Tuesday I was sent to the 2009 release of the Yeti line in Golden Colorado. It was a pretty nice set up. We get there and all of the 09 bikes are set up and there for our taking. Yeti is by far ahead of most companies when it comes to how their products perform. The basis of their products is the insight from races and people who actually use the bikes to the full extent. Everything is made in house in Golden throughout all stages of development until it needs mass produced. This is vital to how they are able to put out such quality products at the rate they do.

We toured the factory and got the down low on all the unique steps and ways of Yeti. It was cool to see that one guy basically ran the actual making, machining, and overall build-up of the framing, which was literally half of the shop.

After being fed we were each set up with a 2009 bike of choice to demo. Of course racing XC I choose to demo the new ASR-C. Everyone split up into groups based of the trails they wanted to ride. I choose to do Mathews which is a really tech trail system with basically everything across the board terrain to ride. When we went to leave there were only three of us in my group (out of 30 or so people). Myself, Ariel Lindsley, and Abby Hippely (both Pro Yeti riders/Reps in yeti Cali Territory). Not a bad situation for me. I get a tour of the boulder trails by two pros that know it best. I was a little worried about keeping up since after all they were "PRO" but honestly I think I held my own(not bad for only riding a MTB like 7 times this year). I think I surprised them with my tech skills and oddly down-hilling abilities.

The ride was good fun. Ariel and Abby were chill people and extremely insightful both on the products, riding and racing scene. They sealed the deal with what MTB I will hopefully be riding next year.

The ASR-C. All I can say is "WOW". I haven't ridden anything like this. If you want a race bike that has everything this is it. Cornering at high speeds with nothing but predictability, light weight, stiffness, unprecedented climbing, smooth transitions, etc. I could go on but words can't explain this bike. If you demo one you will know what I am talking about.

Enough now for that convo. This weekend is my cross race in Co, Springs. I will post later what happens.

for now enjoy, be safe and ride lots.

J.