A class 5 Bro-Nado rolled through the Santa Barbara Bowl this weekend, and Gnar-Cal was out in force with headliners Pennywise and The Offspring. There was no shortage of Dickies shorts and sleeve tattoos.

I unfortunately (or fortunately) didn’t stay around for the main bands and mayhem. A combination of an 8 pm set time, long Sunday night ride home and a late Saturday night on State St. didn’t bode well for me. Oh, did I mention it was 100 degrees!!!

I was actually more stoked to see the Flobots. The new, break out groove-funk-hip hop-jazz band with the hit “Handlebars.” If you listen to any rock station in the LA area you’ll know who they are. They’re tight rhymed emcees, live drum beats and classically trained violinist and jazz trumpet player make for a unique and original sound, with a progressive message. Check em out.

Team Ripper John Brasko and devout short handlebar enthusiast.

The Flobots

Brer Rabit / Jonny 5 / Andy  Guerrero / Mackenzie Roberts / Kenny O / Joe Ferrone / Jesse Walker

The venue – Santa Barbara Bowl  & The pit before the forearm shivers and head butts started flying

I did get a second hand report from a few brave souls who stayed around…  it went something like this… “Dude, this chick got knocked the FU@K OUT in the pit.” Nuff said.

You couldn't have scripted a better scenario when two of our top pro riders Aaron Gwin and Rich Houseman met up in the finals this past weekend at the Mountain States Cup dual slalom race in Colorado. It was like the Karate Kid battling his mentor and teacher Mr Miyagi in an epic battle that was decided by a wounded knee and pure determination.

For a full race report from Aarons point of view click here

Division 26 Team rider Kevin Aiello won the Plattekill Jr. Worlds Qualification Race this past weekend that earns him a spot to represent the U.S.A. at the Worlds race later this year. Kevin has been absolutely laying it down this year and his hard work is paying off in spades.

For Photos and a complete race report

So we were fortunate enough to get backstage passes to this years Coachella music & art festival in Indio, CA this past weekend (Thanks Kevan and Goldenvoice). We had an amazing time watching one of the most diverse music lineups you'll find anywhere. Everyone from Scars on Broadway (ex members of System of a Down), Cold War Kids, Flogging Molly, Death Cab For Cutie, Portishead to Prince of all people.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE ROCKIN THE MAIN STAGE 

The people watching doesn't get any better than Coachella as you can tell from this picture I snapped of the tripping clowns to the super butch girl with a fur loin cloth and I almost got trampled by a really drunk and haggered looking David Hassellhof.

Tripping Clowns!!! 

Fur is in and yes this is a girl.....

More pictures of some amazing music from trip hop icons Portishead and Cafe Tacvba.

Some truck art 

We just got back from Sea Otter and had a sandblast! No rain this year but lots of wind and swirling dust. Division 26 had a great presence both on and off the mountain. You could see our clothes everywhere including the new sleeveless basketball Jerseys and many of the beanies, fitted caps and hoodies we had sold out of by the end of the weekend. Bob and D26 also got a little love from none other than Rachel Atherton don't be jealous boy's.......

As always Eric carter and Rich Houseman find themselves in the mix, after qualifying EC slipped a pedal and ended up going out in the first round to Steve Peat claiming 25th, but Rich Houseman hung tough and snagged 12th in Pro Dual Slalom. EC redeemed himself in Pro DH with 12th and Rich threw down 13th against some of the world’s fastest racers. New Team Riders Aaron Gwin & Kevin Aiello shined! Aaron took 10th in Men's Pro DH ahead of EC and Houseman while Kevin Aiello finished the weekend strong taking first place in both JR Expert Dual Slalom and Downhill. Both of these guys are killing it this year and we expect big things in the future. Justin Wyche also pedaled hard and placed 16th in JR Expert DH.

On a truly sad note from Sea Otter; I didn't know Mark Reynolds founder of Wicked Racin personally who tragically passed away on Saturday while racing DH, I did want to mention our sincere condolences to his family and friends. It of course put a damper on smiles and the day just didn't feel the same after news of a fellow biker passing while doing what he loved best. It’s a reminder that our sport is not for the faint of heart.