2009 Beech Mountain Triple Crown Series

Sugar_brad said:

everyone needs to show up regardless. Do you guys have any idea what it costs to operate a lift for a day? We are lucky they are running it in the first place do to liability etc.

Click to expand...

Then do what the other resorts do.... Charge more money and have the lift available all day. Damn, I can't believe I am posting on this subject again.
5-6 pages of people requesting what was advertised and what is the norm any-where else.
Plus they're telling you straight up- Normal practice time, more attendance.
Short practice time - prob. not coming....
Maybe 3 hours will be plenty of time for riding at this event cause,
looks like half the people who were coming, aren't now that it was changed.

It would be smart to have the lift open all day and invite racers and non-racers.
If you want the park to be a hit, it's like any other business, cater to the customer.
If I'm selling burgers and all the other burger joints include fries, why would it be noted as complaining - if you ask for fries?

Sugar_brad said:

everyone needs to show up regardless. Do you guys have any idea what it costs to operate a lift for a day? We are lucky they are running it in the first place do to liability etc.

Click to expand...

Why is everyone from up there in boone being so hostile towards those who would like more practice. Would ya'll be saying the same thing if there was no practice at all?

Like i stated earlier i am going and plan on having a good time, i think everyone here stated there opionion very rationally and now we have people telling us to come if we like it or not? If i don't like it why would i wanna come?

Metal Dude said:

If you want the park to be a hit, it's like any other business, cater to the customer.
If I'm selling burgers and all the other burger joints include fries, why would it be noted as complaining - if you ask for fries?

Click to expand...

I just can't understand the unwavering support that I see on these forums...reminds me of a quote by a great man:

Fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again."

Click to expand...

anyone know if sugar is running lifts today?? I'm headed up today from augusta, GA and i kinda wanted to get in some riding. I'll probably arrive around five-ish, so if anyone is down let me know, whether it be sugar or something else close by.

Listen up people:

No one from "Boone" is being hostile towards the people wanting longer practice times. All but one or two people in the area have had the exact same amount of time on the mountain as anyone else. We can't just go ride it at our discretion during the week or any time other than race times. It upsets me and it is ridiculous that Ryan has busted his ass to provide the ONLY lift assisted race in NC and everyone on here is raising hell about a little less practice. Get up there and support it and help bring racing back to the southeast bigger and better. Making threats to not show up or not showing up will only hurt all of us in the end. It kills me to get on here and hear so many people bitching about it and threatening not to show up because of 2 hours less riding. I understand that it's driving a long ways for some and there might be a little less practice, but it's all we have. It's not going to prove a point or make a statement otherwise by not showing up and just running your mouths on the internet about how you think things should be. Go ride the damn course, race it, and have fun. Don't forget to thank Ryan for the work he did that most everyone on here contributed nothing towards. You can make your contribution by showing up and racing.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but this is ridiculous. It's not the lack of riding that hurts this area, because it has plenty great riding and potential for even more...It's the people sitting on the internet bitching their and everyone else's opportunities to ride away. Embrace what you have and deal with what's available. The correct way to get something done is not on the internet by "trying to prove a point." Tell Ryan nicely that you would appreciate more practice at the last race in maybe a PM, email, or phone call...even in person when you show up with a smile to race since if you don't come you'll probably be hitting refresh on ridemonkey...(real fun I bet, way better than a few hours of riding dh.) If he sees that it's needed then maybe he'll decide on having it at the next race. Like Brad said, it's not cheap to run the lift. And remember, if you think things have been done so wrong that you won't show up to support a race and take advantage of one of your few opportunities to ride a dh bike south of Snowshoe, then maybe you should put in the time and work to promote a race yourself.

See you all at Beech in the morning for a great opportunity to ride and race your bikes!

Well said SAPP. See you in the morning!! Gonna be fun........

Dsapp, can u please keep the posts under 1000 words. I just got outta summer school and I'm done reading long passages for a while. See Yall at the Track!

Come on folks.

Beech is not a bike resort. It does not operate a bike park with flexible hours.

Beech Mtn/Ryan Taylor is hosting a 3 race series, which is 3 more than last year. This is a race, show up during practice time and practice. Don't hang out with your buddies, eat lunch, or other stuff during practice unless you feel comfortable enough.

Hang out with your buddies before and after practice. Use practice time wisely and 3 hours is MORE than enough to get the course dialed. If you want to ride, go to a bike park or hit up Wilson's or Pisgah which aren't far away.

BTW, I was at the last race and I don't remember seeing anyone of the lift before noon. However I talked to Ryan and is going to try to extend parctice on Saturday between a 1/2 hr to an hour if he can.

Please show up at the RACE and maybe they will get stoked enough to open a bike park.

This just in from Ryan:

Riders meeting at 10:45
Practice: 11-3

So all you that have posted up better be in the lift line at 11!

Ryan Taylor just called and said that practice has been extended! According to him, the new schedule is as follows:

Practice 11am - 3pm

Pro Qualifying 3:30pm

Rider Meeting @ the View Haus at 10:45am



Now...hopefully someone will be on the lift at 11am.

Edit: Sniped by Doug!

Trilliamiano said:

Dsapp, can u please keep the posts under 1000 words. I just got outta summer school and I'm done reading long passages for a while. See Yall at the Track!

Click to expand...

he's testing out the new eyes..give 'em a break!

This just in!!.....

I'm still to broke to race

but i'll be there for moral support and to teach noah how to properly heckle

manimal said:

This just in!!.....

I'm still to broke to race

but i'll be there for moral support and to teach noah how to properly heckle

Click to expand...

dude, I'm in the same boat. Ain't got no money except for a $20 gift certificate to the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria atop Beech Mtn. BTW, large frying pans with wooden spoons make excellent noise makers!

What happened to everyone just having hugantic boners just to be racing back at Beech in the first place?
who gives a flyin fornication about one hour.
I missed all of the Sat practice for the last race. I just busted arse and got as much practice runs as I could Sunday morning.
A schedule is a schedule. Don't like it, don't come. Maybe I'll wind up on the podium yet.

Dsapp, can u please keep the posts under 1000 words. I just got outta summer school and I'm done reading long passages for a while.

Click to expand...

Sorry trill, just was hoping people could understand that they were acting ridiculous...now i'm sure someone's going to post up and say "look, see, us being babies and causing a fuss on the internet worked" however, it would have been much easier to get the same results through a nice pm or phone call!

See everyone in the am, everyone better be pinning it or be prepared to face verbal wrath!

Beautiful. It was cracking me up listening to people stick up for poor Ryan. Like he was being attacked or something. The most valuable thing we can give Ryan is feedback. Constructive criticism. He underestimated the response by fellow riders and friends, to shortening the practice schedule. And he is savy enough to adjust on the fly! I'm sure he is thankful to all the riders for their help and support. And hopefully he can mentally recover from the vicious onslought of attacks. HAHA Lets grow this thing into a long term race series with bigger sponsors!! See yall in the AM!!!

Just felt like adding another post to this thread.

have to say reading this was something else... maybe i overlooked some comments but a lot of the folks complaining didn't convey their thanks to Ryan (in there first complaint post anyway) but rather just complained.

keep in mind that its easy to interpet post in different ways, i.e. the writer may have not meant it to be harsh & some folks may not take it that way but other could. same goes with the comment about the boone guys being harsh in their post. i sure didn't take it that way, well except for Sapp on one of his comments after he got fired up. it did however seem that some of the first post where meant that way to me but here again that's my interpetation.

as far as the money issue with the number of riders last time, i'd wager that the resort didn't breakeven. even if registration was $100 that's only $9,700. look at the number of employees (2 days) they had there ($), actually operating the lift ($$) and insurance ($$$) which isn't like cheap NORBA insurance but expensive.

i know all this thread needed was another post but just had to throw my 2 cents in...

Conclusion......monkeys are better riders that writers. Now let's see if we can go downhill as fast as this thread did.

drkenan said:

Ryan Taylor just called and said that practice has been extended! According to him, the new schedule is as follows:

Practice 11am - 3pm

Pro Qualifying 3:30pm

Rider Meeting @ the View Haus at 10:45am



Now...hopefully someone will be on the lift at 11am.

Edit: Sniped by Doug!

Click to expand...

Man that totally throws off my schedule, why'd you have to make it an hour earlier? Now I have to wake up way early to get up there in time
Really though just kidding, see all you folks on the mountain

I am handing out these tomorrow in the parking lot just to be safe from complainers:

OB1 said:

Conclusion......monkeys are better riders that writers. Now let's see if we can go downhill as fast as this thread did.

Click to expand...

Toshay!

vinnycactus said:

perfect timing. i just bought a turner highline......

Click to expand...

So.....where are u??

i got confused. i was riding it at the presby crit tonight......

manimal said:

This just in!!.....

I'm still to broke to race

but i'll be there for moral support and to teach noah how to properly heckle

Click to expand...

ahhhhhhh,some real wisdom floating up in a sea confusion.

hey Mack hope you are doing ok man. Props for sending it.

My wife took these with a 19 month old in one arm and the camera in the other. So please understand the slight blur.





Really good race. Another great local scene. The outfits for the pro race were great. I am sure more will show up. Thanks Peter, Mueller, and Moto.

I took these whilst holding a bottle of sh!tty bourbon, so please understand the slight blur

Moto, rocking the skin suit on his race run


Doug, crushing it with the santitation worker suit on. Nice Makula btw...



Ridemonkey's very own Jeremy Raney...


Local Raleigh pinnah - Alex Dawson (unbelievable talent for someone who is a riding a real DH bike for the first time)




In short, another super fun race...Great weather, great prizes, great venue, and good times.

Thanks Ryan

jackalope said:

Doug, crushing it with the santitation worker suit on.

Click to expand...

Looks like I am knee deep in "sanitation".

That mud did smell suspicious... Great race again. Thanks to all involved.

First and foremost, I gotta say the scene was great. Everybody racing but nobody being hostile. Lots of laughs, skinsuits, plenty of razzing each other at the start, and someone told the spectators along every inch of course my name.

Goofed off in qualifying Saturday by riding no handed throwing the two handed metal signs on the top grass straights and went around the top double. Race day I followed Greg into it and popped the double no problem and after that didn't even need to pedal to get over it. I left just so very mad at myself for falling down in my race run. Fell in the grass right hander before the table rock up top. Took forever to restart and go around the slab.

I even weaved after the berm following it as a tiny shrew (yes, a real shrew)

fled in terror straight across some bare roots. Weird.

Highlights:

The nine year old rocking it down the Dh in clipless
Skinsuit brigade
Drew-mania
Dusty/boggy/dusty/boggy/dusty track was primo.
Sunday AM lift nightmare averted!! That baby was humming after Rollie Fingers worked magic on it.
Badass Ann hitting the step down (her and her bud JJ are good people).
meeting PeterMillsNC
Greg & Moto playing mind games w/ each other
The return of Eddie Roberts

Quote of the day:
Mueller: "I bet you could put your hands around his waist and they'd touch."

Just want to say thanks to Ryan and Beech for a great race! Good track, Good people, Good Vibe. Hope it keeps going!
Also want to say that it was kool having the practice extended! And to all the peeps who asked for it and still didn't show up, you missed a good weekend of riding! I complained but, was the first person in the lot on Sat. morning.
I think Ryan compromised perfectly with the extra hr. of practice to 4hrs on Sat.
Plenty of time to ride and go back for some adjustments and repairs.
2hrs. on Sunday allowed plenty of time even with the slight delay with the lift which wasn't very long at all, yet practice was extended for 30mins. to allow for plenty of practice -even if you didn't show on Sat. and you knew the track from the first race.
Very good time riding at Beech! Stoked to be back up there Racing!

Yeah Butch I didn't hear the quote you listed but,
My quote fave for the weekend was - "I never seen a skinsuit flapping in the wind before"

Great weekend. Practice time ran perfectly imo and had time to re-sew my shoe back together and still have some great riding.

Everytime i ride that course it makes me want to get a full DH bike. Great weekend glad everyone had fun and thanks Ryan for gettin it done the right way as always!


That 9 year old was killin it...he isn't the same kid that broke his wrist over at the mountain board park was it?

Again, I honestly want to thank everybody involved with the series from Ryan, to Beech Mtn., and how about a shout out for Matt Adams and his timing. Matt is trying to break some kind of record with getting his results posted up in less than two minutes from when the race is over. Great job!
I was one race run mistake from having a great weekend.
The practice time was perfect, and I used up every bit of it.
I rode so much this weekend, I feel like I didn't talk to as many people as normal. Hell, I didn't even see Steven until we rode up for our race run.
Great weekend of riding all around.
And I cannot possibly express how stoked I am about DH racing returning to the high country ski slopes. Beech, Dirty Bird, and hopefully racing at Sugar will be back soon as well.
The Southeast DH scene feels alive again and kicking!

Had an awesome time. I think i've been riding the dirty bird too much because I felt like it took me forever to find my flow at beech this weekend. Its really a polar opposite track but its so sweet to have racing right in my backyard. Sunday I finally started to link up some good runs and the most fun I had all weekend was my race run. Great job on everything Ryan. Glad you guys liked the skinsuits...I pretty much lost it watching moto sprint to the finish in the USA suit. Priceless.

Amazing time this weekend. I told Ryan on Friday that the first race was the best time I can remember I've had at a race in quite some time and I think this one trumped it!

Lots of Highlights this weekend: Dawson boosting that last table top in the mountain board park, all the people yelling during the race, drunken debauchery in the parking lot on Saturday night.

Lowlight of the weekend: P Mills gave me free reign over his WRX in the gravel parking lot but I was too chicken sh!t to give it the punishment is deserves.

I've got some great pics to put up from the mountain board park session.

Dan Sapp just sent these my way.





Nice shots D Sapp! Love the brodium pic.

Yeah, unfortunately Trey (the 9yrold) broke both bones in both of his wrists in the boardpark. he went to hit the tabletop with too much speed and the rear suspension bucked him forward. Sucks for him but its one of many ER trips we have made with him. He is very Pastrana-ish not scared. He still had a blast it was his first downhill run /event ever. At the E.R. yesterday he asked when the next race was as he wanted to come back to hit the stepdown if the corner before it wasnt as sloppy/muddy. Once again we had a blast the town,track and event were awesome. Thanks again and hope to be back soon. Andif anyone got any cool pix of him please post so he can see. it willdefinitely cheer him up

drkenan said:

....

Lowlight of the weekend: P Mills gave me free reign over his WRX in the gravel parking lot but I was too chicken sh!t to give it the punishment is deserves.

Click to expand...

Note: Wise man...but being in the auto insurance biz, I just want to let you know that the insurance follows the car...not the driver. You would have been golden!!!

SCHANEWOLF said:

Yeah, unfortunately Trey (the 9yrold) broke both bones in both of his wrists in the boardpark. he went to hit the tabletop with too much speed and the rear suspension bucked him forward. Sucks for him but its one of many ER trips we have made with him. He is very Pastrana-ish not scared. He still had a blast it was his first downhill run /event ever. At the E.R. yesterday he asked when the next race was as he wanted to come back to hit the stepdown if the corner before it wasnt as sloppy/muddy. Once again we had a blast the town,track and event were awesome. Thanks again and hope to be back soon. Andif anyone got any cool pix of him please post so he can see. it willdefinitely cheer him up

Click to expand...

Hi bro,

I was with your son on his second run in clipless that morning. I tried to help him get re-started 3 times. He'd fallen off the road and they drug him back up to check on him. He got clearance from the medic and threw down on it again, but too much front brake, walked it a sec and hopped back on around the man-huck and slid out safely at a tree below it. He was just missing that itty bitty cleat. Some platform clipless and a set of Shimano or 661 flat sole clipless shoes and he'll rip every time. Do they make 'em that size?