It’s been a busy couple of weeks here in Pocatello, we had our first downhill/freeride clinic, and by all accounts it was a great learning experience for everyone including the coaches. After learning and practicing skills on fairly predictable terrain we moved to specific obstacles and then took the techniques to the trail. Some rain cut the trail portion just a little short so we met back up with everyone the following Sunday to work on the skills some more. During the weekdays we trained almost everyday riding mostly Kinport Peak trying to prep ourselves for the national race at Northstar in Truckee, CA. I don’t think anything could have prepared us for seeing idols like Steve Peat and Cedric Gracia, Nate and myself have watched these dudes dominate the national race scene for years and yet they also have the style and grace to be the most sought after racers in the film industry. Immediately we knew we had a much bigger plate of competition to deal with. We rode harder than we have ever rode before during the three days of practice trying to dial in lines and find a few extra seconds between the tape. On race day we were wondering if we may have overdone it after the arm pump from the first run, but after the second practice run on race day we felt confident with our lines and stamina wasn’t an issue as the arm pump wore off. It was time to see who could handle the pressure. Quinn A.K.A. Di-peppypep and The Sarge (Gabe) both flatted in the top portion of the trail ending their first national race for the both of them, it was a hugh disappointment since these two were riding faster than I had ever scene them and they could have put up some fast times. Myself, well I pretty much made one of the most crucial mistakes, I changed my line right out of the starting gate. About ten feet from the gate I cut a little too far left and as I tried to make the corner my pedal clipped a rock and I put a foot down. I accelerated out of the corner only to get bucked into the bushes coming to a complete stop in the first straight away. I continued to repeat “Genius” to myself for the remaining 4 minutes 45 seconds. Now we get to Nasty Nate who stepped it up big time and worked for it this weekend, pushing it all weekend and taking a digger each day of practice trying to find the right speed , resulting in a top ten finish with a smoking fast time of 4 min 30 second.It was one of the best weekends of my life, riding non- stop and hanging out with great friends. -Travis
Motoring through Nevada
Nate and myself searching out the lines
Nate getting his groove on the second day of practice
Di-peppypep showin' his skills on the final day of practice
Getting my line on the rock gap dialed on the final day of practice
Making the final push to the finish
Well Mom showed up to see what the boy’s were up to and as always they did not dissapoint. It was a beautiful day in the sunshine at Northstar, so many bikers anxiously awaiting their turn on the hill.Competitors from everywhere were ready to show what they could lay down and our boys were right in the thick of it ! There was the disappointment of a few flats but the realization that they were right in there before it went bad was a sweet consolation.Nate really pushed it for a proud finish in the top 10 and did we mention that there were 266 racers ! Yea, way to go Mountain High Freeride !I’m always proud to say I’m with the boy’s from Pocatello. Go team, You Rock !