demo man
16-01-2007, 09:10 AM
Aaaand we're back!
I hope all of you had a great festive season, and had plenty to do outside of MTF to keep you entertained.
The first Farker back is late, of course. I appologise for that, although I can't help myself to point out that it's the guy who is always first to whinge when I drop the ball and run late - and it was his fault! ha!
anyway - today's Farker has been involved in the sport for a while now, he's the NSWMTB DH coordinator and one of the reasons the NSW series is so good, he's known to some as the Nazi of these forums, and has been posting news and talking shit on this site for far too long, and he knows just about everyone in this sport. He is Squid.
Squidly Didly
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid1.jpg
Who are you (name, bikes you ride, age)
Name: Mikhail’s the name but due to its high difficulty level to pronounce, most stick with Squidly.
Bikes: My stable includes an Orange 224 downhill bike, Orange Hitman jump bike (not that I can jump for crap) and a Cannondale CAAD8 roadie. I’d like to get back into enduro races this year so a Titus Racer X is now back on the “to do” list.
Age: 23
When and why did you become a member of Farkin?
Back in the days of mid 2003 it would seem. Considering it was just after my B’Day, I’d say I had a pretty lame party and resorted to looking at the internet, most probably for porn, and ended up here.
In truth Rob aka Rawb (better known here as techno destructo) kept coming into the shop ranting <insert Canadian accent> “duuuuude, ya gotta check out this site man, it’s sweeeet bro”.
What made you choose that username?
I didn’t really have much choice in the matter. You see, I pretty much ride like a squid and instead of taking offence to that name as so many people do, I took advantage of it and turned it into a whole new entity; the forum Nazi.
Who is your favorite rider of all time, and why?
Well I’m going to slightly edit this question to “favorite riders” as there’s no way I can settle for one. In no particular order: Nicolas Vouilloz for his consistency, John Tomac for his multi-vitamin of skills, Tinker Juarez for being the machine he is, Shaun Palmer for leading the way, Cedric Gracia for his lifestyle, Steve Peat for his “never say die” attitude, Nathan Rennie for his ability to talk to the public and Sam Hill for pulling the sickest drifts known in the world of downhill.
What is the most useless thing in your house?
That would be me.
Why did you buy it and why do you still have it?
While I don’t recall the initial purchase, the maintenance required (mainly in the form of copious amounts of beer) is ridiculous. Why I put up with it though still eludes me.
What’s your favorite section of Farkin and why?
The hidden forums that lie within where us badministrators devise plans for world domination.
What’s your job, and the most interesting thing about it?
Well my paying job is working as Bike Addiction’s stock control manager however when I’m not sitting in front of the computer with a phone at my ear, I organise the State Downhill Series for the NSWMTB body. Unfortunately for you lot I’m also an administrator for this wonderful website that is Farkin.
As for the interesting thing about it: One of my bosses has a collection of crazy old Citroens, while the other juggles a Mercedes with a $100 Volvo. Work that one out.
So how long have you been riding and why did you start?
Long version: I pretty much got into it around 95 on my beater of a Repco pushy. Got a break in 96 when I won my first decent rig and decided to hit up a few club cross country races before eventually getting bored with it and leaving the scene in about 98.
I decided to get into pushbike couriering in 2001 where I rediscovered my love for dirt by hitting up the occasional enduro event. It wasn’t until 2002 though that I joined the halls of BA where I purchased my first real XC rig which sent me to 11th position at what was then the Mont 24hr in Canberra.
As the years went on, I slowly got bored with the enduro scene, but it wasn’t until Cedric Gracia came out to Sydney that I decided I wanted to get into downhill.
I’ve since then hit up a couple of enduro races, but the power of the dark side is too strong and I’ve been traveling around the country side racing as many State and National races as I can afford.
I have however purchased a road bike recently.
Short version: 11 years on and off.
As for why I started, well it’s a short and simple story. I commuted to school on my Repco and took the single-track one day. Been hooked like a junkie on heroin ever since.
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid2.jpg
Do you prefer small local club races or big national rounds?
Big National or State rounds by far. Not only are you pushing yourself against a larger and faster field, but you’re in a large traveling circus full of people as addicted as yourself.
As laid back and relaxing a club race can be, I love being able to travel around the country and checking out new places with my mates. The Saturday night before the race is always a good one too, and if an after party is organised, well… the hangovers aren’t as good.
Long trail rides in the wilderness or short stints on your local trails?
Short stints on the local stuff. The long wilderness trail rides are fun, but I rarely get a chance to do it. A cross country bike in my stable might change this answer though.
Mac or PC?
Mac seems to be the way for video editing, but considering I’ve only edited one video in my life of nerditry, I’ll take the PC option.
Whole Milk or light?
Whole. Same goes for my food… If there was an item being advertised as full fat and overflowing in oils and salts, I’d hit it.
Last time you were approached by the police?
Last week of November at Oxford Falls. Was doing a photo shoot with some of the team when a cop came up and yelled out my name. Turns out he was one of our customers and was checking out the trails. That’s one way to make me shit myself.
Best and worst MTB moments?
Best moment: As much as I’d like to say it was a DH moment, it’ll have to go to my 11th place finish at the Mont. Considering I had no support crew let alone had no idea what I was doing, I was very happy with my result.
Worst moment: Going over the bars and smashing 6 teeth in the process. Full face helmets are your friend.
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid3.jpg
Who’s going to win the National Championships in Elite?
My money’s on Mr Rennie. As much as I like Sam, the track at Stromlo just doesn’t seem to suit his style as much as it does Rennie’s. Sam is however World Champion so I won’t feel bad if he proves me wrong.
One thing I do know for sure though is that this is going to be one very sick race to watch.
What about the series overall?
I haven’t been following the Series and to be honest, I couldn’t really care. It’s disappointed me to see the big guys turning up so inconsistently so I’ve pretty much lost interest in the overalls. I don’t blame them for not turning up as they need a break from racing overseas, but it would be nice if there were more incentives enticing them to turn up.
How do you see mountain biking changing in the future?
I’m not too sure what the future for MTB riding overseas is, but things are looking very good for Australia.
* We’re slowly getting more and more media coverage for our large scale events.
* The numbers of young riders getting into it at the grass-roots level is growing at a constant rate.
* More girls are discovering MTB riding and in some cases out-numbering the boys at races.
* Many new legal tracks are being constructed from the local single-tracks through to the full blown MTB Parks like the ones featured in Canberra and Glenorchy.
* Mountain Cross is another untapped resource that hasn’t fully flourished, but with the amount of courses springing up all over place, things are looking up on their front too.
As for future changes… well besides the hope of seeing more of the above, I’d like to see more sponsorship dollars come into the sport. While I don’t want it to be the likes of Tennis or Golf where a lot of people play for the money, it would be nice to have some more financial support for both the hosting clubs as well as the riders.
When will you stop riding?
Is this one of those rhetorical questions? Who here plans to stop riding, honestly.
Any other hobbies or sports you do?
Used to play Tennis, Soccer and Ten-Pin bowling back in the day (yeah laugh all you want, I’ll still smash ya at the alley)
Who would you love to see become a member of Farkin?
More pro riders, more cross country riders, more girls, more kids (minus the dribble), more industry figures, more local bike shops, etc.
Basically what we all want, we just want more…
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid4.jpg
Thanks Squid, see you in Canberra
I hope all of you had a great festive season, and had plenty to do outside of MTF to keep you entertained.
The first Farker back is late, of course. I appologise for that, although I can't help myself to point out that it's the guy who is always first to whinge when I drop the ball and run late - and it was his fault! ha!
anyway - today's Farker has been involved in the sport for a while now, he's the NSWMTB DH coordinator and one of the reasons the NSW series is so good, he's known to some as the Nazi of these forums, and has been posting news and talking shit on this site for far too long, and he knows just about everyone in this sport. He is Squid.
Squidly Didly
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid1.jpg
Who are you (name, bikes you ride, age)
Name: Mikhail’s the name but due to its high difficulty level to pronounce, most stick with Squidly.
Bikes: My stable includes an Orange 224 downhill bike, Orange Hitman jump bike (not that I can jump for crap) and a Cannondale CAAD8 roadie. I’d like to get back into enduro races this year so a Titus Racer X is now back on the “to do” list.
Age: 23
When and why did you become a member of Farkin?
Back in the days of mid 2003 it would seem. Considering it was just after my B’Day, I’d say I had a pretty lame party and resorted to looking at the internet, most probably for porn, and ended up here.
In truth Rob aka Rawb (better known here as techno destructo) kept coming into the shop ranting <insert Canadian accent> “duuuuude, ya gotta check out this site man, it’s sweeeet bro”.
What made you choose that username?
I didn’t really have much choice in the matter. You see, I pretty much ride like a squid and instead of taking offence to that name as so many people do, I took advantage of it and turned it into a whole new entity; the forum Nazi.
Who is your favorite rider of all time, and why?
Well I’m going to slightly edit this question to “favorite riders” as there’s no way I can settle for one. In no particular order: Nicolas Vouilloz for his consistency, John Tomac for his multi-vitamin of skills, Tinker Juarez for being the machine he is, Shaun Palmer for leading the way, Cedric Gracia for his lifestyle, Steve Peat for his “never say die” attitude, Nathan Rennie for his ability to talk to the public and Sam Hill for pulling the sickest drifts known in the world of downhill.
What is the most useless thing in your house?
That would be me.
Why did you buy it and why do you still have it?
While I don’t recall the initial purchase, the maintenance required (mainly in the form of copious amounts of beer) is ridiculous. Why I put up with it though still eludes me.
What’s your favorite section of Farkin and why?
The hidden forums that lie within where us badministrators devise plans for world domination.
What’s your job, and the most interesting thing about it?
Well my paying job is working as Bike Addiction’s stock control manager however when I’m not sitting in front of the computer with a phone at my ear, I organise the State Downhill Series for the NSWMTB body. Unfortunately for you lot I’m also an administrator for this wonderful website that is Farkin.
As for the interesting thing about it: One of my bosses has a collection of crazy old Citroens, while the other juggles a Mercedes with a $100 Volvo. Work that one out.
So how long have you been riding and why did you start?
Long version: I pretty much got into it around 95 on my beater of a Repco pushy. Got a break in 96 when I won my first decent rig and decided to hit up a few club cross country races before eventually getting bored with it and leaving the scene in about 98.
I decided to get into pushbike couriering in 2001 where I rediscovered my love for dirt by hitting up the occasional enduro event. It wasn’t until 2002 though that I joined the halls of BA where I purchased my first real XC rig which sent me to 11th position at what was then the Mont 24hr in Canberra.
As the years went on, I slowly got bored with the enduro scene, but it wasn’t until Cedric Gracia came out to Sydney that I decided I wanted to get into downhill.
I’ve since then hit up a couple of enduro races, but the power of the dark side is too strong and I’ve been traveling around the country side racing as many State and National races as I can afford.
I have however purchased a road bike recently.
Short version: 11 years on and off.
As for why I started, well it’s a short and simple story. I commuted to school on my Repco and took the single-track one day. Been hooked like a junkie on heroin ever since.
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid2.jpg
Do you prefer small local club races or big national rounds?
Big National or State rounds by far. Not only are you pushing yourself against a larger and faster field, but you’re in a large traveling circus full of people as addicted as yourself.
As laid back and relaxing a club race can be, I love being able to travel around the country and checking out new places with my mates. The Saturday night before the race is always a good one too, and if an after party is organised, well… the hangovers aren’t as good.
Long trail rides in the wilderness or short stints on your local trails?
Short stints on the local stuff. The long wilderness trail rides are fun, but I rarely get a chance to do it. A cross country bike in my stable might change this answer though.
Mac or PC?
Mac seems to be the way for video editing, but considering I’ve only edited one video in my life of nerditry, I’ll take the PC option.
Whole Milk or light?
Whole. Same goes for my food… If there was an item being advertised as full fat and overflowing in oils and salts, I’d hit it.
Last time you were approached by the police?
Last week of November at Oxford Falls. Was doing a photo shoot with some of the team when a cop came up and yelled out my name. Turns out he was one of our customers and was checking out the trails. That’s one way to make me shit myself.
Best and worst MTB moments?
Best moment: As much as I’d like to say it was a DH moment, it’ll have to go to my 11th place finish at the Mont. Considering I had no support crew let alone had no idea what I was doing, I was very happy with my result.
Worst moment: Going over the bars and smashing 6 teeth in the process. Full face helmets are your friend.
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid3.jpg
Who’s going to win the National Championships in Elite?
My money’s on Mr Rennie. As much as I like Sam, the track at Stromlo just doesn’t seem to suit his style as much as it does Rennie’s. Sam is however World Champion so I won’t feel bad if he proves me wrong.
One thing I do know for sure though is that this is going to be one very sick race to watch.
What about the series overall?
I haven’t been following the Series and to be honest, I couldn’t really care. It’s disappointed me to see the big guys turning up so inconsistently so I’ve pretty much lost interest in the overalls. I don’t blame them for not turning up as they need a break from racing overseas, but it would be nice if there were more incentives enticing them to turn up.
How do you see mountain biking changing in the future?
I’m not too sure what the future for MTB riding overseas is, but things are looking very good for Australia.
* We’re slowly getting more and more media coverage for our large scale events.
* The numbers of young riders getting into it at the grass-roots level is growing at a constant rate.
* More girls are discovering MTB riding and in some cases out-numbering the boys at races.
* Many new legal tracks are being constructed from the local single-tracks through to the full blown MTB Parks like the ones featured in Canberra and Glenorchy.
* Mountain Cross is another untapped resource that hasn’t fully flourished, but with the amount of courses springing up all over place, things are looking up on their front too.
As for future changes… well besides the hope of seeing more of the above, I’d like to see more sponsorship dollars come into the sport. While I don’t want it to be the likes of Tennis or Golf where a lot of people play for the money, it would be nice to have some more financial support for both the hosting clubs as well as the riders.
When will you stop riding?
Is this one of those rhetorical questions? Who here plans to stop riding, honestly.
Any other hobbies or sports you do?
Used to play Tennis, Soccer and Ten-Pin bowling back in the day (yeah laugh all you want, I’ll still smash ya at the alley)
Who would you love to see become a member of Farkin?
More pro riders, more cross country riders, more girls, more kids (minus the dribble), more industry figures, more local bike shops, etc.
Basically what we all want, we just want more…
http://files.farkin.net/imgs/squid4.jpg
Thanks Squid, see you in Canberra