Quantcast

states for DH and school

DHanamal

DHanamal

Monkey
Nov 25, 2001
567
1
Boulder, CO
dgrif said:
I'm gonna be switching schools/jobs in about a year and I'm trying to figure out which states have plenty of great downhill and good colleges close to each other. I'm thinking maybe colorado, utah or montana.. any suggestions?

grif
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What is your field of study? If I could recommend one thing to you, it's don't base your college decision on just bikes. You academic career is going to stick with you for life, and it's going to determine your job, salary, etc. Which will make you money to buy more bikes! And if you end up like me, and begin losing interest in biking your options will still be wide open.

CU Boulder is a safe choice, academics are good, biking scene is pretty good too.
 
dgrif

dgrif

Monkey
Apr 12, 2006
179
1
colo spigs
DHanamal said:
What is your field of study? If I could recommend one thing to you, it's don't base your college decision on just bikes. You academic career is going to stick with you for life, and it's going to determine your job, salary, etc. Which will make you money to buy more bikes! And if you end up like me, and begin losing interest in biking your options will still be wide open.

CU Boulder is a safe choice, academics are good, biking scene is pretty good too.
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Computer Science.. Oh believe me I wouldnt be able to base it just off of riding even if i wanted.. I'm tellin all these suggestions to my girl who is then weighing the options based on the better schools ;) blows.. shes half a year younger than me and just about finished with her bachelors, i just started. :stupid:
 
A

A.P

Monkey
Nov 21, 2005
423
0
boston
Ill give another nod to boston as being a great central location for dh riding, but doesnt have anything too close. Granted, there are up to 10 great lift access dh mountains in the 4 ish hour range, but many are too far for a quick day trip, and there is not much closer then 2 hours.

Vermont has great terrain, and some good schools too. Im from boston, but go to school up in burlington. Its a big college town, and there are a whole bunch of schools in the area. Not only is burlington set in some kick-ass terrain (elevation) makes for lots of places to cut your own dh trails. Within 20 minutes of the city, bolton valley is open on some weekends and their dh is pretty fun. Bromont in canada might be my favorite mountain in the east, and is about an hour and a half from burlington.

Both boston and burlington have tons of great riding within a drive, but burlington has more riding closer to it.
 
89yota

89yota

Chimp
Oct 10, 2003
35
0
I went to Humboldt State in Northern Cali and had a blast with riding out there. It'll be about the most liberal education that you could ever get, and the small town atmosphere makes it seem like you live in a much tinier and more concentrated form of Berkeley or San Fran. As far as riding goes... 40 minutes east and you have gobs of shuttlable dh runs. In town there are two notorious runs (kneeland trail and the couch), the college has a huge community forest right behind it with some dirt jumps in it. On top of that you're right on the coast... plenty of cold water surfing, rock climbing, hiking, whitewater kayaking, etc, etc, etc. And besides, Oregon is just a hop skip and a jump away as is the Bay area.

But then again the area gets a bad rep for all the pot and rain.
 
profro

profro

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2002
5,617
314
Walden Ridge
I second dhbuilder, Knoxville, TN has the University of Tennessee and we have excellent riding all around. However we have a great situation with Windrock. We have at least 10 full expert level DH runs all covering at least 1700 feet of vert in about 1.5 miles. Smoothed paved shuttle road and no worries about conservationists shutting down the trails (RIP... Telluride :( ) Plus we can ride 12 months out fo the year. The winter can be a little wet, but there are always trails to be found.

But if you are looking for a lot of good racing, then I would head to CO for sure.
 
dgrif

dgrif

Monkey
Apr 12, 2006
179
1
colo spigs
profro said:
I second dhbuilder, Knoxville, TN has the University of Tennessee and we have excellent riding all around. However we have a great situation with Windrock. We have at least 10 full expert level DH runs all covering at least 1700 feet of vert in about 1.5 miles. Smoothed paved shuttle road and no worries about conservationists shutting down the trails (RIP... Telluride :( ) Plus we can ride 12 months out fo the year. The winter can be a little wet, but there are always trails to be found.

But if you are looking for a lot of good racing, then I would head to CO for sure.
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Hmmm.. thats close to my folks, but not too close. Cost of living seems to be in the right range, and UT is a pretty reputable school. What time does it start gettin dark in the winter? Over here its dark by like 430 :( got any links to pics or anything? Think theres a lake close to knoxville too.
 
Keyz

Keyz

Chimp
Jul 3, 2006
20
0
Sammamish
mcrae2112 said:
Yup, WA is pretty rad, definetly glad I live here. Tons of riding in state as well as reasonable drives away from some of the best riding availible (Shore, Whistler). The schools in WA are good too, I'm looking to go to Western WA University which is in Bellingham. There's some good riding there and it's very close to good ol' Canada.
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I would recommend Washington. I grew up in Washington, graduated from WSU last year, and now moving to Sammamish. If you've lived here during the summer, you would agree that the weather is perfect. This area boasts low humidity and temperatures typically staying within the mid-80s. Blue sky, minimal smog and laid back atmosphere appeals to locals and out-of-state visitors. The Seattle area is surrounded by mountains, plateaus and valleys. Many trails can be reached within twenty minutes, giving us great opportunity for XC and DH. Also, experienced riders have access to Northshore and Whistler 4.5 hours north. Though this area is wet during fall and winter, many of us disregard the rain and still find trails enjoyable.
Overall, the schools here are great, giving individuals many options. University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University are large schools, offering a large array of majors and disciplines. There are smaller universities and private institutions to choose from. Finding the right school would not be a problem. Washington may not be at the top of everyone’s list, however, it would be a shame not to check us out.
 
hungryleprican

hungryleprican

Turbo Monkey
Jun 15, 2006
1,970
0
ndub
I'm like walking distance from there, we should ride somtime. There are loads of places near here driving distance and riding. quite a few secret trails as well. I don't know if you've heard of exit 27, exit 38, you've probly heard of sst (south sea tac), blue bucket trails in snoqualmie, marginal dh and some more I just can't think of them
(been away for 3 weeks soon to be 4)
 
Keyz

Keyz

Chimp
Jul 3, 2006
20
0
Sammamish
hungryleprican said:
I'm like walking distance from there, we should ride somtime. There are loads of places near here driving distance and riding. quite a few secret trails as well. I don't know if you've heard of exit 27, exit 38, you've probly heard of sst (south sea tac), blue bucket trails in snoqualmie, marginal dh and some more I just can't think of them
(been away for 3 weeks soon to be 4)
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Sounds like a plan! Zaskar Rider and SCHeckler are both buddies who live near by. PM us whenever you want to ride.
 
hungryleprican

hungryleprican

Turbo Monkey
Jun 15, 2006
1,970
0
ndub
alright, I'm coming back on the 24th then I need to figure some stuff out then I'm heading to the 4th Mt. Hood race. I'm not sure if you race or not but you should go. I'm heading down with a bunch of people I ride with (like 3 or 4). But after that race I'll pm you.
 
SylentK

SylentK

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2004
2,322
866
coloRADo
dgrif said:
yeah.. its lookin that way B) these kids are nasty was checkin out the vids on the page :D
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I think those guys go/went to CSU (that's Colorado STATE University about an hour north of Denver in Ft. Collins). I'm biased as its my alma matter, but its a good school with good riding.
 
profro

profro

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2002
5,617
314
Walden Ridge
dgrif said:
Hmmm.. thats close to my folks, but not too close. Cost of living seems to be in the right range, and UT is a pretty reputable school. What time does it start gettin dark in the winter? Over here its dark by like 430 :( got any links to pics or anything? Think theres a lake close to knoxville too.
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Right now during the summer it gets dark around 9:15 or so. During the shortest days of the winter I think it gets dark around 6:00 or so. I didn't mention cost of living but ithat is a good point. It's really low.

We have the Tennessee river system right on the edge of campus. Within 30 minutes of campus there are lakes Loudon, Norris, Cherokee, Watts Bar, Norris, Melton Hill, etc.

Check it: www.tva.gov

As for riding we have www.windrock-mtb.com for DH. There is also Pisgah for excellent epic trail riding. Pisgah is just over in NC within 2 hrs away. But much closer to home is Haw Ridge, Norris Watershed, IC King, Big South Fork, Cherokee National Forest, etc.
 
dromond

dromond

Monkey
Aug 20, 2002
286
0
Northampton, MA
I mean yu probably want to keep in mind that most people go to college during the winter months! If DH is your thing, you won't be doing too much of it for more than half of the school year if you're in New England.

So - academics aside - go somewhere with a mild winter or with rad skiing if that's your thing.
 
tangboy

tangboy

Chimp
Aug 6, 2002
40
0
Fort Myers, Florida
Yea, I second that. I mean, it's great that Boston has up to 10 mountains with lift access within a 4 hour range, but how much downhilling will that be useful for between September and April? Sounds irrelevant to me. I'd rather dirt jump in a t shirt all winter.
 
dromond

dromond

Monkey
Aug 20, 2002
286
0
Northampton, MA
tangboy said:
Yea, I second that. I mean, it's great that Boston has up to 10 mountains with lift access within a 4 hour range, but how much downhilling will that be useful for between September and April? Sounds irrelevant to me. I'd rather dirt jump in a t shirt all winter.
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Yeah, but just don't go to florida :nope: :p
 
dgrif

dgrif

Monkey
Apr 12, 2006
179
1
colo spigs
lol.. yeah florida wasnt on my list ;p. Right now its lookin like montana or tennessee.. I'd like to do colorado, but seems kinda expensive out there. Dunno about northeast.. dunno if i could handle the winters :P
 
dgrif

dgrif

Monkey
Apr 12, 2006
179
1
colo spigs
partsbara said:
pot and college... what a perfect combo... nor cal is the shiat mate...
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Only users lose drugs ;) I tell ya i quit smokin? Been almost 2 months.. feel good about it this time. Keepin my beer limit at 3 for the time being.. that seems to be when givin and buy a pack. bout beer 4 and I'm hunting for cig change.

is it me or does this guy --> :agree: look like hes humpin?
 
partsbara

partsbara

Turbo Monkey
Nov 16, 2001
3,996
0
getting Xtreme !
dgrif said:
Only users lose drugs ;) I tell ya i quit smokin? Been almost 2 months.. feel good about it this time. Keepin my beer limit at 3 for the time being.. that seems to be when givin and buy a pack. bout beer 4 and I'm hunting for cig change.

is it me or does this guy --> :agree: look like hes humpin?
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for sure... looks like he s getting some action... good for you of the cigs... those things are farkin evil... i smoke dank, but i don t inhale... :)
 
bizutch

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
profro does have a point about UT. That town is a cool town during college and it would be one of the few places you can DH all year round. Windrock will blow you away for Dh and if you get bored, National Forests abound in all directions.
 
tmoney727t

tmoney727t

Monkey
Feb 22, 2005
520
0
Madison, CT
i'm thinking about colleges right now. and i kind of like northeastern. I think I'm gonna apply there early. They dont have a great sailing team but i think if i go to a school wiht a good sailing team then i will let it control my life and it will be more stressful for me than school. however their biking team looks like fun. also its in boston. their co-op program is awesome. all in all looks like a good place for me.
 
B

blue

boob hater
Jan 24, 2004
10,160
2
california
dgrif said:
lol.. yeah florida wasnt on my list ;p. Right now its lookin like montana or tennessee.. I'd like to do colorado, but seems kinda expensive out there. Dunno about northeast.. dunno if i could handle the winters :P
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You're concerned about northeastern winters, yet you're considering Montana?

:brow:
 
wikitypooshlag

wikitypooshlag

Monkey
Aug 30, 2005
154
0
San Diego
Dude, why are you even considering anywhere besides so-cal. You've seen it in the videos for a reason. We ride year round and there's a ton of great riders in socal. You've got San Diego, Orange County and Santa Barbara all with year round riding weather and insane riding. I'm from SD and we have a blast. Great DH spots and we do a lot of local underground races which are a blast.

this is a thread that got put up after our race last weekend
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166647

also... during the summer you've got mammoth -- a huge mountain that is rediculous fun. in the winter we make the trip out to bootleg canyon a few times a year for some gnar gnar DH.

Oh, and the schools... Just SD alone is loaded with great schools, take your pick!!
 
dhbuilder

dhbuilder

jingoistic xenophobe
Aug 10, 2005
3,040
0
you don't have to pay attention to this.

windrock mt. tennessee.

ya'll have no idea.
 
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