Race Recap: Silveroxx 2014

Alex Randles (Cat 2 Men 30-39) racing Frankenbeans on Saturday.

Season enders are a time of conflicting emotions at Bike Parks. Winter's looming onslaught signals the end of lift served biking for a time. But it also offers up a moment of reflection to dwell on another season of riding under the belt and all the runs, jumps, bumps, and fun that was earned. If introspections not your thing and you're very lucky, you may experience a weekend of shredding blessed with some of the finest conditions of the season — mother nature's peace offering.

The weekend was blessed with clear and bright Autumn weather and some of the tackiest conditions of the season.

That's exactly what happened during Silveroxx 2014. A three day weekend celebrating mountain biking's coming-of-age at Silver Mountain Bike Park in Kellogg, Idaho. Featuring a different race each day including the final two Silver Race Series events held Saturday and Sunday. Silver has building momentum all year developing new trails, introducing a rental fleet, launching the SRS races, and expanding operations to five days a week. Momentum that will continue to grow next year as they expand operations to seven days a week.

Don Macy (Cat 3 Men 19-29) rounding a large turn on Payday.

Friday kicked things off with a chainless race while Saturday led into short runs on Chair Three. SRS # 6 took Category 3 racers down Pay Day and Cool Neatness while Category 2 through Pro tackled the unpredictably off-camber Frankenbeans. The race was followed by a "Steezy Steezeoff" competition determined to find the best trick on the Baby Swiss section that opened shortly before Silveroxx.

Sunday's SRS # 7 was a proper top-to-bottom run and a fitting challenge for the series' final. The majority of the course was shared by all categories until a split towards the bottom diverted Category 2 through Pro towards Secret Squirrel — another off-camber concoction developed this year.

Take a look at the results for SRS # 6, SRS # 7 and the Overalls to tide you over until lift served biking returns to the Inland Northwest in 2015.

Bottom left: Scott Schabarker (Cat 3 Men 40+).

Despite chain issues on his run, Arye Dowling was still able to work in some steez (Cat 3 Men 19-29).

Rodger Baker (Cat 3 Men 40+) started mountain biking 10 years ago. This year he is 71.

Alli Gaertner (Cat 3 Women 15+).

Jedidiah Lamb (Cat 3 Men 14 & Under) hitting the drop on Hot Beans.

Jarred Johnson (Cat 3 Men 14 & Under) peers through the foliage after diverging from the trail. Joseph Deschamps (Cat 2 Men 15-18 ) airing the drop on Hot Beans.

Pete Kinsey (Cat 2 Men 30-39) braking into the second stage of Frankenbeans.

Lance Cogley (Cat 2 Men 30-39).

Justin Hamborsky (Cat 2 Men 30-39) fights to maintain balance in the ruts and turns.

This new drop on Baby Swiss was completed shortly before Silveroxx weekend. Andrew Frink & Anthony Williams (Cat 1 Men 19-29).

Sandy Densmore (Pro Women) heading towards the "World Cup" section of Frankenbeans.

Jamie Rees (Pro Women).

Casting long shadows and laying down fast tracks. Alex Watts (Pro Men) took first on Saturday, denying local rider Kent Billingsley the top podium. This was the only SRS where Billingsley didn't take first.

Pierson Mckibbon rounding the last berm to the finish line (Pro Men). The weekend was good to the 15 year old who took 6th on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday.

Joseph Deschamps (Cat 2 Men 15-18 ) dropping in during the Steezy Steezeoff competition.

Kent Billingsley (Pro Men).

Matt Chynoweth (Pro Men) stretching to get every bit of reach.

Nick Hathorn wrapped up the Steezy Steezoff win with this whip to tree.

(Center) Willy Bartlett, Marketing Coordinator, receiving well deserved appreciation for his long-term role in advancing mountain biking at Silver. Bartlett was sporting a sling for a shattered clavicle that occurred earlier that week.

Saturday's Pro Podium - SRS # 6. Alex Watts, Kent Billingsley & Matt Chynoweth (Pro Men 1st-3rd). Jamie Rees, Sandy Densmore & Gretchen Randolph (Pro Women 1st-3rd).

Eben Kiehl (Pro Men) drops in on Lower Hammer on Sunday's race.

Chris Andreasen (Pro Men).

Kent Billingsley (Pro Men) racing hard through Lower Hammer.

Screaming through Lower Hammer.

Chris Wamsley (Pro Men) dropping the trails while raising his fashion aura in ladies race kit.

Isabelle Desmaias (Pro Women). Venturing South from Canada, Desmaias and friends were unaware there would be a race when they decided to check out Silver. Sunday's run earned her second place in Pro Women.

Gretchen Randolph (Pro Women) starting into Old School.

Rockslides make great resources for rock table tops.

Hitting jumps under fall colors on Old School.

Jeff Rees (Cat 1 Men 30-39).

Gerf Cook (Cat 1 Men 30-39) sending rocks.

Runs included a rough pedal along the 5 Corners Road. Alex Castagno & Eric Schneck (Cat 1 Men 19-29).

Zeb Burke (Cat 2 Men 40+).

Pete Kinsey (Cat 2 Men 30-39) blazing through Afternoon Delight.

Jeff Scherer starts into a brief straight section through the trees (Cat 2 Men 30-39).

Drew Mahan (Cat 2 Men 30-39).

Ella Erickson (Cat 2 Women 15+) took second place after moving up from Cat 3 Women 14 & Under.

Sun at your back, dirt up ahead. Billy Warner (Cat 3 Men 19-29).

Phil Bridgers (Cat 3 Men 40+) racing under Autumn light.

Steven Beckman (Cat 3 Men 14 & Under) shredding Wildcat.

Sunday's Pro Podium - SRS # 7. Kent Billingsley, Matt Chynoweth & Pierson Mckibbon (Pro Men 1st-3rd). Jamie Rees, Isabelle Desmaias & Sandy Densmore (Pro Women 1st-3rd).

Results for SRS # 6, SRS # 7 and the Overalls