Must have been approximately 3 months ago that Roger approached me with the idea of putting an article together for Remolition to do with the idea of exploration. He thought that one of my previous postings entitled 'The Joy of Maps" could be quite useful as part of the piece, and would it be okay to nab bits here and there? I've never got a problem with people using bits and pieces, [with permission of course and the obligatory 10% of all profits : D] so agreed and promptly forgot all about it.
Till earlier this week and the following got released:
http://www.remolition.com/features/articles/236-the-explorers.html
Wow! It looks like loads of other mountain boarders like maps too including Joe Gatley, Evil C, Spud, Ian Hufton, Roger Swannell and the ever mysterious Ade McC.
The original TDB post still seems relevant with the original mapping services supplied by google, bing and others continuously updated. A handy one to note in google is the option to Drag 'n' Zoom enabling zooming in on a specific part of the map fast and easily.
"Simply click the Drag 'n' Zoom button, draw a box on the map, and zoom! You're there!"
....once you've enabled the function within the beta menu (New! next to My Profile)
Friday 26 February 2010
Tyre choice....
So originally there was the 8 inch T1 tyres sat on the MBS. And that was all well and good until the 10 inch diamond treat Primos turned up. And then the 9 inch Primos arrived and the range of choice was huge!
But which one is best?
Seriously, it's a blog post for another day to compare tyre choice to terrain type and weather conditions along with tyre pressure and hub type and certainly some people take this kind of thing very, very seriously [at this point I was going to point to an article in Scuz Magazine where someone takes tyre choice very, very seriously, but that's for another day].
But that's for later. In the meantime, lets just sum up the choice with a lovely graph:
Monday 22 February 2010
Making Tracks, Riding 9 inchers and Cycle Derby
Thursday night / Friday morning brought down a dumping of snow; too much to play golf in, too little to sledge on, just right to ride on. Slapped on the new Primos onto the MBS and off into the wilderness.
On the open fairways the going was good with no so much speed, but enough of the back end twitching to get the heart rate raised a little. Further fun on the regular wooded runs where despite quite a lot of rain in the last week was drained sufficiently and running well enough to keep things interesting with only the worst boggy areas killing speed. Found a couple of new lines that on their own don't amount to much, but when linked together (and in good, dry weather I'm sure they will) should amount to a nice varied run with a few ways to mix things up.
Was about to leave for the morning, happy with a good 3 hours in the woods when met a fella called Pete on his mountain bike doing an afternoons off-road ride with local kids on behalf of Cycle Derby, a group set up to encourage cycling around Derby (funnily enough). Two bits of interesting information emerged; that he was keen to work with Derby City to possibly set aside an area of woodland specifically for a bit of biking (fingers crossed for downhill), and that his misses was a mountain boarder. Left him my business card so hopefully if anything emerges from this, or if s/he knows any good downhill tracks, to let me know. Watch this space.
In a last bit of good news, I'm in a bit of trouble with work for not taking enough holiday this year! Will have to get my thinking cap on as to how best use this time and where.....I know I've got a list of destinations that need ticking off and they're all quite hilly!
Thursday 18 February 2010
Primo Strikers!
Arrived in the post this morning, just in time for me to ride my local soggy woods tomorrow morning. If you too want a set and can't get hold of any from anywhere, give noSno a shout, they'll sort you out! Came complete with Primo Composite hubs, bearings and inner tubes, so should be ready to slap on and roll off.
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Russian Freeride Films:Download links and Review
Proving that once again 'The Dirt Box' is slap bang up-to-date with news and features......we present to you a couple of film reviews from the Boarderz.ru website from 2007. Both are downloadable, so don't take my word for it, take a look and see what you think. In the meantime please keep reading for the reviews in the tried and tested (note: not tried and tested) TDB standard (i.e. likely to change) format:
- % of film featuring park riding
- % of film featuring free riding
- choice of tunes - would I have the soundtrack on my generic mp3 player?
- 'fun' nes
- camera proficiency
- % of film featuring AJ Lawson*
* - Nothing against AJ, it's just that he crops up everywhere : D
The Blog
"About year ago we finish our first full-length mountainboard freeride video The Blog. And now we post it on line. The film is about Chukota - one of the freeride spots of the Russia. Video - remake of the same name web-series wich were published in summer 2006."
If you've ever watched a film and spent more time looking at the mountains and the scenery in the background thinking "why aren't they riding and filming up there?" then these are the guys who are up there, doing just that. Freestylers will be disappointed, but freeriders rejoice, this is all about boarding the earth in its pure state. Bar a small section featuring a car tow, wooden rail (that made me laugh out loud as it comically collapses) and wooden box towards the end of the film, this is as natural as it gets with riders taking direct lines down some crazy mountainous slopes.
Yes, they land on their arses a lot, but that's what happens out in the wilds with undulating terrain, random rocks and bushes and in several sections you have to admire the size of their bollocks as one after another they drop off a collapsing ledge on to their head.
If you ever watched "Hard Times" and wished for Phil Milovanovs section to extend for longer, then this is the film for you and certainly a couple of the shots looked very familiar. Music was not all to my taste, but didn't detract from the action.
Only thing missing was perhaps the human element with no talky bits, voice overs or sections of anyone not boarding. But then, it would have been in Russian, so perhaps it wouldn't have of benefit to me!
216 Meg for just over 25 minutes of film, so not an unreasonable download with a half decent connection.
Download Link:
http://www.boarderz.ws/Mountain/videoz/Art1421/?currentlang=1
Region 87
"Finally we did it. Summer 2007 in video Region87. Mountainboard freeride, climbing with mountainboards and travels around Russian region Chukotka."
Like 'The Blog' but with added guns, girls and trampolines! And a bear! And front flips. So many front flips - please make it stop! More human interest shots, less riding, far more WTF moments! This is great until around 10 minutes in when I realised that this is how the whole film is panning out: plenty of pissing around, far less actual riding. Which is fair enough, but I've got my own mates to piss around with.
Personally I'd be happy to watch this the once had it been heavily edited (down to around 10 minutes maximum) would have been fine and yes, whilst they visit plenty of places around Region 87, riding wise its all the same sort of stuff really, non of the variety shown in The Blog.
I guess after watching The Blog, I was just a bit disappointed, more of the same would have been fine, just as Hard-Times and Still Friends are very similar but equally viewable. But hey-ho, you can't look a gift horse in the mouth and bar a reasonably large download (367 Meg) and half an hour of your time, that's it really. (or maybe just watch 'The Blog')
Download Link:
http://www.boarderz.ws/Mountain/videoz/Art1623/?currentlang=1
Almost forgot, Joint review of both films:
- % of film featuring park riding: 0
- % of film featuring free riding: 100%
- choice of tunes - would I have the soundtrack on my generic mp3 player? Nah
- 'fun' nes: meh!
- camera proficiency: It's in focus and the riders are in shot
- % of film featuring AJ Lawson: 0
- % of film featuring park riding
- % of film featuring free riding
- choice of tunes - would I have the soundtrack on my generic mp3 player?
- 'fun' nes
- camera proficiency
- % of film featuring AJ Lawson*
* - Nothing against AJ, it's just that he crops up everywhere : D
The Blog
"About year ago we finish our first full-length mountainboard freeride video The Blog. And now we post it on line. The film is about Chukota - one of the freeride spots of the Russia. Video - remake of the same name web-series wich were published in summer 2006."
If you've ever watched a film and spent more time looking at the mountains and the scenery in the background thinking "why aren't they riding and filming up there?" then these are the guys who are up there, doing just that. Freestylers will be disappointed, but freeriders rejoice, this is all about boarding the earth in its pure state. Bar a small section featuring a car tow, wooden rail (that made me laugh out loud as it comically collapses) and wooden box towards the end of the film, this is as natural as it gets with riders taking direct lines down some crazy mountainous slopes.
Yes, they land on their arses a lot, but that's what happens out in the wilds with undulating terrain, random rocks and bushes and in several sections you have to admire the size of their bollocks as one after another they drop off a collapsing ledge on to their head.
If you ever watched "Hard Times" and wished for Phil Milovanovs section to extend for longer, then this is the film for you and certainly a couple of the shots looked very familiar. Music was not all to my taste, but didn't detract from the action.
Only thing missing was perhaps the human element with no talky bits, voice overs or sections of anyone not boarding. But then, it would have been in Russian, so perhaps it wouldn't have of benefit to me!
216 Meg for just over 25 minutes of film, so not an unreasonable download with a half decent connection.
Download Link:
http://www.boarderz.ws/Mountain/videoz/Art1421/?currentlang=1
Region 87
"Finally we did it. Summer 2007 in video Region87. Mountainboard freeride, climbing with mountainboards and travels around Russian region Chukotka."
Like 'The Blog' but with added guns, girls and trampolines! And a bear! And front flips. So many front flips - please make it stop! More human interest shots, less riding, far more WTF moments! This is great until around 10 minutes in when I realised that this is how the whole film is panning out: plenty of pissing around, far less actual riding. Which is fair enough, but I've got my own mates to piss around with.
Personally I'd be happy to watch this the once had it been heavily edited (down to around 10 minutes maximum) would have been fine and yes, whilst they visit plenty of places around Region 87, riding wise its all the same sort of stuff really, non of the variety shown in The Blog.
I guess after watching The Blog, I was just a bit disappointed, more of the same would have been fine, just as Hard-Times and Still Friends are very similar but equally viewable. But hey-ho, you can't look a gift horse in the mouth and bar a reasonably large download (367 Meg) and half an hour of your time, that's it really. (or maybe just watch 'The Blog')
Download Link:
http://www.boarderz.ws/Mountain/videoz/Art1623/?currentlang=1
Almost forgot, Joint review of both films:
- % of film featuring park riding: 0
- % of film featuring free riding: 100%
- choice of tunes - would I have the soundtrack on my generic mp3 player? Nah
- 'fun' nes: meh!
- camera proficiency: It's in focus and the riders are in shot
- % of film featuring AJ Lawson: 0
Monday 15 February 2010
9 inch tyres - choices and availability???
Been keeping an eye out for a while for some freeriding 9 inch tyres, to slot nicely in-between the 8 inch (not running great in my local soggy woods) and the 10 inch (bloody heavy but fast) diamond tread fat tyres.
Was hoping for a set of Primo Strikers (£39 with tubes) with Primo Composite hubs(£30), but talking to ATBSports earlier revealed these to be indefinitely 'out of stock' with Primo 'not really doing these any more'.
Alternatives seem to be MBS T2 (£49 without tubes, £71 with tubes) or a tyre produced by scrub (£32 with tubes).
Assuming that I'll need inner tubes and hubs (these tyres won't fit my old Rockstars apparently) do I go for the Scrub or the MBS? Hold out for some Primos from somewhere, or is there an alternative?
Please feel free to post below and let me know!
Was hoping for a set of Primo Strikers (£39 with tubes) with Primo Composite hubs(£30), but talking to ATBSports earlier revealed these to be indefinitely 'out of stock' with Primo 'not really doing these any more'.
Alternatives seem to be MBS T2 (£49 without tubes, £71 with tubes) or a tyre produced by scrub (£32 with tubes).
Assuming that I'll need inner tubes and hubs (these tyres won't fit my old Rockstars apparently) do I go for the Scrub or the MBS? Hold out for some Primos from somewhere, or is there an alternative?
Please feel free to post below and let me know!
Friday 12 February 2010
Pete Tatham talks about the origins of Mountainboarding
Short extract, but nicely shot film featuring Pete Tatham of noSno talking about the origins of mountain boarding. Forms part of the DVD "Big Air" as produced by Five Element Productions.
Contains some lovely fast shots of what appears to be Cleeve Hill. Enjoy!
Big Air from Five Element Productions on Vimeo.
Knackers, video embeding not allowed here. Please view the video in its original location here:
The Trailer can be viewed below:
Big Air can be purchased from ATBShop from here. Haven't watched it so if it's any good please let me know!
Contains some lovely fast shots of what appears to be Cleeve Hill. Enjoy!
Big Air from Five Element Productions on Vimeo.
Knackers, video embeding not allowed here. Please view the video in its original location here:
The Trailer can be viewed below:
Big Air can be purchased from ATBShop from here. Haven't watched it so if it's any good please let me know!
Sunday 7 February 2010
Return to the Chase, Freeride Meetup, a Write Up
6 confirmed guests on the Facebook page, 9.30am at designated carpark, 1 no-show, but Roger brought Jon straight from the pages of Remolition! That took us back up to 6: Clayton (MBS), Mark (MBS), Roger (Trampa), local lad Adam (MBS), Jon (noSno) and myself (MBS).
Can't do a full write up as I had to leave at midday, but at least I was the first to get a nice bath; Clayton and Mark had a drive back to Cheltenham; and Roger, Adam and Jon stayed longer to explore more of the Chase.
Great day out, we discovered a lot about each other and what we'd do for a chocolate biscuit.....as well as discover some epic riding spots!
Hmmm, not the best photos ever. I know Roger and Jon took some photos, fingers crossed they came out a bit better than mine did.
On a positive note, for my first serious session of the year it was good to get back on board. Other than today, I've only had chance for a couple of brief sessions this year - the first in the snow as detailed previously an the other a quick session in Allestree Woods. Found a new couple of lines so intend to write these up soon.
As per the Chase itself, it just goes to show that you can pick a different car park and have an entirely different days riding. I think when I previously tried to estimate the size of Cannock Chase, I was way, way off the mark. Cannock Chase is big. Like, really big. Like, massive! (100 square miles says Adam). Looks as though there are rich pickings to be found everywhere, though it certainly helped having the local knowledge to point us in the right direction. Was also nice that the local downhill bikers who's dedicated trails we were attempting to ride, were all pretty cool - the ones we met anyway!
Last thing of note was a couple on horses who stopped as we were changing in the car park. After the usual pleasantries and standard questions, they continued on with a definite feeling that what we were doing was a little on the unsafe side. Without hesitation, I can certainly say that I trust my board over a horse any day of the week!
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Couple of new ATBA vids
Couple of new ATBA videos available on line:
Number 1: ATBA-UK Mountainboarding promotional video looks nice and professional with some decent footage and cheesy voice over. Looks just the thing to send out to companies looking for sponsorship. Further musing on the vid here on Remolitions Blog.
Oops, video disappeared. Fortunately, someone commented on Rems link and provided the following:
Number 2: ATBA-UK Downhill exploration as first detailed here shows the potential kind of terrain that is to be encountered for this years Downhill Championship on the 12th and 13th of June 2010 in Cheddar, Somerset.
A load of us went to check out a track the Roger had spotted for a potential ATBA-UK downhill championship track. It didn't disappoint! We had a great weekend defining a line from the top of the hill to the bottom (around 500 metres no less) and then riding it. Still needs some tweaks, but its going to be shweet and a lot fast come the drier weather. Keep in the loop by visiting atbauk.org and signing up to the newsletter.
The approximate location has been given as:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cheddar&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=11.875381,28.256836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cheddar,+Somerset,+United+Kingdom&t=h&ll=51.297001,-2.794261&spn=0.012022,0.038409&z=15
as provided by RobH in the ATBSports forum here.
First impressions seem to be that Allestree Park in the woods could provided a good training location to deal with this sort of terrain, particularly on the single tracks avoiding the trees and speed checking in the rough.
Either way, see you on the slopes this June! Reminds me, must find my cheque book, sort out ATBA membership.....
Number 1: ATBA-UK Mountainboarding promotional video looks nice and professional with some decent footage and cheesy voice over. Looks just the thing to send out to companies looking for sponsorship. Further musing on the vid here on Remolitions Blog.
ATBA-UK Mountainboarding promotional video from Woodie Wright on Vimeo.
Oops, video disappeared. Fortunately, someone commented on Rems link and provided the following:
ATBA-UK Promo (2010) from ATBJunkies on Vimeo.
Number 2: ATBA-UK Downhill exploration as first detailed here shows the potential kind of terrain that is to be encountered for this years Downhill Championship on the 12th and 13th of June 2010 in Cheddar, Somerset.
ATBA-UK Downhill exploration from Woodie Wright on Vimeo.
A load of us went to check out a track the Roger had spotted for a potential ATBA-UK downhill championship track. It didn't disappoint! We had a great weekend defining a line from the top of the hill to the bottom (around 500 metres no less) and then riding it. Still needs some tweaks, but its going to be shweet and a lot fast come the drier weather. Keep in the loop by visiting atbauk.org and signing up to the newsletter.
The approximate location has been given as:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cheddar&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=11.875381,28.256836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cheddar,+Somerset,+United+Kingdom&t=h&ll=51.297001,-2.794261&spn=0.012022,0.038409&z=15
as provided by RobH in the ATBSports forum here.
First impressions seem to be that Allestree Park in the woods could provided a good training location to deal with this sort of terrain, particularly on the single tracks avoiding the trees and speed checking in the rough.
Either way, see you on the slopes this June! Reminds me, must find my cheque book, sort out ATBA membership.....
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