Ride reports.
As lined out here in a previous post, HIP/VIP is a time when a group of us off the MTBR board get together for some great riding in the Asheville, NC and Pisgah National Forest area. This is the mecca of east coast mountain biking with more epic trails to ride than you can handle. This year we went with Bent Creek, Laurel Mountain/Pilot Rock, Black Mountain and Dupont State Forest.
What is HIP? An excuse for a bunch of riders with the same interest (Turner Bikes) that get together to ride some killer North Carolina single track. Most own Turners, some are former Turner owners and some are just along for the ride, but it originates on the Turner board of MTBR.com.
This place has gravity. Instinctually athletes are drawn to this mountain bike battlefield. Core riders from around the country assault Snowshoe all summer; attacking features and slaying rock drops. They bombard our famous trail system, mount the lift and shoot it again. While riding here you’ll experience its magnitude, and find an explosion of riders…killing it…daily.
Yesterday, I got in a much needed day at the trail. My Saturday was filled up with a memorial service and a company party, both of which, I was not looking forward to. I woke up on Sunday morning with the sun and low 70 degree temperatures starring at me in the face. It was going to be a great day.
Mark Reynolds passed away while competing in the Downhill event at Sea Otter. Our great friends at Evomo have been organizing a Memorial fund raiser and many companies have stepped up to offer product donations for this event. Read more about it below:
For our annual HIP/VIP (Homers in Pisgah/Ventanaphiles in Pisgah) ride this year, there is a raffle to benefit the SORBA Pisgah chapter. The ride takes place May 16-18 and for more info and attendees check MTBR.com.
I’ll admit it…after taking a look at Chocolate Girl’s (mama) blog…I am extremely jealous. A few of our local riding friends took another trip to the Moab riding scene and came back with their best pictures to date. Not only does she take incredible pictures, but a great story goes along with them.
One of the great things about this blog is that I get to cover industry news, parts and personal experiences. When it comes down to it, my greatest joy is getting out on the trail, and now I get to share it with the woman that I am going to spend my life with. Things couldn’t be any better.
In my attempt to populate the world with more mountain bikers, I thought I would start at home! Most of you have probably already seen the thread on Johnny’s girlfriend aka. my future wife’s new bike. Yesterday we got the change to get it dirty for the first time at Blankets Creek in Woodstock, GA. Blankets Creek is probably the best beginner trail that I am aware of.
After our afternoon at Windrock, Jeff is now sending Tweety and I killer downhill videos off of youtube.com to keep the stoke going. Thanks man!
Check out this one from the Snowshoe DH Race…