58 Votes / 18,727 Views

Leaving Seattle at 6 in the morning with Andy Tran, Mark Brent and Keith Thompson was fun!

i was sleeping in a car dreaming about riding new trails which i've only seen in videos...

Mt Hood greeted us with an awesome dry, sunny and warm weather, restrooms and a crowd of Alpine Slide riders...

i did beginner at Port Angeles race and got 6th out of 12... so my friends convinced me to do sport at Mt Hood...



standing at the top of the trail, looking down at the valley was epic! just wanted to ride!!

after a couple of runs i managed to loosen up my legs and was getting faster... by the end of  theday i was riding top section no brakes, getting faster in the switch-backs, pedalling every where i could and relaxing listening to Seasons Soundtracks on my way down... got my runs diled in and got a pretty good time... but @ 5 pm the lift was closed.... i wanted to ride more! so me, Andy and Anthony hiked to the top and just sessioned the trail... it was great! i was ready for the race!



having some Fluid Recovery beverages really helped me a lot! i was feeling great on my race day! no sore muscles!!! thanks, Fluid!



so after having a nice breakfast and coffee we went to the lifts for our practice runs... got them running pretty good...

got  a sunburn on my face before my run...



waiting on top i didn't hear the guy announcing my number...  then i was standing in the starting gate putting my helmet, gloves and goggles on and getting on my bike in the last second!!! i did't even have time to buckle up my helmet!



i was dissapointed with my run.... i've got 3.50... rethinking my run and drinking Red Bull i went to the starting gate... got ready in time... got to the starting gate... did a really good and clean run! got 3.49, 15th out of 16....  :-(( little bit dissapointed by that, but concidering that this was my 2nd race and my first month on a full suspension bike i did pretty good!!!! so i had lot's of fun, met lot's of people and made new friends. eventually cought a Maxxis Mobster 2.7 tire and got some grips in the ruffle...



after packing all of our stuff and four of us in a small Tacoma we headed back to Seattle....



just cant wait to go ride on sunday and get ready for the next race!



big thanks to all of my sponsors, especially 661 for protection, Royal for style, SMX Optics for eye protection an unique style, Red Bull for extra energy supplement and Fluid for a perfect muscle recovery!!!



Alex Zbarazky, Syndrome Racing!

so i'm building up my first downhill-freeride bike now.... it is a Brodie Devo 2004.... it's almost done... i need a couple of small parts and suspension adjustment! hopefully by the end of the week i could go ride it!!! can't wait!!!

Frame - Banshee Scratch M '08 White

Fork - Manitou Stance Static 100mm 20mm axle

Crankset - Deity Vendetta

BB - Deity Vendetta w/ truvativ usa->euro adapter

Sprocket - Deity Termite 28t

Handlebar - Deity 2014

Stem - Deity

Seatpost Clamp - Deity 1b

Barends - Deity

Grips - Odi Ruffian MX

Headset - FSA Pig

Seatpost - Titec ElNorte

Seat - Atomlab

Pedals - Tioga MX

Front Wheel - SunRims MTX + DT Swiss Champion  + Novatec 20mm axle hub

Rear Wheel - SunRims MTX + DT Swiss Champion + Atomlab GI hub                                    Tires - Maxxis Holly Roller 2.35 + Maxxis Holly Roller 2.35 + Maxxis High Roller 2.5 + Kenda Nevegal 2.35

Front brake - Avid BB5 185mm

Rear Brake - Avid BB7 160mm

Brake levers - Avid FR-5