Burke Mountain Freeride Announced – Aug 29-30

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On the heels of a successful IDF “VT Race Week” at Killington and Burke Mountains, Emgee Events LLC (run by Mike Girard) is proud to announce an exciting, all-new event: The Burke Mountain Freeride, August 29-30, 2015! This event is a non-competitive, community-oriented event, welcoming all gravity sports disciplines to ride one of the most epic tracks in the world. Leathers, slide gloves and full-face helmets are required.

Unbeknownst to many, the Northeast US features some of the most intense, technically challenging and scenically beautiful downhill skateboarding tracks in the world. Of these, the crown jewel is the Toll Road at Q Burke Mountain Resort in East Burke, VT. Averaging 13% grade through 1 mile, with a top speed of 55mph and 10 sliding corners, the road has been called such names as “Giants Head on steroids” and “The craziest mile in the world.” These raw runs might help show you why:

From past riders:

“Ive skated a lot of roads, but Burke may be the gnarliest of them all. You get the three best aspects of downhill skating: going fast, going sideways, and both at the exact same time. This one you’ll remember.” -Norm Plante

“Not sure how to describe [Burke.] It’s like Giant’s Head on steroids. It was the toughest, most challenging road I have ever descended.” -Lee Cation

“Stoked on skating this gnarly track… It’s a doozy!” -Kevin Reimer

Kai Monroe – Push Culture Family Picnic 2015:



REGISTRATION:

Registration Open: June 29, 8pm EDT via Freerides.org.

Registration fee: $180 per rider. This allows unlimited shuttled runs for the duration of the weekend. Space is limited, so be sure to register ASAP! We will have 2,000 haybales, at least 4 UHaul shuttle trucks, insurance, on-site medics, porta johns, water and a local after-party, plus food and merchandise for sale. Riders can make reservations to stay at the Burke campground via http://skiburke.com/visit-burke/stay/q-burke-campground/.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST:

To help stoke out riders, Emgee Events is running a Free Registration Contest! The deadline to enter is June 29 at 7pm EDT (1 hour before registration opens). The winner will be chosen randomly, and will receive a free registration. Here are the official contest guideline posts – if you can, please help spread the love and repost this image on your social media! Facebook | Instagram – Don’t forget the official hashtag! #BurkeFreeride

WHAT’S A FREERIDE? WHY FREERIDE BURKE MOUNTAIN?

A freeride is a non-competitive downhill skateboarding / gravity sports event. There are the same safety precautions and rider shuttles as at a race, but without the competition aspect. Think of it as buying a lift ticket to a ski resort (vs. registering for a ski race): You get to take as many or as few runs as you want, as fast or as slow as you please, in a safe, controlled, low-stress environment. You can take fast lines or fun ones; skate standup or glove-down; ride regular or switch; maybe even demo some new gear, or challenge your buddy to a head-to-head grudge match. Devoid of timed qualifying and a competition bracket, there are none of the typical delays or pressures associated with a race. The focus is on maximum runs, and maximum fun!

Freerides are hugely popular in Europe, where they’re considered an essential stepping stone for novice to intermediate downhillers to get comfortable riding fast, dialing their tucks and predrifts, and skating in a relaxed, car-free setting where they aren’t forced to exceed their comfort zone. The few freerides in North America (Giant’s Head, Maryhill) are hugely popular but far away from the Eastern seaboard. While races cater to elite downhillers – riders who already have closed-road downhill experience – freerides allow for everyone else to develop downhill competency without feeling like they wasted their money registering for a race, only to get knocked out first round. Top downhillers also enjoy freerides to further hone their skills and take advantage of closed road riding time.

Burke’s Toll Road is ideally suited for the purpose of a freeride. Some of the world’s best racers such as Byron Essert, Patrick Switzer, Kevin Reimer and Zak Maytum came to Burke Mountain to race the IDF World Cup “Push Culture Family Picnic” this June 11-13. While these downhillers were amazed by the road, they (and the IDF) agreed that it’s too narrow to safely run 4-man heats. However with 5 slide-necessary corners in both directions, spectacular views, frost-heavied pavement and no race delays, the road would be ideal for a freeride. This August 29-30, Emgee Events is bringing that theory into reality, and the buzz is strong!

Visit the official Burke Mountain Freeride Facebook event for important updates, and don’t forget to RSVP ASAP!

HELPFUL LINKS:

Facebook event page

Registration

Campground

OFFICIAL POSTER:



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