Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

The best kept secret at Norco for the past year has been the 853 Team Re-Issue. This is a limited release of one of the most classic frames Norco has ever made. The 853 gets its inspiration from the mid 90s with an update for 2010. Classic styling plus a lengthened toptube, slackened head angle, disk tabs and an eccentric BB make this the best classic ride available.

The new 853 is Candy Red and offers a super comfortable ride that only high quality steel provides. Weighing in at 4.8lbs, the frame is also light, nimble and durable. Whether you are looking for a winter trail bike, an all season XC ride or a singlespeed powerhouse have a close look at the new 853, it could be your next bike.

The Norco Team has some new faces these days along side some well known members. Spanning across disciplines from XC to Road, Slopestyle to DH and Track to Trials there is a Norco rider that can do just about everything.

The Newest addition for 2010 is the H&R Block Road Team. Since 2006 the team has been competing at the Elite National level and will look south in 2010 at expanding into the US. Check out more info on the team at http://www.norco.com/team or http://www.teamhrblock.ca/

The Rest of the Norco team is better than ever too, here is the roster:

	Ryan Leech is starting his 15th year wearing a Norco jersey. For 2010 he will continue to amaze spectators with his amazing trials show as well as inspire youth with the Trials of Life education program
Jay hoots is starting his 10th year in the Norco family. Through freeriding and Park Building Jay will travel the world and turn it inside-out along the way.
	Dylan Korba is Norco’s ‘if it has two wheels I will ride it’ team member. Dylan can be spotted riding street, freeride, slopestyle, trials or anything else that resembles a bike. Maybe next year he will launch his road career?
Mislav Mironovic a.k.a the Croatian Sensation lives on his bike. In Europe Mislav competes in slopestyle and dirtjump competitions, watch for him though in North America this summer around Crankworx time.
	Darcy ’smiles’ Turenne. Between competing, filming and riding Darcy will make the rounds in 2010. Watch for her at major events such as Crankworx and Sea Otter; if you spot her come over and say hello!
National XC champion Andrew Watson is back for 2010 and will likely be ripping up the National Circuit again this year. Lets just hope that the Moustache doesn’t come back.
	Catherine Vipond is racing the National XC circuit for 2010. Coming off a great season in 2009 Catherine will be fighting her way to the front of the pack all across Canada.
Young Gunner, Nick Geddes is racing the DH/4X circuit and not looking back. Keep your eyes on the Junior Podium and you may just find Nick rising to the top.
	Newcomer Sam Dueck is a new addition to the team for 2010. With a 2009 season including Goatstyle, Crankworx Colorado and Crankworx Whistler, watch for Sam to make a splash in the 2010 Slopestyle circuit.
Ben Kaufmann is the first BMX rider to join the Norco Team in some time. Ben will be competing in events on the East Coast of Canada and may even come out to say hi in the West. Ben adds a new flavour to the team and will bring new energy for 2010. Watch for more on Ben coming soon!
	Fionn Griffiths is taking on the world once again with the Norco World Team, watch for her travelling the world cup circuit again for 2010.
Bernard Kerr is moving up in 2010. Coming off a recent title of British Junior Champion, Bernard will be stepping up to the plate on the Norco World team trying his hand in the pro category.

Today marks one full year since the launch of the Norco Blog. That is right, 365 days have passed since that first post on January 5th 2009. The year has had some great events, incredible rides and even some technical training along the way. In my biased oppinion, these were the top 10 events of the year through the eyes of the blog

Number 10 – Jan. 5, 2009 – The First Post

Number 9 – July 8, 2009 – Blackrock Demo Day

Number 8 – June 22, 2009 – Ride To Conquer Cancer

Number 7 - Jan. 30, 2009 – California Road Trip, Bike and BRAIN

Number 6 – March 19, 2009 – How to Adjust a Rear Derailleur

Number 5 – July 23, 2009 – 2010 Norco Product Launch

Number 4 – Aug. 19, 2009 – Crankworx Whistler

Number 3 - April 12, 2009 – Cyclebetes Spinathon

Number 2 – Oct.7, 2009 – Riding in Moab Utah

Number 1 – Aug. 5, 2009 – Riding in Whitehorse Yukon

Being from Canada, we do not have the nicest winter. While it is cold, dark and snowing for most of the country, the west coast experiences the doldrums of incessant rain, dampness and the occasional falling of slush. I find it pretty easy in these depressing times to jump ship to somewhere warm and dry. Under this notion, I spent the past week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico basking on the beach, sipping margaritas and taking the occasional dip 80 degree water… not a bad gig if you ask me.

Being an active person, the beach is great; being able to run, swim, play volleyball, throw around a football or whatever else you can think of is more my style than sitting around. If you prefer to bake instead, you have more patience than I do. I will tell you this though, There is nothing like riding a bike! After a week in the sun I am proud to say that I missed BC. Although I arrived home to a blanket of snow, I was ready to climb onto my noble steed and hit the trails. As great as a tropical vacation is, it will never be perfect without a bike!

One of the great things about living in British Columbia Canada is that there is a 12 month window for Mountain Biking. There really is no time of the year that you can’t throw a leg over a bike and hit the trails.  Sure it may be wet, and it may not be all that warm but with a little bit of perseverance and  preparation, it is rare to find a day that riding isn’t an option.

For me, the hardest part about riding in the winter is knowing when to stop. Unfortunately, living in an area that sees perpetual rain between the months of October and March, the trails can get a little bit soggy. Being so, it is easy to forget the fact that getting wet and cold is not the only downfall to riding in such conditions. The other negative is the abuse that the trail takes. All trails can and will take some abuse, but some can take more than others.

When riding in the wet winter months it is best to stick to trails that are not subject to flooding, avoid low lying areas and keep to harder packed trails rather than true forest floor. The best wet-weather trails actually have a camber to allow for drainage. By sticking to appropriate areas for riding, the trails will last longer, require less maintenance and provide you with a better ride experience. In addition to saving the trail you will stay dryer while riding faster and smoother than on the alternative. Remember, the trails are made to be ridden, but sometimes they need to rest. Instead of hitting your favorite loamy trail, try something a little different, and save the others  for a dryer day.

Dustan