Musings of a Mountain Biker
Links
Below are a number of links that I have found interesting:
Retail
Gabe Sullens (formally of Specialized and Cycling Sports Group) has a great blog called the brickandmortarplaybook that I have been reading lately. I have found it extremely informative and educational in regards to all aspects of the bicycle retail environment. Gabe has an easy to read writing style that quickly connects with the reader highlighting key issues.
https://brickandmortarplaybook.wordpress.com
Cycling
Pinkbike is one of the key places I discover new products and get my daily riding video fix. This site (especially the videos) makes me yern for the wind in my hair and the dirt under my tyres. The reviews are a little too consistantly positive however that probably reflects the quality of the products that are being engineered for us. The people behind the site are also returning something to the community by sponsering events across the globe.
The SA-MTB-Forum is the local hotspot for all things buy/sell and advice or comments on pretty much anything moutain bike related in South Australia. I have been apart of this community for many years (screen name: extremekid) and have helped many people ask themselves the right questions to discover which bike suits their needs.
http://sa-mtb-forum.com/index.php
Mountain Bike Trails
Adelaidemtbtrails.com is a local website that contails trail maps and directions for most of the legal trails in South Australia. This should be your first stop if you are from out of town and have a mountain bike. It also describes the loops the locals do, nothing like the local scoop.
Trail forks is an emerging app and website, run by Pinkbike that provides a database of trails. It is still growing so it may be missing a few trails. It would be great to build their database.
Ah, Strava. One stop shop for those with a competedive edge, Strava is an App and website that provides route tracking and time comparisons. If you want to race your friends and see where you stand in the local crowd, head over to strava.
Companies owned by Friends
EightyOne Spices is a locally owned and passionately operated distribution company that import premium cycling products. Krischan is your man if you own a shop and are looking for something a little bit special. Liteville, Syntace, Tune, Open, Sqlab, Formula.
http://www.eightyonespices.com.au/
I-track Suspension is locally owned, operated and invented. Better than the local home brew, this suspension system is so smooth, yet has that something special that you wont be able to wait for Hugh's up and coming production run.
http://www.i-tracksuspension.com/
Craftworks Cycles. Many a downhiller has heard that name, at least on the Aussie circuit. They used to be big in the early 2000's and now they are working on something pretty sweet with talented designer, Kain Galliver.
