Well, we’ve wrapped up the second annual Dirt Rag Women’s Weekend and thanks to Nina, Ray and all the fine folks at Ray’s MTB Indoor Park in Cleveland, we had a wonderfully exciting event that more than doubled the number of participants from last year. Nearly a hundred women of various ages joined us this weekend, many arriving on Friday morning for a day to ourselves in Ray’s.

Read the full article at: dirtragmag.com

I was just doing some work preparing for my 2009 season and came across a Ryan Leech ad that Norco ran with one of my images from 2008.

It’s a shot I took just outside Toronto in April. My good friend and riding buddy, Bob Bonner, can along to help me on this shoot. He’s a true friend; always willing to lend a hand. It was an early morning shoot and quite cold. We had a lot of fun, as Is always the case when working with Ryan.

read the full article at: fasttimesinc.com

he Vixa feels like an appendage you’ve had since birth. It’s virtually effortless to whip through corners. It feels stiff, light, springy, and extremely quick. It’s easy to throw over through tight corners and effortless to return to vertical.

Read the full article at:
mtbr.com

Norco is on Twitter, Check out the latest updates at: twitter.com/norcobikes

MOUTAIN BIKE EVENING

EVENING PROGRAM

GUEST SPEAKER
Pat Mulrooney in a slide show “Elusive Single-Track in the Chilcotin’s” riding the hidden
corners of the Chilcotin region of British Columbia.

FILMS

Brocation (Canada, 2008, 16 min, directed by Brock Anderson)
The film follows Wylie Easton on his bike trips around the Lower Mainland and the interior
of British Columbia.

SLIDE SHOW
Dan Barham’s “everything” presentation of mountain biking images with music.

INTERMISSION

FILMS
Gobi (Canada, 2008, 4 min, directed by Jeremy Grant)
Two of the world’s best freeride mountain bikers search for the ultimate riding experience in the
Gobi Desert of China.

Revolution One (USA/Canada, 2009, 10 min, directed by Dan Heaton)
Scenes from the upcoming unicycling film by Dan Heaton.
MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION

Jamie Houssian’s “Collective: A Look Back Behind the Scenes.” One of the most prolific and
innovative mountain biking directors delivers a presentation on the art of shooting biking films.

Seasons - Festival Cut (Canada, 2008, 20 min, directed by Jamie Houssian) Festival version of last year’s film by the Collective crew, featuring all-season riding and interviews with the riders.


PRESENTED BY NORCO
THURSDAY FEB 26TH
DOORS 6:30 PM / SHOW 7:30 PM

CENTENNIAL THEATRE
2300 LONSDALE, NORTH VANCOUVER
ADVANCED TICKETS $17 / $19 AT DOOR
CALL 604.984.4484 OR ORDER
ONLINE AT WWW.VIMFF.ORG

Norco rider, Ryan Leech's latest video on the Gulf Islands has won Video of the day on Pinkbike.com.

Watch the video at: pinkbike.com

09 has already been a fantastic riding season here in Washington with our unusually dry and warm-ish winter (post flooding). The December snow storms still have remnants on the upper trails, but for the most part riding has been occupying most of my time as usual. To make things even better, I've got a great spring test bike courtesy of Norco Bikes .

Read the full review at pinkbike.com

Cobaltxxx, better known as David Pare has got his hands on a 2009 Norco 4Hun Frame, compliments of Norco Bikes. David guessed the correct answer to our skill testing question, 'If Norco Factory Team rider Ben Boyko were to ride a Chro-Moly hardtail instead of an alloy dirt jumper what would the wheelbase of his bike be?'

See the full article at pinkbike.com

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent consumer survey. The results will help to better meet your cycling needs for years to come.

Congratulations to grand prize winner George Batista who is the new proud owner of a 2009 Norco Storm.

I don’t know about you, but I find this time of year can be a little frustrating. On one hand, I am all keen and jonesing to get out on my bike - to start acting on all those positive New Years Resolutions - but on the other hand the weather and snow on the ground just frustrates this plan. I have had snow at my place for more than a month. I’m starting to know how many other parts of the world normally feel this time of year… Ahhh, cabin fever.

So… how do I deal with that?? I change it up. For the past few years, rather than simply backing off the riding during the winter months and getting bummed with weather and deteriorating fitness level, I just do something different for my workouts. For years it was squash and more recently it has been running. Yup, I’m a winter runner. Of course I still ride when I can, but these rides are more icing on the cake rather than the main meal.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to ramble on here about how you should all take up running, but the point is changing it up – doing whatever it is that you want to do is a pretty cool thing to do in the winter months. Running works for me, do what works for you.

I’ve been lucky enough to hook up with a great group of runners for my off-season plan as well; so, like riding, the social network is there. Even on those pouring, rainy days, I know there will be this group of other crazies waiting to hook up and go for a run. That part is really no different than the summer ride group… and yes, I’d get just as much hassle for bailing out of a run on a rainy night as I would pulling the pin on a ride on a rainy morning. You know the deal… once the ride or run is set up, you better be there or be prepared to take the harassing from the rest of the group.

Anyway, enough rambling… Remember to keep it fun. Try mixing it up if you don’t already, that will send you tank slapping out of the rut pretty quick.

Seeya out there !

Steak Sauce

Even the Real Housewives of Orange County couldn't complain about the tremendous weather when Norco's Dustan Sept and sponsored trials rider Ryan Leech stopped in for a ride last Friday. The two Canadians escaped winter (at least temporarily) as part of a weeklong road trip where they visited several publications including BRAIN, looking to improve their tans and hit the trails.

read the full article at bicycleretailer.com