Myan Smith Gobet in OZ . 5.10 video - http://fiveten.com/community/blog-detail/13633-mayan-smith-gobat-punks-in-the-gym-video
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After a year and a bit, bryn got the plate taken out of his femur. The amount of hardware he had in there was ridiculous, and rubbed on his knee and I.T. band. He's feeling tons better and back on the bike already. Mostly organic again- git some!!!!!. Congrats:)
Well, It's getting cold, but the dirt in Washington is soo good right now. Leaves are falling, bit of snow now too, but underneath is dark loamy heaven. We have another month in the US before we head to Australia for the winter and 70 degrees again. Between riding, jumping, organizing team stuff, family time, climbing, digging, sorting everything out, etc, been pretty busy enjoying the time off. Official training starts up pretty soon. Stoked to have some homies in town to ride with:)
Sort of the only event left on the calendar.. Halloween slalom!! .https://www.facebook.com/events/280590302057423/?fref=ts
BEND, OREGONBryn and I were invited to 5.10's media event down in oregon this week to learn about the brand, do some climbing, riding, and smoozing with our new journalist friends/editors - ( Outdoor magazine, Men's Journal, Backpacker, Climber, theGearcaster.com, Oregonian, Washington Post, decline , etc).
5.10 sponsors most all of the best climbers/flyers/ mountain bikers in the World, so we also met the legendary Dean Potter, Mayan Smith Gobot, JT Holmes, etc. Bryn , Carson Storch- who is a slopestyle rider , and I were there representing the bike world.
It was pretty humbling climbing for the first time at smith rock, but also probably the most amazing introduction of all time to a sport with this crew. Dean was our belay for one climb, which I'm sure was hillarious for him as a guy who climbs without a rope and who has done things in this environment that no other human has wanted to or could do.
Anyway, The people who work for 5.10 are super down to earth and accomplished athletes as well, so plenty safe, but still the initial fear for a first timer is there. Bryn made it up a 5.9 route on his second climb, so that was cool. Think I did a 5.7 which is still scary. It was mostly a mentally draining thing to do, because of the balance of fear and focus. Once you know what you are doing I am sure the death grip eases off a tad:)
5.10 is a difficult climbing grade, hence why a company who a, and they are the only ones with this type of rubber, which is incredible. There was a merge with Adidas, but the core of the company stays the same, just adds better distribution, vendors, etc
For the next day of biking, none of the pro climbers came, but we had a good time teaching the editors and 5.10 staff about biking. Cog wild, which is a bike tour company outta bend was awesome too. Even Lindsey Voreis was there as one of our group leaders, keeping everyone entertained and laughing:)
It's such a great opportunity to get to spend this kind of quality time with our sponsors. Thank you 5.10!!
Luke from5.10 Bike division:)
Dean and Whisper- climbing dog:)
Truckee, CA – September 30th, 2012 Think this is the 6th year of the Tara Llanes Classic benefit race. The TLC began as a fundraising event to help Tara cover her injury costs, but now is focused on helping others and raising funds for Spinal cord research. (Portion of funds go to: The Christopher Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Center of Restorative Exercise- C.O.R.E., and the Tara Llanes Road to Recovery)
Northstar resort is a pretty fun place to ride, not too steep but lots of loose dirt and rocks etc. For this particular race, they combined like 3-4 trails to make a really long dh-ish race. There is one lower trail that is super rocky n tech- stiks n stones, but the rest is really pedally , and uphill sprints at the start. I tried both my dh and trail bike and ended up racing my trail bike with a dropper. There were 2 sections that were a little Harry through the rock gardens.
Quite a good amateurs turnout. Couple big pros, Neethling, Voreis who took a slam the other day and isn't racing , Matt Condro, grame Pitts, Tim krentz, Haderer, Kyle Warner, Pro joe, me, etc.
Honestly just had a lot of fun riding at the bike park, some hidden trails near by, the new bowl-y public pump track next to the BMX track , etc. Sombrio Pump track. They even had a bonus race on the pump track worth $250 to the fastest 2 laps (kyle warner won). I was a second off:( he rips .
Our homie Luke from 5.10 lives in Tahoe, so good times hanging out, learning the scene. There is a woodward west here in Tahoe too, think its open in winter for skiers n stuff too, yeah all good.
It was really important to me to be able to show support for Tara as an old race rival / friend who has been through a lot and is raising money for good causes. More people need to put this event on their list. Solid industry support from Giant, Northstar, Shimano, fox, leatt, Sombrio, 5.10, etc Good raffle prizes too- carbon nomad, fox 36, bike racks, go pros, etc
Neethling and I ended up winning, but everyone was a winner. Good Job to Tara and her crew!! Well run event, lots of fun, fun riding, etc. I drove 13 hrs straight the next day to get home. My biggest solo drive, but well worth it. Bryn was sick and couldn't make it, but he was there for Tara in spirit:) c ya
PRO MEN1. Andrew Neethling
2. Tim Krentz
3. Grame Pitts
PRO WOMEN1. Jill Kintner
2. Shanna Carlen
3. Robyn Embry
Northstar @ TahoeNext up is a solo mission down to Tahoe to support the Tara Llanes Classic @ Northstar bike park. This is an awesome charity event to give back to spinal cord research among other things. Tara and I were rivals back in the day, but now friends, so I support what she has overcome with her paralysis, and her a person. She really is an inspirational lady:) Should be fun! dunno which bike to take though, heard it's a mega D ??
Design by jill for a Tara Lip balm:)
LAS VEGAS, NVJust finished 3 big days at interbike trade show. It's north America's biggest bike convention, but really most of the industry goes to Eurobike in Germany, which is like 6 times bigger I've been told.
For us, interbike is about meeting with sponsors, unfolding our plan for next year, and checking out all the latest gear. I set up meetings to fill up 3 solid days almost every hour. Lot of socializing as well. The bike industry has so many great people, that it's really fun to catch up with everyone. Hard to walk more than 10 feet without seeing someone to talk to:) Such a blowout though. As someone not accustomed to standing up all day, the ol back and legs really feel it. Need a few days to recover from all the potpourri air conditioning , and Buhly's retirement party.
bikes are fantastic, and the dream continues. Really nice to have created our own program and have such quality people behind us. Team Norco international will be better than ever next year:)
Bryn did awesome last week in Norway. His speed was on point- at the first split he was 2nd, next split 6th, then a bit of arm pump kicked in from a nasty crash he had in morning training, to ultimately finish 20th. So proud. The course looked awesome, and redbull coverage was the best yet. Congrats to stevie smith for his first win!!!
HAFJELL, NORWAYGood luck to Bryn for tomorrow. He qualified 14th and had some impressive splits! Looks like he is having a lot of fun and riding really well!!! Go get em little friend!!! xoxo
I spent all day yesterday doing a photo shoot with the famous Chase Jarvis n his buddy Scotty for Steven's Pass resort. Stevens is the only chairlift accessible Bike park in Washington, and we frequently ride there, so I am stoked to help be a poster child for that spot as well as a few other people. Good stuff. 3 day of DH riding!! so fun.
Mellissa Buhl, AKA Buhly, has been one of my biggest competitors since we both started racing BMX as kids.
She just announced her retirement from full time pro racing , and will be heading off to medical school to be a doctor!!! So happy for her to a bright future, but she will be truly missed!!! Big send off in Vegas in a couple weeks. Sea otter and Usa events will not be the same without Buhly:( good luck friend!!!!!
SANDY, OR - http://oregonenduro.com/Stages 4,5,6,7 @ Sandy Ridge.
Today started out much like the past 3 days , with a climb up a paved road for about 2,000 feet to get to the start of stage 4. It's gradual, but constant 40- 60 minutes, then an additional 10-15 min of steep single track. Kinda sweet to get most of the climbing outta the waythough knowing the decent will be long and prosperous:) Thats how it's done in the N-DUB.
7 stages provides tons of riding, but it's a tricky getting enough practice to remember where you are going. Mission to get to the trails sometimes. This was my first enduro, fresh off a broken arm, so quite a big week of back to back riding/racing in the heat. Not hard, just a lot of saddle time. Maybe it's worse when you know someone has a key to the gate, and the road is prime for shuttles- just a different style I suppose. Something to do with the watershed up top? They did provide shuttles for the cat 2 and 3 guys in the morning, which was nice, but pros are tougher than that:) Think I saw 94 degrees at one point on friday.
Anyway, these stages at Sandy were a lot more skilled based, rather than yesterday's straight-line pedalfest. Lost of pumpy flowy stuff, but the grade wasn't that steep, so constantly putting in the hard pedals and using the Kronolog dropper post when it counted.
I had ridden Sandy before, and knew it was a good spot for me. Kelli Emmett has such incredible fitness that I had to go hard and make all the corners and pumps count. I won 3 out of the 4 stages today, but got a flat tire in the middle of stage 4 through the upper rock garden, and it took forever to change and pump it up to get rolling again. I lost 6-8 minutes right there. Watched 4 or 5 girls ride past me, so that was it. I still had a great time riding, and ended up 6th maybe? Think yesterday I got 2nd in two stages and won stage 3 as well. The strava battles were pretty fun too.
The hot tip on set up is to go tubeless and have a spare tube taped to the frame with the skinny co2 cartridge. I have never used one of those, so yeah, next time. Racing with a pack is kinda bumming, but at least you got all your spare crap and water. I went through a gallon of water per day. Nuun tablets are good too, they don't leave any residue in the bladder and you get the electrolytes.
On the racing front, Josh Carlson smashed it for the men. He pretty much killed the first stage by like 30 seconds, and maintained a gap from there on out. He's a solid rider, with some aussie flair. Keene took 2nd, even with a crash. There was this step up jump at the end of stage 5 that had a massive g out going in, he lost the front end in the G out and slammed his face into the vert lip, 25 feet away from the finish line too . Slaven 3rd - super local and pinned.
These races are slightly gnarly, wearing an xc lid going that fast. Something other than those ugly Urge enduro helmets need to be created for these events for safety and style. Where are industrial designers when you need em?
Not sure where enduro events are heading in the US, seems pretty raw still, but there is a niche, lots of participants, and everyone enjoys the riding when trails are good. They don't really time the transfers at these, so it's pretty lax. Ipad timing, press start whenever you show up. Timing beams are where its at, so hopefully they can get that going for next time to have less issues adding things up.
So many fit people at these things that you have never heard of. Trail riders lurking in the woods. Met a lot of new people, which was cool. Kind of an older crowd, mostly 30's. Quite a few industry people as well. Specialized guys were on a bit of a road trip to check these events out. Their boy Curtis Keene the american dream won a title in North American Enduro. Overall series for the oregon thing went to josh though.
Sponsors put some decent money into this series, based on the giveaways and fact that there were very minimal expenses to run this. Not much of a scene or media, Hard to watch too, just more about doing them to experience. And entering in a raffle to win a carbon nomad, go pros, teva shoes, forks, etc and other sweet prizes. I got some tasty Mojo bars :)
Here are the results. times are a little screwed up I think. They got Kelli's name wrong, so her first stage wasn't included or something. Dunno about the rest.
http://webscorer.com/race?raceid=3771
MT.HOOD, OREGON
Since I just started trail riding again, thought I'd check out the Oregon enduro scene. Norco loaned me one of their new Range Killer B 650B bikes, which is amazing, so I'm out monster trucking down some sweet hills in loose as hell oregon sand :).
Honestly, this event is not what I expected, but fun and challenging all the same. I did the Oregon Super D here last time, which was centralized at Sandy ridge, but the courses are a little different for the enduro (timed decents) and there are two venues split between two days. Didn't really know who was here till I showed up on the start line. Extremely mellow, not much visibility, no spectating, but instead lots of riding and hanging out at a central spot after the races. Plenty of Beer, subarus, dogs, etc. The racing isn't that chill though- Heart rate through the roof, constantly turning the pedals over when you feel like coasting. Hopefully I can pull some time on the tech bits, but it's a lot of fun basically racing a course blind, you have to know where to brake and where to push, which is hard to remember. Did 2 practice laps, one on the other venue, so not much memory.
Day 1 (today ) was up at Timberline. Start at the Lodge, and pin it about 10 miles total with 3 stages and transfers. First stage is loose sandy alpine, then into bombing straight rocky fire road, and mega pedalling. Climb for a tiny amount to transfer, then another shorter stage in the trees and through what seems like creekbeds full of loose rock and sand. Third stage is pinner , with some pumpy singletrack straight lines into hairpin turns, then another flat mega pedally section to the bottom.
Second day (tomorrow) is more tech, just because it is so dry and loose. Lots of pumps and flow. Rode the stages once. The marking wasn't as good as it could have been, so hopefully nobody gets lost. You gotta climb up a road 40 minutes to even get t
Just wanted to say congrats to Bryn. He looked confident and poised, plus hucked a few gaps. So proud:)
TEAM NORCO INTL. – World Championships - LEOGANG
Leogang, Austria – September 2nd, 2012 – Held in the scenic town of Leogang, Austria, Bryn Atkinson was at the 2012 UCI World Championships in full force representing Team Norco Intl. as well as his home country of Australia.
World Champs draws thousands of fans, tons of industry folks pooling in from Eurobike, as well as all the major media outlets. Bryn was looking sharp with a custom Green and yellow "Aussie" wrap job on his Norco Aurum (courtesy of Imagecraft inc.) and delivered an impressive 13th position at the biggest international racing event of the season.
The course had been beaten up by about 230 riders and 3 days of practice in rainy and cold weather. In some spots Ruts were as deep as the front axle and the texture of the soil was ever changing. Luckily race day saw perfect conditions and blue skies for a fair match.
Spectating was especially good at this event as well with the numerous beer gardens and big screens lining the course and keeping everyone captivated.
In the final, Bryn laid down a great run early on, occupying the hot seat for almost 30 minutes. With a few spectacular gaps, and poised form, he eventually finished 13th. Also worth mentioning; his time over the second sector of the course was 4th fastest! This being his highest place this season and heading into World cup finals, the Aussie is riding strong to break back into the top 10.
Bryn had this to say- "It's been a wild year for me and the team, I'm so happy that I could lay down a smoker for Worlds and be so close to the top 10! I knew my speed was there this weekend, my bike is working great and I was really into the wet, rooty, fast and jumpy track conditions. I'm excited so see the course in Norway next week, and finish the season in top form!"
Team Mechanic Alain Hall.
Photo Credits: Fraser Britton, Anne-Marie Ludekens & Colin Meagher
DOWNHILL RESULTS:
PRO MEN
1. Greg Minnaar
2. Gee Atherton
3. Stevie Smith
4. Mick Hannah
5. Sam Hill
...
13. Bryn Atkinson- Norco Intl.
Next up.. World Cup finals- Hafjell, Norway, and Oregon Enduro finals in Mt.Hood for Jill...
Team Norco International is supported by: Norco Bicycles, Crank Brothers, Fox, Shimano, Renthal, Maxxis, Five Ten, e.13, Dakine, Fi'zi:k, CaneCreek, Oakley, TLD helmets, Motorex, Alpinestars protection, Stan's Notubes, Jet Black Trainers, Park Tool.
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Well, I am not at World Championships:( Thought I would be healed up, but to be honest I still haven't ridden a DH bike, and my arm gets really achey/ tired holding , Gotta take breaks. Right at 8 weeks, so thats pretty good I suppose, think bones heal stronger and faster without the hardware. Trail riding is right up my alley this time of year anyway, gonna do some enduros and photo stuff. Got some style goals as well that are coming around:) I got in a few A-Line runs on my modified Trail bike yesterday for a Cancer Charity event at Phat Wednesday in whistler:) Chainless and costumes plus a party= gong show, but pretty fun. Our fellow Norco rider Nick Geddes recovered from Leukimia, so he inspired this event, and actually won the series!! Team support:). Race was super fun!!! I enjoyed it so much getting to ride again. I didn't get the memo about the costumes, and felt like a bit of a jackass, but all good. Besides a rider pile up at the GLC drop due to costume error from ol spongebob, er, not hucking, all good. Haha. Some awesome costumes. Girraffe, Apes, lots of spandex, banana man, lots of bullet helmets, a tandem, mario and Luigi, a crate attached to the front of the bike with a cardboard et inside tucked under a sheet:) , so good.
On the world champs front,, Bryn is holding it down for our team in Austria, representing Aussies:) Track looks so fun! Few massive kickers! Neethling and Peaty have some sweet kits, Nice work!!! Good luck over there. First day of practice was today.
Feels like it has been forever, but I finally got back out on the trails to ride. This is the first week I have ridden our usual ripping decending trails, and the arm is feeling pretty good, still got muscle building to do but it's coming back. I'm at 8 weeks tomorrow:). Haven't touched my Dh bike since July 1, so I think I'll give it a go next week and see how it likes it.
Timing is a bit brutal with World Champs this coming weekend. Since I have had zero time in on my DH bike, I elected not to partake this year, but am aiming to be ok for Norway, will see after this week. Racing World Cups at the highest level requires 100% . Bryn is en route to Leogang, Austria, ready to shred for the team, and Represent Australia. Good luck little friend:)
Just wanted to wish everyone good luck. Can't wait to see how it goes down.
Last day of Crankworx. Kinda happens all really fast, then it's over. Aww. Lots goes on with 16 events over 2 weeks. It's hectic trying to fit in practice and the events. Most people are really pushing it to manage 5 events, plus the evening viewing of the photo contests, slopestyle, etc. Lake time, socializing, etc.
Final event of the weekend, and Bryn finished 6th in the Canadian DH race, which was really good with a stacked field. World Champs is coming up next in Austria, so some good time on the bike in Whistler to get primed up. Lot of people got injured though. Pom Pom broke a collarbone, and you just see a lot of fatigue or other crashes if there is no plan in place to keep things tamed back. Just so easy to do a hundred runs and clap out your bike and body.
I will not be going to Worlds, but should be good for Norway:)
www.crankworx.com has all the media coverage you should need.
WHISTLER, BC
So stoked to Win the Pumptrack challenge for the third time in a row!!!! Didn't know if I would be able to ride or race, but it worked out, and I had a ton of fun!! Pumptrack has Been on my calendar with 5 stars for the last 6weeks, had to do it, nice and smooth, no big hits:) COuple more weeks and can do more aggressive riding:) That was my 3rd mellow ride back. Got more strengthening to do before I am back to riding, forearm is having a hard time pulling up to hop curbs n stuff . 2 more weeks till the bone is "healed", but the plate is keeping things in tact. Dr said to start ramping it up, but no dh for awhile. No world Champs either:( All good, Norway awaits:)
This is old news now, but my pal Arielle Martin was the chosen one for the USA BMX Olympic team, but had a crash the day before leaving for london this year.
I went down to visit her in hospital a couple weeks ago. Man, talk about a devastating situation. 3 surgeries, busted liver and lung, no Olympics, and nothing she could do about it. The good news is that she is out of hospital and on her way back home!! Just wanted to say congrats for getting through no doubt the lowest of lows, luck will find you again friend:) On the mend. I made her this little liver poster:)
