Santa Barbara Cycling Festival Elings Park, Santa Barbara, CA June 2, 2007
click to enlarge
June 2, 2007 at Elings Park in beautiful Santa Barbara saw both Downhill and Cross Country riders fighting for Southern California State Mountain Bike Championship Series points! The fourth of our seven race series is situated in town. A series of ridges and valleys was saved from the "Developers Bulldozers" a number of years ago and a non-profit registered 501(c)(3) corporation operates the park.
click to enlarge
The Downhill was set up in the southern portion (ask Tex about his battle against youth), and the cross country trail basically worked the rest of the venue. The Start/Finish was set up on the Soccer Fields so we had a smooth run out to the paved access road which dumped us onto the steep switchback climb. The single track really worked the top and southern ridge of the park. I was passed and riders were still visible for the next 10 minutes just doing the old 'out and back', the course is rumored to be five miles in length.
click to enlarge
The downhills were loose and sorta fast. We then skirted the Downhill Hang Gliding Hill and climbed up a fireroad to be rewarded with another even faster and softer downhill. I digress to last years race which found me picking myself up after "zoning out" on this same downhill and have the permanent skin discoloration from scrubbing off speed with my bike and left buttock to prove it. Back to the access road climb to the finish. And what a finish! The Twenty-Five or so sponsor all had Tents and displays. The catered food was good and the New Belguim Beer fresh.Thanks again to all the great team sponsored product.
; "click to enlarge")
; "click to enlarge")
; "click to enlarge")
; "Image")
; "Image")
; "Image")
; "Image")
; "Image")
Show/Hide comment form
