Tag: MTB

Mountain Biking Banned In New Zealand Due To COVID

jimmymac

Stuff, a New Zealand news site, posted a story about how a mountain biker, in need of emergency evacuation after a fall, triggered the discovery of more than 50 mountain bikers in violation of alert-level-4 restrictions. Those restrictions? “Any recreational activity that could lead to a rescue or emergency response.”  Alert-Level 4 seems to apply to everything from skateboarding to body surfing. And you thought we had it tough here with mask mandates!

Prolific Action Sports Photographer, John Ker, In Recovery Mode

jimmymac

Hall of Fame member (both Mountain Bike and BMX) and all-round great guy, John Ker, is in the hospital following hip-replacement surgery (following a cycling get off). John’s recovery has not gone smoothly and he is in a lot of pain. Rehab is going at a snail’s pace. John can use some encouragement so take the time to drop him a get-well email. His email address is johnk@hi-torque.com. I know he would love hearing for friends, old and new.

Sophisticated Scam Courtesy Of Facebook Marketplace

jimmymac

A ‘Sponsored” link on Facebook Marketplace directs unsuspecting people to the most sophisticated scam I’ve seen so far. The link delivers you to a legit-looking website where Trek is holding a “Flash Sale.” This is where the scammers blew it. I’m not going to point out how they screwed up because it might help them improve their scam in the future and I certainly won’t link you to the scam. Facebook is complicit in this crime. The posting is “sponsored content” meaning Facebook accepted money from the scammers and in…

How I Killed Mountain Biking And How You Can Save It – UPDATED

jimmymac

Forgive me, for I knew not what I’d done. I thought I was helping friends and strangers find great places to ride mountain bikes. How was I to know I was killing the sport at the same time? A little back story to explain my guilt and hopefully earn your forgiveness. Back in my magazine days I came up with a reoccurring featured called “Destinations.” It became a popular feature in the magazine and it was pretty obvious why. “Destinations” focused on must-ride mountain biking locations and the stories were…

Masks Are The New Cigarette Butts

jimmymac

Cigarette butts drive me crazy. My eyesight may be blurry, but I can spot a cigarette butt while riding along a beautiful singletrack or while hiking or when setting up a campsite. My brain is wired to focus in on this trash and it really bugs me. It is bad enough that these butts “harsh my mellow” but now I’ve got a new nemesis on the trail. Face masks! Flicking cigarette butts has been glorified by everyone from movie stars to the Marlboro man. From combat soldiers to rock stars.…

No Sea Otter Classic For 2020

jimmymac

It comes as no surprise that the Sea Otter Classic promoter is pulling the plug on their rescheduled 2020 event. The event that is traditionally held in the Spring of each year was shifted to October for 2020 due to concerns over COVID-19. As it became clear that the pandemic is still a concern for any event that draws large numbers of participants (except for the Sturgis Motorcycle rally and social justice protests), the Sea Otter promoters have pulled the plug on the 2020 event and are pinning their hopes…

Ask Jimmy Mac: Finding The Perfect Mountain Bike Match – Updated

jimmymac

I receive unsolicited queries and I try to answer them all. I’m retired, for Pete’s sake. I’ve got the time. And I’m honored my opinion still matters to some riders. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner, but why not share the Q&A on Jimmy Mac On Two Wheels? So here you go, my first Ask Jimmy Mac. LOVE AT FIRST RIDE How long does it take to get used to a 29er? I am 5’11” and weigh about 215 pounds. I currently ride a large Devinci…

Mountain Biker Appears On Commemorative Stamp

jimmymac

I’ve always been a sucker for the USPS’s commemorative stamps. I usually buy two sheets. One to use as postage (I still like sending letters and cards instead of emails) and the other to stuff in the bottom of a desk draw with the intention of saving it for posterity (or maybe making a million bucks on it at auction). I’ve got cartoon characters, hot rods, motorcycles, dinosaurs, rock stars, monsters and historical figures (many of whom have been cancelled in today’s culture). I have to wonder if that will…