John Henry Bikes - Community

The John Henry Race Team

Racing is as much a part of cycling as goals are a part of hockey. At John Henry Bikes we have a select group of riders that have been chosen to represent the colours in elite level events and to showcase that anything is possible, no matter what style of bicycle, if you put 100% commitment into your passion.

The John Henry Team is a group of people that include pro level downhillers, free riders, pro triathletes and road riders as well as adventure racers and cross country mountain cyclists.

They are all used to provide us information so that we can help you make your rides successful.

We want you to try your luck at an event and use the training programs and information that is available through our many athletes. Your goals are the goals of our team and they are willing to share their vast amounts of cycling history and training information through our clinics and through training rides running all year.

But you don't have to be an elite rider: If you would like to become a part of our team please send us your resume. The team is growing and is open to all styles of cyclists.

Wear the John Henry colours at your next event and beat your personal time.
Where will you cross the line?

Canadian Nationals, Canada Cup at Mt. Washington

Gord Longden (center)

Hello All.

Just wanted to let you know how the weekend went. I arrived at Mt Washington on Monday and the weather was great, by Tuesday training it looked like rain was on the way. The course was very fast rocky and rough at the top, then there were demanding technical single track sections with everything from rooty, rocky and steep section with a few drops, the finish had a long fire road with 2 table top jumps to test your fitness. This was a great course which did not suit one riding style as you required fitness, technique and a bit of luck to avoid flats. I did my Canada cup race on Wednesday and managed a 1st place on a dry course. 15 minutes after my run the sky opened up and it began to pour for the Pro's race. Thursday morning had enough practise time to get a few runs in on a very different wet course. The roots and rocks were wet and muddy giving extra am challenge. I managed to place 1st at the Canadian Nationals race on a very different wet course. It was a great 2 days with John Henry on the top step for both events. Thanks to everyone at John Henry's for all your help and extra thanks to Duncan for the loan of his fork for the week.

Gord Longden

Bear Mountain Challenge DH 2007

The Bear Mountain DH course this year was in better shape that I ever seen it in the last 3 years I've been racing there. Some of the gaps had been rebuilt since last year and the entire course flowed far better than in previous years. For those who haven't ridden the course it is SUPER fun just to ride; the top section is quite technical and natural with a couple tough corners and three or four sections over slick rock. After the top section the course turns into a roller coaster over a step down and then flowing over a series of gaps and burms to the finish. At last count there are 11 gaps, a table top, a rock drop and 32 burms ... weeeeee. I expected winning times to be between 3:30 and 3:40. Practice on Saturday went really well. The weather was perfect, the trail was perfect and I was having a blast just riding the course.

The weather was great again for race day, and I got in a pair of excellent practice runs before practice ended. Come race time I forgot to pedal hard on the flats, but pinned it down the technical sections and was happy I nailed all my lines on the way down. My efforts were good enough for a 3:50, which I was happy with as it was 12 seconds quicker than my time from last year. The winning time was 3:36 by Chilean downhill racer by the name of Maurico Quintana.

The event was well organized and everyone had a huge smile on Sunday afternoon. A few select folks were tossed into Mill Pond for their efforts, over which we all had a good laugh. I love the Bear Mountain race because of the fantastic atmosphere, the course is good fun, camping out the night before the race exchanging stories about the days practice, cheersing all the racers during awards and the legacy that the surronds the event after 12 years of racing on the Bear Mountain course.

Cheers,
Tim Coleman

2007 Brodie Rat Race

The results are in! Here are the Downhill results and the XC results. See you next year!

North Shore 7th Ripper 2007

"The North Shore Ripper is fast becoming a legendary race series. When we say it's a Ripper and not a race we mean it. The Rippers are about shits and giggles and getting out on your bike for a good cause. That doesn't mean you can't go hard - but if you put your head down too much you'll miss the point. Rippers are not elitist. If you have ridden a mountain bike on a trail you are welcome to come and join us. Wear a costume and you'll win a prize for sure - in fact almost everyone seems to leave the party with some swag. Did I mention party? After every Ripper we meet again in the evening at an all ages restaurant to watch some video, hear some stories and enjoy good company. No standing around in the rain to find out the results for these cowboys." - nsmb magazine

The first event of this years Ripper was this past weekend on Saturday April 14. The course was Fromme (up the fire road and some surprise single track and then down 7th Secret, Leppard, Kirkford, Krinkum, Roadside Attraction to the water tower).

The next events are the:

Super DH - May 12
CBC Ripper - June 2
The Triple Crown - July 7

For more information check out this article. Below are some shots from the first event, the rest of the shots are available here and can be purchased as prints.

Mount Washington BC Cup 2006

Name: Tim Coleman
Nickname: Cankles, Timmigrant, 220

Nationality: Canadian / South African
Residence: Burnaby, BC
Birth Date: 05/13/82
Discipline: DH

Best Results: 1st Senior Expert at Bear Mountain Provincials 2006
Favourite Course: Whistler Nationals Course 2006
Favourite Tunes: Disturbed, Llorca, Jedi Mind Tricks
Favourite Movie: Crank, Lucky Number Slevin
Favourite Book: The Leopard Hunts in Darkness by Wilbur Smith

Heard Saying (Quote): "Lets ride Original Sin in to Goats Gulley, then into In Deep, down Little Alder, along Express Way, left down Too Tight, over onto Angry Pirate, hook onto Crab Apple Hits, into World Cup Single Track, left into Ho Chi Min, and then out through Heart of Darkness. Yeah! "
What Pumps you up: Nothing gets me stoked like training a full run with my buddies.

What makes you mad: Being hurt.
What do you do to relax: Lie on the beach and or ride my bike.
What makes you smile: Just about everything.

Gord Longden

Gord Longden

My first mountain bike was a Ritchey Annapurna which my friend sold me so we could begin to explore the trails of Fromme and Seymour Mountain on. I did my first race in 1992, the Burnt Bridge classic, and was instantly hooked on racing which I did for 9 seasons straight. During that time I also obtained my NCCP level 2 cycling certification and help to teach skills clinics and power training fitness sessions with the West Coast Mountain bike club. I also lead rides with Pedals and Pints and the West Coast Mountain Bike clubs. After taking a break form the race circuit I tried a few DH races again in 2005 and then decided I needed to retire my Kangaroo DH bike, it’s hard to ignore peer pressure sometimes. I bought a Santa Cruz V10 I got back onto the DH race circuit in 2006. The V10 is truly an amazing bike and puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. My goals for the 2007 season are to continue to improve my fitness and DH skills and to get back on the podium.