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The Stephen Porraro Memorial Race and Ride, Plattekill Bike Park July 2nd, 3rd & 4th

Eastern States Cup

Turbo Monkey
Feb 29, 2008
2,465
2
East Coast
The Stephen Porraro Memorial Race and Ride
Plattekill Bike Park
July 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2011​


Plattekill Mountain and the Eastern States Cup are honored to be hosting the memorial race for one of East Coast’s most dedicated riders, Stephen Porraro. The ESC race July 2nd & 3rd is dedicated to the 38 year old 2008 Masters Downhill National Champion. Steve passed away suddenly March 5, 2011.

Stephen Porraro was a lifetime cyclist. He first started working on bikes at the age of five. Stephen rode freestyle BMX as a teenager, raced mountain bikes starting in 1992 and passed away on his final road ride March 5th. Steve’s life was immersed in the joy of riding and sharing it with others.

Stephen began racing XC in 1992 under the guidance of RVCC and Bob Holderith, who was promoting the Grundig World Cup at Hunter Mountain, at the time. After winning the beginners race at Mount Snow in 1994 he quickly moved up the ranks to the semi-pro class earning a number of podiums and titles in XC, DH and CX along the way. He also traveled the NORBA National circuit from 1998 to 2003.

In between racing and training Stephen kept busy building and maintaining trails. In 2004 and 2005 he served as trail boss at his favorite US resort, Plattekill Bike Park, where he crafted some of the mountains most exhilarating and challenging race courses. Those great trails still enjoyed by rider’s at the resort.

After a brief respite in 2005 and 2006, he returned to racing with a goal of winning that elusive National DH Champ title. In 2008 Stephen won the Whiteface 5K, earned a silver medal at Windham and achieved his dream winning the Masters National Downhill Championships that same year.

The impressive number of podiums and championships he’s earned throughout his racing career pale in comparison to Stephen’s relentless generosity. It was common to find Stephen helping other racers right up to his own start time. Whether for a complete stranger, an opponent or teammate, the master mechanic and bike design consultant was always willing to help out regardless of it affecting his own race.

More recently as Stephen’s focus shifted from racing, he directed his efforts on trail building at the local Ulster County trails. He was in the process of opening a training and instruction business with his dearest friend and longtime riding partner Kathi Krause.

Kathi attributes her strong technical skills to her beloved friend who she could rely on for anything and everything on and off the bike. “I met Stephen in 1992 or ’93 when I started to race XC after years of road racing. I was referred to him for help with single-track and technical stuff. We hit it off right away because we had similar goals. We were both strong XC riders but wanted to race DH more than anything, even though DH races were few and far between back then.” The unique bond they shared carried the two through some extraordinary times.

Please come celebrate the life of Stephen Porraro and his contributions to the east coast mountain bike scene July 2nd and 3rd. Bring your favorite stories and memories for the campfire Saturday night and share in the moment of silence to be held in his honor before the pro race Sunday morning.
Stephen R Porraro,
July 27, 1972 - March 5, 2011

Schedule:
Saturday 9-5
Sunday 8-5 – Race 11
Monday 10-5

plattekill.com
easternstatescup.com

 

Eastern States Cup

Turbo Monkey
Feb 29, 2008
2,465
2
East Coast
Steve was one of the reasons my son and myself are in the sport. We met Steve at our first race. I had flatted and was on the side of the trail at Mount Snow. He offered assistance and later gave me a tire. I never forgot that act of courtesy. Steve later became a good friend that we would always stop by his pits and say hi. He never failed to encourage us.

Thank Buddy, we'll never forget
George Ulmer
 

BUNKERCHUNKS

Monkey
Apr 8, 2008
217
0
EAST COAST
This will be the most important event at Plattekill for me as race director. Stephen Porraro HAS BLESSED US WITH TRAILS THAT CAN NOT BE MATCHED BY ANY TRAIL BUILDER! Thank you for the Photos voodo.
 

Eastern States Cup

Turbo Monkey
Feb 29, 2008
2,465
2
East Coast
Steve cut this weekends course. He always pushed riders to do their best and keep on improving, in his memory it was decided to run Cat 2 riders on the pro/Cat 1 course.

This is a very special weekend at Platty a lot of long ago regulars will be in attendance. Steve will be smiling down on all of us enjoying his hard work.
 

tmx

aka chromegoddess
Mar 16, 2003
1,683
2
Portland
Ooof, the emotions ebb and flow. Must not forget a box of kleenex...though Steve likely would remind me of the waste and hand me a wrench rag to sop up flowing tears. Then make me laugh to forget the woes and carry on wrenching whoever's bike he's working on.

The magic mountain will be more magical this weekend. Rain or shine. I'm grateful to be able to be part of this.
 

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
Steve cut this weekends course. He always pushed riders to do their best and keep on improving, in his memory it was decided to run Cat 2 riders on the pro/Cat 1 course.

This is a very special weekend at Platty a lot of long ago regulars will be in attendance. Steve will be smiling down on all of us enjoying his hard work.
I will be racing my lil Banzai bike for the 1st time at Platty!

Thanks for the trails Steve!
 
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ska todd

Turbo Monkey
Oct 10, 2001
1,776
0
I really wish I was able to make it up to P'kill for this race in memory of Steve. I have lots of great memories of practicing with and racing against Steve for over a decade. He was a fixture of racing in the Northeast and is missed by the entire community. Good luck & good times to everyone who is attending this race. Wish I could be there!

-ska todd
 

Eastern States Cup

Turbo Monkey
Feb 29, 2008
2,465
2
East Coast
I am sure Steve was smiling down on us today. The rain was nonstop and came down hard all day. Thank you all for coming out to celebrate Steve's trails this weekend. Heal up everyone that got injured and hope to see everyone at Mount Snow in a couple weeks for ESC #5

As Dennis said roots and rain described this race perfectly. Results here: rootsandrain.com ESC #4 results
 

yuroshek

Turbo Monkey
Jun 26, 2007
2,438
0
Arizona!
Awesome time at platty, first time being there in a long time. The last time I almost died by hitting a tree head on. Felt good to be back, miss riding those gnar conditions!

Just want to shout out to Steve for putting in so much time and effort building some amazing trails at platty. Really shows the style of rider he was!

RIP Steve

- Dennis
 

NJMX835

Monkey
Feb 17, 2007
605
0
Highland Lakes NJ
Had an awesome day, great course (thanks Steve) and was awesome seeing everyone. First time I raced in two years and really missed it.. RIP Steve, miss you a lot bro..
 

tmx

aka chromegoddess
Mar 16, 2003
1,683
2
Portland
Miss you a whole bunch Steve. Your presence was felt throughout the mountain.

Huge thanks to Kathi, Nolan, Ronnie, Ron and Matt, Jay, George, and everyone who made the memorial happen. So great to see you all. As well as Woldy, Justin, Huckaroo (hope you're okay budd, looking forward to status, hopefully with good news) and Dawn, Scotty, Animal, Huddy, Gael, Lil' Leoni, Siko and everyone else. Had an incredible weekend. Even the torrential downpour was fun.

Bluebird runs with Kathi on Monday. :)

Leif rocketed into 2nd place.

Going back for more next weekend.

I heart Pkill to the max. Kicked my ass and I loved it.
 
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sikocycles

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2002
1,530
772
CT
I will be there sunday again. Hope the weather is better.
Great seeing you T. We will do some runs next Sunday.
 

tmx

aka chromegoddess
Mar 16, 2003
1,683
2
Portland
Sounds good. You were a trooper for going out in the downpour narrowly being missed by lightening! Hope your drive home wasn't too bad.
 

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
Miss you a whole bunch Steve. Your presence was felt throughout the mountain.

Huge thanks to Kathi, Nolan, Ronnie, Ron and Matt, Jay, George, and everyone who made the memorial happen. So great to see you all. As well as Woldy, Justin, Huckaroo (hope you're okay budd, looking forward to status, hopefully with good news) and Dawn, Scotty, Animal, Huddy, Gael, Lil' Leoni, Siko and everyone else. Had an incredible weekend. Even the torrential downpour was fun.

Bluebird runs with Kathi on Monday. :)

Leif rocketed into 2nd place.

Going back for more next weekend.

I heart Pkill to the max. Kicked my ass and I loved it.
Im back from the dead; slightly torn muscles in my chest, l2 sprained A/C joint - found this out for sure from ortho today. Mild concussion and a little dehydration (??????????) - didnt know all the details until I actually read my release; I thought I was just a pansy, the doctor was teasing me!


Awesome to see everyone, crazy weekend, cant wait to get back on a bike.
 
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tmx

aka chromegoddess
Mar 16, 2003
1,683
2
Portland
Im back from the dead; slightly torn muscles in my chest, l2 sprained A/C joint - found this out for sure from ortho today. Mild concussion and a little dehydration (??????????) - didnt know all the details until I actually read my release; I thought I was just a pansy, the doctor was teasing me!


Awesome to see everyone, crazy weekend, cant wait to get back on a bike.
Phew, you're alive! That was some scary stuff. I hope the recoup is swift and 100%. Did you get an ETA on time before you can ride?
 

yuroshek

Turbo Monkey
Jun 26, 2007
2,438
0
Arizona!
Terry, it was good to see you again, wild to think back years ago when I knew you and Doc and didnt even know what DH was... Funny how things come around! Hope to see ya this weekend at the WC!
 

BUNKERCHUNKS

Monkey
Apr 8, 2008
217
0
EAST COAST
Wish I could have been there, due to some tragic family events I'm in Phoenix since Sunday. I'm glad things went well and in a true Plattekill fashion.
cheers.
 

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
Phew, you're alive! That was some scary stuff. I hope the recoup is swift and 100%. Did you get an ETA on time before you can ride?
Thanks! Def scary, not fun to lose consciousness repeatedly. 3-5 weeks, boo. Time to get some other things going with life; been just working and existing other than DH.

Looking for silver linings
 

ldw222

Monkey
Jun 16, 2009
170
0
Rochester, NY
man i f'd myself up at this one too. got all wrapped up in some trees in that straightaway in the last woods section before the finish and now i'm out six weeks with a fractured tibia. it sounds like a lot of people were crashing at this one...
 

tmx

aka chromegoddess
Mar 16, 2003
1,683
2
Portland
Wish I could have been there, due to some tragic family events I'm in Phoenix since Sunday. I'm glad things went well and in a true Plattekill fashion.
cheers.
Very sorry to hear. I hope all is going as well as can be.

Terry, it was good to see you again, wild to think back years ago when I knew you and Doc and didnt even know what DH was... Funny how things come around! Hope to see ya this weekend at the WC!
Indeed, full circle. You were still styling it up on two wheels back then, just a different mode.

Thanks! Def scary, not fun to lose consciousness repeatedly. 3-5 weeks, boo. Time to get some other things going with life; been just working and existing other than DH.

Looking for silver linings
You're a silver lining kinda guy. 3 - 5 wks sure is better than 3 - 5 months or years.

ldw222: Healing wishes! I think we saw you get carted out - then an EMT got carted out right after you. Yeeeouch!
 

SuspectDevice

Turbo Monkey
Aug 23, 2002
4,157
359
Roanoke, VA
FTW and I left in the wee hours Saturday to head over to Platty. He rode his bike and visited old friends, and I rode his bike and visited old friends too.
I spent all day Saturday with a weedwacker building a pretty fun slalom track on the bunny hill. I don't think anyone noticed it besides me, and I'm pretty sure I"m the only person who rode it too.
It was rad.
I think Steve would have approved.