Thought I'd do a roundup of whats good and bad from 2015. I did it
last year, and the
year before it, so its time for a new list. So, whats the WORST and BEST stuff of 2015 according to this blog - well lets take a look:
When I meet and talk to other mountainbikers, I for some odd reason verbally underplay my YT Capra. But I really shouldn't. Because this bike has surprised me in a very positive way. Its fast, responsive, fun to ride, and climbs outstandingly good. I wish the setup was slightly different, as I mentioned in my
review, but otherwise, YT nailed it.
Hafjell Bikepark and Drammen Bikepark in Norway
We kinda knew that Hafjell bikepark would be good, it is after all known as the "European Whistler". Its big, fun, and well designed.
But we didn't just vist Hafjell bikepark tho'.
Drammen bikepark is just outside Oslo, Norway, and we had the opportunity to ride there a single day. Now Drammen is a bit unusual bikepark. Many of the lines are very natural, and have a very raw feel to them. Its not really a difficult park to ride, nor is it particular big. Jan and Drea where not particular excited about this place (admittedly being blinded by Hafjell Bikepark - and injured). I on the other hand liked it alot. Its raw nature was something different, and some sections where crazy steep and technical - I love that. There was lots of tables and berms as well - and who doesn't like that? These two parks are some of my highlights of 2015.
The hardest and toughest collection of tracks ever, chainless wins, and more than a few surprises. The 2015 DH Worldcup season has been absolutely awesome. I really enjoy sitting down, popping a beer, grabbing some snacks, and watch the entire race unfold.. while listening to Warner and Claudio's commentary. Moooaar!!
(who else than Danny)
Progression despite age
I'm not 18 anymore. In fact, I've reached an age where mental and physical degradation usually sets in. Regressions creeps in. At this age laziness is corrupting your every action, you get scared of everything, get conservative with cash, think new music sounds stupid, go to sleep at 22.30, take hangovers into consideration, and you fuck with the lights turned of, every second Wednesday...at best.
NOT THIS TEAM! *Duuut Duuut!!* We still go bigger, faster, and longer. And that's not something that should be taken for granted, at all. Progression feeds progression. Standing still kills.
(this is me a few years ago, catching up with the young kids and their mobile eiPhones, and facesBooks, and their MySpaces and they are all showing too much skin if you ask me. Everything was better when it was made out of wood.)
Honorable Mention:
Stepping up build wise: I cant wait to show you guys what we have been up to the last 9 months.
Worst (in random order):
The 27,5" Hype Train
Its not that there is anything mechanically wrong with the 27,5" standard. It is however vastly over-hyped. Putting my 26" wheels up against my 27,5" tells my that there is very little difference. Ask the industry, or some of the bullshit cycling journalist, then you really cant live without this new wheelsize. Ughhhh.... yuck.
Injury
Ugh...what a fucking waste of time.
Trail design
Copy & 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:
