2025 Southridge Winter Series, XC Race #6 (+ Some DH)

 I watched a pair of crows flap their wings, gaining altitude and distance with each down-beat of the stroke. A third flew in from somewhere, before two more made it a crowd. For as long as they remained in view, the crowd morphed and shifted and new members arrived and others departed. It sure seemed like a game, looked like one too. An exhausting one at that, as those pairs of wings never stalled. It wasn't all that different than the game being played out on this mountainside, the sixth and final round of this years' Winter Series at Southridge. This one was a game of exhaustion as well; if the goal was to reach to top as quickly as possible, then surely there could be no time to pause the legs in their endless rotation. After the "steeps" always come the "steps," those series of rocks inevitably in the way just when the legs are at their most weary. If they prove too much, well... you'd better get off and run or, walk if you must, the race will not stop because you do.

Kevin Stewart right where he was to be found throughout the race - at the front

Gary Scheidler getting some speed

lookout, one of a large, vociferous group of supporters cheering on (i believe) Kreig Stewart

looking like a competition, one Expert and one Sport and... how many years difference?

you've heard the saying when life gives you lemons, make lemonade - when your bike suffers a mechanical, you run the course instead

king of the world, lord of all he surveys

A selection of 111 pics are in this day's photo album