Weekday Diversions #3: DH Racing, Huge Sends, and Beautiful Helmets
It’s Wednesday, you’ve (almost) made it! The work week is halfway done, and the prospect of big weekend rides is beckoning. Until then, here’s a roundup of the best bike (and non-bike) content that’s caught our eye this week.
Cy Whitling (Gear Editor)
Rubber Side Down // Season 5 // Dak Norton
Dakota Norton, DH, moto, and Dual Slalom? Sign me up! I’d absolutely love to see Dakota have a big year on the WC DH circuit. He came out swinging with a 4th place at Fort William, and the only man on the podium without some sort of electronic control on his suspension. As a lover of high bars, the Southeast’s gravity scene, and fast Americans, this video is great. Now I’ve just got to pull the trigger on those 80 mm rise bars and find out if they make me any faster.
Adrian Tygart’s Painted Helmets
I’m a real sucker for custom painted bikes and helmets. I’ve painted a few skis and ski helmets in my time, and my STEEZL is currently on vacation with Patrick at Wild Style Paint Booth, getting a new look. But Adrian’s bikes, and especially helmets are next level. This almond blossom number is truly special. I’m enthralled by the whole thing, but the swallows on the back and the subtle border around the bottom really make it for me.
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Giro’s Tyrant is one of my favorite helmets, and it’s a great canvas as well. Again, I love the whole paint job, but the herron does it for me.
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You may have seen Justin Hoelzl getting buck wild on his hardtail recently, but his squishy bike, painted by Adrian, is a real looker too.
Finally, this Art Deco Santa Cruz put Adrian on my radar a few years back. The marble and gilded effect is incredible.
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Bikes are cool. Art is cool. Adrian’s instagram makes me want to take a month off work and get weird with toxic chemicals and frustrating stencils. I’m always excited to see what’s next.
Dylan Russell (Social Media Manager)
Why I ROAM: Dillon Osleger
Scientist, trail builder, writer, environmental policy advocate, mountain biker, and friend, Dillon Osleger has many titles, yet they’re all connected just like the ecosystems and the public lands where he spends time. Dillon has found a unique way to build his trails based on hours and hours spent reading old books and maps.
Once he has learned the history of the land from the literature, he sets out on his bike in an expedition to connect the dots of the lost trail he aims to rebuild. California has a deep history in the mountains that surround Dillon, endless opportunities for more exploration, we sure can't wait to see where Dillon pedals next.
The new Bielsko-Biala DH track
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The new track in Poland is looking absolutely stunning, perfect conditions for an epic race. The fact that this race is at a new venue gets me fired up, and I know the riders have to share that emotion. Nothing beats riding new fresh trails, especially when you take the fastest humans and tell them to race down! Honestly though, we need more new venues with new tracks, keep them fresh and keep them fast!
Zander Lingelbach-Pierce (News Writer)
Home Soil: Honza Faistaiver
It is easy to overlook the bike scene in Eastern Europe. Honza Faistaiver gives us a reason not to.
In “Home Soil,” Honza showed off his versatility, blasting loamy ruts and throwing beautiful tricks. Though Faistaver has spent a lot of time in Canada, Europe is clearly has a place in his heart.
Honza rides for Knolly bikes.
“Just a hair deep.”
That is what Rory Meek must have told his brother on the camera after this ludicrous send. In a questionable move, the young rider absorbed a set of moto whoops before launching off a roller with no hope of a landing.
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There did not seem to be a single good outcome for Rory after launching before the turn. Meek of course blew up when he landed on the back side of the berm. Even if he had caught the transition on the back side of the berm, there was a fence right after. Truly some riders are putting their bodies on the line for fans on the couch like me.
Some commenters were reminded of Ronan Dunne taking a similar crash on the same corner at the World Cup last fall. Watch that video below.
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