Sharon Tate on the set of her last film "12 + 1" in London. (1969)

 

 

“And they say this sport is elite”: hardtails are amazing, but they've got no place at a World Cup DH

 

They say you should never forget your roots, and for many of us, hardtails are the gateway into mountain biking that got us hooked.

However, there are some riders who continue to push their rigid frames to the limit.

Enter Marcin Matuszny, who tried to qualify for this weekend’s World Cup Downhill season-opener in South Korea on a custom Dartmoor hardtail.

The Polish rider, who has picked up the simple nickname 'Hardtail Man', has been racing his Dartmoor Hornet Pro fitted with RockShox’s latest Boxxer fork for a short while now and has collected enough points to race the UCI-sanctioned event this weekend.

However, as you might imagine, he struggled with qualifying, crashing three times in Q1 and didn’t make it up the hill for Q2, meaning we won’t see him in the start hut for race day.

It was surely still a dream come true for Matuszny, who managed to win the hearts of hardtail lovers with his underdog aims, but it hasn’t been all cheers.

A clip from a spectator shows Asa Vermette having to squeeze past the Pole on a loose section of track in his qualification run, surely causing a hindrance to the American, who still managed to qualify first in Q1.

While Matuszny’s attempt was admirable, you have to question his hardtail’s suitability for World Cup Downhill, and the issues it caused for other riders.

Over the past few years, the UCI has been trying to make downhill racing more professional, with regulations coming into place last year changing how riders initially qualify for the event and for race day.

These new regulations were supposed to maintain a higher level of competition at World Series events, but there are still some countries where it's easier to collect points as domestic competition is lower.

Over the past few years, the UCI has been trying to make downhill racing more professional, with regulations coming into place last year changing how riders initially qualify for the event and for race day.

These new regulations were supposed to maintain a higher level of competition at World Series events, but there are still some countries where it's easier to collect points as domestic competition is lower.

There was a backlash from some riders under the clip of Vermette passing Matuszny on Instagram, with Red Bull-sponsored rider Brook Macdonald saying, “And they say the sport is elite”.

Canadian rider Remi Gauvin added: “A few riders had to pass him in their Quali run including the fastest of the session. This guy riding a hardtail for the views is not it.

“I have no doubt he is a passionate and talented rider and the world is better for having him spread that passion. But this is the world cup.”

It’s easy to see where these riders are coming from. If Vermette had caught Matuszny at a narrower section, he could have ended up losing significant time, which could have potentially seen the American fail to qualify for race day.

While I admire Hardtail Man’s daredevil nature and fun-loving vibes, there really isn’t a place for hardtails at World Cup Downhill races.

That’s not to say there isn’t a place for downhill or enduro hardtail racing in general; if you aren’t fast enough to finish on the podium in the main category, you’ve got to find your niche.

And for beginner riders, they’re often a no-brainer. 

But at the top end of the sport, this one can probably be filed into the amusing but inappropriate folder.

 

1. I have this huge empty spot in my stomach 

2. Maybe it’s because 

3. I’ve never tried sushi 

4. I don’t like the Dave Mathew’s band

5. Barry Roubiax is over and gravel peaked for the season 

6. I missed the first Waterford summer race 

7. Not going to go the final AAVC race

8. I never feel guilty for stealing photos 

9. See below 

10. Rob never takes any pictures of me.

11. I haven’t bought a new bike in 3 seasons 

12. I don’t own a helmet with a visor 

13. I don’t own Rapha apparel 

14, I couldn’t make my monthly payment on my 500 dollar Oakleys

15. I usually pee on the toilet paper every time I stop at a gas station to tinkle 

16. All my bikes are mechanical 

17. I never get a chance to high five and slap asses with anyone 

18. I don’t like Star Wars

19. I don’t care about Pro cycling all that much, unless it Cyclocross..

20.  I have never been to the Mad Track arena 

21. I refuse to take back returnable cans

22. I gained weight 

23. I’ve never eaten at the Waffle House 

24. I don’t remember who won ICEMAN 

25.  I rarely have anything to talk about anymore 

 

Northland Center in Southfield in 1979

 

 

Lisa Bonet, 1988

 

 

 

We all need one….

 

 

 

Bananarama [1988]

 

'It will continue to be the ROUVY you all know and love' – Zwift acquires indoor cycling app rival ROUVY

 

Two companies will maintain their independent operations and subscription packages

Zwift has completed the "strategic acquisition" of indoor cycling app rival ROUVY, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a press release in the immediate aftermath of the acquisition, the two platforms – long seen as direct competitors, despite the very different user experience they offer – will continue to operate independently, with separate road maps and subscription packages.

No financial terms have been disclosed thus far, but the shock acquisition represents a momentous move in the indoor training environment. The question is, will it produce proper positives for indoor pedallers, or less real choice in the long term?

Just last year, ROUVY hoovered up two other 'real-world' style training platforms, first acquiring FulGaz and all the app's routes from The Ironman Group (in effect becoming the official digital sports platform of the global Ironman and Ironman 70.3 series through a partnership), and then buying Bkool.

Zwift, founded in the US in 2014 and supercharged during the pandemic period when people in lockdown embraced indoor training, has a valuation of over $1 billion. It dominates the world of indoor cycling, offering a virtual gamified world for users to ride through, staging competitive events, and sponsoring real races, including the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

Czech brand ROUVY came about in 2017, and provides real-world videos of roads to give a less virtual experience, so users can feel almost like they are riding, racing and training on the most famous, challenging and scenic cycling routes in the world, such as L'Alpe-d'Huez. It even allows you to upload your own real riding routes.

A major erstwhile point of difference between the platforms is the unique production by Zwift of bespoke hardware in the shape of indoor training bikes, such as the Zwift Ride, for people to pedal while using the training programs.

From Wednesday 29 April, launch day, Zwift Ready smart trainers and Zwift Ride smart frames will also work with ROUVY. Further updates are on their way in the coming months. However, both brands will operate independently, with "differentiated roadmaps" and subscription packages.

"This is a major moment for both Zwift and ROUVY," Eric Min, Zwift co-founder and CEO, said. "We have a huge amount of respect for what ROUVY has achieved, developing a fantastic product and growing their global community by demonstrating there is a strong market for real video experiences.

"ROUVY’s differentiated experience is proof we can be stronger together, and I’m excited to see how this deal will accelerate our mission to make more people, more active, more often."

Peter Samek, ROUVY's Founder and CEO, sought to reassure the platform faithful by stressing that: "ROUVY will continue to be the ROUVY you all know and love, with the same team and the same focus on helping riders achieve their cycling goals."

“This is a strong validation of what we’ve built with our team and community, connecting indoor and outdoor training through real routes," he said. "For our community, this means we’ll keep building the experience you know, supporting your training all year round. Now, supported by Zwift and the Zwift hardware ecosystem, we have an opportunity to create even more experiences in the world of indoor cycling reality!”

Alternative indoor training programs and apps do, of course, still exist, including TrainerRoad, Bkool, Wahoo SYSTM (was Sufferfest), indieVelo,

 

Pew…is that you?

 

Good evening friends one and all..what an incredible way to start the Michiganscene 2026 season. I don’t think we are even two weeks into the excitement, and I don’t know about you..I feel like  I need to catch my breath. 

What with all the hoopla and confetti thrown in the air the past few weeks…it seems like it has stirred up the turd stew slightly.

I’m not even sure which way to fan the air to clear out the stench…

But first I think the folks of Miscene..are in need of a refresher of sorts…not to be long in the tooth..if your a Strava user, Zwift type person or any other athletic app user, and you have faithful followers and friends that constantly give you kudos or ride ons, but you my friend never return the favor please if you have any balls at all I want you to replace your profile icon with that of the poop emoji..that little rap of recognition lets your faithful friends feel like there getting a virtual pat on the ass, a high five brotherhood for there pursuit of there endless goals 

Now to the center of the stink..

I know I’m going out on a limb

I know I’m gonna get the stink eye, the behind the back of grumble..the often fatal virtual turd fling..

But the smell was too much to keep closed up in one room…so here goes it…Without  picking on just one..this tip of the poop hat, goes out to all those hard working, dedicated highly skilled and talented, not to mention fully respected by me, and the entire scene..yep even the coolest people cast a stench once in a while.

The photographers that consistently document our joy. I know you’re upset about people stealing your work in many ways. But let’s face the facts. It’s gonna happen, not everyone has the bad intentions of stealing beer from your hand. Some it’s a simple grab it for the memory. It’s an age old thing, and if you are truly losing the farm on the few that get screen captured?  The simple solution it’s probably time to start water marking all of the images. I know that’s probably a big pain in the ass. But it will defer the stress of resentment after even your most loyal fans occasionally pick an image or two to share there experience.

And finally. Promoters, I honestly don’t think you need to keep reminding the participants, to not screen capture the images. We as children knew running in the halls was wrong, but we either ran out of breath or got tripped by Fred the janitor..

Excuse me I have to readjust my fan.

 

 

 

 How I feel when i see people still posting Barry Roubaix pics on Social Media 

 I wish I had stopped to savor it, the last time I saw a kung pow penis. I never knew it was to be my last

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you think they rehearse these prior to race day?