After being run over from behind during the Megavalanche in 2007, I was kinda ‘cured’ from this mega event. I still think it’s some of the best riding ever, but with over 2000 participants it’s to much for me. I’ve heard a lot about the Bike Attack in Switserland, it’s low profile and they have a max of 700 participants. 674 men en 46 women, including me and my friend Ilja.

We are heading out there tomorrow with a campervan and expect to land somewhere friday afternoon. Might do a run on the track if we have time. Or else it’s early rise for us on saturday. 2pm the quali’s start. The Bike Attack quali’s are voluntary. It might give you a good position on sunday. For me: an extra run in the Swiss Alps included, as it’s about 1.000 km’s by car to get there. Sunday is the race with a mass start, like the Megavalanche, but as far as I can tell, not on a glacier. Which is fine, because the forecasts for this weekend are AWEFULL!

A little birdie send me some specs and pictures of the 2010 Trek Scratch, the all new freeride weapon. The Scratch will be set between the Session and the Remedy, as speculated, and comes with 170mm travel. Prices will be made public after this years Eurobike, but we now know you have a choice of two: Scratch Air 6 and Scratch Air 8 (Dutch/European input).

Scratch Air 6

Sizes 15.5 17.5 19.5 21.5
Color 1 Gloss White
Frame Alpha Red Aluminum w/ABP, Full Floater, alloy EVO Link, E2 tapered head tube, oversized pivot bearings, ISCG03 mounts, 142×12mm or 135×12mm rear axle, replaceable derailleur hanger, adjustable geometry, 170mm travel
Front Suspension RockShox Lyrik Solo Air w/air spring, rebound, E-2 steerer, 20QR, 170mm travel
Rear Suspension Fox Float RP-2 w/ XV air can, ProPedal, rebound; 8.5″x2.5″
Wheels Bontrager Cousin Earl Disc wheel system, 6 bolt, tubeless ready
Tires Bontrager FR-4, 2.35
Shifters Shimano SLX
Front Derailleur Shimano SLX, Direct Mount
Rear Derailleur Shimano SLX Shadow
Crankset Shimano SLX, 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket
Cassette SRAM PG950 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals
Saddle Bontrager Rhythm
Seat post Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6, 5mm offset
Stem Bontrager Rhythm
Handlebars Bontrager Big Earl, 25mm rise
Grips Bontrager Rhythm Dual Lock On
Headset FSA NO.57E, E-2 , ACB sealed bearings
Brake set Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disc
Extras Frame adapters for 135mm rear wheel

Scratch Air 8

Sizes 15.5 17.5 19.5 21.5
Color 1 Gloss Black
Frame Alpha Red Aluminum w/ABP, Full Floater, alloy EVO Link, E2 tapered head tube, oversized pivot bearings, ISCG03 mounts, 142×12mm or 135×12mm rear axle, replaceable derailleur hanger, adjustable geometry, 170mm travel
Front Suspension Fox 36 Talas R w/air spring, lockout, rebound, alloy E2 tapered steerer, 20QR, 170mm travel
Rear Suspension Fox DHX Air 4.0 w/ ProPedal, bottom out resistance, rebound; 8.5″x2.5″
Wheels Bontrager Cousin Earl Pro Disc wheel system, 6 bolt, tubeless ready
Tires Bontrager FR-4, 2.35
Shifters Shimano XT
Front Derailleur Shimano XT, Direct Mount
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Shadow
Crankset Shimano XT, 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket
Cassette SRAM PG970 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals
Saddle Bontrager Rhythm
Seat post Crank Brothers Joplin w/ height adjustment, 31.6
Stem Bontrager Rhythm
Handlebars Bontrager Big Earl, 25mm rise
Grips Bontrager Rhythm Dual Lock On
Headset FSA NO.57E, E-2 , ACB sealed bearings
Brake set Avid Elixir R Carbon hydraulic disc
Extras Trek fork sag meter, frame adapters for 135mm rear wheel

The specs on the 2010 Trek Scratch have been posted here!

Nice anodised details, in gear, grips and headset. The presumed ‘Slopestyle’ model SCRATCH, but it supports a double ring and mechanical seat-post (picture on top) so my guess is a Remedy on Steroids, like a Specialized SX competitor. Just when I told myself NOT to buy a new bike every year… they go and build nice new ones like this one and the Carbon Remedy 9.9.

As seen on:

• mtb-news.de/forum
• mountainbike.nl/forum
• southerndownhill.com/forum

The good folk from Singletrackworld posted the 2010 Trek Remedy and guess what:

“a new high-end model! The Remedy 9.9 features an OCLV frame: the new Fox DCRV shock (which comes on all new 2010 Remedy models) giving a very coil-like performance, Fox TALAS forks, a Crank Bros Joplin seatpost, magnesium rocker and an all up weight of 27lbs (±12.2kg)!”

2010 Trek Remedy 9.9 OCLV carbon ©Singletrackworld.com

What I can see on photo’s is that the lower-tube now has a protection plate for inbound pebbles: a very nifty finish! The Dirtrag photo’s here show the protection plate and the carbon’s almost ‘Rootbeer’ brownish colour: me like!

Protection plate 2010 Trek Remedy ©Dirtrag.com

They’ve also posted a few jaw dropping pictures of the  Remedy 8 and 9.8, I’ll post one and invite you to look at the rest on the post of Singletrackwork.com here.

2010 Trek Remedy 8 ©Singletrackworld.com

My top 9 is going really well… soon I have to make up a new top 9. Just before the PPdS I ordered some gear from Maloja. But I send it back to the shop. The shorts where… too short and the material was very tick and layered.

I’ve been riding with the Raceface 3/4 DH shorts for almost 3 years. These are supple, excellent length and tough as hell. Now… why do women always want to get something NEW and DIFFERENT?

The same day I shipped back the from Maloja gear, I ordered a new Raceface 3/4 DH short from Chainreactioncycles.com (here). Fashioably brown (and the only colour in my size in stock) and they look nice, fit well (even better then the old ones) and cost about half.

First new thing on my second top 9 of 2009: stick to what works. That said: I’m glad I also bought this Mace jersey (here at crc.com). I should want for dry sunny weather on saturday when I go to the Ardennes… but I want to wear these…. ;-)