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A brand spanking new downhill course and more convenient access for non-competitors are what spectators can expect at this weekend's Blast the Mass bike races.
Just don't expect to see Lance Armstrong tear up the Blast the Mass courses. The part-time Aspenite, who won by a margin of almost three minutes last year, has a prior engagement over in France, but there are plenty of competitors willing to act as the top dog in the two downhills (one on the “old” Snowmass Express course off the six-pack, the other on the new route below the gondola).
Do expect heated competition on the short-track cross country through Base Village and on the nearly 12-mile track that loops throughout the ski area.
“This one will be big, if not bigger than last year,” said Keith Darner of Mountain States Cup, which oversees the season-long series, which includes the Snowmass stop, Blast the Mass.
While registration continued to be taken Tuesday, town event manager Dave Elkan said between riders and spectators, the influx of bodies in town should top 1,200. He anticipates a larger crowd than last year, due in part to the July date (last year Blast the Mass was held in August) as well as its scheduling just prior to the U.S. Nationals.
“To me, this is how I envision Snowmass Village looking (in the summer),” said Elkan. “This is such a great event” which brings together mountain biking and families, he noted.
Elkan, the former director of this series before he took a job with Snowmass Tourism, works on setting up the courses along with Villager Steve Rausch. Here's what they are planning:
–The “Famous Snowmass Express Downhill” takes off from atop the Village Express and continues down the fall line to the Snowmass Mall. While the lift will be open to all (for a fee), non-competitors won't be able to take their bikes on the six-pack.
“It's definitely one of the fastest downhills in the country,” Elkan said, with top times nearing the four-minute mark.
There are qualifying heats and different classes of riding over the three-day weekend, beginning at 9 a.m. each day, so check the complete schedule at racemsc.com for more details. In short, practice begins on Friday and racing kicks off Saturday morning. Sunday sees the cross-country event along with the second downhill.
The cross-country route winds from Village Bound to Ullrhof before heading over to the Government Trail down Anaerobic Nightmare and Tom Blake. A total of 11.8 miles in length, it should take a top amateur rider about one hour and 20 minutes to complete, according to Elkan.
The new Elk Camp Gondola will provide a lift up to the speedy race that blasts down Snowmass Way (Adams Avenue in the winter). Spectators may enjoy great viewing from the actual lift or alongside the trail. And, unlike the six-pack, non-competitive cyclists may take their bikes along for the ride.
It won't take much effort at all to watch Saturday's short-track race through Base Village, which begins at 9 a.m.
In between all of the truly competitive racing is the Shimano youth series race for kids 10 and under, product and schwag show-and-tell and plenty of fellowship from fellow riders.
The designated camping site for Blast the Mass is on the town soccer field. Organizers promise that, unlike two years ago, the sprinklers won't turn on in the middle of the night.
mosberger@snowmasssun.com
Just don't expect to see Lance Armstrong tear up the Blast the Mass courses. The part-time Aspenite, who won by a margin of almost three minutes last year, has a prior engagement over in France, but there are plenty of competitors willing to act as the top dog in the two downhills (one on the “old” Snowmass Express course off the six-pack, the other on the new route below the gondola).
Do expect heated competition on the short-track cross country through Base Village and on the nearly 12-mile track that loops throughout the ski area.
“This one will be big, if not bigger than last year,” said Keith Darner of Mountain States Cup, which oversees the season-long series, which includes the Snowmass stop, Blast the Mass.
While registration continued to be taken Tuesday, town event manager Dave Elkan said between riders and spectators, the influx of bodies in town should top 1,200. He anticipates a larger crowd than last year, due in part to the July date (last year Blast the Mass was held in August) as well as its scheduling just prior to the U.S. Nationals.
“To me, this is how I envision Snowmass Village looking (in the summer),” said Elkan. “This is such a great event” which brings together mountain biking and families, he noted.
Elkan, the former director of this series before he took a job with Snowmass Tourism, works on setting up the courses along with Villager Steve Rausch. Here's what they are planning:
–The “Famous Snowmass Express Downhill” takes off from atop the Village Express and continues down the fall line to the Snowmass Mall. While the lift will be open to all (for a fee), non-competitors won't be able to take their bikes on the six-pack.
“It's definitely one of the fastest downhills in the country,” Elkan said, with top times nearing the four-minute mark.
There are qualifying heats and different classes of riding over the three-day weekend, beginning at 9 a.m. each day, so check the complete schedule at racemsc.com for more details. In short, practice begins on Friday and racing kicks off Saturday morning. Sunday sees the cross-country event along with the second downhill.
The cross-country route winds from Village Bound to Ullrhof before heading over to the Government Trail down Anaerobic Nightmare and Tom Blake. A total of 11.8 miles in length, it should take a top amateur rider about one hour and 20 minutes to complete, according to Elkan.
The new Elk Camp Gondola will provide a lift up to the speedy race that blasts down Snowmass Way (Adams Avenue in the winter). Spectators may enjoy great viewing from the actual lift or alongside the trail. And, unlike the six-pack, non-competitive cyclists may take their bikes along for the ride.
It won't take much effort at all to watch Saturday's short-track race through Base Village, which begins at 9 a.m.
In between all of the truly competitive racing is the Shimano youth series race for kids 10 and under, product and schwag show-and-tell and plenty of fellowship from fellow riders.
The designated camping site for Blast the Mass is on the town soccer field. Organizers promise that, unlike two years ago, the sprinklers won't turn on in the middle of the night.
mosberger@snowmasssun.com
