Hustle and Flow…Flow…Some of you may have heard about SF Flow- a hugely popular, somewhat controversial off road bike race throughout San Francisco that had some people jumping for joy, and others up in arms, and others wondering what on earth happened.

Highbridge All-City 2009 XC MTB Race teaser from Jamie Bogner on Vimeo.

Looks like the big apple has done something similar, only in and around highbridge park, a space with a healthy amount of dedicated bike trails.  This year they’re doing it again (the footage is from years past) and it looks to be a spectacular event.  As the rider in the video states, Mountain Biking is suffering from a lack of spectator interest.  And there’s good reason for that.  Who wants to go watch their friends race when you have to drive 4 hours out of town to get there, only to watch the racers line up, dissapear down the trail, and return again, bloodied, dirty, and tired four hours later, while you (spectator) sat in the sun with not much to do other than check out the free patch kits and stickers at some sponsor tent.

Think about Urban off-road races.  Think about small loops full of obstacles that require as much skill and balance as outright leg muscle.   Think about the folk just using the park that would stumble upon a mountain bike race by serendipity, and become enamored with the sport.  Think about the spectators having a great time as they walk from one viewpoint to another, snapping great photographs of friends and family racing bicycles with the urban mecca of San Francisco in the background.  Think about everyone enjoying the downhill roll into the Mission district afterwards to grab some super burritos and horchata… Ahh, I suppose I’m dreaming again.  But maybe, in a little way, writing about this dream, and working with SF Urban Riders to develop plans and designs for this sort of project, is bringing these dreams just a little closer to reality.

Just think, if McLaren Park or others could be turned into a parks full of multi use trails making long, scenic loops affording beautiful views of the city.  All users could enjoy them througout the year, and then once or twice a year, SF Urban Riders, Pilarcitos Cyclesports, or anyone else could put on some world class events such as this, mixing DH, trials, cross country, and other techniques and elements of a great off-road ride.

The world is our oyster, and anything is possible.  Stick with us, come out to the meeting on 5/27 at Sports Basement, and lets see if we can give the boys in Highbridge Park, NYC, something to compete with.