The town of Downieville is situated on the confluence of the Downie and North Fork of the Yuba Rivers. Coincidentally the Downieville Classic festival atmosphere is also a confluence of many things at one wonderful place every summer.



Of course you've got mountain bikes and some of the best trail riders in the West, but you also see your share of river rats, bikini girls, crusty locals, buzzed partiers and plenty of kids and dogs all running and swimming around like mad at the pinnacle of the event – the river jump. Here are some highlights from this year's river jump event including the best and worst ways to go ballistic into an icy-cold river on a hot summer day.

Photos by Alan Davis

First - don't choke up! This young jumper hesitated at the last second resulting in an ugly river jump fail.

This is more like it - making a splash with style.


World Cup DH series leader Greg Minnaar (Syndicate) even showed up to jump a crappy bike into the river for the kids at Bike magazine.

Kirt Voreis (Allride) hung out at the Classic all weekend - this is a not-so-successful front flip

We're not sure what she's doing but we don't care – bikes need more bikinis!

Who invited Brian Boitano to the event?

How to lose your Mojo at Downieville

And finally the best jumper of the day - not only is his form skyjumper-perfect but his helmet has already fallen off and somehow he's still 20-some feet off the deck while his bike is already in the drink – that takes skill!