Dirt website...

Atleast the new Dirt website doesn't suck so much ass as the new Dirt forum. Good work lads...

Not a huge fan of the overkill media though - there is (IMHO) too much stuff on the site now?

My tuppence worth...

Last night was good to get out for the 2nd time this week, if a tad brief, it was over before it got going! I do seem to be finding time for random comedy falls of late, but soft landings mean I'm not too upset :) I do need to concentrate when I'm getting my speed up, I reckon I'm too focussed on that need for speed once at light speed that I'm forgetting the start!

Charity lane was light speed, forgot how fast the top section can be in the dry! My new pads seem to have bedded in and are feeling damn good (I recomend Goodridge over the Hayes squeelers!), and DIY bleeding is the future. The "secret trail" (we really need to name it, how about the "what the fuck" trail?!). So named as some bits are lightspeed despite rocks and roots, some micro switchbacks are so tight, yet its all a blast. Except for the low hanging tree if you're a tall lad like I!

Anyways, for me pre Scotland trip purchases are a new wheelset. Funn descender white rims on Hope 2 hubs, 230 notes but they'll last til after I've passed away! Maybe a new BB in case the current one gives way after 4 days of 7Stanes action.

Loving both bikes just now, can't wait for twice weekly rides to get the f*ck out of work!

Randomness

Last night was an awesome ride. The weather was nearly perfect (blue sky would have made it). The trails were dry and predictably grippy (and loose) and the company was spot on!

Randomness - I've been meaning to ramble on about 'flow' for sometime. I think its something that every mountainbiker can associate with. It is that feeling you get when you just seem to be hooked up and everything comes naturally, the bike and the rider as one (starting to sound a bit StarWars here)... use the force!

Well it started on Charity Lane (where else?) The first 100m or so it took before I relaxed on the hardtail and all of a sudden it came across me - I was 'on it' (pinned almost!). Yeah sweet sweet child of mine it felt good. Milk was a bad choice but the Chameleon wasn't. Rock on. Forwards (naturally) and down the singletrack descent and after Scott's spill (FAF!!) I just let go (couldn't keep up mind!). All good. Jon enjoyed it too.

Bashguard - you may have noticed the prototype fitted to Jon's Subzero. A few more will be produced before Scotland and if successful look out for them in the FO shop come July-ish time. Will be very cost competitive and have that underground vibe.

Recent purchases - ahead of Scotland and as part of the ongoing refurb of my full susser I've splashed the cash (nearly £100) on RaceFace Evolve FR bottom bracket and a Shimano LX chain... the rest of the cash went on another pair of Fox Straffer shorts so Scotland isn't so much of a problem (and at £5 over half price who can complain! - except my bank manager).

Look out for more bashguard news in Wideopen Issue 2 (due out in May!).

Chicksands this weekend... 4X news

PRESS RELEASE

This weekend will see the nps4x circus hit Chicksands near Bedford, this is now seen as Mountain Bike Mecca for all things dirt.

Saturday will see the "New British Supercross Championship" kick off with 3 timed runs and trophies for top 3 riders in each age group. The top 64 fastest then go into a straight knock out as per World Cup 4X races.

Sunday its the Freerange Sports Optics National 4X Series Rd2, after the best racing seen for a long time it will be a good place to test some of the UK's best riders on the this ultra fast track with its multiple lines should make exciting racing. With prizes from Marzocchi, Revell Bikes, Halo, ODI and Red bull will be giving wings to any racing over the weekend.

On Line entry will close at Midnight on Thursday so to save £10 get your entries in before Friday, we will take entries at the weekend but these will be with the late entry fee.

Tell all your friends its free to come and watch all the action, we have plenty of place for spectators and with Red Bull pumping out the tunes, a sunny weather forecast it should be an amazing weekend.
Best Regards

Chris
Europes Biggest 4X Series
Freerange Sports Optics National 4X Series 2007
Series Co-Sponsors
MARZOCCHI - HALO - ODI - BRITISH CYCLING - THE PPC IMAGELAB- DIRT BIKE SUPPLY- RIMOR DIRECT

Random ride

After a Macc forest ride at the weekend with Chris and Phil, where I was a) hungover like fuck and b) had the wrong bike out as I hadn't bled my brakes and I wasn't expecting a voyage of discovery, I decided to leave work at a decent hour today and take advantage of the gourmet weather, and do it again properly.

Doing the usual Charity lane, bombhole route followed by heading over to Wilboarclough then pushing up the path that eventually goes to the Cat and Fiddle. Blasting back down there was awesome, floating over the rubble and rocks, pumping the lines through the vicious flowing descent. I was loving it. Then headed back to Macc forest and did a descent through my fave route. Random and potentially dangerous on your own, but hey, fuck it. And no puncture today, 'spose the DJ/4X/street rig and tyres weren't that suited to the route at the weekend! The Stinky loved it though. 2 hours all in, this is going to be my new regualr week night ride.

Some pics...

The stinky was on fine form as usual

Rocky descents over at Wildboarclough

Very rocky section half way down, choose your line wisely!

Arty shot in the gourmet weather, bring on the summer I say.

Tavi woodlands 25/3/07

Hi been out at tavi woodlands today for the first time in about 2 months. been a class day with brilliant conditions , dry but not dusty , perfect. was mainly riding so the pics i got arnt me best work but here are a few of team rider mono.

go on my site www.jacobgibbins.co.nr for a few more from the days riding

Road jump

Check out the road gap that was situated at the finish arena.
There where some good crashes goin down here due to strong winds!

Hi everyone

Just got back from the Maxxis cup race out in Portugal where I came 18th. I'll try get a video of the last section of track up on website asap, maybe some pics too.

I arrived home to find the new Fearingout hoody on my door step to which I was stoked about, how cool and comfy is it! thanks James.

Shame...

Have to agree on the Dirt forum. Just as I was beginning to use it too...

Without sounding like an old fart who doesn't like change (!), the new format is dung and a washout. Once its up and running it will improve I'm sure, but the character has gone. I Just hope the new dirt website isn't as generic and "extreme" sporty!

Dirt forum disappointment...

They've moved the Dirt forum and merged it with some extreme sports mega site bollocks... just as it was beginning to improve!

Typical.

Oh well, SDH and Descent-World it is for me...

Clothing

I got my clothing through yesterday, man it's awesome, loving the hoody (which I am wearing at the moment) and the t shirts are great.

Most impressed with the warmth and comfort of the hoody though and it looks very hard wearing.

Cheers James! And anyone who is thinking about it - get one!

Mono

Leamington Spa 4x Rnd3

Went on a bit of a mission at the weekend down to Leamington and Oxford to race in the final round of the 4X series held at the Campion Hill Bike Track in Leamington Spa. Three of us from Edinburgh Uni went to represent the Uni in the student category. We got to Oxford, where we were staying, on Friday night and met with a few local riders to do some street, and get back into a racing mind by doing a little multi-story carpark racing (obviously fearingout does not endorse this kind of riding) which was a great laugh.
We spent Saturday practicing and then it was race day on Sunday, by which point we were really looking forward to the race. I didnt do as well as I would have liked to getting 6th in the students cat and not even making it to the semi's for the serior males. No excuses really, my riding just didnt cut it on the day. Still, I had a really good weekend and its made me realise that I dont want to give up on 4X racing so I'm going to try and get to a couple more than I planned to.
Hopefully I'll get a full race report up here soon.

Combe Sydenham report online!

(CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD - RIGHT CLICK SAVE TARGET AS)
Sorry for the delay guys but I've been busy - thanks again to Mono and Milky for the writeup. Special mention to Milky for the quality of the snaps at this event - anyone who was there should head over to his site and buy some photos off him!

Expect a good summary of the Winter Series by Mono in Issue 2 of Wideopen.

Quality pic

Check out Milky's site and the photo's from Combe Sydenham. Awesome pic of someone with a well busted rear shock, fully compressed rolling a big jump with a flat.

Now that makes me feel good about the £££ I spend on bikes, and I've never busted anything THAT BAD...! :)

Combe Sydenham

Another great race and the final of the Winter Series yesterday and I did pretty poorly! I've realised how unfit I am!

I'll be writing up the report tonight, so keep an eye out!

Check out the photos on Milki's site...

Need for...

Penmachno yesterday and we all thought it was awesome at some point. No 999 weather, though it was still windy. Other than the open exposed section, I love this place. Really pushing the need for speed, to the degree where perhaps I need to find the need for the brakes. One real crash, no harm done as the bike took the impact!

Good turnout and a good day out. Made me wonder why we have to drive ~2 hours to get anywhere decent to ride at, but hey, if the English can't sort out decent bike parks, then Wales and Scotland trips it is!

Penmachno... not quite up to the promise!

Photos tomorrow or later in the week but in brief Penmachno today was a hell of a lot of fun!

Amazing in places - good enough to push back up the fireroads in others - but then sadly lacking on occasion. As a summing up though when its mediocre its passable, but when its ok its simply f**king divine!

Ruling.

Wideopen ISSUE 1 - OUT NOW!

Issue 1 of Wideopen magazine is now online at www.wideopenmag.co.uk

You can download the free pdf e-zine there. This issues features include:
- Si Paton interview
- Crimson bikes
- Need for speed article (by our very own Scott Warnock)
- Epic Bowl jam
There is also an interview with team rider Matt Simmonds.

Go get it!!

NPS 4X Round 1 - Sheffield

Congratulations to team rider Matt Jenkins who came 5th in the youth category.
Full results and writeup on the NPS4X site here.

Words from the man himself (Matt that is) later with luck!

Sunday damp...

Well, another day, another Macc forest trip. Myself and Jimbo drove to the reservoir as it was pissing it down. The rain wasn't really that bad and we climbed easy, though the thighs were burning from Saturday's ride! We did charity lane twice and Chris's trail, then an old favourite link to the reservoir. Charity lane was epic, head wind made the DH slow and tricky, breathless and hard work! Still, I reinstated by bullying a guy half way down and passing him. Honk.

Despite the rain, I really hammered it today, loving it. Visited a few routes we've not done lately, so that was tops. Good effort by Jimbo, no pushing all day, dunno how he does it!

No pics as it was proper wet. I'll be doing a loop next Saturday round Macc before Sunday's trip if anyone fancies.

Saturday rocks...literally

Today myself and Jimbo were joined by come city dwellers, as Dylan, Neil and John joined us. The mini-worship group of GT owners (it brought back memories for me, maybe I'll rebuild the old XC rig!) were a welcome addition and we were adorned by sunny, yet changeable weather.

Soon we found it very wet under tyre as we got up charity lane, down it again, then traversed across to Teg's Nose which rocked all the way (over). Once on the nose I rode the quarry drop in a slow, controlled manner, but I didn't have any armour on!

We headed off the top in mini DH fashion and as it opened up the rain had created slide alley.
Crash count for the day was me and Jimbo on one, Neil on three, Dylan a glorious five (at least) and "Mr Control" (John) on zero. Particularly embarrasing crash for me, in true puddle crashing (almost) style.

Good craic all day and good effort from those with rusty legs! And a pint to finish off the day, top stuff. Me and Jimbo are off out to find our bike legs again tomorrow.

The Stinky was on great form all day (here still looking mint after Charity Lane descent)...

Some of the lads at the top of Teg's nose...

The well earned pints went down easy...

Charge bikes - Right2ride...

Press release from Charge Bikes... Jim says:

Right 2 Ride, You could be riding at...

The upcoming Battle of Radstock to be held later this year will feature one rider who will be given the chance to fight it out with the pro’s! A wild card entry to the competition (plus 2 spectator passes) will be granted to the rider who submits the best video of their skills, best of all it’s judged by you! The rider that has the best rating at the time the competition closes will win. Log on HERE to enter,
closing date for submissions is 30th April. Get filming, get those videos in and you could be in with a chance of not only riding with the biggest names in dirt riding but beating them at their own game.

The Battle of Radstock is an exclusive annual dirt invitational based at the famed test facility Radstock Recreation Ground. Last year saw Timo Pritzel take the crown, this years event will be even more fiercely contested with riders coming from all over the world to compete.