Breakaway Event in Ashland, Oregon hosted the longest and most demanding
race in Oregon. The course was fast and flowy with some wicked peddling. With
over 5,000 vertical feet of descending, the 12-mile Super D event attracted
some of the greatest riders to Oregon.
Giant's Adam Craig--this country's Super D specialist took top honors in the men's Pro race, with Subaru Gary Fisher Pro Willow Koerber sewing up the Female victory. With the chains removed, however, the Super D became an entirely diferent animal. Myles Rockwell came out of hibernation to win the no-pedal race and
Myles Rockwell--still the master--won the chainless race
The weather varied as much as the terrain featuring fog, rain and blue skies.
The unique weather found some riders choosing different gear, like cross country
helmets and full goggles. The course beckoned to find out how fast racers were
willing to go with a mix of fire roads and tight single track. Within just a few
minutes of the start, the athletes were treated to a lung burning climb.
Some of our favorite athletes had less than perfect luck with both Kirt Vories and
Eric Carter having flat tire issues. Local hero and overall favorite, Nathan Riddle
scorched the course only to catch a tree mid-air to end his epic run in a glorious
crash.
Willow Koerber loved the chainless descent (3rd place) and smoked the Super D.
Willow Koerber combined her fitness and riding skills to win the Pro Women
catagory. Willow said, “The riding was an absolute blast. I had so much fun that I
had to laugh at times as the weekend provided pure mountain bike enjoyment.”
This year’s event also featured the first Avid Chainless Challenge! Before the
start line, SRAM staff graciously removed the chain, but returned them post race
along with a brand new SRAM chain. Contestants left at 2 minute intervals down
the 3 miles course completely chainless. The combination of rolling fire roads
and single track required smooth handling and precision braking in order to be
fast.
A few hundred yards after the start line, racers entered the Avid Speed Zone
where they were clocked by radar gun for fastest times. Both Pro Men and
Amateur men clocked a top speed of 33 mph. Pro Women and Amateur Women
clocked a top speed of 29.
Myles Rockwell won the Pro Men Chainless Challenge. Rockwell enjoyed the
event and said, “It was refreshing to come race within such a great community of
riders and in a town that embraces the outdoor enthusiast.”
For more details on the Ashland Super D, the Avid Chainless Challenge, and future
SRAM fun, check out
www.dirttales.com.
Myles--back in action
RESULTS:
Pro Men Super D
1 Adam Craig - Giant
2 Jason Moeshler - WTB
3 Sam Koerber - Gary Fisher 29r Team
Pro Women Super D
1 Willow Koerber - Subaru Gary Fisher
SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ
2 Sharon Hill
3 Jamie Stamps
Pro Men Chainless Challenge
1 Myles Rockwell - Giant-Troy Lee
SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ
2 Nathan Riddle - Fluidride
SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ
3 Jaren Hobbs
Pro Women Chainless Challenge
1 Dawn Lambert
2 Chelsey Stevens
3 Willow Koerber - Subaru Gary Fisher
SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ
for more results, see www.breakaway-events.net