World Cup Citizens & Chomolungma Challenge

August 20, 2014

Three’s a Charm

My third World Cup at Windham and my third time racing the citizens course. By far, this one was the best one yet. We got to Windham and set up our camp up in Ashland. Joe cooked some chili and some corn bread in his Dutch oven over open coals. It was amazing grub. Never had anything out of a dutchie before so thanks Joe. We practiced as much as we could Friday and Saturday. Course was feeling sick fast. The reroutes Deeter worked in made things smoother and way more fun. Added a small rock drop before the 4 foot rock drop mid course.

Dutch oven cornbread and chilli.

Friday night we went to the town festival. Really cool Windham closes the streets like this and is so supportive of riding. The city estimates that 6.5 million dollars in revenue are generated this week alone. Sick man. Elected officials from Albany were finally on hand this year. Their first time taking in the race even though it’s been there for so many years. Can you imagine running a city where people from (literally) all over the world descend upon your small town for an entire week and you don’t bother to see why or what that’s all about? Odd. Better late than never. The mountain is also opening an official park next year. Gonna be real cool to go there, race, and also be able to freeride some trails before and after your race run. Trails are being designed by Gravity Logic. Hell yeah.

Contributing to the community painting at the bike festival.

Day two in practice and Joe forgets his gloves. Goes OTB. Gets a meat palm. Check it.

Joe's meat palm.

Race Runs

Mike

I’ve never felt faster on this course. Knew in practice my race run would be my best time ever here and it was. Told Mike D., Bobby and Steve P. I was gonna beat em all. Two out of three aint bad. Bobby got me by .36 seconds. That’s what separated me from podium against a stacked field. Last year, I got podium here. But the field wasn’t stacked. It never sat well with me. This year, it was. And I was that close to the pack. Bettered my time from 2012 by about 20 secs. If that ain’t an improvement, I don’t know what is. The course this year was very very close to the 2012 course so they are very comparable, give or take some seconds.

Fakis, race run.

Fakis, step down, race race.

Joe Shack

Joe finished really strong for this being his first time here. A 4:26 is a respectable time given the length of this course and the sheer MTB skills required to get through it smooth. I had the same time in 2012. Sort of feels like a Cat 2 right of passage. What it tells me is that you’re right there, pal. Joe stayed with us in practice all weekend and never really had any yard sale wrecks. It was a good weekend for leaning a new course and practicing the ins and outs of what gets you fast. Good work Joe. Can’t wait to ride Blue Mtn. with you.

Mr. Shack, STEP DOWN!

Bobby

Bobby got 5th place. Podium in ESC races. He had a good weekend save for some beer guzzling and liquor drinking that put him in a pissy mood Sunday. But he fought through that and came correct. Still, Bobby. .36 seconds. I got your number, ya hurd?

Bobby, step.

Bobby Cat 2, 30-39 5th Place.

Phil

Phil is amazing. No practice all weekend long. Comes up on race day to put a 4 minute course together 2 hours before his race run. Right after Phil lands this step down, he comes acorss the guy who started in front of him. Passed that rider on the right and still beats me by 2 secs. We were all yelling for him. Honestly, I’m stoked I was that close to him. I know he didn’t get to practice but let me have my day, will ya? Congrats on the podium, Phil. Impressive work in such little time!

Phil off the step down to the finish.

Dallas

Matt had a killer time. 3:44:49. That held as the fastest time until the young bucks came down. Really great time. I remember cheering so hard for Matt off that step down and yelling for him to pedal. Saw him pedal mid air off that little double and finish with an impressive run. Put him in first by 21+ seconds. Time for Cat 1 Matt!! : ) That would have been a podium time in ANY of the Cat 1 categories. LOL. Nice work man!

Dallas, race run.

Matt 1st place, Phil 3rd, Cat 2, 40+

Amy Leishear & Mike Render

Chomolungma Challenge

For those that don’t know, there’s endurance racing for pure DH too. You don’t have to jump on the Enduro bandwagon for that. It’s called the Chomolungma Challenge and it’s hosted by Snowshoe Mountain. This year, Amy and Mike took it on again for the second year in a row. The race is only in its third year. This is a fairly new format and it will be interesting to see what other mountains pick it up. Check out the great coverage on PB.

Recap from Mike

The weather and racing conditions couldn’t have been better. And on top of that I got in the top 20 (19th). No podium, but probably my best day of DH riding, ever. If they had USAC rules going, I would have gotten 2nd in the 46+ group. Awesome day! The second picture is Amy and the other winners filling out their W2s for their cash prizes!

Recap from Amy

I cannot express how great this event is.. It’s challenging for sure, but A LOT of fun.. Gotta keep your body going and your bike working for that grueling 6hrs.. You have to find the balance between speed and smooth!

We need to do this as a team next year.. We could rent a house/condo for the team and have a blast!

I cannot express how great this event is. It’s challenging for sure, but A LOT of fun. Gotta keep your body going and your bike working for that grueling 6hrs. You have to find the balance between speed and smooth!