[Sugar_brad]

So...it's pissing rain in Banner Elk fyi.Dont forget your spikes.

 

[DaveBethea]

Can't wait to get back up there.

 

[Jeremy R]

Can't wait to get back up there.

Hey Dave,
Today, I just had to "out do" your crash you had at Beech. Full Speed ragdoll, and the first thing to hit the ground was my D3. Goggles had gravel rock scratches straight across the lens. Helmet and goggles totally saved me, and I cant believe I walked away.
That said, Race next week!!

 

[rex diablo]

Thanks to Rex Diablo for keeping me company (yeah, he's probably hooked)

Thanks for showing me the ropes! Already ordered my pads (and gloves that will hopefully hold up better should another tree jump out right in front of me.) Figure I'll go race next weekend, and be sure I'm still in love before ordering a downhill bike, though. Lets go last place beginner!

 

[DaveBethea]

Hey Dave,
Today, I just had to "out do" your crash you had at Beech. Full Speed ragdoll, and the first thing to hit the ground was my D3. Goggles had gravel rock scratches straight across the lens. Helmet and goggles totally saved me, and I cant believe I walked away.
That said, Race next week!!

Glad your ok.. no fun being ragdolled at this age, the aches & pains stays around a little longer. Yes next weekend. Be there Saturday morning

 

[mlin32]

It's a good thing most people stayed away from Beech today cuz it was a soggy, wet, windy, and chilly mud bath........I don't think I've ever had to spend this much time cleaning off my gear BEFORE bringing it inside to be washed.

Wish I could have made the decision before driving 2 hours and realising how wet it'd be.

 

[OldCrow]

This is a reminder for you too remember later; You will be hooked on DH and lift assisted riding, there is no cure.Money and ability will slow the process down but never stop it.
At this moment ability(surgery) is slowing me down, other wise I would be at Beech or Windrock or Snowshoe or Timberline or Mountain Creek or Plattekill or Whistler or etc-etc.

I hate you people 2 broken elbows 1 elbow surgery 1 shoulder surgery! & I just got started & I cant wait to do it again all healed up but only for a little while

 

[bmxerjosh1]

Anyone have pics of the dual slalom course? Last I saw it was a line of dirt jumps. Thinking about hitting up the race this weekend and was just wondering what it was like. Also which DH course will they be racing on this weekend?

 

[brokeONE]

Is the only way to get to the top of the jumps on the left side of the slope(on left*going up slope) to walk up from the bottom. We looked all over for a trail to them from the main slope.

Is anyone camping for the race this weekend?

 

[motomike]

There will soon be a trail to take you to the top of that jump line. Been swamped with maintenance with all this rain lately...

 

[Carraig042]

I will more than likely be camping Saturday night.

Brett

 

[dirtinmyeye]

This was the view from the lift on Saturday - July 13th. Looks like they have one lane done. My boys rode it and they said its all tables - no gaps. It was looking good.

 

[jet]

Will anyone be bringing any parts to sell? Im looking for some brakes/rotors(6 bolt), wheels, maybe some other random stuff.

 

[motomike]

View attachment 114082
This was the view from the lift on Saturday - July 13th. Looks like they have one lane done. My boys rode it and they said its all tables - no gaps. It was looking good.

Thats not the slalom track anymore. The dirt isnt very good and it was really beat up after winter so I turned it into something that will hopefully be a little easier to maintain. There will be a new one over on riders right going up the lift. Closer to the village and a bit less exotic than the nationals track but should make for some good racing. Mostly all turns- flat grass, flat dirt, berms, off cambers, etc.

 

[r_evans]

Any word on what track they'll be running Sunday?

 

[NCBMXPRO]

Thats not the slalom track anymore. The dirt isnt very good and it was really beat up after winter so I turned it into something that will hopefully be a little easier to maintain. There will be a new one over on riders right going up the lift. Closer to the village and a bit less exotic than the nationals track but should make for some good racing. Mostly all turns- flat grass, flat dirt, berms, off cambers, etc.

Any pics of the new build?

I had a couple people give me the sad dog face when I told them we were not racing the old course.

 

[fortenndu]

Their frowns will be turned upside down. It's going to be some good racing.

 

[trap121]

Any idea what course the DH will be on?

 

[downhill66]

so i may have missed this, but this is not a usac race.. right?

 

[trap121]

so i may have missed this, but this is not a usac race.. right?

Its USAC....
https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-2468

 

[downhill66]

Thankyou much.. now all i have to do is re register haha.

 

[NZRipper]

Its USAC....
https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-2468

Closed already :-(

 

[0110-M-P]

Closed already :-(

Registering early only saves $1.70 after the $3.30 online service fee.

 

[SuboptimusPrime]

Rumor is "pro" course but with a different upper section... I saw what I suspect are the beginnings last weekend from the lift and looked cool.

 

[bizutch]

I completely forgot that I've not renewed my license. I'm out. Whose sad to hear that?

 

[motobutane]

I completely forgot that I've not renewed my license. I'm out. Whose sad to hear that?

 

[trap121]

can anyone comment on conditions? I just got to Banner Elk and saw lots of puddles on the way in....spikes??

 

[downhill66]

I completely forgot that I've not renewed my license. I'm out. Whose sad to hear that?

you know the one day is still cheap.. haha

 

[bizutch]

you know the one day is still cheap.. haha

not an option for cat1

 

[0110-M-P]

I completely forgot that I've not renewed my license. I'm out. Whose sad to hear that?

you can renew and just print the authorization to ride so you don't have to wait for the license in the mail

 

[bizutch]

you can renew and just print the authorization to ride so you don't have to wait for the license in the mail

It's a dollars and cents thing, not logistics. I think we've got it figured out to be able to hit it blind tomorrow. Lookin' up for this drama princess...

 

[waterdogs]

Results are up: http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2013&id=2468&info_id=66713

 

[NZRipper]

I was really impressed with everything that went on this weekend. A well run event at a great venue. Thanks to all that made it happen.

 

[bizutch]

This thread needs pics now....

 

[r_evans]

Not sure if the album is public or not, but here's a few hundred
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.628340893856864.1073741828.110174962340129&type=1

 

[waterdogs]

Pics and Report on Vital: http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/member/2013-Beech-Mtn-Series-Race-1,6048/The-Drive-US-Route-221-and-Pisgah-National-Forest,59625/gojammedia,19973

 

[waterdogs]

Not sure if the album is public or not, but here's a few hundred
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.628340893856864.1073741828.110174962340129&type=1

Those are from the retired racer, now newly professional photog, Ethan Quehl

 

[dirtinmyeye]

Here's a few......http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/30685552_9RQqMC#!i=2651040450&k=GQgSdcq

 

[Buckeystarbreak]

Sorry I missed out! Going to be up there this weekend though for some freeride fun! Stoked!

 

[waterdogs]

The race report made the front page news reel over at Pinkbike.

FB Gallery 1: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.381990901924033.1073741848.260808104042314&type=1&l=38f7e94683

FB Gallery 2: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.382255325230924.1073741849.260808104042314&type=1&l=504a6a6399