Anyone reading this post should stop reading and start packing the car for a trip to Plattekill!
My first experience riding at Plattekill began in 1995. One would assume I'd have the place memorized. Quite the contrary, I always seem to stumble on (or bring back from the dead) new trails.
The network of trails at Plattekill are so vast, it is simply impossible to mentally map them out. Trails become even less recognizable during the Fall season. Some trails are so old they're new!
Are you stressing on the economy? Put it behind you! Yesterdays weather was pristine, the trails mint and the views spectacular. I've DHed at almost every resort from Whistler to Mt Saint Annes and no place can compare to Plattekill!
The DOWN Cycles crew had a spectacular time this past weekend! Top off the best conditions all year with three old school Brooklyn TMX's and you got yourself a recipe for DOWN.
Beers, Bro's and _ _ _ _. Put a smile on your face, get up to Plattekill and fill in the blanks for yourself. The place should have been packed 10/19/8. I think we counted 20 riders in all on the mountain. So very strange???
ITS OFFICIAL: Plattekill will remain open for ONE MORE weekend of riding Nov 11-12 as the upcoming weekend weather is lookin' good! Hope to see you ...this will be the last weekend for the 2006 biking season.
Weather Looks Great!!!
Tomorrow
Hi: 62°
Lo: 47°
Update 11/12/06
Great day of riding up at plattekill, it was one of the best days weather wise up at platty all year...
Nice new step-down / gap built up from the last race
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - The New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) has announced that Whiteface Mountain Downhill Park operated by High Peaks Cyclery has three more weekends of trail riding at Whiteface. Value-added "specials" will also be offered.
All riders who purchase a trail pass Oktoberfest weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, will receive free admission to the festival.
For Columbus Day weekend, riding will be available Friday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 9. Saturday, Oct. 7 is the last Ladies Day of the season. All women riders will receive a free trail pass, a $30 value.
Vernon, New Jersey – Diablo Freeride Park announced today that it will expand its operating calendar to include midweek operations for the majority of the 2006 mountain bike season. Diablo Freeride Park is scheduled to open May 13th with weekend and holiday operations. Starting July 1st 2006, Diablo Freeride Park will offer lift-serviced mountain bike operations 7 days per week until the Labor Day weekend ending September 4th.
“Over the last 3 seasons, the east coast riding community has been very supportive of our program” said Shawn Orecchio, Diablo Freeride Park General Manager. “As a result, we decided to increase our operating days by nearly 100% giving riders an opportunity to skip-out on work and session our trail network”.
2006 Operating Calendar:
May 13, 2006 thru June 30, 2006 - Weekends and Holidays only
July 1, 2006 thru September 4, 2006 – 7 days per week
September 5, 2006 thru October 29, 2006 - Weekends and Holidays only
This season, the Diablo Trail Crew will be adding a full spectrum of trails and features for gravity fueled riders. Expect to see a myriad of newschool features including creative jumplines and freeride elements and we’ll be devoting even more resources to maintain and develop natural terrain for the downhill purists.
Diablo Freeride Park season passes are currently available in limited quantities at an exclusive discounted price of only $269. This offer is first come, first serve and will expire after 100 passes have been sold. The Diablo season pass offers riders unlimited gondola and trail access for the entire 2006 operating season.
Dh'n in the snow can be quite difficult, at times unrealistic, but for the most part, very cool!!!
We may not be going anywhere fast, working like a horse to try and get some good air, but most importantly this amazing sport still takes us to breathtaking places, even in the winter!
I don't live in Manhattan, but can't imagine having such beauty so close and not knowing it exists. Mountain Biking can take you to this place and many more, just imagine how close untouched beauty is... just outside our door step.
West Mountain will be hosting a night DH/Freeride event on July 2nd.
Ride all day and all night!
Camping will be allowed all weekend and they will be open from July 2nd to July 4th for Mountain Biking and ATV's (West Mountain is so Large they have over 60 miles of trails in the back side of the mountain for ATV's. Mountain biking trails are in the front of the mountain so the ATV's do not interfere with the Mountain Biking and visa versa.)
West Mountain is a sick, natural terrain, place to ride, if you haven't yet do it some time soon, you won't regret it.
From Left: Ricky White, AJ Picarello, Steve Ziangos, Andy, Erik Carlsen
The final plans for opening weekend at whiteface are up. Whiteface will open its 2,476 vertical feet of riding pleasure on Friday June 24th, 1 day earlier than originally planned. The gondola and shuttle bus will run from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
Saturday the 25th, Whiteface will have a customer appreciation day. Lift passes will go on sale at a reduced rate of $15.00. DH Bike rentals will be discounted at 50% off the regular rate for Saturday only. Your lift pass will be good for 1 free beer or soft drink from the famous Lake Placid Pub and Brewery.
The crew at Whiteface will be having an informal after downhilling party at the L.P. Pub and Brewery [also known as P.J.'s] on Saturday night.
Your lift ticket will also get you a free drink on Friday night too.
Please, let's show them just how strong of a community we are. 250 or more people will really send a message to management as to what potential we have up here. A good showing will make it much easier to get the needed help from Whiteface to really put us on the map.
For our younger riders, did you know Whiteface hosted the 1980 winter Olympics?
I hope to see as many of you as possible.
7 days and counting.
We regret to inform you that Diablo Freeride Park will not open this weekend as planned. Unfortunately we are faced with a minor permitting technicality that will not allow us to open. To dispel any rumors in advance, we WILL be opening next weekend, May 21st for the 2005 season and the first Domination race will be held as planned. Our staff has been working 7 days a week for several months to prepare for opening weekend and we are extremely disappointed to have to bring you this news.
Please help us to alleviate frustration by spreading the word to fellow riders that may not have the opportunity to see this message. Again, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Shawn Orecchio
General Manager Diablo Freeride Park
Opening weekend at West Mountain was a success, considering Plattekill had a race the same weekend turnout was good.
We arrived at West Mountain Sunday at 11am and began with a few warm-up runs that were quite challenging right from the beginning. The trails were clean, technical and there was a wide variety of terrain. From pine needle coated single track, to gnarly, scary rock shoots that brought you to mach speed in a split second. There were a few new trails that were not yet completely broken in, but soon will be. One of the new trails was our favorite, fast, narrow single track with good flow from top to bottom with an overhang drop to a nice transition onto the side of the ski slope.
I talked to the owner at West Mountain and from what I can gather he sounds pumped on building up the mountain to top caliber. West Mountain does have the capability of being a sick Mountain for Downhill and Freeriding and posses the best terrain I've seen anywhere on the east coast for a Mountain Cross and or Dual Slalom course. The owner is looking into building a Mountain Cross Course in the future in front of the lodge, if he were to do that it would have its own lift to the top of the course. Imagine that, we wouldn't have to walk our bikes to the top of the course like most other mountains. He is also looking to work on the existing trails to better the flow of the trails by adding berms in key locations!
Here is a quick break down of DownCycles review of West Mountain:
Opened my mailbox earlier to find bills, bills, bills, stuff, and an envelope containing some exciting news:
EXTREME DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING AT West Mountain
Needless to say, from all the silly smilies I'm using, you can say I'm happy Starting May 7th 2005:
Sat & Sun & Holidays - 10am to 5pm
All Day Lift & Trail Access: $23.00
Half Day Lift (Start 1pm): $15.00
Trail Access Only (No Lift): $10.00
Holiday Rates: $25.00
Oh, and there is a bar and grill in the lodge so to May 7th, See you at West Mountain
Read more!
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stuff, and an envelope containing some exciting news: 
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