When I look back on February one tale in my mind sits above all else. And this is that tale:
A few months ago my good buddy Seb Kemp started telling me tales of a bike he tested that defied the laws of physics. A bike that carried so much speed through every section, it was as if it was equipped with an engine and yet was so smooth the pilot could do it all whilst drinking a cup o tea. A bike that was like flying through the depths of space on the back of a Red Horned Dragon who's diet consisted solely of Metallica and Mega Death*.
Needless to say I was intrigued and wanted to find out what bike he was speaking of. But before I could enquire further Seb was gone, carried off on the wind to another international mountain biking Mecca.
Devastated would not even begin to sum up the emotions coursing through my veins in the aftermath of Sebs tales. Long had I dreamed of such a perfect bike and I finally had a taste of that sweet nectar only to have it slip away. My great white buffalo had come and gone, leaving me in its dark wake. Alas there was a light at the end of this dark tunnel . That light came in the form of a partnership between myself and Intense Bicycles distributer (OGC). It was with some reluctancy to that I got on board the new Intense M9. Sure it may have been the bike of choice for the winningest World Cup team in 2010, but alas it was no great white buffalo.
So the day came for my maiden voyage on my new Intense M9. Even the nicest weather Vancouver had scene in three months could not lift my heavy heart as I pushed my new ride to the top of the trail. I sat there on my new steed waiting to drop in giving myself one last chance to think of what could have been with that bike Seb was speaking of, but those days were over and I had a new ride and was going to make the best of it. And so I pushed off pedaling down the hill leaving behind my dreams of the perfect bike....my Great White Buffalo.
And like a flaming eagle from the gates of heaven my Intense M9 fired me down the hill. I could barely hold on. Fire was coursing through my veins as the bike crushed through lines I had never even imagined of riding so fast. The smile across my face grew and grew while I carried more and more speed through every section. Braking later, braking less, carrying more speed, all while making me feel like .... like...... Like I was riding on the back of my great white buffalo. Without even searching for it, my great white buffalo had found me.
(Some of the events in this article might be slightly exaggerated but for the most part entirely true and yes the M9 was actually the bike Seb was talking about)
