ELBRY SANDLAND

Elbry Sponsored by KBC helmets and Goggles in 2012

2012-01-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Stoked to get my new 2012 KBC Prop-X helmet and some fresh K-series goggles from long time sponsor KBC.

Frost Bite 40 Enduro

2012-01-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

Great event, 40k of riding with three timed stages, dh, xc and a hill climb.

Such a good event, day started with a 2am wake up and by 2.30am we were loaded and on the road to Wales. with around 200 riders it was a great event, Some of the locals had the tracks wired and some riders checked out the DH track before there run, I ran each stage blind like a true enduro and made for some odd lines and a hard but fun event, Happy to finish in the top 20 for the DH stage , Passing traffic was the main fun point on all the stages, passed one on the DH, two on the xc and four riders on the hill . Ended the day in a solid 43rd .

Fox pump track lid

2012-01-18T23:14:00.000-08:00

2012 Shift

2012-01-18T23:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to freestyleXtreme.com

kenduro.wmv

2012-01-13T23:40:00.000-08:00

lower part of the new enduro trail

organic run

2012-01-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

got a flat front tyre about 4 seconds in, wild ride to the bottom of this off camber trail.

steeps

2012-01-13T11:48:00.000-08:00

main line

2012-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

motorway trail

2012-01-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

Hyper mtb program with Eric Carter

2012-01-12T22:51:00.000-08:00

Thats right! BMX brand Hyper are getting in to the MTB game, first rig to hit the races is this enduro style fully, Last weekends state championship event would see Smith take first in the DH and the SuperD with Eric Carter taking second in the Super D. Carter seems to be heading up the race program and the bikes look very on point. no word when the bikes will be in production..

Smith, 2 wins for Hyper mtb team.
Carter! still a force, with a second in the Super d on the new bike.

Enduro photo

2012-01-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

http://www.charleswhittonphotography.com/end197
from last Mondays event. Next event will be the Frostbite 40.

ELBRY SANDLAND TO RUN KBC HELMETS AND GOGGLES FOR 2012

2012-01-05T13:15:00.001-08:00

Elbry will run the KBC Pro-x helmets.

Elbry will run the K-Series goggles.

Elbry joins KBC in 2012, Elbry has been a KBC team rider for the last seven years and a KBC helmet user for more than ten! Elbry has also been sporting KBC k-series goggles since they came on the market and will again in 2012 as he feels they give the best vision and style.

‎2012 KBC Helmets catalog shoot

2012-01-04T23:37:00.001-08:00

Newnham Enduro

2012-01-03T05:13:00.000-08:00

before and at the end of the Newnham Enduro. As ever the 44 forks were key player, out rode any other fork on the tech singletrack and the dh sections, next event, the frost bite 40.

As for the event, it was my first xc ride in 2 months thanks to a real bad throat problem i have had of late, it was first big ride back and just going that long was going to be hard, the first lap was solid but my legs faded on the second, in the 40k event i came in the 8th fastest.

KORE-USA freeride rig

2011-12-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

Rocky Mountain RMX.

Above: Fresh Kore saddle.

Mucky Nuts fender on the 888 Marzocchi forks.

Kore torsion bars and 888 stem, world class freeride products.

above: The new Kore iKone grip what will be out in 2012.

above: New kore pedals, out around feb next year.

With Mountain Cycles big DH rig still some way off i went and got a RMX, been wanting one of these for the last few years so this was my chance to get one, Thanks to sponsor Kore-USA we have kitted it out and its ready for some sending in the new year.

Silly Season

2011-11-20T00:38:00.000-08:00

We were just about sorted for next year, i will again be riding for www.freestylextreme.com and rock staring it up in Shift clothing once more, Mountain Cycle will again be my frame sponsor with Kore parts. last few sponsors to sort but its all looking good and TRAIL HEAD skills coaching seems to be blowing up right now, word seems to have got out that i do a great job and a lot riders are booking up already for next year! thanks to everyone that supports me, its great to rep the best products both at the races and out on the trail at grass roots level as well where people can findout more info on the products etc..

Soggy Bottom xc

2011-11-06T23:31:00.001-08:00

2 Mountain cycle rumbles in one race! heading to 11th last weekend and feeling it thanks to the flu..

SENSUS GRIPS

2011-10-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

Lowest prices in the UK on sensus swayze grips, black,white,red or purple.!

Support a compnay, run by riders for riders.

http://riderrunco.blogspot.com/2010/11/sensus-grips-swayze.html

trail riding as the sun goes down

2011-10-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

New 2012 Kore bars

2011-10-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

Your looking at the new Kore all-mtn stem and OCD bar, look for the graphics to be a little different on the production bars that will be in you local Kore stocked bike shops before xmas.

Elbry on Hardtail nation (again)

2011-10-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.hardtailnation.co.uk/2011/10/things-that-make-you-go-kore/

KORE -USA 2012

2011-10-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

New wheel set from Kore-USA.

mountain cycle 2012

2011-09-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

You can now order yours today! via http://www.mountaincycle.com/

Mountain Cycle will be back in France 2012 via la structure CDC BEITZ.

check the link bellow for photos and an edit on the latest designs.
http://www.tri-ride.com/en/bike-industry/mountain-cycle-sea-otter-2011/

quotes of the year so far!

2011-09-25T09:07:00.001-07:00

steve toze editor of shred magazine at the south west champs "elbry sandland , local legend ".

Richie from importer/distro silverfish-uk "elbry was one of the 4x pioneers"

thanks guys!

Troy Lee Designs Motocross of Nations Helmets

2011-09-25T03:19:00.000-07:00

sweet as..

Skratch Paints a Bell Helmet for decline

2011-09-25T03:18:00.000-07:00

Got love some fine pinstripe art even if it is on a bell lid! haha

Elbry Sandland Mountain Cycle team bike check

2011-09-25T02:51:00.000-07:00

Frame: factory MC rumble size small.
Forks: Marzocchi 44 Ti

Headset: Nuke Proof

Stem: Kore carbon 75mm

Bars: Kore torsion cut to 720mm

Grips : Sensus from rider run co.

Seat: Kore

Post : nuke proof

post q/r: Salsa

Brakes: Hope mini mono.

Cranks: XTR

Pedals: XTR

ring: Renthal

Mech : xt

chain device: MRP Lopes

Tyres: Geax

Wheels crank bro, all mtn Iodine.

fender : bender fender 2.0

Mucky Nutz Bender Fender 2.0

2011-09-25T02:30:00.000-07:00

Weathers about to turn nasty as we head for the winter, Having run crud catchers, THE shrouds etc over the years i was keen to try the Bender Fender 2.0. NeoGuard was not an option, the flap that goes from crown to fork brace, not only do they look shit, are about as aerodynamic as a Nissan cube and just as ugly. The Bender Fender comes flat packed, its about as thin as a birthday card and you simply velcro it to you forks with the velco provided, It takes seconds to fit and even looks cool, Yes it comes in a range of colours to match your ride, its not designed to keep you and your bike clean, Its designed to keep mud,water,dog poo and what ever else gets flicked up in your face while your out for a shred. It's the lightest mudguard available (sub 20grams) and now a 2.1 out thats slightly thicker (0.3mm to be precise), But this 2.0 has held up fine, showed no signs of damage after some hard riding and getting throw around a little in the back of my van. With trail centre dust and small stones i think im going to run it all year from now on and also get some for my freeride and all-mtn rigs as well. to get yours see http://muckynutz.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=45

bmx track shots with elbry sandland

2011-09-10T14:29:00.002-07:00

week before the south west xc champs we went down the track to put in a bit of speed and style time and get some shots for Novik Gloves.

METAL MULISHA

2011-09-10T14:29:00.001-07:00

New gear just in at Freestyle Xtreme
http://www.freestylextreme.com/uk/Home/Brands/Metal-Mulisha/Metal-Mulisha-Mens-T-Shirts/Default.aspx?CatID=69

south west champs

2011-09-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

14th, riding hurt, still, not the result i was after.. lets move forward!

SENSUS GRIPS : CAM ZINK GRIPS IN THE UK

2011-09-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

DONT FORGET, You can get Sensus grips designed by cam zink from my import distro Rider Run Company, these grips are the best on the trail, i have run them for 2 years. by far the best on the market for feel and size.

http://dirt.mpora.com/news/cam-zink-sensus-grips-uk.html

KORE - USA 2012 !

2011-09-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

The factory Mountain Cycles are looking extra factory now! thats a perfect burly 35mm - crazy low weight 126gram freeride/dh stem thats now on the battery, You can get that in your local Kore dealers worldwide by xmas, the others my new trail/xc carbon stem..sweet as. very factory .

south west champs

2011-09-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

its on this sat, im holding out that my new crankbro wheels turn up in the morning.... lets hope so, xc at combe sids going to be badass.

Product 2012 shoot

2011-08-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

Last few months i have been testing some grip compounds for Kore -USA and other such products, I have also done a photo shoot for KBC Helmets for its 2012 product cats and website etc.. Sorry, no photos from that shoot till later in the year when its out. so heres a few shots of my KBC Pro-x freeride/dh lid and my pump track lid for you.. Till next time follow TRAIL HEAD on facebook, my skills courses are now going.

elbry xc photos from woodbury

2011-08-23T10:27:00.001-07:00

couple more good shots from the last xc event.

new line

2011-08-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

Race update

2011-08-13T01:41:00.000-07:00

(factory Mountain Cycle rumble after the last XC race). So the last few winters i have hit up the odd xc event, with around 12 riders at a national UK 4x (they dont do area races) in masters the sports dead on the ground, only made up of media and DH south west champs this year may not run because a lack of riders.. As for trail riding/ all mtn shredding and XC it booming here in the UK and im glad to be part of it and mix it up with my freeriding, with around 60 masters at the local winter races its clear where riders and sales are at and sponsors can also see this. My winter races have been hard work, a rider i once thrash every time now was doing a lap a few mins quicker than me and i have been working on getting my xc speed up, so this year i did the Haldon summer mid week races, tracks are simple but racings still racing and good hard fun, first race i did real well, i had a battle with a rider for most of the race, i would drop him on the dh and he would smoke me on the flats and climbs, with a lap to go in the short 1 hour race he dropped me but i was happy with my ride, Haldon race 2 and i got off to a quicker start but mid race that guy i had a battle with past me and with a lap to go i got a flat as i fadded in the pack.. So next i hit up the big Circus of dirt series, Stacked with fast xc racers and a race would be over 2 hours long.. The track was tech and i had high hopes of doing a good ride, the rider that i did battle at haldon was again in this race and was about 30/40 seconds ahead of me for most of the race, On the last lap i closed in on him but just as i got on his wheel i bonked big time and he would end the race some 4 mins+ ahead, but i was still happy with my ride and that guy that was smoking me in the winter events had a bad race and i finished still ahead of him even after a slow end to my race..things were on the up even if i was just out side the top 20... Next week and its the last of the haldon races, again fast and simple track, I got off the line well but starting near the back and the dust was thick and i hit a football size rock in the middle of the pack and almost ended my race in the opening climb, this fired me up and i got aggressive, put in a real strong ride and felt better on the climbs this time out, Even better, the rider i have been racing with ever event finished a few seconds behind me, i came in 7th.. few weeks of trainig and we hit the next circus of dirt event, another 2 hour race on a tech race track, off the line and i soon found myself on the dudes back wheel again! this time i felt he was holding me up on the climbs and lap 2 made my move, and pushed hard, also passing the guy that was killin me in the winter races, the last two laps (of a 6 lap race) were some of the hardest in my life, i was dead on my feet.. but i kept digging for all i was worth, i came in a strong 11th and felt like i would be so much stronger after such a hard race, so now were getting on a roll, we still have a lot work to get back to my old xc speed but we have one round of the Circus of Dirt to go and its on the hardest/steepest track of the year and its also doubles up as the south west xc champs, time to train a bit harder and hope i finish again ahead of the guys and start to focus on riders further up the pack to finish ahead of. After that its time to bust out some photo shoots and ride the bigger bikes again.
ramble over, time to train..
peace

shift mx 2012

2011-08-10T23:07:00.000-07:00

new gears about to drop! Shift mx 2012 looks bad ass

http://shop.shiftmx.com/store/browse/foxOutfitGrid.jsp;jsessionid=C83BDDEFE9541369C72DD91769F1BBE8?categoryId=cat420002&mode=1&categoryNavIds=cat310002%3Acat310014

Woodbury race shots

2011-08-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

ELBRY : Photos

2011-08-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

two more great shots from the weekend.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13824766@N07/6026879844/sizes/l/in/set-72157627270874123/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13824766@N07/6026114235/sizes/l/in/set-72157627270874123/

Elbry Sandland XC photos

2011-08-10T22:47:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to "snapper chick for these cool shots from last weekends race.

circus of dirt round 4

2011-08-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

With national ranking points up for grabs this Circus of Dirt series has got a stacked field of riders, After coming just out side the top 20 back in July we hit the tour again this time at Woodbury on a very single track tech course, It was a real good track for me, While im not up to XC pace yet i smashed it to come 11th, Real happy with this as we keep moving forward with our XC pace again and after two weekends on the MC battery doing DH it was a great result, I have to say a big thanks to Marzocchi UK, The 44 fork has been the fork for hardcore trail riding and XC racing this year, for the last two XC races we have run them kind of superx stiff but for Woodbury this weekend we ran them a little softer making it the perfect fork for the rooted DH sections to let me gain time on the pure XC race boys while remaining stiff for the sharp out the saddle climbs on my Factory Mountain Cycle Rumble.

T H E without Mr T H E...

2011-08-06T00:18:00.000-07:00

Toby Henderson Pedals On to New Venture

CERRITOS, CA--BMX racing legend Toby Henderson is leaving VSI Products, Inc. to pursue "something big and relevant" within the bicycle industry. Whatever it turns out to be, his countless fans and friends can be sure it will indeed be big and relevant.

Toby has been the chief operating officer (COO) and a shareholder in VSI since 2004 and he is largely responsible for making VSI what it is today. He is a visionary who conceived and implemented many ideas, developed countless innovative products, created brands and built an organization that supported his vision. His shares will be sold back to VSI for an undisclosed amount.

Toby left the racing circuit at the peak of his success and is now making a second big transition in the same spirit-in each case, with a great track record of achievement. Having met his goal of establishing VSI as the leader in the BMX racing segment, he has decided the time is right to move into the next phase of his career.

The staff at VSI wishes Toby success in his new endeavor and has been working on a transition plan to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations. Business will continue as usual.

Carey Hart returns to SHIFT MX for 2012

2011-08-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

Carey Hart's back riding in Shift MX gear along with a stacked moto team for 2012, Shift are back!

trail

2011-07-28T23:12:00.000-07:00

haldon

2011-07-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

pump track multi loop

2011-07-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

pump track/play area

2011-07-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

pump trackin @ haldon forest

2011-07-23T06:29:00.001-07:00

first rider to get the outer pump trail done with no cheater pedals!

pump trackin @ haldon forest

2011-07-23T06:29:00.000-07:00

first rider to get the outer pump trail done with no cheater pedals!

xc results Haldon

2011-07-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend xc results are in, super close times for all the riders, i came in 7th, happy with that as we move forward with the xc riding, not bad for a freerider/trail shredder, Woodbury will be the next xc round, Some freeride shoots and some pump track riding to be done before all that..

lost photo

2011-07-16T00:34:00.000-07:00

thanks to Snapper Chick for the photo.

Elbry Sandland : XC haldon

2011-07-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

bellow and above: mid race , mid lap .

bellow: first lap after the start line dash up the hil.. traffic.

bellow: last lap charge.

This was the last round of the Haldon forest xc series for the year, good races, full race report in the next blog. BIG THANKS TO SNAPPER CHICK FOR SOME GREAT PHOTOS.

elbry ; xc photos

2011-07-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

photo thanks to Snapper Chick.

NOVIK :Day in the life

2011-07-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

http://vimeo.com/26046975

CIRCUS OF DIRT RD 3

2011-07-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

on the gas on one of the hottest days of the year.. welcome back to XC racing!

making up time deep in the woods..

cutting through the sports class mid race..

expert/elite/masters and vets all start in one group, i started last and hit the first lap traffic..

This was my first time joining the Circus tour at stop three @ Abbeyford woods, A much loved tech xc track just outside of Okehampton run by the Oke freeriders. A few Masters dropped in to the 19+ sport class, fewer riders means less traffic and faster lap times, it also means a top 15 in masters can get you on the box in sport as the Master class is stacked with all the fast riders from the 90's. I entered the Masters class and would start at the very back, as im no longer a pure xc racer, Lap one was traffic all the way, by lap two we started to cut through the sports class and by lap three we had a few masters behind us, sadly on the last lap i blew in a epic way with a couple miles to go.. 20th spot for me, not happy with the result, but i was happy with how i was riding and it was the longest xc race i have done in some time (almost 2 hours in the saddle), again all my time was made up on the dh and tight singletrack, all time lost was on the the flat fire roads..

Mountain cycle San Andreas 2.0

2011-07-02T04:50:00.001-07:00

Here it is.. Mountain Cycle san andreas 2.0, turn table suspension, Sickest looking frame on the market today, Plus its going to be my weapon of choice for most of my riding for the future. All-mtn just went up a level, a highend super bike and you can pre order yours now!

new MOUNTAIN CYCLE site

2011-07-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

You have to click the link and see what a cool site my frame sponsors now have.. MC have it pinned wideopen right now and are flowing with cool products coming down the pike.
http://www.mountaincycle.com/

Fight Time Ryno vs Lapaglia

2011-06-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Im a big fan of Rynos training, Im also a fan of him saying it like it is and standing up for what he thinks is right.

TRAIL HEAD

2011-06-24T14:31:00.001-07:00

http://trailheaduk.blogspot.com/

TRAIL HEAD : MTB Coaching! book your skills session,

ride faster, crash less and have more fun!

trail

2011-06-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

KBC have a new website..

2011-06-17T23:46:00.001-07:00

Just landed on the internet.. www.kbchelmets.co.uk , KBC's fresh new site,

2012 Troy Lee Designs ride gear

2011-06-17T23:45:00.001-07:00

seems 2012 has come early at Troy lee..

Part 2 Novik shoot

2011-06-17T23:39:00.001-07:00

Shoot was shot at the slick OP trails following some over night rain.

NOVIK Shoot part 1

2011-06-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

2012 Troy Lee Designs Palmer d3

2011-06-17T23:19:00.000-07:00

Yes Palmer fan, tubbs has a D3, The 2012 Troy Lee Designs Palmer d3 will be hitting the shops early! As in worldwide sales kick off late next week when it should be in TLD dealers worldwide!

super d mid run

2011-06-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

sk2

2011-05-31T13:47:00.001-07:00

sk

2011-05-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

super d mid run

2011-05-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

Elbry Sandland photo blog

2011-05-28T03:57:00.000-07:00

couple of JDW shots from the black run.

Elbry @ Haldon xc rd 2

2011-05-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

couple of random shots..

Elbry short trail head edit

2011-05-22T23:54:00.000-07:00

Trail..

2011-05-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

Haldon xc racing

2011-05-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

(photo 'Snapper Chick' )

Round 2 of Haldon forest mid week XC races rolled around this week, The track was rather simple with no real tech or DH, still i had a great workout and a fun time, I was having a solid race till getting a flat on lap 5 of 6..gutted..

Windwave/ Marzocchi riders and teams 2011

2011-05-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

http://danjones.posterous.com/windwave-marzocchi-riders-and-teams-2012

Going wide!!

2011-05-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

Above: Product testing the new Kore "performance" T-rail saddle (out in the shops in the UK very soon!).

Above : Product testing some new Kore pedals.

Above: Mountain Cycle battery ready to shred with Marzocchi 55RC3 Ti fork and Marzocchi air shock.

Above: Mountain Cycle Rumble locked and loaded with Marzocchi 44 Micro Ti forks.

Above: Kore proto grips and Kore 2" rise Torsion bars, Right now stock at a super wide 800mm!

Above: Kore Torsion bars keep the front planted, low and wide means i can run a shorter 50mm Kore stem, Bars are cut down to a perfect enduro/ all-mtn 740mm.

Superd to dd

2011-05-17T00:39:00.000-07:00

trail

2011-05-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

MTB Trail Clinic

2011-05-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

im a qualified teacher /assessor. Small groups or one on one coaching i provide a comprehensive, interactive experience for trail riders of all levels, first timers to expert/pro level.

Areas covered:

Basic Technique
Advanced Technique (based on rider skill)
Body Positioning
Corners
Jumping
Pump tracking
Line Selection
Mental Strength
Physical Fitness
Nutrition

off camber woods

2011-05-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

river trail

2011-05-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

mid week shred

2011-05-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

high posting

2011-05-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

High posting

2011-05-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

little xc style shred on the battery today, gopro soon..

Haldon xc

2011-05-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

Random shot from the XC race at Haldon, just coming over the main climb.

Elbry Sandland signs with NOVIK GLOVES

2011-05-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

As of today i will be riding for Novik Gloves! I will still be riding for Shift as far as ride gear and Metal Mulisha for lifestyle products, Novik gloves have that snowboard look, golf glove feel, come in three styles in a range of colourways and look dope, We are rocking the 2011 range and in the next few weeks will be testing and riding the 2012 products. Distro for the UK being ExtremeFactory. Look for a product rev and a ton of media in future blogs!

blog 08

2011-05-07T04:05:00.000-07:00

Well i started this blog site in 08 with no set ideas, After bsx-world (one of the UK's leading bike sites of its time) i took some time away from posting news and info till i posted up a piss take holding page called north shore freeriders..lol. odd thing i turned it in to a forum and it found some legs and ran for a number of years and ended up being a hub for uk freeriders.. Since then this blog has been my net focus for Rants,photos,odd stuff, info and what ever else all in one spot..

As a sponsored rider here in the UK you have to promo yourself and do a lot of work but i feel its worth while, Sure you get 6/7 internet clowns that love to hate but then what else are they going to do with there sad lives if they could not bitch about a rider they dont know but seem to think they do on forums.. sad but true.. still keeps my blog hits up ;) thanks.

Riders have to be there own management here in the UK if you want to get on, Your not going to find a compnay to do it for you and if your not backed by a big brand that the magazines are keen for advert space then you have to work on your own media and promo. The net has proven in many sports to be a great way of doing so and im happy to run what i do on the net these days as a great grassroots tool to show what im doing. If your legit and you can keep posting worth while media then do it, Super stoked to say this little blog had over 9,000 hits from the states and almost 7,000 from the UK last month!

So heres what some people have to say about me and what i do...

FSX:
Elbry is one of the FreestyleXtreme's longest supported riders; we've been helping him out for just over 5 years now. He's one of our riders that delivers results and content for us year in year out, which is why we continue to give him our support! Whether it be competing in XC events or setting off speed cameras on his downhill bike, we love the enthusiasm and coverage he gives the FSX brand.

[FSX Marketing Manager - Ben Richardson]
"Elbry understands what's requiredfrom a sponsored athlete and goes over and above what he needs to deliver. I love his underground punk attitude; which is what FreestyleXtreme is all about!"
[FSX Social Media Manager - James Dunford]
It's awesome to have a rider like Elbry riding for the FreestyleXtreme team. Elbry is one of our longest standing riders, who continues to give us images, videos and an content which we utilise throughout our social media network".

andrew : OP trails main builder and freerider.

If your looking for a truly dedicated rider, look no further than Elbry. His passion for mountain biking, both competitively and recreationally is surpassed only by his dedication to supporting grass-roots riders. Out on the trail he has a strange ability to make you want to keep going for another run, even when your legs turned to jelly 3 runs ago. He's pushed my riding, showing me lines that I hadn't seen and carrying speed where I'd been slowing down previously. At the same time though you never get the feeling he's being competitive or judging your ability, instead there's a very chilled atmosphere about him interrupted by the occasional bit of encouragement or idea for a trail. You can see he's just happy to be out on a bike having fun......who wouldn't be?

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Well I've known Elbry a number of years, and he has been a controversial figure in the UK riding scene during this time, drawing equal amounts of criticism and praise from many people who have never actually met him!

I've ridden with Elbry a couple of times, and found him to be a quiet, friendly guy with a good riding style, not afraid to send the bigger drops.

He has a sense of his self-worth and is prepared to work hard for his sponsors, which is important to a UK rider pushing the freeride "scene" in the UK - a scene which is barely in existance with no organised competitions and an ever decreasing number of legal venues to ride at!

its his self promotion that seems to get the backs up of UK riders (many of whom, their wheels have never left the ground on any occasion apart from during a crash); in the USA Elbry would fit in just fine, as people are keen to see others succeed and admire hard work from a passionate person .

However, in the UK, we have a long standing culture of criticism and cynicism, and view people who have to 'blow their own trumpet' to get noticed with an air of derision - this is not specific to bike riding, but celebrity culture in general - in the UK we love to see "people fail" and celebrate "putting people down".

You cannot win on the mountain bike forums - people hide behind their user names and sprout the most astonishing bile about someone they have never actually met, and a problem comes from trying to defend yourself (as Elbry has been forced to do, on occasion) as it just adds fuel to the fire!

Unfortunately its very hard to promote yourself in the UK as a mountain bike freerider (or as any kind of rider in general) unless you have the backing of a huge company like Trek or Specialized which have the magazines and media in their pockets due to big advertising budgets and jolly's for the press (i.e. product launches in Whistler).

A guy like Elbry, riding for smaller brands, has to promote himself otherwise his sponsors don't get any attention, and his grassroots approach is actually very effective, but does not have credibility in the eyes of brainwashed mass-market riders who inhabit the forums.

I know this as I was in the same position as a UK pro freerider riding for Banshee Bikes and DaKine...
I found it difficult to get any coverage in the mags so started making lots of videos, built a bike park and entered every jam or competition I could find and finally got noticed!

I never made any money from it, but certainly had fun, travelled to Canada 3 times, and met some great people; I got criticised and even banned from certain forums for defending myself or promoting myself, generally I let my riding speak which would normally shut the critics up...

I completely understand where Elbry is coming from, and find the attitude of the anonymous "internet warriors" who relish in putting the boot into anyone they don't like, very sad but an unfortunate part of the UK riding culture...

Elbry is certainly misunderstood (a bit like the USA's Josh Bender) - if you get the change to meet Elbry (or Josh Bender for that matter), or ride with him, you will have a fun time and make friends with a genuine bike rider who has a passion for the freeriding movement, and works hard to promote companies that have supported him over the Years.

something I have come to learn in extreme sports (I have been involved in bike/skate for 25+ years) is that just because someone rides a bike, does not make automatically them a friend or even a nice person.

there are alot of ars*holes in life, which means alot of ars*holes in sport as well, but Elbry is not one of those ars*holes, he is a genuine guy with a passion who should ignore the haters and get on with his thing!

I know how effective the grassroots approach is, and Elbry knows this too, and I'm sure he will keep riding for many years to come yet...cheers

Rob Cole
Mythic Bikes / Freeborn Bikes

mountain bike trail schools are now open for 2011!

2011-05-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

Trail riding, DH, XC racers, Freeride..

(James Davey working on his techniques learnt on his one on one class )

im a qualified teacher /assessor. Small groups or one on one coaching i provide a comprehensive, interactive experience for riders of all ages and riding ability.

Areas covered:

Basic Technique

Advanced Technique (based on rider skill)

Body Positioning

Corners

Jumping

Pump tracking

Line Selection

Mental Strength

Physical Fitness

Nutrition

trail riding

2011-05-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

mc battery action

2011-05-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Shift 2011/12

2011-05-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.shiftmx.com/us/news?categoryId=cat310004&mode=1&categoryNavIds=cat310004

Elbry Sandland BarnStorm photo blog

2011-05-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

thanks to 'Snapper Chick' for the photos at barnstorm 2011

summers coming, time to get it done!

2011-05-03T23:22:00.000-07:00

Shift Ride Club | Vital MX

2011-05-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

Shift Ride Club Vital MX

Paul Thacker and TJ Lavin

2011-05-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

MAFIA JAM..

2011-04-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

Mafia Jam : OP freeride jam open date will be out soon!

random lost photos from the last few weeks..

2011-04-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Rowan-Drive-DJ spot: Dropped in to a new(ish) spot for the first time and had a quick rip around.

Bellow: photos from a product shoot for the HardTail Nation website.

mtb superx

2011-04-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

barnstorm event