Reaper Madness Race Report - Winter Gravity Series 2018

Mar 19, 2018
by Philip Beckman  
A top-of-the-world view of one of Bootleg s signature features Poop Chute.
A top-of-the-world view of one of Bootleg's signature features, Poop Chute.

Words: DVO Winter Gravity Series

"That's racing." It's a universal and definitive phrase, used regularly since the first time humans challenged each other in a competitive environment. It pretty much says it all when things go wrong. And it's used a LOT at Bootleg Canyon, where things can go wrong quickly and often. The terrain at Bootleg is extreme, known to wreak havoc on bike and body. But it's the exceptional challenge of this place that keeps the hardiest riders coming back to Boulder City, Nevada, as they did for the third and final round of the 2018 DVO Winter Gravity Series, Enduro presented by GT Bicycles.

Reaper Madness offered another big weekend of mountain bike exhilaration on the razor rocks and steep drops of Bootleg Canyon, with a full day of practice on Friday, a three-stage enduro and dual slalom on Saturday (as well as unlimited downhill practice), followed by practice and downhill racing on Sunday. Atmospheric conditions once again played a big part at this event, with high winds and cool temperatures adding to the challenge on Friday and Saturday. Thankfully, Sunday dawned clear, mostly calm and relatively warm. Everyone was in agreement: this was the best day of the whole series this year.

Five-time World Cup Series Champion Aaron Gwin (YT Mob) was on the scene once again as he prepares for the upcoming overseas season, riding a cloaked bike with his usual smooth precision and speed all three days. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken crank about halfway down his final race run, preventing him from repeating his win from a year ago. That's racing!

Brody Jensen shows off the result of an encounter with Bootleg s infamous ginsu rocks.
Brody Jensen shows off the result of an encounter with Bootleg's infamous ginsu rocks.

Logan Binggeli KHS Factory Racing knows every nook and cranny at Bootleg and he used that knowledge to secure the Pro Men s Downhill victory and the overall Winter Series title once again. I couldn t be more ecstatic to take this win for KHS he stated. I m super bummed Gwin had a mechanical but that s part of racing especially here at Bootleg. I ve been riding here for a long time. I grew up just two hours away and we do a lot of testing here so I definitely have a home court advantage. I m happy to get the overall again. It s neat to keep that rolling. If I can hold off the kids I m doing something right. The 28 year old stopped the clock with a time of 3 23.29 to win by 2.2 seconds.
Logan Binggeli (KHS Factory Racing) knows every nook and cranny at Bootleg, and he used that knowledge to secure the Pro Men's Downhill victory and the overall Winter Series title once again. "I couldn't be more ecstatic to take this win for KHS," he stated. "I'm super bummed Gwin had a mechanical, but that's part of racing, especially here at Bootleg. I've been riding here for a long time. I grew up just two hours away and we do a lot of testing here, so I definitely have a home court advantage. I'm happy to get the overall again. It's neat to keep that rolling. If I can hold off the kids I'm doing something right." The 28-year-old stopped the clock with a time of 3:23.29 to win by 2.2 seconds.

Nik Nestoroff KHS checks the line on Poop Chute during practice on Friday. He dialed it in for second place in Pro Men on Sunday.
Nik Nestoroff (KHS) checks the line on Poop Chute during practice on Friday. He dialed it in for second place in Pro Men on Sunday.

Colorado s Chelsea Kimball Atomic Wheels Truckerco scored her first Winter Series victory in Pro Women clinching the overall title in the process. When asked the key to her win she replied Staying on my bike I spent a lot of time in practice hiking up sections I wanted to improve and I think that helped. I felt a bit sloppy at the top but after Poop Chute I was more on point. Everything went great today.
Colorado's Chelsea Kimball (Atomic Wheels/Truckerco) scored her first Winter Series victory in Pro Women, clinching the overall title in the process. When asked the key to her win, she replied, "Staying on my bike! I spent a lot of time in practice hiking up sections I wanted to improve, and I think that helped. I felt a bit sloppy at the top, but after Poop Chute I was more on point. Everything went great today."

In only his second ride on a new bike Incycle s Cole Suetos was unstoppable in the Junior Expert class winning by 25 seconds. His time of 3 28.77 would have put him on the Pro podium.
In only his second ride on a new bike, Incycle's Cole Suetos was unstoppable in the Junior Expert class, winning by 25 seconds. His time of 3:28.77 would have put him on the Pro podium.

Stan Jones was shaken and a bit stirred in this dramatic getoff during practice on Friday. He would win Cat 2 3 50 on Sunday.
Stan Jones was shaken and a bit stirred in this dramatic get off during practice on Friday. He would win Cat 2/3 50+ on Sunday.

photo

Cole Picchiottino Trek navigates Snakeback during Friday practice. It was his first appearance in the series this season but it was a good one with fourth place in Pro Men.
Cole Picchiottino (Trek) navigates Snakeback during Friday practice. It was his first appearance in the series this season, but it was a good one with fourth place in Pro Men.

KHS Factory Racing team manager Quinton Spaulding captured the Open Men s Downhill clinching the series title in this class as well.
KHS Factory Racing team manager Quinton Spaulding captured the Open Men's Downhill, clinching the series title in this class as well.

Steven Walton Commencal 100 flies low on a cloudy cool very windy Saturday.
Steven Walton (Commencal/100%) flies low on a cloudy, cool, very windy Saturday.

This series continues to draw impressive numbers of youngsters. One of the fastest is Ryan Pinkerton Rock n Road Maxxis 100 who again donned the Junior Men s 13-14 Downhill crown.
This series continues to draw impressive numbers of youngsters. One of the fastest is Ryan Pinkerton (Rock n Road/Maxxis/100%), who again donned the Junior Men's 13-14 Downhill crown.

Ah yes Bootleg Canyon where knobby tires go to die.
Ah yes, Bootleg Canyon, where knobby tires go to die.

It was a good weekend for crowd favorite Quinn Winter Knolly DVO Deity as he reigned in the Cat 1 Dual Slalom on Saturday and the Cat 1 40-49 Downhill on Sunday.
It was a good weekend for crowd favorite Quinn Winter (Knolly/DVO/Deity), as he reigned in the Cat 1 Dual Slalom on Saturday and the Cat 1 40-49 Downhill on Sunday.

RJ Orr Gordy s Bike Shop claimed the Cat 1 Men s 19-29 class with a 3 47.68.
RJ Orr (Gordy's Bike Shop) claimed the Cat 1 Men's 19-29 class with a 3:47.68.

Five-time and defending World Cup Series champion Aaron Gwin YT Mob looked fast and smooth all weekend but was let down by a broken crank on his final run. He s shown here rolling in for the finish.
Five-time and defending World Cup Series champion Aaron Gwin (YT Mob) looked fast and smooth all weekend, but was let down by a broken crank on his final run. He's shown here rolling in for the finish.

Braving high winds and long stages Stefanie McDaniel Fly Racing prevailed in the Pro Open Women s Enduro with a time of 37 59.945 winning by almost two minutes.
Braving high winds and long stages, Stefanie McDaniel (Fly Racing) prevailed in the Pro Open Women's Enduro with a time of 37:59.945, winning by almost two minutes.

It was full-on cross country mode for Pro Open Men s Enduro winner Carter Anderson CMU Cycling . Anderson won two of the three stages and claimed the victory with a total time of 33 56.645.
It was full-on cross country mode for Pro Open Men's Enduro winner Carter Anderson (CMU Cycling). Anderson won two of the three stages and claimed the victory with a total time of 33:56.645.

Second place in the Pro Open Men s Enduro on Saturday morning went to Jeremy David Trail Sports . He would go on to win the Dual Slalom that afternoon.
Second place in the Pro Open Men's Enduro on Saturday morning went to Jeremy David (Trail Sports). He would go on to win the Dual Slalom that afternoon.

Jeremy David left and Amias Gomez had a tight battle for the Pro Open Men s Dual Slalom win with David coming out on top.
Jeremy David (left) and Amias Gomez had a tight battle for the Pro Open Men's Dual Slalom win, with David coming out on top.

Dixie Owens Troy Lee Designs ODI Deity Kenda had a great weekend winning the Pro Open Women s Dual Slalom on Saturday and the Cat 1 Women s 15-29 Downhill on Sunday.
Dixie Owens (Troy Lee Designs/ODI/Deity/Kenda) had a great weekend, winning the Pro Open Women's Dual Slalom on Saturday and the Cat 1 Women's 15-29 Downhill on Sunday.

There was a very special moment just before the awards ceremony as series co-promoter Elias Ingraham proposed marriage to birthday girl and assistant Lyndsey Goodale. She said yes.
There was a very special moment just before the awards ceremony, as series co-promoter Elias Ingraham proposed marriage to birthday girl Lyndsey Goodale. She said yes.

The Pro Women s podium at Reaper Madness. Chelsea Kimball Atomic Wheels Truckerco takes the top step and is joined by Amanda Wentz Transition Fox Gamut Nicole Schanilec Go Ride Rachel Molsee Over the Edge and Samantha Kingshill DVO College Cyclery Truckerco . Defending champ Kingshill flatted but held on for runner-up in the 2018 Winter Gravity Series.
The Pro Women's podium at Reaper Madness. Chelsea Kimball (Atomic Wheels/Truckerco) takes the top step and is joined by Amanda Wentz (Transition/Fox/Gamut), Nicole Schanilec (Go Ride), Rachel Molsee (Over the Edge) and Samantha Kingshill (DVO/College Cyclery/Truckerco). Defending champ Kingshill flatted but held on for runner-up in the 2018 Winter Gravity Series.

The Reaper Madness Pro Men s podium with Logan Binggeli KHS flanked by Nik Nestoroff KHS Liam Smillie Slag Society Novatec Cole Picchiottino Trek and Steven Walton Commencal 100 .
The Reaper Madness Pro Men's podium, with Logan Binggeli (KHS) flanked by Nik Nestoroff (KHS), Liam Smillie (Slag Society/Novatec), Cole Picchiottino (Trek), and Steven Walton (Commencal/100%).

This event and series was made possible by the generous support of DVO Suspension, GT Bicycles, KHS Bicycles, Jenson USA, MJT Designs, All Mountain Cyclery, Brian Head Resort, Truckerco, Kore North Bikes, Deity Components, Pinkbike, Bike Flights, Flightlinez, Kali Protectives, Blue Dog RV, Box Components, ODI Grips and Eminent Cycles.

Full results and information on the DVO Winter Gravity Series, Enduro presented by GT Bicycles can be found at http://downhillmike.com/index.html


MENTIONS: @DVOSuspension @GTBicycles



Author Info:
pbcreative avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2014
20 articles

38 Comments
  • 28 3
 Spandex bro is braver than all the other racers combined!
  • 19 0
 Stefanie McDaniel is actually not sponsored by Fly. In fact, she has no sponsors. For God sakes somebody sponsor this super fast chick!
  • 5 0
 Hell yeah Stef!!!!
  • 3 0
 Hell yea!! Nice work Stef!!!
  • 14 1
 Something about that guy in XC getup winning the pro enduro class. It's called mountain biking and he's doing it right.
  • 6 1
 I rented a bike here once and they gave me a Spec Enduro with shitty plus tires. I seriously had a 1-flat-tire-per-shuttle-run ratio (OK, I think I got down at least once without a flat, so it was probably more like 0.85). Friends don't let friends ride shitty plus tires!
  • 7 0
 Congrats to the engaged couple!
  • 6 0
 Cole’s 4th is even more impressive with the front flat he had!
  • 1 0
 Does anyone know if he runs a tire insert or not like cushcore, how his tire stay on? Still 4th in Pro with a flat is impressive
  • 1 0
 @TerryJAdams-Monster: He runs FTD
  • 4 0
 The question IS, whats he hiding under the cover of frame? HUH!
Oh by way elbow guard are not cool until or elbows are bloody. WHAT!
  • 19 0
 its a bottle cage
  • 8 0
 Looks like he just forgot to take his Evoc bike bag's frame protector off.
  • 1 1
 It's just a new frame protector called a "bike con-dom"
  • 1 0
 @dthomp325: then they just rolled with it because of the hype!
  • 5 1
 "2018 DVO Winter Gravity Series" - good that there was at least one picture of bike with DVO suspension Wink
  • 2 0
 There are 3 Bikes with DVO suspension on it. The Knolly and two bikes at the pit. DVO is also a new player and it needs some time until people get trust on their products
  • 4 0
 That gash in dude’s arm!
  • 2 0
 That’s the 2nd time I’ve done it at Bootleg ????????????
  • 1 0
 @Won-Ton: That's gonna need some stitches, son...
  • 1 1
 Armgina
  • 2 0
 Just some butterfly bandages @herzalot:
  • 6 2
 A broken crank should not slow down Gwinn. I smell conspiracy.
  • 1 0
 Haha, you have to pedal at bootleg!
  • 3 0
 CONGRATULATIONS Elias and Lyndsey!!! I'm so stoked for you guys! So... when's the wedding!?
  • 3 0
 Hell yeah Cole Suetos!! 4th fastest rider @16 years old. Damn.
  • 2 0
 Props to All the riders on that course, brutal it is..
  • 2 0
 Way to go Elias and Lyndsey!

What's up with Gwin's frame?
  • 1 0
 Keeping it hidden from the public I think
  • 1 0
 Nobody likes a borken crank...
  • 2 0
 F**k yea Quinn!!!
  • 1 0
 Thank you
  • 1 0
 Those Socks !!!! Congrats Chelsea, hope you come east again this summer !
  • 2 0
 Great photos, PB!!
  • 1 0
 Bootleg Blood Donor
  • 1 1
 Gwin is on a ebike
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