PROJEKT ROAM: Landscapes Vol. 1

Undiscovered. Untapped. Awaiting. Appropriate words to describe the endless possibilities of riding regions throughout North America. Knowing these places exist is that igniting spark which helps to propel us forward....

Now well into our third year of traveling full time, we continue our quest to experience firsthand as many of these resplendent places to ride as possible and share them with the mountain biking community through our films and photo articles.

There are a million and one hometown best trails and we try to focus on the endless, epic possibilities of where one could explore on a bike.

Our travels and films are about the landscapes we traverse across, bound upon our bikes. It's about the adventure; what you can discover and shred on two wheels. Sometimes, our path takes us to destinations that are rarely heard or thought of as a place to ride. Other times, we find ourselves in areas that we are encouraged by many to go and pedal. One of these suggestions landed us in Fruita, Colorado during the spring for a bit.

No stranger to the mountain biking scene, Fruita was originally established with a focal point geared towards agricultural enterprises, especially in fruit production. Now, the town's focus is channeled more towards outdoor sports recreation.

Hundreds of miles of world class mountain biking trails encompassing Fruita and surrounding areas have made this parcel of Colorado desert a notable mountain biking destination. Renowned trail systems interspersed in the crags and valleys of this varied environment include the Kokopelli Trailhead region, with Grand Junction to the east of Fruita and Rabbit Valley to the west.

The North Fruita Desert/18 Road Trails, which this film and article focus on, are quite popular as well. Riding many of the trails in this particular area is reminiscent to riding a trail version of a pump track.

The meandering terrain occupying this sector is an ideal location for cyclists to gather with friends of all skill levels and have a good time riding together.

Spring and fall are key riding months. Flowers bedeck the hillside in the spring before the heat of the summer moves in. The end of April hosts the annual Fat Tire Festival in Fruita, which can be an entertaining time for all.

Milder weather starts to cool off the countryside come fall, and evening rides are an exemplary time to catch a sunset nothing short of amazing. I've heard more than one local state the sunsets here are what sealed the deal in opting to consider Fruita home.

Riding in the fading sunlight as dusk steals over the sky lends a glow to the white hued paths spinning beneath the tires. It's as if you were taking a pedal lap on the moon, i would imagine.

The town of Fruita itself embraces the mountain biking scene with open arms. Public art sculptures, often bike related, lend a hand in adorning varying parts of the small city.

This deserty hamlet also boasts stellar bike shops, an aromatically pleasing coffee shop, and a scrumptious pizza joint. All individual, sole reasons to make a pit stop in Fruita, CO if you ever get a chance. It's definitely worth a traveling rider's while to experience a kindred biker's local favorite.

Want a different glimpse of the North Fruita Desert Trail System? Check out this short, self shot film of us riding Pumps, Berms, and Rollers (PBR Trail) on our single speed dirt jump bikes.

Projekt Roam was founded by husband and wife, Colt and Jessee Maule in 2010. It has been their mission to travel North America in search of places that celebrate the unparalleled beauty and freedom of not only the bike, but the terrain we ride as well. Plan your own trip to Fruita, CO and check out more photos, film, and riding locations throughout North America atwww.gravityrideguide.com.

Thanks to our sponsors for some great product and to all of our new friends who have helped us out along the way, ride on.

Neko Mulally Takes Personal Record Points Haul At 2013 World Cup Round 3

The third round of the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup took place in Vallnord, Andorra in front of loud and enthusiastic crowd estimated at around 15,000. Sitting in 3rd place overall coming into this round, Brook MacDonald (NZL) had a difficult week battling a serious shoulder injury that hed incurred a week ago in XC training back home in New Zealand, and only managed 6 complete runs of the course. His team mate Neko Mulally however scored his first ever top 10 in qualifying and backed it up with a solid 16th in the final. This gave the young American 80 points and pushed him up to 15th in the overall standings.

George Brannigan who still races in knee braces following surgery late last year, scored a 29th place, moving him up in the rankings as well to be top 40 for the first time this season. Greg Williamson was impeded in his run when a spectators red backpack was dropped onto the course forcing some evasive action. That, and some personal errors, saw him finish a personally disappointing 33rd.

Neko said after his run: Had a great start but just got a little tight towards the end of the run, but basically achieved what I set out to do. Im happy to move up to 15th and be really close to the guys in front. Mont-Sainte-Anne is the track I look forward to the most all year, so I cant wait for Round 4.

Brook said: My main goal this weekend was to minimize the damage and be 100% for one of my favourite tracks, Mont-Sainte-Anne, in 2 weeks. The shoulder was a lot better today and thanks to my coach and Greg Minnaars Physio, I was able to ride. I kept it smooth and stayed out of trouble but just wasnt able to run at full speed. Im still in the Top 10 overall and I will be chasing points in Canada!

The team will stay on in Andorra for the next 2 days and do some valuable testing, trying out some new things that they plan to have on board for Canada. With 2 riders in the top 15 overall, and all 4 in the top 40, the team is looking forward to the 2nd half of the World Cup season.

2013 Andorra UCI World Cup Round 3 Final Results

2013 Vallnord UCI WC 3 Men's Final Results

1	THIRION Rémi	FRA19900423	COMMENCAL / RIDING ADDICTION	4:13.666
2	ATHERTON Gee	GBR19850226	GT FACTORY RACING	+1.350
3	HILL Samuel	AUS19850721	CHAIN REACTION CYCLES.COM / NUKEPROOF	+1.756
4	SMITH Steve	CAN19891125	DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING	+2.273
5	BROSNAN Troy	AUS19930713	SPECIALIZED RACING DH	+2.476
6	MINNAAR Greg	RSA19811113	SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE	+2.549
7	HART Danny	GBR19910920	GIANT FACTORY OFF-ROAD TEAM	+2.975
8	BRUNI Loic	FRA19940513	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+3.548
9	GUTIERREZ VILLEGAS Marcelo	COL19900509	GIANT FACTORY OFF-ROAD TEAM	+3.979
10	GWIN Aaron	USA19871224	SPECIALIZED RACING DH	+4.376
11	PEAT Steve	GBR19740617	SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE	+5.171
12	BLENKINSOP Samuel	NZL19881028	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+5.214
13	FAIRCLOUGH Brendan	GBR19880110	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+5.844
14	FIGARET Faustin	FRA19931107	TOPCYCLE BY TREK	+6.543
15	BEAUMONT Marc	GBR19840925	GT FACTORY RACING	+6.836

2013 Vallnord UCI WC 3 Women's Final Results

1	ATHERTON Rachel	GBR19871206	GT FACTORY RACING	4:47.778
2	CARPENTER Manon	GBR19930311	MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM	+1.617
3	NICOLE Myriam	FRA19900208	COMMENCAL / RIDING ADDICTION	+11.450
4	RAGOT Emmeline	FRA19860527	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+12.673
5	PUGIN Floriane	FRA19890417	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+18.052
6	CHARRE Morgane	FRA19900609	MS MONDRAKER TEAM	+26.262
7	SEAGRAVE Tahnee°	GBR19950615	FMD RACING / INTENSE CYCLES	+26.659
8	KINTNER Jill	USA19811024	TEAM NORCO INTERNATIONAL	+29.914
9	GRIFFITHS Fionn	GBR19820827		+43.519
10	SIEGENTHALER Emilie	SUI19860919	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+47.261
11	BERNHARD Petra	AUT19801118	RRP GHOST	+50.184
12	STONE Jessica	GBR19900914	UNIOR TOOLS TEAM	+53.740
13	COLUMB Alanna	NZL19880723		+54.811
14	AGER-WICK Anita	NOR19780831		+54.970
15	PUGIN Mélanie	FRA19900503	TEAM MORZINE-AVORIAZ/HAUTE-SAVOIE	+58.780

2013 Vallnord UCI WC 3 Junior's Final Results

1	JONES Michael	GBR19950222	FMD RACING / INTENSE CYCLES	4:23.644
2	VERGIER Loris	FRA19960507	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+0.468
3	ALGARRA NAVARRO Daniel	ESP19950314	SPAIN	+6.122
4	FAYOLLE Alexandre	FRA19950720	FRANCE	+8.124
5	SHAW Luca	USA19961225	SPECIALIZED RACING DH	+8.354
6	VERNASSA Gianluca	ITA19950904	DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING	+8.461
7	ELLISON Luke	AUS19951030	AUSTRALIA	+9.191
8	ZABJEK Jure	SLO19951011	UNIOR TOOLS TEAM	+9.369
9	LUCAS Dean	AUS19950502	AUSTRALIA	+10.122
10	NIEDERBERGER Noel	SUI19950821	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+13.117
11	JOUET PASTRE Martin	FRA19950521	FRANCE	+14.157
12	HERD Sam	GBR19960118	GREAT BRITAIN	+16.191
13	KAMMLEIN - CUTLER Raphael	NZL19950328	NEW-ZEALAND	+17.277
14	ESTAQUE Thomas	FRA19961115	FRANCE	+18.305
15	COLOMBO Francesco	ITA19951209	TEAM AIROH AXO SANTACRUZ	+18.376

23 Degrees Signs Management Deal With Laurie Greenland

23 Degrees is excited to announce today that the recently crowned Youth Downhill Champion of Great Britain, Laurie Greenland, has signed a multi-year management deal looking forward to his upcoming Junior racing career and the World Cup circuit.

The talented 16 year old from Bristol is presently racing for the Wideopen Mag team for the 2013 season and will be considering all options when looking forward to the 2014 Junior World Cup which starts in South Africa next April.

"Wideopen Mag is a great team to ride for and have been a huge help in my career especially with my recent results.  
It's so much fun riding for the team and they are really good with kit, race entries and race support. After seeing how well the new Junior World Cup has gone this year, I'm super keen to race that for 2014 and I know I'll need to consider all of my options carefully", said Laurie.


CEO of 23 Degrees Martin Whiteley says: "We've been keeping on eye on Laurie's results since his strong year in 2011 in the Juvenile category, but this year it became very clear that he is something quite special. His wins in Innerleithen and Fort William were dominant, and his times when compared to big name Elite riders were simply amazing. After meeting with Laurie and his father Ben it was a simple decision. Laurie is the complete package and his father has been a big part of that success. I'm looking forward to helping them reach their goals in the years ahead."

2013 Andorra WC Round 3 Qualifying Results

2013 Vallnord WC Downhill Elite Male Qualifying Results

1	HILL Samuel	AUS19850721	CHAIN REACTION CYCLES.COM / NUKEPROOF	4:20.660
2	MINNAAR Greg	RSA19811113	SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE	+0.046
3	ATHERTON Gee	GBR19850226	GT FACTORY RACING	+1.344
4	BRUNI Loic	FRA19940513	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+2.884
5	THIRION Rémi	FRA19900423	COMMENCAL / RIDING ADDICTION	+3.098
6	SUDING Lorenzo	ITA19860315	GT / 360 DEGREES	+4.137
7	BRYCELAND Josh	GBR19900323	SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE	+4.629
8	BLENKINSOP Samuel	NZL19881028	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+5.163
9	FAIRCLOUGH Brendan	GBR19880110	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+5.173
10	MULALLY Neko	USA19930219	TREK WORLD RACING	+5.629
11	HANNAH Michael	AUS19831121	HUTCHINSON UR	+6.403
12	HART Danny	GBR19910920	GIANT FACTORY OFF-ROAD TEAM	+6.989
13	GUTIERREZ VILLEGAS Marcelo	COL19900509	GIANT FACTORY OFF-ROAD TEAM	+7.442
14	PEAT Steve	GBR19740617	SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE	+9.099
15	PARDAL Francisco	POR19910116	EVIL VENGEANCE TOUR	+9.403

2013 Vallnord WC Downhill Elite Female Qualifying Results

1	CARPENTER Manon	GBR19930311	MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM	5:04.467
2	ATHERTON Rachel	GBR19871206	GT FACTORY RACING	+3.637
3	RAGOT Emmeline	FRA19860527	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+5.678
4	CHARRE Morgane	FRA19900609	MS MONDRAKER TEAM	+17.997
5	PUGIN Floriane	FRA19890417	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+18.817
6	SIEGENTHALER Emilie	SUI19860919	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+23.827
7	SEAGRAVE Tahnee°	GBR19950615	FMD RACING / INTENSE CYCLES	+26.254
8	KINTNER Jill	USA19811024	TEAM NORCO INTERNATIONAL	+27.383
9	CERNILOGAR Zarja	SLO19891218	BLACKTHORN GT	+38.321
10	GRIFFITHS Fionn	GBR19820827		+50.162
11	STONE Jessica	GBR19900914	UNIOR TOOLS TEAM	+56.996
12	BERNHARD Petra	AUT19801118	RRP GHOST	+58.458
13	PUGIN Mélanie	FRA19900503	TEAM MORZINE-AVORIAZ/HAUTE-SAVOIE	+58.884
14	MARCELLINI Alia	ITA19910711	TORPADO SURFING SHOP	+59.732
15	AGER-WICK Anita	NOR19780831		+1:00.861

2013 Vallnord WC Downhill Junior Qualifying Results

1	JONES Michael	GBR19950222	FMD RACING / INTENSE CYCLES	4:32.529
2	ALGARRA NAVARRO Daniel	ESP19950314	SPAIN	+5.785
3	WALLACE Mark	CAN19950601	DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING	+8.836
4	VERGIER Loris	FRA19960507	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+9.817
5	SHAW Luca	USA19961225	SPECIALIZED RACING DH	+14.273
6	NIEDERBERGER Noel	SUI19950821	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+15.667
7	ELLISON Luke	AUS19951030	AUSTRALIA	+16.032
8	FAYOLLE Alexandre	FRA19950720	FRANCE	+17.132
9	PIERRON Amaury	FRA19960304	FRANCE	+19.230
10	VERNASSA Gianluca	ITA19950904	DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING	+20.552
11	ESTAQUE Thomas	FRA19961115	FRANCE	+23.264
12	MARIETTA Steve	FRA19961017	FRANCE	+24.013
13	HERD Sam	GBR19960118	GREAT BRITAIN	+24.725
14	BOUTIE Benjamin	FRA19960517	FRANCE	+25.554
15	JOUET PASTRE Martin	FRA19950521	FRANCE	+25.657