Vital's B Practice Podcast - 2023 U.S. National Champs 5

Dakotah Norton, Jason Schroeder, and Tanner Stephens break down the 2023 National Championships from Rock Creek, North Carolina.

Jason_Schroeder
7/19/2023 11:52am
BpracticeNats

After the first stint of World Cup racing this year, we were overdue for a little #USDH coverage! Last weekend, the 2023 Gravity National Championships took place from Ride Rock Creek, North Carolina. Another bike park built by Neko Mulally and crew, the first time Nat Champs venue delivered quality tracks for downhill, slalom, and enduro racing. 

As always, Dakotah Norton brings you between the tape to break down his weekend, the track, and the current state of #USDH. Tanner Stephens and Jason Schroeder feed the questions, and the crew covers the rise and dominance of Asa Vermette, Rock Creek’s World Cup-caliber DH track, the cost of racing USNats, first-time National Champions, why you should book a trip to Morzine, and why Dak was an hour late to record this episode. Enjoy!

 

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5 comments

View replies to: Vital's B Practice Podcast - 2023 U.S. National Champs

c50 head DERT copy 1512154692
human powered suicide machine
1 year ago

You guys forgot to mention the Enduro race (that had some good stages) and Asa Vermette the future of US gravity and already our Us Enduro Champion.

Also, the usual sub-performance of USAC trying to get the schedule and timing together like if it was their first event! ;-)

I love DH but it would be cool to hype more US Enduro and DS!

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bizutch
1 year ago

I can fully confirm the Junior X send/sketch strategy!

That pole I marshalled at was just fine and dandy until that pimple faced train of anarchy came through. 
They all tested the limits of traction & huckability.

 
Really regret not setting my GoPro up there. Side saddle down the f-ing rocks off into the woods. Launching to nose vert landers and riding it out.  One HIT the tree at the base of the drop, grenaded, women screamed in horror & he just reassembled like a Transformer and ran his bike up the bank.

Honestly worst class to watch was Cat 1 19-29.  Nothing spells carnage like bros fresh out of puberty, chip on their shoulders, no commitment to health care & $8k in self funded dreams of a Pro Card!  


19-29 was like 4th of July on a boat dock in Jersey!!!
Explosions
Grown men pissing themselves
Cursing
Bro-speak
Muddy backs
A midget dressed like Elizabeth Taylor!

 

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bizutch
1 year ago

I was sort of bringing a guy up to speed on how the categories work, what to expect, etc. I felt mean saying:
"Cat 1 19-29...they're usually the slowest Cat 1 class."
He's like "Huh?"
I thought for a sec & said: "Well, if you're not posting pro times by the time you're in Junior X, you're either new to the sport or you're not gonna be pro"
Went on to say "But they will absolutely die trying!"
Then I say "Cat 1 30+ is usually the fastest Cat 1 behind Junior X. It's all the pros or old timers who dropped down once they turned 30 & weren't getting top 20 or when they did away with Semi-Pro."
 

1
c50 head DERT copy 1512154692
human powered suicide machine
1 year ago

Actually, the 40+ is usually the fastest or the most challenging and stacked class. In the 30s people have to deal with jobs, young kids, or if they are fast enough they could still race pro.
40+ has plenty of old glories or dads committed to go fast, usually the 40+ have older kids or have managed to find time and money to go race..
It's often the largest cat 1 class. I have seen that in DH, Enduro, XC or gravel. 

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