Wideopen Issue 8 ONLINE!!!

At long last the wait is over - Issue 8 has finally hit the press...
Packed FULL of the usual articles, reports and reviews go download your festive copy now!

www.wideopenmag.co.uk www.wideopenmag.co.uk www.wideopenmag.co.uk

Alpitude - winter testing!

From Macclesfield 07/12/2008

Today Chris and I headed to a cold, snowy and icy Macclesfield Forest. My first ride of the Wideopen longterm test bike (the Genesis Alpitude) and Chris's first ride for over a month!

Well the going was slippery to say the least but after chucking some air in the Genesis forks things were off to a good start. The climb was icy and Charity Lane was treachorous. Despite all this Chris and I had a ball...

And the bike?
I'm in love. More later.

New Wideopen Longtermer in my garage!!

A MAHOOOOOSIVE box arrived for me on Friday - inside was this beauty, a 2009 Genesis Alpitude, as previewed on Wideopen exclusively a few months ago...

First impressions on equipment and quality of finish are excellent. I look forward to hammering it around the Peak District and a few trail centres over the next few months.

Full photo set on Facebook - if you've not joined the group yet then why not?

Note - the forks are not pumped up yet hence the steep head angle and tiny travel!

Riding in a winter wonderland.

It's mighty cold up here in Scotland at the moment, and with the cold has come the snow and ice. Despite the weather I've managed to get out on the bike most weekends for the past month or so now. The Dialled Alpine frame has inspired me to rip down the hills faster than ever, taking me to 34th at the last round of the SDA in senior, and 3rd in the hardtail cat at Robofest last month just two seconds down on Chirs Hutchens and Ali MacLennan.

This is what the car park at Inners looked like a few weeks ago. Taken from the road looking toward the end of the trails. Uplift ran as usual but I was pushing that day anyway (hence bottle cage with matching purple juice!).

Last weeks uplift saw my good friend Iain take a nasty spill on the first run of the day. After coming round a bit he offered me his Intense Socom for the day. Since then I've spent every night working out how I might be able to afford a big bouncy bike again for next year.

As for next year plans are already running through my head about how seriously I want to take racing, but for now I need to worry about the Wee Triathalon in Fort Bill at the start of March. I've not been swimming for a good couple of years now so I'll let you know how that one pans out...

United, pre-order now!

Featuring the very best of Fearingout 2008, episode 8 'United' is now available to pre-order. Check your email inbox for more details!

• Scotland - Kirroughtree / Glentress / Innerleithen
• Wales - Gwydwr / Llandegla
• England - Macclesfield / Lee Quarry
• Wideopen - Llandegla
• Scotland - Ae / Innerleithen
• Wales - Penmachno

Cold and wet on a hardtail... so this is winter!

From Macclesfield 16/11/2008

Right so the clocks changed and the weeknight rides finished... it seems SO long since I've been out on the bike. Dark mornings and even darker nights, without lights Monday to Friday is a non-starter...

So weekend raids it is - Jon and I met at an early for a Sunday 9am and took a blast around Macclesfield Forest. We were either both mad or both lazy as we both had taken the hardtail option (hey it's easier to clean!). September was the last time I'd ridden the CHameleon, and it was good to get out on a trail ride on it again as Scotland just spent the time in the jump park.

The weather wasn't too bad, a little drizzly and rain earlier meant the going was always going to be wet but undeterred Jon and I made good time to Charity Lane. Here we found the surface to be quite grippy but some head sized rocks kept me on my toes. Jon's lack of a decent rear brake gave the impression that he was 'on it' as he came by me on the steep bit - his honesty at the bottom told me it was more through fear than glory! We did the whole loop (ahem for fitness) and found UU have created a new rider only section. Unfortunately it's a motorway fireroad... will they ever learn? Anyhow now sorely tempted to get involved with the Macc DH guys and help them out with there track, before seeing if we can build a more hardtail orientated descent.

We'll see.

Bring on the fancy dress!

We're just over 6 weeks from the end of the year and with that in mind I thought it a good idea to arrange the end of year events...

END OF YEAR RIDE
Thought it would be good for us all to get together one last time in 2008 and agree on a Sunday morning we're all available and just do a loop of Macclesfield Forest...

...with a twist.

Fancy dress anyone?

I'm down as 'Superman' and Jon as a caveman. Look forward to other suggestions!

How are people fixed for the 30th November or 7th December?
Let me know ASAP.


DVD PRE-ORDER
This years DVD (titled 'Episode 8 - United') will be available shortly.

It's 30 minutes long and includes the following sections:
Scotland (April 08) - Kirroughtree / Glentress / Innerleithen (James C, Phil, Ross, Chris, Jon and myself)
Gwydwr (Jon, Chris, Pete, Ross and myself)
Llandegla (Jon and myself)
Macclesfield (Jon and myself)
Lee Quarry (Damian, Jon, Chris, Ross and myself)
Wideopen - Llandegla (Jamie, Chris, Rhodri, Sam and myself)
Scotland (September 08) - Ae / Innerleithen (Jon, Leo, Chris, Scott and myself)
Penmachno (Ross and myself)

As per previous years this will only be available for a short period before I delete the original edit to produce next years video!
The price will be £5 collection or £6 delivered and will be supplied in a box with full artwork.

Please let me know ASAP if you wish to purchase a copy this year (Leo I've still got Episode 7 here for you as well!)


DVD PREMIERE
The grand unveiling of 'United' will be on the 27th November at Casa Del Hiltano (email for directions).
Copies of the DVD will be available for collection - posted copies will go out after this date.

We'll be showing a selection of classic Fearingout and Earthed videos along with the northern premiere of the Wideopen flick 'Foot out flat out'.

Kick off will be 7pm. Premiere about 9.15ish.

RSVP please!

Nuke Proof - we'll just have to see

Just fitted the Nuke Proof Warhead bars and stem for Wideopen testing.

First impressions are very good, excellent quality machining and felt smooth going on, one word WIDE, a definite improvement on the standard Specialized bars on the Pitch. Hopefully will be able to do the bars justice and give them a good thrashing over the winter.

Look out for the kit review in Wideopen Issue 9 out March(ish) 2009.

Penmachno no no no no.... yes!

From Penmachno 19/10/2008

Well another year another DVD and with Ross and I visiting Penmachno at the weekend the final section for this years video is in the bag! Episode 8, provisionally titled 'United' will be ready before Christmas so get your orders in now!

And the ride?
Penmachno did not dissappoint. It'd been several weeks for me, and months for Ross so a little out of bike fitness the prospect of gale force winds and drizzle somehow didn't put us off - and with a spill in the car park before I even got the bike out things weren't looking good! Glad to say they got no worse, only better!
The first climb wasn't too difficult and I enjoyed the flowing singletrack climb of the second section in particular. Once on the first open section the true extent of the wind became apparent as we were literally blown up hill! The 3 sequential singletrack sections didn't flow as well in the high wind, even in the trees you felt prone to being knocked off course - maybe we're riding it too fast (or too slow) to feel the flow but the memory here wasn't all it cracked up to be...
A little climb and another good flowy 'across' section before I adjusted Ross's headset to the point where he couldn't steer! Oh dear! About time someone did some pro-active bike maintenance I think!
Onwards and the epic beast of a mountain pass awaited. I was hoping it wasn't going to be too windy but it surpassed itself, and on the approach knocked both Ross and me off our bikes! Donning a second coat we ventured out into what can only be described as 'character building' man against mountain sort of stuff. It really took it out of us... onwards and we hit my favourite section (the third before last singletrack). After a gentleish pedally start things take a turn for the descent and it really turns on the gas - awesome stuff! Then it leaves another open traverse which was sketchy in the wind and slower than usual - before the final descent. I really was knackered by this point so was somewhat lazy when it came to pedalling and pumping - two things you really have to do to get the most out of it! Back to the car both Ross and I were glad of a dry change of clothes and some good food.

So want to see more? Check out the video... more on that another day.

Wideopen goodies...

The nice people at Hotlines have sent over some good looking product for testing at Wideopen.


RRP £49.99


Bars: RRP £49.99 Stem: RRP £59.99


RRP £39.99

RRP £54.99

All available from your local bike shop - or check out www.hotlines-uk.com

Penmachno this Sunday - see you there!