Long winded, but a good read about the state DH in the US
- Thread starter schwaaa31
- Start date
I was not a fan of USAC and this article cements it. I'm alittle disappointed that notable DHers have fallen into lock step with USAC. But perhaps it is misplaced because either they 1)think the best way to get USAC to change is to work from within. or 2)can't talk badly about the organization that grants them UCI points and Worlds participation.
It's a real shame about plattekill. I agree if they kept port angeles, they should have kept Platty. East Coast downhill and race development would not be where it is if Plattekill didn't exist.
It's a real shame about plattekill. I agree if they kept port angeles, they should have kept Platty. East Coast downhill and race development would not be where it is if Plattekill didn't exist.
The solution that no one wants to admit is the best one. Can you imagine if Europe only have 6 UCI points races?
why not divide into 3 regions by time zone at least; nat'l champs site rotates?
It worked fine as a unified nationwide series before.
It's almost like something changed right before it sucked and everyone lost interest.
It's almost like something changed right before it sucked and everyone lost interest.
Yeah, when gas was $1.25/gallon, airfare was cheap, and it only cost $20 to bring a bike on a plane and companies had real budgets to sponsor racers.
Find me a single legit dh venue in central standard time
clearly i meant combine central and mountain. and/or central gets left out ... because central 
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, (some of) Iowa, Ohio, and (some of) Wisconsin are all MUCH closer to mountain creek and Snoeshow than 95% of the population of California is to Port angeles, or all of Washington is to Mammoth. Or basically...anywhere is to Angel Fire. Kind of interesting to think about. It's really kind of strange how Midwest people are so anemic to driving (or really doing anything besides drinking and eating). As a former midwestern-er, I'm allowed to hate.
There is much more to that article as to why plattekill was left out. If you knew laz you would absolutely understand. From a riders point I am bummed, but I am surprised it took this long.
In all fairness, Angel Fire is a reasonable drive for most people in Colorado, NM, AZ and quite a few Texans.
The US is huge, which definitely makes it moar difficult. But, the Australians seem to have found a way to excel.
The US is huge, which definitely makes it moar difficult. But, the Australians seem to have found a way to excel.
don't like 75% or more of the australian population live on the eastern coast?
yeah, it's been awhile since i've been to plattekill and ive never actually had a conversation with Laz. i guess the primary reason may be a personality clash. the remoteness, lack of facilities, and hyper-gnar was just a nice way to justify it.
The real problem, and why dh'ing will never be a "Real" sport is because there are not a. Sanctioned or b. real dh tracks near the main metro cities.
Either way, How hard is it to have a few regions?
Ca, pnw, Rockies, north east, mid at/ south east.
Then have nationals ~1hr from a major city, which rotates every year.
Either way, How hard is it to have a few regions?
Ca, pnw, Rockies, north east, mid at/ south east.
Then have nationals ~1hr from a major city, which rotates every year.
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Why can't they just go back to a schedule that was similar to the Norbas in their heyday..
Big Bear Ca
Deer Valley UT
Schwitzer Mnt. ID
Snowmass Co
Snowshoe WV
Mammoth Ca
The pro and expert fields were stacked in the early to mid 2000's....My expert class would have over 60 dudes in it...JrX was the same plus another full Semi Pro class...
Then pro class had all the Aussie pro's....Reenie, Hill, kovarik, Kirkaldie etc...then Minnar and a bunch of euros plus the Americans...
I stopped racing in 05 or 06....don't really remember when the pro class thinned out...think it was around 06...I kinda stopped paying attention to it around then don't really remember what was the final straw
Big Bear Ca
Deer Valley UT
Schwitzer Mnt. ID
Snowmass Co
Snowshoe WV
Mammoth Ca
The pro and expert fields were stacked in the early to mid 2000's....My expert class would have over 60 dudes in it...JrX was the same plus another full Semi Pro class...
Then pro class had all the Aussie pro's....Reenie, Hill, kovarik, Kirkaldie etc...then Minnar and a bunch of euros plus the Americans...
I stopped racing in 05 or 06....don't really remember when the pro class thinned out...think it was around 06...I kinda stopped paying attention to it around then don't really remember what was the final straw
As far as Australia, yeah, most people live in the Eastern half of the country. But, even with that, they are still widely spread out. Go look at distances between even Sydney and Melbourne, which are both in the SE corner of the country. Its about a 9 hour drive. And those cities are relatively close.
The point is that being a large, spread out country doesnt make it easier, but it isn't the reason for the gravity racing issues we have in the US.
Last year at Nationals, I remember hearing the announcers during Cat3 say (over the PA system) something like "this isn't a National Championship category, it is just a beginner class". Nothing like encouraging the growth of the sport....
The point is that being a large, spread out country doesnt make it easier, but it isn't the reason for the gravity racing issues we have in the US.
Last year at Nationals, I remember hearing the announcers during Cat3 say (over the PA system) something like "this isn't a National Championship category, it is just a beginner class". Nothing like encouraging the growth of the sport....
i don't know how i feel about this. on one hand, i agree that being National Champ should mean something, and be exemplar of riding skill. Therefore, I tend to agree with having that title only associated with Cat1 and Pro. But that Nats weekend must also make some semblance of money and have decent attendance, so it makes sense to also offer Cat2 and Cat3 racing.
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Yeah, but it was a pretty derogatory comment when heard in person. And, I bet the racer coming across the line when they said that is in no hurry to give USAC any more of his money.
There are plenty of additional examples, such as if you want to list a sponsor, said sponsor has to pay $150 to be recognized as an official "club". About 5% of the racers at Nat's the past two years had sponsors listed.
Practice times at Nat's were silly, and the reasoning was " you should see what its like at a World Cup".
I could go on.
I drove over 12,500 miles to race DH last year. I drove over 15,000 miles (including races) to ride DH, I live in Michigan and I agree with your statement, it's nearly impossible to find anyone willing to road trip consistently with the wife and I. No one wants to drive anywhere. Hell, I know a handful of guys who claim "if DH was accessible I'd be awesome at it"
So, yeah, I can't argue with you, even if it hurt my feelings
lolmove somewhere radder. MI sucks. I lived there for many years. right south of you in milford for years, then went to school in the yoop. Couldn't imagine going back to live there for anything after moving away.I drove over 12,500 miles to race DH last year. I drove over 15,000 miles (including races) to ride DH, I live in Michigan and I agree with your statement, it's nearly impossible to find anyone willing to road trip consistently with the wife and I. No one wants to drive anywhere. Hell, I know a handful of guys who claim "if DH was accessible I'd be awesome at it"
So, yeah, I can't argue with you, even if it hurt my feelings
I think I had maybe 3-4 guys who were willing to do road trips with any regularity, and I'm pretty sure I knew every serious mountain biker within a 100 mile radius of Chicago at the time. It's not even a mountain biker thing. Even "regular" people refused to do anything that required driving more than 45 minutes. A bunch of those tiny ski hills in WI have JUST enough vert to do something cool. And they are as close to Chicago as Big Bear is to LA. But alas...I live in Michigan and I agree with your statement, it's nearly impossible to find anyone willing to road trip consistently with the wife and I. No one wants to drive anywhere.
So, yeah, I can't argue with you, even if it hurt my feelings
Anyone here ever ride that "Rock" lift place they built near Milwaukee? I thought they might make something cool like CPX was that I could check out when visiting family, but the helmet cams look super lame. Could be wrong though.
those states (midwest) you have to travel far distances just to ride DH, yet alone race. West coast states don't have that issue anywhere near as bad.
I've not been, but a few friends have, although the amount of vert is poop, the trails are said to be extremely fun.
I went to school in the UP also. Live in Marquette for 5+ years. Great riding in that area and copper harbor is only a few hours away.
I'd love to move out of state, but circumstances outside of my control do not make that a current option.
Michigan gets lumped into the "Midwest" but is not a bad place to live. I don't absolutely love it sometimes, but there are some pretty damn cool things to do in michigan. We have a shit ton of lakes, beaches, kayaking, fishing, etc. Venture just a few hours out of the metro detroit area and it's quite scenic, venture up into the Upper Peninsula and its fucking awesome.
personally, i consider michigan and wisconsin to be part of canada.
LOL, we always joked about that when I lived in the Upper Peninsula.
I assume you include Minnesota too since Wisconsin doesn't even border canada? lol
Wisconsin is pretty cool in the northern regions, but boring as shit down in the south by illinois.
I assume you include Minnesota too since Wisconsin doesn't even border canada? lol
Wisconsin is pretty cool in the northern regions, but boring as shit down in the south by illinois.
yea wisconsin, minnesota, michigan. all canada.
Don't forget the Dakotas, Montana, and the northern parts of New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine!
no, dakotas are flyover states. montana is rocky mountain state. Ny, NH, VT, and Maine are new england.
Dan: I would skip the rock assuming you would need to pay to ship a bike. The trails appeared to be decent alough their flow/jump trail lacked flow. The lifts also blow chunks. It's 5 hours from my house to there and the lift broke before I even got to ride it on the day I went there. We hiked it for 3 runs before they told us that we were not allowed to ride anymore. Then they gave me half my money back in the form of a gift certificate. so I will not be back unless I am already in mke.
On the other hand, I drove to brighton for 7 of 9 of their weekly town series and to the east coast 4 times last year.
On the other hand, I drove to brighton for 7 of 9 of their weekly town series and to the east coast 4 times last year.
do tell. I've been riding at plattekill for 14 years, I am both shocked and not surprised at all that it happened.
Finally read the whole pink bike story. The truth is most likely in there. The promoters need to operate as a team. Do the math.
I think that the amount of races has over saturated the market demand. Pulling back the total number and having fewer races that are better attended and more profitable.
I think that the amount of races has over saturated the market demand. Pulling back the total number and having fewer races that are better attended and more profitable.
that's the thing though... in general they do. the plattekill and mt creek GRT dates were always back to back weekends because the venues are less than 2 hours apart.
which from a scheduling standpoint really sucks ass for those of us who have to travel more than 3 hours to a race....