Cascadia Dirt Cup Race 5 Recap: North Mountain, Darrington, WA

Last weekend, the Cascadia Dirt Cup held its fifth race of the season in the rugged terrain of North Mountain in Darrington, WA. After taking a hiatus from the venue in 2023, we are back for more this year! Known for its breathtaking views of the North Cascades and challenging tech trails, Darrington did not disappoint as racers took on the largest course of the season, which culminated with an (untimed) 4+ mile road bomb down the shuttle road back to the venue.

Originally, the Pro/Expert course was set to feature over 7,000 feet of elevation gain, a daunting challenge for even the most seasoned riders. However, organizers made a last-minute decision to remove part of a stage. This adjustment brought the elevation gain down to a still-challenging 6,400 feet, ensuring the race remained tough but more manageable. Even the Sport class riders had to conquer over 4,000 feet of climbing, making just finishing the course an achievement in itself.

Typically a two-day event with adults racing on Saturday and Youth racing on Sunday, this year's race saw a change in format. The entire event was consolidated into a single day, with all races held on Saturday.

The weather was picture-perfect for mountain biking, with temperatures around 75 degrees and mostly sunny skies. The last race we had here was 96 degrees, for comparison! Trail conditions were dry but still decent, adding an extra element of excitement to the race. Darrington's trails are known for their technical, gnarly features, and is steeper than the other venues in the series.

Racers spent 6 to 8 hours in the saddle, making it a truly challenging day on the bike. Everyone should be proud of themselves for conquering this incredible feat!

The race wrapped up by 5:30 PM, and the podium ceremonies took place at Moe's in Darrington. In the Pro Men's category, Andrew Cavaye clinched first place, followed by Lucas Frazier in second, Wells Tanner in third, Callen Scholberg in 4th, and Eric Olsen in 5th. For the Pro Women’s field, Ingrid Larouche snagged 1st place, followed by youngster Adeline Dishman less than a minute behind Larouche, with Bekah Rottenberg in third, Meg Alexandra in 4th , and Ursula Casey taking 5th place.

Darrington's race was a testament to the grit and determination of all participants! The challenging course, combined with the stunning backdrop of the North Cascades, made for an unforgettable experience for riders and spectators alike. As the series progresses, competitors eagerly anticipate the next test of skill and endurance on the Cascadia Dirt Cup circuit. The final CDC race of the season will be held near Seattle at Tiger Mountain on September 14-15th, 2024, and you can register for it here.

We also have the annual Capitol Forest Summer Classic coming up next weekend! A three day event this year, the Super D on Friday evening, XC racing on Saturday, and the Enduro on Sunday. Come party with us in Olympia! More info here.

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Words: Heather Carter for the CDC