New Kit

Its getting close now. 2 weeks to go until Sea Otter! I'm getting pretty stoked since I finally have both of my race bikes built up and my new kit all sorted out. It all looks pretty sick! I'm very happy with my jerseys and I can't wait to see how Jaymie's turn out. They are a bit different from mine in both design and logo placement so I am excited to see how they turn out.

I'm getting everything dirty for the 1st time tomorrown on the Shore filming with Alias Labs. We are working on another short video for the Norcowebsite. It should be a wicked day. Alex is such an easy guy to work with. I think the weather is even going to cooperate! It has been pouring since we got here, but the last two days have been pretty clear and sunny. I took full advantage of the weather today and spent my evening playing in the skate park, getting used to my new 4X bike. Such a sweet ride.

The Leprechauns hit Vancouver

St Patrick's Day always brings out the best in everyone doesn't it? This year we couldn't just leave the festivites at Green Beer and some Irish tunes at the local pub. We needed to take it one step further, needed to mix things up here in Vancouver so Jill, Cole (Jill's best buddy and the guy we are staying with out here) and I hit up the local Value Village thrift shop and turned ourselves into proper little leprechauns! It was a blast. Complete with facial hair and home-made paper belt/shoe buckles I think it is safe to say that we made all the partiers smile!

I spent the day with the Norco crew today building up my new 4X and integrating my DH headset. I can't wait to get out and race these new bikes. Another cool surprise for me when I hit the factory........they gave me my own Wall! I was just bugging Mark about when I could have my own massive poster and bike display at the factory. He gave a sly little chuckle and kept walking and next thing I knew I came up the stairs and WHAM - there I was. Pretty cool.

We arrived in canada after an epic journey. What should have taken a usual 10, 13 hours at most took an astounding 38 hours. But either way we are here now and back on track with training. I just went from my beautiful Welti Tennis and leisure club to a local gym here in east Vancouver - spot the diference! :)

I just picked up my new Funn bars, stem and seat posts to get my DH rig up and running with the right parts. Thanks to the boys at trident sports in vancouver, (Funn Canada - www.funnmtb.com). when we were there we stumbled uppon the craziest Police vehicle ever, just wated to put the picture in here really. On second thoughts maybe some of the locals have taken the famous Vancouver driving problems into there own hands! :)

phew....things are finally slowing down a touch!!! I've had one of the busiest months of my entire life! Who knew getting a team, race van, bikes and training sorted would be this crazy! It is all coming together now though - Jerseys are printed, bikes are built, van is sprayed and I am en route back to Canada tomorrow AM for some training in the North Shore. I have heard through the grape vine that it is forcasting rain for the next month in Vancouver.......not sure whether to cry or not really.

Despite all the chaos, Jill and I managed to slip away this past Wednesday to the Welsh country side along with crazy-lady Jaymie Mart. After introducing Jaymie to her new bike - Edna - we spent some quality time sorting out suspension set up and then even more quality time putting our bikes to the test. All I can say is it feels MINT! The Norco Team DH this year is spot on. The Foes/Curnutt forks are plush as anything (and that blow off valve makes it sound as cool as they look). The Hope Moto V2 brakes are definately as good as everyone thought they would be.
We rode for quite a while at Hopton, just playing with set up and taking some photos. The tracks there are pretty good, but the car park is on the wrong side of the hill! We thought for sure we were in for an epic push back up over the hill to that car park when I spotted Bob up ahead. I've never been happier to see a couple of guys loading bikes into a pick-up! Even better news was that the boys were headed out to Caersws to ride the new Nationals track. Wicked! Bob's tracks there are pretty incredible. That guy puts hours of work into the tracks and they are always fast and fun! However getting there was a task on its own. "Flood plains" is right and our crew was slowed up a bit by a crazy deep puddle across the road that stole Fester's number plate. Sucks cause I think it will cost him more than the van is worth to get it replaced :) We made it though and the riding was wicked as always. A little wet and slippy after all the rain, but flat out and loads of fun! Great to hide out in the woods for an afternoon and enjoy some down time.

As always, a road trip would not be complete without Jaymie suffering from a severe case of "car narcolepsy". Atleast in Tommy she can sleep a bit more comfortably!

Time to finish packing. We have to leave for our flight way to early in the morning!!