Just when you thought it couldn't get any better...

...the big S brings out a new, better, lighter, longer travel Stumpy. 140mm front and rear, and 22 pounds! I know what my next bike will be.... full story here and here...
There's also big changes to the Enduro as well, this thing is a beast at only 27lb. This would be a great bike for Caleb and the K-Man.
And there's a new Epic 29er, but everyone knows 29ers suck.

Ned

Ok, so it's a Specialized ad, but it's Ned. On a Stumpy. And that trail looks cool too.

Gives hope to all 40-something-vegetarian-ex-punk-rockers

This is John Joseph, vocalist for seminal NY punk band the Cro-Mags.

The Darkness

It's descended on Josh. He'd been murmuring about getting a hardtail for months, throwing up pros and cons on a daily basis, before deciding to stick with the squish. I knew it wouldn't last; after all, he'd had the Turner for a year, which in itself is some kind of record. Then a couple of weeks ago I walked into work to see a stripped Flux in the stand. "Where is it?" I knew what was going down. And here it is. 10kg of carbon goodness, all dressed up with no race to go to. Pure stealth. Black as the ace of spades. Someone called it the Grim Reaper. The Turner took it's place in the shop, looking for a new home. After one ride on The Darkness, the Turner wasn't going anywhere. For some reason that has bemused all who sight it, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy were enlisted for the makeover, and pink cables were palped, making it a bike only Josh could love. Until today. It's back on TradeMe, but where's The Darkness?

Dirt/road

Looks like a great ride. Best viewed full screen.

Asheville, NC from RAPHA on Vimeo.

I tips me hat...

Riding up the Tip Track is hard enough; racing up it is, um, not for me. It's for the masochists who did the Hawkins Hill Climb Challenge last weekend, like Josh and Marjolein. Not necessarily any more sane were Bella, Freda and myself who braved the wind, rain and cold to goad the suffering.
Stu Houltham turned up and set a new record of under 24 minutes. That's with a kilometre of road to get to the TT, then some more road after it gets to the top. That's quicker than I can do the TT on its own.

Josh wasn't far behind and finished fourth, like all good Kiwis do. He did win his age group though. Here he checks out the short shorts/boxer brief combo sported by Marco, who he just accidently called 'madam'. As in "excuse me madam, may I make a pass?"

What's it all about? Runners vs roadies vs MTBers, mass start on the coast, up the road for a km, MTB and runners turn up the TT, while roadies continue up some pretty steep tarmac. Fastest wins. Everybody hurts.

On Yer Bike's own Marj has been on fire lately, winning the Grand Traverse, Crazyman and she did a job on Melissa Moon up the TT. Who's she? Oh, only a two-time World mountain running champion. Under 30 minutes, on foot.

Did I mention it was a bit cold up there? Maybe if Josh had a lighter bike, a hardtail even, he would've gone better. What's that? Watch this space...

R.I.P. Grandma B

My Grandma Bootham passed away on the weekend. She was only 100. Not a bad innings that. Rest in peace Grandma.