2009 Carson Graham Mtb Team

Pouring rain and near freezing temps wasnt enough to stop us. Carson Graham has got a great group of riders, looking forward to some great rides this spring. We had our first ride on Fromme, hitting up "Floppy Bunny", Bobsled, and the offical trail of the Carson Graham mtb team - Natural High.  Thanks for a great ride guys!

-Connor

You’ve gotta love the Spring Series. It’s the first real test of the year. How are your legs? Did that new training plan work? How will those new race wheels feel? Perhaps more importantly: did you eat one too many ice creams over the winter?

This year is my first year on the Steed team. At the opening race, it felt good to roll up to the line with 4 other guys all dressed in the new kit. We sure look fast!

The team has been using this years Spring Series as training races. We want to finish well, but we often arrive at the start line legs that are sore from a hard week of training. No pre-race tapering here...

Our goal is to race hard right from the gun. If there is a break, one of us is in it. If there isn’t a break, we start one. We want to leave it all on the road, and then recover for the inevitable Spring Series Sprint.

Last Sunday the race was held on the awesome Bradner course. It’s a hilly, twisty course that is difficult to get a rhythm on. We launched attack after attack, until finally Andrew and Colin found themselves in a 6 man break. It lasted a while and I thought it might stick, but unfortunately it was brought back by the motivated pack. At the next opportunity, I attacked and got away with another rider. We rode together; pushing each other to keep the pace, until eventually he fell off and left me alone on the road.

What a great feeling. My lungs and legs were burning, and for kilometer after kilometer, I was concentrating on nothing but keeping my bike upright and keeping my rhythm. The occasional glance back told me I was almost out of sight of the pack. It was the blowing wind, the occasional “race fan”, and constant whirring of my chain. To me, this is bike racing.

As I approached the final lap, the pack picked up its pace and eventually caught me. Someone patted me on the back and said, “Good try man.”

“Thanks,” I responded, “maybe next time.”

There are two more weeks of racing left in the Spring Series, so come on out and give it a try: there are categories for Novice through Elite.

-David Gerth

Race day in Cumberland

Race day started off with delicious homemade skillet compliments of the “ledged” Mike Chan.  The Cumberland DH “brogram” consisted of me, James “Billington the 3^rd”, Steve Chan, and Chris “toe jam” Fisher.  

After a lengthy registration we “kitted” up and loaded up the Budget cube van – classic BC cup style.  I decided to skip the shuttle and pedal the D8 up the road – the thing climbs as well as it descends. A late snow pack had us pushing through slush and slop. 30 mins later you arrive at the top of the course overlooking Courtney. 

The course is built on “hero dirt” – that gold dirt trail builders jump through hoops for. There was an unfamiliar object in the sky, the sun, making the course quick and tacky. 

The top of the course was wide open pedally single-track with some fun corners leading into the “Fort William” step down. After that it headed back into the trees for “Shladming” and a set of bermed corners and fast banked trail. I’m assuming the course was no longer than 2:30 but I have no idea seeing as results were MIA after the race – I will post em up as soon as a member of the “brogram” knows. 

The course was a nice change from the slow technical “Shore”. It was evident that everyone was having a great time on the track.  Jamie was keeping the atmosphere light and “sexy” while some riders were rather serious for the season opener…….All in all great course, well organized, après burger included, good friends, lots of dance music, and simply “magnificent” weather.  

"Stee Cha"

"yaaa braaazzy brozy"

clean whips for the race run

The "BROGRAM"

Results??

"Thats it, thats all"

Top 10 Expert results

Expert Men
1	121	Brent Anderson	31	02:08.11
2	119	Dean Tennant	20	02:10.48
3	276	Jamie Biluk	23	02:11.45
4	116	Simon Garstin	18	02:11.86
5	479	Connor Macleod	23	02:11.86
6	105	Kyle Marshall	17	02:11.99
7	117	Mitch Forbes	25	02:13.89
8	115	Kyle Walstrom	16	02:14.79
9	118	Harold Woolnough	21	02:15.04
10	110	Remi Gauvin	16	02:17.39

-Connor

Whip of the week

Chris Fisher's aka the Fishmans 1988 Ram Charger

Day 1 Cumberland DH

To kick off the race 09 race season, and a new season of Bromance Jamie and I headed over to Vancouver Island for the "Cumberland" DH - such a manly name for a DH race.  Things were looking good for the weekend after making the last spot on the ferry. While waiting we took the rigs around the terminal for a hot lap including - wall rides, fence rides, dorps, and of course cutties! 

Dance music and dropping trow was in full effect this weekend and the quote of the weekend stands - "were gunna love it and they're gunna hate it!" 

The course is one of the best trails ive ridden in a while - so much fun that we forgot that it was hike a bike only. After three long hikes we had it under control. 

"skin is in!"

Chinese new years leftovers in Cumberland!

Fruit Loops or dh rigs?

"texty boy"

-Connor

Working hard or hardly working?

With such a beautiful day and such a tough job (testing the Santa Cruz' Driver8) we rallied the troops in search of dirt. After a solid 40 mins of late March knee deep snow we threw a couple pedal stokes into a great ride down Roaches, Stupid Grouse, and a little golden nugget called "Tall Boy". Scott Pelecki was behind the lens of his Canon SD550 churning out some nuggets even Derek Dix would approve of.

-Connor

Anyone Need A hot Grease Injection?

If you have a Chris King bottom bracket, and it needS some love we have the grease injection tool for the job. King is a company that makes everything to a high standard, even their tools. The tools even look as good as the parts do.
One thing I really like about this tool is that its so simple. Even a simpleton "sales bunny" like myself can use it without fault. It you're going to use a tool it has to be easy. King can check that box.
An application that the racers will like is that you can exchange the grease in the BB with oil to make those bearings spin like the head of the girl from the exorcist. If you want the grease back in its as simple as this little tool, BOOSH!

-Scott

Carbon Does it all!

Santa Cruz made a Blur XC carbon!?!? Some people might already know about this beautiful steed, but if you don't it's a dream bike you have to check out! It has this clean glassy look to the frame and the curves that Mr. September would envy.
Santa Cruz has hit a home run with this rig. The integrated carbon chainstay protector is a nice detail, as well as the aluminum chain slap protector. In true Santa Cruz fashion all the details are there, and they they all look incredible. From the all aluminum and titanium hardware, to the carbon upper linkage, the inset derailleur hanger, and lower-linkage grease port. This bike is strong, light, and intended to last.

Blur xc carbon on carbon background

A 4.2 lb frame gives the possibilities for a 20 lb 4 inch travel bike! That crazy! What is even more amazing is that this frame is not only 1 lb lighter than the previous aluminum version, but also stronger, much stiffer, has no rider weight limit, and can handle a 120mm travel front fork!
My favorite part is that the suspension system is so effective that is does NOT need the use of platform or lock-out style shocks. That is a benchmark for xc suspension. No lock-outs to turn on or off, no bulky, heavy assistant modules that are suspose to know when the suspension should or shouldn't move. Its all in the linkage. It makes for more fitment or various shocks, less complexity, and less set up. Win-win!


-Scott

BC Bike Race 2009!

For many summers I have heard the stories of John Ramsden and others who have completed the multi day mountain bike races such as the Trans-Rockies, Trans-Alps, La-Ruta, and the Cape Epic. Many of these guys and girls, in consecutive years. The most current favorite by friends who have participated in all of these races is the BC Bike Race. The BC Bike Race has been going for two years now and is in the third year. From speaking with the racers from previous years, the course is the best it has ever been, with more single track epic adventures than ever before!!!

Last year I managed to give a three day bike race (ride) a try at the Chilko Challenge, which was rather tough and let's say very challenging! This year, I decided it's the year for my first full seven day bike race...The BC BIKE RACE!!!! Even better they have opened up a new category for "Solo" entrants, so you don't have to worry about the responsibility of finding a partner and training with them, you can just get yourself in order!

I am super stoked to be entered and now the training starts.

For a quick review of the 2008 BC Bike Race, read John Ramsden's blogs! Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7. These blogs are inspiring and get you in the BC Bike Race Spirit!

-Kimbo

Is there no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to handlebar length?

Does it all come down to your personal preference for comfort and performance? I need to know because my new bike came with really long handlebars and once cut it won’t grow back. Trends in handlebar length seemed to vary from season to season, like trends in the length of mini-skirts. All I want is the best length for me as a cross country rider.

Advantages of Longer Handlebars (what I have been told)
· A wider handlebar will feel more stable and secure, because the wider the bar, the more leverage you have in controlling the motion of your front fork and wheel.
· Placing your hands and arms further apart, this tends to flex out your chest muscles more, and "open up" your rib cage, resulting in better oxygen flow to your lungs

Advantages of Shorter Handlebars (what I have been told)
·quicker handling
·A narrower handlebar will feel more responsive, because the shorter the handlebar, the less movement is required in your arms and hands to get the same amount of steering action.
·Low, narrow bars make you more aerodynamic and ergonomically efficient for long stretches of pedaling.

Dilemma: Can your choice of handlebar width affect your cycling performance?

The general consensus is that the most efficient compromise between comfort, control, leverage and confidence is 4-6in (10-15cm) wider than your shoulders. Some riders might prefer more width for more leverage, some might prefer less because their wrists or shoulders hurt on wider bars.

New Guy

Steed Cycles FNG from David O'Dowd on Vimeo.

Taste Test

Mmm...Reign X1. I know that everyone loves a taste test. I myself, love a good Costco mission, purely for the taste tests. When I'm hungry I'm probably going to buy something, and if I get to try it first, game over, I'm buying.
When shopping for a bike, we don't always get to try the bike, but when you can it allows to you experience a day in the life of your future relationship with your potential rig. We've begun to assemble a Demo fleet of Giant bikes so that you can taste test your favorite bike.
This 2009 Giant Reign X1 happens to be our first Demo available. We will also be adding Giant Trance X, and Reign bikes to our stock of trail testers. If one of these Giant bikes is of your list of potential two-wheeled toys, come down to the shop and take one out on your favorite trails. We'll be sure to set it up to ride for you.

Keep and eye out for the other demo bikes rolling in shortly...

-Scott

Cross Training

With 2010 Olympics around the corner I decided to check out what all the fuss was about.  Whistler is known for its world famous bike park and to our amazement offers winter activities in the form of skiing and snowboarding. If you haven’t tried it - give it a whirl, its actually fun- especially on days with POWDER!

Thanks to the good folks at Subaru, and Peter Kewit and Sons Derek Dix carefully transported us to the base of Whistler in just over an hour! Despite F1 g-forces and DJ Khaled coming through the wires I managed to find a photographer for the Santa Cruz Driver8 review - Derek Dix - expect some "BOSS" work when he returns from school in Calgary.

The conditions were great with something like 40cm in the past 48 hours and more to come. I tried grabbing a few shots during the blizzard, my photos show us why we leave the shooting to the pros, although I did manage to get a banger with my 5 yr old Canon.

Hot Laps

While the Driver 8 is hot like Bryant "Big Country" Reeves we took to the testing grounds on Cypress once again.  Unfortunaly we were missing our crash test dummie, rather Scott Pilecki. With the recession in full force and less tugboat and highliner action needed Dave has more time to ride his new V-10 - see reccessions are good, cheap LCD tv's and more playtime. 

With 2 days behind the Driver 8 we stepped up the BPM to see how it handled the rough stuff at speed. I think it was putting on for its big brothers (V-10's) in the group because the Driver refused to settle for 2nd.  Despite some pilot errors  it performed beautifully. 

Cmac trying to impress the kids..........feeling rusty

Dave showing us how you ride in a recession - often!

Snow and I are Not Friends

This is why I need to learn to steer straight. But, its not easy in the snow. You can't pick the line you want very easily. Like riding accross off-camber rock sections. In the snow those are covered with ice! It's out to get you, and haul you down. As a result of me riding in the snow the past two days, I earned this swollen finger. I slammed my pinky finger between a tree and my handlebar...not by choice, but that's what happened. I also pulled my ankle that I had injured last summer. So as of now I am not riding in the snow anymore. Bring on the sun, and the rain if you have to to clear up the trails and bring back the dirt!

-Scott

Twenty6 Products

I saw these Twenty6 components on some websites, and couldn't keep my eyes off them. They're the high class decoration that make your bike individual. The fancy packaging looks good too. The window in the front of the box is like lingerie, it gives you a peak but you can't see the whole thing.

Pop the F1 stem out of the box and bam! F1 steering technology. All machined and finished in house in Belgrade Montana, this is some of the finest homecookin' I've ever seen. The F1 stem weighs a feathery 125g with hardware and allows for 45, 50, and 55mm mounting positions. I really like that the stem has a slight drop on the front for Zero rise, if you like to get low.

They robbed the rainbow when it comes to colour options. Its pretty much endless with their in house anodizing. There's also a woodgrain option that would put the interior of a Bentley to shame.
Jordan is going to rock the green, and I'm sporting the black. There's one left in the store, so don't be late. I might wait for my 2010 Boxxer to mount it up. Shouldn't be too long though. Hopefully the F1 will point me in the right dirrection, because after the last two rides in the snow I could use it, you'll see why...

-Scott

Green Machines

Thanks to the great folks at Santa Cruz Bicycles, NSMB.com, and Steed Cycles I have been given the opportunity to test and review the much anticipated "Driver 8". Despite the snow Scott P, James, Trenton and I took the Driver 8 for a spin on Cypress' finest. Its like hitting a $750 Calloway Driver 300 yards down the middle the first time you swing a club- the bike impressed me to say the least. stay tuned on NSMB.com for the full sha-bang and eye candy courtesy of Derek Dix Photography.

In case you weren't green with envy already I thought Id share and contrast my new cruiser (new to me) against the Driver 8. Its a 1952 Schwinn Spitfire is that right Danu? For all you riders who haven't caught the sickness -talk to Danu at Steed and try some "heavy metal" - it'll make your day!

While I'm doing 'show and tell' here is my girlfriends new Giant TCRW carbon road bike. Giant Continues to impress me with their bikes and offer some of the best value in the industry. After one ride on the TCR Diane was sold on the idea of "pounding pavement" and is looking forward to logging some km, rather miles this summer.