The ex-Trek Downhill Champ

"Gwin"...

Aaron Gwin

It's a name we have not heard a lot of in the last 12 months; the difference a year can make. Once larger than life and the most consistently consistent, and considered almost unbeatable; now, although he can still be found on the results sheet, he's nowhere near the podium, at least on the World stage. 

At the end of 2012, following what many consider to be one of the most successful runs of downhill racing we've ever seen, Gwin changed teams in highly controversial circumstances. In 2011 and 2012 Gwin racked up an unprecedented 9 first places in World Cup events, and capped the season ranking in 1st and 3rd respectively. There is little doubt that during those two years he, his team and management were doing something right (or everyone else was doing it really wrong?). 

"It's not about the bike"...

Trek Session

We've all heard it said, that it's not about the bike...be that as it may, but the Trek Session is one mean piece of kit when it comes to nailing a 'gravity line', don't believe us, well come and ride one and you will see what we mean. There is little doubt that it is one of the most capable downhill racers on the planet and even less doubt that Gwin, Trek World Racing and the Trek Session 9.9 were a winning combination. 

We've also heard it said, that the grass is not always greener... and maybe in this instance it might just be the case. Having said that, we don't know what went on during those dealings at the end of last year, or before, or since and how it all has effected the outcomes that we can see; but Aaron felt that it was time for a change, and we think that that was definitely NOT about the bike. 

"Back to the Future"...

Have we seen the best of Aaron Gwin, we think, and hope not. 2014 is just around the corner and we will get some answers then. It does seem that, to go from a #1 and #3 ranking to a #20, that something is not right. Retrospect is a powerful tool, and the Gwin/Session combo was right; probably as good a combination as man and machine can get. His run at Val di Sole in 2012 where he won be almost 8 seconds goes down as the stuff of legend; and maybe the pinnacle of his career.

We are sure that Aaron will be pondering his past and his future and wondering about the choices we make in life. 

Fox recall 2013 Evolution Series Fork

OCTOBER 22, 2013 - FOX has initiated a voluntary recall of certain model year 2013 Evolution Series forks manufactured between March 1, 2012 and November 30, 2012. The forks affected are FOX Model year 2013, 32 and 34 Evolution Series Forks having 120-160mm of travel. Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

WHAT TO DO

• Locate the fork's ID code on the backside of its left lower leg.
• Enter the ID code in the interactive form at http://ridefox.com/recall
• You will then be guided through upgrade process step-by-step

The Zulu does Rampage????

Dustin Schaad - must be a Zulu to walk away from this.

The Red Bull Rampage 2013

Rampage Pro Bike: Brandon Semenuk's Trek Session Park

Winners are Grinners !!

A big congratulations goes out too all riders who attended the state titles in Kalbar QLD over the recent weekend...

The Rodent cleaned up with the win in a tough Masters 4 category ride, Cat coming in for second in her division

too see micks winning sprint for yourself watch below

The MTB World Champs 2013

Despite the total lack of coverage in the Australian mainstream media, there's a World Championships going on in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, at present. There's quite a few Australians putting it all on the line racing against the best in world, so we thought we'd show a little support and have posted a little info here. Get behind our country's best Mountain Bikers and show some support, We won't forget their efforts.

Heaps of pics here thanks to Cycling Australia

Full Results can be found here

MTB Worlds Feed

Dan McConnell Send support via Twitter	Results 31.08.13 Elite Mens XCO Words Video Coverage	Elite Mens Race No. 6 42nd at +9:46
Paul van der Ploeg Send support via Twitter		Elite Mens Race No. 69 61st at -4Laps
Rebecca Henderson Send support via Twitter	Results 30.08.13 U23 Womens XCO Words	U23 Womens Race No. 3 Interview pre-race here 10th at +10:03
Michael Crosbie Send support via Twitter	Results 30.08.13 U23 Mens XCO	U23 Mens Race No. 56 39th at +9:16
Holly Harris Send support via Twitter	Results 29.08.13 Junior Womens XCO	Junior Womens Race No. 19 23rd at +11:52
Chris Hamilton Send support via Twitter	Results 29.08.13 Junior Mens XCO	Junior Mens Race No.37 62nd at -2laps
Jack Lavis Send support via Twitter		Junior Mens Race No.57 64th at -2laps
Tasman Nankervis Send support via Twitter		Junior Mens Race No.72 50th at +15:57

The 'other' TrekWorld

Of course Trek World Australia is the real one, but there's another going on right now in a small city in the USA, called Madison, Wisconsin. There's a few folk there, some you may know, going by the names of Fabian, Andy, Jens, Dan, Emily, Bec - you might know some of these.


Trek World Feed can be followed here.

The Leadville 100

As you head out on the trails today, one of the toughest MTB races in the world will be hurting competitors for the 20th year running. A lot has changed in mountain biking in the last 2 decades, but the Race Across the Sky hasn't, it's still 100miles of Colorado Rockies Hardness. You can check more out by following this link...

2500 riders this year, that's a Lotta Hurt!

The Cunningham Classic Feed

Tweets about "#CunninghamClassic"

The Candy Store

Like a kid in a Candy Shop

The 2013 UCI DH kicked off with a Podium for NZ's Brook Macdonald

Brook Macdonald and Trek Session - A podium combination

The 2013 UCI Downhill World Cup kicked off on the weekend with the first round, in a sunny Fort William, Scotland. The lad from New Zealand proved he and the Trek Session are pretty quick and put him in the hot seat for a bit, before being pipped by the local boy, Gee Atherton. 

Want to see how fast the Session is, come and see us at M1 Cycles, in the meantime check out the video of some of Brook's action.

The Push Begins

In true Dirty Kitten style, Kaz and I have both jumped into the deep end (again) and nominated for the Paluma Push on July 21st.  

The Push is a 75km in Paluma (near Townsville) - check out the Rockwheelers website for details www.rockwheelers.com.au

For me, training started today - Kaz is a ride in front and has Hef as an adopted coach.  Good luck with that one Kaz.

Last year nominations sold out - so if you're keen, get your entries in soon. Entries were half full (or half empty) a week ago, get in quick!! 

Jenni King will be there.

The All Weather Tyre

It's not often we get excited about tyres but the NEW All Weather range from Bontrager have got us wanting to get out in the rain and ride them.Get more information on our All Things Trek page.

The Tour of Toowoomba

Central Queensland local, Dylan Nankivell, lined up for the Tour of Toowoomba for Downer EDI Mining/Erdinger Alkoholfrei Cycle Team, from 9th May to 12th May. Racing over 5 stages taking place in the Darling Downs around Toowoomba, Qld.

Stage 1 9th May Results

Stage 2 10 th May Results

Stage 3 11th May Results

Stage 4 11th May Results

Stage 5 12th May Results

Some great pics from the National Road Series at Toowoomba, via Mark Gunter.

The RadioShack Leopard Trek Giro Team Video

Click the image to go to the video...

Di2 Diagnostic / Firm ware updates and Adjustments

For all your problems Di2 related, see the most advanced trained store in the whole CQ region, for second to none firmware updates and simple gear adjustments. With 2 trained and qualified bicycle trades persons instore at all times, there's no job too big or too small. From simple tube changes, gear adjustments to complete overhauls. M1 Cycles rates are not only reasonable, but affordable. For a professional service see none other than the professional bike shop in town.

"We don't just sell bikes, we don't just ride bikes, we fix bikes!"

For anyone who has a Di2 equipped bike, there is a current firmware update to enable the multi-shift feature; which means you can simultaneously change 2 or 3 gears at a time or even from one end of the cluster to another with the simple hold of the up or down shift button. You can adjust the speed of the 'multi-shift' from a slow speed to a faster speed shift for all your race winning gear changes. You can also alter the configuration of what buttons shift what gears. If you have a Di2 bike and wish to have the firmware checked for an update, or alter the configuration of the shifting buttons,  or enable the multi shift feature, simply bring your bike to M1Cycles and have it checked out by the most trained and up too speed Di2 technicians in CQ.

As our old friend Wade Morgan would say, "Come Out."

The Noosa Cycle 2013

Seen the pics? Here's the results...  And read the wrap here....

Add caption

The Fight for Pink

...it cometh. Check out the Official Promo here...

The Australian Marathon Championships 2013 - Atherton, Qld

The Atherton Marathon course was held in an up and coming mountain bike region, home to a wealth of mountain bike trails, on the Atherton Tablelands. With 18km of singletrack, including the freshly completed 'Trail Six', a fast flowing World Trail creation sure had riders smiling. Also 21km of fire trail includes a 15km stretch around the back of the mountain bike park area, through the iconic rainforest of 'the Tablelands. A withering 1100 metres of climbing per lap of the course was surely going to challenge riders, even with rainforest scenery and flowing singletrack. A true marathon mountain bike experience.
Ray Rhodes put in a good showing at a tough race which saw nearly half the field DNF. With 3 laps to complete and lap times of around 2hrs plus you can get an idea of just how tough it was out there on the day.  Ray lapped his first lap at 2:34:48, but unfortunately succumbed to the 'marathon' task and recorded a DNF. A great effort even with unfinished business. Love to hear your stories Ray....
Full results can be found here.
7th place Imogen Smith has written an article about it here.
1st Place Jenni King's report is here.
Pics here from Peter Roy. And Russel Baker here.

The Hard Men of Spring

Images

Is that a 150mm stem Mr van Summeren? via BikeRadar

A race as hard as the cobbles they ride on - Arenberg Forest via Cyclingtips

Fabian wins, Tom loses. -via VeloNews

Names like Roubaix, Arenberg, Vlaanderen echo through the annals of history, and conjure images of hardship, sacrifice and pain; and yet, victory, relief and glorification. These are the Spring Classics.

via CyclingWeekly.co.uk

Heinrich Haussler

Videos

Rapha's are here and here | Castelli's here | The Pinch | Team BMC | Schutte!

Bikes. 

	Trek Domane via BikeRadar		Bianchi Infinito via BicycleRetailer
	Cervelo R3		Focus Izalco via Road.cc