 |
Norcos Invade Whistler VPS Fest Goes Off Words and photos Corey Anderson |
Towards the end of another perfect Whistler Saturday, some friends and I sat for a quick bite on the GLC patio just below the Boneyard and the Biker Cross course. The village was buzzing as usual and the patio was alive - until time seemed to stop for a moment. Behind a handful of Norco Factory Team members Norco's new pride and joy was parting the crowd. The Norco Factory Team rig followed by matching trailer, managed to turn every head, stop nearly every conversation and focus all attention towards the clean, sharp graphics and pristine paint. Working with military efficiency they had the base station up and running in minutes. It was becoming clear that Norco riders, customers and crew were going to own the mountain on Sunday.
The village in Whistler awoke Sunday morning to the booming voice of Brad Ewen, the announcer any racer would recognize, and any Red Bull bike event audience would know. Yeah that's him - the guy who could stoke your Aunt Doris.
What was VPS Fest?
| Initiating what will likely become an annual event, Norco Performance Bikes dedicated their time and resources to the people. Anyone who owned a Norco was able to get a taste of Factory support, have first-class mechanics wrench their bikes and address their questions to get everything working right. $7000 of prizes was offered to anyone Norco rider who took two minutes to fill out a registration form. Oh yeah, you were also entitled to 50% off your lift pass too! So what's the catch? |
 Brad Ewen always pleases the ladies. |
It's simple; we are the consumer, we're the guys and gals thrashing our bikes every non-working minute, we're the ones that help drive these guys and their creation of some of the sweetest bikes on the trails, and they just wanted to say thanks. One of the registration forms had pages of questions asking what YOU want in a bike, and they had all corners covered from suspension options to paint color. This kind of detail goes to show how hard Norco tries to build the bikes you want and to address the things that matter to you. When next year's stuff comes out, you might just see some of the things you asked for as a new change.
What Went Down (Besides hundreds of Norcos)
| I've been at Whistler every weekend but one since the early open, and I have to say I have yet to see a busier day. And I have never seen so many Norcos in my life! I think it would be accurate to say that about 70% of the bikes on the hill were the big "N", from sick dirt jumping hardtails, to the graceful Fluids and 4 By's, to the bike that started it all; the VPS. I saw a couple of vintage Kawasaki Green VPS-1's, and every model that followed up to the new 2003 bikes. If ya like Norcos, this was as close to heaven as it gets. |
 Jordan Stace-Smith Manualling the Schleyer bridge gap. |
The Team Truck paddock area was busy. Team mechanics put their bikes aside and spent the day helping people like you and me out…and to top it off, I didn't see a single wallet come out for any repair. The full 2003 arsenal was on display, and tunes were pumping out of the new stereo in the Team rig. There was even a bit of free swag for anyone who registered - fresh new decals and anodized Norco carabiners. Lots of folks were hanging around asking about the bikes, their set-ups and what was new, and the vibe that was contagious.
Norco's new Rapid Deployment Mountain Assualt Vehicle (aka the
Swaggin' Wagon)
The Ride
To say the trails were attacked would be an understatement. I saw things go down on Sunday that I have never before witnessed. Hoots Jay was ripping up the Boneyard with style and grace, and the aggressive edge that makes Hooty famous! An unknown VPSer gapping the entire box jump and Chris Mac landed 3 feet short of flat on his monster Team DH off the new Super GLC drop.
Norco Team Rider Keith Howitt - Nose Wheelie on Schleyer.
The Team riders were stoked to ride with new people, and I was lucky enough to take a run with Factory Teamers Rich Prorock and Keith Howitt (his first time ever on a big bike!) and did countless other runs with some of the other staff rippers. These guys bring a new level of enthusiasm and smiles to the trails, and I think I may have learned something trying to keep up with them.
Rich Prorock dropping in on Clownshoes.
The Swag
| At the end of the day, the GLC Patio was packed. The ground beside the patio was a sea of bikes – park spots were scarcer than in Manhattan at noon. Brad Ewen was stoking the crowd beneath the Norco Tents on the patio, and the free goods were flying (along with the "refreshments"). T-Shirts, coffee mugs, Factory Team jerseys, 4 NSMB Bro-Cards, a whole slew of other cool stuff, right down to the 2 gems - A brand new 2003 VPS Drop and a brand new Marzocchi Super T fork. I think it is safe to say nearly everyone who attended walked away with something. It was a no–holds-barred blowout as Norco and Friends unloaded $7G's worth of goods. |
 Pete Stace-Smith getting ready to give out the grand prize. |
Keith Howitt digging the Boneyard.
This was a fantastic way for Norco to say thanks to the riders who have supported their line and it was a resounding success.
When Brad asked who was coming back next year for VPS Fest #2, I think every person on the patio raised their arm. You thought this year was big?
Happy Trails,
Corey Anderson
