Interview with Kona Rider Alex Stock

Sam Bowell    mountainbikingholidays     Alpe d’Huez, BMX, Canada, France, Italy, Kona, Kona Interview, Kona Process Test, Morzine, Mountain biking holidays, MTB, Team Kona

Pro-rider Alex Stock rolls BMX and rides on and off-road (bikes as well as motorbikes), but has fast become known for his top Enduro placings for Team Kona.

Pro-rider Alex Stock from Team Kona.

Here he speaks to Sam Bowell, resident mountain biking holidays blogger, and reveals how he prepares, his thoughts on UK bike parks and DH tracks, and what he looks for in a perfect bike set-up.

He’s also booked in a return ride-off between the pair on Alpe d’Huez – because the last time Sam and Alex met…

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Mountain biking in Lanzarote: Off road in search of Hot Rocks

Mark Pawlak    mountainbikingholidays     Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Money for a Mac, mountain biking, Mountain biking holidays, Mountain Biking in Lanzarote, Mountainbiking in Canary Islands, MTB

If you’d rather take it off road than face the monotony of the road, mountain biking in Lanzarote has much to tempt – and a testing variety or surfaces, tracks and tough tundra to push you and your ride.

Off road in Lanzarote. Image: Flickr/ malc_smith

Lanzarote is favoured by small groups of lycra clad roadies enjoying the miles of sticky black tarmac – but not exclusively; the MTB scene here is alive and well.

And while its volcanic days are long since over, Lanzarote still has it’s share of hot rocks and routes – here’s more info about the Canary Islands for off-roadies.

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Kona Process Test and Winter Workout

Sam Bowell    mountainbikingholidays, MTB Gear     Kona Process, Kona Process Test, Mountain biking holidays, Mountain Biking Trip, MTB, MTB gear, review

OK so lets get something straight from the off: I’m proud to be one of those riders who is more than happy for gravity to do most of the hard work for me.

Kona Process, agile and precise.

That’s not to say I’m lazy or am adverse to a bit of pedaling, but I’m not going to win any XC trophies any time this decade.

So when I set out on a gentle ride this morning, I wasn’t exactly expecting to complete the 25-mile loop which I had fleetingly toyed with over breakfast.

Fortunately I had a very generously loaned out Kona Process to test, rather than the lumbering big-rig I would normally be piloting, and my punishing loop became little more than a (heavily frosted) piece of cake.

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The Best MTB Upgrades for New Riders

Sam Bowell    mountainbikingholidays, MTB Gear     Baron Black Chilli, Bontrager XR4, Charge Spoon, Fizik Kurve series, High Roller, High Roller II Maxxis, M520 for XC, Madison Flux, mountain biking, Mountain biking holidays, Mountain Biking Trips, MTB, MTB gear, Outland D31 Eight bar, Schwalbe Hans Dampf

Having recovered from the excitement of that first blast on a brand new steed, thoughts will often turn towards tweaks and upgrades that will help further increase enjoyment levels and comfort.

Upgrades improve your time in the saddle. Image: Flickr/ mademetz

For those new to the scene the variety of aftermarket kit can be overwhelming and confusing.

It’s no surprise then “What’s the first thing I should upgrade on my new bike?” is such a frequently asked question.

Upgrade all Contact Points

Start with the basics: those things that are going to dramatically improve your time in the saddle. Think contact points, for both you and the bike: Bum, hands, feet and tyres.

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Shredding the Best Mountain Biking Trails in NZ

Sam Bowell    mountainbikingholidays     craigieburn, Gorge Road Jump Park, Lake Wakatipu, Lismore, Lismore Jump Park, Mace Town, Marlborough Sounds, Moke Lake Loop, Moonlight Track, Mountain Bike Trips, Mountain biking holidays, Mountain Biking Trails, New Zealand, NZ, Panpac Eskdale, Panpac Eskdale MTB Park, Queen Charlotte Track, Queenstown, Remarkables Mountain Range, Rotorua, Taradale Dirt Park, Wanaka, Wharfedale, Wynyard Mini Dream

So you’ve conquered Europe’s bike parks, and everything Stateside has shut down for the ski season. All you want to do is shred, but the hills are alive with the sound of piste-bashers.

The best mountain biking trail in NZ? Image: Flickr/ Mountain Bike Mt Cook, New Zealand

If you’re in need of some serious R&R, (ride and recuperation) but all your mates are out hunting powder, then it’s high time you considered a soil-searching trip to the Southwest Pacific to sample the best mountan biking trails in New Zealand and all the islands have to offer.

The “land of the long white cloud” offers a mountainous South Island and a volcanic North Island, with hours of saddle time to be had on both.

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New Mountain Bikes 2013: Next Year’s Hotties

Sam Bowell    mountainbikingholidays     2013, Mountain Bike, Mountain Bike 2013, Mountain Biking Holiday, Mountain biking holidays, MTB gear, New Mountain Bikes 2013

As winter sets in, and memories of carefree summer riding become increasingly distant, our thoughts are drawn toward the new mountain bikes of 2013 and dreams of an upgrade.

Ragley Marley with new 2013 trail geometry.

So, take five minutes to remove that last bit of singletrack dust from your lungs, put 2012 to the back of your shed with the dry lube and summer tyres, and prepare for the new year.

And to offset the alpine flashbacks and trail cold-turkey, look for a little inspiration and retail fantasy.

This year coming expect new bling, fresh trail centres and even fresher rides; and what better way to celebrate it than by checking out 5 of the hottest new mountain bikes of 2013?

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Mountain Biking Shoes: Teva Links Mid Reviewed

Luke    mountainbikingholidays, MTB Gear     mountain biking, Mountain Biking Shoes, MTB gear, Teva, Teva Links, Teva Links Mid Shoe

Teva are well known for their robust trekking sandals. I have had the same pair of Teva Hurricane’s since 2002, and despite wearing them every summer and on plenty of holidays, they are still in good condition.

Teva Links Mid Shoes: designed with mountain biking in mind.

But this post is not about sandals: Teva make a full range of footwear, including this recently launched pair designed for mountain biking.

So, let’s see just how they match up when on the bike and in the rough.

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