Test Ride - 2012 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo 29er

Thanks to my awesome friend Erik, I got to test ride the 2012 Stumpy 29er for 3 days.

Ill start by saying its the best xc bike i've ever thrown my skinny white legs over. The 29 inch wheels are far superior to the smaller "older brother" that we all know today. They roll over anything with much more prowise than the smaller 26 inch. The bike was excellent on the long uphills and descended much like a downhill bike, stable and ready to attack anything in its way. The super plush suspension meant that the ride was very comfortable and handled like a dream.

I rode 3 different types of trails in 3 days, from open faster wooded trails when the dirt was wet and tacky, to the rocky, dry, flat desert terrain of Phoenix. And even tight, technical, boulder infested trails of the dells in Prescott. Riding different terrain made me wonder if the bike was better suited for one type over another, but oh how I was wrong. It acceled in any and all environments that I threw at it.

I had zero complaints and problems with the bike, in my opinion, you wouldn't be able to find a better xc bike on the planet. Although the price tag is a bit steep, it is WELL worth it.

A big thank you again to Erik for letting me taste the wrath of his beloved new bike.



Here are a few pictures from a cool spot we stopped at.

More Black N' White Photos

Here is a few more black n white pictures that I took. Not sure why I've been doing this but they look cool.

Videos for your brain

Here are a few videos that I've found in the last few days that I think are really sick. Check em out!

Dane Searls: Giants Of Dirt Part 3 on pinkbike.com

The Track - Val di Sole world cup 2011 on pinkbike.com

Black N' White Photos

Just experimenting with some photos and stuff. Cool or not cool?



Bro status!

Photo of the Day

Just another day at work.

A not-so-biking edit. Here's a first of my winter film projects, enjoy!



Hopefully some riding opportunities come soon!

Photo of the Day

Since winter is here, it looks like it may be hard to post alot about the bicycle world I live in because it has been put on hold due to the snow. I will post updates throughout the winter but Im not sure how bike related they will be. I will however be trying to go to most of the winter series races in fontana so look for updates on that. So hang tight this winter and look forward to the warm sunlight at the end of the winterized tunnel!

Thanksgiving day footage

Heres some footage from when I went home for thanksgiving and rode my home trail.

Home Trail on pinkbike.com

Home Trail Helmet Cam on pinkbike.com

Race weekend

As I was sitting in the shuttle line listening and watching a 30 year old guy wearing all the newest and nicest gear tell a 12 year old kid about how good his bike is and how all the parts on it are amazing, only to find he's racing in the sport class, I realized that most people are full of shit. lol. This was a theme throughout the weekend at the race. I heard kids talking about how they want to get this part and that bike just because they think it will make them cool, and ride faster. Kids on brand new carbon V10s talking a big game only to race in the beginner class. All this going through my mind made me laugh at the "cali" kids and guys.

Anyway, after that being said....My weekend went really good. Good practice runs and nice weather made me happy. Watching Gwin shred was also really cool, after watching his helmet cam footage it made me realize that I had picked a lot of the same lines as him so that can only be a good thing. With the 7 or so runs I got in during the saturday practice, I felt I was going to be pretty ready for race day.

Sunday morning came around and I went up for a couple more pre-race practice runs. I felt better than I had the previous day so I was off to a good start. My race run came around and I was excited to get down the hill. Got a pretty clean run down the hill with only minor mistakes. Pedaling "the wall" was the worst part and i feel I could have done it better but all in all I was pleased with my run. I ended up 4th place missing 3rd by less than half a second.

It was a great weekend and I can't wait to go back this winter for some more fun. Here's another picture from the day and video below.

My race run!

Southridge Challenge

Well just got back from the race this weekend and I had a great time. The track was pretty good, some technical rough stuff, along with smooth faster sections. Ended up getting on the podium with a 4th place run which I was stoked about.

Full story to come, but here are some pics from the action!

Photo of the Day

Just another day at work!

Flagstaff

As the snow has been melting here in town, its got me thinking that the riding season may not be entirely done for. Its been about a week since it last snowed and its pretty much all melted away into the abyss. Which brings a smile to my face not only because there is still more riding to be done, but that also means no shoveling cars out of the snow, scraping frozen windows, and wearing unecessarily large jackets and hats.

Its not until the winter season hits every year that I realize how amazing and beautiful Flagstaff is in the summer months. The atmosphere here in the summer is hard to beat. Whether it be festivals downtown, concerts in the park, the busstleing NAU campus, or the epic mountains and riding trails that surround the city, there is something for everybody here.

In most cases, people take full advantage of the trail system that are so carefully built and run. The biking and cycling community here in town is astounding. Flagstaff not only boasts local bikers that ride the trails on a daily basis, but has become big outdoor/mountain bike destination. There have been times up on the mountain both riding XC and downhill, where we have come across people that are not from here, but found themselves here and riding the best trails around. Comments about how awesome the riding and the town are is the norm.

I haven't ridden in too many different places, but from where I have been......but riding in Flagstaff is by far the most fun I've had on a bike. So here's to a short snow season!

Photo of the Day

Went down to Prescott yesterday to ride some XC with my dad, and we brought this bad boy outside for a few pictures.

Inspiration

Not sure why, but this kinda just changed my outlook on life this morning. And makes me want to train harder than ever!

Photo of the Day

Work hard to play hard.

Well winter is finally here and Im not exactly happy about it. With the snow coming down fairly hard the last couple of days, I think riding up here in Flag is done for the season. Between the last few weekends and work during the week, I haven't been able to ride pretty much at all. I went to the slalom course for about 30 minutes the other day, but that was the extent of my riding for the last two weeks.

We made our way over to Las Vegas last weekend just for a fun weekend away from home. Then on saturday we went to a wedding which I wasn't to stoked about but went anyway and had fun. Now on to Fontana in two weeks to race the annual challenge which I'm nowhere near the shape i'd like to be in for it.

I feel like I have these things that I want to accomplish but life always gets in the way. So I want to start getting the things I want to get done, done! Whether it be in my regular life or riding, I just want to reach some of these goals that i've been thinking about for a while now. First things first, focus on the race coming up and get a podium spot at all costs.

With the busy weekends behind me, ill keep you updated regularly as usual!

Photo of the Day

Welp, there goes riding season

Project "Resurrection"

After a couple hours of digging and raking, they are about ready to be ridden. I decided I wasn't going to care a whole lot if they are perfect, mostly because I figure I ride a mountain bike for a reason, not a BMX bike. Heres some pics after the work today, and hopefully I get to ride them tomorrow...





This is the new roll in, which is more mtb oriented and should serve as a fun section before you get into the jumps.

Project "Resurrection"

It may be a futile effort, but I want to work on the lake Mary dirt jumps and get them running before winter hits hard. After going out to see them this afternoon and reminiscing about when we rode there everyday, I decided they were coming back to life. It should only take a couple of hours of shoveling and raking before they will be rideable. Updates to come!

Photo of the Day

Rode with my pops and a few of his buddies. Check out the Klein, damn.

When fish flew

A memoir....Its a sad day when you hear that one of your favorite trails that was regularly ridden has been destroyed and closed down. But when you explore for yourself to see what's left of the old friend, you realize that its really gone. Unfortunately that's exactly what happened to "flying fish" which is an old favorite trail for many.

This is what I walk up to at the bottom of the trail:



I knew it whatever lay ahead as I walked up the trail would not make me smile. Hopefully one day the forest and bikers can get along...










To end on happier note of sorts, the one legit jump on the trail is still in tact and looking good. Why didn't this get knocked down as well? No idea.

Wasabi

A bit more footage from the other day. This is going down wasabi, up on Elden.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day

Shultz creek trail. Takin the anthem out for a shred.

Photo of the Day

Trees are changing, weather is changing.....winter is heading in :(

Photo of the Day

The Morewood awaiting its next thrashing.

Photo of the Day

So I've been thinking of cool ideas to keep the blog updating on a regular basis. I realized that some advice I got a while back, will be a cool addition to the content of this page. So please welcome the new addition; "Photo of the Day".

I will try my best to post an image of something I deem cool or interesting on a daily basis. Enjoy!

Contour

As a present from my amazing girlfriend, I received a brand new contour vholdr HD camera today. Time for some long awaited helmet cam footage from all our favorite trails and riding spots. Hopefully I get to put it to the test here in the next few days!

The project

So I planned on making a lengthy riding video, but due to fast approaching winter weather it looks like it won't be turning into that after all. However, I will be trying to film when I can.

Here is a short edit fro the other day when I went out to a local elden trail.

One Fall Day from wes mendel on Vimeo.

Thanks to Teva for the hook up on the Links shoes.

New Project

Well I've decided to start on a self edit video project. I will be filming, editing, and riding in the entire video.

I went out today for day one of filming, and found myself on a trail that I didn't even know existed. Heres some pictures from the day.