Saddle up for the 10th Annual Growler this weekend

More races, different course, same great event, volunteers needed

by Than Acuff

It’s that time of year again, time to test your meddle on your pedals at the Original Growler Saturday and Sunday, May 27-28 at Hartman Rocks. The Growler, and its underling the half-Growler, has gained national prominence as one of the top mountain bike race weekends of the season with miles of crushed granite, buffed out singletrack for all to shred.

Sitting at an elevation of just over 7,000 feet above sea level, the air is just thin enough, but not too thin, to put the wood to racers. Furthermore, with a mix of gradual climbs, a couple of stingers, super fast descents and some technical spots, the Growler racecourse of 64 miles, and the half-Growler course of 32 miles, have it all.

This year may prove to be the biggest weekend yet in the 10 years of the event. For starters, there are two days of half-Growler action with the 32-mile distance available both Saturday and Sunday. Then there’s the full Growler on Sunday. Add in the Meowler kids races on Saturday and there’s more bike racing for more ages, from strider ages to Clydesdales, and abilities than you can shake a stick at.

But wait, there’s more. Every year the Growler course alternates directions. This year the race will go in a clockwise direction. I’m not sure what that means but, more importantly, there are some changes to the course this year. Past courses always included some road sections, specifically the Powerlines climb and Gold Basin Road. Now, thanks to proceeds from past Growler races, the new Graceland area and a new section of the Skyline trail have been built. As a result, organizers will drop the road parts and add in the new areas of singletrack.

There is one caveat to all of this Growler stoke though, the races may be already full. As of press time Tuesday, there were still some spots left to get into the half-Growler on Sunday or the full Growler on Sunday. Saturday’s half-Growler is full.

The best part of the whole event, aside from the bacon and refreshments at Skull Pass, the beer and food, the camaraderie and volunteers, is that the weekend is a fundraiser for Gunnison Trails.

Gunnison Trails is a non-profit trail advocacy organization established to assist land managers and other organizations in maintaining existing trails, educating users on responsible trail-based recreation and pursuing new opportunities for biking, running and hiking trails which promote sustainable trail use throughout Gunnison County. In other words, if you dig mountain biking in the Gunnison area, you can thank Gunnison Trails.

The half-Growler racing Saturday starts at 9 a.m. with a neutral start in downtown Gunnison. Kids races are Saturday morning as well. Families are asked to meet under the picnic table pavilion at the Hartman Rocks base area at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 for registration. Don’t forget to bring snacks and a water bottle or hydration pack for the kids. Helmets and closed toed sneakers required, sunglasses and bike gloves are highly recommended.

Sunday at 7 a.m. the big dogs will line up in downtown Gunnison for the start of the full Growler as well as those riding in the half-Growler Sunday edition.

Say you’re not up for the challenge but still want in on the fun, volunteers are always needed. All information, contacts to volunteer and race registration can be found at gunnisontrails.org.

Oh, and the weather? It happens, you may get wet and it’s up to racers to deal. Past races have been a mixed bag complete with rain, snow and wind one year and blue skies the next. Race organizers are pretty adamant about their weather policy. “All riders need to be dressed appropriately and be prepared to ride in the conditions on race day,” states the race website.

And while this spring weather has been schizophrenic at best, the weather forecast is looking good so go out and get you some Growler.