Personal History
I am writting you regarding sponsorship for enduro and downhill mountain bike racing. Although I do ride dirt bikes and have competed in a few hare scrambles and also motorcycle enduro competitions, mountain biking is where my heart is.
I bought my first mountain bike in 1991 and entered my first cross country race the following year. During the next couple of years I continued riding while doing a few select cross country races. In 1997 I began racing for All Outdoors, a shop located in Saratoga Springs, New York. By the year 2001 I had competed in several XC races at the sport level and also had done a few team 24 hour race events. During each of these races I found my strength was to go downhill. In 2002 I helped a local ski mountain, West Mountain in Glens Falls, New York, open for lift assisted biking; this included hosting several NORBA sanctioned downhill races. That season I entered my first downhill race and since 2002 I have competed in over 90 downhill races along with several dual slalom, super D and enduro races.
As mountain bike racing disciplines evolve, so have I. After 10 years of racing cross country, another 10 years of downhill, I have realized a passion for both aspects of riding. Enduro mountain bike racing is the answer; this new discipline will bring together riders from cross country to downhill. Being a great bike handler is needed just as much as having fitness and endurance, but a combination of both will help the rider excel. It is also is an event that will bring in your everyday trail rider.
Along with racing mountain bikes, I have a passion for just riding bikes. In 2000 I was one of the founders of the SMBA, the Saratoga Mountain Bike Association. As one of the founders and vice-president of the trail advocacy club I helped organize and coordinate the action of leasing a 538 acre parcel of land to be dedicated for the use of mountain biking. The land, owned by Fynch Pryne Paper Company, is located just outside of the city of Saratoga Springs, New York. This opportunity of leasing the land helped group together riders from the area to have control over the trails and gave them a place to ride. In 2002 I stepped down as vice- president of the club to be involved in more racing but, I still take the time to be involved in the maintenance of the trails and the creation of new ones. When I am not on the race course, I can be found on the trails both riding and working with any one of the over 300 active members.
Riding Goals
As the years add up, my goals have adjusted. I am always looking to further my skills personally, but I have also became aware of my own capabilities. My new goals are not just about me, but also growing a sport that has given me joy and an escape from reality for the past 21 years. For 2013 I will be competing in a few select downhill mountain bike races but my focus will be on enduro. I will not just be racing, but I will be helping grow this new discipline of mountain bike racing. I have joined the Eastern States Cup ( www.easternstatescup.com ) downhill series as their key advisor and promoter of their new enduro race series for 2013. We have been able to secure six venues that want to host these events and are also in the process of purchasing the timing equipment needed for such an event. Our goal is to make the events not only competitive, but fun for all the participants, including myself.
I also hope to get in a few hare scamble and enduro races on my KTM in 2013, but I have learned that it is really a tool that has helped me to learn how to go faster on a bicycle.
Competitive Highlights
I look forward to a new start in 2013, unfortunately 2011 and 2012 were seasons plagued with injuries, but they have not broken my spirit to push myself and be as competitve has I have proven in the past.
2012 Highlights:
• 33rd out of 112 total competitors. Endurorama, Allamuchy NJ
• 2nd Place 40-49, Plattekill DH Enduro, 8th place overall for all competitors
2010 Highlights:
• USA cycling ranking for downhill CAT 1 40+ 8th in the country
• 3rd Place overall Eastern States Cup Race Series CAT 1 40+
• 4th Place Pro GRT #3 Plattekill Bike Park CAT 1 40+
• 5th Place Gravity East #6 Killington Mountain CAT 1 40+
• 4th Place New York State Championship CAT 1 40+
2009 Highlights:
• USA cycling ranking for downhill CAT 1 40+ 5th in the country
• 3rd Place overall Plattekill Bike Park downhill race series
• 2nd Place Kenda Cup/Pro Gravity Tour CAT 1 40+ Windham Mountain
• 5th Place Gravity East Finals CAT 1 40+ Plattekill Bike Park
• 3rd Place New York State Championship CAT 1 40+
Other Career Highlights:
• 2nd place 2004 NMBS at Snow Shoe WV, sport men 35-39
• 2006 Plattekill downhill race series, 4th overall expert men 35-39
• 2006 USA cycling ranking for downhill expert men 35-39 27th overall
• USA cycling ranking for downhill sport men 30-39 2nd overall in 2004
• Competed in over 90 downhill races since 2002