US Open of MTB 2009

This past weekend was the 2009 US Open of MTB @ Diablo Freeride Park. I was a blast! The top racers in the world cup series were there to win....and Iron Maiden and I were there to watch.

I got to meet Monster/Specialized Mechanic, Jacey.

Saw one of my Favorite photographers, Sven Martin

Iron Maiden was truly hard core this weekend

She Tried Down Hill. Not only did she try it for the first time. She was the 1st woman on the East Coast to ride the Prototype Turner DHR w/ DW Link. She got so lucky b/c Dave Weagle was under our umbrella walking back to the pits in the rain after the giant slalom finals and convinced her to try out his new bike.

She loved Down Hill...All the trills and the spills

Aww!

She still loves Down Hill even with her "Sprained" wrist...
She's in alot of pain and is getting a second opinion b/c the first doctor was a fucking jack ass!

The Iron Sheik was on hand to view the bicycle spectacle

Pro Podium
1. Sam Hill 2. Gee Atherton 3. Brendan Fairclough

On Memorial Day Crazy Steve had a "Monster" Picnic @ his house.
It was pretty rad being in the presence of 2 of the world's fastest Down Hill racers.
It was sensory overload eating at the same table as Sam Hill and his mechanic, Jacey.

Once the bikes started getting worked on was the best part for me.

This is Brendan's bike. both bikes are totally titzed out! Complete with Sram black box world cup boxxer fork, 1.5" headtube, 150mm rear spacing(production demo 8s are 135mm), lower BB w/ secret geometry, custom laser etched suspension hardware and anodized green, and prototype specialized tires

I wish my Demo 8 was this cool!

Down to the Wire

They finally made it to the shop. Designed in December. Delivered in May.

Capo this Ass

Come check out the new kit in action as the Brandywine Cyclery "Off The Chain" Team leads out/paces the runners of the Delaware Marathon on Sunday!

Photos don't lie...I need a Hair cut!

Massanutten YeeHa 2009

This past weekend was my first race of the Gravity East Series , the Massanutten YeeHa 2009.
So this season I knew that there would be alot of Specialized Demo 8s around the pits b/c Sam Hill is riding one and all the guys I race with all got sponsored by Specialized.
Here a pic of just a few Demo 8s

This is the year of the Demo 8
There must have been about 10 blue Demo 8s in our pit area

Talotta's mini gear and chain guide!
This topic of conversation provided many laughs for Crazy Steve and I
25t chain ring for DH application?

Talotta and Crazy Steve

The bike wash line was too long so we made use of our soundings and used a creek to wash our bikes

a clean demo 8

A Redneck Virginia Pressure Wash

About 3 weeks ago Iron Maiden took a Vacation in Va. and went to the Shenandoah vineyard. She brought some wine back, Rebel Red, that we liked soo much I had to stop and pick up a few bottles on my way home.

The weekend was great.
Hanging out with my DH buddies, riding bikes, not crashing, having lots of laughs, and having a good result for my first race, 11th in Cat 2.

I think I will have a great season this year!

Mud

Saturday I marshaled @ the tunnel for The Granogue MTB race

The triple XXX Danger sign was no joke. Once the rain started it was a slipery slope to a creek crossing with a group of rocks that were waiting to send you over your bars.

Aaron House and his Father drove down from New England to race Granogue.
Tom sent Aaron Jeb's old frame and fork. The Frame and Fork were shrink wrapped and then spray foamed into a box. Looks like he got them out.

Somewhere in this picture is a XTR front Derailleur and crank set

Wes about to bring the pain. Dude's looking back scared,
I know I would too...Wes feels no pain!!!