2010 Handmade Bicycle Show
Every year I regret n0t going to the NAHBS show. Well maybe next year. Luckly Urban Velo has some amazing coverage of the show. Here are a bunch of links of most of there coverage. (Video also via Urban Velo)
There is also a bunch moe coverage on there site I strongely suggest talking a look at.
As far a my pick of the show (at least of whatI have seen) I have to go with the following.
Chaco PRO series
This is a release that I am pretty excited about. Chaco is coming out with a Pro series of there sandals. Now for most people you will already know that Chacos are bomber. That is unless you guide on a river or do something else were you are in them every single day. It is not that any of the sandals are bad, or poorly built, it is simply the amount of use they get. No sandal is designed to hold up to day in, day out abuse like that. To get one or two summers out of a pair is pretty good. Having a pair that lasted me thre
e summers was very impressive.
Well now with the introduction of the PRO series this might all change. I am looking forward to getting my hands on a pair to try out and see how they hold up.
*EDIT* Forgot to put what models are coming out. There will be the Z/1, Z/2, Hipthong, and the Flip.
Here is the list of key features from the press release.
- A new Vibram Idrogrip outsole for durability, extra wear-resistance and performance on the trail
- Water-evacuation channels that run heel-toe and move water away from the lug surfaces to maximize contact between rubber and ground during use in and around water
- Channels that run across the width of the foot that both evacuate water and aid walking motion by forcing the entire outsole/midsole to break and articulate during the walking motion
- Enhanced lateral heel lug for wear resistance at heel-strike and toe-off during walking motion
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Yay for Snow!
Grand Targhee 10-1-09!!!
Yep as everyone knows there is snow all over the North West. Hell there is even snow up at Bogus Basin here is Boise. Now yes, it will most likely melt away but hey I will take it. Just a little teaser to help promt the tuning of skis. Heck now I fell rushed to get my wifes new skis mounted up. She picked up the Line Pandora and is going to be rocking them with the 22 designs Bombshell.
Now even if the snow is just a tease it still is useful for the industry. Mostly due to the fact that it should have a huge impact on ski sales and tuning services early in the season. I hope it translates into more early season ticket sales as well. In talking with Carrie Gochnour from Boise based Greenwoods Ski Haus they defiantly saw an increase. "It was a busy weekend in the store and a good reminder that it's time to get ready to ride!" Well even if it is just a teaser, I will take it. Time to start the religious monitoring of the Snotel site, looking for a good place to go put down some early season tracks. I wonder if my boss will let me bring back lunch and a ski flick Friday? Never hurts to ask.
Useful Links for the upcoming season: (Focused on the Boise area)
Greenwoods Ski Haus : Best selection, best staff, and voted best tune in the Boise area by me and many others. Oh also the best boot fitters I know.
Snotel : National Water and Climate Center provides massive amounts of data on more than enough areas covering the western United States.
Bogus Basin : The local Boise ski hill. A great mountain with some of the more varied terrain I have seen. Yes there are better but for a hill 45 min away it can't be beat.
Brundage Mountain : Small resort up in McCall Idaho. Don't worry about them they don't get snow and it just sucks to ski there. I promise. I would never lead you astray. Don't even waist your time clicking the link.
Gyro Bike
So a friend of mine just sent me this video. The Gyro Bike is a cool idea. Instead of using training wheels, they place a gyro in the front wheel to provide balance. Having two little girls that both started riding at the age of 2 I can really see how this would be nice, and the fact that it is going to sell for around $100 makes it pretty reasonable. If it can lasts long enough to get passed from one kid to the next.
My only real concern is how it effects the bike. GryoBike is saying that it doesn't effect the handling and they have a good group of testers that are agreeing. Now this might not be a concern for most people, but helping my 3 year old roll around the skate park, and the local pump track, it is hard for me to think that it wouldn't change the handling in some way. Still I have to give them credit for thinking up a pretty useful idea.
Here is a video on basics of how it works.
Transition Demo Day
I just got back from Park City were I got to ride with the Mtn Ranks crew (Ross thanks for having us down, get better soon so we can come down and ski. Jodi thanks for showing us around.) Well I had chalked that up as my last trip till the snow started to fly, but now it looks like I got approval for one more. So here is what I am thinking.
Transition Demo Days at the Seattle Colonnade - I have always wanted to ride here, and well, I really like Transition Bikes. If you happen to be in the Seattle area I would recommend checking this out. If you are not going to be in the area, but would like to be, let me know and we can figure out how to fix that problem. 
 I am thinking maybe a quick stop off in Hood River might be needed on the way back Sunday. Ya it is a bit out of the way but so worth it.
Sweetgrass productions gives use wonderfull dreams
Sweetgrass productions is releasing their backcountry ski film "Signatures" tomorrow and from a look at the trailer I would highly recommend taking a look and then putting in an order. Actually I would recommend watching this just before you go to bed tonight. That way your dreams will be filled with sweet, sweet Ja-pow. Any one that can make a back flip look as simple as an effortless powder turn get props in my book.
Ski stoke 2009
So with winter right around the corner expect to start seeing a few movie trailers here and there. So here are a few to look at.  I placed something special at the end to help you get back out there and not sit at home waiting for the snow to fly.
Flakes - Powderwhore 2009-2010 Ski Film from vas entertainment on Vimeo.
Eyes Wide Open - Field Productions 2009-2010 Ski Film in HD from vas entertainment on Vimeo.
Everyday Is A Saturday - Poor Boyz 2009-2010 Ski Teaser from vas entertainment on Vimeo.
NWD 10 - New World Disorder 10 : Dust and Bones in HD from vas entertainment on Vimeo.