PIT BITS - Eastern States Cup Thunder Mountain Bike Park 12

It's that time of year again! The first ESC Downhill kicked off last weekend with a bang. The racing was flat out and the smiles were infectious. Here are a few bits and bobs that could be seen at the base of the mountain. Enjoy!

JackRice

6/4/2019 10:05pm

Walking by the Intense pit couldn't help but notice Kyle Wolmer's classic 2003 FOES DHS Mono restoration project. Who remembers?

The ESC has added E-bike racing as its third discipline to the line-up this year. Many racers participate in both DH and Enduro, and now can add a speedy E-bike race to complete the ESC "trifecta".

...always a steady congregation at the ESC tent

Celebrity appearance by New England native Ellen Noble. The Trek Factory and Red Bull XC/CX rider took a 1st place in the Pro Women's Enduro.

Masters class shredder Mark Schneppel, with his Commencal Supreme 29er. Check out the bolts.

Slick...

One hand on the wheel, one hand on the choke...possible throttle #redneckrig

Oliver Levick's Cane-Creeked Commencal Meta

This kid smashed this puddle 10 times in 10 minutes. He had a short uphill to tackle every time before descending to get the perfect splash. "One of us, one of us, one of us!"

Santa Cruz and Danny's Cycles junior team rider, Michael Maldonado's V10 Carbon.

Heather Gray prepping her Norco Aurum before her first-ever race.

Another classic, David Boshek's 2002 Marin Wildcat Trail.

Steve Estabrook of Defiant Racing's Intense M29

The highly sought after ODI race plate and Deity BF800 bars.

Fast new addition to Danny's Cycles Racing, Steve Ceballos can enjoy a fresh, new, unscratched, Trek Session for a little while longer.

Pretty fitting for central and western Massachusetts.

Rachel Pageau with her Pivot Firebird.

Wicked ENVE bars and chromed-out Guide brakes

Whether he is herding enduro racers, or patiently answering ALL the questions of a parent bringing their kid to his or her first mountain bike race, Chris Gilbert is the man with plan. The ESC celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and people like him and George Ulmer are why this series is so successful and continues to be the plane to be every summer.