I love island riders! Despite the continual ribbing they get from the rest of the province for their tree-hugging tendencies and ‘island’ time, you have to admit, they’re a passionate group when it comes to riding.



This past weekend was the fourth time Mount Washington has hosted Norco’s Rider Appreciation Day: VPS-Fest, and once again, the mountain’s staff offered a warm welcome, a huge crowd of enthused riders arrived to enjoy the day, and even the notoriously fussy coastal weather cooperated to make the event go off!



Despite the threat of rain and heavy fog down in the valley, 550 riders, half of which were riding FREE with their Norco bikes, made the trek up the switchbacks to come and enjoy one last weekend in the bike park; they were rewarded for their effort with bluebird skies and near-perfect, tacky trail conditions.



Not that islanders were the only ones who made an appearance that weekend. Riders from all over the province loaded up their cars to enjoy an end-of-season roadtrip. There were even two guys who made a 12 HOUR trek up from Hood River, Oregon to enjoy a little free riding.



Korba poses with two of our favourite Mount Washington locals.

A full roster of Norco’s staff were on hand all day offering free passes, free shwag (the first 75 riders received Axiom multi-tools), finely tuned bikes, wheel and flat repair, and of course, prizes….lots of them (the $5500 prize draw included the coveted A-Line PE frameset). Naz from Marzocchi Canada also came up for the weekend (Marzocchi is a major sponsor of the Norco Factory Team) to do a little wrenching and riding.


Pete (Steak-Sauce) & Chris Mayo do some tag-team repairs.

In addition, quite a few of Norco’s Factory Team riders including the ubiquitous Jay Hoots, a Red-Bull infused Dylan Korba, Jr. Pro DH racer Tyler Gorz, and island local & Ride Guide hostess with the mostest, Darcy Turenne, were shaking babies and kissing hands (they were also ready and willing to take people up for runs and offer riding tips).



Another highlight from the weekend was watching the HUGE smile on our Mace ‘Ride In Style’ contest winner, Matt LeBlanc’s face. He arrived early Saturday morning to pick up $1000 in new gear. Although, it was almost as much fun to watch his jealous buddies who cursed and cheered him in turn. I overheard, “lucky b*$%d” a lot that day.



Hooty & Matt pose for a quick shot before heading up for their first run of the day.

After getting shwagged out, Matt was given a brand new 2008 Shore 1 to use and abuse for the day as he explored the mountain with Jay Hoots. From the gigantic grin plastered on his face in every picture, I’d say he had a pretty amazing day.



Axiom Performance Gear sponsored a flat-tire change contest that ran all day long. The most enthusiastic participants were definitely the wrenches from the local shops. For awhile there the competition was pretty fierce. But, the clear winner at the end of the day was...



...PETE (Steak-Sauce). Rockin' it ol' school. (He was a good sport about it though, and didn't even take his bragging rights.)



Each year there seems to be more ladies getting into the freeride scene. The guys were all pretty stoked on that.







The eager crowd waiting for the prize draw.



Anticipation



This guy was fully prepared to take out the stiches on his arm to win the Mace Swat jacket that was up for grabs (we gave it to him before that).



This rider ran up to be the first to give Korba and kiss and win a t-shirt. However, from the look on his face, I'm pretty sure we all know who the real winner was this time.



So close...
The grand prize at each event this summer was a '07 A-Line Park Edition frameset. Of course, MC Jay Hoots and the rest of the team decided to really drag it out this time around. From first initial, to full first name, to final announcement - the catch, you had to BE THERE to win. I won't mention the first name we drew...that would just be too mean.






Between the FREE riding, $5000 in FREE gear, free tech support, free flat repair, cheap accommodations, beautiful fall weather, I think it’s safe to say that it was an incredible day!





Already dropping and he hasn't even lost the training wheels.


However, the biggest props must go to all our customers . . . the Norco riders, who always show up to ride, party, and show their VPS-Pride. Thanks to everyone who made this weekend such a HUGE success!



What is VPS-Fest? Check out: vpsfest.com to read all about it.

She did it! Fionn cracked the Downhill Top 5 finally, and exactly when she needed to! This past weekend’s World Championships was incredible from the start. So perfectly organized, even the weather seemed to be cooperating with the riders. The crowds flocked by the thousands all week supporting their favourite riders/team in practice. “It was incredible. The crowds were already lining the track for qualifying on Thursday morning.” Fionn recalls. “Even then I could hear fan screaming my name my entire run. It really set the stage for how supportive the crowds would be all weekend.”

Friday night’s 4X was the start of the show. With the event showing live on BBC in England the tension was high and the crowds were fanatical. Qualifying earlier in the week showed just how close the racing was going to be – the top 7 women were all within 1.5 seconds of one another. All the heats were intense. Fionn drew Melissa Buhl and Racheal Seydoux in the first round. Both Buhly and Seydoux are no strangers to the podium and everyone expected some great racing. Straight out of the gate the fans were not disappointed. Rachel and Buhly both lent on Fee and gave her the squeeze. She was stuck in 3rd before the 1st jump. But that wasn’t going to stop our Fee. She quickly recovered and began her quest for the finals. By the 2nd turn Fionn had caught up to Melissa and tried a quick, cheeky inside line. No joy. Buhly was ready for it and even a few elbows couldn’t get Fee into that vital 2nd place. 3rd corner Fee saw her shot: a tough inside line that could be just enough to get in front. Fee went for it but luck wasn’t with her and she slid out in the berm. Tough break for Fee who was left to finish the heat in 3rd and not advance into the semi finals. She finished 9th in the event.

However, the disappointment from the 4X was just fuel for Sunday morning’s DH final. Fee was ready. Her head was in it, her body felt good and her top 10 qualifying time guaranteed her plenty of attention from the attending BBC camera crews. Fee was in top form. She knew she had to be fast in the top to stay with the leading ladies and she was. She rode hard and fast, a few near misses in the open, rocky top are proof of that. She came into the woods flat out and made up time there. Unfortunately, a little venture through the tapes on a tough corner slowed her down a bit. But Fee wasn’t ready to give up. She came through the split down on the leaders time, but rode the bottom section so smooth that she made up more than 2 seconds on any other lady in the event! And it was enough. She came down and immediately took her place in the Hot Seat. 9 more riders to go. Fee held her seat for as long as possible, but was knocked out by the new World Champion, Sabrina Jonnier. Her time was fast enough to keep her in the Top 5!

Congratulations to Fionn on a great weekend, and an amazing season, of racing!

Source: fionngriffiths.com

Say goodbye to training wheels and to a confident future cyclist. We love the concept of learning how to ride a bike and gaining balance and motor skills at the same time. The goal of the bikes are for the budding cyclist to gain balance while scooting along and then be able to make the transition to a big bike without having training wheels.

Babyvibe momma Norisa wrote in to tell us how much she loves the Run Bike for her son Landen. She tells us that her older son who teaches mountain bike camps for kids likes the concept of the bikes as a lot of kids typically cling to training wheels for years when they shouldn’t stay on for more than a week.

Read the full review: babyvibe.ca

Just because everyone else seems to think summer is over doesn't mean you should stop riding! Next weekend, Sept 15/16th, come out and help us close the bike park season at Mount Washington on Vancouver Island.

Norco and Mount Washington Resort have partnered up to offer you FREE riding on Saturday & 1/2 price tickets on Sunday, scheduled rides with Factory Pros, Tire Changing contests (win yourself a couple free tubes just for trying), and discounts on Accommodations. So, what are you waiting for?! Pre-registers NOW and you'll be automatically entered into our '"Ride In Style" Contest sponsored by Mace Clothing & Armour.

What is VPS-Fest?
VPS-Fest is Norco's one-of-a-kind Rider Appreciation Day. In 2003 we created our first VPS-Fest event as a fun way to give back to the riding community and a great excuse to get Norco riders together for a great time. Since our first event, VPS-Fest has grown and expanded into a much-anticipated event on many Norco riders' calendars This event gives us the opportunity to say, 'Thanks!' to our riders by providing FREE (or discounted) lift-accessed riding, FREE tech support by World Cup mechanics, FREE flat and wheel repair, the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes.

Go to VPSFEST.com for Free riding, Free tech repair, gobs of prizing (over $5000 worth), and much much more...

In her own words...

You know those days when you get on the bike and your like, “ooohh I’ve got good legs today”. That was this morning warming up for the world Championships. I arrived in Scotland on Tuesday after a couple days and a race in Switzerland. We’ve been staying at this great hotel and have been completely taken care of so I was able to completely indulge in resting my legs. Yes I did get a little stir crazy at times, but got some good reading in.

All the Canadians were feeling that the course was awesome. Although it was a little over constructed with all the corners being burmed, it was really fast and fun. I was also pleased to find a 10 minute climb to stretch my legs on, knowing that even in a world cup field I’m one of the strongest climbers.

So it’s Saturday morning and my legs are feeling awesome. It’s overcast, but dry and I have a fun course ahead of me and a third row call up. Off the start Petra Henzi and a woman from the Netherlands crashed, but I was able to avoid the downed riders and tried to move up. I had a good start, but wasn't really able to move up until about 2km as the pace was fast. After that I cranked it up a notch and passed a ton of fast girls. Georgia Gould and Rosara Joseph grabbed my wheel. By the top of the first climb we were in the top 10 with a Polish girl in front. I reeled her in steadily with Rosara urging me to pass her as she was slowing us down. We eventually got by and on the flat I bridged up to the lead 4 women who were playing cat and mouse and letting Marie Helene sit up front. I briefly thought about taking over pulling, but quickly reminded myself this was the first time I’ve ridden up front so I should probably not be pulling WC winners around the track on lap 1.

Heading out into lap2 we have to climb up this rock face type deal. A lot of riders were struggling with it –men and women- and the two girls in front of me messed it up and forced me off the bike, but I was quickly back on. Sabine was just in front of me, but had the gas to burst back to the lead 3 where I had to try to steadily bring them in. On the climb lap 2 I guess the Chinese rider Jing Jing attacked forcing the pace and opening on me and dropping Marie. I bridged up to Marie mid lap 2 hoping that together we could ride faster and reel the women in, but she was setting her own pace and I opened up on her. Pretty cool. I had secret hopes of a top 5, but to be riding in 4th ahead of Marie was pretty cool. From there I was alone until the end of lap 3. Athough I wasn’t making mistakes on the descent, between the flats and burmed corners Marie and Rosara were finding some time on me. By the start of lap 4 they were on my wheel. My legs started hurting pretty good on lap 3, and lap 4 was no different. I was hoping to be able to pull something special out for that last climb, but my legs were the limiter. At about 1/3 of the way up the climb Marie and Rosara passed me. Marie stormed away while Rosara and I battled back and forth for position. Rosara eventually claimed the lead going into the descent. Both women pulled away from me that lap and I rode in still very ecstatic with 6th. Wahooo!!!!! Marrie finished in 4th and Kiara in 11th. Great rides all round.

Thanks so much to everyone that has supported me this year. Keith, mom, dad, Geoff, Grandma, Norco, Dan. Thanks also to everyone that believed in me and my ability to get a top 10 at Worlds. Hopefully it’ll just keep getting better!

I'm off to cheer on norco Team mate Fion tomorrow in the DH as well as the Canadian DH'ers.

Source: Kika's Blog

This week, our enthusiastic website designers have brought us, yet another update with the addition of a new 360. Don’t forget to check back regularly for new videos, podcasts, team updates, photos, and much more... Go check out the two newest 360's!

Norco XXXX 360


Norco Faze One 360

The Jeep King of the Mountain Series comes to an overwhelming close this weekend with Anneke Beerten and Mickael Prokop winning the keys to a brand new Jeep Liberty. Jill Kintner took the event win, but 2nd place was all Anneke Beerten needed to hold her series lead! Fionn raced well all weekend giving Anneke a run for her money, but an unfortunate rear flat in her semi-final match-up saw Fee’s dreams shattered. Fionn recovered quickly however and rounded out the podium at this weekend’s event as well as the overall series. However the joys of this weekend’s victories are greatly overshadowed by the difficulties now faced by 4th place finisher Tara Llanes. Tara was having an amazing weekend of racing - seeding 1st and rippin’ it up on course. However a devastating crash in her semi-final heat against Jill Kintner stunned the crowds. Tara went over the bars and landed head first into the face of a jump. Through the hush of the crowds and the skills of the on-course paramedics, Tara was rushed to hospital where the news was confirmed: spinal fractures with spinal cord injuries. Tara was flown immediately to Denver where she underwent spinal surgery while close friends and family waited anxiously, sending reports back whenever possible to the concerned Jeep KOTM staff and the rest of the riders. We spent a long night in the waiting room offering any support possible to Tara and her family. All our thoughts and best wishes are with Tara at this time. She is an incredibly strong person and with the support of everyone around her I know she can pull through this.


Although the crash has left everyone shaken, we all race with the knowledge that this kind of thing can happen at anytime. This is something we have all learned to accept however nothing can prepare you for the reality of it happening. Having these life altering injuries inflicted on a close friend has given Scotland a whole new meaning now for Fionn. “I am still ready for World’s.” Fionn assures us. “I’m not going to let Tara’s accident slow me down. If anything, it will speed me up. This one’s for you T.”

Source: fionngriffiths.com

This week, our enthusiastic website designers have brought us, yet another update with the addition of a new video. Don’t forget to check back regularly for new videos, podcasts, team updates, photos, and much more... Go check out the newest video here!

Yeah!! I’m back in Switzerland hanging out with my friend Sandra and her Aunt and Uncle. Ricky Federau and I arrived in Zurich Thursday after a sleepless 16hrs of travel. Our VW Golf was waiting at the rental agency and was the perfect fit for our bikes and gear. Awesome! With my second immersion in German it’s getting a little easier and I’m picking up some good phrases thanks to Ricky and his remembrances of German classes as a kid. He taught me the lyric above - I am a foreigner and I don’t speak German well – a convenient phrase to have at my disposal.

So it’s been a matter of trying to get our sleep schedule switched to this time zone, not an easy task and working the travel kinks out of the legs before Worlds. The three of us headed to Basel, near the border with Germany this weekend. On Sunday we raced the SwissPower Cup finals. I have to say it was one of the more interesting courses I’ve done, but definitely wouldn’t go so far as to say it suited me. The race started on a rough horse track. The week before we arrived had been so rainy much of Switzerland was flooded and the track had water ruts. Being more like a road race start, I took it pretty casual and wasn’t fighting for the front. With 2.5 start loops I thought I’d have lots of time to move up, but when I made my move with half a lap to go, dropping to the bottom of the track I found it was really sandy and slow and got shut out heading into the “technical zone” which consisted of three 3 foot drops and a sharp uphill. Some girls were struggling with the drops and it got all clogged up. So when the course opened up again I was way off the leaders. Good going Kika! I chased like crazy across the dead flat road stretch and into the paved climb and caught up to the top 6 or so girls by the single track climb. I was done though. I was wheezing and my legs hurt bad. The lead three girls –including Sandra - still had a sizeable gap that I was going to have to recover before I could close.