Board of Director Sets 2010 Ride Dates

January 3, 2010 on 3:34 pm | In Mountain Biking | 2 Comments

Get your calendar!

The Board of Director of Growlers Gulch Racing has announced the key dates for the 2010 events. Six people earned all five wheels in 2009. We are hoping to get that number to double-digits this year.

Please note that those who have worked on trail at Growlers always get first preference for sign-up.

May 22 – Growlers Gulch 5K: I keep telling these guys it’s a ride, not a race, but they don’t listen. The 5th Annual 5K serves as motivation for those of us who are too pathetic to stay fit because it’s the right thing to do. We need impending fear to get us off the couch. The 5K provides that with 5,000 feet of ascent over approximately 28 miles.

This year’s route will feature more single-track and less gravel, which translates into slower times and more brutality (We never stop thinking of you). Past winners include Bob Stanton, defending champ Mike Van Hoose, and two-time king Lance Brigman. Last year’s times ranged from 3:41 to 6:07. It is imperative (look it up) that you know the route prior to the ride.

The highlight of the 2009 5K was Melanie Norris finishing the ride in 5:12, despite breaking her shoulder at the 7-mile mark. Complete details of last year’s 5K at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/941/van-hoose-takes-5k-title

June 19 – Tour de Gulch: Think of it as a really big party with a ride attached to it. The 13th Annual Tour de Gulch will again feature custom rides led by GG regulars. The 2009 event drew nearly 60 riders. We expect another big crowd this year.

Party-goers will be treated to approximately three hours of riding, after which we will gather at the Post-Ride Pub at 465 for food, libations, raffles, and more. Story and video from the ’09 TDG at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/1289/tdg-xii-draws-record-crowd

July 10 – Ride ‘em All: This mindless event – which GGR member Rob Larsen is calling the Buttercup 34 – requires riders to cover virtually all of the Growlers system in a single ride. Last year’s route totaled 31 miles, with 5,140 feet of climbing. With all of the additions we’ve made to the trail network, we expect the 2010 ride to cover approximately 34 miles. 

Last year, 22 riders started and 22 finished, with times ranging from 5 to 7 hours. Details of the ’09 event at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/1458/ride-em-all-falls-before-stellar-growlers-gulch-crew

September 18 – Super D: Something new for 2010, the Super D will replace the TT as a wheel on the 2010 ride circuit. We anticipate that the course will cover approximately 2.5 miles and extend from the top of Creation to the bottom of the Secret Garden. We are still trying to determine the best way to handle timing. BTW – There is a rumor that the TT will live on as an unsanctioned event in 2010.

Please note that this date may be changed to accomodate our brothers who participate in Fluidride Cup events.

October 16 – Climbing Championships: Technical climbing skill is at a premium at this one-of-a-kind event that allows spectators a front-row seat for the action. The 2009 CC took place in a monsoon. We are hoping for similar weather in 2010.

Riders have one attempt at each of five tough interval climbs, covering 175 to 525 feet of total distance. Barring problems with the U.S. Forest Service and INS, Thomas “Balloon Boy” Mueller, the ’09 champ, will return to defend his crown.

Story about the ’09 CC at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/2115/mueller-edges-lemonds-to-win-climbing-title with video that includes Cage Aaron’s epic hop-fest on Lung Buster at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/2192/09-climbing-championship-video