[mykel]

@mykel I rode across the street from Horseshoe today. Parking lot was full pretty much.

One guy in line said he got in two runs over two hours, the line was longggggg.

2 hours for 2 - what 2 minute runs?
FTS - I am not driving 3 hours for that.
It is barely worth it when you can bang out back to backs for an entire day with no lift line.

Maybe a mid-week run after things settle down a bit....will have to keep an eye on it. My Avy cartridge re-tune is done and supposed to ship beginning of the week, so I'm still a couple weeks out.

Any word on your wayward suspension?

 

[canadmos]

2 hours for 2 - what 2 minute runs?
FTS - I am not driving 3 hours for that.
It is barely worth it when you can bang out back to backs for an entire day with no lift line.

Maybe a mid-week run after things settle down a bit....will have to keep an eye on it. My Avy cartridge re-tune is done and supposed to ship beginning of the week, so I'm still a couple weeks out.

Any word on your wayward suspension?

Two minutes...with the Trek across the hill. Sub minute runs I'm guessing, haven't been there in two seasons. Across the street is better....


Edit - just looked. The old ocup trail across street record in strava is 1:32. Similar descent...

 

[buckoW]

We had some much needed rain to fix some of the big berms in Morgins. The lifts are open next weekend.

 

[6thElement]

Gondola was spinning at Winter Park yesterday at one point when we drove past, I think they're opening in three weeks...

 

[daisycutter]

Updated: When Are Bike Parks Reopening? - Pinkbike

Riders are returning to the bike parks, nature is healing.

www.pinkbike.com

 

[djjohnr]

Mammoth is opening June 26th

 

[Salami]

Whistler Bike Park Set to Open on June 29 - Pinkbike

Whistler Blackcomb to open for summer operations with enhanced safety protocols for employees and guests.

m.pinkbike.com

 

[Lelandjt]

I just found out Nationals will be at Winter Park in August. I assume they're dropping the qualification requirement this year since there's so few races happening before then.

 

[StiHacka]

New expert jump line in Thunder.

 

[jonKranked]

I just found out Nationals will be at Winter Park in August. I assume they're dropping the qualification requirement this year since there's so few races happening before then.

i read somewhere that for XC nationals they're considering a time trial format (1 rider at a time) in a point to point race instead of a mass start format loop race.

 

[canadmos]

New expert jump line in Thunder.

Have you seen Phil Kmetz video of that? He gaps over one of the wooden on/off things.

There's a video of a kid trying the same thing some time after and he friggin' eats shit HARD.

 

[schwaaa31]

New expert jump line in Thunder.

They opened it Saturday. We hit up to the cannon jump. I haven't built up the balls to "Satans Sleigh" (strange name) yet, but everything is built really well. From what I've done, if you hold your speed, they all hit perfectly.

 

[StiHacka]

They opened it Saturday. We hit up to the cannon jump. I haven't built up the balls to "Satans Sleigh" (strange name) yet, but everything is built really well. From what I've done, if you hold your speed, they all hit perfectly.

 

[Lelandjt]

i read somewhere that for XC nationals they're considering a time trial format (1 rider at a time) in a point to point race instead of a mass start format loop race.

Yep, I won't be racing XC this year, gotta start training a little earier for that. Also, my DH bike never showed up so I'll be leaving that discipline to the kids. Enduro it is with the other washed up old pros!

 

[SylentK]

Just got emails from Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Breck. Out of all of them, only The Beav will have bike haul. (that's their words for riding the lift with your bike). You can still ride the trails, just not the lift with your bike.

WTH? Why the beav? That being said, I'll be there this weekend...

 

[Nick]

WTH? Why the beav?

because Stickline ?!

no Keystone this year? Ugh.

 

[Jm_]

i read somewhere that for XC nationals they're considering a time trial format (1 rider at a time) in a point to point race instead of a mass start format loop race.

That's what we did on Sunday.

 

[jonKranked]

That's what we did on Sunday.

how'd it work out? was it point to point format?

 

[Jm_]

how'd it work out? was it point to point format?

Well it worked out good cuz I won.

Oh, the race. Yeah. We sent racers every 30 seconds. They send the fastest riders first, slowest riders last, attempting to minimize passing on the trail. Although there were only around 40 or so riders, I was surprised they had everyone out on the course by the time I got done. It was a fairly short distance though, like an all-out sprint. This is maybe the biggest disadvantage, with bigger crowds and a longer course, it would probably really string out the racers and time requirement for the event. Probably not a big issue in some formats, like DH, but possibly for bigger XC races with a wide range of abilities. We started and finished almost in the same spot, basically on opposite sides of the start tent. The route starting and finishing were on separate trails. Masks required for check-in and post-ride.

The thing that I find pretty amazing is that fairly evenly matched racers are pretty damn consistent over long distances. It's different, because you don't have other riders to push you and to try and keep up with, but there's still pressure and you are used to pushing to that exertion level. It'd be interesting to analyze the times though and see where you are faster/slower compared to when following people or bunched up. It's more rare for the fastest riders to be riding alone for most of a race, they are usually grouped together, sometimes for a little aero help, but usually just because their fitness is so close.

Racers spread out in the pre-race meeting:

 

[SylentK]

because Stickline ?!

no Keystone this year? Ugh.

Ahhh...stickline. If you were alive today I'd still be afraid of you. At least on my 2001 Santa Cruz Superlight.

As for Keystone, Vail....Well, I guess I can ride my ebike up the road? And hope no one notices on the down trails that I shouldn't have an ebike on them? Bah, give me a ticket. Wouldn't be the same leaving Vail/Keystone etc. without feeling like they took way more money from me than originally thought...

 

[buckoW]

All the connecting lifts between Champery, Châtel, Morzine etc are running now. It’s pretty nice to go between single track far from the crowds to laps on jump trails and burgers n beers in the sun.

 

[TrumbullHucker]

Looks incredible

 

[jstuhlman]

All local lift served trails (Bailey, Beech, Sugar, Windrock, and Snowshoe) are now up and running. I've not been, but from what I've heard, Beech and Snowshoe at least were pretty busy the past few weeks.

 

[SuboptimusPrime]

All local lift served trails (Bailey, Beech, Sugar, Windrock, and Snowshoe) are now up and running. I've not been, but from what I've heard, Beech and Snowshoe at least were pretty busy the past few weeks.

Heard the same about snowshoe. I think Beech certainly has more people there because random tourists are riding the lift to the top to gawk at stuff AND their lift is really slow--like as slow as the old Sugar lift was. It's also not detachable so loading people is a shit show and the lifties are constantly stopping the damn thing.

TLDR: Go to Sugar. Far better trails, new jumps installed and a full jump line coming (prob end of season or next season), better lift, less BS.

 

[buckoW]

You have to wear a mask on the Swiss lifts now but not the French ones. The first week or two it was the opposite.

 

[schwaaa31]

Killington, Highland and Thunder here in the northeast have been open for some time. I’ve been to Thunder quite a few times and the lift lines haven’t been terrible the days I’ve gone. I think maybe 15-20 minutes was the longest I waited, and that was just one Saturday in the middle of the day. Most of the time it’s 5 minutes or less. I talked to a buddy that was at Highland on a Thursday and said he waited an hour and a half in line at one point. Haven’t been to Killington yet, but their lines are usually nonexistent.

 

[jonKranked]

You have to wear a mask on the Swiss lifts now but not the French ones. The first week or two it was the opposite.

gondola or chair?

 

[buckoW]

gondola or chair?

Both.

 

[dan-o]

Killington, Highland and Thunder here in the northeast have been open for some time. I’ve been to Thunder quite a few times and the lift lines haven’t been terrible the days I’ve gone. I think maybe 15-20 minutes was the longest I waited, and that was just one Saturday in the middle of the day. Most of the time it’s 5 minutes or less. I talked to a buddy that was at Highland on a Thursday and said he waited an hour and a half in line at one point. Haven’t been to Killington yet, but their lines are usually nonexistent.

Ive given up on Highland when it comes to the lift. Will probably hit a couple Wensduro’s (after hours pedal up runs) with friends but that’s about it.

 

[dump]

Hour and a half?! Just push up the hill already.

 

[djjohnr]

Heading up to Tahoe next week for some camping/riding. Was planning on hitting N*, but the lift line looks ridiculous. One of these days I'll be able to ride my DH bike again.

 

[kidwoo]

^I'm laughing my ass off right now at that^

 

[Scrub]

^I'm laughing my ass off right now at that^

Yeah that was a 30-40min wait from the Vista chair.

 

[schwaaa31]

Hour and a half?! Just push up the hill already.

That’s what he said. Although he was really high at the time. I know they added bike carriers and beefed up the old chairs over the winter. They were hoping to cut down on the lift lines. I’ve heard from other people that the lines have been crazy there this year as well. Not sure if they’re only allowing 2 people per chair or something because of Covid. I’ve been wanting to ride there, but not if the lines are like that midweek.

 

[djjohnr]

Yeah that was a 30-40min wait from the Vista chair.

Damn. How many runs were you able to get in?

 

[Scrub]

Damn. How many runs were you able to get in?

3-1/2 runs. I just went to guarantee getting a season pass, N* is limiting season passes for the year. They are cutting off ticket sales when they reach a certain number daily is what they are saying. So either buy online or get there early and be prepared to wait in ALL the lines.

 

[Scrub]

Oh and no Live Wire fyi.

 

[kidwoo]

3-1/2 runs. I just went to guarantee getting a season pass, N* is limiting season passes for the year. They are cutting off ticket sales when they reach a certain number daily is what they are saying. So either buy online or get there early and be prepared to wait in ALL the lines.

Yeah all that looks very effective

 

[djjohnr]

3-1/2 runs. I just went to guarantee getting a season pass, N* is limiting season passes for the year. They are cutting off ticket sales when they reach a certain number daily is what they are saying. So either buy online or get there early and be prepared to wait in ALL the lines.

Their online price for 1 day is $109

 

[kidwoo]

Holy shit!


Sorry guys I'm out. I can't afford mountainbiking anymore. That's a rich man's sport. I'm going to have to go take up sailing. Or aviation.