Race Report(s) - CCCX Fall DH #4 by Rafael Ruis

Toro Park - My second (and third) downhill race. Based on the course from the previous race (primarily the DH portion of the XC course at Toro), I decided to enter the single speed category in addition to the regular race. I finished 2nd in my first DH race a month earlier, and was considering moving up to sport for this one, but was convinced at check in to stay in beginners for the rest of the series (this and one more race). After all its just a time trial, and not any different between cats.

First practice run was on the SS, and first impression was "whoa, this is a bit
different than the previous course". Several steep drop-ins and small kickers, a table top, and a good size gap jump/step up at the bottom of the course. Not exactly the course for my xc/weight weenie SS. Seemed like I was on the brakes the whole run down, and only hit the little jumps and very slowly rode all the drop ins. Oh well, I already registered for the SS. Next was the practice run on the Reign. I took most of the turns and drop-ins a bit faster, but still a bit slow. In hindsight, I should have been using this run to test my limits a bit more. I guess I'm learning how this DH thing works.

For the race run, I went a bit faster, but scrubbed way too much speed in about 3 or 4 corners that kinda bothered me. Hit all the jumps except for the gap/step up at the end (there were about 50 spectators that I didn't feel like hearing a bunch of oooohs from). Finished the run at 3:46, feeling like I could have easily done at least 5-10 seconds faster. After all the others in my category finished, I was still in first! Sweet, first win of the year! (1st / )

For the SS category, there was only one other competitor. He did his SS run first, and we were chatting before our second runs. He crashed, and finished at 4:10. So with this, I knew all I needed was a clean run. Well off I went, and I was feeling good. Surprisingly, I wasn't scrubbing as much speed in the upper switchbacks, and felt like I was moving at a similar pace to my regular run. Then I got to the tight, steep left handed turn/drop in. My front wheel got stuck in a rut that had gotten bigger since the first run, and I did a 3/4 endo. The bike bounced off the trail and I had to scramble a bit to retrieve it. Eventually got back on the bike, and took the rest of the run easy as I was a bit shaken up. Oh well, got a second place DFL (2nd / 2).

After the final and series results were posted, I found I am in third place for the overall category (despite only doing 2 of the 4 races), and in 4th for the SS category. So, hopefully I can make some moves up in the overalls on January 31st.

Also, congrats to Jeff Hecox for a podium in his first ever DH race also!