Windrock Park has been a downhill training grounds since the early 2000's. This year Neko Mulally and Sean Leader took on the project of turning the small trail system into a full access, shuttle assisted bike park. Windrock features some of the toughest terrain in the country and now a wider variety of intermediate terrain and beginner trails on the way.
The Pro GRT track may be the steepest sustained grade of any trail in the country. We want to push the sport forward and make something really special for the Pro riders. This track will make the transition to international racing easier for US riders.
The goal of the event is to give riders a chance to compete on a real race track pre-season. Our schedule suits both Pro and Amateur schedules, giving Pro's a full day of uninterrupted practice Thursday, qualifying Friday, and their own day of racing Saturday. Amateur practice starts Friday afternoon, practice again Saturday and racing Sunday allowing them to get the most out of their weekend without feeling like they are missing out on weekday practice.
Windrock Bike Park will be open Monday, March 6, Tuesday, March 7, and Wednesday, March 8. Race courses will be closed.
Downhill Southeast racing at Bailey Mountain Bike Park in Mars Hill, North Carolina, will take place the weekend prior, Just 2 hours away from Windrock.
Come ride Knoxville's public flow trails at Baker Creek -- Tuesday March 7th at 5 pm.
Event RegistrationEvent ScheduleWindrock Bike Park WebsiteInstagramFacebookDownhill Southeast WebsitePhotos By Sean LeaderVideo by Rob ParkinTrack Design By // Neko Mulally, Sean Leader, Dakotah Norton
Additional Builders // Gunny Bailey, Travis Davis, Patrick Tait
MENTIONS:
@seanleader
I FREAKING LOVE WINDROCK. @leadersean or Neko....you guys got a helmet cam of Southern Rocks up yet?
Oh and post up video of Southern Rocks
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I think the steepest dirt I've "ridden" is Revenge at Big Sky or Goat's Gully in Whistler.
There is not one trail at Windrock you need a chain for. They are WIDER in width than Bailey for certain and lots and lots of natural terrain. If you can ride Welcome to the Jungle to Jumanji, you can ride Windrock.
Bikes are a lot more advanced now than when we first started riding there so that everyone's suspension and brakes will hold up (I recommend taking an extra set of pads though). But used to, the bikes and the riders weren't up for the challenge yet and there were very few riders who got to ride that kind of terrain, except maybe on a race weekend.
Now, parks like Bailey have made DH skills a little more ready to come by. Windrock is 100% worth the trip for most anyone who likes to go downhill. Just check your speed and if you get tired...back off, or take a rock roll.
It's just that people get really tired there really fast. They don't back off the speed or take a break or maybe just call it a day. That's when suddenly you realize how steep it is, how fast you're going and how bad the landing hurts.
I tell people my worst wreck EVER happened there. I flew further down the mountain from higher off my bike than I ever have and skipped through the gnarliest boulders, landed covered in briars head to toe shaking almost pissing myself...but got up and just walked away unharmed. I was being ESPECIALLY foolish at the time and just got lucky.
It's super easy to get off line in the Windrock steeps, especially if you're riding the brakes.
I'll second what @plume said about not needing a chain. I take maybe 7 pedal strokes per run, top to bottom, and none of those is really necessary.