Thread: Dark Hollow Super D

Nope, I'm not going to make it. I've got a pretty intense school schedule going on right now. Its looking more and more like the only race I'll be doing this year is the Ho-Down.

Eeek, it's coming up! Gotta start pedaling again, I guess. Just signed up. I think we're driving down Fri night, back Sunday night.

I'm on the same plan as SJ and BB if I can make it happen. Probably drive to SLC Fri night, wake up early and head down the rest of the way for practice/race.

Any idea the schedule?

EDIT: Imma get smoked.

Glad that the Jackson contingent will be there!

JJ - sounds awesome, but why would you go to SLC from the Front Range? Coming over on 80 I guess?

Saturday is the DH; I may watch it a bit but going to put in the focus to SD practice that day. Sunday has a 9:30AM racer meeting at the top, race start @ 11. Expect 20-25+ minute race times. I'm sure SkiJunky will break the 20 minute mark.

Some stoker pics:

View from the race start:


T3h singletracks:


The not-very-exciting finish line, ultra remote and only spectators are the other racers.

Just got signed up. Super stokered! Particle, thanks for the bump/reminder/links!

(coming from Jackson---never updated my location...ha)

BTW, I think we should be allowed to put saddlebags full of some sort of rocks on SkiJunky's bike to level the playing field.

Particle--are there any climbs on this course or is it mostly down with flat sections? How does it compare to the Moab Super D? I have no idea what class should I race...

Andrew and I are going too- can't wait. We still need to sign up though. We'll probably be there later in the day Friday since I have to stay in JH Thurs night for a work dinner (groan)

Originally Posted by baby bear

Andrew and I are going too- can't wait. We still need to sign up though. We'll probably be there later in the day Friday since I have to stay in JH Thurs night for a work dinner (groan)

And now we're both signed up!

Originally Posted by JeffreyJim

I know I should race pro and everyone should call me out if I sign up for any other category

Originally Posted by JeffreyJim

BTW, I think we should be allowed to put saddlebags full of some sort of rocks on SkiJunky's bike to level the playing field.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by JeffreyJim

Particle--are there any climbs on this course or is it mostly down with flat sections? How does it compare to the Moab Super D? I have no idea what class should I race...

There are some short little ups but nothing I would even call a 'climb'. Enough to put the hurt on you. One 1-2ish? minute meadow flat pedal section. Otherwise full pinner DH. Last year I was actually stoked for the mini climbs to give my hands and arms a rest from the constant rock garden hammering. And JJ if SJ is calling you out pro, you'd better race pro! I'm sick of getting spanked by retired/ex-pros in Cat 1... sigh.

Oh - compared to the Moab Super D - it's more technical, and more sustained downhill. And probably faster.

Thanks for the reply! I'll follow SJ's advice and go pro if I get to do this. Still unsure.

Assuming I do get to race that weekend, one more question. Tires. It sounds dry. Tire selection sounds like something more DHish than XCish. 2.35+? Minion/High Roller/etc?

jeffreyjim, i am calling you out to race pro too.

you pedal like a legit cat 1 xc dude, and descend like a legit cat 1 dh dude. that equals pro in super d. just my opinion.

Originally Posted by JeffreyJim

Assuming I do get to race that weekend, one more question. Tires. It sounds dry. Tire selection sounds like something more DHish than XCish. 2.35+? Minion/High Roller/etc?

It can be dry, they also get a lot of monsoon storms down there so who knows. There are definitely off-camber roots and slippery rocks if it's wet. Last year I ran straight up DH tires - Schwalbe Wicked Wills. This year I'm going midweight with aggressive tread - 2.4 Fat Alberts, tubeless. The Go-Ride crew seems to mostly run Minion EXOs.

Scott Johnson ran it on a pinner small block 8 in the back last year for the win. It's a miracle he didn't flat.

Front and rear small block? Impressive...and also goes to prove my theory!

EDIT: And yes Marshal, I will race pro if I go. Oh man. Am I really considering racing again!?! (Winter Park Enduro the following weekend...really need this as a "tune up")

1.95 Onza Porcupines F & R FTW!

Originally Posted by JeffreyJim

Front and rear small block? Impressive...and also goes to prove my theory!

EDIT: And yes Marshal, I will race pro if I go. Oh man. Am I really considering racing again!?! (Winter Park Enduro the following weekend...really need this as a "tune up")

Nah he had something meatier up front, can't remember what though. But still small.

I'd LOVE to do the Winter Park enduro too but I have to pick one or the other weekend. Gotta go with the Utah home team on this one!

Originally Posted by JeffreyJim

Front and rear small block? Impressive...and also goes to prove my theory!

EDIT: And yes Marshal, I will race pro if I go. Oh man. Am I really considering racing again!?! (Winter Park Enduro the following weekend...really need this as a "tune up")

What bike you riding these days? I remember you had your Reign X up for sale

I really wish they did some stuff like this on the right coast. I was even vaguely considering flying to Denver just to do the Trestle enduro thingy but the schedule didn't allow it. Just as well - pretty much a guaranteed DFL

I may try the Snowshoe DH races on Labor Day weekend, though. Likely DFL there too, but that's okay. Never done a mtb race in my life...

1) Racing the Reign X. I had some potential buyers but the fact of the matter is in order for me to sell this bike and get something as good built up AND get used to it by these races would have been tough. Plus, I highly doubt going to something else would make me any faster.

2) I'm in the same boat to some degree Particle---doing both races is going to be hard but imma still try and do it.

Originally Posted by Big E

I may try the Snowshoe DH races on Labor Day weekend, though. Likely DFL there too, but that's okay. Never done a mtb race in my life...

The snowshoe series is AWESOME. They do a great job organizing, setting up great courses, etc. And the classes are really widely varied. I find in the west that even beginner/Cat 3 is pretty fast/competitive. Snowshoe has crazy fast pros who can compete with anyone (think Neko Mulally, etc.), all the way down to total newbs. I'd highly recommend it as a first DH race to try. Long courses though so be prepared... 6-7+ minutes.

Bump cuz this needs to be on the front page.

Tested my bike setup out this past weekend with a little underground Super DH race action. 2.4 Fat Alberts, tubeless. Elka coil at 160 mm. Lyrik Solo Air with plastic shim removed to bump it up to 170 mm. Feels gooood!

p.s. just checked signups online and looks like we are already up to about the level of last year - and that's all pre-registered racers. With in-person signups, should be a great turnout.

Particle-Based on riding with you yesterday I predict you will be much faster then last year. Give it hell !!!

where is everyone camping? looks like there is some FS nearby. We have not been to BH before but it sure would be fun to camp with you guys. We will probably be rolling into the area Fri early evening.

Heh, thanks pfh... we will see.

Originally Posted by baby bear

where is everyone camping? looks like there is some FS nearby. We have not been to BH before but it sure would be fun to camp with you guys. We will probably be rolling into the area Fri early evening.

Most people I know are condo-ing it up. I know of a couple folks camping. Some of the go-ride guys camped just in the resort parking lot last year for convenience. Which confounds me because there are some really cool sites just up the road from the resort. There are also some great sites at the bottom of the dirt road leading out of Dark Hollow.

Thanks! we will check out the area around dark hollow. Are you guys in a condo right at the base area?
Sam- you camping?? we'll be sure to bring some high-test wyoming beers with us