Dirt Merchant

Come ride down Dirt Merchant with me and my mates Tom and Kenny (all on Banshee Legend MkII's)...

Dirt Merchant on pinkbike.com

Keith

Whistler Viewing

So since I'm currently in whistler, and have a GoPro... I figured it might be a cool idea to do some filming of runs as I cruise (I ain't no racer!) down them. So I'm starting off as many people start their days here by going down Crank It Up.

Keith riding Crank It Up on pinkbike.com

I'm here for a few more weeks, so if you want me to film any particular trail just let me know in the comments section and I'll do my best. Garbanzo is still under snow mainly, so for now if you can keep it to lower mountain trail requests that would be great.

Happy trail viewing, wish you could all be here to ride them with me.

Keith

Good to be back on the big bike!

I'd been tipped off by a mate about a local riding spot before winter kicked in, and went up there (without my bike) in a storm in the middle of winter to scope the runs, and clear some fallen trees and repack some berms etc. I feel it is very important to maintain the trails you ride.

The area had a single DH track that was built by a local about 8 years ago I believe, and has been added to tastefully, without going over the top or causing any aggravation to local dog walkers or hikers. So now there are a handful of fun runs to ride.

Last weekend I managed to get out on my Legend MkII for the first time since last summer (due to snow, traveling and working long hours). I met up with my mate Alan in a small car park at the bottom before starting the steep push up. The plan for the day was just to have some fun riding new trails, while trying out a custom tune on the new Elka Stage 5 sample I just mounted on my Legend (wow, what a shock!), and get used to being back on the big bike. I also brought along my GoPro and got some footage before my battery died (must remember to charge it beforehand next time!).

Keith on his Legend

I really enjoyed being back riding the DH rig on steep terrain (not that it looks steep on camera mind you! haha), and met some really cool guys on the trails who I hope to ride with again when I get back home again in another month or so. It is really nice to have a spot like this within a 15 min drive from my flat, and I will not take that fact for granted. I'm looking forward to many more days of riding and maintaining these trails with new friends.

Keith

My Personal Spitfire

I just finished building up my spitfire, ready for a 45km ridge ride tomorrow (my legs are already aching a bit at the thought!) . I can't wait to put this build through it's paces!

Some parts are old, but most are new and shiny!

Build list:

Frame: Banshee Spitfire (Large)
Forks: X-fusion Vengeance HLR (160mm of plush goodness)
Stem: Thomson 70mm
Bars: Raceface next 3/4" rider
Grips: ODI lockon
Brakes: Avid Elixir R
Wheels: Hope Pro 2 (bolt up rear option)/ Stans Flow rims
Tires: Specilized Eskar Control
Seatpost: Raceface Evolve
Saddle: WTB Devo
Pedals: Superstar Components Magnesium
Drivetrain: 2011 XO cranks and rear derailleur PG1091 chain, and 1070 cassette.
Chainguide and chainring: e*13 SRS+ and 33tooth chainring to set me up nicely in 1x10

Total build weight: 28.96lbs (13.14kg)

This bike is now ready to be used and abused! I can't wait.

My Personal DH Bike

I thought you guys might be interested to see the bikes I actually ride. You'll spot from my builds that I'm no weight weenie, and choose my parts for strength and performance to take my erm... 'punishing' riding style without breaking.

He is my DH rig...

Specs:

Frame: Banshee Legend MkII (medium)
Fork: 888 WC RC3 (2008 / 2010 cross bread)
Bars: Raceface Atlas Freeride (cut down 765mm)
Stem: Straitline SSC (50mm)
Grips: Raceface Strafe lock ons
Brakes: Old Avid Juicy 7's I had kicking about
Headset: Cane Creek Flush reducer
Wheels: Mavic EX823 mounted on Superstar Components 120 point engagement DH hubs
Tires: Continental Kaiser 2.5 front and rear
Rear Shock: X-fusion HLR (with Ti Spring)
Cranks: Raceface Atlas Freeride 165mm
Pedals: Straitline Platforms
Chainguide: e*13 SRS+
Seatpost and saddle: Alienation Pivotal (light strong and means I have to get geo right as I can't adjust them as there are no rails)
Gears: XO short cage derailleur with SRAM PG970 cassette.


Weight: 39.63lbs (17.98kg) of goodness.

3 weeks in Whistler

I try to make it out to BC for summer every year, to see mates, and ride some of the best spots on the planet. I've made it out there for at least a month every year since 2002 (yeah... I was there! I actually rode Whistler back in 2000 too). Last year however was an exception due to all the surgery and shit I was going through.


So I went back this year for Crankworx + 2 weeks. I have to admit that I was more than a little nervous, as I hadn't been on a big bike for 2 YEARS!!! But I'm starting to feel stronger again now, so was time to saddle up and ride down.


Crankworx week was pretty crazy. The temperature was a big issue for me, as it was insanely hot (for a Scotsman), and since I don't have a large intestine any more, it makes absorbing water a bit of an issue for me, so staying cool is tricky. Thankfully the great guys at Raceface let me hang out in the shade of their booth, and since we co-sponsor a number of team riders, it ended up being the closest thing to a Banshee booth too.


All the events at Crankworx are amazing, and this year I would say that there was the best atmosphere I've ever experienced for all the events... but the Slopestyle really stood out for me. It's not the first time we have had riders competing, but is the first time that we have had 2 guys (Montgomery and Fogel) in the top 10 after everything was thrown down, and the level of riding really seemed to step up from everyone this year. Then Mike Montgomery getting 2nd overall on his amp was just amazing to see... Huge Props to Mike, you are crazy, and inspiring.


So after the circus that is Crankworx, I finally got to ride my new Legend. First week of proper riding was erm... sketchy at best. To be honest I think that it was my lack of confidence that was my biggest issue due to the fact that I'm not sure how well my body can take a crash, so I was riding very cautiously, and nervously, which made me tense and made me ride like a noob. Seriously, I actually started cramping up when riding the log ride on Facrobat because I was so tense!!


I think the turning point was when a couple of mates drove up to ride with me from Seattle and Vancouver (both British guys I have known for years who have moved over... can't blame them!). Riding with them was a bit like old times. Riding 'Ride don't Slide' with them did almost destroy me due to my lack of DH riding strength and fitness, but it also gave me a boost, because I rode everything clean (apart from one ejector style dismount when I realised I was on one of the optional super steep lines without realising it). This ride seemed to spark a bit of new confidence riding a bike back into me, which grew over the next week, and got me back towards riding like I used to. Sure I wasn't going as big or fast as perviously, but at least I was starting to feel more comfortable on the bike.


The last day riding I hit the 2 things I had put on my 'To Do' list, (cleaning the 'farm yard' up on freight train, and gapping the ladder to ladder gap on In deep before the tripple hump. Not bad I guess for first 2 weeks back riding after 2 years off, and I left Canada with some more strength and fitness (especially in shoulders it seems) and a new boost of confidence in my ability on a bike. I still have a way to go before I'm really back on it, but I am back enjoying riding a bike with confidence again, which is a very good feeling... things are starting to flow!




Props to Guillaume Bossu for most the photos. I'm in the white Banshee top armoured up to the max riding the 'pumpkin' Legend, and Guillaume is in the red Banshee race Top on the White Legend.