U.S. Open Course - RedBull Stepdown

[Diablo_Freeride]

http://diablofreeridepark.com/images/usopenbanner06.jpg

A sneak peak at the lower section of the U.S. Open Course:

RedBull Step Down: 35 feet to landing, 5 feet tall, full-speed, slower go-around. Check it out this Friday! Register now before its too late!

http://www.ridemonkey.com/mountain-bike-photos/data/2/19391rb2.jpg

http://www.ridemonkey.com/mountain-bike-photos/data/2/19391rb1.jpg

Photos courtesy of Sean Mankiw.

[jsg04]

Holy world cup finish line jump.

[DHJUNKIE]

dam.. after a full race run too..

[JRogers]

Holy crap. That is all.

[maddogdh]

Is that PJ? That is the real deal.

[Staplerzzzz]

Nice!

[dhbuilder]

we can only assume that the run in that we can't see, is blistering fast.

35ft. at full speed isn't that big of a deal if the jump and lander are shaped correctly.
this one looks good.
but around the 30-35ft. range, looks like it's going to take it's toll for those who can't squeeze out those last few feet.

some race video of this would be kick ass.

[skatetokil]

yes, coming up short at full speed with your rear suspension set up racer boi fast sounds like a recipe for a broken collar bone.

[dhbuilder]

but it does look like all you have to do is let the bike go, use the speed the trail will give you, and you'll just be able to sit there and let the jump do it's work for you.

good open run out and line of sight.

[pinkshirtphotos]

super smooth and that is pj.

[dirtyjrzy1031]

thats sick, i will hit it at full speed on saturday. Pinkbike get ready too take pics

[davetrump]

but it does look like all you have to do is let the bike go, use the speed the trail will give you, and you'll just be able to sit there and let the jump do it's work for you.

good open run out and line of sight.

exactly... looks like they made the lip just right for speed and the long wheelbase of DH bikes (something more track.jump builders could take a serious leason from)

i am a big fan of stuff that looks huge and impressive for all the spectators but is perfectly safe for all the racers, and those who might never have hit something like this and are willing to try and step up their skills

hopefully there are some other suprises and changes on the course to keep it interesting... some variety after 4 years would be a good thing to keep people excited about what is already a great course.

[davidt]

Holy ****, i hope it stays there after the open...

i'll be up there with my family on Sunday, wife and kids... and a few other folk too!

[dhbuilder]

exactly... looks like they made the lip just right for speed and the long wheelbase of DH bikes (something more track.jump builders could take a serious leason from)

i am a big fan of stuff that looks huge and impressive for all the spectators but is perfectly safe for all the racers, and those who might never have hit something like this and are willing to try and step up their skills


exactly my point of view on that.
there's nothing better than hearing the hoots and hollers of folks hitting properly designed stuff for the first time.

that's what it's all about.

i'll bet there's gonna be some fired up folks hitting this thing, then taking their newfound increased skill level back home, and either start hitting stuff they previously didn't.
or better yet, building more of the same.

"let the bike go"

[laguna]

Any tips for going off it safely if you can't cover the 35 ft gap? Could you treat it like a drop to flat or would it be ankle breaking? I'm a bit worried and landing nose heavy and going over the bars. I'll probably just go around it, but I'd hate to.

[Sandwich]

Sounds like it's 5 feet tall...and it's on a ski hill so it should have a gentle slope to the "flat" spot. I would imagine you could hit it without going rocket fast, but it probably won't be anywhere near as smooth as the landing (read: drop to flat).

[motomike]

The lip is so flat and long that there is nothing about it that should kick you weird or anything, so just go fast and see what happens!

[bizutch]

Need a ride or co-pilot to pay for gas to the Open. Anyone...?

[quiksilver]

The lip is so flat and long that there is nothing about it that should kick you weird or anything, so just go fast and see what happens!

you got it!

[pinkshirtphotos]

the landing is also long and pitched nice.

[manhattanprjkt83]

looks like you could drop it to the flat part fine...i think the real problems would occur if you 50/50 or nose into the point where the landing start...like the 'didnt quiiiiiiiite make it' feeling riding the front wheel...damn we have all been there.

[Yev]

is that jump going to stay after the Open for all to try?

[borgut]

yeah could you leave it there after the us open because i won't be able to come this week end but i really want to try it

[adarmiento]

thats sick, i will hit it at full speed on saturday. Pinkbike get ready too take pics

Yeah sean you might want to get video of me flying over top of shannon at the finish drop being he will probably just get in my way at the finish ,that will make for an awesome decline mag ad, you may be able to retire on the money you get from that picture so keep your camera ready for the beige giant faith all blinged out , !

[demo 9]

how about a toyota in the gap.

[dirttastesgood]

i've heard some **** that this is only for pro's please tell me it isn't so.

[Red Bull]

i've heard some **** that this is only for pro's please tell me it isn't so.

i doubt that. its not like AM is intro. if they allow am to hit the RTN in race runs then they will allow us to hit that...

[skatetokil]

its a 4-5 to flat is hardly ankle breaking.

[skeldon13]

Any tips for going off it safely if you can't cover the 35 ft gap? Could you treat it like a drop to flat or would it be ankle breaking? I'm a bit worried and landing nose heavy and going over the bars. I'll probably just go around it, but I'd hate to.

going around would be much easier than hitting it flat bottom.

[dirttastesgood]

good if i'm not allowed to hit it i'm going to stab someone

[runnin12s]

Looks like a speed bump to me, at the speed you are going to be coming off the thing you probably won't feel yourself land, it's going to be the same thing as the new drop on tempest, I don't think I used up half the travel if that much when I did that. Either way it's going to be more psycological than technical. Hopefully it's left there after the open. Good luck to you all.

[dante]

shawn, please please PLEASE tell me that you're going to have this either open for riding after this weekend or at the very least in one of the next Domination races..... pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasePLEASE!!!!!!!

[Rob Munro]

it's going to be more psychological than technical.

that seems to always be the case. I'd be such an awesome rider if I wasn't afraid of crashing

[DHJUNKIE]

yeah.... it aint as bad as the pics make it to be.. not AT all... wicked fun though.

[pinkshirtphotos]

shawn, please please PLEASE tell me that you're going to have this either open for riding after this weekend or at the very least in one of the next Domination races..... pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasePLEASE!!!!!!!

wedding a bitch? :nopity:

[Vinny A]

God damn that looks sick, Im so mad I wont be able to get there this weekend... or anytime before mid July :(

You guys have to report back here when you hit it, seems like a really fun step down.

[dirttastesgood]

i looked at it tonite when i was checking in, looks sick

[adarmiento]

Yeah Awesome gap jump Took my first run down the race course and hit that baby full speed I believe i over shot the landing . I had my helmet cam on .My seat rails came right off my seat and dam near gave me a sex change had it hit me 2 inches lower.I got a nice puncher wound maybe i should post it up !All in all what a great jump!smooth as butter .Word of advice invest in a good seat that can take the hits!