This week I have roadified the Marin White Line in preparation for and to test its suitability for a couple of epic adventures later in the year! (Watch this space, folks.)  OK, she lacks speed compared to a racing bike, although not that much (the only people who over-took me were lycra-clad carbon-flyers!).  But what she lacked in speed she more than made up for in manoeuvrability and stability.

Today I have ridden a mixture of bridleways cycle paths, the road and a bit of tow-path, not to mention some cobbles and quite rapidly, too.  It was great too, not to have to worry so much about rough / loose road surface, or pot-holes, or any of the number of things you get on the road this time of year, not to mention high winds.

With the fork locked out and skinnies on and a seat-post rack the White Line became a great all-day, go-anywhere bike.  Brilliant!  The best thing is, five minutes to swap the tyres and I can hit the rough stuff again.  Awesome.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my racing bike and own quite a few different types of bike (“too many”, I hear my wife shout!), but if you took them all away, leaving me just one – the “White Line” would be my girl!

ps: cheers to the guy in Chichester who let me take a close look at his “Bamboo” racing bike,  Beautiful.  Happy riding!

- Marin Man

CX Sportive returns to the Chilterns for January

Take a look at the Marin Mount Vision XM 8 ready for the UK cycling press.  Gen 3 quad link, 140mm of trail taming travel, tapered head tube, Fox 32 float fit rl, 140mm, Formula R1-X brakes, Fox float rp23, x7 / x9 combo – 2 x 10…

Bikes are arriving now, please contact your local dealer for more information.

For a review go to…

http://www.marin.co.uk/wp-marin/?p=2338

http://www.marin.co.uk/wp-marin/?p=2329

For the video go to…

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/interbike-2011-marin-mount-vision-xm8-first-look-video-31688

The same bike is available in the UK now, ask your nearest dealer for details…

Read more @ http://www.29eronline.com/

2012 Nail Trail 29er’s hit the demo truck, ask a dealer near you for information and a ride request.

Riding in the Cotswold’s with my Marin Mount Vision 5.7 parked in the sun against a dry stone wall…another happy customer. Anon.

Marin Man …Ice, Ice, baby…

I went out on the White Line for an early morning blast last week.  It was freezing cold and the ground was still frozen from the previous night. (I was as sure-footed as Bambi!)  It was great fun thrashing around on a light hardtail, losing the back end, dabbing and correcting yourself – brilliant, particularly after a week of commuting with panniers, packed with what sometimes feels like the kitchen sink!

I find riding in the ice pretty hard, because the level of concentration it takes, just to stay upright is intense, but thoroughly rewarding and it comes with a real sense of accomplishment if you manage not to fall off too much.  You really have t pick your lines commit and go easy on the brakes, and you still end up on your arse.

I never see too many riders when the weather’s really bad (I can hear my wife saying, of course not, you’re nuts!)  This is a shame really because if you are prepared it can be such a laugh.

So next time it’s icy hit the trails.  You never know, you may come across a guy on his back, lying next to a lovely white Marin White Line, bruised and battered, but smiling all the same.

- Marin Man

Marin Man…to the Wyre

I had the pleasure of riding in the Wyre Forest with three others recently.  Talk about a tale of two seasons!  The last time I got to ride there it was so dry and dusty, we were drifting all over the place and flying along.  This time it was pretty wet and wild.  I could lie and say that all my sliding around was perfectly controlled, but i’m afraid my swearing and screaming always gives me away.  I also got to try out a Marin “prototype”  29′er – very cool.  It gave me a lot of confidence, rolling over objects, and it climbed like a mountain goat.

29?  It’s the future?

- Marin Man

Wyre Forest – look at the dry trails!

The UK ride development of our 100mm 29er suspension bike continues with testing in the Shropshire hills, Cotswold gloop and The Forest of Dean.

We are in the final stages of trail testing and have spent a great deal of time on the larger wheels; excellent traction and rolling speed, plus hugely confidence  inspiring. Playing devil’s advocate, do I love it more than 26″?

Answer, not yet…May just have to add another bike to the stable and have both.

Watch this space soon for production models arriving in the UK…

Mud clearance…check!

For all the latest news go to…

http://www.trailbreak.co.uk/index.php

http://www.trailbreak.co.uk/southern_100s/index.php?go=eventinfo&event_id=120421

Marin Ridge 65: 21st April, Princes Risborough, Bucks

Marin Man latest…

“I only went into the bike shop to buy a new rear-mech. hanger!…honestly!”

Roger Saunders is still riding a Marin at 68 (see Oldest Marin Swinger, 6th Dec. 2007 posting)

Having destroyed my rear mech. hanger in a 45ft slide at Danbury Woods, Essex, I went into my LBS in November to be told “sorry, sir, there’s a 14 day wait on those”

While I was there I asked if they had any of the 2012 models I could have a look at. I was informed that they were due soon, but there were some nice offers on 2011 models.

I’d been considering the Attack Trail for some time. My Back Specialist had commented “You may be 68 but I’m sorry to tell you that you have the spine of a 78-year-old”. I wanted something with loads of travel and good handling. Falling off at my age hurts!

Canvey Island is not the best place for a trial run but I was impressed by the slow-speed handling and the way it climbed kerbs at an acute angle.

My wife encouraged me. “You don’t know how long you’ve got left to ride, so you may as well enjoy yourself while you can”

Well, I can say that it climbs Christmas Pudding Gulley and up from the stream at Twitty Fee (yes, it’s a real place) with no hassle; even better than the Rock Springs. Getting the weight forward is easier than previously. It descends brilliantly too, with a Point and Go mode where you don’t need to touch the brakes; just hang on and steer. Single-track steering is precise (who put those roots there? Never mind the trees and hollybushes!) and the traction through mud patches is top-notch. With the Quad-Link 2 the rear wheel digs in when needed and you can power through. Comfort is great. The long suspension gives me a ride where I can walk away after 3 hours feeling less pain than when I started.

I’m well pleased with the bike!

I had a long-sleeved Marin shirt for Christmas, wear compression gloves inside my Winter ones because of the increased arthritis, and shin-pads with ankle supports, to protect my thin shins from the pedals. I keep fit riding and am really glad I started with Marin when I bought my Alpine Trail way back.

Down here in Essex it’s been a really good Winter. Not a lot of rain, plenty of wind to dry up the trails, and sunshine on many Saturdays. A bit cold but nothing like last year.

Yes, I still like Ham Egg and Chips……and Spitfire Ale……and I hope to be “Swinging” for some time yet!

The Rock Springs has gone to my younger son, who always coveted it

Best regards for 2012!

Roger

The latest incarnation of our classic Mount Vision takes on all new comers in What Mountain Bike, out now!

“Super confident, complete bike”.

“A great playful but confidently surefooted aggressive trail bike with a spot-on spec at a good price.”

“Marin has got the contact point to both rider and ground spot on.”

“…a great get-on-and-go all-rounder.”

“the trail spec of the Marin complements a really good new chassis to create a great new option for those who like to push the limits.”

- What Mountain Bike.