TransCR: The Jungle Steeps of Day Two

Feb 24, 2017
by Danielle Baker  
TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

Stage 1 today was an opportunity for redemption as the first three-quarters of it ran through the Prologue course. Almost everyone had a demon of some sort to work out on that trail – including that first sharp right that took a few people out yesterday. The course deviated at the bottom and left the sharp volcanic rocks behind as it flowed into a lush river valley and cooler temperatures.

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
The Nomads take hygiene seriously, even in the middle of the jungle.

The longest transfer of the race, which included a 500-meter climb and a steep 1.5-hour hike-a-bike – so steep that bikes had to be shouldered, followed stage 1. Event Director, Jay Balabas describes Stage 2, which is a 300-meter descent, as “the racers’ first true taste of jungle racing with lots of loose leaves and loam on the trails. It is definitely a departure from the previous stages.” This is also the first stage where organizers pulled out the triple arrow steep signs, which rumor has it, will be used daily for the rest of the event. Eric Fourmentin said of his run, “it was already so steep and we hadn’t even seen the sign for the steep section yet!” Chad Hendren said it was “bike surfing the whole way down!” And his buddy, Jordi Morrows expressed gratitude for all the snow riding he’d been doing at home, “without it I wouldn’t have been so prepared!”

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
Shouldering bike for an almost 1.5-hour hike-a-bike was totally worth it!

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
Cresting the top of the hike-a-bike.

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

bigquotesIt was awesome! This is exactly the type of stuff that we rode here before and it's why we came back. f*ck yeah!Jacquelyn Delacroix

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

Racers were beyond enthusiastic as they railed the final loose and dusty corners and crossed the finish line. The smiles were huge as everyone high-fived, fist-bumped and excitedly shared their experience with anyone watching.

“That was worth the climb!”

“Epic, nice! Can we do it again?”

“It’s all so yummy!”

“That was my favorite! Lots of shit I like to ride! Oh man, I’m happy!”

“That was sick! Let’s do it again!”

“I only put in four pedal strokes in the whole stage!”

“f*ck that was sick!”

“My arms are so pumped they were starting to fall asleep.”

“That is so what it is all about!”

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
  Our trusty photographer, Paris Gore, discovered he has recently developed an allergy to bees – or maybe just Costa Rican ones. Two Benadryl and an hour later he still looked like this. Thankfully the medical team here is incredible and quickly got him on an antihistamine and steroid IV followed by a shot of adrenaline. He was back out shooting an hour later. Photo: Danielle Baker

Racers then liaised back to camp for a hot lunch before shuttling up to the final stage of the day. Stage 3 offered an 800-meter descent with plenty of steeps and loam – “this is where the real jungle riding begins,” said Jay. The steep and at times "double black diamond" terrain took a few people down, but overall the energy was high – even if extremely exhausted – at the end of the day. Nikola Starko expressed that she wasn’t expecting it to be so dry, “but,” she says, “the steep bits were super tech, but super fun!”

bigquotesIt's like riding through Jurassic Park.Marty Lazarski

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
The stoke was high at the end of the day.

Credit for all of the memories made and stoke that was had today, and will be had for the next two days goes to the three main trail builders who have put in exceptionally long days to create the courses for this multi-day race. Marino Retana and his son, Marino Jr. ‘Macho’, along with Event Organizer, Paulo Valle, built all the trails that will be raced. When a last minute course change was required, Marino Sr. was up at the crack of dawn every morning cutting in the new trail in time for our arrival. Their enthusiasm and passion are what has allowed all of us to be here and we are grateful for their hospitality.

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
Chris Johnston, and all the racers signed a souvenir shirt for Marino's family.


TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
Marino Sr.

After four stages the top three pro men are Cory Sullivan (3rd), Ludo May (2nd), and Alvaro May (1st). The top three pro women are Janea Perry (3rd), Amy Morrison (2nd), and Nikola Starko (1st). The full results can be found here.

Today logged at least one sheared derailleur bolt, more than a few depleted brake pads, and a rider who went head first into a briar patch just short of the finish line. At the end of the day, it’s when things go wrong that makes for the best stories, the best memories, and the best people!

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
Botsy's shoulder got claimed by the trails today, but he's a glass-half-full-hey-here-is-another-place-to-hold-my-beer kind of guy.

TransCR The Jungle Steeps of Day 1
Sharing battle stories from the day at basecamp.


Author Info:
daniellebaker avatar

Member since May 10, 2007
235 articles

29 Comments
  • 10 0
 I'm really stoke to see a Costa Rican event on the map, a more gravity oriented one let me say, and by the way racers are talking about it I'm sure they are stoke too. I hope too see more events like this here, we have really really nice trails through our hole country, volcano trails, beach, mountains, valley and the fun part it's that we can get any of them in a short time of travel. Another fun thing is that we can ride all year long thanks to our weather conditions. I know this will be the first of many ones more to come since enduro is getting stronger here. I really hope to see more of you guys coming here to ride bikes and have fun cause that what's all about. PURA VIDA!
  • 2 1
 Just curious, do you know how the guana ride compares to this race in terms of terrain and organization?
  • 1 0
 @OnkleJoachim: Guanaride is also a great event but it's a XC race, more pedaling! Organization is great too. In terms of terrain it has more steep climbs and flat sections. The Heat is a relevant factor since we are still in summer tempertures when the race comes down (28°C-34°C). But it's also a "A class" event for the xc riders. Three stages, 250km total!
  • 1 0
 @OnkleJoachim: Well, maybe temperatures are not that bad. You can check their page www.guanaride.com
  • 1 0
 @fer93: thanks for the information fer93, I appreciate it. I was looking for something with a tamer feel because my downhill skills are marginal at best. I look forward to visiting your country.
  • 1 0
 Speaking of on the map, i wish i knew where this was. The story is equalivent to a story saying there was a bike race in the usa or canada. Where? i lived 8 years in CR and rode a lot in the central valley. I could ride from my house into the jungle. we rode early morning to escape the heat and rainy season was something else, but riding year-round was super sweet. love the last pic with the Rock con limon. my beer
  • 1 1
 Any good riding near Jaco or Dominical?
  • 2 0
 @gonecoastal: yeah near Jaco, theres a little bike park called "Trillo Colorada" which gives a mountain view into Jaco beach
Check there page
m.facebook.com/TrillosColorada
They are pretty tame but the views are nice
  • 1 0
 @OnkleJoachim: Some of the crew that organize Transcr are the same that organize Guanaride. So, you can expect a great event organization at Guanaride. See you there!!!
  • 1 0
 @rmgcr: thanks for the reply back. I'm in Jaco right now. Leaving in a few days. But likely heading back to Dominical area again next winter.
I actually considered signing up for this race, but wasn't into bringing down boards and a bike. Maybe next time. Jaja
  • 2 0
 A Costa Rican using the term Pura Vida? Well I never!

This looks epic and I've heard nothing but good things about the trails in the country. Ah, lucky bastards.
  • 1 0
 @chickenlassi: I tried one last night. Le meh.
  • 11 1
 "Everyone fist-bummed and excitedly shared their experience with anyone watching."

What sort of event was this again?
  • 2 0
 Standard Friday night in?
  • 2 0
 @cunning-linguist: Maybe for Norman Lamont (showing my age there with that reference).
  • 1 0
 Looks to me like sweet Miss Elladee Brown is leading the women overall ...heck yeah ????????
  • 1 0
 Oh ya!! I noticed that too. Nice work!
  • 1 0
 Where are you riding guys?
  • 2 0
 maeeeee - Provi
  • 1 0
 @matosmalo: Que mae?
  • 2 0
 Nice Amy!
  • 2 0
 Park from Jurassic Big Grin
  • 1 0
 This looks like an all-out blast.
  • 1 0
 Its like the (Enduro) Ruta De Los Conquistadores. Awesomely painful.
  • 1 0
 Looks amazing.
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