The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Mad racing Saturday and Sunday
by Stan Cola
Bike riders of the Gunnison Valley: The 11th annual Original Growler mountain bike race is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27. The Growler is a great way to kick off the race season for some and an amazing way for others to simply test their mental and physical fortitude.
Beginning in downtown Gunnison, racers will sample most every trail at Hartman Rocks while riding a 30-mile loop through blooming paintbrush, sage and granite on some of the flowiest trails in the valley.
Saturday will be the Half Growler and starts at 9 a.m. Back by popular demand, there’s even a free Kid’s Growler race Saturday morning at the Base Area of Hartman Rocks, from Strider riders to kids ages 10 and up. Kids of all ages, and their parents, are welcome to just show up at the base area of Hartman Rocks at 8:30 a.m., have the proper paperwork filled out and start riding.
Sunday is another Half Growler option, and the truly fit/competitive/crazy can add on another lap for the Full Growler, starting at 7 a.m. While Saturday’s Half Growler is full, spots are still available for Sunday’s Half and Full Growlers.
And if you’re not into racing, they always need volunteers out on course or at the post-race party at IOOF in downtown Gunnison. For more information, to get in on the race or to find out how to volunteer, go to originalgrowler.com or email tim@gunnisontrails.org.
