There has to be an element of that though - DH and its associated events like rampage have absolutely traded on the 'super max hardcore to the X-treme' element, waiting for the next big crash, so it's hardly surprising when people say 'Not for me thanks'
i wouldn't associate rampage with DH racing.
Rampage is not a DH event and therefore has nothing to do with it.
I just think people aren't prepared to risk their bodies for what is, ultimately, a hobby. Being successful at DH racing requires skill, fitness, but also a willingness to accept the consequences when it goes wrong, which it does for even the very best.
I just think people aren't prepared to risk their bodies for what is, ultimately, a hobby. Being successful at DH racing requires skill, fitness, but also a willingness to accept the consequences when it goes wrong, which it does for even the very best.
Having badly broken my ankle almost seven years ago (which is causing increasing problems) and almost broken my neck four years back, I've basically lost the ability to lay it all on the line. I ride with too much of a safety margin and it's only random factors that have me off, which made last year's enduro races rather frustrating in terms of times and position. I imagine DH requires even more risk taking to put down a good time.
I'm sure I read Steve Peat saying that when you're going at absolute full tilt race winning pace it's often not fun anymore.
See I do have a DH bike but like the specialist bit of kit it is there is a certain way to ride it or you're just slower than on a trail bike....my situation in other words!
I'm sure if I spent all year on it I'd get there but life's too short.
So, in light of these new BDS rules for single crown bikes I'm going to Langollen with my Trance SX 650b (160mm fork, 158mm rear conversion and 26 inch back wheel to drop the rear of the bike and further kick out the forks to slacken out the HA).... It'll either be a hoot and the saving grace of dwindling entries or riders like me on inappropriate bikes will die in a wreck on the hillside as we're woefully out of our depth!
I'll be reporting back after next weekend from my hospital bed.
Good on ya Deviant. Interested to hear how you get on.