FluidRide Cup #2 Recap

First off - I specifically want to thank our Sponsors FSA and Marzocchi for their support and for the Black Diamond Bike & Backcountry Shop for their assistance and hard work in keeping Team Sega running strong in 2008. Also Michelin as well as the onsite mechanics. Lastly our anchor sponsors Sega\Gameworks and Therapeutic Accociates.

Downhill Race event in Port Angeles 05-11-2008. I'm going to be a bit long on this since it's one of the first local DH races covered by a TEAM SEGA member and I want others to appreciate just how much fun and exciting it can be.

Having a dry week prior to the event prepped the DH trails perfectly. The forecast for the weekend of round two of the Fluidride Cup Downhill race event was supposed to be 'showers'. As it turned out, only showers in the evenings fell and each morning we woke up to sunshine and perfect dirt.




Saturdays are dedicated downhill practice days. Some show up to just take the shuttle Van up -and the trails down while knowing that racing on Sunday is not required. Others - like me - show up to get to know the course to prep for your Sunday race run, have some fun with the flowing sections, and pick up some tips from faster riders. Having a certain amount of memorization of the trails is also critical in shaving off a few seconds of your "top to bottom" run/race time.

Darrell Jamieson showed up with a Suburban full of bikes - Some his, some his friends, and some for his son Chase and Christian. My son Colby, like Christian, were content with operating things like the video camera or just hanging out and watching all the action. By the end of the practice day I had
not had the pleasure of practicing with Darrell since he was helping Chase to prepare for a rip down the sport / beginner downhill course. Chase is 9 years old.

The new Expert / Pro line for this weekends event (a promise from the Fluidride promoters - "always something different") was called "Justice". It was steep and loose and the approach was off camber. It sort of begged you to ride it fast, as gravity helped you stick your tires where you wouldn't expect traction to happen if you went slow and straight.


After Saturday practice - I left with Colby around 2pm to go see IronMan - A nice treat for my son and I. Once Sunday came around, I was very happy to see my friend Todd Earnshaw from Canada show up to race. Darrell remembered Todd from the 2006 Worlds Masters Championships. Todd practiced later in the Day Saturday and said he felt ready for the Sunday race. I introduced him to other Expert racers and many of us decided to take a warm up run down the course together and talk about sections of the course.

Many women downhill racers showed up for this event as well. It seems that the beginner / sport course is so much fun for all levels of riders that the word spread quickly across the local internet blog sites, even pulling some great riders down from Canada. To quote Andy Voit (2nd place - Sport 40+ racer) :

"Yeah, Justice is a sicky-gnar little section of trail if I do say so myself. I didn't even ride it that weekend, but saw quickly how techy it was. Mad props to all that rode it. Lost in the awe that is 'Justice line' is the new section that the Beg/Sport class rode - Double Bypass. That was an amazing section of trail - even the flat section before the bottom demanded you come into it with as much speed as possible and bust out a sprint into the next section. You really had to know your lines and memorize which sections led to the next to keep up with the faster times. HEALING VIBES TO ALL THAT NEED THEM AFTER THIS WEEKEND!!! "

9 year old Chase reported no issues with the Double Bypass section and came across the finish line at 6:04 and all smiles. All in all, there were over 240 racers this weekend - most going home with big smiles and seriously low testosterone levels.

Darrell and I were able to turn out some good times - Good enough for podium spots. Kudo's to Darrell for getting on the podium at his first West Coast Washington Downhill event - and for sacrificing practice time to make sure Chase rode safely and had fun. Oh - lots of prized were given away afterwards too like wheels and helmets and clothing.

Seeing the times that the Beginner / Sport / Expert and Pro riders post is testimony to the great competition that is on the increase in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to Fluidride.com and all the race promoters for their volunteering efforts.

http://fluidride.com/wp-content/2008/05/fluidride-cup-2-dh-start-sheets.xls

Video Helmet Cams of the DH Courses 1 week prior. (Note: the Sport / Beginner course takes a turn about 1/2 way down the hill).

http://virtualdescent.com/view_video.php?video_id=183

http://virtualdescent.com/view_video.php?video_id=196