One of the first riders we ever had the pleasure of sponsoring was the lanky Curtis Beavers. As an already solid DH’er and 4x’er, Beavers shares how he finds himself pursuing the long distance and endurance challenges of the sport.

 

You have been expanding your riding portfolio with some endurance racing this year. Tell us about how you got started and how you approach riding long distances. Because I didn’t have access to many shuttle runs at Cal Poly, I had to ride my downhill bikes uphill. I wanted to ride new trails so I just started riding all over. I started to enjoy riding long distances and I started discovering and finding cool places to ride where no one knew about. In San Luis Obispo we only really have one shuttle run so I was forced to ride everywhere I could find new terrain. Pretty soon riding heavy bikes long distances became the norm and I started getting on trail bikes so I could go to some trails that were far away. I discovered some epic trails in San Luis Obispo and no one was on them. They run right up against the Pacific so you are certain to see sweet views and have really awesome rides.

Do your DH and 4x background translate well into longer distance riding? Yeah it does. You have a far more aggressive style when you grow up downhilling. I podiumed at the Super D at this year’s nationals because I can descend better than most long distance and XC guys.  I passed a guy close to the finish to get the last spot. It’s pretty much like a road race where you have to keep up with the group but when it’s time to go downhill I have the skills that suit the situation better. Without the background there is no way I would have made the podium.

You have been training a lot for Downieville this year. What expectations have you put on yourself? I pretty much want to do the best I can seeing that I have done everything I can to prepare with no shortcuts. I have done some long distance timed DH runs and I have not rested once during those runs. So I really want to finish in the top five in the DH. I should be able to pick of a bunch of “high posters” on the way down in the XC too. I can climb pretty well but I take advantage when going downhill.  I was heckling Jason Moeschler recently because he rides with the seat way up his ass but I would be stoked to keep up with him at Downieville. People don’t realize that it is easy to pin a 5 minute run but it is hard to do 40 flawless minutes.

                    

 You teamed up and dominated with Mark Weir, Henry O’Donnell, and Kirk Desmond at this year’s 24 endurance race at Laguna Seca. Tell us about your experience. We had a 4 man team and we all ran Nomads with single rings and chainguides.  We set a new record by doing 31 laps, beating the record of 30 laps. We even lapped some bad ass road team. It was awesome. We were passing people on stairs and drifting through corners. The 24 hour race is so different, getting up at 3 am and having already ridden 50 miles is tough. We were just eating supplements the whole time. 2 of my laps were during sunset and sunrise so I had some really neat scenery.  It was a really taxing ride though and I even got a little delirious. I didn’t feel well, for like, 5 days after. I can’t believe the guys that do it solo. Those guys are gnarly.

Can Weir be beat? Uhhhh, yeah if he gets a mechanical or crashes really hard.   I don’t think anyone can beat him straight up. He knows the course so well and is stronger than anyone else out there. I think Henry or Kirk have a shot but it is going to be tough. But it’s hard to know when some random guy is going to put together a great run.

Does your lady friend ever comment about the bulge in your skinsuit?  On my balls? Oh my bulge. She always comments on my bulge no matter what I am wearing.

If you were to win, what is the first thing you would do with the money? I don’ even know how much is up. I would probably take all my buddies out for dinner, put some  towards a car payment, and blow the rest on Wayne’s MGD fund.

 Can you hear your mom hell “Go Curty!” like the rest of us? Sometimes, but not usually. Depends on how focused I am.

 Mary Kate or Ashley? Roll the dice, I don’t care. Probably Ashley since I only have to remember one  name.

You plan on throwing some back in the Gamut inflatable lounge at Downieville?   Yeah definitely. It’s going to be hot so it’s a lot easier to just sit around, drink beer, and heckle people.

Calabasas Greatest place ever until it shut down.

NORBA Uhhh, 2 thumbs down. It’s all about classics

Mark Weir Best all around

W Like George Bush?

GU GU? They help me study for finals

Chainsaw Henry O