April 23/03 8:01 am - BC News

Posted by Editor on 04/23/03
 

BMX News
Courtesy Kevin O'Brien

Haden De Boer (NZ#3) and Richard Stratford (NZ#4) are headed for Canada in early May to spend 3 weeks racing and promoting BMX across Western Canada. In October Canada will send two riders to New Zealand to race the North Island Titles against New Zealand and Australia.

Team KIWI's events include a No-Clip Pro-Am at Ridge Meadows (May 24), a Skills clinic the same weekend, and the Canada Cup events in Red Deer, Alberta (June 7& 8). Watch out for an International Challenge race in Red Deer. Email bmx@cycling.bc.ca for more info.


Test of Metal Sold-Out

Cross-country mountain bike racing is alive and well with the Test of Metal selling out the 800 available start numbers earlier than ever. With the race still almost two months away, the Test of Metal, the prestigious headline event of the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival, is becoming more popular than ever, selling out more than one month earlier than last year.

"This is a testament to the continuing growth of mountain biking and our commitment to put on the best race anywhere," says Cliff Miller, Test of Metal race director and organizer of the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival. "We've evolved into a full-on weekend-long mountain bike festival, and it's exciting how much interest there is in this event. This is great for the community of Squamish, recognized as a mountain bike mecca, and it's great for mountain biking."

In addition to the demand for cross-country racing, the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival, ready to roll June 20-22, attracts the full spectrum of mountain bike enthusiasts, with chariot races, a downhill-oriented freeride competition, the trials competition and the Mini-Metal for kids. As well, nine- to 14-year-old racers start the Teen Test, which is not sold out, immediately after the start of the Test of Metal.

Now that the Test of Metal has sold out, organizers can concentrate on filling the more than 200 volunteer positions that are required to make the weekend successful. The festival's newly designed website (www.testofmetal.com) makes obtaining festival information easier than ever and includes a form for volunteers to apply for a wide variety of positions.

"We have had incredible volunteer and community support throughout the history of the Test of Metal," Miller says. "For those who don't necessarily want to race, but who want to part of this great event, volunteering is a fun way to get involved."

With so much interest in the Test of Metal, many racers will be pre-riding the race course as part of their training regimens. Miller encourages both Squamish drivers and cyclists to be respectful of one another. As well, cyclists riding the Mamquam Forest Service Road (9-Mile Hill) should be aware of industrial traffic on the road as Canadian Hydro Developers is developing a hydroelectric project in the area.


Whistler Mountain Bike Park Opening Early

Whistler, April 22, 2003 - The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will open two weeks early for limited weekends-only operation beginning May 3rd. Park crews started work today clearing and preparing trails for the summer. It is expected that the park will be fully operational by the official Opening Day of May 17th. Seven day per week operations will commence at this time.

To celebrate Whistler's diversity of spring skiing, snowboarding and biking, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park will officially open with "Mudfest" on May 17th. Mudfest will feature the second "Crud to Mud Downhill," in which participants ski or snowboard from the top of Whistler Mountain to the bottom of the snow line, then hop on their bikes and ride through the Bike Park. This year's Mudfest will also include the first ever "Slopestyle Expression Session" -- stay tuned for details.

To ensure another record-breaking season, Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail designers have worked hard to finish, improve and create new trails for riders of all abilities. Beginners will fall in love with the sport on "EZ Does It" and in the Beginner Skills Centre. Advanced riders might forget to breathe on the "Schleyer" -- professional Mountain Biker Richie Schley's signature trail.

"Last season was very successful, but that's not stopping us from making improvements," said Tom Prochazka, Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager. "We're spending a lot of time on trails for all types of riders. Our goal is to provide a world-class experience for riders of all ages and abilities."

Whistler Mountain Bike Park season passes are now on sale for $249. For Whistler Blackcomb season pass holders, the price is $217. In honour of the winter portion of the X Games Global Championship, which will take place at Whistler Blackcomb on the same weekend as Mudfest, 3 day lift passes will be available for $89. For day rates, and for pricing for children, youth and seniors, please check out www.whistlerblackcomb.com.


BC Junior Mountain Bike Festival 2003

The Team from Shore Events that brought you the BC School Open Mountain Bike Championships and the Whistler Mountain Bike Festival last year have an enhanced Junior Mountain Bike Event for kids and their parents this year! The BC Junior Mountain Bike Festival 2003, run out of Camp Brick in the beautiful LSCR North Vancouver is slated to take place on May 24th and 25th 2003. Here is the breakdown:

Elementary School Family Fun Day - Saturday May 24th
Presented by Garrison Beatty Insurance. A day of clinics, seminars and fun activities for elementary school age kids and their parents.

Morning
The Learning Morning
A full morning of seminars and clinics for both parents and kids - Check this out!!
* Mini seminars all morning from Dave Moody, Hoots Jay and Dangerous Dan - amongst others

Afternoon
Fun and Games
The afternoon is all about family fun on the bike
* Guided trail rides, Bike Rodeo, Family Poker Run and shows from the Flowriders, Hoots Jay and the Baia Brothers Trials Team

ING Direct - BC Junior Race Day - Sunday May 25th 2003
The ING DIRECT BC Junior Race day is being run as an "Open" event. This means that any school age child enrolled in Grades 2 through 12 may enter! Participatory fun races for Grades 2 through Grade 5 and age group races for Grades 6 though Grade 12. Tons of performance and draw Prizes.

See www.shoreevents.com for all of the info or email info@shoreevents.com