Posted Oct. 28, 2003
Stanford Screamin' Steep (not) Downhill

Collegiate and NORBA racers got their share of pedaling and rocks at the Stanford "Screamin' Steep" (not) downhill at Santa Teresa Park on Sunday.

The Rocky Ridge Trail hauls ass from the top to the bottom of the park. It's flowy, hardpacked and rock-pocked, but not steep. For the most part, you just pedal your brains out and stay on the trail, but an extended rock section keeps you on your toes and offers some fun lines. I hung out here all day taking photos and critiquing everything from line choice to riding form.

Photo gallery by Michael Hawk Photography (prints available for purchase)


Of note:
  • Curtis Keene (WTB, Fox Forx) rolled a 4:16, the fastest time of the day. (He's lucky I'm broken; I ran a 4:25 in '01 and I think could have run a 4:10 on Sunday. Whoo yeah, bring it on!)
  • Lane Gonzales (CPSLO) ran a 4:25 for the fastest collegiate time, with SanJo honch Curtis Beavers (CPSLO) just a second back.
  • Tenille Smith (Stanford) destroyed the women's field with a 5:17.
  • Richard Gonsalves (John Paul Mitchell Systems) barely hovered above the bottom third of Sport men with a 5:31, but he looked damn good doing it.

  • Full results




    Race line!
    In the rock section, the main line meanders among some pretty serious outcroppings. Almost everyone dutifully slalomed the section, but a few creative thinkers and confident riders followed the crows straight over the rocks.

    The main line requires five turns. The race line requires ... uh ... zero turns. When we timed it in '01, the race line was .5 second faster than the main line. On a pedal fest like this course, the half second might not make much difference, but it's there if you have the gumption.

    Dr. Keene performs the operation.

    You don't need suspension, or even a synthetic shirt, to straighten things out.




    Attack of the killer groms
    John Hauer and Taylor Calvert (in red t-shirt) kill it at the Calabasas jumps, and they apparently handle themselves fine on trails. Look at their brake levers in these photos, and check out which fingers they're using -- none of them. Right on.






    Hecka photos!
    Michael Hawk got shots of everybody, and they're all good. Check out his gallery. I spent a lot of time hanging out with Michael on the course. He's a good man. If you like one of his shots, buy a print or five.




    Some of my favorite photos

    Check out the reflection in her glasses. Go Humboldt (my alma mater)!

    Billo O, man on a hardtail mission. This guy kicked cancer in the ass, and I doubt any race course will worry him.

    Scott Schlachter (Team Wrong Way) charges to a fast 4:40. Eye of the tiger!

    Curtis of the Beavers cruises the bottom of the course.

    Wayne Beavers, oldest racer of the day and co-creator of the Curtis Beavers, on his way to a happily crash-free run.

    Tenille Smith (Stanford) was KILLING it. She's strong, aggressive and all that. She did similar damage at the Cal state race at Northstar.

    Rich Davis, a fast old fart running a 4:51. He looked so smooth through the rocks. Eventually I'll be racing him. Yikes.

    Cross country guys know how to get the job done.

    Fun!



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