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09/09/09 |
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This Sunday, September 13th is the Blue Mountain Reservation Chain Stretcher XC race. Like races past, DOWN Cycles is donating some sweet prizes. New for this year we will have a four Marin Bikes available for demo/test rides. Anyone is welcome to test out a Marin Mount Vision 5.8 full suspension bike. Riders are also welcome to race the bike during this event!

The Marin Mount Vision 5.8 retails for $3465.00. The demo bikes are for sale as this is the last event they will be used for. They will be radically reduced in price down to $2300.00!!! We will have three sizes available for purchase/demo: medium, large and extra large. They are in amazing condition, come with a full 5 year warranty and are professionally tuned. We will also have a 29er hardtail, size 20" for testing!
The guys at the WMBA shortened the track up this year. In a nut shell, the track is designed with a few lung buster climbs and some ripper fast downs. The new layout starts in the opposite direction from years past. See a track map at Chain Stretcher XC Race Map.
I know these trails inside out and I can see three spots that are going to cause bottlenecking. These sections are very technical and can be cleaned, but I can see spastic racers flounder and cause congestion.
First section with issues will be the immediate entrance into “Switchback”. The root step up into this single track will dismount 90% of the racers.
Second section will be most of “Criss-Cross”. Things are going to get ugly after the first few sweeping turns. Criss-Cross becomes very steep and technical with rock sections that resemble something you’d find at a trials event. The steep climb out will finish off any rider lucky enough to get that far.
The section of "Monster" will ride nice in this direction (opposite of years past). Exiting onto "Dickey Brook Trail" will be a pinner section. Get ready for death at marker #34. This is the worst climb on the track. The third section to boggle minds and flip out (or maybe over) most racers will be the rock ups on the first section of this climb. Get past that and grind your way up to “Yang”.
Yang will be a blinding fast run back to the parks start/finish. This section will offer few options to pass so take advantage of any opportunities to when you can.
Have fun out there and please be courteous to other racers. The Chain Stretcher always has a positive vibe. Thanks to the people at the WMBA for running the event! They have been out there buffing the trails out for the event, cutting downed trees and reinforcing areas damaged from rain/overuse. Come visit us at the DOWN Cycles/ Marin Bikes tent. I'll be the one licking my wounds and rubbing out the leg cramp.
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05/21/09 |
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09/30/08 |
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Once again the Chain Stretcher race is upon us!
This weekend October 5th Blue Mountain Reservation will host the 2008 "Chain Stretcher" Norba sanctioned XC event.
The WMBA crew always picks the choice trails for the race and this year is no exception. The length of the track has been reduced to less than 8 miles per lap (racers request) and "My Favorite Trail" and the Peekskill sections have been dropped. Both Upper and Lower SIS, Stinger and a section of Mix Monster will keep things interesting.
DOWN Cycles is offering up $150, $75, $50 CASH prizes for any team riders who place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place finishes! Just ride with the jersey and fly the DOWN colors for the race!
Speaking of prizes, DOWN Cycles is also donating some very cool swag for all race winners for the Beginner and Sport Categories! Pint glasses, filled with socks and or chain checker tools (I thought would be appropriate considering the name of the race), stickers, water bottles, T shirts etc..
Good Luck to everyone who signs up. I will be out there once again trying to fight off leg cramps. This year I'll be on my EWR. Yes, I have decided to not race on my IF cross bike.
A heads up to everyone: The new section of Mix Monster is open! I rolled up Sunday ready to help with the new section and the trail was already done! I think the guys finished in like 4 days!
Anyway, I got some fresh tracks on some familiar terrain as the new section of Mix Monster crosses directly over some of the old renegade DH runs. This new section of trail rides best one way and is thrilling to say the least. I can't say I don't miss the wide open pinner section of old, but the new line has it going on with techy off cambers, some steeps and packed in rock gardens.
This trail section is not in the race,thankfully, as it need to be broken in and feels like you're riding on flat tires.
A huge thank you goes out to the guys who dedicated their time and energy to build those stream crossing rock gardens! A lot of time was spent cutting in shelves to ride on as well.
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08/08/08 |
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Down Cycles 10 year anniversary party!!!
Thank you to all the customers who support the shop. This Saturday August 16th 2008 is a celebration for all to enjoy. Come by for the event and meet Eric Carter, professional mountainbike racer for the Mongoose Team.
That's right, Eric Carter the legend is coming to my rinky dink prison, I mean DOWN Cycles to sign some autographs, chit chat with the droolers and eat some pizza/burritos. Maybe you'll get some swag if you time it right.
We are setting up a bunny hop contest to keep everyone occupied. It's not going to be one of those sanctioned contests. Just a bunch of knuckheads hopping over a pole.
This event should be pretty chill, good times, bikes, food and your favorite rider of all time, EC stylin and profile-in.
This event is going down (it's all about down) on Saturday August 16th. Eric Carter is in the area for the Jeep DS race that's at Diablo Freeride Park the following weekend. He's building the track for Diablo, so he should arrive around 3:00 or so. Call DOWN Cycles if you need further information.
Directions:
From South: Take Rt 9A North to Rt 9 North (9A N merges into 9 N around the Ossining area). Get off the Montrose Exit. Make a right off the exit (you can see the shop from the exit ramp) and we are the 4th drive on the left. 2015 Albany Post Rd. Do not plug this address into your GPS. Your GPS will send you in the wrong direction!!!
From North, Taconic State Parkway: Get off the "Underhill Rd" exit. Make right off the exit ramp. At bottom of Underhill Rd, (road ends) take a right on Rt129. Take Rt 129 all the way into the town of Croton (Watch out for the cops in town). At second light take right (follow signs to Rt 9 North). You will go through 1 light (cross over Rt 9a, Albany Post Rd) and the entrance to Rt9 North will be on the right. Get on the high way and now follow the directions I have above "From South" to get to the shop. I know it sounds weird to now be south of us, but trust me this is the easiest way to get to the shop.
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04/09/07 |
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01/16/07 |
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01/14/06 |
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