10-19-07 // Online Exclusive: A ride with Kabush

After more small talk, we found ourselves on the other side of the Bootleg Canyon hillside, a nice panorama of desert, sun and more desert sprawling before us. “Is this the trail we took last time?” Kabush asked.

“No, we must have made a wrong turn somewhere” answered Toulouse. After a quick survey of the trail we spotted another winding rock path snaking its way back up the hillside. Moments later, the Team Maxxis riders were casually popping up and over rocky ledges like high-powered gazelles. The Litespeed dealer and I struggled awkwardly just to keep pace.

Something of note, Kabush and Toulouse were both riding their brand new Litespeed Ocoee Ti hardtails. The bike shop owner and I were on plush full suspension bikes—so yes, the pros are that good. And no, the average Joe mountain biker doesn’t have a Twinkie’s chance at a Weight Watchers convention in keeping pace with these guys.

Geoff winning at the Fontana NMBS event. Alan Davis

Eventually we crested the top of the hillside to be greeted by a couple of Venezuelan full-face-helmeted riders. They asked Kabush in broken English for a photo, Kabush smiled and nodded while each of them got their picture taken with him. Then we saw Julien Absalon, the four-time XC world champion and the 2004 Olympic gold medalist slowly making his way up the hillside. He was dressed in his world champion kit, the rainbow jersey bright under the sun. We watched as Absalon continued the slow pace up the remainder of the hillside.

“You think we could get Julien to do a little freeriding with us?” Toulouse asked Kabush.

“Yeah, that’d be fun,” Kabush said returning a smile. I asked Kabush about Absalon and what competitors he’ll be watching next year.

“Julien [Absalon] has been a step above everyone else,” Kabush said, mentioning riders like Christoph Sauser of Switzerland and the Spaniard Jose Hermida as others he’d definitely keep his eye on for 2008.

I asked Kabush what he thought of the 2008 Olympic course. “I haven’t had the chance to ride it but it looks like it’s going to be a fast course” he said, “it will probably favor China’s women’s team.”

After talking with some of the Luna mountain bike riders we decided to go back down the Girl Scout trail. I wisely let the two Canadians take the lead. Kabush and Toulouse started railing effortlessly and smoothly down the banked turns. So smoothly in fact, we started passing a few guys on heavy full suspension bikes.

Kabush and Toulouse were taking it easy, lining up one turn after another, carving over rock beds and diving over small drops. I pushed myself to make sure I stayed on Toulouse’s wheel. The bike shop owner hovered about 30-50 feet back. He struggled over a few rock clusters.

Eventually, the trail funneled into a large fire road that led back to the demo area. Making his way back to the group, the bike shop owner pulled up along side us. “Man, I’d like to do that again with my full face [helmet], then I’d be able to go faster” he said.

Kabush looked over at me with a wry grin on his face. I smiled back and asked if the two plan on doing any real training while in Las Vegas. “This is Vegas,” Toulouse said. “You don’t train in Vegas.”

Geoff's bike Morgan Meredith