Check out my first big time debut at time 1:10.

[QUICKTIME http://www.hey1t.com/v/flintriver_mtb.mov 320 257]

I saws this vid and really liked it. I raced most of the course back in 2004 at the US National Championships. Needless to say I got worked at 10,000 ft.

Here is another vid I found. This is what they call the “Last run down at Diablo”. Obviously the last run down of the season. They get everyone together a make a mass run down one of the best runs on a mountain anywhere. I think at every single US Open I have been to I have done this exact run maybe a combine 100 times. Just so much fun.

Diablo Freeride Park “Last Run Down” 2008 from George Ryan on Vimeo

Was bummed out when I got home around 5:30 and it was already pretty much dark. I worked around in the shop for awhile installing some Specialized Fast Trak tires tubeless on my Shova ST. I thought for a bit and decided to not mope around and get my ass to Haw. The track was in great shape and those tires make me a better rider. You can back those things into any corner. So much fun, especially at night. I ran my trusty 15W halogen on my bar, so I could travel lite and w/o a camelbak. Its kind of limiting to not be able to look ahead in corners, but it made things funner.

I don’t really consider myself a top notch racer. Sure I have been racing competitively since 2004 and in that time I have seen a few good results. I wanted to look back and think about my podium finishes that meant something to me.

2004 Windrock 1st – Expert
2005 Sugar DH 1st – Pro/Expert 30+
2006 Bootleg Canyon 4th – Semi-Pro
2006 Massanutten 6th – Pro/Semi Pro
2006 Snowshoe #3 7th – Pro
2007 Carters #2 1st – Open
2007 Carters #3 1st – Open
2007 NC State Championships 1st – Pro
2007 Clemson #2 2nd – Pro/Expert
2008 Snowshoe #2 11th – Pro (with a flat, I was on my way to something special, or at least I think so)
2008 Snowshoe #3 9th – Pro
2008 NC State Championships 2nd – Pro (this one was while finishing a PBR in the start house and coasting most of the course)
2008 Carters #2 2nd – Open

I am comfortable being a top 10 regional and top 3 local “pro” racer.

I want to thank Richard at Morewood for all the support he has given me over the last 3 years. Without him I don’t know what my identity would be.

With the weather in the low 70s and blue skies its hard not enjoy the weekends. I met up with Mark Webb and we did a couple hours of work on a new reroute of the high speed section. The always seem like there is so much work to be done. I am glad thought that more and more folks are riding Walden. Wheels on the track will lessen the maintenance and that is a good thing. Mark and I talked about leaf blowing the trail to keep it nice and buff through the winter. We’ll see if we have time. I was surprised to see no one out at Windrock on Saturday. Mark and I got done and we shuttled each other to the top and did a nice run down the Windmill. I took my Mbuzi and that little bike is quite a handful at speed due to its short wheelbase compared to my Izimu. Nevertheless it was still fun.

Sunday morning Joey and I headed down to Carter’s Lake #3. I was 3rd in the series points and I wanted to finish up strong and come home with some pocket change. I was first in the points last year so I was a little disappointed this year. I had a rough start to the year mentally and I have looked at this season different. So all is well that ends well. My first run was a little sloppy, but I was 3rd going into the last run. I fubared 2 sections pretty bad and I knew I was probably going to get knocked off the podium so I just tried to finish the run strong and smooth. I ended up with the same time, so I was on pace to take a few seconds off and possibly catch 2nd place. In the end I got knocked off the podium and finished 4th. I was okay with that and took a quick look at the overall points and thought I ended up 4th, so I headed off to do a few more fun runs and grab a beer. Much to my surprise, I heard my name called for 3rd place in the series and was caught off guard. So I had to run over to collect my prize. $120 for having fun and finishing 3rd is not bad at all. I’ll keep doing it as long as Brady keeps putting these fun little races on. We got a celebratory beer bath and had a good laugh. Hopefully some pictures or vids will show up.

I plan on doing some street riding this week and start working on some fun jumps lines at Chris Hepler’s house this weekend. I really need a new fork for my jump bike. I sold some parts to Joey, maybe I reinvest that money into a fork????