2014 Arizona MTB Series Wraps up in Flagstaff

May 20th, 2014 9:57am

Arizona Mountain Bike Race Season is in the Books.

Arizona wrapped up it’s Mountain Bike state points championship this weekend in Flagstaff. The seventh and final round took place inside the Coconino forest in  perfect temperatures. There were quite a few state champ titles to be decided coming into the last round.

A solid turnout over over 300 racers got to sample a good ol fashion mountain bike course with plenty of rocky terrain, some sustained climbing and bomber single track descending to complete the single loop courses.

Flagstaff always hosts a legit course and the altitude gives the locals a bit of an advantage, but with a series that literally races in every corner of the state, they too had travel to keep in the points hunt.

It was great to see so many out of state riders come down for their early season tune ups. As Arizona winds down its race season, the rest of the country is just coming out of the thaw so this race allowed them to see what there winter training had done for them.

Durango, Colorado had quite a strong turnout for the event with riders in many categories. They brought their good lungs and great attitudes - which is why Durango is such a rocking town too. But I am digressing.

Durango riders always bring the good attitudes and lungs

The MBAA series has seem quite a good resurgence this year thanks to lots of hard work by the board. They even added several new venues to the series which really helped keep it fresh. But the boon came with the addition of the Arizona High School Series kicking off last year with such great success. Those riders are now competing in the MBAA series and the classes are awesome. The enjoyment in the kids faces is amazing and their enthusiasm is bringing back their parents to ride too. It is awesome to see families doing outdoor activities again!

Full Results for the entire day, each race and for the series can be found at www.mbaa.net/results/

Photos of the XC racing action can be found at http://clutch-photo.smugmug.com

Sunday Super D

Let the fun begin - On Sunday a Super D was held to raise money for the Flagstaff Biking Organization, a local non-profit works tirelessly with the local government and Forestry service to maintain trails and build new ones. They also work with local government to make Flagstaff such a bike friendly city - which it exemplifies.

The format was a best of two runs down a twisty bit of single track used for many XC races. while it may seem a bit week for a Super D, but doing any trail fully pinned makes it comes alive. This was one of those. Enough rocks to keep you honest, and two small but very painful climbs at the end. After going wide open for 11-12 minutes then hitting the two small climbs, they feel like a wall.

The winning time was by Austin Smith (who I found out later manages Revolution cycles in town) crushed the field including yours truly. But since he is half my age and a local I think I deserved the handicapped win. In true old guy fashion I tried to slow him down afterwards with a celebratory barely pop - but all it did for me is make a friend... oh well..and it all went to a great cause.

I really hope to see a few more Super D races pop up in the state next year. Until then enjoy the photos..

TJ Woodruff won the pro men handily. TJ is in some of the best shape of his life and it shows.

Chloe Woodruff (yes Mrs TJ) race pro men and finished a solid 4th. Chloe is also in tip top form coming off her win at the Whiskey 50.
Can you imagine how fast their kids will be?

Matt Connors of DNA Cycles - chasing the leaders up Schultz Creek Trail

This modern fitness rider is so fit he rides with his eyes closed or needs more red meat.

The rock garden on Schultz Creek is a tough little section that will take your momentum if you miss the line.

Mike Whitehead, picking his way through the garden.

Pushing a big geared single speed with really comfortable wide bars made the rock garden tougher. This guys legs were shot but he

still showed up the next day to race Super D on the same Rig. Tough

Balance and momentum are your friend in the Rock garden. This guy is going slower than he wants.

Fats tires or not, it still isn't an easy section.

Once you navigated the climbing it was all down hill railing with whatever you had left.

This what a pro looks like railing turns with big rocks at the exit. TJ Woodruff closing in on the last couple of miles.

The payoff for all the hard work is a fun line home.

All the pictures of Pro, Cat 1, Cat 2, Single Speeders with a smidge of Marathoners can be found at Clutch Photography

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