Colorado has some crazy weather! We woke up early yesterday morning to the most intense thunder we have ever heard, then followed by a heavy downpour. Jack and I thought there was no chance of riding, but shortly after the rain started it came to a stop. We got ready and went to athlete registration and media sign in to get registered for the event. From there we went to check out the dual slalom practice, and get ready for the slopestyle practice!
Read on to see how the first day of practice went for dual slalom and slopestyle!
As we were walking up to the slopestyle/dual slalom course we saw that there were already some riders ripping down the slalom. The course was super dry and running great. The event is going to be a fun one to watch, as it gets towards the finals and riders start pushing the limits. I was talking to Nick Simik and he was saying that racing is going to be tough going really fast because the dirt is loose and the some of the berms are off camber and small. Overall most riders thought the course is super fun and are excited to race. So we will see who pushes the limits to take the win! Here are a few shots from practice:
After slalom practice Jack and I headed back to the hotel room to get some lunch and grab Jack's bike to go over to the slopestyle practice. As we approached the course, we could see that riders were already riding on the lower section. The top section was not being practiced on because they were finishing it up and it was wet. So the riders practiced the lower features. The course this year consists of one line. No alternative lines for riders to choose from. One feature riders have to do is a really large wall ride. Some have never had the chance to wall ride before, so it was time to step up the game and go for it! One rider walked up to it and said, "
looks like it's time for me to learn how to wall ride." Most riders that attempted it for their first time crashed.
Upper features on the course.
Here is a picture of Nick Simik's first attempt.
In no time at all the riders where killing the wall!
Brett(Norco)
Brenden Howey
Nothing crazy has been thrown down yet. A few back flips and tailwhips, but really the riders were just getting a feeling for the course. I got a picture of Kurt Sorge throwing his first back flip on the double after the wall ride.
More riders started showing up like the McCauls, Watts, AT, The Claw and many others. As the riders showed up they brought a vicious storm with them. They were checking out the course and decided to get their bikes to practice. This is when a heavy downpour started and everybody ran for cover. The course got really wet and practice was cut short. The rain continued throughout the rest of the day and all night.
So the course today is soaking wet! Not sure how things are going to go down, but the weather is supposed to get really nice allowing the course to dry and the competition to start sometime today and tomorrow. So keep your computer logged onto Pinkbike.com to see the action go down at
Crankworx Colorado!
--
Justin 
