Plattekill Race #2 Experience

Plattekill Race #2

The East Coast is dense with prime riding locations.  Nested away in the western Catskills of New York, lies home to Plattekill Mountain. Platekill has a remarkable history in downhill mountain biking that dates back over 14 seasons. Riders like Missy Giove, Myles Rockwell, and many other “old schoolers” have shared in the experience of racing at Plattekill. This past weekend Plattekill held its second race of the season and it was a memorable course that challenged all respective categories. See more inside.

Plattekill offered one of the first lift-served mountain bike centers to open in the Northeast in 1995. As such, the mountain represents the roots of downhill mountain biking almost to the T. Offering ~1100ft of elevation, Plattekill can best be described as natural and challenging. From steep chutes, loose shale, natural rock gardens, and meandering trails Plattekill is a place that expert riders can enjoy. Beginners alike will be challenged, but there are plenty of trails for them to hone their skills on before attacking the more difficult trails. Plattekill is run by Laszlo Vajtay and the trails /  race courses are maintained and built by the Delta House crew.  They certainly know how to put together a good race course.

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The mountain can be split up into two sides namely by the lifts, the double lift side, and the triple lift side. Most races are typically on the triple side but for race #2 the race was held on the double side. The triple side offers a multitude of trails with a great deal of variety and depth. This side of the mountain is mostly made up of rocks and drains rain extremely well. The double side offered slightly different riding as it contained more dirt and riding amongst tree cover and brush.

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Race #2 started off Saturday morning with riders registering and prepping their bikes for the day’s festivities. Race entry fees were lowered this year, and it’s clear they want to keep their riders enjoying their time on the bike and on their mountain. Food was grilled on the porch and offered at good prices without breaking the bank. With tough times for many riders, the lower fees were certainly welcomed by all.

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Rain was in the forecast for the Sunday race and anyone who has been to Plattekill expects it on any given weekend. The nice thing about Plattekill is that the trails tend to drain well and even with a deluge of rain Saturday night and early Sunday AM, by race time mid-day the course offered surprising traction and only a few real loose locations.

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The course itself was a hit as it seemed to challenge all riders without putting them over their heads. The cat 3 / cat 2 course (beginner / intermediate) offered some challenging aspects to the riders without putting them too far in harms way. The cat 1 / pro course included some more daunting features that really challenged each rider all the way down the hill. Both courses were immensely fun and challenging at the same time. Loose terrain, natural rock gardens, rock drops, and multiple line choices helped give the course some nice variety and options for the racers. There weren’t any wooden features on the course and it really helped maintain the vibe of what Plattekill seems to be all about. For those of you familiar with Plattekill, the race course followed westfall to leg cramp to frame buster to sundae to tribute into ski trail.

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Many younger kids came out and really did well on the mountain. The skills they learn at Plattekill will easily help them conquer features at any other mountain and really helps build skills. Putting a good run together on the race course required a pretty level set of skills as the track offered a pretty even breakdown of pedaling, turns, drops, and line choices. The courses offered an experience for every rider that helped to push each rider to new levels.

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At the end of the day, the results seemed to matter to few people so I didn’t feel the need to expound on them too much. Jamie Ford took the win for the Pro men followed by Chris Higgerson and Geoffery Ulmer. The experience of riding and interacting with other like-minded riders who thoroughly enjoy their bikes was clear the entire weekend. Fun was encouraged and had by all in attendance. George Ulmer arguably knows the mountain better than the back of his hand and he helped put together some of the most fun run’s down the mountain before and after the race without much of any repetition the entire weekend.

Pro men podium - click to view more photos in the gallery

If you’re after an experience that will put a smile on your face Plattekill won’t disappoint if you’re truly into downhilling.  Plattekill is open on the weekends for riding (extended hours during the 4th of july weekend on Monday).  Race #3 at Plattekill will be held July 25th-26th weekend.

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