simplification

Just one day after SingleSpeed nationals and the gears have gone back on my hardtail already as really; I am a bit soft. But there is something to be said for the simplification that less gears brings. So while the buzz over XX1 groupsets continues, I started to search for a more affordable option and here it is. Chainring from wolftooth components married to an XTR clutch derailleur. Solid, quiet, simple. Highly reccomended.

NZ Singlespeeds 2013

I seem to pretty regularly preach to people that events need to be fun, and if they're not then maybe it is time to re-evaluate. But its not so easy sometimes to genuinely follow that yourself. Especially when the competitive ego gets in the way. Which is why events like Singlespeeding really are so cool. While it hadn't been on the cards at all until a week ago, I am so stoked I got on board and joined the party.

 

While on one hand the NZ Singlespeed champs is really just the biggest mountainbiking adult fancy dress party of the year, it’s still worth a bit of hard effort once the “race” starts. So dressed as Ralph - The Greatest American hero - I had clearly inherited super powers and with my cape flapping in the breeze (and only occasionally snagging trees) I streaked out to a lead of more than a minute during the first lap of three. Not the first time in such a situation. However clearly i must have an unconscious desire not to be tattoo’ed (to honour the title it is tradition for the winner to receive a tattoo), as it soon became apparent that I had done a stellar job of sabotaging my own bike that I had hastily assembled 24hrs prior. Thus a slipping chain began to hamper my progress. Still trying to ride (and run) as fast as possible…. Mainly to get back to the beer tent as quickly as I could each lap. Did some sweet jumps and wheelies. Tried a few whips and even a couple of nose wheelies. Was the 3rd participant to cross the line - or receive a 3rd beer. Depends which way you look at it. Which in this event is actually 2^nd equal….. along with everyone else.

 

One of these days I'll prepare more thoroughly...... or not...



 

 

 

 

So Easter was pretty fun (and busy). Nic headed off sailing in the Bay of Islands for 5 days with her parents leaving me home alone. I was kind of good and did the lawns, trimmed the hedges, vaccumed the house etc... But more importantly managed to cram some good times in.

 

Did some training. But also added in a few rounds of golf, some quality time at the moto track, and had an awesome times helping guide around a bunch of aussies from an MTB tour group. Amazing how much cooler your local trails seem when surrounded by a bunch of new recruits in awe of the trails. Suddenly appreciate how good we've got it. Enjoyed the company of the infamous "Rick Moss" from Flow MTB. He made me ride the Coppermine so hard I ended up breaking spokes (maybe that was casing a gap jump... maybe). Good times. I look forward to re-enacting this cheesy photo op on some iconic australian mtb trail in the not too distant future.

 

Sponsorship: Advice for young players

 I am aware that there are many younger athletes that read this blog..... and many times I have resisted the temptation to launch into a frustrated rant about what sponsorship means and why MTB's situation may never get any better until the riders stop expecting handouts and instead start working to developing the sport, its profile, and therefore its meaning to the community.

 Today, I stumbled across this piece from cyclingnews' James Huang.

 I urge all aspiring athletes to read it with an open mind, and discuss it with others. Ask questions if you need to. It explains things quite well. Remember its not about you, its about what you can do for brand X

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/angryasian-sponsorship-is-not-about-you-36841/

 Over the years I have had this discussion with many, many people. Some get it. Others it seems to go in one ear and out the other - and they still expect handouts.

 I've had some good branding success over the years with CabinRacing, Aunt Bettys Cycling, and Black Dirt Racing. What goes unseen is the untold hours behind the scenes: relationship building with sponsors/media/event organisers. Media releases. Debriefs. School visits. Community coaching. The list goes on.

My plea to our current and future athletes? Put in the hard yards on the sponsorship front. Stop expecting handouts. Be proud and passionate about your choices to pursue this hobby. Be an ambassador, and you can help change the professional opportunties in our sport.

Highlander 40km

So I did an event on the weekend. Been a while! Decided it was worth a hit out so lined up for the 40km at last weekends Highlander. Decided to use the Coppermine in full trail ride mode. Climbed ok. Descents were suddenly heaps of fun. 2hrs and a bit later....

 

Bit smashed after ~1100m climbing and masses of singletrack. Oly Shaw smoked me. Brett blew up in 2nd but I fell about 30sec short of catching him. 3rd. Solid. And way less beat up than on my hardtail. Funny that?! Must do it again.

New toy

 Not racing seriously for a period of time has its advantages. For instance 1) A few (well, a lot) more extra dollars saved in the pocket. And 2) less need for a one purpose specialist bike. Which got me thinking as to what bike I might choose if I only had one bike. You know, something that climbs well, but is super fun downhill. Really sure footed on rough trails. Reliable etc...

.... so I bought/built one. And here she is. An Avanti Coppermine 2, with customized spec. For the tech geeks read below for spec's. For everyone else, all you need to know is its super fun to ride!

Avanti Coppermine 2 (Medium) - 130mm travel 29er
Fox 34 fork
Stans Arch EX All Mtn Wheelset
XT Trail brakes (180 rotors)
KS Lev dropper post
SRAM XX1 crankset
X9 type 2 derailleur + Trigger shifter
XT Cassette
~13kg

Just Chillin....

 A quick wee post to ensure everyone knows we are still alive and kicking! As we said in our last update we've just been enjoying a summer of cruising rather than structured and focussed training. In fact I (Cabin) have effectively retired - for the 2013 NZ race season at least. However the weekend just been was interesting for us mentally as between the Karapoti Classic (the iconic NZ MTB race), Ironman NZ, XTERRA Phillipines we watched the progress of friends from a distance.... and perhaps started to feel some pangs of competitive urge. I consequently punched out a hilly 1hr30 trail run, then tried to keep up with Oly Shaw for a 3hr+ MTB ride....had to have a wee nap later!

 

It's been kinda nice being on the sidelines and away from any pressure of expectation. Of course theres always too much going on in the way of real fun so we haven't been totally inactive. Been utilising my Magellan and doing a bit of Stava training as I burgle a few KOM's now and then. I even managed two events.... and used Nic's 20"BMX for both. The yeah boi sick MTB race in December. But then the Rotorua Bike Festival "Bike Speedway". 4 laps sprint races on a short, loose gravel oval track. NO BRAKES. and contact allowed. Pretty fun, and more than a little sketchy. Gotta be good training for something. Triathlon swims perhaps?!