Interbike Looms
Imagine being immersed in a cauldron of new bikes and parts. That doesn’t sound so bad does it? As long as the temperature doesn’t get too hot and you’re able to get a breath of fresh air what could be better?
Where else might you get to ride a brand new Intense M6 with a prototype Manitou Dorado up front? The Dirt Demo isn’t so tough to take. Photo ~ David Ferguson
Bootleg Canyon – less than an hour from Vegas in Boulder City Nevada – starts things off. There are miles of trails, enough gnarl for everyone and some great flow as well. We go to Bootleg to actually ride some bikes – partially because we can’t help ourselves and partially because it’s a chance to swing a leg over some bikes we may have never ridden. There are 100 exhibitors out in the desert this year and a few of the big boys – like Trek and Specialized – have very little presence inside the Sands for the Bike Expo that takes place Wednesday to Friday.
The ground at Bootleg Canyon is paved with Razor blades. Having learned his lesson Fergs brought his arms for 2008. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Many folks just come for one day of Dirt Demo so that makes Monday the best day to lay your mitts on some prime metal (or carbon). You can also try some pads, hydration packs and other bits and pieces. Usually it’s stinking hot with very little shade so prep is key. Interbike sets up a bunch of buses to get you to and from the venue but we decided a couple of years back to rent a car for the first couple of days so we don’t have to wait in line for the 52 window limo. Sometimes it stretches for several hundred metres at the end of the day when everyone is grumpy and done with the dust and heat.
Walking down huge hallways takes up a big chunk of time at Interbike. And we bike people are easy to spot amongst the unwashed masses in Vegas. Photo ~ David Ferguson
And then it’s inside the Sands. Industry folks – particularly those chained to booths – grumble about ‘show season.’ Many will have just returned from Eurobike and now it’s time to set up booths, stand on hard concrete all day and make small talk with dealers and annoying media folk like us. What makes this tough in Vegas is, well, Vegas. Talk of hangovers and all-nighters is the order of the day and trying to keep specs and suspension jargon straight after a night at the Purple Rhino must be tough.
Ibis has a new bike that we hope to track down this year. It’s got a little more travel than the Mojo and it’s not quite as steep. Could it be the perfect Shore pedaller? Hopefully we’ll be able to let you know. Photo ~ Ed Snyder
This year there looks to be around 1050 exhibitors in the Expo. That’s right – 1050 booths full of bike stuff. If you’d like to see the full list click here or if you’d rather see the floorplan click here. There’s lots of weird stuff from Taiwan and elsewhere as well as well known industry titans like SRAM, Shimano, Fox Shox and Oakley. The booths can be elaborate and cool or utilitarian – but as usual it’s what’s inside that counts.
I love the ridiculousness of Las Vegas. Besides a Mercedes McLaren SLR and a Lambo he rolled up in two brand new Rolls Royces – a Phantom convertible and a Phantom Sedan – and an extremely rare Maybach 62. Maybe three million in metal?
As usual our plan will be to bring you as much coverage as possible every night – and to respond to your requests. We’ll also do our best to get as many photos as possible of Fergs with the booth babes.
Let us know what you’d like us to check out for you – and make any other requests – here…
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