Pro Men’s winner Colin Daw (Mike’s Bikes) heading back down University Hill.
Link to 2014 McLaren Short Track event RESULTS (with lap count times) click here.
Link to 2014 McLaren Short Track event RESULTS (with AGE/CATEGORY Information) click here.
SF Urban Riders would like to thank everyone who came out to the SF Mountain Bike Festival at McLaren Park and made it such a great time!
This year our participants were treated to perfect weather, the same challenging race course, and lots of other urban bike events like a trials competition, the RideSFO BMX Box Jump demonstration, and a cargo bike hill climb challenge sponsored by Yuba Bikes. ALL proved to be amazing spectator events, and great family entertainment for kids of all ages. Food was once again provided by our friends at the El Norteno Taco Truck, and this year BoomBotix provided the staging area sounds with their Mega-Bot Trailer.
The BoomBot mobile Retail Trailer supplied the sound! (Photo courtesy of Jason Van Horn)
Everything came together so the Beginners Men’s event could start on time, and except for a slight hiccup on the first round of podium awards, it all continued to run smoothly the rest of the day. Although attendance was slightly down from last year due to schedule conflicts with other cycling events, we still attracted hundreds of participants, and a healthy group of spectators. Each category was challenged by the courses undulating terrain, and pushed themselves to outstanding performances with only a few minor scrapes and bruises.
Men’s Sport category attacking the starting hill.
The best always waits for last, and the Pro and Expert Men did not disappoint. From the opening gun, until the final bell all participants gave it their all, with some having super-human abilities. Colin Daw (Team Mike’s Bikes) never looked back from the opening climb, while Expert Mathew Tracey-Cook (Oakland Composite Team) started in the mid-field until he decided to take control and torch the competition. The comment of the day came from the Expert field, where local legend Brad Koester was overheard exclaiming, “I was just passed by two kids who are barely 30 years old between them.”. The two riders doing the hard work were Peter Koch of the San Francisco Composite Team, and Jake Nye, just 14 years old, from Yackle Brothers Racing who came down from Reno, NV for the urban fun.Yes, we have entered a new paradigm of mountain biking, and it is young, healthy and quite fast.
The Pro Mens field put on a fast, fun show that everyone watched in amazement… they were flying 10 minute laps!
Like everything that SFUR does, it would not have been possible without the heroic effort of our Volunteers!
The SF MTB Festival requires dozens of volunteers day-of-event to insure everything from registration, to hospitality, to raffle prizes and awards. Most importantof all volunteers are the course marshall’s who keep the course clear and engage and interact with other park users to inform them of the event, and spread the good word about SFUR and biking in McLaren Park. SFUR will be looking to host another Volunteer Appreciation Party to recognize not only SF MTB volunteers, but also the many individuals who continue to volunteer as Trail Crew leaders on our local trail projects not only in McLaren Park, but also Mount Sutro, Twin Peaks, and other open spaces.
Steve Schweigerdt helping break down the McLaren Short Track course
More quality photos and stories of the 2014 SF MTB Festival can be found here:
Bermstyle Website http://www.bermstyle.com/san-francisco-mountain-bike-festival-returns-to-mclaren-park/
SF Gate Website http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/McLaren-Park-haven-for-S-F-mountain-bikers-5738545.php
Peter Verdone Designs http://www.peterverdone.com/?p=6268
CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS:
Men’s Expert podium featuring 1) Mathew Tracy-Cook, 2) Alex Kramer, 3) Patrick Minotti
Mens Expert riders pounce on the pedals at the starting line.
Peter koch of the SF Composite High School Team navigating the course in the Men’s Expert event.
Love that outfit, nothing says urban style like matching frame, helmet, shoes, and shorts!
Top of the climb, heading out on the first section of singletrack.
Last minute bike preparation for this SF Composite team rider.
Mens Sport riders battling it out for position lap after lap.
Rolling along the Philospher’s Way downhill section.
Big smiles from this Team Roaring Mouse rider in the Sport Women’s event.
A little zig-zag through the trees and ivy along the Philosopher’s Way trail.
Men’s Sport rider taking flight off a root section.
Rider down in the loose, sweeping corner. (Photo courtesy of Jason Van Horn)
Concentrating on the move.
The Trials demonstration was a new activity at this year’s event.
Not all trials moves go smoothly, but all offer a lesson to learn from.
Yes Giant Bicycles hosted another Youth Bike Raffle and gave away a few bikes!
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