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| Owen is calling the guy at the end of the DH course so that guy can start the clock. Bike stand is Arnold Lacorte - pic by Nick McHugh |
XC racers in Singapore are luckier than the DH guys.
There are no more XC races in Sg BUT at least they
can get their feet wet in neighboring Malaysia.
The Malaysian Jamborees cater to all racers from
National Racers, to Weekend warriors, to Aunties and
Uncles, even to Boy/Girl Racers.
There are no more XC races in Sg BUT at least they
can get their feet wet in neighboring Malaysia.
The Malaysian Jamborees cater to all racers from
National Racers, to Weekend warriors, to Aunties and
Uncles, even to Boy/Girl Racers.
But if you are interested in the Downhill side of things,
there is no beginner friendly DH races in Singapore.
Errrr scratch that, there are NO Downhill races in
Sg. Ok, some may argue that there is the Redbull
Night DH race and also that DH race held in
the Singapore Flyer. BUT those races happen once
in a blue moon. So while waiting for the moon
to turn blue, what do you do? Twiddle your thumbs?
Anyway, PadyakPinoy Sg has a core group of riders
who are into DH racing. There are also lots and lots
of newbie riders who are into DH ... but are intimidated
with the jumps at Gangsa and the main DH route in Kent
Ridge. The thing is people have to start somewhere ...
and so there's this mild and short DH section in Kent Ridge
where people started to practice... and when that place
was identified, CrestPursuit Owen said :
"Let there be a beginner's DH race here" and
lo! there was a race... and they saw that racing is good.
Hehehehe of course, it didn't happen as simple as that.
They talked about how to have a "start gate", how to time
the race, where to get medals, what are the prizes, etc.
In the end, it was agreed that this will be a beginner's
race. If you have raced DH before, too bad! You are disqualified.
But apart from that rule, anything goes.
You can use whatever bike you have. The "entry fee" is just
But apart from that rule, anything goes.
You can use whatever bike you have. The "entry fee" is just
10$. The 10$ fee went to buying BEERS and CHIPS for
everyone. People approached the organizers to be marshalls,
mechanics, photographers, pom-pom girls, whatever.
Lastly, Owen took care of the prizes. So now that
everything is set ... there were people who asked :
What if you don't have a DH bike and ARMOR?
Arnold replied : No excuses!!! I will lend my race winning
Tomac DH bike AND armor to whoever needs it ...
and that my friends is why the race is called
The Lacorte Cup :-)
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| Tropang Putikan's Anton trying his hand at DH race course. - pic by AirTime Mark |
XCers went for the race. People on DH bikes went
for the race. People on hardtails went for the race.
Even non-competitors went to the race just to show
support, say 'Hi', and share some laughs.
Even non-competitors went to the race just to show
support, say 'Hi', and share some laughs.
Everything went smoothly. Also, I almost forgot,
if you are racing, then you need to go for at least
one practice session! Safety First!
Morning was reserved for the seeding runs.
The race took a break for lunch and then the heavens
opened and there was a torrential downpour. These
people just waited for the rain to stop and then continued
racing in the mud. Even the photographers had their
expensive DSLRs and Remote Flashes out!
Everything that was expected from a DH race was
there. There was even a HOTSEAT! :-)
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| Nick McHugh - Attack! - pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Tropang Putikan's Gerald, is back to try the race course ... a few months after he broke his back - pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Eventual winner - Vince pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Owen tackled the course on his On One Inbred but he is disqualified from competing as he has already done a DH race before - pic by AirTime mark |
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| Incredible Hulk AKA Merlion (that's his real name) tried the course on his Lynskey pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Master Bobot on his Turner - pic by AirTime Mark |
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| The Hot Seat ! :-) |
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| The Organizers, Racers and Volunteers - pic by Nick McHugh |
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| AirTime Mark and Arnel - pic by John the Mechanic |
Ahhhh what can I say... the race was a total
success in terms of fun FUN FUN. Now those
guys who joined this race already has some idea
of how it is to race DH. They have even become
sooo confident that last I heard, a few of them who
have long travel bikes (NOT full blown DH rigs)
will be competing in Batam's Light DH race !!!
The next installment of this race will be held
on February 2013 .... from what I hear, a few guys
from my group, Tropang Putikan will be going
for this round :-)))
By the way, here's a short video from Rey Toots
about what went on that day (might NOT play on phones).
FYI, to the blogger. Make sure your source is correct and before you stole the video make sure you know the person who recorded the video and story behind. Then you will become a credible blogger. The last video that you stole and include in your non reliable blog is not a racer on the dh competition.
ReplyDeleteWow! Harsh words. Stole? What do you mean stolen? Did I say that I created the video? Didn't I say that it was from the point of view of another person? FYI the link of that video has been posted in the FB page of PadyakPinoy. I watched the video and I just posted a link to this blog.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I deleted the video since as you mentioned the person is NOT a racer and I stand corrected.
I hope this fixes your issue with me. If you still have an issue, you can easily find me on the trails. Let's settle this anyway you want it.
Sorry for the word stolen, as it was posted on the fb page. If you asked permission to use the video on your blog then you will have a correct information. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the anonymous comment.
ReplyDeletethough the word “stolen” is a bit harsh, the last video is not the only issue on your blog. Some of the riders in the photos did not even compete. I know your intentions are good and so is your blog. But would it be a better story if what you have written is what actually happens then? You don’t just based your story on what you’ve seen and read on FB, a little research perhaps? I don’t know about those guys whom you claim in your blog to be racing, but if I were one of them, I think it would be shameful knowing that I did not actually compete. And what do you think the actual competitors feels about it?
I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, I mean critics on blogs are normal, especially when there are things to be criticized.
Hope you do better on your next Blog.
Critics are ok. But to label someone has having stolen something?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the list of racers is available in padyakpinoy's fb page. I could post that but i don't know half of the peopke there. Also i did mention that some racers came over to say hi and support the race. Could you point out who among the ones in the picture did Not race?
Scratch that. I think i know what you mean and i will speak in tagalog since I know that i am talking to filipinos
ReplyDeleteMga Sir, simple lang ang gusto ko mangyari. Ipakita na masaya yung race nyo. Ngayon kung ang tinutukoy nyo na pic ay yung kay Anton, Gerald at Merlion. Semantics ang pinag-uusapan natin. Ang ibig ko sabihin ni try nila yun 'racing' at race course pero hindi sila sumali sa race. Hindi sila nagko comment dahil malamang naintindihan nila ibig ko sabihin.
Kung big deal yan, babaguhin ko yung exact wording para hindi na ambiguous. Ok na ba yan?
like I said, we’re just criticizing your blog and it’s ok right?.
ReplyDeleteyou don’t need to amend anything or whatsoever. Its up to the readers whether they believe on our comment or not.
And you need to stand on your ground. No thought it’s a good blog indeed, but Like I said, hope you do better on your next blog.
So mali rin i- post un mga pics kahit hindi nag-compete sa race?
ReplyDeletehey guys, we're splitting hairs over what?
ReplyDeletesplitting hairs = to argue about whether details that are not important are exactly correct.
i don't want to cause any trouble here, just want to know if i too stand to be corrected that someone is just being anal over nothing.
and now it's my turn to be the grammar nazi: you have meant to say "No doubt..." instead of "No thought..."
heto ngayon ang tanong ko: pag sablay ka ba sa english should you STFU? that question is just begging to be asked kasi parang someone earned the right to lash a harsh comment because of a minor error of the blogger. quid pro quo...
someone is not having enough time to ride and too much time on his keyboard, what a shame...
to #7 - as I said critiques are ok. But I think you will have to agree that saying that I stole the video (when clearly, I said that it was by another person), is just plain wrong and libelous isn't it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, there you have it. No more ambiguities.
Wow! Only the keyboard warrior Gods know why these Anonymous d-bags are so fired up over this post.
ReplyDeleteBack to the crux of the matter - this post was very informative about such an informal event. This possibly was the best springboard for new riders wanting to take their gravity riding skills to the next level. Fastest way to do that is through such a community.
It is very encouraging to know that there still are such magnanimous characters like Lacorte willing to provide the resources for anybody wanting to have a feel of this sport.
Certainly such selfless individuals who care about the biking community would ensure our sport moves forward, as opposed to certain individuals "scrutinizing ants" through the magnifying glass.
to # 9 anounymous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for correcting my grammar, now kindly please tell me which part of my comment is "harsh"
Or you can S*^#K Y$%&r F@+#3*s D&%k - is this harsh enough for you?