Mountain Flyer | Number 79
FEATURES
OLD MAN AND THE FJORD
Norway’s northern coastline typically evokes images of tiny colorful fishing towns and snow- capped peaks abruptly rising from the sea. But the sparsely populated region of Nordfjord also boasts miles upon miles of stunning singletrack—and a legendary skier turned mountain biker who’s helping build it.
RIDING TALL
When NBA hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Reggie Miller hung up his hoops jersey, he traded one sport for another. Turning from basketball to mountain biking, Miller’s brought his world-class athleticism and celebrity persona to the cycling world, embracing the training grind and his role as advocate for more inclusivity and the goodness of bikes.
SINGLETRACK SISTERHOOD
Sister cities St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Niseko, Japan, are both known for deep snow and world-class skiing. But while St. Moritz is also increasingly a mountain biker’s playground, Niseko may not be far behind. With help from a Swiss trailbuilding company and a team of globetrotting trail builders a new Japanese bike park has sprung to life.
DEPARTMENTS
Editor's Note
Letters
Paraphernalia
Trail Anatomy: Highbridge Bike Park
In the heart of New York City, wedged between high-rise buildings and bustling streets is a place that was once a dumping ground for stolen cars. Now, Highbridge Park is a mountain biker’s haven.
Outlaws: Floyd Landis’ Next Ride
Floyd Landis 1.0 was a Tour de France winner subsequently disqualified for doping. But that was a long time ago. Present day Landis is a business owner and proud father figuring out life’s next chapter.
Tested: Kona Process 134 DL 29
Tested: Cannondale Habit Carbon 1
Tested: Liv Intrigue LT Pro Advanced 0
Wrenched: E-Suspension Explained
Is electronically-controlled suspension the future? Fox’s Live Valve and RockShox’s Flight Attendant make compelling cases, combining near instantaneous terrain recognition with lightning quick shock and fork compression adjustment. But the price is high and performance is not perfect—yet.
Framebuilder: Li King
At 13 Li King (they/them) decided they wanted to build things with their hands. King was 15 when they knew they wanted to work with metal. Now 24, King’s started a framebuilding venture, tying in their third passion: bikes.
Live, Laugh, Loam
Nothing punctuates a long day of riding better than a broken tailgate and a truck bed’s worth of bikes tumbling onto the road. Except maybe a ride with a crusty tow-truck driver and parking lot pizza.
——
On the cover: Reggie Miller recovers in the Castelli Boom Baby tent after the 2023 SBT GRVL race. Molly Cameron
Department contents: Richie Schley cuts across sandy crust in Big Water, Utah—a zone he first scoped and rode 25 years ago for one of the early New World Disorder movies. Ale Di Lullo