Welcome back to RECON, the #1 MTB newsletter.

Sit back and drop your post, it’ll be a good rip.

This weekend the top-level of downhill racing will get one last send before the season comes to a close. The UCI World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne is a legendary event and the only North American race on the circuit, being infamous for how few riders have been able to repeat victories on it.

While the overall World Cup titles have already been secured–Loic Bruni for the men and Vali Höll for the women–we could still be in for an electric viewing. With no major events left this year, riders will be putting it all on the line for that final shot at glory.

In today’s email:

• 🏆 Race Recap: Fox U.S. Open of Mountain Biking Results

• 🚲 RIP VPP: Santa Cruz Unveils The Vala

• 🌨 Winter Is Coming: How To Ride In The Wet

TOP PICKS

📸 Image: 2024 Panamerican Downhill Championship in El Salvador

🎥 The Story Behind: Brandon Semenuk

The king is returning to Red Bull Rampage this month ––> Learn His Story

💰 Biz & Money

Closet Door = Closed: Online bike marketplace, The Pro’s Closet, shut down last week after raising over $88M in venture capital. TPC has been in business since 2006 and was started by former MTB pro Nick Martin to help professionals sell their bikes and gear. While the company had success in acquiring inventory, it had a harder time selling it. Overall, it’s clear the economics didn’t make sense.

Billionaire Bike Park: Ben Chestnut, the outdoors-loving founder and former CEO of MailChimp, has dropped some serious coin on MTB. He committed $8M to build the Bike Park at Westside Park in Atlanta. The park will span 45 acres, offering 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails.

🥝 Kid Kiwi Kills It At Killington

$15,000 isn’t a bad haul.

Especially for a 20-year-old who travelled 8,900 miles for a chance at getting his paws on it.

Young New Zealander Lachlan Stevens-McNab is this year’s DH winner at the 2024 U.S. Open of Mountain Biking which took place in Killington, VT this past weekend.

With a time of 2:38.007, Lachie hurtled past the finish line over 2.7s faster than runner-up Dakotah Norton.

The impressive victory gives Lachlan his first win of the year and likely a boost of confidence when he arrives at this weekend’s UCI World Cup in Mont Saint-Anne.

Collecting a check for $15k, Lachlan pocketed the largest purse of any race this year in downhill mountain biking.

For context, the prize money for an elite win at a UCI World Cup event is $2,500.

In a post-race interview, Lachlan described the difficulties of the track, primarily in maintaining speed.

As for the full results from the Elite Men and Women division check them out here.

😲 Santa Cruz Ditches VPP

Could a suspension change be as controversial as the upcoming U.S. election?

It very well could be because Santa Cruz just made a bold move.

The new Vala marks their first-ever Horst link suspension bike, a sharp departure from their classic VPP design.

So why the shift?

It’s largely thanks to the new Bosch CX motor.

But it’s not just about fitting the new tech; the 4-bar design also helps Santa Cruz fine-tune suspension curves they've been honing for years.

The Vala packs 150mm of rear travel with a 160mm fork and mixed wheels—27.5" in the rear and 29" up front. It’s got a C or CC carbon frame, and geometry meant for attacking steep descents, including a 63.9° head angle. Flip chips allow for High/Low adjustments to dial in geometry and suspension progression based on preference.

Powered by the Bosch CX Performance motor, the Vala comes with a 600Wh battery, with the option to add another 250Wh via the Powermore accessory for longer rides. This setup makes it the first Santa Cruz eMTB to use Bosch, moving away from the Shimano motors used on past models.

On the trail, the Vala delivers a confident and composed ride. The new 4-bar suspension brings a more linear feel compared to the typical VPP, offering consistent support throughout its travel. The geometry mirrors the Bronson, giving it a familiar yet enhanced ride quality for an e-bike.

With five build options, ranging from $7,299 to $12,799, the Vala costs a pretty penny, but Santa Cruz is sure to sell a lot of them.

💦 The Art of Riding In The Rain

With summer coming to an end, we hate to bring this up now.

But you’ll be seeing Christmas advertising soon enough.

Wet weather riding…

The trails turn slick, the roots get slimy, and traction becomes a distant memory. Even the best riders can go from heroes to dribblers in the rain.

“Dribbling” on a mountain bike? It’s that weak, hesitant ride when confidence fades and the bike barely flows.

So why do we dribble in the wet? Water reduces grip. It creates a thin layer between tire and trail, making every move feel like riding on ice.

Grip isn’t just about friction; mechanical grip from tire tread is key. Tall, narrow knobs for mud; short, wide ones for firmer ground—finding the right tread can be the difference between sliding and sticking.

Balancing friction and mechanical grip is tricky. Soft rubber grips but can deform; hard rubber digs in but might slip. The solution? Tires with the right compound, pressure, and tread for the conditions.

Want to ride better in the wet? Make some equipment tweaks:

• Brake pads: Sintered pads handle wet better.

• Mudguards & eyewear: Essential for visibility.

• Suspension: Lighter spring rate, quicker rebound, and lower compression can help.

• Clothing: Stay warm and dry to keep sharp.

But above all, wet riding is about confidence. The best gear helps, but without confidence, control is fleeting.

Build it gradually—start small, take on tougher trails bit by bit. With practice, that dribble becomes a raging river. And you’ll be riding the slick trails with power and flow

🎥 Banger Of The Week:

Jackson Goldstone’s addictive riding footage does all the talking here.

👂 Ear Candy:

Brandon Semenuk on origins, rally racing career, Rampage, and more.

📰 Headlines and Hitters

• 2025 UCI World Cup Calendar Revealed

• This Small Nevada Town Is Investing $12M Into Bike Trails

• The Newest Mountain Biking Team? Middle Schoolers

• Danny Mackaskil talks Childhood, Going Viral, Dealing with Fame, Retirement

• The World’s Most Famous Mountain Biker Doesn’t Bike On Mountains?

Thanks for reading and see ya next week!

Earn Free Gifts By Sharing Your Unique Link Below With Friends!