Here in Utah, we have lots of bikes, and lots of beer. Sometimes, they go together, like the Full Suspension Pale Ale Squatters makes that has a mountain biker on the label. So finally, these two great things that go great together really are joining forces at Snowbird for the Full Suspension Mountain Bike Series.
Snowbird made the announcement this week, and they say the races will feature, “an adrenaline-charged course through Snowbird’s diverse terrain.”
It seems some new trails have been cut at The ‘Bird recently, and they want to show them off. Renowned mountain bike trail builder Troy Duffin designed and built Snowbird’s new single track trails over the past two years, so they figure a race series would be the perfect venue to highlight his efforts.
Each lap of the course will be a 5-mile loop that has about 80% singletrack and 600 feet of climbing. The loop will run clockwise as it begins under the Tram at the resort base, goes up Creek Road, then turns into singletrack at the Chips Cache trees. The race then goes to Black Jack Gully and onto the Bass Highway where it traverses across the mountain through forests to Miners Road. After a climb up the road, you’ll hit the Wilbere Ridge singletrack, then cross Big Emma to the Baby Thunder trail where a descent back down to the Snowbird Center on the Dean’s Delight Trail ends the race on a fun note.
This new, first-ever mid-week mountain bike race series at Snowbird takes place on July 19, 26 and August 2 and 16, 2012. Racers must register at the event, and the entry fee is only $20. Each registrant will get a Full Suspension Pale Ale or a Squatters Brewhouse Root Beer to celebrate the race. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the races begin at 6. Then at 7:30, the Full Suspension Awards Party will be in full swing, where prizes will be given away such as Aerial Tram tickets, Snowbird Summer Activity Passes and Wasatch Beer goodies.
There are seven categories, based on rider ability level:
Pro Men – 3 laps
Expert Men – 3 laps
Pro/Expert Women – 3 laps
Sport Men – 2 laps
Sport Women – 2 laps
Beginner Men – 1 lap
Beginner Women – 1 lap
A map of Snowbird hiking and biking trails can be found at www.snowbird.com/about/trailmaps.html
For more information, visit the Full Suspension Mountain Bike Series at Snowbird’s website.