Minaar welcomed to Santa Cruz

New Santa Cruz Syndicate member Greg Minnaar had a chance to check out his new digs with a trip to Santa Cruz, California, in February when he was welcomed to the Syndicate family.

Minnaar arrived fresh off a holiday ocean cruise, and with a bit of a rough adjustment to the wintry weather, the tanned South African got his first chance to ride a Santa Cruz with Jamie Goldman. At day's end, somehow Goldman ended up with a cup of hot chocolate as Minnaar washed Goldman's bike.

Minnaar later visited the factory and checked out his new V-10 and Blur LT before hours of photos shoots for ads and catalogs. Afterward, he said, "Things were pretty much as I expected for my visit, but I just didn't think I'd be doing as many photo shoots."

The South African got to do one of his first cross country rides since his shoulder surgery in November. He was very cautious and tentative, but said it felt great to get out on the bike. Of course, being on the road didn't stop him from visiting the local gym to do his shoulder re-hab.