English
NORCO NEWS
OCTOBER 2009
OCTOBER 2009
Norco Performance Bikes have taken inspiration from the world famous North Shore riding scene. The Shore 1 heads their fleet of freeride rigs designed for railing the roughest terrain and being able to trundle back up for another run.
Read the full article at: bikeradar.com
Read the full article at: bikeradar.com
Wow the first two days were great and to think Pete says that day 3 will blow all our minds and expectations of Moab. Looking forward to hitting the trails, but scared about doubling our distance intake of the past 2 days. We also ran into 6 other Canadians that are going to join us for the Whole Enchilada and who knew that one was even Ryan Leech's brother in law - small world!
Read the full article at pinkbike.com
Read the full article at pinkbike.com
Norco has launched a new carbon platform for 2010. The lightest, stiffest and fastest XC bike we have ever made. Have a look at a video highlight from interbike at: bicycling.com
Norco Factory Team rider Andrew Watson not only races XC and Cyclocross. . . He also blogs! Have a look at his latest ramblings from Day 1 of the GNC Toronto International Cyclocross racing.
Woke up, went for a morning spin, took a flick (year one, pretty good) back to blockbuster, two birds one stone.
Had a solid breaky, and got some food ready to take down. Got packed up, then just relaxed with the feet up for a while watching a little superman returns. After watching a bit of Cast Away, way to depressing.
Loaded up the AWI, racing vehicle with the team photographer, and mascot. After not trusting my directions, we arrived, I've learned by experience that there is no westbound Ranforth exit, and you have to get off at carlingview. But year after year they keep writing that for the directions.
Got signed in, the day was perfect, chilly but the sun was warm, course was dry almost dusty. I was able to sneak onto the course before the women's race for a lap, didn't get vary far before I rolled my tubular off, first time ever, though to be honest it was more of a hitting it off on the stairs I was trying to ride. There was a guy with a video camera so it may end up on you tube or something. Rolled back to the car, and put my other heavier wheels on. I wanted to run the lighter wheels I have, they are coming to the end of their live but I figured I could get another race on them. Oh well, can’t go wrong with 1700 gram reflex/32/ultegra setup. Still waiting for those carbon tubulars to show up to 'review'...i swear I will declare them.
Anyway, the women were off so I headed to the Sunday course on the other side of the venue to warm-up. Juice and I turned a lap or two before he disappeared, serious he was behind me then he was gone.
Good pep talk with Matt and Havy, got stuffed squared away.
Got one lap in on the course after the women's race then got lined up. Third row right in the middle not bad, behind Box, who was behind Mike so good starters.
Start wasn't bad, nothing too crazy singled up into a nice train pretty quick. The gaps started to form even before we hit the first climb up the hill. Just started trying to jump across whenever a gap opened up and soon I found myself in the top ten coming up to the lead group, containing the Cannondale guys, St John, Schouten, Jacques-Maynes and Anthony. Came into the barriers to hear being yelling big crash, just caught the aftermath of Powers bailing really hard over the barriers. He must have been right in the middle of the group as it slowed them down enough for me to latch on.
The pace was pretty high, St. John and Johnson were at the front. I had burned about half my book of matches to get up there so I needed to just try and hang on for a lap and hope to recover. It was tough the pace on the climb was incredible. Out of the saddle sprint. I managed to stay attached and even move past Schouten.
Can't remember when Johnson made his move but when he did he meant business, and gapped everyone quick. Driscoll was at the front and he was next to go up the course. I was still trying to get my bearings back and sat on at the back. So group of 4 Schouten, St John, Jacques-Maynes and myself. It was my turn to hit the deck, just after the barriers I was little off my line and in the loose stuff and before I knew it my front wheel was gone. Schouten got by me so I was left chasing for the next lap of so to get back on. Another 1/4 of the matches burnt. Got there, and not long after moved past Jaques-Maynes who faded back.
3 left, I was looking at a top 5, podium spot if I could at least hold on. Matt was yelling at me like a mad man and I knew I had to try for the top 3. I attacked hard with 1.5 to go, got past St John, but couldn't put any real estate between us. Led until the second part of the climb, I drifted wide, getting tired and opened it up for him to get by and attack hard on the left side. I buried it, but he put time into me across the top. Quickly running out of ground took a risk or two on the decent and narrowed the gap. I knew I couldn't out power him into the finish but I wasn't going to pack it in either.
On a fast right hander, he slid out which opened it up for me to get by. I only had a few feet, I had used my entire Kyle Fry issue match book, but I stuck it in the big ring and hammered out the last couple corners and straight, holding onto a few seconds. Definitely the hardest fought cross battle I have ever done.
Started to put time into 2nd, but I'm pretty sure he just cruised the last lap, saving a little for tomorrow, Johnson was 35 seconds up.
Huge thanks to all the people yelling and cheering, had some Barrie and area guys come down to watch which was great. Matt P for holding my bike like a pro and not letting me let up an inch, Pete for keeping Matt in line. The Scandium Norco loved going up and down that hill too, it has that down part in its blood I just have to sit back and relax it just steers itself.
Up next bed, race is earlier tomorrow so out a hear a little earlier too. It's a totally different style course, out of two times I've never been able to put it all together on it. But I'm looking forward to it.
'At least you didn't swear when you crashed'
Read Andrew's Blog at: awaicycling.blogspot.com
See the full race results at: pedalmag.com
Woke up, went for a morning spin, took a flick (year one, pretty good) back to blockbuster, two birds one stone.
Had a solid breaky, and got some food ready to take down. Got packed up, then just relaxed with the feet up for a while watching a little superman returns. After watching a bit of Cast Away, way to depressing.
Loaded up the AWI, racing vehicle with the team photographer, and mascot. After not trusting my directions, we arrived, I've learned by experience that there is no westbound Ranforth exit, and you have to get off at carlingview. But year after year they keep writing that for the directions.
Got signed in, the day was perfect, chilly but the sun was warm, course was dry almost dusty. I was able to sneak onto the course before the women's race for a lap, didn't get vary far before I rolled my tubular off, first time ever, though to be honest it was more of a hitting it off on the stairs I was trying to ride. There was a guy with a video camera so it may end up on you tube or something. Rolled back to the car, and put my other heavier wheels on. I wanted to run the lighter wheels I have, they are coming to the end of their live but I figured I could get another race on them. Oh well, can’t go wrong with 1700 gram reflex/32/ultegra setup. Still waiting for those carbon tubulars to show up to 'review'...i swear I will declare them.
Anyway, the women were off so I headed to the Sunday course on the other side of the venue to warm-up. Juice and I turned a lap or two before he disappeared, serious he was behind me then he was gone.
Good pep talk with Matt and Havy, got stuffed squared away.
Got one lap in on the course after the women's race then got lined up. Third row right in the middle not bad, behind Box, who was behind Mike so good starters.
Start wasn't bad, nothing too crazy singled up into a nice train pretty quick. The gaps started to form even before we hit the first climb up the hill. Just started trying to jump across whenever a gap opened up and soon I found myself in the top ten coming up to the lead group, containing the Cannondale guys, St John, Schouten, Jacques-Maynes and Anthony. Came into the barriers to hear being yelling big crash, just caught the aftermath of Powers bailing really hard over the barriers. He must have been right in the middle of the group as it slowed them down enough for me to latch on.
The pace was pretty high, St. John and Johnson were at the front. I had burned about half my book of matches to get up there so I needed to just try and hang on for a lap and hope to recover. It was tough the pace on the climb was incredible. Out of the saddle sprint. I managed to stay attached and even move past Schouten.
Can't remember when Johnson made his move but when he did he meant business, and gapped everyone quick. Driscoll was at the front and he was next to go up the course. I was still trying to get my bearings back and sat on at the back. So group of 4 Schouten, St John, Jacques-Maynes and myself. It was my turn to hit the deck, just after the barriers I was little off my line and in the loose stuff and before I knew it my front wheel was gone. Schouten got by me so I was left chasing for the next lap of so to get back on. Another 1/4 of the matches burnt. Got there, and not long after moved past Jaques-Maynes who faded back.
3 left, I was looking at a top 5, podium spot if I could at least hold on. Matt was yelling at me like a mad man and I knew I had to try for the top 3. I attacked hard with 1.5 to go, got past St John, but couldn't put any real estate between us. Led until the second part of the climb, I drifted wide, getting tired and opened it up for him to get by and attack hard on the left side. I buried it, but he put time into me across the top. Quickly running out of ground took a risk or two on the decent and narrowed the gap. I knew I couldn't out power him into the finish but I wasn't going to pack it in either.
On a fast right hander, he slid out which opened it up for me to get by. I only had a few feet, I had used my entire Kyle Fry issue match book, but I stuck it in the big ring and hammered out the last couple corners and straight, holding onto a few seconds. Definitely the hardest fought cross battle I have ever done.
Started to put time into 2nd, but I'm pretty sure he just cruised the last lap, saving a little for tomorrow, Johnson was 35 seconds up.
Huge thanks to all the people yelling and cheering, had some Barrie and area guys come down to watch which was great. Matt P for holding my bike like a pro and not letting me let up an inch, Pete for keeping Matt in line. The Scandium Norco loved going up and down that hill too, it has that down part in its blood I just have to sit back and relax it just steers itself.
Up next bed, race is earlier tomorrow so out a hear a little earlier too. It's a totally different style course, out of two times I've never been able to put it all together on it. But I'm looking forward to it.
'At least you didn't swear when you crashed'
Read Andrew's Blog at: awaicycling.blogspot.com
See the full race results at: pedalmag.com
As the summer dwindled and fall crept its way onto our calendars Norco was out in numbers during the two final VACC (Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition) Great Rides events. Providing support starting on September 27 right here at Norco HQ in Port Coquitlam, BC and following up a week later in Downtown Vancouver the Norco staff provided everything from tech support, prizes and a taste of the new 2010 bicycles.
The Port Coquitlam event was a huge success, with more than 450 riders coming out to enjoy a relaxed ride in the beautiful sunshine. The ride, which took riders along the 24km (15 mile) PoCo trail, was a great success. The PoCo Trail treated the riders to beautiful scenic vistas, rivers, and wildlife areas that showcased the beauty of this fine province and where Norco calls home. Riders started and finished the ride in the Norco Parking lot, giving riders the chance to see our headquarters and see some of the 2010 product line while the Norco staff made sure their bikes were running in top order. A week later as we prepared to attend the Vancouver ride the weather reports made it look like we would be hiding under the tents to avoid a solid showing of Vancouver’s fall special, rain.
When the Sunday rolled around, however, we woke up to much welcomed sunshine. We hopped in the Norco van stopped for some mandatory coffee and headed downtown to provide support for the final ride of the VACC Great Rides season. Another great day was had by all as riders enjoyed a scenic bicycle tour of the Vancouver area. Great times were had by all and I think it is safe to say that Vancouver and surrounds areas definitely love their bikes.
The Port Coquitlam event was a huge success, with more than 450 riders coming out to enjoy a relaxed ride in the beautiful sunshine. The ride, which took riders along the 24km (15 mile) PoCo trail, was a great success. The PoCo Trail treated the riders to beautiful scenic vistas, rivers, and wildlife areas that showcased the beauty of this fine province and where Norco calls home. Riders started and finished the ride in the Norco Parking lot, giving riders the chance to see our headquarters and see some of the 2010 product line while the Norco staff made sure their bikes were running in top order. A week later as we prepared to attend the Vancouver ride the weather reports made it look like we would be hiding under the tents to avoid a solid showing of Vancouver’s fall special, rain.
When the Sunday rolled around, however, we woke up to much welcomed sunshine. We hopped in the Norco van stopped for some mandatory coffee and headed downtown to provide support for the final ride of the VACC Great Rides season. Another great day was had by all as riders enjoyed a scenic bicycle tour of the Vancouver area. Great times were had by all and I think it is safe to say that Vancouver and surrounds areas definitely love their bikes.
As we roll from summer season over into fall and winter, I have just one important question to start off this month’s rambling: Are you ready to give up your bike riding? If the answer is no, that leads to question #2 -- are you ready for Winter? Are you ready to ride in the wet? Are you ready to ride in colder air temperatures? And are you ready to ride in reduced visibility or even the pitch black darkness?
If the answer to any of these is no, then it’s time to start re-thinking your gameplan. Please don’t become one of those many riders I have barely seen over the past month (or NOT seen is more like it) that are still using their bikes for errands or commuting, but are absolutely invisible with no lights or reflectors on them. I shake my head as I like to give em props for still being out there riding, but wondering how long it will be before someone tries to take them out. Come on now, wanna get hit?
Note: All the following links are not just shameless plugs to supporting companies. These are products that I have paid for myself and use. I wouldn’t recommend them unless I really did LIKE them. And I do...
Wet Weather... well, like someone much smarter than me once said, there is no such thing as lousy weather, just poor clothing choices! So true. I know on those dark and dreary mornings, I pull on a waterproof and windproof shell jacket for my pedal. I can layer up under it when the weather gets colder, but for now a simple base layer and the jacket suffices. When I start working too hard (I try not to) I’ll zip open the pitt-zipps, and pull down the front zipp for some extra flow-through ventilation, if not, keep it all sealed up. Check out axiomgear.com for some GREAT riding jackets.
Keeping dry below the waist is easy too. Simply bolt a set of fenders on. Don’t cheap out with mini or shorty fenders, embrace the fact that you don’t want to get wet AND know that it is way easier on your equipment if it is not getting waterblasted on every ride. Check out these bad-boys fenders here. axiomgear.com Great spray coverage, complete with mud guard flaps front and rear AND a reflective strip down the center. Cool, stay dry and be seen!
Colder Temperatures... Really, if it is cold but still dry, it isn’t too big a deal. As above, adding to the sealed outside layer with an additional jersey or even a thin fleece warms things up pretty quick. The key to enjoyable winter riding is 'sweat management'. Try to work just hard enough to have fun and move along, but not too hard so as to work up a big sweat. Unless of course you have a short commute and can hop into a shower and/or change fully when you get there. Keeping the hands warm has got easier over the years with some great development on nice full finger thicker gloves or even mitts. Check em out here. axiomgear.com I have and have used both. Check out the Lobster and Claw gloves… I use the Stormfront for more wet weather riding.
If it is really cold and you need to cover up more or stay dry, the Stormfront pants rule as do shoe covers, headbands or beanies you can wear under your helmet. Check them out here: axiomgear.com
Seeing and Being Seen... LOTS of great stuff out there on that. My personal choice is to run a BLT Super Doppler rear light. This light is SO BRIGHT,
blt-lights.com there is no way a car is going to miss seeing and avoiding you. One set of 3 AAA batteries last me a whole season of riding and the light is durable and light.
As I ride in an area that I need light to see where I’m going (I do a cool forest trail ride pretty much every morning where there is NO ambient or streetlights) I saved my pennies and bought a Light & Motion Seca 400. I can’t believe how strong and long running this light is. bikelights.com Yes it is big bucks, but this light has extended my riding season to year round.
I’ve gone one step further with lights and added a helmet light to my mix too. I am running the Light & Motion Stella 200 for my top light. Between these 2, I can see everything and can’t be missed.
So, in a nutshell, if you want to keep on riding all winter there is ways to do it. You CAN still have lots of fun on your bike, or keep it functional for commuting or errands. Don’t give up or hang your bike up just cause it’s wet, dark or cold. Embrace it and go play.
Safe travels! Remember… never forget the fun of riding (even in the winter).
Steak Sauce
If the answer to any of these is no, then it’s time to start re-thinking your gameplan. Please don’t become one of those many riders I have barely seen over the past month (or NOT seen is more like it) that are still using their bikes for errands or commuting, but are absolutely invisible with no lights or reflectors on them. I shake my head as I like to give em props for still being out there riding, but wondering how long it will be before someone tries to take them out. Come on now, wanna get hit?
Note: All the following links are not just shameless plugs to supporting companies. These are products that I have paid for myself and use. I wouldn’t recommend them unless I really did LIKE them. And I do...
Wet Weather... well, like someone much smarter than me once said, there is no such thing as lousy weather, just poor clothing choices! So true. I know on those dark and dreary mornings, I pull on a waterproof and windproof shell jacket for my pedal. I can layer up under it when the weather gets colder, but for now a simple base layer and the jacket suffices. When I start working too hard (I try not to) I’ll zip open the pitt-zipps, and pull down the front zipp for some extra flow-through ventilation, if not, keep it all sealed up. Check out axiomgear.com for some GREAT riding jackets.
Keeping dry below the waist is easy too. Simply bolt a set of fenders on. Don’t cheap out with mini or shorty fenders, embrace the fact that you don’t want to get wet AND know that it is way easier on your equipment if it is not getting waterblasted on every ride. Check out these bad-boys fenders here. axiomgear.com Great spray coverage, complete with mud guard flaps front and rear AND a reflective strip down the center. Cool, stay dry and be seen!
Colder Temperatures... Really, if it is cold but still dry, it isn’t too big a deal. As above, adding to the sealed outside layer with an additional jersey or even a thin fleece warms things up pretty quick. The key to enjoyable winter riding is 'sweat management'. Try to work just hard enough to have fun and move along, but not too hard so as to work up a big sweat. Unless of course you have a short commute and can hop into a shower and/or change fully when you get there. Keeping the hands warm has got easier over the years with some great development on nice full finger thicker gloves or even mitts. Check em out here. axiomgear.com I have and have used both. Check out the Lobster and Claw gloves… I use the Stormfront for more wet weather riding.
If it is really cold and you need to cover up more or stay dry, the Stormfront pants rule as do shoe covers, headbands or beanies you can wear under your helmet. Check them out here: axiomgear.com
Seeing and Being Seen... LOTS of great stuff out there on that. My personal choice is to run a BLT Super Doppler rear light. This light is SO BRIGHT,
blt-lights.com there is no way a car is going to miss seeing and avoiding you. One set of 3 AAA batteries last me a whole season of riding and the light is durable and light.
As I ride in an area that I need light to see where I’m going (I do a cool forest trail ride pretty much every morning where there is NO ambient or streetlights) I saved my pennies and bought a Light & Motion Seca 400. I can’t believe how strong and long running this light is. bikelights.com Yes it is big bucks, but this light has extended my riding season to year round.
I’ve gone one step further with lights and added a helmet light to my mix too. I am running the Light & Motion Stella 200 for my top light. Between these 2, I can see everything and can’t be missed.
So, in a nutshell, if you want to keep on riding all winter there is ways to do it. You CAN still have lots of fun on your bike, or keep it functional for commuting or errands. Don’t give up or hang your bike up just cause it’s wet, dark or cold. Embrace it and go play.
Safe travels! Remember… never forget the fun of riding (even in the winter).
Steak Sauce
Love is a strong word that signifies not only an emotional bond but also deeper connection that goes beyond superficial attraction and companionship. Love is formed around a relationship that is intertwined at one’s roots and aligned with personal morals and ideals. Love is something that shapes character and evolves over time into a broad, all-encompassing connection. If I had to describe one thing that shaped my childhood, and guided me to where I am today I would describe my bike. If it wasn’t for my bike I would not be who I am, I would not be where I am and I would not be heading in my current direction. If it wasn’t for my bike I would not be me.
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Sprockids youth cycling club. This is a program founded in Western Canada that gets kids on bikes. In addition the kids are able to learn environmental responsibility, leadership skills and much more. It was because of this program that I started mountain biking and purchased my first mountain bike, a 1996 Norco Magnum. It was on this bike and through the Sprockids program that my love for two wheels took off. It was riding my bike that let me be as free as I wanted while learning the skills that would become so important later in life.
Through racing, coaching, teaching and working my high school career seemed only a necessary evil which separated me from the immense trail network that is found on the Sunshine Coast, a community just north of Vancouver. This is an area that breathes cycling. Mountain biking is at the foundation of the community and through this bond, some of the greatest mountain biking around can be found in the area. Finishing off grade some of the best riding around in my backyard, I found myself heading off to University cramming as many bikes into my cramped closet of a dorm room as possible and getting out riding whenever possible... Long story short, after four years of riding/school, I graduated University and set out into the big, scary ‘Real World’.
In the real world I was welcomed as a part of the Norco Family in Port Coquitlam BC. Through Norco there is little to do with my daily life that isn’t directly related to bikes and riding. With any luck at all a day at the office surrounded by bikes is followed by a pedal around the local trails. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without a bike and frankly I hope I never have to find out. I have grown up on a bike, I have been raised by a community of cyclists and it is pretty rare to spend a day without throwing a leg over a bike. I love my bike!
Do you love your bike? Email why to: ilovemybike@norco.com
Dustan
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Sprockids youth cycling club. This is a program founded in Western Canada that gets kids on bikes. In addition the kids are able to learn environmental responsibility, leadership skills and much more. It was because of this program that I started mountain biking and purchased my first mountain bike, a 1996 Norco Magnum. It was on this bike and through the Sprockids program that my love for two wheels took off. It was riding my bike that let me be as free as I wanted while learning the skills that would become so important later in life.
Through racing, coaching, teaching and working my high school career seemed only a necessary evil which separated me from the immense trail network that is found on the Sunshine Coast, a community just north of Vancouver. This is an area that breathes cycling. Mountain biking is at the foundation of the community and through this bond, some of the greatest mountain biking around can be found in the area. Finishing off grade some of the best riding around in my backyard, I found myself heading off to University cramming as many bikes into my cramped closet of a dorm room as possible and getting out riding whenever possible... Long story short, after four years of riding/school, I graduated University and set out into the big, scary ‘Real World’.
In the real world I was welcomed as a part of the Norco Family in Port Coquitlam BC. Through Norco there is little to do with my daily life that isn’t directly related to bikes and riding. With any luck at all a day at the office surrounded by bikes is followed by a pedal around the local trails. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without a bike and frankly I hope I never have to find out. I have grown up on a bike, I have been raised by a community of cyclists and it is pretty rare to spend a day without throwing a leg over a bike. I love my bike!
Do you love your bike? Email why to: ilovemybike@norco.com
Dustan
Andrew Watson took his second cross victory this past weekend at 5th annual ZM Turkey Cyclocross race.
With his incredible fitness carried over from the XC season Andrew pedaled to what seemed an effortless victory.
Read more about the race at pedalmag.com
With his incredible fitness carried over from the XC season Andrew pedaled to what seemed an effortless victory.
Read more about the race at pedalmag.com
Moab is second to none when it comes to epic all-mountain rides. The trails are made up of everything from massive rock expanses to desert conditions, and if you can get up high enough you may even find some alpine conditions. Moab, to say the least is a mountain biking Mecca. If you are going to head out Moab way, you should make sure to be, fit, well hydrated and fueled up. Moab to say the least is a pretty intense area to bring a bike You take this intensity then add a guide - Steak Sauce who has ridden here for the past 25 years. This turns the Moab intensity up from 'hard' to what the local trail maps consider to be 'Dude'!
Day one of our adventures involved a Moab classic, the Poison Spider Mesa. This is a trail that wraps around the land formed by millions of years of water and wind erosion. Climbing up the ridge over countless drops, through deep gullies and grunting up steep climbs is rewarded by spectacular views of the surrounding canyon. Well worth the effort. This is the point in the ride where most stories would end, a tough climb, spectacular view then we head back down a fast descent. But. . . in our case this is where the legend of Steak Sauce comes into play.
As we crest the top of the final ascent. We lightly gasp for breath while the plateau becomes a realization. It is a great feeling to reach the top of an epic ride. But. . . between breaths I make out the unflustered voice of Steak Sauce, 'Well, this is where most people think the trail ends.' Heck, that is what I was thinking. After all it had been a great ride up and we were all ready for some gravity fun. It turns out that a second trail called Portal winds further out into the desert up to a spectacular pillar that creates a gap in the landscape visible from miles around. This is a great place to stop for lunch and a well deserved break. After all we are about 4hrs into our ride. Post break and snack we continued on a slight climb before wrapping around the ridge and starting to descend. The trail Traverses a ridge is on a semi-exposed rock trail with a few steep chutes and rock drops. Things are getting fun again as the adrenalin starts pumping. This is where the sign shows up. . . It was a little steep. . .
After a quick aside to deal with the so called ‘danger zone’ we were soon enough back on the fast, rocky singletrack winding down towards the truck.
Most people that head to Moab think of Poison spider as a pretty epic 2-3 hr ride. Well, if you pour a little Steak Sauce on that and don't mind a short stint on the pain train, then you get a 5hr test of endurance. It is definitely worth it though, seeing the portal and linking up the descent are some of the best experiences I have had on a bike. If you head out to the area, make the effort and go the extra mile.
On day seven of our Moab vacation we started off with a shuttle heading up, way up. We were shuttled all the way up to Geyser pass by Ryon from Chile Pepper Bike Shop where we were put into the hurt locker and climbed the final leg to over 11000ft in an area called Burrow Pass. This left us gasping for air and itching to ride. This was high, really high and there was 7000ft of descending ahead. Can it really get any better than this?
The air was cool at a mere 3 degrees and ice lined the sides of passing creeks. At this elevation and temperature keeping dry is a bit of a big deal as the water is as cold as the descent is long. Starting off the descent we were in a sub-alpine terrain speckled with evergreens and icy rivers. Soon after we were descending through a vibrant yellow poplar forest shifting to a deep red as we continued on, the terrain in this area is so diverse and varying it makes for an experienced unparalleled. Starting off in Winter like conditions and ending in the desert, where else on the face of the earth can you do that in a single day? With close to seven hours of riding and over 7000ft of descending it is hard to argue that it wasn’t epic and we weren’t tired. The ride is huge and totally worth it. Pack your bags, pack lots of food and even more water then hit the trails. This descent is like no other. From 11000ft to 4000ft and 3 degrees all the way up to mid 30s the range on this ride is astonishing.
These two rides are two small fish in a very large sea of trails. I feel as if I have seen so much in but a week of riding yet I know that I have barely scratched the surface. Time to head home, get back to work and start planning a trip next year. After 7 days of relaxing vacation in Moab Utah, I am Exhausted!
Dustan
Day one of our adventures involved a Moab classic, the Poison Spider Mesa. This is a trail that wraps around the land formed by millions of years of water and wind erosion. Climbing up the ridge over countless drops, through deep gullies and grunting up steep climbs is rewarded by spectacular views of the surrounding canyon. Well worth the effort. This is the point in the ride where most stories would end, a tough climb, spectacular view then we head back down a fast descent. But. . . in our case this is where the legend of Steak Sauce comes into play.
As we crest the top of the final ascent. We lightly gasp for breath while the plateau becomes a realization. It is a great feeling to reach the top of an epic ride. But. . . between breaths I make out the unflustered voice of Steak Sauce, 'Well, this is where most people think the trail ends.' Heck, that is what I was thinking. After all it had been a great ride up and we were all ready for some gravity fun. It turns out that a second trail called Portal winds further out into the desert up to a spectacular pillar that creates a gap in the landscape visible from miles around. This is a great place to stop for lunch and a well deserved break. After all we are about 4hrs into our ride. Post break and snack we continued on a slight climb before wrapping around the ridge and starting to descend. The trail Traverses a ridge is on a semi-exposed rock trail with a few steep chutes and rock drops. Things are getting fun again as the adrenalin starts pumping. This is where the sign shows up. . . It was a little steep. . .
After a quick aside to deal with the so called ‘danger zone’ we were soon enough back on the fast, rocky singletrack winding down towards the truck.
Most people that head to Moab think of Poison spider as a pretty epic 2-3 hr ride. Well, if you pour a little Steak Sauce on that and don't mind a short stint on the pain train, then you get a 5hr test of endurance. It is definitely worth it though, seeing the portal and linking up the descent are some of the best experiences I have had on a bike. If you head out to the area, make the effort and go the extra mile.
On day seven of our Moab vacation we started off with a shuttle heading up, way up. We were shuttled all the way up to Geyser pass by Ryon from Chile Pepper Bike Shop where we were put into the hurt locker and climbed the final leg to over 11000ft in an area called Burrow Pass. This left us gasping for air and itching to ride. This was high, really high and there was 7000ft of descending ahead. Can it really get any better than this?
The air was cool at a mere 3 degrees and ice lined the sides of passing creeks. At this elevation and temperature keeping dry is a bit of a big deal as the water is as cold as the descent is long. Starting off the descent we were in a sub-alpine terrain speckled with evergreens and icy rivers. Soon after we were descending through a vibrant yellow poplar forest shifting to a deep red as we continued on, the terrain in this area is so diverse and varying it makes for an experienced unparalleled. Starting off in Winter like conditions and ending in the desert, where else on the face of the earth can you do that in a single day? With close to seven hours of riding and over 7000ft of descending it is hard to argue that it wasn’t epic and we weren’t tired. The ride is huge and totally worth it. Pack your bags, pack lots of food and even more water then hit the trails. This descent is like no other. From 11000ft to 4000ft and 3 degrees all the way up to mid 30s the range on this ride is astonishing.
These two rides are two small fish in a very large sea of trails. I feel as if I have seen so much in but a week of riding yet I know that I have barely scratched the surface. Time to head home, get back to work and start planning a trip next year. After 7 days of relaxing vacation in Moab Utah, I am Exhausted!
Dustan
Norco's 2010 Bike Lineup is now available on bicyclebuyersguide.com.
Check it out, compare bikes and pick your next ride!
Check it out, compare bikes and pick your next ride!
This past weekend National XC champion and Norco Factory Team rider Andrew Watson Kicked off the Eastern Canada cross season in style. Finishing the 3rd annual Hillbilly Hustle in a more than respectable 1st place, Andrew is on his way to a great fall following an awesome summer season.
Read more about the race at: pedalmag.com
Read more about the race at: pedalmag.com
Check out the Interbike Virtual Trade Show on MTBR. There are photos of the new Norco bikes and a great video featuring line highlights and a quick overview with Factory Team Riders Jay Hoots and Darcy Turenne.
Have a look: mtbr.com
Have a look: mtbr.com