When we saw this video for the first time it certainly tickled our laughing muscles. It's just so true!

We challenge anyone to honestly say that they haven't said any of the phrases in this video!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

WIN WIN WIN!

We decided that it's about time that we updated our jersey design and since were not exactly graphic designers here, a competition seems like the way forward.

So, we are looking for a design that is up to date and can be used with any style of jersey (XC / Freeride / DH). Something that stands out from the crowd, not blends into the scenery.

Other than that we're giving you a pretty free reign to come up with something individual and stylish.

What is the prize?

We are pleased to be able to confirm that we are now registered with the Tenerife Tourism office as providers of Mountain Bike excursions in the South of Tenerife. You'll find us listed in their brochures and also online at www.webtenerife.com

Here's to a long and fruitful colaboration!

A few of you might recognice that photo too!

This week we had a group of 12 riders from Ireland here for a Tenerife Cycle Touring trip. It has to be said that this isn't our usual offering or riding style, but a week of sedate riding on easy terrain was a pleasant change from hurtling down hill sides and the group provided some good humour and great banter.

A little tuition was needed to get some of the riders comfortable on some of Tenerife's steeper gravel roads, but I think we got there towards the end of the week.

I'd never really considered cycle touring so was a little sceptical about taking on the tour when contacted initially by Aódhan of Rothar Cycle Tours in Cork. But having spent a short time looking at maps it soon became apparent that this is yet another form of cycling that Tenerife has a great environment for.

In the end we mixed up the week a little, giving some on road and off road cycling to ensure that everyone saw the best Tenerife scenery.

I don't think I've consumed so many coffees and cakes in one week ever before, but it was a thouroughly enjoyable 6 days on the bike and I'd certainly do it again. So for all you doubters, don't knock it until you've tried it!

We've had a crazy few months here searching for some new bikes in the right sizes. It seems that the global downturn has made the bike manufacturers a little keener to avoid the over production of previous years. Although there were bikes out there in the marketplace, few distributors had anything other than L or XL frame sizes left to offer.

So we turned to 2012 models and found the bikes we were interested in with the German maker "Focus" unfortunately after waiting for the official launch and information to be sent, it then became apparent that the Thunder models were not going to make production until week 52! So another plan bit the dust and with only 8 weeks until our busy season (hopefully!) kicks in we were back to square one and looking for some bikes.

So it was with some relief and interest that I received a call from the guys at the Bike Point here in El Medano, Tenerife saying that they had been told of some Marin Mount Vision XM7 bikes, in the right sizes and importantly, at the right prices available with the distributor in Germany. So after a bit of web searching and mulling over equipment specs and angles I decided to go for it and place the order.

We're really looking forward to them arriving in September and giving one a proper test. The 140mm travel should be perfect for the trails here and with a head angle only half a degree steeper than the Wolfridge they should descend really well to boot.

Planned changes from standard spec include removing the big chainrings, adding bash guards and chain devices to help cope with the rocky trails. Brakes will probably also get a little upgrade from the standard 180 front and 160 rear discs for 200 front and 180 rear to help cope with the long descents here. Other than that, the specs look pretty solid and should give us some good reliable service.

A couple of weeks ago Aage and Alex from Denmark joined us on the Vilaflor Caminos ride. We had a great day and made record time on the climb and then back down to the coast. Here is the video that Aage kindly put together of their day on Tenerife's mountain trails.