NEW RACE AT THE EVOLUTION BIKE PARK - CRESTED BUTTE TRIPLE CROWN 

International level cycling events have come to Crested Butte quite a few times.  They should, because in my biased opinion there are very few places that genuinely live, breathe, eat, and sleep bicycles like CB.  Even though it has happened before, I still get pretty darn excited when some of the best riders in the world roll into town.  This week round 5 of the Enduro World Series will be contested on the trails of the Gunnison Valley.  Enduro is the newest addition to the disciplines of mountain bike racing and has really added some of the most impressive riders to the start list.   Many of them have been riding the Evolution Bike Park the last few days and it has made for some awesome spectating.  

 Let's do a little bench racing.  Do you follow Enduro?  Do you have any favorite riders?  It may be time to go to your family roots and cheer for the country of your ancestry, or run with your favorite bike brand.  Me, I have to put my money on Jared Graves any time he rolls to the start line.  This blazing fast Australian really represents what Enduro is.  He is a multiple Four Cross World Champion, A BMX Olympian, has earned podium finishes in World Cup Downhill and is the reigning Enduro World Series Champ.  The dude has power and bike handling skill like you wish for and knows how to win.  He is also on a Yeti which I am sure you know is a Colorado company and that could be the extra juju needed to land on the top step.  The last time Graves raced in CB he won the Pro GRT Downhill race on Avery at the Bike Park, so he also has a little history here.  Graves is my bet for the top step.

 For the women I am going to stick with Tracey Mosley.  Another rider with a strong DH background and she just knows how to be the fastest one to the bottom.  Being a spectator the last few days I have had a hard time telling the difference between the men and the women as they come through the final jump set at the bottom of Avery.  These ladies look very comfortable in the air and man they carry some speed down the hill. 

 This race gives us a rare opportunity to see some of the best bike handlers in the business shred our trails.  The easiest place to watch this go down will be at the Evolution Bike Park on Sunday.  Bring your friends and come up and make some noise in the woods.  It is going to be awesome to witness.

 Alright, we have a number of things happening on the hill.  We have been working hard to drain puddles after the last blast of rain.  This year 10% chance of rain translates into 11 hours of steady moisture and has taken a few days to catch up.  We will still be picking away at maintenance on Westiside.  The Pump track in the base area will begin to look like something by the end of the week.  We have started a new trail off of Painterboy.  We have also received approval for the trail that will connect Westside to the Upper Loop.  A lot of balls in the air but when each of them hits the ground it will make for some excellent additions to the Evolution Bike Park.  

 There will also continue to be some periodic closures on Prospector and Woods.  There will also be some Closures on Meander for a glading project so please obey all signage for closed trails.

Seasons.  For many of us in Crested Butte there are really only two seasons, snowboard season (aka ski season) and bike season.  Each year there seems to be more and more overlap between the two but when the snow really starts to fall you can sense the energy around town as people are picturing themselves slashing turns through deep powder.  When the temperature warms and the snow begins it’s reluctant retreat, there is no doubt that many of us are cleaning chains, testing the feel of the fork and hoping the sun will clear off the serpentine lines of dirt that move all around the valley we call home.  As we transition between these two methods of traveling through and most importantly down the mountains that surround us it is still difficult to say when one season ends and the next begins. 

For me bike season starts today, June 13th.  That date has been on my calendar for about a year as the day that is the official start to my biking season.  I know many people have already rolled over hundreds of miles, but my season is just getting started. The beauty of the bike is that it means a lot of different things to different people. It is transportation and it is recreation and in Crested Butte it is very much a part of life.  June 13th is the day for me because these days riding has become family time.  It is something I can do with my wife and son because of the Bike Park.  At 6 years old climbing these mountain is not yet attainable but descending them is.  We can spend hours on the trails and on the lift and it is awesome. 

I also love that while we may flow down some of the more tame terrain in the Bike Park we can watch some amazing riding going on around us.  Fully kitted out DH riders charging down terrain that is difficult to walk on and sending some big features.  There is always something about the speed they carry that makes me excited to push a little harder on the next run.  There are riders heading up Columbine or Westside at a pace that makes me envious of the power in their legs and the capacity of their lungs.  There is a lot happening around us that is so fun to be a part of and reminds me again that all kinds of people choose to ride for many different reasons.  Whatever makes you excited about riding a bike we think we have something for you at the Evolution Bike Park.  Bike season is here and despite our stubborn weather there is a lot of trail ready to ride.  We hope you will come check it out. 

No matter what your family's level of riding, everyone has fun at the Evolution Bike Park - Crested Butte!

Check out the video edit by Chris Segal.