Interviews: Arthur Gaillot and Dylan Wolsky
Digging in to the 2012 Enduro Season
Words by Seb Kemp. Photos by Sterling Lorence and Amy McDermid.
Date: 2012-01-25
For the week of January 24 to 27, NSMB will be bringing you exclusive content about Enduro racing. There are more of these races popping up each year fed by enthusiastic organizers and keen competitors who want value for their money – Enduros generally mean a lot more time on your bike than downhill or even cross-country races – and a bit of biking fun. So what next?
Arthur Gaillot and Dylan Wolsky are two BC racers who have their sights set on the international Enduro circuit for 2012. We caught up with Arthur and Dylan to find out what gets them stoked on Enduro, what makes it different from other disciplines, and how it affects the rest of mountain biking.
Arthur Gaillot
Arthur Gaillot is North Vancouver’s great white hope for Enduro racing. A highly skilled rider with some long levers makes him a threat for some serious Enduro races this year. He has been training and focusing on particular events this year after having a few years exploring what is out there and where his potential lies.
NSMB: What is Enduro racing?
AG: I’d say being timed to ride little bikes on rough terrain, mostly pointed down but also up and across.
Enduro seems like a broad term that is used to describe many forms of racing. Is this because it is getting to know itself or that variety is the spice of life?
I’m assuming you're thinking Super D, Enduro DH, etc... I believe there are mostly two different takes on the concept: Super D originating in North America, Enduro with its roots in Europe. I would say that Super D has a focus towards fitness and smoother courses, where a shorter travel and light trail bike does best – think great climbing bike that can still descend. XC guys with good skill are head of the pack, with a few exceptions. I see Enduro as more focused on skill with rougher courses. Best bike? Think one that is excellent on the downs, while still being able to climb.
This sums it up for me: I ended up with Karim Amour (Euro Enduro top dog, ex four cross killer, and generally highly-titled mountain bike racer) on the lift up to Garbonzo last year at the Crankworx Enduro. In a chat about the race format, he mentioned early on how this was the first time he had ever ridden his (barely) six inch bike without a full-face helmet and full pad set! Goes to show what the Euro courses are like...
These days, it seems like Enduro in North America is associated with a type of race format. Basically, multiple timed stages over the course of maybe one or more days, with same equipment constraints (tires, wheels, suspension): Crankworx Enduro, Trestle Park Enduro, or even within an existing race, like the timed Enduro stages within BC Bike Race.
The UCI have clearly asserted that they plan to work with existing Enduro race organizers in the hope that a World Series of World Championship can arise. This question is two fold: What are the benefits to elite Enduro racers having a World Series? And what does this mean to the average rider who takes part in these races?
In my mind, legitimizing this type of racing will overall benefit all riders and the industry as a whole. A legitimate series with UCI points will bring more funds into the discipline, and enable racers in North America to justify focusing on Enduro type events. Currently in North America, sponsors require athletes to race their main discipline (XC or DH) first and foremost, with Enduro/Super D style events as secondary exposure only. Only a very select few are able to have Enduro racing as a career on this side of the ocean. A world points series will mean working up to a regular schedule of North American Enduro events benefiting all riders, paid or not: more selection, more course variety, hopefully varied formats as well. Any growth of this proportion will be further reflected in development and product offerings from components and frame manufacturers. We are seeing it already: light, mid travel bikes with aggressive geometries, double ring chainguides, adjustable height seatposts, light and stiff mid travel suspension forks with excellent damping characteristics, EXO casing on Maxxis tires, or more aggressive tread on XC tires, and the list goes on...
My one area of concern with Enduro becoming a UCI discipline is regarding equipment and format constraints. I like the idea of all-mountain racing as a whole, with different formats (stage race, staggered or mass start, single or multi-day, etc.) adding flavour and variety to a season of racing. Hopefully the classification of “Enduro” will be given some flexibility format-wise in the rules established by the UCI, or whoever the governing body may become. This applies to equipment as well. Show up to Ashland for the annual Mountain Challenge for example, and you’ll see everything from 6”+ bikes with coil suspension and meatier tread, to XC 29” wheeled-hardtails with belt drives. Riders on heavier bikes need to make up time on the downs and riders on lighter bikes will blow their heart out on the ups and flats. This gives everyone a different strategy and allows the race to appeal to riders of all backgrounds. If all of a sudden you start limiting weight, travel, wheel size, and so on, you’re greatly reducing the target market and general appeal of the format.
What does Enduro racing mean to the average rider? What relevance has Enduro racing got with everyday riding?
My top three reasons why Enduro racing has the broadest appeal of any mountain bike discipline today:
- Best-suited bike is probably the bike you’d want to own and ride most of the time. No more ‘race bike’, ‘training bike’, just one bike that’s fun to ride pretty much no matter what.
- Skill and fitness are both important. Most riders have a combination of each, in different proportions. Everyone will have his or her time to shine, and experience a gratifying race moment at some point.
- It’s the way most of us ride anyway for fun, so you might as well be racing!
Do you think Enduro racing has the potential to help push mountain biking to a more mainstream audience?
Hard to say. Mainstream likes spectacles. Downhill is more spectacular than Enduro and perhaps more media friendly as well. The bikes that Enduro racing is breeding will definitely appeal to more people, but most of which are already mountain bikers, or at least cyclists. Enduro athletes might be more approachable to the public, or at least easier to relate to, as they seem to strike a happy medium between your typical cross-country athlete and your typical downhiller. In the end however, I see Enduro more so as being a way to bring cyclists together, rather than a way of introducing new people to the sport.
What are the top Enduro events?
They all have their own flavour. I would have had to race them all to answer your question. Thinking of MegAvalanche definitely makes my heart race: Top of a glacier mass start, 500 plus riders, 1000 plus sets of elbows to take you out, and some very driven Euros that will do pretty much anything to get ahead (did I mention they have sharp teeth?).
Ashland Mountain Challenge is a whole different atmosphere. Staggered start, smooth course, yet challenging in its own way: hucking twenty foot water bars with your saddle at full extension while spinning out your big wheels and your big ring! Stand at the start line, amidst tanned Californian racers most right off the cover of Men’s Health magazine, calves the size of my quads, bikes as if put together for a Decline showcase, immaculate decal placement clearly mandatory!
To answer your question, I’ll let you know 2012 favourites after this season once Dylan Wolsky, Chris Johnston and I get more of these under our belts. Ashland, Downieville, Crankworx Enduro, Trestle Park, Mountain of Hell, and MegAvalanche are all on the program.
Can you envision a time when Enduro racing eclipses all other forms of racing?
I hope not. What’s most fun for me does not need to be fun for everyone. Some aspire to extremely high levels of fitness and find their voice in cross-country racing, road, 24 hour races, you name it. Others identify riding with all-out speed, short intense efforts, and a dominating need for skill and guts, and find their fix in downhilling. I could see one day Enduro becoming the most popular discipline in off-road cycling, as in having the highest number of participants, but hopefully never to the point of extinguishing other formats.
Arthur slays whatever surface you put him on. Photo ~ Sterling Lorence
Dylan Wolsky
Who on earth is Dylan Wolsky? Well, if you live in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor then you will likely know his name but for those further afield then he might be less well-known. So let me enlighten you. Dylan is Aussie, but don't hold it against him. He is a nice chap, but don't hold that against him. He is fast up and down hill, but don't hold it against him. What you should hold against him is a nice warm jacket when you are out in the alpine as a storm is coming in. Dylan is that guy...
Dylan won the 4Queens in 2010 and since then has been training for when the time to defend comes around. He coaches kids mountain biking in the summer, shovels snow in the winter, and is going to be hitting up the international Enduro race scene this year.
NSMB: Enduro seems like a broad term that is used to describe many forms of racing. Is this because it is getting to know itself or that variety is the spice of life?
DW: I think Enduro has been used as a broad term to classify a collective style of racing and riding in the past. Now that these styles of racing are becoming more popular they have been categorised more specific and are now becoming more individualized in their format. I think Super D in the past has been over shadowed with the Enduro term which left people scratching their heads on what the differences were between the two.
The UCI have clearly asserted that they plan to work with existing Enduro race organizers in the hope that a World Series of World Championship can arise. This question is two fold: What are the benefits to elite Enduro racers having a World Series? And what does this mean to the average rider who takes part in these races?
The Benefits to elite Enduro racers having a world series would be exposure on a world stage, and the riders would be able to represent their respected countries. It would bring Enduro racing into the spotlight alongside World Cup DH and XC events. It means to the average rider that they can be racing right next to the world's best riders and have the oppurtunity to race the same tracks or even rub shoulders with them in races like the mega. They can also compare their times over stages with elite riders which makes it exciting and gets everyone involved.
Photo ~ Amy McDermid
What does Enduro racing mean to the average rider? What relevance has Enduro racing got with everyday riding?
It means for the average rider they can get involved with their friends and enjoy the fun of racing throughout the stages and spinning stories about their crazy runs, crashes, and so on riding between transitions, and share the stoke! Enduro racing shows a lot of relevance to everyday riding, its just the same as going out with a group of friends on a trail ride. You ride to the top of the climb then you bomb down the descent then laugh and chat on the next climb about it. These same bikes people use for everyday riding are usually perfect for Enduro racing aswell making an easy transistion into competitive Enduro racing without the hassle of buying specific bikes.
Do you think Enduro racing has the potential to help push mountain biking to a more mainstream audience?
For sure. You have taken XC and DH, blended it together, and have made this exciting new format. I still think it will take time to make it mainstream, but I do believe you can captivate and involve the broader mountain bike community from weekend warriors to your average casual trail riders. The majority of people that ride casually own trail bikes and if they could see people pushing that same bike to its limits in enduro racing I think this will intrigue people to get involved to either race or get out and ride more. Enduro is bringing mountain biking back to its roots.
What are the top Enduro events?
- Downieville
- Crankworx
- Megavalanche
- Ashland
- Trans-Provence
- Enduro of Nations
Can you envision a time when Enduro racing eclipses all other forms of racing?
I believe so – it's spreading like wildfire and it will be interesting to see where it heads in 2012. A good example of this was when I was back in Australia last November and I turned up to a Sydney MTB club's first Super D race. That race attracted more riders than any of their past club DH or XC races to date, and I believe it will be the first of many after that race. It just appeals to more people and the DH & XC racers all want to be a part of it as the Enduro format dabbles in both disciplines. Many riders are making the cross over.
Photo ~ Amy McDermid
Arthur and Dylan have a very positive approach going in to the 2012 Enduro season. We plan to keep up with them over the course of the season and continue to discuss the finer points of Enduro racing. Have any words for Gaillot and Wolsky? Let it be known below...
To see all the Enduro Week articles, click HERE.
Comments
Add your comments here! Note that all posts as guests will be put into a moderation queue.
Solid contender.
+1 Oregon Enduro Series
Same faces same stories, is this the Digger, Gaillot blog or what? change your tune, your worse than the local radio stations that play the same music all the time.
There are lots of rippers and builders in this town, but you like to keep your buddies in the limelight.
I bet you dont even put up the last coment, as this wont be seen as positve.
You only put up stuff that pats you on the back I bet.
Great journalism boys
And who would you suggest NSMB write about? There's enough widespread focus on world cup athletes,renowned freeriders (Matt Hunter, Brandon Semenuk) on various other websites. After all this is a North Shore based media outlet, it makes sense to focus on the residents of the North Shore.
Everyone is intitle to their opinions...
I disagree with the above comments 100%, I find that NSMB does a great job of covering what is what at the right time.
Enduro is being discussed right now on all web forums due to other press releases etc ...seems only right to discuss the topic with a Vancouver local guru at this point in time .
Carry on NSMB and Good luck Arthur and Dylan !
Great Article, enjoyed the perspectives shared here.
As for the guest who posted the negative comments, We ride and build for our own enjoyment not for recognition from others.
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611627)
Same faces same stories, is this the Digger, Gaillot blog or what? change your tune, your worse than the local radio stations that play the same music all the time.
There are lots of rippers and builders in this town, but you like to keep your buddies in the limelight. |
Thanks! I can always use a little comedy in my morning!
What I am about to say is not e-sarc.
I would genuinely like to interview the guest with the opinion. If you are listening "guest" please come forward so we can chat.
I'm assuming your email is not guest@guest.com so perhaps you can come forward.
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611629)
I bet you dont even put up the last coment, as this wont be seen as positve.
You only put up stuff that pats you on the back I bet. Great journalism boys |
Have you actually visited the internet? Aside from nsmb that is? I'd love to hear who you think outdoes us in that dept. in the mountain biking world so we have something to aim for! We're certainly not perfect but we are getting better all the time.
Anyway - please fire that list of journalistic gems up for us so we can get schooled.
And we only put up stuff that 'pats us on the back'? You have a future in comedy. Or maybe this is your first visit here? You haven't been paying attention if it's not your first. Maybe you should register since you have such bold and courageous comments. It seems like you have lots of advice to add!
Thanks again for cheering me up!
There are lots of local athlete's, Lawernuk, Gully, Fulton, Smith, Tenant, Forbes, Catherine Short, Holly Feniak all great riders and ambassadors for the sport and lower mainland. What are they doing on their down time, how are they looking for the season ahead, what are their plans for 2012.
NSMB have to change their tune, just like the local stations same play list gets very boring, that's why in general people go to PinkBike, Vital for a greater picture in the biking industry and not just what NSMB have said.
I have nothing against Arthur, I have raced and ridden with him for years, I just know that there is more people evolved and not just the same faces that you like to promote.
Biased to certain folks, or your friends. Fact
I would be so stoked to read an interview with "Guest". Until then, this article was awesome. Arthur and Dylan are both amazing athletes and personalities. Thanks guys, for a great read!
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611688)
There are lots of local athlete's, Lawernuk, Gully, Fulton, Smith, Tenant, Forbes, Catherine Short, Holly Feniak all great riders and ambassadors for the sport and lower mainland. What are they doing on their down time, how are they looking for the season ahead, what are their plans for 2012.
NSMB have to change their tune, just like the local stations same play list gets very boring, that's why in general people go to PinkBike, Vital for a greater picture in the biking industry and not just what NSMB have said. I have nothing against Arthur, I have raced and ridden with him for years, I just know that there is more people evolved and not just the same faces that you like to promote. Biased to certain folks, or your friends. Fact |
I do kinda agree that we see some of the same names over and over again...but this isn't really the right spot to do a call out on that topic.
The guy is making some sense I think.
I dont use NSMB for anything other than local scene stuff now, they are lagging behind in substance and credibility.
Cam is going to have to increase his buddy circle now.
LoL who actually uses that too, I though it was reserved for teens that text on Daddy's phone.
I think covering the core people responsible for the shore is important. History is being made, and these guys are still around to talk about it. Keep up the core coverage.
I love how someone can come to NSMB, read an article (or maybe not even), and cry about the content! Then to suggest that they have a valid point because they have ridden with the guy in the article for years? Did they really ? NSMB, Vital, and PB are all daily reads for me and the last thing that i would like is if they all had the same content as each other. If we used the "radio station" analogy it's like calling the up the local rock station and asking why they don't play rap? OK so lets throw out a bunch of riders names who arent on nsmbs enduro article...cmon...you are redic! Iv'e never even posted on NSMB before today but i'm a North Van local, who works in the bike industry, i'm not friends with these guys but I think they should keep on doing exactly what they do because if their music changes i'm not going to tune in every day. I learned from this article ! I think these enduro guys rock and having ambassadors to enduro racing living in my back yard makes me want to get out and ride my bike all day.
What's all this arguing about? This is supposed to be comments on Enduro! Back to topic.
Great interview with Sven and Anka. Enduro is the best thing that's happenened to MTB racing in years. I love DH Racing, but Enduro is a format that's fun for everyone - what more could could we ask for?
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611688)
There are lots of local athlete's, Lawernuk, Gully, Fulton, Smith, Tenant, Forbes, Catherine Short, Holly Feniak all great riders and ambassadors for the sport and lower mainland. What are they doing on their down time, how are they looking for the season ahead, what are their plans for 2012.
NSMB have to change their tune, just like the local stations same play list gets very boring, that's why in general people go to PinkBike, Vital for a greater picture in the biking industry and not just what NSMB have said. I have nothing against Arthur, I have raced and ridden with him for years, I just know that there is more people evolved and not just the same faces that you like to promote. Biased to certain folks, or your friends. Fact |
The point of Enduro Week is a week of articles about Enduro racing and Enduro riders. Not local riders who may have some neat plans for 2012. It is a refreshing change to see focus going towards one emerging aspect of riding.
And Cam gets his fair share of abuse as an all too visible face at the helm of NMSB.
I look forward to the Seb interview with Guest.
Funny how my last comment cant make the board, but this one might? but Cam can decide what gets to the board and what cant.
The last comment should not have been up there (olDirty), but as he is one if Cams buddies, the circle of friends then get it up there to back Cam up.
Censorship at its highest level, not something you would associate with a Canadian company, disgusting.
Lol the comments. Its enduro week FFS. I'm not from Whistler, the Valley or the Shore or even from Canada. BUt NSMB is one of the few sites with good relevant articles and real journalism not easily found on the web especially on MTB websites. I like the fact that they are growing their wings and not just keeping it local. Sorry Shore boys you have to let NSMB grow up and spread their wings. Its inevitable.
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611778)
Funny how my last comment cant make the board, but this one might? but Cam can decide what gets to the board and what cant.
The last comment should not have been up there (olDirty), but as he is one if Cams buddies, the circle of friends then get it up there to back Cam up. Censorship at its highest level, not something you would associate with a Canadian company, disgusting. |
We work hard to bring our readers interesting, quality original content on a daily basis – and will continue to do so despite the criticism.
seems like "guest" posting lately is on the rise.
i find it annoying. at least have the balls to register, give your opinion some context.
I know that NSMB are no Pinkbike, but Cam I am sure does his best with what resources he has.
Maybe you need to listen to your followers though.
This is the most commented thing I have seem on NSMB for sometime, be it registered on unregistered views.
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611778)
Funny how my last comment cant make the board, but this one might? but Cam can decide what gets to the board and what cant.
The last comment should not have been up there (olDirty), but as he is one if Cams buddies, the circle of friends then get it up there to back Cam up. Censorship at its highest level, not something you would associate with a Canadian company, disgusting. |
We don't practice censorship but we do have a terms of use statement. Is that disgusting? When something violates that it may get deleted but that happens very rarely. Otherwise we approve posts. The last time something wasn't approved on my watch was weeks ago. I'm not sure why you would call us out again for this since we've already posted each of your charming missives.
I have no idea who Ol Dirty is.
What you may not realize is that we can tell which articles get the best response from our viewers by looking at our statistics. Content that is related to the Shore is very high on that list. It's also some of the content that gets the best response from our readers in terms of discussion here and elsewhere. We aren't looking to be a general, all-purpose web site but there are things of interest all over the world, and sometimes those catch our eye as well. Enduro is certainly becoming a global phenomenon and something that Europe has been leading. That seems to me to be something that isn't only Shore-focussed and yet it makes sense to bring a local perspective to it. You may not have noticed that Seb also interviewed Sven Martin and his wife Anka who are about as international as you can get. I'm pretty sure they aren't the same faces you speak of.
Vital and Pinkbike are doing a great job being Vital and Pinkbike. Why would we try and do what they do when they are doing a good job doing what they do? It sounds like you can find the stuff you are looking for elsewhere so why would you want to see that here as well? Weren't you complaining about radio stations playing the same thing? So why would we copy another station's playlist?
I love getting feedback, particularly when it is coherent, sensible, useful and based on some sort of clear perspective of what we do. Listening to those voices is one of the best ways to grow and improve which is what we are constantly striving for. If you have anything to say that has some factual relationship to what we are doing here I'd love to hear it. So far nothing you have said meets that standard.
What I am still honestly puzzled about is the source of your bitterness? You may not even know what is making you so sour, but it seems to be out of line with the content of your argument. Hopefully you'll have a better day tomorrow!
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Originally Posted by Model Citizen
(Post 2611798)
I know that NSMB are no Pinkbike, but Cam I am sure does his best with what resources he has.
Maybe you need to listen to your followers though. This is the most commented thing I have seem on NSMB for sometime, be it registered on unregistered views. |
Good article, and the local focus on an emerging side of the sport is great - a side accessible to almost any rider. I'm interested to see if Enduro makes it. Some decent video race coverage would be amazing - although probably damned expensive to produce compared to a much smaller track for DH... A Between The Tape movie or Drop In mini series might give it a good awareness boost.
More please.
That "guest" is the only one here sounding like the radio stations that play the same old music, this is good content.
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611778)
Funny how my last comment cant make the board, but this one might? but Cam can decide what gets to the board and what cant.
The last comment should not have been up there (olDirty), but as he is one if Cams buddies, the circle of friends then get it up there to back Cam up. Censorship at its highest level, not something you would associate with a Canadian company, disgusting. |
Back on topic, this Enduro thing hasn't been on my Radar for long but I'm loving it. Just the kind of thing I'd be into if I got back into racing. I'd love to see a triple crown enduro on the shore! Also, this Arthur guy sounds awesome and I
Hey is it January?
I get very grumpy in january... my post count goes down substantially... but I dig the Enduro concept.
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Originally Posted by GladePlayboy
(Post 2611827)
I get very grumpy in january... my post count goes down substantially... but I dig the Enduro concept.
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Arthur and Wolsky are two stand up guys! They have some amazing plans for 2012.
Best of luck guys!
Dan
Please will "Guest" come forward.
I really do want to interview you. Maybe we can mind jam about stuff that you think is relevant and pertinent or we can discuss whatever pops up along the way. Obviously we won't talk about Enduro seeing as you either don't want to talk about it or you have a blank spot for it (you did read the intro to the article that you flamed on right? Surely, the intro gave you some hint that this was about Enduro riders).
I'm serious, please come forward
sebkemp@hotmail.com
You can remain anonymous if you really feel you need to. The interview would still work.
I apologize if this sounds snarky. I'm genuinely not trying to be but I see that it is very hard not to appear so when commenting on the internet. I really do think we should sit down and hammer out some premium content. I don't usually right on comments or do forum stuff but you have really inspired me.
Again, what I am about to say is going to sound snarky but I genuinely am not trying to be. Seriously, NSMB needs more people like you "Guest". Mountain biking needs more people like you "Guest". You have an opinion and are not afraid to put it out there. Chapeau chap.
Ps. The only thing I hate about you "Guest" is that you made me use this bloody comments thingy.
Apologies for the 'right' and 'write' mix up. I was typing with one hand at the time.
Oh, and getting back on track, the reason I chose to interview Arthur and Dylan was because they are possibly the strongest riders in the area at this sort of racing besides Chris Johnston and Matt Ryan. I slipped by not interviewing Chris too but we will be hearing much more about him as the year unfolds anyway. Matt Ryan got in touch and we tried to hook up an interview but like two ships in the night we kept slipping past each other. But hey, we only had a few days to get all this content together, four days to spread it across (much more tomorrow folks) and there is a whole life time ahead of us to cover all sorts of the amazing things that are going on in our world of high performance mountain cycles.
If you have any suggestions or pitches for stories or things of interest then email Cam, Morgan or I in the future. There is only so much we can see and do but with your help we can do more.
Fark, tripled the amount of comments I have ever made. This thing is addictive. It is like having your own private Albert Hall to scream in. And what's more it is free!
the world is crashing around us...seb is posting on the nsmb forum, what a dumb f#ck!
Saw the dingo yesterday while we were waiting, to no avail, for the peak to open....
2Flat, here, Bike mag, MTBR, DIRT etc...pretty sure NSMB is going global...as are Enduro and MTB as a whole for that matter. That said, I regularly tune in to NSMB to get a pulse on THE SHORE and my friends that live there and have helped impact MTB the world over.
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Originally Posted by strahan
(Post 2611823)
Hey is it January?
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I just wanted to put my thoughts down on what I keep on seeing week in week out with NSMB, same old faces.
I know that was an article on Enduro, I have done a few Enduro races myself. We all know about Arthur, he is a great rider, an animal, so too Dylan.
But there are others that are out there who race, the unsung hero, there is more than one guy building too. Digger is a legend, we all know that, but what else is going on, who is doing what, its not the guy who shouts the loudest that deserves all the attention.
Its not my job to tell you whats going on, I know, but I bet your readers dont whats really going down.
First time too that I have ever written on the web, but compelled to do so.
I dont nit pick with type errors, we write stuff down were passionate about, any fool can hit the spell check button.
To Quote SebKemp: "I apologize if this sounds snarky"
Brilliant! I haven't heard the term "snarky" used since my properly British grandfather used it on meas a kid. I'll bet "Guest" doesn't even know the meaning.
There will ALWAYS be an unhappy percentage of readers, no matter what you post up. I was pretty impressed to find out through reading other forums how highly regarded NSMB's articles and photography is - I've seen lots of very positive comments on MTBR, Pinkbike, etc.
I think I'm gonna race Enduro on a 650B. SO CUTTING EDGE.
I do have a question, devil's advocatish, but I really am curious...what's the purpose of a week of the same questions, and mostly the same answers? why the hard sell on enduro? I get it, it's new, 'different' than traditional racing, aaaaaand.....?? what am I missing?
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Originally Posted by FlipFantasia
(Post 2611936)
I do have a question, devil's advocatish, but I really am curious...what's the purpose of a week of the same questions, and mostly the same answers? why the hard sell on enduro? I get it, it's new, 'different' than traditional racing, aaaaaand.....?? what am I missing?
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Originally Posted by cam@nsmb.com
(Post 2611945)
Blame the Englishman.
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wow
I think nsmb is the best it's ever been this past while, I've been spending more time reading the articles than cruising the forums and the constant new content has been great.
please just keep on doing what you're doing
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Originally Posted by DaveM
(Post 2611947)
wow
I think nsmb is the best it's ever been this past while, I've been spending more time reading the articles than cruising the forums and the constant new content has been great. please just keep on doing what you're doing |
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Originally Posted by cam@nsmb.com
(Post 2611799)
If you are so impatient about having your posts approved (both you and the you that is agreeing with you - we can see the IP addresses are the same) why not just register?
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Originally Posted by DaveM
(Post 2611947)
wow
I think nsmb is the best it's ever been this past while, I've been spending more time reading the articles than cruising the forums and the constant new content has been great. please just keep on doing what you're doing |
I mean, it is obvious that Seb has a man-crush on Arthur (and who wouldn't) and Mark want's to have Todd's babys (less certain about the percentage of people on that list) but I have actually really enjoyed reading about it!
(Kidding aside, the articles have been very enjoyable lately)
-D
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611749)
i'm not friends with these guys but I think they should keep on doing exactly what they do because if their music changes i'm not going to tune in every day.
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I don’t know who stole em’, but somebody give the “guest” his cookies back.
Sven comment is right on... If it has skinny tires and a jacked seat post then it isn't enduro. Guest is right I don't know what is totally going on here, bro benefits, typing with one hand, all journalism stinks. Etc..
Nsmb is certainly nowhere near the douchery that is pink bike or the reblogging that is vital. Keep up the original content and don't get caught writing reviews with one Hand and the other hand in your product suppliers pants.
I am loving the focus on enduro and hearing the thoughts of the riders participating in it. Best of luck to Arthur and Dylan. I would love to see more exposure to this side of riding so that the technologyt and gear can trickle down to those who are not thoroughbreds (myself). I love this style of riding and agree it is a great mix and what most riders do for fun with their buddies. The enduro content has been fantastic this week and I have been disregarding my sacred role as sole provider for my family and cyberloafing far more often than usual on NSMB this week.
PS Seb, I would like more content on unicorns, kittens, venereal anomalies, what Justin Bieber and Nick Nolte's love child, were they to have one, might look like and reviews on "sick" bikes so that I can tell everyone what other types of bike they looks like and where I have seen spinny wheels connected to carbon/ aluminum before (shout out to pinkbike). I will happily step forward to discuss said topics with you.
Dear "Guest",
Enduro is only the most popular riding genre right now in Biking, and one of the most popular topics this side of the MRP 2X. It is basically trail riding at it's best.
And I think I know who you are... I have seen you as I whip by you in any race with my twin lock locked out, straight up the mountain. Get into it - don't slag it.
Oh, and NSMB is great!! I am the Buddha on my Genius!! Enduro Champ 2012... you'll hear about me next time.. ha ha
OK, I'm back to Earth now.
One thing that i think that drives us towards styles like Enduro (Yes i said style) is that Enduro is similar to DH. What I mean is that most of the rags you read these days (Bike Magazine etc) have a lot of DH pictures and coverage. Big, shiny, cool bikes with Maxxis tires, chain guides and all the cool fixins. Enduro allows those of us that don't ride DH to but those fat tires (High Roller II, MRP 2X's) and run them on our trail bikes. It is seriously a cool "Vibe" that we have called Enduro. It's also a killer workout and self endurance test kinda-ride. I love it!
Here in Ontario we have the Niagara Enduro which is a 2 day event. Ride up, ride down, cross fields, valley's, rivers, roads, rocks... awesome stuff!!
Megalash is a machine, end of..... his hard graft and great results in everything from the local toonie races to the garbo dh means he is a well deserved boss of all trades! And I also bet he could drink you into next week too if met him during a rowdy session at the GLC..
cool series (altho I agree the same question format is a good idea but might be better kept to politics and beauty contests).
If it wasn't for nsmb I wouldn't know about this whole enduro thingy. The trans-provence coverage a few months back was really an eye-opener - very much like the first time I saw a trans-alp coverage story way back when. Those crazy euros are always thinking of fun new things to do.
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Originally Posted by Guest
(Post 2611890)
I just wanted to put my thoughts down on what I keep on seeing week in week out with NSMB, same old faces.
I know that was an article on Enduro, I have done a few Enduro races myself. We all know about Arthur, he is a great rider, an animal, so too Dylan. But there are others that are out there who race, the unsung hero, there is more than one guy building too. Digger is a legend, we all know that, but what else is going on, who is doing what, its not the guy who shouts the loudest that deserves all the attention. |
Exciting shit.
i thought it was pretty rad...
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Originally Posted by JCL
(Post 2612342)
Totally agree. I've lived on on the Shore for years and nobody ever interviews me. I nearly did a trail day last year FFS! Lately I've been watching a lot of tennis with the cat (he's recovering from a pelvis break after being hit by a car). Hopfully I'll get out on the bike next week as work has slowed down. With any luck I'll finish mid field of a race at some point this year.
Exciting shit. |
Hey everyone! Go ride your bikes, or skis if there's snow nearby. Problem = solved.
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