Singletracks Mountain Bike Blog

Three interesting items from around the MTB world this week:

The Unnamed Epic coming to hills of Wisconsin

photo by akutny.

Chicagoans are bummed the Olympics won’t be coming in 2016, especially after all the hard work that went into the bid. Organizers proposed an MTB venue in Blue Mounds, WI which got a lot of people excited to ride so race promoters are taking advantage with the “Unnamed Epic” race. The event will start in Mineral Springs, WI and will travel 75 miles over singletrack, snowmobile trails, and roads to end at Blue Mound State Park, the highest point in Wisconsin. Total climb: more than 5,280 feet. The race will be capped at a total of about 800 riders so get your entry in now to guarantee a spot!

Register Your Mountain Bike Online - For Free

I’m not sure how new this concept is but MyBikeNumber.com is a site where you can register your bike serial numbers in case of theft. You can even print out a unique QR barcode to stick to your bike to identify it with a mobile phone scanner.

The whole idea is cool but until people start using the site to check on used bikes they’re thinking of buying there won’t be many recoveries. But we see the potential for something much bigger - perhaps like a “CarFax” for bikes. If shops start scanning bike #s everytime they work on a rig this could become mega-useful. Instead of just checking to see if a bike is hot you could also see if it’s had any major frame damage or if Lance Armstrong actually rode it in the TDF like the guy who sold it to you said. Then again, some may see this as a little too “big brother” so who knows…

Trips for Kids Collecting and Selling Used Bikes at Sea Otter

One of Trips for Kids’ main fundraising activities is operating a bike “thrift store” in San Rafael, CA and they’re bringing to concept to Sea Otter again this year. Many of the bikes and parts are donated from the bike industry so we’re not talking rusted out Huffy frames or moldy cycling shoes from the 80s. Definitely seems like a cool concept and we wish there were more places to buy reliable used mountain bikes without having to resort to Craigslist or eBay. One to start up in your area?

Just a quick shout for those of you considering a GPS for mountain biking this spring: the DeLorme PN-40 GPS is Amazon’s Deal of the Day today (March 18, 2010). At $219 it’s almost 50% off which ain’t bad. Read our detailed review here.

Six downhill mountain bike racers are working toward their Business And Technology Education Council qualifications in a unique program at Borders College in Scotland this year. Two of the six riders are pros and all race at the national level which means they need to devote serious time to their training which a traditional program might now allow.

The one-of-a-kind module combines course work in psychology, coaching, and sports nutrition which should help students both on the trail and off. Plus the students get a great education they can fall back on should their downhill MTB careers not work out.

These days it takes a lot to reach the top of the sport in mountain biking and training is basically 24×7 for the pros. What you eat, how long you sleep, how you practice, and what you learn all go toward reaching the podium. The athletes at Borders College admit as much and say the classes are especially helpful in addressing the psychological and mental aspects of downhill racing.

Now if only more colleges offered decent mountain biking scholarships…

STELLAAA! I always wanted to say that. Last fall I did a write-up on the top model Seca 900 Ultra from Light & Motion. If you read the review you know the Seca is a seriously powerful light unit. I’m sure that review left more than one person wishing they had one but the price is admittedly not for everyone. Not to worry, the folks at Light & Motion make a unit which is just as good in terms of quality and craftsmanship but at a price most can afford.

The Light & Motion Stella 200L ($249.99 MSRP) sports a single 200 lumen LED with a custom designed reflector to maximize light output. Everything you need is included in the box: the lithium-ion 3-cell 11.1V battery, smart charger, low profile helmet mount, and battery strap. The light includes just the right amount of cord so you can comfortably mount the unit on your helmet or on the bike.

The construction of the Stella is second to none. The light unit is compact and lightweight (72 grams) and features an integrated heat sink. It has a fresh bronze anodizing treatment which will keep the light looking pretty for a long time, even in the dark. The simple on/off button is integrated into the head unit with a sealed membrane to keep water out. A single touch of the button adjusts the light output:  the high setting tosses 200 lumens for 5 hours; medium gives you 100 lumens for 10 hours; and low eeks out 50 lumens for 20 hours (most spots south of Alaska don’t have that much darkness in a single day!). There’s also a flash setting which will burn for 100 hours, perfect for commuting or emergencies. Placing the light in “race mode” allows you to quickly toggle between just high and low settings.

The Stella is powered by a 3 cell Li-Ion battery which is both lightweight (180 grams) and small - perfect for mounting on your toptube, the back of your helmet, or even in a pocket of your hydration pack. The battery pack features waterproof seals good for submersion up to 20 feet and an internal circuit to protect the battery from overcharging or rapid discharges.

Mounting up the Stella takes only minutes. In fact it will probably take more time to decide if you’re wearing it on your helmet or mounting it up on your handlebars. If you’re using the Stella as a standalone light, I recommend placing it on your helmet since a helmet mount shines the light wherever you’re looking. The beam pattern on the Stella 200 is ideal for a single LED, producing a focused beam with a feathered fill light on the periphery of the pattern. The Stella beam pattern gives you decent distance with enough light on the edges to make out what’s around you.

In the photos below I have set up a test area so you can see the amount of light the Stella 200 produces at night. For comparison I also show the Seca 900 Ultra placed in exactly the same position aimed the same way. The photo markers are placed for scale: the first is 10 feet, the second triple marker is 20 feet, third single 30 feet, fourth single 40 feet, and finally fifth triple 50 feet away. The second and fifth triple markers indicate an average trail width.

The Left **Stella 200L                          The Right **Seca 900 Ultra

Hitting the trails in and around Toronto at night was awesome. Although I took my Seca 900 Ultra, I found that unless I was really going really fast I didn’t have to turn it on. Riding without moon light was really fun as well. The Stella 200 produced a perfectly white light everywhere I turned my head and the beam gave me about a 45° arc of light. At about 50 feet ahead of the bike I got about 15 feet of the spot light and another 25 feet or so of fill lighting. This is really more than enough light for most people but perhaps not enough if you’re racing and going really fast. But for the discriminating casual rider this light will light up your life.

The photo above has been colorized so you can see the spot and the fill along with the feathering.

I also found I could use the Stella for many of my lighting needs in and around my house. Seeing that I am renovating the house, this small unit comes in super handy in tight spots due to its small size. But don’t let the size of this unit fool you - it will burn super bright for a very long time.

Overall I have to say this is by far one of the best lights out there for the money. It’s compact, tough, reliable, and good looking plus it produces a tremendous amount of usable light thanks to a single beam pattern that’s second to none. Get one for 24 Hour racing and keep using it on night rides next fall!

Specs from Light & Motion

A quick thanks to the folks at Light & Motion for providing the Stella 200L for review.

photo courtesy sealchallenge.navy.mil.

A Gallup poll commissioned by the US Navy found that mountain bikers (and other “alternative” sports enthusiasts) were more likely to survive the intense training required to become a SEAL. This report comes as the Navy is seeking to shore up the SEAL ranks which traditionally has a 67% training drop-out rate. Other sports participants the SEALs will target include snow boarders, rock climbers, and martial artists.

Clearly mountain biking is a sport that requires both physical and mental endurance and tends to attract the sort of adrenaline junkies the Navy SEALs are looking for. The training is intense but so is completing a dirty century or sessioning a 10-foot drop over and over until you get a clean landing. On top of that, most mountain bikers learn a thing or two about maintaining and repairing critical equipment in the field.

The study also found the best candidates come from the northeast, northern plains, and west coast of the US so don’t be surprised if you see a Navy booth set up at your local MTB race. Makes me feel proud to be a mountain biker!

Politicians in Colorado know a good thing when they see it. Now that the Leadville 100 is a nationally recognized event that routinely sells out, state Senators are looking to add another large-scale 100-mile MTB race to help boost local economies.

While it sounds like the discussions are very early stage at best, the idea is to create a race that starts in Bailey, CO and winds through much of the singletrack network known as the Buffalo Creek area. Right now the Senators are looking for local businesses to help raise money for the race which they predict could bring 3-5,000 racers and spectators to the area each June.

Of course racing at Leadville and Buffalo Creek are two entirely different things. For starters, Buffalo Creek sits at an average elevation of about 8,000 feet - not 10,000+ like Leadville. The climbs around Buffalo Creek are mild in comparison which could help draw more “recreational riders” than Leadville. Bailey is only about 30 minutes outside Denver which is another advantage, though without Lance Armstrong or a movie about the race, it may be hard to attract large crowds initially.

I personally love the trails in and around Bailey and for strictly cross-country stuff it’s hard to find a better singletrack network in Colorado (or the US for that matter). Sign me up for 2011!

Portal Trail photo by dauw.

Last week the Team Fezzari blog posted a list of the 8 most dangerous MTB trails in the world and while they admit it’s not a scientific list, it’s an interesting start. Old favorites like Porcupine Rim in Moab and Yungas Road in Bolivia made the list but so did Bootleg Canyon outside Vegas and Black Mountain in western North Carolina. Then again, most mountain bike trails are only as difficult as you make them anyway…

Here on singletracks we’ve been asking our members to rate trail difficulty on the IMBA scale that closely parallels the standard ski slope rating many of us are familiar with. On that scale, double black diamond is the most difficult rating and so far less than 1% of the 3,100+ trails on singletracks have warranted that mark. Here they are in order of increasing difficulty (only trails with at least 2 reviews are included):

Deer Creek Canyon: Littleton, CO
Tower: San Luis Obispo, CA
Lunatic Fringe: Green River, WY
Ridgeway Loop: Elijay, GA
Moraine State Park: New Castle, PA
Portal Trail: Moab, UT
Dirt Diggler Dh: Fernie, BC, Canada
Wasatch Trail: Telluride, CO
Elizabeth Furnace: Front Royal, VA
5 Miles Of Hell: Green River, UT
Garbanzo At Whistler: Whistler, BC, Canada
Oklahoma “Ankle Express” Hiking Trail: Braggs, OK
Hurricane Creek: Cullman, AL
R.B. Winter State Park: Mifflingburg, PA
Morgan Territory: Livermore, CA
North Star Ski Resort: Truckee, CA
Barr Trail (Pikes Peak): Colorado Springs, CO

Curiously Porcupine Rim is rated just a single black diamond by singletracks members so that tells you something about our list above! What other dangerous MTB trails are we missing?

photo via blessingofthebikes.com.

Here’s something you may not have seen before: a church service dedicated to bike riders. The 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes will take place at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in NYC on April 10, 2010 at 9:30am.

During the service a priest sprinkles bikes with Holy Water and there’s a moment of silence for cyclists who have passed away during the previous year. The whole event is very low key and is suited for people of all faiths (or even none at all). Here’s what the organizer has to say:

The interesting thing to me about The Blessing of the Bikes is that some people take it very seriously, some think it’s all a big joke, and some are deeply offended. No mater which of those opinions works best for you… good on you!

Mountain biking (and cycling in general) can be dangerous and many riders no doubt take comfort in blessing their bikes for the upcoming season. A quick search brings up mentions of similar services in New Hampshire and Michigan so check with your local bike shop to see if there’s a service near you!

Several people emailed this story to me on Wednesday and to be honest I was fairly ho-hum about it initially. I mean, Google Maps have included public transit and even walking directions for a while now so the bike stuff isn’t all that surprising. Commuting maps that take into account traffic flow, shoulder width, hills, etc. already exist in printed form so it’s about time they’re available in a digital, route-able format.

But this blog isn’t about commuting or road riding - it’s about mountain biking. After digging into the Google Biking Map of San Francisco I noticed something surprising: mountain bike trails. For example, this map (shown above) shows what appears to be singletrack in and around Glen Canyon Park.

I read a little more about the map data and found out that Google has also coded 12,000 miles of “bike trails” from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Of course many rail trails are either paved or are, at the very least, wide, flat paths but still, this is better than riding the road.

But don’t get too excited about off-street bike routes. Here’s what a Google spokesperson said after a New York reporter found himself routed onto Central Park paths where bikes are off limits:

The parks are one of the things we need to work on. We don’t have great data for them.

Map coverage is certainly limited at the moment and a quick check of my area shows some pretty questionable road choices - and no trails. Google Bike Maps may also be of limited to use to mountain bikers for another reason:

Many cyclists will tell you that going downhill is annoying for a different reason: you may have to ride your brakes all the way down. All else equal, we try to avoid routes that require a lot of braking.

Ahem, downhill is annoying? Clearly we disagree and our bike trail maps (covering almost 10,000 miles of trails) will continue to include the good stuff . Watch the video with more info about Google’s bike mapping project.

Cross-country and road riders are already familiar with Giro bike helmets - they’re typically high quality, lightweight, and comfortable. But did you know Giro also offers bombproof lids for those who love pointing their bikes down steep slopes? If you’re someone who steers toward massive drops and stunts while friends are on the phone speed dialing 911, a Giro full face bike helmet and goggle combo is for you.

This year Giro really turns up the heat with eye-popping graphics on helmets and gloves plus high quality optics on their newest goggs. I recently got a chance to test the new 2010 Giro Remedy CF ($270 MSRP) in white/gold/green which happens to match the singletracks DH jersey perfectly. I also got my mitts on the Root goggle (MSRP $129) in matte titanium with the Gold Boost 75 lens and the new DJ glove (MSRP $34) in white/green. These three items are a must if you’re planning on pushing your limits on the slopes or jump parks this season.

The Giro Remedy CF shell is made entirely of carbon composite and weighs a scant 910g (about 2 pounds) which makes it up to 30% lighter than similar helmets. The CF stands for “carbon fiber” and the overall shape of the Remedy CF is identical to the plain Remedy. The Remedy CF boasts 14 intelligently-placed vents to encourage proper air flow through the helmet as you’re bombing the trail. The internal EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner is molded to fit your head comfortably while channeling air from the exterior vents out the four rear vents.

The front chin bar is lined with EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which is a great shock absorbing material for those times when you take a face-first approach to things. Just in case you’re wondering, the Remedy is only certified for pedal bikes and carries the CPSC and CE endorsements. Even though it looks and feels strong as a motorcycle helmet, it’s not actually DOT certified.

Overall, the Remedy fits on the loose side of things around the chin and cheek compared to other models I’ve tested. For those who prefer the feel of freedom inside, this is the helmet for you. Remember, it’s important to choose a helmet that doesn’t cause any “hot” spots (areas of higher pressure) on your head or face (this will depend on the unique shape of your melon).

One of the things I really like about the Remedy is the ability to remove the liner for cleaning. Just unsnap the material and rinse out your sweat - then snap things back together in a jiff. I also really dig Giro’s Super Fit system which makes pairing goggles with this helmet easy and comfortable.

Speaking of goggles, check out the Root. The Root it is a bit spendier than the popular Station MTB goggles but packs in way more cool stuff. Right off the bat you get to choose from 10 different lenses and 9 stock color ways.

The Root lenses are spherical in shape rather than cylindrical like conventional lenses. It turns out spherical lenses are shaped to match the contour of your eyes so that there is no perceivable distortion - super helpful for picking the right lines at high speed. The True Sight spherical lens is designed to rest at a constant distance from your eyes both horizontally and vertically (cylindrical lenses only keep distance constant horizontally). The lenses also offer 100% protection from harmful UVA, B, and C radiation. To top it all off, the lenses also feature an anti-fog finish and scratch resistant coatings.

The goggle surround is made of two-stage, soft foam which feels both comfortable and firm while ensuring no dust and debris may enter. The surround is also vented to allow body heat and moisture to exit which prevents fogging. The frame features extended band tabs to fit the helmet opening like a glove and keep the goggle firmly in place even on bumpy, jarring terrain. The band is 32mm wide and sturdy, though for some reason it doesn’t have anti-slip silicon strips to help prevent sliding. On a wet day it just may do exactly that.

Finally, if you want to look like a pro, your kit has to match and the Giro DJ glove offers a nice compliment to the Remedy and Root. The DJ is a durable, full-fingered glove meant to take whatever you can dish out. It’s basically a beefier version of the successful Xen glove with the major difference being the wrapped Clarino finger tips and extra padding across the knuckles. The palm features a Super Fit 3 panel and is enhanced with Clarino synthetic leather and a section of EVA padding. EVA is the perfect material for absorbing shocks and helps relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve and the abductor digiti minimi muscle (didn’t know you were getting an anatomy lesson today, didya?).

Performance on the bike

Put these three together and you have a full house. The Remedy and Root are a great match: I didn’t notice more than about 15° of peripheral vision loss which is pretty solid for a full face / goggle combo. Out at the slopes and indoors at Joyride 150, I never got overheated or noticed my lenses fogging up.

When riding outside I found the Root lens to be perfectly balanced. It really enhanced the contrast of everything, especially on overcast days when trail details tend to muddle together. I also found the tint was just right even in lower light areas, like in the shadows of trees, and I didn’t need to slow down to let my eyes adjust. At the end of the day the Root goggles are far and away better than any others I own which is saying a lot!

The DJ gloves fit a bit on the tight side for size large so I needed a few days to get them broken in. Inside, the gloves felt comfortable - no stitches digging in and the glove basically stayed glued to my hand without moving around. Overall grip was great on the bars and the added silicon on the index and middle finger helped reduce the amount of grip I needed to hang onto the “chicken switches.” At the end of the day my hands felt fairly fresh and blister-free.

Giro offers a full range of DH-ready gear to protect your assets without harshing the ride on the way down. Just remember, this stuff won’t make you invincible, even though it feels like it does!

Thanks to the folks at GIRO for the equipment we reviewed. Another big shout to the guys and gals at Joyride 150 for hosting our indoor tests.

I recently rode a mountain bike trail that got me thinking: How dense is too dense when it comes to mountain bike trails? Every mountain bike trail planner will inevitably run into this question wherever space is limited - which is pretty much everywhere.

First and foremost, a mountain bike trail should be fun to ride and longer trails are generally preferable to shorter ones. But cramming 10 miles of singletrack into 10 acres will result in sharp turns, boring routes, and zero flow. Instead it’s important to balance length and rideability, though I don’t know if there’s a magic ratio of miles of singletrack to acres of land. I’ve ridden a trail that packs more than 7 miles into under 30 acres and it flows pretty nicely, though the sharp, twisty singletrack isn’t for everyone. (Yep, that’s 170 miles of trail per square mile in case you’re wondering.)

Densely packed trail systems can also feel like riding a gerbil wheel at times. In poorly laid out systems it can seem as if you’re riding back and forth without ever really getting anywhere. With a little extra effort planners can draw up nested loops to give a trail a little more interest and mystery (like the trail pictured below).  Vegetation can help with the illusion as does limiting the number of intersections where the rider needs to make a decision. Dense trails can feel crowded since it’s easy to see other riders on parallel paths so it’s important to control traffic flow to avoid collisions.

The other consideration for trail density revolves around environmental impacts. Dense trails generally necessitate removing more vegetation per acre and exposing more soil to potential erosion. In extreme cases it can also mean intruding into and taking over wildlife habitats which isn’t a good idea.

Trail density may also be impacted by natural features and topography. For example, planners may try to take advantage of a solitary hill by running the trail up and down several times to maximize elevation gain/loss. In other cases, a trail may bunch up in forested areas before running straight across open fields.

As suitable land for bike trails becomes more and more scarce, trail designers will be forced to consider trail density more carefully. The good news is that constraints often yield the most interesting solutions - who’s up for a double- (or triple-) decker trail system!

Hi folks, this past weekend Toronto held its 24th annual bike show, this time at the Better Living Centre. The weather was perfect and as a result the show was full of local and US attendees.  This year also marks the first 24 hour spin marathon complete with a live band and heart-pumping music. All the stationary bikes were filled with riders of all athletic abilities and I have to say the whole thing was a massive hit.

I was impressed with the show this year compared to a few of the previous Toronto bike shows. For one thing the show seemed better organized with crowd-pleasing demonstrations and exciting races to watch. By the sounds of the cheers and ooohs and ahhhs, many people were really enjoying the 4X racing that was going on. Along with that there was a massive crowd around the trials area where riders were showing off their 40 inch+ vertical step up jumps. It never ceases to amaze me how much balance those guys have on the bike. Think about it: jumping from a rolling start onto a chain and riding along it. I bet very few can say they do that all day long.

I managed to hook up with a few folks from the industry at the show including Jon Wells from Hayes who was there with his BMX team. Jon came to Hayes after an eventful carrier in Pro BMX and now shreds up the trails whenever he can. It was fun to see the enthusiasm he had as he was talking about the new Circus DJ fork from Manitou and the new Answer bars and stems (which, by the way, I will be reviewing in the next little while.)

I also had a chance to meet up with Mark Summers (one of the owners of Joyride 150) and he was excited to talk about how well the indoor bike park is doing. He mentioned the great interest south of the border and the deal they recently struck with Hilton suites and Howard Johnson’s close by. Mark also filled me in on the constantly changing features that have been popping up at Joyride (many of which I am super stoked to give shot.) The new expert skinny area at Joyride is high in skill but low in consequences which makes it great for practicing your skills without worrying that you’re gonna snap an ankle or shatter your clavicle.

I also checked in with my good friends at Opus and spoke with Sylvain Bosse (Marketing Coordinator) while checking out the new rides for next year (I like to stick with one company for my test bikes). Although they didn’t have it on display, Opus is working on a DH bike for next year that hopefully I’ll have a chance to saddle up soon. Sylvain mentioned some key features on the bike such as the massive pivots (about 40mm) which will make sure that there is very little flex in the rear. The bike also features hydro-formed tubing with a VPP set-up which sounds very interesting. Now if I only had a photo…

The show also featured a large marketplace where you could pick up parts or even complete bikes for a great deal. Speaking with some of the retailers, they were also pleased with the show. It seems people are a bit more free with their disposable income this year and are more willing to spend some of it. After watching all the new bikes heading out the doors I quickly lost count!

Below are a few photos of the rest of the show.

I was in a total haze when I saw all these forks! Picture an entire wall of every fork you can think of. Imagine  the possibilities.

Well it was a great weekend in Toronto. If you’re around next year, stop by and check out the show, and while your here stay a while and enjoy the city. The venue is right in the middle of town so you can also catch a show or if you’re up for a small drive you can also hit Joyride 150.

Cheers!