Mt Hood Oregon was the location for a 3 day stage DH race starting on Friday with an 18+ minute stage starting at 6,000ft, at the base of the Palmer Snowfield above Timberline Lodge, descending over 4,000 feet into pristine singletrack. Saturday was using a portion of the track, but ended in a completely different location in Government Camp at the Thunderhead Lodge. Sunday the course was held at Mt Hood Ski Bowl and was an incredible challenge of rocks, high speed turns, a sweet dive into a technical woods section with a really fast ending.
Photos By Carl Warren and Ruandy AlbisurezPhotos from Friday Stage 1
SRAM's Nathan Riddle focused and flying. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Adam Craig of Giant railing the baby heads on the Glade Trail. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
River City's Jared Hobbs carrying every bit of speed over the one slow spot. Assured he was charging. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Pro Womens Class was tight, so tight that Jamie Rees used SPD's so no one had a chance of beating her- oh yeah, she was the only women pro signup. She still charged and beat most men! Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Brian Bartlett charging with his bionic leg. He's been investigated by UCI for having a power pack in there...Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
The Man To Beat in Elite Masters, Chris Bentley on his amazing performance that left him so far ahead that he cruised casually the following 2 days and still won by over a minute and a half. Congrats Cereal Box! Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Yours truly, first race back and I dedicated my weekend to Jerry Cranmer who was fatally murdered one year ago this day. Never Forget! Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Photos from Saturday Stage 2
The Fastest 'Stache on the Glade Track, Team Fingers Andrew D pinned with a New York Sub on his mind. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Ed Reilly rode this track for 2 weeks, he knew every spot well, but took himself out when it counted. Next year he's the man to beat. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
NWSOF's Christy Ott did her best to make up for a flat tire in Stage #1, charging on Saturday down the Glade Trail to Thunderhead Lodge. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Hood River's Tyler Horton laying down a sick time for Team Finger/Transition. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Only one racer in Cat 3 attended- Props to Mike Cheney for entering and enjoying each run. Photo By Ruandy Albisurez
Photos From Sunday Stage 3
35 Year Old Nathan Riddle set out to win the Fluidride Enduro title and took matters seriously by riding to his full potential in 2010 Photo By Carl Warren
Kona/Dakine/Continental's Mathew Slavin railing turns. Photo By Carl Warren
I don't care who you are, if you don't get excited when Giant Factory Stud muffin Adam Craig comes by you, then you might not have a pulse. Photo By Carl Warren
Ben Gore charging hard to take the Groms Title at the Fluidride Enduro DH (and he won the series overall!) Photo By Carl Warren
Amputee Brian Bartlett doesn't let anything slow him down, pinned outta the woods on Sundays Stage 3. Photo By Carl Warren
Cat 1 30-39 Champ Eirick Schulz of River City/Specialized was focused and charging all three days.
Pro Mens Podium (l to r) Joel Armstrong 4th, Mathew Slavin 2nd, Nathan Riddle 1st, Jared Hobbs 3rd and Adam Craig 5th Photo By Carl Warren
After the racing wrapped up it was time to prep for the awards and raffle. Huge props to
Carey Hopkins at
Momentum Bike's in Sandy Oregon for supplying one of the nicest end of race raffles I've ever witnessed. He had two
Mountain Cycle frames, lots of
Kali Protectives,
Sombrio,
Arrow Tires,
Wall Street Pizza Gift Certificates,
Dakine,
Loeka and a nice donation of
Pedros. I dropped off some
Alpinestars to add to the mix and almost everyone had thier raffle # called. Thanks to
Mt Hood Ski Bowl, Timberline Lodge, Hurricane Racing,
Simon Lawton of Fluidride, All The Bike Park Crews, All the Lift Operators and Racing Staff for making this race absolutely 'the buzz' right now.
Endurance racing is hot! Results:
For more racing information or private instruction, contact Simon Lawton
HERE. Next Fluidride Cup DH Race is Sept 24th-26th information is
HERE. See ya at the races!
-Mike
'northwestdhdad' Estes