Downhill Rockies: Pajarito Race Recap

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All Media by: Ben Jacob

The second stop of the Downhill Rockies at Pajarito Bike Park will remain fresh in the memories of all in attendance for years to come. As advertised, the mountain holds many of the Central US's most technical trails and for those that had never been to this sleepy mountain had an eye opening first lap of practice. The tracks are so steep and technical that we had to race 3 different courses to keep things as safe as possible. Pros, Cat 1, and Single Crown Open all tackled the "Breaking Bad" track. When the DHR crew arrived in Los Alamos and scoped the track, we immediately went into trail maintenance mode. The tread path was narrow and the B zones would have given Amaury Pierron a stroke. The squad spent 3 days and 30 hours on the track and it was looking as good as the day it was cut in. Thus, the stage was set for a weekend of authentic/hand built DH racing. The rise of #USDH continues....

The highlights:

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DH kits are so hawt right now. Beats a fanny pack and sun glasses under a lego full face helmet no? ;)

Conditions were of the nightmare variety. The track was seldomly the same for riders each lap causing many to give up on a plan and ride it as it came. Dirt naps were abundant throughout the weekend. Ben Jacob — Conditions were of the nightmare variety. The track was seldomly the same for riders each lap causing many to give up on a plan and ride it as it came. Dirt naps were abundant throughout the weekend.

The tracks at Pajarito bike park are some of the steepest in the nation. Just ask anyone who visits the "little bird". Riders looking for a place to train for big races, look no further.

Forrest Cole was smashing the steep technical segments of the course and had one of the fastest splits through the wooded section that many riders dreaded. Two podiums for the Purgatory Patrol rider. Ben Jacob — Forrest Cole was smashing the steep technical segments of the course and had one of the fastest splits through the wooded section that many riders dreaded. Two podiums for the Purgatory Patrol rider.

Bethany Sprinkle narrowly moves around on of the many trees that were at the bottom of steep chutes. The Paja local put in an amazing run to win the Women's Pro category. Ben Jacob — Bethany Sprinkle narrowly moves around on of the many trees that were at the bottom of steep chutes. The Paja local put in an amazing run to win the Women's Pro category.

Jamo Lee getting down with style. Despite a full on wad up he still was able to get on the podium in the Ultra fast 14-17 Cat 1 group. Ben Jacob — Jamo Lee getting down with style. Despite a full on wad up he still was able to get on the podium in the Ultra fast 14-17 Cat 1 group.

The start of the Cat 2 track, Dog Patch, got in the heads of many racers. What a way to start a DH race!

The 10 and under Cat 2 class had their own track to race and the Aspenola Flow trail was responsible for many smiles. The winner was said to have called upon his inner Shawn Palmer. The attire confirms this to be true. Spencer Perkel sporting it well. — The 10 and under Cat 2 class had their own track to race and the Aspenola Flow trail was responsible for many smiles. The winner was said to have called upon his inner Shaun Palmer. The attire confirms this to be true. Spencer Perkel sporting it well.

The Cat 1 14-17 class is always one of the most competitive. Kade Steimel just edged out Bailyn Gasper for the win and top spot on the podium.

The men's pro podium. Braedyn Davis was heckled by his buddies to turn pro at this race. Not a bad decision as he set a smoke show of a time and won the day for the Trestle Gravity Team Ben Jacob — The men's pro podium. Braedyn Davis was heckled by his buddies to turn pro at this race. Not a bad decision as he set a smoke show of a time and won the day for the Trestle Gravity Team.

The views from Pajarito will surprise any visitor on the mountain.

This week the Downhill Rockies descends upon Crested Butte, Colorado to reunite the valley with proper Downhill Racing. Info and sign ups available here: www.trailparty.com/crested-butte-dhr-23

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