chinamtb 08

BE A PART OF ONE THE FASTEST GROWING SPORTING COMMUNITIES IN HONG KONG. THE HKMBA IS BACK. NEW PEOPLE, NEW ENERGY, AND A FRESH COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING MOUNTAIN BIKING.

For the past 16 years the Hong Kong Mountain Bike Association has represented the interests of mountain bikers in Hong Kong by lobbying for better trail access, as well as by providing information to visitors and residents on how they can engage in mountain biking and related activities. After a two-year hiatus we are back in the saddle and working harder than ever to get better trails for all riders of all levels. HKMBA is non-profit, all volunteer organization made up of mountain bikers just like you. We are always looking for help in order to keep our efforts moving forward.

As has always been the case our primary objective is to promote the improvement and expansion of the existing network of trails in Hong Kong.
In addition we are going to offer a better community interface via our newly designed web site www.hkmba.org where you can:

* Keep up to date with all of the HKMBA advocacy efforts and projects
* Locate legal trial networks in Hong Kong
* Join in or create discussions in our rider’s forum
* Buy and sell bikes & gear through our classifieds section
* Keep informed about what is happening in the world of mountain biking
* Plan your ride or race with our events calendar
* Participate in HKMBA group or social rides
* Download maps and screen savers
* Volunteer opportunity listings
* Plus much more

Our goal is for the HKMBA website to be the hub for all things mountain biking in Hong Kong.

Membership is free - take a look and sign up!

www.hkmba.org

ALSO

We are planning on attending the Action Asia Enduro Mountain Bike race at Tai Lam on September 21st. We will be handing out information sheets and talking about our plans and efforts. We are also going to ask for volunteers to man the water bucket stations to pour cool water over the head of the hot racers, compliments of HKMBA. Can you help?

COMING SOON

HKMBA also plans to host social rides for mountain bikers of all levels throughout the territory and beyond, so check out our website for more details of these upcoming rides.

Look forward to seeing you on the trails

Robert (Bob) Smith

Chairman
Hong Kong Mountain Bike Association
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Well for the past few weeks we’ve continued to ride but our numbers have dwindled as people popped back to home for holidays and what not. Ken, Kuni and myself have continued to ride and Ash and Phil will be back just in time for next Sunday’s ride. I’m hoping to get some of the Olympic guys to come out with us at some point too.

The weather is awesome now. This is really thanks to the Olympics! the air quality is soooo much better than a few months ago, the views from the top of the new DH were amazing on Sunday (unfortunately I didn’t take a still camera). The previous weeks rides were wet and muddy and claimed yet another of my phones Bye bye Blackberry you served me well. It was my only stupid fault really. Had a bit of a blond moment where I decided part of the river would be shallow due to the face a duck was swimming about (maybe I was hungover/still drunk?) anyway Kuni and I rode through with water easily coming over the tops of our 6 inch travel forks, but it was surprisingly easy going.

I’m going to try and load a helmet cam video of the new DH in a mo. It’s not very interesting to watch to be honest, but its fun to ride! Got to watch out for those trees though they really make the path narrow.

Update: heres the video (I hope) may take a while to start so be patient.

If your going to be in Qingdao, China for the next few weeks during the Olympic Games, your going to need to get yourself on a bike. Qingdao has so much to offer, from expensive shopping malls to beautiful green mountains, the beaches to the beer festival. Unfortunately the public transport is a little unreliable and getting on a bike really gets you places and see spots you wouldn’t normally see.

Our bikes range from 1100 RMB alloy folding bikes (see above), Mountain bikes starting at 1450RMB, Road bikes from 1300 RMB and even kids bikes. All of our bikes are from top companies like Giant, Atomlab, Santa Cruz, MacMahone……etc.

If you want to find out more drop me an email :andi@chinamtb.com OR call me on 135 153 27143.

Are you in Qingdao for the Olympic Games, or do you live here and need to find yourself a bicycle? Or are you an expat in China looking to buy a highend mountain bike? If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of the above we might be able to help you out.

Whether your looking for a cheap folding bike to get you to and from the shops, or a top end  mountain bike from the likes of Macmahone, Atomlab, Santa Cruz and many more drop us an email with what you want and we’ll help fix you up.

email: andi@chinamtb.com

We’ll last weekend we got to the track and did a bit of work on the jump (as some arse had tried to destroy it). Then we spent 4 hours in the hot sun building our berm. We’re pretty impressed with the results (check the photos below) I just hope it survived the torrential rain this morning and Phil’s load-bearing cardboard does its job. Next weekend we’ll get some more done, probably a berm to the left right after this right hander as it’s pretty damn quick now!

[Show as slideshow]

Electric Go Kart:

This little electric powered kart can travel up to 30km on a single 5 hour charge and can reach speeds of up to 50km/h!! The whole unit weighs in at 65kg with batteries and can carry up to 110kg. The great thing about this kart is that you can have all the fun of a regular gas powered kart but without the mess (oil leaks, gas fumes) without the noise and with added safety for younger users.

Emoto:

Again weighing in at 65kg this little belt driven electric bike can easily carry riders up to 65km on a single 6 hour charge and can reach speeds of 35km/h.

If you or your company are interested in either of these products, or have a request for other bicycle/electric vehicles please feel free to contact me: andi@chinamtb.com. You can also visit the service page for more information about us.

Initial D is a very popular cartoon here in China. The show is about a group of young car racers taking part in night time drift compititions on Japan’s dangerous mountain passes.

Club 7659 based in He Nan province were so inspired that they decided to start their own bicycle drift team.

The rules are pretty straight forward you just need to perform an aw inspiring right hand drift, either with the aid of brakes or without.

For a short intro on how to bicycle drift and the best way to set up your bike (in Chinese) click continue reading.

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Sombrio Cartel are a Canadian based company specializing in clothing for both on and off the bike. Their designs are not only functional, but pretty damn stylish too!

Here are two of my favortie products from their 08 range.

Decade Crown Jewel Glove

The Decade Glove is the top of the range, super comfy, ‘Go on treat yourself’, luxury glove. Made from 100% perforated leather for better airflow and durability, the Decade could quite possibly last that long!

• Luxury stretch chamude palm (the first of its kind)
• Brake lever grips on middle and index fingers
• Vented mesh for a snug fit and maximum breathability
• Palm gel pad

Vapour Earth Camo Jacket

I’m only showing you guys this jacket to tease you, because this is strictly a ‘Hands off you can’t have one! Only Andi can have one’ item. Why? you may ask, am I being so touchy about this particular jacket? The reason being is that not only does it have top technical features such as:

• 2.5 layer waterproof/breathable 4-way stretch polyester
• 20,000 DPI waterproof tested
• 20mm fully taped seams throughout
• Mesh lined ‘Airflow’ under arm zips

But the print ‘Earth Camo’ is actually based on aerial shots of the Manchester, UK! Top Banana! No but if you wanted one I would consider allowing it……..maybe……..

Sombrio have a great website for you to check out.

For the ladies: www.sombriogirl.com

For the me: www.sombriocartel.com

When you find something you like drop us an email at : sales@chinamtb.com and we can let you know pricing and availability.

We have just added a new polls application to the right hand sidebar of the site. Every few weeks we’ll add a new poll either about the site, riding or the latest products making the rounds.

The first poll (as you can see to the right) is whether you would like us to add a forum to chinamtb.com. I personally would love to add a forum, as not only does it allow you guys to have your say, start discussions, arrange rides or sell your old stuff, but it will also allow more interaction from our Chinese speaking riders.

If you think having a forum would be a good idea click yes under ‘polls’ to the right. Cheers

Props, the undisputed BMX video film masters (in my opinion) have been pumping out quality videos for years, and this has got to be the most inspiring video ever (I’m not a BMX’er anymore but when I watched this I was itching to get out and ride!). Not the latest, but still mint, Props Issue 62 ladies and Gentlemen.

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