Projekt Roam Day Of The Dog

How do you put into words something that is indescribable? I'm sure that many of those that are blessed with the companionship of a dog understand what I am speaking of. The richness dogs bring to our lives; simply put, our dogs are an integral part of the heart and soul of our family.

Who else would always greet you with a furiously wagging tail, big, toothy doggy grin, and be perpetually happy to see you? Our days are continually filled with love, laughter, and merriment because of these two. Therefore we decided to make a film in tribute of the dog.

Haven't you ever wondered what your dog was dreaming about as you observe their paws twitching while they sleep? Well, I’m not entirely sure what they dream about, but I do know that every time I grab my bike and whistle for the dogs, they give me a look that says it all. "It's about damn time I found the means to keep up with them".

Call me biased like any parent, but I for one, feel as if I am the luckiest person in the world to be able to share my heart and home with two of the best dogs on Earth.

So remember to take a moment every once in a while to let your canine companion know how elated you are to have them in your life.

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 Oakridge, OR and check out more photos, film, and riding locations throughout North America at http://www.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.
Words: Jessee Maule Photos/Film: Colt Maule

Magura Wins Gold And Silver At 2012 London Olympics

Gold and silver in London with MAGURA Parts
Medal win for Julie Bresset and Sabine Spitz with MT8 brakes

The two fastest women in the Olympic cross-country race trusted in MAGURA parts: The 23-year-old Frenchwoman Julie Bresset took gold in London and Sabine Spitz from Germany's Black Forest took silver. The 40-year-old German completed her collection of Olympic medals after bronze in Athens in 2004 and gold in Beijing in 2008.

The artificially constructed cross-country race track at Hadleigh Farm - an hour to the east of London - was particularly challenging: Jumps, steep curves and technically demanding stoney sections challenged both riders and bikes. Julie Bresset managed it best: The 23-year-old pulled away from Sabine Spitz and the American Georgia Gould in the fourth of six laps to finally take gold with some considerable lead. The light hardtail used by Bresset was equipped with the MT8 brake by MAGURA. Her closest rival, the German Sabine Spitz, rode a 650B hardtail also with MT8 brakes and a new TS suspension fork by MAGURA. The light and reliable suspension fork from the Team Suspension range for 27.5 inch or 650B provides stiffness with its 15-millimetre thru axle and therefore also precision steering.

MT8: The first choice for cross-country
With the MT8, MAGURA provides the first disc brake in the world with master cylinders on the brake lever constructed entirely of carbon. The new material allows a slim and ergonomic brake handle shape developed in collaboration with the Ergonomics Department of the Technical University of Dresden. For those braking with the index and middle finger - like Julie Bresset - the ergonomics of the brake lever are perfect.  The carbon-fibre casing and carbon lever make the MT8 one of the lightest disc brakes on the market and so a first choice for cross-country racers like Sabine Spitz and Julie Bresset.

Fork for 27.5 inch wheels: 650B model by MAGURA
Only few manufacturers offer as broad a spectrum of 650B models as MAGURA. For the new trend, the Swabian hydraulics expert has forks of 120 to 150 millimetres travel in its range. They can be used with almost all 650B/27.5 inch tyres on the market.

Special bearings and grease ensure a particularly sensitive response, while the QR15 thru axle provides high stiffness. The TS8 with 120 millimetre hub is already available with weights upwards of 1,630 grams. Sabine Spitz used an especially light TS 8 SL suspension fork with 80 millimetre travel.

About MAGURA (Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG)
With its headquarters in Bad Urach / Germany, Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG with its brand name MAGURA has four business sectors operating at international level: bicycle components, power sports, controls and injection moulding.  MAGURA is a pioneer in bicycle and motorcycle components and has a worldwide monopoly on hydraulic brakes for bicycle wheel rims. Founded in 1893, the company is backed by a tradition of more than 100 years of competence in hydraulics and materials. In addition to brakes and suspension forks for bicycles, the company develops and manufactures industrial controls and injection moulding components. The name MAGURA stands for the name of the founder - Gustav Magenwirth - and the name of the town in which the company is based - Bad Urach.

Projekt Roam Virgin Utah

Pulling the RV in late on a moonless night, it wasn't until morning that we took in the gargantuan masses striated dirt and rock, compressed and shaped by eons of time, looming against the horizon.

It seems nearly impossible to attempt to capture the essence of the riding terrain found in Virgin, UT with mere words. Little forgiveness is to be found in this harsh landscape; there is a reason this site calls to extreme mountain bikers from all around the world.

We met up with Will White, Kyle Madden, Nick Simcik, and their fearless overseer, Gypsie, for a week long trip to explore this rugged landscape and for the guys to train for their upcoming competitions.

The weather seemed to be as unforgiving as the landscape itself, with endless wind and frequent storms. A fair amount of time was spent huddled in our shelters, passing time swapping stories between the more violent bouts of Mother Nature's springtime wrath.

The downhill trails this particular domain provides are full of chunk and rock, strewn with off camber and technical sections, overlooking the vast desert landscape below.

There is also no shortage of exposure or steep vertical drop-offs. Talk about a pucker factor in some places! I was even nervous filming the crew as they navigated their way down the rugged trails.

The main attraction, the freeride area, was nothing short of a virtual, outdoor playground. It seems as if big hits and crazy lines are nestled in every nook and cranny of this robust riding region.

Standing at the bottom, gazing upwards, it can be difficult to delineate where many of the freeride lines even begin.

Just outside your camp door, endless riding opportunities await, beckoning to be explored and test any rider's mettle.

Right down to the flickering flames of a sparking campfire, Virgin is an experience to be had.

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 Virgin, UT and check out more photos, film, and riding locations throughout North America at www.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.
Words: Colt & Jessee Maule Photos/Film: Colt & Jessee Maule

For more work by Projekt Roam:
projektroam.pinkbike.com
http://www.projektroam.com/
http://www.gravityrideguide.com/
http://www.facebook.com/projektroam

Niner Bikes Expands Jet 9 Family

Niner has released info and images of the newly expanded Jet 9 family of bikes – their XC full
suspension platform. The complete line up now includes Jet 9 RDO, Jet 9 Carbon and Jet 9 alloy
options.

“We are focused on ride quality at Niner, and the new Jet 9 RDO is about details - the carbon
rocker is a custom design and the 142mm maxle gives riders even more power transfer efficiency
on what is already a very fast platform.” said Niner president Chris Sugai, “The introduction of the
Jet 9 Carbon is the beginning of something new at Niner - a great complete bike option for riders
who want to get onto their first carbon Niner. We’ve set up this build to be dependable and fun
to ride, in cooperation with our friends at Rock Shox, American Classic, Shimano and Schwalbe.
Additionally, we are now able to offer both carbon frames in size extra small with a stand-over
height of 26.5”/672mm – greatly expanding the range of riders that our bikes will fit”.

The newly updated Jet 9 RDO features a Niner designed carbon rocker,142mm maxle and is
spec’d with a Fox Float CTD Kashima coated rear shock and high-end Enduro Max Magnetite
Black sealed bearings. It is available in Niner Green for the initial production runs and begins
shipping in October, MSRP $2899 US for the frame, rear shock and 142mm Maxle.

The new Jet 9 Carbon is an SLX equipped bike with all the details riders expect from a Niner.
MSRP is $3899 US for a complete bike and also ships in October. Both options include Niner’s
C5 warranty program.

Jet 9 Carbon Features

• Carbon full suspension from the only 29er only mountain bike company
• 100mm of CVA™suspension is efficient in every chainring
• Compatible with 100 - 120mm tapered forks
• Tuned for CVA™ - Fox Float CTD Evolution Shock
• Forged alloy suspension linkage and unique Niner hardware
• 135mm x QR Rear spacing li>
• PF30 bottom bracket
• Brand new XS size available
• MSRP $3899 (complete SLX bike)

Jet 9 RDO Features

• RDO Full Suspension- Top level performance with no compromises
• 100mm of patented CVA suspension is efficient in every chainring
• Compatible with 100-120mm forks
• Tuned for CVA- Fox Float CTD shock with Kashima coating
• Carbon suspension linkage and unique Niner hardware
• 142x12mm maxle rear spacing
• Brand new XS size
• Available in: Niner Green
• MSRP: 2899 USD (Frame, rear shock, and maxle

2012 Colorado State Champs - Telluride Team Geronimo

I packed up my bags, hitched the trailer up and got the wheels turning towards Telluride Mountain Resort for the 2012 Colorado State Championships. This small mountain town situated in the southwest corner of Colorado has played host to a World Cup and has been a mainstay on the Mountain States Cup circuit the past decade. The surrounding mountains tower above the historical mining town of Telluride, this place really is special and sometimes the views can even be distracting while trying to navigate down the course. The mountain has created a good system of trails in its developing bike park and the 2002 World Cup track still remains, but has seen quite a few facelifts throughout the years.

Two years have passed since I was last here and the track has since received some changes. The rocks in the landing of the road gap were to my delight removed and smooth rocks put in there place to provide an easy landing platform. Momentum Trail Concepts last year developed the bottom of the track with big berms, added track sections and time with steep chutes and tight turns. The weekend started out with some soaking rain that tacked up the riding surface creating hero dirt to end the day Friday. The rest of the weekend called for afternoon showers which could really shake things up if we were to race in the peanut butter.

There was once again a time trial Super D race that I chose to enter in for a bit of fun and practice towards the Big Mountain Enduro series later this year. There were a ton of dusty bermed turns and short sprints between to set the riders apart. It was a fun track to ride and I was excited to see if I could repeat my 1st place performance from last week. I had a great top section going and was riding well until I traversed across the open ski slope. I was looking ahead towards the entrance of the trees and then the off camber trail fell away beneath my wheels sending me sliding head first over the flesh searing rocks. After dusting myself off I hopped back on my bike with bars twisted 10 degrees to the left and rode hard the rest of the way to a 6th place finish only 4 seconds off the box and 10 from the win. As disappointing and painful as the race was I was stoked to see Teddy come across the line and finish 4th place overall less than a second off of 3rd.

Sunday morning rolled around and the aches from the previous evenings activities fallowed me up for my qualifying run. The rain had held off and the track was rough, fast and dry. I put together a clean qualifying run and ended up seeding in 2nd place .2 out of 1st. I knew I had to open it up throughout the turns and minimize mistakes for my final as I was tired from pedaling too hard out of every turn. Telluride local boy Jess rode very well in his first timed run since Angel Fire to seed 5th and Teddy who had been right on my tail seeded into 7th. With some good rides, we were looking at the possibility of 3 riders in the top 5, but first the Cat 1 15-18 junior riders were about to drop in. Both Roy and Tyler had crashed in their seeding runs and Roy was the first to cross the line and into the hot seat. He held the top position until Tyler crossed the line .05 ahead. Overall, Tyler would finish in 5th and Roy in 6th place. Congratulations to Roy who finished 2nd overall in the MSC Cat 1 15-18.

It was time to head back up the hill for my final run. In 2010 I had qualified 1st and was primed for a great finish and I ended up blowing my bead off the rim and awarded myself with an overnight stay in the Hospital. This thought had crossed my mind once or twice but I knew all I can do is ride and the rest will sort itself out. After congratulating the young junior rider who seeded 1st behind me, I set out of the gate far more focused and was riding exceptionally faster in the top section. I was riding loose, drifting past some of the spectators as I entered into the trees that took me down two years ago. I let out a little celebratory cheer as I smoothly rode past my old crash zone and blitzed into the rocks. I rode a slightly higher line than in practice and avoided many of the bigger rocks, but just as I thought I was in the clear, the all too familiar sound of the bead blowing off the tire rang true through the trees like a shotgun blast. At least this time I was still upright, body intact and ready to ride another day even though my day was done due to my rim losing the battle with a very sharp rock. Teddy had a safe run but left a little too much in the tank and finished 13th overall. Jess who had been gaining speed all weekend was looking for the podium but just fell short in 4th place overall, .8 off of the box.

It was another great weekend of riding and racing on some great tracks in arguably one of the most beautiful places in the country. There were some close calls and disappointment on my part with my DNF and fall in the Super D. The junior riders continued to impress and show their willingness to push themselves faster each weekend. Michael took this weekend off the rehab from a few bicycle get offs and to train for the upcoming Big Mountain Enduro Series races. Lear has been ripping it up in British Columbia, visiting Banshee headquarters and shredding hard in front of the camera. Thanks to all of our great sponsors for allowing us to perform at our highest potential and helping us reach our goals.

Ride On!

Brian