First time race at Fontana

[DHSGS661]

hey I'm thinking of riding my first race at the southridge winter series. I have a IH sgs pro freeride and I'm going to race beginner class. Do you guys have any tips or suggestions that might help? Thanxs.

[BMXman]

not really...I think you picked the right place to start. The fee's are reasonable and the course doesn't have anything to hard. Also the southridge team is very organized and treats riders with respect. The only thing I would suggest: Only race beginner if you're a true beginner to riding. If you have been on you bike for a while and you know how to use it. I think you will find better competition in the sport group...D

[-BB-]

When is the next race?

[DHSGS661]

not really...I think you picked the right place to start. The fee's are reasonable and the course doesn't have anything to hard. Also the southridge team is very organized and treats riders with respect. The only thing I would suggest: Only race beginner if you're a true beginner to riding. If you have been on you bike for a while and you know how to use it. I think you will find better competition in the sport group...D

yeah i've been riding for two years so maybe i should start in sport. Whats the course like and whats are the big challenges... i was thinking of heading out there and riding around just to see what its like.

[Alloy]

yeah i've been riding for two years so maybe i should start in sport. Whats the course like and whats are the big challenges... i was thinking of heading out there and riding around just to see what its like.

I raced Fontana for the first time last month. It was a good time, the people are friendly and the conditions were excellent. I will be coming back for the next race. The course build was ok. There were some good rock lines and turn sections…. The disappointments were that they have no built jumps. You can find some jump lines through the rocks, but it would cool if they would a throw a few artificial ones in here and there.

The biggest challenge by far is endurance. It is kind of sad because this is supposed to be a downhill race, but if you save your energy on the top and are the strongest peddaler on the wall and you will have an easy win.

The winning tip: start pedaling your downhill bike uphill, rest a few days before the race and dominate the competition :D

[downhillzeypher]

The hardest part of Fontana is putting up with the fact you can get more practice runs in by pushing than using the shuttle... It's kinda sad.

I think if you're lucky you can catch the shuttle once every hour and a half on practice day.

[amateur]

Jan 15/16
Jan 29/30
Feb 12/13
Feb 26/27
Mar 12/13

Fontana isn't that challenging of a course, you'll do fine. Just make sure you take the little things with you like tubes, pump, der. cable. The little stuff that you need to race. Riding up rather than waiting for the shuttle is almost always faster and also provides a decent warm up.

Have fun

[downhillzeypher]

Jan 15/16
Jan 29/30
Feb 12/13
Feb 26/27
Mar 12/13

Fontana isn't that challenging of a course, you'll do fine. Just make sure you take the little things with you like tubes, pump, der. cable. The little stuff that you need to race. Riding up rather than waiting for the shuttle is almost always faster and also provides a decent warm up.

Have fun
but don't waste yourself away riding up a whole bunch, stop after you know the course or you'll be too tired to race!

[darkstar]

is this course available to the public when there are not races scheduled? is there a fee for use?

thanks

[dhjill]

is this course available to the public when there are not races scheduled? is there a fee for use?

thanks

It's Fontucky, baby! No use fee, just ride. You will have to push up the hill because the gate is only unlocked on race days.

And like a couple other people have said, fitness is key. The looonnnnngg pedal section down Crack Alley is a beaatch. I've known a lot of people who have done really well on long-travel freeride type bikes; the lighter weight the better for this course.

[bfranke]

Anyone riding Fontucky soon? I'd like to check it out now that BB is a distant memory.

[downhillzeypher]

I'd be down for it this weekend if you want.

[merrrrjig]

My one tip would be to buy the SRC membership which is $10 off each race so its only $25 to race, you also get a #plate, Tshirt, and some odi grips, its foresure worth it.

[weman788]

How old are you? What age group or catagory are you going to race in? 15 - 18 Sport is going to be pretty tough this year knowing that Am - Cup aint no more. I think that is what I'm racing in cause my first year racing I kinda sand bagged a little bit. I think you will regret it if you start in Beginner. I know I did!

[DHSGS661]

How old are you? What age group or catagory are you going to race in? 15 - 18 Sport is going to be pretty tough this year knowing that Am - Cup aint no more. I think that is what I'm racing in cause my first year racing I kinda sand bagged a little bit. I think you will regret it if you start in Beginner. I know I did!

yeah im think im gunna be racing 15-18 sport. So i guess we'll be racing each other. Are u going to race january 15/16. I'm going to start with the january 31/febraury 1 race. Any one else racing the 15-18 Sport class?

[Fonzie18]

I wil be racing most all the Fontana races this year, seeing as how Big Bear is a distant memory :( . Maybe I will step it up to sport this year too, I was sand bagging last year. :rolleyes:

[konabiker]

Any one else racing the 15-18 Sport class?
i will be. never ridden fontana so this should be cool.

[CoMo]

Anybody interested in riding out there next week. I rode out there a few times this week, everything is in fairly good condition. Few ruts from the rain, not too bad though. Soooo looking forward to the races moving up to expert kinda nervous/anxious.

[bfranke]

I'd be down for it this weekend if you want.
I think it would be a little wet this weekend, plus I'm heading to San Diego for New Years. Next weekend, 1/8/05, would work if anyone is up for it.

[DHSGS661]

i'd go check out fontana but there's that bike jump jam thingy down in san diego and im goin 2 that

[Hungry_Hank]

my first year racing I kinda sand bagged a little bit. I think you will regret it if you start in Beginner. I know I did!

yeah, you only won the summer series by what, 100 points? but hey, look how famous you are now, everybody wants your autograph!

[Brazilian downhiller]

Maybe I will step it up to sport this year too, I was sand bagging last year. :rolleyes:

I'll c ya then! I heard this guy named Eagle or something is moving up to sport too, anyone?!

For reals, Southridge/ODI put up a good show. People complain about shuttle and no jumps but you gotta remember that in Downhill, bltching is the favorite past time.

[lovebunny]

My one tip would be to buy the SRC membership which is $10 off each race so its only $25 to race, you also get a #plate, Tshirt, and some odi grips, its foresure worth it.

how would i get the src membership? iom thinkin of goin to the last jan race

[weman788]

you can buy the membership any time during any races or practice. My brother just farted like 5 times in a row too. MMMmMM, I can taste it :rolleyes: Is anyone up for Fontana the weekend after the dirt Jam contest?

[weman788]

Hey, konabiker. How old are you? Whats yo name? I wanna know my competitors :devil:

[Fonzie18]

you can buy the membership any time during any races or practice. My brother just farted like 5 times in a row too. MMMmMM, I can taste it :rolleyes: Is anyone up for Fontana the weekend after the dirt Jam contest?

You mean the day after? 'Cuz the weekend after is the first race. Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh

-ALF

[Stab Primo]

Hey, konabiker. How old are you? Whats yo name? I wanna know my competitors :devil:
Ya, I think I'm dropping from Pro to Sport this year just so I can race you Brian. :p

[Fonzie18]

I wanna know my competitors :devil:

My name is Fonzie, I ride a Sledgehammer with shox and pegs, I take it off sweet jumps, I'm 15 and I'm fast. :rolleyes:

Don't worry about your competition mang, just race to have fun..Cam ann I'm starting to sound like an old man.

[amateur]

My name is Fonzie, I ride a Sledgehammer with shox and pegs, I take it off sweet jumps, I'm 15 and I'm fast. :rolleyes:

Don't worry about your competition mang, just race to have fun..Cam ann I'm starting to sound like an old man.
Don't listen to Alf. Race to win. :rolleyes:

I'm going to race beginner, podium, then resume my spot as bicycle fixer for the 6pack

[Metal]

Maybe I will step it up to sport this year too, I was sand bagging last year. :rolleyes:
Don't get all pissy because I called you out for sandbagging. Waaaaaah

[Yeti DHer]

I'm hoping to come down for the 29/30. I've never raced before and there does not seem to be much info on the site. I'd be driving down on friday night, practice saturday and race sunday correct? Is the race still held if its rainy? Any cheap places to stay in the area?

Chris

[BMXman]

yeah that's right....you have the days correct. There are a lot of hotels/motels near by...they have never cancelled a race due to weather for the 4 years I have been going there...D

[merrrrjig]

Sorry to say but fontana isnt the most safe place (across the street there are a lot of low riders, people with bandanas, and overall gangsters) we camped during one of the summer races and we heard gun shots and an ambulence. I would check out ontario arond the airport or something. But you might be able to find a nicer place in a different part of fontana.

[Stab Primo]

Sorry to say but fontana isnt the most safe place (across the street there are a lot of low riders, people with bandanas, and overall gangsters) we camped during one of the summer races and we heard gun shots and an ambulence.
Hahaha, si, just like San Juan.

[Hungry_Hank]

Sorry to say but fontana isnt the most safe place (across the street there are a lot of low riders, people with bandanas, and overall gangsters) we camped during one of the summer races and we heard gun shots and an ambulence. I would check out ontario arond the airport or something. But you might be able to find a nicer place in a different part of fontana.


sounds like santa ana!!

[downhillzeypher]

Oh pleeaaseee!

there are FAR worse places than fontana, think most of LA... or even the 909 lol.

[Fonzie18]

Sounds like you guys are scared of Mexican people. Are you scared of me? Boo! :rolleyes:

[weman788]

Hey alf, scince your pro, I looked for pictures of you on google, and the first picture that came up was " Alfonso Garcia, wanted for malesting and raping a 5 year old child. Armed robery, and first degree murder." Hell yeah I'm scared of mexicans, maybe not the sweet Alfonso I know though ;)

[konabiker]

Hey, konabiker. How old are you? Whats yo name? I wanna know my competitors :devil:
14, but im assuming i'll have to race in 15 because of the cut off date. I'm coming off of a compressed spine :dead: so im expecting to get owned.

on another note the weather isn't looking to good. would south ridge call the race if it was to rain? I dont wanna come all the way down from SB and have the race called off...

[weman788]

They should keep it going. I dont think it will be raining then. So we are lucky. Hope to see you there!