Vail Recreation District announces 40th-annual mountain bike town race series
The 2024 Bloch & Chapleau Mountain Bike Town Series begins on May 22 with the Minturn Mini
Vail Recreation District/Courtesy photo
The Vail Recreation District announced the schedule for its 40th-annual mountain bike town race series in a press release last week.
Racing kicks off on May 22 with the kids-only Minturn Mini, with adult action commencing at the Eagle Ranch Classic on May 29.
“The VRD will host over 1,200 riders, competing for more than $30,000 in prizes and bragging rights,” the April 15 press release stated. “Following each town race, join us for after-parties, where we’ll celebrate with awards and a raffle. The adult participants will enjoy free beer!”
The town series includes categories for all ages and abilities, including a youth series for riders ages 8 to 17. Overall series champions will be awarded to teams and individuals in each category at the end of the season. Teams and individuals must sign up for the entire series to be eligible for the series champion, the release noted.
The series will include some familiar stops and a new one, too. One of the oldest mountain bike races in Colorado, the Davos Dash is set for June 12 and the AC/DC award returns for a third year. The latter competition combines athletes’ times from the Davos Dash uphill climb with the downhill-only Son of Middle Creek Enduro. On July 10, cyclists will convene in Eagle for the new Boneyard Brawl. The 5-mile loop course will make use of Bellyache Road, Redneck Ridge and the Boneyard Trail.
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Athletes are encouraged to prepare for the town series by participating in the Spring MTB Short Track Series starting on May 1 in Eagle.
“There are no points or prizes, but it’s a great way to stay active and get in shape after the winter season,” the release stated regarding the three-event series, wherein riders are challenged to ride as many short, dirt laps as they can in 20 minutes.
The cost for the short track series is $6 for youth if pre-registered and $9 for day-of registration. Adult registration is $16 pre-registered and $23 day-of. Each event in the town series is $29 and $15 for adults and youth, respectively, if pre-registered, and $40 and $20 for day-of registration. The cost for the entire series is $185 for adults and $80 for youth.
Details for individual events can be found at http://www.vailrec.com, and registration is available at http://www.vailrec.com/register.
Youth races start at 4:45 p.m. and adult races start at 5:45 p.m.
- May 1: Short Track #1 – Eagle County Fairgrounds, Eagle
- May 8: Short Track #2 – Miller Ranch Open Space, Edwards
- May 15: Short Track #3 – Maloit Park, Minturn
Bloch & Chapleau Mountain Bike Town Series
Youth races start at 4:45 p.m. and adult races start between 5-6 p.m.
- May 22: Kids Only Minturn Mini MTB – Town of Minturn
- May 29: Eagle Ranch Classic MTB – Eagle
- June 12: Davos Dash – Vail
- June 26: Son of Middle Creek Enduro – Vail
- July 10: Boneyard Brawl – Eagle
- July 24: Beaver Creek Blast – Beaver Creek
- August 14: Camp Hale Hup – Camp Hale, between Red Cliff and Leadville
- August 28: Vail Grind – Vail
Vail Golf Club passes go on sale May 1
Vail Golf Club season passes go on sale May 1, according to a Vail Recreation District press release. Details and pricing on available plans can be viewed and purchased online at http://www.vailgolf.com. Passes can also be purchased through the phone by calling 970-479-2260 or in-person at the Vail Golf Club pro shop.
“We are looking forward to a great golf season this year,” stated Alice Plain, director of golf. “We’ve had construction delays over the past several years, but our golf course projects are now complete — we have made many improvements on the course.”
The release stated that the course and driving range are expected to open in mid-May, weather permitting.
