2009 Maryhill "Festival of Speed "Official" Thread

**FaceVsAsphalt** · 12-04-2009 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by killerhill72

how crazy (hard) is it on a scale of 1 through 10?

If you do a lot of DH it really is a pretty easy road. If you could give a run that is a 10 and one that is a 1 for you that would make it easier to answer. Also the water at the top is quite tasty and I didnt even get sick from it.

**killerhill72** · 12-05-2009 08:56 PM

well i only have done like a strait away like 30mph so i mite be hard for me
do they let 14 year old compete

**BigDaddy@TactisSkates** · 12-05-2009 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by killerhill72

well i only have done like a strait away like 30mph so i mite be hard for me
do they let 14 year old compete

Yes they do and there is a lot of cool guy's in Junior 1 and junior 28)

**wardlarson** · 12-06-2009 01:07 AM

on a scale of 1-10 i'd call it a 3.

if you want to be competitive on it, it's a lot harder, you have to be intensely seasoned at holding your lines, knowing whats fastest and holding a good tight tuck.

the road itself though, in terms of gnar, is very meh.

**boarders mom** · 12-07-2009 09:45 AM

It's not that technical a course, but a fun one for freerides. You should have little problem, but you should take into consideration if it's worth the money to race it if you're not going to be competitive.
On the water, is there some reason you guys didn't bring a bottle with you to the top? Water was provided after all. And if you thought the uhaul was hot this year in the fall, just wait till mid summer heat in '10. Can't wait to get a confirmation on the date though!

**wardlarson** · 12-07-2009 12:14 PM

i think for $250 registration a case of water could be put at the top of the course rather easily.
it was 95 degrees with no wind on the first day, i doubt mid summer will be any different

**biffoz** · 12-07-2009 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddy@TactisSkates

Yes they do and there is a lot of cool guy's in Junior 1 and junior 28)

The catch here is that while it CAN seem like an easy course, when the tailwinds start howling, speeds increase. Bottom line is that if you've only gone 30mph on a straightaway, you should find some roads you can safely test your tuck and stability in the 45-50mph range, then add turns.

There are no tight hairpins at Mary, but several looooonnng sweepers that if you apex wrong with a tailwind can send you to the outside. There are no turns you have to pre-drift, footdrag or pendulum.

I don't think Mary is the place to go figure out whether you can handle speed and corners. Do some homework and when you get to Mary it will be pure bliss and you'll be far safer in the crowded practice runs. It's such an awesome hill once you're comfortable with faster riding so get on it and practice so you're ready!

**fuzzy_nickels** · 12-08-2009 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by biffoz

The catch here is that while it CAN seem like an easy course, when the tailwinds start howling, speeds increase. Bottom line is that if you've only gone 30mph on a straightaway, you should find some roads you can safely test your tuck and stability in the 45-50mph range, then add turns.

There are no tight hairpins at Mary, but several looooonnng sweepers that if you apex wrong with a tailwind can send you to the outside. There are no turns you have to pre-drift, footdrag or pendulum.

I don't think Mary is the place to go figure out whether you can handle speed and corners. Do some homework and when you get to Mary it will be pure bliss and you'll be far safer in the crowded practice runs. It's such an awesome hill once you're comfortable with faster riding so get on it and practice so you're ready!

Are there any other times to practice Maryhill besides the contest its self. A lot of our guys are getting pretty competitive and would really like to get a taste of Maryhill, just not sure if the comp. is the right place to start. And any other well known races that would be a good starter to Maryhill?

**wardlarson** · 12-08-2009 11:32 AM

there may be a freeride coming up in the spring (legal one), keep your eyes peeled for details but entry last year was like $150 i want to say. uhauls and all that ####.

also enter in the cathlamet downhill corral next year, it was a week before maryhill this year and it's a good place to go and get used to how things work at an event.

**boarders mom** · 12-08-2009 04:46 PM

Thanks for the Cathlamet plug, but I don't think someone from Texas would want to come all that way without FOS right behind it on the calendar. My understanding from John is that he wants to do a race in Utah in the fall, and that was one reason to move FOS up into June. Still think that's going to be awfully hot.
We decided to keep the same weekend, and hope that having more local riders would offset the decreased numbers who can't or don't want to travel thousands of miles. Plus I didn't need the stress of waiting to find out when FOS will end up being before I started planning CDC.