The twenty-third annual Downieville Classic is in the books and needless to say it was a weekend filled with good times. The one of a kind mountain bike festival brings the small mountain town back the excitement, bustle, and influx of people it might have seen during the days of the gold rush. The Classic consists of Saturday's 26.5-mile point to point cross country race starting in Sierra City climbing 4500 vertical feet up to the crest of the Sierra Nevada then drops 5700 vertical feet down through fast rocky single track and the even faster notorious "baby heads" jeep road. The second component of the weekend is Sunday's endurance downhill event which must be done on the same equipment as the day before (there's a weigh-in to keep everyone honest). With 5333 vertical feet of descending and 1010 vertical feet of climbing, this isn't a sprinters event. The downhill takes you through a mix of fast fluid flow trails and faster rough trails littered with sharp rocks along with ominous sheer drops skirting the edge of large sections of the course. The combined time from both days determines the All Mountain World Champion.
Early morning in Sierra City for the start of the overland cross country race. Competitors make all their preparations before they line up for the long day. In this case, a delicious espresso.
Camouflaged into the natural environment Scott Chapin and Amanda Schaper appear out of nowhere along with their mountain tandem.
The support crew, it takes a lot of dedicated volunteers that allow this race to happen every year. Shout out to everyone who put your hard work into this one of a kind event.
Off they go! Geoff Kabush leads the Pro field off the start as he and Katerina Nash (directly behind in the blue Cliff jersey) both defending their titles.
Last years trifecta XC, DH, AM winner Geoff Kabush leads Sandy Floren up the final miles of the climb.
Last years DH runner-up Nathan Riddle on his blacked out Santa Cruz Blur
Last years women's trifecta winner Katerina Nash looks to defend that title.
Samantha Runnels chasses Katerina down.
Olympic skier cross silver medalist Brittany Phelan makes her way up the Gold Valley Rim Trial climb.
Stoke
No shortage of views of this newly reclassified section of trail. Thank you Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship!!
Scott and Amanda putting down some power.
Syra Fillat on her way to an under 30 women third place.
More views from the top of the climb.
Wait, is that Kurt Gensheimer the angry single speeder on the drums over there?
Yes, it is.
Views of Deer Lake.
Coming out of the new downhill section of the new Gold Valley Rim Trail cruises Geoff Kabush, on his way to a win and one step closer to defending his title.
Sandy Floren still chasing down Kabush. He will end up fourth on the day.
Katerina Nash on her way to a win and one step closer to defending her title.
Samantha Runnels on her way to a second on the day.
The infamous baby heads section. A few miles of chunky fast jeep road.
Rock gardens on the GVRT proved tough for people who were told this was an XC race.
Julia Bennett fourth place beginner looking comfortable on the GRVT
Lichen, lots.
Dusty baby heads.
Battle
Scott Chapin and Amanda Schaper flying towards a tandem course record.
Genevieve Kayat having a good time.
Jeff & Gabe Jantos having a really good time.
Long smooth rock rolls are a new feature in Downieville, nice addition!
Whistler BC's Chloe Cross down south to see what The Classic is all about.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Macho Man Randy Savage.
Leslie Oley cruising through baby heads.
Caution cold water can induce cramps at this point.]
Downieville claims another victim.
Heading out the gate first on Sunday's downhill race is Geoff Kabush, Here he is on his way to a win on the day and defending his last years All Mountain title.
Nathan Riddle roosts out of a corner on Sunrise trial.
Tristan Uhl on his way to a second place in the downhill.
Duncan Riffle attacks Sunrise Trail for a 4th place on the day.
#panshotfriday with Sean Estes.
Jon Dickey making a pass and putting down the hammer for a third place on the day and a podium third place finish in the all mountain.
Comin' in hawt! One minute windows between riders doesn't mean you shouldn't expect to pass people.
Katerina Nash on her way to a win on the day and defending her All Mountain World Championship.
Brittany Phelan gets loose and comes away with a second on the day and a fourth in the All Mountain
Lindsay Dwyer flying through Sunrise.
Lindsay Helmuth cruising her way through the 5000' vertical foot downhill.
Myles Morgan on his way to taking Junior Expert Boys win in style. With a blistering time that would have seen him top twenty in Pro he's earned that style.
Mayhem in waterfall!! Passing here is a big crowd pleaser.
Andi Zolton screams through the rock garden waterfall.
Morgan Smith looking fast on Butcher Ranch Trail on her way to a Junior Expert girls win.
It wouldn't be a Downieville classic without the Ron's House Of Big Air river jump contest. Here is the defending champ Downieville's own McLovin.
And I'll leave you with the senior leadership team from Pit Viper sunglasses.
Find results here
http://downievilleclassic.com/downieville-classic/resultsThere will be more photos posted soon here
http://bradholmesphoto.com
God forbid...
you create your station in life and your excuses
It got pretty apocalyptic during the evening of XC race day but by morning of day two, conditions were on point. Even with an 11am+ start time for me, conditions at the saddle were really good.
That's Samantha Runnels.
I'm impressed