The weather in Ohio is usually 50-60F but in the mid-40s at night in October. Layer up, you'll be walking a lot and sitting a lot. It's not going to be snowing or anything crazy and on a sunny day, the hill feels pretty awesome in the high 60s to low 70s and the fall colors of the trees make for a great backdrop to the racing!

WHAT TO BRING:

Like most events, you don't have to bring anything really. There is a market at the 4-way in town a few good pushes from the campsite and the community center sells some food and drinks all day. There isn't a whole lot in Bainbridge, but it's a really "local" places with the only real chain stores being the Shell gas station and a Subway. Bringing a cooler with wheels is always a good idea! The track isn't super long, but you won't be near your car all day unless you walk back down. Bring a blanket and some camping chairs, but there should be bleachers at the top in the main corner. Bring cash for swapping gear and buying stuff from the community center concessions. Most importantly, eat at the Paxton Restaurant to the left at the 4-way! It's awesome, locally owned, cheap, walking distance from the finish line and campsite, and the country fried steak is super good!

SPECTATING:

Soldiers of Downhill is really spectator friendly! Parking at the campsite near the finish is plentiful. There's even room for campers and RVs. Besides being the center of the event, the community center campsite has portable toilets, a warm fire, and plenty of snacks and drinks in case you forgot anything. Like most races, Soldiers of Downhill is great for all ages as there is plenty of hay to hide behind and tons of elevated land to get a good view without being in danger. There is really no parking anywhere along the track, so you kind of have to walk. The two main spots to watch are the chicane and the top crash corner. You can walk to the top for the main corner to see the racers sliding into the right in 20 minutes at a super slow pace. But the chicane is exciting, has a cool backdrop, and is only about a 1/2 mile from the parking lot.

There is a lot of action throughout the whole track! Meet all the riders at the bottom, watch the finish about a 1/4 mile up, stop at the chicane, see the crazy fast fly-bys on the way up the straight, or hang out at the top for all the predrifts, huge slides, and crashes. If you bring a chair, anywhere is a good spot.