Double Down Hoe Down - End of an Era

Mar 25, 2013
by Paris Gore  
We all have that place in our life where you first put tires to the dirt, hit your first jump, raced your first race, took your first crash; and for me took your first mountain bike photograph. I’ve been racing and photographing at Beacon Hill in Spokane, WA since 2003. My career started here, along with a few other folks. Downhill racing has gone on here long before my time starting in the late 90’s. The hill has changed through the years and currently the best it’s been. I was saddened to hear this would be the final race at my home mountain.

Beacon Hill lays just outside of town with Mt. Spokane lingering in the background. Fortunatly Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance has a new chapter in Eastern Washington lead by John Henry. Evergreen is currently working on a trail plan and a full park for Mt. Spokane which up until now has had a massive back lash on mountain bikers. Change is in the air..
  Beacon Hill lays just outside of town with Mt. Spokane lingering in the background. Fortunately, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance has a new chapter in Eastern Washington lead by John Henry. Evergreen is currently working on a trail plan and a full park for Mt. Spokane, which up until now has had a massive back lash on mountain bikers. Change is in the air..

Josh Tofsrud is the man behind it all Wheel Sport East has been putting on races here at Beacon for many years. Buy this man a beer next time you see him. They have some of the most fun races I ve been too and will continue to due so.
  Josh Tofsrud is the man behind it all, Wheel Sport East has been putting on races here at Beacon for many years. Buy this man a beer next time you see him. They have some of the most fun races I've been too, and will continue to do so.

Due to development of the upper portion on the hill, it would cut out nearly 1/3 of the already pretty short racecourse. Pro times hitting around just under 2:00, housing developments would make the course too short to make races worth running. Beacon Hill is the only official mountain bike area in Eastern Washington. Nearly 15 minutes away from downtown, the hill provides legal mountain bike trails for all levels of the community. There are two parts to the mountain, and will continue to be a mountain bike park. There’s no word for sure, but hopefully there will be another course worked out in the future.

Moving on from the sad stuff, the Double Down Hoe Down finished off with a bang. Unlike most races, the DDHD has races both Saturday and Sunday with two different courses. Transition Bikes' Lars Sternberg took double wins on both days, gaining victory against his previous year here where Lars took a nasty tumble in the rocks.

Jaime Rees pushing up for some more. Jaime is a Spokane local who made the US Worlds DH team for 2012. She took first on Sunday s race.
  Jaime Rees pushing up for some more. Jaime is a Spokane local who made the US Worlds DH team for 2012. She took first on Sunday's race.

Man of the weekend Lars Sternberg gains full redemption with double wins compared to last time he race here where he completely destroyed himself in the lower rock section.
  Man of the weekend Lars Sternberg gains full redemption with double wins compared to last time he raced here where he completely destroyed himself in the lower rock section.

Tommy Magrath dropping in... Saturday s course is filled with a few more jump sections and requires more pedaling compared to Sunday s technical course. Some riders chose to ride smaller bikes on Saturday to gain some time in the pedal sections.
  Tommy Magrath dropping in... Saturday's course is filled with a few more jump sections and requires more pedaling compared to Sunday's technical course. Some riders chose to ride smaller bikes on Saturday to gain some time in the pedal sections.


The Beacon race is always great due to it generally being early on in the year. One of the first races of the season in most of the NW, the race attracts racers from Canada, and as far as Montana.


Your weekend winner for best pants.
  Your weekend winner for best pants.

Infamous Girthmore drop made it s way into the Cat 1 Pro course. Lucas Chalcraft wakes up to a big huck early in the morning.
  Infamous Girthmore drop made its way into the Cat 1 / Pro course. Lucas Chalcraft wakes up to a big huck early in the morning.

Born in a barn. Lars Sternberg rallies down to his second win of the weekend.
  Born in a barn. Lars Sternberg rallies down to his second win of the weekend.

This little dude took it like a man hopefully he will save his pennies and buy a full face helmet. Lesson learned without too much carnage.
  This little dude took it like a man, hopefully he will save his pennies and buy a full face helmet. Lesson learned without too much carnage.

Last jump of the course is the hardest to make to tranny. Bob Stenson sends it.
  Last jump of the course is the hardest to make to tranny. Bob Stenson sends it.

Michelle Benson makes her way down Sunday s course.
  Michelle Benson makes her way down Sunday's course.

Youngest rider I saw over the weekend making his way down on 20 wheels.
  Youngest rider I saw over the weekend, making his way down on 20" wheels.

Karina Magrath stepped her game up this weekend in Pro class landing in second place on Saturday.
  Karina Magrath stepped her game up this weekend in CAT 1 class landing in second place on Saturday.

The berms and jumps at the bottom of Saturdays course gave a lot of riders some trouble in the tight turns. Bob Stenson rallies the first turn and get s taken out in the second.
  The berms and jumps at the bottom of Saturday's course gave a lot of riders some trouble in the tight turns. Bob Stenson rallies the first turn and gets taken out in the second.


New to this year, Gravity Components put on a jump jam show on Saturday afternoon. MC’d by Diamondback's Charlie Sponsel, the local boys put on quite the show. Steven Bafus took the cake for his massive style and 3’ing all the jumps in a row.


Chaz MC d the jump jam with Caveman right along side with his own cave mic.
  Chaz MC'd the jump jam with Caveman right along side with his own cave mic.

Spokane is known for it s sporadic spring weather.. Steven Bafus isn t exactly the most excited person about snow..
  Spokane is known for its sporadic spring weather.. Steven Bafus isn't exactly the most excited person about snow..

NW Camouflage left to right Billy Lewis Jay Trautman and Steven Bafus await their turn to hit the freshly built jumps.
  NW Camouflage; (left to right) Billy Lewis, Jay Trautman, and Steven Bafus await their turn to hit the freshly built jumps.

Joe Perrizo got wild with his dumped 360 s and gave the crowd quite the show.
  Joe Perrizo got wild with his dumped 360's and gave the crowd quite the show.

Winner of most sketchy bike jumped on the doubles. Perrizo gets weird on the Frankenstien bike.
  Winner of most sketchy bike jumped on the doubles. Perrizo gets weird on the Frankenstien bike.

No one has ever had more published photos of no foot can s than Deity s Steven Bafus. Style for miles.
  No one has ever had more published photos of no foot can's than Deity's Steven Bafus taking the win

Results

Saturday
Pro Men:
1. Lars Sternberg
2. Craig Hill
3. Lucas Chalcraft

Pro Women:
1. Jaime Rees
2. Michelle Benson
3.Karen O'Connell

Sunday
Pro Men:
1. Lars Sternberg
2. Matt Patterson
3. Jake Grob

Pro Women:
1. Jaime Rees
2. Michelle Benson
3. Adrian Hopkins

Jump Jam
1. Steven Bafus
2. Joe Perrizo
3. Skye Schillhammer

I would like to personally thank everyone at Wheel Sport East, Chris at the Bike Hub, med crew, Jon Henry for driving me to the top in the ATV countless times and everyone who has made this race possible in the last few years. You guys have a big heart for racing and it shows. All Gravity Series has a bunch of more races in the future in the Inland NW throughout Eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana. Check out the all gravity series website for more information on the upcoming races near you! Shout out to Skye Schillhammer for building the slope style course for Saturdays jump jam.

All Gravity Series would like to also thank Shimano, Transition Bikes, and Deity Components for their support in making these races possible.

Author Info:
parisgore avatar

Member since Oct 27, 2010
73 articles

44 Comments
  • 23 0
 Bobby Stenson does love his trannies.
  • 12 0
 Such a fun weekend! Thanks to all the organizers and in particular Josh and John! Great job on the shots Paris, you really captured the mood of the weekend.
  • 4 2
 Mattpatt is a beast!
  • 11 0
 Nice Job Paris! Awesome write up and great shots as usual!
  • 1 0
 Same. Always top notch.
  • 2 0
 Thanks to the organizers for putting on my favorite race of the year, Josh, John, Chelsea, Shawn and Barry you guys know how to have fun. Skye, the jump line was sick! Your 3 over the last hit was a banger.
  • 1 0
 Beast Mode going chainless and still taking 3rd! IN A SONICS JERSEY!
  • 1 0
 Shawn Kemp jersey no less. Ha!
  • 2 1
 So bummed I could not get work off for the last DDHD. I have raced them every year since 2009, and been racing/riding beacon since I was a young kid. Paris, I remember you running around w/ your big hit spec, breaking your arm down seattle line, the water fall runs, shotgunning beverages in the parking lot, hucking my first road gap, biggest rock drop I have ever hit to date. From the days of WIM/round and round events, to the AGS and the wheelsport east events....so many good memories there. John, Chris, Tofsrud, Coy, Penny w/ evergreen east/ FTTRC...so many people out there to thank for doing such an awesome job hosting races and jump jam events out there over the years.

Definitely going to miss the upper course, and I hope that John and the crew w/ evergreen east's chapter can find a way to keep the trails going and something special for a long, long time to come. Those little kids on the 20" bikes and riding w/o the full face cuz they couldn't afford one....that was us ten years ago, Paris. Great shots, as always buddy. Gonna miss the old beacon.
  • 4 0
 Great shots, Paris. That was an awesome venue - I have a lot of good memories of that place.
  • 2 0
 Such a great race...Thanks Josh and the countless others for your hard work and support! The All gravity series is awesome! and as always great shots Paris Gore!!!!!
  • 3 0
 Nice shots Paris! We haven't lost the upper section yet so calling this the last race is a little pre-mature.
  • 1 0
 Agreed! A well organized group can save the trails for future generations to enjoy! We are going through the same struggle right now here on the Olympic Peninsula. With evergreen's support and the passion of users who truly know the value of being outside and enjoying nature and what we can learn from it, anything can be achieved!
  • 2 0
 it was announced as the last beacon race...
  • 1 0
 Announced at the race? We're working on preserving the trails in the upper section and the development is still a few years away. Hope you guys can preserve the trails on the Olympic Peninsula!
  • 1 0
 Me too dude! We are working with several people from EMBA right now to establish a west sound chapter of evergreen. I hope John and the crew out there can make something happen for beacon as well!
  • 1 0
 To those who put last weekend together, I thank you. The course felt a little over my head in places which made me ride just a little better. It was great. My friends and I had the best time. Hope it's NOT the last one.
  • 5 0
 Spokane Rocks!
  • 1 0
 It's exciting that they might be getting some new trails on Mount Spokane. There is alot of potential.

RIP Dave Moffit, anyone else remember him? He organized the first DH race I ever went to.
  • 2 0
 Great race, photos, and write up! Such a fun weekend, thanks for putting on a fantastic race.
  • 2 0
 Love this race! Heard lots of hints that this wont be its last run tho..... Keep the faith
  • 2 0
 Hmmm gotta love a double transition win. Congrats Lars way to tear it up.....
  • 3 1
 Epic shots like always Paris. Good read as well. tup
  • 2 0
 Nice Job Paris!! Great photos with a good write up!
  • 1 0
 Wish I could have made it this year! Last year was a blast, even with wrecking my shoulder...Great race, great people!
  • 3 0
 Yea Lars!!!
  • 2 0
 spocompton, the jump jam was rad!
  • 1 0
 Josh runs a damn good race!! Best I have ever raced in the area!! Good luck with the new park!!!
  • 1 0
 Great weekend hats off to everyone that put it on!
  • 1 0
 Great photo epic. Wish I could have been there!
  • 1 0
 So sad we are losing Beacon but great race
  • 2 0
 We are far from losing beacon, People are still fighting to get the top out of private hands and in to the citys hands. The city has been very accommodating and have been very good to work with. If we cant get some or all of the top from the land developer then we will still have the bottom 2/3rds to build in to a very nice bike park.

Beacon still has a lot more to grow in to one of Washington's best bike parks.

Don't write this place off yet.
  • 1 0
 I didn't say we were losing beacon and I mentioned the park will still be there... just the downhill racing
  • 1 0
 Mmmmm... Double Down....
  • 2 0
 I love seeing a DH course where you gotta let your Chiclets hang! Way to pack a lunch Lucas! Good Job!
  • 1 0
 Kick ass weekend!! West Coast!!
  • 1 0
 any videos of the course ?
  • 1 0
 Looks fun with good peeps. Thanks for sharing.
  • 1 0
 I wish I could have gone!! Looks like alot of fun!
  • 1 0
 Did anyone have their times changed too? This event is a sham.
  • 1 0
 Congrats everybody!!!
  • 1 0
 Safa LOCO ¡¡
  • 1 0
 I'll miss this race







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