NORBA Nationals

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

The NORBA Nationals are goiong to be here in Fontana on Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Anyone coming out to race or spectate??

Link: National Mountain Bike Series

Gurp13 & myself rode the XC course this morning and it's in excellent condition. The DH courses are in also in great condition.

This are looking really good, the City of Fontana had a crew out there cleaning things up. i also had the opportunity to talk to Don Jackson, the main man behind this event happening at Fontana plus the organizer of the southridge racing series, he stated that this are going excellent and the swag is going to be out of control. too many details to list.

Hope many of you guys can make it to this major MTB event. i'll be there to spectate, if any of you want to join me so i can show you around, let me know, i'd love to show you my stomping grounds

[gurp13]

I'm planning on being there, too. I'm definitely going on Saturday and might spend some time there on Sunday. I'm still trying to decide if I should race, though. If I do, it'll be XC Male Beginner 30-34. The course is challenging in places. I almost gave EMB a heart attack when I endo-ed on the cement culvert we had to traverse. I got a nasty contusion on my thigh and a little scrape on my elbow. But, EMB thought I was gonna die! Good times.

How do you know if you're a "sport" racer or "beginner" for example? What are the criteria that delineate the different categories?

Here's a couple of pics of EMB getting ready to negotiate a very steep and rocky section at Southridge. This is *not* part of the XC course. It's at the top of a hill after a pretty overgrown singletrack area that's seldom used. Then, the next pic is at the bottom. Sigh. I *have* to get a digital camera that's fast.
04-29-06_0858.jpg04-29-06_0859.jpg

[dirttorpeedo]

the difference between spt./beg. is that you can negotiate the cement culvert. no offence but you may need more practice in giving armondo less of a heart attact.hahaha, when the race starts you've gotta go as hard as possible and about 1/3 into your first lap you'll either be able to keep that pace or you've just BLOWN UP.by that you;ve got no gas left to finish at that pace.if you can do that course in 30min. without stopping then do my freind.xc racing is tuff you gotta know when you can rest while still hauling ass.i'll talk to you later glenn good luck man. the boy is gonna race furshur i'm gonna if i got the doe. both d/h.

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by dirttorpeedo

the difference between spt./beg. is that you can negotiate the cement culvert. no offence but you may need more practice in giving armondo less of a heart attact.hahaha <snip>

No sh*t! I was laughing at the time because Armondo had remarked, after I made it down a couple of the singletrack downhills that I had moved beyond beginner-status. After the endo, I asked if I just got downgraded. Good to know where I stand!

[Innes]

I'll be out there for sure. Spectating of course.

[Amuzement Man]

I was out there this morning as well, wish I knew you guys were going to be there as it would have been good to ride with someone. I also would like to check out some of those side trails as well. Maybe next time. I plan to be out spectating next weekend so maybe see you out there.

[mtnbikerdude87]

I cant wait for nationals! Ill be out there racing sport!

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by Amuzement Man

I was out there this morning as well, wish I knew you guys were going to be there as it would have been good to ride with someone. I also would like to check out some of those side trails as well. Maybe next time. I plan to be out spectating next weekend so maybe see you out there.

Sorry about that, AM. I had wanted to post something and mentioned it in the thread about the beginner's ride at Aliso for 4/30/06. I just never got around to posting and actual thread just about Southridge. And, EMB joined me at the last minute. Another time, dude. We'll ride!

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Originally Posted by Amuzement Man

I was out there this morning as well, wish I knew you guys were going to be there as it would have been good to ride with someone. I also would like to check out some of those side trails as well. Maybe next time. I plan to be out spectating next weekend so maybe see you out there.

Hey Amigo, like Gurp13 said it was very last minute , but i'll be sure to set up a good group ride for there soon. there are sikme killer climbs i want to tackle there that are not part of the XC course. I'm not talking about "the wall".

have you ever raced there?

[Amuzement Man]

Have not raced Southridge but I ride this area more than any other as I live close enough that I can just ride to it. I have ridding the race course many times and explored some of the other areas but not many. Some of the climbs kick my a_ _ but I am working on my cardio and mentally not giving up. I actually did not ride on the upper part of the course just cruised around the outskirts to see what had been done. I am really looking forward to seeing the 4x racing with all that new work. I stayed off the main upper part of the course cause I would have felt guilty with all the work that was done and I am not racing so I can check it out after the big event. It is getting very sandy already in the area next to the new construction and in the turn to head to the back. Are they going to run the race both directions on the section from the hill to the culvert crossing down to the turn? Seems strange they would want 2 way traffic on that section with how narrow it is in spots and the sand. Anyway.........nuff said. Let me know next time you guys go out and have patience to wait for a slow climber.

[Padre]

Okay...my wife and I are racing this on Friday.
Can anyone with knowledge describe the XC course at all?

How long is the loop?
How much elevation gain?
Any technical descending e.g. large rocks, etc

Trying to avoid a pre-ride....

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Originally Posted by Padre

Okay...my wife and I are racing this on Friday.
Can anyone with knowledge describe the XC course at all?

How long is the loop?
How much elevation gain?
Any technical descending e.g. large rocks, etc

Trying to avoid a pre-ride....

Here's a link to the course info: Geoladders -- Southridge (Fontana)

the course itself is pretty smooth with some technical stuff for the beginner/intermediate rider. the biggest issue, IMO, are the ruts that run straight down the singletrack in some sections it can make someone lose it inf you allow yourself to get sucked into one. be prepared for short steep climbs, though the whole XC course can be done on your middle ring if your a strong climber. there are 2 main straight aways (atleast 1/4-1/2 mile each, you can totally cut time by sprinting in those sections.) there sections where you can ride faster by riding on concrete so you can avoid dirt/sand also, keep an eye out for those sections. this can be a very fast course, hopefully this helps.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by Epic_Mtn_Biker

Here's a link to the course info:...

Yeah....seen that geoladders thing...but your description REALLY helps. Thanks!

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by Amuzement Man

Anyway.........nuff said. Let me know next time you guys go out and have patience to wait for a slow climber.

Brother, no one climbs slower than me. You'll get a rest up at the top waiting for me to show up huffing and puffing! I'll post next time I'm gonna ride over there.

Originally Posted by Padre

Yeah....seen that geoladders thing...but your description REALLY helps. Thanks!

Make sure you really pop a wheelie going up the cement culvert or you'll endo. That's my helpful suggestion for you.

[dstepper]

Padre,

What times are your guys races? I am planning on coming on out...even better if I have someone to support.

***Good luck to ya both***

I might be interested in riding that loop too. I"m thinking of coming out to check out the racing but would like to squeeze a ride in somehow. It sucks, but with gas prices being so high it really makes me think twice about doing so much driving on the weekend...my truck gets horrible mileage.

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Hey guys, if anyone plans to go out to the nationals, please tell me, i live close by and would love to hang out or give support.

[gurp13]

Well, I did it. I'm registered to compete in the XC Beginner 30-34 at 3:30pm on Saturday. So, there you go, Dstepper and EMB, you guys have someone to cheer for. They say Americans love underdogs so... I guess maybe they'll make a movie about me or something.

So, I was noticing when I registered that it looked like only 2 other guys were in my age group. Is that my "class?" or am I competing against all the beginners? In other words, what do I have to do to get those ODI grips?

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Congratulations Gurp! Check out the race results for the XC Winter Series on www.southridgeusa.com. Most likely you will see the same guys racing in your class. I'll be racing the DH on Sat morning.

[maxwell]

Originally Posted by Padre

Yeah....seen that geoladders thing...but your description REALLY helps. Thanks!

HI!!
Lacey is entered in the Junior B/W 14 & Under. Her race isn't until 330 in the afternoon on Saturday.
If they do the same XC course as some of the other SRC races, Leslie will kick some major bootty! I'm assuming she's going S/S and doing 3-4 laps.
The course is VERY Padre freindly, with a couple of steep climbs and some cool descents.
It's actually one of Lacey's favorite places to race.
There should be a write up from her Firestone Walker race, on the Warrior's site http://www.warriorssociety.org/ in the next day or so.