The Yukon is not the best known riding destinations in the world. In fact before about two weeks ago, I didn’t even know mountain biking was popular in the far north of Canada.  Being offered to part in a filming trip with Ride Guide in the Yukon Territory was not something I was going to turn down. With little knowledge of the area and 10 days of riding sitting on my plate, the one thing I was sure about was that I was in for a treet.

Flying out of Vancouver was Ryan Leech, Josh (our cameraman extraordinaire) and myself on a riding/filming expedition out of Whitehorse YT. There were a few things stereotypes made me expect such as bugs, cold, and perpetual light . . Turns out only one of these was fully true. There were a few bugs along the way but not the fist sized mosquitoes I was expecting, As for cold, well it was around 30C all week (86F), but as for light I was correct. Having a sunset at around 11pm meant that riding was possible just about any time between 4AM and midnight. Where else can you do that?

While staying in Whitehorse we were put up at Boreal Mountain Biking where I had my first opportunity to stay in a Yurt. The Yurts were not what I expected. With hardwood floors, leather couches and a full kitchen, we were being wined and dined in the lap of luxury. If you are ever heading to Whitehorse check out Boreal, in addition to accommodation they provide catered meals and Sylvain, the mountain Bike Guide Extraordonaire.

The riding in Whitehorse is nothing short of incredible. From fast rolling descents to technical rock faces, wide open alpine to tight forest singletrack there really is a little bit of everything. The only thing that was consistent for each type of trail was that there were spectacular views the whole way. If you are looking for somewhere to fit the ultimate all-mountain adventure while experiencing the views of a lifetime, the Yukon is it!

While the mountain biking was fabulous through the entire trip, Ryan made a point of bringing his trials bike as well to hit some of the local hot-spots. Even riding trials it was hard to miss the scenery, it is everywhere. In addition to riding the local terrain, Ryan conducted a trials demo for the local kids or all ages in Whitehorse in conjunction with the Bike Your Brains Out helmet promotion.

Whitehorse truly is a world cycling destination. From epic trails and incredible views the Yukon has it all. To see more photos from the Yukon check out flickr.com/norcobikes.

Thank you to Yukon Tourism, Boreal Mountain Biking and Ride Guide TV for making it all happen.

Dustan

We are now on our third day in the Yukon. Ryan, Josh and I have been seeing the sights of what Whitehorse has to offer. Let me reassure use, there is a lot to offer. From Fast, forrested singletrack to wide open limestone faces, the trails are spectacular, diverse and smile enducing.

Have a look at a few photos from along the way.

Hiking up Grey Mountain

Ryan riding across the Grey Mountain Ridge

Ryan made us all Breakfast Smoothies

The view from the peak of McIntire Mountain

More to come soon,

Dustan

The 2010 Norco product launch took place this year in our own backyard, Vancouver BC. This stellar location boasted some of the best riding in the world but also showcased Vancouver, the 2010 Olympic City!

The Launch started off at the Sheraton Wall Center where retailers, distributors and media from around the world assembled to see the new lineup for 2010. The evening kicked off with a Ryan Leech Demo. Ryan never dissapoints and with a little bit of improv-trials he even used some of the local art in the show. That was not planned . . . .

Day two of the launch involved bike presentations and a ride on Vancouver’s North Shore. Riding some of the classic trails was a real eye opener as there are not many places around the world where the riding is this good.

The third day of the launch was busy on bikes. Starting off with an Urban ride around Downtown Vancouver lead by Ryan Leech and Dylan Korba kicked it off. The bikes on the ride ranged from hybrid commuters to fixies, electric bikes to trials bikes. There was a taste of everything along the ride. Riding through the false creek area, Ryan and Dylan were on entertainment duty while the rest of us enjoyed the scenery and experienced the Cycling lanes on the Burrard St. Bridge. Way to go Vancouver on opening this up to cyclists!.

After the Urban ride and a quick lunch we headed off to Burnaby Mountain, home of Simon Fraser University for a taste of All Mountain terrain. Burnaby is a great area to ride offering a little bit of everything. It was a beautiful day, great trails, and a BBQ waiting at the end. The perfect end to a great launch.

Check out more photos of the Launch at flickr.com

See coverage of the 2010 launch and the new bikes at:

The 2010 Norco Product Launch has kicked off starting Monday July 13th. As all 100 or so made their way to the Sheraton Wall Center in Vancouver BC, the evening started off with some drinks and some appy’s followed by a world renowned Ryan Leech Demo.

Ryan’s demo kicked off at about 8:00pm when there was already a crowd of spectators waiting. Even though the demo was put on for the launch participants, the intrigue of the setup attracted people in the beautiful downtown core to come out and watch. Leave it to Ryan to make the best of any specific location, he somehow managed to ride on the glass coverings speckled through the courtyard.

The launch is now underway and the bike presentations are being given as we speek. Check back with the blog for updates through the next few days along with other websites such as pinkbike.com, nsmb.com, mtbr.com, mbuk.com and bikemag.com.

Ryan made some new friends too!

Check back soon for more, in the meantime view more photos at: flickr.com

Dustan

What is a better way to ring in the July 4th long weekend than by trying out some bikes? This year, after celebrating Canada day the Norco crew headed south to Blackrock Oregon for a demo day sponsored by the BRMBA. We started this demo last year and there was such a great response that not only did we return, we were joined by Giant, Kona, Felt, Diamondback, Transition, Cove, Evil, Brodie and 5-Ten. What a turnout!

The morning started out at about 9:30AM with a lineup 20 deep. By 10:00 the bikes were all out and people were smiling. The day started off in a flury and as people relayed in and out trying new bikes the general feeling was one of excitement and drooling over the bikes being ridden. With a selection of bikes featuring the Fluid LT, Empire, Vixa, Six, Shore and Aline the trails had met their match. Whether you were riding up and screaming down on the LT or hitting the gaps on the Shore, there was a bike for every person and a bike for every trail.

All day there were three trucks shuttling bikes and people up the mountain. Anyone who has ridden in Blackrock before knows that usually you are hoofing it to the top. What is usually a 1 or 2 run hill was for some people a 5 or 6 run day. Not taking advantage of the bikes, the shuttle and the company would be a mistake for anyone who could have come out but didn’t.

The day at Blackrock was probably the largest western Demo in a mountain biking environment. 2010 will undoubtedly be even bigger so mark your calender and will will we waiting for you next year.

See more photos on the Norco Bikes Flickr Page

Happy Trails,

Dustan

This past weekend was the Vancouver to Seattle edition of The Ride to Conquer Cancer. This two day journey started out at Gilford Mall in Surrey BC and traveled south ending at the University of Washington in Seattle WA. The Norco Pit crew followed the entire course setting up tech support stations to cure whatever technical catastrophe that may sneak up on a rider. From flat tires to broken spokes, missing bolts to seatpost shims, there was no bike that didn’t roll once we were done with it.

Approximately 140km into the ride camp was set up in Mt Vernon for Saturday night. it was here that 1701 riders and several hundred volunteers spent the evening camped out in some cozy confines.

Getting up first thing Sunday morning for a 6:30AM start the Norco crew headed further south to four more support stations on route. The day’s ride would go through at least three seasons worth of weather. Starting off in a light rain, it would soon clear up just enough to enjoy lunch. Shortly there after though, we would be pummeled with a hail storm and see some more of the wet stuff. But, don’t worry, soon thereafter, the clouds would part and bask the finish line with some most appreciated rays of sunshine.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer raised an incredible 6.9 million for cancer research and will help to take one step closer to finding a cure.

Congratulations to everyone who participated, thank you to everyone who contributed and welcome to anyone who has been inspired to come out next year. Get full information on the event at: conquercancer.ca

View more photos at: flickr.com/norcobikes

The Ride To Conquer Cancer started today. If you are unframiliar with the event this is an epic two day ride from Vancouver BC to Seattle WA. Traveling a cource of nearly 300km riders are putting their best pedal forward and raising money for an excellent cause.

This morning around 5:00 AM Gilford Mall was strangely busy for a Saturday. . . .  Over 1600 riders and hundreds of volunteers gathered for to hear the gun and head south. As the riders started off the first leg to the Peace Arch border crossing the Norco Tech Team was setting up just on the other side of the 49th. Manning four stations along the course, no flat was left unchanged, no wheel was left un-trued and no chains were left un-lubed.

It really is an amazing sight to see that many riders, bikes and supporters all gathered to help find a cure for Cancer. As of right now we are in Mt. Vernon and I must say it is an impressive sight, on one side we have a sea of bikes, all arranged for the night in a neat and orderly fashion. On the other side is a city of tents. Rows upon rows of tents that will house the tired legs and bodies of some 1600 ambitious souls.

See the photos HERE!

Dustan

This Past weekend the Norco Crew made the epic journey From Vancouver BC to Edmonton AB for Canada Cup XC #4 in Kinsman Park. The course was fast with quick ups and downs and some very technical sections. Two Norco Factory Team Riders came out from Ontario along with one Grassroots Rider, all in the elite categories.

Catherine Vipond made the trip to Edmonton for the race and battled through some stiff competition finishing 4th in the Elite Women. In the Men’s category Andrew Watson flew in with grassroots rider Zachary Hughes. Zachary finished a respectable 22nd in the large field of 39. Andrew Watson rode most of the race in an impressive 6th place a little more than 1 min off the lead. From the sidelines we were hoping for a podium finish as he gave it all on the last lap. We were astounded as he ramped it up and passed rider after rider. Over the course of the final 1 ½ laps Andrew made up the minute lead and climbed the ladder into first place. Andrew ended up winning the Race with a lead of 1:04. WAY TO GO ANDREW!

This past weekend was a great success for the Norco Factory Team. What is really impressive though are the overall standings in the Canada Cup Series. Catherine is currently sitting in 2nd place for the Elite Women while Andrew is wearing the leaders’ jersey for the men. In DH world, Norco Factory Team Rider Hans Lambert is leading the Elite Men heading into Bromont on July 5th.

Have a look at some photos from this past weekend:

Dustan

There comes a time in every cyclist’s journey when they get tired, lazy or indifferent and break a chain. Shifting under torque, whether intentional or not is a recipe for a bent or broken chain. This may seem like the end of a ride but chain repair can be completed quicker and easier than even a flat tire – if you have the right tools.

The only tool that you need to fix a broken chain is a chain break. Seems sort of ironic that you fix it with a break. . . . but we will have to roll with it. There are many different types of chain breaks and the image above depicts a shop quality too. You will find that many multi-tools are more convenient while on the trails.

The second piece of equipment that will make the repair much easier is a masterlink. These are available at your local bike shop for a very low price. Using a masterlink to repair a broken chain will result in a stronger link and much saved frustration.

Now onto the repair:

The first step is to remove the broken link. In the above picture you can see that one link is severely bent. This will need to be removed before the chain will be usable once again.

You will need to use your chain break to push out a pin on either side of the broken link. Try not to push the pin out all the way as this way it will be easier to keep track of the pieces. Push out the pins so that you will end up with two inner links.

The next step is to connect the masterlink. Insert the pin from each side of the masterlink into the chain from opposite sides.

Push the two sides of the mastelink together to make a single link.

Pull the chain along its length to lock the masterlink into place.

Voila! You have just repaired a chain.

Dustan

June 4, 2009 was the day to be at Different Bikes in North Vancouver British Columbia. Members of the NSRIDE were offered a chance to hit the Mount Seymour Trails on a shiny, new 2009 Norco Bike. From the Faze to the A-Line there was a bike for everyone ready to be ridden.

Check out the photos at flickr.com