So, we've got a little bit to catch up on. The introduction of lighter evenings and nicer weather marks the start of competition across Mountain Biking (apart from Whitestyle). Kicking things off properly was Vienna Air King...
It was great to see the some of the worlds best slopestyle and dirt jump rider's back in one place for this FMB World Tour Silver event. The first chance riders get to show off the fruits of their winter training. A chance to get your bangers competition ready for the more important Gold and Diamond events.
The course was fairly straight forward...in the sense that it was a straight line. The huge kickers, gaps, crowds and talent in the field made sure that it was not easy going. The line up might not have had the full compliment of freestyle MTB royalty that we can expect to see later in the year at the likes of red bull district ride, but with X Games gold medallist, Brett Rheeder, rising talent Thomas Genon and the UK's Same Reynolds in the top 10, the competition was fierce.
Kicking off the podiums was the best trick competition. Szymon Godziek stomped a cliffhanger-backflip with all the moto flow and style you could ask for to take first place and coupled with a second place overall, earned himself a wildcard to the district ride.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Trek rider Rheeder took the win for runs of flips and barspins scattered all over the place with the top 3 rounded off by Genon. Brit Sam Reynolds struggled to nail his 720's but provided typically entertaining style for the thousands of spectators earning himself a 10th place finish.
With cashrolls, moto style tricks and a swarm of even more young talent emerging, this season is set up to be an absolute belter.
Check out the photo recap from Pinkbike here - http://www.pinkbike.com/news/photo-recap-2014-vienna-air-king-finals.html.
Sean
Tuesday 15 April 2014
Monday 24 March 2014
Off the Bike
Nothing beats Mountain Bikes, ok? But we *do* have to spend some time off the bike. Because this means we get to have all sorts of fun doing and watching other things as well. Here's a monthly run down of what we're up to...
What we're listening too
Mainly Miles Kane. We're off to see him at the Olympia on Saturday, so he's on repeat and will be for the foreseeable. Check him out for some energetic guitarism and a wonderful dress sense.
What we're wearing?
Topman. Sorry. It's really good though. Short sleeve lumberjack shirts, skateboard esq. long sleeved tee's are ace though. Look.
Get the look
Get the look
What we're watching
The Moto GP started on Saturday, did you really have to ask. We were stoked to see the Brits battling up top. Bradley Smith arguably had the best weekend out of all the Brits with his highest position on the grid and mixing it with the big boys until he binned it in the second half of the race. It was great to see Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding getting top ten finishes, both riding bikes they're not happy with, the latter a rookie in the class. Sam Lowes also impress with a top ten finish in his first race in Moto 2.
What we're doing
Ironically riding another bike. A stationary one. In a gym. Needs must, rehab for leg injury is necessary and there is less (no) wind.
Sean
What we're listening too
Mainly Miles Kane. We're off to see him at the Olympia on Saturday, so he's on repeat and will be for the foreseeable. Check him out for some energetic guitarism and a wonderful dress sense.
What we're wearing?
Topman. Sorry. It's really good though. Short sleeve lumberjack shirts, skateboard esq. long sleeved tee's are ace though. Look.
Get the look
Get the look
What we're watching
The Moto GP started on Saturday, did you really have to ask. We were stoked to see the Brits battling up top. Bradley Smith arguably had the best weekend out of all the Brits with his highest position on the grid and mixing it with the big boys until he binned it in the second half of the race. It was great to see Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding getting top ten finishes, both riding bikes they're not happy with, the latter a rookie in the class. Sam Lowes also impress with a top ten finish in his first race in Moto 2.
What we're doing
Ironically riding another bike. A stationary one. In a gym. Needs must, rehab for leg injury is necessary and there is less (no) wind.
Sean
Skateboarding (and other extreme sports) and the Olympics
As I am sure a lot of you are aware, there has been a lot of talk about the possibilities of Skate Boarding being a part of the Olympics. Just a lot of you reading this, I'm big fans of skateboarding, and tonnes of other extreme sports as well. The main reason behind this is the inspiration we all get from other extreme sports. Whether that comes from clothing, style, tricks, even equipment, we all share a lot more than you'd expect.
Publicity for all extreme sports is great and I'm be the first to stick it on the TV when its broadcast, but I'm not convinced that the Olympics is the right for skateboarding, or for that matter, whether skateboarding is right for the Olympics.
One of the attractions of sports like skateboarding (maybe more so than MTB) is the rebellious side of things. When you tell people you skate, there is a stigma that goes with that. Some people frown upon it (inexplicably). But there is something quite nice about that. A sense of individuality. And, perhaps contradictory to that, a greater sense of community amongst who you skate with. There is something empowering about being able to make a choice to do something a little out of the ordinary and to really express yourself through a hobby in a way that isn't possible in other hobbies/sports.
Understandably so, there are people in the industry and who take part in extreme sports that are bored of the stigma and want to get their sport out to as many people as possible as many ways as possible. There are obvious bonuses to go with this, namely money. Skateboarding becoming an Olympic sport would pave the way for huge cash injections in to the industry and would pave the way for other extreme sports to get in.
"What about snowboarding?!" I hear you cry. Well, for me, snowboarding and skiing have always been more of a middle class past time. Yes they are extreme sports and incredibly entertaining but until recent years with the Chill Factor in Manchester for example and some bonkers weather, snow has been pretty difficult (expensive) to get too from the UK. Yes, MTB is not cheap either but you *can* get out on anything with two wheels (probably need the rest of a bike as well) and go and shred anywhere. Snowboarding and Skiing has traditionally been a past time of the wealthy and the businessmen and women of the world making it a more favourable sport for the (Winter) Olympics.
I say keep extreme sports as they are. MTB has the FMB tour which can be seen all over the world online, World Cups, World Championships, Skateboarding (and many other things) have the X Games.
Peace
Sean
Publicity for all extreme sports is great and I'm be the first to stick it on the TV when its broadcast, but I'm not convinced that the Olympics is the right for skateboarding, or for that matter, whether skateboarding is right for the Olympics.
One of the attractions of sports like skateboarding (maybe more so than MTB) is the rebellious side of things. When you tell people you skate, there is a stigma that goes with that. Some people frown upon it (inexplicably). But there is something quite nice about that. A sense of individuality. And, perhaps contradictory to that, a greater sense of community amongst who you skate with. There is something empowering about being able to make a choice to do something a little out of the ordinary and to really express yourself through a hobby in a way that isn't possible in other hobbies/sports.
Understandably so, there are people in the industry and who take part in extreme sports that are bored of the stigma and want to get their sport out to as many people as possible as many ways as possible. There are obvious bonuses to go with this, namely money. Skateboarding becoming an Olympic sport would pave the way for huge cash injections in to the industry and would pave the way for other extreme sports to get in.
"What about snowboarding?!" I hear you cry. Well, for me, snowboarding and skiing have always been more of a middle class past time. Yes they are extreme sports and incredibly entertaining but until recent years with the Chill Factor in Manchester for example and some bonkers weather, snow has been pretty difficult (expensive) to get too from the UK. Yes, MTB is not cheap either but you *can* get out on anything with two wheels (probably need the rest of a bike as well) and go and shred anywhere. Snowboarding and Skiing has traditionally been a past time of the wealthy and the businessmen and women of the world making it a more favourable sport for the (Winter) Olympics.
I say keep extreme sports as they are. MTB has the FMB tour which can be seen all over the world online, World Cups, World Championships, Skateboarding (and many other things) have the X Games.
Peace
Sean
Tuesday 4 March 2014
Down Time
I'm currently recovering from a minor injury, no more than a bruised knee but enough to keep me off my feet and off my bike for more time than you ever wish to spend. Being active and being part of an active sport, it's difficult to spend time off the bike. Especially seeing as having a full time job means I only get two days a week to enjoy my pride and joy. There are however, plus points to being an injured mountain biker. With more time on my hands, I've had time to catch up on magazines, watch videos online, rediscover some of my favourite videos and generally get myself giddy with excitement to get back out on the bike. Outside of the extreme sports world, there isn't much in the way of down time entertainment, with such a varied online community, we really are lucky in what have for our viewing pleasure.
It's easy, especially after the winter in the UK to choose the easier option of staying in, instead of braving the cold but a little bit of forced time away from things is great for narrowing the focus. Whilst I've been off the bike, I have used the time to seek out new places to ride, using a bit of online research. Using google earth is a great way to find new routes on your local trails or a bit further afield. I've also been looking at new trail centres worth hitting. A combination of this has lead to the planning of weekends away around the UK using trail centres as a starting point and the not-so-obvious places to hit up in the local area.
As always, you have to make sure that when planning your route, you're not going somewhere you shouldn't be but we find forums are a good way to see if routes are commonly ridden by locals.
A combination of a planned out Summer of riding and the turn of the weather (fingers crossed it stays 'ey...) I feel readier than ever to get out on the bike. A bit of downtime isn't so bad after all.
Sean
Monday 3 March 2014
Troy Lee Design
As we mentioned in our 'IN for 2014' article we're a big fan of lary Moto X gear. One of our favourite producers of such kit is Troy Lee Design. With everything from body armour, to some of the most outrageous colour scheme's we've seen , they never disappoint in either quality or appearance.
With an impressive team roster, boasting names like Cam Zink and Brandon Semenuk, you know that you're getting quality when you buy TLD. When you have extraordinary riders on your team with such unique and iconic riding styles, you want them to be kitted out with something that reflects that. Troy Lee Designs is the perfecct example of that and if you know the brand, you'll be able to pick out the riders from a mile off.
It's true that there are cheaper clothing options out there but with Troy Lee, you know what you're getting every time with products that look great, fit well and perform time and time again when you need them most.
Old favourites from TLD include the Grand Prix kit. This is a perfect example of how loud they are prepared to go.
The new range for 2014 is now out and we are not disappointed in the slightest. Head over to the TLD website to check out the new range. Our favourites, include the sprint and the moto jersey's. If you can do, treat yourself to some outrageous attire, but be quick. Stocks don't last forever.
Sean
With an impressive team roster, boasting names like Cam Zink and Brandon Semenuk, you know that you're getting quality when you buy TLD. When you have extraordinary riders on your team with such unique and iconic riding styles, you want them to be kitted out with something that reflects that. Troy Lee Designs is the perfecct example of that and if you know the brand, you'll be able to pick out the riders from a mile off.
It's true that there are cheaper clothing options out there but with Troy Lee, you know what you're getting every time with products that look great, fit well and perform time and time again when you need them most.
Old favourites from TLD include the Grand Prix kit. This is a perfect example of how loud they are prepared to go.
The new range for 2014 is now out and we are not disappointed in the slightest. Head over to the TLD website to check out the new range. Our favourites, include the sprint and the moto jersey's. If you can do, treat yourself to some outrageous attire, but be quick. Stocks don't last forever.
Sean
In for 2014
Earlier on in the year, we put our heads together to have a think about what is going to be popular in the world of Mountain Biking for 2014, anything from what we'll be wearing to what we'll be doing and what we'll be watching. Here is our top 5.
IN For 2014
Ignoring the obvious like avoiding 26 inch wheels like the plague, we take a look at what we think is IN for 2014...
1. Urban Downhill Races
We promise it has got nothing to do with the mud and puddles that are currently lining the trails... Urban downhill racing is becoming bigger and bigger each year. Offering people the chance to experience Mountain Biking all over the world and get up close and personal to a race in an environment where racing a mountain bike seems impossible.
2. Moto X Style
We're a big fan of Moto X style clothing for Mountain Biking. Riders can often be seen sporting such clothing in video segments, big competitions like Red Bull Rampage and DH races but we reckon you'll see more and more of it this year. Over the last few years, we've seen a rise in Moto X jersey's on the trails so don't be surprised when you cross paths with a Power-Ranger-looking-chap in matching Troy Lee Designs kit.
3. UK Riding
Amongst other recent developments, Bike Park Wales has announced itself as THE riding spot for the UK. With something for everyone from all disciplines, there has never been a better place or time to get involved in Mountain Biking. We cannot wait to get ourselves up there for a long weekend of shredding. Fingers crossed this starts a new trend to boost UK riding spots. And whilst the remainders of the recession still linger around, you don't need to jet off around Europe
4. Film yourself, get famous (sort of)
So filming mountain biking is not a new thing, but with so many camera's on the market these days, top quality recording kit is more affordable and accessible than ever. And with more ways to film yourself and your buddies, this is the year to get out, get yourself some editing software and get your films out on t'internet.
5. Back to Basics
It's easy to get caught up with making sure you've got the latest kit, the lightest bike, watched the latest videos and so on but this year, we here at All Things MTB are getting back to basics. Throughout, the year we'll be re-visiting some of the things that got us hooked on riding bikes in the first place. From old school video's to re-tracing our first pedal stokes on a mountain bike on the trails that got us stoked.
Sean
Hello
Hello world, again, sorta....
So, seeing as we had issues with the website, we decided we would share our stories with you through here and we'll see where we go from here. We'll bring you up to date on what we've been up to so far this year, which granted, isn't a lot.
So, seeing as we had issues with the website, we decided we would share our stories with you through here and we'll see where we go from here. We'll bring you up to date on what we've been up to so far this year, which granted, isn't a lot.
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