Issue Number Four

November 09

CON

TRIBUTORS

Rider Hans Rey in Africa . Photo by Carmen Freeman

PUBLISHER :
Brandon Watts

EDITOR:
Silly Anne (Priscilla Watts)

CONTRIBUTIN G WRITERS:
Nick Meyer Ryan Meyer Lars Sternberg Brad Walton Hunter Buck Josh Poulsen Hans Rey Brandon Watts Mitchell Buck Matt Noe Lars Thomsen Lee Rogers Zeb

CONTRIBUTIN G PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Carmen Freeman Jay Sinclair, JaySinclairPhoto.com Brad Walton, www.BradWaltonPhoto.com

CONTRIBUTIN G ARTIS TS:

Hunter Buck Brad Walton, www.BradWaltonPhoto.com

WEB MAS TERS:

Sean Hreha, PHP, HTML and Flash Man Wes Broadway, HTML and PHP Maniac

CONTRIBUTIN G SHOPS / COMPANIES:

Dirty Fingers, Hood River, Oregon The Pedaler, Memphis, Tennessee Trail Head Cyclery, San Jose, California Fluid Ride, Seattle, Washington Bicycle Therapy, Philly, Pennsylvania Transition Bikes, Ferndale, Washington Wheels 4 Life, California

OTHER SUPPORT:
Drew Reger, The GPS Store, www.theGPSstore.com
All rights reserved to FREEHUB Media, LLC. Copyright 2009.

FREEHUB MEDIA , LLC Bellingham, WA 98226 www.FreehubMag.com Edit or@FreehubMag.com

PHOTO .JAYSINCLAIRPHOTO.COM

RIDER . RYAN MEYERSN

CON

TENTS

ISSUE NUMBER 4

NOVEMBER 2009

Ryan Meyer - The North Shore, Vancouver, BC - Natural light 1/160 @ f2.8 ISO 1600

TRAIL & RIDE REVIEWS

Hood River, Oregon by Dirty Fingers Memphis, Tennessee by The Pedaler San Jose, California by Trail Head Cyclery Seattle, Washington by Fluid Ride Bikes Philly, Pennsylvania by Bicycle Therapy

6 8 10 12 14

Nick & Ryan Meyer, DJ / DH

Transition Bikes, Washington

18 26 CREATIVE PEEPS 34 INDUSTRY HANDS 36

Lars Sternberg, DH Hunter Buck

RIDER RANTS

FRIENDLY FRONTS
Ann Arbor, MI (Coming Soon)

00 42

COMMUNITY
Wheels 4 Life . A Hans Rey Charity

We believe that an idea is only an idea without the community support that makes it a reality. Community has made this magazine a reality.

THANKS!

Three Mi l lion trai l i nfested acres outside Hood River, Oregon

POST CANYON RIDING FINGERS FROM DIRTY FINGERS

Ode To Post
Having spent most of my life on a spiritually rewarding but financially dubious quest for singletrack, I have grown to accept a certain reality. That is: never will it be acceptable to live in a big metropolitan area. Schwanky outdoor mountain playtowns, with all their incredible beauty and lack of stable job opportunity, are a double edged sword I cannot, will not, resist falling on. Life is just too short to be spent sitting in traffic. It was this frame of mind that caused me to exchange a familiar but unstable life in one playtown, for a completely unknown one in Hood River, Oregon. It was just dumb luck that the place needed a good bike mechanic Located smack in the middle of 3 million acres of trail-infested national forest, Hood River is a gold mine for the riding inclined. There is so much to be sampled that in four years here, I have only begun to scratch the surface of what is available, though I am trying my best. When Freehub Magazine called looking for a story on our favorite riding spot, it touched off a heated and profanity- laced inner-shop debate on just what to write about. The sweet trail network at Mt. Hood? What about the hundreds of miles of prime backcountry single track in southern Washingtons Gifford Pinchot Forest? Not to mention the year-round and ultra technical little gem known as the Syncline. There are also several epic but not entirely legal trails that if revealed would lead to my being strung up in the town square by a bunch of local old timers. It was amid this confusion that true enlightenment chose to shine. The best place to go to let the legs out and purge the demons within also happens to be the closest, Post Canyon. Just a short distance from our door, Post rises three thousand vertical feet above town and is classic Oregon, meaning trees and ferns. The dirt in Post ranges from perfectly tacky on the good days, to

Dirty Fingers Review

Left: Mike putting up a Freehub Sticker in the Shop Center: The Sign Right: Brandon Watts eating it Photos: Reid Morth

sucking red clay when it rains, to little ball bearing clumps that have claimed many collarbones in the dry summer. Holding everything from cross country single track to stupid-hard freeride stunts and jumps, Post has something for everyone, except those who hate fun. The spider web of trails, both marked and not, seems to be never ending for the pedal-freaks. For those that prefer to huck their meat, the shuttle ride to the top of Binns Hill Road takes about twenty minutes and opens up a world of radness. There are huge jumplines to be sessioned, and endless skinnies to be ridden, not to mention a top flight hospital in town when things go wrong. The fact that Post is on largely lawless county land adds to the uniqueness of the place. On any given day, one can experience gunfire, redneck atv riders, or dope growing hippies, not to mention the occasional bear or mountain lion. There is even a practice area, known as Family Man, where the next generation of rippers can hone their skills. It is common to see parents teaching children, or children showing parents, the basics of freeriding. This last point is something that makes Post truly special; the community around it. Trail work is done

on a volunteer basis only. The number of hours and quality of the carpentry that the freeriders volunteer is amazing. The turnout for clean-up and workdays is also heartening. Whole families show up to put in their time because of what Post is, the local backyard riding spot. This is a positive thing. It might not be the sexiest or most exotic location around here to be writing about, but to me, the best place to ride is the one that helps you to escape life, scares you a little and pushes you to be better. Post does all that and more. I can work a ten hour day and still sneak in a loop before dark. Its a loop Ive ridden two hundred times; still, I giggle like a little girl every time I hit the giant G-out near the end. Wanna check it out? Our shop ride heads there every Thursday at 5:30 all summer long. Free beer afterwards for those who survive. Happy Trails, Mitchell Dirty Fingers Bicycle Repair

b Parsons Ride Her The Pedaler from

M E M P H I S , T E N N E S S E E

erb Parsons Lake State Park is less than an hour from anywhere in the Memphis, TN metro area, and makes a great ride destinationweekday after work in the summertime or a nice long weekend /day off ride. Total mileage is just over nine right now, with significant additions and improvements scheduled for this winter, thanks to the tireless efforts of Steve K. and the rest of the Mid-South Trails Association. This trail started as an ATV trail back in the 80s, and as off-road non-motorized cycling came around, the use of the trail changed to the point that tire tracks far outnumber footprints on this trail, and have for the last twelve or so years. In December 1996, additional trail was added, and major additions have been made over the last three or so years as well. The trail system is home to an offroad triathlon each year as well as a six-hour solo-only MTB event each fall, with more events possibly being added in the coming years. As for the trail itself, it can be made into anything from a tremendously relaxing daisysniffing wander through the woods to an I-need-

my-shoulders-removed-so-I-can-fly-even-faster thrill ride. Soil ranges from sandy hardpack to some loamy stuff, and the trail drains fairly wellso its usually the first stress reliever to be rideable after a sustained rain. Some manmade log-a-mids (with bailouts) and a couple of moderately adventurous bridges make things interesting, but mostly, its just nice, wooded, rolling, swoopy singletrack, with a couple of nice lake views thrown in. There is also enough trail so that a ride can be made interesting in ways besides just circling the lake again and again, and two-directional travel is allowed (and fun, I might add)alsobut counterclockwise is the preferred and more popular direction. The Holiday Loop (named for the time of year it was completed after much hard work)is a favoritejust dont let the bike get out from under youits way easy to go way fast through there. The trail goes out on pavement about 2/3 of the way throughbut only to cross a finger of the lake itself. Just across the bridge its time to dive right back into a ribbon of singletrack winding through a pine forest.is there anything in life finer than singletrack in a pine forest????

Words & Photos by Lars Thomsen

verlooked. Thats what these trails are. I once did the same, thinking to myself how could there be any technical single-track so close to town, and in a county park? No way. Way! Twisted trails switchback and groove through a serpentine soil ecosystem full of native grasses, Indian Paintbrush, lupine, poppies, oak trees, maple and sage brush. Ive seen wild turkeys, rabbits, rattle snakes, tarantulas, deer, coyote, red tail, turkey vultures, owls and even a mountain lion. On the southern fringe of Silicon Valley, the wild nature seems nearly out of place! Its a great escape from the concrete jungle. Most will agree, the best trail here is called Rocky Ridge. This well named trail branches off of Coyote Peak and will put a smile on anybodys face. That is, if you like fast and narrow single-track that starts with a smooth line up top and gradually gets rockier and more technical as you descend into a valley. Some folks ride around most rocks, but those with a keen eye can connect the dots and skip over them to form a fast as all get out run. Often, a prevailing north wind makes you work harder for the flow. But on the days we are pushed with a tailwind, we can fly. Ive given up on tubes or thin sidewall tires here; they are eaten for lunch. Once, I fixed three snake bites while my buddy fixed two. Do yourself a favor, go tubeless. Oh yea, near the bottom of this two mile run is a fast turn onto a wide wooden bridge then blam, you slam into a short, kickass climb just to see if youre still paying attention. It will shut most riders down. Ive heard many a drive train grind, hunting for an easier gear, not a chainsaw for your spokes! From the crest you can look back and heckle your pals for good measure, and then, its a roaring off camber decline to finish off the run. The other favorite trail we call Stiles Ranch, but most folks just know it as the switchback trail. Yep, something like 17 switchbacks in just 1.6 miles. Some of the trail is smooth and open while most of it is littered with serpentine rocks. I love the challenge of climbing rocky trails with switchbacks! Super challenging, especially if ridden from the South end. Ive spoken with many riders who get a gleam in their eye when remembering the first time they cleaned it. Not all the lines are obvious, such as one particular switchback. You come ripping into it on the main line and will surely shovel dirt in the turn, if you stay there.

Words by : Sean Bragstad

SANTA TERESA PARK RIDE FROM

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

Trail Head Cyclery

Up left is a big rock outcrop that you can rally up onto, then drop steeply into the apex and braaap, youre flying again. On a hot day, the sage just overwhelms the senses, distracting your focus but adding to the flavor. This trail is great in either direction with nearly equal climbing and descending, but clearly the favorite route is to ride south from the Mine trail. So, these two trails are pretty rough, but on the North side of the park there is a trail called Ohlone. This hill hugging trail is quite buff, winding through oak trees and grasses. Like all these trails, its fun either way, which is good since it doesnt really go anywhere unless you live at the end of it. Im going to tie these three trails together in sort of a figure eight. I hope you dont mind earning the downhills There are so many ways to ride into, around and out of Santa Teresa; I always have trouble selecting a route. For the sake of simplicity, this one begins from the main parking lot in the center and offers a mellow warm up. At the North end of the Pueblo Area, pick up the Hidden Springs Trail and ride left, up and down to the Ohlone trail. If you hit Bernal Road, you just missed your right turn. Ohlone will fly a bit, climb a tad, then fly some more. When you reach the golf course, go right. Ohlone continues up and then left skirting the fools in their goofy v-necks. Heckling golfers is good fun! At the next jeep road, go left and then stay right or those golfers will get you. Ohlone drops in again on the left for a nice one mile out a back ripper. Back track to the Coyote Peak Trail and climb it to the top. Note: this climb blows. Its a not any easier to take Boundary Trail -- nope. Bomb south of the peak on Coyote Trail and hold your line through the high speed kitty litter. Two short climbs and youre on top of Rocky Ridge. Drop your saddle for this one. When you exit Rocky Ridge, hang left on Mine Trail and then a quick right to stay on Mine. Short climb, then a quick descent to bear left into Stiles Ranch. Stiles will climb a few switchbacks, crest into a short downhill of switchbacks, across another bridge and up a couple more switchbacks. (I use my Gravity Dropper a lot.) You get another great view and then a super fun descent with more switchbacks in some deep sage. Swing left into Fortini trail, which rolls and climbs back to the Mine Trail and then off to your car. This route is about ten miles, but will take a good two hours if youre strong and you dont stop much. For those looking for a good challenge, climb up Rocky Ridge for a bonus run! To skip the parking fee, use the small lot on Bernal west of Trench Hill. This is a great ride super close to downtown San Jose, so its a favorite recommendation for visitors with a time budget. Hope to see you out there!

hen I was first asked to write a Local trail review for Freehub Magazine I was very excited as I have never written an official review. As I sat and thought of which trail I would like to write about I realized that most of the trails I enjoy riding on a regular basis are what I like to call Grey trails. Grey being the middle ground for black and white, or in this case, the middle ground between legal and illegal. I started riding Mountain bikes in Colorado Springs, Colorado in spring of 1998. I was 20 so I got a bit of a late start compared to alot of my riding friends at the time, I was however, a quick learner, and quickly became hooked on almost every type of riding I could get my hands on. At that time freeriding was just starting out and there wasnt alot of pirate or illegal trails being built to suit that type of riding. Basically, it was very clear what you could and couldnt ride. Jump forward to the present, I have lived in Seattle for 6 years now and have tried to find and ride any good trails that I hear about. To myself, a good trail is simply a trail that has a reward. The reward could be a number of things; some fun corners, a good descent, great views, challenging obstacles(I am a trials rider at heart), or maybe just a grunt of a climb that ends at a good beer. In trying to write this I realized that the trails I ride the most are not yet ready to be reviewed. As mountain biking gains support, we can hopefully

get a few of these spots legalized and get everyone out riding them. In the mean time, I am going to review one of my favorite local XC trails. Her name is Grand Ridge. Once part of a huge criss-crossing network of trails in King county that has been slowly reduced to a 5 mile out and back. It can be connected to a few different trail/fireroad loops for up to 14 miles of fun times. The trail starts down in Issaquah and gradually climbs up an old railroad grade on the North side of I-90. The first trail you come to on the left is the old entrance, a steep and rocky climb up to an old washed out bridge, I suggest continuing to the second and now official entrance which has a more gradual climb with a few challenging corners. There have been alot of new improvements made to the trail including a few small re-routes and some much needed drainage work, courtesy of volenteers organized by the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. The climb up from Issaquah is the steepest part, once your up on the plateau the trail gets really fun with long stretches of winding singltrack and the occasional short climb or Descent. You pass a few new housing developments on your way up, but once you get back in there a ways you feel like youre all alone. After a few fun descents and climbs you will come to the first of 2 bogs, there are plans to install a bridge system to ride

Grand Ridge Ride from FLUIDRIDE

S E AT T L E , WA S H I N G TO N

over them eventually, but for now you just have to ride/hike through them. There are alot of roots and things to hop along, so dont worry about having to hike through mud for too long. After the second bog, the longer of the 2, you will climb up out of the little valley to the end of the trail at IssaquahFall City road. From here if you look across the road you will see a white gate blocking a fire road heading north, this is the road leading to the future site of Duthie Hill Bike Park. Though it is not open for riding yet, it looks to be the future premier bike park/trail system in the Seattle area. After the completion of Colonnade Bike Park under I-5 much of the local volunteer efforts have been focused here at Duthie Hill. There will be XC loops good for MTB as well as Cycle-Cross training, Freeride trails based on wood stunts such as jumps and drops, Beginner jump and drop trails, Mini DH trails with for short races, Dirt jumps, and a Pump Track. Basically, If you like riding a mountain bike you are going to love Duthie Hill. If you are interested in helping make this project a reality you can contact the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance or just go to there website, evergreenmtb. org, register and sign up for a work party. I will note for those of us who like to get into trouble, you can usually use this to work off community service hours as well. I think that just about covers it, and to get back to the trail head, just turn around to do the back in out and back. Have fun, and ride safe!

View of the trail.

words and photos by ZEB

THE GOSHEN RIDE fromBicycleTherapy

P H I L A D E L P H I A , PA

rban living affords unrivaled conveniences and cultural experiences, but sometimes the best part about a city is finding a quick way to get out of it! Philadelphia is sliced in two by the scenic Schuylkill River, which is bordered by paved paths on its east and west sides. Any cyclist that has been in the city for more than a couple of days knows that a quick four miles north on these paths is a sure way out of the bustle and congestion. Unfortunately, it is easy to get lost after climbing one of the hills that extend out of the familiar river valley. Luckily, there are plenty of group rides and club cue sheets giving riders access to dozens of beautiful rides. As a native Philadelphian, a bicycle shop owner and a life long cyclist, I consider myself a connoisseur. The Goshen ride is a long established training route that covers just under fifty-five miles of rolling hills through Philadelphias affluent western suburbs. There was a time, when in the company of my brother and other young athletes, we would race through the three counties covered by the route. Pushing the pace on the four mile straight leading up to the half-way point, and then sprinting for every town line, I hardly afforded myself the pleasure of taking in the scenery and enjoying the varied terrain. My approach is different these days. I have grown to truly love this ride in the company of my Saturday morning group that meets in front of my shop at seven a.m.. Sometimes as many as two dozen riders participate and they represent a full spectrum of cyclists. Former bicycle racers, veteran club riders, and novices mingle, ride, and build on each others patience and skills. It is not uncommon that a Saturday morning outing is the first ride exceeding twenty miles for one of the participants. Through the years, I have used the traditional Goshen route as a template. As friends and riding companions show me new roads and paths, I take joy in finding ways to incorporate them into my favorite ride. The ride itself begins just like every other ride that leaves Philadelphia. We meander through the downtown streets toward one of the numerous entrances to the Schuylkill River bike path, around the Museum of Art and onto one of the river drives. Martin Luther King Drive, which hugs the western bank of the river is closed to automotive traffic on the weekends during the spring and summer. This four lane road typically hosts highway-like rush hour traffic, but for two days a week, transforms into a four mile sanctuary for cyclists, runners and rollerbladers. In double pace line, we roll out along the river and turn left up the first of many small hills. The climb wraps around the outer

edge of Fairmont Park, over weather beaten asphalt and past a concrete reservoir, representing the last urban structure we will see for a few hours. The first ten miles are purely suburban. We pass through some of the countrys wealthiest neighborhoods where historic homes and wild new construction are equally impressive. The hills out here are long, but subtle, allowing the group to find a comfortable tempo. After a few rolling miles, we make an illegal left onto Dove Lake Drive. While the turn is blind and carries certain risk (my shops service manager fondly refers to this as the suicide turn), the reward is considerable. Dove Lake is more of a misty pond shrouded by hanging branches and manicured shrubbery. Around the lake and to the left is a short steep climb, then a descent past the grounds of a historic mansion, and on towards Villanova University. Passing the university has always felt like the beginning of the Goshen ride as this is where one would head back to the city on an average weekday ride. The scenery and topography also change a mile past the university, as we meet our first true rollers and gaze upon a herd of cattle on a small farm. I like to take a right on Clyde road instead of heading straight for Goshen, as the traditional route dictates. This diversion takes the group by the beautiful Willows Park and up Sawmill Road. Sawmill is my favorite climb, as it extends for over a mile and maintains a steady incline perfect for keeping a good tempo. At the right pace, even the newest rider can feel a sense of accomplishment at the top of the hill, without being beaten for the rest of the ride. More experienced riders can have a blast, gradually accelerating in the saddle and then sprinting for the stop sign at the top. A quick dog leg after Sawmill brings us onto Goshen Road, which undulates for four miles past sprawling horse farms. A flat back straight shoots us past a curious black smith shop where the ride usually turns towards home. I prefer to continue half a mile WATCH OUT FOR THESE GUYS...SERIOUSLY!

further and hang a right onto the coarse surface of Warren Road. A canopy of branches shade the mile of fast dirt road, and spots of sunlight make me feel as if I am riding through the pages of Rouleur magazine (even if only for a brief moment). Leaving Warren behind, we meet more horse farms and beautiful homes as the rollers get steeper and the ride turns toward home. The next ten miles can be trying for some, but include a couple of payoffs before hitting the ten to twelve miles of bike path that lead back to Philadelphia. As the hills become more gradual, I turn onto Arden Road for a long, steady, wooded climb that I fondly refer to as the Ardennes. Upon cresting the hill and descending toward the valley, the ride makes a quick right onto Balligomingo Road. This favorite road of many of my employees is neither hilly nor flat, but allows the cyclist to accelerate with effort, then favors furious speed as it shoots excited riders out toward the bike path home. The Valley Forge bike path is the most popular route out of the city for new cyclists. It is flat and extends from the Manayunk borough on the northwestern edge of the city to Valley Forge National Park, twenty miles away. The paved trail is safe from motorists, but monotonous for a seasoned area rider. There are many alternatives to the bike path, but crossing the Schuylkill River in Conshohoken (the half way point between Philadelphia and Valley Forge) and joining the path is a great way to refresh the group before the last stretch. The path ejects riders into a quiet river front community at the edge of Manayunk. Some like to climb away from the river at this juncture, but on a dry day, I opt for the tow path. The dirt, gravel, and wood planked trail runs along a canal where mules once treaded the same ground, leading barges to the towns mills and providing shipping companies with access to nearby waterways. The fast and bumpy terrain is a fun boost before joining Martin Luther King Drive and heading home.

Photo by Joy Armstrong, taken of Scott Miers at the Gravity Experiment Cruiser Downhill Race in Washington.-

SHUT TER SPEED

rider profile

LARS STERNBERG

PHOTOS BY BRAD WALTON

QUESTIONS
Age: 32 Hometown: Sparks, Nevada Birthplace: Truckee, California Favorite Trail: Whichever one I am riding today Sponsors?
Transition Bikes, Fox Racing Shox, Dakine, Crankbrothers, KORE, Maxxis, Jagwire

Favorite place to ride?

I dont have a favorite right now. I am having so much fun riding new places and trails lately theres no way I could pick just one. I ride a bit of everything. I guess anywhere in the mountains is acceptable.

Favorite place to race?

I love to race anywhere that is new. I love the challenge of learning a new trail and trying to find the quickest, and smoothest way to the finish within a timeframe. Having to deal with the pressure of getting dialed on a new course in the race environment, has an addictive effect. I cant seem to get enough.

What sparked your interest in biking when you were young?

The feeling of freedom I experienced. It has never changed since my very first day.

When did you get into biking, and what form of biking was it?
I started on a 16 department store BMX. I grew up riding anything with two wheels. Ten speeds, old school rigid MTBs, BMX, whatever was in the shed. This is also how I learned how to work on bikes. I used to tear the familys bikes apart and mismatch parts into these frankenbikes. I would spend days on a project. I used to get in so much trouble.

Have you had any serious injuries while under the influence of DH? How long did it take you to get back on the saddle?
I have had many injuries, and I have been pretty lucky each time. I have had a few super scary ones that resulted in serious surgeries and hospital time. But I chalk them all up as part of the territory.

Do any other sports influence your biking or style?

I feel that there is a lot of crossover from iceskating to mountainbiking. Like the rush you feel before you go for my favorite Brian Boytano move the quadruple lutz. Its pretty much the equivalent of the rush you get before you boost a huge 12.5 double and plan to Schleybletop over it. Its like my Ice skating hero Chazz Michael Michaels says You challenging me, princess? Did you carve up any ice... with your weiner?

Who are your favorite Riders?

Anybody who rides, purely because they love it. You can always tell who they are.

PHOTOS BY BRAD WALTON

PHOTOS BY BRAD WALTON

What events do you plan on attending or racing this coming season?

I will be racing a number of Domestic and International events. Having the backing of Transition bikes this year, and being able to assemble a great team will be a big change for me. We have some very cool things in store for next year, and I cant wait to let the cat out of the bag!

What are the biggest Podiums thus far in your racing career?
I placed 3rd at the Valparaiso race in Chile in 07. That was my favorite. The people are amazing there, and there were so many. Everybody was going crazy.

What is you philosophy on competing? Is it more mental or physical for you?

The physical part is easy. Do the work and you know you are prepared. The mental part is harder. All the variables come into play. Yes if you have prepared physically then you will have more confidence, but you still have to instill that confidence onto race day. There are so many factors that can make it or break it mentally just on race day.

What is your biggest goal for this coming season? And the following season?
National Championships, and World Championships

What do you do to occupy your time when your not on the bike, besides work?
Well I dont live in my house anymore so I cant work on it. Honestly there is not much in my life that is not involved in biking somehow. When I do have some completely free time, I chill out with my girlfriend Asta. We both are really into food. Shes a fantastic cook, so we spend a lot of evenings at home trying new recipes shes made. We go out to eat a lot too. Moving back to Bellingham is going to be a big improvement in the eating out department.

If you were to give one piece of advice to new kids on the block, what would it be?
Ride it like you stole it. Honestly, every day you have to ride you bike is an opportunity that someone else has missed. Dont ever forget this. It is easy to get complacent when you reach certain goals. There are so many people out there that either havent found bikes, or cant ride for some reason. Bikes have made my life what it is. I have made nearly every close friend I have through bikes. I have seen parts of the World I never would have without bikes. I live a very different life today than I would have without bikes.

 ...its one of the most versatile and adjustable downhill bikes on the planet...

Meyer Brothers
Rider Profiles of Nick & Ryan Me yer

JaySinclairPhoto.com
Meyer Brothers - Nick (Front) Ryan (Back) - Northshore, Vancouver BC - 1/200 @ f3.5 ISO 800

Nick Meyer Nicknames: >Nick: Nickel >Ryan: Meyers? I dont really have one Birthplace: Vancouver, BC Hometown: Tsawwassen, BC Ages: >Nick: 22 >Ryan: 21 Sponsors?

Ryan Meyer

>Nick: Corsair Bikes, Atomlab, Hayes Brakes, RaceFace, Spy Optics, MRP Chain guides. >Ryan: Corsair Bikes, Atomlab, Hayes Brakes, Race Face, Spy Optics, MRP Chain guides. Favorite Trails: >Nick: old abby jumps or man-paw >Ryan: Man-pawn (Zack Danks trails) Favorite places to ride? >Nick: California theres so many places to ride there and everywhere is perfectly built. >Ryan: Anywhere with a killer set of jumps and my friends! Favorite places to race or compete? >Nick: Crankworx Colorado >Ryan: Somewhere in Europe that I havent been to yet.

MB
What sparked your interest in biking when you were young? >Nick: I got a bike with front suspension and started jumping over and off things and then started building dirt jumps >Ryan: My brother started biking and wouldnt stop talking about it, then he got an issue of Mtn. Bike Action and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world next to moto-x. Soon after I got an Infinity bike from Coast-co and that was the beginning of the end. When did you get into biking, and what form of biking was it? >Nick: I was about 10 or maybe even younger than that and it was lots of local XC trail riding with our dad, but then started jumping off curbs and speed bumps and roots and that was way more fun >Ryan: My dad would always tell us super exciting and entertaining stories involving himself and his many motorbikes back home in Switzerland, so that was the root to all my interest of 2 wheeled machines. I think I started riding bikes as soon as I could reach the pedals because I wanted to keep up to my brother, but I was always the one that had to find something to jump off or over and wind up in the hospital nothing has changed, haha. Have you had any serious injuries while under the influence of DH or DJ? How long did it take you to get back on the saddle? >Nick: I got my stomach impaled by my handle bar about 2 years ago riding at Woodward West and had to have a pretty invasive emergency surgery to repair things. It took me a couple months to heal up and not too long after that to get back on the bike. I had to work pretty hard for a few months to get my riding back to where it was before the accident, but Im still timid of riding wooden ramps now. It was a simple crash, just unlucky for me. >Ryan: I have had more injuries from biking then anyone should ever sustain in a lifetime and I dont think it is going to let up anytime soon. Im labeled as injury prone to most people who know all of the things that have happened to me and by the time Im 40, my body will be aching like an 80 year old. From personal experience though, I would far rather break any bone then tear a ligament or tendant. The most time I have spent off the bike was last season when I blew out my knee I was off the bike for 7 or 8 months, had surgery, months of physiotherapy and training, and it still feels like garbage! I will probably be feeling it every day for the rest of my life.

JaySinclairPhoto.com
Nick Meyer - 360 X-Up - Fall in Abbotsford BC -- 1/320 @ f5.6 ISO 1600

MB

Ryan Meyer - Superman Gap Jump - Squamish, BC - 1/320 @ f8 ISO 400

Are you guys pretty competitive toward each other? Does it help you better your riding? >Nick: We are always competitive with each other, when we need to be. But we also help each other progress, we ride together a lot when were both healthy, learning new trick and critiquing each other on how they look, traveling and riding contests. So it definitely betters our riding, always having someone on the same level to ride with. >Ryan: Of course we are competitive with each other, we are brothers! I feel like it effects me more though with my riding then it does Nick. If he can do a trick or ride a line that I cant, it bothers me so much that I will force myself to try it until I can do the trick or line better then him, or until I get hurt on most occasion. I feel that it helps more then anything else with our riding we dont get the same effect from riding with anyone else. What events do you plan on attending or racing this season? >Nick & Ryan: Sea Otter Classic, Teva Mountain Games, Chatel Mountain Style, Crankworx CO & Crankworx Whistler, Highland Claymore Challenge slopestyle, Atomlab Supersession, and any other Europe evens that our budget allows. What are the biggest Podiums thus far in your racing or jumping career? >Nick: Got a few 4X wins back when we used to race and a bunch of top 10s at jump comps locally. >Ryan: I was pretty good at racing 4x back in the day, so I got a bunch of wins there and some podiums in jump and freestyle contests as we were getting into contests. I made finals at Crankworx slopestyle a few years back but havent had the best contest seasons due to injuries since then. Im pushing my hardest this winter though and training as much as my body can take, so hopefully if I play my cards right, you will see me in the top 10s of all the events I attend in 2010! Whats your signature trick? >Nick: 360 x-ups >Ryan: Superman

JaySinclairPhoto.com

MB
What is you philosophy on competing? Is it more metal or physical for you? >Nick: For me its mostly mental I really need to learn to calm myself down before I drop in for my contest runs. I tend to over pressure myself and end up not getting my runs. >Ryan: There is a lot of both for me I get super nervous before runs usually, and that is never good. The other times I am coming off an injury and cant do all the tricks I would have wanted to do. Do any other sports influence your biking or style? >Nick: BMX & FMX both have tricks that can be crossed over to mountain biking and BMX style is so amazing to watch. >Ryan: Im influenced by basically any extreme sport. BMX has shown insight to MTB that you can do big stuff and have great style and keep it smooth at the same time. FMX always makes me see that it is possible to go bigger every year. Snowboarding and skiing just makes me stoked throughout the entire winter and I just love the culture, clothing, and connection it has with the general public to tie it all in. I enjoy watching F1 racing, WRC and MotoGP as well, and dream of being associated with one of the 3 at a later point in my life. What other aspects of your life have been influenced by biking? >Nick: every bit of my life is someway a reflection on my biking. Biking is a huge part of my life and gives me freedom to >Ryan: Everything. Biking has taken me to places I could have only dreamt of going and introduced me to the most exciting lifestyle and best friends I will ever have. It has molded me into a person that I couldnt have become by just staying in my hometown with all my school friends. What is your biggest goal for this coming season? >Nick: to get top 10 at every contest I enter. >Ryan: To be get my Trick List completed and have even more fun then I did last season. If you were to give one piece of advice to new kids on the block, what would it be? >Nick: Ride for fun, and be an ambassador for the sport. Personality goes a long way >Ryan: Be optimistic, have a lot of confidence in yourself without being cocky, and never give up when you get injured. JaySinclairPhoto.com

Meyer Brothers - Ryan (Front) Nick (Back) - Northshore, Vancouver BC - 1/200 @ f2 ISO 400

Hunter works primarily with oil paints, but his most recent works have been multi-media pieces. With combining silk-screen, drawing, photo collage and his paintings, he creates an application similar to printmaking. He really enjoys screen-printing, relief, and lithography printmaking.

HUNTER BUCK
A R T I S T
Hunter Buck has been creating art ever since he could grip a crayon. It had always been highly valued in his family and the way he was raised. He grew up watching and working with artists as parents, and couldnt really imagine doing anything else. Like mother and father, like son. Hunter was never pressured to attend art school or make art, but it was an inspiring experience to see loved ones in his life making a living with their passions. Someday I will have that same passion. Hinter was born in Bozeman, Montana in 1987. However, he had the pleasure of living in KailuaKona, Hawaii for much of his early years Both cultures have been very significant influences on his life and work. He is currently a senior attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, where he studies painting and printmaking. Both street art and fine art have had a profound influence on his work, and he finds beauty in taking aspects from both and combining them to create a narrative for the viewer.

B I O

Rider-owned, rider-operated, the Transition Bikes crew poses in front of their new warehouse. L to R: Kyle Young, Cam Burnes, Carl Buchanan, Mike Metzger, Brad Walton, Sam Burkhardt, Lars Sternberg, and Kevin Menard

Words and Photos by Brad Walton

Rider Owned For Life

As enthusiastic as they were, the boys were hardly qualified for starting a bike company in the midst of an already oversaturated market. Menard was a weekend mountaineer - going so far as to scale peaks in Nepal, a bike commuter - riding 17 miles Quitting a stable job in a booming telecomm market to purto work each way regardless of the weather and a sue a dream of creating mountain bikes is the big move that general lover of the great outdoors - especially by very few of even the most accomplished riders would ever mode of two-wheeler. Young grew up a BMX flatland have the balls to go for. For Transition Bikes owners, Kevin trickster, practicing hours on end, honing his skills Menard and Kyle Young, it was necessity to fill a void in the in driveways and parking lots before moving to dirt most important market in the bike industry: their own. jumping and eventually, mountain biking the North Shore of British Columbia in the 1990s. The passion For a few years before they became entrepreneurs, twentywas there, and Menard and Young combined the little somethings Menard and Young worked for a major teleknowledge they had from family businesses and split communications company in the metropolis of Seattle, the tasks for the company right down the middle. Memaking good money. Life was good, but something was nard would handle the marketing and domestic sales, missing. Both avid cyclists, they shared a common paswhile Young would handle logistics and international sion for biking with a ride everything mentality that sales. Both learned design software and shared the role fit well with the blooming freeride segment. Tired of of creating the virtual product. paying too much for complex novelty bikes with weird hybrid geometries that worked great until ridden hard As the plans formed on paper and the designs were honed in foul conditions, the boys saw a niche in creating into 3 distinct models, Menard and Young traveled to Asia versatile, affordable, rugged frames with their own to find a manufacturer that could supply quality hand-made preferred riding style incorporated into the design. frames at an affordable end price. Using money they had It had to go uphill, it had to go downhill, and it had saved during the telecomm years, Transition Bikes was born to handle everything in between, because thats the in Menards basement in Seattle. way they ride.

Mikey lays out some steez while the rest of the crew observes no evil during company happy time in the warehouse

Starting from scratch definitely wasnt easy for the two, The new location proved worthy and Transition Bikes soon but with lots of support from friends as test-dummies began hiring employees as the company grew. Within 3 and showing off the bikes to other riders who quested years, the company was bursting at its seams yet again; it for such capable steeds, the first production run made was time for a larger warehouse. The first order of busienough money to continue to round two. Transition Bikes ness would be to find a location that could offer its own chugged along in this fashion for a couple of years, maktesting grounds, by means of a dirt jump park. Early in ing revisions and updates to the frames until the basement 2008, Transition Bikes moved into a 7,500 square foot was overcrowded. It was time to get official. Seeing an facility on 2 acres of land; no time was wasted in prepopportunity to expand their business as well as their ridping the backyard test park. Lunch breaks, stress relief, ing, the boys decided to move out of the city and closer to or visits from sponsored riders now warrant product better testing grounds. Ferndale, Washington, also home of testing out behind the warehouse. Away from the ofKona USA, seemed like a good place to go; so close to the fice, Menard and Young routinely host trailbuilding Canadian border and a more central location to the style of and maintenance parties on the local trails that they riding they prefer. love to ride at Galbraith Mountain. Simplicity has always been a key ingredient within the company, but that doesnt mean there isnt room for innovation. With the advent of the Bottlerocket, Transition Bikes realized an almost overnight success. This 5.5 travel ultra-versatile rig

is capable of handling nearly anything thrown at it. It was Creating solutions to real world problems has become designed right about the time the word slopestyle hit a mainstay of the design process at Transition, and rethe lips of mountain bike tricksters across the industry cently they realized a need for a new way of sizing lowand is now copied as a staple of nearly every companys slung trail, downhill, and dirt jump bikes. Working in quiver. With the pioneers of the company having realpartnership with Turner Bikes and borrowing some terized the struggle to find bikes to fit emerging riding minology and measurement technique from elite road cystyles, Transition Bikes continues to adapt as smaller clists, Transition has determined that the geometric relaniches develop within the aggressive riding commutionship between the handlebar and pedals of a bike offers nity, responding with immediate product offerings to the most accurate comparison for the fit and feel between support these riders. different frames, making traditional seat tube and top tube measurements mostly irrelevant. Reach and Stack measurements have now been added to all of Transitions frames to Kyle Young enjoys guide riders to a fit thats closer to what they are used to.
the fruits of his labor after moving his company further north to greener forests

Being riders, Menard and Young see their product on a customers level, and that means finding ways to keep costs down and the stoke high. Instead of exhibiting at the annual InterKevin getting horizontal under the freeway at the Colonnade Bike Park in Seattle

Living the dream, Carl Buchanan now spends his days working for a riderowned company with their own backyard product testing grounds

Global inventory manager Carl Buchanan keeps the shipping on loc down inside the warehouse

Global shipping manager Carl Buchanan sends some air mail

Owners Young and Menard keeping the dream alive

International sales manager Sam Burkhardt keeps with the times by reading away at the Fail Blog in his off moments

bike trade show in Las Vegas, Transition hosted the controversial yet far from impersonal, Vegas Resistance along with a few other core companies at a hotel where dealers could touch, feel, and ride the bikes during appointed times with no distractions. On top of that, the Transition crew got in several days of solid testing in a drier environment in Utah and California while the rest of the industry was time traveling back home from Vegas. The entertaining company website blog keeps viewers up to date with whats going on in the company as far as new product updates, ride photos, videos and press releases. In an attempt to eliminate the barrier to entry for traditionally budget-conscious core riders, Transition offers their own in-house brand of components built for the rigors of abusive riding. And product support doesnt end at the checkout stand. There are no auto-generated email responses here. Customer support is a priority, with lifetime crash replacement offered on all frames because riders know things happen and eventually somethings got to give. To keep things zesty, Transition offers multiple paint options and a decal kit with each frame to customize the look of the bike and offer a sense of individuality. Original themes like a Pabst Blue Ribbon paint job pumps up the fun. Transition now employs a team of 8 seasoned riders from all facets of the sport to handle the various chores of running the business. While theres no company documentation requiring employees to ride, its pretty much impossible not to, with the encouragement of such a tight crew. A quick background check would lead reveal multiple types of riding experience within the company, from cross-country and road riding to dirt jumping and street sessions, downhill racing, and big mountain hucking. Its the ultimate in product testing to have such an assortment of enthusiastic talent actually running the company. Theres an impressive sponsor roster complimenting the in-house team of riders as well. All of this helps to pump up the passion in the company for progression in riding and in designing the ultimate bikes. In fact, the companys original sponsored rider, Mike Metzger, is now one of its full-time employees and manages sponsorship for the company. While a Transition bike may not be the best fit for every rider out there, its good to know that there are rider owned companies like Transition deep rooted in, and dedicated to, the advancement of the sport. These guys are in it for the long haul and want to share the stoke of mountain biking with anyone wants to ride.
Cam Burnes, US dealer sales manager spends almost as much time on the phone as on his bike

International sales manager Sam Burkhardt gets in some north shore time riding in a foreign country now that he works within an hour drive south of a riding mecca

Riding and making videos to display the ride qualities of the bikes is now just another day of work for owner Kyle Young

Words by Josh Poulsen & Hans Rey photos by Carmen Freeman

This lady was one of our recipients, she is holding up a sign to acknowledge the donor of her particular bike, Dr. Sten Kramer and his family. By the way, the shed in the background is the ladies kitchen.

f you had the power to change the worldwhat would you do? This is a question not many people get to ask themselves, but a select few do. Some build homes and give blankets. Some bring fresh water and food. And others, choose to give bikes that change lives. Wheels4Life (W4L) is a non-profit charity that was founded by cross-country mountain bike world champion, Hans No way Rey. After a successful career in professional cycling, Hans knew first hand how bicycles could change lives. With this knowledge, he has created a non-profit that has delivered over 900 bikes worldwide (as of Feb 2009) to worthy recipients in Central and South America, Asia, and many countries throughout Africa. Such a noble charity has gained the attention of people throughout the world. With donations, awareness, fundraisers and other support from world-class riders and rockers such as Wade Simmons, Brian Lopes, Richie Schley and Tim Commerford (Rage against the Machine), the charity continues to grow and change lives. These public figures are helping W4L get some great publicity to promote the charity and creating a butterfly effect that is inspiring people from around the world to do the same.

AN INTERVIEW WITH A CHARITY THAT CHANGES LIVES...TWO WHEELS AT A TIME.

The Wheels4Life charity provides free bicycles to people in need of transportation in third world countries. They partner with local individuals, community groups, churches and other groups to help them identify persons who sincerely need a bicycle as a way to get to school, work, or even hospitals which can be many miles away. Having a bike can make all the difference when someone needs to break out of the vicious cycle of poverty. The gift of mobility through a bike can do miracles. One bike can serve as a blessing to a family whose doctor or nurse can now reach them in time to save a life. - Wheels4Life.org website By giving bikes rather than food, water or medication, people in a community become self-sufficient and sustain each other through community use of a bicycle. Along with other projects around the world, W4L is working to get bicycles delivered to Neko Tech Centers Health Care Project in Ghana. Neko Tech will reach out to villages and help educate residents on a number of issues and teach them valuable information concerning Economics, HIV, Family Planning, Health, Environmental and Agricultural matters. Aside from this particular case, W4L has helped transform communities worldwide with the introduction of bicycles to everyday life.

This boy was the bike mechanic he was sent with the bikes to assemble them all. He had a lot of work cut out for himself, since all the bikes came in bits and pieces, down to every spoke.

Hans personally presenting one of the bikes to a lady during trip #3. Every person was carefully selected, each bike will be used in multiple ways by each recipient.

From the eyes of Freehub Magazine, this was a perfect example of how community can directly affect people all over the world, with bicycles as the outlet. We were lucky enough to talk with founder of Wheels4Life, Hans Rey and ask him a few questions about his charity and life changing non-profit. Im sure you have life changing stories that all started with someone receiving a bike. Do you have a favorite that youd like to share with the readers? Hans: When we were in the second time in Tanzania for our film project, we had a certain amount of bikes to hand out. On our way to meet some of the suggested recipients, we ran into this widow with two young children who lived in a very simple mud hut. She blessed us and was so happy to see us and to help her community. After further questions we asked whether she could benefit of a bike as well, and she told us she could use one for many reasons. She had to fetch water for her family from the well that was a couple miles away and also get to the mountains (5miles) where she burned bushes to make charcoal which she then had to transport to the market where she would receive approximately $1 per bag. Often she would come home too late to provide her young kids with a meal. She was in tears of joy when we told her she would get a bike too. When I came back 6 months later, I saw her again and she proudly told us how her life had improved and she showed us also how she also had modified the bike to carry the water containers and to load it with charcoal bags. Tanzania has been blessed with 210 bikes from W4L; it has changed, improved, enhanced or even saved, more than double that number.

This man became a wood cutter thanks to his bike, he is able to travel and transport his equipment to and from work sites, which are often in remote areas in the mountains. His life had take a very positive spin since we had seen him before. He also provided us with the wooden sign for our bike shop. Going full circle.

The grand opening of the first official Wheels 4 Life bike shop in Kivisini (just the left part of the building, the right part is the local grinding mill). Many people from the valley came to this event, we also hosted a meal for 200 people and handed out more bikes.

Why was Tanzania so fortunate in getting so many bicycles? Hans: Well, Tanzania got blessed by chance. For one, we had quite a lot of applications from there. Secondly, it was the place where we filmed our Wheels 4 Villages film (which is supposed to get finished this winter). We went there 3 times over the course of a year and filmed the impact that the bikes had on the people and communities in and around the North Pare Mountains.

This lady makes her own bricks and sells them for a living. Something she couldnt make profitable before she had a bike. Thanks to her bike she can deliver the bricks. She also donated some her bricks for our bike shop.

Tim Commerford rode for your charity this summer. What kind of coverage did that give to W4L? Hans: Tim has been a loyal supporter of W4L from the beginning. He writes us a check every single year, which is super kind. This year he listed us as his charity of choice when he competed with Team Surfing USA in the Race Across America bike race. He did that as a means to create awareness for our cause. But any help is much appreciated from our rather small charity.

The school children at Kivisini elementary school anxiously awaiting the bike distribution and Hans trials bike stunt show.

What made you want to start this Charity? Hans: I wanted to give something back to the world. Cycling has been great to me and I have been lucky to make a living from my hobby for years. In my travels, I have visited many Third World countries and have seen how bikes are used and viewed very differently there, and also how important mobility/ transportation is. Having a bike can make all the difference in somebodys life. When I did a selfseminar, called Landmark Education in 2004, I was asked to do a community project as part of the course; little did I know that it would turn into an ongoing global project! If W4L had to give out an MVP award, who would get it? Hans: Easily my wife, Carmen. What separates W4L from other bike charities? Hans: I think our general mission is similar, but there are different ways to go about it. For us, its important to inspire people on the giving and receiving end, as well as to do quality projects, where the bikes not only reach the right and most deserving people, but where they will be appreciated and used. Its a bit more about the quality than the quantity. Apart from helping get even MORE underprivileged people on bikes, what goals does W4L hope to achieve in the future? Hans: We want to have a positive impact on as many people as can benefit from a bicycle. We also want to expand more into helping set up bike shops and service stations. The bikes will last longer if they are properly maintained and if they are able to find spare-parts. Plus, a bike shop will provide jobs for mechanics, etc.... But I also want the regular people and kids back home to build faith in a charity like ours and to make them understand that it is not always up to the Bill Gates of this world to make a difference. Everybody can and should contribute - and it doesnt always have to include opening ones wallet. I often suggest to people to clean out their garage/ toys and sell them on ebay or at garage sale; they can then donate that money while recycling their goods and cleaning their own house of junk.......

Carmen posing with one of the children she bought a bike for. Hans wife is one of the main forces behind Wheels 4 Life: Treasurer, Secretary, Photographer, Projects Manager, Fundraiser and Supporter/Donor.

If you would like to help make a difference, please visit www.Wheels4Life.org today. $150 can purchase and deliver a bicycle to someone in desperate need of transportation, but any amount is welcome. Please help give the lifeline that a bicycle can provide.

Day 2 at our local W4L bike shop. Aminielli (green hat) is our official mechanic, and the boy to the left is Prefa, a orphan who is now the apprentice at the shop who is thought to become a mechanic.

Another proud owner of a new bicycle, during our Wheels 4 Villages Film Project we distributed 135 bikes, but we also filmed over the period of 1 year the impact these bikes have on the people and community. The film is scheduled to come out at the beginning of 2010.

www.FreehubMag.com