Today is a big day for bike park whores as the Whistler Bike Park opens. It’s been among the best openings in recent memory as the weather has been kind with plus 20 degree temperatures frequent in the valley in the past month; which has meant a quick snow melt and expedited opening of almost all the lower mountain trails

Trails were frankly in unreal condition. We had the good fortune to see the new berm work in Heart of Darkness which makes a fast trail faster. Crank It Up’s berms feel oddly strange without braking bumps. Jumps were baby butt smooth. Lineups were moderately long but excitement seemed to speed up riders; as the queue’s moved with ruthless efficiency and weren’t more than 20 minutes long. We checked out some lower valley trails later in the afternoon and found Kill Me Thrill Me in great shape.

To get your trail updates and your bike park passes check out the the Whistler Blackcomb bike site. To get your valley trail updates look at Whistler Bike Co.’s blog which updates both Whistler and Pemberton. Don’t forget to renew your memberships in the PVTA (Pemberton) and WORCA (Whistler) to top up on trail karma

Click here to view the embedded video.

Customer Service processed pass lineups with efficiency. An international crew of iders from New South Wales, Tasmania (Australia) and Bath (England) anxiously waits for first chair while some riders who had camped out at 3am got the first ride!

Rob McSkimming works the lineup while enjoying the stoke of riders chilling in the lineup

Lineups weren’t bad as stoked riders moved quicky averaging 20 mins. That’s good for opening day. So many trails were open so everyone spreads out on the mountain

“We wanted to give people and inside look at what makes our product so special,” said Jason Norman, director of marketing at Serfas. “We wanted to give people an understanding of the technology, yet we wanted to do it in a fun and entertaining way that people could really grasp onto.”

Serfas also wanted to make it not just about the product, but the sponsored teams and athletes that help in the product building process. “Without teams like CashCall riding our product, and giving us valuable feedback, it’s hard to imagine our product being where it’s at today,” Norman said.

Putting it all together was the man behind the camera and Washington D.C.-native Stu Haight, who spent the last several months filming and editing the videos. Haight has several years experience doing music and corporate videos, but he’s also an avid mountain biker.

“It was great to see the inner workings of how Serfas works and where creative ideas for new products come together,” Haight said. “Jason and the team were super easy to work with, and I’m also so stoked to have finally gotten the opportunity to do videos in a sport I love.”

Mtbr got a peek at the new Serfas Gladiator glasses and two of their new pumps at the Sea Otter Classic and we actually have these products in for testing. Stay tuned for a full review on these in the near future.

To check out all of the Serfas product featured in these videos please go to www.serfas.com.

Serfas Saddles:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Serfas Tires: http://youtu.be/0dinoniQ2YU

Serfas Lights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAIFVCYR21s

Serfas Grips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIDscjeN6oE

“Does that guy mountain bike?” I thought. I looked him up online and saw that no photos exist of him riding a mountain bike or jumping one. So my mission was clear, ride with him and capture him jumping or railing a corner.

Click here to view the embedded video.

But there was one problem. How would I possibly keep up with one of the greatest road cyclists this country has ever known. “Maybe he gained a few pounds since his retirement last August.” I hoped. Maybe he’s a scared of dirt trails. Given that he was our best racer in the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix though, I suspected he would have no problem with the loamy Redwood trails of these trails otherwise known as Skeggs.

I wasn’t sure if George was really showing up or just a stunt body double but when I saw these varicose veins, I knew it was really him.

George entered the Skeggs park and I was little concerned that he would break the speed limit for the entire park which is a ludicrous 15 mph. The fine is $400 which really shows their prejudice against cyclists. But I thought it would be entertaining if Big George got ticketed while going uphill.

George said he mountain bikes a couple times a month and it showed. He was comfortable and stayed in front of this elite crew even on the downhills.

He reveled in the glory of the redwood forest and said he will be back for more.

The BMC FS01 bikes performed flawlessly up and down the trails.

Thank you for the ride and we know you will have a fun retirement.

The Enduro World Series kicks off this weekend in Punta Ala, Italy, and that means it’s prototype teaser time. The bike in question this time is the Lapierre Spicy Team 27.5 rig that will be piloted by French great Nico Vouilloz. You might remember him for his days as the world’s premier downhill racer. Between 1992 and 2002, Vouilloz won 10 world titles and 16 World Cup races. Dude was the best. Period.

Now like a lot of aging former pros (he turned 37 in February), Vouilloz has transitioned to enduro racing. And what do you know, he’s winning again. Turns out bike skills are bike skills.

Nico’s weapon of choice starting this weekend will be what looks like a full alloy prototype from Lapierre. The PR that accompanied these teaser shots says that the bike is “a honed race machine spec’d to perfection.”

That spec includes the innovative Monarch Relay shock E.I auto-adjust suspension system, which is tag-team effort between RockShox and Lapierre. The basic gist is that the shock has a built-in automatic on-the-fly adjustment system that manages compression and lock-out via an array of special sensors and accelerometers that monitor bump forces and speed. Very cool stuff, and likely a harbinger of the next frontier in mountain bike suspension technology.

Nico’s bike also has a stealthy RockShox BlackBox 160mm Pike fork with sexy black stanchions, a SRAM XX1 groupset, prototype SRAM wheels, and a set of First Ride Schwalbe prototype tires with some seriously beefy tread.

Check out the photo gallery for a closer look.

On Saturday, the much-hyped Enduro World Series kicks off its seven-race slate with round No. 1 in Punta Ala, Italy. There competitors will take on the steep slopes of this famed riding zone, hoping to get a jump on the series that will culminate with the crowning of the first enduro world champion in mid-October. Before it’s all done, the EWS will travel to four countries and two continents, with the finals heading back to Italy and the appropriately named Finale Ligure.

While there are no mandatory gear requirements for these events, it’s safe to say enduro-specific apparel will be the norm. At least that’s what many cycling companies are hoping, including Mavic, which this year launched a range of products aimed directly at the burgeoning all-mountain enduro racing crowd.

Meet Mavic Notch, a product line that resides a step below the company’s top level Stratos range, a step above the lower-tier Redrock offerings, and is branded as a collaborative effort with its top sponsored enduro riders, former downhill world champs Fabien Barel and Anne-Caroline Chausson, and longtime enduro whiz Jerome Clementz (pictured above). All three riders will be racing the EWS and wearing some or all of the new Notch gear. Those enduro uniforms include a helmet, jersey, shorts with removable liner, gloves and shoes.

Back in February, we took delivery of a full Notch kit, and now after two-and-half months riding on the sometimes rugged trails of Colorado, it’s time to report some findings. Here’s a piece by piece breakdown.

Mavic Notch Helmet ($110; three sizes; yellow, black or white)
Clean lines and ample venting are the hallmarks of this 320-gram (size medium) brain protector that straddles the line between full-on enduro helmet and XC racer.

To maximize airflow, the fully-safety-certified helmet utilizes a dozen forward vents plus five more in the back. Fit is manipulated via Mavic’s Ergo Hold Retention System, which provides 6cm of adjustment via a rear dial. You can also adjust the depth setting for further personalization. I personally had no problem getting the helmet to fit snug and stay out of my field of vision, but no two heads are exactly the same, so always try before you buy.

Color choices include the usual Mavic mix: white, black or Mavic yellow. The later will be a tad loud for some. But if you’re a fan of Mavic, then you’ll love it.

Interior padding is anti-microbial, and thus far it’s kept stink at bay despite a few toasty rides on Colorado’s balmy Western Slope. The pads are also comfortable and sweat absorbing, though I’ve yet to find a helmet that will soak up all the perspiration that emits from my drippy forehead.

One definite grip is the visor’s lack of adjustability. Personally I don’t wear goggles when I ride, so this wasn’t a huge issue for me. But some folks like the goggle look, and for them visor adjustability is key to proper fit — and clear visibility. It’s also a feature that is found on the competitor offerings from the likes of Bell and POC, so Mavic takes a hit there. The visor is removable for whatever that’s worth.

Bottom line, this helmet is a solid, functional lid that offers more protection than your average XC helmet without bulking up on weight or causing you to overheat on hot days. It even has reflective highlights if your ride happens to end on a road in the dark.

Head to page 2 for the rest of the review and an expansive gallery.

Travel Oregon is giving away a FREE Oregon Mountain Bike Vacation. Choose from 11 different adventures courtesy of Cog Wild Bike Tours. The 3-Day vacations run from May – September and include such great riding locations such as the Cascade Mountains, Bend, Hood River, Umpqua River and Mackenzie River.

How To Enter

Simply reply to this post (with your email) with what Oregon trail you would like to ride the most and why. Haven’t ridden any trails in Oregon? No problem, your favorite Oregon trail could be one that you’ve heard about from friends or fellow riders. Tell us what it is you look for in your favorite trails. The winner will be chosen on June 9.

If you like beer, the Bend and Hood River locations offer private tastings at select local breweries. And if camping is not really your thing, there are tours with hotel options as well.
No matter which of the vacations you choose, you will be provided with:

  -Routes chosen based on optimal trail conditions and your riding level/style.
  -Amazing food from the first day to the end of the tour.
  -2 nights’ accommodations in either a hotel or camping location, depending on which tour you choose.
  -Local professional guides.
  -Post ride refreshments, including beer from Deschutes Brewery.
  -Transportation throughout your tour to the trailhead, brewery, swimming hole and more..
  -Cog Wild t-shirt.

Note: Contest does not include Baja, Family, Ellsworth or Cannondale tour.

(If you do not have your own mountain bike, rentals are available at an additional cost. Travel to Cog Wild in Bend, OR is not included)

2012 was full of highs and lows for Peaty…
Coming into the off season, he was looking for that extra edge, something to get him back on track for the up-coming season…

That edge turned out to be his beloved beard, with a serious growth even God himself would have been stoked on. With his new found ambition, he felt the urge for a sudden epic montage, taking in some of Sheffield’s finest Urban training sights, including everyone’s favourite race food, Nandos.

As you can imagine though, his wife wasn’t best pleased and the kids were starting to ask ‘where’s dad?’, so it was time to tame the beast, by heading into a classic barbers in his hometown of Sheffield.

The off season comes and goes quicker than a wheel size and this year was no exception. Before you knew it, Peaty and the Syndicate were travelling to La Fenasosa Bike Park in Spain, to get some serious test time with Fox Suspension, setting the bikes up for the new season, whist taking in the rest of the Bike Park’s amazing trails and whipping up a storm… At least until one of them crashes hard…

Episode 2 to be released 12th June.

Follow Peaty:
@ThisIsPeaty
ThisIsPeaty.com

Yesterday’s Tour of California Stage 2 from Murrieta to Palm Springs was the most remarkable finish of a bike race I’ve ever seen in my life. The absolute carnage and destruction of the peloton was unprecedented thanks to soul crushing 23 percent gradients up Tram Way and temperatures that reached 122 degrees when factoring in the radiant heat off the blacktop. I’ve never seen harder men reduced to such human rubble.

Nearly every rider that crossed the line had to be escorted to their team vehicles because they had absolutely nothing left in their bodies to pedal another foot. Salt deposits turned jerseys into hardened pieces of fabric. Riders were splayed out on the ground, stuffing handfuls of ice into their jerseys and on their crotches. Some didn’t even make it to the finish, passing out from heat exhaustion hundreds of meters from the line. Race organizers should thank the heat stroke Gods that nobody died yesterday, or it would have been the end of the Tour of California.

I’ve done a lot of dumb things in my life, and two nights ago while packing my bike and gear into the truck, I realized that pre-riding the 124-mile Stage 2 with a few buddies in 120+ degree heat was going to be another entry in the dumbass files. Everything in my good sense was telling me not to do it, but peer pressure is something fierce, and since a handful of my friends were doing it, well, why shouldn’t I?

Making poor decisions has been a considerable skill for me. Skiing in New Hampshire with a wind chill factor of minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit resulting in permanent nerve damage to my feet, going four-wheeling with my father-in-law, bringing no supplies or tools and getting so stuck in the mud we had to sleep overnight in my brother’s Land Cruiser and widespread destruction of public property as a college student that should have landed me in jail are just a few examples.

So at what point does a man finally listen to that voice inside him saying “just don’t do it”? If you’re a really stubborn ASS like myself, you have to do the same dumb thing several times before you realize it isn’t worth doing anymore. It seems that every time I push my body well beyond its limits, I suffer so horrifically that the only thought going through my mind is “why am I doing this to myself?” It’s usually after the second time you realize the answer; “because I’m a stubborn dumbass.”

I love to ride my bike and I love a challenge, but I love having an affordable healthcare plan even more. I also love not having to get an intravenous drip of electrolytes to keep me from shriveling up into a human-sized raisin. So with a bit of reluctance, I shot my friends a message announcing withdrawal from the pre-ride. As a competitive person who doesn’t often turn down a challenge, it was a difficult message for me to send. But as Dirty Harry says, “a man has got to know his limitations”.

It’s an interesting paradox – humans by nature are programmed to avoid undue pain and suffering, yet many athletes proactively seek it out. This is the true definition of a masochist, and whether professional or just a spectator, everyone who rode Stage 2 of this year’s Tour is a full-blown masochist.

Instead of enduring the brutal heat of the Inland Empire, I opted to stay at the beach in Carlsbad, doing some work while watching endless eye candy stroll by, going for a swim in the ocean and taking a nice sunset spin down Coast Highway. My buddy Victor kept sending me photos of his Garmin. 105 degrees, 113 degrees, and the clincher, a blistering 122 degree reading on Tram Way. Clearly, I had made the right decision.

Who in a sane state of mind would voluntarily be out on their bike in that kind of weather? I don’t even go outside to get the mail when its 122 degrees, let alone ride my bike up a 3.7 mile wall gaining nearly 2,000 vertical feet. Some might call me soft for not having done the ride, and that’s perfectly okay. I’m proud of the decision, because for once I abstained from doing something utterly stupid and extremely dangerous.

They say wisdom comes with age. I’m still a long way from wisdom, but hopefully today got me just a tiny bit closer. My buddy Johnny rode the entire stage and was three Torpedo IPAs deep at the finish line watching the human destruction when he called me.

“You’re a smart man for not having ridden,” he said. “It’s stupid out here, but I conquered this damn mountain, and it feels amazing.”

Although I had made peace with the decision not to ride, there was still a little part of me wishing I had gone ahead with the idiotic mission. But knowing my friends, I’m sure there will be many more opportunities.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In contrast with the past two spring seasons where cool spring temperatures and a deep mid-mountain snowpack made clearing trails a difficult task, this spring has been much more forgiving. The month of May has already seen a number of days with temperatures in the high 20C and even 30C range, meaning much of the snow on the lower slopes of the bike park has been melting on its own.

This opening day has been romanticized in one of the most endearing segments in mountain bike videos: Strength in Numbers – Whistler. It follows Whistler locals as they deal with winter and experience the euphoria of opening day.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Early Bird Bike Park Season Passes will be available until May 16 for $599 CAN (plus tax). Riders who purchase their Season Passes before May 16 will receive one free early season bring-a-friend ticket, valid until June 14. After May 16, regular priced Season Passes will be available for $639 CAN (plus tax).

Twilight Passes gives lift access any day after 5pm, June 15 thru September 2, includes three full days in the park, and offers a discounted rate on all other days. Early Bird Twilight Passes are available until June 14 with Adult, Youth/Senior, and Child passes available for $282, $262, and $218 CAN (plus tax) respectively. Riders who purchase Twilight Passes before May 16 will also receive a free early season day, valid until June 14, and a special 3-Day load option for $109 (Youth/Senior $99, Child $59).

Triple Play Cards include three days of riding any time during the season, discounted rates for each additional day at the lowest possible/available rate, and direct to lift convenience. Early Season Triple Play Cards will be available until June 14 with Adult, Youth/Senior, and Child passes available for $153, $133, and $89 CAN (plus tax) respectively. Passes purchased by May 16 will include a free early season day valid until June 14, a 3-Day load option for $109 (Youth/Senior $99, Child $59), and the opportunity to add on the Twilight Pass for $129.

Guests can purchase all passes and cards online at whistlerblackcomb.com, in person at Village Guest Relations, or by calling 1-800-766-0449.

The second product is a rear shock pump in digital and floor pump configuration. Crazy you say? Certainly unusual but we bet shop owners and team mechanics will love it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Descriptions from the Manufacturer:
Deca Drive LED
The Deca Drive LED is a new performance LED Light System equally suited for road or mountain bike use. The light utilizes 3 High-efficiency LEDs to produce a max output of 800 lumens. A new MOR Lens focuses the 3 LEDs to produce a smooth and wide Uniform Power Beam ideal for both near and far visibility. The body and end cap are made of CNC-Machined aluminum. The body features an integrated visor to shield the rider’s eyes during out of the saddle pedaling, and fins to dissipate heat keeping the LEDs cool and increasing efficiency. The 2-piece body design combined with the durable latch closure provided the rider with Infinite Light – the ability to replace the proprietary 2-cell lithium ion rechargeable battery back on the road or trail on-demand. The LIR battery can be recharged via an included Micro USB cable. The light is cable of High-Efficiency (HE) Charging – the ability to charge the battery at 2Amps. This reduces charging time by up to 50%. The Deca Drive LIR battery can achieve 100% charge in 8-10hrs via a standard USB port, or 4-5hrs when used with a HE (2Amp) Charger. Quality molded rubber button and seals combined with our durable draw latch closure system make this LED Light extremely water resistant (up to 1m). The translucent power button has been upgraded with a new RGB Intelligent Power Indicator, allowing for more accurate battery status readings. The Deca Drive body is treated with a durable BED coating and will be available in two colors: Black and White. The light is mounted to the handlebar using our tool-lees 31.8mm or 25.4mm hard mounts. The mount allows for 15 degrees of lateral movement allowing the rider to point the light exactly where it is needed.

Available in stores: Mid July

Deca Drive – Standard Package
Price: $159.99
Deca Drive LED
2-Cell LIR battery pack (proprietary)
Composite Matrix handlebar hard mounts (31.8mm & 25.4mm).
Rubber Handlebar shims (2 includes)
Micro USB charging cable
Deca Drive – Loaded Package
Price: $209.99
Deca Drive LED
Two 2-Cell LIR battery packs (proprietary)
Aluminum handlebar hard mounts (31.8mm & 25.4mm).
Rubber Handlebar shims (2 includes)
Micro USB charging cable
Composite Matrix hard case with precision cut foam for easy storage.

Shock Digital Drive
The Shock Digital Drive is a new uber high-pressure floor pump designed for adjusting the air pressure in suspension shocks and forks. The purpose of designing this dedicated shock specific floor pump is to make shock tuning faster and easier for riders, shops, and demo bike crews. The pump features a narrowed barrel and piston that is 1/3 the diameter of a standard floor pump. This allows the user to achieve the 300psi/20.7bar maximum pressure with ease. The pump features the new heat-treated steel Shock Thread-Chuck designed specifically for inflating shocks which is connected to the pump with a high-pressure nylon reinforce braided hose. The rest of the pump is made of a CNC-machined aluminum barrel and base, steel piston, and wood handle.

The pressure is displayed on the new Digital Gauge, which features an easy to read 1.6in LCD display. The digital gauge is extremely accurate (+/- 3%) and auto adjusts for variations in temperature and altitude. The gauge runs off of 1 CR2032 battery positioned below the LCD display and can be replaced quickly and easily by the user. It also features an auto shut-off which turns off the display after 5 minutes. One battery should provide over a year of use. Lezyne chose to go with a digital gauge on this shock specific pump for increased accuracy, ease of use, and durability.

To ensure users attain accurate pressure settings without any air lose during inflation, we developed a new Shock Thread-Chuck that features our new Adjustable Valve Control (AVC) design. The AVC design is a two-piece Chuck construction that threads into itself to engage and disengage the shock schrader valve pin without the risk of air loss upon removal of the pump. Therefore, riders will no longer have to over inflate their shocks and forks. The Shock Thread-Chuck also features a two-stage Air Bleed button that allows for macro and micro tuning of air pressure. The Shock Thread-Chuck combined with the Digital Gauge and quality Lezyne pump construction results in a dedicated shock floor pump that provides faster and more accurate suspension tuning.

Available in stores: Mid August
Price: $109.99