2017 Cascadia Dirt Cup: Post Canyon Enduro Recap
After bookending the 2016 series finale and the 2017 series opener with two wet and wild races at Tiger Mountain, the Full Speed Ahead Cascadia Dirt Cup presented by Shimano and Dakine headed south to soak in the characteristically fine weather of the mountain town on the water, Hood River. Situated on the Columbia just south of the border (Washington that is) Hood River offers a departure from the gray and green of the “traditional” Northwest and throws riders into a world of red dirt, dry duff, and generous heaps of breathtaking alpine expanse that is Post Canyon.
The CDC hosted a two-day race at Post Canyon last year and there was no question the CDC was destined for a return. This time though, it would be for a one-day “Clash on the Columbia” in near perfect conditions as racers were awarded hero dirt and "the best Post Canyon course to date" per Matthew Slaven.
The hard work put in by the local trail advocates, Hood River Area Trail Stewards (HRATS), was clearly visible. Trails were freshly buffed, tuned, and dialed in to handle the throngs of racers that were hurling their bodies down the slopes at near mach chicken speeds.
Race day starts early. James Whitesides and Trey Wilson briefing volunteers and racers.
Nick and Kim Hardin both sport the number one plates as 2016 Series overall champions. The campaign to repeat starts on their home turf.
Andi Zolton, Emily Sabelhaus and Hannah Bergemann feeling good on the ten-mile climb to stage one.
Plate number ten for tenth place in Pro Men. Tyler Littlefield pushing it hard on Stage 2, Dirt Surfer.
Kim Eakin, the regional Cannondale rep, putting some teeth in his sales game with a second place finish in the fast old guy's category, Expert 40–49.
Jacob Flinn of Coalition Racing pushing through the pain to twelfth in Pro Men.
Not a lot of lycra out there but, fast is fast, no matter what you wear.
In most enduro races there is usually one stage that everyone hones in on as the most pivotal. It's the stage that can ruin your day or launch you onto the podium. Stage three was that stage for the Post Canyon Enduro. Consisting of trails Super D, Hidden and Borderline, it was the longest of the day and the most technical with baby heads galore and a steep rock garden waiting to buck you off your line like a rodeo bull.
The short respite between Super D and Hidden Trails. Patrick Dunn preparing to enter the bull arena.
Matthew Seeman full gas to eighth overall in Expert Men 18–29.
Nick Hardin knows his way through the Hidden rock garden. However, a twelfth place on stage four proved too much to overcome and finished a respectable third for the day.
Bryce Kans may have only finished twentieth in Expert 18–29 but officially he placed first in the "nearly got a bar drag" category on stage three's lower section; the bermalicious Borderline trail.
Aaron Altier of the young guns category railing stage three. Young guns, you ask? Expert 18–29 category. Their times won't win the pro category, but they're not that far back. Altier, for example, would have taken 17th in pro.
Nate Furbee was building momentum after the stages one and two, but stage three proved pivotal.
Stage 4 was the short but oh-so-sweet Bladerunner trail.
Kim Hardin coming in hot on stage four and would claim four out of six stages for a convincing win for the day.
Pro and Expert racers got an extra stage called Blue Car DH (stage five). While this trail has been used in races before it has been a while and it was mostly forgotten by locals and not thought of as a must ride trail. However, with its fast pace and sweeping switchbacks it may have earned itself a permanent stage in the years to come.
The climb to stage five popped out on an exposed ridge with a nice breeze (it was actually ripping) to cool off from the climb.
Dropping into Stage 5.
Adele Mary drifting, drifting, and then hooking UP for the corner on stage five.
Trace West nearly getting blown over on stage five of the race but kept the rubber side down well enough for a ninth place overall finish. Note the flagged trees in the background. It was windy as f--k on that ridge.
Porsha Murdock wanted it. Wanted it bad. But in the end, she'd be adrift some twenty seconds, Still, it was good enough for second place in Pro Female.
Nothing like having a bullseye on your back.
Amy Josefczyk gunning the small uphill on stage five. It was interesting to see that racers had themselves buried so deep on the downhill portions of this stage that this twenty-five yard uphill required an out of the saddle effort to try and maintain speed for the flat corners that were coming up.
The race wrapped up on Mitchell's Ridge which is like a slingshot down a flowy bobsled ride with root sections to keep you on your toes. It's fast and fun but if you're careless you can go from hero to zero in the blink of an eye.
Jake Hightower of Rad Racing. Hold fast!
Gavin Ullrich, aka the Dirty Fingers Shop Grom, pinning it to win it in the "Riddler" DF skinsuit that can't be unseen. At day's end, he'd be fourth overall for the younger guns category (Junior Expert 17 & under).
Amy Morrison took a flyer on getting into the race with a wait list entry, scored the golden ticket, and came home fourth, with two stage wins. Keep an eye on this California girl as she lives the racing dream for Marin bikes this summer.
Unidentified racer ripping the sweeping turns on Stage 6.
Brandy Willie of the Joy Ride Enduro Team on his way to fifth in Expert 40–49.
Post race priorities.
After a full day of racing Matthew Slaven edged out Neal Strobel for the victory in Pro Men and Kim Hardin cemented her status as the one to beat in Pro Women. Full results can be found here.
The results are in.
Pro Men: 1st - Matthew Slaven, 2nd - Neal Strobel, 3rd - Nick Hardin, 4th - Torsenn Brown, 5th - Erik Nilson.
Pro Women: 1st - Kim Hardin, 2nd - Porsha Murdock, 3rd - Bekah Rottenberg, 4th - Amy Morrison, 5th - Ingrid Larouche.
Junior Expert 17U: 1st - Gideon Bender, 2nd - Luke Topol, 3rd - Daven Kuder, 4th - Gavin Ullrich, 5th - Spencer Arps.
Until next time, cheers!
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13 Comments
- 8 1
scott-townes
(May 25, 2017 at 18:44)
I was lucky enough to do these races when it was the Oregon Super D series and Post Canyon are the best trails I've ever raced on and among some of the best I've ever ridden. Its simply incredible in that area, albeit a bit confusing to get around on the trails.
- 5 0
warpdoc
(May 25, 2017 at 20:30)
Trailforks was a godsend for learning that trail system
- 7 0
preach
(May 25, 2017 at 19:56)
Truly excellent shots. great job y'all
- 1 0
chrismcfarland
(May 26, 2017 at 8:44)
Thank man! We had a solid team out there
- 1 0
DrPete
(May 28, 2017 at 11:38)
I have the CDC to thank for introducing me to Post Canyon. It's just such a fun place to ride. Such a diverse mix of bermy jumpy flow and gnarly stuff. I just wish I could ride there more often. Congrats on a great write up and congrats to the CDC for another kick-ass race.
- 3 0
tcks
(May 26, 2017 at 10:24)
Thanks to everyone for an epic weekend! Such a fun course, and the vibes were great.
- 3 0
daugherd
FL (May 25, 2017 at 23:26)
Lost my car up there once
- 2 0
scotttherider
FL (May 25, 2017 at 20:40)
Yeah I member getting lost a time or three out there in the early 2000's
- 3 1
FrozenTreads56
(May 25, 2017 at 21:24)
close one! I bet neal strobel is pissed lol
- 2 0
NiloB
(May 26, 2017 at 3:08)
Is that Luke's brother?
- 11 0
WheeliemanPDX
(May 26, 2017 at 7:51)
@NiloB: Husband
- 3 0
jgainey
(May 26, 2017 at 10:13)
@NiloB: yes
- 1 0
naisemaj
(May 26, 2017 at 11:43)
If you haven't ridden here, you should. Damn it's fun!
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