{"id":2256,"date":"2015-06-08T09:01:45","date_gmt":"2015-06-08T13:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=2256"},"modified":"2015-06-22T12:21:13","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T16:21:13","slug":"eastern-states-cup-enduro-at-blue-mountain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=2256","title":{"rendered":"Eastern States Cup Enduro at Blue Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"

You never know when you are going to experience a family emergency that’s why they call them emergencies. Unfortunately I experienced a situation the day before heading to Blue Mountain Bike Park<\/a> in Palmerton, PA for the Eastern States Cup<\/a> Enduro.
\nI won’t get into the details but everything is much better now after some quick action by everyone involved. This event rattled me a bit, mountain bike racing was the last thing on my mind and I was thinking of skipping the race. At the urging of Susan<\/a> (my wife), I wound up going just to clear my mind and see some new and old friends. <\/p>\n

Up and out the door by 5:30am I made the 2+ hour drive to Blue Mountain by 8am. I needed to register and try to get at least two runs down the mountain before race time to get the feeling of gravity back in me. I live in a relatively flat area so I don’t get to point the bike downhill too often. <\/p>\n

\"Blue-liftRide\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I love riding at Blue Mountain, there are so many challenges presented on all the trails. They have a great variety of machine-made flow trail, wooden features along with plenty of roots and rocks.
\nI was really looking forward to this one as it was an enduro that tested your skills at high-speed. We’d be racing on 5 stages that use blue and black diamond trails at Blue Mountain Bike Park. What we wound up with was loose rock and blown out trails to make things a bit more interesting on race day. <\/p>\n

\"Coming<\/a>

Coming to the finish of Stage 1 of the Eastern States Cup Enduro held at Blue Mountain Bike Park. Photo: Cheryl Muldoon<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

For my race runs I was on the brakes way too much the first two stages and never really felt comfortable. It wasn’t until after the transfer climb between stages 2 & 3 that I started to loosen up a little. I still wasn’t riding on the edge but I was OK with that, I had fun riding and seeing everyone. <\/p>\n

\"On<\/a>

On Stage 5 rolling through ‘Ewok Village’ trail. Photo: Rob Tampellini<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Results<\/h4>\n

The event wound up selling out (165 racers) which was great. I love to see the Enduro scene grow here on the east coast. George Ulmer and Steve Battaglini do a great job with the Eastern States Cup<\/a> events! Chuck Tackacs and his trail crew did a great job laying out long stages that kept you on your toes. <\/p>\n

Congratulations to my friend Dane Clay, he is and was fast on this day for our category! Not to take anything away from his effort, I wasn’t in the right mindset for racing to give him a run for the money. I wound up in third place against some stiff competition so I’ll take it given the circumstances. <\/p>\n

\"11119126_10153413605596079_149090063660216635_o\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tech Notes<\/h4>\n

I had NO mechanical issues with my bike at all. There were plenty of riders with flats on race day as Blue Mt. is known to wreck havoc on tires but my Mavic Crossmax tires<\/a> held up to the test. The Transition Bikes Scout<\/a> handled the rough terrain just fine as well! I’m really surprised at what this bike can handle. With only 125mm (4.9″) of travel in the rear you’d think you’d be limited but my Scout had no problems with the rough terrain and drops.<\/p>\n

It was interesting to ride the MRP Stage fork<\/a> (150mm) at this mountain, the terrain was the perfect test for its performance. I was really pleased at how my front wheel tracked through everything. I wound up with the right compression and ramp settings to keep the front wheel tracking consistently.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You never know when you are going to experience a family emergency that’s why they call them emergencies. Unfortunately I experienced a situation the day before heading to Blue Mountain Bike Park in Palmerton,...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2267,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[14,35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-enduro","category-races"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/BlueMtn-S5-e1434720029489.jpg?fit=1024%2C681&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1YdqL-Ao","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1732,"url":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=1732","url_meta":{"origin":2256,"position":0},"title":"8 to 8, A Day at Blue Mountain Bike Park","author":"Gerry","date":"June 15, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"This weekend I set out for Blue Mountain Bike Park in Palmerton, PA. The plan was to ride the stages for the Eastern States Cup Enduro which is being held on Sunday June 22nd. That weekend there will also be a Super D at Blue Mountain on Saturday June 21st.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Enduro"","block_context":{"text":"Enduro","link":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?cat=14"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMG_2334-e1402860020203.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMG_2334-e1402860020203.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMG_2334-e1402860020203.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMG_2334-e1402860020203.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1793,"url":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=1793","url_meta":{"origin":2256,"position":1},"title":"ESC Enduro at Blue Mountain, PA","author":"Gerry","date":"June 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"It was bound to happen sooner or later, I crashed while riding my bike. Unfortunately it was the very first stage of a 5 stage enduro that I was racing in at Blue Mountain in Palmerton, PA. I had ridden this stage a number of times the week before and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Enduro"","block_context":{"text":"Enduro","link":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?cat=14"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/10494676_10152212705787076_707915273965336439_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/10494676_10152212705787076_707915273965336439_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/10494676_10152212705787076_707915273965336439_n.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1847,"url":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=1847","url_meta":{"origin":2256,"position":2},"title":"The possibilities…","author":"Gerry","date":"June 30, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Following my race weekend crash I was thinking about what could have been. As a racer you often look back and think about how you could have changed things. Pedaled harder, picked a different line, increased or decreased tire pressure and on and on. I crashed in the very first\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Enduro"","block_context":{"text":"Enduro","link":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?cat=14"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Screen-Shot-2014-06-29-at-10.01.04-AM.png?fit=700%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Screen-Shot-2014-06-29-at-10.01.04-AM.png?fit=700%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Screen-Shot-2014-06-29-at-10.01.04-AM.png?fit=700%2C400&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Screen-Shot-2014-06-29-at-10.01.04-AM.png?fit=700%2C400&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2168,"url":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=2168","url_meta":{"origin":2256,"position":3},"title":"Going Yellow!","author":"Gerry","date":"March 3, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Well it's a new year and with that brings some changes as well as a chance to refocus and re-energize. I will be wearing the color yellow with pride this year as I've hooked up with Mavic for 2015! I'll be wearing Mavic Yellow from head to toe as well\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Enduro"","block_context":{"text":"Enduro","link":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?cat=14"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_3439-e1429023316626.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_3439-e1429023316626.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_3439-e1429023316626.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_3439-e1429023316626.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1893,"url":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=1893","url_meta":{"origin":2256,"position":4},"title":"Product review: Mavic Crossmax Enduro Wheels","author":"Gerry","date":"August 12, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"I was fortunate enough to get a set of the new Mavic Crossmax Enduro wheels this past Spring. This wheel\/tire system is SO nice! Having been a bike mech for 10yrs in the past, I was familiar with the Mavic brand and quality, it was really nice to see the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "reviews"","block_context":{"text":"reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?cat=26"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/20140428-105551-e1398696990115.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/20140428-105551-e1398696990115.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/20140428-105551-e1398696990115.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/20140428-105551-e1398696990115.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2361,"url":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?p=2361","url_meta":{"origin":2256,"position":5},"title":"Product Review: Race Face Stash Tank","author":"Gerry","date":"August 31, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"When you ride all mountain or race enduro it's imperative that you carry with you extra tools, water, inner tube(s) or whatever you think you might need so you don't wind up stuck out on the trail. Usually your choices are to have multiple water bottle cages and strap extra\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Enduro"","block_context":{"text":"Enduro","link":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/?cat=14"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_2862-2-e1440635536994.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_2862-2-e1440635536994.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_2862-2-e1440635536994.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.werideourbikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/IMG_2862-2-e1440635536994.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2256"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2302,"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2256\/revisions\/2302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.werideourbikes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}