Downieville Classic
Downieville Classic Location/Date: Downieville, CA 9/10 July
Price: $35
2010 Winner: MARK WEIR 44mins 1sec
DescriptionAll–Mountain class or Survival in the Sierra? Either way, this event will test and torture riders and their bikes, Downieville style. Racers will compete in both the Point–to–Point Cross Country and the Downieville Downhill, on the SAME bike. Lowest combined XC and DH race time wins. Riders should choose their weapons wisely; a bike that climbs efficiently, descends with precision, and can handle a high–speed beat down for 46 miles on the way to victory.
Rider’s view Steven JonesIt’s an epic. Luckily when I competed a few years ago I had to shoot on the previous days cross country qualifier, “an 8 mile, 3,000′ climb up the face of the Sierra Buttes, a metamorphic crown that stretches 8,600′ towards the wide–open sky…a climb known to many as the Trail of Tears”. Fifteen years ago Bike magazine asked the very reasonable question, “is this the toughest downhill in the World?” It’s still a challenge today for sure, dropping 5000 vertical feet in 17 miles. Still one of the longest and most demanding downhill races in the nation – the smells, the historic gold rush location, the atmosphere, technicality, Downieville is blood–thirstingly physical and up to 50mph fast. Utterly unmissable.
Ashland Super D
Ashland Super DLocation/Date: Ashland, USA June 17–19
Price: $65
2010 Winner: Mark Weir 34 mins 40 sec
DescriptionThe Ashland Super D is one of the finest endurance Downhill events in the Nation. Featuring near 5,000′ of descent and 800′ of climbing and over 12 miles of swoopy single track, this course will challenge the best of the sport and thrill everyone that makes this event.
Steven JonesLocated very roughly midway between San Francisco and Vancouver I’d heard a lot about this place whilst competing in Downieville a few years ago. It’s not just a race venue either, with a regular 14 passenger shuttle service to the top of Mt Ashland ($15) and a gigantic hour long descent. The annual mountain challenge draws in all levels of riders and seems like a cool town to stay for a few days.
Oregon Super D
Oregon Super DLocation/Date: Hood River May 28–29/Bend July 2–3/Oakridge Aug 6–7/Sandy Ridge Sept 3–4
Price: $65
2010 Winner: Eirik Schulz 48min 26sec
DescriptionPlan on tight, dirty singletrack through old growth forests the whole way. This race will truly exemplify the fastest and fittest all–around mountain bikers and Enduro athletes in the country. The course will drop over 4,700 vertical feet in 14 miles, while serving up 900 feet of climbing. Yes, one of the longest and most challenging Super D’s in the country.
Steven JonesSuper D/Enduro mountain bike race is best described as a downhill cross–country race. Therefore it encompasses roughly 80% of descending and 20% of climbing built into the course. Super D racing is for the all–round rider with DH, XC and Freeride skills. Most mountain bikes are adequate for a Super D race, but an all–mountain or cross–country trail bike with 4” to 7” of dual suspension travel is ideal.
