STOLEN: Nigel Page's bikes

Nigel 'no wage' Page has had his fleet of bikes and his van pinched by some thieving scummers. All the bikes are custom builds with one off components so it won't be long till they pop up somewhere. Keep 'em peeled and lets help reunite Nige with his bikes.

Give him a shout on nigel@nigelpage.com

The bikes and van are:

Intense 6.6 Slope Style. Custom Build.Intense 6.6 SS frame - Suspension Mountain Bike, Medium size (Nigel Page edition stickers union jack colours), Chain Reaction team blue. (one off) without the RC stickers on. It also had white Strokers not silver.Cane Creek Double Barrel shock (not many on these type of frames as they are an expansive upgrade)Manitou Nixon suspension Fork (Blue) 160mm travel with holes drilled in the Fork crown.Cane Creek Headset Brugtec ridewide handle bars (black)Raceface lock on grips (black)RaceFace Diabolus D2 Stem (black)Race face Atlas cranks 170mm (black)Burgtec (black)e.thirteen LG1 chain device with white taco guardSDG seat (white) and post (black)Wheels - Sun MTX29 rims (white) Sun/ringle jumping flee front hub (black) with Nuke proof rear 135 hub (black) black spokes and Maxxis TiresShimano XT rear mech and rear shifterHayes Stroker trail disc brakes front and rear (white)

Black Market Riot. Custom BuildBlack Market Riot 21.5 Frame (raw colour) ie looks like unpainted metal but with a clear coat to stop rustManitou Minute 100mm Front Suspension fork (white)Black Market Bada Bing Handlebars 2" rise (black)Black Market Underboss stem zero rise (black)ODI lock-on mushroom grips (black)Profile 175mm Cranks (brown) - very rareProfile Imperial chainring 30 tooth micro drive (tangerine colour)Burgtec (bronze)Wheels - Profile MTB single speed rear hub and 20mm front hub (tangerine colour) Black Atom Lab 26" rims (no stickers) with black SpokesFont Tire - Atom Lab Comp 3 style (black) 2.2Rear Tire - Intense Micro nobby 2.1One Rear Hope disc brakeBlack Market seat and seat post (black)

Intense Tazer. Custom build. Intense Tazer FS with custom Chain Reaction Cycles team colour and the only one in the world custom Cane Creek Double Barrel shock made for this frame.Manitou Minute 120mm Front suspension fork (white)Burgtec ridewide handle bars (black)Raceface lock on grips (black)RaceFace Diabolus D2 Stem (black)Race face Atlas cranks 175mm (black)Burgtec Pedals (Snow Camo)e.thirteen LG1 chain device with white taco guardSDG seat (black) and post (black)Sun Ringle Charger 26" AM Wheelset with Maxxis Tires 2.35 Super Tacky High Roller fron and High Roller XC rearShimano XTR rear mech and rear shifterHayes Stroker trail disc brakes front and rear (white)

Intense M3. Custom build with Intense USA factory build kit.(This bike was apart boxed up in a bike BOX ready to be shipped)Intense M3 Suspension frame small with FOX shock (midnight blue)FOX 40 RC2 Suspension forks GreyMavic Deetrax Wheel set (black with yellow Mavic logos) with Intense 909 2.35 TiresEaston Stem and Handle bars (black)Intense lock on grips (black)Easton Seatpost (black)THE saddle (black)Shimano Saint Disc brakes front and rear with (dark grey)

And the Van - VW Caddy.

Bristol Trails Group - New Website

The Bristol Trails Group have got a new website at http://www.bristoltrailsgroup.com/



Bristol is super lucky to have loads of decent trails within 10 minutes ride of the city centre, with a nice mix of swoopy XC, rocky single track and even a few short downhill runs. The trails group are the local heroes that get out and keep the trails running sweet and get stuck in to persuading the council to let us have new places to ride. They're all volunteers, they don't make any money and they're all in it for the love of building trails and riding bikes.

They host dig days every month as well as rides, BBQ's and all sorts of other get togethers. If you ride in Bristol you should definitely give them a shout and give 'em a hand if you can spare an afternoon.

Check out their new site and get involved if you're in the area. Support your local trails!

!!!!!!!!NPS Round 5 Venue Change!!!!!!!!!!!

NPS ROUND 5 IS NOW AT INNERLEITHEN.

Firstly apologies to everyone as we have had to change the venue at such short notice. The race pit field is so water logged we are unable to stage the final round of the NPS at Carlton Bank.

With more predicted heavy rainfall this week we reluctantly have had to move the venue.

Many thanks to everyone at Carlton Bank who have put such hard work into creating an awesome track. We very much look forward to racing at Carlton for an NPS in 2009.

Please forward all entry enquiries to Steve Parr - steveparr66@yahoo.co.uk

Many Thanks.

Steve Parr and Si Paton.

Dragon Round 4 Mtn Ash

The penultimate round of the Dragon series went down this weekend over at Mt Ash.

Looks like Nikki Whiles took the win for the chaps and Haby Blu-Cann for the girls. Big surprise Lee Huskinson won the hardtails!

The final round will be at Pen-y-Rheol farm on the 11/12th October, to include a night race on the Saturday night! Get involved....



Full results are here
Dragondownhill.co.uk for more

Photo is of 2nd place Elite Ash Mullane, pinched from Milki's site.

WIN a custom surfboard with PumpUrbanWear

Our mates over at Pump Urban Wear have got a mega competition to win a custom made Matt Adams surf board.

I haven't got a clue about boards but apparently it's an intermediate one that's been hand crafted by a top UK board maker. Pump's Rick D. reckons it's a pretty sweet set up!

I popped my surfing cherry this summer and despite being utterly useless am now totally hooked. Enter the comp and give it a go!

Head over to their site and enter without delay here

Nissan Qashqai exclusive vid - better late than never right....?

Nissan Qashqai London 2008 from jamie on Vimeo.

Back in May the freestyle crowd descended on South Bank in London to do a heap of stuntz. Tailwhips were thrown, Gee Atherton landed on his head a lot and Sam Pilgrim took the top spot.

Diamonback's Lex was on the scene with video camera in hand. 4 months later and we've finally managed to track each other down and get the footage online. Typical Wideopen efficiency.

Cheers to Lex for the hard work....

Dialled Bikes are on board...

We're really happy to announce that Dialled Bikes have hooked up with Wideopen for another year.

We've been working closely with Mike since day 1 and we're mega excited to keep the friendship going. We want to fill the mag with companies that we love and that really do their bit for the UK race scene. Dialled fits that 100%.

They'll be helping to keep our team rider Chris rolling and - really importantly - making sure that the mag stays FREE for you guys to download.

Check out their ads in the mag and make sure you enter the MASSIVE competition to win a Dialled frame of your choice.

http://www.dialledbikes.com/
http://www.dialledbikes.com/
http://www.dialledbikes.com/

Click this for more info:

Genesis bikes 2009

Here's a quick preview of the 2009 Genesis range. On paper they look blooming good. Well specced, great angles, designed around longer travel forks and up for a bit of abuse on the trails. We'll be giving them a good ragging in the mag... Here's the marketing stuff.

Altitude Ti £2099.99

"Here at last! In development for a long, long time, this one just had to be right! The killer combo of a full XT groupset and the new Fox F120R fork with QR15 15mm thru axle mated to the Ti frame, which offers a rare combination of low weight (3.45lbs in 19”) and high lateral stiffness rides every bit as well as the spec list suggests. This ain’t no overly-whippy, vague tracking handful of a Ti bike! Using oversized PG tubes where needed the most, as well as tapered and butted tubes where we can lose weight and add compliance, means that the Ti Altitude keeps on-line over terrain that would overwhelm over Ti bikes. All this without loosing the characteristic spring and comfort that make it the perfect choice for a trail bike. "

Also available as a frameset option (16”, 17.5”, 19”, 20.5”) - £899.90

- 3/2.5 seamless Titanium disc only frame (O/S PG top and downtubes, thin butted seattube, tapered thin walled stays
- Fox F120R fork with 15mmQR
- Shimano XT complete groupset incl hubs
- DT Swiss X430 disc rims & Continental Mtn King 2.2 folding tyres
- Shimano PD-M520 pedals

Alpitude £1399.99

"When an intrepid staffer took the 853 Altitude to the Alps last summer it was a harsh test, but the bike passed with flinching. This spawned the idea for a bike with real Alpine traits – not so overbuilt that’s its too weighty for normal everyday trail use but still tough enough for 150mm forks and with great standover clearance. The 853 frame (5⅓lb in 18”) is stiff yet under pressure rewards the rider with all the advantages associated with a steel frame. Perfect for those that aren’t swayed by the comfier/faster tag associated with full sussers but enjoy the challenge and buzz of riding a hardtail over challenging terrain. The enviable spec continues with a new Shimano SLX 22/36T chainset and brakes, RockShox Revelation 140mm Maxle-Lite fork, Continental Mountain King 2.4” tyres and an XT Shadow rear mech."

Also available as a frameset option (16.5”, 18”) - £359.99

- Renolds 853 disc-only long travel frame
- RockShox Revelation 140mm travel 20mm Maxle Lite Dual Air U-Turn (95-140mm) forks
- Shimano XT Shadow medium cage rear mech
- Shimano SLX 22/36T/Bash chainset
- Shimano SLX shifters and disc brakes (160/180mm rotors)
- Shimano SLX hubs (20mm front)
- DT Swiss X430 rims & Continental Mtn King 2.4” tyres
- Shimano PD-M520 pedals

Abyss £1049.99

"Designed for riders wanting to go one step beyond the Core series and who’s riding verges on the ballsy! Based on the proven Core design and sharing geometry with the Alpitude (geometry tweaked to suit 140mm travel), this bike climbs every bit as well as it descends. Big techy loops in the Peaks or Lakes? This bike will lap it up and keep coming back for more! The low slung top tube adds manoeuvrability and sizing is best measured by reach as opposed to seat tube length."

- Available in 16.5” and 18”
- ALX9 TB gusseted 3D tubed aluminium frame with cold forged dropouts and disc mount
- Rockshox Revelation 409 140mm Maxle Lite forks
- Shimano SLX/XT transmission
- Shimano FC-M545 22/36T chainset
- Shimano SLX disc brakes
- Shimano M535 Centrelock hubs with Alex XCR-100d white 24mm rims
- Continental Mtn King 2.4” tyres

Check out www.genesisbikes.co.uk

Matti Lehikoinen Injury Update

It's been a season to forget for the Finnish Pinner, with his latest crash in training at the Canberra World Cup taking him out of the 2008 season.

Matti returns home to Finland tomorrow, Monday, after it was decided to have surgery in his home country and not in Australia. He has broken the radius in both hands with the right hand being worse than the left.

There's still no 100% confirmation on the condition on his scaphoid bones in both hands at the moment, but the possibility of fractures does exist and these need to be explored with his doctors. Right now the estimated recovery time is at least 8 weeks..so Matti will now start looking to season 09.

Before boarding his flight home, Matti had this to say: "This season was really bad for me. 8 weeks recovery time means that I will have been out of game for 7 months of the past 13 months. So now I can forget this unlucky season and concentrate on next year."

Thanks to Martin at 23 degrees for the news and MASSIVE GET WELL SOON to Matti.

If he can stay rubber down in 09 he'll be set for big things.

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

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!

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 ::

Wideopen Issue 7 is ONLINE!

Click the image to download Wideopenmag Issue 7

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

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

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/

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.

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/

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

.

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!

Wideopen ISSUE SEVEN!

You might have noticed that we also make a magazine here at Wideopen....

It's meant to come out every 2 months and you can download it for free.

Because we're a bit slack and because we all work full time jobs it usually takes a bit longer than the 2 months we promise....

True to form it has been a bit of a wait since the last issue. But we're pleased to say that Wideopen issue 7 will crash land on your screens next week. It's going to be HUGE.

Until then, spare a thought for the team who are madly tapping away, proof reading, hunting photos, laying out content and drinking a LOT of coffee!

Photo by Oli Ward

Red Bull EOD

Hey, new blogger here at WO but not a new face.

Just got back from the Red Bull Empire Of Dirt in Newton Abbot and it was amazing!

So much going on and for once the weather was faultless, made for a very exciting and entertaining weekend.

Anyway why i'm on here....photos: just a few that aren't being held back to give you a taste of what is gonna to be in the next issue.

Friday Media - Rowan Johns

Issue 6 interview victim Rowan Johns walking the line...

1/160th, f4, iso 400, 50mm prime

Photo by Oli Ward - check out his blog here

WIDEOPEN EXCLUSIVE: new Sam Pilgrim frame!

Check out these exclusive shot of the new protoype Diamondback Sam Pilgrim frame...

The bike is actually Diamondback Product Manager Mike's, photo'd in shady paparazzi style at their HQ. He's got it built up to his spec but promises Sam's will be completely tricked out with the best components money can buy.

He couldn't give us any more details other than the picture so we're still guessing prices, release dates and even the name... By the looks of it there's some nice work around the drop outs with a sliding QR set up, CNC work around the drop outs and chain stays, loads of nice and tough welds around the head tube. Should be a fine steed for Pilgrim.

We'll keep interrogating Mike and get more details over to you the second he buckles!

Rachel Atherton update...

A quick bit of good news from the guys at Pearce Cycles following Rach Atherton's crash on Sunday.

She had a hell of a crash during Sunday's National Champs practice but has luckily escaped with severe bruising and no major damage. She'll no doubt be hobbling around for a while but should be back in action soon enough.

She crashed through one of the berms in the top wooded section and wrapped herself round a tree. After some drugs and a trip to the local A&E she was able to pop back to the race and join fellow World Champs Gee and Josh on the podium.

As ever, a massive shout out to the medics and the Air Ambulance who always do a bloody good job of sorting us all out when we need it. If you ever feel like making a donation to the North Wales Air Ambulance you can do it here. Definitely a worthy cause.

Good news and a speedy recovery to her. We'll pop up any more news as we get it.

Your 2008 UK downhill champions!

I'm very pleased to say that your 2008 UK DH Champs are Steve Peat and Tracey Moseley. Two well deserved wins and two faces I'm sure everyone will be pleased to see on the top spot.


Elite men's podium and a very happy Peaty

We've just rolled in the door from a weekend at the UK DH Champs up at Bala... We've had sun, rain, mud, dust, loads of Janet's Jackets and a bit toooo much cider. But above all, a great two days of racing.

Tracey takes the top spot and shares a drink with the kids on the front row!

Top 3 Elites were:

Ladies:
Tracey Moseley
Helen Gaskell
Katy Kurd

Chaps:
Steve Peat
Marc Beaumont
Neil Donaghue

Which if I'm not wrong is an all Santa Cruz men's podium?

Of course, there's heaps more Champs that aren't Elites... They are:

Damon Smith

Fraser McGlone

Jamie Maller

Josh Bryceland

Derek Laughland

Alistair Maclennan

Mark Milward

Emma Wareham

Jessica Stone

Kate Betts

Well done to all of them...

Wondering why there's no Athertons on the podium? Gee and Rach were pinning it all weekend, but both crashed out. Gee took a slide in his final run and was knocked way down the results sheet but came out safe and well. Rach however had a savage crash in practice and was knocked out of the running. Apparently she overcooked the berm dropping into the first wooded section, went straight through it and took a tree to the leg. She was hobbling round on crutches after that... Speedy recovery to her!

3 World Champs in one place... Where else do you get that? Also Rach on crutches after her 'incident'

Anyway, that's all for now. BIG well done to everyone who gunned it all weekend and especially those who came home with some silverwear and a bottle of Fenwicks. A full report will be in Wideopen issue 7.

Josh covers up the UCI World Cup Champion's jersey with his new UK Champ jersey!

Cheers to the Pearce guys and everyone else who made it a fantastic weekend.

UK racing fu**in' rules!

Full results are here

Pearce Cycles website is here

New threads from Pump Urban Wear

www.pumpurbanwear.co.uk

MONSTER ENERGY in the UK!

Quick bit of news from our friends at Madison... They are now importing Monster Energy drink into the UK making it even easier to have green wee and feel REALLY AWAKE.

We drank a LOT of this stuff at Fort Bill and if energy drinks are your thing it's not too bad. The flavours are nice and zingy, it comes in a huge can and it certainly does the job of perking you up. They've also been putting some big cash into downhill this season with free Monster at all the big races and their name slapped on Sam Hill, Steve Peat, Brendan and loads more.

Keep an eye on the following:

www.monsterenergy.com
www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk

Photo is of Monster rider Brendawg Fairclough from www.23degrees-sports.com.
By Fraser Britton

Mynydd Du - the aftermath!

The dust (mud?) has settled after Mynydd Du and we've got some new Welsh Champs... Well done all.

Aimee Dix Elite Female
Rowan Sorrell Elite Male
Lee Hamer Hardtail
Gareth Brewin Junior Male
William Roberts Juvenile
Kate Betts Master Female
Chris Ames Master Male
Jason Carpenter Veteran Male
Manon Carpenter Youth Female
Sam Webster Youth Male

The UK Hardtail Champ is..... Lee Huskinson (told ya so!)

Fastest of the day was Matt Simmonds, with Habu-Blu Cann taking it for the girls.

Check out dragondownhill.co.uk for full results, all pics are nicked from them

Also Hardtail Nation for the hardtail action

Welsh Champs and the UNOFFICIAL HARDTAIL CHAMPS!!

This has got to be the best race of the year so far...

The Welsh Champs AND the Hardtail Champs running head to head at the AMAZING Mynydd Du. It's going to be sooooo good.

Check out the photo above of the covetted hardtail champs denim beater, awarded to the UK's fastest hardtail racer. Nathan Ball took her home last year at Rheola but he's out with an injury so it's open to anyone. Judging by the pace Lee H was putting down at Bala I reckon my money might be on him!

Here's last years champs:

Running the gauntlet are:

Lewis Bateman TJ ELEC

Ashley Evans

Sy Finch Newquay Pirates

Tim Grant The Defective

Oliver Gregory 704645

Lee Hamer Extreme Culture

Lee Huskinson DMRbikes/Marzzochi/Mace/Ni

Ben Irons sofari sogoodi

Ryan Lewis Extreme Culture

Jake Mckenna

Derek Pinkett

Bill Thackray Pontefract carpets

Lewis Warrington

Iain Woodley hardtailnation.co.uk

Raise hell chaps!

Good luck to anyone racing - pop down and give 'em a cheer if you fancy a great day out.

Check out hardtailnation.co.uk and dragondownhill.co.uk. All pics are pinched from them, cheers boys!

Finaly, a quick vid of the mighty Mynydd Du:

2008 Scottish DH Champs - Glencoe

MASSIVE weekend of racing coming up!

It's the Scottish DH champs up at Glencoe, sponsored by Chain Reaction Cycles... Check out the SDA site for more info here.

Here's a vid of last year's champs at Dunkeld from Marshall Films:

New RaceFace Atlas FR chain guide

Fresh produce from Race Face, check it out....

The Atlas guide gives you a bashring/chain guide for riding hard and also a granny ring to get up the climbs. Might be a perfect set up for those 6 and 6 trail bikes out there?

22T or 24T and up to 36T bash
Fits 68/73, 83, 100mm BB's
145g without bash
245g with bash
Bad Ass Black
£79.95

raceface.com
silverfish-uk.com