S'ender Race at Highland Mountain — Lower Happy Hour Best-of-Three MTB Showdown

On Saturday, November 15th the S'ender Race brings a short, intense mountain-bike showdown to Lower Happy Hour at Highland Mountain in Northfield, New Hampshire. Designed as a best-of-three run format, the event is both a community fundraiser and a focused test of line choice and berm technique. Riders register in advance—the final registration window closes November 14—so spaces are intentionally limited to keep each heat fast and spectator-friendly. Lower Happy Hour is a compact downhill run that rewards commitment: steep berms, rhythm sections, and a finishing compression that favors riders who read the trail and carry speed cleanly. The race supports Adolf Silva's Road to Recovery, giving every pedal stroke a purpose beyond the podium. Expect short intervals between runs, tight head-to-head starts, and a course that places technical precision ahead of raw power. This one-day race creates a festival atmosphere without the bloat. Volunteers marshal key junctions, timekeepers log best-of-three results, and local riders gather to watch close passes through the berms. Highland Mountain's terrain—glacial till overlying schist bedrock common to central New Hampshire—produces hard-packed dirt that firms up quickly in cool weather and rewards smooth tire choice. Vegetation along the corridor includes mixed northern hardwoods; look for beech and birch alongside the trail edges. For visiting riders, Northfield provides a short staging area and easy logistical access; the race is familiarly local, but reachable from larger hubs in central New Hampshire. Riders should arrive with bikes prepped for quick service in between runs: tubeless setups, fresh brake pads, and a suspension tune that favors responsiveness over deep plushness. While the format favors aggressive line choices, it also invites newer racers to spectate and learn—watch the lines, then test them in practice runs. Safety and community are central. Organizers emphasize respectful passing, helmet-to-helmet awareness, and a clear walk-through of any course features before racing begins. Because the event raises funds for a rider in recovery, expect a supportive vibe: cheers for clean runs and rallying when someone clips a corner. If you’re traveling to race or to watch, aim to arrive early for inspection laps and to stake a viewing spot near the final berms. Bring layers—the mid-November air in central New Hampshire is crisp—and plan for a quick relief of mechanics at the trailhead. The S'ender Race is a compact, high-energy way to feel the rush of fall riding while contributing to a local recovery effort. Parking is available at the Highland Mountain trailhead with a short walk to the start; volunteers will direct rigs and recommend carpooling where possible. Bring cash or card for on-site donations and grab a hot drink from local vendors if available—post-race conversations turn into impromptu line-sharing clinics and bike swaps among riders.