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DH Nationals - Happening this weekend...or did you know?

Full Trucker

Full Trucker

Frikkin newb!!!
Feb 26, 2003
10,543
7,632
Exit, CO
trib said:
People forget that despite Gwin's 'disastrous' Wc season so far he's still way ahead of the next fastest american.
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As well as roughly 75% of the WC field who qualifies, to say nothing of the riders who don't even make the show on Sunday.


trib said:
Those womens times are telling...I posted somewhere recently that Anne Caro considered a decent time to be within about 30s of the mens time. Jill is nearly a minute back on Gwin and Jackie is a minute 20 back...

Are women really that bad at riding bikes in the US?
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Considering Jill has two 8ths and a 12th, which makes her consistently faster than ~60-70% of the women's WC field, it doesn't seem U.S. women are any "worse at riding bikes" than the rest of the world really. Yes there are a handful of women riders who can push towards the AC goal of "30 seconds off the men's time" but for the rest of the field it ain't happening. Jill and Jackie's times at US Nats are about the same relative to the WC winners.
 
Cant Climb

Cant Climb

Turbo Monkey
May 9, 2004
2,683
10
ACC's goal was top 50 in the men's field.

But note: She spent many years riding a POS cannondale and and actually ran the Cannondale Headshox Fork, most (if not all) sponsored Cannondale riders ditched that fork. Also, seemed like as soon as she got on that bike she slowed down 15-20 seconds.
 
G

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
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The 802
William42 said:
Also, ever notice how east or west coast, it always seems to be the CA guys on top, followed by the CO/UT, followed by more CA guys?
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gemini2k said:
I think that sums up ever US DH race ever basically. With a few PNW thrown in occasionally.
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The whole geographical superiority argument is pretty dumb, I'm not really sure what it's supposed to prove really, but since you're keeping score (rather poorly) let me help you out. But keep in mind before you stick your cali chests out too far that aside from Gwin (CA), Rolepato (UT), Rude (CT), Mulally (PA), and Shaw bros (NC), there are several 100 random euros, kiwis, and aussies you've never heard of who will completely mop the floor with both coast and all points in between, pretty much anywhere and in any condition. Heck, limit to just the Brits and we don't stand a chance.

2013 Nationals top 20 (New Mexico): 10 West Coast, 4 East Coast, 6 CO/UT/TX, 0 PNW

2012 top 20 (North Carolina): 9 West Coast, 7 East Coast, 3 CO/UT, 1 PNW

2011 top 20 (North Carolina) : 9 West Coast, 8 East Coast, 2 CO/UT, 1 PNW

2010 top 20 (Colorado): 11 West, 2 East Coast, 5 CO/UT, 2 PNW

*PNW doesn't lack in talent, it unfortunately just has riders too smart to waste their time with attending US Nationals. They're the real winners.
 
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bizutch

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
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gemini2k said:
I think that sums up ever US DH race ever basically. With a few PNW thrown in occasionally.
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US National DH Pro Champ - Geritt Beytagh - NC
US National DS Pro Champ - Christopher Herndon - NC
US National Junior DH Champ - Walker Shaw - NC
Fesperman was in 16under last yr &his time would have had back to back NC Junior National champs.

US National Downhill Junior Champ - Neko Mulally (technically Pro too since he beat the fastest time) - East Coast

Yeah....that West Coast is killing at the top of the rankings :rofl:
 
B

bobsten

Monkey
Oct 23, 2008
240
0
rain rain go away
Where was Mikey Sylvestri? At Skibowl, he said he was attending with the intention of destroying... Bummer not to see him up there.
 
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Jeremy R

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
Non racers talking about racing on here is always great for a good chuckle. Its easy to talk smack about people "not being fast" when you are never gonna line up unless somebody puts a number plate on your couch. It is just a lack of respect from not having your ass constantly kicked.
If you think about the guys who absolutely smash your time at local races, and they go to Nationals and race their ass off and finish 20th in pro. And then you consider how much faster they would have to go to even qualify at a World Cup, it really puts that $hit in perspective. I got respect for all those guys and girls putting it all on the line from both coasts, the middle and all around the rest of the world as well.
 
William42

William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,916
651
Sandwich said:
it's tough cause so many east coast riders, like Neko and Richie Rude, are on the world cup now, there's nobody left to bat cleanup.
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Was there a WC race this weekend that Gwin and Mitch and the Luca Shaw decided not to attend? I don't know about yeti because I know its a smaller budget team, but if you're pouring enough money into DH that you're sponsoring a WC team, the least you can do is get your fuggin riders to nats (lookin at you TWR).

Also, its pretty well established that aside from Gwin, the US sucks on at DH in the world stage. Not sure why you'd use Europe, Australia, and NZ as an example of why the west coast isn't better then the east coast Mr. Trompore.

So you put together a list that agrees with what I said, and then added that there are a lot more fast guys on the west coast that didn't bother attending, and then said I was wrong. Not sure I follow your logic.

But really, I don't give a fyck, and having ridden on both the east and west coast, I've come to the conclusion there are stupid fast people in both places. I just like teasing people about it on ridemonkey because its "cool" and I want to fit in on the interwebs.
 
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William42

William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,916
651
Sandwich said:
i just like rustling your jimmies. it's getting easier these days.
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I have a broken foot and don't get to ride, and am easily upset by this fact! So I make controversial statements on ridemonkey about something that really doesn't matter and then defend them to the death.
 
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P

Pegboy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 20, 2003
1,139
27
New Hamp-sha
Jeremy R said:
Non racers talking about racing on here is always great for a good chuckle. Its easy to talk smack about people "not being fast" when you are never gonna line up unless somebody puts a number plate on your couch. It is just a lack of respect from not having your ass constantly kicked.
If you think about the guys who absolutely smash your time at local races, and they go to Nationals and race their ass off and finish 20th in pro. And then you consider how much faster they would have to go to even qualify at a World Cup, it really puts that $hit in perspective. I got respect for all those guys and girls putting it all on the line from both coasts, the middle and all around the rest of the world as well.
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Look, If I can site that people from my area (or state) are fast, then obviously I'm fast and I don't have to bother wasting time and money to prove it by way of a stopwatch.
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
General Lee said:
2013 Nationals top 20 (New Mexico): 10 West Coast, 4 East Coast, 6 CO/UT/TX, 0 PNW

2012 top 20 (North Carolina): 9 West Coast, 7 East Coast, 3 CO/UT, 1 PNW

2011 top 20 (North Carolina) : 9 West Coast, 8 East Coast, 2 CO/UT, 1 PNW

2010 top 20 (Colorado): 11 West, 2 East Coast, 5 CO/UT, 2 PNW
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bizutch said:
Yeah....that West Coast is killing at the top of the rankings :rofl:
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I'm not sure if you're kidding, or illiterate? Seems to me like the only time east coast acheives anything close to parity is on home terrain?
 
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Cant Climb

Cant Climb

Turbo Monkey
May 9, 2004
2,683
10
Well at least Gwin rode his DH bike this past weekend instead of swinging kettleballs at RynoPower. Hopefully will prove to be fruitful this weekend at MSA.
 
schwaaa31

schwaaa31

Turbo Monkey
Jul 30, 2002
1,434
1,022
Clinton Massachusetts
Why would anyone besides maybe the top 5-10 pro and junior men and women travel thousands or even hundreds of miles to race the US DH champs? What's the allure seriously? Seems like an awful lot of time and money to spend for a race that doesn't really mean sh1t to amateurs. I could see if the venue was within driving distance of where you live, but to travel from say the PNW to North Carolina, or From New England to New Mexico for this race?
 
mtg

mtg

Green with Envy
Sep 21, 2009
1,862
1,604
Denver, CO
So....about that race. The course was real awesome. Up top were some steep sections, off-camber, roots, loam and ruts that transitioned into good ol' Angel Fire maching on the lower half of the mountain.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
schwaaa31 said:
Why would anyone besides maybe the top 5-10 pro and junior men and women travel thousands or even hundreds of miles to race the US DH champs? What's the allure seriously? Seems like an awful lot of time and money to spend for a race that doesn't really mean sh1t to amateurs. I could see if the venue was within driving distance of where you live, but to travel from say the PNW to North Carolina, or From New England to New Mexico for this race?
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this.
 
E

epic

Turbo Monkey
Sep 15, 2008
1,041
21
schwaaa31 said:
Why would anyone besides maybe the top 5-10 pro and junior men and women travel thousands or even hundreds of miles to race the US DH champs? What's the allure seriously? Seems like an awful lot of time and money to spend for a race that doesn't really mean sh1t to amateurs. I could see if the venue was within driving distance of where you live, but to travel from say the PNW to North Carolina, or From New England to New Mexico for this race?
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It had nice scenery...
 
O

olddogbmxer

Monkey
Aug 9, 2007
143
0
schwaaa31 said:
Why would anyone besides maybe the top 5-10 pro and junior men and women travel thousands or even hundreds of miles to race the US DH champs? What's the allure seriously? Seems like an awful lot of time and money to spend for a race that doesn't really mean sh1t to amateurs. I could see if the venue was within driving distance of where you live, but to travel from say the PNW to North Carolina, or From New England to New Mexico for this race?
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As a National Championship its a joke. Sanctioning body that doesn't give a crap about gravity racing or make any effort to organize or structure racing into a national series that makes sense for amateurs and
pros that would make winning a national championship mean something. They are just interested in collecting license and sanctioning fees. I don't think that venues are beating down their doors for this event - especially since they separated it from cross country which really reduced the financial viability for a venue to host it.
 
Lelandjt

Lelandjt

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2008
2,514
827
Breckenridge, CO/Lahaina,HI
schwaaa31 said:
Why would anyone besides maybe the top 5-10 pro and junior men and women travel thousands or even hundreds of miles to race the US DH champs? What's the allure seriously? Seems like an awful lot of time and money to spend for a race that doesn't really mean sh1t to amateurs.
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For the amateurs there's some allure to getting a gold medal, stars and stripes jersey, and the bragging rights of being a Cat 1 national champion. The guys on the podium looked pretty happy. A few I talked to also made this a riding road trip with stops at Winter Park and Keystone.
As a pro who didn't really have a shot at the top 5 it was worth it for me to go cuz I knew the course would be fun and even though a few top pros are absent it's still fun to see where you fall among America's best. However, I live within 6 hours of the venue and made it home by midnight. I wasn't able to justify the drive to NC the last two years though I did consider going and making it a riding road trip with a trail bike and maybe a moto brought along.
 
bizutch

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
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Lelandjt said:
For the amateurs there's some allure to getting a gold medal, stars and stripes jersey, and the bragging rights of being a Cat 1 national champion. The guys on the podium looked pretty happy. A few I talked to also made this a riding road trip with stops at Winter Park and Keystone.
As a pro who didn't really have a shot at the top 5 it was worth it for me to go cuz I knew the course would be fun and even though a few top pros are absent it's still fun to see where you fall among America's best. However, I live within 6 hours of the venue and made it home by midnight. I wasn't able to justify the drive to NC the last two years though I did consider going and making it a riding road trip with a trail bike and maybe a moto brought along.
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^THIS.

Nationals have always been about epic road trips with your buddies. If I had the time and money, I'd love to go do Nats at Angel Fire. Never been to that part of the country and there is a ton of stuff in between here and there to make even a Griswold proud.

If you'd brought your moto and done a riding road trip through Windrock, Pisgah and tied in Nationals, you'd have a winner of a week.

If you're going ONLY to RACE, then you should be a sponsored top level pro. This is mountain biking...i.e. fun.
 
G

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
0
The 802
bizutch said:
^THIS.

Nationals have always been about epic road trips with your buddies. If I had the time and money, I'd love to go do Nats at Angel Fire. Never been to that part of the country and there is a ton of stuff in between here and there to make even a Griswold proud.

If you'd brought your moto and done a riding road trip through Windrock, Pisgah and tied in Nationals, you'd have a winner of a week.

If you're going ONLY to RACE, then you should be a sponsored top level pro. This is mountain biking...i.e. fun.
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Which is the perfect reason not to go to a sub-par track at a sparsely attended venue in the middle of nowhere, and where the majority of participants are there to 'seriously' contend for the cat 1 26-27 150-160lb National Title against 5 other people.
 
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epic

Turbo Monkey
Sep 15, 2008
1,041
21
NOt to belabor the point about the women's racing, but if I had to guess, it's probably not what is happening in the senior ranks that is the problem, but what is not happening in the junior ranks.
 
bizutch

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
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Over your shoulder whispering
General Lee said:
Which is the perfect reason not to go to a sub-par track at a sparsely attended venue in the middle of nowhere, and where the majority of participants are there to 'seriously' contend for the cat 1 26-27 150-160lb National Title against 5 other people.
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When we all realize that a 1 Day National Champs in a country as large as the United is impractical and only put on for the sake of the UCI, no argument for or against is valid.
 
Lelandjt

Lelandjt

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2008
2,514
827
Breckenridge, CO/Lahaina,HI
I don't think you can read much into the results past 1st place. So many top American DHers were racing Enduro at the world round and national round happening the same weekend. Why the fvck did they have National Champs so early in the season and at the same time as two other top level gravity races?
 
Bikael Molton

Bikael Molton

goofy for life
Jun 9, 2003
4,022
1,154
El Lay
Lelandjt said:
I don't think you can read much into the results past 1st place. So many top American DHers were racing Enduro at the world round and national round happening the same weekend. Why the fvck did they have National Champs so early in the season and at the same time as two other top level gravity races?
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So many... Like 2-3 or thereabouts?
 
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