It’s alright for some. While we here in the UK have to look out the window at horizontal rain and face the prospect of muddy trails, the Athertons have headed over to sunny California for their winter training.

It’s also given them the chance to check out their new kit and bikes for 2012. After a couple of years on Commencal bikes, the upcoming season sees the trio switching to GT Bikes. We’ve already seen Gee’s downhill-ready Fury, and here’s a photo of Dan’s Sanction. Dan will be focusing on gravity enduro events and the Sanction, a 6in travel all-mountain bike, looks to be just the job for the riding he has got in mind.

Yes, that is Gee Atherton. On a road bike…