May 13/04 5:59 am - Whistler Blackcomb Bike Bash 2004

Posted by Editoress on 05/13/04
 

Whistler Blackcomb kicks off the season with BIKE BASH '04
Courtesy Intrawest

May 22nd to 24th in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park

Few places can rival what Whistler has in store for mountain bikers this season. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is expanding into the Garbanzo area and adding a slew of new features. Highly anticipated Whistler trails like the Comfortably Numb epic and the reincarnation of A River Runs Through It are now complete. In July, Crankworx will pick up where the Whistler Summer Gravity Festival left off. Whistler Blackcomb invites you to kick off this season with the bang it deserves, with Bike Bash '04 this May 22 to 24.

Bike Bash '04 is the first of what Whistler Blackcomb hopes will become an annual event to celebrate the start of the riding season. The event will hail the official opening of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, include the third annual Crud to Mud DH, the Grand Opening of Garbanzo Bike and Bean, and a massive Bike Expo, Demo and Display in the village.

Mark your mental calendars with the following:

May 22nd
9:30am - Official Opening of the newest bike shop in Whistler, Garbanzo Bike and Bean

10:00am - Official Opening of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park (open M-S through the summer)

10:00am to 5pm - Bike Expo, Demo and Display in Skier's Plaza - all Whistler bike shops have been invited as well as 20 bike manufacturers and suppliers, and celebrity riders

time TBA - Bike Bash party at the Garibaldi Lift Company

May 23rd
10:00am to 5pm: Bike Expo continues

May 24th
10:00am - Crud to Mud begins (pre-registration is mandatory)

One of the bike season's most animated events is the 3rd Annual Crud to Mud Downhill, which takes place on Monday, May 24. In teams or individually, Crud to Mud competitors ski or snowboard from the top of Whistler Mountain to the bottom of the snow line, where their bikes and equipment lay waiting. Once they've struggled out of their boots and are clipped into their bike pedals, participants race through A-line, an advanced run in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

"The Crud to Mud is the only race that solves the spring-time dilemma of making the choice to ride or ski - it allows you to do both," said Rob McSkimming, Director of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. "So many people here are accomplished at both sports - why not try to determine who is best?"

Registration for the Crud to Mud Downhill is open to all strong intermediate to expert skiers, snowboarders and mountain bikers. Participants can enter the following categories: open solo male, open solo female, open solo junior (male and female, 18 and younger), 40+ solo male, 40+ solo female, and open teams of two (male/female teams are welcome). Pre-registration is mandatory, and is available through Whistler Blackcomb Guest Reservations, at 604.932.3434 or 1.800.766.0449. The event is $30 or $40 for teams of two. Bike park lift passes are not included in the registration cost, but can be purchased for $20 at Guest Relations. The race begins promptly at 10:00am on Monday morning.

To find out more about Bike Bash '04, the Crud to Mud Downhill, Garbanzo Bike and Bean, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and skiing and snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb during the summer, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com.