The Coaster mountain bike race returns with a vengeance next weekend May 2 and 3.
The marathon cross country course on Saturday is up to 45 km of beautiful trails offering some challenging climbs and some wonderful view points, along with flowy single-track descents.
Trail crews have been hard at work covering roots and rocks with some nice sandy gravel and filling in those nasty mud holes. New this year is a 20-metre log ride — not for the faint of heart!
The short course option gives participants 21 km of Tour d’ Creek without all the nasty climbs, but also missing the Rio Grande descent.
The Sunshine Coast Equestrian Club (SCEC) will be serving up a fine salmon barbecue after the completion of the race, accompanied by refreshments from Townsite Brewery, a long-time sponsor.
The XC course has been marked already, so riders can go and check it out before deciding which race to enter, and then step up the training!
The kids’ races take place on Saturday as well, with onsite registration at 9 a.m. at the SCEC corral up the B&K Road.
On Sunday the downhill race returns on the infamous Mach Chicken — three km down, completed by some in less than three minutes! Top prizes this year come from Boreale Biking Tours, Harbour Air, BC Bike Race, Off the Edge, Spin Cycles, Alpha and Norco. SuperValu stocks the feed stations and Up the Creek Hostel offers beds at a discount to racers.
Pro racers get cash prizes, and local racer Kris Sneddon has donated cash prizes for the fastest non-pro riders with a local address.
Registration is now open at www.sunshinecoaster.net.
