With the winter's deep snow receding, local mountain bikers are getting their bikes out and preparing for an exciting season of riding trail and competing in Gem State races.
The Wild Rockies Regional Championship Series is ramping up for its 19th season of action. The seven-event series begins Saturday, April 12 in Nampa and continues through September.
In addition, the 2008 Knobby Tire Mountain Bike Series kicks off May 4 in Boise and continues through September. The Galena Grinder July 26 at Galena Lodge is on the 2008 Knobby Tire schedule.
Last year's season champions from the Wood River Valley area included, as Idaho state cross country champions, Dave Harrison, Austin Bourret, Sandy Fahey and Dave Bell; as Idaho marathon champions, Muffy Ritz, Matt McNeal and Dave Bell; as Knobby Tire Series class winners, Grace Alexander and Scott Grill; and as Wild Rockies champions, Cody Peterson first and Dave Harrison second in the Pro/Semi-Pro Men's.
Wild Rockies Series
Second-year owner and operator Darren Lightfield of Boise said, "We have some exciting sponsors on board and a great line-up of activities to keep you engaged all year long.
"On the schedule are a few new events, including a cross-country points event in Pocatello and a Super D (old school-downhill race) at the Brundage Mountain Festival.
"We are also supporting a new venue for the NCCA Regional Conference Collegiate Championships at Bogus Basin Resort.
"The Collegiate Championships provide a three-event format for college teams to earn points towards a national championship title. Include in the events are a downhill, cross-country, and short-track cross country mountain bike disciplines. These events are separately available to the professional and age group athlete, as well offering points for the final Wild Rockies races of the year."
Lightfield reminded athletes that trail running is also on the schedule.
He said, "If you have not tried any of the trail running events at the Wild Rockies Series, you are missing out. Unlike most running events we are dog friendly. Just make sure 'Bouncer' is on a leash and you clean up after your buddy. There are distances from 10 kilometer to 20k."
Visit wildrockies.com or knobbytireseries.com for details.
The schedule includes:
Saturday, April 12: The 13th annual Barking Spider Bash desert races featuring a 10.5-mile trail run and cross-county mountain biking at Hemmingway Butte Recreation Area 25 miles south of Nampa. Lightfield said, "It's a great way to test your legs before heading off to big events like the Sea Otter Classic."
Racing begins with a 10-mile trail run at 9 a.m. followed by a mass start mountain bike cross-country race. Pros and experts will go up to 30 miles on a rolling grade, off-road course. The race is comprised mostly of single-track trails. Highlight is undoubtedly the "infamous" skateboard park descent, a twisting, turning, tunnel of thrills. Lightfield said.
"If you're interested in demo riding a new 2008 Scott USA race bike, we'll have several available to test out on the course. If you don't get a chance to demo at the Spider, be sure to check out the schedule and be at any of the other Wild Rockies events, to get your chance to ride some these sweet digs, which are among the world's lightest race bikes," he added.
Saturday and Sunday, June 6-8: The third annual Janna Brimmer Memorial (10k trail run, XC biking and downhill biking) at Salmon.
Friday through Sunday, July 11-13: The 17th annual Brundage Mountain Bike Festival at McCall (trail run at Brundage, 15.5-mile bike, Brundage Bomber DH).
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2-3: 10th annual Pomerelle Pounder two-day downhill mountain biking event south of Burley featuring a contrast in courses—a steep and rocky course Saturday, and a flat out speed and tight slalom style run Sunday.
Friday, Sept. 12: The Bogus Basin Resort Championship Trail Run (10k or 20k) starting at 6 p.m. Friday at the Bogus Basin Mountain Resort lower lodge just north of Boise.
Friday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 14: The 13th annual Bogus to Banzai Super D, good 16.5-mile fun for the beginner riders all the way up to top Pros. Lightfield said, "We are seeing large contingents of riders participating in the event called 'Super D.' It stands for super descent!"
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21: The Bogus Basin Kamikaze Downhill, Hari-Kari Short Track XC and Samurai Long Course XC, also at Bogus Basin. Series championship for the Wild Rockies and Northwest Collegiate Conference series.
Knobby Tire Series and more
The Knobby Tire Series mission statement "endorses the sport of mountain biking, its health benefits and team spirit in Idaho by promoting races throughout the state."
Sunday, May 4: Sixth annual Avimor Coyote Classic in Boise.
Saturday, May 10: The Sagebrush Scramble Short Track, Boise.
Saturday, June 14: The City Creek XC at Pocatello, great for single speeders, cross country only that is also a points race for the Wild Rockies Series.
Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22: The Soldier Mountain XC and DH at Fairfield.
Saturday, July 26: The Galena Grinder XC and Marathon at Galena Lodge north of Ketchum.
Saturday, Aug. 2: The Intermountain Orthopaedics White Knob Challenge at Mackay.
Saturday, Aug. 16: The Silver Creek Pedal and Plunge in Garden Valley.
Saturday through Monday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1: The Knobby Tire Series Finals and NMBS National Finals at Tamarack Resort south of McCall.
Other races this summer
Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22: The 11th annual Idaho City MTB Tour, formerly known as Cycle Idaho. It's a recreational adventure and group ride (45 miles each day and 18,000 vertical feet for the weekend) that raises money for SWIMBA and Idaho Velodrome Cycling Park.
Organizers take care of every logistical aspect and all meals and snacks are provided in the cost. The tour begins and ends at the Fort Boise Armory. A sag wagon is available for riders who want to do a shortened version of the tour.
Visit swimba.org.
Sunday, Aug. 24: The third annual XTERRA Wild Ride Triathlon at McCall featuring a 0.75-mile swim, 19.5-mile mountain bike ride and 10-kilometer trail run. There will be individual and team competition. Wild Rockies points are available. Visit xterraplanet.com.
