This coming weekend Norco will be participating in the Seattle International Bike Expo located in Warren G. Magnuson Park. Showcasing highlights of the 2009 lineup along with Mace and Axiom Gear, be sure to check the blog for daily updates on show highlights. Better yet, if you are in the area stop by and say hello!
We all hope to see you there.
To get more info on the show, visit http://www.cascade.org/EandR/expo/index.cfm
Dustan
Now that we are well into March, my legs have been twitching with anticipation. Even though Vancouver has seen a few inches of snow in the past week, my mind is telling me that SPRING IS HERE! . . . I believe the expression is, ‘ignorance is bliss’. Well, this past weekend, I woke up early Saturday morning and headed to North Van – The Shore!
This was no regular Saturday though, with my accomplis Eric, we headed over the bridge with a single bike. Not the bike you would expect either. A Norco Fluid and a pair of running shoes were all we needed to enter the Dirty Duo. This is a ‘spring’ race which involves a 25km trail run and a 30km mountain bike ride. We were lucky enough to have had a couple inches of snow the night before so the trails were dusted with powder all day.
The Running came first. At 8:00am, a small crowd of 31 people headed off in a train for a 25km trail run/scramble. Starting off on Baden Powel then Onto Twin Bridges, the pace was quick and determination was high. We then moved on to Bridle Path, Old Buck, and Fishermens’. As I was flailing down the steep, rocky descents my Ankles seemed to be at risk for catastrophic failure with every step. It is fairly concerning as you are mid-air, looking 5ft down trying to pick your landing. . . . Anyway, after a lung-busting climb and a bone-rattling descent I emerged, no worse for the wear. We were 2hrs 27min into our adventure and now it was time for Eric to take over.
The mountain biking portion of the race was slightly longer than the run, but not much faster. Involving near-vertical climbs and super-technical descents, the 30kms was expected to take well over 2hrs for any avid rider. The snow was not making this estimate any shorter. Following many of the same trails as the run, riding also incorporated Good Samaritan (also known as Severed Dick) and a few other infamous trails. Fighting with the elements, traction and gravity, Eric raced to the finish line in a sprint finish along side adversary Matt Green after a mere 2hrs 12 min of riding.
Congrats to everyone who competed and thank you Dirty Duo for another great race.
Dustan
On my recent California trip with Ryan Leech and Darcy Turenne, we met up with the Crew at Bike Mag and rode an incredible trail. Riddled with long descents, rocky chutes and a few climbs the trail was one to remember.
We were lucky enought to ride with Alan and Ryan from Bike Mag. Plus, Ryan brought along his helmet cam. A video has been posted on btrails.com of Ryan and I on the Chiquito Trail in the Cleveland National Forest. Watch the video and you too will want to ride this trail!
http://btrails.com/trails/southern-california-chiquito-trail-cleveland-national-forest
Dustan
At Norco HQ, this past fall there is a group of ten or so people that have taken to Dirt Jumping. We may not be great, but we make the time to head out over lunch to one of the parks close to the office. We are lucky enough to be within ten minutes of 2 skate parks and 2 dj parks. . . . Did I mention how great it is to work and live in the Vancouver area????
Anyway, in all the hype, there are some fairly unique bikes floating around. We all have our unique preferences, and this is what I have chosen to ride.
Frame: 2008 Norco Ryde Size Small
Fork: Rockshox Argyle 409 100mm
Headset: FSA Orbit Extreme Pro 1 1/8″
Bar: Gravity Light
Grips: ODI Ruffian MX
Stem: Syncros AM Standard 60mm
Shifter: Sram X-9
Brake: Avid Juicy 7, 160mm
Cranks: Truvativ Stylo 170mm
Guide: Blackspire C4
Pedals: Sun Ringle ZuZu
Derailleur: Sram X-0 Short Cage
Hubs: DT Swiss 340 – 20mm front, 135x10mm rear w/DT 10mm Thru-QR
Rims: WTB Laserdisk 32h, FR-Rear, Trail-Front
Tires: Kenda Small Block-8 26×2.1f-2.35r
Saddle: Pivotal
Seatpost: Pivotal
What would you do different?
Dustan
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