2011 Windham World Cup Warm Up

It was quite the roadtrip from Mont-Sainte-Anne to Windham - with Monster trucks, a feverishly editing Sven, Maccers, Starbucks and Budwieser! USA baby! -Gary Perkin

I'm not sure if the Giant boys are keen on getting their photo taken or are more intent on watching Lauren Daney who is sitting next to me here. Actually I know the answer - Photo incentive! Photo by Gary Perkin

Some say its been 'bikeparked' or dumbed down, but there are still a variety of surfaces to deal with at Windham - roots, shale, mud, dirt and a new one - freshly cut grass! Photo by Gary Perkin

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. It might be a tad optimistic setting out the suntan cream in the pits at a World Cup but you can't fault the SRAM guys for looking after our leathery skins! Tough guys use sunscreen, too! Photo by Gary Perkin

We're in the USA - guns are plentiful. Even guns to smash in some tent pegs for upcoming storms! Nigel Page secures his pits under the watchful eye of Monkdawg! Photo by Gary Perkin

Jon Cancellier brought some fresh goodies for new podium lad Josh Bryceland of Santa Cruz Syndicate. Blackbox baby! Oh big time! Photo by Gary Perkin

As they say round these parts ... have a nice day! Photo by Gary Perkin

Everything is bigger in America. Luke Strobel warms up the hot seat for Sunday! Photo by Gary Perkin

Remind me never to play Stingers with Peaty. Just look at the accuracy and spread pattern on Minnnaar's back! Or did he land on a rubber mat during his crash at MSA? Photo by Gary Perkin

I spy 3 carbon Trek Sessions

Evan Warner from SRAM, eagles and the colors. T-Sage would be proud. -Sven Martin

Welcome to Windham. The sun was out all day but as more rigs and riders rolled into town so did the clouds. -Sven Martin

Brook MacDonald will not be going to Crankworx this year, so he wanted to get as much Canadian Bacon possible. -Sven Martin

Gee Atherton, last year's winner here, must have a lot on his mind right now. After two mechanicals this season (MSA and Ft Bill), he will be forgetting about the series and focusing on some wins again. -Sven Martin

Any guesses who this footwear belongs to? He really should know better, but these are his chosen course walk shoes for the season. -Sven Martin

If Pac-Man had affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive electronic music. As it turns out we are here in beautiful (but empty and quiet) Windham, NY. Wacka Wacka! -Sven Martin

Dan Atherton was laid out on his bed with a Halo this time last year, recovering from his broken neck. He is looking forward to riding so much this year that he has already smashed out laps on the XC course. -Sven Martin

While large portions of the track have been severely sanitized by the bike park plague that a lot of modern day tracks suffer from, some parts remain unchanged thankfully. -Sven Martin

Peaty's Plunge and a few other spots have had their lips shaved and slopes graded. Pity really. But it is still a long way down and the entry speed is still just as fast even with the edition of two new jumps. Maybe it should be called Gee Out Project? -Sven Martin

USA USA USA. Wait they are not American, let go that flag! -Sven Martin

Here is the last official shot from MSA. Gary trying to stay awake during his Vital finals day coverage. Sure, we may get free stickers for our efforts, but someone has to do the dirty work. -Sven Martin

If you were in the lane on the right it was smooth sailing into USA. if you were in our lane (left) there were some big problems as Giant, Flipper and numerous others found out - #rollthedice. -Sven Martin

Speaking of Peaty's Plunge, remember this from last year? LOL! Gee Atherton.