Good Month / Bad Month: Racing, Vlogs, Big Event Cancellations & Bike Sales - May 2020
Revised Racing Calendars
Racing looks to be back on the table for DH, XC and Enduro.
Racing looks to be back on the table for DH, XC and Enduro.
While many events have unfortunately been cancelled, the UCI announced its new calendar for 2020 racing. DH and XC World Cup races will begin on the 5-6 September in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, and continue all the way to 29th October - 1st November with the final round in Lousa, Portugal, which was initially meant to be the opening round. Many of the venues will now feature two rounds back to back on the same race weekend, something not seen before and something that could throw in some surprises in performances. In total there will be 7 rounds held in 5 venues for the DH and 5 rounds in 4 venues for the XC. The World Championships for both DH and XC will be from 5-11 October in Leogang, Austria.
The EWS also announced its revised schedule for racing kicking off on August 30th in Zermatt, Switzerland, and concluding in Farellones, Chile, on November 14-15th. The EWS series manages to maintain five rounds with the additional Trophy of Nations event happening on the 26-27th September in Finale Ligure, Italy.
Speaking with riders and team mechanics, it's going to be a wild few months once the racing resumes, with no doubt everyone looking forward to getting back at it. I for one am excited like a kid at Christmas and can't wait to see all the bikes, racing and fight for the titles unfold.
Suspension Tech
Understanding how and why our bikes bounce gets easier.
Understanding how and why our bikes bounce gets easier.
Video content has exploded during the pandemic with many media outlets who were usually relying on being in the thick of the races for content now getting creative on keeping regular content coming out. While there is a ridiculous amount of rubbish on the internet, things like the Dialed series from Fox have been a gem for anyone looking to go in-depth inside their suspension inner workings, setup and even how to choose the right suspension part for your bike and needs.
And without blowing our own trumpet too loudly, we're right in the middle of the Behind the Numbers series on trail bikes. So far, we've looked at the Commencal Meta TR 29, Norco Sight and Unno Dash. With two more bikes to come and a round up article to put all the suspension curves in one place there's still plenty to get your teeth into.
And without blowing our own trumpet too loudly, we're right in the middle of the Behind the Numbers series on trail bikes. So far, we've looked at the Commencal Meta TR 29, Norco Sight and Unno Dash. With two more bikes to come and a round up article to put all the suspension curves in one place there's still plenty to get your teeth into.
Rider Vlogs
Every rider and their dog share a look inside their professional rider life.
Every rider and their dog share a look inside their professional rider life.
That same lack of time between the tape is making racers from all over the globe look to the internet to keep their social media presence alive and make up for the lack of advertising that they would otherwise be doing on the race track. But it's not solely about the social media presence. Riders like Brendan Fairclough have been finding ever interesting and hair-raising ways to keep themselves entertained and their roof tiles living in fear. His home Rampage and dirt jump build videos are entertaining to say the least and another show of how damn good a rider he is.
Other racers like Jesse Melamed have taken to showcasing their local trails and breaking down their race craft to show how to discover racing lines and learning how much faster they may be. Vali Holl takes you on a more all-encompassing look behind the scenes of some of her days out riding and training.
And then there's always Yoann Barelli and his Into the Gnar series, which still blows my mind that someone can do that speed on a bike and put understandable and entertaining sentences together. A special mention goes out to Joe Barnes for his absolutely hysterical lockdown videos too.
And then there's always Yoann Barelli and his Into the Gnar series, which still blows my mind that someone can do that speed on a bike and put understandable and entertaining sentences together. A special mention goes out to Joe Barnes for his absolutely hysterical lockdown videos too.
Bike Shops & Sales
Sales and service revenue is up as bike popularity soars.
Sales and service revenue is up as bike popularity soars.
It would seem that bikes are experiencing a bit of a renaissance. Daniel Sapp chatted to brick and mortar bike shops about the impact that the coronavirus has had on them and they all report astounding sales numbers while their local areas have been on lockdown and people are either not working or looking at alternative ways to commute and do recreational sports. Bike brands are also reporting huge sales numbers with some brands even having to take measures to allow them to keep things in control while the orders flood in.
We can only hope that this bicycle boom isn't followed by a sharp drop, as those new bikes find their place in the shed and begin to collect the cobwebs. More riders not only drives the industry but also helps to show the potential financial gains available to regions when they invest in bikes as a recreational and touristic venture. Fingers crossed.
We can only hope that this bicycle boom isn't followed by a sharp drop, as those new bikes find their place in the shed and begin to collect the cobwebs. More riders not only drives the industry but also helps to show the potential financial gains available to regions when they invest in bikes as a recreational and touristic venture. Fingers crossed.
Crankworx Whistler
The biggest party for many athletes, and fans, gets cancelled.
The biggest party for many athletes, and fans, gets cancelled.
Another big hit to the mountain bike world came in the cancelling of Crankworx Whistler, the first year that there has not been the infamous festival since 2004. The decision had to be made with the continued ban on gatherings of more than 50 people to try and keep the virus under control. This was due to mark the 17th time Whistler had held the Crankworx event and the racing, partying and general buzz around the town during the event will be sorely missed.
While many would be sleeping off hangovers, Crankworx Whistler also catered to children and youth riders, hosted several female-specific riding clinics, and generally showcased lots of the latest and greatest bikes and products as well as being a platform for photographers and videographers to make a name for themselves. 2020 was also set to be the 10th anniversary of the Red Bull Joyride.
While many would be sleeping off hangovers, Crankworx Whistler also catered to children and youth riders, hosted several female-specific riding clinics, and generally showcased lots of the latest and greatest bikes and products as well as being a platform for photographers and videographers to make a name for themselves. 2020 was also set to be the 10th anniversary of the Red Bull Joyride.
The knock-on effects of the cancellation will likely be felt for a while, with a drop in income that the town would normally see from the thousands of visitors during Crankworx. Some of you commented on the lack of brake bumps that would ensue the cancelation. And while I'm not a fan of brake bumps either, it's sad to see one of the flagship events on the calendar not to be taking place this year. We'll look to 2021 with crossed fingers that Crankworx Whistler, along with many, many other events and festivals, will take place. We did an interview with Darren Kinnaird on the cancellation.
Magnus Manson
The frighteningly fast Canadian takes a big hit.
The frighteningly fast Canadian takes a big hit.
While out riding on Mt Prevost on Vancouver Island, it's been reported that the young gun Magnus Manson has suffered a really nasty crash incurring a broken leg and cracked pelvis.
 | I was riding downhill on Prevost. I just misjudged the speed on a creek gap and overshot onto the next lip and then got air into a tree and hit my hip and legs hard against it, head and rest of body are doing great! Doctors are saying 6-8 weeks till weight bearing and then 6 months till we’re back together, but a ton of people are reaching out already and saying things will move really quickly once the bone fuses to the TI rod that’s in my leg!! Happy to be safe and thankful for the amazing people around me assisting with this insane experience via social media and the ones who were slicing me open. I am going to start counting the days till I can throw a leg over the bike again! |
For anyone who's currently out injured, and to Magnus, we wish you all a speedy and full recovery.
Employees at Brands
Companies scale down their workforces in the wake of the pandemic.
Companies scale down their workforces in the wake of the pandemic.
Despite bike sales booming, we've seen many a company in the industry report that they have had to let some of their staff go. Specialized announced the firing of 46 staff members, 7% of its workforce. Dakine closed its office in Hood River and relocated to Southern California, laying off 39 staff members in the process.
While it's hard to speak for each individual company all over the globe, it seems that a lot of companies over in Europe had to reduce their budgets in order to qualify for assistance from the government to weather the financial storm, with unfortunately some of that budget cut coming from reducing the number of staff.
While it's hard to speak for each individual company all over the globe, it seems that a lot of companies over in Europe had to reduce their budgets in order to qualify for assistance from the government to weather the financial storm, with unfortunately some of that budget cut coming from reducing the number of staff.
It's a hard pill to swallow for the industry, brands and individuals, especially during a time of apparent growth in sales in many segments of the industry. Some notable brands, however, have reported sales being down in the first quarter of the year. Shimano reported a 15% drop in year on year sales in its bike division, while Fox's bike division was down 1.8%. Fox reported that a shift in timing of OEM orders was the culprit as the impacts of the coronavirus had impacted the supply chain and brands had pushed bike launches and orders back.
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Must Read This Week
Of thinking is why we are in this situation.
Take a good look at your country... Greatest Country on Earth? Jeeze man, your not even the greatest country on the North American Continent.
Greatest charade on Earth would be better.
www.fox13news.com/news/polk-sheriff-grady-judd-recommends-residents-shoot-looters-who-break-into-homes
“One man” go do one you fool !
Absolute shit month(s). Let's hope for a better half of 2020. And now back on the bike which we couldn't ride for months due to the virus.
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/investigating-bricks-at-protests
If you watch that link I posted earlier you’ll see largely the bad apples are coming prepared to these demonstrations to cause problems. We still have anarchist running amuck that are trying to take advantage of the current turmoil. As far as trump goes....he’s gonna do trump things....Also who’s to say trump never has read the bible?
@TacosMaGee: well said. Does it justify the looting and damage groups of individuals are causing though?
It was not an overhyped virus that created a situation that did not allow you to ride. It was a power-hungry government(s) and seemingly some social experiment, coupled with some people's desire to conform that caused you to not be able to ride.
What is funny to me is that the same governments that will allow you to purchase smokes and booze decided they wanted to protect your life. I guess they could not figure out a way to tax viral protections.
Social media banter seems ineffective way to hold authorities accountable I am affraid... especially when it is propelled by people like me who know sht about the subject.
To some there are mostly good cops and a few bad apples.
To some there are mostly peaceful protestors and a few bad apples.
Now here’s the funny thing about apples, you put one bad one near a bunch of good ones and the good ones turn. Even if they’re in separate baskets near each other, divided only by a line of shields or a wall of ideology, they still turn others bad until the whole lot looks rotten.
People on the streets in US, or in Swedish poorer neighborhoods don't exactly have that many alternatives. I guess that's how I like to separate myself from SJWs - saying I don't know. What I can tell you though is that I have allergy for self made people... those who think they worked hardto get where they are. There's Dan Peña and then there's a lot of folks who are incapable of seeing how fricking easy they had it. I don't hear people of the likes of Elon Musk talking this way man. Upper middle class a*sholes though... I am always trying to put myself in someone eleses shoes. For good and bad.
I'm obviiously bummed for anyone being subject to racism or any form of one man getting over another. But I'm also bummed out about majority of cops because it's a god damn hard job that almost nobody wants to do and they get paid shit. Now all of them pay the price of a few a*sholes doing outrageous crap.
Do you think that maybe the fact that you are ALWAYS below threshold means something you're saying should be rethought?
Whites are three times as likely to be shot by the police in America than Asians. Does that mean the police is systemically racist against whites?
There is too much conflation of protesters and anarchist rioters. I don’t think the American government would set out to f*ck up peaceful protesters, but anarchist rioters and looters surely deserve everything they get.
You either condemn racism/fascism or you’re ok with it/deny it !!
I condemn racism and all forms of discrimination.
I condemn the wrongful accusation of racism along with flippant use of the word; pigeon holing, stereotyping, and the presumtion or claim to know someone's thoughts better than they know their own thoughts.
I condemn police harrassment of innocent people and peaceful protesters.
I condemn the police, rioters and anarchists, and anyone who would use a peaceful protest to start trouble.
I also condemn news outlets that put page views and viewing figures above actual reporting.
I’m glad you condemn so many things but these news outlets that put page views seem to have got your attention !
I get that people are hurting and trying to be heard but the news is covering the hell out of this and you primarily only hear of the injuries and wrongful treatment of the rioters from overly aggressive police forces.
The police officers going out to these protests are already on edge. The officers are going into a hostile environment to begin with and are seeing what’s happening to other police officers that are being hit with bricks, caught on fire by Molotov cocktails. I think if I’m being put in that situation I would tend to try to be the aggressor instead of the victim. Not because of racism but because of fight or flight/self preservation.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=rGwAjPgo8Jc
Or, is it no different than asking toddlers in daycare if naps are mean? I bet you anything more toddlers think that naps are mean than not. They also do not like 8 pm bedtime or green peas.
Those who do not understand the basics of life and how it is NOT fair, we are NOT all equal (not even in some Socialist delusion) and god did not intend us to be equal (no doubt some ignorant folks will read that as racist).
Want proof we are not equal? Why do we not all have the same skills, intelligence and even identical bikes, homes and IQ's? Some kids excel, some kids fail, some kids play pro hockey, some others require gravity to bring their mountain bike down a slope.
But man, you’re so hypocritical. You talk freedom. Choice. Liberty. And then condemn the electorate for being blind, stupid or what have you because they don’t align to your views. You actually think you’re better than them and know what they should want or what they should believe. That is so incredibly arrogant and it is hugely ironic that it is the same stance as those who take dictatorial power under the guise of knowing better for the people.
I know you’ll disagree. But the contradiction in your statements is so glaringly obvious. Freedom (for everyone who agrees with me)!!!
I think all people working hard to give kids inspiration, more useful forms of education, preparing then for adult life, rather than just feeding them data about the world, they can find themselves often in a more interesting and more reliable form, these are the people who really increase equality of opportunity. Our kids Also need opportunity to not become racists. I was lucky, many kids in Sweden are lucky to be taught not tolerance, but cooperation. Concept of Tolerance itself indicates The size of the problem, yet it is quite present in this world. We are not equal, we cannot be, but we are very much alike.
Equal is equal, college funds make folks "more equal". That is disgusting. And, why I said before, there is absolutely just cause for Asians to sue Harvard Business School for letting in black candidates because they were black (though they tested lower than Asiains in every measurable parameter). That is what is wrong with US Society today.
Plus, 100% of the taxes to Welfare and on and on and on are a total waste of money and resources.
"Plus, 100% of the taxes to Welfare and on and on and on are a total waste of money and resources."
That's partly because there's virtually no accountability on efficiency of this exepnditure and "Leftwingers" and "socialists" ( imean people who claim they stand behind such values) instead of scrutinizing it, are happy and go home as soon as "take from the rich - give to the poor" box is ticked off. It's a sound idea and left populists are fine with it just being in the media - X millions of dollars to the welfare - well done Carl! You area virtous man for fixing this into the budget. By the way, yes you can take some of it for yourself and your minions. Any "rightwinger" with a bit of IQ will manipulate such obvious BS. Self feeding machine of two parties accusing each other of same things and feeding their wallets with stir coming out of it. In my environmentally sound city, Nobody, absolutely NOBODY benefits more from left-greenie invented taxes more, than infrastructure sector, they criticize for ruining the environment. The more they virtue signal the more concrete and asphalt is being poured. And what do their voters do? They don't even see the concrete, som much they are touched by the words...
"Immigrant crisis"? That was a show. Innercity was booming with rainbow and "welcome!" flags. Almost zero shelters were built in proximity of the center, they got spread around the satellite towns where opportunities to get a job are NONE. All virtue singallers did was they sort of put cups with water for wandering cats, but didn't take in any cat, yet they enjoyed wonderful bliss believing somebody takes care of these poor cats. in some shelter, erm... somewhere, yeah - I bet they have it great there. What did the awful racists do? They took full advantage of it! It was a Godsend for anti immigration folks. Oh look, they put those people in shelters and they start dealing drugs, beating and raping women, even social workers that are taking care of them. Who failed? Lefties who thought 1.Accept immigrants > 2.? >3.Healed world, made to be a better place for you and for me and the entire human race. or maybe rather 1.Tell to accept immigrants 2. Voters marching in. 3.immigrants somewhere, nobody knows
As long as it is big words and cheap recreational compassion, nothing gets done (oh black out post on instagram from a celebrity - I guess I will remove swastica tattoo from my forearm! - no no, it is to the smarter people - yeah, oh a blackout post - I guess I will stop watching netflix and teach kids form poor neighbourhoods how to make savings!), and that is exactly what is going on. Now... Hell I am the part of the gang that doesn't do anything that would indicate that i actually care, I just don't signal, and resist the urge to reward myself for the virtuous thoughts. Quite many don't. But there is also ZERO value in being cynical here, I just don't give medals for nice words. I don't do anything else than what serves me and my family. I don't want any medal for being an a*shole either. I quite often feel like you do, I write sht like that myself. That kinds of puts us on the same level with them. That's what we do: "oh let's feed the poor" - "nah! give them yourself or you are full of shit!" - we do the second part. It starts itching me...
@waki : these are the ramblings of a messed head !
I have seen very few actual institutional civil rights violations against any race more than Caucasians in decades. While it is shameful that 80% + of our incarcerated population is black, there is a common cause (multi-generational failures and dependence on Social programs).
Currently, in the US I would think the Asians/Middle Eastern are most subject to not having fair treatment (by colleges and employers). Then we take on idiots like Women's Soccer and WNBA..the bitch for them if they were to be paid on the same percentage of revenue as the NBA...well, they would all get massive pay cuts...fair is fair, right?
Equal rights does not mean equal income, access, or privilege. There is also zero freedom of speech on private property, in a private busienss or in public forums. Period.
"You shouldn't be here."
"You shouldn't do that."
"This is our bit."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JjVg0Sbsh4
Bad month: Basically every dickhead with a keyboard in the hidden comment section
I would have been happy paying 50p or maybe £1 a month for just this feature, but £6.99 per month for all the other garbage that no one needs is rediculous.
The only things I care about are the segment leaderboards, fastest this year, fastest today, and that graph it gives you for your monthly time stats and whatnot.
I get that there is a lot of functionality for those middle aged guys who are super seriously into their training and love to inspect their every metric, set goals and such But that's not me. For me it's just another app, one of many on my phone that I'm not that bothered about.
When I looked how many active Strava accounts there are worldwide, I found the answer to be 42 million. I read an article that said Strava has 170 employees. That's a lot of money if even 10% of users subscribe. I can't presume too much but I doubt those employees are earning a ton of cash.
I also think we in the UK got the shitty end of the stick with the exchange rate. $5 American has been converted to £4 a month... but in like for like terms it's not worth £4. More like £2.50.
I wish they would do three levels of Strava. £48 for the full bells and whistles. Something like £10 for leaderboards only. Free for just activity recording or whatever.
It would be interesting if they actually approached any target groups to discuss these moves before they made them or if they just went blind and decided to rip it out beneath our feet.
"Just wait six months and there will be thousands of used bikes for sale. People will be giving them away."
Can't assume everyone buying COVID-19 bikes went all in with a $5k rig.
Maybe this has been happening, but mostly on road bikes and e bikes.
Doesn't make sense (and it's not some black art of accounting, I'm a finance director, money in = good! Therefore no need to apply to government initiatives whatever the prerequisite)
Perhaps an opportunity to streamline and tell the media it's due to Covid-19. Don't know.
Virus is a hoax. Are you seriously telling us that their is a worldwide hoax involving millions of players? Seriously? You genuinely believe that?
There are hundreds (probably thousands) of doctors and scientists speaking out, but you won’t see that unless you stop taking the heavy whiff of MSM.
There is obviously massive nuance to the blunt claim of ‘it’s a hoax’. In 2020, if you don’t realise the massive power held by the pharmaceutical cartel, you aren’t paying attention.
Switch off your TV, start learning about the past history and connections between government, big pharmaceutical, and the self appointed rulers of earth. There’s a ludicrous amount of f*ckery going on and frankly it’s not even that well hidden. They’re relying on you sucking up the mainstream news.
This will be an unpopular comment, because generally pinkbikers are ‘official narrative’ types. But it’s got to be said. Look at the post-covid world that’s being created and honestly ask yourself.. cui bono?
So, let’s have a discussion. Maybe start with why the ten year old Rockefeller Lockstep document (publicly available) looks like a play by play account of what’s happening? Then maybe we can discuss why the computer nerd who has been banging on about overpopulation for years, suddenly wants to save everyone with his vaccine program? (He has openly talked about the ROI of vaccines, for starters)
These are just two questions. There are hundreds of shady anomalies in what we are being told. We can’t answer them all with ‘coincidence theory’.
I'm paying attention all right. I thank my parents for the money to got to Uni in the 80s for that.
So, what is different now to when Kitchener said the UK needed YOU to fight for King and Country, rallying the masses to the cause?
What is different now to when McNamara asked for and got his 100,000 low IQ troops to send off for slaughter in Vietnam?
What is any different now to when the public at large swallow hook, line and sinker the lies masquerading as god-given truths that those in power have peddled to maintain their influence throughout any time in history?
350 million for the NHS a week anyone? Sure.
You see my point; there have been enough gullible fools throughout history to propagate lies and rumour made to look like the truth before the truth has even got out of bed.
So what's new? Even if this 'plandemic' were just that, which I personally think has little truth to it (unless you think that part of the plan is running wet markets selling rodent meat; just sit back and wait a few decades and you'll get what you are looking for without having to lift a finger), no, even if it were true...
a) it is nothing new and
b) the public at large are generally more than happy to play along when prodded.
Anyways, the US will be fine. It has it's famous second amendment for just this scenario!
So chill US of A, the good ol' boys have got it covered.
Come back to me when Trump is rolling down the street in an A1 Abrams at the head of a federal army shooting up the hippies huddling together by candlelight on the banks of the Ptomac, and I might start planning to buy that log cabin out back yonder for me and the goats.
Otherwise, bring me a beer and I'll watch it all unfold.
It's not lies,it's life.
As for the joining the dots between this, so they can kill/control/drug/fill-your-own-horror-here , it's just nonsense.
Yes there's always been conspiracies, but there generally illegal, and nearly always get found out.
As for ol' Bill, I've not checked, but sure he was just worried about population getting out of control, and tried to introduce contraception into areas that didn't traditionally use it, and his vaccine program is to try and prevent people (usually kids) in generally the same parts of the world, getting easily prevented horrible diseases, which you and yours won't get, thanks to whom I wonder....ahh, big pharma! Praise a lord, or not,as the case may be...
Guess who wrote that.
Perhaps we should get back on topic too. Pinkbike has helped to keep us all sane through very odd times.
Thanks PB for such great content and for keeping us entertained whilst we wait(ed) to get back on our bikes.
So chill US of A, the good ol' boys have got it covered.
Come back to me when Trump is rolling down the street in an A1 Abrams at the head of a federal army shooting up the hippies huddling together by candlelight on the banks of the Ptomac, and I might start planning to buy that log cabin out back yonder for me and the goats.
Otherwise, bring me a beer and I'll watch it all unfold."
I love you man........
Anyway. Amen to bikes. They are a welcome respite from whatever this world conjures up, irrespective of which viewpoint you choose.
Peace.
Any movie by Adam Curtis is well worth a look; I can't remember the name of the series he made about Game Theory, but it was excellent stuff.
www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2020/05/29/public-bike-company-stocks-rebound-markets-%E2%80%94%C2%A0-shimano-hits-record-highs#.XterQjpKg2w
LOL, that is FAKE NEWS!!!!! Seriously, an average cop near Chicago is well over $100k with many well over $200k (over time making DUI arrests).
The cop who killed Floyd has a VERY nice "Vacation Home" in Orlando - www.orangeobserver.com/photo-gallery/hundreds-protest-outside-derek-chauvins-windermere-area-home
Sure wish I was underpaid like that. I bet most of us do....
PLEASE let it be all their legal team. Asshats.
Wow, You must really get off on it. Have a nice ride to nowhere.
.
While having a stronger industry has many plus’s encouraging people to go out and buy, or suggesting that the “bicycle boom” is a plus, is hypocritical when compared to the countless notifications on Pinkbike and Trailforks about Covid 19 safety.