Southeastern Gravity Series 2015 - Dates and Locations
There's something new in 2015 for the South Eastern states and it kicks off this weekend. The four lift assisted resorts have set aside their differences, pooled their resources, melted their minds and are bringing you the inaugural Southeastern Gravity Series. Who you ask? That would be...Massanutten Resort, Bryce Bike Park, Beech Mountain Resort and Snowshoe Bike Park and the fun starts this weekend, April 25-26, in Virginia at Massanutten for the combined GES/SEGS YEE-HA Downhill Race.
Since this is the first season, race information will be released on a race by race basis and, hopefully, a few weeks in advance of the specific event/location so that we can all plan accordingly. If you have any immediate questions in regards to the series, their plans, specific venues, etc., you can contact the series directly via E-mail or call Alisa Colpitts at 304-572-5885.
*All information is provided per the Series website and Event/Series Organizer.
Series Rules:
• Licenses Requirements: All racers must have a USAC licenses. One day licenses can be purchased on-site for Cat 2 and 3 ONLY; online access to USA Cycling website will be provided. Cat 1 and Pro licenses cannot be purchased on-site, only from USA Cycling via a request for an upgrade to USA Cycling at USA Cycling.
• Upgrades or Downgrades: If racer upgrades or downgrades classes he/she will lose ALL points.
• Race Plates: Racer must have race place on at all times to be on the course. Race plate must not be cut at any area around the sponsor or race number, and must be placed on front of handlebars.
• Awards: Venue has the right to change the cash payout or combine classes if there are not 5 in a category. You must race at the series Championships and be at the awards ceremony to be eligible for the cash payout. The top 5 in every category class will make the podium, 1st, 2nd and 3rd will receive medals, 4th and 5th will be recognized.
• Mountains may enhance prize packages with prizes/swag. It is up to each mountain to select medals and prize packages for each race. Mountains have the options to change cash payout as long as minimum is met.
Series Awards:
Individual Events
• Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in all categories. 4th and 5th will be recognized on the podium.
• Minimum cash payout for regular series race, Male Pro - $500, $300, $200.
• Minimum cash payout for regular series race, Female Pro - $500, $300, $200.
• Minimum $2,000 Cash payout per regular series race.
Series/Championship Awards:
• Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in all categories. 4th and 5th will be recognized on the podium. Rider must be present to be eligible for awards. No awards will be mailed.
• Champion will be determined by most points earned in 3 out of 4 races in the series.
• Female Pro $1000, $400, $300, $200, $100.
• Male Pro $1000, $400, $300, $200, $100.
• Championship payout $4,000.
Points:
• Racers will earn points for each race to count towards championships. Racer must be at championship to qualify as series Champion.
• Racers top 3 races in the series will count towards championships. In the event of a tie, overall times at the final race will determine the winner.
• Points will be updated on the Series Website after each race.
*NOTE: Points will also be assigned for positions 11-40... though not pictured above. To see more info and the number of points awarded for these positions, please visit: Series Rules Webpage
Other Info:
• Contact Info: E-mail, Alisa Colpitts, Snowshoe Bike Park 304-572-5885
• Series Website
Round One - Massanutten April 25-26:
Address:
Massanuttten Resort
4620 Massanutten Drive
McGaheysville, VA 22840
Schedule:
Friday, April 24th
• 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Race Registration in the Ski Office ($15 LATE FEE)
Saturday, April 25th
• 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Race Registration in the Ski Office ($15 LATE FEE)
• 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Downhill Practice (registered racers only)
Sunday, April 26th
• 8:00 am – 9:00 am Pre-Registered Riders ONLY – Race Packet Pickup in the Ski Office
• 8:00 am – 10:45 am Downhill Practice (registered racers only)
• 10:30 am Start List Posted at Base of Lift 6 and last chair up for practice
• 11:00 am Racer’s Meeting (Mandatory)
• 11:15 am Downhill Start
Registration:
• Cost for Pre-registration: Pro - $80.00, All other Cats $75.00
• Online Via USA Cycling
• There is NO Sunday registration this year.
• You will need to Pre-Register online or Register in person on Friday or Saturday ($15 LATE FEE APPLIES).
• Online registration closes at 10:00 pm MDT 4/24/15
Lodging
• Camping – FREE Primitive camping available on site. Camping is available on Friday and Saturday night on the ski slopes. Enter slope through Parking Lot 2, proceed up the gravel road to the Top of Lift 4. Caution: Please drive carefully and slowly. Showers will be available at LeClub. NO VEHICLES BEYOND THE TOP OF THE FIRST LIFT. • NO FIRES ALLOWED. FOR RACER’S SAFETY, NO DOGS ON COURSE AT ANY TIME. KEEP PETS ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES.
• Resort Hotel – 540-289-4914 – Please mention “YEE-HA! Bike Race” for special rate. No pets allowed in resort accommodations.
• Resort Condo – 540-289-4952 (2 night minimum stay required for Condo rental)
Other Info:
• Chairlift 6 will be operating for the racers as well as the spectators. Spectators and fans are encouraged to attend the YEE-HA! event at no charge.
• Event is held rain or shine.
• For more information, please call 540-289-4954 or E-mail
Course Preview:
Round Two - Bryce Bike Park June 13-14:
Bryce Resort now has a new experience in the mountains of Virginia! Partnering with Gravity Logic out of Whistler, British Columbia and Trek bicycles, Bryce Resort has built a summertime wonderland that will get everyone outdoors and start the adrenaline pumping. In 2015, Bryce Mountain Bike Park will offer 8 lift-accessed trails with features unique to only Bryce Resort. Our downhill racing courses consist of two different and exclusive courses. The first course, “BrewBomb”, begins with our one-of-a-kind jump trail, Brew Thru, and then converges into Carbomb which features flowy single track riding with natural and manmade jumps and an 8-foot drop. Our second course, “Picklebomb”, begins with Pickleback, which features a 15-foot rock garden and then progresses into a 30-foot road gap, and then moves into Carbomb for an exhilarating downhill ride to the finish line!
Event Details are TBD and will be published when available.
Where:
Bryce Resort
1982 Fairway Dr.
Basye, VA 22810
Web Links:
• Bryce Resort Website
• Bryce Mountain Bike Park Website
• Bryce Resort FB Page
Contact Info:
Contact via the Bryce Website or call Toll Free: 1-800-821-1444
Round Three - Beech Mountain Resort August 22-23:
The Beech Mountain Resort Bike Park offers a beginner to intermediate trail system. Our race courses are steep and technical, with lots of rock, tricky corners and technical wood descents with multiple lines to the finish. Our lift tray system makes every trip up the mountain a smooth one. The lift accommodates up to four riders per chair and offers the opportunity to easily self-load and un-load bikes, minimizing rough handling and unnecessary wear. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the mountain as you ride up to the highest bike park in the east at 5,506 feet elevation. Our trails have been utilized for many National Championship races. Come and find out why.
Event Details are TBD and will be published when available.
Where:
Beech Mountain Resort
1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy
Beech Mountain, NC 28604
Lodging at Beech Mtn:
Check out our blog post from last season for everything you need to plan your trip.
Web Links:
• Beech Mountain Resort Website
• Beech FB Page
Contact Info:
Contact: E-mail or call Toll Free: 1-800-438-2093 or Direct 1-828-387-2011
Round Four - Snowshoe Bike Park September 27-28:
The Snowshoe Bike Park is nationally recognized as one of the best in the U.S. and offers one of the largest trail systems in the East. With nearly 40 trails and 1,500 vertical feet of descent, the park has something to offer everyone. Riders new to the sport will love our machine-groomed trails to build confidence.
Event Details are TBD and will be published when available.
Where:
Snowshoe Resort
10 Snowshoe Drive
Snowshoe, WV 26209
Lodging at Snowshoe Mtn:
Check out our blog post from last season for everything you need to plan your trip.
Web Links:
• Snowshoe Mtn Resort Website
• Snowshoe Bike Park Website
• Snowshoe Bike Park FB Page
Contact Info:
Contact: E-mail or call Toll Free: 1-877-441-4386
MENTIONS: @gojammedia
Author Info:
Member since Dec 10, 2012
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Oh well, at least there's $ on offer for riding a bike downhill!
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The folks pulling this together made their website live last Wednesday and it took a couple of days to mix in the SEGS blogpost with my normal job…… so I agree with you to a point, but on the same token the dates have been out there for a while. We try stay on top on the happenings in the region, but that can be only as good as the organizers, venues and races publishing the info.
If you want, follow us here and on Facebook, as we try to do our best to stay in tune with dates. Thanks.
Glad to see there is plenty of racing going on in all the areas on the East Coast, all four venues have something to offer to every level for the racers, good write up from SnowshoeRider4Life about the venues.
I have raced in the ges and esc race events in past, both were worth the long weekends and many hours of driving.
And, the esc has tried to bring the series Down South for the past two years, but doesn't seem to get it, how it works Down South. The resorts do a good job putting races series themselves "in house", with understand that bringing in a "new" outside series structure, is more work and sharing "the money" of the event.
www.google.com/search?q=southeast+region+of+usa&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=DE42VbHxBsSqsAW74IDoCg&ved=0CCAQsAQ
You see, I did a google search for maps of the "South Eastern" Region of the US. Notice that state over there to the right called Virginia, that is where Massanutten is located. You see, many of these maps include Virginia in the "south eastern" region of the United states, as well as the other locations in the South Eastern DH Series, which would explain, why they call it, the South Eastern DH series.
I mean, I guess all the ski resorts that are in the "true" Southern states are probably upset they weren't invited right? I know I was speaking to the ski resort manager for that spot in Florida that said they were going to start offering Lift Served DH racing, and just like the guys in Georgia and Alabama, they couldn't come through with the financial hardships they encountered this winter with the light snowfall and lack of revenue, so they bowed out.