MtnBikeRiders.com

A “hydration pack” is an essential part of our ride.  Not only does it carry our water, but other things such as tools, tubes, pads, etc… whatever is needed for our long/short ride.  We want it to be comfortable and able to accommodate the things we want to bring.

 

I first used the Laguna during the Tour de Tryptophan.  On this day, I rode several loops, at least 20 miles. 

There were a few notable things with the Laguna:

- Comfortable

o        it was well padded in both the contact area (shoulder and back)

- Sweat wicking

o        Good air-flow between my back and the bag

o        The sweat dried quickly

- Cargo room

o        I was able to bring ample of gear for this 24hr event.

- Ease of using the reservoir

o        With its wide opening, replenishing the water was very easy.

 

The Pack:  The Laguna is a good sized hydration pack.  Its normal volume is 500 cubic inches however it has a 360º zipper which expands the pack to 800 cubic inches.  Those days where you want to carry more things on your ride - not a problem.  I would say that’s versatility when you can easily convert the Laguna into a full-sized day-pack.

It’s primarily constructed of nylon material.  The shoulder and sternum straps are reinforced with Hypalon material.   The backing and shoulder straps of the Laguna bears ample padding.  It’s covered in a mesh material, the closed cell foam padding make the straps both ventilated and comfortable.  This is the main difference from 2008 vs 2009. 

The straps also allow for either left/right hose placement.  The Laguna has a total of five pockets (including the reservoir sleeve). The reservoir goes into a top-loading pocket/sleeve; independent from the main cargo. There are also cargo straps for pads (knee/elbow) and a helmet carrier.

You like listening to music while riding but tired of the messy earphone wires?  No problem.  The Laguna is built with Hydratunes.  It’s a dedicated port that allows you to route earphone chords into one of the gadget pockets internally.

 

The Reservoir:

o      100 oz – plenty water for all day riding.

o      Wide top opening -  easy to fill

o      Reversible – easy to clean and can be dried quickly

o      Removable hose

o      Round bite valve – comfortable and can be placed in your mouth in any angle

 

Specs from Hydrapak:

o      fluid capacity 100 fl. oz. / 3.0 l.

o      empty pack weight 2 lb.4 oz. / 1.02 kg.

o      gear volume 500-800 cu. In. / 8.2 – 13.1 L

Features:

o      New Hypalon reinforced section on shoulder strap and new wrap-around sternum

o      New suspension padded back with airflow channel.

o      360º zipper expands capacity to 800 cu. In./13.1 L.

o      Built-in mesh net for helmet storage.

o      One-finger-opening utility pocket for quick access.

o      Reflective light loop

 

Color: Charcoal

MSRP $89.99

 

The Laguna pack is built with the rider in mind. Total comfort and plenty of cargo space for a short or an all day epic ride. It is also ideal for any outdoorsmen, snowboarder, hiker…

 

The Laguna is trail approved by MtnBikeRiders.com.  To see more of Hydrapak’s line of products, visit www.hydrapak.com

Popularity: 6% [?]

Can you give us some background on who you are, name, where you live, married, kids, profession?

My name is Matt Gilman. I live in Baltimore, Maryland, I am married to a wonderful person who has supported me through everything that has happened to me with my vision. No kids as of yet, though the wife is starting to get the bug. Well my profession… I don’t really have one at the moment. I have been a bike mechanic for …umm 15 years now. I am currently trying to get back into a shop. So hopefully I will be there soon.

How did you get into trials?

I got into trials kind of by chance. I was working at the shop and someone who I used to dirt jump with came in. He was there to trade a mod trials bike in for a bmx bike for a neighbor’s kid. He won the trials bike in a duel solemn race. He thought it would be better to provide a new bike to a less fortunate child, then to have a trials bike that wouldn’t be used. So when it came in to the shop as a trade in I started playing around on it and quickly got the bug. A good friend of mine already rode trials, so I called him up and said I got a trials bike. That’s the start of it all.

Were you born blind?

I was not born blind. I could see for 24 years of my life. I became blind due to diabetes in 2004. I had vision on and off for about a year and a half. I would have a surgery and would be able to see for about a month or so then I would have a hemorrhage with a blood vessel in my eye, then I wouldn’t be able to see anything. I had, I think 22 or so eye surgeries. My left retina is badly torn and I can’t see anything out of that eye. The right I can see a little bit. The doctor put a silicone oil in my eye to stop the bleeding, which worked but now I have to look through oil. Plus the retina was torn in that eye as well just not as badly. I also have replaced lenses in both eyes. The right has a fiber growth growing on the lens and a milkyness on the cornea. All of these things make it near to impossible to see. I can see light and some really contrasty things. The best way I can describe it is, take the foggiest day you can think of and hold a bottle of olive oil up to your eye and try and get around. Each month my vision gets worse and worse. The oil is good in the sense that it is keeping blood from blocking my vision but it also eats away at the eye over time. The doctor wants to do another surgery soon to clean up everything to keep it from getting worse. He said I may get a little vision back but not much if at all.

Is it difficult to execute tricks since you can’t see? Or do your other senses get heightened in turn help you perform better.

Well I would say it is more difficult then it normally is. I just had to learn how to do things in a different way then every other rider. THe hardest thing is having to place your wheel in a tight spot, you know something narrow. i usually can’t do that so well. There are a few things that I know I will probably never be able to do, such as balance lines. Like riding the length of a log. I just can’t see when my wheel is going towards the edge. There are some trials moves that it is almost impossible to do because it requires good sight and if I were to attempt them I would more then likely get really hurt, and that’s not what I want to do. I will push my self to become a better rider and who knows I may get to a point where I may start doing things like that. I never thought I would get to the level Iam at now. The one thing that I do more then ever is use my front wheel as kind of a hand. I will touch my wheel to things to see how far I am from the obstacles. I will also use my tire to mush over an edge so I know that I am on the corner. All other senses don’t really help. Sometimes they gett in the way. When I ride rocks, everything looks the same to me. I will think I will see something off to my right that isn’t there. I will ask a friend what is that and they will say nothing is there. So my mind plays tricks on me. At this point I will close my eyes and just ride while my tires tell me what is around.

Do you have videos or photos of you doing trials?

I do have both. I am getting started on another video now that the weather is getting better. These 2 links are to my You Tube video and to my Facebook fan page. The Facebook has photo’s, my video and some other info. I am also in the process of trying to get some demo’s going. I am going to be doing a demo for the American Diabetes Association in may. I am trying to figure out how to get some obstacles to the site. As I can’t drive and no one I know can get much in their car.

My Facebook fan page -Facebook | Matt Gilman – Blind bike Trials Rider
Anyone can view this page weather or not you are a member.

What is your favorite trick to do on your bike?

I don’t really have a favorite move. I really like the old school way of riding trials. I like to roll up and down the biggest things that I can. I like getting on one obstacle with my rear wheel and on another with my front, this is called spanning. When you are spanning things it takes lots of balance. Then to get out of the move takes lots of practice. Recently I really have been into riding rocks as they provide endless lines and more challenging moves to go from one area to another. Plus if you can ride rocks you can ride everything else there is. I think this will improve my riding immensely. Maybe after riding rocks i may be able to ride narrow balance lines, haha.

What kind of bike do you ride?

I ride a trials specific bike. I recently got a new frame from www.trialspads.com. I am riding the Meta VTT. This bike is a long frame, this helps me do really big rolls and span big gaps.

Do you need a spotter to tell you what to expect when riding trials?

Yes and no. when we ride things orr places that I rode when I could see, I remember what it looks like and what is around. Usually I am safe there. When we ride rocks and new places then yes I definitely need someone looking out for me. Some of the things I ride I can really get hurt on either by falling off of something high or i have and can run into something, such as a tree or pole. Most of the time people will tell me how close or how far something is away from me. When I ride things like a trials section I will need someone to tell me if i am going the right direction. I get off course really easily. I think I am going in one direction and some how I have drifted completely off course and this becomes dangerous. I have fallen off of many things when people are not paying attention. That’s the way it goes. I will keep riding no matter what.

Can you provide us photos and videos of you riding?

If you go the the Facebook page you can find all the photo’s there plus my video. Once I get another video out, it will get posted up there. I usually update it as I get photos or anything of that nature.

We’d like to thanks Matt Gilman for taking the time to answer our questions. If you haven’t already, please take the time to watch his video, it really is pretty cool!

Popularity: 6% [?]

Couple of links came across my email this evening and I thought I’d share them with you. Both of them are regarding Fox products: the F29 and the RP23.

The first one is for the 2010 Fox F29. It has something many people have been wanting out of a Fox F29… stiffness via TA. In this case it’s the Fox TA version, the 15QR.

Click picture for supersize!

Some other new changes:
Colors are standard white & black, options: titanium
Remote Lockout
“FIT” damper system
New ergo lockout levers

I’m very excited about these changes, especially the lockout. The 15QR is a nice change as well, but why not go full TA?

Also, got a link to the new 2010 RP23 with “boost”.

Also, supersize-able

Not much info about the new “boost valve” damping technology other than that it “eats up square edged bumps, eliminates suspension over travel and provides bottom-out resistance like no other FLOAT has.”

EDIT: Found more info on the Boost Valve.

If this comes out at Sea Otter 2009, we’ll be there to cover it. SO is in 2 1/2 weeks!

Popularity: 11% [?]

This weekend was a busy one at Fontana’s Southridge Park. Coming out of a long Winter Series, most of my teammates decided to pass on this race. With renewed confidence from the last race, I decided to enter the Downhill Beginner 34-42 category. Unable to practice on Friday, I showed up to the race bright and early. As I was registering, I saw a few familiar faces, the funny thing about racing is that although we race against each other, we all support each other and wish each other the best.

I took it really easy on my first practice run, the top of the course was familiar until I got to the top garden. There were 3 small drop offs to welcome the racers, I stopped dead on my tracks to check out the best line. I was also looking at the other racers and tried to memorize what line would work best for me.

Coming down the first drop off

I basically placed all my faith on the KHS DH200 and rolled the first drop off, I almost ate it since I didn’t have enough momentum to roll thru the next drop off. I hiked back up and a couple of racers that were scouting the course gave me a tip on how to best clear the second drop off.

Getting ready for the next drop off.

The DH200′s suspension did what it supposed to and I cleared both drop offs unscathed. On my second practice run, I took a different line and I felt more comfortable coming down the rocks.

Came race time and this time we didn’t have Donny count us down, instead we got this beeping machine that counted us down in 6 seconds increments. As the last beep sounded, I took off replaying the course in my mind, I cleaned the top section and finally got to the drop offs, I did good on my first drop off but missed my line on the second drop off but I didn’t eat it. Instead, I was not properly set up for the left turn and I ended up bailing out. No soil sampling, just a wash out. I heard Joe yelling at me to get up and keep on going, so I did.

”
Photo by Mfoga

The next section was a fun, fast singletrack that took me to the bottom. As I cross the road and head to the lower garden my lungs were already burning from all the dust. I cleaned the lower garden and started pedaling hard at the wall. Meanwhile, I hear someone right behind me. I kept on pedaling and finally crossed the finish line and right next to me was the first placer that not only overtook Wes, he caught up to me!

As I wait for all the racers from my category to arrive, I noticed that Max Russo (First place over all on the winter series) hadn’t arrived. About 5 minutes later, the announcer calls Max’s name, obviously something happened to him:

Photo by JS3Images

Max took a nasty spill (He’s OK) but he finished the race. That basically left me on the 3rd place podium 10 seconds away from 2nd place.

I had a great time racing downhill, I have to say that I really missed the rest of my teammates but fortunately Joe was there to cheer me on and to take some sweet pictures.

I want to thank KHS Bicycles, Quinton from KHS, his wife Monique (she’s so sweet), Evomo, HossMTB, Serfas and JS3images for the super cool pictures.

Next stop: Santa Ynez/Los Olivos (If I manage to get a downhill bike)

Popularity: 5% [?]

This weekend was the last race of the Winter Series at Fontana and it is almost sad that it is over. Saturday we pulled in our usual TEAM spot and found that Eric “Animal” Hunter had already made it warm and toasty with his portable fire pit! It was rather chilly Saturday morning and thought was nicer to hang out around the fire pit then hop on the bike to pedal. But as I was tied with Natalie Hassoldt in my group 1-1 on race finishes I wanted to see if I could finish off the series with one more win! I spent the whole week training hard by riding my Ellsworth Moment, which I refer to as my heavy bike. Training went well and I felt good in the morning. Got the Ellsworth Truth down and Tony gave her the “once over” to ensure she was race ready!

 

I took my Sport Legs, aspirin & sport drink ready to roll. Start some warm up runs around the parking lot or as recently has been referred to as “Southridge Village.” I ran into Loran Langford, from Lady P’s group, and we pedaled around trying to get warm. I got up to the Start line and tried to work my way to the front to avoid getting stuck in the back of the crowd. I also noticed that Natalie was working the same angle on the other side of the line up. Donny sounds his horn and we are off! Fighting to get forward up on the first turn but a gentleman cut me off slightly but I didn’t let it go for long. Heading up the first short climbs I manage to pull ahead of the crowd (of men). I lost track of Natalie somewhere in the chaos so I just kept pushing. Worked my way up the paved road to find Tony at the top cheering me on! I asked him where she was and he told me she was about a minute ahead of me! “DARN!” I thought I didn’t think I could make that much time up and didn’t see her pass me but it could have happened. Come to find out later he thought I was chasing Loran.

                       Photo by Angelo

 

I make the climbs on the back side of the DH start line and headed for the fun new single track that Donny has cut out! I get a clean break with no one stopping in front of me. The climb out is tough, but a couple of yells and the men hiking up jumped out of the way. I am off again, making clean work of the single track, except a couple Pros coming through; but they are good sports about letting you know and pacing when you tell them it’s “OK.”.  Then I see Loran… I then assess if I can catch Natalie, because I have still not seen her; I would then chase after Loran! She throws a “cheer” in my directions and I am on the chase! The remainder of the race we are on the pedal nonstop! I work my way to the finish line and was spent.

 

I then ran into Natalie’s friends who asking me where she was! I had to remain sportsman like and not jump for joy as I realized at that moment I WON… YES!!! I met her at the finish line and we both cheered and talked about how much fun it was racing against each other! I finished with a time of 40:48 and Natalie’s time was 42:02.  Just for good measures I was thrilled when I saw that Loran’s time of 40:40 was only 8 second ahead of me!

 

Well, as the story goes, I make a quick change of clothes and gear, put my Truth on the rack and get the DH ready to go practice! I did however take the shuttle truck to the top as I did not see myself pushing to the top this day! We all got to the top and off we go. First few turns were good, and I was able to find the clean lines.  There was the little rock garden with a quick right however left no space for error and you could see lots of scrapings on the rock. I tried to keep some speed up but had no luck.  I caught a pedal there as well and had to use Fred Flinstone type movement to get over the section. I will tell you now that was the way my race run went as well on that section.  Then came a few more corners and then…the rock drop to sharp, deep rutted left turn! I remember this turn from the first race and told myself just get in the rut and hold it! YEAH!! It worked I didn’t go rolling over the corner and down the hill! The rest of the course was fun.  The turn and “G-out” up to rock garden I cleaned without looking like a ping pong ball! I hit the paved road and then onto the lower rock garden.  To my surprise it was a straight shot on the high right side. I love this line and hit pretty clean.  I then headed for base camp!

 

The awards were long today because of the Winter Series overall points.  In addition to the day’s awards, they were also handing out the WS Overall awards.  I took first place in XC and Overalls with the support of our team Mtnbikerides.com! We cheered on all of our teammates as they each placed in their groups! Then it was back to practice.

 

Sunday morning, raise & shine only to find no shine, it was raining. We had out to Fontana to find teammates, David, Joe & team manager “Boss” RL are already covered in mud from their early practice runs. I was not too thrilled about another race in the rain but we unloaded, set up the pop-up and head to the top of the hill, via shuttle truck! The course was a bit nicer with having the rain.  My run went pretty clean overall. Then it is the anxiety filled waiting for race time. Tony is the first to leave the team and head to the top! Then check & recheck the bike, listen to some tunes on my Ipod and then start getting the gear on! We hit the shuttle trucks to the top and then it hits - no rain but WIND! I do the usual chatting at the top, then the line up.

 

Photo by Dale Hernandez

Donny counts down and I am off.  I clean the first turns where I had bobbled earlier in practice.  I do the Fred Flinstone over the rock section as I felt the bash ring or pedal hit the rock. I shot through the runs and came up on rock drop then a hard left.  I found the rut and rode it as if I was on a kiddy ride!  Somewhere however the feet came off the pedal and I couldn’t find them.  It was as if they disappeared.  Knowing the rock garden was coming up I got to feeling around and finally there they are! I came around the “G-out”, up and over the garden a little shaky but stayed my line through out.  I headed for the lower rock garden and the rock drop seemed to have no transition. I hear Pillar cheering me as I came through the section, which was nice and then I could hear Dan Snook yelling “Off the BRAKES!”  It was not a clean drop of the rock and lost my line but recovered without crashing! Then I hear the words “PEDAL KIM PEDAL” I used all that I had left to stand up and pedal! I have to admit though about middle of that wall I sat down to finish the pedal as the little legs were DONE! I saw the Finish line and stood up to finish clean and there was Joe yelling at me to pedal!

 

           Photo by Bryguy17

 

Over the entire series both XC & DH has been a fun time. The competition was great and the learning of DH racing has been an experience! I have enjoyed the friendships that have developed with our team, the food and just fun time hanging out! I would like to thank our team sponsors and looking forward to next races.

Popularity: 4% [?]