Norco News

Check out some photos of the all new 2011 Norco Lineup on the norco blog. Who knows, one of these could be your next bike! norco.com/blog

This weekend was a fury of racing with Canada Cup XC and Nationals in DH. Check out the results! Elite XC Women - 36km (5 laps) 1. Amanda Sin (Can) 3 Rox Racing 1:55:38 2. Emily Batty (Can) Trek World Racing 1:57:44 3. Catherine Vipond (Can) Norco Factory Team 2:03:00 Elite XC Men - 43.2km (6 laps) 1. Derek Zandstra (Can) 3 Rox Racing/Scott 1:59:56 2. Andrew Watson (Can) Norco Factory Team 2:01:51 3. Kris Sneddon (Can) Kona 2:02:18 For full XC results go to pedalmag.com Junior Expert DH Men 1. Remi Gauvin (BC) PerformX/Evil 3:28.51 2. Nicholas Geddes (BC) Norco Factory Team and BC Team 3:31.83 3. Kyle Sangers (ON) J&J Cycle 3:33.33 For full DH results go to canadiancyclist.com

Justin Kerr from Team H&R Block/Norco burst his way to the front of the pack to open Bike Fest for the invited men on a short, but very difficult surprise Prologue on Thursday. Only one kilometre into the race, riders found themselves on a gentle climb up Buffalo Street. Suddenly the riders hit "Surprise Corner," a steep, sharp hairpin turn that takes them to the finish line. Read More at: norco.com/mediahits

If there is one place in the world to find the top mountain bike mechanics it is at a World Cup Race. Well, Dirt Norco Race Team mechanic Alastair Beckett was nice enough to go through rear derailleur adjustment for us at the Leogang World Cup. Watch the video at: norco.com/blog

It has been a cold and wet, West Coast Spring - absolutely perfect for mountain biking! Whistler is full-on at any time of year, but if you love Mountain biking, this spring has started out to be fantastic for exciting trail riding action! Yesterday, we climbed up Cougar Mountain to the trail head of the Flank to Alpine. We hit deep snow at the 3600 foot trail head, and so, had to descend back down the logging road - bummer! Maybe in a month if the sun shines hot again! The trails below 3500 feet have been just awesome, and as always the trail maintenance crews have been out creating some pretty cool new rides. read more at: whistlermountainbike.com

Last July, when Greg Martin rolled across the finish line to win the 2009 Singlespeed World Championships bike race in Canmore, Alberta, one thing was missing from the rig he'd pedaled for 24 hours straight: a bike chain. Martin was riding a bike equipped with a belt drive instead. As innovations in the world of cycling go, the Carbon Belt Drive system from Gates, a company in Denver, could be a game changer. The humble bike chain--greasy, gunk-prone, finicky if not lubed and maintained--has been standard equipment for decades. But belt drives, which employ a flexible loop of polyurethane embedded with carbon-fiber cords, give bikers a new option. Read More at: outside-blog.away.com

This year, the BC Ride to Conquer Cancer went from a successful event to a outstandingly successful event. 2009′s impressive total of over 6 million dollars was increased by more than 50% to nearly 10 million. What an impressive amount for a two day event. The really impressive part is that given a participation rate of about 2400, that is more than $4000 per person!!!! read more at: norco.com/blog

It may seem weird, but right now is a time of transition from 2010 and 2011. Sure it may only be June, but with brochures to be printed, product launch to be had and ads to be designed really, for all intensive purposes 2010 is already over. With this in mind, it was just last week that we made a quick trip over to Merritt BC to grab a photo or two. Read more and see the pics at: norco.com/blog

With a bit of time on the road before the 2nd round of the world cup series in Fort William, the Dirt Norco boys stopped off at Glencoe to see what it had to offer.

Watch an interview with Norco Pro rider Darcy Turenne as she talks about the bike she helped design for herself and to launch the women's lineup of Norco bikes. Check out the video at: vancouversun.com

This weekend was yet again action packed with competitions in three countries and five disciplines. Going from small bikes to big, James van de Kamp competed in the Steeze the Day BMX Jam where he placed 2nd in the field. Sam Dueck head down to Vail Colorado for the Teva Mountain Games where he placed 6th in the slopestyle competition. Ontario Cup #4 took place as well this weekend where Canada Cup XC leader Andrew Watson took 2nd place in the Elite Men. Overseas in Fort William Scotland Both the Norco World Team and the Dirt Norco Race team were present and racing. Fionn Griffiths placed 6th in the elite women's 4X whlie Ben Reid was 35th in the Men's DH Lastly, on the road front, team H&R Block was at the Westside Classic this weeknd where Jacob Schwinboth placed second in a bunch sprint then finished off the race as well in a close second. Another great weekend of racing! photo by pinkbike user sorbet

As June rolls in, one would think that the sky should be clearing and we would get some descent spring weather. Instead though, we have been dealing with storm clouds, heavy rain, thunder and even a touch of lightning. The Vancouver Bike to Work Week has kicked off in true BC style this week with the most rain we have seen in months and a lingering gloom that would make even the most dedicated commuter consider alternative means of transportation. When are we going to get a break? Hopefully later this week the rain will dry up and give new riders who are "on the fence" a chance to find out that commuting by bike can be done and it is more fun than driving. I would love to see more people riding around town or riding to work. Not to be negative, but it seems that you have to be pretty committed and dedicated to take up that challenge. Between weather, traffic, time and infrastructure, it isn't easy to saddle up each morning. As taxpayers, we spend billions on new freeways and additional lanes to move yet more cars and more people into the downtown core - yet we still don't give cycling a chance (or good support) in most areas. I know it sounds like a bit of a rant and really I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but in order to get more people on bikes we need to remove all reasons to not ride, in a perfect world there would be no reason not to ride a bike. Yeah I know, some municipalities and cities have been putting some funds towards good cycling infrastructure. Some are even engaging the local cycling coalitions and clubs for input into making safer and better "cycling routes". Because of this effort it is getting better, just not quick enough for me. If pollution and gridlock is something the 'pencil necks' are concerned about, then we need to ramp up our commitment to getting more people on bikes! It is Just that easy. Anyway, enough complaining. I'm going home tonight to build up a long overdue commuter bike (with fenders) that I hope to ride for the rest of the week and beyond. After all, it is early June and it is Bike to Work Week, . Sunny skies and safe 2 wheel travels to you all! Steak Sauce

Another Weekend, Another stream of results coming in from the many disciplines that the Norco Team chooses to indulge in. On the paved side of riding, this weekend was the BC Provincial Championships in Victoria. Team H&R Block came out for the Bastion Square Criterion on Sunday and battled it out with Team Total Restoration and Trek Red Truck for 75 laps. With the clouds threatening to pour all afternoon, the course was just damp enough to cause a commotion in the corners. With Several riders down, some were out and others able to jump back into the field. After nearly 90 minutes of racing, Team H&R Block riders Justin Kerr and Jacob Schwingboth finished in second and third spot just behind adversary Tyler Trace. In Canada Cup XC #3 Both Andrew Watson and Catherine Vipond were out representing the Factory team in Hardwood Ontario finishing in 3rd and 6th respectively. This also places both Andrew and Catherine as the Points leaders for the Canada Cup circuit. Elsewhere, Junior DH racer Nick Geddes placed 1st Junior, 2nd overall at the first Fluidride Cup in Whistler BC At the international level, Norco World Team Rider Fionn Griffiths placed 6th at the Swampy US Open in what turned out to be one of the wettest, slickest and most misreable races so far this season. Oh well right, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. On the other side of the pond, Dirt Norco Race Team rider Ben Reid finished in 8th place at the IXS European Cup in Innerleithen Scotland.

The Faze 1 is designed for the trail rider who is looking for the efficiency of a snappy cross-country bike, but wants nearly 5 inches of travel to smooth cross-country terrain. There are four Faze models in Norco's line, ranging from the $4825 Faze SL to the 1590 $Faze 3. Read the full article here or head on over to your local retailer and purchace a copy of July's Mountain Bike Action

This weekend was Canada Cup XC#1 and DH#2 in Mont Tremblant QC. An enduring course in 30 degree temperatures meant that pacing and hydration were key in this physical and mental battle. Norco Factory Team Riders Catherine Vipond and Andrew Watson were out with their flashy new 2010 kits and showed the competition what the rest of the season had in store. Catherine started her race off slow and wound in the field through four laps winning the Pro Women's category. Andrew battled it out up front with Max Plaxton over 5 laps to finish mirroring race 1 just behind in 2nd place. In the DH race, Norco junior rider Nick Geddes raced a near perfect run finishing in 2nd place with a top 10 overall time. Way to go to all participants. For full results head over to: pedalmag.com Photo by Pasquale Stalteri/pedalmag.com

Check out Dylan's all new Team Issue Norco Two50. Photos and Spec can be seen at: pinkbike.com

This past weekend Norco caught the ferry over to the Sunshine Coast to give a day of skills training and mountain biking to the kids. Running through skills such as cornering, pumping, skinnies and jumping, Norco Factory Team riders Jay Hoots, Dylan Korba and Sam Dueck Showed the ropes to all the kids. Keen Norco staff and riders also came to give a hand. Read more and see some pics at: norco.com/blog

The Norco LT 6.1 is a long-travel bike from Norco that sits in the "all-mountain" category but with a bias to downhill performance. I've already taken a look at the Norco LT 6.1's components and briefly reviewed the bike in a First Looks article for MTBR. I won't repeat what I've said in that article so please read the previous writeup should you have any specific questions about specifications and geometry, Read the full article at: mtbr.com

When you are racing the World Cup Circuit every gram counts... How does your bike rank with the World's Best?

Trailside Physio believes in teamwork, active living and community involvement. The Wheel to Heal cycling event is held in Norco's hometown Port Coquitlam and even came right by the Norco Head Office on its route was a perfect event for the Trailside Physio team to support -- and support it they did, not only by participating, but by donating to the cause...that cause being the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation. The Trailside staff arranged and purchased 6 beautiful Norco cruisers (with the help of Norco) to be ridden in the event, and then immediately donated them back to the community and to the event to help raise funds and awareness for the Foundation. Norco would like to take a moment to salute companies like Trailside Physio. They remind us a lot of ... well... US. They have built a great team of co-workers, peers, patients, friends and family, and they give back to the community by supporting or participated in local events AND by donating, volunteering and riding in these events. From both Trailside and Norco, we hope that these cool cruiser bikes get enjoyed by the new owners, and that we'll see them riding along with us in next year's Wheel to Heal.