The 16th annual Sunshine Coaster Mountain Bike Race on April 30 moves out to West Sechelt this year. Registration is open until April 28 at midnight.
There are so many amazing trails on the Coast, organizers decided to give Roberts Creek a break and show the racers something new.
Climbing up the infamous Hell’s Hills, riders take in the new Phareline trail named for local faller John Phare who lost his life in the fire last summer. The trail then heads west and down Millipede to the Homesite Creek road, up Cabin Fever and then up Frogger.
Volunteers just finished repairing water damage on this trail to make it easier to climb.
The race then heads down Brat, Over Easy and Desoto. There will be a cut off at 2 p.m. at Rockabilly Bypass. After Skullduggery, Rodeo and Parbac, racers face a third big climb up VFR before a fantastic 10km descent on Dropbac, DD, 3D and 4D.
The fastest racers are expected to do the 42kms in three hours, while those wishing to get value for their dollar will likely take up to six hours to complete the race. A full barbecue meal and a beer will greet the finishers along with the usual Coaster beer glass featuring Sa Boothroyd’s artwork.
New sponsors this year are the Sunshine Coast Community Forest, that supports mountain biking in their cutblocks, and Thurber Engineering of Roberts Creek.
Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue will be on scene to offer first aid throughout the course, and proceeds will go to Sunshine Coast Cycling, Sunshine Coast United Mountain Bikers, and Search and Rescue.
The course is already signed to give potential entrants the opportunity to check it out before they decide if they’re going for the 42km marathon or the 21km shorter course. If you run across the Coaster signs, please leave them in place – they will be cleaned up on May 1.
If you are interested in registering or spectating, check out www.sunshinecoaster.net
