February 2017 - Good Month or Bad Month?
The International Mountain Bicycling Association
Dave Wiens Appointed Executive Director
Dave Wiens Appointed Executive Director
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) appointed Dave Wiens to the position of executive director at the beginning of February, a move that has the potential to give a new sense of direction to the trail advocacy group.
In addition to being an XC racing legend, Wiens has spent more than a decade working to improve and expand the mountain biking opportunities surrounding the town of Gunnison, Colorado. As a mountain biker who understands the complexities of working with land managers and government agencies, and who also appreciates the value of technical trails, Wiens is well qualified for his new role and could be the ticket to helping IMBA evolve into an even more effective advocacy group.
In addition to being an XC racing legend, Wiens has spent more than a decade working to improve and expand the mountain biking opportunities surrounding the town of Gunnison, Colorado. As a mountain biker who understands the complexities of working with land managers and government agencies, and who also appreciates the value of technical trails, Wiens is well qualified for his new role and could be the ticket to helping IMBA evolve into an even more effective advocacy group.
 | As a mountain biker I share a passion for trails and riding with this entire community. IMBA has been an important part of mountain biking getting better and better over the past 30 years and I'm looking forward to working with mountain bikers from all over, as well as other stakeholders, while IMBA continues to help provide great places to ride. |
Racing in the Southern Hemisphere
From Chile to NZ, There's a Thriving Race Scene South of the Equator
From Chile to NZ, There's a Thriving Race Scene South of the Equator
If the view outside your window is of a frozen, snow-covered landscape, you're not alone – winter hasn't released its grasp on much of the Northern Hemisphere, which means that the race coverage coming out of sunny and warm locations is all the more envy-inducing.
From the Andes Pacifico Enduro in Chile to the DH races in New Zealand and Australia, there's been plenty of exciting racing action to follow, helping to ease the sting of the off-season lull before the Enduro World Series and the DH World Cup return. Many pros use these events as an early season tune up, a way to gauge their speed and get acquainted with new equipment before the big show begins, which means that locals get the chance to compare their times against some of the best riders in the world.
From the Andes Pacifico Enduro in Chile to the DH races in New Zealand and Australia, there's been plenty of exciting racing action to follow, helping to ease the sting of the off-season lull before the Enduro World Series and the DH World Cup return. Many pros use these events as an early season tune up, a way to gauge their speed and get acquainted with new equipment before the big show begins, which means that locals get the chance to compare their times against some of the best riders in the world.
Who's ready for some dusty DH runs?
Flat Tire Prevention
More Options Than Ever In the Fight Against Flats
More Options Than Ever In the Fight Against Flats
Nobody likes flat tires or damaged rims, and February seemed to be full of accessories designed to help prevent just that. From Paul Aston's review of the Huck Norris insert to the unveiling of the Flat Tire Defender system that Aaron Gwin and Tracy Moseley, among others, had been secretly running while it was being developed, there's suddenly a new batch of options on the market to help keep flats from ruining rides or race runs.
There's also a company called CushCore who recently released a liner that falls into the same category as the Flat Tire Defender, sitting in the rim bed to provide a layer of cushioning between the tire and the rim during hard impacts. We'll be comparing the various options against each other in the near future, once we've spent enough time smashing wheels into rocks to deliver a clear verdict.
There's also a company called CushCore who recently released a liner that falls into the same category as the Flat Tire Defender, sitting in the rim bed to provide a layer of cushioning between the tire and the rim during hard impacts. We'll be comparing the various options against each other in the near future, once we've spent enough time smashing wheels into rocks to deliver a clear verdict.
Christchurch Adventure Park
Wildfires Force Temporary Closure
Wildfires Force Temporary Closure
Massive wildfires ripped through the Christchurch Adventure Park in the middle of February, forcing the park to close while the fires are brought under control and the extent of the damage is assessed. Luckily, the fire did spare the village and base area, but it's still unknown when it will be possible to reopen.
The park is a new addition to the Christchurch mountain bike scene, created with the goal of being the world's first lift accessed bike park to offer year round riding. Here's hoping that the cleanup and rebuilding goes smoothly, and that the park is back in full operation before too long.
The park is a new addition to the Christchurch mountain bike scene, created with the goal of being the world's first lift accessed bike park to offer year round riding. Here's hoping that the cleanup and rebuilding goes smoothly, and that the park is back in full operation before too long.
Photo: Richard Goldsbury
The Roost
Steve Shannon Wins Pinkbike Photo of the Year
Steve Shannon Wins Pinkbike Photo of the Year
Pinkbike's 2016 Photo of the Year...
...and the runner up.
It was a close contest, but when all the votes had been tallied, Steve Shannon took home the win in Pinkbike's Photo of the Year contest, along with $5,000 for his sun beam-filled image. The final round saw Shannon's image pitted against Bartek Wolinski's photo of Nick Pescetto throwing up a smokescreen of roost, and the comments section lit up with a crowd of of vocal anti-roost advocates, with the general reasoning being that, 'if you've seen one roost shot you've seen them all.'
For the record, a roost shot hasn't won since 2013, but there is something about a big cloud of dirt that seems to propel an image towards the final round each year. In any case, while the roost may have been defeated, it's not all bad news for Bartek – he still takes home $3,000 for his efforts.
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Weens?
Vines?
Veens?
I've always wondered...
Just people seem to have a hard on for hating the shot because it's been done to death. But then so has a shot of people riding through woods. I've seen literally tens of thousands of them.
And saying all the hatred for the roost photo people seem to love all the roosting in videos from people like 50:01 and their ilk.
Bad month for Jeff as he's getting the sack .
Nearly rhymed , was that aloud
It's been done to death.