Over 100 kids and youth are expected to be part of the action at the 5th annual Subaru of Cranbrook Six In The Stix Mountain Biking Festival this weekend.
Young riders from Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Creston, Invermere and many other B.C. and Alberta towns will participate in one of three races as a way of celebrating participation, health, fitness and the simple joy of riding a bicycle.
Riders three to 14 years old can choose one of the following challenges: riding up to 15 minutes around and over obstacles on a paved loop, and riding either up to 30 minutes or 60 minutes on the trails of a 1.4 km forested loop above the College of the Rockies upper parking lot and in the Cranbrook Community Forest.
For the 15-minute Stix, geared for athletes three to six years old, riders may show off their favorite stride/kick bike, 4-wheel bike or the standard 2-wheel bike with cranks and pedals.
As for the 30 minute and 60 minute trail options, race organizer Charlie Cooper provides this description: "The trails just above the College are mostly double-track and very smooth, but there's also a fun section of single-track called Roller Coaster that will have riders twist and turn their way downhill as fast as they want back to the finish. It's a loop with just a little bit of climbing and lots of room for riders to pass each other."
Riders of all abilities are invited to attend this exciting event, and organizers have kept the entry fee at only $10. Each rider will enjoy a well-organized race, receive a goodie bag provided by Sidekick Stickers, be eligible for draw prizes donated by Gerick Sports, and be able to restore their energy levels at the Stix Shack after crossing the finish line.
Registration is available online until Friday night, Sept. 19 at www.rmevents.com.
Limited race day registration will be accepted at the event. Check-in and late registration will begin at 12:15 pm on Saturday and races will begin at 1 pm.
After the up and coming young riders show their stuff, Sunday will test the big kids with their skills and endurance over a six hour period of cross-country riding on the newly designed 13 km loop in the Cranbrook Community Forest.
Organizer Charlie advises mountain bikers to "enjoy the smooth gentle uphills that gain 365 metres of elevation throughout the loop, and to be tuned-in during the fast winding flats & downhills on the endless single-tracks".
Participants can choose to tackle the six hour event as an individual rider or as part of a relay team of two.
Registration cut-off is this Friday night. Volunteer positions are presently being filled for the Saturday and Sunday races and inquiries can be directed to charlie@rmevents.com .