The Vail Recreation District will kick off its 2009 Vail and Beaver Creek Mountain Bike Race Series Wednesday, May 27 with the return of the Hammer in the Hay at 4 Eagle Ranch near Wolcott. Celebrating 26 years of mountain bike racing in the Vail Valley, this year's series will provide racers with an energized atmosphere throughout the summer featuring new courses for the Hammer in the Hay, Vail Grind and Beaver Creek Blast, as well as a new Clydesdale category for those weighing over 200 pounds. Dates for the six-race series are as follows:
May 27: Hammer in the Hay, 4 Eagle Ranch near Wolcott
June 10: Eagle Ranch Classic, Eagle Ranch, 4th of July Trailhead
June 17: Berry Creek Bash, U.S. Forest Service Road in Edwards
July 8: Vail Grind, LionsHead Base Area on Vail Mountain
July 22: Mike Janelle Memorial Race, Davos Dash,
Holiday Inn in West Vail
Aug. 5: Beaver Creek Blast, Centennial Chairlift at the Base of
Beaver Creek Mountain
Preregistration for individual races and the entire series is currently underway for all experience levels, ages eight and older. Team registration costs $1,975 and allows up to 15 riders to compete for the overall series title. After May 24, team registration will cost $2,350. Individual series registration costs $125 and individual race costs are $25 for preregistration or $35 on race-day. Registration is available by clicking here. Preregistration for individual races will end at 5 p.m. Monday, prior to race day, with registration also available until 5:30 p.m. on-site at each race.
Youth RacingRaces will begin at 5 p.m. with the Youth category, followed by Junior, Men and Women Beginner and Sport; Men's Vet Sport and Women's Vet; plus Clydesdales at 5:45 p.m. The Men and Women Pro and Expert, as well as Masters, Single Speed and Vet Experts will race at 6:30 p.m.
The May 27 Hammer in the Hay race will include an after party at 4 Eagle Ranch with a free keg of beer and feature local favorite Hardscrabble, who will entertain post-racers and spectators until 9 p.m. with its bluegrass/new grass and rockin' grass sounds. Prizes also will be presented after the race to the top three finishers of each category, as well as raffle prize drawing featuring products from race sponsors, area merchants and national companies. Series prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers who compete in at least five events.
Venture Sports, the official shop of the Hammer in the Hay race, will offer 15 percent off all tires and tubes and 20 percent off all tunes at their Avon store through May 27. Mention VRD Bike Series to receive the discount.
Sponsors of the 2009 races include Vail Resorts, Inc. and Beaver Creek Resort, FirstBank of Vail, Bud Light, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Orage, Optic Nerve, Woodward at Copper, Skins, Rocky Mountain Reprographics, East West Resorts, Avon Liquor, Plum TV, KZYR Radio, Venture Sports, Mountain Pedaler at Vail, The Kind Cyclist, Vail Bike Tech, Pedal Power and Steadman Hawkins.
New this year, the VRD will offer instant updates and news at www.twitter.com/vrdmtnbikeraces. Riders are encouraged to follow the twitter site for schedule changes due to inclement weather, after party information and reminders of race-day action. The VRD also offers Facebook users an opportunity to follow the VRD race series on its Facebook page by joining the VRD Mountain Bike Race Series group. Photography will be taken by Scott McClarrinon once again this summer and be posted within a few days of the race. 2008 race series photos are available by clicking here.
The race series is a VRD program and the VRD is an equal opportunity service provider operating under special permission from the White River National Forest.
Registration, course information and start times are available by clicking here. For more information on the race series and other VRD sports, click here or call Pappas at 479-2280. For information on all other VRD programs and activities, click here or call 479-2279.
Visit www.vailrec.com for more information.
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