Hello everyone, I hope you all have been doing well in the new year and can look back at the 2011 season and be stoked on all the riding you did! I wanted to show you what I have been doing during the last few months of 2011 and the riding that I was able to get in during the Fall and Winter weather here on the coast of BC.
For the last year and a half I have been dealing with a couple shoulder injuries. I had separated my right AC Joint a while ago and it had been holding me back for the last year in contests and regular riding. More recently I went down and messed up my left shoulder. My Physiotherapist says because of that last crash I have got tendonitis. Being mountain bikers, a lot of you probably know how frustrating shoulder injuries can be and I have been working really hard to get my shoulders strong again, so I can be 100% for the 2012 contest season. I have been healing up pretty good over the last couple months and have been able to get some really good riding in!
The photos below were taken by Margus Riga In October. This was the first ride with the new Norco slope-style prototype that Norco engineers Owen Pemberton, PJ Hunton and myself had been working on for the last year or so. Owen and Pj had put in a lot of their own time and effort into this project so I could have a slope style machine that fits me. I couldn't be more stoked for this bike and thankful for all the work that Norco has put into this bike for me. The bike performed so well and was even better than I ever thought it would be. I can't wait to ride it on a slope-style course!
Normally past winters are pretty cold and wet! So far it's not been like other winters and we are enjoying some great riding. There has been plenty of dry days to get the hard tail out, meet up with some friends and have some rad session at the jumps! We spent some time at a cool little sand pit step-up that some of my friends have put a lot of time into making it ridable in wet conditions. Even if it was poring rain out we could still be hitting the jump and throwing some simple tricks. Chris Van Luven (professional Photographer from Vancouver) came out to take some shots and they turned out pretty good!
Recently I was able to take the slope style bike out to the trails with Levi Vanderkwaak who followed me down the mountain with his video camera. We did didn't have a lot of time to film and after shooting the first berm Levi's memory card was full and he forgot the back up card at home, so we went to plan B and took out the good old iPhone. That night Levi put together a short little video of what we managed to catch in the short time.
Chilliwack has been working on a new skate park and they had finally finished it! A few friends and I decided to get out the BMXs and check out the new park during the grand opening. It's a small park, but has a sweet little bowl that we had a good time in.
That's about it for now, thanks for reading! Here is another quick video that I threw together of some random footage that I have collected from Novermber and December.
Second time in few days I see a pro riding on older Shimano XT AM wheels - they should really bite their own balls for replacing them with this new 15mm 2012 pish.
C'm on, I decreased my activity lately I have these wheels since 2 years, they are brilliant. I ride all kind of stuff with them and they are still almost perfectly straight. XTs? They deserve Saint label
Awesome pictures and videos. Sam has been one of my favorite riders to watch since I first saw him kill it at Crankworx Colorado two years ago. Mad style! keep of the great riding and I hope you stay healthy and strong.
i think i was chatting with your mother at bearclaw this year. your very lucky to have a mom who supports you like she does. nice lady too. have a good 2012 bud.
I have these wheels since 2 years, they are brilliant. I ride all kind of stuff with them and they are still almost perfectly straight. XTs? They deserve Saint label
