Thursday 28 August 2008

2009 Diamondback

News just in from Geoff at Diamondback - some big news for 2009 and some sweet looking frames...

First up is the XTS Moto
The successful XTS model has been undergoing some big changes for 2009, the new frame features are listed below

- New lighter, stronger construction
- Geometry tweaked, based on the Sabbath
- Adjustable head/BB height via sliding shock mount
- Sabbath inspired hydro formed top tube
- New hardcore 30mm pivot bearings

“The bike has been a year in development and testing process by our riders, all this has proven worth while as the bike in both its Freeride and DH form rides sweet” Mike Sanderson Diamondback Product Manager.




and secondly we have the XSL
The XSL is the perfect trail centre bike, its 5” travel and single pivot swing arm set up provide a great climbing and better descending bike. This year the bike has a new stiffer swing arm inspired by the new XTS frame, the front triangle is the same as the new 2009 Axis and Apex.

The production bike will be setup with top end parts from Rock Shox, WTB, FSA, Quad……and the list goes on look out for the full production models soon.




Diamondback are looking real good this year and these new rigs look set to be great rides for 2009. Look out for a ride test in a future issue of Wideopen!

Wednesday 27 August 2008

The Rampage is back!

4 years - has it really been 4 years?
I'm not sure I was really into all this big stunt freeride stuff back in 2004, but with the development of slopestyle and the names involved the 'Evolution' event looks set to be awesome!

Things seem a little hazy on detail at the moment but check out the site for all the info.
:: CLICKY HERE FOR THE SITE ::

Thursday 21 August 2008

Wideopen Issue 7 is ONLINE!


Click the image to download Wideopenmag Issue 7

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Murray UK Jam 2008



Spread the word and post this up anywhere you can.

myspace.com/ukmurrayjam

NPS4X Final Round - UK Bike Park

How fast has this season gone?! Hard to believe but the 08 NPS 4X series is now done and dusted. The final round went down at a soggy UK Bike park last weekend with Scott Beaumont taking gold, followed by our mate Patt CJ then Will Evans.

The overall title was no contest with Scott Beaumont destroying the field and adding the series title to his new UK Champ title. Overall second place went to Martin Ogden, third to Lewis Lacey.

Full results are here

Congratulations to Chris Roberts and everyone involved for another great season of 4X racing.

www.nps4x.com

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Liam Munn signs for MTB-Bitz

Take a look at Wideopen Issue 7and you'll see our 'Young Guns' interview with Liam Munn.

There's more good news for Liam today. Since the interview he's been in talks with the guys at MTB-Bitz and is now part of the team. He'll be riding alongside Tom Knight, Patt CJ, Kerry Wrigglesworth, Alastair Keen, Simon Scrubby and of course Cooper.



He'll be racing 4X and also getting stuck in to his first season of DH. Good work fella.

Check out the MTB-Bitz homepage here

Tuesday 12 August 2008

Fort William 4X - Extras Foot Out Flat Out

Alright people,

Just as a sort of teaser, I thought I'd upload the Fort William 4X section from the extras section of the DVD.

Enjoy!


New Superteam on the horizon


The new Trek Session 88 DH

Just got an email from 23 Degrees, the sports management company behind Brendawg, Matti Lehikoinen, Greg Minnaar and more.

23 Degrees will be launching its own XC and DH race team as of 2009, with Trek as the main sponsor. 23's previous teams include Global Racing and Team G-Cross Honda. Both were massive forces in world racing. If those two are anything to go by the new team will be set for very big things.

Founder and CEO Martin Whiteley says: "We're extremely excited to be part of Trek's ambitions for top level World Cup racing and results in 2009 onwards, and we're doubly excited to be returning to the race scene, one that has served our company well over the past 8 years".

More details when we've got 'em. Stay tuned....

http://www.23degrees-sports.com/
http://www.trekbikes.com/

Sunday 10 August 2008

NPS Moelfre - Sunday AM

Just had a call from Zippy - our man at Moelfre.

Things were wet and windy all day yesterday, they've run out of beer and the field is getting boggy.

Seeding was cancelled and even the start line gazebo had to be scrapped 'cos of the wind. Everyone got extended practice and there was a long jump competition, which was won by Kieren Macavoy. Kieren took victory but broke his bike in the process. Respect.

Fastlane Dave and Dirt are there, Jon Fenwicks aint happy cos a jet washer got broken, but slept in a berm shaped tent, Braithwaite, Beumont, Mojo, Team Bike Radar, Stendec, TF, Cunny, Donny, Gaskell are all on the scene. No Atherton's though as they're over in Canada.

I'm not 100% I believe this one but Monster Energy are there and are giving away MONSTER TATOOS! Pretty sure not even Sam Hill has got one of those!

Good luck to Zippy in finding more beer, finishing his bacon sarnie and staying dry. Live update 2 this evening.

Thursday 7 August 2008

Aston Hill Bombhole Challenge This Weekend!

From Ben at Aston Hill:

Appreciate this is a bit last minute but here are the details for this weekends Bombhole Challenge up at Aston Hill on Sunday 10th August.

The first timed runs will start at 1.00pm so we need everyone participating to be up at the Hill registering no later than 12.30.

Normal "gate" fees will apply and to enter the challenge there is small additional charge of £3.00. This means that if your feeling fit you can ride the hill and charge round the Bombholes.

The £3.00 entitles you to 2 timed runs around the bombholes plus entry into the 4 man relay racing. If you do not have a 4 man team already sorted don't worry. Usually they get formed on the day.

For those that have the energy and may feel they did not do as well as they could have on the 2 solo timed runs, you can do one extra run for a further £1.00

There will be age categories for the individual timed laps and prizes in each category for at least the first place riders, hopefully the first 3 in each category. There will also be prizes in the 4 man relay event and as always a little something for best crash of the day!!!

We will have some fancy timing system and a BBQ on hand but we cannot do anything about the weather. Good thing is that in the past Bombholes have always been wet and that is when they are at their best.

See you up there on the day - I'll be on a green morewood mbuzi

This info was to feature on the Aston Hill website but at the moment it appears to be knackered!!! Normal service will hopefully be resumed shortly.


BEN


http://www.rideastonhill.co.uk/

Tuesday 5 August 2008

NPS Round 4 - Moelfre

It's round 4 of the Monster Energy and Halfords Bike Hut NPS Downhill at Moelfre this weekend. Here's the official press release from Superfly.



This weekend see Round 4 of the Monster Energy and Halfords Bike Hut NPS Downhill at Moelfre.

Moelfre was designed and originally built by the World famous Atherton's and the acclaimed international superstar that is Farmer Jack!! Built on a huge Welsh rolling hillside the views from the top of Moelfre are awesome as is the spectating which is without doubt the best there is with not a single tree on the course to block your view!

This unique, fast and wide open track is all about maintaining your speed with foot out flat out flowing grass corners and natural undulations provided by mother nature herself is a real test for the riders.



Parking, spectating and camping is always free at the NPS and the crew from Monster Energy will be providing their huge sound system and massive Wigwam for everyone to chill out in. Live timing and commentating along with several retailers and caterers on-site and a MTB film showing on the big screen Saturday night means this is a great weekend for the riders and spectators!

Got a hard tail jump bike? Then bring it along and try out Moelfre's 4x track that has been used for numerous 4x Nationals and even the National Champs!!



Racing Schedule

Saturday

09:00 to 14:30 Open Practise
15:00 to 18:00 Seeding Sunday
09:00 to 12:30 Practice
13:00 Race Runs
16:30 Podium
17:00 Wheel spin..

Directions: Moelfre is a 20minute drive West of Oswestry (Mid Wales near the Welsh Border) along the B4580. Direction signs will be up from Thursday evening.
For further information please checkout www.NPSDH.com


Steve Parr and myself look forward to welcoming you track side.
Si "Superfly" Paton.
Descent-Gear.com
Descent-World.co.uk
NPSDH.com
Pinkbike.com
Office 0121 422 1032
Mobile 07968 229 359

.

Friday 1 August 2008

France 2008

Forgot the damn Wideopenmag.co.uk title so I'm gonna get a rollocking but whatever, here's our "adventures" from the Alps this year! Will also be in the extras to Foot Out Flat Out if you want to see those mankinis in higher quality vid!

Mono


Bromont World Cup

Practice starts


Day 1


We missed a few World Cup updates from Mont St. Anne due to the UK Champs...Quick catch up, Rafa Alvarez and Melissa Buhl won 4X. Minnaar and Rach Atherton won the DH. With that over and done with, the World Cup circus has moved on to Bromont.

Big thanks to the guys at MTBCut.tv for beaming the latest over to us all.

More importantly, it's Pearce Rd 5 and the English DH Champs at Hopton tomorrow. Good luck folks!