Ramble Around Prattsburgh Video

This is the new rambler video I put together. I hope it gets everyone stoked to come ride with us Sunday, April 26, 2009 for the next Ramble Around Prattsburgh.

Snow Ridin' 101

Here is a little example of the kind of things everyone and I have been up to lately this winter. Nearly all the riding has been on ice and not all of us have studded tires. Things can get pretty interesting on 38c tires in ankle deep snow.

One Hell of a weekend

This is a little sample of the things I got into this weekend. That is Jay Hilimire riding at Glenwood, some footage from my 33rd birthday party and finally a killer back road ride out of Corning NY.

New trails in Naples

This is a little taste of the new trail in progress in Naples, NY. Todays trail builders are Matt Hanggi, Casey Conte, Chad Kayser, Bert Hartman, Jeremy Haskins, and myself (filming). Enjoy!

The MPH is the trails located behind my parents house. They are mostly motorcycle trails with MTB features woven in for flow and fun. There is a lot of ups and downs there so it's perfect for getting in shape for a big event. The jumps that I have added in range from 10 foot gaps to 18 foot launchers. This place is true 'Freecross'.
This video is of my birthday jump. Suzanne helped me build it on my 30th birthday!


This is the swamp jump. It is about a 15 foot gap to the landing and a 4 foot drop. It rolls out into a nice left hand sweeper. This section is all about flow. Casey and Matt both helped me build this one. Props to those two for making an awsome cheese wedge landing.

Sundays ride at the Hollow

Last Sunday was a blast! The trails were a little slick but hey, we were mountain biking in January! The Reign X got used for a real ride, I finally got some good footage with the helmet cam. And best of all I spent the day with Suzanne C-Dog and the Hollow crew.



Casey and I hit every trail at the Hollow. This is some of the carnage as the new camera saw it. The GoPro camera seems to be a good purchase so far. The video it takes is great quality and it is light. I have hit it on a few trees while filming and it is still in one piece. I'll hit it harder next time! I can't wait for the handle bar /seatpost mount, hopefully it will steady it more and give a new view of riding.



The Reign X is one of the best all-round bikes I have ridden. The maestro suspension just plain swallows anything in its way. With most of the weight very low and centered the bike whips around like a 20 pound hard tail and comes close to pedaling like one too.



Many props to Camera man Casey for this fine footage.

Intro

Bike Fiend Rides Again

The Bike Fiends Mission Statement for this blog is as goes:

To share some cool tales, imagery and to document were I have gone with all my travels.

To give a report on the various races I participate in.

Mark Hartman




There will be a lot of talk about new bikes and parts. I have worked at the Geneva Bicycle Center for the last 8 years as the Service Manager. My job gives me lots of exposure to new stuff on the market and sometimes I get to test that stuff out a Little sooner than some people.

Vitals

• Name: Mark Hartman
• Age: 32
• Married: To the best woman on EARTH, Suzanne Hartman
• Pet: One Vicious Rottweiler named Cadence
• Likes: Climb, Descend, Flow, Jump...Repeat
• Dislikes: Whiners, just shut up and ride!
  
  
  
  

This video was shot behind my buddy Casey's Cabin. It must be nice to have trails running through your back yard. This trail is a true gem. Its name is Cannonball and it has all the elements flow, tech, jumps, drops, speed and smiles at the end. It drops about 300 ft. in a little over a mile it takes about 2 to 3 minuets to complete. If you're chasing Casey on his NASCAR bike down the hill catching your breath at the bottom is job #1.

The sailor is a 17 foot gap with a 7 foot drop to the landing. The landing is forever long I am landing 20 + feet down the hill. I am jumping over another line that has loads of tech and ends with a 4 foot drop further down the hill.