couch profile

You are right. I was very tired.

A couple of years ago I rode TKO with Johnny. I remember the pep talk at the top, "if you are going to fall, fall to the right, not to the left, the left will kill you"

Miss this guy.

Rich

From the Devinci website MAY 2016

1989-2016
Canadian Downhill Legend Steve Smith Dies at 26 | Rider’s drive, determination and love for living will be remembered by all those whose paths he crossed

World Cup sensation Steve Smith passed away this afternoon after suffering a massive brain injury resulting from an enduro motorcycle accident in his hometown of Nanaimo, British Columbia. He was 26 years old.

“Today we lost a great person, who taught me about myself and influenced many,” says Devinci Global Racing Team Manager, Gabe Fox. “Stevie was a fierce competitor, an honest friend and a rider who made me proud on countless occasions. I am honoured to consider him my friend for so long.”

Smith hailed from Vancouver Island, where he sharpened his mountain biking skills on the rainforest trails of Mt. Prevost. A force on the Canadian downhill racing scene for years, he became an international household name in 2013 after pocketing World Cup wins at Leogang, Hafjell, and Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que. Those efforts culminated in the World Cup Overall Title the same year—downhill racing’s ultimate achievement.

Smith is revered by fellow competitors and loved by friends, family and fans, who’ve been following what had been an explosive start to the 2016 season. Pushing past injuries that led to consecutive sidelined seasons, The Canadian Chainsaw was back in podium form this past April for the UCI WC Mountain Bike opener in Lourdes, France, where he finished in second place.

A driven athlete and fierce competitor, Smith was humble and grounded off the track. He was a notable influence on all young and aspiring Canadian gravity racers and others around the world. He was also a key mentor to friend and DGR teammate, Mark Wallace.

“I would not be anywhere on the bike without Steve,” Wallace says. “Most importantly he taught me to be confident in my abilities, race my bike properly and take risks. As training partners, we pushed each other to the limit."

At home, in his close-knit Vancouver Island community, Smith was known as a consummate outdoorsman. This is where he spent time fishing, camping, and sinking birdie putts on the golf course. His spirit was infectious and inspirational. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his close family and those he positively affected. Steve Smith is survived by his devoted mother, Tiann, sister, Kara, his uncle, Eric, niece and nephew, Myla and Luke, grandmother, Judi, and girlfriend, Caily Schenkeveld.

His family remembers him as a great warrior.

“Steve was the most successful Canadian Gravity Racer of all time,” Fox says. “His passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts here at Devinci.”

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 21 at 1 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre in Nanaimo, B.C. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the “Stevie Smith Legacy Fund” at www.gofundme.com/23k7fus. Funds will be earmarked for a Tiann Smith initiative, assisting talented young athletes.

The Legend of the Canadian descent Steve Smith is leaving us at the age of 26 years. The determination, the guts and the joy of living are the values for which it must be remembered of Steve.

Thanks Counterpoint. I was interested in that bike last year and they said that this year's models would come with adjustable levers - they didn't. Did MEC replace the levers with adjustable ones? For those in the know - what levers can replace the the stock ones?

Thanks, Rich

Last year I fluked out and was able to grab a great bike for my 9 year old.

One thing I have learned that for kids to have fun they need to be able to stop so discs are essential (mechanical can be fine for a 60 lbs )

MEC has a couple kid's bikes with 24" wheels for $450 that also come with either mechanical ($400) or hydraulic ($450) brakes. Ironically the mechanical brakes come with adjustable levers while the hydraulics are non-adjustable.

Any other suggestions for my 4', 60 lbs 7 year old?

Thanks, Rich

More coming on Friday (Black Friday).

I think that would be correct.

I am picking up the Black Metal Jersey and the Vagabond Riding Shirt both look nice. I am commuting from the Mission to Surrey (GoGear office) - does anyone know if the Men's Roam pant could be used for really bad weather commute?

I visited the MEC in Langley and the Ghost 24 frame fits James and the brakes are hydros which is awesome. What is not awesome is that the levers are so far from the bar and not adjustable! Anyway to fix that?

Thank you for all the great info.

Atomic - could you send photos and description to [email protected]?

I was also looking at the Kona Shred and it looked solid.

My son has a 20" bike right now and has more or less out grown it.

Thanks, Rich

So who makes a decent mt bike for kids? My son is just over 4' and 60 lbs. I would love to get him onto a bike with 24" wheels, hard tail, decent brakes and an OK shock. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Rich