I’ll be the first to admit that attending the occasional press camp is one of the primo perks of my job. Case in point: jetting into Durango to ride Gary Fisher’s all new Roscoe and Trek’s updated Fuel EX bikes. It should come as no surprise that riding the latest and greatest bikes on world-class trails ranks a lot higher on the “journalistic fun scale” than, say, sleep-deprived proofreading during late-night deadline sessions.

Beyond riding cool bikes in Durango, I was wined and dined, and treated like a rock star. To be sure, everybody involved in the camp had a vested interest in keeping me, a “pen-is-mightier” journalist, as happy as a pig in mud. But I’m of the opinion that the folks organizing the press camp went out of their way to be good hosts because they are good people. You know the feeling—fellow mountain bikers helping one another out, showing an out-of-towner your best trails and making sure that the “guest” has a great time. That’s the sort of camaraderie that makes mountain biking such a great sport.

Before that warm and fuzzy kumbuyah feeling fades, I want to recognize the folks who made this press camp such a treat. Travis Ott and Aaron Mock, respectively the brand manager and product manager for Gary Fisher mountain bikes, did a whale of a job. As did the brand and product managers from the Trek side of the house: Michael Browne and John Riley. Durango local and Trek guy Travis Brown helped lead rides. Thanks to these guys and their entire staff for keeping things smooth. Jarred Connell and Nick DeLauder from Fox Racing Shox also stepped up huge, making sure our bike’s suspensions were dialed in for maximum pleasure.

Beyond the Gary Fisher, Trek and Fox guys, there was a small army of support personnel that contributed to making this camp feel more like vacation than work. Matt McFee and Nate Whitman, owners of Hermosa Tours, had the unenviable task of herding 20+ journalistic cats onto shuttles and leading us on guided rides. Matty and Nate (and all of the Hermosa Tour guides) handled everything that was thrown at them, with smiles on their faces. That’s hard work, and they deserve kudos for their performance. In addition to Durango, the Hermosa boys also run tours in southwest Utah and southern California, depending on the season. Check out hermosatours.net for more info.

There was plenty of hard work to go around. Our photographers Sterling Lorence and Geoff Waugh worked their tails off—riding along with massive backpacks full of camera gear and setting up on-trail to get action shots. When I post my final report on this press camp, I promise to share plenty of their photoggery (an inside joke from camp) via the Dirt Rag Gallery.

A Texas-sized “thank you” goes to Odis Wilson, caretaker of the Sliver Mountain Guest Ranch, located a few miles outside of downtown Durnago. Gary Fisher set us up in Sliver Mountain’s kick-ass cabins, and we press campers had the entire ranch to ourselves for two fantastic days. Sweet trails are accessible from the ranch, and Odis, a newbie mountain biker himself, busted his rump making sure we had everything we needed. Happy campers all around. If your travel plans include Durango, you owe it to yourself to check out what Sliver Mountain Guest Ranch has to offer. Say howdy to Odis for me.

If you’d rather stay in town, then the Strater Hotel—our home for the Trek portion of the camp—is your ticket. This charming old gal is right on main street, the rooms are comfy, and the staff will do whatever it takes to make your stay enjoyable. Great vibe.

At the end of the day, mountain biking is about great trails, and Durango has got great trails galore. A lot of the credit goes to Trails 2000, Durango’s advocacy group. Riding Durango’s trails, I could “feel” the tender loving care that went into designing them, cutting them, and keeping them well maintained. No small task, but a labor of love, I’m certain. If you visit Durango, I’d recommend purchasing a membership or otherwise making a donation to Trails 2000, as a sort of “karmic payback” for the sweet riding in the area. Trek generously purchased a membership for each of the journalists at the camp, and I plan on stepping up and renewing my membership, just to help this fine organization maintain the great riding in Durango. Kumbuyah, indeed.

My first day at 2009 Trek Camp was spent learning about and riding their updated carbon OCLV Fuel EX (report here). Later in the day, as I rolled into the group dinner, I was not prepared for the surprise that Trek had waiting there—samples of a radically re-designed carbon OCLV Top Fuel 100mm travel XC race bike. The top-of-the-line 9.9 model is said to weigh less than 21lbs. with Ti Eggbeater pedals. Key Top Fuel highlights include:

• The ‘09 Top Fuel frame is 33% stiffer than ‘08, and is 431gm. lighter (2027gm./4.5lbs. frame weight).
• Rear suspension now uses Active Braking PIvot design (more info here).
• Rear suspension now also uses Full Floater design (more info here).
• No-cut seatmast offers 100mm of adjustment, is stiffer and saves weight.
• Net molding on BB and headtube allow use of drop-in bearings resulting in weight savings.
• Crossbow frame re-design saves 100gm. and improves stiffness by 33%.
• Top-end 9.9 model has 2×9 drivetrain, with custom FSA 2-ring cranks, that produce a Q-Factor 10mm narrower than Shimano XTR.
• Bontrager Race XXX Lite wheels use all-new Bontrager XXX Carbon rims (tubeless compatible) and the wheelset weights in at 1450gm.

Alas, I did not have a change to ride the 2009 Top Fuel—the few existing samples are in the hands of Trekies such as Travis Brown and Chris Eatough, who put them through the paces on our day-two group ride on Durango’s trademark Hermosa Creek trail. With any luck, I might find a test bike under my skinny white butt at some point in the future (if I can win the cage match at DRHQ).

Click on thumbs below for larger images.

Pedal boats suck.

So I just got back from racing in the US National Mountain Bike Championships at Mt. Snow Vt., and let’s just say that things did not go as planned. Last year I raced in my first XC Nationals and surprised myself by coming away with the Stars and Stripes in the Expert 30-34 class. This year I could either compete in the 35-39 class or race in the open Singlespeed class, looking for a new challenge I decided to race the other singlespeeders. Being an open class meant all ages and abilities were welcome, from Pros on down. I raced last year with a crushed patella tendon in my left knee and did well, so I figured I had a good chance for another jersey this year. Assuming I didn’t have a knee injury again.

A few weeks ago I raced in a local Short Track race at Bear Creek Ski Area. After a narrow loss to Mike Yozell, riding with gears, we jumped in a couple pedal boats to race around the pond. It seemed like agood idea. About the time we rounded the second fountain my right knee started to feel odd. Not hurt exactly, just felt a little off. I marked it up to my long legs in a small boat. So then I decide to ride a lap of the XC course, which starts by heading straight up the mountain. Ok, now my knee hurts like hell. And I keep riding. Stupid.

The next day I can barely walk up stairs. I yank out our well thumbed copy of Andy Pruitt’s “Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists” for some self diagnosis. Chondromalacia, yep that sounds about right. Therapy; ice and flat spins with no climbing! 3 weeks before nationals at Mt. Snow, great, no climbing. So, I ice and rest, put some gears on my bike and look for flat roads, not easy in the Pocono Mountains. A week before Nationals I’m feeling better, until I go on a road ride with my wife and we do two 10 minute intervals, halfway through the second one I consider having her go get the car and pick me up. Shit. Two days, and lots of ice later, I go for a mountain bike ride, and no pain. I like this. A couple more mountain bike rides and it’s still good, even after some hills. So, I go ahead and register for Nats., and stay off the road bike.

My friend Josh West and I headed up to Mt. Snow on Thursday and got there in time for a practice lap. I rode a 32×19 on my 29’er and it seemed tough but doable on the tweaked course layout. I walked one steep climb but that was it. What a difference a dry course made from last year’s mud. Josh and I camped at Woodford State Park, down the road from Mt. Snow. Friday night had the usual loud campers nearby when we turned in at 9 for the 8am start. Then at about midnight the wind kicked up and the rain came pouring down. So much for a dry course. We awoke, not that we slept much, to a very damp morning and made some food and coffee, then headed out.

Photo by Jay DeJesus

The singlespeed class went off as the first bunch of Expert XC racers. At about 35 strong we hit the first steep climbs fast, and I knew my gearing was off. I was just able to make it up riding, but it hurt. I was sitting around 3^rd as we started down toward the start/finish area and this guy just blew past me. This was not going to be easy. When we hit the first of the climbs which lead to the top of the mountain I had to hop off and run. Afterwards I found of that Mike Yozell had used a 32×20 last year, and would have gone with a 21 this year. By the end of the first lap my knee was hurting and I was contemplating a DNF. But Vermont’s a hell of a drive for a DNF, so I decided that if I just walked the climbs maybe my knee would survive. I did, and it did, mostly. I ended up finishing 9^th, and not even tired. That’s frustrating. That guy who blew by me? Travis Livermon (Kobold, 2006 US World Championship team member etc.), who not only won the Singlespeed class by more than 5 minutes, but posted the fastest Expert time overall. That’s two years in a row that singlespeeds have challenged the gearies for the overall, Mike finished second overall last year by 13 seconds, riding in a “geared” class.

My knee felt like hell after the 5 hour drive home, but after some ice and beer it’s starting to feel better. I’m going to be laying off the singlespeed for a while and see if I can’t get this back to 100% for some late season races. Oh, and pedal boats suck.

There’s lots of bustling activity going on at DRHQ today. The entire Dirt Rag staff is getting ready to head north tomorrow to Hancock, Massachusetts for the KendaFest Presented by Dirt Rag this coming weekend, July 25-27 – see, we take our “presented by” role seriously.

There are a lot of great activities planned for the Fest, and there will be a bunch of mountain bike luminaries on hand (in addition to ourselves of course), including Kenda Legends Eric Carter and Brian Lopes, and Luna Chix Alison Dunlap and Marla Streb. Marin County statesman Charlie Kelly will be there to present a screening of the Repack legends documentary Klunkerz. Dirt Rag’s own Access Editor, Philip Keyes, will be there to share trail maintenance wisdom, and The Old Coot himself, Bill Boles, will be there to swap tall tales. Just added is another legend, Don “Captain Dondo” Cuerdon, and his posse of jumping fiends, JD Mellowship and Tattoo Dave. These New England locals will also be bringing aluminum pioneer Frank “The Welder” Wadelton, who may be persuaded to share his vast knowledge with lucky Fest-goers.

Also for lucky Fest-goers who sign up for a Dirt Rag subscription (or renew), we’ll have premiums from Genuine Innovations and Platypus. We’ll also have hot deals on Merch. Our normal little booth will be part of a much larger Dirt Rag Salon compound, where we’ll host a Reader’s Forum, Bourbon Tasting, Tech Seminars and more.

Go to the bottom of the KendaFest website to download the full (and I mean FULL) schedules. Space is still open, so if you’ve been on the fence about going, register today, and we’ll see you there!

Immediately after wrapping up a two-day Durango, CO press camp where Gary Fisher introduced their all-new Roscoe 140mm trail bike, I was scooped up by the folks from Trek and transfered a short distance to their host hotel, for two days of riding their new Fuel EX. With day one of riding the new EX under my belt, I figured I’d file a brief report that highlights why the Trek folks were geeked enough to fly 20+ journalists into Colorado to check out the 2009 Fuel EX.

The most exciting changes to the 2009 Fuel EX lineup happen at the high end—where Trek has made significant upgrades to the OCLV frame. Their design goal was to make the 2009 carbon frame stiffer and even lighter than last year’s model. They succeeded in shaving 212 grams from the frame, (2238g/4.9lbs) while improving frame stiffness by 27%.

Trek flexed their manufacturing muscle to accomplish the aforementioned improvements. They utilized their “net molding” process to produce a “BB95″ bottom bracket that has a 95mm wide shell and utilizes “drop in” bearings that do not require cups. The bearing set-up reduces weight, and the additional width helps create a laterally stiffer frame. Their E2 headtube has a 1 1/8″ upper and 1 1/2″ lower bearing, and also uses net molding. The larger diameter at the bottom of the headtube helps produce a wider downtube interface, for improved frame stiffness. The manufacturing wizardry extends to Trek’s first-ever carbon OCLV rocker link that is lighter and stiffer than the prior magnesium version.

Suspension improvements include a Trek-exclusive XV Fox rear shock, with a larger air can that results in a more linear spring rate curve (less ramp-up at the end of stroke). Another benefit of the XV is less speed sensitivity, meaning less “harshness” when the shock is subjected to rapid cycling. The larger air volume also results in a wider range of rebound damping adjustments for the user. On the front end, the 2009 OCLV Fuel EX models have a 120mm Fox fork that matches the 120mm of rear travel (up from 110mm last year). The Fox RP24 fork has a Trek-exclusive platform feature that brings platform compression damping to the front of the bike.

Trek tweaked the numbers of the frame geometry a bit for 2009, in order to quicken up the handling just a tad. I spent a great deal of time atop a 2008 Fuel EX and the handling difference was immediately obvious to me. I enjoyed the 2009’s snappier, racier feeling on my test ride on Durango’s Horse Gulch/Telegraph trail system. Other first impressions include very nice small bump sensitivity on the rear shock, which helps the bike claw its way up technical climbs.

The press corps are riding pre-production bikes with a mixture of components. Trek will have two 2009 production OCLV versions, a 23.5lb. no-holds-barred 9.9 model with plenty of XTR stuff, and a bit more affordable 9.8 model with XT-level goodies. I’ll have more to say after I finish up the press camp and I get my hands on all the specs and information from Trek. Stay tuned.

I’m in Durango where Gary Fisher bikes is introducing their all-new Roscoe—140mm of front/rear travel trail bike sweetness—to journalists from around the world. Roscoe is designed to be a versatile machine, suited for a bit more aggressive riding than Fisher’s 120mm travel HiFi. After my two-day press camp, I’ll post a full-blow report, but let me spill a few of the beans based this morning’s short indoctrination and this afternoon’s couple-hour ride atop the Roscoe 2.

• As with all bikes in Fisher’s 2009 lineup, the Roscoe features G2 geometry.
• The fork is a custom G2 Fox 140mm travel model that features TALAS and a a custom RP24 damper that brings Pro Pedal performance to the front of the bike.
• Front wheel has 15mm QR thru-axle for improved stifness.
• The rear shock features a Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) technology that was developed in cooperation with Fox and is exclusive to Trek Corp bikes. In a nutshell the DRCV has a position sensitive valve that opens a passage way to a second air chamber at a predetermined point in the travel—with the goal being to produce a coil–like spring rate curve with a lightweight air shock.
• Features Active Brake Pivot (ABP), where the rear pivot is concentric with the rear wheel axle, which was introduced last year on Trek’s Fuel EX lineup.
• E2 head tube tapers from 1 1/8″ upper to 1 1/2″ lower head tube diameter, for increased front end stiffness and steering precision.

Today’s couple-hour ride is a far cry from a full-blown bike test, but I will say that I was instantly comfortable with the Roscoe’s handling—rather agile for a 140mm travel steed. Middle ring climbing was a well-behaved affair and bombing downhil rock gardens put a smile on my face. I’ll have more to say, after the epic ride that’s on tap for tomorrow.

In the meantime, click on the thumbnails below for detail shots.