US Gravity Nationals 2012 - Course walk and practice

Jul 19, 2012
by Ian Hylands  
Today was the first day of the USA Cycling Gravity Nationals at Beech Mountain in North Carolina. The weather stayed nice and sunny for most of the day with highs in the low 80's, that all changed around dinner time though as the skies opened up and a serious amount of rain came down. It only lasted for a few hours though, so hopefully it was just enough to keep the dust down for tomorrow.

Registration and Racer Package pickup opened at 11AM and everyone was waiting...
Registration and Racer Package pickup opened at 11AM and everyone was waiting...
  Day one of the event, registration and racer package pickup opened at 11AM and everyone was waiting...

The downhill track is mostly the same as last year really all thats been done are some small changes and there s a lot less mud. Chris Herndon has been busy fine tuning however and the track looks awesome The grassy pedal out of the start.
  The downhill track is mostly the same as last year, really all thats been done are some small changes, and there's a lot less mud. Chris Herndon has been busy fine tuning however, and the track looks awesome! The grassy pedal out of the start.

After you come out of the start stretch the course cuts under the lift and then splits into the pro course and the amateur course The pro track is the blue tape.
  After you come out of the start stretch the course cuts under the lift and then splits into the pro course and the amateur course, The pro track is the blue tape.

Mitch Ropelato Brad Benedict and Cody Kelly check out the first real obstacle on the pro course a small rock drop.
  Mitch Ropelato, Brad Benedict and Cody Kelley check out the first real obstacle on the pro course, a small rock drop.

Shortly after the drop on the run the course drops into the trees and a small rock section
  Shortly after the drop on the run, the course drops into the trees and a small rock section

In the trees the course is fairly wide with lots of different line options.
  In the trees the course is mostly fairly wide with lots of different line options.

after a small right berm there is a creek gap. A lot of people were just riding through it in practice but there were a few people jumping it on both the left and the right side.
  after a right berm there is a small creek gap. A lot of people were just riding through it in practice, but there were a few people jumping it on both the left and the right side.

The dirt was perfect today...
  The dirt was perfect today...

photo
photo
The top tree section ends in a hard right that drops onto a road and then drops into the rock garden section.
  The top tree section ends in a hard right that drops onto a road, and then drops into the rock garden section.

Cody checks out the tree that took out Gwin and Ropelato last year. It s a fine line between the rock and the tree and in the wet things can get pretty slippery here.
  Cody checks out the tree that took out Gwin and Ropelato last year. It's a fine line between the rock and the tree, and in the wet things can get pretty slippery here.

Lots of different line choices through the rocks but two basic ways through. High on the left or low on the right...
  Lots of different line choices through the rocks, but two basic ways through. High on the left, or low on the right...

photo
The rocks continue... The fastest line of the day seemed to go up and over a few different rocks.
  The rocks continue... The fastest line of the day seemed to go up and over a few different rocks.

As you exit the trees and go back onto the run theres a gap over a rock. Most riders were doubling it some were tripling it to a further landing. By the time the end of the day came around the landing of the double was turning into a bit of a crater.
  As you exit the trees and go back onto the run there's a gap over a rock. Most riders were doubling it, some were tripling it to a further landing. By the time the end of the day came around the landing of the double was turning into a bit of a crater.

a few off camber turns on the grass later and the track drops down and then up into a right hip.
  a few off camber turns on the grass later and the track drops down and then up into a right step up hip.

There are a lot of theseoff camber grass corners and course workers were constantly replacing the tape. This is the section after the hip mach chicken...
  There are a lot of these off camber grass corners, and course workers were constantly replacing the tape. This is the section after the hip, mach chicken...

after the hip there is a section of dirt jumps rollers and berms under the lift that ends in a long table going into the finish area. This year the finish has been moved up the hill a bit and you pretty much gap into it.
  after the hip there is a section of dirt jumps, rollers and berms under the lift that ends in a long table going into the finish area. This year the finish has been moved up the hill a bit, and you pretty much gap into it.

looking down at the finish jump it s a short jump to dirt tranny then a very quick scrub over the road and onto the off camber grass pitch for the last 50 feet to the line.
  looking down at the finish jump, it's a short jump to dirt tranny, then a very quick scrub over the road and onto the off camber grass pitch for the last 50 feet to the line

The finish gap from the side...
  The finish gap from the side...

Neko Mulally is the official US National Champ even though he raced as a junior last year. He s going to have some work to do to keep that title but he s more than up for it spending most of the day on the track trying to find every possible second.
  Neko Mulally is the other official US National Champ now, even though he raced as a junior last year. He's going to have some work to do to keep that title, but he's more than up for it, spending most of the day on the track trying to find every possible second.

The small rock drop at the top of the course...
  The small rock drop at the top of the course...

There are a lot of really nice turns in the top woods.
  There are a lot of really nice turns in the top woods.

By the end of the day there were some serious ruts forming...
  By the end of the day there were some serious ruts forming...

Cole Picchiottino takes the high line through the rocks
  Cole Picchiottino takes the high line through the rocks. He was looking really fast through the course today. (we reported yesterday that he had crashed, however we've since learned that he actually only flatted)

Luke Strobel somehow ended up with the number two plate here at Beech. Logan Binggeli has kept his number one that he earned here last year by winning the pro mens class.
  Luke Strobel somehow ended up with the number two plate here at Beech. KHS' Logan Binggeli is the USA Cycling National Champ and has kept the number one that he earned here last year when he won the pro men's DH.

Neko Mulally raced as a junior here last year and even though he had the fastest time he wasn t originally given the national title. The UCI changed their rules part way through the season however and the stars and stripes jersey became his.
  Neko Mulally raced as a junior here last year, and even though he had the fastest time he wasn't originally given the national title. The UCI changed their rules part way through the season however, and a Stars and Stripes jersey became his.

Arthur Babcock was looking fast all day. Here he triples out of the woods and onto the ski run.
  Arthur Babcock was looking fast all day. Here he triples out of the woods and onto the ski run.

Eliot Jackson always a contender and tons of style don t ever count him out.
  Eliot Jackson, always a contender and tons of style, don't ever count him out.

Kevin Aiello boosting over the hip.
  Kevin Aiello boosting over the hip.

There is always someone riding in jeans and a t-shirt today there were a few. No idea who this is but he s going pretty high over the step up hip.
  There is always someone riding in jeans and a t-shirt, today there were several. No idea who this is, but he's going pretty high over the step up hip.

Stay tuned for more coverage through Sunday

Author Info:
IanHylands avatar

Member since Jun 23, 2008
588 articles

24 Comments
  • 15 1
 Am i the only one that thinks that tree looks like Homer Simpson?
  • 4 0
 Agreed... Just a homer that had way too many doughnuts
  • 1 0
 i totally see it haha
  • 1 0
 Ian, good meeting you today. I've ridden and raced since '92 and your work has always been inspiring. Signed: Butch on the green Turner.
  • 2 0
 Thanks, I started shooting bikes in about '94, that's a long time ago!
  • 1 0
 would love to try this course ! those grass corners would suck to ride in wet conditions.
  • 2 0
 Next year it's going to be a genuine Bike Park so I'm looking forward to it. I drove up there on an off weekend (no races) and it's a gorgeous area. It's going to be sick next year.
  • 2 0
 lets go Alex McAndrew, supporting my alumni from college
  • 1 0
 Course is amazing got to walk it Thursday the lower section is going to be really fast
  • 1 0
 Sweet article! Got me pumped to leave work early and drive up there - hope my boss doesnt mind hehe
  • 4 1
 Lets go Eliot!
  • 3 1
 Go Bas Vansteezyburger... you crazy dutch/canadian/american slut!
  • 2 0
 Sick shot of Cole Picchiottino BTW Ian!
  • 2 0
 thanks!
  • 2 1
 Wish I wasn't working all weekend. Such a great looking course to ride.
  • 3 1
 Kevin Aiello all the way
  • 1 0
 aaarrrrrggggg!!! i wish i was there!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Really good looking course , looking forwards to the highlights video
  • 1 0
 was really hoping to see a shot of Nik Dudukovich flipping the hip
  • 1 1
 looks like a really fast and fun course!!!!
  • 1 1
 Who's the guy in the WEST VIRGINIA shirt. Go Mountaineers!
  • 2 0
 LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!! WV all the way man!
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