Video: Matt Patterson's Trans-Provence 2013 Recap

 hey Robnow go to bow cycle and see if they will let you talk to Mike C in the buid shop. he rocked the bronson c this year and is one of the most expressive riders I know when it comes to describing his experience. When on the shore that bike railed te trails here, I gave it a ride and its a pretty rad.

 Good to see how our footage ended up!

 That's what I thought, was waiting for his nails to grow out on the bars.

 Dunno about Wolverine; but if you have a bottle of Fireball, you might get to see the WOLFMAN...

 You said it bro. He is such a cool dude. So nice to everyone, and so willing to teach and offer great advice. Could not have happened to a better guy.

 ah shucks you guys, much love!

 One time Matt toured a group of friends and I around all of his riding spots, shuttled us in his truck and took us to his house and made us dinner. All for nothing more than companionship and great riding. You definitely deserved this, Matt!

 Did the race in 2012, and entered for 2014... agree on the mental part, defo the most mentally challenging thing I've ever done... You go to some dark places on a daily basis! But so rewarding to do it

 Tough decision between two very sick bikes. I think it boils down to which wheel size works best for you. 27.5" is pretty dang close to 26 really, but the cool thing is, the frame designers can put a bit of a BB drop into the frame, so you get that low-slung feeling riding it. Most of the time riding the Bronson at TP though, I forgot I was on it, it's like riding 26 really.

29er on the other, for me, at 5' 7", is a bit too much wheel to work with. I've given it a good try, and while I can say the wagon wheels maintains its composure under some pretty rowdy situations, I just couldn't get into the bike like with a smaller wheel. I had to work really hard to lean it in the corners, and off jumps and stuff, I just felt like I was buzzing my but on the rear tire and lacking the "body suspension" to work it underneath me. I suspect that would be a different story if I had legs and arms a couple of inches longer though.

I also think it's a question of riding style as to what suits you best. Best thing to do is ride both wheel sizes a bit before committing if you can.

And after all that, if you already know what wheel size you want, then just get that bike, since they both are hella sick whips!

 Thanks Matt, yeah, both bikes I've ridden for a few days each and really liked which is why its such a hard decision. At 6'2" and coming off a Mojo HD for the last 4 years, I'll admit the 27 doesn't feel that different but enough of an inherent stability with the longer front end of the Bronson…and then I like the feel of the 29 TBLT but I just haven't taken it into the same terrain.

For sure I have no doubt the TB would be great in the wide open stuff, really like that stability of the wheel size, but racing something like EWS in Whistler, that was a tight course and I'm just unsure how it would fair in that…although it seems to be the weapon of choice for 6'2" Cedric G. But then that Bronson has a slightly more refined suspension, VPP2.5 if you will. Good decision to have to make anyway.

What front travel are you running on both bikes, 140 TB and 160 B???

Hope to get into Trans Savoie for 2015!!

 The TBLTc was a borrowed bike (actually so was the Bronson), but I only rode the TB for one day in order to have visual continuity with the TP footage shot in france on the Bronson. So I guess what I'm saying is, I'm not really in a position to comment much on the TB. The bike I borrowed had a 34 TALAS which I think was 150/120, and felt nice. The Bronson had a 150 Pike, which I would have extended to 160mm if it were mine, just to keep that front end up a bit more on some of the steeper/faster parts of the trail.

I'm in the process of building a Bronson, and I plan to run a 160mm 34 on it.

Good luck for TS in 2015. I'm hoping to go back to Provence that year.

 Hell yeah! Way to represent the PNW, MattPatt!

 Thanks Tyler, really appreciate you guys putting this up on PB and making a dream come true for me bru

 Dude, you're going to have the time of your life. Be ready for some big, back to back days. Dealing with the time change is a bit of a challenge. Hit me back with any questions you have between now and then, I'd be glad to help you prepare if you've never been.

 I betcha the portion of video where he is not wearing a back pack was filmed in the pnw.