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Have a question about anything you've read on this page?
Just Email JF at JF@Gords.com and he'll get back to you
pronto.
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Gord's Ski & Bike
2 Locations to serve you better!
[L1]
2 Donald St
Winnipeg, Manitoba
CANADA | 204.284.2952
[L2]
1765 Kenaston Blvd
Winnipeg, Manitoba
CANADA | 204.269.2952
info@Gords.com
1.877.GORDS.61
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Left from right: JF, Catherine, Brian, Jenn, Murray, Serge, John, Leanne, Kevin, Nat, Matt and Dave. In the front row: Carl, Rocky, Reeko, James and Gavin : Photo Gavin Morrison
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COUNTER CLOCKWISE
By Cat Horbatiuk, Gord's MTB Club Member. Before I begin, I'd like it on record that I was forced to write this by Jean-Francois (who I lovingly refer to as Lieutenant Lazy). His excuse: He thought it would do the site some good to have someone other than him write crap on here once in a while.
Fine, whatever.
I think I'll call this essay Counter-Clockwise: a short and sweet tale of another great ride with Gord's MTB Club.
 This was my second Ingolf counter-clockwise attempt.
The first, 2 weeks ago, happily broke me out from all the mental blockages I had built up over the last year regarding this particular trail. I rode like a champ that
time and conquered many of my fears. Mostly because riding Ingolf counter-clockwise allowed me a new perspective, free of the preconceived fears I'd built up doing our usual clock-wise loop.
 This time round I looked forward to riding it even better than that first time. But as we got going, the first few climbs I had aced a couple weeks before showed me no mercy. I was not on top of my game, or bike as it would be. A few good falls and I became frustrated. With positive advice from my sweetie I carried on, vowing under my breath that I would conquer it again. My turning point, a nice wall of a climb that usually has a large puddle at it's base. The last ride I had attempted it 3 times, each ending with a hard fall and quick slide down. But today, I gave it as much speed as I could in the ramp up, got off my ass and voila: Success! I had a great ride from there on in.
 The day was hot, but as long as we were moving, the air was actually quite cool. The 3 lakes we stopped at (and their respective beaches) were like little episodes from Fantasy island. Cool, refreshing water and a place to flake out. Everyone enjoyed the relief from the heat, including Rocky and Reeko who swam feverishly for stick after stick.
 The crew, as always, was top notch. Like Kevin, a first timer at Ingolf, who simply kicked ass. He made climbs like they were nothing, kept up with the pace and only asked for a break once. What a trooper. And Jenn (left), a veteran member of the infamous Team Patio, made that same wall of a climb I mentioned earlier for the first time. Great job girl! The best part about riding with this group of great people is seeing all the personal triumphs. Every ride we get better, and I look forward to the next. For the company, challenge, and camaraderie.
-Cat "Screams like a girl" Horbatiuk.
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THE LONG TRAVEL HOLY GRAIL
What we look for most in a full-suspension bike is intuitiveness. When a bike simply does its job, no fuss no muss. Rare is the ride you just jump on and go. Rob and I share that appreciation for that particular underrated characteristic. Many 4" travel bikes deliver that "comfortable hardtail" feel, I'm no expert but I kinda believe that the drama free suspension experience of 4" bikes has something to do with the fact that, well... quite simply, there's less suspension travel... so it's more "buttoned down". Examples of solid, intuitive 4" designs are many including the Jamis Dakar and the timeless Rocky Mountain Element family of bikes.
 Getting bikes with more than 4 inches of travel to behave in that efficient, solid, yet lively way is not that easy it seems. Very few "5 inch and up" bikes that we've tested over the years managed to deliver the feel of a 4 inch bike with one or two more inches of travel. Once you get up there it seems that many bikes get wobbly knees or either get heavy in order to counter that long-travel challenge... The less-than-perfect examples simply become "squishy"
When we find that rare combination of balance, poise, comfort and efficiency it's usually very subtle. These bikes rarely jump up and shout "HEY LOOK AT ME! I DO MY JOB INTUITIVELY!" When we find a bike that blows us away we usually quietly look at each other and go "pssst! I like this bike" and ride for a bit longer until we add "hey, I think you should try this bike out, I'd like your thoughts"... all the while smiling and simply enjoying the ride.
 To say that 2007 and 2008 have been very good full-suspension test seasons would be an understatement. With 3 sweet new bikes recently inducted into Gord's Long-Travel MTB Hall-of Fame. The Jamis BAM, the Scott Genius and the very bling Commencal Meta 5.5... Joining such superlative squishy icons such as the stalwart Jamis XLT, the Ellsworth Epiphany, the Rocky Mountain SXC and the much loved Jamis XAM.
Life is pretty sweet at Gord's. How fortunate are we to have some of the very best long travel bikes that don't act like big fat spongy marshmallows. Long travel bikes that make you wonder why anyone would ride less.
 Listen, if you ride any trail, flat as it may be or steep as you can find... If you're over 19 years old and you want to keep on riding into your sixties and beyond... if you're still riding that hardtail WAKE UP! Give your head a shake. Do yourself, your body and your ass a favor, get with the times. INJECT SOME FUN in your moribund life, get a full suspension bike and join the ranks of those who do more than just ride, join the ranks of those who are having the time of their lives on their bikes, join the ranks of the living. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO RIDE A HARDTAIL. (We should make a T-shirt!) Check out our full-suspension page HERE |
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BEST
BUILT
BIKES, PERIOD.
When bikes arrive at our door from suppliers, they're unfortunately
not assembled. We proudly employ highly qualified technicians
to carefully assemble our bikes and pay them hourly. In
fact, we're convinced our bike builds are the best in the
city. Our experienced tech shop staff guarantee it. Our
27 point quality verified assembly process ensures that
your bike will ride well and require less maintenance in
the long run. It's pretty simple: Less down time equals
more fun time.
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LE
PHOTO ALBUM
It all started with Matt Goyer (mattgoyer.com) a good friend
and computer aficionado and JF taking pictures here and
there... Enter uber-camera-guy Gavin... Matt started hosting
out pictures on a server... Thousands and thousands of pictures
were taken, an extensive record of all our great adventures.
Unfortunately now password protected to shield the innocent.
Wanna surf the album? simply join the Gord's MTB Club, get
a free Username and Password and BAM! you're in.
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JOIN US!
We've said it before: It's all about the ride. The ride to Seven Eleven, the ride to your buddies house, the ride we call Ingolf, the ride at Panorama, Fernie, The Seine River, the ride through the monkey trails at Assiniboine Park, the ride with your 30 favorite buddies or the ride with your daughter.
Yes the bike is important. But more important than the bike is the smile on your face. So get off your butt, dust off your bike, throw on your helmet and come riding with us next season! For more information on how we can help get you out, click on the following link:
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Attention all bike lovers! Gord's is very proud to announce that we'll be offering