The 2012 Norco International Dealer Launch took place in July where the top Norco Dealers from Canada, US and International locations gathered in beautiful North Vancouver BC for the Launch of the 2012 Norco Bikes. The event span over three days where attendees were given the lowdown on the new Norco product line. The most important part of the launch though is getting out to ride; Norco bikes are made to be ridden and that is what the launch is all about.
Upon arrival in North Vancouver the event kicked off with an urban ride around the famous Stanley Park Seawall. For this ride, the crew split into groups and head out for a post-travel light pedal. The 10km loop around the park takes riders beneath the Lions Gate Bridge, past the 9 O’Clock Gun, through 3rd beach and back to the Seabus for a quick hop back to the hotel. For this ride, the perfect bike can be a mountain bike, road bike or even and urban commuter- it doesn’t matter. It is all about being on a bike – any bike!
Following the urban ride, the next morning was time for a bit of a classroom session to learn about the bikes that were to be ridden that afternoon. Setting up in the world famous riding area of Seymour Mtn. riders had the option of Road, Cross Country, All Mountain or Freeride trail options. With more than 120 demo bikes available, everyone was given the opportunity to ride whatever bike they felt the urge to swing a leg over.
The Trails in the Mt. Seymour area are amazing. From flowing singletrack to steep rocky climbs there is a little bit of everything whether you are testing out a 100mm 29er or a 200mm DH bike there is something that will suit just about anyone on pretty much any bike.
After an afternoon of riding and a few minor tweaks to the fleet of bikes, we did it all over again the following day. Starting the morning off with a few presentations we were back out riding the trails by lunchtime.
At the end of two days of riding, the bikes were rounded up and tucked away. All 120 plus bikes had seen several riders and pretty much every attendee had ridden at least a few different bikes. Besides a little bit of west coast rain the event could not have gone any smoother. The result was smiling faces, muddy bikes and a whole lot of excitement for the year to come.
No event is complete without a few beers, a BBQ and of course a Ryan Leech trials demonstration. For this we head over to a local Jay Hoots Bike Park where we set up and did a little bit of socializing. We were lucky enough to have the boys from the Dirt Norco Race Team Ben Reid and Dan Stanbridge out for the event as well. When they weren’t talking about their input into the 2012 Norco Aurum or the current World Cup Season and found a little time to hit the dirtjumps local park.
Of course, the Ryan Leech Trials Demonstration is always a crowd pleaser. With a bit of a slippery stage set, Ryan put on two shows at the BBQ and did not disappoint. What an amazing show! If you have never seen a Ryan Leech Demo, put it on your demo list. This is the best trials demonstration in the world!
A big thanks to everyone that came out! Hopefully we will sea you again next year. For everyone else that was not able to attend. Check back next month for the new 2012 Norco Bikes to be on norco.com. In the meantime here are a few links to tide your excitement.
2012 Norco Aurum on Vital MTB
2012 Norco Sight on MTBR
2012 Norco Revolver on MTBR
2012 Norco Valence and Threshold on BikeRumor
A reference picture and some brass tubing…
The pieces coming together…
The details…
The Norco Manifesto Model
My silly interpretations aside, the real reason is that an employee summited Mt. Truax, a 9450 foot peak near Bralorne, BC.
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