Race #4 of the 2013 SoCal High School Mountain Bike Racing Series was the "Cruise the Keys" held at Keyesville Special Recreation Management Area, Lake Isabella on April 14, 2013. For those who are not familiar with the area, the course is a rollercoaster style single track with fast fireroad climbs. Riders did multiple laps of the course and battled high winds and dry conditions on race day.

The Foothill High School Mountain Bike Team was out in full force with great efforts and strong finishes. Team members Ben Bennett, Chris Taylor, and Collin Timmermans were all top 10 finishers in their race classes.  Gavin Bruddos was close with his best ever 11th place finish.

The Path Bike Shop is a proud sponsor of Foothill High School Mountain Bike Team, part of the SoCal High School Cycling League. They work to establish and maintain safe, quality high school mountain bike programs for student athletes (grades 9-12). Their first-class race series is an amazing opportunity for our local kids to get involved in the challenging and exciting world of competitive cycling.

Race #5 in the race series is the Cow Pie Classic, to be held on May 5, 2013 in Los Olivos, CA.

By Luke Wronski, employee of The Path Bike Shop

When I began the search for a new bike I was looking for an aggressive and snappy handling  6" travel 26er. When I found the Altitude, I found it to be just as snappy and fun as any 26", with improved pedal-ability due to the slightly larger wheels.

Read more: Review: 2013 Rocky Mountain Altitude

Race report by Matthew Palmer, member of The Path Bike Shop race team

I've heard about Counting Coup and Vision Quest for a couple years now. It's the local ride (race) hosted by the Warrior's Societythat starts way too early in the morning, and covers a majority of the Santa Ana Mountains I ride in isolated segments all year long. I tried to register for the 2012 race, but after logging on an hour after registration started, I was immediately denied. So for 2013, I was  eager to register, not knowing what the ride demanded.

Adrian Valdez, Kona Grassroots DH rider and employee of The Path Bike Shop

When it comes to producing cool bikes, Kona is on it! The 2013 Kona Operator is definitely one of the best downhill bikes I have owned and pedaled and honestly I was really sold on a Specialized Demo 8 thinking there was nothing better. Once I rode the Kona Operator, I was blown away!

It didn’t feel like a big, sluggish DH bike and I immediately noticed it sat higher in the travel. When I corner in braking bumps it feels way more stable than all my other DH bikes I have ever owned and the bike tracks very well through high speed corners to rocky off camber turns. The short chainstays really enhance the cornering and at the same time is still super stable at high speed chunk and straightaways. I felt comfortable the first time I jumped this bike, it handles well and was very predictable in the air and getting back on the ground!

By Josh Jacquot, member of The Path Bike Shop Race Team

The email from UQ race organizer Dave Wonderly the night before was as simple and it was true: “It’s going to be epic.”

And when the morning dawned wet, cloudy and warm, there was ample conjecture among UQers about what we faced in heights above. Speculation was as thick as the mud we’d be riding through as to how much frozen precipitation the mountains might hold. And with routinely minimal fanfare, DW lifted the flag and the pedaling began.

Sixty meters later, it ended.

Kudos to all The Path Bike Shop team and shop riders - (pictured, left to right) Jesse, Gerrin, Jake, Darin, Sanjay, and Josh - for their participation at the 2013 Ultra Quest this past weekend! They rode 38 miles, 12,000' elevation gain, 90% single track. Whew!

The conditions were amazing, the riders were stoked, the finishers were tired and a new course record was laid down.

Results: 

• 1 - Josh Jacquot 0:00 6:53
• 6 - Sanjay Shanbhag 0:49 7:42
• 9 - Jesse Peterson 1:24 8:17
• 12 - Jake Nelson 1:50 8:43
• 37 - Darin Maxwell 4:53 11:46

by Josh Jacquot, member of The Path Bike Shop Race Team

Five Weeks, Zero Chain Drops

SRAM's XX1 Still Causes Fits

Live with SRAM XX1, the new 11-speed, single-chainring, slackless drivetrain for five weeks and you're going to have some regrets.

First, you'll find yourself stuck with the urge to burn all front derailleurs. Not just yours, either. Your friends will be beating you away from theirs, too. But that's not all. Oh, no. All your old-school chain-slapping rear derailleurs will be destined for the flames as well.

Truth is, if you ride in a way that's ever made your chain fall off, you'll be riding this stuff inside of 12 months. It's that good. With the switch from a Shimano 2x10 setup I lost both the chain-dropping antics common to clutchless drivetrains (yes, Shimano makes one. No, I didn't have it) and three quarters of a pound from the bike. It was like losing a noisy anchor. Missed it about as much, too.

by James Matsubayashi, contributing writer and The Path Bike Shop customer

With my Ibis Mojo SL approaching 5 years in age, I started looking at different trail bikes to replace it and at the same time compliment my other bikes: a Salsa Spearfish (all-day endurance bike) and a Kona Raijin (singlespeed).  I was thinking about something a little more burly, only because the Spearfish does okay as a trailbike if needed, at least for the trails I most often ride, and actually so does the Raijin for that matter! Why have something that overlapped?  I was intrigued by 27.5 inch wheel models such as the Turner Burner and Banshee Spitfire, but didn't want to spend that much, because I likely wouldn't be riding this bike as often as the others.  I even thought about buying a Heckler when I saw frames on sale for $500.

Review and photos by Neil, General Manager at The Path Bike Shop

I had to get one...

2013 Surly Krampus. Been riding it about a week. I have about 100 dirt miles on it already.

In all honesty I did not think I would like it this much! It climbs just fine, obviously has a ton of traction and great cornering.  Rolls much faster then it looks, climbs like anything else and descends so much better then a regular rigid...the 3" wide, low psi tires help a ton!

The geometry is less XC, which is nice. I have the rear hub slammed forward in the horizontal dropout for a 17.25 chainstay length and with a 69.5 degree head angle = fun with 3", 16 psi tires! 

This build weighs in at 26-1/2 lbs with Thomson post, or 27-3/4 lbs with dropper post.

The annual 12 Hours of Temecula Endurance Race Series had its first race of the season on January 19, 2013. The Foothill High School Mountain Bike team came out with a strong four-person team. They ended up landing a solid 3rd place finish in the 2-4 person Jr class, completing 12 laps in just 10 hours and 58 minutes.

Upcoming races for the team include 5 High School races, then State Championships in May 2013.

The Orange County Register did a feature on mountain biking in Orange County that included an interview with Ross Bennett, head coach of the Foothill High School team. This article also appeared in the print version of the OC Register with an additional interview from Tani Walling, owner of The Path Bike Shop.

We're really happy to sponsor and support such a great group of young local riders, and they're really proving what great accomplishments they are capable of.

For more information, race schedule, and to support the SoCal High School Cycling League, visit their website.

Top photo: Foothill High School team member McHenry Carlson prepared for his first lap with teammate Chris Taylor at the 12 hours of Temecula.

“Old Friend” – Two weeks on a 2013 Santa Cruz TRc

report and photos by Eric (Auk) Akiyoshi, The Path Bike Shop Ambassador Race Team

Yes, this is a bike review, but it starts with a story of a lost “friend.” 

About a month ago, I thought I had lost one of my favorite house slippers: not the pair, just the left one.  You know, it’s like that favorite pair of jeans, sneakers, t-shirt, old sweatshirt, or stuffed animal:  I was lost without it.  Not one brisk evening went by without me thinking about my lost slipper.  Flash forward one month to the day it was found stuffed inside an igloo at the back of the family van (really?).  Eureka!  Reunion! My lost friend!  It was a joyous reunion!  Nothing could be better than being reunited with a long lost friend:  or could it?

Here is a special custom build we did for a customer, and we love how it turned out.

This is the 2013 Banshee Rune. This custom build features a 27.5" front wheel and a 26" rear wheel, plus SRAM's new 1x11 drivetrain.

Why do we like the Banshee Rune here at The Path Bike Shop?

• - The frame can accommodate either 26" or 27.5" wheels...great options!
• - The perfect enduro race bike and all-mountain bike, it can do it all
• - adjustable modular rear dropout system
• - slack head angle (65 deg) and lower BB (13")
•  

Tom got himself a sweet new custom build Salsa Mukluk! With Shimano XT discs and XT 3x10 drivetrain with Surly cranks.

Review and photos by Neil, General Manager at The Path Bike Shop

So it has only been a week and a few days with the SRAM XX1 setup, but lots of miles and lots of vertical gain and loss.

I have to say, being a long time SRAM drivetrain fanboy I was still wondering. Why add the Direct TV dish to the end of a already excellent gear range? The 42t cassette ring has not seen much action yet but when I get the drivetrain on a full squish set up it will most likely see some "rotation".

After countless rocky, bumpy, loose and very fun descents, the chain still has yet to drop...that I really really like. Granted the set up is on my Kona Raijin, so no rear triangle moving all over the place. Regardless, I was dropping chains ala 1x10 with a Type 2 RD and fake FD on this same bike. It took the Bionicon C.Guide to keep it on.

Now the bike is no longer "busy" up front and IMO looks nice and clean.

I also like the fact that you can swap chainrings without removing the crank arms. Again a 4-tooth jump may require a new chain length, but going between the 34t and 36t the RD is still working fine with the chain length.

And the ENVE carbon wheels don't hurt either!

All in all I am happy with the set up. It was a 3-ounce gain from the 1x10, so with a dropper seatpost it now weighs 24-3/4 lbs. I cannot wait until Industry Nine gets the cassette body to me so I can get this setup on my Santa Cruz Tallboy LTC and really see if the chain will drop!

Eric has a beautiful new blinged out custom Kona Raijin! Chris King mango components, SRAM XO grip shift, and a 1X10 set up.

Justin came out from San Diego to pick up his new toy - a 2012 Transition Bandit 29er. We think it was worth the trip to snag up one of these bikes. Thanks for coming all the way out this way, Justin!

This is Lindsey, she came out to the Tustin shop from Temecula. She saw the small 2012 Cannondale Lexi listed on our website clearance page and picked it up this past weekend.  She also got matching shoes, helmet, and Shimano clipless pedals to go with the bike.  We were able to setup and install the Thule raceway platform rack for her car. All set for fun times ahead!

Nate and his new toy, a 2013 Giant Trance X 29er 0. Excellent choice. This bike is a favorite around this shop, for sure.

Tom came all the way out from Riverside to purchase a 2012 Santa Cruz Tallboy LTC from us. That's showing some real Path Bike Shop love. Thanks for coming out our way, Tom!

Here's Mike with his awesome new 2013 Intense Carbine 275 with XT build kit. It's racing red ready!

report and photos by Eric (Auk) Akiyoshi, The Path Bike Shop Ambassador Race Team

The annual Path Bike Shop Turkey Day Ride rolled out of the Maple Springs trailhead at 6:30am or so with temps in the mid-forties.  Dense fog socked in the lowlands of Tustin, but at the trailhead, sunny skies and crisp weather welcomed 15 riders to conquer the Maple Springs pavement and experience epic views from Four Corners. 

Read more: Thanksgiving Day MTB Ride 2012

Gary and Sharon were visiting from Michigan, and they decided to buy some new rides while they were in town.  Gary got a 2012 Cannondale Flash 2 29er and Sharon got a 2012 Santa Cruz Chameleon. Couples therapy at its best!

Colin took advantage of the sale this weekend...he's bringing home a sweet new 2013 Santa Cruz Blur TRC!

Here's Ella with her first pedal bike, a Giant Lil Pudd'n. Comes with a basket so she can carry all her essentials with her on her rides, every girl's favorite.

Hien just recently took home his new Giant XTC 29er Composite! Made even more special with a custom wheel build from The Path Bike Shop - Chris King hubs, DT spokes, and Stan's ZTR Crest 29er rims.

Here's Dan with his new 2013 Intense Carbine 275. Blinged out with ENVE carbon stem, handlebar, and wheelset. Speaking of carbon, how about those RaceFace Six C carbon cranks? Build is complete with Shimano XTR components, KS Lev adjustable seatpost, and Magura MT-8 brakes. And it all weighs in at 27lbs.

David is more than ready to hit the road with his beautiful new 2013 Giant TCR Advanced 0 road bike. 

Here's JoJo, he purchased a new 2013 Cannondale Trail SL 2 29er this morning. This is his first venture into 29er bikes...welcome to the fun, JoJo!

by Bryan, a.k.a., "The Lad"

It was a great turnout for the last race of the season at Casper Wilderness Park on November 3^rd, 2012 for the Enduro Stuff OC Parks Tour Race series.  We had perfect weather conditions, an exciting technical course, and lots of energy all around. 

Being a US Kenda Cup racer for the past 2 years, it was a pleasure to have participated in a local race series which utilizes the mountains I consider my backyard.  I was thrilled to have placed 1^st for the Single Speed category and placing podium for all 4 races which resulted 1^st for the season. 

I’m grateful to have support and motivation from my family and friends.  It is of great honor and privilege to be riding with some of the best riders out there.  A special thanks to Tani Walling, Neil Adams and my fellow teammates from the Path Bike Shop.   It’s been a great season, and I’m pumped up for what’s to come for next year’s series.

Here's Milton (left) with his sweet new Santa Cruz Tallboy LTC. Pictured here with Tani (right) at the new Live Oak shop location!