Day Three of the Trans BC Enduro presented by Stages Cycling defined “steep” in unfathomable ways when racers were confronted with the decision to commit and grip, slide and ride, or scamper down Mount 7, host of the legendary Psychosis race, 1998-2008.

That was some of the hardest, steepest shit I have ever ridden. I was super nervous at the start, and once I let go of the idea of riding all of it, I let myself have fun and it was a blast. I have never smelled burning brake pads from mountain biking before. That was a first."—Bekah Rottenberg (Hood River, Ore.) Open Women

What goes down, must go up first. Racers were greeted with a steep access climb from the shuttle drop-off to pedal, push, and pull their bike up a festival of roots. From the summit, endless views showcased paragliders floating in the distant haze from recent wildfires.

Racers descended steep chutes to the start line, providing the opportunity to enjoy the views along a very exposed ridgeline before clipping in for fresh tracks down the “real” stage one. Nothing but hooting and hollering off the start line, chirping brakes in the middle of more steep and loose chutes, and sounds of elated relief at the bottom, echoed in the hillsides.

Read the full article