Hot Fun in the Lost Sierra - Downieville Classic 2023
After a four year hiatus, the venerable Downieville Classic returned to the gold-rich hills of Sierra County, greeting racers and spectators with some of the hottest weather the event has ever seen. The Yuba River proved to be a critical cooling zone for people pushing themselves over the two days of racing, though the heat still led to more than a few scratches and DNFs.
For those unfamiliar, the Downieville Classic is a unique race, with a point-to-point XC on Saturday and a 15-mile DH run on Sunday. The racing amounts to nearly 45 miles of trail and rough fire road, with about 5000' of climbing for good measure. To make things even trickier, your bike setup and weight has to be identical between the two days, making setup choice a fun puzzle. Certainly a test of rider and bike, earning the self-appointed title of All-Mountain World Championships. This was the Classic's 25th year going, with a family of regulars happy to see each other again after a few years away.
The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship trailer, painted by local artist Alex Dunn.
Tired rides.
Cheers, bike.
The heat put a damper on some of the typical extra events at the Classic, but folks were still out in droves having as much fun as they could without melting. The party took place in the river, and plenty of cold refreshments were enjoyed - be it Gatorade or Pale Ale.
With Crankworx coming up next week, this was my heading as soon as racing ended.
Nice.
Room for a friend.
With nearly 800 folks racing, the tiny town and narrow river valley surrounding Downieville get packed pretty tight. Racers could be seen camping in every nook and cranny.
Rig of the day.
Impressive pile.
The luxurious amenities of a Pinkbike Tech Editor.
The rugged trails in town proved to be pretty taxing on bike and body, with some serious crashes over the two race days and mechanicals to match. Here's hoping everyone who went down heals up quick, and all those broken bikes get some love upon returning home.
Carnage.
Inserts were common, but not a panacea.
Downieville veteran Jason Moeschler finished out the DH with this accessory.
CARNAGE. This racer hiked her bike 13 miles to the finish line.
Whether they see each other every weekend or every couple years, there were plenty of groups of friends that came out together to race and hang out in the Sierra. With 25 years of history, the racers that come year after year feel like a little family; it was lovely to witness the reunion.
Friends in the shade, pt.1.
Friends in the shade, pt.2.
Founder of the Classic and master beard grower, Greg Williams.
Downieville legends.
As part of their Connected Communities program, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is fundraising to connect 15 rural mountain towns through recreation and land access. The Downieville Classic is a key part of that fundraising effort, and shows just how much vitality mountain biking can bring to a small town.
Clipless firefighter.
The homies at Paul Components were collecting tips for the volunteer firefighters.
Huge thanks to all the moto course sweeps and volunteers.
There were plenty of cool bikes to ogle around the event, but the community and culture of the event feels like the real highlight. Still, here are some cool details I spotted.
A Suntour index shifter on a Santa Cruz mechanic's bike...
...cleverly used as a progressive shock lockout.
My friend Myles is a machinist at SRAM, and made himself a singlespeed chain tensioner that uses a Transmission Full Contact attachment style and clutch internals. Very skookum, very cool.
No, you can't buy one.
All-Mountain Results
Pro Women
1. Katerina Nash
2. Alexis Skarda
3. Anna Yamaguchi
1. Katerina Nash
2. Alexis Skarda
3. Anna Yamaguchi
Pro Men
1. Keegan Swenson
2. Bradyn Lange
3. Cole Paton
1. Keegan Swenson
2. Bradyn Lange
3. Cole Paton
Singlespeed Open
1. Clint Claassen
2. Maxx Chance
3. Scott Chapin
1. Clint Claassen
2. Maxx Chance
3. Scott Chapin
Expert Junior Women
1. Francisca Gomez Villafane
2. Savannah Pilkington
1. Francisca Gomez Villafane
2. Savannah Pilkington
Exp. Women 30 & Under
1. Katy Greene
2. Diniana Piekutowski
3. Kelly Brennan
1. Katy Greene
2. Diniana Piekutowski
3. Kelly Brennan
Exp. Women 31-40
1. Jenna Dramise
2. Jenna Kane
3. Campbell Steers
1. Jenna Dramise
2. Jenna Kane
3. Campbell Steers
Exp. Women 41-50
1. Genevieve Evans
2. Brooke Summers
3. Sara Malm
1. Genevieve Evans
2. Brooke Summers
3. Sara Malm
Exp. Women 51+
1. Ellen Guthrie
2. Maria Alejandra De Bernardi
1. Ellen Guthrie
2. Maria Alejandra De Bernardi
Exp. Junior Men
1. Simon Hewett
2. Dylan Finkler
3. Campbell Goddard
1. Simon Hewett
2. Dylan Finkler
3. Campbell Goddard
Exp. Men 30 & Under
1. Max Rehkopf
2. Austin Gilchrist
3. Dario DiGiulio
1. Max Rehkopf
2. Austin Gilchrist
3. Dario DiGiulio
Exp. Men 31-40
1. Jeff Thayer
2. Nate Riffle
3. Frederick Stamm
1. Jeff Thayer
2. Nate Riffle
3. Frederick Stamm
Exp. Men 41-50
1. Justin Robinson
2. Justin Morgan
3. Zak Brown
1. Justin Robinson
2. Justin Morgan
3. Zak Brown
1. Victor Sheldon
2. Jim Hewett
3. Romolo Forcino
See you next time, Downieville!
Check out the other shots here.
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Member since Dec 25, 2016
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Also, speaking of asphalt a wee PSA. I saw two dogs limping, one of which had blisters all over his feet. Take care of your pooches!
Biblical Hebrew: שִׁבֹּלֶת, romanized: šībbōleṯ) is any custom or tradition, usually a choice of phrasing or even a single word, that distinguishes one group of people from another.
So... Indulge me for a minute... How'd the race go for you? These are essentially conditions and terrain types you've cut your teeth riding in and you're true shredder entering a jack of all trades race. Did you still rock a cotton T and swamp man it?
Older group being faster overall is very common in XC racing....old man strength, more experience, and maybe more importantly.....at a point in their lives when family and jobs (perhaps) have settled down a little and they have more time to spend on what they love doing (just a theory I've heard multiple times over the years at many races when the 40+ Master crowd is faster than the age group just below them.
Edit - aw man. One of them was Mike Too Tall Bell at the Sea Otter 'DH' just before Covid. I Googled him and found out he passed in 2021. An MX legend...
mbaction.com/in-memoriam-mike-bell-a-mt-bike-motocross-icon
I really would have liked to do DV this year but I did do BCBR and even a week plus later my 50yo body is still not recovered.
And both events were stupid hot.
Huge props to those that are capable of doing both let alone winning both.