Fontana Magic - Make it Happen

Every time I want to go, something happens, like I have to work OT or I forgot .. but this year for sure I'll go and watch those guys how they do it !!:)
 
So Super D is a single stage Enduro?

While I'm not in the best shape given my month off the bike, I'm going to be looking at some of these February dates and try and hit up one of these Super D practices + races just for shits and giggles. Would love to meet up with someone who has done Fontana before to show me the ropes... although my commitment is pretty low at the moment due to how crazy work is.
 
I looked at their site, and DAMN it's hard to figure out where it is. And what it is.

Yeah, I get that it's in Fontana. :geek:

Either that or I'm just ignernt!! :thumbsdown::cool:
 
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Cougar said:
So Super D is a single stage Enduro?

While I'm not in the best shape given my month off the bike, I'm going to be looking at some of these February dates and try and hit up one of these Super D practices + races just for shits and giggles. Would love to meet up with someone who has done Fontana before to show me the ropes... although my commitment is pretty low at the moment due to how crazy work is.
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I've done Fontana DH a lot - but never the Super D. I believe it's either a one-run or maybe a two-run race on the same course. Honestly, there's not much difference between the Sport/Beginner DH and the Super D courses in terms of "gnar." The Super D is always reported to be lots of fun.

A-A-Ron Gwin will be out there with his new bike - allegedly. I remember when he just switched from Yeti to Trek out at Fontana:
Gwin on Trek.jpg
 
Super D is now two different courses. One course is usually a little shorter than the other. I raced it last weekend and had a blast. Great riders and environment. You can expect the first course to be about 3-4 minutes long (faster for the pros) and at least 5-6 minutes on the second...may not sound like a long time but with that heart rate racing higher than normal and the long last stretch to the finish line...you will be feeling it lol. The great part is that the courses are more challenging than just doing the XC course and not as crazy as the DH courses.

Your $50 entry fee includes shuttle during practice, a number plate and 2 timed runs. Medals to the top 5 in each class.

When signing up, pay close attention to the classes. If you are a decent rider but have never raced before, that doesn't make you a beginner lol. You'll have more fun competing at your true level.

Practice starts at 11:30 on race day with racing at 1:30. There is a 30 second gap between riders and usually run in the order of Pro, Expert, Sportsman and Beginner.

You can practice on Friday, however the courses are not as easy to make out when compared to race day but usually there will be a rider up there who knows what course will be run.

As i mentioned, its great crowd of racers and it's fun talking with others about your last race, your setup or how old you are and probably shouldn't be doing this lol plus there are tons of photographers taking pics so you can have a cool action shot of yourself lol.

Rich
imtb_zpsauileyew.jpg
 
The website says there is a much smaller fee to do the DH practice runs on Saturday. I think only $10 if you don't race if I remember the website correctly.
 
Yes, I would like to try the super D, because from reading here @imtb it says is easier than the DH, and I went to check them out 2 weeks ago, but never asked if I was watching the dh or super D course... it didn't look too menacing... But I know one thing is seeing it and another is doing it.
 
Practice on the DH courses is $10 for all day shuttles from approx 11am to 4pm usually. Super D courses are milder than the DH courses but still decently technical. Winds are going to be crazy on Saturday so bring your goggles if you plan to ride.
 
jaime said:
Yes, I would like to try the super D, because from reading here @imtb it says is easier than the DH, and I went to check them out 2 weeks ago, but never asked if I was watching the dh or super D course... it didn't look too menacing... But I know one thing is seeing it and another is doing it.
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90% of the DH courses is taped off, so it's pretty easy to tell now. Super D courses also follow the Blue Arrows painted on the trail.
 
Cougar said:
The website says there is a much smaller fee to do the DH practice runs on Saturday. I think only $10 if you don't race if I remember the website correctly.
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That's correct. And since there's usually a 30-45 minute shuttle line, I just do laps on the upper 2/3rds of the course, pushing up the road for each run. Great workout and only about 15 minutes pushing to the top. You can get in 6-8 runs in a couple of hours and be exhausted. And happy.

The Sport/Beginner DH courses are tame, BTW.
 
Let me know if you want to Carpool, while I still don't have all my legs back, I figure I wasn't off the bike long enough I can't point the bike downhill and have some fun for a few hours.
 
Cougar said:
Let me know if you want to Carpool, while I still don't have all my legs back, I figure I wasn't off the bike long enough I can't point the bike downhill and have some fun for a few hours.
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I would be honored to give you a ride out there. I plan to leave around 8 or 8:30 and come back whenever we feel like it, but before 6.
 
What a great day out in Fontucky today! I very much appreciate my partner in crime Cougar for tagging along and making the day more fun. The last two times I went out there (last year and the year before) I was alone in a crowd, and with no-one specific to talk to, there is less motivation to push. Craig did great and seemed to really enjoy the experience. No falls.

Upon arrival, we bought our wrist bands for DH practice ($10) and hiked up without bikes to inspect the courses. The Sport/Beginner course was as tame as expected, with a few rocky sections and small drops to spice things up. The Pro/expert line wasn't as bad as some I have seen. I ended up blending the Sport course and the Expert course for most of my runs.

We took 7 runs and hiked up the hill 8 times for a total of 2300' of climbing (plus one hike without bikes). Most of that was pushing our bikes, although Craig rode up the entire way on the first lap. I will tell you that hiking muscles are not riding muscles, and vice versa. Craig was getting calf cramps and I ended up with mild calf and inside quad/groin cramps. Maybe I need Midol.

I felt really good on my bike today and was smiling the whole time. The wind gusted to about 30mph and nearly stopped us in our tracks pushing up a few times. it was not really noticeable while riding down however. We felt bad for the XC guys/gals who had to go uphill into that gale.

In the pits at lunch I dropped by the Turner van (at Mrs. Turner's suggestion) and asked of the RFX c came in XL. Dave said absolutely and went into the van and pulled one out. Very roomy cockpit. I asked if I could take it home and demo it and he said "sure, have it back to me next week sometime. I'll set it up for you and you can pick it up before you leave." Unfortunately, I didn't find him when it was time to leave. I am sure he was up the hill with his wife watching her race the Enduro/Super D. DAMMMMMITTT... The bike was outside and unlocked, and I was tempted to grab it and leave a note, but I didn't. I'll do it next time.

We took no photos, except this one of Craig getting ready:
FontanaCraig.jpg


Great times out there today. I think I'll go back in two weeks. Thanks Cougar!
 
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I had a great time at Fontana today, although I'm feeling the effects of it tonight for sure. Lots of wind burn, chapped lips, and general soreness. Herz is right, pushing up ~2k elevation is not the same muscles as riding up that elevation, heh.

Going along with Herz was totally the right call. I would have never thought to take the time to go walk the course beforehand (as I would have been excited to go ride!), but it was totally the right call. Herz and I talked about different features, how we might approach it, and really I did a lot of listening. Herz had infinitely more DH experience than I do, and I was completely open to learning things.

I stuck to the Beginner/Sport DH course, and had a really rewarding experience with it. There were two sections I had trouble with, first zeroing in on the bottom section I wasn't cleaning; and talking to Herz about it helped get my head in the game. I think there was an exchange after the second run where I was listening, and then said, "So, like Rock-It then?" in reference to just throw your weight back and let the bike do it's thing. Herz nodded, "Like Rock-It." Wouldn't you know it, I cleaned that section the rest of the day.

One of the runs before lunch I ran into Christina Turner (wife of Dave Turner of Turner Bikes) as we were pushing the backside, and she asked if I was doing the Enduro? I told her "nah, the DH" to which she remarked with some amazement, "on a Burner?!" I quickly qualified my statement with a smile, "Just Sport/Beginner." Then we got to talking about the RFX she was riding which led to the gigantic bike tease for Herz and the XL RFX he talks about above.

Our lunch was ill thought out, as our burritos, while good, were a little bit of a 'gut bomb'. As we were pushing up for our 6th run, we were already starting to talk about how many we had left in us. I knew I could do one more, unsure about a second. Herz was similar. On that 7th climb, one of my calf muscles tightened up in a cramp and I knew my day was likely done. (Note: hydration/tailwind consumption when sessioning DH runs needs improvement) Herz agreed, and down we went for our 7th and final run.

I barely session anything when I ride, actively avoiding doing the same trail twice in any ride if I can avoid it (although Lizards in LCWP I make an exception for in some cases :p). I was hoping that this would give me a different feel of things, being able to see my shortcomings and then tackle and overcome them in the same day. I was right, and it was really rewarding.

The Super D course looked REALLY fun too, a lot more fast and flowy (although there was some technical stuff in the later part of the course I didn't see). While that is a pretty big time commitment, and I doubt I'll get to many of those weekend events, I will have my eye on future weekends to see if a return trip is in the cards.

Thanks again Herz, I appreciate the education and riding companion! (Next time though, can you keep your pants on? :speechless:) (Also, my hair in the shot above is amazing, simply amazing :sick:)
 
Cougar said:
I had a great time at Fontana today, although I'm feeling the effects of it tonight for sure. Lots of wind burn, chapped lips, and general soreness. Herz is right, pushing up ~2k elevation is not the same muscles as riding up that elevation, heh.
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Hah, I saw you guys...I recognized the jersey and the bike. I didn't race Super D but went up with my Chocolate Lab "Bronson" to watch practice on both SD and DH....and yes that wind sucked lol

Glad to hear you guys had a good time.

bronsonSR_zpshy6lnvds.jpg
 
R Trujillo said:
Hah, I saw you guys...I recognized the jersey and the bike. I didn't race Super D but went up with my Chocolate Lab "Bronson" to watch practice on both SD and DH....and yes that wind sucked lol

Glad to hear you guys had a good time.
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That's one of the benefits of wearing the jersey!
 
Cougar said:
There were two sections I had trouble with, first zeroing in on the bottom section I wasn't cleaning; and talking to Herz about it helped get my head in the game. I think there was an exchange after the second run where I was listening, and then said, "So, like Rock-It then?" in reference to just throw your weight back and let the bike do its thing. Herz nodded, "Like Rock-It." Wouldn't you know it, I cleaned that section the rest of the day.
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I totally appreciate the props, but I want to clarify - I am not a fan of "throw your weight back" unless you absolutely have little choice. Remember the conversation about skiing? The steeper it is, the more you need to get out over the fronts of the skis, which is counterintuitive to the natural impulse to lean into the hill for safety.

I believe I suggested to "let the bike do its thing" referring to just letting it go and not trying to be real precise. Basically just pointing the bike and letting the suspension handle the problems until you get to the collection berm. Throwing your weight back gives up traction and steering, but can definitely save an endo! Regardless, the coolest thing was seeing your stoke and hearing you report your success as your confidence and speed increased.

Let's do it again on the 20th!
 
herzalot said:
I totally appreciate the props, but I want to clarify - I am not a fan of "throw your weight back" unless you absolutely have little choice. Remember the conversation about skiing? The steeper it is, the more you need to get out over the fronts of the skis, which is counterintuitive to the natural impulse to lean into the hill for safety.

I believe I suggested to "let the bike do its thing" referring to just letting it go and not trying to be real precise. Basically just pointing the bike and letting the suspension handle the problems until you get to the collection berm. Throwing your weight back gives up traction and steering, but can definitely save an endo! Regardless, the coolest thing was seeing your stoke and hearing you report your success as your confidence and speed increased.

Let's do it again on the 20th!
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Yes, I believe your quote is much more accurate to what you said at the time. I couldn't remember exactly... and for me the Rock-It summation was my take away. Back and in attack position, use your body as suspension and let your bike go where it wants to go over the rocks.
 
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