How Much Is Too Much?!
June 05, 2008
Fuel is skyrocketing! Gas or Diesel, it doesn’t matter. Not too long ago people were stressing when gas hit a buck a litre. Now anything under a buck-thirty is considered a deal. I’ll bet we’ll see $1.50+ per litre before summer is out. Yikes!
It wasn’t too many years ago that we used to budget our trips here from Vancouver down to Moab using $1.19 per gallon for gas as a benchmark. Door to door it was 1970km (less than 4 tanks). We all tossed a hundy into the gas fund and away we went. Rock and roll.
However, on our recent trip down to Sea Otter we were paying well in excess of $4.40 per gallon! I spent close to $2000 getting our two rigs with trailers down and back from that event. For the first time, I had to seriously consider FUEL as a major cost of attending an event.
Note: For you good folks in the USA there is 4 litres to a US Gallon. You are still way cheaper than we are. We think we are getting a deal down your way compared to home prices!
Being in the bicycle business, I get the classic statement “man, with the price of gas these days you must be selling lots of bikes”.
Well, fact is, although our retailers are selling more bikes this time of year with spring and summer finally here, disappointingly there’s only a small percentage of consumers that are making a conscious decision to buy a bike and ride it more because of the price of gas.
So that leads me to the question, “how much is too much”?? When will we hit the tipping point when people say “I’ve had enough. . .I am GOING to ride my bike more and drive my car less”.
Sadly, I don’t think we are even close at a buck and half a litre (up to $6.00 a gallon) as we North Americans cannot give up our love affair with our vehicles. Big SUV’s, Quad cabs, pick-ups and all-wheel drive rigs. They are making lots of them still, heck, the bigger the better right? Yup, call me a hypocrite. I drive a ¾ ton diesel crew cab pick-up, but keep in mind that it’s hard to pull a 12,000 lb trailer with a Prius. To offset the necessity of our team rig, I still pedal pretty much every day and ride a moto when I can too.
Speaking of riding, a big high 5 goes out to all our Norco staff that rode their bikes in to work during last week’s Ride To Work Challenge and an even bigger shout out to the high percentage that ride in EVERY week. Rain or shine.
At our pancake breakfast held at the office in honor of the riders we had one of our bike division guys mention that he rode 40 kms each way EVERY day during that week. That’s a 400 km week on his bike – just commuting! Wow, impressive numbers Paul. Extra kudo’s sent your way.
It was as I was sitting there munching on my pancakes I got to thinking about the whole question of bikes and fuel costs.
So, how much IS too much? What do you think? When will it be too much for you?
Take the poll included in this month’s enews and give us your thoughts: Will the rising price of gas encourage you to ride a bike?
As always, happy trails. And don’t forget to grin as you hop on your bike and ride past a gas station.
Mislav Masters Flip-Whips & Wins Slovenian Dirt Jump Comp!
June 04, 2008
Well, we’ve finally held a dirt competition in the capital city of Slovenia! The first round of the Slovenian 4X Championships were happening that weekend, so they added the Dirt Jump and Best Trick comp to increase the excitement.
The funny thing was that there was 20" and 26" together in same category so it was challenging for the judges.
Three runs, one winner. . .
Training started and I had some problems with my bike so I had to quit. Later, after I had repaired my bike I was ready to rock and roll again! Practice went well.
During the compeititon, I pulled three solid runs, and I was happy with them, then it was up to the judges had to do their job. While they were deciding the winner, we held the Best Trick Comp to fill the time. Me and my friend were so stoked about even having a competition that we said, “lets go for it!”
He was going for 360 double tailwhip (BMX), which he landed on his third try, so I had to step it up with my MTB and went for Flip-Whip (backflip tailwhip)!! I landed it for the first time in my life on the second try! I was SO stoked and everyone was so happy for me!! It’s a trick that I thought I would never be crazy enough even to try but I landed it.
After that, the judges knew who won the dirt comp...
“The first place goes to the ‘Croatian Sensation’ Mislav Mironovic!”
It was an amazing feeling to hear my name and go to podium. I will never forget that moment. I am still stoked on that flipwhip and happy for the great show we put on for the Slovenians! Check out some video from the event:
click on this text or the image to view the video
Cheers
- Mislav
Norco Riders Grant A Wish
June 03, 2008
On May 29th, Norco had the pleasure of working with the Children's Wish Foundation to make Jeff’s wish come true.
Jeff wish was to receive a brand new bike, a 2008 Norco Six 1 to be specific, and for he and his family come to out on vacation to BC and tour Norco’s Factory.
We decided that a tour also needed to include a ride! To add to the fun, Jay Hoots and Ryan Leech both immediately volunteered to act as ride-guides for Jeff (second from the left)) and his best friend Jamie (far right).
It was an honour to be able to celebrate Jeff’s 15th birthday and to help make his wish come true! We wish he and his family all the best in his fight!
If you would like to know more about the Children’s Wish Foundation, or would like to help make a child/teen’s wish come true, check out: childrenswish.ca
