I’ve been noticing that with the end of the Cyclo-cross season comes a sudden onslaught of 4 month old cyclo-cross bikes for sale. A decade ago a cross bike was something you bought for both it’s versatility and it’s durability. One could race all fall on it and come the end of the season, swap the tires out and add a set of fenders and train all winter to your hearts content. Cyclo-cross bikes had to last and had to be versatile because you couldn’t drop into every bike shop and pick one up. This fall has been unique as we have had the pleasure of repainting a few decade old True North cross bikes. Which got me to thinking; it would be interesting to see where a few of our Cyclo-cross bikes from 10 years ago, have ended up today. We’re quite flattered to report that they’ve found themselves in the hands of some very accomplished riders.
Andrew Watson is one of Canada’s top talents and can normally been seen competing at Canada Cups and World cups across the country and around the world.It turns out his trusty winter training bike is in fact a 10 year old True North Cross bike he bought from a former racer who acquired it from former provincial coach Rob Holmgren. Andrew uses the bike for Power crank workouts (smooth pedal strokes are key!) and after 10 years of riding it still has plenty of life left in it.
 
 Another proud True North owner is Ryan Roth. Ryan is an exceptional road racer; this past year placing 4th at the Canadian National Time Trial Championships and 3rd at the Canadian National Road Championships. Ryan puts in his winter mileage on his True North Cross bike. He too acquired his True North from a former provincial coach in Neil Ross, who is now the Australian National Mountain Bike coach. Ryan recently decided the time was right to have his bike freshened up and brought it by the shop. It got treated to a new chainstay, a paint job and a few other new parts.
 My favorite story has to be the journey of Josh Hall‘s Cyclo-cross frame. Josh worked for Hugh back in the day while still racing full time. Josh rode to many top placings aboard the bike before passing it on to another great rider Dan Skinner. After this, the bike made it’s way to another local racer Marty Lazarski. Marty, a two-time winner of the Trans-Rockies piloted this bike to the Espoir National Cyclo-cross title in 2002. In 2005 Marty re-branded the True North frame as a Rocky Mountain because of sponsor commitments.The bike still managed to make the rounds and found itself occasionally raced by riders like Tour de Beauce best young rider Brandon Crichton. Marty recently told me that the frame had been retired from active racing duty and was now enjoying a new life as a coffee bike owned by another Trans-Rockies winner Stef Widmer.
We’ve been busy at the shop this week working on two beautiful Ti Touring frames with couplings. Hugh crafted some amazing Ti seatstays and chainstays for the bike and when they are all finished, they are going to both ride and look awesome.