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Cascadia Dirt Cup Race 5 Recap: North Mountain, Darrington, WA
By Race Cascadia,
24 days ago
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.
Eric Olsen was the first to drop stage one, Jackpot. Photo by Heather Carter
Photo&colon Heather Carter
Meg Alexandra, 4th place Pro Woman, slaying the Pro Line on Jackpot. Looking fierce!
Photo&colon Heather Carter
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.
Jaren Martinsen, 2nd place Jr Expert 17-18.
Photo&colon Heather Carter
Teo Gray, Winner of the Jr Expert 13-14 category.
Photo&colon Heather Carter
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.
Micah Saugen on stage 2, Out of the Blue. This trail is 4 miles long and was split into two stages.
Photo Brandon Clarke
Alyssa Grass, 1st place Sport U13.
Photo&colon Brandon Clarke
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.
Adeline Dishman, your 2nd place Pro Woman. She is only 14 years old! Keep an eye on this fast youngster, she's going places!
Photo&colon Heather Carter
Hailing from Idaho and repping CDA Bike Co, Shaun Webby!
Photo&colon Heather Carter
E-bike racer, Robert Swayze, styling the big jump on Showcase Showdown. Whipping an e-bike has to be tough.
Photo&colon Heather Carter
The same jump from another angle. What a magical place!
Photo&colon Heather Carter
There were some steep climbs to manage, on the fire roads.
Photo&colon Brandon Clarke
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.
Photo&colon Heather Carter
Womens Pro Podium
Photo&colon Heather Carter
Mens Pro Podium
Photo&colon Heather Carter
JR Expert Boys, 17-18.
Photo&colon Heather Carter
Jr Expert Girls
Photo&colon Heather Carter
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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