November: Good Month or Bad Month?
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Watching Videos
Rémy Métailler and Kriss Kyle Deliver the Goods
Rémy Métailler and Kriss Kyle Deliver the Goods
November tends to be a slow month for mountain bike news. The race season is over, the days are shorter, and the amount of couch time begins to ratchet steadily upwards. But even though the news might be in a lull, this year two videos were released that made even the most jaded viewer sit upright and wonder what they'd just seen.
Rémy Métailler kicked things off with another segment filmed in the Whistler Bike Park, one that showcased his supernatural ability to see one mega gap in places where most of us see two or three smaller jumps. Not only were the gaps massive, they also involved finding inordinate amounts of speed for the run in, and then landing in a tiny pocket, usually situated between tight trees. Impressive stuff to say the least.
Kaleidoscope, featuring BMX rider Kriss Kyle, was the next video to leave viewers sitting in awe, thanks to the optical illusions and creative trickery showcased throughout the film. It's since gone on to rack up over one million views on YouTube, although I have to wonder how many of those views are from riders watching it over and over again just to figure out what exactly is going on.
Rémy Métailler kicked things off with another segment filmed in the Whistler Bike Park, one that showcased his supernatural ability to see one mega gap in places where most of us see two or three smaller jumps. Not only were the gaps massive, they also involved finding inordinate amounts of speed for the run in, and then landing in a tiny pocket, usually situated between tight trees. Impressive stuff to say the least.
Kaleidoscope, featuring BMX rider Kriss Kyle, was the next video to leave viewers sitting in awe, thanks to the optical illusions and creative trickery showcased throughout the film. It's since gone on to rack up over one million views on YouTube, although I have to wonder how many of those views are from riders watching it over and over again just to figure out what exactly is going on.
Sharing the Ride
Help Spread the Stoke This Holiday Season
Help Spread the Stoke This Holiday Season
Pinkbike's Share the Ride campaign is back again, this time with the goal of raising $40,000 to help buy bicycles for disadvantaged children around the world. Last year a grand total of $46,878 was raised thanks to generous donors, and kids in 15 locations across the globe received bikes, locks, and helmets, items they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
As an added incentive to open up those wallets, donors are automatically eligible to win prizes ranging from a new helmet from TSG to a complete Giant Trance SX. What better time than now to help out the future of our sport? DONATE NOW
As an added incentive to open up those wallets, donors are automatically eligible to win prizes ranging from a new helmet from TSG to a complete Giant Trance SX. What better time than now to help out the future of our sport? DONATE NOW
World Cup DH Fashion
UCI Relaxes Clothing Design Regulations
UCI Relaxes Clothing Design Regulations
Last season the Santa Cruz Syndicate, arguably one of the most popular groups of riders on the World Cup DH circuit, was denied trade team status after the UCI decided to strictly enforce a rule stating that all team riders were required to wear kits with identical colors and logo placement.
It seems innocuous, but it's a rule that becomes difficult to abide by when each rider on a team is sponsored by different clothing company. Downhill racing isn't soccer or baseball – it's a much more individual pursuit, and riders often retain the same sponsors even after switching teams.
It seems innocuous, but it's a rule that becomes difficult to abide by when each rider on a team is sponsored by different clothing company. Downhill racing isn't soccer or baseball – it's a much more individual pursuit, and riders often retain the same sponsors even after switching teams.
Fortunately, it looks like the UCI has seen the error in their ways, at least in this instance, and for 2016 there's now an addendum to rule 4.9.017 that reads, “The rule is not applicable for UCI gravity elite teams.” This means Santa Cruz will be able to return as a trade team if they'd like, a move that would allow them to compete for the honor of being the top ranked gravity team at the end of the season.
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Lapierre's DH Team
Traded in for E-Bikes
Traded in for E-Bikes
The announcement that Lapierre would be disbanding their downhill race team for 2016 came as a surprise to many fans, especially considering that team member Loic Bruni is the current DH world champion.
The team, which Lapierre managed in conjunction with Pure Agency, has had a remarkably good run over the last eight years, amassing a resume that includes three World Championship titles and multiple trips to the podium, so leaving on a high note does make some sense.
Except for one thing: according to the press release from Lapierre, while they will no longer have a DH race squad, they are, “supporting the development of
The team, which Lapierre managed in conjunction with Pure Agency, has had a remarkably good run over the last eight years, amassing a resume that includes three World Championship titles and multiple trips to the podium, so leaving on a high note does make some sense.
Except for one thing: according to the press release from Lapierre, while they will no longer have a DH race squad, they are, “supporting the development of
Sunny and Warm Weather
Bike Testing to the Fullest Extent
Bike Testing to the Fullest Extent
For the last few years we've made a fall pilgrimage to Sedona, Arizona, for a round of extended bike testing, a chance to put the latest trail and all-mountain bikes through their paces in the dry and usually warm desert. This year the decision was made to mix things up a bit, and since Pinkbike's headquarters are now located in Squamish, BC, we elected to take advantage of the world-class riding minutes from the office.
The first few days went smoothly – perfect dirt, slightly cloudy skies, mild temperatures... but then the weather took a turn. The heavens opened up, unleashing a torrential downpour that lasted for days. We still rode, since it was the perfect chance to try out supposedly waterproof jackets and shorts, and to see which bikes were ill-equiped to handle the conditions, but it was a far cry from those bluebird days in the desert.
The first few days went smoothly – perfect dirt, slightly cloudy skies, mild temperatures... but then the weather took a turn. The heavens opened up, unleashing a torrential downpour that lasted for days. We still rode, since it was the perfect chance to try out supposedly waterproof jackets and shorts, and to see which bikes were ill-equiped to handle the conditions, but it was a far cry from those bluebird days in the desert.
Don't be fooled by the patches of sun in the background - those were a rarity during our bike testing.
The rain finally subsided, but then the temperatures plummeted, freezing puddles and depositing the first snowfall of the season at higher elevations. We pushed on – literally at times, especially on sections of dirt road where streams had flooded and frozen – through the wintery weather, daydreaming about dry gloves and warm feet, and making the mental note that maybe we should think about starting our testing a month or two earlier next year. In any case, rest assured that all of the bikes were fully put to the test in extremely challenging conditions – look for the reviews to start airing in the coming weeks.
Steve Peat Fans
Don't Worry, He's Not Done Yet
Don't Worry, He's Not Done Yet
Steve Peat's announcement that 2016 will be his last World Cup season was wasn't entirely unexpected, especially considering that's he's been racing for over twenty-five years, but it's still hard to imagine what the race scene will be like without Peaty's presence.
On the bright side, there's still a whole season to go before it's officially over, giving fans a few more chances to witness the legendary Sheffield Steel in action. And can you imagine what the grand finale party is going to look like when World Champs concludes in Val di Sole next September? My head hurts just thinking about it.
On the bright side, there's still a whole season to go before it's officially over, giving fans a few more chances to witness the legendary Sheffield Steel in action. And can you imagine what the grand finale party is going to look like when World Champs concludes in Val di Sole next September? My head hurts just thinking about it.
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1.Don't listen to anybody, especially your parents - it's your kid, which is unique, you have to improvise. My daughter was 2 when my son was born, and every now and then, we were realizing that we do not remember almost anything from our daughter's 1st year that we could apply to caring for him: what she ate, how did we deal with rashes or fever. The chance anyone who had toddlers more than 10 years ago, has any valuable piece of advice is next to NONE. All of my friends with small kids say that 3 first years of their child upbringing are a foggy hole in memory so most of the stuff you will hear, will be some utopian ideals or dumb sht they read on internet that popped up next to the article on Cardashian and Kanye or Greece crisis.
2. From what I sm still going through: Take it easy! Lower your ambition. Your dumb male brain will quickly develop a defense reaction and you will want to do more than you did before to stay sharp. You will try to prove the world that kids don't slow you down - admirable but mistaken. It will ruin you. Cut trying at work by at least 30% and cut riding by half. Don't worry, you will see in time that this half will feel better than moments when you went 150%. You will appreciate it more
The riding: for me it is that being so tired and sleep depraved always, my heart rate on average went down like 15-20 beats and so did my perception of the power I am making and speed i can hold. At one point it was so bad that at the top of the local nasty climb I would have a strange sensation with my hart, I believe it was extrasystoles, when your hart just cant pump anymore and starts to freak - next step heart attack? Frustrating. But then what you say: focus on practicing your skills at slower speeds - quality over quantity. They eventually grow up ; )
Don't worry mate, at your first child I used to ride more than before in order ''unload'' the extra pressure and stress that comes with it (that is of course if you have a wife that supports you with riding!)
On the second child things get serious but again a suporting wife is the key to ride.
On the third child......ahhhhgrrr!!!
pro tips?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2C8MkY7Co8
The only smart bike related thing I did was learning wheelies, manuals and organizing skills clinics. I rode with people with whom I would never ride in killer mode. And it was great.
I had my share of parental depression, if not stuff I learned from being coached by Ryan Leech, I'd go extremely low. I don't know what I would do without his help. I do take too much for granted in life hence my appreciation for life, for having healthy kids is not always on top. All I can say is that there are those few powerful moments, when I take my kids somewhere and there is this unforced, transcendence free moment of bliss, the perfect present, feeling that I am exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I should be doing, there is no other place I'd rather be. I also have those moments of feeling alive, taking pleasure of every spin of cranks, every rock getting under my front wheel, the 0,3s short airtimes feel so sweet. And I have never had that before I got them... little basterds
Cheers!
Yes you go through some rough times but the good times more than make up for it.
*Sits back with a huge carton of popcorn.
Sorry about the rant but,
DONT TAKE MY f*ckING TRAILS AWAY
The big companies, and you guess who is the bigger sponsor, are putting HUGE pressure to allow "e-bikes" on trails.
The industry would do anything for a quick profit, they do not care if certain choices on the long run will kill cycling.
Why? Because the wigs of the cycling industry are not cyclists, and they only care about career and bonus they get.
Keep buying Specialized and other similar minded company... then do not complain if in 10 years you'll need a license, insurance etc. etc. to ride your bike. They don't care. The managers will be working somewhere else by then.
You are right on the motorized use part... But the point is "e-bikes" are "bikes" with "pedal assistance"... They dony want you to think they have a motor.
we dont need there petty rules in any mtb sport ( except maybe xc )
I'd love to see a pie chart on all of the different bicycle sales world wide, and where DH bikes stack up against everything else. I'm betting that number is really, really low.
www.theverge.com/2015/6/10/8757307/isle-of-mann-tt-zero-result-2015
Huh? People watch motocross... e-bikes are just halfway between MX and MTB.
Bad weather = bad riding?
Come on PB, you've been better once.
There was a video a while back of some guys launching themselves off the top of hill climbs and stuff. Looked great.
btw this is assuming mountain e-bike and not some lame XC/cyclocross setup.
On the other side i never had a ride with an e-mtb.
About the awesomess, almost every extreme sport looks awesome..
Who cares what genre it fits in or whether 250s are cooler. If you were doing the riding, you would need to be crazy to cut your riding time in half so you can push up.
ebike = 1 min down 4 mins back up? You could do far more runs in 1 day and get more out of your time.