RR: Elings Park/Santa Barbara Bike Festival

[denmother]

Just_me, Denmother and Troy decided to head out to Santa Barbara for the Team Big Bear race/Santa Barbara Bike Festival at Elings Park.

I had never been there before but had heard that the DH course required a "small" bike. The draw for us was actually the newly built Dual Slalom course. No one had seen it and there were no pictures, so we were totally in the dark.

We got there Saturday morning at 7am and started the day off in a confrontation with the parking nazis......They made us park in the back of the lot (great prize for being the 1st ones there) and Roger tried to persuade them to let us park closer to the venue but they would have none of it. The parking guy threatened to call the cops and have us thrown out. I had to physically restrain Roger so that we didn't get the boot.

Off to registration, since they weren't organized, they gave all 3 of us a free DH shuttle (so we saved $10 per person) so it helped pay for the weekend parking fee which was $10.

Got suited up and hiked up the hill for a 1st look at the DH course since the shuttle trucks didn't start untill 9am. Rode the course a few times on my Socom and decided I would try out Roger's demo bike, a Brodie Holeshot HT. I had so much fun on the HT that I decided to race it instead. Roger opted just for DH practice but no race.

The course had a slightly uphill start to a berm and then an uphill tabletop (I felt like I was at the BMX track). Then a silly rock garden (4 piles of rocks you had to hop over. Some more berms, some doubles, 2 ladder drops, lots of flowy switchback/berm turns, some more jumps at the bottom and you're done. Kinda like a looooooong DS course. Very flowy and fun, not really a DH course, but fun nonetheless.

Troy rode his Foes 4x bike (the one I have been using for DS/4x) and ended up 1st in Jr Ex. As for me, no one in my class, so I just raced myself and ended up 1st!!! It was my 1st time racing a HT so that, for me, was an accomplishment in and of itself. I have to say that is the 1st time I have had to race standing up the entire time. Being on a smaller bike, there is no way I can sit and pedal clipped in as my left knee does not bend all the way (torn Meniscus).

Headed over to stay with friends Saturday night and had a feast from the Chicken Ranch (love the Tri-tip burritos).

Sunday morning we got to sleep in and then headed over for DS practice. The top of the course got overwatered so they had us start after the 1st 2 berms. Got several runs in then headed up for gate practice and was told that we were doing 1 foot starts even though there was a gate. So I went and changed to flat pedals and did a few runs to get used to them. Then when race time came, they changed their minds (a racer's dad protested and showed them the UCI rules) and let us track stand. I was going to change pedals again, but decided not to after all.

So, on to qualifying. There were 3 in my class which was "Open Women". I ended up qualifying 1st (by over 10 seconds). I get up to the top for my 1st race fun and find out that I am paired with a 13 year old female Jr. Ex rider. There was only her so they decided to move her into our class. So, instead of me racing the slowest person, I had to race her in the 1st round and of course got eliminated. She is super fast and almost as fast as the boys. I should have raced the slowest person first, but oh well. Because of the mix up, they did give me a free entry for the NMBS DS race at Brian Head later in the year. Thanks TBB!!! So, I ended up 3rd after all.

Troy had to race the local Jr. Ex boy who was really fast (they same boy he raced and beat by 2 seconds in the DH). He ended up 3rd overall as well.

And then there was Roger....He has decided to race DS/4x with me instead of spectating, so he borrowed a Brodie Holeshot HT last week and signed up for DS. It was his 1st time ever and he did a great job. He was slightly intimidated since he had to race in the Expert Men 30+ class. But he did a great job and had fun and will definitely be back for more. He just has to decide what bike he wants!!!

Overall we had a good time and we are happy that the DS course will now be part of Elings Park and can be ridden any time.

Troy getting dressed


The view from the parking lot


Roger rockin the double


Ian The Odomator


Troy catching air




Jr Ex Women

Essence


Erika


Denmo charging













Troy




Hunter


The happy couple



Cutest dog award


Hanging at the 661 booth


Dual Slalom Awards

[ghixon]

Elings Park was too much fun on the XC side. I haven't had time to get the photos out of my camera yet. I got a few good photos of you on the bottom of the DH Course Saturday.

If I get a chance, I'll post them later today.

[Burner]

sb chicken ranch is the bomb

[wrxkid]

Damn, sorry I couldn't make it guys. I had a family emergency to attend to and was not about to go too far away from home.

Course looked fun though.
Kiet