Jamie News

Wideopen team rider Wayne Appleby has had his full fleet of bikes nicked…

Scumbags broke into his van and shed last night, cleaning out 3 mountainbikes and a pitbike. The cops are on the scene right now dusting for prints. Please – check out this post and let us know if you’ve got any info.

REWARDS if you can bring this stuff back kids.

Bike 1:

Brand new Solid M9 with 2010 Boxxers.  Conti Der Kaiser tyres, Superstar pedals (gold), Wideopen stickers on the carbon fork guards.

Bike 2:

2Stage Elite 9, Boxxer WC, Avid juicy 7, gravity bar and stem, SDG i beam saddle, Mavic 721 on reverse front wheel, brand new SLX cranks.

Bike 3:

2006 Specialized Enduro Pro – stock parts except for a set of new Conti tyres. No drive train.

Bike 4:

Demon X 125 pit bike – stock except for hi-rise Renthal bars.

All bikes were stolen from Flint in North Wales last night. They were all locked up securely using anchor points and top spec locks/chains. Whoever nicked ‘em wasn’t pissing about. If you’re in the area, keep your bikes safe and keep an eye out.

-update: More bikes were pinched in the same area from a different address last night… The police suspect both incidents were connected. Keep on your guard if you’re in the area!

The cops suspect a couple of scams are going around at the moment ….

1 – Scummers are targeting people that are selling high-end bikes or parts on ebay.  Keep your ebay stuff safe like this. When someone buys something off you, they can see your home address (like this). Be aware.

2 – Scummers are targeting people with posh bikes at trails centres and following them home to spot for easy thefts. Don’t go mad on this one, just be sensible and call the police if you spot anything suspicious at your local trails. Obviously NEVER leave your bike in the car and always lock your bikes up with a proper lock when you get home.  Proper means D-Locks not chains/loops.

Email me on Jamie@wideopenmag.co.uk … If you’ve got any info that brings these bikes back we’ll hook you up.

Jamie News, team

The Dudes of Hazzard episode 4 from Joe Barnes on Vimeo.

Jamie News, team

There’s only a week to go until the Aston Hill Eastern and Central Champs…

Entries are filling up fast so don’t miss out!

Here’s the word from the AH team:

It’s only a week until the Eastern and Central Champs being held at Aston Hill and entries are filling fast.

“We’re really pleased by the enthusiastic response we’ve had to the race!”  said Rich Abbott, chairman of Aston Hill Bike Park and primary race organiser. “We know Aston Hill is recognised as probably the best downhill venue in the south and central areas of England, and we’re always really pleased to hold a championship event. However, what we like even more is seeing grassroots riders getting a buzz from racing on a great track in friendly environment, often against names they’ve read about in the mags. That’s why we hold the races, and this race looks set to continue that with some great names, some great prizes and a great track.”

The 4-2-3 track is running really well and John Holbrook and his team of Hillbillies have been hard at work to make sure that it’s perfect for raceday. Generous sponsors SRAM, Troy Lee Designs, Nema, Gusset, Halo, Madison.co.uk, Continental, Monster Energy and Dees Cycles of Amersham have all donated excellent prizes, and there’s something incredibly special to be won in the Hardtail Category courtesy of Dialled Bikes. World Cup racers Ollie Burton and Harry Molloy will be strapping on their helmets to compete, and British Downhill Series organiser Dave Franciosy will be taking shots of every rider which will be available to download for free after the event.

In total there are nine categories, including hardtail and ladies, with each rider getting two timed runs. All race runs will be recorded by Mikrotime with the faster run counting. The event is National B Regional Championship British Cycling status.

Registration from 8.00am – 10.00am
Practice from 8.30am – 10.45am (you need to get two full race runs in before the race starts)
Racing starts at 11.00am

Pre entries are £23.50, on the day entries are £28.00.

Fastened full-face helmets are compulsory and body armour is advised.

Online registration is shutting midnight on Wednesday and any spaces left will be available on a first-come first-served basis at Aston Hill on the day. There were some last-minute racers turned away last year – to avoid disappointment, head over towww.rideastonhill.co.uk (http://www.rideastonhill.co.uk/events/autumn-dh/) to enter!

Jamie News

Monday afternoon from Joe Bowman on Vimeo.

Jamie News

It’s Friday. Stop working and watch this video!

Charlie Watts is our young gun dirt jump talent – he riders for us at King of Dirt, Dirt Wars etc on a Rose Bruce.

Here’s a nice bike check vid on his whip to start the weekend.

Charlie Watts Bike Check >>

Jamie News, team

A really great BMX edit from Corinne Walder.

Jamie News

Like it says on the tin – the BDS crew just announced the entry criteria for next season.

If you want to race in 2011 this will tell you what you need to do…

Here is the criteria for 2011

Jamie News

Dirt Wars Uk round 3 went off last weekend (August 15th) at Southwest Extreme in Bideford, North Devon and yet again we had the elements against us.

Dirt Jumping in the UK seems to be dominated by the elements. If its raining then the jumps get to soggy and you cant carry your speed on and if its to windy then the riders get blown around like kites on take off and it all becomes to dangerous.

When I arrived at SWE on Saturday morning I was greeted by everyone telling me about the downpour of rain overnight and early morning and that there had been loads of wipe-outs on the 4X track due to the high winds and their sudden gusts. Hoping that the wind would die down later in the day I watched the racing and waited for all the Dirt Wars UK riders to arrive. After a few hours of phone calls about riders being stuck on the M5 due to a caravan overturning we all managed to get together and make the decision that we would run DWUK the following morning dude to better weather being forecasted.

The guys spent the evening sessioning the Slopestyle track that I built at the park last year and also hitting up the dirt jumps once the wind had died down.

SWE is an awesome bike park with loads of different levels of trails to play on from beginner right up to expert but the only problem they get there is it gets real windy at times due to being so open and also so close to the Atlantic Ocean. They have put in a planting project at the park with fast growing tress etc to try and block the wind out so once the trees have a bit of height on them it should help solve their problem.

Sunday morning brought awesome sunshine and a nice gentle breeze in the air so after setting out the jumps with banners etc it was time to get it on…

First up were the open class riders all out to win a piece of the prize bag. 1st DMR Trail star frame and a set of Maxxis Tyres, 2nd DMR Dee Vee wheel set and a 661 Backpack, 3rd Gusset Open Prison bar and stem and Duffs shoes voucher.

With in 5 minuets of practice George Moore busted his way down through the jumps popping a tail whip to broken collar bone over the step up.

Jack Smith Flipped his way to victory (no handed flip as well) with Joash Clarkson hot on his heals pulling clean flips, cans and superman’s. Connor Reid took 3rd with some smooth tuck no hander’s and nacs.

After a 10 min break we fuelled the pro riders up with RedBull and sent them up to the start to get some practice in.

All the riders were looking real smooth with Daryl Brown (DMR Bikes) pulling super extended superman’s whilst Ray Samson (DMR Bikes) was showing off his smooth clean style with his flip, tail whip, 3 whip runs. Ryan Nangle(Cranked365/Ram Bikes) was also throwing it down big style pulling one of the biggest barrel rolls ive seen him do yet whilst Jack Gear (Spank Bikes) was flipping everything in sight. Ray Samson impressed the judge panel of Chubby Rascal (British DH Series), Chris Papworth (RHUK), Charlie Watts (Wideopenmag/ Rose Bikes) and the BMX legend that is Rob Enemis the most taking himself a well earned 1st Place win whilst Ryan Nangle Barrel rolled his way in to second and Daryl Brown taking 3rd.

The Next round of Dirt Wars UK will be held on the Saturday 11th of September at the Legendary Bike Park that is Chicksands.

This is going to be the biggest and best Dirt Wars yet.

Thanks to Cliff at Dirt Wars UK for the images and the write up. Check out the Dirt Wars site here.

Jamie News

The super posh Kask Vertigo mtb lid just landed at WideopenHQ…

With 24 vents, gel padding, Italian leather chin strap, fancy ‘up n’ down’ adjustability and heaps of other features we’re expecting big things from this baby.

The Vertigo is Kask’s brand new mtb helmet… but they’ve been in the cycling game for years and are already the sponsors for the super pro Sky team. They also produce heaps of protective helmets for folk who work in the rescue industry, rope access, heli-crews and other dangerous stuff… meaning they know about protecting your nut.

The Vertigo has just hit the UK thanks to Juicy Bits Distribution (Juice Lubes) and will be in the shops any minute now. The full range of techno features are:

• In-moulding innovative construction with reinforced frame for additional safety
• Ventilation is achieved by means of 24 large air vents, arranged to optimize aerodynamics
• Unique UP-N- DOWN size hinged adjustment system gives the ultimate fit in terms of precision, comfort and security
• Ventilated, non-stick pads at nape of neck for additional security
• Easy-clean leatherette chin strap
• Nylon thermo fixed straps, which have soft lateral spacers where these straps are in contact with the skin, to give excellent ventilation and comfort
• Chinstrap is made from non-allergic imitation leather which improves wearing comfort and eliminates skin irritation
• Quick release micrometric buckle 3D internal padding optimizes the wicking away and evaporation of sweat, and are removable and washable
• High-visibility reflector stickers on the back of the helmet and on every strap for maximum safety
• Comes with its own carry bag
• Weight: 270grams
• Available sizes: M (48-58 cm) and L (59-62 cm)
• Available Colors: Black/Lime
• 100% made in Italy

The first batch of lids will be black and green, with the white and green models to follow in a few weeks. Look out for a full write up once we’ve given the Vertigo a few rides.

There’s also a dirt lid on the way which we’re waiting to hear more about…

Check out the Kask site here.

Jamie News