The first things that strike those unfamiliar with downhill racing is the quality of the venues and how commercially viable the gravity disciplines have become. Ski resorts have long turned to mountain biking in the summer as a profitable use of their otherwise dormant ski lifts. To the typical bike racer, however, this growth has gone unnoticed because it was built primarily on the foundation of non-competitive and recreational freeriding. While cross country and road racers were often happy to simply have access to a toilet that actually flushes, recreational gravity riders and freeriders were enjoying ski resorts designed to cater to their customer’s every need.

Using their well-established winter ski model, Ski Mountains opened bike shops and hired full-time staff to build trails that cater to every age and skill level. And, like recreational skiing, they also rent full-suspension all-mountain bikes and gear for novices and occasional visitors so they and their families can enjoy a day of riding together without the need to first spending tens of thousands of dollars on new bikes, gear and a vehicle to haul them. Then, when you get to the mountain, you get on a lift and go have a great time.”

As time has passed, competition for these mountain bike customers has increased and the resorts with the most and nicest facilities have once again tapped into their winter model and turned to the same source that they’ve used to get attention from skiers – racing. In only three years, Gravity East has established itself as one of the premier downhill series in North America. “Last year, our race at Massanutten Resort in Virgina drew riders from 12 states and Canada, 244 riders” said Daniel McDonald - GES Director, whose company DHD Promotions runs and manages the series. Now in its fourth year, Gravity East’s stature has grown so much so that there are persistent rumors that some of the international World Cup stars are planning to come across the border to attend Gravity East stops this summer.

However the Gravity East series isn’t all about Elite Racing. There are 15 points classes, plus some additional non-points classes, designed to cater to all riders. In the end, McDonald sums-up the appeal of downhill for both recreational and competitive riders. “These bikes,” he says with a smile, “are just so much fun to ride.”

For more information on the Gravity East Series, see www.GravityEastSeries.com.