Bike Magazine 15.8 December 2008

Buzz: Special Red Bull Rampage Edition

Best Trip
Twelve chairlifts, seven Swiss and French villages, 360 degrees of jaw-dropping scenery and nearly 25,000 vertical feet of descending. The Portes du Soleil region offers some of the most comprehensive lift-access terrain on the planet. It would take an entire summer to explore the whole region. Or, for just 80 bucks, ride the Passportes du Soleil and cover it all in one mind-blowing day. Or check out any of these five trips closer to home: Brian Head, Utah; Chequamegon, Wisconsin; Durango, Colorado; Northstar at Tahoe; and Oakridge, Oregon.

Best Photos and Moments
Picking a photo of the year is nearly impossible, but Jordan Manley made it easy with his shot on page 82, which delivers an honest (if upside-down) look at the beautiful simplicity of the ride. Plus, six more pages of photos capturing the moments that defined the year in mountain biking, including Aaron Gwin’s breakout performance at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Robbie Bourdon’s hard-won flatspin, Andreu Lacondeguy’s clutch double-backflip at Crankworx and the Athertons’ domination of the World Championships.

Best Bikes
The Devil is in the details, and next year’s crop of new bikes are loaded with sinful features. We collected 12 of next year’s most promising models for an early look at the season’s most tempting bikes.

Plus...

Kristin Butcher's Hellride AND a prom date with the Sh*tbike
New cold-weather gear to help you ride all winter
Blueprint - Specialized's new Command Post
Plus Grimy, Splatter, Chopper and much much more...

Reader Comments

Posted Tue Nov18, 2008, 3:51 AM — By Daniel

Great mag and i love my bikes

Posted Tue Nov18, 2008, 5:27 PM — By Rollatron

When do subscibers get the new issue?

Posted Sat Nov22, 2008, 3:49 PM — By Karen St. Louis

In your December issue you mention on page 75 to go to www.bikemag.com/passport for detailson how to win a weeklong package to the 2009 Passportes due Soleil but this weblink doesn't exsist. Can you please help? Thank you! Karen St. Louis

Posted Sun Nov23, 2008, 8:55 AM — By jose miguel

pa flipar con el rampage

Posted Sun Nov23, 2008, 3:34 PM — By Andy

I just saw Karen's note...I'm lookin gfor the passport link too! Andy - Burke, VA

Posted Mon Nov24, 2008, 9:20 PM — By Mazzman

Karen, Andy... This issue came out a little sooner than we had expected. All the details for the contest should be on the site in the next day or two. Thanks for your patience.

Posted Thu Nov27, 2008, 12:31 AM — By Dean

The photo of the year rocks! Can I order it anywhere?

Posted Mon Dec 1, 2008, 12:10 AM — By Jordan

Dean, feel free to contact me via my website (www.jordanmanley.com) if you are looking for a print of the photo of the year image. Cheers, -Jordan

Posted Sat Dec20, 2008, 11:21 AM — By Scott Schlachter

OK, add me to the list of other readers (Karen, Andy) who is looking for that www.bikemag/Passport link... Common Bike, you're laggin... Thanks for exposing that event with the article - it's now on my bucket list! ps - Chris Lesser, you lucky bastard. Anyone else notice that not only was he riding with Wade Simmons (photo on p70-71), but apparently Matt Hunter as well (Specialized 2-page ad photo taken in the same spot, p32-33).

Posted Thu Jan29, 2009, 10:06 AM — By matt

Had this issue for months now. When can I expect new one.

Posted Mon Feb 9, 2009, 11:05 PM — By Lawrence Bailey

I paid my subscription on Nov 8th, 2008 and have not received an issue since November when the December issue came out. Are you still in business? Can I get my money back? Uphold the truth. Lawrence

Posted Thu Jul 9, 2009, 11:06 PM — By cheap kids shoes

Very insightful articles, a great inspiration to me to allow me to reprint this article to www.on-sale.cc?