News Alert – Updated “My Ride” Page
Check out the specs on my awesome 2012 bike – weighing in at just 36 lbs.
Photo courtesy of Joe Ayala
Photo courtesy of Joe Ayala
Photo courtesy of Joe Ayala
SEA OTTER 2012!!!
Race Run Photo Courtesy of Pat Branch/pbmedia.us
Sea Otter 2012 was an awesome event, hands down.
It was great to be able to visit with my sponsors in person; X-Fusion, WTB and Gamut were all impressed with the bikes they helped me build. It’s taken a few years for me to be really certain about what components I feel are the best for me, and this year’s bike is truly epic. My Sea Otter build weighed in at 33.7 lbs – that will change to ca. 35-36 lbs for more gnarly dh races. Now that it’s completely fitted out, you can check out all the details on the “My Ride” page. I’m stoked, my sponsors are stoked – life is good! (more…)
Mission Accomplished! 1st Place – Keyesville Classic
Yours Truly on Top of the Podium
Last weekend, I headed down to Lake Isabella, east of Bakersfield, with the purpose of defending my title from last year at the Keyesville Classic. By the end of the weekend, it was Mission Accomplished and my title was intact until next year. The course was Snake Pit – the same course I raced in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, I won the Jr. Ex class, and in 2009, I did both the Trials and the DH, just before I headed down for Pan Am Championships in Chile. (more…)
The Best Christmas Ever
Christmas Day Mammoth Bar Shuttle with Kris, Avery and Wyatt Morin and Geoff Pitts
What more could anyone ask for? Christmas Day, incredible weather, riding with my bro and a gaggle of stoked young riders and their parents! 3rd from left – Wyatt Morin with his Christmas present – a Morewood Izimu DH, 5th from left is Avery Morin with her Christmas present – Joanna Peterson’s race machine – a Specialized Demo 8! Mom Kris Morin is in between them, ready to shred! I’m 3rd from right, next to my bro Geoff Pitts (2nd from right).
When Geoff had enough of shredding (he prefers 46 hp between his legs), he did some Pro LifeBlasting photography of me.
Photo: Geoff Pitts/LifeBlasters
For more photos of me and friends, see inside….. (more…)
A Visit from Canfield Brothers, Lance that is….
As if the holidays weren’t enough fun already, Christmas night brought a nice surprise, and it didn’t come in Santa’s sleigh – it came in Canfield Brothers’ Sprinter van! What is there to do when Lance Canfield and Michelle Good show up? RIDE OF COURSE!!! XC, DH, Moto. If it has wheels, we will ride it!
Connor Kuhns, me and Lance Canfield before setting out on 30 miles of the tightest, twistiest trails you'll ever find
We must have eaten too much Christmas dinner, because we still had too much energy. Next up – an 18 mile Super D trail near my house. Well, maybe we didn’t have that much energy, because we weren’t too quick and almost lost enough light to ride home…. (more…)
I’m Back!! CCCX 12/18/11
Needless to say, I am SO STOKED to be back riding and racing again! It was awesome being back in the mix at the December 18th CCCX race in Toro Park. I had some worthy competitors – Kieran MacKinnon (1st), Ben Cruz (2nd), Jeff Kendall-Weed (3rd), Ryan Condrashoff (4th) and Ian Massey (5th), but I just missed podium with my 6th place. Still, not bad for 5 months away!
Next stop – a few more CCCX and maybe a Fontana or two.
2011 Goes Out with Some Hacking
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Among some of 2011′s challenges was discovering that my website had disappeared. Fortunately, much of the content was able to be restored, but it’s going to take some time to insert all the photos and customizing. Thanks for your patience while that work gets done! Check back soon – it should all be in place shortly.
Connor Stafford: One Gnarly Grom
It is always so great to meet up and coming additions to the two-wheel shredding scene.
I had the good fortune to meet such a grom recently. His name is Connor Stafford, 13 of Rough and Ready, CA.
This kid is an inspiration to us all. Recovering from a serious biking accident earlier this year which left him with some pretty serious injuries (including plastic surgery for his face!), his energy and passion for life is unabated. He was riding his bike in his backyard, and got the surprise of his life when his fork snapped off at the stanchions, which caused him to auger his face into the ground, lawn dart style. (more…)
The French Connection
Where: The Epic Trails of Nevada County
When: A Beautiful Fall Day in October
Who: Me, Julien Geffriaud, Charles Guillemet, and Gregory Ollivier
It was my pleasure to act as local guide for this fine group of French shredders, who made their way up to the Sierra for the weekend from the Bay Area and Seattle. They made it clear – take no prisoners, and they meant business. (more…)
First Ride
Never thought I would be so happy to ride a beach cruiser on a flat paved trail!!!
Got cleared for take off yesterday at Dr. McGillicuddy’s office, but only flat, safe stuff. We had an appointment today with the President of the USA, but we cancelled it so I wouldn’t waste a minute before getting back on the saddle.
It felt tremendously good to be back on two wheels. The dead person in my knee is happy, and looking forward to what else I have planned for him.
As for the bike, I won it in 2005 at Northstar, when their raffles used to be awesome. This is the first time it’s ever actually been ridden, but it was exactly the right thing for today.
Geometry feels pretty good, maybe a shorter stem and wider bars would be a good decision – better cornering. Maybe some clips and a WTB seat that does not resemble a tractor seat 
Northstar Pro GRT
The Pro Women’s Podium finishers and yours truly – (l-r) Darian Harvey, Cierra Smith, Tassa Herndon, me and first place finisher, Katie Holden
This race was my first outing as a free man! It was so awesome to be at Northstar, even if I wasn’t on two wheels. Being on two legs was sufficient.
The course was gnarly and sick, on par with what Northstar is known for. Every rider that came down was stoked because either they survived a near-fatal run or managed to cheat death and walk away from a crash. Look inside for more pics from the event…. (more…)
Let the Physio Begin!
Well, I never thought the day would arrive when I would get the go ahead to get off the crutches and put some weight on my left leg. On Monday, August 29, I had my first appointment with Kevin Ivey of Ivey Physical Therapy, in Grass Valley.
Here I am doing leg lifts to activate my quad muscle, which hasn’t suffered too much. That really amazes me because the only thing I’ve exercised in the last 3 weeks is my armpit muscles! Crutches are evil! In fact, Kevin was impressed with what progress I was able to make in my first visit. Hopefully, this trend will continue.
I’ve got PT 3 times a week for the next 8 weeks, and now I can even get on my wind trainer – no resistance, but what the heck, it’s a bicycle! I’ll let you guys know when the pain really starts. I’ve been warned that it should happen sometime next week.
In the meantime, I’ve also been working on the muscle in between my ears. Right now, I’m in the middle of “Talent is Overrated”, by Geoff Colvin. Funny thing is that it reinforces a lot of what I have always done, deliberate training, but quantifies it in historical and scientific proof. Bottom line – there is no such thing as innate talent, just serious, hard work. It’s great to have fun, but if you’re passionate and committed about what you do, the training has a purpose and seems worthwhile.
Keep the rubber side down!
Surgery Scheduled for Thursday, August 4
It’s official. Opinions have been collected and weighed, and I’m off my knee until it is fully healed. Surgery is scheduled with the venerable Dr. Jeffrey McGillicuddy of Roseville Sutter Orthopedics on August 4.
I’ll be off crutches after 3 weeks, but no riding or strenuous activities for 3-5 months. Guess I’ll just have to focus the strenuous activities on my brain!
Hairy Woods Bike Park open for friends who would like to come and ride. I can drive the shuttle truck. I’ve been working on some new features – jumps, downhill training trails and slalom training trails that should be challenging and fun.
Got a few people scheduled to hang out the week before Northstar for some pre-race prep and testing. Join us!
Shredding Carlmont
One from the archives: New Year’s Eve 2010 was spent with Tasso, Keith Moreland, Bridgette LeBer, Jamie Moreland, Connor Kuhns and some of the C-mont locals shredding some prime freeride real estate. We had an awesome time riding; Keith and I staged a whip comp and after that, we watched Will Scharninghausen rack up the air miles on the jump Mega Pimpin.
Carlmont has some history – some of the Bay Area’s best riders grew up near here and it’s been featured in numerous AllOut Production Videos. The place lives up to its name – it is really fun, has some unique training features and there are always some gnarly locals who are fun to ride with!
Thanks to Aaron Chao for capturing the day!
Plattekill from behind Mike Lord’s Lens
Photo: Mike Lord Six3Events.com
Another awesome photo from Mike Lord!
Find yourself, or just look at awesome shots in his photo gallery at http://www.six3events.com/
Anatomy of a Crash: Plattekill Pro GRT#3
Plattekill Pro GRT#3 Photo: Matt DeLorme
Crashes happen. Â All the time. Â This one from Thursday’s practice at Plattekill Pro GRT #3 was worth writing about:
The first 5 or so runs were totally epic! I know this course so well; it’s not like having to learn a new course for an important race.
So everything’s just flowing great and I’m having an awesome time when I head down the steep section just before the tribute to Evel Kneivel (translation: super steep before a dirt kicker into a fadeaway). Just then, my feet (which were clipped in) blow out of my pedals… (more…)
Welcome to the New, Improved Graeme Pitts Website
Welcome to my new website! Â The old one ran into terminal technical difficulties, so please pardon our appearance as we strive to repopulate a new one!