Day 57 from "Track of Death" (Spain)

Bitches. Today was what most people would call the low point of their holiday. For some, it's breaking their leg whilst sunbathing, for others it's the day of rain on an otherwise sunny week and for the really unlucky ones who have a totally shit holiday it's the point where they pass out after too much absinth and wake up with a gnarly black cock up their bum. Today was our black cock in the bum day.

A local Spanish chap recommended a new track to us today. Anyway, he got a puncture and took us to what he described as the "best track", unfortunately in our opinion it sucked majorly (Baz described it as "Run of the Ken 2") and we missed out on filming on an awesome track that Rob Deacon had originally intended we ride - shame really. Basically I've ended up getting nothing on film today and walked all the way down a mountain and we missed out on the good stuff.

We actually rode a mint descent this morning (afternoon) on the way to "Spanish Track of Death" with some awesome slick rock sections and went on to ride a very Alpsesque flat out rocky walkers path style track; like proper gnarly loose turns and big rock sections all the way down the side of this mountain - I struggled a bit with my spike on the back (don't ask why I turned up to Spain with that) but it was pretty EL SICKO.

Milko came out with some proper mint questions like he has been all holday today. Highlight of today would be "What is that big church like building on the hill over there?" Rob - "That would be a erm church" and also yesterday "You can see Spain from here" (meaning Africa) and the other day "Why do they call it the Sram test track?", answers on a postcard please...

Tomorrow is our last full day in Spain, hopefully it'll be a goodun. I'll be busting out the camera in the morning on the "Fonz track" and hopefully spending all afternoon riding some rad tracks. Hopefully Milk pro will state the obvious and ask some rad questions to keep us entertained again as well. We are going to be strictly sticking to rad tracks tomorrow and not going anywhere near any Tracks of Death or Run of the Kens.

Im off to watch 40 Year Old Virgin now, we decided not to watch Ghost in the end.

A lake thing that we had a coffee by:



Adios.

Mono

RACH OUT FOR FIRST WORLD CUP

Bit of bad news from the Atherton clan. Rach won't be back up to speed for Rd1 of the World Cup in a couple of weeks.

"Despite more than a month of rest and rehabilitation, we are sorry to say there has been no major improvement with the nerve damage in Rach's shoulder.

Rach has visited a number of specialists over the last few weeks who have all been unable to give a clear indication on her recovery time. The current view is to wait a further four weeks to see if the nerve improves – which obviously means that Rachel will miss the first World Cup round. She is continuing to train with the view of returning as soon as she can.

Follow Rachel's recovery on:

http://campaignemail.nickellrich.co.uk/t/y/l/hrjhm/ihhhkjlhl/d

or for up to the minute updates on Twitter"

Chain Reaction/Intense Team Bikes

ChainReactionCycles/Intense team manager Nigel Page just got in touch with some photos of the new team bikes. I think I just ruined my monitor.... Click the images to go BIG

INTENSE EVO

TAZER 4X

"Well after a hectic week of dealing with UPS and customs and Dave and Jason working around the clock building all our bikes they are finally built and I have to say I have never seen better looking bikes. They look fantastic and most importantly very fast!

Chain Reaction Cycles have done a great job of getting our graphics done this year to fit the frames, Clayton at Manitou had us some custom blue Dorado graphics made, Hope have made us the blingest matching team blue brakes with the riders names on the levers. The Mavic wheel sets just look so trick, the new Easton Havoc 750 bars are wide enough for the new school but with the same great shape of the older bars. The new Intense frames have come out just as we asked. Jeff Steber has made us the best bikes I think Intense have ever built.

After riding for 2 days over the weekend Matt Simmonds said - "The new Intense EVO feels much lighter faster and with the new adjustability we can get the perfect set up on any course"

I would like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors on behalf of the whole team for getting us all our parts and gear to us in time for leaving for South Africa today.

Keep checking our website to for team news throughout the season. http://www.crcintense.com/

Sponsors:
Chain Reaction Cycles • Intense Cycles • Manitou • Easton • Hope • Fi'zi:k • CaneCreek • Maxxis • Shimano • e13 • Burgtec • Royal Racing • SixSixOne • THE • High Five

Espanola - Day Quattro (4)

Hello my pretties. Today we finally did what we came over here originally to do which is bang out some photos and videos of naked men on bikes. That's right, you did read that correctly; just check out this photo of Rob Deacon riding on location in Malaga:



To quote Harry "Bazbo" Heath "his cock was flopping about all over the place", unfortunately due to legal reasons we have had to blank out Rob's prized floppy although he assures me that anyone booking a holiday with DHSpain.com will have the optional extra of "naked downhill" on any track in the local area.

As I mentioned of course today we started shooting for FOFO2, unfortunately my two filming "butties" from Wales Paul Roberts and Tim Smith havn't been able to make it over the Severn Bridge to the airport at this time of year as apparently they are cutting down on the amount of Welsh awesomness allowed in England at one time - shame. Anyway here is a shot of the "Meatspin" Tom Deacon without his meat on show luckily, railing a dusty turn for my camera:



And another one of Harry Heath smashing it right in on another bit of cracking DUSTY track:



So that's about all that has happened today. It's been a lovely evening at the ranch enjoying the film Notting Hill and doting over Hugh Grant until the early hours (perfect film to watch with 4 other guys). Tomorrow we have planned another filming session and then we are going to snuggle up together under the duvet and watch "Ghost", I'm sure it'll be bloody fabulous.



I'll fill you in on the details of what happens during Ghost tomorrow.

Mono

RLS4X Podium for Team Rider Chris!

Today was round 1 of the RLS4X series over at the revamped Lemington track. It was also team rider Chris Mucklow's first race for Wideopen.

I got a call at the end of the day from the man himself who sounded pretty bloody excited. Turns out after a slow first couple of motos he got his race face on, downed a few Monsters and pulled a silver medal out of the bag! Great news and f-king great start to his time on the team. Nice work fella!

Look out for his race repo in our next issue. Race 2 for Chris is next Sunday at the UK Bike Park NPS4X.

Big thanks to Dialled bikes and Superstar components who provide Chris' frame and kit.

Day 3 update from Espanol

Well Milky has gone to bed after being up all night showing the Spanish ladies a thing or two, disappearing from the face of the Earth to get a pizza (although I wasn't aware of any pizza establishments that were open at 6am this morning) and so I thought I'd update you on what has been "going down" today in DHSpain HQ in Malaga.

Nothing interesting to say really apart from we got back at about 9 this morning and slept in until 2. Harry "Baz" Heath was crashed out until at least 5 and then secided to go for an epic run into town to burn off all that Spanish beer he had last night. Tom "Meat" Deacon only resurfaced about 10 minutes ago after being slightly worse for wear. Main man Rob didn't look like he'd left the house all night this morning although he must have been in quite a state judging by the middle aged Glaswegian woman he was attempting to pull last night.

The plan was to go and do a bit of filming this evening but that went out the window because no one cane walk straight so we've had to resort to watching "White Girls" on the box. Everyone is up early in the morning though as we have a full day planned tomorrow of media madness for Wideopen and FOFO2 so keep your eyes peeled right here.

One of the Spanish "babes":



Mono

Photogravity - Innerleithen april 12th

2 weeks to go until Keith "will shoot for food" Valentine's Photography bash in aid of the Ben Ineson & Tom Rodgers memorial fund.

Here's the latest from KV:

"Hi all only two weeks to go things looking good. Let's hope weather is good. Have ordered a wee trophy for the winning photographer, race numbers getting made for the first 100 riders. Still waiting to here about cheap uplift deal (will keep u informed).

Please arrive early, we will be there at 11am onwards to take details & donations. So far 57 confirmed guests 9 photographers, 1 filmaker & 88 maybes. Oliver Coats is setting up a forum for the photo votes. Riders don't need to get an uplift if they don't want to & if riders find a nice place to style it up you can just do it over & over again to get that good pic. Lowepro goodies on the way for prizes, I will shoot any clean bike portrait style shots at start if requested. Will update you all asap so get your race face on . Many thanks ..... phunkt.com
"

The spanish adventure... Day 2

Woke up to another stunning sunny day after a good night out on the town till 3am. Come about half 1 a storm rolled in and then cleared a bit so we spent the afternoon/evening riding the Sram test track in the drizzle.

The track was still deep in dust, flat out and rad. We then went for a huge shop to get stuff before heading home for pizza and ice cream , a bit of time on here. Once this is updated I'm gonna get half an hours rest and were going down to the coast for a BIG night out tonight! We've left tomoz free of all but a small evening photo sesh on a local track. Ha!

Anyway some photos from the Sram track, will be back there later on in the week to film for FOFO2 in sun (with any luck).

http://www.dhspain.com

The spanish adventure... Day 1

Right so Thursday night me and Mono went to Brizol airport, flight was at 7am so sat in the airport trying to sleep and not getting a wink!

But that's as bad as it gets. Got on the plane (delayed thanks to some mechanical issue ), got to spain, got off the plane, got picked up by Rob and Tom Deacon from DHspain.com, taken right to where we where staying, got all at home, built the bikes up and then spent the whole afternoon (2 till 7pm) riding and got 10 runs in on a great track that was loose, a foot deep in dust and fast as you like. Such a great start to what I think is going to be a good week. Harry Heath is here as well so I have lots of pinners to keep my camera happy.

Anyway off down the town for a few drinks now, lazy morning tomoz then off for loads more riding at the Sram test track I think....

Anyway some photos:

NPS4X 2009 update

Just like that TV show with Roy Castle this year's NPS4X is gonna be a RECORD BREAKER! Chris Roberts reckons last year was the biggest year ever for NPS4x, 2009 is going to blow it out of the water.

Here's this season's line up:

April 5th Rd1 UK Bike Park - Dorset
May 23/24th Rd2/3 Bridgnorth - Shropshire
June 13/14th Rd4/5 South West Extreme - Devon
July 4th Rd6 Redhill - Gloucestershire
August 9th Rd7 PORC - Kent
September 13th Rd8 Chicksands - Bedforshire

National 4X Championships
July 5th Redhill - Gloucestershir

Full Details of the whole series on www.nps4x.com

Saab-Salomon Lapierre DH-920 Team Bike

Our mate Pete over at Hotlines just sent these photo's of the team issue Lapierre DH-920. It's team only and at the moment won't be going into production.



Frame : Lapierre DH 920 Team edition
Fork : Fox 40
Rear Shock : Fox DHX 5.0 titanium spring
Gears : Shimano Saint
Brakes : Shimano Saint 203mm
pedals : Shimano DX
Wheels: Mavic DeeMax
Tires : Hutchinson Barracuda Hardskin DH 2.3
Handlebar : Easton Havoc DH
Seatpost : Easton Carbone
Saddle : Selle Italia SLR
Chainguard : E13 LG1 for Lapierre
Stem : E13 AliStem
Mudguard : Neoguard for Team Lapierre
Weight : 17.325kg / 38.2 lb

Pretty sexy - but obviously not as sexy as that leopard carpet. And are those pole dancing poles?!

www.hotlines-uk.com

http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk

Just Reid 2009 news

News just in from Ben Reid's race team 'Just Reid':



The 2009 season is about to jump into full swing in just a few days and the Just Reid Race Team (Irelands 1st official UCI Trade Team) is happy to release our full list of sponsors for 2009.

We feel that it will be a great season for both us and our supporters and we would like to take the time to thank everyone for their support so far and help in getting the team up and running.

Our websitewill be continuously updated with up to the minute race reports and announcements throughout the year so if you have any questions or requests at all, I would be happy to help out.

Thanks again on behalf of Ben, Adam and Myself. 2009 Sponsor List:- Iron Horse, Rockshox, Rockstar Energy, Thor, Giro, Shimano, Ogio, Gamut, Sun Ringle, Sixsixone, Maxxis, Aztec, Funn, P&O Irish Sea, Thule, In Touch Network Solutions.

http://www.justreid.com/

AXO SPORT UK online shop is LIVE‏

The guys over at AXO UK have just launched their new range of MX/MTB clothing and an all new online store along with it. Swing over to http://www.axo-sport.co.uk/.

NPS RD 1 is now at AE FOREST

By: Si on 25th March, 2009

Rather than cancel Rd 1 we have worked quick time behind the scenes to get Ae Forest up and running! Steve is up there this weekend with shovels so if you can help him out get up there and give him a shout.. If anyone wants to cancel their Rd 1 entry or transfer it then please contact Steve Parr ASAP before March 31st 2009!

We apologies for any inconvenience brought about from this change of venue.
www.npsdh.com

Jess Stone - 2 Maxxis Rounds 2 Silver Medals

The guys at 2Stage must be pretty pleased with their new girl Jess Stone. Get this. She's done just 2 international elite race in her whole career and both times shes brought home a silver medal... On fire right?

Here's the official press release from 'em:

Jess Stone is the new kid on the block. At her first international Elite outing at Maxxis Cup in Gouveia she scored a podium finish second place behind world ranked number three, Tracey Moseley, and that’s no fluke. She did it again in round two at Vigo last weekend.

If the Maxxis Cup is just a “warm up” for the UCI World Cup then Jess Stone is going to be threatening the hot seat all season. Training beside her UK 2Stage Factory Team mates, Tom Deacon and Alex Powell, the 2008 Junior Women’s English Champion is learning fast how to keep up with the boys.

Upon her arrival at Gouveia (only her second ever trip aboard), Jess was totally hyped and also facing the biggest jump she has ever conquered.

“Having never seen the track before, I had no idea of what to expect and was feeling both excited and nervous!" Jess explained. "This would be the first time I was to experience riding in dust (makes a change from UK mud!!), as well as trying to attempt the massive jump at the bottom of the course.”

Jess is riding a new bike – 2Stage Elite9, in new territory and with a new team, and taking it all in her stride. She’s as confident as ever. “Being on the podium for my first official race as Elite was mint.”

Next up for Jess is the first round of UCI World Cup in South Africa.

Follow Jess’ progress all season at http://www.2stagebikes.com/

Pictures from the BUCS

Just got these through from Joolze Dymond who was photographing at the BUCS this weekend. Check out her website www.joolzedymond.com for pictures of everyone who was there riding!

Wideopen Rider Ste Larking:


Vikki Hill:


Unibrow:


And the winner himself, from the South West - Rich Thomas:

Does this count as work?

Photo by Dunc Conway

Met up with Cy from Cotic today for a feature that's going in Issue 9 (nearly finished!).
Great blast around the local trails...

With my computer going phizzzz and Jamie only just finding his feat in his new house Issue 9 will be with you as soon as we get use to MacOS 10.5 and have unpacked all those boxes!

Rich Thomas takes BUCS win

Bit of a mental weekend at the UK Bikepark this weekend with Rich Thomas coming away with the win (1:23:70) from Jack Reading in second (1:24:76) and Will Soffe in third (1:26:46). Last year's winner Chris Hutchens struggled with mechanical all weekend, hurt his thumb in bulldog on Saturday night and came 5th.

Wide Open team rider Ste Larking put in an impressive time on the Dialled Bikes hardtail with a 1:38:09 and I did shit with a 1:43:16.

Good weekend, good job to the UK Bikepark guys for putting on a really good race.



Yea Ste.

Student Champs 09 aftermath

The smoke's still clearing after this weekend's Student Champs down at UK Bike Park. Info's still sketchy but it sounds like it didn't miss out on any of the usual carnage of student racing.

Jim, Mono and Ste were all down there repping their various uni's - Jim texted my on Friday to say that the track was fast, dry and pretty hardtail friendly. Except for a section that looked like someone had destroyed a patio and poured it all over the place!

Just got a message from Ste. He decided to Evil Kenivel the road gap meaning he overshot the next corner and screwed up his run. Run 2 was "slow but clean'. He finished 52nd overall on his hardtail showing the full suss kids a thing or two. Kid work Steven!

More news when they all sober up...

Return of the Dorado!

Remember the classic Manitou Dorado DH fork? Well it's back and the guy's over at Hotlines have got a heap of them ready to sell. If you've got a spare £2,399.99 and really want to tart up your race bike these could well be the thing for you....

Looking at the spec and the service you get a hell of a lot for your dolla. Here's the word:

"The 2009 Manitou Dorado MRD is a limited-production, hand-assembled, competition-level downhill fork. It is a technology centerpiece for Manitou and demonstrates their design, manufacturing, and performance capabilities. The product development cycle lasted approximately three years and incorporated ride testing with some of the top professional athletes in the world. Julien Camellini (UCI #10 ranking), Chris Kovarik (UCI #11 ranking), and Melissa Buhl (UCI #15 ranking) were the primary contributors in the athlete testing program. Production will be limited, and began in January of 2009.


The old school Dorado (above)

The fork weighs 2902g (6.4lbs) and utilizes a 36mm inverted design with outer legs constructed from a custom modulus carbon fiber. Maximum travel is 203mm, and the fork can also be converted for use at 180mm. A self-equilibrating air spring is used in conjunction with low-speed compression, TPC+ (high-speed compression), and rebound damping adjustments to provide a wide range of tuning capabilities. Each Dorado is carefully hand-assembled by expert technicians in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, where a database is maintained with information on each fork and its owner’s setup preferences.

Customers who purchase a new Dorado will receive two no-cost overhauls of their fork within the first two years of ownership. This service will be performed by qualified Manitou distributors. Each overhaul will include a complete tear-down and inspection, replacement of damper fluid, and replacement of all worn or damaged o-rings, dust wipers, and oil seals. The Dorado will be delivered in a sturdy, re-usable plastic case designed to protect the fork during transit.

Manitou Dorado Key Features-Dual layer carbon outer legs-36mm hard anodized stanchions-Internally adjustable travel between 180mm and 203mm-Self regulating positive and negative air springs-Advanced TPC+ damping-Hydraulic Bottom out and top out-20mm HexLock Thru-axle -International Standard integrated stem mounting-6.4 lbs (2902g) External Adjustments-Self regulating positive and negative air spring-Rebound adj. -Low-speed damping -High-speed damping

Included with the fork

- Both tall and short crowns
- 2 free services within the first two years of ownership
- Deluxe carry case
- Shock pump
- Detailed instructions on DVD for fork setup and tuning tips

For more information on the Dorado and your nearest retailer contact Hotlines: info@hotlines-uk.com"







- What do David Beckham and a set of Dorado's have in common?
- They both come in a posh box!

Element Nickel-Wide bar - Flat's Where It's At?

A set of these mega-sexy Element flat bars just crash landed on my desk, thanks to the guys at RHUK.



Wide bars are pretty trendy at the moment and just like all really trendy things (New Era caps, dubstep, fixie bikes etc etc) these made me scared and slightly uncomfortable when I first saw 'em. I mean, flat bars?! Didn't we only just get rid of those when we replaced 'em with Go-Fast bars and started jumping our XC bikes?

The idea is that your bike corners better with a lower front end. Tall forks and riser bars ramp your front end up and don't help. Flat bars drop the front down and help sort it out. I'm looking forward to getting them on the bike and doing a head-to-head test with a set of wide riser bars. Stay tuned...

760mm wide, 9 degree bend, triple custom butting, 300grams, 31.8mm clamp sexy polished ano finish with lazer etched graphics. £54.99

http://www.ridinghighuk.com/

Easter 4X at Moelfre...

Spotted this on our Facebook wall and thought it deserved a wider audience!
I guess next Wednesday means tomorrow - so get those fingers pulled guys!

Alastair Keen (Staffordshire) wrote
at 1:47pm on March 13th, 2009

Hey everyone need to get this spread round as many 4x riders as possible!
There was a 4X race planned for the easter weekend at moelfre (UK) running alongside the 'Reaction Downhill' race. To cut a long story short the organisers are about to pull the plug on the event due to lack of entries and I know a lot of people were still planning to enter.

The online entry system has been closed but Mike has agreed to re-open the entries by phone only....... everyone can call him on 01524 388388 to book and pay by card. The office is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm....
If we can get 35+ the 6 already entered entered by next Wednesday he will spend the money on re developing the 4X track and the even will go ahead, if not the event's off and the track stays in bad condition!

Entry is £20
More details here:
http://www.borderline-events.co.uk/
and on the Southerndownhill.com forum in the Borderline events Section
SPREAD THE WORD!!

Mono vs Milki video SHOWDOWN

We've got a back to back Mono vs. Milki media battle on our hands. Milki has made this vid of his mate James Matthews riding up at Tavi and Mono has jumped in front of the lense for a change courtesty of Paul Roberts. Who wins? You decide...


Aaron "mono" Bartlett from Homegrown Productions on Vimeo.


James Matthews Riding Tavi woodlands from jacob gibbins on Vimeo.

James Matthews Tavi woodlands Photos/Video

WideOpen is getting all the Videos at the moment! One from me this time of James Matthews riding at Tavi woodlands. All filmed,edited etc by me. More photos on my website. www.jacobgibbins.co.uk

James Matthews Riding Tavi woodlands from jacob gibbins on Vimeo.

Deacon's new skid lid

Here's a few snaps of Tom Deacon's brand new paint job -Designed and sprayed by Tim at TGG-Customs.com. Tom rides for 2Stage, TGG-Custom Helmet Painting, Funn, and http://www.dhspain.com/.