Six in the Stix Mountain Biking Festival this weekend
By Contributor
More than 100 kids and youth are expected to be part of the action at the Sixth annual Six in the Stix Mountain Biking Festival September 19-12 near Cranbrook.
Riders from Alberta and the Kootenays will participate in one of three races as a way of celebrating participation, health, fitness and the simple joy of riding a bicycle.
Riders 2-14 years old can choose one of the following challenges: riding 15 minutes around & over obstacles around a paved course, and riding either up to a maximum of 30 minutes or 60 minutes on the trails of a 1.4 km loop in the Cranbrook Community Forest above the College of the Rockies.
For the 15-min. Stix, geared for athletes 3-6 years old, riders may show off their favorite stride bike, 4-wheel bike or standard 2-wheel bicycle.
As for the 30 min. & 60 min. trail options, race organizer Charlie Cooper provides this description: “The trails just above the College are mostly double-track and very smooth, but there’s also a fun section of single-track called Roller Coaster that will have riders twist & turn their way downhill as fast as they want back to the finish. It’s a loop with just a little bit of climbing and lots of room for riders to pass each other.”
Riders of all abilities are invited to attend this exciting event, and organizers have kept the entry fee at only $10. Each rider will enjoy a well-organized race, receive a goodie bag and be able to restore their energy levels at the Stix Shack after crossing the finish line.
Registration is available online until Friday night, September 18 at www.rmevents.com and limited race day registration will be accepted at the event. Check-in & late registration will begin at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday and races will begin at 1 p.m.
After young riders show their stuff, Sunday will test mountain bikers with their skills and endurance over a 6 hour period of cross-country riding on the 13 km loop in the Cranbrook Community Forest.
Organizer Cooper advises mountain bikers to “enjoy the smooth & subtle uphills that gain 365m of elevation throughout the entire loop, and to remain focused during the swoopy & fast flat and downhill sections of the endless single-tracks”.
Participants can choose to tackle the six hour event as an individual rider or as part of a relay team of two or do the new lap Stix suited for recreational riders.
Registration cut-off is Thursday, September 17.
Story source originated at The Nelson Daily
