current radar (looks like it'll pass soon). if there are any low sections of trail that collect water or if there's a legit soaking (not a...
current radar (looks like it'll pass soon). if there are any low sections of trail that collect water or if there's a legit soaking (not a downpour that runs off), that soil is nothing but unrideable peanut butter. hope it doesn't come to that for race days.
A bit of rain in the forecast for Whistler during the race window. The GFS for our area is notoriously wetter than reality, so I'll be waiting until I see it on the NAM before I believe it, but a bit of moisture looks to be in the cards. (15mm is about half an inch in freedom units)
current radar (looks like it'll pass soon). if there are any low sections of trail that collect water or if there's a legit soaking (not a...
current radar (looks like it'll pass soon). if there are any low sections of trail that collect water or if there's a legit soaking (not a downpour that runs off), that soil is nothing but unrideable peanut butter. hope it doesn't come to that for race days.
Chatted with one of Finn’s neighbors yesterday. Big goal is winning next weekend (which I’m sure is the same for a lot of other riders), but seems like he’s in the clear after that injury
So back to the XC World cup in Utah...yeah, wow. Watch it. Spoiler alert: It's awesome. But I'm a bit partial. It's cool to see the top riders on terrain I can actually relate to. Sage brush and pine trees, and that dirt (I can actually smell it, yeah, I'm a nerd, aren't we all?). So familiar! Compared to what they're doing in Euroland. For once I feel like i can relate. Never once have I watched a WC XC race and be like, "yeah, I'd hit that". HA. I'd hit that. Just not 9 laps of it. :D And really, it is/was tight racing. and cool terrain.
So back to the XC World cup in Utah...yeah, wow. Watch it. Spoiler alert: It's awesome. But I'm a bit partial. It's cool to see the...
So back to the XC World cup in Utah...yeah, wow. Watch it. Spoiler alert: It's awesome. But I'm a bit partial. It's cool to see the top riders on terrain I can actually relate to. Sage brush and pine trees, and that dirt (I can actually smell it, yeah, I'm a nerd, aren't we all?). So familiar! Compared to what they're doing in Euroland. For once I feel like i can relate. Never once have I watched a WC XC race and be like, "yeah, I'd hit that". HA. I'd hit that. Just not 9 laps of it. :D And really, it is/was tight racing. and cool terrain.
Agreed.
I watched a course preview and thought it was a pretty cool track!
I watched a course preview and thought it was a pretty cool track!
I watched the entire men's race yesterday. It was pretty fantastic. I hate to say it, because I love DH soooo much more than XC on a personal level, but XC is a more natural, and (please don't hate me) better, television product than DH.
As for the race itself, I was really hoping to see Bjorn Riley push to the front in the last couple of laps, but he did serious work to finish as high as he did after his misfortune in XCC on Friday. It would have been amazing to see him get his first XCO win on home soil. Blevins didn't do him any favors with the pace he set on the first couple of laps, though. Bridging through to the lead group was a hell of an effort from Bjorn.s
Idk driving past park city, deer valley, or the looming mount timpanogos, just to watch a mountain bike race lapping around a golf course is kinda a letdown
Wait, wut? There was golf there too?! Ha. We're totally going now!
I hear ya. We pass by all kinds of epic places to get to the other epic places all the epic times. Then the UCI steps in. And it's not so epic. Ask Angel Fire or Vail. But shh they're still epic. Keep it on the downlow
Having ridden the old track countless times growing up in Utah and seeing the new 2026 version, I don’t think it’s truly WC standard. If they were...
Having ridden the old track countless times growing up in Utah and seeing the new 2026 version, I don’t think it’s truly WC standard.
If they were ever to race it as a WC, they would need to make some decent mods.
Word is that DV needs to get a grant from the state of UT to hold a World Cup to justify the expense. This may be more more likely in years to come with MIDA and the new base area... DV won't foot the bill to the UCI alone but the UCI has requested Alterra/DV hold an event
Idk driving past park city, deer valley, or the looming mount timpanogos, just to watch a mountain bike race lapping around a golf course is kinda...
Idk driving past park city, deer valley, or the looming mount timpanogos, just to watch a mountain bike race lapping around a golf course is kinda a letdown
That’s the thing about xc racing. What makes a good course for tv/spectators is actually kind of the opposite of what makes for a good xc ride.
One of the better courses for spectating was snowshoe just because how easy it was to get around the whole track because they used maybe a third of the mountains elevation on one side.
It’s just one of those things where the racing format is really limited when you got people on foot who are supposed to spectate the course and hopefully be able to get back to and cram into the finish area to see the winner cross the line and subsequent celebration.
As much as I’d love to see the results of xc races with crazy courses in wild locales I’m not sure that would make for a product compatible with an Olympic sport.
That’s the thing about xc racing. What makes a good course for tv/spectators is actually kind of the opposite of what makes for a good xc...
That’s the thing about xc racing. What makes a good course for tv/spectators is actually kind of the opposite of what makes for a good xc ride.
One of the better courses for spectating was snowshoe just because how easy it was to get around the whole track because they used maybe a third of the mountains elevation on one side.
It’s just one of those things where the racing format is really limited when you got people on foot who are supposed to spectate the course and hopefully be able to get back to and cram into the finish area to see the winner cross the line and subsequent celebration.
As much as I’d love to see the results of xc races with crazy courses in wild locales I’m not sure that would make for a product compatible with an Olympic sport.
I was at SnowShoe in 2021. What made the XC spectating so good there is that you could watch the racers ride past, walk less than 100 yards, and watch them ride past again, walk 50 yards, watch them ride past again.... rinse and repeat, since the course was like the outline of an octopus and kept coming back to the summit
Yeah he’s said so himself. He’s been riding Whistler and cypress the past couple weeks
I hope Finn appreciates having the legendary Nico V with him...i'd like to think the unlock this year for Finn has been having Nico in his corner. No one knows the recipe for winning DH more than Nico. Smart move from Specialized having him on board.
That’s the thing about xc racing. What makes a good course for tv/spectators is actually kind of the opposite of what makes for a good xc...
That’s the thing about xc racing. What makes a good course for tv/spectators is actually kind of the opposite of what makes for a good xc ride.
One of the better courses for spectating was snowshoe just because how easy it was to get around the whole track because they used maybe a third of the mountains elevation on one side.
It’s just one of those things where the racing format is really limited when you got people on foot who are supposed to spectate the course and hopefully be able to get back to and cram into the finish area to see the winner cross the line and subsequent celebration.
As much as I’d love to see the results of xc races with crazy courses in wild locales I’m not sure that would make for a product compatible with an Olympic sport.
I was at SnowShoe in 2021. What made the XC spectating so good there is that you could watch the racers ride past, walk less than...
I was at SnowShoe in 2021. What made the XC spectating so good there is that you could watch the racers ride past, walk less than 100 yards, and watch them ride past again, walk 50 yards, watch them ride past again.... rinse and repeat, since the course was like the outline of an octopus and kept coming back to the summit
agreed-was also there and dgaf about xc but it was a great watch and the ability to move around the course was great! love that they incorporated a bit of the janky top part into a regular-use trail (rooty pebbles).
Psst. NSMB as an article up from walking the Hardline track a few weeks ago.
Psst. NSMB as an article up from walking the Hardline track a few weeks ago.
That is terrifying.
I know a guy on the build team and apparently Gee and Dan have been saying this will be the hardest Hardline track so far. After that article, I'm inclined to agree. There is going to be some carnage. Sheesh...
That is terrifying. I know a guy on the build team and apparently Gee and Dan have been saying this will be the hardest Hardline track so...
That is terrifying.
I know a guy on the build team and apparently Gee and Dan have been saying this will be the hardest Hardline track so far. After that article, I'm inclined to agree. There is going to be some carnage. Sheesh...
That looks insane. It also looks like any significant rain could make the course an unrideable death trap with all those off camber granite slabs(We can't ride when its wet in a lot CO don't bully me if I'm wrong). It'll be curious to see what the weather does and if the organizers have a contingency plan after Tasmania this year. Definitely hoping we don't go 0/2 for Hardlines this year.
Can anybody be confirm they’re helicoptering in dirt to make track features because “there isn’t any dirt up there” 😳 also heard there are skinnies on course. Will be wild either way!
Can anybody be confirm they’re helicoptering in dirt to make track features because “there isn’t any dirt up there” 😳 also heard there are skinnies on...
Can anybody be confirm they’re helicoptering in dirt to make track features because “there isn’t any dirt up there” 😳 also heard there are skinnies on course. Will be wild either way!
I’m sure they’ll claim “homage to North Shore” but Athertons are weirdos and should not be in charge anymore lol
could absolutely see needing to bring dirt in for berms and landings…insane!
That explains why there were a bunch of team performance coaches jumping up and down next to the puddles.
Live update:
Starting to rain
Tarmac getting slick
A bit of rain in the forecast for Whistler during the race window. The GFS for our area is notoriously wetter than reality, so I'll be waiting until I see it on the NAM before I believe it, but a bit of moisture looks to be in the cards. (15mm is about half an inch in freedom units)
Whistler World Cup DH: The Track Is WAY Harder Than Expected
Closer look at the Whistler Track & changes for next weekend.
Plz explain. I’ve tried commas anywhere they’d fit and it’s still about getting pounded in the car.
Thank you both.
Looks like Finn is back...
Yeah he’s said so himself. He’s been riding Whistler and cypress the past couple weeks
Wonderful wonderful news. Can't wait for race day.
Chatted with one of Finn’s neighbors yesterday. Big goal is winning next weekend (which I’m sure is the same for a lot of other riders), but seems like he’s in the clear after that injury
Norco team riders will be having a signing session in Vancouver tomorrow (Monday, Sept. 21) if anyone's in the area.
So back to the XC World cup in Utah...yeah, wow. Watch it. Spoiler alert: It's awesome. But I'm a bit partial. It's cool to see the top riders on terrain I can actually relate to. Sage brush and pine trees, and that dirt (I can actually smell it, yeah, I'm a nerd, aren't we all?). So familiar! Compared to what they're doing in Euroland. For once I feel like i can relate. Never once have I watched a WC XC race and be like, "yeah, I'd hit that". HA. I'd hit that. Just not 9 laps of it. :D And really, it is/was tight racing. and cool terrain.
Agreed.
I watched a course preview and thought it was a pretty cool track!
I watched the entire men's race yesterday. It was pretty fantastic. I hate to say it, because I love DH soooo much more than XC on a personal level, but XC is a more natural, and (please don't hate me) better, television product than DH.
As for the race itself, I was really hoping to see Bjorn Riley push to the front in the last couple of laps, but he did serious work to finish as high as he did after his misfortune in XCC on Friday. It would have been amazing to see him get his first XCO win on home soil. Blevins didn't do him any favors with the pace he set on the first couple of laps, though. Bridging through to the lead group was a hell of an effort from Bjorn.s
Idk driving past park city, deer valley, or the looming mount timpanogos, just to watch a mountain bike race lapping around a golf course is kinda a letdown
Wait, wut? There was golf there too?! Ha. We're totally going now!
I hear ya. We pass by all kinds of epic places to get to the other epic places all the epic times. Then the UCI steps in. And it's not so epic. Ask Angel Fire or Vail. But shh they're still epic. Keep it on the downlow
It was fun seeing the cowboys there at least.
Frustration with the geographic location aside, it was a great event, the event workers and staff did a great job.
Word is that DV needs to get a grant from the state of UT to hold a World Cup to justify the expense. This may be more more likely in years to come with MIDA and the new base area... DV won't foot the bill to the UCI alone but the UCI has requested Alterra/DV hold an event
That’s the thing about xc racing. What makes a good course for tv/spectators is actually kind of the opposite of what makes for a good xc ride.
One of the better courses for spectating was snowshoe just because how easy it was to get around the whole track because they used maybe a third of the mountains elevation on one side.
It’s just one of those things where the racing format is really limited when you got people on foot who are supposed to spectate the course and hopefully be able to get back to and cram into the finish area to see the winner cross the line and subsequent celebration.
As much as I’d love to see the results of xc races with crazy courses in wild locales I’m not sure that would make for a product compatible with an Olympic sport.
I was at SnowShoe in 2021. What made the XC spectating so good there is that you could watch the racers ride past, walk less than 100 yards, and watch them ride past again, walk 50 yards, watch them ride past again.... rinse and repeat, since the course was like the outline of an octopus and kept coming back to the summit
I hope Finn appreciates having the legendary Nico V with him...i'd like to think the unlock this year for Finn has been having Nico in his corner. No one knows the recipe for winning DH more than Nico. Smart move from Specialized having him on board.
agreed-was also there and dgaf about xc but it was a great watch and the ability to move around the course was great! love that they incorporated a bit of the janky top part into a regular-use trail (rooty pebbles).
started a whistler world cup thread here - https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/2026-whistler-world-cup-downhill
Psst. NSMB as an article up from walking the Hardline track a few weeks ago.
That is terrifying.
I know a guy on the build team and apparently Gee and Dan have been saying this will be the hardest Hardline track so far. After that article, I'm inclined to agree. There is going to be some carnage. Sheesh...
That looks insane. It also looks like any significant rain could make the course an unrideable death trap with all those off camber granite slabs(We can't ride when its wet in a lot CO don't bully me if I'm wrong). It'll be curious to see what the weather does and if the organizers have a contingency plan after Tasmania this year. Definitely hoping we don't go 0/2 for Hardlines this year.
Can anybody be confirm they’re helicoptering in dirt to make track features because “there isn’t any dirt up there” 😳 also heard there are skinnies on course. Will be wild either way!
Most of the rock in that area truly gets slightly grippier when the dust or dirt has been washed from it. Granite I think.
Got some moss but fresh bare rock is predictable and solid.
I’m sure they’ll claim “homage to North Shore” but Athertons are weirdos and should not be in charge anymore lol
could absolutely see needing to bring dirt in for berms and landings…insane!
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