After 45 posts and more than 20,000 words we have packed up and driven across the internet to a new home norco.com/blog It is short, it is sweet so come on by and say hello.

We are still getting settled but would be more than happy to say hello. Check out the new blog and leave a comment or two. What would you like to read about in future posts.

Thanks for visiting and we look forward to seeing you at our new home

norco.com/blog

Dustan

Starting off with a running mass start, 250 participants sprinted towards a wall of a climb. The initial run was a total of about 8km gaining an elevation of several hundred meters. This gut buster gave a great idea of the leg workout that was to come. The run was painful and my placing made this extremely evident. If I was to move up in the ranks,  riding would have to play a major role. After a slow transition between running and riding I was starting off pedaling in about 15th place. The climb was continuing though so I knew that reeling in the competition must start now. Grunting up a loose fire road had its pluses and minuses. On the one hand it was painful and  the lactic acid in my legs was setting up camp early. On the other hand though, the long steady climb was a relief from the steep run, and the open road meant that the competition was in sight.

The next few kilometers involved a lot of pain and the passing of several worthy adversaries. Once to the top of the climb I knew that it was time to really start making up some time. The descent is where I knew I had an advantage. Flying down the descent the reeling in of the competition continued. But then, STOP! This is when I remembered the concept of a ‘Mystery Challenge’ scribbled on the event details. Quickly dropping the bike, and changing back into running shoes I was given a map and 7 checkpoints to hit before continuing. There was no marked course, no order to the mayhem, just me and the map. A quick study and a carefully plotted route meant that I would have to run another 4-5km.

After finding all 7 checkpoints I was shown an opportunity to figure out where I was in the field. 4th place, time to hurry! Changing back into my cycling shoes and hoping on the bike, I was determined to attempt another placing or two. Having no one in sight did not help this matter but it was the home stretch and I had nothing to lose. With about 4km left, I caught the 3rd place contender and pushed on to the finish.  Although I did not manage to catch the top two racers, third place is nothing to shake a stick at. A great run, a great ride and a fabulous way to spend a Saturday!

Thanks to all the organizers of Suburban Rush, see you next year!

Dustan

The Sea Otter Classic is a great Kickoff to the 2009 Race and Event Season. Featuring a full line of racing events as well as a consumer show, Sea Otter is a great event to catch some lightning fast racing as well as have a sneak-peek at some new products which are soon to be released. This year was no exception!

The Norco Crew included Factory Team Members Ryan Leech, Darcy Turenne, Ben Boyko, Nick Geddies and Catherine Vipond as well as 6 Norco Employees manning the booth, building bikes and supporting the team.

Ryan Leech came down to Sea Otter with his full trials setup. Over the four days he did an impressive 10 shows in the blistering heat and signed countless autographs.

Of the Factory Team members present, both Catherine and Nick were competing in multiple events. Catherine raced the Short Track and the XC while Nick completed the trifecta of  Dual Slalom, Downhill and XC. Catherine was able to pull off thirteenth in the XC Pro Women and Nick placed an incredible 2nd in the DS and 7th in the DH. Way To Go Team!

Back at the booth, Darcy, and Ben were busy for the entire weekend signing posters and talking about their signature models the Vixa and Empire.

The Big draw to the Norco booth besides the autographs were brand new for 2010 carbon XC and Road frames. These frames are gorgeous! The both frames are fully monocoque, feature integrated seat masts and BB30. The road frame is also using a tapered 1 1/8″th to 1 1/2″ headtube. Check out some of the media that have already been posted online!

http://www.bikeradar.com

http://www.roadbikeaction.com

http://www.bicycling.com

http://www.bikemagic.com

http://www.singletrackworld.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com

http://www.pinkbike.com

See you out there,

Dustan

This morning, I was lucky enough to participate in the Bicycling Industry Ride. This is where the sales and marketing teams from all companies get to get out and escape the expo for a 50mile ride through some of the nicest areas in California.

More to come,

Dustan

More on The Sea Otter Classic to come.

Dustan

A quick flat tire in NorCal

Surfing in Santa Cruz

Ryan Leech Relaxing in Santa Cruz

Ryan and Jon enjoying the view

With Norco being the official bike sponsor of Accu-Check Cyclebetes, we wanted to be involved not only in a sponsor role but also in a fundraising and awareness building aspect.To achieve this goal, 14 Norco employees/cycling enthusiasts came out to support a great cause. The Norco crew were split up onto a team of 10 riders and a second team of 4. Each team had someone riding for the full 24hr duration. Not only that, the bikes being ridden were equiped with cycle computers. The two teams together rode in excess of 1100km. In fact, the team of four themselves rode a total of more than 670km. That is an average speed of close to 30km per hour.

The school gymnasium housing the event was saturated with cyclists, positive energy and strong wills for the entire duration, but the greatest amount of work was completed outside the bannered Rockridge walls. It was the people that were not riding their bikes that contributed their hard earned money and managed to pool together more than $110,000. Not only did this total shatter the total raised in 2008 but also set an example of what can be done with a little hard work and perseverance. In an economic recessionhaving consumer confidence at record lows, 70 teams of riders were able to raise a substantial amount of money for a great cause.

Thank you to everyone that participated in a Spin-A-Thon or provided a donation to this great cause. With your help we can make Juvenile Diabetes history.

Dustan

Logan and Leisa Riding an early shift.

Willie rode for the full 24hrs raising $2400.

Late night the riders looked strong. (5 second exposure)

Late in the night we were all tired, but Logan was strong!

Four of the Fourteen Norco Riders

The Sea Otter Classic is fast approaching and Norco is heading down for the Shin-dig! On display will be a sampling of the 2009 product, a few sneek peeks at 2010, Daily Ryan Leech trials demos and some fast paced racing. If you are in the Monterey area, stop on by, if not then be sure to check back with the blog for updates on the event.

Check back soon!

Dustan

As I am typing this, the two Norco teams participating are approaching the 6 hour mark and have ridden more than 300km. WOW!

My second of three riding shifts is set to start at 4AM so I am starting to think about getting some shut-eye realistically though. . . . . probably won’t happen!

Check back soon for more updates!

Dustan

Tomorrow at 4pm marks the start of a 24hr Cyclebetes Spin-A-Thon. This is a relay raising money to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes. Norco has entered two teams in the relay, one of 10 and a second of 4. Both groups will be pedaling around the clock for a great cause. Check back tomorrow after 4pm for updates on the event and what is happening.

Check back soon!

Dustan

When you head out for a ride, what is your fuel? Are you a hemp heart eating, vegetable fanatic? A Baconator pounding  fast food junkie? Or, are you somewhere in the middle? Chances are that you fall  between these two extremes and  taking a minute to look at what is fueling your body will help create a better understanding why you run out of steam when you do, and how you can stay active all day.

In this day and age of clogged arteries, heart disease, cancer and obesity; nutritional suggestion is around every corner. Whether we pay attention or not, the Health Police are lurking around each and every corner. Every food manufacturer out there has something fat free, sugar free, low cal, low sodium, so on and so forth. . . If all these things are removed, what is left over and what should you be looking for?

When riding, it is easy to grab a power bar or gel, a chocolate bar or energy drink. What are you eating though? What is the difference between a Power Bar and a Protein Bar? Energy drinks have become a crutch of current athletes and should be used with caution. They may provide a quick spurt of energy, but what else are they clogging your system with?

The relationship between exercise and eating can be broken down into three basic steps; before during and after. Before riding, you need to make sure that you are getting the food that will give you sustained energy. During activity, you need to make sure you stay hydrated and maintain your energy level. Afterward, recovery comes into play, you need to refuel your muscles and be ready for next time.

Preparation before activity is important to provide your body with long lasting energy. To do this you need complex carbohydrates, fat and protein. To gain such a range, whole wheat foods, fish, eggs, beans and nuts provide great long lasting energy. Be sure to drink lots of water as well to stay hydrated before riding.

During activity, your body needs constant refueling with a minimum of effort. Foods that provide quick energy with little digestion are key to sustained energy. Foods that will keep you going are bananas, potatoes, berries, raisins and lots of liquid. Where complex carbohydrates were important before, during exercise sugars such as glucose and sucrose are faster broken down and important in maintaining your energy levels.  Caffeine can be a great source of quick energy, but make sure it is at the end of your activity as it is short lived and can promote dehydration.

After exercise is the third important aspect of diet. Post activity, your body needs a fuel quickly. You have a window of about 2hrs after exercise to replenish your body and start the recovery process. Carbohydrates, sodium and protein are crucial at this point. You need carbohydrates to maintain blood sugar and energy, sodium to replenish fluids and protein to repair muscle fibers. If you let the 2hr window close without refueling, your body will be more fatigued and you will have less energy down the line. I may sound a little bit like a broken record, but be sure to drink lots of water after exercise. Without re-hydration your body is incapable of sustained effort and proper recovery. Some foods that will help you recover are meats, nuts, yogurt, bagels and chocolate milk.

Remember, if you treat your body with care, you will perform and feel better. Diet is an easy way to improve your energy levels, and overall fitness. Eating well before, during and after activity will keep you riding longer and better prepared for next time.

Dustan