Photo Epic: Port Angeles Downhill - Practice and Qualification

Apr 26, 2015

by Jens Staudt

NORTHWEST CUP

PORT ANGELES

~ To some it might not make sense to jump in the car after Sea Otter and drive all the way up from warm California to less-than-warm Port Angeles for the first round of the NW Downhill Cup, but we did anyway. In the cold woods of the Northwest coast there was a pretty fast track waiting for us. ~

~ Port Angeles is a quiet place - until all the bikers come. Above it all, the mountains remain serene, still partially covered in snow. ~

~ The hills are pretty much all rainforest with huge ferns and a lot of greenery - you can barely see the ground with all the strong vegetation. A rainbow welcomed us to the top of the track. ~

~ The barista was waiting for customers and delivered one of a kind cappuccino. ~

~ The fireplace in the finish area was a welcome sight in the chilly morning air, and riders got creative in an effort to keep their hands warm. ~

~ Getting ready to drop in with the first shuttle runs. ~

~ It's such a contrast coming from bone dry Sea Otter to moist and tacky hero dirt. ~

~ Luke Strobel rocking the #1 plate. ~

~ The forest is dark and moody - there really is no better place to wear a flannel than in these woods. ~

~ Within the tape you can find some sneaky lines. ~

~ Do you believe? ~

~ After a gnarly crash in practice Emilie Siegenthaler put it back together to finish 5th place in qualies. ~

~ Miranda Miller got down a little faster for 4th place. ~

~ Coming from a very successful Sea Otter Jill was hungry but had to give the qualification to Buchar. ~

~ Claire Buchar who impressed with extremely fast but calculated and clean riding, here she is enjoying the track on her way to #1 qualifier. ~

~ On the track there are a couple of key sections that were not very forgiving and took their toll, but it was mostly the bikes that took the beatings. Magnus got ejected after coming up short on the road gap. Fortunately he was ok after taking a spectacular tumble. ~

~ Rae Gandolf (left) testing her compression settings. It wasn't the best day for Amanda Batty, her collarbone didn't like this close examination of the ground. Get well soon Ambatt! ~

~ Bernard Kerr getting the shot and then clearing the road gap. ~

~ Mitch Ropelato going all Enduro with GPS and a water bottle while Luke Strobel chased seconds in the Pacific jungle. ~

~ Connor Fearon was killing it on the grippy dirt to secure the #1 qualifier. ~

MENTIONS @grinsekater @ambatt

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grinsekater
Member since Jun 3, 2006
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30 Comments

50 0

sexley FL (Apr 26, 2015 at 14:11)

Really nice photos...great job

8 15

Gilmarques (Apr 26, 2015 at 14:45) (Below Threshold)

It´s right in the tittle : Epic

19 2

mattmuk961 (Apr 26, 2015 at 14:41)

I kinda want Ropo to win....

mxmike422 (Apr 26, 2015 at 15:06)

I second that

enej46 (Apr 26, 2015 at 16:55)

Yeah, it will give us confidence, that our rigs are perfectly capable and we are left with no more excuses.

zachcohen (Apr 26, 2015 at 17:35)

He crashed:*(

Mtbguy87 (Apr 26, 2015 at 21:40)

He went down hard. Luckily he got back up after a bit and didn't need medics. He was saying he was scared he might have really messed up his knee but after all the riders went he got down on his bike.

13 1

dirtnapped (Apr 26, 2015 at 15:59)

I haven't been there to know what's appropriate, but I think it's cool to see Ropelato challenging the status quo with the single crown. We have some incredibly capable machines.

Pininator (Apr 26, 2015 at 22:09)

It's got a bit of variety as far as wipe-open sections into tight, awkward ones but no crazy rock gardens. More roots and rocks to keep you honest when it comes to riding at mach-chicken. It's not beyond a single-crown fork's capabilities to ride or even race at a Cat 2-3 level there. Racing on a single crown in the pro class is a whole different beast. Granted, Ropelato is smooth as glass so I could see a rider of his capabilities managing.

lacykemp (Apr 27, 2015 at 7:35)

I think racing a single crown at PA is a tall order. You can ride it, sure. But going full gas, I think most people would be happier on a bigger fork.

chrisn5 (Apr 26, 2015 at 14:11)

i believe

11 4

h3ndy050 (Apr 26, 2015 at 13:55)

Flat pedals ftw

ambatt (Apr 26, 2015 at 21:24)

Thanks for the healing thoughts and amazing photos, Jens! You knocked it out of the park this weekend!

BrightBulbPhoto (Apr 26, 2015 at 17:54)

Awesome shots. ....And Bigfoot, don't lament. I still believe.

crash21 (Apr 26, 2015 at 15:05)

Awesome photos!

mtbakerpow (Apr 26, 2015 at 18:10)

love the pics,thanks for sharing

Pininator (Apr 26, 2015 at 22:12)

Wow...excellent photo essay! I missed out this weekend for sure...D'OH!

KonaChina (Apr 27, 2015 at 9:45)

YEAH! Since everyone has got a wide screen then let's make full use of it!

scotttherider FL (Apr 27, 2015 at 20:22)

Hey @RynoRodrigosouraus your truck made the first pic of a story!

Trishalish (Apr 26, 2015 at 17:07)

Wicked shots!!

PropDH (Apr 26, 2015 at 21:47)

Magnus just watching what time is it...

ompete (Apr 27, 2015 at 8:16)

If Mitch had kneepads on, he might not of hurt his knee so bad?

adkrider (Apr 26, 2015 at 14:14)

High Speed Compression?

bigburd (Apr 26, 2015 at 14:21)

What's so confusing ?

adkrider (Apr 26, 2015 at 18:28)

Im thinking that the HSC setting has to do with, how fast the damper is cycling (meaning many bumps in a row) weather you are moving fast or slow. One big hit, would be Slow speed Compression. Right?

adkrider (Apr 26, 2015 at 18:32)

Oh, never mind, thought it said testing "HSC" really says "testing her compression settings" MY BAD.

nvranka (Apr 26, 2015 at 22:51)

HSC refers to shaft speed, but actual riding speed and all other settings certainly have an impact

adkrider (Apr 27, 2015 at 4:47)

*Whether, oops

jfkusa FL (Apr 26, 2015 at 15:32)

Where are the reviews? I haven't seen one in a few weeks

ClausS (Apr 28, 2015 at 1:34)

Fett Jens, fett!