Next to the Norco setup always seemed to be a mob of people waiting to see the next Ryan Leech Trials Show or Artistic Cycling Demonstration. Having Ryan do 4 shows over the two days was a treat for everyone at the show. Having the Artistic Cycling team as well was simply icing on the cake.

If the expo, the trials demo and the artistic cycling wasn’t enough for you, Ryan was also leading a morning Yoga session both days of the show. A group of yoga enthusiasts showed up each day to partake in Ryan’s class.

With more than 200 exhibitors at the show it took a fair bit of time to see everything. That is if you could actually see everything. Three of the exhibitors present also happened to be Norco Factory Team sponsors FSA, Ergon and Nuun.

See more photos from the Seattle Bike Expo at: flickr.com

If you are in the Seattle area over March 13th – 14th, head on down to the Seattle Cruise Ship terminal and say hello. Norco will be there showing off 2010 bikes, giving away a Norco Hades Bike and Factory Team rider Ryan Leech will be conducting Trials Demonstrations throughout the day.

We’ll hope to see you there!

If you are heading down for the first big race of the season, be sure to stop at the Norco booth before heading over to the Golden State Theatre to see the World Premier of Follow Me.

In the meantime, watch the trailer and you will see just how good the movie will be.

Follow Me – the Teaser from Anthill Films on Vimeo.

March 3rd, 2010 was the day to be in Victoria BC protesting the inclusion of bikes into HST legislation on July 1st 2010. For those out there that don’t know, HST stands for Harmonized sales tax and brings the Provincial Sales Tax (PST at 7%) and Federal Sales Tax(GST at 5%) into a single harmonious chunk that is added to most retail purchases. All that HST is going to do is make cycling less affordable and less attractive to existing and potential cyclists.

As long as I can remember Bicycles, labour, safety equipment and essential parts have been exempt from the PST. As far as I know, bikes have always been PST exempt. Well, the good’ ole days are a thing of the past. When the HST comes into effect, that 7% PST will be tacked onto the GST in a silent, single tax. Prepare to make your wallet a little bit thinner…

With the HST coming into effect, the increased income from taxation is said to be offsetting the rising cost of health care. The cost of health care are rising with the aging Baby Boom and the government is looking for money from the significantly smaller X and Y generations. The costs attributed to an aging population are innevitable, it is the target of the HST that I question. Certain products have been PST exempt for a specific reason. Through tax exemption, environmental impact and low-income households were addressed. With the innitiation of HST, the Campbell Administration is taxing the people that are reducing emissions and living a healthier lifestyle. It is those who rely less on the health care system that will be paying for the gas-guzzling, artery-clogging lineup of people idling at the local McDonald’s Drive-thru.

Lastly, if you are interested in economics, Taxation can be seen as a burden on society limiting GDP and suppressing the economy. Have a quick read about the Dead-Weight-Loss theory.

Here is a video from the rally.

Have you ever had your bike stolen? Have you ever worried about your bike getting stolen? Did you know that without a serial number the police will not even write up a report for bike theft?

So what does this tell us? Get out to the garage, look under the Bottom Bracket and write down that number. Even better, take the serial number of your Norco bike and register it at norco.com/bike-registration. After doing this you could win a BRAND NEW NORCO EMPIRE FRAME! It is that simple. register your Norco Bike and you are automatically entered to win!

But, There is More!

Tell your friends about the Norco Bike Registry on Twitter or Facebook and you will be eligable to win one of two WTB Vigo Carbon SLT saddles valued at $240!

Twitter

To be eligible on Twitter first follow NorcoBikes on Twitter then enter the following text as a status update:

@NorcoBikes I just registered my Norco online at http://norco.com/bike-registration/ so I can win a Norco Empire Frame!

Facebook

Do the same on your Facebook and you could win again! For this one you will need to become a fan of  facebook.com/norcobikes then:

Update your Facebook status by typing ‘@Norco Performance Bikes’ then copy and paste:

I just registered my Norco online at http://norco.com/bike-registration/ so I can win a Norco Empire Frame!

So there you go, Register, tell your friends, then go for a ride! You could be riding a New Norco Empire before you know it!

Mandatory legal mumbo-jumbo:

• The contest is open to all Norco Bike Registration Participants ONLY. Norco Products LTD employees are not eligible.
• Contest is void in Quebec and where otherwise prohibited. (although we still encourage you to register your bike)
  
• Approximate Value of Prizes are Norco Empire Frame $2200 CAN, (2) WTB Vigo Saddle $240 CAN. Contest closes at 12:00AM June 1, 2010 PST. Winners of the Norco Bike Registration Contest will be notified through provided contact information on June 3, 2010.
• If any winner of the Norco Bike Registration Contest shall be under the age of majority, by the acceptance of the prize his/her parent or legal guardian agrees to hold Norco Products LTD and all affiliates, employees, advertising and promotional agencies, harmless from and against any and all claims and liability arising out of or in any way connected with the operation of this contest and use of a Prize.
• Norco Products LTD. retains the right, in its absolute discretion, to make substitutions of equivalent kind or value in the event of the unavailability of any prize for any reason whatsoever. Only one (1) prize per household or bike registration will be awarded.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Twitter. The information you provide in the Norco Registration Contest may be used by Norco for web, print, safety and product based communication. Any personal information provided win registration will be used solely by Norco and will not be distributed to any 3rd party.
• This contest is subject to all Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws. Decisions of Norco Products LTD are final with respect to all aspects of this contest.
• In order to win any of the prizes listed above, participant must first answer a skill testing question.
  
• All entrants must love their bike!

Cyclebetes is an organization raising money to help find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. Through a series of Spin-a-Thons and a Cross Canada Relay Cyclebetes is delivering on a promise to help end put an end to Type 1 Diabetes. With more than 240 000 Canadians being affected every year, Chances are then that in some way or another you have come into contact yourself with the devastating disease. So how can you get involved and make a difference?

There are still a few spots remaining on the Cyclebetes National Team for your chance to ride across any province of your choice, fully supported. The relay starts in Halifax August 14th and goes all the way across Canada ending in Victoria BC on September 5th. Whether you are an elite rider, a recreationalist or simply like to ride you bike, all riders of every age are welcome to join the tour.  If keen to come out and join the tour you will ride anywhere from 50km – 100km per day over 3-5 days. The difficultly and time spent on the bike will depend on your location, fitness and ability.  Visit cyclebetes.com for details or even better, email megan@cyclebetes.com to ask questions and get the information kit to provide you with more information on the event. All while supporting youth and those living with Type 1 Diabetes to find a cure.

Learn more at: http://www.cyclebetes.com/participate/participate.php?pageID=34

Cleveland is always a great time and it was a blast riding with so many talented women. My personal highlight was shredding with my childhood hero Leigh Donovan. She is such a real and talented person and she’s still my hero. Thanks to the amazing crew at Ray’s, all the ladies who came to the event, and Norco for sponsoring a great weekend. Here are a few pics and a follow-cam of me channeling my inner “Ray’s Angel”.

-Darcy

Come on  out Wednesday March 3, 2010 to the Legislature in Victoria BC and show your support. Bring a bike, and stage at 12:00PM.

We’ll see you there!

To learn more about the event and sign the petition please visit http://www.squeakywheels.ca/

Winter Olympics in my Home town, no snow to speak of and a blanket of people about converging on Vancouver, Lower mainland all the way up to Whistler…

I am out!

With the amount I travel I do in so many cool places combined with how awesome my job is I figured that I could sail through life at full charge, ready to handle all the daily nuances without issue…  Apparently this is not true and I found myself pretty burned out after an incredibly successful 2009 season went down… hmm what to do??

Surf trip to Costa Rica! Yeeeha!

Almost 3 weeks of traveling around Costa checking it out, holing up in cool places surfing on sand break,  busting beach time Frisbee in hand and checking out the local medical system after my Sting Ray encounter… Wow! Sweet mother earth thru sand and surf!  Man I could feel the layers of stress peeling off, almost as fast as my sun burn, YIKES!

Sunset blessings!

Of course no trip is as fun as when you can recreationally ride mountain bike and that’s just what went down!  While in Las Vegas for the Bike Show I met young gun Philippe who ‘sent it’ lap after lap in Boulder Canyon.  It turned out ‘big P’ was from Costa Rica and when I let him know I was considering the possibility of visiting his country he offered to meet up and show his favourite trails.  Enter stress relief trip.

A 4×4 road to the middle of ‘no where’ 10,000 feet up ended up ‘somewhere’ in a town called Providencia where the village welcomed us with open arms!  Providencia embraces bouldering and Mountain bike and they have a 10km downhill trail including several other trail options, most of which are very advanced steep ass trail, GNAR!!!!  Two days of riding and I still wanted more!

Tica (local) riders Cristhian and Philippe tearing it

As luck would have it there was a bouldering competition so I got to check that out as well, man how cool… There is no major hotels or restaurants, however comfortable sleeping arrangements and GREAT food from the local bar (both breakfasts and dinners) were easily arranged.  We met Great people in Providencia and it was very accommodating to mountain bikers, they were stoked to have us ride their trails!

Grrrrr gnarly trail alert! Wish I could scream ‘WICKED’ in Spanish!

I was offered the lead instructor job position for the trail building component of the Mountain Bike Operations Course at Capilano University.  After a lot of consideration I have accepted the position and am now hitting the books trying to get my teach on so I can kick butt on information delivery for the students!

MTB ops group

April will be the advanced trail building section of the course so I will be on the Sunshine Coast working and SHREDDING all month!!!! Sweet!!!  Stoked to hit dirt with the Coastal Crew while there, the coast is just so cool..

I continue to put mileage and wear on my Prototype ‘all mountain’ bike and my Mace gear which both are equally loving it!

This Top secret ripper will twist your nipples raw!!!

New updated rear stays on the bike have got it nailed and the last round of feedback on the gear has got me stoked that Norco and Mace development departments are listening!  SIC!   I love my job!

I love my job!

Hoots

If this was around when I was a kid, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten to know the rose bushes so well???

This video was provided by Dylan Dunkerton of coastalcrew.blogspot.com