That’s Right, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! is what the promoters advertise, and sure enough that’s what they delivered. A festival of World Class proportions with bikes, beer and good times being the underlying theme. After hearing about this place for over ten years we finally had to check it out. Was it all it was hyped up to be? To find out we loaded up the truck w/ four bikes, four pretty fast dudes our camp gear and our beer coolers. 14 hours later we pulled into town and promptly scored the sweetest campsite to town - right on the river & a mere stones throw from the singletrack. Since we we’re racing we didn’t want to throttle ourselves yet after the long drive we we’re jonsin to check out the legendary trails. A couple hour spin on the 2nd Divide trail right out of camp proved to be just the ticket. Back to camp for the 1st installment of brauts & beers kicked off the week long mancation.
The next day brought us slightly clearer skies and our 1st shuttle runs up to the start of the downhill course. Since most of us brought the XC bikes we ride here in the Rocky Mtns. we felt slightly undersprung while eying all the 6″ bikes w/ drop posts & big tires, but soon realized we nailed it with bike choice. Rider’s must choose their weapon wisely; a bike that climbs efficiently, descends with precision, and can handle a high speed beat down without sudden failure. Bikes are weighed each morning before the race and they must weigh the same each day or you’re DQ’d. I chose my 08 S-works Stumpy w/ 120mm travel front & back, 2.35″ tubeless tires w/ 29psi and a standard triple chain ring. Tipping the scales @ 25.75 lbs (for an XL) it was certainly one of the lighter rigs in the All Mtn. class.
So after a few more days of riding, swimming & partying, we woke up early Sat. AM to head up to Sierra City for the XC start. Having never ridden the 3,000′ climb I wasn’t quite sure how hard to push it, but I had the right bike for it and gained a solid lead over the other guys in my class. By the finish, 2 hrs later I had come out on top w/ a 7 minute margin over 2nd place. Wahoo! Now I could relax & ride @85% for the DH the next day in hopes of preserving my lead, but not blowing it. Not having to race until 11am the next day was pretty sweet too, so the victory beers kept coming all afternoon. After a fat BBQ -courtesy of our dear friends @ FOX Racing Shox, we made our way back to camp - but not before passing a momma & baby black bear - not more than a 1/2 mile from camp! Slept like a baby and woke up to cooler temps and the final day of racing. After a couple big cups of steaming FMC coffee (thanks Bob!) we we’re ready to head back up to Packer Saddle for the DH start. With 1 minute interval starts the trail was mostly clear, but certainly a bit torn up from all the previous racers. I had a pretty good run and only came off the bike once, but managed to hold my lead. Most of all it was a damn fun course and great to finish in one piece. Having a solid bike certainly helped too.
To top off the racing was a well-represented bicycle expo and street fair, the spectacular river jump at the confluence of the Downie & Yuba rivers, trail shuttles to remote trail heads and live music downtown. What’s NOT to like about that?! I can wholeheartedly recommend this festival to anyone. Their crew really rises to the occasion to make it a 1st class event and their enthusiasm really shines through.
A huge thanks go out to Greg & Wayne from Yuba Expeditions, everyone that works with the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and the whole town of Downiville. We can’t wait to come back - if not next year than soon!