The NYCMTB Highbridge Park Hustle + Flow is a unique all-mountain race that includes five legs (XC pump track, DH road climb, super-d), with solo and team races. It also features a relay race for teams. This race combines all forms of mountain biking. The race takes place in Upper Manhattan’s Highbridge Park, with its dirt jumps and technical trails. It is a unique race that offers something no other race can: an extremely challenging and balanced all-mountain course located 160 blocks north from Times Square. This race is part of a city of more than 8 million.
The Hustle + Flow course started with a lap on the Highbridge Park pump track, which was built in 2007 by Jeff Lenosky and Judd DeVall. It then flows into a mini DH run down Hellfighter freeride trails (designed in part in collaboration by Jim Dellvalle), including steep chutes and berms. Racers were then taken up a steep 18% grade to reach the super-d leg. This is a technical descent on a very technical trail that bears little resemblance with the national super-d courses. The race ended with riders sprinting down a NYC sidewalk before climbing up the XC trails and to the finish line at the dirt jump park.
The team XC leg was ridden by Doug Jenne (Ghostship Clothing), who broke the course record by more than a minute. NYC dirt jumper David Holzer, Los Federales, shaved 3 second off his 2008 record pump track time and Alejandro Ortiz, NYC Freeride, took an incredible 5 seconds off his previous record DH speed.
Both solo and team winners received season passes from Diablo Freeride Park. The podium finishers were awarded great prizes from Sids Bikes and Diablo Freeride Park.
Jamie Bogner, NYCMTB President and Race Director, said that it was amazing that an all-mountain race could be held in such a large city. We have created a course that is perfectly balanced for riders riding 5-6 travel trails bikes. This is in contrast to the Super-D courses, which are designed for riders who can ride XC hardtails. It’s also a great way to see how many riders can ride together in the team component.
Highbridge Park will host the NYCMTB All-City XC Race on Sunday, June 7, 2009. The Hustle + Flow race, which is urban all-mountain action, will return next year. For complete Hybridge Park Hustle results, click here
Here is the race flyer
Here are galleries of photos from the race.
