Racing & Events

The Cross on the Rocks Cyclocross series is looking for volunteers.

2008-10-23T01:11:00Z

The Second annual "Cumberland Coal Cross" presented in part by the United Riders of Cumberland is coming to the Village of Cumberland November 1, 2008. The race organizers are currently looking for volunteers to assist with marshalling, timing, registration, set up and take down.

Course set-up will be starting bright and early @7:30am at the No. 6
Mine Park in Cumberland. We hope to have the course set-up by 10:30.
Timers, marshals and those wishing to help with registration will need to be there around 10:30am and should be prepared to stay until the end of the last race @4:00.

All volunteers will be provided with beverages (hot and cold) and snacks throughout the day and they will have the chance to win some great draw prizes. The course has been slightly condensed to allow marshals to return to the park for a snack and a break after each race.

We generally have ample help to take down the course but we will need a ton of help with set-up. Last year we were able to flag the course the night before which lightened the load race day. However, our race falls on the day after Halloween and we have decided not to set anything up the day before as it would probably not last the night.

If you or someone you know would be interested in helping us with this event please contact Dave Nowak, Race Director, @250-897-8484 or via email nowak@futurewest.ca.

Thanks in advance for helping us present another successful event.

Trail Bicycles - Night Rides start Wednesday Oct 29th

2008-10-22T03:55:00Z

Jeff at Trail Bikes is inviting local riders for night rides.

Details:

6pm meet at the shop - Trail Bicycles, 1999 Lake Trail rd, Courtenay
Intermediate riders and above - not sure of your level phone 334-2456
Lights must last at least 2 hours and be bright and bike specific - I have a demo light if your not sure of your light or not sure you want to make the jump into a set of lights.
Will be mainly XC on lower trails.

Depending on interest we may go every other Wednesday, so call for details on Wednesday if possible.

NWD 9 - Premiere Sat Oct 25th

2008-10-21T00:16:00Z

Picture Gee Atherton ripping the Worlds course the day after winning the race, Robbie Bourdon stomping a 70 ft. flat spin and Fabien Barel dropping an insane, near vertical line in Morocco, that's right New World Disorder is back with it's 9th installment, "Never Enough." Filmed exclusively in Super 16mm and High Definition, the world premiere will screen September 24th 2008, during the annual Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In conjunction with Nissan Sports Adventure and Kona Bikes, NWD 9 promises to live up to all you would expect from the award winning series. Showcasing the talents of the best known pros in the business; Darren Berrecloth, Cameron McCaul and Paul Basagoitia, the new kids like Brandon Semenuk, Alex Pro and everyone's favorites Andreu Lacondeguy, Wayne Goss and Ben Boyko. Finding new spots to "capture the goods" in China, Australia and Morocco, following the Qashqai contest series through Madrid, Munich and London and documenting the world cup races in Slovenia, Andorra, Scotland, Italy and Quebec, "Never Enough" will leave you with an uncontrollable urge to get out there and ride your bike!

Come join the United Riders of Cumberland for our presentation of NWD 9 on Saturday October 25th. Hosted at the Riding Fool Hostel, we will be providing 2 shows. The first - all ages showing will be at 7pm and the 19+ at 9pm. Price for kids is $5 and $10 for adults. Bring your cash for Phillips Brewery beer and look forward to a great selection of draw prizes.

For more information call 250-336-8250

Sleemans Year Ender Bender DH

2008-09-10T04:00:00Z

Sept 20th, 2-4pm

What a great way to finish off another epic summer of riding! DH racing, refreshing beverages, and some end of season shwag from our great bike park sponsors. Come one, come all, this is the year ender bender!

Register at the ticket kiosk from 1:30pm to 2pm, then head out and rip it up at the last race if the season. We'll see you at the year-end BBQ after the race!

Bike Park Passholder race price is $10, non-passholders race for $15. All competitors get the race, a post-race bevy, and BBQ. Good times!

For more information contact Mount Washington Alpine Resort 250-338-1386 www.mountwashington.ca

Cumberland host for big adventure race

2008-09-10T03:54:00Z

The Schick Xtreme3 Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) series is set to end its ninth season with its return to Cumberland on September 27, 2008.

The course is planned to be approximately 40 km long, including one kayak stage, two biking stages, three trekking/trail running stages, and a true orienteering stage.

"We come back to Cumberland year after year because of the incredible turn-out, community support and the spectacular landscape", said Race Director and course designer Bryan Tasaka. "For our 8th consecutive year here we have completely redesigned the course. We'll be using terrain never seen before in a MOMAR, including some of the best single-track BC has to offer."

Over 240 participants are already registered, including racers from Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, the Yukon and all over BC. Local athlete, Comox resident Sarah Seads, will be returning to defend her impressive, long run at the top for solo female racers.

Last year's overall winners, Victoria's Todd Nowack and Gary Robbins of Squamish, will also be back to defend their spot at the top.

The MOMAR post-race festivities will be held at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

The event is Hawaiian-themed in honor of the $14,000 in prizes to be given out, which includes a trip for two to Hawaii.

Other great prizes include a team entry for the 2009 BC Bike Race, a custom bike frame from Berg Bikes, Helly Hansen gear, Keen footwear, Frontrunners gift certificates and more.

Adventure racing is a relatively new sport that is quickly gaining popularity worldwide.

The Schick Xtreme3 Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race Series (MOMAR), one of Canada's most popular adventure race series, is a one-day event that challenges the bodies and minds of racers over 40-45km of rugged and visually stunning West Coast terrain.

It features the multi-sport disciplines of mountain biking, trail running, orienteering, kayaking and mystery events. Competitors race solo, or in teams of two or four.

For more information go to http://www.mindovermountain.com/momar/, e-mail info@mindovermountain.com or call 1.866.912.3331.

Local rider wins juniors at provincial downhill race

2008-09-10T03:47:00Z

Marcel Tetrault - Comox Valley Echo

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

A local 18-year-old mountain biker topped the juniors at this year's Provincial Downhill Mountain Bike Championships, held at Mount Washington at the end of August.

Simon Garstin completed the two-kilometre course, which over its length drops about 1,400 vertical feet, in three minutes and 43 seconds.

That fastest time of the day, by a senior elite rider, was just one second ahead of Garstin's time.

"They're the fastest in B.C.," said Garstin. "I was a second off from the first place in pro. I wanted to get the fastest -- I knew I could, but I made a few mistakes.

"I was pretty familiar with the course because I ride up there quite a lot -- it's kind of my local course. I've been able to analyze it and see where I can go faster."

The end of August saw a lot of rainfall, making a technical course even trickier.

"It was muddy," said Garstin. "The first half of the course turned into kind of like a river in spots. There are a lot of rocks and roots on the course. So there was a thin layer of mud on top of all that -- it's quite slippery. It's easier to make mistakes when it's like that.

"Mount Washington did a good job on the course. I look forward to next year."

The race ends Garstin's season. Next year he will compete with the top riders in the senior elite division.

"What I'll be doing now is just preparing for next year, trying to get sponsors and just getting everything ready so that, come spring time, things are in place to just train and race," he said. "I'll be training all winter."

Garstin wanted to thank his sponsors: Mountain City Cycles, Giant Bicycles, Gary Murdoch Chartered Accountant, Eddy Betinol Physio, Canadian Tire, Brian Mclean Chevrolet, Theme Gardens Landscaping, River Meadow Farms, Rotary Club Of Cumberland, VIMSS, Bank Of Montreal and Ascent Coaching.

mtetrault@comoxvalleyecho.com

Mount Washington Hosts BC Cup Finals This Weekend

2008-08-26T20:03:00Z

After hosting Canada Cup races two years in a row, Mount Washington returns to its provincial roots with the return of the BC Cup Finals and Provincial Championships this weekend. The downhill takes place this Saturday, August 30th and cross-country racing begins Sunday, August 31st.

British Columbia’s best up and comers in the downhill (DH) and cross-country (XC) disciplines will be battling it out for provinical bragging rights. The Monster Mile, one of the province’s gnarliest downhill tracks and the grueling 6.5 kilometre long XC loop will definitely test the limits of all the competitors.

“We’re stoked to see the BC Cup Finals return to Mount Washington,” explains race director Mike Manara. “We've made huge improvements to the Monster Mile and XC loop over the last month to get it race ready, and it's great to see the province’s best riders racing here before they head to the national and international stage.”

Even though British Columbia’s finest merchants of speed will be in attendance this weekend, racing opportunities exist for amateurs and locals in the citizen categories. So you don’t have compete on the BC Cup circuit to take part in the action. This is a great way to test your skills against the province’s best!

In between race days, Sixgun Buddha make their triumphant return to Fat Teddy’s Bar and Grill on Saturday night. These local favourites will bring peace, love, and rock and roll to a packed house of booty movers for an Island style shakedown. Put on your party hat and dancin’ shoes people, the Sixgun are back!

Mount Washington could use your assistance at this weekend’s races. Do you love mountain biking or have a child or spouse racing this weekend? If this sounds like you then consider giving a few hours of your time to help the races run smoothly and safely! It's a fun environment, you meet some great people and gain some valuable experience. No previous bike race experience is necessary. Perks include bike park or winter day tickets, meals, and lots of fresh air!

If you’re looking to ride the bike park during the BC Cup Finals, the trails off the Eagle Chair will be closed to public on Friday and Saturday. A discounted ticket rate of $29 plus GST will be available at the ticket window. All bike park trails will re-open to the public on Sunday.

For the complete schedule of racing and registration information for the BC Cup Finals and Provincial Championships go to mountwashington.ca/bccupfinals.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is a proud member of Bike Parks of BC. The park is open daily until September 21, 2008. For accommodation and package information, call Mount Washington Alpine Resort at 1-888-231-1499 toll free or locally at 250-338-1386. Surf to mountwashington.ca for additional information including the live mountain cam.