A little over a week ago I had the pleasure of attending the Shimano SAINT product launch in Whistler B.C. Unlike the Sea Otter unveiling where we go touch but not ride the products, this was the total opposite. We were all there to ride and ride some more!

Check out the SAINT groupo in action and all the initial impressions inside!

The local store had a deal on fresh meat, so we decided to fill our bags and provide you guys with some solid idea's for your summer outfit, your daily protection, and your new bike's component build. There is so much stuff it took two of us to carry it all. Premium Slim Pedals, SDG Formula saddle and aluminum post, Dakine Mission Pack, Republik COD Shorts, Chromag Lynx Saddle, RaceFace 6x6 shorts and Ladies Gloves, Lizard Skins Ladies Pheonix Gloves, Black Market Adam Hauck grips and to top the bags off the new Truvativ Noir Bar.

Bring on the fresh meat! But remember to keep it cool.

Mountain biking can be a tough sport for female riders to break into. We talk about progression, riding, coaching, and how things are changing for female riders.

Nicky is like many female riders - she got into mountain biking through her husband. However, in three seasons, she's gone from a timid noob who hadn't ridden a bike for twenty years to a confident intermediate rider. She knows what terrain she likes to ride, and now has that passion for mountain biking we can all relate to. Weekends are planned well in advance - who to ride with, and where. There's no time for long lazy days at the spa, a makeover, or shopping. It's all about riding the dirt, rock and gnar.

Having once been perceived as the pinnacle of mtb technology, the hardtail has now become a solid base to the sport – the trusty workhorse ready to be wheeled out at any time, no job too small, no job too big. The versatility of a hardtail is what makes it such an attraction to so many riders as their only bike and a must have in any riders armory.

Troy Lee really is for the World's Fastest Racers and also for the best looking. We wouldn't be surprised would we if we saw a couple of male models strutting their stuff on the catwalks of London, Milan, Paris or even New York wearing TLD.

Take a good look at the SE-2, Speed Equipment Helmet.

What if I told you there was a product that you could put on your XC or all-mountain bike that would instantly make you a faster and more confident rider? This same part would add fun and flow to every ride that you go on. Too good to be true?

Have a closer look at the Crank Brothers Joplin seatpost to see what I mean.