REASON 47: LOTS MORE TO COME

So, I only got to reason 47 before the cut off for the Specialized offer! 101 reasons would have been great, but, hey, if I don't get the bike you can still follow the progress of the GoGreenSpot initiative. GoGreenSpot will be developed over the next few months irrespective of whether or not the Stumpjumper Trail Crew slot becomes available. A big thank you to Specialized for having the vision to come up with this type of initiative. Whether I get a slot or not, it was a great motivator for what's to come. If you're interested, you can follow the progress of GoGreenSpot at the Cape Epic in March 2010. Or will it be the Stumpjumper Trail Crew?

REASON 46: CAPE EPIC OFFER STILL OPEN

Its 186 days to the 2010 Cape Epic and my offer on the earlier posts still stand. I am talking to a few potential partners, but, the spot's still open. The hype for the event is just starting and you can take a look at the official Cape Epic website for the latest news. Some BIG Surprises (is Lance riding or not?)in store! Someone from the Stumpjumper trail crew simply must participate in this event to give a trail riders perspective!

REASON 45: TRAIL CREW ABC

Want to know what the Stumpjumper Trail Crew is about, or should be about?

A = ACCESS

You need land to ride on. Its owned by someone and even when it falls under public use, there are normally some conditions attached. Access for mtb trails must be negotiated and established. Failure to do this, will result in long term trail failure.

B = BUILDING

The sweat of building the trail is the fun part. Other aspects of trail building are difficult: arranging dates for work crews; planning the route; finding resources; amongst others.

C = CO-OPERATION

Co-operation is the most difficult of all. Getting people to share trails, ensuring that all assist with maintenance and making interpretive information available on a consistent basis are crucial for long term sustainability.

Its great to have expertise in all these areas!

REASON 44: THE HOGSBACK TRAIL

The Hogsback Trail was one of the trails initiated while I was with the Provincial Environment Department. As pointed out by Jacques Marais at his South African Mountain Biking routes website, "this was once the Holy trail of South African MTB, but a lack of maintenance has seen many of the attractions of the trail fade over the last few years"..
This trail was established through the efforts of myself and Mpumi Fundam of the Amathole District Municipality (amongst others). It was brilliant, but, it needs to be revamped and maintained. I have not seen it or ridden it since I moved back to Port Elizabeth about 5 years ago. Being on the Stumpjumper Trail Crew means that I can turn my attention back to this type of work. The Stumpjumper trail crew needs to be a galvanizing force, to bring riders, community and government resources together. We need to build publically accessible trails which are marked, graded and have appropriate trail information.

REASON 43: BE PREPARED STUMPMAN

Stumpman is not gender specific. Years ago the debate was settled that manholes are not personholes and that chairman is not chairperson. Which one applies to you after seeing a cyclist stranded on the side of the road?

a) Wave, ask if they're alright, but pretend not to hear the cry of distress as you zoot on by.

b) Stop, check that they're OK, if the bikes broken fix it, if the bodies finished, organize an evacuation!

To be on the Stumpjumper trail crew (which earns you the title of Stumpman) you have to be the later. A Stumpman is not a weight weenie. You always carry a multitool, pump, tube and tyre repair equipment. The Stumpman is like a leatherman knife - she / he has got a solution for everything!

Oh by the way, did you see the sunrise on the way to work this morning?

REASON 42: I AM NOT SLOW

Certainly not this slow! And getting faster by the day as the Cape Epic gets closer. Being on the trail crew will give me so much more motivation to excel as a complete rider. What is the complete rider? You ride at the top end of your genetic capacity, but, most importantly - recreational mountain biking is of paramount importance!

REASON 41 : DON'T RIDE ALONE

This is golden rule number one - don't ride alone on the trail. For years I have ignored that rule and I have been lucky - so far. But, how long can that luck last. Sure, I have a few rules like:

1) Don't ride to hard

2) Always carry a phone and a GPS

3) I sometimes log my ride on the Nokia Sports Tracker and do it live.

4) Tell people where I am going

However, it's still not right. The incentives for riding alone are huge. I ride when I want and where I want. I don't wait for anyone and I do my own thing. Its also intensely educational as I listen to Podcasts constantly! However, joining the Stumpjumper trailcrew will force me to go back a few years and start riding in groups again. You cannot work on a trail crew alone and it has to be a team effort. In 1996 we used to get 200 people out on trail related work and we can definitely do it again with Specialized's assistance!

REASON 40: SPOILT FOR CHOICE

I went on my normal 3 hour plus ride over 65km. There are simply loads of small trails like this all over Port Elizabeth. I ride from my home and have about a 50/50 mix of road and off road, with 90% away from cars. However, it is selfish to have so much choice. Simply put, mountain biking cannot grow unless there are marked trails with interpretive information. This was a lesson we learnt in the 1990's. We have loads of trails, but few use them. Mark one trail and have information available on it, and you suddenly double the amount of mountain bikes being used. As Eco Mtb we tried to communicate this simple fact to bike shops, but, they still continued to focus only on racing. A dedicated core of people (a Stumpjumper Trail Crew) is required to identify trails, design them and publicise them. That's what I did in the past and thats whats needed for the future. We simply have to much choice, but, few riding opportunities for new entrants to the sport. You cannot play rugby without a rugby field and you cannot mountain bike without mountain bike trails. Get the latter right and growth will be explosive. With the trail crew, I can help with that.

REASON 39: IN DEFENCE OF SPECIALIZED

Being on the Stumpjumper Trail Crew motivates one to spring to their defence. Though I have a high regard for John and Scott of the Velocast, their criticism of Specialized in episode 43 is off the mark. It seems they were not permitted into the Specialized booth at Eurobike as they did not have business cards. Typical thrifty Scots, to miserly to print cards. It is a trade show and if you pitch without business cards, its like trying to start a bike race without a bicycle. You can't bash a brand just because of an incident with one company representative who was simply doing their job!

REASON 38: PLAYER 23

So what typically happens to a companies marketing budget? Easy, invite your dealers and best sales people to a rip roaring party, in some exotic location, and spend days trying to rip the guts out of a particular product! Whether its cars or bicycles, it's all the same. My local auto dealer is a regular jetsetter - I no longer buy cars! The LBS (Local Bike Shop) is no different - from one promotion to the next. Am I jealous? Absolutely! I'm Specialized's biggest fan, spending massive amounts on the product. Do I get any invites - zilch - nothing - zero!

Specialized should take a look at the Player 23 concept in South Africa. Rugby is a big sport in South Africa and has experienced a resurgence in popularity while other big unions such as Australia and England are battling to fill stadiums. Player 23 refers to the fan, the supporters of rugby, and an entire marketing campaign has been based around them. Look at the Vodacom (a cellular service provider) website and you'll see what I mean. The rugby and cycling fan are chalk and cheese in terms of looks and attitude, but, the concept of recognizing the fan has undoubtedly led to South Africa winning the World Cup and Tri Nations trophies and a pile of revenue for the industry!

REASON 37: GOGREENSPOT

GoGreenSpot is a fantastic concept. On the Saturday afternoon ride two blackspots were identified. One where an Environmental Impact Assessment has not been conducted and the other where illegal dumping of garden refuse is taking place near a mountain bike trail. This is a great concept for the Stumpjumper trail crew. While creating great cycling trails, we must be taking on real environmental issues. The stuff spouted by the Greenpeace's and Sierra clubs are often far removed from reality. In fact, their entire attitude to environmental issues needs to be challenged. Its actually not about pontification from a lofty and idealistic position. Its actually about building environmental issues into your daily existence. That's what the GoGreenSpot is all about and please take a look at the website!

REASON 36: VARICOSE VEINS & THE EPIC

There's been alot said about cycling and legs. Should I shave? Are cyclists gay or just vain, or is it really about massage?. Everyones missing the point - what does cycling actually do to your legs. My GP specializes in removing varicose veins and joked that I could be a good candidate for surgery. Having not trained aggressively for the past four years, I figured - lets conduct an experiment. Take a pair of 46 year old legs, photograph them, train them for the Cape Epic, and then photograph them again in April 2010. Will the results of cycling enhance the look, make the legs more functional, better looking. Who knows - you be the judge. If I'm on the Stumpjumper Trail Crew, I'll let you know in 6 months time, and Ill get an expert medical opinion at the same time!

REASON 35: NOT AFRAID TO SHOW MY FACE?

Is it a good thing or not to show ones face on new media websites. One school of thought thinks absolutely not. Guys (and girls) who know their way around the Internet are dorky, pimply and social misfits. Avoid photo's at all cost. Another school says show it all, even if I must steal Tom Cruise's photo to show who I am. Anyway, here's a face. The bikes real, the person could be model or avatar - believe what you want - but after 34 reasons why I should be on the Stumpjumper crew, its best to show a face!

REASON 34: WE SIMPLY NEED TO HAVE FUN

The one thing that struck me after Sunday's St Francis ride, was the number of miserable faces after the race. It seems that people are not having enough fun from races and Mtb riding is seen as punishment for the hedonism of modern excess. Its a misconception that can only be rectified through recreational mtb riding. The Stumpjumper trail crew needs to place an emphasis on the recreational aspect of the sport and I could think of nothing better than using the media of social networking to create an emphasis on this aspect of the sport.

REASON 33: LAND ACCESS

Land Access is a big thing, even in a country where there is an abundance of space. One of the first places we targeted was Longmore Forest. This area of 20,000ha has 800km of forestry road. In 1992 mountain bikes were banned for the simple reason that managers thought they had engines. After months of negotiation the Fat Tracks Mtb club, through the Eco Mtb lobby, secured access to the forest on a responsible and permitted basis. That access continues to this day!

REASON 32: BIKE TRAILS

Over the years, I have played a key role in the lobby to establish bike trails in Port Elizabeth. My two biggest success stories have been the Baakens river mtb trail and Coastal Cycle Path. The latter project was first motivated in the mid 1990's and I have been beating this drum ever since. First through the organized mountain biking community and later providing input to engineering companies who were able to raise the government funds to have the paths built. I am in the fortunate position to be one of the biggest beneficiaries as I now commute to work along this path. When we first formulated these proposals, I had no idea that I would one day be commuting along this route. Just shows - good deeds always generate good returns!

Reason 31:I need Vision

STOLEN - BERM OPTICS: What a quandry. Twelve years ago I had Lasik surgery done to correct my short sightedness. At the time prescription glasses for sport were unheard of and the surgery led to a wonderful new lifestyle of not worrying about dirty contact lenses or fogged up spectacles. Well times change and eyes deteriorate. The trail riding was getting increasingly difficult and I was getting caught out by those unseen rocks! Yesterday I took the plunge and had more Lasik surgery. As a result I have been looking for a really good pair of mtb sunglasses. A few months ago I was in London and bought a pair of Specialized Berm's. Problem was, it got stolen out my bag on the flight home. I was in misery for months - still am. I have tried to source glasses here locally, and have had many brands - Smiths, Oakley etc. I have enquired through my local Specialized dealer but they do not stock them. They are now trying to organize a pair through the national supplier. Specialized glasses don't seem to feature on the South African market, even though the magazines indicate they should be available here! Would absolutely love to buy a pair, but, how do I buy without trying them out? I have posed the question to my local Specialized dealer - Action Cycles, and will post the response.

Reason 30: The Bike Shop loves Mtb's

Do they? Think about it. How many people work for 8 hours a day and then think, dream, sleep and do the same for the next 16 hours? Very few- if any? If you have a bike shop which is 24/7 then you're really lucky. There is alot to be said for the professional mtb type, but, I would argue that the amateur is often the most enthusiastic. They don't do it for a living, but, they sure as heck do it for the fun of it. And isn't that what's really important! Being part of the Stumpjumper trail crew is about unlocking a fountain of enthusiasm, about unlocking the dynamism which people have for the brand. It not only gives a new lease of life to be able to participate in it, but, it also unlocks potential for so much more!

Reason 29: On the Comeback Trail

This is a 46 year old on the comeback trail. I've cycled all my life, but, have slacked off over the past four years due to Baby duties. From now to March 2010 there is going to be a dramatic improvement in my performance. There is nothing that impresses more than a rider suddenly starting to go quickly. People always look for explanations other than the obvious. Instead of recognizing that a person is merely training hard, they look towards the equipment being used. Now if my dramatic improvement co-incides with a new Stumpjumper FSR S-Works, there can be only one explanation - the bike!

Reason 28: Tinker & the Cape Epic

Tinker Juarez rides for Cannondale and came 14th overall in 2009. Read about his ride and his praise for the event then you'll see why the Specialized trail crew should ride this. Tinker maintained that they could have done alot better than 14th if they had not been plagued with mechanical problems. Tinker views the Cape Epic as being particularly tough on equipment. Now that's an excellent reason why the trail crew should be riding this event - to demonstrate how tough the Stumpjumper FSR is!

Reason 27: Attention to Detail

Members of the trail crew need to get their facts right - to speak with authority and knowledge. For instance, they should even pick up issues on the Specialized website and take corrective action. By way of example, today the Specialized website gives a Stumpjumper writeup while referring to the Stumpjumper S-Works. This created confusion around the Stumpjumper range. It's always good to have some sort of corrective oversight in the form of the Trail Crew!

Reason 26: There's Gold in South Africa

While South Africa is famous for producing Gold, we have recently started taking alot of gold from other countries! Not only is Greg Minnaar cleaning up on the World Downhill stage (he got Silver today at the 2009 World Champs), but Burry Stander is the new U23 World Champ. Burry used to ride for GT and was "discovered" by Specialized when he teamed up with Christoff Sauser on the Cape Epic. In 2008 they rode together as Team Songo.Info due to Susi being with Specialized and Burry being with GT. In 2009 Burry joined Specialized. South Africa has brought Gold to Specialized on the race circuit, and a South African trail crew can do exactly the same when it comes to trail riding!

Reason 25 - The South African Market

Mountain Biking is going through a phase of explosive growth in South Africa and Burry Stander has helped alot (2009 U23 World Champion - Specialized rider). The big sellers at the top end of the market are Raleigh (a South African group bought the African rights to the brand and make up their own bikes from China - very good value), Cannondale, GT and to a lesser extent Specialized. The guys who ride top end Specialized bikes tend to go for the Epic, while the S-Works Stumpjumper will not sell at present due to the price and the percieved weight penalty. South Africans need to see a bike like the S-Works Stumpjumper in action and then they'll consider this over the Epic. For many (as correctly pointed out in a recent Mountain Bike Action), choosing an Epic could be the wrong purchase for their particular purpose. Having an S-Works Stumpjumper doing trail crew work and in the Cape Epic could change alot of perceptions!

Reason 24: I got dropped by a GT

Today's course at the St Francis Golf Course was on the coastline at Cape St Francis South Africa. There was alot of sand, but, there were also some wide open tar road sections. I got into a bit of a battle with an old mate. I was on the M5 S-Works Hard tail and he was on a GT Carbon Marathon. My legs were starting to cramp after 44km (thats the distance of my morning commute - I am in the process of working to longer distances) and the last time I raced a 6okm distance was three years ago. Even on the tar sections he was getting away from me and in the sand, he was dissapearing into the distance. This was a course for full suspension - even with the tar sections, and it would have been great with a Stumpjumper S-Works. Now I am not blaming the bike - it would just have been interesting to see what would happen with my current form on a Stumpy S-Works full suspension!

The popular full suspension bikes are the GT Marathon, Cannondale Scalpel and Giant Anthem. There are very few Stumpjumper full suspension bikes around and it would be great to stand out with a Specialized 2010 S-Works Stumpjumper.

Reason 23: About getting Fit

In the course of serving on the trail crew, I'll tell you all about getting into condition and the tips and tricks associated with it. The stage lengths in the Cape Epic vary between 70km and 130km. At present I cycle about 44km per day during the week (commuting) and then try and put in long rides over the weekend. I rode the St Francis Marathon today - the length was 60km. Guess what, after 44km, the legs cramped up. Clearly, there is alot of work to do before March 2010. The Stumpjumper trail crew will tell you all about it and how its done. Over weekends its going to be long rides and I'll share how to get those rides in, with lots of friends and lots of fun. It's not rocket science and you don't have to own a Super VO2 max. All its about is taking the body to its genetic potential and thats enough to do the Cape Epic - provided you have a good bike.

Reason 22: Whats the Cape Epic got to do with the Trail Crew

The Cape Epic's a race, not a trail ride. So what does a race have to do with the Stumpjumper Trail Crew? Well firstly, its not really a race. Sure, for the top 100 riders it is, and the event receives massive international media coverage. For the other 1100 riders, the event is about finishing, about camaraderie, about the experience, and most importantly, about riding mountain bikes. Most of the race is on private land and the trails are closed after the race. In fact, GPS tracks are banned to prevent trespassing on land! This speaks volumes about the need for a trail crew perspective on the race. By participating as a Stumpjumper Trail Crew, one can provide a perspective on the notions of land access, trail stewardship, of responsible use, and to identify those routes which should become part of a larger cycling trail network. The challenge is not to have 1100 people racing across a trail once a year. Rather, it should be about opening these areas to responsible access for all. It should always be an ideal, of making sure that raceways also become trails.

Reason 21: Specialized's Raw Deal - Cape Epic 2009

Congratulations Burry on the U23 Cross Country World Championship. Susi could only manage a tenth, but, thats the way it rolls. In 2009 Susi and Burry teamed up for the Cape Epic and dominated the event. If I remember correctly they won 5 of the 8 stages, yet still only came in sixth or something. In a day of high drama, Burry pretzelled his wheel, was assisted by a fellow competitor, but, were penalized by first 15 minutes, then later by an hour. The decision by the race commissar's was a shocker. Susi and Burry reacted by coming out the next day and just riding harder. Though they lost the race, they won the respect of every spectator and fellow rider.

Thats the lesson for trail crew members, its about the ride, the principles you're riding for, and making the most of a bad situation. And most importantly, never give up!

Reason 20: I invented Mountain Biking

There are just so many claims to that title and I know Gary Fisher likes to do that. Recently he seemed to back off that claim. He agreed that mountain biking was not invented or discovered by anybody, it just sort of happened. Thats probably a good description.

In 1975 I role a BSA with Sturmey-Archer 3 speed gears. With guys such as Vincent Silson and Charlie Breen we rode them on motocross tracks and in the bush. Our Stans was putting milk in the tubes. Problem was the stench!. We have never laid claim to discovering or inventing mountain biking and BSA was never the first mountain bike. We just enjoyed cycling and being in the outdoors. And that is where Specialized is so good. They don't lay false claim to titles, they just improve the riding experience - constantly! And thats what the Trail Crew needs to do - improve the experience!

Reason 19: My Partner for the Cape Epic

So who would I want to ride the Cape Epic 2010 with - on a S-Works Stumpjumper off course! The following top ten in no particular order:

1) Mike Sinyard: It would be great to get a better business brain. Riding with a legend such as Mike will teach me a thing or twenty.

2) Ned Overend: I'm not in his league and will battle to stay with him. Hey, we could win the Masters class. If you're in Ned, I will show you how a 40+ never won anything major - can excel on a S-Works Stumpjumper! You can show me how.

3) Rachael Lambert: Specialized Product Manager for Women - In South Africa Scott is the weapon for women and I think thats plain wrong. Rachael - come ride the mixed category and lets show what Specialized can do. With your spirit who cares about a win - its about the experience!

4) Richard Cunningham: RC - Mtb Sage of note. Editor, designer - Mtb pioneer - well everything Mtb. You simply have to ride the Epic RC!

5) Jimmy Mac: We're about the same age, and probably with similar VO2. Knows everything about bikes and a wonderful conversationalist over 8 days?

6) Vail 1994: You know who you are. Its about the bikes and conversation? Camping at Vail, the rides through to Leadville? Are you still riding?

7) The IMBA Trail Care Crew or anyone else in a voluntary organization with a passion for mtb trails.

8) BMA Riders: What a great organization and what a fantastic place to live. Its open to any one of you - as long as you ride a Specialized.

9) Specialized Evangelists: Tan Lam, Michelle Diaz-Ordell or any of the evangelists at Specialized. Brilliant ideas - all the time!

10) A Google Maps freak: Would love to spend 8 days with a Google Maps fan plotting ways to use the technology for Mountain bike trails.

Reason 18: Seriously - I need a Cape Epic Partner

The Cape Epic is on par with the Tour of France, Italy and Spain (well thats what Wiki says anyway). Personally, I think its quite corny, racing day to day and dependent on a partner and race organizers. Give me a ride on the Klondike anyday. However, there are going to be 1199 other riders and its going to be a fantastic ride through the best trails of the Western Cape. The weapon of choice for the Pro's is going to be the S-Works Epic. I've just been looking at the October 09 edition of MBA and to me the 2010 Stumpjumper S-Works is awesome - unless off course your name is Burry or Sausie! There would be nothing better than doing the 2010 Cape Epic on a Stumpjumper!

Reason 17: Never jump to Conclusions

I nearly jumped to a wrong conclusion on Specialized products - once! I bought a new pair of Specialized Pro Carbon Mtb shoes. Pride and joy, and then I found my ankles were hurting - like really bad. It got progressively worse and I was thinking BG means "Bloody Gastly". No ways could Specialized do that - on further exploration it turned out to be a lifestyle thing. Too much red wine, getting older and the disease of affluence - GOUT! Horror of horrors - hows that possible. Easy. If you head into the 40's and try and live like a twenty year old, you simply got to look at your diet. The bike can only do so much and ultimately you have to look after the body. A few months later, and hey, I'm stronger than ever. Ultimately, you need a balance between body, mind and equipment. I'll tell you all about these experiences on the trail crew!

Reason 16: Trail Building

My first trail crew was with the Fat Tracks Mountain Bike Club. We ran something called Eco Mtb which was modelled on IMBA. Together with Paul Martin from Parks we built the Baakens Mountain Bike Trail and prepared associated trail guides. We also held lots of events and outrides. I will try and dig up a few pamphlets to add it to this site.

Reason 15: Specialized M4 2003 Stumpjumper

In 1994 at the Worlds in Vail Colorado, I marvelled at a military green Specialized Stumpjumper. I nearly bought it, but, could not, and have regretted it ever since. I really wish I could get my hands on one of those. Anyway, nearly a decade later, I was still a fan and eventually got my first Stumpjumper. I still have it and love it dearly. It has been ridden hard and been bashed by rocks and people. Yet, its still going strong. My M4 gave me the inspiration for creating the logo for my Mountain Bike club, while I was Chairman in 2006 - Going Strong Since 1989

Reason 14: Mountain Bike Fiction

So there is this great magazine that everybody believes, though many now question it. Some say the biggest advertisers get the most coverage (sorry Specialized – you’re one of the biggest). Now I actually think Richard Cunningham and Jimmy Mac are fantastic journalists and if it were'nt for them Mountain Biking would not be where it is today. However, the consumer is becoming less dependent on print journalism and is turning towards social networking for the type of information which guides purchasing decisions. If you’re looking for a component, we’re more influenced by what people are saying on the forums than on the formal sites. The customer is king, but, the customer also wants to feel part of the product they’re buying into. Whether it’s at McDonalds, Ford or Specialized whole cultures are being built around brands through social networking. So that’s why, I don’t listen to what Mountain Bike Action say about Specialized - I find out for myself. Even though Specialzied is one of the biggest advertizers, I don't always agree with some of the things that MBA has said in some of their tests. I listen to what my fellow riders are saying and I find out for myself. I have ridden Specialized as a brand since 2003. I have never had a problem which has not been of my own making. That view is worth more than any advert!

Reason 13: About Tuppleware

Carbon Fibre is the magic material in cycling. Is this a marketing hype or a reality. The closest I have been to carbon is the fork on my E5, mixed experiences from carbon bars, but, certainly no carbon frames.

So is it in fact the magic material and is it durable? Given my years of experience with aluminium, I would love to compare stories about the Stumpjumper S-Works Carbon vs my M5 aluminium hard tail.

Reason 12: Laughter is natures tonic

Scientific studies and common sense tell you the same thing. Laughter is good for you – really good. I have had my best laughs on a mountain bike. Unfortunately too many equate mountain biking with competition. The best times have been with friends, riding through the African bushveld and nearly falling off the bike with laughter. The trail crew concept creates the context for that type of laughter, racing doesn’t. I can’t really say what was funny about a ride, because if I do, you simply won’t get it. The biggest laugh factories on a ride, seem rather mundane when you’re not riding. You had to be on the ride and that’s what the trail crew should be about. Laughter as a tonic for health and prosperity!

Reason 11: Have bike will travel

There is absolutely nothing better than a good cycle tour. I don’t mean a Trans Rockies or Cape Epic. I am talking about a proper tour. This is my account of a trip through South East Asia in 1996. It’s a life changing experience and there are simply too few opportunities for this type of experience. The world is getting more dangerous by the day and we need to develop these self supported types of routes using the latest in GPS technology. I marvel at the impact that Lonely Planet has had and we need to find more ways for cycle based travel. I think the Trail Crew concept is one way in which that can be unlocked.

Reason 10: The GoGreenSpot.BlogSpot.com Website

The Stumpjumper Trail Crew has provided the impetus for me to get my http://gogreenspot.blogspot.com website going. The objectives of GoGreenSpot are simple namely:



Mapping cycling facilities
Green spots
Black spots

How it works is that existing and potential cycling facilities are mapped on the website. Problem areas (Black spots) are identified and then we start lobbying to have these rectified. Black spots can be anything from the removal of a stepped curb, to people littering on a portion of the trail. Green spots are where people are doing the right thing and need to be commended. The website will act as a lobby to commend such initiatives. There are simply far to few people and initiatives which simply say “Thank You”.

At this stage I am sorting out the logo’s and technology side of things and I will start uploading in the next few weeks. This is a critical aspect of my bid to get sponsorship to participate in the Cape Epic. It's hellish expensive to ride the Epic and I desperately need some support. I am confident that I can position http://gogreenspot.blogspot.com as the premier source for cycle facility information in the Port Elizabeth area, if not the country. I just need to sort the technology side of things. My draft sponsorship bid document is here

Reason 9: Geography Nut

Plainly put, I’m a Geography nut. Since my pre-teens I have loved maps and mapping. I now work in the Geospatial Industry with GIS in a planning role. Not only do I have fun at work, but, I also love to work with Geography in my leisure time. I bring mountain biking into my geography (or is that vice versa) at http://geotrails.blogspot.com .

Unfortunately, I have not put enough time into this site - yet. It is a fact that geospatial technologies are going to fundamentally transform mountain biking. In five years time every mobile device is going to be location aware. We will be overwhelmed with spatial data and the mountain biking industry has to work out how we can turn this into more growth for the industry, for the sport and for cycling facilities. The Garmin Edge 305, Nokia N79 (with Sports tracker) and the IPhone are potentially fantastic tools for mountain biking. The possibility of a Stumpjumper Trail Crew slot has provided the discipline for me to pursue this project and pursue it I shall!

Reason 8: Bike to Work Day

I have this dream and have voiced it on some of the cycling forums (see sites such as The Hub). We really need to support the National Bike to Work Day. The South African Department of Transport is supposed to be handing out 500,000 bicycles during 2009/10.
On my route there are some guys riding really well worn hypermarket bikes. One day I gave this guy a tube. His old tube was red throughout - you could hardly see black rubber - there were so many patches. I see his running to work now, not sure, but I think his bike has finally given in! The Trail crew needs to challenge government and industry. On bike to work day, we should be placing ourselves along major cycling routes and hand out product, pamplets and bikes to people who really need it, or simply lube chains! I would just love to get the Specialized Trail Crew involved in this type of initiative!

Reason 7: An M4 for my fellow Commuter

I ride my Specialized Stumpjumper M4 2003 to work and back. (see http://geotrails.blogspot.com for a KML of the route and a write up). It’s a trick Stumpie with a Sid fork, SRAM XO group and Mavic SL wheels. Commuting is not yet a big thing in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We’re a nation half in poverty, yet everyone just wants bigger cars and more worldly goods. There are a handful of people who cycle to work every day. For the marginally affluent like myself, I have the luxury of opting into my car on windy or wet days. Some of my fellow commuters ride come rain, high tide or winds. They ride the cheapest of cheap bikes(something akin to a Huffy), yet ride every day they do. If I get to ride the Stumpjumper S-Works for a year, I’m giving my Stumpjumper M4 to Mxolisi for a year. If I get to keep the S-Works, Mxolisi keeps the M4. On top of that, I will also teach him how to maintain his bike. That’s the real tragedy in South Africa. Mxolisi is a sheet metal worker and probably earns less than $500 per month. He rides a bike to work to save money, but rides it till it falls apart. With just a little maintenance his bikes can last so much longer. Just think how much employment can be created if everybody just rode their bikes and looked after them, instead of buying low end bikes to hang in garages!

Reason 6: My Mountain Bikes are Well Worn

My bikes don’t gleam, they’re not mint, and they never get admiring glances. They’re pure workhorses, they get grudging respect. People quietly look at them, seeing a well worn product. Tough, strong, never breaks, just purely functional and gets ridden hard. They’re the bikes of the trail. They get the job done, providing the greatest of pleasures other than the flesh!

Reason 5: Specialized S-Works M5

I have been riding my Stumpjumper M4 since I bought it in 2003. Not only am I brand loyal, but, also bike loyal. I simply don’t get rid of my bikes. Anyway, I have always wanted an S-Works Mountain Bike. I walked into ProBike in Barcelona in 2008 and lo and behold there was a 2007 All Colours S-Works M5 frame at a bargain price. I have spent a fortune with XT components, Mavic SLR wheels, World Cup Sids – full house. I could probably have bought a Carbon S-Works off the shelf (in black) for half the price, but, hey, I wanted that All Colours! Its sleek, its strong, its understated, I bet it will never break, even though I spend my life riding it hard – very hard.

Reason 4: I still ride a Hard Tail

Some think its old school - purist, others say it's plain stupid. I've been riding hard tails for the past fifteen years or so. I’m not a traditionalist or modern day luddite. In the early 90’s I bought my first full suspension bike – a Mongoose Amplifier. Actually it was an AMP (remember Horst Leitner) branded as a Mongoose …well you know the story. Great bike, fast, super light, killer suspension (well it was a lot then), but, ……… it required a monthly rebuild on the pivot points. It seemed like I hardly got the bike together, then the fork and back end had more flex than a fishing rod!

Thats when I moved onto Hard Tails - I wanted to ride bikes, not work on them. Times change and people say full suspension is no longer as maintenance intensive. I still don’t believe them. Give me a chance to rider the 2010 S-Works Stumpjumper full suspension for a year then I’ll tell you, warts and all, whether I still stand by my hard tail or not.

Reason 3: The Work of Dave Minor Et al

There are just so many unsung heroes of mountain biking. Dave Minor is one of those. In 1994 I had the experience of working as a BLM volunteer in the Sand Flats Recreation Area (which includes Moab's Slick Rock). By that time Dave had passed away and I worked with Alex Van Hemert. I never met Dave, but his legacy had a massive impact on me. Dave was the recreation coordinator for the BLM at Moab. His pioneering work on recreational facilities around Moab, had a formative impact on the development of mountain biking. Porcupine Rim, Jackass Canyon and all the other trails in the area bring back so many memories from the time I spent there. I learnt a lot at Moab and tried to emulate that work in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. There has been some success, but, nothing as spectacular as the legacy left by guys such as Dave Minor and Alex. Maybe the Specialized Trail Crew can give me another bite at trying to build on the work of these pioneers, through new trail development in South Africa. Everybody refers to people such as Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher and Tom Ritchey as being the fathers of mountain biking. I think they’re wrong, because there are so many mountain biking heroes. The real heroes are the ones who have tirelessly and unselfishly donated massive amounts of time in establishing the thousands of miles of cycle paths and trails throughout the world. Those are the real heroes and we need to be building on their work and providing more support mechanisms for them! Mountain biking is not about the racer boy heroes. The future of the sport is really about the trail builders!

Reason 2: Specialized E5 Road Bike 2003

I am the proud owner of a 2003 Specialized E5 road bike in Zebra colours. I really don't know how many were made, but, this bike is absolutely unique in my area. Its a replica of the Mario Cipollini bike in Acqua Sapone colours. I bought the Bike in Denver somewhere around 2005 and it is now well known throughout Port Elizabeth. I was one of the first Specialized riders in PE and now the brand is very dominant. Did my Zebra stripped bike play a role in that popularity. I think so!

Reason 1: Mike Sinyard – You can ride the Cape Epic – for free!

Mike Sinyard, Mtb pioneer, entrepreneur extraordinaire and founder of the Specialized brand empire. Not only did he invent the commercial mountain bike, he also rides them – often. I was mighty impressed seeing Mike and his team ride the 600 miles to Interbike 2007! Evidently his love of riding and good causes is quite extraordinary. According to Wikipedia, Mike will be hitting the big 60 in 2010, but, has never done the Cape Epic. For those of you who don’t know, the Cape Epic is an annual 8 day stage race held in South Africa. It is commonly known as the Tour de France of mountain biking and features the whose who of mountain bike racing. Its’ also an intensely social event, with about 1200 participants staying in tents over the 800 day period (well the real mountain bikers stay in tents, the softies and GC contenders stay in motor homes!). Mike has never done it and neither have I (more reasons later on why I have stayed away and why I am doing it now!). However, guys like Tom Ritchey have and this is definitely one race which Mike should be doing – especially at 60! Its’ near impossible to get entries into the event unless you pay through your neck or get a wild card entry. So here’s the bribe, I mean deal. Mike, get me onto the Stumpjumper Trail Crew and you can join my team (http://gogreeenspot.blogspot.com ) at the 2010 Cape Epic. The team comprises myself and one other. We cover your race entry fees (which is substantial - $1000 +), you cover the rest. Some conditions, while Lance Armstrong (rumoured to be entering with Levi in 2010) will be sleeping in a motor home, you need to sleep in tents with the rest of the real mountain bikers. For eight days all we will do is ride mountain bikes, talk them and travel through some of the most spectacular terrain in the world!

COME RIDE THE CAPE EPIC

The Stumpjumper Trail Crew! - What a fantastic initiative from Specialized! This is a company which is always on the cutting edge be it with bikes or equipment. Now they’re taking on the whole area of social media, recognizing that the internet has changed everything. It’s not about superhero stars who ride mountain bikes. It’s actually about you and me, and about everybody who enjoys mtb’s.

Here are some simple reasons why I want to be on the Specialized Trail Crew:

1) Mike Sinyard – You’re a hero. According to my calculations you hit the big 60 in 2010! Why not celebrate by riding the 2010 Cape Epic with me. You’re a little older than me, but, hey, probably a hell of a lot fitter.

2) If I get onto the Stumpjumper Trail Crew, I’ll give Specialized an entry into the Cape Epic as my riding partner.

3) Entries are rare as hen’s teeth and I hear Lance is riding in 2010.

4) If Mike or some Specialized nominated rider is not available, the slot as my partner in the Cape Epic is open to any Specialized fan who meets the qualifying criteria. The criteria is - Get me onto the Specialized Trail Crew!

Over the next few weeks I’ll tell you exactly why I should be on the Specialized Trail Crew!