Adam Craig–America’s great hope for a medal in the Olympic XC race–shares his experience at this year’s world championships in Val di Sol, Italy. The WTB-sponsored rider had a lackluster result, but he teaches us a valuable lesson about making lemonade when life hands you lemons (and the value of challenging an Italian guy on trials motorbike). Read Craig’s report here.

The Novato Advance newspaper recently wrote a three-part story about WTB employee and pro rider Mark Weir. His dedication and passion for cycling are making a real difference in the community of Novato, California. Click here to read the newspaper stories.

Stuart Kernaghan from NSMB.com tests a WTB LaserDisc Trail wheelset throughout the wilds of British Columbia. You can read his full, comprehensive product review here.

We just found an excellent article about cycling on ecoworldly.com. If you are here on the WTB website, you probably already understand all the benefits of riding bikes. But this story offers a great reminder of why bikes are the most popular form of transportation in the world. The article is loaded with great statistics, for example: Bicycling could save the average American at least $250,000.

Read all 17 reasons here.

Greg Minnaar, WTB-sponsored rider and 2005 downhill world champion, shares his tips for downhill speed in this BikeSkills video. Minnaar, and his Santa Cruz Syndicate teammates, recently dominated downhill world cup number five in Fort William, Scotland. Syndicate riders took up three of the five spots on the podium with Minnaar on top, Steve Peat in third and Nathan Rennie in fourth. Minnaar’s saddle of choice is the WTB Deva SLT in white.

WTB team riders have been on a roll. Brad Benedict returned from his first European world cup at Maribor, Slovenia and, five days later, took the biggest victory of his career at the NMBS downhill race at Santa Ynez, California. The following weekend saw Benedict on the podium at the Chile Challenge in Angel Fire, New Mexico. This weekend he’s representing WTB and the United States at world cup #2 in Andorra.

Mark Weir is on form as well. He’s been putting in major miles and dominating virtually every race that he enters. Weir overcame a nasty bout with the flu to take third place at the Spring Thaw in Ashland, Oregon. He was bedridden for 36 hours and shed 12 pounds in three days. But he came out for the downhill, racing with toilet paper in his jersey pocket (fortunately, he didn’t need it). The race was won by Ashland local, Jared Hobbs. WTB team rider Curtis Beavers finished less than one second off of Hobbs and Weir was another 1.5 seconds off of Beavers. Since the flu, Weir has been on fire, winning a string of local races in preparation for the Downieville Classic and the French Enduro series.

Caption: Local rippers sign the petition

The city of Novato, California held its final meeting with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department to discuss the possibility of a public pumptrack. Community members of all ages packed the conference room—including at least 25 local high school kids—to propose that a small patch of land be converted into a pumptrack. There were close to 40 people in attendance pleading for the pumptrack, and about five folks in the crowd in favor of a community garden instead of the track.

The Parks and Rec. council were impressed by the turnout from the community, and seemed in favor of giving the kids a safe—and legal—place to ride. The only catch: community gardens are considerably cheaper than pumptracks and its no easy task getting funding from the city. It may take private funding to make the pumptrack happen. Ultimately, the decision is up to Novato’s City Council.

Since WTB employee Mark Weir built his backyard pumptrack in Novato, he’s had all types of people enjoying it; from 6-year-old kids to 60-year-old neighbors, from beginner riders to world champions. Weir’s backyard track has appeared in countless magazines and was even featured on HGTV.

Caption: Not an empty chair in the room. Mark Weir proposes the pumptrack to the council. The bikes were stacked up in the hallway!

We just received this photo from Claudio Caluori, manager of the Tomac Factory Team. The team is in Maribor, Slovenia for the first downhill world cup of the season. The Tomac team is one of many that will be rocking WTB components in the world’s most challenging conditions.
 
 

Mark Weir and Matt Hunter overlooking Mt. Tamalpais and San Francisco

It’s been a busy couple of weeks around here. What with the Sea Otter Classic attracting bike racers and industry types from across globe. Of course no trip to Northern California is complete without a ride in Marin County. We’ve had quite a mix of characters visiting WTB World Headquarters over the past 14 days and each person left with a smile after some epic trail riding.

Sea Otter wasn’t bad either, with sunny skies and fierce racing. WTB-sponsored rider Greg Minnaar, Santa Cruz Syndicate’s new rider, completely dominated the event by winning both the Dual Slalom and DH in convincing style. In case you’re wondering, Minnaar’s saddle of choice is the WTB Deva SLT in white. The DH podium was stacked with Syndicate riders with Steve Peat charging into fourth place and Nathan Rennie finishing fifth. We’ll have more about Sea Otter, including a video, on the site soon.

Caption: Wade Simmons on the pumptrack. The crew from pinkbike.com, to read their trip report, click here. WTB’s booth at the Sea Otter Classic

Caption: Fred Falk, WTB’s manager of logistics, with Don “Shiggy” Person of mtbtires.com. Mark Weir and Matt Hunter. Barbed wire means that it’s off limits.

The Bikeskills Ridezone is shaping up at Laguna Seca Raceway, just in time for the Sea Otter Classic. Last year, more than 2,400 children and adults enjoyed the Ridezone’s pump tracks, jumps, and skills track. This year should be even better with more space to work with and the help of master feature builder Randy Spangler.

Each month bikeskills.com gets more than 100,000 visitors and millions of people worldwide have watched Bikeskills’ instructional videos (no joke, the numbers are actually that high). The Bikeskills Ridezone at Sea Otter will make it even easier for riders to progress their riding ability. Additionally, Bikeskills will have several world-class instructors on hand, including Rich Houseman, Joe Lawwill, Kirk Voreis, Randy Spangler, and Paul Thomasberg. There’s never been a better time to learn how to bunny hop higher, finally clear that double, ride a skinny or rip down a slalom course. Check out the full array of clinics at bikeskills.com.