Wow! You guys put on a great event. You put together a fantastic bunch of sponsors, you got the Forest Service to cooperate, and the course was
world-class. Please do it again next year, and don't change a single thing.
Regards,
Scott Parrish
(Sport Men 45-49)
I'd like to thank you personally for putting on one of the best events I've ever attended in So cal. The schwag bag was a surprise, much like the days of yore.
The course was right outta the past. It was easily the most demanding course I've raced in So cal including the mighty Vision Quest.
As for the whole event, way to go. I told my whole team we'll have to make it up there next year, or whenever you put on another event.
If there is anything that Team Helen's can do to help out please let me know.
Ray Caballero
Team Helen's
(Semi Pro Men)
Last Saturday I raced in my second Idyllwild Spring Challenge. I loved the race last year and told as many of my friends and teammates that it's a must do event. This year was even better. You guys put on an extremely fun event. There were even more friendly helpers out on the course directing traffic and handing up Cyto and/or water. The frequent water hand ups were really appreciated since the course was so physically demanding. The course you laid out is the best racing I've ever experienced in my 5 years of competing.The raffle was over the top on prizes with three nice forks a frame and lots of other goodies. It's very nice to have a great selection of food available, and the free fruit was a nice touch for depleted racers.The best thing about the event was the attitude of everyone running it. It was clear that they were doing it for the love of the sport, and it showed through in all aspects of the event. I'm very happy to see you guys teaming with the Rim Nordic and Mt. SAC promoters on the Triple Crown. You all seem to have the same dedication to the sport above all else. Thanks again for putting on such an incredible event. I'm already looking forward to next year's Spring Challenge.
Best Regards,Paul Elkins
(Sport Men 40-44)
Some of the very kind notes given by Marg: -Awesome course. The amount of double track climbs is ideal comparable to a UCI Marathon where they demand a certain % of single track/double track.
-Water bottles given at the top of the course were great (especially cold!).
- Start line-up organized well.
-Awards unique, prize money greatly appreciated.
- Way too much good stuff to say!
- I have told all my friends - pros and rec - about this awesome race! Thanks for your super organizing and spirit!
Marg Fedyna
(Pro Women – Victoria, BC
Thank you for all of your effort in organizing a great mountain bike race. It was my first race and my friends tell me that there is no where to go from here, so I will be back next year. Thanks again for the fantastic time.
Best Regards,
Michael Botello
(Sport Men 50-54
Great job again this year. The Spring Challenge is a one-of-a-kind race. Thanks to you and Alan and all of the members and family on the production team. I took a nasty dive on a tight corner and wasn't able to finish the race (I was able to walk out, but my front brake and shifter were destroyed). Alan took me the rest of the way down the mountain and I was able to get a different perspective of what you guys go through to put the race on. Again thank you for all your hard work. I'll be back next year. Also, I told Alan I was very impressed by all the other riders passing me as I walked backward on the course to get back to the main road. Almost everyone of them slowed their pace to ask me if I was all right. Nice bunch of people.
Barratt Phillips
(Sport Men 35-39
I just wanted to let you know that we had a great time yesterday. My friend, Byron, has been racing off and on for 10 years and said that you guys put on one of the best he's been to. Amazing route, well organized, great raffle, excellent announcing, a total success! You're a good bunch up in them there hills!
Jamie
(Beginner Men 30-34)
I participated in your Spring Challenge this last weekend in the Women's
sport category 19-29 age group. Thank you very much for a great race, my husband and I had a great time, and can't wait to participate again.
Shalyn Gates
(Sport Women 19-29)
Just wanted to say thanks for a great race the other weekend. I really enjoyed the trails and your generous pro purse was awesome. Thanks again, looking forward to next year! Dana Weber
Jax Bicycle Center
(Pro Men)
Thank you for putting on such a wonderful event! I had a blast!
This was my first race and it will hard for any other event to equal this.
You have me psyched up to do the So. Cl. Triple Crown! It sounds too
easy, all I do is sign up and ride three more races ...I'm in! Again thank you!
Taylor Coffroth
(Beginner Men 50+)
The Sho-Air team captain, Manuel Prado, submitted the following report: The Idyllwild Spring Challenge definitely stands out as one of the most epic Cross Country races of 2007. The event is now part of the USA Cycling MTB National XC calendar, and for the first time professional racers can obtain valuable UCI points at this Category 3 event. One of the best things about this amazing event was the perfect weather we had. It wasn't too cold or too hot, and we sucked lungfulls of that clean, clear mountain air. And I could never forget to mention the excellent prize money - $1000 for first place in the Pro category, $500 for the first semi-pro rider to cross the line, and King of the Mountain (KOM) prizes as well. Still wondering what made this race so great? How about the stunning view from the top of Idyllwild and the beautiful surrounding mountains of San Jacinto? We almost had to remind ourselves we were racing. We were very happy with how well the course was marked and with the amount of volunteers that they had out on the course, which appeared to be over 50. In the end, we were all happy to have had an awesome time and done such great riding at this fun event. Thank you to all of our sponsors for their support and congratulations to
all race competitors. Thanks to the race organizers for putting such a great event together. Manuel Prado
(Semi Pro Men)
"Once again, you guys put on a top level event, with the most difficult & enjoyable course in So Cal. I had a blast! Again, I applaud your efforts and organizing skills. Route was excellent…. Race support was excellent. Ceremonies were excellent.... Sponsor support was best around with all the swag and raffles. And especially I really appreciate the prize money. No one else is doing that (all while charging $10 more). We need more race promoters like you to keep mt biking popular." Greg
More Race Quotes:
"Thanks again for another brilliant race. The course was great, volunteers helpful and awards/post race presentations on time. You guys surpassed yourselves, again!!" Pete
"It was again, a blast!
Well .....painful, but it's great riding, and it's always good to do it for the challenge!! Great event. See you next year!"
Wendy
"My husband raced at your event a couple of days ago. I just wanted to say thank you from a spectator's point of view. The park where the race is held is beautiful. It was so nice to have a parking area right at the expo area and not have to walk miles. I know my husband had a blast but I thought you'd like to know what the other side thinks! I'm sure we will be back next year. Thank you!" Jill
"Great race, will be back next year." Art
"I wanted to write to you and say how great your event was. The long course was one of the hardest and most fun I ever raced on. Truly an epic. I hope to be able to ride again in it next year. Thanks!"
Mark B.
"Thanks for putting on a great event. You are a wonderful
community and I appreciate all the work you, your husband and the locals put into the race. Peace." Mark
"Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks for the cool race. I had to take off before the awards but I really enjoyed the course and the event was very well organized. I will get the word out to the folks on my team (VeloSport) so there is a better turn out at the next race." Bob
"Just a quick note of thanks for a great race/event yesterday!!!! Great volunteer work and awards. Thanx again guys!" P. K.
"My son participated in the Spring Challenge on Sunday and just loved it. Thank you for putting on such a great event." Connie
"Killer race and I hope to see it happen again next year." Bob
"On Sunday, I competed in your Spring Challenge race. Wow, what a course! These are some of the best trails around, and so close. So Cal could use another mini series, like Rim Nordic (Hint hint)."
G. T."The race was fantastic. You were right that it was a "feast of pain" and I'm really still amazed at the fact that I actually enjoyed such a brutal race - but I did! Anyway, FABULOUS, FABULOUS, FABULOUS!" Lorena
"I was at the race Sunday, excellent job not a problem to speak of." Eric
"Wanted to shoot you an e-mail and tell you that I really enjoyed the Spring Challenge. The support was great and the course was fun. Hope you will put the race on next year :)" Rhonda
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