4WhatMatters

Kids and bikes = NO BRAINER!

Two thumbs up, Rock and Roll!

This guy embodies the spirit and freedom of someone who can get up an ride a bike!

'm part of a team helping build bikes for 100 underprivileged kids on the North Shore. We are raising money to fund the bikes, helmets, etc. that we are going to give these kids. For all of you who once got their first bike, look back and remember the freedom it gave you as you could ride off and, if even for a short moment, escape everything around you. It's this sense of freedom that we're trying to provide for these many young kids who've known nothing but hardship for most of their life.

In November we're going to get together, the kids are going to show up, and we're going to build the bikes right in front of the kids for them. I truly is going to be an amazing experience. However, to make this happen I need your help. If you could please click on the link and then on the "DONATE" button on the right hand side I'd be very grateful. If you feel the need to forward this on to your bike friends as well I'd really appreciate it.

To Epic or To Enduro? That is the question!

For years I've been riding my Specialized Epic.  Hands down it has been the best bike on the planet for the type of riding that I do.  For XC racing and for Adventure Racing you just can't  beat the durability, the weight, the brain on this bike.  My Epics have done great things for me and I'll be forever grateful for the relationship I have had with Specialized over the past 7 years.

Last year I was lucky to move to the North Shore and begin riding for Polartec Team John Henry Bikes powered by ethical bean.  After literally destroying my Epic on the North Shore trails I felt it was time to get something a little more beefy to both ease my arms and my arse.  So instead of updating my Epic this year I decided to get my hands on a Specialized Enduro.

Now I have not abandoned the Epic, rather I've loaded it up into the ultimate XC race bike.  However, the Enduro gives me the opportunity to still ride up the mountain but have a lot more fun coming down.  This was demonstrated in full effect last night.  While riding with Megan and her friends who all had their sub-25lb XC bikes I brought out the Enduro as the Epic was in the shop.

The Enduro faired quite admirably on the uphills, though I had to use granny gear instead of the middle ring (actually big, since there is no big ring).  This had my cadence going a lot faster than normal in order to keep the pace.  However, the most difficult thing to overcome are the ridiculously large handlebars.

My Epic's handlebars are 22" across.  These ones are 29".  My hands are SEVEN inches further apart on the Enduro.  What does this mean?  It means that every slight movement by my arms makes the bike turn left and right, not good when riding through baby heads up a hill.  It means that in tight spots I nail the handlebars and my hands.  It means that control while moving slowly just isn't there and I'm not a efficient.

That all being said, I was still able to keep up with the rest of the group.  Thank you fitness.  Now the benefits of a bike with this much suspension are a ridiculously smooth ride down the mountain.  I was riding stuff down the mountain so freely and calmly it really scared me.  As I caught some of the group and slowed down then the handlebars issue came back to haunt me, but when I was flowing at a good speed, it sure felt smooth.

So the question now becomes on my next ride up the mountain, To Epic or To Enduro?

Gratitude time! Dr. John Eaton, Peter Wahlen, Willie Cr

Being a high-level athlete isn’t all champagne and victory parties. There is a lot of hard work done by the athlete and also by the team supporting the athlete. My team has really stepped it up in the past few weeks helping me keep my body in tip-top shape and by keeping my gear running smooth.

The complete post can be found here.