11/22/2008

Words by 'Dre'

"Do you need multiple bikes…or just one with the right suspension??? In the world of XC and All Mountain riding, a bike needs to be versatile and easily adjustable."

As a technical rider on the XC and Marathon scene, many people ask how I can be so versatile without wasting energy fighting the bike. It would be nice to take all the credit and attribute it to skill and experience, but I have to give some credit to suspension technology. The modern design and adjustment features have made my bike far more versatile in long distance situations with multiple types of terrain; it allows me to tune my suspension on the fly. Your bike needs to work with you, not against you. During the 2005 Campaign/Race Season I was fortunate to be using the Marzocchi Marathon SL 100-120mm, equipped with both TAS (travel adjust system, 100mm-120mm) and TST (terrain selection technology). TAS allows the rider to adjust their travel from 100mm through to 120mm (Also available in 130mm - 150mm version) and the TST is a simple 5 click adjustment that changes the compression from very plush through to full lock out.

Nova Dessert Classic NORBA #2, 2005, with me beating on Peter Wedge, we were just off of the top 5 in the STXC, finished 10th. Ouch, it hurt 25 min of Hell. This was followed up by the Super D. Photo by Norm Theibault

The spring of 2005 saw Team Rocky Mountain- Business Objects competing in Texas and Arizona at the first two NORBA's and subsequently, at the Sea Otter Classic. These events were a serious test for our equipment, as they involved Time Trials, Super Moto's, Short Tracks, XC's, and Super D's; a vast array of events that required a massively versatile fork.

I am a fairly large, aggressive rider (175 lbs) so I generally favour a 100mm travel XC fork over a lighter 80mm. I spend a lot of time training on both my road bike and my mountain bike in North Vancouver, so I appreciate the benefits of a stiff fork, as well as a plush fork, many times on the same ride.

During a Pre-Season Photo Shoot with Sterling Lorece we shot this trying to capture the technical difficulty of the old school descending with seat up.
Photo by Sterling Lawrence

During the first NORBA, most of the terrain was for the TT, Short Track and XC was fairly consistent, so once the Travel was established (100 mm matching the rear suspension of my Rocky Mountain Element) I played only with the TST on climbs (locked out) and descents (plush-ed out) to ensure I had the best, most subtle feel possible for every situation.

However, in the second NORBA things were a bit tricky since I competed in the TT, Short Track and then directly headed to the Super D. (Super D, is 80% Down, and 20% up and offers few places to pass) The terrain variety offered a perfect example of the benefits of TAS on my fork. I was in 100mm mode for the Short Track with my TST running tight and hard since the course was a virtual road, but within minutes of finishing 10th I made a Travel adjustment to 120 mm, softened my TST to plush and rode to the start of the Super D. The longer travel gave me a slacker angle on the Rocky Mountain Element, but still allowed excellent pedaling and handling. I won my first NORBA!

It was also tricky to set up equipment for the Sea Otter Classic. Our first race was a Super Moto (50% pavement around Laguna Seca Raceway and 50% off-camber loose, bumpy single track). Last year I was 6th but I hoped to do better this year. For this event I ran the TAS at 110mm (slightly longer) but set the TST slightly firmer. As a result, I was aggressive in the single track and drafting comfortably in the group for the rest of the course that ran over the tarmac track. I missed the main break, but finished in the 3rd group, upright and intact for the rest of the stage race. During the XC, I ran the same set up as the Super Moto, but with the TST softened up. The stutter bumps were so massive that they were literally bucking people off of their bikes. I rode to a solid 13th place and enjoyed the entire 2 hour 15 minute stage.

Check out Marzocchi for more information about the Marathon SL.

- Andreas "Dre" Hestler

2005 Season results included: 1st - NORBA Super D, 1st - Trans Rockies, 1st - Whistler Super D, 1st - Samuraii of Single Track, 13th - Sea Otter Classic, and 2nd - Trans Alps.

The flower ceremony, Trans Rockies 2005. Victory is Sweet

At this point in my career (technically the end of part 1), I am reminded of how it felt in the beginning, just a pure pleasure to ride anything with two wheels. Sometimes I refer to myself as Swiss Army Dre. Why? Because I love it all; Cross Country (bread and butter for me) road (training, but man crits and Gas Town), Short Track, Super D, Cyclo-Cross, Track, Trials, and these days Bike Park and Shuttles. I think I've found part Deux and it's all doable here in B.C. no more need to chase "hardware" around the globe. Favorite new trail: 'Salvation' on Seymour, and I've just dialed it in this last weekend, Sweeeett!! During weeks like we've just had, places with tons of wood like the woodlot are begging to be hit. Do it.!