag bloodypalace (Jul 15, 2009 at 15:07)
 Please excuse my ignorance but where exactly are north shore trails? Also do you have to buy tickets and shit?
  • - 1
flag thewheelman (Jul 15, 2009 at 18:39)
 I think you're joking seeing as how your profile says you live in Vancouver...but, I'll attempt to entertain your question anyways.

The North Shore trails are actually on the South shore so don't allow the name "North Shore" to confuse you because you definitely won't find trails if you attempt to look in a place north of Downtown called North Vancouver. Also, most people don't ride in the North Shore due to the absorbent costs associated with tickets, season passes, royalty fees (that are actually more ridiculous than Whistler's!!).

Stick to road bikes, its free, and lets face it, there are roads EVERYWHERE!...And cars too. Think of the cars as trees, don't hit them.

If this doesn't please you, or confuse you, then I'd visit http://www.nsmba.bc.ca/
  • + 1
flag bloodypalace (Jul 15, 2009 at 18:56)
 I do live in vancouver, kitsilano to be more specific but after looking at my profile you should have noticed that i have a dj/street bike (specialized p2). I have never done any dh'ing so don't really know anything about trails and stuff also my friends are all skateboarders...
  • + 1
flag thewheelman (Jul 15, 2009 at 19:20)
 Didn't actually delve right into what bike exactly you own...

But that doesn't matter, what does matter is that you have obviously no clue as to the awesome riding that is right outside your kits condo and only a Seabus ride away. The shore is free, supported by volunteers. It is a network of trails that span 3 main mountains: Cypress, Fromme and Seymour. The trails are for the most part technical with some having many features and stunts (ladders, rock drops, skinnies etc...). The north shore is where the pioneers of mountain biking honed their skills both in riding and building trails.

Seymour is a shuttle mountain as is Cypress. Fromme is a hike and bike so if you have no car, this is where you start.

The website I quoted was not part of the above spoof, it's legit. Check it out for maps and info.
  • + 1
flag bloodypalace (Jul 15, 2009 at 19:46)
 Thanks for the reply but i'm pretty sure those trails aren't very hardtail-friendly/dirtjumper2-friendly. (yeah, i just made up those words)
  • + 2
flag gregoftheisland (Jul 15, 2009 at 23:11)
 Dude, anything's hardtail friendly if you lower your seat and pay attention to what's ahead of you. Use your brakes a little, keep an eye out front, and move your legs when you hit something. Those trails were built by people riding stiff bikes - up front too. Don't do anything out of your skill level, and go with somebody, but don't bail on the trails because you only have a hardtail... if anything, when you can afford a better bike, having ridden a hardtail on some quality shore trails will make you a better rider on a downhill bike or all mountain rig.

If anybody tells you otherwise, tell them to eff off and do what you're gonna do anyway. If you break something on your bike or yourself, blame your riding style, not your bike.

All that said, if you genuinely feel that the trails featured in the video are out of your skill level, practice your skills (drops, manuals, bunny hops, track stands, etc...) someplace with the pressure off, and then grab a buddy and go ride. You won't get better by sitting on your couch and wishing... get your ass out there and push your limits!
  • + 1
flag bloodypalace (Jul 15, 2009 at 23:52)
 well, ive only done street and dj. Never been to any trails. However, i can do manuals, drops, bunnyhops, 180's, 360's, half cabs, full-cabs, aboubacas (kinda), tabletops, nfc's, etc. Still can't do continuous wheelies and barspins though.

Back on topic, unfortunately all of my buddies are stakeboarders and i often ride alone so if i ever decide to go there ill have to go alone.
  • + 2
flag gregoftheisland (Jul 16, 2009 at 8:30)
 Man, the solution to that is so easy you wouldn't believe it. Ask other people to ride with you. Go to your bike store, ask your mechanic what he's up to. Look for group rides on the shore. Convince one of your buddies who skateboards to rent a bike. The obstacles that you're creating for yourself don't have any grounding in reality, you'll find the solution to these problems in an attitude shift - not in fancier things, or more friends. If you want to ride the trails, go, ride the trails. I'm sure if you poke your nose around you'll find somebody who will ride them with you.
  • + 1
flag thewheelman (Jul 16, 2009 at 19:50)
 Dude, I don't want to come down on you, but it's true, if you want to ride, you'll find a way, if not, then it's not meant to be.

I moved to Vancouver from Montreal a little over a year ago. I knew nobody when I got here except for the bike I brought and the bag on my back. I knew I wanted to ride, so I went to Fromme and hiked up. Before I even got to the first trailhead, I had already met someone to ride with that day with. By the end of the summer I had met countless riders and my phone was ringing every weekend from people asking if I wanted to ride with their group. So, like I said, if you want to ride, the rest will happen. Don't start from the end and move backwards, start with the bike and the will to ride.
  • + 1
flag gregoftheisland (Jul 16, 2009 at 22:05)
 That's just what I'm saying. I moved up here (the island) with a few boxes in the back of my truck, and my hardtail bike. Where there's a will, there's a way. I ride 5-6 days a week now, and have a second bike.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag joram-adams (Jul 15, 2009 at 0:37)
 Sweet bikes and trails. Good times. Smile
  • + 4
flag ryan-irvine (Jul 15, 2009 at 3:58)
 looks like a good year for norco.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag supertonic (Jul 15, 2009 at 18:57)
 I bet that was Darcy at the end...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag tomo12377 (Jul 15, 2009 at 4:13)
 I was riding those trails a week or ago, CBC's rocks!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Sysics (Jul 15, 2009 at 1:18)
 Most of them look great. Especially the black/blue one
  • + 1
flag kylechapman (Jul 15, 2009 at 9:01)
 i think thats the woen specific one, i saw a picture of darcy turenne with it
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag chainrxn (Jul 15, 2009 at 1:22)
 Very cool. And The Offspring rock so incredibly hard.
  • + 3
flag mxnate (Jul 15, 2009 at 5:55)
 Yes they really do.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag riskyB1985 (Jul 15, 2009 at 1:28)
 gorg !
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag ItaniConnor (Jul 15, 2009 at 7:52)
 OHYA! POD 4 sure
[Reply]

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