Ontario Cup DH - Course Preview
Here's a little course preview for the first race of the Ontario Cup Downhill series being held at Horseshoe Valley Resort this weekend - May 26/27. The weekend promises to be filled with good times and fast runs so make sure to check it out if you're in the area. For more information check out tufrack.com/events
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Also, from what I understand the course was designed with an eye to progression, so the noobs/groms are not overwhelmed and they have an environment to progress on, but also the fastest lines are the "advanced" so rougher, bigger jumps and drops
In other words depending upon the line you choose, you have a beginner thru advanced.
This hill has a total of 6 DH trails (including the new O-Cup course) that are open for all riders throughout the season.
They range from being able to keep the wheels on the ground to big drops and step-up gaps.
And yes here in Flatario we wish we had more to work with, but like the man said, we make do with what we have.
Still it will be a good weekend. What is of note is that the track was built by a metric ton of volunteer effort. Those volunteers will be there for the next race. If it's not tech enough, it'll be corrected next time around. What Ontario has is a vital and committed race scene. Everyone races Bromont, Mountain Creek etc and understand what bigger mountain DH racing is all about. They key here (I believe) is to try and build courses that can keep the elite riders entertained while continuing to encourage the participation of as large a group as possible.
Well done
I've applied those basics and have ridden at Whiteface, Mte Ste Anne and Silver Star (in BC)
I didn;t get judged about where I learned to ride, I;m just thrilled that I can ride almost anywhere
You would be surprised where some of the best riders come from.
m.pinkbike.com/video/258968/#top
What would you do if you had 300 feet or a bit less of vert to work with?
I thought so - you would do what we do - make the most of what we have.
From where I am the two main DH hills are Blue Mountain and Horseshoe, both are a 3-4 hour 1 way ride for me.
So just going for a "DH" ride is a full day event with more driving then riding.
As far as bigger mountains
Quebec - 10 hours
NewYork/Pen - 7-12 hours
So that requires a long weekend or week-long road-trip and a few buddies to can get the time and money to go. Not to easy to just throw together for a ride.
So, unless you want to make a road-trip a couple times a year to ride, then you ride what you have and make the best of it.
If you build it, they will come. And they come and they race, so who cares? Its a hill and people ride bikes down them That is all that matters.
We show enthusiasm towards the sport, the crowd, the venue and most importantly, we aren't all couch surfing our e-bikes. Ride on.
I find it funny that the people complaining here all seem to come from places with lots of mountains. Instead of worrying about what we don't have, you should be enjoying what you do have. We'd all love to have the kind of riding that you seem to take for granted.