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The Sunshine Coaster is the newly-renovated Rat Race. A classic up on the Sunshine Coast just North of Vancouver in Roberts Creek. With a BC Cup XC on Saturday and a DH race on Sunday and pre-riding everywhere between the weekend was a flurry of activity and a blast for everyone involved.

Eight members of the Norco crew head up for the race with everyone signed up for the DH and 4 lucky soles registered for the XC as well. Brave soles they are taking on gravity in both directions. Taking the ferry over on Friday afternoon meant that we could head out on a pre-ride mission before settling in at the Up The Creek Hostel. This is by far the nicest hostel I have ever stayed in. A 10 minute walk from the beach, equipped with a great kitchen, hot tub and cleaner than your average hotel, this was a great, economical choice for the weekend and the perfect place to grab some rest.

Racing on Saturday was 2 hours of gut-wrenching XC with grueling climbs, ripping descents and even a few bridges in the mix. The Sunshine Coaster XC really is the perfect cource for a well rounded rider. The DH on the other hand is a fairly flat, Stand and hammer course. Racing the DH is tuned towards the most fit of racers… Let’s just say there where a few people hacking up a lung at the finish.

Check out a few photos from the racing action

Check out more photos at flickr.com

Well, I will admit, I was a slacker… I didn’t get a post up yesterday. But, here we are and here it is.

The past two days have really kicked off the racing here at Sea Otter Norco riders in DH Training, Dual Slalom, an the pump track. The DH track has now been open for 2 days of practice and both the Dirt boys and the Norco World Team have been out scoping their lines. Tomorrow is the main event though where it is all up for grabs. Training starts at 8:30 and racing at 10. Check back tomorrow for an update on the day’s racing. Today was also the Dual Slalom where Fionn Griffiths qualified in 9th place then crashed in the quarterfinals. The other event that was on today was the the Pump Track where Bernard Kerr participated and finished just off the podium in an impressive 5th place. Way to go Bernard, all I really know after watching this event is that I really need to practice. There is absolutely no way that I could even come close to the lines, smoothness or style that any of these guys have.

With that brief description, I will try and let some photos tell the real story about the day’s events.

Dustan

The Dirt Norco Team is getting getting ready for the 2010 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey California. In the mean time though they have been busy working on their second shorty video. Have a look at this video, it rocks!

“if you had a dog and wanted to dig a hole, what would you say to it”

Video Provided By the Dirt Norco Race Team.

It seems that every year I purchase a new bike, that bike is faster, lighter and better looking a mere 12 months later. For 2009 I rode a Norco Fluid 1 which was probably the best All Mountain Bike I have ever owned. The bike is fast, light, versatile and can really take me down whatever I throw in its way. My fluid has seen everything from XC racing to epic enduros and even a Super D. But… Now that I have seen the 2010 models, I am like a child on Christmas Eve awaiting the arrival of the 2010 Faze SL. That will be my personal bike for 2010 as soon as it is available.

The 2010 bikes are showing clean, sleek graphics and sporting lower pricing in conjunction with CNN’s financial apocalypse coverage. Looking through the 2009 lineup you will notice a few highlights such as the integration of Carbon into the XC lineup, larger diameter seatposts for use of a Joplin and the specing products such as the Hammerschmidt, 2010 Boxxer and even the Gates Belt Drive. Here are a few highlights from the new lineup:

The 2010 Norco Team DH Features a new front triangle Sram Drivetrain, Saint Cranks and the 2010 Rockshox Boxxer Team fork. This bike is faster than ever and priced at $5780 CAN or $4750 US the bike is much more affordable than  2009. The Team DH also has a younger brother the DH coming in White and retailing at a modest $3699 CAN or $2630 US.

The Empire for 2010 comes in two different price points as well. The Empire SE is spec’d with A Marzocchi 55 TST 2, FSA Gravity Lite Bar, Stem and Crankset and Avid Elixer brakes. When it comes to a full-on slopestyle rig, the Empire is it. The SE retails for $4075 CAN or $3399 US while the Empire 5 comes in a$t 2675 CAN or $2295 US.

The Faze SE is the Pereguin Falcon of marathon bikes. 120mm of travel with a Fox 32 FRLC fork, XTR drivetrain, Raceface cranks and DT wheelset will keep you rolling for hours. Built for speed, distance and any hurdle along the way the Faze is versatile, light and most importantly fast. $5695 CAN $4825 US

The Team Carbon is a brand new carbon mold for 2010. Using HTR and EPS Technology in conjunction with  Thermoplastic Mesh have come together to create Norco’s lightest mountain bike ever. Tipping the scale at 19lbs, the team carbon is outfitted with a full Sram XX groupo and Eason XC-1 wheels. The lightest and fastest Norco cross country race bike ever. If you want to know the price then you probably don’t want the bike. . .

The CRR SL brings the same Carbon technology from the Team Carbon into road world. Utilizing BB30, an integrated seat-mast and a tapered steertube, the CRR-SL is a race ready rig straight out of the box. A Sram Red drivetrain with Mavic wheels and a Ritchey cockpit keep the bike light, fast and ahead of the pack. $5695 CAN $4795 US

There are some big changes for 2010; new technology, improved parts and a few dollars saved. Prices are down and Bikes are up, check out the full lineup on the 2010 Norco website which launches Sept. 1!