Stumpy FSR decked for D-ville

After a handful of enduro/super-D races this season, I've beginning to figure out what works on the track. The single chainring up front keeps things light and simple with a goal of preventing the dreaded chain drop. Weighing in at 24 lbs, I think this S-works Stumpjumper is ready for Downieville.


Roval Carbon hoops


The new Specialized direct mount from guide.



In all her glory



Pretty late in the season but I'm finally rocking a stars and stripes jersey, just in time for Downieville.

Ski to Sea and Ashland 12 mile Super-D

This past Memorial Day I was part of a eight man team competing in the Ski to Sea relay in Bellingham Washington. I took on the role of competing in the mountain bike leg for the Barron Heating team. The team did stellar finishing second to Boss Construction who set the winning pace. What a unique event that I hope to be a part of next year.



The hand off
Photo: K. Greene




A little wet on the course
Photo: K. Greene



Washington mud
Photo: K. Greene





The next event for the Specialized Trail Team was the weekend of June 12-13th as my Can-aussie teammate Matt Ryan and I loaded up a SBCU minivan and headed for Ashland to compete in the 12 miles super-D. We rolled into Ashland at around 6pm on Thursday, giving us some time ride before dark. We started off climbing from the bottom of BTI trail all while threatening dark clouds began to gather overhead. After about 45 minutes of climbing towards the four corners parking area, we decided to drop in on some trail and got a feel for the wet and sandy conditions. Traction was amazing with the Specialized Purgatory up front and The Captain in the back hooking up on the trail.

On Friday the conditions changed dramatically. Decent winds and drier weather left the lower pine woods section of the BTI trail with sand in the berms while machinery took care of the snow drifts at the start. After taking some photos with photographer Forrest Arakawa, Matt and I shuttled to the top of the super-D course to get in our first full run.

The course loses 5k feet of elevation in 12 miles. You start with a 5 minute fireroad descent with a handful of hairpin 180’s which eventually led you to the bottom of “the climb.” Although only 4-5 minutes long, the climb was decisive in whether you put up a solid time or lost lots of it. Following the climb we were treated with some amazing single track to wide open fireroad sections and back to singletrack all the way down to the finish. The 12 mile is truly the definition of an endurance downhill/super-D event with the winner proving to have the motor to go up the climbs and then be able to let loose on the down.

The Can-aussie put together a clean and fast run until the last left hand turn at the bottom of BTI, resulting in a broken chain. He is definitely in the mix and now has fuel for the fire coming into Downieville. I made it to the finish about 40 seconds down on the leader Mark Weir, next time... Next stop for the Specialized Trail Team, Downieville.

Pro mens times

1 - 3 Mark Weir WTB/Santa Cruz/Fox Shox 34:40.00
2 - 2 Jason Moeschler WTB/Santa Cruz/Fox Shox 34:41.00
3 - 1 Adam Craig Giant Mtb. Team 35:01.00
4 - 33 Carl Decker Giant Factory Team 35:02.00
5 - 23 Nathan Riddle SRAM/Fluidride/Evil 35:16.00
6 - 37 Aaron Bradford Specialized Bicycles/OnSite Ultrasound 35:19.00
7 - 10 Ross Schnell Trek Bicycles 35:28.00
8 - 66 Scott Chapin Rock Lobster 35:33.00
9 - 4 Mike West Maverick 35:55.00
10 - 14 Jeff Kendal Ibis 36:05.00
11 - 7 Timmy Evans Rebound Physical Therapy 36:05.00
12 - 12 Ben Cruz WTB/MRP 36:07.00
13 - 5 Kenny Burt WTB/Ibis 36:21.00
14 - 6 Nate Byron Northstar/Giant/WTB 36:26.00
15 - 34 Ariel Lindsey UC Santa Cruz Cycling 36:28.00
16 - 56 Harlan Price Team CF 36:31.00
17 - 8 Matthew Slaven Kona/Dakine/Easton 36:57.00
18 - 15 Scott Fellers Thunderbringers 36:59.00
19 - 29 Jared Rando Giant Factory Team 37:11.00
20 - 77 Matt Ryan Specialized Bicycles 37:12.00




Ripping the last berm on BTI
Photo: F. Arakawa



Trying to scrub a little double into a berm, making a goofy face in the process
Photo: F. Arakawa




Lower BTI
Photo: M. Houtzager







Video from the Ashland 12 mile Super-D




Specialized rider Kirt Voreis of the All Ride Tour getting loose on the Stumpy FSR