The Stephen Porraro Memorial Race and Ride, July 2&3 2011

The Stephen Porraro Memorial Race and Ride
Plattekill Bike Park
July 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2011

Plattekill Mountain and the Eastern States Cup are honored to be hosting the memorial race for one of East Coast’s most dedicated riders, Stephen Porraro. The ESC race July 2nd & 3rd is dedicated to the 38 year old 2008 Masters Downhill National Champion. Steve passed away suddenly March 5, 2011.

Stephen Porraro was a lifetime cyclist. He first started working on bikes at the age of five. Stephen rode freestyle BMX as a teenager, raced mountain bikes starting in 1992 and passed away on his final road ride March 5th. Steve’s life was immersed in the joy of riding and sharing it with others.

Stephen began racing XC in 1992 under the guidance of RVCC and Bob Holderith, who was promoting the Grundig World Cup at Hunter Mountain, at the time. After winning the beginners race at Mount Snow in 1994 he quickly moved up the ranks to the semi-pro class earning a number of podiums and titles in XC, DH and CX along the way. He also traveled the NORBA National circuit from 1998 to 2003.

In between racing and training Stephen kept busy building and maintaining trails. In 2004 and 2005 he served as trail boss at his favorite US resort, Plattekill Bike Park, where he crafted some of the mountains most exhilarating and challenging race courses. Those great trails still enjoyed by rider’s at the resort.

After a brief respite in 2005 and 2006, he returned to racing with a goal of winning that elusive National DH Champ title. In 2008 Stephen won the Whiteface 5K, earned a silver medal at Windham and achieved his dream winning the Masters National Downhill Championships that same year.

The impressive number of podiums and championships he’s earned throughout his racing career pale in comparison to Stephen’s relentless generosity. It was common to find Stephen helping other racers right up to his own start time. Whether for a complete stranger, an opponent or teammate, the master mechanic and bike design consultant was always willing to help out regardless of it affecting his own race.

More recently as Stephen’s focus shifted from racing, he directed his efforts on trail building at the local Ulster County trails. He was in the process of opening a training and instruction business with his dearest friend and longtime riding partner Kathi Krause.

Kathi attributes her strong technical skills to her beloved friend who she could rely on for anything and everything on and off the bike. “I met Stephen in 1992 or ’93 when I started to race XC after years of road racing. I was referred to him for help with single-track and technical stuff. We hit it off right away because we had similar goals. We were both strong XC riders but wanted to race DH more than anything, even though DH races were few and far between back then.” The unique bond they shared carried the two through some extraordinary times.

Please come celebrate the life of Stephen Porraro and his contributions to the east coast mountain bike scene July 2nd and 3rd. Bring your favorite stories and memories for the campfire Saturday night and share in the moment of silence to be held in his honor before the pro race Sunday morning.
Stephen R Porraro,
July 27, 1972 - March 5, 2011

Schedule:
Saturday 9-5
Sunday 8-5 – Race 11
Monday 10-5

plattekill.com
easternstatescup.com