UKDI Race#3, Jogja, Indonesia

So its been 6 months of me trying to be a geek, which actually worked out alright. Except the part where I haven’t been riding at all. There really is too much to write about, but I’ll try and keep it short and not bore everyone to sleep. (Ok, I failed big time at trying to keep it short. Whoops!)

This race is the 3rd of 4 races in the Indonesian National Series (UKDI), located on the hills surrounding the city of Jogja. The track was pretty straight forward, berms on most corners, a few jumps and drops, a couple of them were quite big. A short root section which was quite fun too. The track can be split into two parts, the top section which flows really nice, a few straights where you can get on the gas.

Just before you enter the bottom section, there is a real man's section. The top elite guys were doing off the brakes. It’s a long straight with some gradient, a tight berm waiting for you at the bottom, and a down slope after the berm into a whoop section which slows you down. The bottom section is slightly flatter, with two short pedaling sections, with a big drop in the middle which will give you huckers neck. By no means was is an easy track, sure you can cruise down it and it will be piss easy, but once you get on the gas and try to put down a good time, everything seems to catch you out. Its also key to not go all out up top as you need to sprint to make the small landing for the big drop.

The atmosphere at the track everyday was great, it was nice racing with a big crew of us from Singapore and Malaysia. Its been a while since that happened. It was also really nice to be able to race with Jr Stanley, my new team mate on Fakawi-Banshee, sorry I couldn’t spend more time practicing with you dude! I was struggling myself! Was great fun hanging with the KK crew too, boshe to finish off was awesome!


me and ian 'warming up' aka playing around before the finals.
photo by: Bernadetta Tri Sashanti

Practice went ok, well, pretty shit really. If it wasn’t for Ian I probably would have given up, I was riding like an ass. Was just doing trains with Ian and trying to have fun. I have lost my race head somewhat, in those six months. In the 3 days of practice, I crashed 8 times. 6 on one day, which included a really stupid/funny crash where I was riding the masters track for fun, ate shit on a tight berm I didn’t know about and hence going too fast for. There was slight contact between my shin and my shifter, which left my shin bloody and the shifter not a shifter anymore. Felt like a right idiot after that.


crowd at the big drop.
photo by: yamm

I did eventually man up and try out the big drop, if I am not mistaken it’s a 3m drop with a 5m gap to a landing that really isn’t big enough. You have to sprint hard to make the landing, and the hard part was not the drop, even though it prayed on everyone’s minds. The hard part was making the tight berm after the drop. Your suspension barely has time to unload before you hit it. In the 5 times I tried the drop, I made the berm twice, only once with good speed. I also took out two mango trees while practicing it. I do have to say that the Rune took the hits like a man, it was a hard bottom out but still not bent bolts or anything bad. Me on the other hand was not that manly, it was a hard decision but I decided to just roll the drop in the finals. It was only a second slower, but I rather play safe then screw up the whole run just for a second. I knew I didn’t have the fitness to get on the podium anyways, so was just aiming for a run I was happy with myself.


rolling the big drop.



Come finals, all I wanted was a good clean run. I got a 1.52 for my seeding and was looking to take 3-4 seconds off to put me around the 1.49-48 mark. I along with all the other non Indonesia riders were down first, which was nice since there was live electronic timing with a split at the finish line. I was very chilled for the finals, just reminding my self to stay off the brakes and pedal. That middle section I talked about earlier I did finally hit off the brakes, hit the berm so hard I launched out of it and missed the whole downslope after it and nearly to flat just before the whoops. Stoked! Rest of the run was smooth and pedaling where I could. Rolled the drop, the crowd there was mental, I could hear them but didn’t see any of them. Crossed the finish line, got a 1.48. Was really happy about it, Ian was there already, and he had a smug look on his face, he beat me by 0.02 seconds. Ian rounded off the top 10, I got 11th place. Me and Ian were the only two riders who didn’t drop, he was faster on the top section, but I made up time on the bottom. Its always close between me and him, 6065- hell yeah!

First place went to the local boy, Ditra. He pulled out a smoking run, a 1.43. Big props to him, his first win in elite at the age of 19 and he did it in style!


photos by: Eris Mahpud


race winner Ditra scrubbing off the drop. BRAAAP!


Result Final MEN ELITE
1 082 Yavento Ditra Pranata INA19900430 Aldomaru ELGATOsba Polygon AdiMitra RideBuddies DIY 1'43.829 1st
2 086 Popo Ario Sejati INA19860724 PAL 1'44.029 2nd
3 117 Nurwarsito INA19780617 IKABUSANA CHAMDEVO,POLYGON SRAM/ BMTB,SBM 1'44.658 3rd
4 037 Purnomo INA 19841212 United Bike Kencana ISSI Kota Malang 1'45.118 4th
5 083 Agus Suherlan INA19831009 SCOTT Folker MTBike-m Sumedang Jabar 1'46.536 5th
6 008 Afrizal "Icank" Brasco INA19860401 Aldomaru ELGATOsba AdiMitra RideBuddies Jogyakarta 1'46.853
7 005 Candra "Kam's" Purnamawan INA19860505 Oakley DC AGsuspension PowerBalance Universitas Budi Luhur RideBuddies Bogor 1'47.003
8 194 Priyo "Gracia" Susanto INA 19781110 United Bike Kencana Team Jakarta 1'47.479
9 225 Sugianto "Hoho" Setiawan INA 19781022 United Bike Kencana Team 1'47.880
10 365 Ian Krempl SIN19880714 Unsprung-Deity SG Singapura 1'48.519
11 360 Adam Faroze Ahmed MAS19880919 Fakawi Banshee Malaysia 1'48.537
12 201 Rofianta INA19810903 Ikabusana-Charmdevo-BANSHEE-SRAM/BMTB-MAS BOSH-MAKMUR 1'48.613
13 319 Tan Hong Chun SIN19791019 Aguspension Racing Team Singapura 1'49.022
14 312 Jr Stanly Jalip MAS19870310 FakawiBanshee KCC Malaysia 1'52.556
15 247 Mand Herman SIN19740527 DHC L&T Cycles Element Racing 2'17.467




A big thanks to all my sponsors, Fakawi, Banshee, No Tubes, Deity, mom and dad for the flight tickets. Big thanks to the guys at Elgato racing team for taking me in, and everything else. Cheers for the shifter, fixing my brakes and the tires Pak Thara! Really wish I can make the next race at Cilegon, but studies come first. There are going to be quite a few top world cup riders and big name free riders for that race, so don’t miss out!!

One last thing, this was my last time on the Rune. It will be missed dearly! Next bike is going to be a Scythe with a shorter shock, will do a short write up and pics once I get some time on it.


Less manly than a Rune,
Adam.

Just unpacked these

So we’ve already started shipping these out to some dudes who are really jonesing to get them.

I can wait to see all the builds, and I can’t wait to build one of my own up in August. Its going to be pimptastic and will be using one of our Gucci kits with Sram tango parts and a sick custom orange SSC stem – hope Greg at SL doesn’t see i posted this up. OOOOP he caught me so he forced me to take it down.. what an ass hahahaha

Ok heres my build on an orange medium frame

Head Sets	Crankbros	Directset
BB Parts	with cranks
Seat Post	Crankbros	Joplin
Seat Clamp	Crankbros	Split Qr
Tire/F	WTB	Prowler MX 2.3
Tire/R	WTB	Prowler MX 2.3
Tube		No tubes
Wheelset	Crankbros	hopefully the new ones they be showing at Interbike
Wheelset
Chainwheel	SRAM	Noir -Tango
Chain	Yaban	S9010CR
Freewheel	Sram	PG990 - tango
Derailleur/F	Sram	X9
Derailleur/R	Sram	XO - tango
Shift Lever/L	Sram	XO - tango
Shift Lever/R	Sram	XO - tango
Shifter Cables	Jagwire
Saddle	WTB	Silverado Comp
Pedal		not sure
Handlebar	RaceFace	Next
Stem	Straitline	SSC
Grips	Funn	B-FLG-BLK
Brake/F	Avid	Elixir CR MM
Brake/R	Avid	Elixir CR MM

discuss the Paradox here http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=539811

Sick Lines Project: Banshee Legend MK1

I was just searching the interweb when I found an updated post on the www.sicklines.com project build of the Legend MK1.


Click on the picture to see the write up or click here.

Norbert said...

What are the key differances between the production version and the one sicklines got? I know there won't be the 7'' travel setting and some other stuff but lets get specyfic ;)

So i was writing in the comments but then it got really long and figured others would like to see what i said so.
Basically Keith should have the last of the changes done in about a month or so and then I'll be going over the production with the manufacturing engineer to figure out the best way to put it together and make sure all the critical dims are nailed, as well as setup the testing processes that we need to have done during the production. There is a lot we need to do after the drawing is ready so its my job to make sure every step is looked at for conformance.
So Keith will probably post up all his changes soon but quickly a lot of what Jason at Sicklines commented on in his opinion of the Legend has already been addressed such as BB height, small high speed sensitivity, chainguide fit... basically everything he said that could have shown some slight improvement has been reworked already- you'll see when we release the new details.
The production Legend will be the MKII version as it has significant enough changes from the MKI to clearly differentiate the 2 apart. I plan to do a small run in October/November of 50 units that will be available to purchase for the public.
I feel confident that we've done our due diligence over 4 seasons of real world testing and the changes that are being made are slight performance enhancements, and things you wont see that allow us to manufacture it easier. Overall you shouldn't be able to visual see the differences in the frame until you get up close and can compare the two. Weight should be the same at 8.5 so picking up the bike again won't be too much difference.

Hope that helps a little until Keith throws up all the changes in specifics

Stop Three: Fernie

Our family moved to Fernie in 1981. I moved away after high school and have not lived in Fernie full time for over ten years. I come back here every summer and it still feels like home ... maybe because nothing has really changed. It is almost like Fernie and my life here is on hold while I am at home in Taiwan.

My knee has been feeling pretty sore for the past couple of days so I have been spending some time on the sofa playing PS3. Yesterday I got off the couch and took a couple of pictures of James at the Fernie Bike Park. Then in the evening I shuttled James, my oldest brother Gary and Gary's girlfriend Colleen to the top of a trail called Three Kings a couple of times. I got some decent shots ... check them here or go to pinkbike.

Rob

P.S. Fernie is a beautiful place to visit. Bring your bikes and drop me an email when you get here.

Roadtrip to Goatstyle

After 12 hours of driving from whistler to creaston BC, myself ,reece and Lachie arrived for Goatstyle. As soon as i got out of the car i witnessed 5 crashes in a row on the last jump, there were so many kids trying to send it and this was only practice on Thursday. I went to go register and the clouds opened up and a 2 hour down pour began so everyone went for cover. Once the rain stopped the course dried out super fast and a sloppy but fun jam was had on the last two jumps.

The next day was all practice and Friday night lights which was a best trick contest held at 9.30pm. Practice went fine just flowed the course not really doing many tricks ,just chilling. Again the younger kids were hucking there meat on a bunch of tricks which made for many more entertaining crashes, but props to all who threw down in practice. Big ups too Dustin Greenall and Casey Groves for building a super fun and smooth course too. So practice wrapped up and it was dinner time and a little rest before the big show later that night.

Friday night lights turned out to be probably one of the craziest hour of riding on a couple jumps i had ever seen. Everyone was trying there banger tricks, and with the rider line up that there was it made for some really good riding, everything from flipwhips, 360 whips, double whips, front flips, super flips, 360 inwards, double truck drivers, 720s and more were all thrown down in that hour. With money being handed out for every big trick landed everyone wanted a slice of the pie. I landed my super flips and 3 inward then i was thinking of what else to try so i figured i'd give flip superman seat grab indian airs a try, i had gotten a few into foam prior to goat style so it was worth a try i guess and if there was ever a time to start trying them this was it. first attempt sucked, 2nd attempt was close and felt like it would have worked just like in the foam but i ditched last second.
3rd attempt resulted in my front wheel looking like a taco so that was the end of my night. Tt was a super fun jam tho and all the riders were cheering and stoked on each other so what more can you ask for.

Saturday was qualifiers, all went pretty well i guess i got my 1st run clean which got me through to the finals. 2nd run was going fine until i over cleared the 1st jump at the bottom on a cork 1 hand Xup and landed flat destroying my rear wheel sending me into the ground with a nice straitline pedal stuck in my ribs, all was good tho a little winded but fine 5 minutes. After that it was more rest time and just chilling out.

Sunday finals and the weather was perfect, a little hot but no wind and no rain so it was perfect. Finals started at 4pm and a lot of riders layed down amazing first runs. My first run went as planned so i was stoked to get one in the bag and not have much pressure on me for the 2nd run. Again tho 2nd run i crashed haha, went a little to fast in to the last jump as the course had gotten a bit quicker as it got bone dry. Anyway looped out on a 3inward and sailed to flat getting a bruised heel for my efforts, but whatever it was a fun day and the other riders rolled the dice too on there 2nd runs, a lot ending in crashes but some killing it and making it through.
Eric lawrenuk had a killer first run with some banger tricks at the end which got him a well deserved first place and a 1 way ticket to crankworx.

All and all it was a rad weekend, i'd like to say thanks to reece for driving me to goat style, Casey Groves parents for letting us dirtbags stay in there room the whole weekend(thanks so much), and Casey himself for letting me use his spare wheels after i destroyed both mine.
Also thanks to Banshee, Straitline and Raceface for there support.

-Alan Hepburn

Time to get RAMPANT

Every bike brand has a "niche" model which isn't huge on sales, but is perhaps, the 'hidden gem' in the range

It seems the Rampant could be that bike for Banshee / Mythic, its somewhat obscure as everyone knows about the Wildcard and Rune, but less is known about the Rampant

Sales are starting to move on the Rampant which is encouraging because I have been banging the Rampant drum for some time now

It takes time for a new model to permeate the riders' consciousness as they see one being ridden in their local woods, hear about it on a blog or website, or come into our Esher shop looking for a "play bike" and I step up with 'this is exactly what you need!'

The Direct pricing we offer on Mythic means the rider gets a KILLER deal on a sick frame, it undercuts all of the serious competing brands (we are not talking about the re-badge "brands") and of course the manufacturing and design is off the hook


This Rampant, below, belongs to our customer James, who walked in yesterday with a Trek Remedy (from a few years back), and walked out today with a Rampant



James' Rampant is the Short size with Fox RP2 air shock, Rockshox Pike 454 Air U-Turn, Cane Creek headset, Easton bars, Mavic rims on Hope hubs, Maxxis High Rollers, Shimano XT cranks, the latest E13 SRS, SRAM X-o mech and X-0 shift pod, and DMR pedals, lock-on grips and Void saddle

Feels nice and light, he tried it outside the shop when he collected and was stoked..he's heading off riding tomorrow, and doing some DH uplift at Cwm Carn on the weekend

happy trails!

Rob C

Stop Two: Kamloops (Kool Amps)

We got to Kamloops around noon on Monday and were at the trail head a couple of hours later. We rode Harper two years ago and skipped a lot of the jumps. For the past two years we have been saying we should have hit that.

The first stunt we found was a three pack that looked huge the last time we were in Kamloops. We rolled into it and cleared all three jumps with ease.

There was probably a couple of more small jumps and stunts before we found the next jump we sessioned. The gap was about a 15 foot wood to wood. I am not a big fan of wood landings and this one had "Hurtin Albertan" carved into it. We ended up staying there longer than planned because I got a flat ... but it gave us time to hit it a couple more times.

James with a table on the Hurtin Albertan.

Garth stepping up his game for the camera.

James' table from another angle.

After my flat tire and a spoke tighten we were running short on time. We headed back down to the truck in time for one more run. On our second trip it was not long before we found an awesome wood booter to dirt landing. After a couple of speed checks James rolled in and got what I think is the best picture of the trip so far.

The other pictures of this jump are pretty good too so check them out.


We are now in Fernie and have a couple of hard days of roofing before we can get in some more riding. But we should be able to squeeze in an evening ride here and there before a couple of more shuttle days.

I posted a couple of more pictures on pinkbike so check there if you want more. I hope to post some more shots from Whistler there too.

Rob

Some cool Camp of Champs vids

Camp A

Camp B

Camp C

Custom Amp… so sweet

Stop One: Whistler

James and I headed up to Whistler on early Thursday morning. We started the day with a couple quick laps of A-Line to get our bikes set up for Canadian riding. The lower part of the mountain was a little bit busy so we headed up the mountain to Freight Train. We ended up stopping to session a jump and take a couple of pictures.

We ended Thursday with a couple trips down Duffman and a couple laps of A-Line.


The riding was so good that we did not want to stop much to take pictures. But on Friday we made a point to stop and session some jumps on Freight Train. A-Line was too busy to stop on so we stuck to the stuff a little higher up the mountain.

Late on Friday we found Dirt Merchant. Too bad we did not find it earlier in the day because it was as smooth as a hot asian with the curves and bumps in all the right places. We rode it a couple of times late in the day with sore hands and big smiles.

Helmets on, Shirts off.

Rob

P.S. sorry for the horrible layout ...

One new, one not so new

It truly was a busy day at Freeborn's Esher bike shop today, we squeezed 2 custom built Mythic bikes into our hectic schedule

One is brand new, so new the owner has not even seen it!

Jamie is coming on Monday to pick up his custom build Wildcard, damn's he is going to feel the stoke ;)

I didn't realise until earlier this week that Stan's make the ZTR Flow rims in WHITE...eyeing some up for my Rampant rebuild already



Jamie's Wildcard has a Fox 36 Talas fork, Fox DHX air rear shock, Easton EA-70 bar, Thomson X4 stem, Fizik Gobi saddle, Shimano SLX cranks with E13 LG1, SRAM X-9 shifting, Stan's ZTR Flow rims on Hope Pro II hubs with DT Swiss Comp d/b spokes and brass nipples, Stan's Tubeless conversion and SBC Control Eskar All-Mtn tires - it feels pretty light and looks trick in the black / white colours


Here's another Mythic that I built this morning, not so new, but its gone to a great home



This is Esher Shore regular Jordan who bought Marshall's (Esher Shore trail pest) Chaparral frame at a killer price, Marshall threw in Diablous cranks, E13, RF Diablous headset and seatpost

Jordan recently bought a Lyric Coil U-Turn and new front wheel from us, we added a Sram X-9 left shifter pod and Sram Next-Gen front mech, DMR Swarm stem and EA-50 bars and new cabling

Jordan was previously riding a Carrera *Banshee* that was on its last legs, its a huge step up to the "real" thing to get a "proper" Banshee ;)


Although he looks pretty serious in this pic, he seemed very stoked on his "new" rig

Always great to see a used frame go to a good home, have fun Jordan!

cheers

Rob C