The sold out
Cascadia Dirt Cup (CDC) Series Finale culminated just outside Bellingham, Washington on Chuckanut Mountain this past weekend. Bellingham has a vibrant mountain bike community led by
WHIMPS Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC). WMBC is a federal non-profit, 501(c)3, organization. They work with many diverse groups such as land managers, elected officials and educational institutions to promote continued and expanded access for mountain biking and cycling in the surrounding Bellingham area. Every year the WMBC coordinates hundreds of volunteers amounting to thousands of volunteer hours for the area trails and with their support the CDC was able to finish out the series on a grand scale.
A peek-a-boo view of Mt. Baker from the top of Chuckanut Mountain.
After Saturday practice, everyone moved to downtown Bellingham to attend the WMBC's 3rd Annual Shoot the Trails Photo and Video Contest. This is a huge fundraiser event that has grown exponentially over the last 3 years and has its venue busting at the seams. Winning videos and photos can be seen
here.Over 400 attendees take in the Shoot the Trails experience at the bulging Depot Market Square venue.
With an army of volunteers and generous sponsors supplying a huge loot for the raffle the WMBC raised $17,000.
Surprisingly, no one was hung over from Shoot the Trails and everyone showed up for the riders meeting the next morning. (add sarcasm)
The course was a easily the most demanding for the series with 5000ft of climbing and descending over 21 miles. Carl Ledbetter ripping down stage 1 in the Veteran 50+ category. Unfortunately, his day would end short with a mechanical.
The sun made a dramatic appearance as Carolyn Hope charges through the light.
Transition's Darrin Seeds strong showing today moved him up a spot to 3rd for the series overall in the Pro field.
The course was the usual NW technical affair with lots of gnarly root sections and greasy off camber rock sections.
Stephen Dempsey of Freehub Magazine negotiates a root garden.
This is one of the greasy rock crossings that leads into a root drop.
Seth Burke makes easy work of this root section.
You can never go wrong with a black kit and black bike.
Consistency proved to be the winning formula for Diamondback's Charlie Sponsel as he took the series overall in the pro category.
The CDC thought they had all the race categories covered when they added a hardtail division mid-series but apparently not. Mark Miller on his way to a podium finish in Beginner Men.
Check out the
Chuckanut Results and
Series Results.The inaugural year of CDC was a huge success raising $15,000 for our
beneficiaries. With a lot of momentum and knowledge gained, work has already began on 2014. A huge thanks to the hundreds of volunteers that made the series happen. It simply couldn't be done without you.
Lastly, a big thanks to our presenting and supporting sponsors. Your commitment and generosity to the CDC leaves us without words.
See you in 2014!
www.pinkbike.com/u/ericmickelson/album/Chuckanut-Enduro