The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Cross-country and downhill action
If there is ever a time to jump into the local mountain bike race series fray, it’s now.
For one, Ethan Passant is off on the Colorado Trail Race at the moment, so that opens up a spot for everyone to move up in the cross-country race.
Also, the recent weather patterns have dialed in the downhill tracks, making for tacky, high-speed runs.
“This rain has been unbelievable,” says Crested Butte Mountain Sports director Drew Cesati. “It’s a super-highway right now.”
The Pinnacle race crew has two races on tap for Thursday, August 5, a downhill and a cross-country. The downhill will showcase their latest gravity-fed addition to the Evolution Mountain Bike Park, Mineral Point.
The downhill course will start with Mineral Point, tie into the Luge and finish with the lower section of Avery.
Competitors will have lift access until 6:15 p.m., with the first rider dropping at 6:30 p.m.
The cross-country race starts at 5:45 p.m. and will connect several trails on the north side of the ski area, starting with a climb up Columbine, head down Prospector, up Meander, etc.
“It’s a similar course to the race two weeks ago, only in reverse,” says Cesati.
Numbers of participants were down last week so Cesati is putting the call out for a big turnout this week.
“We’re looking for a strong showing from locals and tourists alike,” says Cesati.
Registration is a mere $15 and will take place at the 9380 deck from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The fee includes the after-party, complete with Dave Ochs on the microphone, drinks, pizza and a gang-load of prizes.
