Martyn Ashton - Road Bike Party Part Deux

Now this is my idea of a road ride....

Apple Farm Racing - Turkey Cross 2013

Ride to Enjoy

As I think of the many things I "wanted to do" last winter these thoughts cloud my mind...

As I took my last chair lift ride of the season last year, I kept trying to find fault in everything that I didn't get to do. The reality...I had really already come along way and have been riding (snowboarding) at a highly proficient level. Strange thing is I realized for some reason that it was never enough or was it? If you obviously see what's going on in main stream media...the perception of "How people Snowboard" is rather skewed. Seriously from every major consumable we see there's some visual focus, backdrop or imagery of snowboarding. Yes it's a good thing...but when I see people flying through the air doing inverted Ariels to begin with that's irritating. These people are obviously seasoned professionals, or certifiable insane either way.

My point is that with my personal riding I had hit a plateau. Not really aspiring to become a competitive rider, I had almost stagnated. I was one of a handful of "Professionally" Certified snowboarders back in that day, and found some comfort amongst my fellow peers. Strangely enough it wasn't really where I could call home. After that I pretty much let everything certification wise lapse etc. this to many a persons feedback wise was a "mistake". Fast forwarding to my current situation, I ride to enjoy. I have no one to prove anything to, nor do I really care if I ever get the latest and greatest trick dialed in. But where I do see a significant difference is my mind set..

I realized many, many years ago as a pioneer instructor at local Western resort called Swain...that what brought me there was my passion to share. Not only my passion to share, but to educate, to build, to teach, to sharpen, to hone...I love what I do, don't get me wrong here. I put a %110 into my coaching and teaching efforts these days. The big differentiators again is my outlook. I'm very much happy and in tune with my riding...I ride at a level that makes me feel alive, I ride at a level that keeps me here on this earth to alive to enjoy my family and friends. So if your always going to try to live up to the expectations of others and not be happy and content in the moment with yourself your missing a great deal of happiness and joy in your life.

Until then...see you on the snow!!!

So..you wanna be a "Pro" snowboarder do you???



 

Well it's deff that time of the year again, I'm getting the "jones" to ride my snow board. At any rate came across this segment of the 013 Burton US Slopestyle. I don't know about you be this would be an great excuse to say..."another day at the office". Watch as McMorris destroys the multiple back lips, and 1080's !!! Bring on the winter !!! Let's go SNOW BOARDING !!!

 

Nasty #snowboard flix to get your winter juices going...

 

 

 

 

2013 Stevens Sonora Review via: BikeRadar

 

 Looks like a pretty sweet whip...nice work Stevens !!!



Considered taking a ride at my local mall like this....

Cannondale's Peter Sagan cycling skillz

Peter Sagan take's racking his bike very serious...

Have an excellent weekend !!!

@thehoggles

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime

2013 Summer, let's do this !!!

Road Bike Party - Martyn Ashton style

Martyn Ashton - Road Bike Party (Yes this is over the top)

 

2013 Scott Spark 910 

2013 Scott Spark 910 Review via: @Mac5bikes

First thing that I can tell you that the 2013 Scott Spark 910 is with out a doubt is an exceptionally fun bike to ride. I was a bit skeptical to be honest with you...but once my pedals were on it I knew I was in a committed single-track relationship. Geometry and fit wise out of the box, I felt to be a very comfortable cockpit (size med I weight 185lbs), plenty of rider room to move about as they say. This trail worth steed took off like a rapped ape...from the very first pedal stroke. Big plus I have to say that is pretty much dominating the suspension marketplace right now is Scott's patented;  "Twinloc" Lever System.

It's rather intuitive from the get go..three simple adjustments to both the front and rear suspension make the Spark 910 hungry for pretty much anything you could throw at it." The open position allows full travel, front and rear. One click switches the rear shock to Traction mode, while the fork remains fully active. Click again and rear shock and fork lock at the same time. No other bike in the world offers this user friendly system. Found on the Spark & Genius and Genius LT models. Only available for Nude2 shocks on 2013 or previous year models."

In a nut shell I found myself using the Twinloc shifting feature more than I would have anticipated. Alot goes into this particular feature, and I'm deff a HUGE fan. Bottom line if you have not had a chance to demo this technology, get into Mac 5 Bike today !!! 

Scott Spark Suspension Technology video

Nude 2 Shock

Geometry wise I found the bike to definitely be race inspired, the front fork spec was the Fox 32 Float Factory CTD. Stable, decent riding fork with minimal adjust out of the box to get it trail ready. The rear "Nude 2" shock handled every aspect of the ride with east, this particular spec. complimented the Spark 910 very nicely. Torsionaly very predictable, liked varied single track, dicey rock gardens, sketchy downs alike. The one attribute that most certainly makes this ride what it  is is the massive oversize head tube. I can tell you that when this first trickled down from the road marketplace I knew we would be seeing it out on the mtn platforms as well. Another key details the Scott really did their homework on was their direct post mount for the disc brakes. May not make much sense out of the gate, but for those of you wight weenies out there this is a HUGE !!!

Tapered Headtube

Direct Post Disc Mount

Bottom bracket height wise I did feel was a bit low. One feature that I do want to point out but did not get a chance to play with was the adjustable BB height; 

2013 Scott Spark w/ adjustable BB height

This is another key factor with the 2013 Scott Spark that unquestionable helps you dial the ride to your particular riding style as well as the local trail system you frequent.

Torsion-ally from a power transfer perspective, spot on, sprints, climbs, rollers etc...yeah the good stiff. Very crisp an reliable acceleration in and out of corners..bonus!!!

Shifting was a dream, I definitely have not spent enough time riding the new Shimano XT group, excellent trail performance all day long, Hats off to the Shimano camp for really doing their homework on this one. Couple of big take a ways; the shifting even under a ridiculous pedal load was truly effortless (which I LOVED) Can't tell you how many drive-train fails even in rec riding situations I can recall. Crisp, to the point... also was digging the fact that you did'nt necc, have to always use the thumb shifter to up shift as well as down shift!!! Shimano even adds up an additional "micro"shifter paddle adjust as well !!!

Overall I found the 2013 Scott Spark 910 that I demo'd from Mac 5 bikes to be definitely well worth ones time and investment. If your looking to get a bike that has the absolute best technology suspension on the marketplace...here you go!!! The Spark 910 offers up a very race inspired chassy, yet finds it's self very much at home to the rider that want's a very balanced trail experience. Looking for that unique value oriented bike then the 2013 Scott Spark 910 is for you.

 Please stop into Mac 5 bikes and get yourself set up with Scott Spark 910 today... and remember be sure to tell em that; "The Hoggle" sent you !!!

A big thanks to both Chris & Laura, you guys rock, love what you did with the new shop!!!

 For more info please contact; 

Mac 5 Bikes 

585-264-4106

21 East Main Street Rochester, New York 14580

Please feel free to follow me on Twitter @TheHoggle  !!!

 

 

Yeah this is some sick riding, only wish I could do half of what this dude is throwing down. Mad respect for these skills...

 

 

Bike Guy ~

2013 Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29r

Specialized's 2013 Epic Expert Carbon 29r offers up an amazing amount of value and incredible on trail performance. Starting with the simple aspects of easy suspension set up is the all new "Auto-Sag" feature. This was done in little less than a few minutes and I was ready to ride. The way it works; over inflate rear shock, have customer hop on & straddle the bike then back of the rear brain shock valve. Typically out of the box for most consumers this works ideal. For myself as I was putting it into more of a race scenario you'd want to run it with about 20lbs more give or take.

 So now you're probably going to want to know how it rides....As an 185lb expert level marathon racer I was pleasantly pleased. The Epic offered a quick and complainant ride, very good in a variety of single track situations. The acceleration off the line was spot on, I felt that the bike didn't hold me back once I was able to get on the gun and start sprinting.Climbing actually I found to be surprisingly easier believe it or not seated. Having spent a good number of years racing hard tails as many of you folks out there know this is a hard habit to break. The over all geometry and fit out of the box was very confidence inspiring, I seriously felt like I had been riding & racing this bike all season.

 Big take aways on the noticeable pluses, I was really impressed with the bikes over all cornering and stability. One of the big pluses I like was the over size head tube, this really made the front not only super stiff but very predictable at higher speeds and cornering. Bottom bracket height was a charm as well.. Had to really seek out bigger logs etc...which still were no match to slowing the Epic's sword like performance. Specialized has put a ton of r&d into the body geometry saddles...the Ti railed Phenom was very comfortable and impressive, def would be a great all around performance saddle as well. One note to consider these saddles do come in difference widths and getting a proper fit is key. So please no matter what bike you are getting definitely consider it.

The Shimano SLX shifters we are real treat as you didn't necessarily have to use the larger thumb paddle to change gears. Gearing from a racing perspective... perfect, from a consumers perspective more gears to play with than ever !!! When it comes to disc brakes XTR is the way to go. These are the only brakes I ride personally period!! Rec riding etc, your gonna have a blast with this baby!!! Shimano's XTR rear derailleur featured the new "over-drive"which at first I really didn't notice much difference at all. However once I have realized it's "stabilizing feature, this deff cut down on the amount of high speed braking  / chain slap. Tires....decent spec out of the box, I'm a Kenda man all the way however the stock Fast Trak 2 bliss tires were solid. Rims, deff a nice partner spec to the Epic, Roval  has been winning on the mtb WC, and local citizen race scene for many years !!! Over all I really felt this bike was an excellent ride, whether you're an aspiring marathon xc racer, or someone that simply has to have the bike that is "the s#86". The 2013 Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29r is for you !!! Contact; www.parkavebike.com for more info today and tell em "The Hoggle" sent you !!!

2013 Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29r  @ Park Ave Bike 

RockShox Brain/ with Solo Air front fork 

2013 Shimano XTR / Overdrive

2013 FutureShock/ Brain Rear Shock

SRAM 2 X 10 / Crank Set

For more info on how you can get your ride on; www.parkavebike.com

"Roval Control SL 29 142+ wheelset with carbon rims, OS28 end caps, 142+ spacing, and DT Swiss spokes and internals is insanely stiff, light and durable for greater control and quickness "  ~specialized.com

The full-suspension, carbon fiber, S-Works Epic 29 is the first 29r to win a World Cup event, and the bike Mountain Bike Action magazine describes as the 

Happy Friday...now get out there and RIDE !!!

Bike Guy !!!

I don't always find easy ways to effectivly relate work to cycling (who wants to right??). However this article does touch on many key points especiailly when it comes to mountain biking. As many of you know out there I have a soft spot for mountain biking so this for me was a good read. The rest of the article can br found here; 10 things I've learned from mountain biking . Enjoy your week !!!

~Bike Guy / aka Jonah D.

The Fox and the Grapes

Sometimes it's true you can't always get what you want...but in the end this "sour grapes" story helps me keep things in perspective. What is it in your life that you've found your self referring to as "sour grapes" did you really need it in the first place. Or better yet was it even meant to be from the get go. It's nice to get a nudge in the opposite direction of where we think we need to be  to get back on track with our person lives. Enjoy

The Fox and the Grapes

 

Buying a hybrid bike ???

Saying the  "H-Word" (hybrid) and still being able to smile as a cyclist is a tough thing. Let's face it not everyone has the interest to be like Greg Lemond . Whether you are looking to get back on the fitness horse or even just make it to your corner coffee shop... you'll want to buy the RIGHT bike. Take a look at this great post from Bike Roar. Happy Trails !!

On another note here's an entertaining flix uploaded by a fellow #roc cyclist that I got a kick out of...

Video: ridepdw: One for the weekend. Get lit. tmblr.co/ZC-B_ugrVCyU
— Blake Terzini (@roccitydirtbag) March 22, 2013

~Bike Guy

2013 Bike Light Shootout !!!

 

2013  MTBR's Bike Light Shoot Out ....

 

Here's an excellent guide from the folks at mtbr.com to a million and one night riding lights. (Well not really more like 50) To be quite honest...some of these brands I have never even hear of but they look sick. Well either way I can tell you that buy investing in a light system it's a HUGE "relationship bank" saver. Meaning that your not burning into "family" time once the kids are in bed your out the door & rippin up single track etc. If your single well then, you'll save a ton of your hard earned cash by not bellying up to the bar every night while out night riding (you can do that after)!!!

~Bike Guy

@thehoggle

Night Rider 3000 & Alpina Tracker xc ski review

So winter here in the East coast has deff been better than last years snow fall but clearly not by much. At any rate in between snowboarding and riding my trainer...I did get out and do some night cross-country skiing. Now if this is something you have not down well... I will tell you it is probably the most fun you will have next to riding your bike. 



Nite Rider Pro 3000

 

 

 

When it comes to lights well let's just say that I have a fetish...the more tech. and brighter the better. The Nite Rider 3000 is hands down one of the brightest lights I've used. From it's sleek looking design, to it's clever charging doc. Typically this light is for those not afraid of a big spend $700 retail.

 

 All in all the burn time on it's low setting easily took me out an about my favorite 2 &1/2 hr mtb loop with no issues. Further more, went out on an 2 hour xc ski... (I had to use the "headband" mount). The cords and "plugs" are designs to prevent moisture from ending your ride etc.

 

Lights are always a tough thing to consider when you look at the price all in all if your smart with hoe you invest your money there are still some really decent lights in the $150ish price range to consider. 

 

Alpina "Tracker" xc ski

Here's my choice for a decent mid level light duty back country trail blazing type ski. This ski features what I guess would be a mid size flex, and METAL edges. Yes you WANT edges...this makes skiing in some on those sketchy section much easier. This is a wax less ski...yep not a big fan of worrying bout things like that I'd rather just ski. In terms of "base pattern" or "fish scale" as people often refer to them...there's a decent enough under the foot section to keep the ski climbing well.
 I partnered this particular set up with an NNN bc boot and binding combo...works great. Folding poles are the way to go....again it's an investment but well worth it.

 

 

Bike Guy ;o)