2010 Downieville Classic Registration - Take 3

Okay, it looks like we have a date for the third try on registering for this year's Downieville Classic:

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING 2010 EVENT!!!!!
2010 Cross Country and All-Mountain entries will be available on Active.com, starting April 1st at 8:00pm

So, here’s how things are going to work for All-Mountain.
1. Starting in 2011, you must “qualify” for the All-Mountain to be eligible for an entry.
2. For the 2010 All-Mountain, we’re qualifying top finishers from the following 2009 Downieville Classic races: the top 2 finishers in each category from Saturday’s combined XC and All-Mountain classes; the top 2 finishers in each category from Sunday’s Downieville Downhill race; and the top 2 finishers in each category from the All-Mountain overall. (In some cases the same person qualifies multiple times. These riders will only receive 1 All-Mountain entry).
3. There will no longer be All-Mountain categories for Sport or One Speed. Sport and One Speed riders that qualified by making the podium in 2009 will need to bump to an appropriate Expert category for 2010. See the All-Mountain page on this web site for a detailed 2010 category breakdown.
4. The remaining 2010 All-Mountain entries will be available on Active.com, starting April 1st at 8:00pm.
5. The 2010 Cross Country race will be a qualifier for the 2011 All-Mountain. There will be other “qualifying” events, which are to be determined by race promotor.
6. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

Here is the list of riders that are qualified for the 2010 Downieville Classic All-Mountain World Championships. Congratulations! If your name is on this list, please contact Heather Williams at heather@yubaexpeditions.com to secure your All-Mountain entry for 2010. Once you have made contact and have verified that you indeed want to compete, you will receive a Passcode. This Passcode will allow you to register and pay through the Active.com site. Passcodes will be given out after April 1st, 2010.

Via Downieville Classic website.

Downieville Classic Registration On Hold

Following last weekend's mixup, and then the subsequent reschedule for this Friday night, Downieville Classic registration is now of HOLD:

I have always believed that the Downieville Classic was in some way, my family reunion. A gathering of like minded human beings; loving, caring for each other, providing support to one another, all while competing on some of the best and most demanding race courses in the world. I have spent my entire adult life "promoting" the Classic ... This little hick-up with registration has taught me a lesson, and one that I will unfortunately carry with me for a long time. It seems like every year there's something that makes me say, "this is the last year", and for the most part these thoughts of throwing my hands up and quitting have come from acts of either mother nature or the federal government, but never from the people I cared about and considered my mountain bike family.

In regards to registration for the Downieville Classic: a mountain bike race, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, that causes its people to act without affection towards one another. We’re all going to take a break. This mishap with registration was perhaps that proverbial tap on the shoulder from an old friend that says, "spend some time with your family. Love your wife. Look after your children. Take care of yourself".

I know I originally said registration would open on Friday February 26th, however after a weekend of being bombarded with negative emails and undermining phone calls, I'm taking a break; therefore, registration is now on hold for the Downieville Classic, until further notice. I am sorry for the inconvenience, but I have a Trail Stewardship grant due on Friday, which is focused on building NEW mountain bike trails in the Downieville area, and I need to focus on this and get back to center. Something we obviously all need to do, as human beings, and as friends who have been coming to the Downieville Classic over the years.

A word of advise: Don’t be so quick to judge and tear one another down. Empower your friends by setting the example. Show some love and support. If it can’t exist at a bicycle race, than we are all f_cked.

We will continue to make preparations for the 2010 event. Stay tuned for when registration will reopen. Active.com has ensured us that the system will be working properly.

Via Downieville Classic website.

Downieville Classic Registrations Errors Delay Sign Ups

Due to a fubar with active.com last night, the Downieville organizers are calling a "Do Over" on this year's registrations:

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING 2010 EVENT!!!!!

Downieville Classic Friends and Family,
We have experienced an error with online registration. The Active.com site was asking for a passcode in error. Certainly not the way we had hoped this process would have gone, but nonetheless we need to make things right.

To make this fair for everyone, we will clean the slate - Active.com will be issuing refunds to everyone who was able to enter.

We will reopen registration on February 26 at 8:00pm. Active.com has ensured us that the system will be working properly.

Again we apologize for the error, but as you all know, shit happens.
Thank you all for your continued support of this event.

Via Downieville Classic website.

We'll have a reminder again this week.

Downieville Classic Registration Open at 8PM

It's just about that time:

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING 2010 EVENT!!!!!
Ah yes, it's that time of year again. The race to get into the race. On-line registration for the Downieville Classic All-Mountain and Cross Country categories will be opening this Friday, February 19th at 8:00pm. We will post specific url links for each event that will take you to Active.com, so be sure you are entering the correct event. It is helpful to already have an account set-up with Active.com before attempting to register. This is important, because like I said, navigating through the registration process quickly and accurately can mean the difference of winning or losing-out on an entry into the race.

Here are the links (won't be live until 8pm tonight):

• Cross Country Race
• All-Mountain Race (XC + DH on same bike)

Good luck -- All-Mountain should sellout within 30 minutes or so.

Downieville Classic Registration Opens

Just a reminder about Downieville Classic registration:

While we're making announcements, we would also like to make known that registration for the Cross Country and All-Mountain races will open February 19th at 8:00pm. Right here, using www.active.com.

And yes, it will sell out in about :30 minutes.

Downieville Registration Opens February 19th

Downieville registration will open on 2/19/2010 at 8pm PDT:

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING 2010 EVENT!!!!!
After some mental hardship and several lengthy meetings with Downieville residents, local business owners, County Planners, wildlife biologists, hydrologists, Forest Service Rangers and Congressional Representatives (that's right, we said Federal Representatives, because this race is damned important to our Country) the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship has secured a special-use permit to operate the Downieville Classic in both 2010 and 2011.

In observance of this magnificent achievement, we would like to announce that Santa Cruz Bicycles is back as title sponsor of the event. Mike Ferrentino, Santa Cruz Bicycles marketing guru declares, "We are equal parts proud and honored to be returning to the Downieville Classic as title sponsor. Our relationship with this event goes all the way back to it's roots, not long after we started out as a company. Our employees come to Downieville on vacation, or engineers come here to test bikes and ideas, and we consider this to be our "home" race."

While we're making announcements, we would also like to make known that registration for the Cross Country and All-Mountain races will open February 19th at 8:00pm. Right here, using www.active.com.

Via Downieville Classic.

Yes, we will have reminders that week so you don't miss out.

2010 Downieville Classic Tentative Dates

It looks like there might be break in the impasse around the scheduling of this year's Downieville Classic:

DOWNIEVILLE CLASSIC MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE and FESTIVAL
Tentative Dates = July 9-11, 2010
If we are successful in our negotiations and are fortunate enough to receive a special-use permit for 2010, registration will open immediately. Fyi... this will be the last time the event occurs in the month of July

Via Downieville Classic

Full Downieville 2009 Results

Full results from this weekend's race are posted:

• CROSS COUNTRY
• DOWNHILL
• ALL-MOUNTAIN

Craig, Nash Capture Downieville All-Mountain Crowns

First timer Adam Craig and veteran Katrina Nash backed uo their XC wins:

Beaming through the constellation of top riders, the brightest stars of the day were once again Giant’s Adam Craig and Luna’s Katerina Nash. Both rode brilliantly and defended their day 1 victories by pedaling their way to the top step of the day 2 podium and hence, the all-mountain throne.

Racing at Downieville for the first time, Craig started 33rd in the day’s stage and deftly passed five racers on the way to his second course record of the weekend. His time of 43:48.3 bested defending champion Ross Schnell’s 2008 course record by 45 seconds.

Luna’s Katerina Nash continued her 2009 winning streak beating back 2007/2008 Downieville women’s champ Rachel Lloyd (Proman) to add another stage victory and an all-mountain title to her ever-expanding resume.

Via VeloNews.

The final DH Men's results:
1. Adam Craig in 43:48.3 (Ketchum ID)
2. Jason Moeschler in 44:09.7 (San Luis Obispo CA)
3. Ross Schnell in 44:20.6 (CA)
4. Nathan Riddle in 45:51.1 (Soquel CA)
5. Brian Lopes in 45:59.6 (Petaluma CA)

The final DH Women's results:
1. Katerina Nash in 49:52.2 (Oxnard CA)
2. Rachel Lloyd in 49:54.1 (Goleta CA)
3. Kelli Emmett in 52:19.0 (San jose CA)
4. Willow Koerber in 52:56.5 (Murrieta CA)
5. Maureen Kunz in 56:14.4 (Colorado Springs CO)

Craig, Nash win Downieville Classic XC

The results are in from the XC portion of the Downieville Classic:

Day one of the legendary Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race is in the record books with more than 800 riders having faced up to the grueling 29-mile point-to-point cross-country race – stage one of Downieville’s hotly contested All-Mountain World Championship.

Giant's Adam Craig was the hot shot of the day as he casually destroyed the course record and took the All-Mountain pro men’s stage victory. Pedaling into the streets of Downieville in 1:52:04, Craig’s time bested reigning All-Mountain champion Ross Schnell’s record-setting 2008 performance by nearly five minutes.

Fresh off a victory at the BC Bike Race, Luna’s Katerina Nash handily won the All-Mountain pro women’s division, posting a time of 2:14:14. Willow Koerber (Gary Fisher-Subaru) and Kelli Emmett (Giant) raced into the finish three minutes after Nash with Koerber only six seconds ahead of Emmett, 2:17:33 and 2:17:39 respectively.

Pro Men
1 Adam Craig 1:52:04
2 Sid Taberlay 1:52:45
3 Jason Moeschler 1:55:20
4 Chris Sheppard 1:57:58
5 Sam Koerber 1:59:15

Pro Women
1 Katerina Nash 2:14:14
2 Willow Koerber 2:17:33
3 Kelli Emmett 2:17:39
4 Rachel Lloyd 2:18:15
5 Lizzy English 2:29:45

Via VeloNews.

Race reports and photos are up at MTBR. The official Flickr photo pool is at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1116932@N25/.

Bicycle Retailer Talks Downieville Downhill

Some details on next month's Downieville Downhill:

Now under a month away, this year’s Downieville Classic might take on a different feel than in years’ past.

This year’s event, July 10-12, will focus on bringing together wider range of riders by having several all-mountain categories—even one for single speed participants, according Yuba Expeditions Wayne Hoffman, who puts on the event each year. It used to be that there was just downhill, which perhaps can be intimidating for those looking to get their feet wet in the sport.

“What this does is encourage more riders to come out,” Hoffman said. “Downieville isn’t just about downhill.”

The Expo area will be jumping just like last year, with about 30 vendors. In fact, Hoffman said he will put some smaller vendors behind his shop just to accommodate everyone.

“We have a big field of names,” Hoffman said of this year’s race participants. “We’ll have more World Champions and former World Champions than any other race in the United States.”

Via Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

Downieville Outfitters Posts Downieville Conditions Reports

With Sierra foothill temperature threatening to hit 100F today, it's probably time to start thinking about biking the high country:

Downieville Outfitters is posting up the seasonal snow melt conditions reports with pics in anticipation of another great season.

Riders will be able to check the Downieville Conditions web page for current trail conditions at: http://www.downievilleoutfitters.com/conditions.php

The Condition Reports are to help inform riders just how soon Downieville is ridable from the top and what to expect and can plan their trips appropriately. We will be updating the conditions reports bi-weekly and/or after any storm or heat wave rolls through.

Shuttles will start running on May 23rd!

We also have a rediculous amount of weather and forecast information on the Downieville Weather page: http://www.downievilleoutfitters.com/weather.php

The Downieville Classic is July 10 - 12 this year.

Downieville Classic Update

Interesting little update on the Downieville Classic website:

STAY TUNED for the following new developments:

Title Sponsor pulls-out and leaves event in jeopardy. Remaining sponsors asked to step-up.

Talks resume with sanctioning body over Official All-Mountain World Championships.

Saddle Tramps confirmed for July 11th street party.

Say goodbye to downhill only categories, it's All-Mountain, all the time.

Mark Weir threatens retirement from the event. Jason Moeschler pledges to try harder.

So some of this definitely sounds like some pre-race hype (do you need hype for a race that sells out within 1 hour ?) but it's interesting that the Downhill only registration may be over. I, for one, think that's great but ... there will certainly be some unhappy campers.

Registration for the LOTTERY (?) is stated to open on March 15th at 8:00PM.

2009 Downieville Classic Dates ?

So I am not exactly sure about this, but it would appear that the 2009 Downieville Classic has been set for July 10 - 12, 2009.

Fall Downieville Status

The folks up the mountain at Downieville Outfitters wrote to share the current Sierra conditions:

Fall is upon the Downieville Downhill, and some of the best conditions of the season are upon us. The fall rains pack down the dust, the trails get tacky like velcro and the fall colors entertain the eyes.

Riders will be able to check the Downieville conditions web page for trail conditions at: http://www.downievilleoutfitters.com/conditions.php

The Condition Reports are to help inform riders just how deep into the season we can ride the high country - and how great the dirt conditions can be. Riders usually think Downieville trails are shut down after the first significant storm, when it is sometimes rideable through Thanksgiving. A few years ago, rideable even into December.

We will be updating the conditions reports bi-weekly and/or after any storm rolls through.

So squeeze every last day of the high country adventure riding in before we are hemmed in to the repetitive local ride all winter.

They'll be updating the conditions every other week.

2008 Downieville Classic Results (Final)

Results from the 2008 Downieville Classic have been posted (all links are in PDF):

• Downhill results
• All Mountain results
• Cross Country results

"Packer Saddle XC Split and Complete All Mountain Times will be up soon"

2008 Downieville Pics

Pictures of this weekend's 2008 Downieville Classic are starting to appear online. This is one from Flickr (here), it basically sums up Mark Weir's DH:

Some other photos can be found at:

• Downieville Classic 2008 Volunteering (flickr)

I'll post more as I see them.

Preliminary 2008 Downieville Results

UPDATE: Probably the closest to official results we'll see today are some photos of the results over at MTBR.

I haven't seen anything official posted, but Trek's Ross Schnell beat local heros Mark Weir and Jason Moesher to claim this year's All Mountain Crown at the Downieville Classic. It appears Mark Weir's hopes of repeating as downhill champion succumbed to some wheel issues. Unofficially, I am seeing the following results for the Pro All-Mountain (combined XC and DH) categories:

Men's Pro DH (All Mountain)
1. Ross Schnell
2. Jason Moeschler
3. Nathan Riddle
4. Myles Rockwell
5. Brian Lopes
6. Ariel Lindsley
7. Chris Sheppard
8. Mark Jordan
9. Harlan Price
10. Dain Zaffke
41. Menso de Jong


Men's Pro XC (All Mountain)
1. Ross Schnell
2. Jason Moeschler
3. Mark Weir
4. Chris Shepard
5. Mike Vine
6. Menso de Jong
7. Tim Olson
8. Sean Donovan
9. Harlan Price
10. Nathan Riddle

Women's Pro XC (All Mountain)
1. Rachel Lloyd
2. Susan Hayward
3. Sarah Maile
4. Jamie Stamps
5. Maureen Kunz

Women's Pro DH (All Mountain)
1. Rachel Lloyd
2. Susan Hayward
3. Abby Hippley
4. Tiffany Allmandinger
5. Jamie Stamps
6. Maureen Kunz
7. Sarah Maile
8. Jackie Baker
9. Corina Bigham
10. Niki Gudex

I will post a link to the official results as soon as I see them posted. There are some race report over at MTBR.

Win Entry to Downieville's All Mountain Race

I am sure some people might want to head over to MTBR to enter this one:

"Didn't get to register for the best all-mountain race in North America? Crankbrothers wants you to have another chance.

Win a FREE DOWNIEVILLE RACE ENTRY and a JOPLIN SEATPOST from CRANKBROTHERS!!

Here's how to enter:

1. Tell the world why you need to race Downieville. Write it down in 5 short lines below. Post it by the deadline: Friday at 9am.
2. The winner will be announced at the Crankbrothers tent at Downieville on Friday at 2pm. You MUST be present at the Downieville race to win!

The prize: One winner will receive a free entry for the all-mountain race this coming Saturday and Sunday July 12th and 13th, 2008 (a $185.00 value), AND a Crankbrothers Joplin Seatpost of your choice (30.9 or 31.6), up to $275.00 value.

Why do YOU need to race Downieville this year (5 lines or less!)"

Go to this Mtbr.com Forum to enter. A Downieville All Mountain entry gets you into the famed Downieville Downhill as well as the XC point to point race.

Downieville Shuttles Update and Contest

The folks at Downieville Outfitters have revamped their site to include bi-weekly mountain conditions and have launched a contest for some free services:

Win a Free Day of ShuttlesRides! Downieville Outfitters is giving away full day shuttle rides to 10 lucky riders!

The winners will get a day of shuttle rides for themselves (2 shuttles) for use anytime during the week of May 24th to May 30th. That includes Memorial Day weekend!

From the latest update, it looks like they are still going to open on May 24th.