Danny’s back!

Unbelievable! Danny’s gone next level again…

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NSMB: Shifting gears here. Your speed records really piqued my curiosity when I started googling the subject. Speaking technically, you hold the land speed record for human powered vehicles. In other words, you’re the fastest self-powered person on earth. How did this all start?

Sam with the Varna Diablo filming for Stan Lee’s Superhumans: “OK, got to hear Spiderman creator Stan Lee say ‘Sam Whittingham is a superhuman.’ Feeling pretty badass at the moment. Don’t worry, it will pass.”

Sam: George Georgiev saw me in a bike race when I was about 18 and convinced me to try the crazy world of Human Powered Vehicle racing. I have been hooked ever since and always teamed up with George. The 200m is the granddaddy of the records. It is basically the “how fast can you go” record. The other short distance records are not that important in my mind, they basically say the same thing. The 1 hour record, which I have held several times, is also very meaningful. This record is very important in the standard bike world so it is a good comparator.

NSMB: Here are the records you currently hold:

Men’s 200m Flying Start – 82.819 mph, 2009
Men’s 500m Flying Start – 62.34 mph, 1999
Men’s 1000m Flying Start – 79.79 mph, 2001
Men’s 1000m Flying Start, Multiple Rider – 63.73mph, 1993
Men’s 1 Mile Flying Start – 78.64 mph, 2001
Men’s 100 km Standing Start – 55.62 mph, 2009
Men’s 1 Hour Standing Start (distance) – 56.29 miles, 2009

I think that’s all of them. My favourite comment off the Youtube video is “4.7 more mph and he would have gone back… to the future”

I’m trying to wrap my head around how this is measured, with the faster speeds being over shorter distances. Can you explain a little bit?

Sam: OK, a little primer on how the speedbike events work:

All events are self-start. You are allowed a helper to stabilize you for the first few metres but no more. After this, you can have NO assistance from gravity, wind, drafting etc… The entire 5 mile course must be virtually flat. Because there is no such thing as perfectly flat, a downhill of up to 2/3 of one percent is allowed.

For the sprint events, we use a course 5 miles long. At the end of this is the final timing tape. 200m before the final tape is the 200m timing tape. 1000m before the final tape is the 1000m timing tape, etc… Speed is calculated from the average over each measured distance.

So it really requires good pacing over the 5 miles to hit that final measured distance at max speed. I can see a bit of overlap then between the 200m, 500m and 1000m – probably the reason why your 200m is fairly recent and the others are a bit older.

In the early days of the sport when speeds were slower, the longer sprint distances of 500, 100 and 1 mile used to be challenged separately because it required a different effort. Now they don’t really mean much because you kind of pick those records up along the way to a fastest 200m. Some years we don’t even lay the tapes for anything besides the 200m.

NSMB: Gotcha. And the endurance ones, the 1 hour and 24 hour, are pretty straightforward?

Sam: The endurance events follow the same rules pretty much. All are standing start and clock starts when you start moving. The 1 hour and 100 km are very close now and so, like some of the other sprint events, the 100 km is becoming less meaningful. This is why, in my mind, there are only 3 records worth shooting for: 200m, 1 hour, and 24 hour.

NSMB: Can you breathe with the bike all taped up?

Sam: Breathing is a problem. Some air comes in through the wheel openings and for longer events I have a small vent at the bottom of the windshield. Not very big but at 90 or more kph it actually moves quite a bit of air.

NSMB: Most people would assume you built your own bike for these speed and distance records but, surprisingly, that’s not the case.

Sam: George Georgiev is definitely the main builder of the “Varna Tempest” speed bike. The partnership of George as builder and myself as rider has been a very successful one for 20 years so we don’t fool with it much. I certainly have helped more and more in recent years. The other big record is the 24 hours. No intention to do this yet, but maybe sometime in the future as I get older and trade speed for endurance.

Fred Rompelberg pedaled to 268 kph behind a Bonneville salt flats dragster. Here he signs a copy of Fahrstil Magazine for Sam.

NSMB: That’s gnarly, 24 hours. Or the San Fran to LA record. Am I hearing that you might not defend the other speed titles?

Sam: As for defending my record, never say never, but I do feel like I have exhausted my physical potential as well as my mental drive to keep going. There is a Dutch team that is throwing ridiculous amounts of money and resources at beating my record. So far they have failed but they are getting close…

NSMB: Outside of the records, do you see yourself working other builders like George or companies like Xtracycle again? Any plans for expanding Naked Bicycles?

Sam: Working with Xtracycle has been a great experience. They have a great team of people and a good product. I was happy to help develop some new ideas. I have often thought of moving into a role as designer for a bigger company, but I know that would mean living behind a desk all day, instead of creating with my hands. This is the same reason we don’t expand the business. I’m not ready to stop building and be a manager. Sounds horrible to me!

The Mule, from the 2011 NAHBS.

NSMB: Pfff, thanks buddy, sounds like my job, hahaha. So what are you gonna do, keep on keeping on? Rest on your laurels?

Sam: Ha! I’m never satisfied. There is always more to learn, more to discover, new trails, new barriers to topple. I don’t tend to look back, unless to learn from a mistake. I do love seeing a bike I built years later with some serious road and trail patina blasted into it by a tired and happy customer perched on top of it.

NSMB: Sam, thanks so much for giving us a glimpse into your world. You really are a one-off kinda guy and it’s been fascinating to learn about aspects of the cycling world that I wasn’t even aware of. Best of luck of luck and cheers!

This is what I mean – the article is over and this really should be a sweet sunset shot over Strathcona. But instead its a touring unicycle that is being ridden through South America. And the rabbit hole just keeps going…

Sam seems to be creating great stories no matter what he’s up to. Keep up with his projects at timetogetnaked.com…

The post Naked on Quadra – Part II appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

Kids these days have it pretty good. Do you have a pint-sized trail buddy?

The post Sam’s Edit appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

With 595 metres (1,954 feet) of chairlift accessed vertical, 36 distinct trails that range from technical DH and flowing machine-made, to scenic alpine XC trails and expansive all mountain, the Sun Peaks Bike Park has something for everyone.

Some serious love will be given to the signature trails Smooth Smoothie, Home Run, Insanity One and Big Rock Ride. In addition to the regular maintenance and small improvements that riders are used to seeing each year, some major work is slated to improve trail flow and, in turn, trail integrity and sustainability (i.e. less brake bumps thanks to less braking needed). The result will be trails that are easier on your bike, body, and all around more fun to ride!

Sugar and Sweet One will also be returning this summer with significant improvements after being decommissioned last year. After many years of accumulated bug kill and dead fall Sun Peaks was forced to close these signature trails for safety reasons. They were missed, and they’ll be back with a vengeance this summer!

Natural booters abound. Photo: Matt Miles

With the return of the Canada Cup to the Sun Peaks Bike Park this July, more work will be happening on DH and Arm Pump to ensure that racers are met with the best course possible July 6-7.  Check the Bike Park website for updates as trail work progresses through the spring and summer months, in the meantime enjoy those shuttle laps and see you on opening day, Friday June 28.

Do you live in the Loops, or are you planning a road trip there this summer? Stop by the Bicycle Cafe to pick up your BroCard.

Are you a 2013 BroCard member? If so, you are already entered to win our Sun Peaks Crank Into Summer prize package. Otherwise, buy a Card before June 28^th and be automatically entered to win this prize, which includes:

• Two nights at the Cahilty Lodge
• $50 to the Cahilty Bar and Grill
• Four Sun Peaks Bike Park day tickets
• A “Bike Park” tuneup from Bicycle Cafe
• NSMB.com wool socks

Logging some air miles in the Sun Peaks Bike Park. Photo: Matt Miles

2013 Sun Peaks and Kamloops BroCard deals:

• Sun Peaks Bike Park: 1) 10% off day lift tickets, regardless of duration. 2) Bike Park Season Pass @ $299 (special “combo” price). Valid all season long. Tax not included. 3) $10 off a 3-Day Trail Card, or $20 off a 5-Day Trail Card
• Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge: Special rates starting from $77.00 per night (up to 15% off)
• Cahilty Creek Bar and Grill: $12.00 jugs of Caribou beers (normally $15) plus a 20% discount on food
• The Bicycle Cafe: 15% off All Clothing, Parts and Accessories
• Full Boar Bike Store: 15% off parts and accessories  2. $100.00 discount for any regular priced bike (over $1000) and a $20 bike build special for visiting riders.

Planning a road trip to check out some of BC’s finest mountain biking? The BroCard offers great discounts on bike park lift tickets, accommodations, restaurants, bike shops, guiding services and more. Not only will you get discounts all over the place, you will be automatically entered into regular draws for great prizes courtesy of our BroCard partners. Get yours now for only $19.95 online, or from Steed Cycle (North Vancouver), Fanatyk Co (Whistler) and the Bicycle Café (Kamloops).

The post Crank Into Summer with Sun Peaks appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

Our test bike came in a size large and was clad in an off-spec build. As a result, it fit me nigh on perfectly at 5’10”. That being said, the standard spec builds all feature 70mm stems in lieu of the 50mm one equipped on our test rig and a narrower bar than the 780mm unit seen here.

Thanks to swap-able dropouts in the rear end the Spitfire can be clad in both 26” (as tested) and 650B wheel sizes, which is a nice touch. Those who want to run with the hip and trendy crowd can do so without adversely affecting the geometry, while those who are more traditionally inclined can carry on as they always have.

A Float CTD rear shock keeps things supple in the rear while a Fox 34 Float makes for a stout front end and keeps everything in line. Those who take the time to dial in their suspension will be rewarded with a smooth pedal up, and a bottomless feeling on the descents.

Our non-spec drive train is comprised of X9 and SLX shifty bits with RaceFace pulling duty on the cranks, chain rings and bash. Look for an X9/X0 combination on retail bikes. Of note was the absence of a clutch derailleur, and while the bike still performed well, it would have been nice to have one to help quiet the bike down during descents.

With a the bold title of “Born on the Shore” imprinted on the seat tube, I’m happy to report that the bike has held up well to the rigors of riding everywhere I’ve taken it. The new KS Link suspension platform runs on sealed bearings, which should ensure a long life between services, even during the rain-drenched winter months. The linkage also minimizes rotational wear on the DU bushings, keeping you out of the shops and ripping the trails.

Plenty of tire clearance keeps mud and dirt from stopping riders in their tracks. The nifty swappable dropouts let you pick your flavour of wheel size. Perhaps this is the tool to settle the size debate once and for all?

Maxxis Minion DHF EXO tires were another off-spec selection for our bike, but were much appreciated on greasy pedalling days. Stans No-Tubes tech in the Sun Ringle Charger Pro wheel set makes going tubeless a breeze, and helps shave rotational weight.

Were the 780mm wide DH bars absolutely necessary on a trail bike? Probably not, but they definitely helped instill confidence when pointing the bike through extremely technical terrain.

The Spitfire sports a subtle, smart-looking graphics package.

The Spitfire is a worthy steed, with the ability to keep people on both sides of the wheel size debate happy. Frames start at $1999, and feature both a 2-year manufacturers warranty as well as lifetime crash replacement for the original owner.

If you live for the downs, but don’t want to push your way to the top, the new KS Link Spitfire very well be the bike for you. Does it make the right parts tingle?

The post 2013 Banshee Spitfire 650B or 26″ appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

31 minutes of Parkin brothers goodness. Stevie just off the top!

The post DirtTV: Val di Sole Finals Video appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

Steve Smith qualified 3rd for the Val di Sole DH final. Was he able to deliver a podium yet again?

Another cracker of a race. Check out the action here.

The post Val di Sole World Cup Replay appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

Val di Sole 2013 DH men’s results top 20

The post Val di Sole 2013 men’s DH results appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

Here’s hoping for an injury-free weekend… Go Stevie!

The post Steve Smith Talks Val di Sole appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.

Gee, Aaron, Stevie.

Rachel on top yet again.

Full results for men and women HERE.

The live feed for finals will be available on Red Bull HERE. 7:15 am PDT.

Can the Atherton train be stopped?

The post Val di Sole 2013 Qualifying Results appeared first on NSMB.com Mountain Bike Reviews, News, Photo and Video.