Say goodbye to summer the mountain way at the 30th annual Tour Des Suds mountain bike hill climb in Park City. High Country locals know how to mark transitional changes with a a rowdy party, and the Tour des Suds is the ultimate, debauchery-on-wheels celebration to say goodbye to warm weather and welcome in the cold.
The Tour des Suds is a 7 mile hill-climb-on-bikes that goes from Park City to the top of Guardsman Pass for a total elevation gain of 1,700 feet. But this is no ordinary mountain bike race. The Tour des Suds is a costume wearing, beer drinking, kegger on wheels where “winning” isn’t the goal so much as laughing, loving life, and getting in one last “race” on the bike before the snow flies.
Of course, there are those hardcore, spandex-wearing aggros who race to win, and that’s fine too. But the Tour des Suds is all about the crazy costumes, crazy bikes and crazy locals.
As always, there will be a post-race after party with food, beverages and awards. Post race festivities will be held on the Town Lift Deck on Park City’s Lower Main Street where prizes for best costumes will be given out.
The Tour Des Suds takes place on Sunday, September 19th at 10am. The race starts at City Park at 1354, Park Ave in Park City. If you’ve never ridden in the Tour des Suds, then you’re in for a treat. Check out this Park City TV video from a previous year to see what’s in store.
If you are pre-registered, you can pick up your race number between 8 and 9:30am. Here’s the course description from the Tour des Suds website:
“A mass start from City Park to the top of Guardsman Pass. The distance is a 7 mile hill climb on single and double track trail, with a 2,700′ elevation gain. Course will be marked with arrows and dots in blue chalk.
Start: City Park, Park Avenue, left on Heber Avenue, right on Main Street. Daly Avenue, on to Ontario By-Pass (Tour des Suds). Cross Mine Road (224), ride approximately 100 feet; veer left to connect back onto Tour des Suds. Right on to Mid Mountain trail, turn left to connect on to Upper Tour des Suds. Turn left when you reach the top (gravel road). Stay on gravel road, veer left and downhill for approximately 100 yards to connect back onto single track (Team Big Bear, not the trail used in 2008 and 2009). This trail will traverse you around the new homes. When you reach Flagstaff Loop go right until you reach a service road. Cross the service road and take an immediate left back onto single track. Turn right at the 1st intersection and continue on single track until it intersects a paved road. Take the paved road uphill for a short distance and then down to the finish line, top of Guardsman Pass. The course will not be marked until Saturday, September 18.”
Registration costs $30 and closes on Friday, September 18th at 5pm. The cost goes up to $35 the day of the event.
The Tour des Suds is a fundraiser for the Mountain Trails Foundation, a local organization that promotes, maintains, and builds trails for the non-motorized user. For more information, visit www.mountaintrails.org.