BC trip, they call this work?
Post nationals, my last few weeks have been quite eventful. After escaping from the warmest months of central Cali (and the forest fires), I find myself in the Pacific Northwest during the most desirer able time of the year. The Crankworx mountain bike festival has been on my radar for the last few years and I finally had the opportunity to participate in this awesome event. Spanning some 8 days, the event takes place at the Whistler/Blackcomb ski resort in beautiful British Columbia Canada. This resort known for having amazing ski terrain and has quickly become the most renowned summer time bike resort in the world with its vast acreage and trail network. My one and only race began on the second weekend with the Enduro, an endurance event lasting 20 minutes dropping close to 4000 feet in elevation littered with berms, rock drops, 35 mph wide open fire roads with contrasting technical root and rock sections.
This was by far the toughest course I have raced all year due to its technical nature. After a 30th place start position, I found myself at the mercy of many riders through the first sketchy section of trail. Passing was limited so I settled in and took few risks as I knew I would be able to get around people on the many wide open sections along with the few two minute climbs. My finish time was in the 20 minute range, 1:55 off of the winner Brian Lopes' time. I feel I could have pushed it a bit harder, but you live and learn and that's racing.
After the race, it was time to get some runs in on the bike park. I headed up the mountain with Seattle native and all around cool guy Garett from Clif Bar, and we hit ever trail on the mountain at least twice. As expected A-line and Freight Train were a blast, especially when riding them with good friends you haven't seen in a while. When I wasn't shredding the gnar in the bike park, I was hitting up the xc trails with my 52 year old dad who happens to tear it up on a bike, the guy can ride! Good times in Whistler and one hell of a way to end the 2009 mountain bike season. Wow, cross is around the corner....
Loaded down and ready for for the drive
Half way mark heading north on I-5
Oakley hooked it up with new googles for Crankworx
The enduro ready to roll
Booter over the last jump on course
This was by far the toughest course I have raced all year due to its technical nature. After a 30th place start position, I found myself at the mercy of many riders through the first sketchy section of trail. Passing was limited so I settled in and took few risks as I knew I would be able to get around people on the many wide open sections along with the few two minute climbs. My finish time was in the 20 minute range, 1:55 off of the winner Brian Lopes' time. I feel I could have pushed it a bit harder, but you live and learn and that's racing.
After the race, it was time to get some runs in on the bike park. I headed up the mountain with Seattle native and all around cool guy Garett from Clif Bar, and we hit ever trail on the mountain at least twice. As expected A-line and Freight Train were a blast, especially when riding them with good friends you haven't seen in a while. When I wasn't shredding the gnar in the bike park, I was hitting up the xc trails with my 52 year old dad who happens to tear it up on a bike, the guy can ride! Good times in Whistler and one hell of a way to end the 2009 mountain bike season. Wow, cross is around the corner....
Loaded down and ready for for the drive
Half way mark heading north on I-5
Oakley hooked it up with new googles for Crankworx
The enduro ready to roll
Booter over the last jump on course
posted by Aaron.Bradford at
12:11 PM
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