#trail

tag

A Tourist in My Hometown: Riding Singletrack in West Michigan

Reportage

A Tourist in My Hometown: Riding Singletrack in West Michigan

“You can never go home again.” Martin O Blank’s defining line from the film Grosse Pointe Blank has stuck with me since I first heard it in the late ‘90s. It stuck with me because I thought, until recently, that it was bullshit. I moved away from Grand Rapids, MI for work and school in Colorado in 2004 but would go back to visit at least every year. And nothing seemed to change. My friends and the city itself seemed perfectly preserved in time. It always felt like home. But after a big move to Arizona and a pandemic, nearly five years passed without a visit. Then, after that time away, when my family and I road tripped Michigan this past July, I realized that Blank might have actually been onto something. My friends and the city had changed. In exciting ways to be sure, but things were markedly different and the area felt less homey for the first time in my life.

Teravail’s New Warwick MTB Tire

Radar

Teravail’s New Warwick MTB Tire

All of my mountain bikes have Teravail Kessel 2.6″ tires on them at this point. I’ve personally been thrilled at the tire’s grip and resistance to our sharp rocks here and can still count on one hand the number of times I’ve needed to plug one of those tires. So when the Warwick landed in my inbox, my interest was piqued. The Warick is designed for modern XC, flow, and enduro trails. This tire utilizes a hardback edge in the center of the tire to increase traction while braking. Teravail recommends a Kessel in the front and a Warwick in the rear for optimized trail riding when the going gets rough.

If you’re interested in reading more, head to Teravail, and if you want to get rolling on a set, hit up your local dealer.

Pushing and Punishing Pivot’s Insatiable Mach 6 Carbon 27.5″ Trail MTB

Reportage

Pushing and Punishing Pivot’s Insatiable Mach 6 Carbon 27.5″ Trail MTB

Chris Cocalis, the owner of Pivot Cycles, knows a thing or two about bicycle design and the popularity of his bikes prove just that. I’ve reviewed a lot of full-suspension bikes over the years and am accustomed to people’s reactions at the trailhead or on the trails but no bike received such trail accolades as the Mach 6 Carbon. Before I had even gotten to ride the bike, it seemed like everyone had something to say about it. Which, as someone trying to approach reviews without any bias, can be a bit much to handle. Yet, here we are, with a month on the bike and a month since I’ve ridden the bike, ready to talk about the Mach 6. Does it live up to the lore? Read on below.