Having a great time at the Trek Bike Attack

Today was training day in Lenzerheide. We rode the qualifier-track as much as possible while enjoying the sun and the scenery. Because it’s so beautiful up here, you can’t help but smiling all the time. The track is the same as last time and I was able to ride fast and steady, this felt great! Yes, working out does help. My lines are getting more and more tidy (most of the time) and it’s easier to get the bike moving and going faster. Yes, I’m pretty happy :-)

Tomorrow is race-day 1: the qualification. All Dutchies are places together and we ride our qualifier 15 seconds apart from each other, one long Dutch train! Good luck everyone!

Trek Bike Attack

Struggles and rewards of training (dutch link)

My trainer wrote a blogpost on her website about her struggles and rewards on training (for a specific event), dealing with your competitive self and trying to enjoy yourself and your hobby. It’s a good read (in dutch). I’ll write about my own struggles and rewards soon!

» www.in-beweging.eu

 

 

More on the Trek Slash

Trek just released this image on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TrekBicycle), the Trek Slash at Crankworx Whistler. And MTB News recently posted some background info, the Trek Slash 8 and the Trek Slash 7, with some geometry information:

 

Slash 8

Slash 7

Finally: Trek Slash, the 160mm pedalgenious!

In Mayerhofen, Trek is showing the new bikes for 2012 to the press and dealers and one bike stands out for me: the Trek Slash. A 160mm pedal and downhill genious that’s like the small Scratch or a beefier Remedy. To be honest, that’s the only thing that could convince me to leave the Remedy for something new. Can’t wait for the specs, but for you all, here’re the details found on Bikeradar.com (also more on the steeper and slimmer Remedy).

From Bikeradar

Catering for the increase in Megavalanche/Downieville style enduro downhill riding Trek are releasing an all-new Slash model to replace the 2010 Scratch Air. The Slash addresses the need for an easier pedaling, lighter bike that’s more capable of going head-to-head on demanding descents.

Pitched at the 60 percent downhill/40 percent uphill rider, it fits the need for a more butch Remedy, coming with a 66° head angle and 160mm of travel delivered by a Fox 36 TALAS or RockShox Lyrik fork up front and a Fox RP2 rear shock (RP3 on the Slash 9). Internal cable routing, ISCG tabs and Mino Link come as standard.

 

From the pressrelease

For 2012 Trek is launching the Slash, an all-new 160mm travel bike designed for the growing endurance downhill market. Developed in partnership with Trek riders Rene Wildhaber and Ross Schnell, the Slash has the perfect suspension, geometry, and parts spec to dominate the endurance downhill scene. Taking advantage of Trek’s Full Floater and EVO link suspension designs, the Slash is paired with a DRCV shock and Active Breaking Pivot rear end to allow for maximum pedaling efficiency no matter the conditions. “Slash is defined by a lot more than just its travel — it’s the whole package of commanding steering, superior suspension, and a parts spec that rivals some DH bikes in durability and performance,” said Trek Mountain Bike Product Manager John Riley. “If you’re riding events like Megavalanche or Downieville, this is your bike.”

More links

New Remedy, steeper and sleeker

Bloemers Bootcamp in Aywaille

Years ago I was invited for a ride in Aywaille by trailjunkie TBX and last sunday fellow trailjunkie J.BL invited me again. I had forgotten how beautiful it is up there. And how hard and technical. Trails that are sometimes too technical to ride (so we had to walk) or steep (so we had to drag our bikes on our backs) and rocky! About 900m uphill in a 24km ride… hard work, but well worth it!

Anne Laplante Shredding it in Bromont

Perhaps one of the few female riders that look great on film. This girl can shred!

A week of riding in the Alps

I just got back from a week of riding in the alps. We started of with the Passportes du Soleil on sunday. 68km of trails (81km including the lift) and a big bright sun, we had a fantastic (exhausting) day. Guess how tired we where on monday. Deadtired! We did some shopping and relaxing and did soms DH runs on the big bikes after I had a softer spring installed in the Boxxer of the Session.

Tuesday we grabbed the big bike for a full day of downhill and we had so much fun, we even got it on tape because I had a GoPro helmet-cam with me that week. It took some tinkering and adjusting and we still haven’t found the proper angle.

We reserved the trailriding for wednesday and thursday because of the poor weather predictions. We left for the top of Les Crosets which is at almost 230omtr of altitude. The chairlift disappeared in for before our eyes and we started the descent in fog and rain. By the time we arrived at the green lake, it was poring cats and dogs. We waited for the worst rain to pass and continued on these wonderful trails onward to Les Lindarets. For thursday we arranged a guide and explored trails near Les Gets; all roots and some nice verts. It was slippery as hell, but we had the best time. Joe Pauly from http://www.ride-ability.com/ took us to some very nice technical trails, with this beauty as desert:

WOW Session Carbon (Dirtmag.com)

Aaron Gwin’s new weapon for this weekend at Mont Sainte Anne World Cup, the qualifier was won by Greg Minnaar. I’m stoked to watch the race as it’s going to be a battle between titans with Gwin, Atherton and Minnaar. In the womens race Moseley is unstopable! She’s leading the field by qualifying 11 seconds before Pugin.

Picture by: dirt.mpora.com/news/trek-session-99-carbon-spy-shots.html

OMG the passportes du soleil…

I seemed to have overlooked something…

The classic circuit is a tour of the Portes du Soleil, about 80 km / 50 miles
Approximately 80 km / 50 milles – 14 ski-lifts – 7000m of total downhill
9 different resorts to start from:
- In France: Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Morzine and Montriond-Les Lindarets.
- In Switzerland: Champéry, Morgins, Torgon and Les Crosets.
1000 m of total uphill climb

Did you notice? Want me to share? 1000m of total uphill climb! And that was no lie or typo. This years PPdS was tough for us enduro downhill types. We finished, barely, the full lap and crossed the line at the closing hour, overheated (30º +) and exhausted. But we made it!

René Wildhaber in Bolivia | Sorata

Don’t tell me you didn’t get amazed by this picture, taken by Marco Toniolo. Before seeing the video, I was even more amazed. It’s a perfect picture because of the action and the perspective used. Well done Marco. Now watch the video, especially if you have a bike-vacation coming up next week ;-)