Thought i'd do a roundup of whats good and bad from 2013. I did it
last year, so its time for a new list. So, whats the WORST and BEST stuff of 2013 according to this blog - well lets take a look:
Newsflash for the conformists; Rockshox suspension is better than FOX suspension. While FOX has seen little or minor evolution, or even devolution (the CTD system or removal of the RC2 cartridge anyone?), Rockshox has been evolving. Take Rockshox 7-8 years ago, and have a look at them now, what a difference! Pretty much every single product has been redesigned, and vastly improved upon, and there is no sign of slowing down.
Every single person I know that has been in touch with newer FOX and Rockshox suspension agrees that the latter is superior. And while that certainly isn't empirical data, I believe it really does represent the general opinion.
Fox has become the choice of old conservative grumpy men on 29'er bikes, that value discussions about rolling resistance on their Schwalbe tires. (did I hit a nerve? take it easy, I kid)
POC
This Swedish brand just refuses to do it wrong. Above and beyond the competition, ive gone from one product to another, and am now counting my 7th POC product. POC is improving, evolving, thinking outside the box, and using exotic materials, all this put it on my list. Keep it up POC, and acknowledge neck braces FFS.
Post ride Beer
To wrap up a ride with a post-ride beer is still something that's stigmatized in the country I live in. But I salute it! And so does more and more of my riding buddies. its refreshing, makes people smile, and there is some solidarity about it.
Im passionate about Trappist Beer, but I have to admit that a simple Pilsner does the job best after a good ride.
Honorable Mention:
The Tree-Gap. Its big, its fun, you earn your balls, and you are guaranteed to smile the rest of that day.
Cheers!
The Worst (in random order):
Brocken-Attack Syndrome
Brocken is the tallest mountain in the Harz area in central Germany.
Brocken-attack is a zealous-tradition among XC riders that come from far-away, to challenge them self on a paved road to the top. Its cardio-challenging for sure....but is it more than that? And why do people do this year after year, the same 30 minute climb, every single year. Why are people so passionate about repeating habits? Is it a reflection of how they live their personal life? Is it all rinse and repeat? Eating at the same time everyday, drinking the same cofee, watching the same stuff on tv, going to bed at the same time, fucking at wednesdays and saluting the neighbour with a shallow smile, because thats what they use to do... And then driving to the Harz mountains for 6 hours straight and doing the SAME climb over and over again.
This is the Brocken-Attack Syndrome.
The pinnacle of a comfort zone.
Are you busy living life? Or are you busy dying it?
Snow.... until April!
What the fuck was that about? We had a great plan to visit a few German bikeparks, and we decided to do this in April - because by then, all snow would be gone. But it wasn't! The winter of 2013 had a strong grip on central Europe, and resulted in several canceled roadtrips. Wah!
Trail design
Copy & and paste from last year:
I don't know where you ride, perhaps you are lucky, and have some sweet trails to ride, designed by some passionate mountain bikers. I'm afraid that I'm not in such situation. I continue to see poor use of terrain, features that are badly executed, a lack of continuity, and overall ill design. The quality of the official trails in the country I live in, is mind bugling poor, and there are no excuses for it to be this way. A thick fog of conservatism has corrupted the official trail building scene, and pretty much nobody does anything about it - because nobody really questions it. This picture wraps it up nicely:
