Fat Face Night Ride - Edinburgh Saturday 6th October

From Chris at Nakedracing:

We're now into the final few days before the race, new stories in the local news papers have started and there is a real buzz going around the city about the race.

The Expo and team area is now full with some great companies and the Uk's best test teams, with the Athertons, MBUK and many many more.

The Bike Chain is now the Co-Sponsors to the event and will be providing free repairs with there team of mechanics for all riders in finish arena. There shop in Rodney Street will open as normal over the weekend to buy all the latest goodies.

A map will be on line on Wednesday night showing all the parking places for riders very close the finish line.

£4000 worth of products!

All the categories have been sponsored and we have amazing £4000 worth of goodies to give away to the top 3 in each category and there will goodies from the guys & girls at Fat Face.

The list of categories sponsors

MTB Direct Hardtail
Sealskinz tyres Juvenile
Madison Youth
Knightrider Junior
Kona Senior
Chainreaction Master
661 Veteran
FUNN Expert

The Pro prize purse is £3000 in cash to share between the boys and girls all these will be presented in the finish arena straight after the race.

Race HQ - Friday & Saturday

The Beehive Pub in the Grass Market is race HQ for the weekend, from Friday afternoon you can sign on and collect your race number and see the track, you will be able to walk the track on Friday night if you wish.

You will also get your drink and food wrist band which you can use anytime during the day in the Beehive all thanks to Fat Face, tell them and all our sponsors how good they are for helping to provide such an amazing support for this race.

More updates later in the week.

See you all in Edinburgh next weekend.

2008 NPS Dates

Rich Cunynghame - Photo by Huw davies.

Hot off the press, 2008 NPS Dates for your diary

*Please note the middle three rounds will all have UCI Points!

Rd 1 April 20th
Rd 2 May 25th*
Rd 3 July 6th*
Rd 4 August 10th*
Rd 5 September 21st

Venues are still to be confirmed, for any further information on the NPS, please checkout www.NPSDH.com

Garlands injured as well now....

How bad has this season been for injuries?? Matti, Minaar, Peaty, Gracia, Sam Dale... God knows who else.

Just spotted on Southern-Downhill that Dave Garland of Stendec has managed to bust himself up racing the 4x National at Hamsterley.... He'll be off for a while nursing a shattered Femur and is under going under the knife any second now. Click the link above and give him your best wishes.

Second get well soon of the day... Heal fast mate, the suspension of the UK needs you!

Matti Lehikoinen Injury - Update

Image from http://www.ms-racing.at/

The latest on Matti from 23Degrees:

"The doctors have confirmed that Matti will not need an operation to stabilise the fractured vertebrae. This is great news for Matti who has been dreading the idea of a major operation.

Due to the position of the breaks (no.4 has one fracture and no.5 has two fractures), it would have meant operating from the front, going in through the chest cavity, which is obviously a much more delicate and complicated operation. The doctors have confirmed there are no floating bones pieces, which is also good news. However, they have said that should the vertebrae shift in position, they will need to review the matter.

"Obviously I have to keep my back straight and not bend forward or do anything to risk the movement of the vertebrae. Yesterday I was vomiting from the painkillers and it was the most painful puke ever! I had to keep my back straight and it was pretty bad, but last night was my first full night of sleep, so things are getting better," said Matti this morning.

It is anticipated that Matti will be transfered from hospital in the coming days to a recovery and rehabilitation centre. Matti has been overwhelmed by the number of messages and well wishes. This morning Matti received a call from former Downhill World Champion, Vanessa Quin, who called form New Zealand. This meant a lot to Matti as Vanessa has had more than her fair share of neck/spinal injuries and was able to give Matti some very reassuring words.

Matti is keeping a diary, and when he's able to, will keep everyone up to date through a blog on his new team's web site, at http://www.ms-racing.at/"

Get well soon from Wideopenmag!

Pearce Cycles Series Results!

Image by Jim at ftmb.net. Check it out for loads of images and repos from the whole series.

The epic battle for Pearce Cycles Summer DH Series champion came to a close yesterday at Bringewood.

Scott Beaumont took fastest time of the day for the chaps and Aimee Dix for the girls. Just waiting on the word from Pearce for the series champion... stay tuned!

Results are here.

Pearce Summer Series Round 4 - Bringewood

This weekend is round 4 of the brilliant Pearce Cycles Summer DH Series, to be held at Bringewood.

Straight from the Pearce site:

"Hopton has been ruled out, as the quota of 3 'major events' allowed to be held there each year has been reached, an agreement made between Forestry Commission and Hopton Castle Parish Council some years ago.Bucknell has been ruled out as Forest Enterprise could not make a decision within the time available to build a new course.

Therefore, we have decided to make the best of what is available - taking into consideration the recent bad weather. The original 'National' course will be used starting from the trig point, it's a track that hasn't been raced for a number of years and should provide more variety at the venue. If riders, who have entered, do not wish to race at Bringewood, a full refund will be given. But let us know ASAP as there is a long reserve list!

Entries are fully sold out but get down and do some cheering!

Avast! It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Yaargg!

Ahoy me harties! It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Be sure to all talk like scurvey sea dogs all day and offer to send anyone to DAVIE JONES if they dont do the same! Yaaarg!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

Issue 4 update...

Producer James has just sent round the first proof of Wideopen Issue 4...and it's looking damn fine indeed! It's another big one with loads of travel writing, race repo's, interviews and some amazing Emulsion images.

Were a little way off launching yet due to the worlds but we'll keep everyone update on Facebook and through the mailing list. Plan is early October at the moment...

Keep your eyes on your inbox...

2008 Shui first looks...

Check out a quick first look at some of the new 2008 Shui tees coming out just in time for Xmas (yes, it is THAT time already!), pre orders now being taken from uk and euro distrubutors www.riderruncompany.co.uk, check out the designs below...



Happy shopping :)

Just back from the Worlds...

Short(ish) and sweet as you can read the antics in ISSUE 4 (out soon-ish).

Arrived on Saturday having left home at 6AM (yes, thats commitment) and saw the final DH practice runs. Met up with Milki who was buzzing from a week's snapping. Then headed to the pits and had a chat with Kathy Sessler, Col Williams @ mtb-direct.co.uk (cheers for the grips dude), Gee, shook Peaty's hand and wished him luck (he was 10 deep in autograph seeking kids!) etc etc.
Sunday was epic, up early again, then saw final runs of practice and then BANG, it all went off. AWESOME atmosphere, Fort Bill does it again. The British and Irish riders were getting great shouts, I lost my horn (but hey), and lots of cheering with the bottom arena SOOOOOO loud.
Here, an Irish rider gets my "shot of the day" award (from me to me!) as he heads into the arena...

Upmost big up to Gump, Rachel, Katy and Gee for getting us some medals, and unlucky to those who lost saddles etc. Sunday night was party in a tent in Fort Bill....think I remember saying "hi" to rachel Atherton whilst pissed, Hic!...as below shows....

I was also up for some riding with some of the fearingout lads, so we did Wolftrax on Monday in gourmet sunshiiiiiiiiine, but Phil fractured his arm (rode on with it, rrrrrrrrespect) then Tues we went to Balnain bike park and realised we weren't Northshore pros (lol). Then....the big one, yesterday with the boys on the road back to England, I headed to the World Champs Dh track. I got my gondola pass and up I went. I was bricking it! Did 4 runs, the first very slowly at 12 mins, then got my shit on and got down to just over 9 minutes, with 1 stop, cos my arms and hands ached so much! Awesome track, love it. The Stinky at the bottom after 4 runs...

Top "long weekend" all round.

Watch this space....

Timo Pritzel 'Atmosfair' clothing incoming from Ison...

Ison just got in touch say that they we will be distributing dirt jump supremo Timo Pritzel's new clothing company Atmosfair.

The range is designed in conjunction with world reknowned graff artist Skism (Lodownmagazine) who also helped Timo with his Signature TSG helmets for 2007 and 2008 and featured in Dirt a couple of months back.

The range should be available in October through your local bike shop. They've got caps, sweats and tees so there should be something for everyone.

Ruaridh Cunningham is your new Junior World Champion!

The Fort William World Champs are all over and (as you probably know) Aussie Sam Hill held on to the Rainbow Jersey for the boys and Sabrinna Jonnier for the girls. In the Junior ranks, the UK's Ruaridh Cunningham did us proud by storming to first place.

It was an amazing weekend for UK downhill with Ruaridh's gold in Junior men, a bronze for Gee in Elite Men, a silver Rachel in Women's Elite and silver for Katy Curd in the Junior Women. Elite women had 4 female riders in the top 7! Good bloody job to everyone...

Scott W was on the scene doing the papping for Wideopen and will no doubt post something asap. In the mean time here's a vid from Freecaster.TV with Nigel Page on the mic:

Shui Comp Winner - Johnny Wardle

Well done to Johnny Wardle who just won our issue3 Shui Hoody comp(pictured here dining on a trifle at this years BUSA's). Nice one mate! Your new threads will be in the post sharpish...

Thanks to Elbry at Rider Run Company for supplying the prizes. Stay locked for more comps in Issue4...