Vancouver, B.C. - Coming off of a successful 2003 race season, Giant Canada has been working hard over the fall months to improve on an already good program. We are now proud to announce our 2004 professional downhill team, a team that boasts Canada's best
young talent!

For Immediate Release

Islandia, NY/San Diego, CA – Iron Horse Bicycles is proud to announce the signing of 22-year old Canadian professional downhill racer Mathieu Laurin. Mathieu will join the Iron Horse/Mad Catz Pro Team for the 2004 season and contest the UCI World Cup Series, NORBA National Championship Series, US Open, Canadian National Championships, and the Sea Otter Classic.

For immediate publication

Boucherville, QC, CANADA – The BALFA Cycles Factory Team announces the transfer of back to back Canada Cup champion Mathieu Laurin to Team Iron Horse / Mad Catz. The factory pilot’s contract for the 2004 season was bought back by the American team.

On January 17th, 2004, Myopic is proud to present Go Back to the Forest, an MTB skatepark contest in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.
The event is brought to you by Iron Horse, Banshee Bikes, Evil/E-Thirteen, .243 Racing, Cavalry Clothing, Bicycle Rockers, Aberrant Concepts, Match Videozine, and modestbike.com.

Maxxis Minion DH and High Roller Tire Review

During this past summer, I had the chance to do some work with local film company, MPF Productions. I was stoked to say the very least, but when they told me to head over to NRG to pick up some new tires, I was happier than a fat kid in a Smarties factory.

When I last cast my eyes on the Arbutus Red PDC Racing prototype DH-One last January at Vancouver’s Outdoor Adventure Show it wore far fewer bruises; it and its metallic black twin were freshly painted dolled-up showpieces centre stage in PDC Racing’s display booth. It has since been ridden hard by a lucky few as it made its way around media circles as a test sled.

Finally the New World Disorder 4 - Ride the Lightning DVDs are here! A little delayed in production, but we are now fully stocked up and shipping.

As usual, all orders ship out the same day via air for a super price.
Buy and check it out here.

Earlier this month you probably read or heard that top ranked Canadian Mathieu Laurin had re-signed with Balfa’s race team for 2004. Well, my French-speaking liaisons are buzzing that Mathieu will be jumping from the Balfa squad over to a World Cup ride on the Iron Horse/Mad Catz team! I tried to squeeze more info from the boys at Iron Horse, but they will neither confirm nor deny this rumor!

As fall turned to winter, Brian Lopes and Steve Peat drove to Whistler to set up their new condos -- winter rentals and summer fun, baby! As you might expect, this trip wasn't all business. Here are a few ordinary days from the lives of these extraordinary guys:

Block 8 has always been known for their burly components. Oversized and not weight conscious they are designed for failure-proof freeride, downhill, street and dirt use. The company originally came on the scene a few years back with the introduction of their 3 piece chromoly crank set to answer the demands of those riders who wanted a splined bottom bracket and strong cranks that would outlast traditional set-ups. Since then, Block 8 has improved and expanded their line of components to include pedals, bars, and seats.

With the support of riders like you, we have grown a lot in our first few years. We started out with Evil Bikes flaming skull T-shirt sales before they were even called '101 T-shirts'. Later, we made a few frames and a few more chainguides. 2003 was our most successful year yet: our e.thirteen tuned suspension systems and chainguides won the Junior World Championships, World Cup series overall, the Red Bull Bike Battle, the Red Bull Rampage, and several other great honors. What a ride!

I've been sitting on this long enough waiting for the "official" press releases, but I see others are spilling the beans, so to speak, so here goes. Kirt Vories, who recently tied the knot with NORBA's new marketing hottie, Lindsey Richter, has signed with the Santa Cruz factory team. I've no official word if either or both of the Houseman brothers will be returning just yet, but I do know the team will once again be run by Derin Stockton, and Stikman reported today that Nathan Rennie and Henry O'Donnell will join the team.

For 2004 the Sea Otter Classic Mountain Cross will be moving into the Main Venue! A new spectator friendly course - near the big pedestrian bridge at main start finish.

Read more about it on the official Sea Otter Classic Site

Here it is folks. A little bit from the Milkman to keep ya going through this snowy week. This is the Dropin Season 3, episode 6 (Penticton, B.C) teaser that airs this weekend.

Quicktime required (Right click and Save As)
Download Dropin episode 6 teaser

Mountain bikers in the Otero Canyon area, west of Albuquerque, discovered a Kirtland Air Force Base trail closure sign on the morning of November 10, 2003. The sign states, "Danger: Live Weapons Firing Ranges. Do not enter without permission of the installation commander. Violators will be prosecuted." This sign, erected at the beginning of a trail built within the last 5 years with US Forest Service knowledge, is located at the intersection of the trail and Forest Road 530.

Just got word from Phil Law at Assault Racing that they will have a new platform pedal out early next year.

Haro Bicycle Corporation announced today the release of Greg Minnaar from the Haro/Lee Dungarees Team. Haro President and CEO, Jim Ford, made this statement regarding the departure of the 2003 Downhill World Champion and NORBA downhill champion, "Greg is both a great person and a great athlete, but we choose not to match an offer presented to Greg to ride for Honda in 2004. Although the financial terms of the offer were significant, money wasn't the real issue. Greg and I talked and after hearing his desire to work with Honda on this project, I felt that it was best for both of us to end the relationship on a positive note".

I'm a little off the back in the advocacy news department since frying my brain in the Utah desert, but I'll try my best to catch up on the last month or so worth of news. I've read evidence of some busy little beavers making sure there's singletrack in your neck of the woods. First up, NEMBA successfully raised over $210,000 to purchase 47 acres of land in Milford, Massachusetts. Read more about the Vietnam purchase here. IMBA is looking for help, interested parties should get their resumes off to jenn@imba.com no later than this Friday, Nov 21st.

You know, I hate to admit it, but I've never been a huge fan of Cannondale ever since the Freeride trademark fiasco of the mid-nineties. After getting a good look at their booth (and '04 product line) in Vegas last month, I think it's time I shelve my prejudices and embrace the present. Cannondale's certainly gotten with the times, maybe it's time I did too!

Tattoos have existed in one form or another, in most parts of the world since the stone age. The Greeks did it, so did the Romans, ditto for the North American Indians. Throughout history tattoos have served as a distinguishing mark of royalty, a symbol of religious devotion, a decoration for bravery in battle, a sexual lure, a lovers pledge, identification in a group, a sign of individuality, punishment, a means of identifying slaves, outcasts and convicts.

Finally the moment you have all been waiting for! Eastside Freeride, in conjunction with B-Forty Productions is pleased to announce that the World Premiere of Eastside Freeride "The Film" will be at Cage Aux Sport in the Bell center on November 21st.

From a tech perspective, there was no booth so highly anticipated at Interbike 2003 than that of Nicolai. Already boasting one of the most complete product lines in existance, including some very chi custom options on every model, their piece de resistance had to be the G-Boxx Nucleon. With all of the technological advances seen on the bicycle in the last 100 years, there has been little change in the drivetrain department since Tullio Campagnolo first patented the "modern" rear derailleur. Enter the G-Boxx, a collaboration of 3 respected leaders in bicycle design, Karl Nicolai (Nicolai), Dave Weagle (Evil Bikes) and Rohloff Inc

Hey Guys and Gals there will be a showing of Run For your Life 2 (JackAss of MTB) in Nanaimo at the LongWood Brew Pub Monday Nov. 17th. There will be appetizers, prizes, etc. This is an ALL AGES SHOW! Bring your ID if you're 19 because the BOOZE will be flowing (not included in door price).
BE THERE AT 7:00!
Prizes and Food first, Run For Your Life 2, then a Bonus Video, Criminal by the same folks. Criminal contains adult content (don't tell mom), so the young guns can watch RFYL 2 and still have time for their homework.

This weekend Nov. 14,15, &16th is the third annual Bike Bash video party in Norfolk, Nebraska. This year the festivities start off friday night Nov. 14 with a bicycle pub crawl. Saturday afternoon there will be a mtb, bmx, and trials demo in the Andrew Bicycle's parking lot. Saturday night the videos start at 7pm. This year's videos include Red Neck Riders II, Self-Titled, and NWD IV - Ride the Lightning. We will also have a mechanical bull to ride, live music, and ton of product to give away Saturday night. Sunday will be a group ride. Once again Mike Kinrade, Shawn Denny, & Josh Bender will be out partying with all the locals.

Colorado Springs, Colo. (November 12, 2003) – As of Monday, November 10, 2003, USA Cycling members can now enjoy a variety of online membership services at www.usacycling.org.

Here is just a quick sampler of what you will see in Episode 5 of Dropin. This week we take you to the 'WACK' (Chilliwack, BC) about an hour drive from Vancouver, this destination is quickly becoming the place to rip on the coast. In this episode you'll see some of the best trails of the huge network on Vedder Mountain, and you'll get to chill with the super cool local riders that make this place such a pleasure to visit.
Remember Right click link and save asHere is a little video teaser of the episode.

The following is a detailed list of songs that appear on the Dropin TV show in order.

Drop In is a show that needs little introduction. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve already caught a glimpse of Dylan and the boys tearing up the singletrack, dirt jumps and street scene all over western Canada in either the 13-episode first season or the first few episodes of season 2. But few know the men behind the scenes or how the highly successful show got it’s start.

That’s where Mike Johansen and Tim Bieber come in.

GT has quite an impressive and complete bike lineup for 2004. Most noticeable was their line of new generation I-Drive Full Suspension frames, the ID XC series.

MPF's 4th creation, and sequel to Hidden Pleasures, Second Coming, and Riders Anonymous. Brought down by the heavens of Nelson, BC. This year the crew is larger, diverse, and bringing a whole new feeling to the way a mountain bike movie is made. When you watch a movie, you want it to make you want to ride and get that feeling of being on your bike, (and of course rip some gnarly sh*t) MPF is here to please and won't disapoint!
DVD now in stock. Ships within 24 hours.
Self Titled DVD $24.95 CDN

TerraLogic Park Industries announced today that Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon New Jersey will host the 2004 U.S. Open of Mountain Biking May 29th - 30th, featuring a $5,000 cash prize to first place downhill finishers, one of the largest cash payouts for any mountain bike event in North America.

As mountain biking grows in popularity so do the pressures associated with regional trail use. The more riders that descend on an area make the sport more visible, which on the whole is ideal. The draw back however that comes with that is greater opposition by those who feel that mountain biking isn’t a beneficial activity, that its presence is detrimental to the environment and that to allow continued access to public land is irresponsible. Trail associations have sprung up everywhere there has been opposition to riding, and B.C.’s Fraser Valley is no exception.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – USA Cycling announced today the activation of its new online membership services effective Monday, November 10, 2003 at 10:00am E.S.T. The new online functionality, developed by Global Reach Sports, will provide USA Cycling members with the ability to purchase and renew licenses online at: www.usacycling.org.

The 7th Kona / IMBA Bowling Fun Raiser once again delivered on its annual pledge of more fun for more money with less police. This year, more than 500 of the bicycle industry’s most spirited and talented bowlers converged on the world-famous Orleans Bowling Center on the evening of October 23rd and helped raise more than $8,500 to be split between the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA).

Since the winter has hit: The Cadence Cafe Wall of Fame will now be changing format. Over the winter, we will feature photo essays on the great riding from the summer to keep things warm for next summer...

So, read the story - then head over to Cadence Cafe (6047 Bowness Road) to have a hot coffee, check out the freeriding pics on exhibit, and think warm thoughts about riding...

This weeks feature: Golden Cedar House Heli Drop!

Here is a last minute reminder...MPF's new flick Self Titled premieres.
Chilliwack - Thursday Nov 6
Calgary - Friday Nov 7.
Vancouver - Saturday Nov 8.
Kelowna - Monday Nov 10

Tucked away in a corner of the Interbike show floor this year was PDC Racing. Their shiny new booth housed their pair of shiny new DH-One bikes (actually one was a carefully detailed new bike, it was seen days earlier playing in the dirt at the Outdoor Demo) that will make their debut for the 2004 model year.

Who better to help design a top-drawer downhill bike than someone who's ridden virtually every leading design available on the market today? Someone who's familiar with the ins and outs of racing, design, warranty, assembly, and even pricing of the high end downhill bike; say, someone like Scott Crabill at Go-Ride.com? So you've got a design, now who would you get to build said bike? How about a true artisan like Sherwood Gibson at Ventana USA?

Damn freeriders with their one-track minds - I don't know how many times I got asked this question when I mentioned that we'd be doing a piece on him. Kirt Voreis has been a top downhill and dual slalom racer for years, with countless podium finishes over the years and a victory at the last ever DS World Championships.

Yeah its Monday, but its not all bad: Tonight - November 3rd CMBA will be holding a Moose Mountain Trail Discussion Forum at 7:00pm at the University of Calgary (Science Theaters Building, room ST145).

This is your chance to help in the development of new trail projects!

The goal of the forum will be to present ideas and gather feedback so as to know which trail project ideas we have popular backing on prior to further discussions between CMBA and Sustainable Resources Development.

More at CMBA website HEREGet out and check it out.

Well this has been long overdue. With winter upon us here in Calgary and being bed-ridden the last week thanks to knee surgery, I’ve had some time to catch up on some things that have piled up over the busy summer of riding.

Back at the beginning of the year I was in search of a new hardtail. I’d been riding this ancient steel frame that was transformed into an urban, dj, freeride machine for a few years and while it held up great, I figured it was time to try something new. At the time there was a lot of talk about a new company out of Rochester New York who was building a self proclaimed bad ass frame. After a bit of back and forth John over at Draco kindly offered to send a frame up north for a little Canadian style R&D.