All photos thanks to Joolze Dymond www.joolzedymond.com
One Lap, One Rider, One Adventure, 100 Miles!!!
Friday 14th September saw me heading off very early in the morning to the Scottish boarders for the Montane Kielder 100, full of excitment and a bundle full of nerves. With a long drive ahead I took off early in the morning to try and miss alot of the traffic which I manged to do and arrived at my destination of Kielder forrest at 1.30pm in the afternoon.

On arrival to the campsite I found the grounds to be sodden underfoot but managed to find a fairly dry spot to set up the tent and then get the bike out for a quick leg warmer ride and a few short sprints to take the kinks out of the legs. I hit some of the single track up near the castle and did a fast hour spin whcih seemed to open the lungs up nicely. Breifing was at 9pm so had a few hours to get my head down for a wee rest and also get registered and get all my gear together for the morning as was an early start had to on the start line for 5.45am.

Alarm goes off at 5am oh joy this is when you start to question what the hell you were thinking entering this race but once up and fed I was ready to race and on the start line for 5.50am and was in about the middle of the field so not a bad position to be in. Amazingly there were no midges at all due to the wind that goodness. The race started at 6.30am and we had a lead out vehicle for about 2-3 miles so made good use of this to get up to the lead bunch and then we were off it was a fairly brisk start and I thought I would push a bit in the first 20-30 miles to try and get a good start and see if I could put myself in the lead position for the woman. The start of the course was on open gravel fire roads which was good as it strung the field out a bit before we headed into some nice single track that had some short sharp ups and easy fast flowing downs, there were a few hold ups but in general most people were happy to move over where they could let you pass. I saw the 18 mile mark as we headed into a old slightly over grown rutted fire road and it was a long steady climb with a bit of slippery mud thrown in for good measure and this was were I felt really strong and passed alot of people including the leading lady so from their I just put my head down and also my foot down for the next 20 miles to try and put a wee gap between us. I got to the 50 mile mark and was still feeling good and fresh and had a good steady pace going and the people about me were awesome so had a few good conversations and at times I was playing leap frog with a few guys which is always fun. Just after the halfway mark we rode over a long boardwalk and by the end of it my eyes were starting to go funny but then it was a cool rocky section before we crossed the boarder into Scotland were we had a dude playing the bag pipes welcoming us to Scotland it was very awesome and sent chills down my spine. From here it was not far to the next food stop and by this time I was ready for some solid food and I was concerned I may not have enough food to get me thorugh the rest of the race so thank heavens they had some rolls there it must have looked very funny as I grabbed a roll and a cup of coffee and shoved the whole roll in my mouth ( just like scooby doo) with the coffee and headed off as fast as I could as at this stage didnt know how close the other ladies were so didnt want to hang around too much. This next section for me was the hardest as I had made the mistake of not eating sooner so energy levels were a bit low but put my head down and just peddled and sang to my ipod I had playing this was my saving grace plus a couple of guys who let me hang on their wheel when I was in no mans land on a forrest road with a head wind so a big THANKS to those guys. I got to the next pit stop and the tech support guys oiled my chain up for me while I put a bit more water into my bottle with the knowledge that I only had 22 miles to go and that felt damn good as I knew now that I was going to finish so off I head and started to feel stronger which suprised me again had a few guys around me for a chat for the last 20 miles and then I saw the sign I was hanging out to see LAST 5 MILES whoop whoop! pity ther was a bit of hill climbing to do in this as by this stage I just wanted to finish and the marshals at the top of climb said you have 3.5 miles of downhill to go YAY but as always I am not sure what they class as downhill but to me it seemed I was still going up for at least another mile then it was a lovely single track to the finish but by this stage my arms were knacked and I just had to hold on and hope I didnt fall off as could barely use the brakes but managed to hold it together and finished first woman in a time of 10.08.08 and 49th overall so very happy with that result and on top of it all found out I also set a new record time for Vet Female.

The weather was awesome and was a very well run event and would encourage you all to try this it has stunning scenery and the race has an awesome atmosphere and is one hell of an adventure and if your not up for the 100 mile they do a 50 mile course that is equally fun.
So now I have a few easy weeks before my next race an 8 hour solo so happy riding and see you out on the trails.
Amanda

Day 1 of the show and losts happening this year with 29er bikes being one of the main attractions. Banshee’s Prime looks to be one to watch and takes a slightly more aggressive approach to things compared to some. Details to be fully updated on the Freeborn website soon.

Ellsworths always look good and among their show bikes were a couple of new offerings including a limited edition Ellsworth Specialist Randy Spangler Edition! The Specialist is a rare frame to find these days after it was discontinued so a cromo re-birth is most welcome – again details will follow asap.

<

Also among Ellsworths Fleet was the long awaited 180mm travel Method freeride bike. Ellsworth took the Rogue and completely re-designed for front end to accomodate modern geometry suited to real freeriders. Going on the performance of the original Rogue this is definately one to watch, we can't wait to see one in the flesh (and hopefully ride one!)

Better pics sent of the Wilson showing the carbon rear end. Not sure if they are going to come painted like this or raw – to be confirmed!

Also on show was Stevie Smiths race bike – very nice !

The atlas rides incredible. It has the same wheel base as a 26″ by tucking the wheel in close and bending the seat tube, feels incredible, can’t wait to get the Atlas and Wooky 29er added to our growing demo fleet !

Our friends at NSMB.com magazine were guests of SRAM at their recent press camp to launch the new XO groupset, which features DH specific rear derailleur and crankset / chain guide

“What does a featherweight 29er, a burly six incher and a full bore downhill bike have in common? What do all day backcountry epics, climbs that are counted in hours not minutes, downhills that are technically demanding but are interspersed with challenging up and overs, and weekend podium places on three minute downhill charges have in common? As mountain biking becomes ever more infinitely divided and recategorized into ever increasing sub-genres there are very few threads that comfortably and effortlessly weave between them all. There are few riders who are comfortable in any and all camps, there are very few media outlets that juggle all the tastes and fancies, and there is almost no bike that can be enjoyed equally in all these domains. However, the SRAM XO groupset is the most versatile and perhaps genre defying element in mountain biking.”

“On day two we were released into the Bike Park with brand new Devinci Wilson downhill sleds.”

More info and the full article found here: http://nsmb.com/4573-sram-xo-camp/

Check out this awesome video feature from our friends at Pinkbike showing an insiders view of the Devinci factory in Quebec, Canada

For more than 20 years, Devinci has designed and built bikes that exceed the highest industry standards. This commitment to craftsmanship is a byproduct of rigorous training and Devinci’s dedicated staff of bike pros, skilled engineers, and visionary designers. The Devinci team has logged countless hours of researching, testing, integrating, analyzing, inventing, designing, producing, welding, double-checking, machining, calculating, assembling, painting, riding, discussing, anticipating, influencing, partying, growing, helping, recycling, laughing, smiling and, most important, believing. We are all this and more. This is what the Devinci brand is all about.

Some great comments from Pinkbike viewers of the article:

“Makes me want to buy a new bike from Devinci.”

“Not to mention they stand behind their product 100%. Hooked me up for a warranty frame no problem, and seemed very eager to help out another rider.”

“i’m so glad to live nearby, i’ve been there and they are just a bunch of nice people wich love to ride. Support your local/dedicated brand!!”

“Very impressed that Devinci do everything in house. I know of only one other bike manufacturer that does this and that’s Nicolai. Any others?”

“This video shows some of the reasons my last two bikes have been devinci’s. Keep up the awesome work guys!”

“Devinci is one legit company!”

“This is why I love my 2011 Wilson so much.”

“seeing this video makes me want to own a devinci.”

More info, and the video itself, found here: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Devinci-factory-tour-2011.html

Freeborn Friend Phil S has recently written this comprehensive and flattering review on his experiences with his Devinci Dixon Split-Pivot mountain bike

If I had to describe the Dixon in one word, that word would be “balanced”. It’s not so heavy that it feels like anything more than a 5″ trail bike, yet it feels burly and slack enough to ride in the Alps without having to worry about breaking your bike. The tapered head tube and bolt-thru rear end make everything feel really sitff and responsive, and pedalling the bike (even standing up) is truly mond-boggling. The Dixon just shoots forward with little or no discernable pedal bob – it’s one of the best pedalling full suspension bikes I’ve ever ridden. There is no evidence of brake jack when riding the rough stuff either. Whatever Dave Weagle is having for breakfast, it’s working. The best way I can describe the suspension feel of the Dixon is ‘taut’.

More here: http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=121576

Freeborn friend Phil Steinhardt has just returned from a 2 week break to Laxx, Switzerland, where he rode the hell out of his Devinci Wilson SP and Devinci Dixon SP bikes

“Riding the Never End trail in Laax, Switzerland on my Devinci Wilson SP. Starting at 2,216 metres above sea level, the trail descends more than 1100 metres over a total of 7.4 kilometres”

Phil is a professional photographer http://www.steinhardtphotography.com/2011/index.html and very keen mountain biker, and has put together this great video for your enjoyment!

Check it out here: http://www.pinkbike.com/video/207623

Devinci had an interesting booth this year at Crankworx. Whether they were serving fine French Canadian food, showing us Canada’s fastest racer’s rig, or flaunting their new prototype 29″ Split Pivot bike, we were glued to Devinci.

Stevie Smith’s Canadian Open winning bike was on display, and Simon Gauthier of Devinci was kind enough to show us some of the custom modifications that Stevie is running. It turns out that World Cup level racing sometimes requires fine tuning, who knew?!

More info here: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244222

Jesus John (Ellsworth Moment), Mike (Mythic Chaparral) and KrazyJey (Devinci Hectik) spent 4 awesome days riding in the Morzine area of France during July – here is the 1st video from lots of footage John captured on his HD helmet cam

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/208870/

John “Jesus” Holme has just released Pt.2 of his “Spring Break” video showing footage from all over the S-East of the UK with John and friends on Ellsworth and Mythic bikes!

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/207708/

Canadian website Pinkbike have this latest report on Canada’s leading DH race, with Stevie Smith (sponsored by Devinci Cycles and riding the Wilson Split-Pivot DH bike) taking 1st place with a blistering run:

Stevie Smith has won the Canadian Open at Crankworx, Andrew Neethling second, Troy Brosnan third. For the women it was Rachel Atherton followed by Claire Buchar and Miranda Miller.

On a course that offered a bit of everything—roots, rocks, mud, screaming fans—it was World Cup talent that prevailed. Rachel Atherton took the win for the ladies, while Steve Smith took the win for the men.

The crowds were on the course in force—particularly at Heckle Rock, the infamous roll-over midway down the track.

Overall, the course was hard, but not too challenging for the World Cup riders. That’s not to detract from the event or the organizers, it’s just that there’s not too much line choice on the track, so not too many places to make up time if you make a mistake…

Mens Top 3

1. Steve Smith
2. Andrew Neethling
3. Troy Brosnan

More info here:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Stevie-Smith-wins-the-Canadian-Open.html