Josh Carlson Blog Update for Jan

G’DAY TRENDSETTERS!!

How is everyone?

Well, what a HUGE few weeks it has been! After a super hard return to racing after my last and final wrist operation 7 weeks ago some exciting developments for 2012 have arisen and FROTH factors have reached an all time high! ;)

For 2012 i will be riding for the Global GIANT Factory Off-road Team. I will be riding alongside world and national champions all over America in XC, Super D and Enduro events. 

To be on the same team roster as such well credentialed talented freaks is definitely slightly daunting! Danny hart-world champ, Andrew neethling- South African national champ, Liam Kileen- British national Champ, Carl Decker- All Mtn World Champ, Kelli Emmett- All Mtn World Champ.......WOW! Every time i read the press release, see the roster and look at the feedback from face book it brings a HUGE smile to my face and sends tingles and Goosebumps all over my body! It is an absolute dream come true to race and ride for one of the biggest teams in the world.

A few years ago when i rocked up to a Wollongong mountain bike club day at Penrose state forest in my joggers, board shorts, $500 pushy and so many questions about this so called mountain bike stuff, the thought of riding for a GLOBAL MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM was the furthest thought in my mind..to be honest i don’t even think i knew a team of that size existed! 

Now almost 6 years from when i rode my first mountain bike ride/race i am headed to America as a team mate to THE world’s best! SHIT THE BED!

My GIANT Bicycles weapons of choice for the year will be my Anthem Advanced carbon SL 0 for my XC races, Trance Advanced carbon SL 0 for super D and ReignX for the Enduro races. All powered by SRAM with a mix of XX,XO, Truvativ cockpits, AVID Brakes, ROCK SHOX, DT Swiss wheel sets, crank brothers, MRP chain guides, Schwalbe tyres

, Fox Head apparel, DNA Cycling race kit, Contour Cameras, ODI grips, Fizik saddles, Notubes.com tubeless technologies and maintained by Finishline lubrication, park tools, Thule racks and fuelled by Honey stinger nutrition.

I will be coached by Mark fenner of ftptraining.com and have clear vision thanks to Adidas eyewear.

I am hoping to base myself out of Vancouver, BC with my girlfriend Lisa. This decision was made due to the fact that that area is known as the mountain biking MECA of the world! Vancouver, from all accounts (and i mean every single person i have spoke to and mentioned Vancouver FROTHS over it) it sounds like an amazing place to live, work, train, ride, chillax and be in. Majority of my main races are west coast USA based and will be in driving distance too. Focusing on super D and Enduro this year I’m really looking forward to spending ALOT of time on my mountain bike and what better place to do that than north shore Vancouver, whistler, Squamish, Vancouver island, Oregon all within easy riding and driving distance....wait for it.....FROTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My racing plans for the year will include iconic US races like the BC bike race, Downieville All Mountain World Champs, Ashland All Mountain Super D, Whistler Crankworx, Colorado Freeride Festival and the Oregon Enduro series. For 2012 the majority of these Enduro and super D races will be blanketed by the North American Enduro Tour in one huge series. My major focus will be Downieville and Crankworx in august aswell as the BC bike race in early July.

After the year that was 2011. It was tough! suffering the biggest injury i have had to date and the EXTREME rollercoaster of emotions, stress, dream crushing, rebirth, elation and FROTH that it brang i could not have dreamed that when it clicked midnight on January 1st 2012 i would be so relieved! And now to be granted this amazing opportunity feels AWESOME! An opportunity which i promise to grab with both hands and feet and appreciate and enjoy for everything its worth!

Thankyou GIANT Bicycles, mountain biking and every person who i have met, laughed and ridden with over the years. A new chapter has opened in my career now and i am WAY more than excited than ever to get amongst it and share it with everyone.

HERE.........WE...........GO!!!!!!!