Words: DVO Winter Gravity Series"That's racing." It's a universal and definitive phrase, used regularly since the first time humans challenged each other in a competitive environment. It pretty much says it all when things go wrong. And it's used a LOT at Bootleg Canyon, where things can go wrong quickly and often. The terrain at Bootleg is extreme, known to wreak havoc on bike and body. But it's the exceptional challenge of this place that keeps the hardiest riders coming back to Boulder City, Nevada, as they did for the third and final round of the 2018 DVO Winter Gravity Series, Enduro presented by GT Bicycles.
Reaper Madness offered another big weekend of mountain bike exhilaration on the razor rocks and steep drops of Bootleg Canyon, with a full day of practice on Friday, a three-stage enduro and dual slalom on Saturday (as well as unlimited downhill practice), followed by practice and downhill racing on Sunday. Atmospheric conditions once again played a big part at this event, with high winds and cool temperatures adding to the challenge on Friday and Saturday. Thankfully, Sunday dawned clear, mostly calm and relatively warm. Everyone was in agreement: this was the best day of the whole series this year.
Five-time World Cup Series Champion Aaron Gwin (YT Mob) was on the scene once again as he prepares for the upcoming overseas season, riding a cloaked bike with his usual smooth precision and speed all three days. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken crank about halfway down his final race run, preventing him from repeating his win from a year ago. That's racing!
This event and series was made possible by the generous support of DVO Suspension, GT Bicycles, KHS Bicycles, Jenson USA, MJT Designs, All Mountain Cyclery, Brian Head Resort, Truckerco, Kore North Bikes, Deity Components, Pinkbike, Bike Flights, Flightlinez, Kali Protectives, Blue Dog RV, Box Components, ODI Grips and Eminent Cycles.
Full results and information on the DVO Winter Gravity Series, Enduro presented by GT Bicycles can be found at
http://downhillmike.com/index.html
MENTIONS: @DVOSuspension @GTBicycles
Oh by way elbow guard are not cool until or elbows are bloody. WHAT!
What's up with Gwin's frame?